Triple A Adventuring Agency (Part8)

"Cyre? Cricket I, I'm so sorry." He knew it was stupid to apologize; it's not like he could have had any involvement in the cataclysmic end to the Last War, it was over a decade ago. Even without a memory of his own he had heard all the stories. The whole nation, the jewel of the kingdom, was left as nothing but a twisted wasteland where even magic itself seemed afflicted with a withering sickness.

Oh no, I've made him sad. Quick, lighten the mood!
"Hey, no need for apologies! I'm a survivor, remember?" She forces a smile, but her eyes betray a hint of sadness. "Besides, Sharn's got its perks. Like... um... really tall buildings! And you can't beat the excitement of dodging debt collectors." She gently places a hand on his shoulder.
"Let's focus on these herbs, yeah? I bet we could make a fortune selling 'em as exotic Cyranian tea. Just don't tell anyone I can't actually brew a decent cup to save my life." 
Great job, Cricket. Way to kill the mood.
"So, uh, about those roots... need an extra pair of hands? I promise I won't accidentally uproot the whole forest."

Hells, I shouldn't have said anything. Way to go buzz kill.
Her reassuring hand on his shoulder pulls his thoughts back to the present but also makes his pulse quicken. "Ah, r-right you are partner. This is just our first of many, uh, natural treasures. Here, if you don't mind getting your hands dirty I'll show you how I pull it out." Heedless to potential double entendre, Malbec guides Cricket's hands into the dirt. "Roots can be delicate, so it's important to be gentle down there, best not to damage the tips, that's where the growth is." She's so close. Her hand in mine, feels nice, it's too bad I'm wearing gloves. Shhh, concentrate.*
"That, uh, that looks good, nice job." He wraps up the rootball with damp burlap.

"Oh! I, um, didn't realize herb-gathering could be so... intimate." 
I wonder what else those skilled hands can... Focus, Cricket!
She fumbles with the roots, nearly dropping them. "Sorry! Clumsy fingers. Maybe I should stick to picking the leaves?" 
Don't mess this up, don't mess this up...
"So, uh, Malbec... ever thought about opening your own herb shop? You could call it 'Roots and Shoots' or something equally adorable." She laughs nervously, brushing dirt from her hands. "Or maybe we could expand the Triple A to include botany adventures. 'Herbs and Heroics,' perhaps?"

"I don't mind intimate..." He whispers , not immediately realizing the words aren't just in his head. "Ah! I, well... Na-nu-no... no, no issues. Our new leafy friend should be ready to travel. AND, I think we have enough we should keep moving." Malbec stammers through a rapid reply. He takes a few steps away to compose his thoughts while securing the plant in a side pouch in his pack, leaving the leaves exposed to the sunlight. He takes a look back at Cricket, a touch of pink left in his cheeks, "A shop, me? No. I'm don't think I'd make a good salesman. Besides I might get attached and not want to let them go." He pauses momentarily, flexing his shaking hands. His throat feels dry but holds back a cough while quickly adding, "The, the plants, I mean. Hey, what's that over there." Using one of Cricket's own tactics he points randomly and starts walking. 
Gods, what's wrong with me today? I Feel all queasy and restless.

Oh no, he's flustered. Did I do something wrong?
She hurries after him, nearly tripping over a root. "Wait up! I didn't mean to... I mean, I thought..." 
Pull yourself together, Cricket! "Hey, look! Is that wolfsbane?" She points to a cluster of purple flowers. "Or maybe just really angry violets? Either way, they're pretty." She sidles up next to him, her voice softening. "You know, Malbec, I think you'd make a great salesman. You've got that whole... trustworthy vibe going on." Gods, why did I say that? 
"So, um, what other exciting plants are we looking for? Any man-eating trees I should watch out for?" 

"Yah, probably." Malbec responds, clearly distracted. He continues walking, his thoughts robbing his perception.
This is getting us nowhere, I just need to focus on the mission. I can sort out these feelings later, right? Wait, what did she say?
"Oh, uhh. Th-thanks." He looks over at her, his eyes darting between her entrancing eyes and her adorable lips. His hands shake and he feels a cold sweat down his back as he wrestles with his thoughts: 

*Just kiss her already!

He turns away and coughs into his hand to silence the muddle of thoughts, then pulling out his little pocket plant-guide and staring intently at the pages. "M-man eaters? Umm there might be actually. But I don't know what ones would grow around here. Have you heard any stories about that kind of thing?"

Oh gods, he's acting weird. Did I say something wrong?* She fidgets with her sleeve, trying to catch his eye. "Man-eating plants? Well, there was this one time in Sharn... I heard about a halfling who got swallowed by a giant flytrap in the Depths. But that was probably just a rumor. Right?"
Why is he avoiding looking at me? 
"Hey, Malbec?" She gently touches his arm. "You okay? You seem a bit... distracted. Is it the debt collectors? Because I swear, if they followed us out here, I'll... I'll fight them off with this stick!" She brandishes a twig dramatically. 
Please laugh. Or smile. Or something.
"Or maybe you're just hungry? I've got some, uh, slightly squished berries in my pack if you want them."

Malbec imagined himself turning to her, wrapping her up in his arms, and then leaning in to taste her warm inviting—Gah! No. Stop!

His palms felt sweaty in his gloves and the pounding in his ears made him dizzy. Even his vision felt blurry. The feel of her touch on his arm made him jump but served to snap him out of some of the mental fog. He turned and made an attempt to smile, "It, it's okay Cricket. I'm, fine just a little..." he stumbled, dropping to one knee. His mouth felt dry and his face burned even hotter. Things were clearly not fine.