The next morning, they wake up to a lovely breakfast, savoring the quiet moment together before starting their day. Merig heads out for his daily patrol, leaving Kate to enjoy the company of Ashley and Deirdre at the pub. The three women sit together, laughing and chatting, as they share stories and enjoy each other's company.
(A)Kate, hon, are you feeling okay from yesterday?
(K)I’m just fine. Merig and I talked last night, and he felt so bad about what happened yesterday.
(A)That’s Merig. He has the biggest heart, and he wears it on his sleeve, especially when it comes to you. I’m sure he felt terrible.
(K)He did, and he rubbed my feet, and then he talked to the baby like he does every night and apologized to him. Then he held me while we laid down in bed. He was rubbing my belly as well.
(A)How sweet of him. He really is going to be an amazing father.
(K)Oh, definitely and he’s a phenomenal husband.
(A)[smiles] Just like my husband, he’s everything I could ever have imagined.
(K)[smiles] I know, you belong to each other now and I know you’re both happy, Mrs. Dugan.
(A)I couldn’t be happier and I know you’re happy to be having this baby. You look like you’re about to pop.
(K)I’m very happy and I sometimes feel like I’m going to pop. It feels good when I rub my belly, but when Merig rubs it, it’s magical. All the muscles in my belly seem to relax when he touches it.
(DD)Maybe it’s because the baby calms down when Merig rubs your belly. I’m sure it’s very soothing to the baby.
(K)That’s my guess, but it helps me as well. After what happened yesterday, I was pretty stressed out.
(A)Well, I’m glad Merig made it up to you. Knowing Merig, he will learn from it and do better.
(K)Yeah, he seemed remorseful, he wouldn’t do anything to hurt me intentionally and if it’s unintentional, he does what he can to apologize and make up for it. He has a conscience and a heart. He’s a wonderful person.
(A)Larry is the same way. I’m sure you remember when he dropped a training sword on my foot and he rushed me to Nessa immediately. Turns out it bruised pretty badly, and Larry spent the next few days taking care of me. It hurt to walk for a while, so I had to stay in bed most of the time. He apologized every time he looked at it. He felt like a complete fool. I kept telling him that it was an accident, but he insisted on taking care of me.
(DD)Cormac and I have had some accidents as well. When I was keeping him company while he was still training at the targets, he accidentally fired his crossbow at me and the training bolt hit me on my right forearm. Luckily, it only had training bolts in it.
(A)Damn, I’ve gotten shot with a few myself, and despite them being training bolts, they still hurt.
(K)Yeah, I’ve been shot with one as well, not a pleasant feeling. I’m sure Cormac felt horrible.
(DD)Oh, he did. As soon as I yelled in pain, he realized what had happened and immediately dropped his crossbow and ran over to me. It left a red mark and rushed to get something cold to reduce the irritation. We sat in the resting area for about an hour and he was beating himself up and apologizing profusely. I was crying for a little bit and he felt awful.
(K)I’m sure he did. I’m sorry that happened.
(DD)It was an accident, it’s no big deal. I only cried for a few minutes while Cormac was treating it. But he promised to be more careful and luckily we didn’t have another incident after that.
(A)All the stories we heard from people who don’t like Fomors throughout our life were anything but true. Once our town accepted Fomors to live there when we were kids, we learned to live in peace with them.
(K)Yeah, it was a wonderful experience. The Fomors never hurt us. Although, I’m pretty sure we had only heard about what happened to Cormac now that I think about it.
(A)It was on the other side of the town from what Cormac said, so not everyone witnessed it. You and I were in our early twenties and it was before you met Sean.
(K)Well, even so, the Fomors that I grew up around were wonderful and never hurt us. I never understood why humans had such hate for them and I kind of still don’t. Of course, there are terrible Fomors, but there are also terrible humans, such as Sean. I honestly thought I would end up finding another human to be with when I got here, but little did I know. Over two years later, here I am with this enormous belly carrying a tiny goblin inside. I’m just so happy about it and I know Merig is, too.
(A)Sadly I haven’t gotten pregnant yet. I might have to see Nessa and make sure nothing serious is going on with me.
(K)Let’s hope not. I know you’ve been talking about wanting to have kids with Larry.
(A)And I still do. I just hope I’m fertile and if I’m not, I hope Larry doesn’t hate me for it.
(K)Hey, just like you told me about Merig, Larry can’t find it in himself to hate you. That goblin is so mesmerized by you, and he wouldn’t have married you if he hated you. Your wedding was beautiful, and you both cried during your vows.
(A)It was a beautiful day and a beautiful moment during our vows. We just thought about all the time we’ve spent throughout the years we’ve known each other. I made the mistake of not giving him a chance and he tried so hard and kept flirting with me and I didn’t mind it. In the back of my mind, I wanted to give him that chance, but my past stopped me and I shouldn’t have. That’s why I cried and I’m sure Larry cried because I gave him that chance and I married him.
(K)It was a dream come true for him.
(A)It was for me, too, and I know for a fact that it was a dream come true for you and Merig to get married.
(K)[smiles] Very much so, and it was also a dream come true for us to have a family.
(DD)[blush] I hope one day Cormac and I can get married and have children.
(K)I’m sure he will ask you to marry him soon enough. He’s so in love with you, hon.
(A)Oh definitely, that goblin is over the moon for you, he loves you to death.
(DD)[smiles] I love him so much, too, and when we’re alone together, I feel so happy and giddy.
(K)That’s how it was for me when Merig and I first got together.
(A)Same with Larry and I, it’s an amazing feeling, isn’t it?
(DD)It really is and I just can’t help it. I don’t ever want the feeling to go away. I’ll always love Cormac and he says he’ll always love me.
(K)Oh, I can see it, your love will never die.
(DD)I hope not. The man before Cormac left me when I got hurt because I was no longer perfect to him because of my scar and because I was groped. But Cormac seems to think I’m perfect no matter what.
(A)That’s love, Deirdre, the things someone has been through shouldn’t matter. It’s the love that you show each other that’s important.
(K)Exactly, we love our goblins no matter what.
(DD)Absolutely, Cormac’s scar is what drew me to him and that’s why I was so interested in him. He seems to think he’s hideous, but I don’t think that at all.
(K)That’s what I told Merig, and it took a while for it to sink into his thick skull.
(A)I had to drill it into Larry’s head as well. These goblins think they’re not worthy of love because of how they look, and it’s just not true.
(K)Merig realized he was worthy before we got married and he promised to never doubt his worth again.
(A)Larry promised the same thing. He learned a thing or two from his best friend.
(K)Merig and I talked about how best friends can be the wisest people. Merig convinced Larry to propose to you, and I convinced you to give him a chance.
(A)Larry and I both convinced Merig to confess to you last year, and I convinced you to do the same.
