Tobias felt uneasy when he looked at how the woman was behaving. There was something about her that made him suspicious and gave him a moment of doubt.
Even though her questions seemed harmless, they had a tone that made it feel more like an interrogation than a casual chat. He wasn't sure what it was, but something about the way she looked at him made him think she didn't like him.
Because he wasn't sure what she wanted, he was careful about what he said and didn't want to say too much about himself. Tobias couldn't get rid of the feeling that there was more to this interaction than what he could see, so he couldn't help but wonder what it was all about.
"Well, I'm on my way to the north now. Just arrived from the neighboring town," he said, deciding to disclose his true identity.
Tobias felt a slight twinge of vulnerability as he shared this information, allowing a glimpse into his true identity. It was a departure from his initial guardedness, an acknowledgment that he didn't need to hide behind a veil of mystery.
She narrowed her eyes slightly and studied him intently. "Are you a traveler then? Or perhaps a tradesman?"
Tobias shook his head, a hint of mystery in his eyes. "Neither, my dear."
"Hmm," she responded, "Well, let me fetch your food then."
He observed her retreating figure with a mounting curiosity. Her questions had been sharp, and there was a tinge of unexplained anger in her voice. She spoke as if she had some familiarity with him, yet he was certain they had never crossed paths before.
There was no doubt in his mind that they were strangers to each other.
Shortly after that, she came back with a plate of food and quietly set it in front of him before going to help other customers.
Tobias delved into his meal while occasionally looking around the partially occupied tavern. Some of the locals cast curious glances in his direction, understandably intrigued by the arrival of a newcomer.
In small towns and villages, familiarity among residents was commonplace, making Tobias's presence quite conspicuous. He couldn't help but feel like an outsider in this close-knit community.
Apart from a few stern glances, nobody approached or disturbed Tobias, and he was content with that. He had no desire for any trouble or unwanted attention. All he wanted was a satisfying meal, a peaceful night's sleep, and an early departure in the morning. The sooner he reached Eldermont, the better it would be for him.
"So, you're not a traveler, nor a tradesman," the woman remarked, approaching his table once more. "What is it that you truly are, mysterious man?"
Tobias let out a quiet chuckle as he savored a succulent and flavorful bite of chicken, relishing its moistness and rich taste. His gaze shifted to the woman as he continued to chew, appreciating the satisfying meal before him.
During the frequent interruptions, Tobias replied with a wry smile. "I must confess, I'm not much of a mystery either. Just a man passing through your lovely town, nothing more and nothing less, seeking a respite from the road." His eyes scanned the surroundings, taking in the rustic ambiance of the tavern. "But I have a feeling that this town holds its fair share of secrets. People often carry hidden depths beneath their everyday facade."
She regarded at him intently, her eyes filled with curiosity. "You know, we're all more than the surface we show to the world. Each person carries their own secrets, hidden depths that we may never fully know." Her words held a hint of mystery, as if she herself held secrets of her own.
Tobias couldn't help but feel a flicker of intrigue, wondering what hidden stories lay beneath the surface of this enigmatic woman.
"Well, perhaps I prefer to keep mine," he responded with a sharp retort, his tone laced with a hint of defensiveness. "Some secrets are meant to be kept. There are things in life that are best left unsaid, concealed in the depths of our hearts." The words slipped from his lips with a touch of caution, hinting at a past he was reluctant to reveal.
Tobias wondered if this encounter would unravel the layers of his guarded facade or if his secrets would remain buried, locked away from prying eyes.
Despite the unintended sharpness in his tone, she showed no sign of offense. Instead, she lingered by his table, her gaze fixed upon him with an intensity that both intrigued and puzzled him.
Tobias couldn't help but wonder what it was about him that captivated her attention. In a town where strangers were a rarity, he supposed he stood out as an enigmatic figure, an unknown presence from faraway lands. Perhaps, in this quiet and uneventful place, he represented a taste of the exotic and unfamiliar.
The thought sparked a faint glimmer of amusement in his eyes as he contemplated the notion of being the center of attention in this small, close-knit community.
As she kept talking to him, the woman's lips curved into a small, playful smile. "So, mystery man, where is your journey taking you?" Her curiosity was evident in her tone. Tobias couldn't help but notice the sparkle in her eyes, a genuine interest shining through.
Tobias couldn't help but be amused by the woman's incessant curiosity. Her relentless questioning seemed to have a hint of playfulness to it.
With a slight teasing tone, he couldn't resist firing back, "Do you always have so many questions?" The corners of his mouth curled up in a small smile as he engaged in their verbal banter.
She shrugged nonchalantly, her gaze fixed on him. "Sometimes. Usually only when I come across someone who piques my curiosity," she admitted, a playful glimmer dancing in her eyes. It was clear that she found him intriguing, and Tobias couldn't deny the flicker of interest that stirred within him as well.
As they exchanged words, a sense of recognition and déjà vu washed over Tobias. There was something about the woman standing before him that stirred a deep familiarity within his soul. Her eyes, her smile, the way she carried herself—all triggered a flood of memories that seemed to belong to another time.
It was as if he had met her before, in a different place or perhaps even in a different life. The unexplainable connection tugged at his heart, leaving him both intrigued and unsettled.
Tobias couldn't shake off the feeling that their meeting was no mere coincidence, but held a deeper significance yet to be revealed.