(Tatiana's P.O.V.) - Two days later-
My head is still reeling a little over Dimitri's situation and story, yet my eyes are giving me the proof by seeing Dimitri being carried in Anastasia's arms while crossing over a fast river by large stepping rocks.
Dimitri replied out loud, "Easy, the third rock is a little slippery. Best to jump with two feet this time, Anya.". And of course, his voice coming out of a cat's body is absolutely weird to hear and see, and I can't forget that his green/black striped fur is literally normal around here in this world yet for some reason, it suits him.
The past two nights were a bit bizarre, seeing Dimitri sleepwalk when he actually told us to tie him to a tree or something similar, and of course, witnessing Dimitri and Anastasia's love. I and the other girls were understandably upset that they kept their relationship secret, but after a sister talk, we became greatly supportive upon noticing that their expressions of love mirrored Father and Mother so much.
"That's it, Anya, last one, and you're scot free.", purred Dimitri softly, and Anya jumped, skipped, and landed on the other side with Olga and Alexei waiting, and Olga called out, "Your turn, either of you!". I glanced at Maria, and she grinned lightly, "Paper, rock, and scissors?".
I chuckled softly, "Oh, you're on. Two out of three?". Maria nodded, "Deal.". We then did the game, and to my horror, I lost the first two times. I then sighed lowly as Maria went ahead, skipping and jumping across the river, and landing on the other side.
Alexei called out, "Your turn, Tatya!", calling me by his nickname for me. I nodded, and went to cross the river, watching my step, wary of the stones. They are technically large, but a couple rocks are a few inches smaller than the others.
I don't know what happened when I went for the third rock, perhaps my position of jumping was lopsided or the angle of my feet when touching the surface, but I slipped and fell into the river. The river is fast-flowing, and I couldn't find the bottom as I reached out, screaming, but I was already far off from my sisters and brother when I resurfaced.
I could see them running, shouting, calling for me as I struggled to swim against the current to the banks, but I was running out of energy, the current taking my strength second by second. Then I hear a voice so close by, "Hold on, lassie! Grab my hand!".
I weakly looked back to see a large tree laying across the river, with a hand reaching out for me, and I grasped it, coughing and grunting as I felt the hand hold mine tight and pull, and I attempted to climb into the tree's side, shivering and panting.
"Are you all right, lassie?", spoke the voice again, and I looked up, gasping slightly as my eyes locked into a most mesmerizing set of deep emerald eyes, and I blinked softly as I saw a sparkle in them. I backed slightly to take into the appearance of my savior. Next to his emerald eyes, his skin is a healthy tone of tan, his hair a wild yet incredible mess of bright ginger curls, and sat upon his head is a dark green hat with a rose pink sash, and a note of paper saying 3/4 tucked in the sash.
I took in his features, a prominent yet handsome nose, high cheekbones, and one dimple when he smiled at me, and his clothes is a eclectic mix of colors. A cream white shirt, a medium green jacket with a purple handkerchief tucked in the pocket, a maroon red bowtie, a black belt, dark blue trousers, and dark brown shoes with two different shoelaces; orange on the left and yellow on the right.
I breathed softly, "You saved me.". Perhaps middle 20s or early 30s in age, the man chuckled warmly, "But of course. After all, it was a impossible thing to do, yet here we are, turning this impossible rescue into a possible meeting between new friends!".
I giggled lightly, "True, and you're making me believe in impossible things, sir.", and the man smiled brightly, "Oh, you don't have to be formal, my dear. My name is Tarrant, Tarrant Hightopp.".
I smiled softly, "Glad to make your acquaintance, Tarrant. I am Tatiana Romanov.". Tarrant's eyes sparkled as he held up my hand, and kissed the top of it, "Tatiana...Such a lovely name! It suits you well as you give off a aura of royalty.". I blushed brightly, and giggled again, "Actually, you're right. I am a princess, a princess from another world.".
Tarrant widened his eyes in amazement, "Truly? I could never thought so! You look quite humble despite the state of your appearance.". I gasped lightly, looking down at myself, blushing embarrassedly, "Oh, my clothes! The river ruined them...I slipped and fell...".
A finger touched my chin, tilting me upwards to look at Tarrant, "No need to fret, lassie. I am a maker of all fabrics. After all, hats aren't the only thing I strive to create.". I anxiously smiled, "You could help me?".
Tarrant smiled softly, "Indeed I will. First, shall we get ourselves down to the ground?", and I realized that we are half-sitting, half kneeling on the side of the tree bridge, and I nodded firmly, "Yes, let's. I do hope my family is nearby.".
Tarrant nodded lightly, "Ah, that explains the sounds I've been hearing in the distance while I was just minding my own business. I am sure they will appear soon enough, my dear Tatiana.". For some strange reason, the accent of his voice upon my name is intoxicating, and I wish to hear it again and again.
Tarrant offered a hand, noticing the blue-green fingerless glove on it, slightly confused to see the other hand bare and gloveless, and I realized that his bare hand was the one I grasped from the river. Blinking softly as I grasped his hand, "What happened to the other one?", getting up together.
Tarrant chuckled warmly, "Ah, the shopkeeper said that he couldn't find the other one anywhere, so he sold just the one to me, figuring that I can be half warm than nothing.". I grinned softly, "You're still searching for the other one?", as we carefully walked across the tree.
Tarrant laughed warmly as he went down first, now holding out his arms as I stood before him, "Aye, lassie. There be other fingerless gloves out there, but the second one is waiting for me somewhere.". I smiled brightly after I enjoyed the sound of his laughter, "Right size and right color, huh? You're a peculiar man, Tarrant, but a good strange kind, and I like it.", as I leaned in, his hands grasping around my arms, feeling the safe yet comforting strength as he helped me down, seeing him beam brightly.
When I landed fully on both feet, I was close up, and there was a moment of something, a new feeling once we looked at each other, his emerald eyes ever mesmerizing, and for a frightening yet exciting moment, my heart beat fast, my brain reeling at the thought of kissing his lips before I blinked softly, letting go of him almost too quick, "Thank you, Tarrant.".
Tarrant was about to reply with a warm, casual smile when I heard familiar voices calling out in the distance, and I looked over to see my family and Dimitri, and I sighed softly both in relief yet annoyance, wanting to know Tarrant more yet knowing that my family's going to be a tad more protective of me than before.