(K)I also convinced Cormac to confess his love to Deirdre.
(DD)[smiles] I’m glad you did, and you also advised that I approach him and ask him to dinner. Then he rejected me, but then I thought about it and it did break my heart. When I heard Cormac was back at the healer from his injury and not taking care of it and himself properly, I got really worried and I went to visit him as soon as Sarah told me what had happened. He took me out after a day of being there and we spent the entire day together. I agreed to take care of him at his home for three weeks and we got to know each other better and formed a bond. We spent more time together, and we confessed our love and now here we are six months later.
(A)Time flies, doesn’t it?
(K)Honestly no, it only feels like it, but at the same time, it also seems that time has stopped for us to enjoy it with the ones we love, giving us more time. And when the time passes, it only feels as if it has passed so much because we’re enjoying it.
(DD)You’re absolutely right, I’ve noticed that as well. When I’m with Cormac, all time has slowed down so that we both can spend our time together and enjoy it while it lasts.
(A)I guess you are right, I never noticed it until now.
(K)It’s an amazing feeling once you do realize it
(DD)Definitely, I wonder how Sarah feels about it.
(K)Well, she hasn’t exactly talked about it, but I guess we never thought to ask.
(A)This is her first-ever relationship. She’s never even been with another human, let alone a goblin.
(DD)So Barth is her first?
(K)Pretty much, I’m not sure if they’ve made love yet.
(A)Probably not, she would’ve told us.
(DD)So if she’s never been with anyone, then she’s never made love.
(K)That’s right, she’s a virgin, but she’s never really complained about it. She used to get rejected by guys when we were teenagers and as an adult. I always felt so bad for her. She would come to us crying because a man rejected her. She always got her heart broken.
(A)Yeah, I thought I was bad, always getting hurt by men. They never even gave Sarah the chance, but after a while, she accepted it and said she would stop trying. She told us that she was going to Dunbarton to study medicine and become a healer.
(K)We thought maybe she would find someone there and finally be with someone and be happy. We asked her when we found out she was here in Tara while I was still planning my wedding. She told us she still hadn’t been with anyone and that she was still a virgin.
(DD)Poor Sarah, she’s so beautiful. Who wouldn’t want to be with her?
(K)That’s what we thought, but unfortunately, no one did. At least not the men that she approached.
(A)We even tried setting her up with someone and when he met her, he got cold feet and never gave her a chance.
(DD)That’s terrible. It must have been so hard for her to find someone to love her. But Barth loves her so much, it makes me wonder what it was about her that those men didn’t like.
(K)We wondered the same thing and when she and Barth met, we could tell he had an interest in her.
(A)It was only a matter of time and I could see the apprehension in Sarah when she first met him and the rest of the goblins. But to our surprise, those two got along pretty well. Barth wasn’t afraid to try to win her heart, and he did just that without any trouble.
(K)The way they interacted showed that they were definitely falling in love and Sarah finally found someone who wanted to be with her. She was so happy when they confessed to each other in the dungeon, and they were both so happy to be together.
(DD)It’s funny how love finds us, and you can also find love where you least expect it, and it seems that’s what happened with Barth and Sarah. After all those years of rejection, she found someone who isn’t even human, but that’s okay.
(K)My thoughts exactly and even after all of that rejection, she still had hope that she would find someone. I just don’t think she expected it to be a goblin. Honestly, I thought the same when I moved here and met Merig. I told him that I never in a million years thought that I would ever fall in love with a goblin. But I also told him that it wasn’t entirely impossible and that I was open-minded to the thought of it. I knew that Fomors lived in peace with humans back home and here in Tara, and after everything that happened to me with Sean, I wanted to find happiness. I didn’t want my past to stop me from finding it and I found it, and so did Sarah.
(A)It seems we all found happiness.
(DD)It seems we did, and after what happened to me and when that man left me, I thought I wouldn’t find it again because of what I went through. Cormac is the best thing that ever happened to me, and I wonder how I was so fortunate to find someone like him. I pursued him and got heartbroken at first, but it all worked out in the end and he’s forgiven himself for what he did in the past. I looked past all of that because I love him.
(K)He changed his ways and proved that, so he deserves the love you give him. And you are just as deserving of love as well, Deirdre. Don’t even sell yourself short.
(DD)Oh of course not, Cormac makes me feel like I’ve climbed the highest mountain without any effort at all. He’s so sweet and caring. Sometimes I don’t feel like I deserve him, but he seems to think so.
(A)You do deserve it no matter what you think. We all deserve love. I’m just happy that Sarah finally found it, and she and Barth are happy.
(K)Absolutely, she’s our best friend and we want nothing but the best for her.
(DD)That’s right, she’s the sweetest, and she does so much for the city as a healer. I don’t know what we would do without her.
(A)Definitely, she’s a saint, just like our Kate.
(K)[smiles] Oh stop it, you’re too much.
The women's giggles fill the air as they continue their lively conversation, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. The pub door swings open, and Sarah enters, her face radiating a bright smile. She spots her friends at the table and makes her way over, eager to share the details of her conversation with Barth. The women notice Sarah's approach and welcome her with friendly smiles, their faces lighting up with warmth and enthusiasm. As Sarah takes her seat, the group's dynamic shifts, becoming even more vibrant and engaging. The women lean in, their eyes sparkling with interest, as Sarah prepares to share her news, creating a sense of anticipation and excitement around the table.
(K)Hey you, we were just talking about you.
(S)Oh really? Today's my day off, so I figured I'd come and relax with you all.
(A)Yeah, we were just talking about how amazing you are and how much we love and appreciate you.
(S)[giggles] Oh stop it, you’re going to make me blush.
(DD)We were also talking about how happy you are with Barth.
(S)Oh, I couldn’t be happier even if I tried. Barth is wonderful and I love him. I’m actually really excited, since he and I talked yesterday when he brought me lunch. Nessa went out to lunch while Barth and I talked in private, and we had a wonderful conversation.
(K)Oh? I’m curious now.
(A)Me too, tell us what’s up.
(S)Well, as you know, we’ve been together for about six months now and we have yet to take any major steps in our relationship. But we talked yesterday, and we decided that we wanted to live together.
(DD)Oh how wonderful, that’s amazing news.
(K)Oh my goodness, that’s wonderful news, Sarah.
(A)I remember Barth mentioning it yesterday before he left to go see you for lunch.
(S)Well, I’m the one who initially brought it up and proposed the idea of it. Coincidentally, he said he wanted to talk about it as well, so we sat and talked for a while and it’s something we really want to do.
(DD)I’m so happy for you, Sarah. I know when Cormac and I decided to live together, it was scary at first. But as time went on with us living in the same house, I saw how wonderful he was and I became very content with my decision.
(S)It’s honestly a little nerve-racking, but I’m sure it will all work out, at least I hope.
