Completed In Hot Water (Garland)

[April Windweaver]

Her hands were still trembling as Garland held them. Even with the towels wrapped tight around her she was struggling to get warm. Thankfully, though, she had just enough brainpower to hear what her savior was saying and dutifully obeyed. She followed his instructions and did her best to take long, deep breaths despite the shivering and trembling that racked her body.

She felt a comforting warmth from Garland's touch, her body being lifted and carried to a more comfortable location. There was little she could do to resist. At this point she could hardly hold her. His head against hers, her fingers around his, he was keeping her grounded to the world of the living. A whimper slipped from her lips before her arms snapped up to her shoulders. Craving the warmth of his body, she pressed herself against him and curled up against his chest.

It was like a lead blanket being lifted off of her. A fire roared to life within her. The pale, veiny skin was returning to full color, and her trembling was starting to fade. The pain of her faux death was ebbing. The world came slowly into focus.

Garland, the Squire, her savior...

His very touch made her heart flutter. Gentle, firm, comforting. What was this? She searched her feelings and found chaos. Too much was happening. For now, she just enjoyed his presence. His being. Strong and resolute, it was the only thing April could cling to in the swirling storm that was her mind.

"I... If y- you..." She sounded like she was on the verge of crying. She was no doubt tramatized by her near death experience, and was struggling to keep herself under control, much less form a coherent sentence.

" If you w-w-want... ed to k-kiss... Kiss me, you co- ghuh... Could have j-just asked." She let out a weak laugh and reached up to touch Garland's face again, a meager smile on her face. She was at least able to speak now, if not incredibly delirious. She was far from full recovery though. But in Garland's hold she was quickly improving.

"It's not your fault... i don't... I don't hate you. Just... Don't go... Please... Don't go. Y-you... I want... I want you h-here... Please... Please..." She was using the little energy she had to pull Garland closer to her, trying to prevent him from taking off. "D... Don't leave me..."

[Garland]

He smiled, at least she was alright now, well, a bit. He held her hand tightly. "I'm glad you're alright, and I trust me, next time I would kiss you a bit differently." He laughed, he was joking, but deep inside, he was serious, he wouldn't mind kissing her.

"Alright, I'm going to stay right here." He leaned in and kissed her head. It was like a heavy weight being lifted from his chest. "Hey... Uhh... April... would it be alright if we... I dunno... Go out sometime? I mean..." He blushed and coughed a bit, trying to compose himself. "I mean, I don't know how you survive without me. In the two days we know each other, I've saved you twice."

He happily held both her hands, and leaned in to kiss her on the lips. He planted his lips firmly on hers, after a while or so, he parted. "Sorry... I couldn't help it." His chest was beating like crazy, but not because he was stressed, it was because he just kissed a girl that he may or may not like. Who was he kidding, he liked her, and there is no denying it. "April, we should... uh... Get dressed, but if you need to rest for a while I won't make you hurry up."

He places his forehead on hers. "I know this sounds pretty corny, but you have pretty eyes."

[April Windweaver]

April couldn't help but laugh at Garland's statement. The idea of kissing Garland was an odd one. After all, he was a knight. As high as she held herself in esteem, she knew that someone like Garland would not find interest in someone as lowly as herself.

She was a privateer, living off of fish as she aimlessly sailed the sea. He was a Knight in service to the city, heroically defending the citizens from harm. April was bold and egotistical, but not enough to believe that she had a chance. Well, maybe a bit of a chance. Okay, April WAS egotistical enough to think she had a chance.

She giggled at his display of affection, the squire kissing her on the forehead. She was returning to her April self now. Or at least, a more traumatized version of herself.

"Go... Out? Like a date?" The shock to her senses sped up the process of her recovery. She was both confused and thrilled. "I uh... Buh..."

 "I mean, I don't know how you survive without me. In the two days we know each other, I've saved you twice."

April crossed her arms, blushing faintly, and still slightly shivering. "What do you mean? I'm p-perfectly capable of handling myself. I don't need some Knight l-looking over my shoulder an-"

She shut up as Garland kissed her. Her heart burst into overtime, the fire inside her roaring alive. Warmth spread out across her entire body. Their lips together, April fell into a state of bliss. She melted into Garland, her hands clenching onto the squire's. She was shivering again, but not from the cold. From ecstasy. It was wonderful. The pain, the cold, all of it was insignificant now. She kissed him back with a passion unlike anything she had felt in tthe past few years.

Even when they parted April continued to lean forwards, almost chasing after Garland's lips until she caught herself. Her whole face turned pink. Her eyes grew wide. Her voice rose an octave as she grew flustered.

