They had met on Facebook, completely by accident. Both of them had been posting discussion topics in on the Deadliest Warriors page. What started out as an argument about whether or not to let Robin Hood fight Joan of Arc bloomed into friendship.
Now, Richard was getting ready to meet a girl he had only ever seen through Skye during their weekly bets. She had won their overall bet, and since she was going to Oregon for a fantasy convention, Richard had made arrangements to meet Mary and give her what was due: a wooden cat that he had made as part of their agreement. He had spoken to her the night before, and she told him where to meet her: the entrance to the Faerie World convention space. For the sake of just being with her, Richard bought himself a pass, and waited, watching the crowds pass him by. While his camera was hanging around his neck, he didn't really see any shots he wanted.
Richard was supposed to be looking for a woman of 26 years, with dark, slightly curly hair, green eyes, and a very voluptuous figure. Mary had told him that she would be wearing a wine-red long dress with cap sleeves, and looking very fairy-like.
'
Well, considering what this convention is, I am not surprised
,' thought Richard, hands shoved into his jean pockets, the late summer sun hitting his exposed arms, and making his blond hair glint like gold. He watched as elf after elf and fairy after fairy, young and old alike, pass by him.
"Richard?"
Richard started and turned. And gasped. Seeing Mary online was one thing, but in person, it was so different. Her hourglass figure was hugged in all the right places by her dress, the jewels in her hair giving her unreal highlights, and the gentle sparkle around her eyes making her seem very ethereal.
Not that Richard was bad to look at himself. At 21, he looked a lot older, his hair and goutee a dirty blond, his body in great shape from constantly working out. He might not have the absolute perfect body, but in his goal to become a cop, Richard wanted to make sure he was in tip-top shape. His well-toned arms started to twitch, as if he wanted to reach out and grab this woman who stood before him and forget all about the convention behind him.
Mary looked puzzled by his expression, asking again, "Richard?"
"Yes. Sorry. Mary, it's great to finally meet you in person," Richard said, gaining his tongue back. He let his compulsion to hug Mary take over, and hugged her tiny frame to his body.
'
OK, she's not tiny, but she is so short!
' he thought to himself. He breathed in her scent and sighed—she smelled like peppermint.
"It's great to meet you too," Mary replied. Her voice implied she was a bit of a trickster—impish, but fun and sensuous too. "Shall we wander through the fair? I assume the cat is not here, but that doesn't mean we can't enjoy the convention. And I see you have bought yourself a pass."
"Lead the way," Richard says, doing a little mock-bow, and decided to crook his arm, letting her tiny, slender hand slip through, and they began to walk.
"I am so glad you were able to come and see me when I was so close by," started Mary, as if trying to break the ice.
"I am glad too. It's such a great opportunity, especially right before you start school and before I get really busy," Richard replied.
They walked on, sometimes talking, sometimes not. The two of them seemed comfortable in the silence between themselves. There were times one or the other would pause—Mary in front of a stand to see the merchandise, Richard to snap a picture.
As the sun climbed higher, Richard pulled Mary closer and wrapped his arm around her waist, and his eye catching the nape of Mary's neck. He decided to be bold, and placed a small, quick kiss. He felt Mary shudder and goosebumps rising against her skin. But as he pulled back, he saw her neck was starting to look very red.
"Hey, how is your neck feeling?" Richard asked, looking a bit concerned.