(K)Oh honey, I’m sure you have nothing to worry about. When Merig and I first started living together, it was under duress, but it was easier than I thought it would be. We both got very comfortable with each other and it turned out to be the best decision.
(A)I hesitated to move in with Larry, and after the incident with Rachel, I was even more apprehensive. But once I realized that I let my emotions get the better of me, I realized that it was me and not Larry that messed up in our relationship.
(K)It’s a good thing we don’t have to deal with her anymore, thanks to Ash for teaching her a moral lesson in not being a home-wrecker.
(DD)I’m sure it wasn’t a pleasant experience. If another woman tried taking Cormac from me, I’d be devastated. I don’t know what I would do.
(A)Oh honey, that goblin loves you and he wouldn’t betray you like that. You both have spent so much time together and you’re very happy with each other.
(S)Yeah, you and Cormac have been together for a little longer than Barth and I have.
(K)Exactly and if either of them were easily swayed by another woman, they would be with someone else by now. These goblins only have eyes and hearts for us, and they put up with our shenanigans.
(A)That’s right, Larry wouldn’t have kept trying for years to win my heart. I honestly thought he would give up after a while, but nope, he never stopped being in love with me.
(DD)That makes me hope that Cormac and I will be together for a long time, maybe even forever.
(S)That gives me hope as well with Barth. I really wasn’t expecting him to fall in love with me, and I most certainly didn’t expect to fall in love with him. All the men I’ve tried being with throughout my life just didn’t want to be with me for some reason. Barth seems to think it was because they couldn’t handle my beauty, and that fate wanted us to be together because he’s the only one who could handle it.
(K)Oh my goodness, that’s so sweet. He loves you so much, Sarah. You are a beautiful woman and if anyone can handle your beauty, it’s Barth.
(A)Agreed, he tried so hard and was so nervous trying to steal your heart. He was so smitten, and he was determined to make you happy.
(DD)It’s good to know his efforts weren’t in vain.
(S)Yeah, I’m very happy that I agreed to be with him. I don’t regret it for one minute. I’m so excited to be living together.
(K)So who is moving in with who?
(S)Well, you all know I’ve been talking about moving away from my side of the city to be closer to all of you. So he and I decided that I would be moving into Barth’s home with him since he doesn’t live too far from everyone. I’ll be packing up my stuff a little at a time after I get home each night. And then Barth said he would spend the day with me while we move my stuff to his home and we’ll spend some time together. I’m really excited.
(A)Oh, I bet you are, hon, it’s so exciting and I can tell you’re excited. You’re smiling so much, I even noticed when you came over here. You had the biggest ear-to-ear smile on your face.
(S)[smiles] I’m just so happy, I can’t help it.
(DD)We’re happy for you, Sarah. I’m sure you two will have a wonderful time living together.
(S)Yeah, I can’t wait, but there’s something that’s been on my mind lately.
(K)What’s that, Sarah? Is everything okay?
(S)Everything is fine. I just also talked to Barth about this being my first relationship, and I’m really nervous about certain things that I didn’t want to bring up with him. He said he understood and he wouldn’t pressure me to do anything I didn’t want to. That just made me think about the fact that I’m still a virgin, but I haven’t told him yet.
(A)I figured it would be obvious to him since he knows it’s your first relationship.
(S)[sigh] I know, it’s just something I’m insecure about and you and Kate know that.
(K)I know, honey, and it’s okay, you don’t have to be insecure about it. I’m sure Barth will understand if you talk to him about it.
(S)I’m just worried that he’ll judge me or laugh at me.
(K)Can I tell you something?
(S)Sure.
(K)When Merig and I first made love, he told me that I was his first. That made me feel special because I’m the only woman he’s ever been with. It was a beautiful discovery and I’m glad I could be the first woman he made love to. Odds are, Barth hasn’t made love to a woman, either, so he might be just as nervous and insecure as you. He’s just more nonchalant about it, which is how Barth is to begin with. What I’m saying is, that he will be your first when you two decide to make love and you just might be his first. It’ll be a special thing, especially if you plan on being with that person for the rest of your life.
(S)[smiles] I do want to be with him for as long as I can, and you’re right, I want him to be my first. I’m sure he feels the same way if he hasn’t made love with a woman yet. That makes me feel a little better about it, but I’m just nervous and I hope I’m ready. I know he wouldn’t force me or pressure me into it. He’s been so good to me so far and I don’t see him being that kind of person.
(A)Oh, of course not, I don’t see that in him either. As long as you’re ready, I’m sure everything will be okay. It’s okay to be nervous, it’s normal.
(S)I know it is and I do want to be intimate with Barth. It’s just me telling him that I’m still a virgin that scares me. As you and Kate know, people made fun of me for that as well, and it was embarrassing to talk about.
(K)Sarah, honey, there’s nothing to be embarrassed about. If you’re ready, then do it, and take that big step in your relationship.
(DD)You both love and trust each other, you saved each other’s life from what you told me and that’s an amazing thing. I’m sure Barth will understand that he will be your first. He seems like that kind of person. Like Kate said, you’ll both feel special being each other’s first. It’s a beautiful thing, especially since you said you want to be with him for as long as you can.
(S)[sigh] You’re right, I just have to take a deep breath and think about how to tell him. I mean, I already told him that he’s my first relationship, and as you said, Ash, it’s probably already obvious to him that I’m still a virgin.
(A)Exactly, and did he judge you when you told him this was your first relationship?
(S)No, thankfully.
(K)Then there’s your answer. You’ll be just fine.
(S)I know, I eventually have to talk to him about it anyway since we'll be together. I’m ready to be with someone and be intimate. It’s what I’ve always wanted. Barth is special to me, and I don’t think I want to be intimate with anyone else.
(DD)That’s so sweet, Sarah. You and Barth are perfect for each other.
(S)Barth is perfect to me and I’m sure he thinks of me the same way. Not too long ago, I didn’t think he was even in love with me. I was convincing myself that he was just grateful for what I did for him and was showing his gratitude.
(A)Oh, he was, but he was also telling you that he was in love with you. He just wasn’t saying the words yet.
(K)But he confessed as we advised him to do, and here you both are today. You’re together and happy.
(S)Absolutely, maybe it’s time to take more steps in our relationship. I'll talk to Barth about everything. I think I’m ready.
(K)You got this, hon, we believe in you.
(A)You’re both so happy already, I’m sure you’ll be ten times happier taking those steps together.
(DD)It will be a wonderful experience. It’s okay to be nervous.
(K)I’m sure Barth is just as nervous as you. But I’m sure he’s also just as excited.
(A)No doubt about that, he’s probably over the moon right about now.
(S)I just hope everything goes well when we take these next steps in our relationship.
(DD)Just take deep breaths and relax. I’m sure it will go smoothly, trust me.
