Floris and Alvis stood outside the Travel Office that overlooked the docks and gave a good view of the lake below. Going by what David said, they would need to get passports in order to cross the lake so they can get to Mist City to join the Mage Guild.
"So, uh... What exactly is a passport?" Alvis asked as he scratched his head.
"I have no idea, but I suppose we're about to find out." Floris said as he started climbing the stairs to the building. However, he stopped and looked at Alvis when he realized he wasn't following, "So, are you coming, or what?"
Alvis stared at the building with a blank face for several seconds, then shook his head, "I think I better stay out here. These buildings weird me out a little, especially the restaurants."
Floris stared blankly at Alvis for a second, then rolled his eyes as he continued up the stairs, "I gotta do everything around here." He muttered in annoyance. "Fine! But if you're going to stay out here, just try not to get yourself into trouble."
"Oh, come on! How many times has that happened?" Alvis asked with a big goofy grin.
"I'd need at least another forty hands to count them all." Floris responded before disappearing into the building.
Some time passed and Floris emerged from the building with two slips of paper in his hand. He was reading what was written on the presumed passports without paying much attention where he was going and as he walked, he accidentally bumped into someone, nearly making him lose his balance and fall down the stairs. However, he was able to catch himself before he fell. He turned to apologize to the person he had bumped into, but froze when their eyes met.
"Oh, pardon me. I should really pay more attention to where I'm going." Said a soft feminine voice.
Standing in front of Floris was a young woman somewhere around Floris' age with long golden blonde hair. She wore a light green outfit and some kind cloth on her head.
Floris' eyes widened a little and he took a step back from the surprise. "What...what is this? Is this...a girl?!" He thought nervously. He looked her up and down but saw nothing similar to the women from the village. No wrinkles, no saggy skin, no bags under her eyes. This was the first girl he had seen that wasn't far older than he was and she was fairly attractive. He didn't know what to do or how to respond to her words but tried to stay as calm and collected as possible. It took him a few moments, but he was eventually able to recollect his thoughts and remained calm.
"No, excuse me, miss. I wasn't paying much attention to my surroundings." Floris said in a polite and gentle voice. While he had never met a girl his age before, his grandmother had told him in the past how to talk to one in the event he ever met one.
"Oh, that's quite all right." The girl said with a sincere smile on her face. She paused for a moment as she observed Floris' attire, then looked him in the eyes, "You're not from here, are you?"
Floris shook his head, "No, I'm not. My friend and I are from the swamp."
The girl looked at Floris with wonderous eyes, "The swamp? We don't see many people like you out here. It seems Swamp People tend to keep to themselves mostly. May I have your name, if you don't mind?"
"My name is Floris Fetcher." Floris responded simply.
The girls' eyes widened and her face lit up with a huge smile, "Floris Fetcher? You mean...you mean, you're THE Floris Fetcher?!"
Floris only nodded slowly in response.
The girls' smile grew even bigger and before Floris even had a chance to react, she had wrapped her arms around him and was holding him tightly, "Oh, thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I never thought I'd live to see the day, but it seems my prayers were answered! Thank you, Floris! Thank you!"
"GAK! FOR WHAT?" Floris blurted out as he struggled to breathe in the girls' arms.
"You saved my mother! When she was giving birth to my younger brother she almost died during his birth! But your potions saved her life! I swore that one day I'd personally thank you for what you've done!" The girl said as she cried out tears of joy.
"IT WAS...MY...PLEASURE! PLEASE...LET ME GO!" Floris blurted out again as it became harder and harder for him to breathe.
The girl looked up and saw he was indeed choking then immediately released him, "Sorry! Sorry! I got a little too excited. But Floris...there is one more thing I need to do."
Floris was still hunched over his knees gasping for air. He only had time to look up at the girl before she lowered his scarf from his face and gently placed her lips on his cheek. His eyes widened a little in surprise and he stared at her with a shocked expression as the girl backed away. He was at a loss for words and didn't quite know what to say or how to react.
"Did you just...kiss me?" Floris asked, still in shock.
The girl closed her eyes and smiled happily at him, "Sure did! I've been wanting to do that for a while now." She started to giggle laughs that Floris could only describe as adorable.
"Um...well...thanks...I think." Floris said as he rubbed his cheek.
The girl bowed her head a little, then looked at Floris again, "Sure! I know it was sudden, but I couldn't help myself!"
"I see..." Floris stared at the girl for a moment, then started looking around but couldn't find Alvis anywhere, "I don't suppose you've seen my friend running around somewhere, have you?"
"Your friend?" The girl asked curiously.
Floris nodded, "Yeah. He's the same age as me. Blonde hair, green eyes, similar clothing. I doubt you would have missed him."
The girl tapped her face with her index finger as she thought, "Hmm...no, I can't say that I saw him. I'm sorry."
Floris sighed in annoyance before responding, "Well, thanks anyway. I guess I'd better search for him. But...I don't think you ever gave me your name, miss."
The girls' eyes widened a little and she gave Floris an embarrassed smile, "Oh! Why, how rude of me! My name is Annabelle. Annabelle West. It was a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Fetcher. Good luck finding your friend."
Floris nodded, "Thanks, Annabelle. Maybe I'll see you again sometime."
Annabelle smiled kindly and bowed her head, "I certainly hope so-"
"KYYYYYYYYYYYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!"
Floris and Annabelle stood frozen as a female voice thundered through the town followed by the sounds of glass breaking, wood cracking, chickens squawking and various other noises. Below them, they could see barrels, crates and other objects being thrown around on the street as well as chickens flying.
"WHY YOU FILTHY LITTLE PERVERT! HOW DARE YOU LAY YOUR HANDS ON ME!"
Suddenly, Alvis came into view and he was sprinting as fast as he could towards Floris, "Hey, Floris! Did you get the passports? Great, good job! How about we... GET OUT OF HERE?!"
Before he could do or say anything, Alvis grabbed the back of Floris' shirt and dragged him to the docks, leaving Annabelle alone with a very confused look on her face.