A/N: I'm back. College is starting, so the updates may be a little slower from here on out. Oh well, we'll all just have to deal with that. Now, on to reviewer responses, and boy are there a lot of them. 18! Amazing!.
CharChar Wu: Get back to writing right now! Just kidding, when you're not writing, you're reviewing, so I have nothing to complain about. Yes, Florina was a little forward, but that's how I imagine her if someone was about to harm her "savior." Also, she did run off afterwards, so I think she even surprised herself. On the characters' personalities, she may seem a tad more OOC from here on out, because Sain is going to be rubbing off on Florina, and she on him. Don't worry, they will keep most of their original personalities, they will just be tempered. Yes, the sisters still don't completely trust Sain, although there probably won't be another scene with them for a while.
Daiokkan: Ah, poor Sain, he had no idea. Ignorance is no excuse! That means he's going to need the money he's going to make from his next mission to pay Canas for copyright violation. Then he really will be poor Sain.
Nightmare3: Yes, Sain is in Ilia, and the women will see why he is famous. I know how you feel, my parent's are getting to be the same way. Feel free to rant, it gives me a glimpse into your life. And besides that, it's fun for me. Thanks for the reviews, I'm glad you like it.
z-animatr: Glad you found and like it. TweekinTinkaToy has a really good on going SainFlorina fic. All the good Sain stories I've found are on my Favorites list. Enjoy.
No one should pay to write: Hahaha. With me, expect the unexpected. Glad you like it, and I would highly recommend TweekinTinkaToy's SainFlorina fic, I think you'd like it.
Black Lord 500: Thank you. You never know, I never gave a thought to to writing until this summer, and look where I am now.
Aesahaettr's Might: Thank you for the suggestion, it would have worked well. Don't worry, Sain and Florina will see some action, probably in about three chapters, if nothing changes.
Mel: Heh, to think.Again, expect the unexpected!
Lemurian-Girl: I'm glad. Keep reviewing, I always look forward to them. P.S. What is Lemurian?
fe fan: Thank you.
silverfox09: Feel free to alert me of any typos you see, I try to avoid them at all costs.
FIREEMBLEMFREAK252: Woohoo! Another good FE author. Thank you.
sam: This fic, end? You have nothing to worry about there. You'll know when this fic ends, and then you'll have the sequel to look forward to.
Page-Chan: Don't worry, it won't be short for much longer.
TweekinTinkaToy: No,no, this fic will continue for a long, long, long... ( I think you get the picture) time. And then there is the sequel. haha. And I look forward to your so-called "depressing drabble", so don't let me down.
seraph: Thank you, I try. They're my favorite too. Feel free to IM me anytime you see me online, my SN is on my profile.
To All: Thank you, I appreciate every review. Please R&R
Now, on to the story.
Chapter 4: Sain's (partially) Ruined Reputation
Sain and Florina lay on the bathroom floor, exhausted. "Now you know why nobody ever messes with me." Sain said with a grin.
"Because of your tickle attack?" Florina asked.
"It's not just any tickle attack; I'm a certified Master Tickler." Sain said with a straight face.
"Oh, that's not an easy title to obtain. I'm honored to have been tickled by one of the best." Florina responded seriously.
"My pleasure, my lady." Sain said.
Florina couldn't contain herself any longer. She burst out laughing. She leaned against Sain and relaxed. "You're one of a kind, Sain." Sain grinned. "At least, I hope so." Florina finished.
"I know I am, at least among men. You wouldn't let any other man get this close." Sain said.
"That's what you think." Florina replied.
"What? Who'd you let—" Sain started.
"Calm down; I was kidding." Florina assured him.
"I'm being a bad influence on you." Sain said, relaxing.
"And I'm being a good influence on you." Florina answered.
"Hmm, I better be careful or you might ruin my image."
"Too late." Florina said.
"Huh?" Sain questioned.
"My sisters will have ruined it by now." Florina stated.
"How's that?" Sain wondered.
"First, anyone who saw them lead you here would know you've changed. Second, anyone who didn't will hear about it in the bar, either from my sisters or from someone in the first group."
"Is your life really that big of news in your village?" Sain asked.
"Not usually, but this is the first time a man has been in this house since my father left." Florina said.
"I hope I can bring as much joy into your life as he did pain." Sain said solemnly.
"If anyone can, it's you." Florina said.
"After all, how many people in the world could possibly be as fun as me?" Sain asked.
"A few, but they didn't rescue me from a snowy demise like you, my savior." Florina said.
"Their loss, my gain, my lady." Sain responded.
Unbeknownst to our two lovebirds, a small crowd was gathering in front of the house. There was a low murmur going on throughout the group.
"Have you heard? There's a man in Florina's house. With Florina."
"(gasp) Are you sure? I don't hear any screeching."
"It's true. I live across the street, and I saw Florina run in there crying. A few minutes later, her sisters showed up with a man in a green cloak, and he went inside."
"(gasp) Her sisters let a man be alone with Florina?"
"Well, they followed him into the house, but, yes, they did leave a couple of minutes later."
"What do you think they're doing in there?"
"Run up there and see for yourself."