(S)Right, I have a lot to prepare for.
The women's laughter and chatter fill the pub, creating a warm and lively atmosphere as they enjoy each other's company on Sarah's day off. Meanwhile, outside the city, the goblins stand guard in the forest, their horses swaying gently in the breeze. Barth sits tall on his horse, a broad smile spreading across his face as he reminisces about his conversation with Sarah. His joy is palpable, and the other goblins can't help but notice. Larry's curiosity gets the better of him, and he speaks up, his voice tinged with interest.
(L)Hey, pal, I couldn’t help but notice you daydreaming over there. I’m sure you’re thinking about Sarah.
(C)Did she appreciate your visit for lunch yesterday?
(B)She did, but I should probably tone it down and only bring her lunch every so often. I don’t think she was expecting it and I’m afraid she’s getting tired of it.
(M)I’m sure she appreciates it, especially from you. But I can agree that bringing her lunch every day is a bit much. Maybe communicate with her ahead of time to see if she would want you to bring her something, or maybe even take her out somewhere instead.
(B)I thought about that as well and we talked about that when I brought her lunch yesterday. I just worry that I’ll annoy her and she’ll get tired of seeing me. I can’t help it. I just want to see her every day and tell her that I love her and kiss her and I just get really excited about it.
(L)That’s normal. You’re both in love and Sarah is excited when she sees you, too. Is she happy when you go see her at the healer?
(B)Yeah, and she said as much.
(L)Then you have nothing to worry about. I’m sure she appreciates you bringing her lunch every day.
(B)Yeah, but she said I didn’t have to do it every day.
(L)Then don’t do it every day. Like Merig said, you can take her out somewhere rather than bring her something. Let her decide what she’s hungry for and take her there.
(B)I understand, I’m just so new to all this. We even had a long conversation about our life together.
(G)How’d that go?
(B)[smiles] She wants to live together. We talked about it while I was there.
(L)That’s great, pal, congrats. It sounds like you’re about to take a big step in your relationship.
(B)Yeah, but again, it will be new to me. I don’t know what the hell I’m doing, and what if she gets tired of being around me in just a few weeks?
(M)I’m sure you’ll both be fine. I’m sure Sarah has the same fear, and it’ll take some adjusting for you both to get used to being around each other at home. But to be honest, it’s well worth it. I can promise you that.
(C)Yeah, it’s only been about three months since I moved in with Deirdre, and it’s been wonderful being around each other when we both come home at the end of the day. It’s exciting, and it’s worth it since I have someone to go home to after a stressful day.
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(B)Those are my thoughts as well, and we decided that she’d be living with me since she lives on another side of the city, and I live closer to you all. She’s always talked about relocating, so she said it was perfect for her to come live with me. I’m just nervous, that’s all.
(L)Try not to freak out too much. I’m sure she’s just as nervous as you are. She’s one of the shyest women I’ve ever met and even when she’s around you, she’s always so bashful when you flirt with her or kiss her.
(B)[chuckles] Yeah, it’s so cute to watch her blush. I’m sure she’s nervous as well, seeing as this is her first relationship.
(M)Yeah, I was surprised when I heard about that.
(B)I was too, but she’s never even been with a human man before from what she told me. She went through a hard time when she was growing up and she wasn’t treated very well by people around her. People said awful things to her, and she started to believe what people thought about her. She said she had a hard time finding love and the guys that she pursued ended up rejecting her and they never pursued her.
(C)That’s actually kind of heartbreaking when you think about it. And I thought we goblins had a hard time finding love.
(B)Exactly, but apparently, we had an easier time than Sarah did before she met and fell in love with me.
(G)But I’m sure she’s happy that she found someone, even though you aren’t human.
(B)She made it clear that it doesn’t bother her that I’m a goblin and she’s more than okay with me being her first relationship.
(L)Wait, if you’re her first relationship and she was never with anyone before you. That means she’s never made love with anyone.
(B)I thought about that as well. I’ve never been intimate with a woman either, so it would be our first time together if we made love.
(M)It’ll be a special thing to experience when it happens. Kate was the first and only woman I’ve made love to and she’s the only woman I want to be intimate with.
(B)Oh, it will be very special for me if Sarah and I make love. But I wouldn’t want to pressure her or make her feel like she’s obligated. Whenever she’s ready, I’m ready. But, there’s one problem.
(L)What's wrong, pal?
(B)...What the hell am I supposed to do?
(C)What do you mean?
(B)Well…seeing as I’ve never made love with a woman…I’m not sure if I’ll even know what I’m doing when it happens.
(M)Don’t worry, you’ll know when the time comes, Barth, trust me. I had the same fear, but somehow I knew exactly what to do when Kate and I first made love.
(L)Yeah, it just happens naturally, especially once you’re both naked.
(C)I wasn’t exactly sure what to do myself when I first made love to a woman, but when the time came, I kind of figured it out on my own. It’s as if you just know, but it’s still probably best to educate yourself a little beforehand.
(B)I’ve educated myself on women’s anatomy and what’s supposed to happen during intimacy. But, what if I unintentionally hurt Sarah? That’s kind of what I meant when I asked what I’m supposed to do.
(L)Wait…do you actually need our advice?
(B)[blush]...Yes, please.
(M)Does big brother Barth need advice from his little brother on how to charm a woman in the bedroom?
(B)[sigh] Listen, I didn’t want to have this conversation either. But this is important to me, and it’s important that I know what to do when Sarah and I finally make love. You were the first out of the both of us to be intimate with a woman, so of course you would know better than me about what to do when it happens. And the rest of you besides Gordo have been intimate with a woman and know what to do as well, so yeah I need advice. Do you guys think you could help me out here?
(M)[chuckles] Hey, I’d be happy to share with you what I know and have experienced and pass my knowledge on to you. I’m sure Larry and Cormac would also put their two gold coins in and do the same.
(L)I’d be more than willing to help you out, pal. Swooning a woman in the bedroom is my specialty. I never fail to charm Ash into letting me make love to her. It's all about the approach.
(C)He's right, you want to be confident and gently let her know your intentions. It's all about being gentle and letting her tell you what she wants. You want to build trust and let her know that your intentions are good.
(M)Your body language is important as well. Look her in the eyes as if you're staring into her soul. Softly touch her and kiss her. Don’t rush too fast or you’ll overwhelm her. Once she starts touching you as well, that’s her way of telling you that she’s ready. Smile and soften your eyes to her and let her know that she’s safe, and she is free to be vulnerable around you.
(L)The environment matters, too, and so does the atmosphere. Make your home a safe place for her to be vulnerable and build that trust with her. You’re making your home her home as well, and home is supposed to be a place where you go to feel safe and secure. Let her be herself and you can do the same around each other.
