Knock on Wood [Sergei]

[Emilia Valerio]

It started out as a rather nice day. Dark clouds loomed on the horizon, but most went about their day as they normally would. As time dragged on though, the clouds quickly got closer and started to show that there was a rather large storm coming. The sailors were the first to notice and closed up the harbor early, making sure to warn pleasure cruisers of the impending rain. After that, news traveled from mouth to mouth as news usually did.

Emilia, being well connected, learned of the storm early on so she headed in for the night early. There was an eerie calm before the storm actually started, and when it did it quickly picked up speed. The winds were strong and with the added effect of the rain it was rather cold out. While the woman was tempted to go out and scout to see if there was anyone who got caught in the storm she knew better and holed herself indoors.

She wore a pair of black booty shorts and a white tank top while safe within her home, opting for something more relaxed than her normal clothing. She sat in front of a fire sipping on a cup of tea while she waited for a stew on the stove to finish cooking. A content sight escaped her lips as she grabbed a blanket and wrapped it around her shoulders. Despite the howling of the wind and the sound of rain pattering against the building, it was nice. Added with the sound and warmth of the fire it was all rather relaxing.

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[Sergei Zaharov]

[atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=border,0,true] [style= margin-top: 50px][style= float: left; text-align: left; font-family: impact; font-size: 30px; margin-top: 10px; color: CCCCCC; letter-spacing: 2px; margin-top: -55px; margin-left: 10px]i came, i saw[/style] [style= height: 100; width: 100px; margin-right: 10px; float: right; margin-top: -24px][style= height: 350px; width: 90px; font-family: verdana; text-align: justify; font-size: 8px; padding: 5px; border-top: 10px solid C11B17; color: 000000]TAGS people. COUNT number. NOTES random. SONG hearts. coded by JIN of PRE & OTE[/style][/style] [style= margin-top: -50px; width: 430px; background-color: 656565; border-top: 10px solid 000000; border-right: 10px solid 000000; border-radius: 8px 8px 8px 8px][style= width: 280px; height: 350px; padding: 20px; font-size: 9px; text-align: justify; font-family: verdana; color: 000000; border-right: 10px solid C11B17; border-top: 10px solid C11B17; overflow: auto]"Damn this weather." Only minutes ago, Sergei was stationed outside, nearing the end of his shift in the town. Like usual, he was stationed as an outdoor guardsman of one of the Marine buildings, and as usual protocol allowed him, upon the end of his shift at twenty-hundred hours, he may leave his spot right there and head for home. The weather went to hell five minutes before the end of the shift. The transition was dreadfully quick, and strong. In one minute, the storm clouds enveloped the sky above Sergei, from horizon to horizon. In another minute, thunder could be heard, and lightning could be seen, and the wind was quickly picking up. The speed was frightening. By the third minute, a trickle of rain started, and fell to the ground, numerous drops hitting Sergei's face as he looked up, marveling at the weather. By the fourth minute, the splatter turned into a quick torrent. Sergei was immediately soaked, and a shiver started traveling across his body. He was getting significantly chilled. He shook lightly, and his body snapped upon the fifth minute. Without hesitating, he gave his partner a nod, and they both briskly parted ways. By then, it was too late to try to stay dry. Sergei was drenched from head to foot, and his clothes were stuck to him because of the wind. "No use, I need shelter..." Sergei's mind raced as his body ran through the dark streets, the rain and cold slamming into Sergei, making him feel absolutely miserable. He shivered more and more violently as his pace slowed down, the cold getting to him. It was unlike Sergei to feel this way, but slowly, deep down, he felt a sick feeling coming up, and enveloping his whole body. The radical change from warm weather to cold rain was getting to him. And off in the distance, among all the dark homes, he saw a single house, with a single window bright. Someone was home. He wasted no time, and sprinted through the torrential rain, quickly walking up to the doorstep, and pounded on the door heavily. He stood there, a foot or so from the door, arms wrapped tightly around his shaking body, his teeth chattering, his beard soaked and dripping along with his wet Marine outfit. He was a freezing Marine Popsicle minus the ice. He wanted to go home. Home wasn't nearby. Hopefully, the host could provide charity for a suffering man. [/style][/style] [style= float: right; text-align: right; font-family: impact; font-size: 40px; color: CCCCCC; margin-top: -15px; letter-spacing: 2px; margin-right: 10px]I CONQUERED[/style][/style]

[Emilia Valerio]

Just as she was moving to take another sip of her tea there was pounding on her door. The noise startled her to the point where she nearly split the hot drink all over her. Luckily, she avoided doing so and set aside the tea and quickly got up. As she did so, she wrapped her blanket around her torso to cover herself up some more. Who could possibly be knocking on the door in such weather? The thought that it was most probably a poor lost soul quickened her step.