"W-w-w... Whu.. What did you do that for?! Y... Th... I d... Uh! You! Y-you...!" She was trying to be mad, but she was far too embarrassed (and secretly thrilled). Her eyes were sparkling with excitement, anger, and an inability to settle on either. Her eyes darted around before fixating themselves on the floor to avoid Garland's gaze. She was falling for him so hard. Her secret wishes had been realized, and his kiss had been the proof that he felt the same things she did.

When he pressed his head against hers April finally found the courage to look at him, her cheeks burning bright with blush. The compliment made blush even harder, her mouth scrunching up into a pout. She looked like she was about to cry.

"I... I... I don't... You... I c... My eyes... S-stop teasing me! You... You big, mean..." She stopped and took deep breaths, resting her head against Garland's. Her next words came slowly.

"Whew... Garland? I... Would love to go... Out with you. You are the first person in a long, long time who hasn't made me feel like a criminal. You're... Garland you're wonderful. And charming." She smiled at him with one of the biggest, brightest smiles she could muster.

"And me? I'm... Well I'm naked right now. So uhm... I think I'm... Im gonna go put some clothes on." She slowly got up from her seat and half stumbled half walked towards the wrong direction before turning around and making her way to the lockers.

With some difficulty, she did manage to dress herself, but she was still phazed by both nearly drowning and being kissed. She looked to have recovered from the incident, but was still suffering from the shock. If it were anyone else, they'd be seeking medical attention. But April was April.

April took several deep breaths before meeting up with Garland again. "S... So uhm... What's next on the agenda?"

[Garland]

"And me? I'm... Well I'm naked right now. So uhm... I think I'm... Im gonna go put some clothes on."

"Naked is a good look for you." He paused and registered what he just said. "Excuse me while I slap myself." He slapped his face quite hard with a very audible thud. "Sorry! Just..." He blushed and twiddled with his thumbs. "I'm not very good talking to girls though."

He coughed and stood up, making his way towards the lockers. He grabbed his clothes and sighed. "Keep it together, Garland. You just kissed her, it was just a kiss. No big deal..." He said to himself, trying to convince himself that the kiss was just a friendly kiss. It was not working and he knew it, there was a meaning behind that kiss and he liked it.

He won't be telling April that though, but it might be obvious given the goofy smile and the blush. He took a deep breath and calmed down, he needed to relax. He just asked a pirate out on a date, not today of course, but most likely some time soon. He's pretty nervous, what would April want to do without breaking any major laws in the city... Screw the rules, he has a girl to impress.

He calmed down a bit and walked out back to the reception desk. He gave a weary smile towards Ivis and sighed, it wasn't as relaxing as he had hoped, but it did get a few issues off of his chest.

"S... So uhm... What's next on the agenda?"

"The agenda? Get you back home and relax after what happened." He said, fully concerned about her. She was fine now, at least fine as she'll ever be, but he was still worried about her. He held out his hand for her to grab. "Come on."

[April Windweaver]

Naked was a good look, hunh? April grinned. Classic. It made her feel good, at least, knowing that she was pleasing to the eye. Or at least, was that way to the squire.

April was still as pink as a peach when Garland offered his hand. She took it without question, intertwining her fingers between his. It was all so strange. Even from their first encounter April had found some amount of interest in the squire despite his status of authority. A Knight in training, a title synonymous with strict order and law. But Garland was... Different.

She let her eyes meet his. There was an alltogether... Warmness about him. He didn't seem to be the sharpest sword on on the stand, but he was no less dependable. It was true, he had saved her life twice now. Not many would do that. Hardly anyone would be bothered at the loss of a Svefra.

Her kind had made a reputation for themselves of being pirates, brigands, thieves and murderers. And it was true. Even April, young and naive, had spilled blood into the sea. She could be cruel, coarse, and alltogether unpleasant. She was like the sea. She could be fierce and dangerous.

Yet, somehow, her heart was won by a man of the law. One who did not hesitate to come to her aid, despite the reputation of her people. That spoke volumes. Maybe she was just woozy from the experience, or the cold was messing with her brain, but she definitely was feeling something for Garland. And it seem he felt something too

"Maybe, if weather permits, we can go fishing together. Won't be a big haul, by any means, but we may catch enough for a meal. It's been a while since I cooked for someone else, but i think i still got it." She gave him a playful wink. "Or, of course, we could do something a bit more formal. I... Don't really know what this city has besides cinnamon bread and drowning.

She was so wrapped up in her thoughts and garland that she didn't even realize they had arrived at the docks.

"Oh! We're... Here. Hunh. Well, I suppose It's not a bad idea to lie down for a bit. Are you staying?" She said, sounding hopeful. "I-I mean, as long as you can uh... Spare the time. And... Stuff. I know you have all that... Knight business to do. Don't want to get you in trouble. I tend to have a habit of doing that to people. "

[Garland]

He frowned a bit. "Sorry, maybe tomorrow April, I got to do some stuff today... I would love to stay though." He smiled and squeezed her hand gently. "In fact... I think I have something for you in my pack later. Consider it a gift." He said mysteriously. He was planning on giving her a small gem he had found on a Yukman.