(C)Start slow, give her that sense of comfort, and make sure she’s comfortable. Maybe hold her in your arms and talk sweetly to her and create peace in the home. You don’t want to stress her out or cause her any anxiety. She’ll already be nervous about being intimate since it’ll be her first time as well, especially if it’s true that she’s never been in a relationship. It’ll be scary for her at first, so just be careful, but not too careful.
(B)Create a calm environment and take a gentle approach. I got it. That shouldn’t be too complicated, but it will be scary for me as well, so I sympathize with Sarah. I wouldn’t want her to feel unsafe in our home together, where it’s supposed to be safe and comfortable.
(G)And hey, you’re not the only one learning from this lesson, Barth. I’ll need this advice as well if I ever find a woman to love.
(L)Trust me, after the first time, you’ll practically be a professional on how to charm your woman. Become familiar with her wants and needs and she’ll do the same for you.
(M)And Gordo, if Barth can charm Sarah, I’m sure you can charm a woman if you try.
(G)I doubt that, but I’m willing to at least try. But right now, this isn’t about me. It’s about Barth and helping him learn how to treat a woman on an intimate level. We already know that gentle love and kindness are the only ways to charm a woman, inside or outside of the bedroom.
(M)Yeah, we all learned a valuable lesson when we discovered who Sean was and what he did to Kate, someone he supposedly loved. Which, I still think, is bullshit, but everyone’s interpretation of love is different. But there’s only one way to actually love someone, and that’s just a fact.
(B)That’s right, little brother, and I swore to Sarah that I would never strive to be like that piece of human shit. No one should. And I made it clear to her that she’s safe with me, and I’ve proven that to her, so she already knows my intentions and lack thereof. Because I have no intention of ever putting my hands on Sarah in a negative way.
(M)Neither do I with Kate and I’m sure we’re all in agreement that it’s not how you treat someone you say you love and show love to daily.
(C)Exactly. I even had the same talk with Deirdre, and she and I have built trust, especially since I killed the piece of shit that gave her the scar on her back. I told Deirdre that despite me being a bandit in the past, I wouldn’t have done the things that Thronton did to innocent women and I stand by that even today. Then, after hearing what Sean did to Kate, I told Deirdre that I’d never do what he did either. I love her way too much.
(L)That’s right, we made promises to our women to shower them with love and do right by them. They do more for us than anyone can imagine, and showing them the same in return is the only way to show them that we love them. Anything opposite of that isn’t love, and that’s a fact as well.
(G)Yeah, you’ve all heard me talk about certain things when it comes to love. I don’t even have anyone, but even I know what’s right and wrong and how to treat someone you love.
(B)It’ll happen to you, buddy. I still believe it will.
(L)Same, at least you’re educating yourself for when you do find someone.
(G)True, but again, this isn’t about me since I haven’t found anyone yet. Barth has worked hard to get to this point with Sarah. He needs all the advice he can get since it’s his first relationship, and it would be his first time being intimate with a woman if they took that step.
(M)Well then, while we’re giving Barth advice, you can both take notes.
(C)Yeah, you can both learn from it.
(L)What else do you want to know, Barth?
(B)Well, since we’ve done most of the work out here, I guess we can sit here and we can talk about it if the commander is okay with that.
(M)Hey, you’re the captain, remember? We’re practically equals and you have just as much free rein as Larry and I do. Since Cormac and Gordo have their ranks, they have some authority as well. Besides, it’s pretty peaceful out here in the forest and we have our senses if any bandits are lurking, so why not?
(B)Alright then, teach me, oh wise ones. Provide me with the knowledge so that I don’t screw up my first time with the woman I love.
(L)Sure thing, pal.
(C)By the way, Merig, how's Kate doing? Is she alright from what happened yesterday?
(M)She's fine, we talked, and I apologized for raising my voice. I know I was in the wrong for shouting in front of Kate. It caused her pain, and that's the last thing I want. I feel guilty still and I know I was being overprotective, but I still could've handled it better.
(B)That’s a relief, I was worried.
(L)Yeah, me too. We know you wouldn't intentionally cause Kate harm. But you did overdo it in my opinion, just keep a level head next time. I know it's rough for both of you right now, considering the stage of pregnancy she's in. But it's going to be harder for her to move around and if the baby is moving excessively, it's not going to be pleasant for her.
(M)I realized that, and I spent some time making it up to her. I rubbed her feet and apologized, and she was quick to forgive me.
(C)She just loves you that much, Merig. She knows you meant well.
(G)Do you remember when you were possessed, and you squeezed Kate’s hand?
(M)[sigh] Yeah, I remember, as much as I want to forget. But I still feel like shit for it six months later.
(G)Did you notice how quickly she forgave you after it happened, even though we didn't know what was wrong with you at the time?
(M)Yeah, I remember.
(G)She knew something had to have been wrong because it was out of the ordinary for you. She knew that wasn't the real you, and she even said as much when you ran off on your horse into the forest. You were just standing there when you attacked, and you ran off again on your horse to Dunbarton. That's when Kate said that you weren't yourself and she acknowledged that. She knew something wasn’t right, and she wanted to do something about it, and that's when we got the information from Ingo. Then we all rallied up and rescued you, and you know the rest.
(M)Yeah, I remember you all telling me everything. I don’t remember what I did, but I could hear what was going on and I couldn’t do anything about it.
(G)Kate sensed something was wrong, and she still loved you enough to go scorched earth and fight to save you.
(B)It's true, she even fought giant spiders for you, one of her worst fears. But she said her fear of losing you was far worse than the spiders. That's dedication to the one you love, and she's more than dedicated to you, little brother.
(M)[smiles] Kate is my hero and I'll always be grateful to my wife. She's truly a wonderful person, and she forgives me almost instantly if I screw up.
(L)But hey, you're learning, right? You're learning from those screw-ups and making it right by her.
(M)Absolutely, if I screw up, I'll take accountability and apologize because I'm able to self-reflect on my actions.
(G)And that's what Kate loves about you. Unlike Sean, who thought he loved Kate, but in reality, he was just crazy. You don't hurt Kate and if something happens, and she gets hurt, you apologize immediately and treat her with care to help her pain. That's what love is and you prove to her that you won't do it again and that you never intend to do it. Sean just kept hurting her and didn't care about her pain, and inflicted more pain instead of taking accountability and didn't stop hurting her.
(M)I get what you're saying, Gordo, and you're right. Kate trusts me and she knows I love her and protect her from harm. She knows me and that she's safe with me.
(B)Exactly, the gentle approach, remember? Making your woman feel comfortable and safe.
(M)[chuckles] You’re absolutely right, Barth. I wouldn’t do anything differently.
(L)We know, pal. You don't make it a habit of causing her pain, so that's another factor as to why she has so much trust in you.
(M)Right, I just want to hurt the people who hurt Kate intentionally, like that asshole at the pub that bumped into her.
