Sorry about the long update time, with college, sports, beta reading, and recreational reading, writing got pushed to the back burner. I apologize in advance if it happen again. I hope it won't, but it's a possibility.
Disclaimer: I own nothing but the story.
Important: There is a new FFN rule that bans authors from responding to reviews. There is a petition to reverse this ruling. If any author wants to sign this petition, please send your FFN name and email address via email to either myself or raging hobo. Thank you.
Now, onto reviewer responses.
TweekinTinkaToy: My fellow, and in my humble opinion, better, Sain fic author. Thank you. Haha, I bet he is. Sorry for the wait; I'm a terrible procrastinator. Oh yeah, thanks for the random plot bunnies. You know what I mean.
Dairokkan: Haha, I'm sorry, but here's another one.
CharChar Wu: Yeah, she's gonna stay that way...after this chapter. Haha, you'll see what I mean. But rest assured, she probably won't act like she soes in this chapter ever again.
Nightmare3: You thought that was her naughty side? Well-l-l, just wait and see what I have in store for you this chapter, hahaha. Sain will need a professional body guard to protect himself from Fiora, if she reads this.
Lemurian-Girl: Does Florina have a naughty side? Read on to find out.
z-animatr: Stuff is a good word to describe it. They're in about chest-deep water to Florina, so it's sorta like slow motion ballroom dancing, if you can picture it.
Maxmagnus20019: Glad to make you happy.
Renzokuken-sama: I'm glad, and thank you.
Black Lord 500: I'm glad you think so. And it will stay that way. You may not think so after you read this chapter, but just trust me. I loved your comment at the end about your talking to women.
JSB: It does sound cool. I'm sorry if it's rushed; I'm an impatient person.
FIREEMBLEMFREAK252: Glad I can make you laugh.
Page-Chan: Sort of an angel-devil thing. Pretty much the same concept, although slightly different personalities. Yes, that does present an interesting picture.
To All: Thank you for the reviews; they were all great. I love you guys.
Anyone who likes this fic should definitely check out Restoring Honor, by TweekinTinkaToy. While you're at it, make sure to review her humor fic, Ultimate Survivor Challenge: Fire Emblem Style! Both are excellent fics. Now for the story...
Chapter 6: The Ramifications of a Power Failure
"Sain! What are you doing?" Florina exclaimed, resisting. 'You know you like it.'
"Okay, first things first. You're way too tense. Before anything else, you must relax."
"O-okay." Florina tried to do follow his instructions.
"Okay, time for drastic measures." Sain said as he turned Florina so that her back was facing him. "Release all your tension." He coached as he began to massage her arms and back.
Florina couldn't resist. Sain was just too good at this. 'If this is how good he makes you feel with just normal physical contact, just imagine- Be quiet! You're just saying that because you know it's true.'
"Good." Sain's voice interrupted Florina's internal conversation. "Girls have the easy part; all you have to do is follow my lead." Sain said as he started a simple dance step. "One, two, and three and four. Now you try it." Florina did so, albeit haltingly. "Okay, now together." Sain said as he put one hand on her waist and took hold of her hand with his other. "Now, put your free hand on my shoulder." They went through the steps. "This is how you dance with someone you don't know very well. Do you feel that you know me?" Sain asked.
"Not in the least." Sain's face fell. "But I do trust you." Florina finished.
"And for that I am glad. When dancing with someone you are close to, you dance closer, like this." Sain said as he pulled Florina to him, putting his arm around her waist.
"Eep!" Florina nearly jumped in surprise at Sain's action.
"What did I tell you about staying relaxed?" Sain asked with a grin. "Now, put your arm around my neck."
Florina slowly performed the desired action, and, to her surprise, found the position quite comfortable. 'Ahh, after all these years, to finally get to be held by a man. See what you've been missing out on?' For once, Florina had to agree with her braver side.
"One two three four." Sain counted out the steps at first, then let his voice fade away as he saw that Florina didn't need it. When Florina rested her head, Sain smiled, 'Looks like Florina is getting more comfortable around me all the time.
"Eh-hem," The waiter cleared his throat, "Dinner is served." He finished as he set the tray on the table in the shallow part of the springs and left.
"Well, we'll continue this lesson at a later time. Because I don't know about you, but after a couple of weeks of rations, I'm ready for some real food."
"Sounds good to me; I'm famished." Florina agreed.
Sain waded over to the table and poured the wine into the two glasses. "I propose a toast: To the continued success of the relationship between the shyest, and loveliest, lady and her shining savior."
"Hear hear." Florina smiled at Sain's flowery language and raised her glass to the toast.
"Now, my lady, let me present the appetizers. We have fresh-baked bread, fine cheeses, home grown salads, and fresh oysters. For the main meal, there is succulent Lobster Vahine. And for desert, enjoy the delectable chocolate truffles." Sain announced, grinning when he saw the oysters.
