None Before, None After
I remember the grove where we met the first time. She was beautiful, walking along the riverbed. She had long chestnut hair, and the cutest purr you'd ever hear. That day, I looked at her. My cheeks flushed, and she looked back at me. I averted my gaze in embarrassment, and she laughed.
"Hey," she said, "You don't see too many humans in these parts."
"I'm here to study," I said, still looking away.
"Study?" she asked, before giving a hearty laugh, "You don't look like a mage!"
"Well, no…" I said, "I'm not."
"Are you one of those fancy 'tacticians' then?" she asked.
"Well, not really…" I said. "Kind of?"
"You a peace-loving egghead?" she teased again.
"Prepare to be astonished," I said, "I'm a mercenary!"
She laughed in my face. "Please forgive me," she said, "It's just that I find the idea of a mercenary studying… well, laughable."
"Yeah, well, it's been said I'm an anomaly in the business," I responded. My heart was pounding with anxiety. She hates me.
"It's not bad," she said, "It's good to find beorc with less-than-predictable personalities."
"Beorc?" I asked.
"Yeah, it's what we call you to be friendly," she said.
"I…I know," I said. She likes me!
"My, you are a clever one, aren't you?" she asked. "What's your name, handsome?"
"It's… It's," I stammered. I couldn't believe this beautiful woman just called me handsome. "It's Z-Z-Zihark."
"My name is Desdemona," she said.
"That's a… lovely name," I said. Oh goddess, please let her love me…
"Well, I hope to see you again, Zihark!" she said.
"What?" I asked, "You can't stay?"
"I'd really love to," she said, "But I think that my family is looking for me."
"Oh, well… how about the same place, same time tomorrow?" I asked.
"I'll be there," she said, winking. Then she ran off.
"I'll… I'll see you," I said a moment too late.