(B)We get it, Merig, just next time. Take it outside before you start shouting.
(M)Right, she understands that I was upset with that guy, but she also said the same thing and that I should've taken him outside and dealt with him. I agree and I'll do that next time.
(L)And hey, any frustrations you have, just take it out on Sean when you make your visits to him in prison.
(M)That’s another thing, she wants to come with me the next time I go to pay him a visit. She wants to show him what he almost destroyed and piss him off.
(C)Aren’t you worried? He could attack her.
(M)I thought the same thing, but I'd be there and you can go as well as a safety precaution. I know you like visiting him as well and roughing him up, too. You honestly deserve that, considering what he did to you.
(C)I'd be happy to tag along and make sure he doesn't try anything stupid with Kate.
(M)Alright, it's settled. Also, she wants to go out and find a birthday gift for Tom. His birthday is soon, and she wants to go into town and find something for him. If Deirdre wants to come along as well, she can.
(C)Sounds like it would be fun. I didn't know Tom's birthday was coming up.
(L)Me, either, be sure to send him our love when you send him a gift.
(B)Yeah, we can all sign a note wishing him a happy birthday.
(G)Absolutely, I'd be happy to do that, I'm sure he'd appreciate it.
(M)Oh he will, you're all practically family to him, as well as Barth and me as his sons-in-law.
(C)Just let me know when we're going to see Sean and I'll let Deirdre know what we're doing afterward. She'll be excited.
(M)Sounds like a plan.
The goblins continue their chatter, offering Barth a flurry of advice on navigating the delicate waters of intimacy with Sarah when the moment finally arrives. A few moments later, on the path leading to the city entrance, a rustic cart rattles, pulled by a sturdy horse. Seated in the coach is a goblin with a light brown and gray skin complexion and a few wrinkles etched into his face. Beside him, a gentle-eyed woman with porcelain skin and rich, dark ash-brown hair, streaked with threads of silver, gazes serenely into the distance. Her soft, wavy locks cascade down her back like a waterfall of night. She’s dressed in a simple tan dress paired with plain brown flat shoes, wrapped snugly in a heavy black cloak for warmth. Suddenly, the goblin's droopy ears twitch as he turns his head and listens to the nearby chatter of Merig and the others. His nose twitches, catching a familiar scent on the breeze, his eyes narrowing in a mixture of curiosity and recognition. The woman's soft voice breaks the spell, reminding him to keep his eyes on the road ahead.
(O)Merig, honey, is everything okay? We’re almost at the entrance of the city, so you might want to keep your eyes on the path.
(Msr)Oh right, I’m sorry, sweetheart.
(O)Are you sure he’s here in Tara?
(Msr)I’m sure of it. He was knighted six months ago from what I heard, and he’s also the commander of the Royal Guards.
(O)[sigh] That’s such a relief, I just hope they’re both here, Merig.
(Msr)I hope so, too, Orla. It’s been twenty-five years since we last saw them. Let’s get settled here in this city. I’m sure you’re tired, my love.
(O)Yes sweetheart, I am. We’ve been traveling for days, I’ll just be happy when we can start calling this place our home.
(Msr)Me too, you and I can finally settle down again. The queen and even the citizens are very accepting and welcoming of Fomors from what I heard. We can live in peace here and be a family again.
(O)Oh Merig, I would love that so much. To live in peace for the rest of our lives together is a dream come true.
(Msr)Just like it was a dream come true that you married me. Even after all this time of us going through hell, you’re still with me.
(O)[smile] Of course, my love, I made my vows to you. I have never and will never break those vows. I love you so much and I’ll be here with you until my dying breath, as I promised. We can go through hell together and I’ll still be with you.
(Msr)[smiles] I don’t know what I would do without you and I’ll never break my vows, either. I’ll be happy to go through hell as long as I’m with you.
(O)I love you so much, Merig.
(Msr)I love you, too, Orla.
(O)Let’s get comfortable here in our new home and we can relax together. We can even make love in our new home if you’d like.
(Msr)[smiles] I’d love nothing more than to lie in a comfortable bed naked with you and make love to you. We’ll both be at peace.
(O)[smiles] Absolutely, my love, I can hardly contain my excitement.
(Msr)Alright, honey, we're here, so let's not waste any more time.
(O)Of course not, we're home.
(Msr)You’re absolutely right, this is home.
As the two companions enter the beautiful city of Tara, they embark on a new journey together, surrounded by the city's vibrant energy. Meanwhile, after completing their patrol, the goblins make their way to the cozy pub, eager to unwind. Upon entering, they're greeted by the warm smiles of their companions, who turn their attention to them with anticipation. Merig takes his seat beside Kate, his eyes locking onto hers with affection. He leans in and gently brushes his lips against hers, then tenderly caresses her pregnant belly, his touch filled with love and affection. Cormac sits down next to Deirdre, who radiates excitement, and they share a soft, sweet kiss, their love palpable. Larry sits next to Ashley, and wraps his arm around her shoulders, his hand cradling her chin as he leans in for a tender kiss, his smile reflecting his joy. Sarah's eyes sparkle as she rises from her seat, her face lighting up with delight. Barth's hands envelop her cheeks, drawing her close for a gentle, loving kiss. They share a soft smile, hands entwined, as they take their seats together, basking in each other's presence.
(S)So how was the patrol?
(B)It was fun, a bit uneventful at first, but we caught a bandit in an ice mine before we came here. It was funny. Merig and I heard the shouting and went to see a bandit trying his best to get out of it. I swear his soul left his body when he saw us, while Merig was flashing his shiny bow and pointing an arrow at him.
(M)[chuckles] It was fun to watch him squirm and piss himself. He tried fighting us when we let him go with a warning, but I'm sure you can guess how that ended.
(K)[giggles] I have a pretty good idea, but I'm glad you had fun.
(M)How's your belly feeling today?
(K)Much better, the baby isn't as active as he was yesterday. It kind of makes me worry when that happens.
(M)Sweetheart, I know it worries you, but every time it happens, he's active again the next day. Maybe he's just tired from yesterday after being so restless.
(K)[sigh] You're right, it's just that fear, honey, that's all. I've done everything to not stress out and when I do, this happens and I think the worst.
(M)I know you do, honey, and you have every right to be afraid. I'm here to tell you everything will be okay. I can guarantee you that he'll be kicking and moving around tomorrow, or even today. When you're tired and stressed, so is the baby and he just needs to rest like you do after it happens.
(A)It'll be okay, sweetie, you've done a wonderful job so far, I don't see anything going wrong. Just think positive, rub your belly, and let the baby know everything is okay like you do.
(K)You're right, I just have to take deep breaths.
(B)Just try to calm your mind, sis, because if you're stressing out over nothing, you're only hurting yourself and the baby. Remember that.