He walked up the stairs and then outside. They were close to Windmount stables, the dock shouldn't be far, but they do have to go through the bazaar again. It was cold, he hoped April wasn't feeling too cold. He let go of April's hand and wrapped his arm around her shoulder. "Hehe, you know... You look cute when you blush." He smiled and started leading her back to the docks.

The bazaar was a lot more crowded now, but now Garland and April aren't holding hands, but instead keeping much closer and much more intimate. He didn't notice, but he was smiling the way towards the docks. They had made it to April's ship, he smiled and kissed April's cheek.

[April Windweaver]

The promise of a gift made her curious. She'd never really gotten gifts before. What could it be? A sword? Money? The possibilities were limitless, but she didn't want to risk ruin the surprise by asking. It wouldn't be fun that way.

She was disheartened that he had to leave, but knew he had business to attend to. Last thing she wanted to do was to get him in trouble with his superiors. Because then they might prevent them from hanging out again.

"I'll see you later then" She said with a warm smile, giggling as Garland kissed her on the cheek. She returned the favor by giving him a big hug. "Oh! Your armor!" Like the wind, she whisped away onto the boat to retrieve the large pieces of metal from her cabin. They weren't too bad, and she managed to get them out to the Squire without too much trouble.

"Grraaah! There!" She said triumphantly. Looked like all thay work on the docks was paying off. " Well... Be safe. " She smiled and gave him another hug, this time much tighter. He was very warm. And cuddly. She held it for a few more seconds before hopping away back to the ship.

[Garland]

"April! Before I forget." He reached in his pack and pulled out a rose colored quartz crystal. "I know it isn't much, but I want you to have it."

oocthis post is short because I just need to finish this up

[April Windweaver]

April skidded to a halt and made her way back to Garland with her head cocked to the side. It wasn't until she reached him again that she realized why her called her back.

"I know it isn't much, but I want you to have it."

Her eyes were sparkling.

"Not much? It's beautiful!" She picked it up and studied it all over before pressing it tightly against her chest. She was blushing hard now.

"Garland, you charmer, you. Wish I had something to give to you in return. Maybe I'll find something for you tomorrow. Maybe another story" She smiled and quickly pecked him on the cheek before rushing away, giggling like a schoolgirl before disappearing into her cabin.

[Sayana]

Your Grades Have Arrived April Windweaver Skills: Skill EXP Observation +5 Socialization +5 Flirting +4 Rhetoric +5 Persuasion +1 Storytelling +2 Negotiation +1 Intimidation +1 Swimming +4 Philosophy +1 Endurance +2 Lores: Garland stark naked Syliras: Busy city Jealous of a waitress Garland has had a lot of injuries Syliras, is it really that safe? Near-death experience of being drowned Location: Soothing Waters Garland: My hero Ledger and Item Updates : Subtract 2GM, 7SM and 1CM from your ledger for the food at the cafe and the cost of using the bathhouse. Add “1 Quartz Crystal, Rose” to your possessions. Comments : Great thread. April is certainly a vibrant character even if romantically naive at times. Garland Skills: Skill EXP Planning +1 Socialization +3 Rhetoric +5 Persuasion +1 Land Navigation +4 Negotiation +1 Flirting +4 Storytelling +1 Swimming +2 Leadership +1 Lores: Stark naked in front of a girl - By accident April: Doesn't do well in crowds April's story about her Aunt To give up squirehood for a girl? Location: Soothing Waters Shield Points: Shield Points Earned Reason +5 Helping a citizen Total: +5 Shield Points Ledger and Item Updates : Subtract 2GM and 5SM for the food purchased at the cafe. Remove “1 Quartz Crystal, Rose” from your items. Comments : Great thread. It was fun watching the characters get to know each other better. One thing that was a little far-fetched was Garland’s knowledge of CPR and that he was able to use it to revive April. Nowhere is it mentioned that he has medical training or lores about bringing someone back to life in this manner. However, since it was such a large plot point and since April was hardly underwater for very long (they were at the side of the pool) I figure that a few hard slaps to her back would have got her coughing the water back up. Do try to be realistic even when trying to think of interesting plots. =) Therefore I didn’t award any experience or lores regarding CPR or medicine. Also, I awarded less socialization to Garland than other characters because at expert (and almost master) he’s got to work for it. Don't forget to edit/delete your grade request in the grade request thread. If you have any questions or concerns about your grade please feel free to send me a message. Enjoy.