"Wow, fresh oysters! These are a rare delicacy in Ilia, since we're so far from any major body of water." Florina exclaimed, popping a few in her mouth and chasing them with a sip of wine.
"Nothing less than the best for my lady." Sain said, biting into a piece of bread.
"Mmm, I never knew oysters would be so tasty; they practically melt in your mouth." Florina said, eating a couple more with a slice of bread.
"Ooh, Florina, you have to try this lobster; it's heaven." Sain said after having a bite. Florina reached for a taste, but Sain stopped her. "Let me help you with that." Sain said, giving her a bit of the lobster.
Florina blushed at the action, but opened her mouth and accepted the lobster. Sain was right; it was better than anything she could remember tasting ever before.
'This is just perfect. I don't think anything could ruin this moment' The two mercenaries thought. Just then, the lights failed, and the room went black. "What's going on?" Florina said, worried.
"I'm not sure. We should stay close." Sain said.
"Eep.!" Florina screeched, feeling something touch her hand.
"Don't worry; it's just me." Sain comforted her, taking hold of her hand and squeezing it reassuringly.
Suddenly, light came through around the door. When it opened, it revealed their waiter, holding a couple of candles. "It seems we are experiencing a temporary power outage. These should provide you with light until the problem can be fixed. As recompense, your meal is on the house. We apologize for the inconvenience." The man turned to leave, and then glanced back. "I presume everything else is to your liking?" He asked.
"Oh, yes. The food is magnificent." The couple assured him. "Even better, now it's free." Sain quipped. Florina smiled, but caught herself in time to give him a look.
"Ah, good, good. Well, I shall be going now. If you should require anything, feel free to ring the bell." The man said as he left to deal with other patrons, hoping they would be as agreeable as this couple.
"Brrr, it's so cold." Florina commented.
"I bet the springs are heated electronically." Sain said, moving closer to Florina. "Here, let's share body heat; it'll keep us warm.
"As long as you don't try anything." Florina said, already moving closer to him. 'I wish he would; I'd love to get some action'
"Wow, A candlelight dinner for our first date. So romantic, I'm glad I thought of it." Sain said, lightening the mood.
Florina laughed "How do you figure?" She asked with a grin.
"Oh? Didn't you know? I set this whole scene up. I'm friends with the woman upstairs." Sain said with a straight face.
"You don't know Saint Elimine!" Forina accused, startled at Sain's blasphemy.
"Saint Elimine? No, of course not. I know Stella, the janitor. She agreed to do me this favor, since I rescued her chickens." Sain replied, struggling to suppress a smile.
"You didn't really do that, did you?" Florina didn't believe him, but doubts were starting to creep into her mind. 'You never know; Sain is an amazing man'
Sain couldn't contain himself any longer. "Hahaha, No, I didn't do that." Florina hit him in the arm. "What would you have done if I had?" Sain asked seriously.
"This, for worrying me," Florina hit him again. 'You know that's not all you want to do to him' Florina didn't know if it was the wine affecting her, but she actually agreed with her braver side. 'Do it. You know you want to.' Florina didn't even have to ask what 'it' was; she already knew. "And this, for going through so much trouble just to impress me." She claimed his lips in a deep kiss.
"I lied. I did arrange this." Sain said, in shock from the kiss.
"Really?" Florina looked at Sain closely.
"If I said yes, would you let me kiss you?" Sain asked, his face hopeful.
"No," Sain's face fell. "But I will if you tell me the truth." She finished. 'Nice one; couldn't haven't said it better myself.' Florina wasn't sure why she had said it, but she couldn't take her words back. Furthermore, she wasn't sure if she wanted to.
"I had nothing to do with it." Sain said quickly, before passionately kissing Florina. To his surprise, she returned his kiss with just as much feeling. "Are you sure you don't have any experience in this area?" Sain asked when they separated for air.
"Not with men." Florina replied.
"You've kissed girls!" Sain exclaimed.
"Gotcha." Florina responded.
"Why, you. I oughta—" Sain started.
"You oughta what?" Florina asked. 'You know full well what he oughta do; the question is, will he?'
"This" Sain said, before moving in for another kiss.
'I guess that answers my question.' Instead of breaking away when the kiss ended, Florina pressed her body closer to Sain. She took his hand and moved it to the clasp holding her top on.
This startled Sain, to say the least. "Florina, do you know what you're doing?" He asked hesitantly.
"What do you think?" Florina asked as she undid the clasp with a quick flick of his wrist. 'YES! YOU GO GIRL!' Her braver side was excited, apparently.
What neither of them knew was that someone else had also heard Sain's previous question.
A/N: Before any of you bite my head off for Florina being way out of character, there is a method to my madness. 1) Oysters are an aphrodisiac 2) She's had quite a bit of wine, and it doesn't take much to affect her 3) She's being influenced even further by her braver side. What's going to happen? Review and find out.