26th of Avistym, 401 – Zofia Harbor

Genny breathed a sigh of relief as she stepped off the boat and back onto solid, dry land. As much fun as it was to go on this grand adventure with her friends, she had to admit that actually going out and roughing it on the waves was a different experience than just reading about it.

At the very least, Leon has been invaluable regarding skin and hair care. For a guy, he sure knew his stuff! She felt she should get him something as a form of thanks.

This train of thought occupied the cleric's mind enough that she didn't notice the man in front of her until she bumped right into his back. Genny fell back and landed flat on her rump, groaning more from the shock than outright pain.

The man she bumped into turned around, revealing himself as Saber, one of the mercenaries accompanying them on Celica's journey. "Whoa there, little lass, you should really watch where you're going."

He reached down and took her hand, helping her back to her feet. Genny thanked him, face flushed in embarrassment. "Sorry, guess I was just lost in thought."

"You seem to be the type for that," Saber leaned in a bit. "What about? A boy, maybe?"

"Wow, you're pretty good! It was about Leon, and-"

Saber couldn't help but snort at the thought. "No offense, lass, but I think you might want to look elsewhere than him. He's a bit of a lost cause, you know."

Genny tilted her head, "I was just thinking about getting him something for giving me some tips, but… what do you mean?"

"You should see how he looks at a certain man, can't miss it. You know, that sort of look."

It took her a moment, but she got it, and nodded, "Oh, yeah, I knew that! I've been running around you all enough, jeez!"

Saber laughed and ruffled her strawberry hair. "Just teasing you, little lass. Don't take it so personally."

"Well, okay… say, what are you doing out here, anyways?" She looked to the right and heard the noises of a tavern in full swing. "You're usually inside establishments like that."

"Oof, you make it sound like I've got a problem," Saber rubbed the back of his neck, feigning being hurt. "But, if you must know, a certain mutual friend of ours convinced me there was a buxom maid who was dying to congratulate me. Turns out that was a load of crock, so I'm on the lookout for him to give him a piece of my mind."

Saber menacingly cracked his knuckles, and Genny began to worry for Boey's safety tonight. Well, if anything turned out too badly, she'd be around to patch him up at least.

In this moment, Genny began looking at Saber far more intently than she had been able to over the past few weeks. He was a remarkable looking man, if incredibly rough around the edges. She tapped her lips, thoughts forming, weaving together in a fine mess.

Saber, who had gone back to gazing around the crowd to see if Boey was around, finally noticed her intense stare. "Aw, don't look at me like that, I'm not planning on hurting him too bad. Probably just slug one of those noodly arms of his is all."

Genny didn't hear what he was saying, and continued to stare at him. Taking in his details and figuring how best to describe him on paper. "Apple or fire…" she muttered, taking note of his hair.

"What?' Saber raised an eyebrow before snapping his finger in front of her face. "You can't space out staring at a man like that, might give him all sorts of ideas of what you're thinking."

She made a startled noise as he snapped his fingers, recovering after a second and giggling. "Sorry, I was just thinking that you'd be perfect!"

"On second thought, saying that makes a man think strange thoughts."

"Thanks for the inspiration, Saber!" Genny beamed, and walked past him on the way to the inn, leaving a particularly confused Saber alone.

"You're welcome, lass. I think?" Saber shrugged as she left his sight, and went back into the tavern. Just because there wasn't a maid now didn't mean there wouldn't be one later, and Saber's a man who can play the long game for a few nights.

When Genny returned to her room, she took out a few pieces of paper and her quill, ready to start brain storming. The bolt of inspiration had struck her, or at least grazed her just enough.

Maybe a swashbuckling adventure? They say to start writing what you know, after all, and there is plenty of material, what with storming ship after ship, and even a fortress full of pirates! Who would be the heroine, though? She was already planning on using Celica for a more land-based adventure. Decisions, decisions, decisions…