#🧩.beautiful beri babe

[patchworkpuzzle]

patchy!! 💝 i'm so happy i found you, i'm in desperate need of a potion—but i might be a tough customer....you see, whenever i'm in the same room as hawks, i'm running the other direction with my heart in my throat before he even has a chance to say hi. do you by some miracle have a potion that can help me? 🥺

My dear traveler, no customer or their situation will ever be too tough or difficult for this peddler. I have solutions for all problems and people; you yourself will never be an exception. 

For I do have a potion for you, to halt to cowardice that forms within your heart when you gaze upon him. The blood of a lion. Of course it will not taste like blood, I would never allow a customer to go through such an ordeal, but it will allow you a brief chance to gain the audacious nature needed to strike up a conversation.

Act quickly though, for it will be gone before you know it.

A simple life is what you lead. You worked for a living to earn you bread and to keep your house warm during the cold nights that fell. And what you did for a living you would never complain about, for it was never boring nor dull, it always lead to interesting nights and stories to tell.

You were a barmaid at the most popular tavern within the cities stone walls. It was the closest to not only the castle, to supply the lords and ladies within a drink of their favourite ale, but the barracks as well. And often, most nights if anyone was to be honest, knights would come to wet their lips and enjoy what little time they have at home before they are shipped off to another quest for weeks on end.

You were competent at your work, those that employed you never had a qualm with the service you provided nor your speed at doing so, you merely lacked the same level of confidence as those you worked with had. Not that you didn’t have any, oh no, more than enough. It was just when a group of handsome patrons came and ordered a round you found yourself lacking the same strong presence as your fellow waitresses.

It was why, after a short time in your employment, you decided to work behind the bar and service those lonely individuals that needed a drink to help them get through the rough week the were enduring. Not only did it save your nerves from dealing with groups of rowdy men, but it also gave you an easy escape should a hand be laid upon you in a brazen manner, with the bartender coming to your aid should things escalate too far.

Behind the counter you found protection, to your nerves and self, and due to that you thrived. Many found your company to be like a spot of sunshine on a rainy day. The enjoyed how you served them with ease, and your recommendations were always applauded. You served with a smile and a level of poise that no one could match.

That was, unless Keigo Takami was sitting at one of your stools.

One of the many knights that crowded the tavern most days, he was the only one to seemingly crumble your tenacity with but a small smile. He almost always sat along the darkened wood bar, never venturing with those he came in with most times as he preferred a semblance of repose before being shipped off; not finding the yelling, shoving, and overall rowdiness as appealing as the others did.

You had only interacted with him once, the first time he came in for a drink before having to be shipped off to assist in the safe journey of traveling royals across hostile lands. You came to comfort, as the sullen look upon his face proved to you his inner turmoil. He was kind to you, charming and sweet in a manner no other knight had extended to you. And when he finally looked up upon you, gifting you a toothy grin, did you realize how handsome he was. Your heart leapt into your throat and you found yourself scurrying away to serve another patron before he could properly say his thanks.

Ever since then you found yourself unable to serve him. Whenever you would see the familiar golden head of hair amongst the sea of strangers you would turn on your heel to head to the back rooms, trying in vain to regain your breath and steady your heart. It never helped that any time he choose to sit at the bar, he always requested your services. A part of you knowing that it was your kindness he desired to help ease his own worries, though another part of saw it as him being cruel; that he found your skittish nature to be amusing.

It took great effort to serve him, but you did so all the same. It was your job after all to serve those that wished for a drink to quench their dry throats and bitter souls, he could not be made an exception; no matter how he made you feel. Whenever he would call you over, to bring him a drink or to refill his mug, you would always serve him as quickly as you could. Your head downcast, never making eye contact, as you quietly got him whatever he required before scurrying off. It was not that did not want to talk to him. You truly wanted to, for he seemed to be someone who could captivate with the stories of his passed adventures, you just lacked the nerve to be within his presence. To look upon him without a knot forming within your stomach or to have worry over whether what you said was utter nonsense. 

“A nervous one aren’t you?” The woman before you muttered, as she moved her glass for you to refill it “Does that man truly have such an effect on you?”

“I-I know not what you mean.” You stammered, doing your best to put up a from of nonchalance as you filled her quiet request; but the looked the woman gave you proved it was not working.

“Confidence is what you lack, at least with him. Too caught in your mind over not being a fool when interacting with him, hm?”

“You managed to gain all that… From but a few glances?” You sighed out, shoulders slumping as you watched the woman shoot you a mirthful smile before taking a drink.

“I have somewhat of a gift when it comes to the perceptions of others emotions. I have made my living off of it.”

“How, by exploiting them?” You grinned teasingly, the atmosphere around the pair of you becoming more friendly

“By helping them, thank you kindly” She matched your grin before taking the last swing of her drink “I can help you too, if you do desire it. Though judging by the glances you throw his way, I can assume you’ll take my assistance.”

“Oh come off it, its not that obvious!” You rolled your eyes, shoulders going tense “Is it…?”

“Blood of a Lion.” She cut you off, pulling a small golden vial of amber liquid from her cloak “Not real blood, just a name of course. It should help cease the qualms clouding your mind.”

You tentatively took the small vial into your grasp, fingertips smoothing over the small details on it, as your mind thought over all she said; over what possibilities would transpire if you were to take it.

“It will not hurt, if that it what worries you. You will feel strange as the potions effect takes hold of you, but not for very long.” She reassured.

“How much?” You mumbled, eyes still gazing at downcast at the enticing amber liquid “How much do I owe you?”

“Nothing. A drink for a drink.”

You watched as she gave you a wink, pushing her empty glass towards you as she stood from her stool; giving one last nod before she left the tavern, wandering off to unknown places you could only hope to imagine. Her nod, and the call of your name from Keigo being more than enough encouragement to persuade you to take it. Scurrying to the back for a brief moment to take a deep breath, and to down the contents of the golden vial. 

The woman was right, you did not feel pain; merely a strange sensation that gilded over your skin. A sensation that made your body feel electric and for a sense of ease to wash over you, all your worries being pushed away.

It caused a sigh of relief to fall from your lips when you thought of the handsome knight and not feel your heart beat to such a degree that you worry it would stop. Instead, the thought of the blonde knight made a smirk of your own form on your lips as you thought of what drink to serve him.

Keigo smiled when a new drink was gently placed before him, instead of the usual pitcher of ale you used to refill his mug. Gazing up at you he was pleasantly surprised to see your own bright eyes staring back at him, no longer hiding them or your pretty face from him, as you nudged the drink closer.

“You’ll like it, I promise.” You smiled, forearms resting upon the wooden counter “Has quite the bite to it.”

“Well it’s about time cutie, was wondering if there was something wrong with me.”

While I was able to help you strike up a conversation with him, I cannot do much for you now. The teasing he surely will bestow upon you is simply something you will have to find the courage to endure on your own. As is the way of the game. Best of luck to you, and try and keep your heart beat as low as possible for the next day or two; wouldn’t want you fainting after all.

Do you want to take a chance on a failing traveler's potion?

[patchworkpuzzle]

let's see...........11, 1, 22, and 24 pls (◍•ᴗ•◍)❤

Ah! Hello my Beri Babe! So happy to see you and that you wanted to play! 💛💛