"Hmm, do you hear something?" Sain asked Florina.
"Yeah, I think it's been going on for some time now." Florina answered.
"Want me to check it out?" Sain inquired.
"Nah, this is my house; I should probably go see what's happening." Florina said, getting to her feet.
"I'll be right behind you if you need me." Sain said, standing as well.
Florina walked to the front window and peeled the curtains back far enough for her to look outside. "Eep!" She screeched, and then hid behind Sain.
"What is it, my lady?" Sain asked, concern visible on his face.
"M-men. L-lots of m-men. P-please make them go away, my savior." Florina pleaded.
"No problem." Sain opened the door, and his jaw dropped. Florina had failed to mention the number of women with the men. Florina nudged Sain, and he remembered why he had opened the door in the first place. The murmur rose in volume as the crowd noticed Sain. "Good sirs, I am afraid that I'm going to have to ask you to leave. You're making Florina nervous." Sain called out above the crowd noise.
"How come you don't frighten her?" One of the men accused.
"I trapped her in a cave for a couple of nights." Sain said with a grin.
"How dare you? You'll pay for whatever you did to Florina!" A woman yelled out.
Florina stepped out from behind Sain. "Everyone relax. Sain didn't trap me, per se, he rescued me from a blizzard and we were snowed in for a couple nights." Florina explained.
"Sain? As in the mercenary Sain? Isn't he the one famous for womanizing?" The same woman called out.
"My dear, if your perceptiveness is as great as your beauty, then surely you wouldn't have been drawn in by those awful rumors. Hey, I was just kidding!" Sain said as Florina dragged him back to the door.
"Does that answer your question?" Florina asked, trying to hide a smile.
"And you fell for him?" One of the men asked incredulously.
"He's really not that bad." Florina defended her savior.
"Listen to the lady, she knows what she's talking about." Sain agreed.
"Now, if you don't mind, I'm going to give Sain a tour of the village." Florina said.
Noticing that no one seemed to be leaving, Sain called out, "Don't you have something better to do with your time?"
"Are you kidding? This is the biggest piece of news here since the three sisters helped in the defeat of Nergal." Someone in the crowd replied.
"Wow, I guess you're more well-known than I thought." Sain said to Florina, who blushed.
"I guess maybe I should have warned you." Florina said nervously.
"No, I like learning new aspects of my lady." Sain said, pecking Florina on the cheek.
"Please, my savior, not in front of everyone.' Florina said, blushing.
"Why not? I like showing off my lady." Sain said, nuzzling closer to Florina.
"What do you want to do first?" Florina asked, accepting his actions for now.
"Hmm, I haven't taken you out on a true date yet. Let's go to a nice restaurant." Sain suggested.
"Oh, Sain, you don't have to do that." Florina said.
"We could probably get a private room." Sain said suggestively.
"Sain!" Florina said, shocked.
"Just to get away from the crowd, of course." Sain justified.
"Oh, then I guess that's acceptable." Florina said.
"Lead on, my lady." Sain said.
"Right this way, my savior." Florina replied.
"So, what do you have in mind?" Sain asked as he was led through the streets.
"Well, there's this really unique restaurant, Mountain High. I've heard a lot of good things about it, although I haven't actually been there." Florina said.
"That changes today, my lady." Sain told her.
"Here we are, my savior." Florina announced.
Sain stood still, his mouth gaping. In front of him was the largest building he had ever seen. It was easily five stories high and took up the entire city block. When they walked inside, he was amazed all over again. The place was designed to look like a mountain, and was very realistic. "Brrr, it's even cold like a mountain." Sain commented.
A well-dressed waiter appeared in front of them. "How may I help you today?" He inquired.
"We'd like your best private dining area, if possible." Sain requested.
"Ah, I see we have a first-time customer. Let me explain how Mountain High is set up. First of all, all of our dining areas are private, and every area is unique. The areas you have to choose from tonight are as follows: the Waterfall Lounge, the Serene Lake (canoe included), the Hot Springs—"
"Wait, did you just say Hot Springs?" Sain asked excitedly.
"Yes, it's a popular choice among couples." The waiter replied.
"But I don't have a swimsuit." Florina mentioned.
"Is that a problem?" Sain inquired innocently.
"Sain!" Florina exclaimed, aghast.
"Not to worry, ma'am, we provide tailored swimsuits for our guests." The waiter intervened.
"I don't know…" Florina mused.
"Please, my lady, take pity on a poor, cold soul. I haven't been warm since I arrived." Sain appealed.
"I don't know; can I trust you?" Florina asked, hiding a grin.
"Of course, my lady." Sain answered.
"Then, my savior, I give my consent." Florina agreed.
"Great, you won't regret it. We'll take the Hot Springs." Sain told the waiter.
"Follow your attendants. They will take you to the fitting rooms." The waiter said as a man and a woman appeared and motioned for Sain and Florina to follow them.
"I look forward to seeing you presently, my lady." Sain said as he was led away.
"As do I, my savior." Florina responded, shaking her head at Sain's ways.
A/N: I have only two words to say about the next chapter: Hot. Springs. Now please go review.