(K)Of course, I just have to calm my mind.
(M)And I'm here to help you, my moon and star.
(K)[smiles] You're so good to me, my earth, and I feel much better with you here.
(M)I'll do whatever I can to make it better for you so you don't stress out.
(K)Well, on a brighter note, I wanted to let you all know that Dad's birthday is around the corner and I wanted to go out and find him a gift.
(M)Barth suggested we all sign a note for him and it’ll be sent to Tom along with the gift Kate chooses to show our love for his birthday.
(A)That sounds like a great idea. I'll definitely sign it.
(S)Yeah, me too, I'm sure he'll appreciate it.
(K)That's a wonderful idea, Barth.
(DD)I'll sign it as well, even though they've only met me once.
(C)They really liked you, sweetheart. They were even happy about us being together. They looked forward to meeting you when I told them about you while we were in Taill after we fought in that dungeon.
(DD)Then I'll be more than happy to send my love along with everyone else.
(C)Oh, and there's something else I wanted to talk to you about here.
(DD)What is it, Mic?
(C)Well, Merig and Kate are going to be looking for a gift for Tom, but they're also going to be going to see Sean in prison as Merig normally does. But this time Kate is going with him and afterward, they're going into the city to look for the gift for Kate’s father. I myself would like to go and see Sean like I've done before and I was wondering if you wanted to go with us and then go shopping afterward.
(DD)Is it going to be safe?
(C)Of course, Merig and I will be there so nothing bad will happen, we'll make sure of it. Sean deserves it for what he did to me and to Kate. You can always wait outside of the prison if you don’t feel safe.
(DD)No, that's okay, I'll go in there with you, I trust you to protect me if anything happens. I want to see him suffer for his crimes as well. It'll be worth it if we get to spend time with Kate and Merig afterward.
(C)Alright it's settled, we have a whole day planned and it’ll be a lot of fun.
(DD)Just let us know when and we’ll be there. We can meet up at your place for breakfast.
(K)Sure thing, it’ll probably be sometime in the next day or so since my dad’s birthday is next week. Once I get Dad’s gift, I’ll have everyone sign the note and I’ll send it off. I'll tell him in the note that the gift is from all of us.
(B)Sounds good to me, sis, just please be careful when paying Sean a visit. I don't want to have to go there and break some bones.
(G)I’ll go for extra security if needed.
(K)Don’t worry yourselves. With Merig and Cormac there, we'll be just fine.
(B)Good, also I'm sure Sarah told you that we decided we want to live together.
(K)She did tell us and we’re very happy for you both. This is a big step forward in your relationship and I'm sure you're both happy as well.
(S)I'm very excited and since I've been talking about relocating, I'll get to live closer to all of you. It'll be wonderful.
(K)Absolutely and you can come by whenever you like to enjoy my breakfast like you do.
(B)I'd enjoy that as well and I’m sure Sarah would love it.
(S)I would love that as well. It’ll be so much fun and we can just spend time with all of us women.
(DD)I try to visit Kate as often as possible, but I do enjoy our time together when it’s just us women.
(A)I enjoy it as well and we’ll all be close together when Sarah moves in with Barth and we can spend time together more often.
(S)I know and I can’t wait, it's going to be so much fun. I’ll be packing my things every evening when I get home and then Barth and I will take a day off and spend it moving everything from my home to his.
(A)That’s basically how Larry and I did it, only we took a few days off to pack instead of doing it every night for bed.
(B)I’d love to help her, if Merig is okay with giving me a day off.
(M)I don’t mind, I’m sure you’ll be busy that day helping her move. You can even take another day or so to get settled in and comfortable and spend some time together if you want, Captain.
(B)I still love the sound of that, it never gets old. I’ll be more than happy to oblige and spend some time with my beautiful woman for a couple of days once she gets settled in.
(S)[smiles] I would love that very much, sweetheart. I’ll talk to Nessa about it. I’m sure she wouldn’t mind giving me some extra time off, either.
(B)I would love that as well, my beautiful rabbit. We can sit in front of the fireplace and enjoy our time together.
(K)I’m so happy for you both, I’m sure you’re excited.
(B)I can hardly contain it, sis, and I know Sarah feels the same way.
(S)[giggles] I just might explode with how excited I am. I’ll start packing some of my things tonight and do that for the next few days or until it’s all packed. As I said, I don’t have too much stuff in my current home, so it shouldn’t take too long.
(B)Sounds like the perfect plan, sweetheart. If you need help packing as well, just say the word and I’ll be there.
(S)I really appreciate that, honey, you’re so helpful and wonderful and I love you.
(B)I love you, too, beautiful.
(L)Next thing you know, Barth will be getting down on one knee and asking Sarah to marry him.[smirk]
(B)[blush] Are you trying to embarrass me? You’re such an asshole.
(S)[blush] I’m not sure if I’m ready for that yet, but it’s not something I would be opposed to either.
(A)You’re so cute when you blush, Sarah.
(S)[blush] Ash, you’re going to make me die of embarrassment.
(B)I think she’s cute when she gets like that as well.
(S)[blush] Not you too.
(K)Your face is beet red, Sarah, just take a deep breath. I actually need to go to the bathroom. This baby is lying right on top of my bladder.
(M)I’ll help you up.
(K)I’ll be okay, my love. I want to be able to stand up on my own. I don’t want to become weak and not be able to even sit up properly.
(M)Alright, sweetheart, just be careful, please.
(K)Don’t worry yourself, honey, it’ll take me a minute, but I’ll be fine.
Kate carefully shifts in her seat, her hand cradling her swollen belly as she prepares to stand. She grounds herself by placing her other hand on the table and pushing off with her legs, slowly lifting herself up from her chair. Merig, attentive as always, quickly moves the chair out of her way, allowing her to turn and make her way to the restroom. As she approaches the door, the woman with dark ash brown hair, who had been riding in the cart with the goblin, stands before her, preparing to enter as well. With a gentle smile, she halts, allowing Kate to enter the restroom first.
(O)Oh, I’m so sorry, you go ahead, I’m sure you have to go worse than I do.
(K)I’m so sorry, this baby is dancing on my bladder, it’s not fun.
(O)Oh, I can imagine, here allow me to open the door for you.
(K)Thank you so much, that’s very kind of you.
(O)Of course, I’m a mother myself, so I sympathize.
Orla pushes open the restroom door with a warm smile, and Kate returns it, her face lighting up with gratitude as she enters, and Orla follows. After finishing up, Kate emerges from the restroom, her steps light as she makes her way back to the group table. The day wears on, filled with laughter and conversation, as the group savors their time together at the pub. As the evening draws to a close, they bid each other farewell, promising to reconvene soon. At Sarah's cozy home, she busies herself in her bedroom, packing a few final items in preparation for the upcoming move. The sound of a knock at the front door breaks the silence, and Sarah's heart skips a beat as she makes her way downstairs. She opens the door to find Barth standing outside, his face illuminated by the soft moonlight. Sarah's face lights up with delight as she beckons him inside, closing the door behind him. The two share a tender kiss, the warmth of their embrace a testament to their deepening connection.
