Tusk Love

Chapter 1: A Chance Meeting

    I remember the day I met Oskar; my life, my love. I was bringing a stack of spell books to my father's shop from a travelling merchant just outside of town. My feet ached from having to pull my boots out of the mud, and I could feel sweat dripping down my brow from the weight of the books.
    A strong, hard shoulder brushed up against me, and I let out a little shriek as I lost my balance. The books tumbled loose out of my arms and just before I slammed into the ground, a muscular arm wrapped behind my shoulders, catching me.
    I was inches away from the face of a very handsome half-orc. His dark hair was frazzled slightly from being out in this heat, and I could see his deep brown eyes wide with worry.
    "I'm so sorry!" His deep, husky voice boomed out as he lifted me back onto my feet.
    "Are you alright?" He asked, beginning to re-stack the spellbooks and wiping the mud off the hardcovers.
    "Y-yes. I... I am okay." I stuttered. I hadn't seen a half-orc in this side of the city in years, let alone one half as handsome as this one. His broad shoulders and muscled arms tensed as he lifted the stack with little effort.
    "Here, I'll carry these for you. It's the least I can do after being a klutz."         He smiled, and I saw his white teeth shone a little in the bright sunlight. His canines were slightly larger than a normal mans, but it didn't make him seem scary or animalistic.     He looked at me, confused.
    "So... where were you headed?" He asked.
    "Oh! Sorry. Just down this road a few blocks and to the left." I said quickly, feeling my cheeks flare a little. He kept his stride with me, and at some points where the terrain was rocky he would hold all of the books on one arm and help me walk with the other.
    "My name is Oskar, by the way. I'm just passing through this town gathering supplies for my next trip." He smiled, and I told him about my father's shop down the road.
    "It's a small general store, with a rotating stock of items and potions. I work in the afternoons and weekends, and my father works the rest." I explained as a horse trotted by.
    "Well maybe after I drop these off I can visit and do some shopping." Oskar said.
    "You didn't say what your journey destination was. Is it somewhere far away or just a few towns over?" I asked.
    "Oh there is no destination. I left home to seek my fortunes and help many people along the way. Some people call me a fool, but I consider myself more of an adventurer." He explained as we entered my family store.
    "Ah, Genevieve! Welcome sir. Thank you for helping my daughter." My father said cheerfully as I came in. Oskar nodded and placed the books on the counter.
    After some small talk, Oskar ended up buying a few potions and then I walked him to the door.
    "So Genevieve, are you doing anything tonight?" Oskar asked. I felt my entire face redden. I had never been on a date with anyone before, and my father would kill me if I went with him!
I quickly ushered him out the door and led him out past the storefront.
    "Uhm, well.... no, but uhh..." I looked inside and saw my father looking impatiently for me to return. I know I didn't have long.
    "I was just going to ask you if you wanted to have a drink at the tavern nearby. Around sundown, perhaps?" He asked, smiling slightly.
    "Oskar, I... would, but my father..." I winced as I saw my father start to make his way over to the door.
    "Genevieve, it's just a drink. Your father doesn't have to know. You're a fully grown woman. You should do as you please." He said. My father opened the door to the shop and saw me, gesturing to the counter.
    "Gene! You're shift is starting, NOW." He said impatiently. I looked at him, then back at Oskar.
    "It was nice meeting you, Oskar. I hope we may meet again." I curtsied, then, just before I went back into the shop, I winked at him playfully. He smiled slightly, then turned and walked in the other direction, his hands in his pockets.
I felt my lips curl into a smile. For once,  I might have some fun in this town.