(B)I thought I would stop by for a little bit and see if there was anything you’d need my help with.
(S)I don’t have much and what I do have isn’t too heavy or anything. But like I said, if you want to help, I appreciate it.
(B)[smiles] Maybe I just wanted an excuse to come and see you like always.
(S)[smiles] It’s okay, I was hoping you’d stop by.
(B)Also, I’m starting to get things prepared at my home as well for it to become our home.
(S)Is there anything you need me to do?
(B)No, sweetheart, you leave everything to me. I want to make it as comfortable for you as possible.
(S)Oh, Barth, I want it to be comfortable for you as well. Please don’t feel like you have to change anything just for my sake, especially if it makes you uncomfortable.
(B)Hey, as long as you’re comfortable, I’m comfortable. Trust me, the changes I’m making aren’t too drastic, so it will make both of us comfortable.
(S)Good, I would rather you be comfortable too. You know me, I’m not a selfish person and neither are you.
(B)I know you aren’t and that’s one of the things I love about you, my beautiful rabbit. Words can’t describe how happy I am to be sharing a home with you.
(S)I’m really happy, too, Barth, and that’s all I want out of this is for you to be happy too.
(B)I’m already happy just being with you. Getting to see you every day in our home makes me even more happy.
(S)Me too, I’m so excited, I’ll cook you breakfast each morning and do whatever else you need me to.
(B)That would be wonderful, but it will be our home, so we’ll work together to meet each other’s needs and wants. I want to take care of you. Besides, I’m sure you’ll want to visit Kate for her breakfast as well and we can do that together if you want.
(S)Absolutely, I just want to take care of you, too, sweetheart. You're so good to me and I’m not sure what I did to deserve you.
(B)Just existing in the world and being the wonderful person that you are and the most beautiful woman I’ve ever laid eyes on.
(S)[blush] Thank you, Barth. I guess I’m still getting used to the compliments. It’s not exactly something I used to hear every day, so it’s still new to me.
(B)I’ll tell you every minute of every day how beautiful I think you are and how much I love you. It’s new to me as well, so you’re not alone.
(S)I love you, too, sweetheart, and I do appreciate the love you give and show me.
(B)And I’ll never stop sweetheart, I’ll always show you love as I promised.
(S)I’ll show you the same. I’ll never stop either.
(B)[smiles] I love you, Sarah.
(S)[smiles] I love you too, Barth. You’re more than welcome to keep me company while I pack some of my things.
(B)I’d be happy to. I’ll be here in case you need me.
(S)[blush] Maybe I just want an excuse for you to stay and show me some love, so I’m not too overwhelmed.
(B)[chuckles] You know I’d be more than happy to, sweetheart.
(S)And hey, if you want, we can join Kate and Merig in the city after they pay their visit to the prison. We can meet up with them and spend the day together.
(B)It sounds fun, but I think I’d rather use a day off to spend time with you when it’s just the two of us. I want to take you out and spend the entire day with you after you’ve gotten settled in with me and we can go out together to celebrate.
(S)I understand what you’re saying, sweetheart, and I do agree, so we’ll save our day off for that.
(B)I just want it to be a special day with just you and me, that's all.
(S)I want it to be special too. I’m sorry, I didn’t think about that.
(B)You have no reason to be sorry, my love, you did nothing wrong. Besides, Cormac and Deirdre will be with Kate and Merig that day, but we’ll definitely be there to sign the birthday note for Kate’s father.
(S)Absolutely, I’ll most likely be at the healer, so she might have to come and visit me so I can sign it.
(B)I’ll let Kate and Merig know when the day comes.
(S)Maybe I can sneak away during lunch and come and meet you all at the pub when it's time.
(B)Or I can go to the healer and steal you away for lunch. After you sign the note, I'll take you out somewhere, anywhere you want to go.
(S)[smiles] I would love that very much, Barth. I do appreciate you bringing me lunch, though.
(B)Yeah, but I realize every day was a bit much, so I figured taking you out and letting you choose what you're hungry for is best. And since we'll be living together soon, you can let me know ahead of time if you want to go out or if you'd be okay with me bringing you something to eat. You can relax at the healer while you eat and I can still come visit and sit and talk with you.
(S)That sounds like the perfect plan to me, sweetheart. I would love that more than anything. I agree it was a bit much, but I still appreciated it nonetheless since it was you going out of your way like you always do just for me.
(B)You know I don’t mind one bit, Sarah. As long as I get to see you and make you smile, that’s all I want out of it. And if there’s anything you’re uncomfortable with or anything you don’t like, just let me know. You won’t hurt my feelings if you tell me something is too much.
(S)I just don’t want you upset with me for saying as much. I’m sorry, I just don’t want your efforts to be in vain, and to make you feel you aren’t appreciated. I appreciate every little thing you do for me, Barth, despite what I think about it.
(B)I understand, just don’t be afraid to talk to me about anything, okay? I can understand if something is over the top for you.
(S)I’ll try my best not to be afraid.
(B)Your best is more than enough, sweetheart. You never have to be afraid to do or say anything with me and I’ll never give you a reason to be.
(S)I know you won’t. I trust you and you know that.
(B)Good, because that’s my goal, to maintain that trust. I’d never do anything to break it either.
(S)I wouldn’t either, mutual trust is important. Now, I do have to get back to packing my things. You’re more than welcome to keep me company.
(B)I can help you too, if you want, like I said before.
(S)Only if you want to.
(B)I don’t see why I can’t, but first, I’d like to spend a bit of time with you if that’s okay.
(S)[smiles] I don’t see why not
(B)[smiles] Then I’m sure you wouldn’t mind if I held you in my arms and kissed you.
(S)[blush] I wouldn’t mind at all, but let’s not get too distracted.
(B)Don’t worry, it’ll be worth it.
Barth and Sarah share a tender smile as he gently takes her hands, his lips brushing against her knuckles in a soft, loving kiss. Sarah's face flushes with a bashful smile as Barth pulls her close, their arms entwining in a warm embrace. They hold each other tight, the world around them melting away. As they break apart, Sarah looks up at Barth with sparkling eyes. He cups her cheeks, thumbs caressing them as he leans down to capture her lips in a gentle, loving kiss. Time stands still as they savor the moment, their hearts beating as one. Later, Barth helps Sarah pack her belongings, his hands moving quickly and skillfully as they work together. As he leaves and makes his way home, they share a kiss goodnight, and both retire for the night, their hearts full of joy.