Emilia reached the door in a matter of seconds and opened the door. She in-tented to open it slowly and peek out to see who it was, but a gust of wind forcefully opened it all the way. The action caused her to flinch and close her eyes. When they opened once more she was greeted with the most peculiar sight she'd ever seen. There standing in the doorway was a soaking wet giant of a man. Naturally, the woman would have been somewhat terrified by this finding if it wasn't for the fact that the man was wearing a marine outfit.

Without a second thought the woman would speak "Oh dear! Come in, come in!" she'd say before moving out of the way to allow the man in. Once he did in fact make his way in she would close the door. Luckily, the mans body kept most of the rain from entering her home, but there was a small puddle regardless. The fact that the man was dripping wet didn't help keep the floor dry. "You poor thing! What were you doing out in the rain?" she'd say, turning to look at him once the door was closed. "Would you like some tea? You should probably get out of those clothes..." She spoke with a concerned tone and had a concerned expression to match the tone.

The marine didn't even need to explain himself, she already fully accepted him as a guest until the storm was over. Even if he was there for some other reason she didn't care. Emilia wasn't just going to let someone leave during a storm like that. "Ah! Sorry, My names Emilia. How can I help you?" she'd ask after the fact, though the introduction and question was quite late.

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[Sergei Zaharov]

[atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=border,0,true] [style= margin-top: 50px][style= float: left; text-align: left; font-family: impact; font-size: 30px; margin-top: 10px; color: CCCCCC; letter-spacing: 2px; margin-top: -55px; margin-left: 10px]i came, i saw[/style] [style= height: 100; width: 100px; margin-right: 10px; float: right; margin-top: -24px][style= height: 350px; width: 90px; font-family: verdana; text-align: justify; font-size: 8px; padding: 5px; border-top: 10px solid C11B17; color: 000000]TAGS people. COUNT number. NOTES random. SONG hearts. coded by JIN of PRE & OTE[/style][/style] [style= margin-top: -50px; width: 430px; background-color: 656565; border-top: 10px solid 000000; border-right: 10px solid 000000; border-radius: 8px 8px 8px 8px][style= width: 280px; height: 350px; padding: 20px; font-size: 9px; text-align: justify; font-family: verdana; color: 000000; border-right: 10px solid C11B17; border-top: 10px solid C11B17; overflow: auto]"Thank God..." Sergei uttered the two words as the door opened, and his eyes had to take a little bit to adjust to the light that was inside her home, compared to the dark that was outside at the time. He waited to be sure he could, and at the insistence of the woman, who he had not the time to analyze closely enough due to the light and the rain, Sergei simply took a careful step forward, then another, until he was inside her home, the door closed quickly behind him. "Th-thank you." Sergei continued shaking, trembling, and shivering despite the warmth that he could feel in the house. It was a bittersweet feeling, however, as his clothes were soaked to the skin, freezing like ice cubes, and stuck to his body like super glue. His Marine outfit was soaked, and unable to protect Sergei from even this weather. His eyes darted around, here and there, to take in the nice home the woman had, before he was able to see who the woman actually was. "I j-just need a place to st-stay for the n-night." He maintained a stern face, and despite it all, he was able to snap up, stand tall, and bring his hand up to his head for a proper salute to the female. "If you would be so kind to give this Marine housing for the night... I'll pay you back." His eyes maintained eye contact with the woman, and for the first time, he noticed how striking her looks were. He couldn't look any closer, as his shaking got in the way, but the first thing he noticed were how her eyes seemed warm, inviting, vibrant and colorful. His concentration was ruined by a sneeze though, and he quickly recovered. His voice was strict, solid, and unwavering, at this point, as he regained military composure. His attitude was befitting a hardcore military man. "I'd just like to get into something warm, ma'am. Tea would be nice." He nodded to her, and saluted her once more after she asked for an introduction. "Petty Officer Sergei Zaharov, madame. I'm seeking refuge from the weather. If you would be so kind..." He gestured in a pleading way, before he sneezed once again, realizing the rain and cold might have had a much more adverse effect than he realized. [/style][/style] [style= float: right; text-align: right; font-family: impact; font-size: 40px; color: CCCCCC; margin-top: -15px; letter-spacing: 2px; margin-right: 10px]I CONQUERED[/style][/style]

[Emilia Valerio]

It was impressive that, despite how cold he must be, the man was able to remain strong and salute. It was a good trait to have, especially for a marine. Emilia would giggle at the mention of paying her back, but said nothing against him doing so. If that was what he wanted, so be it, though the woman didn't need any payment. She was willing to aid anyone at anytime for absolutely no money at all. It was her way of life.

The blond woman would jump ever so slightly at his first sneeze. She hadn't been expecting it, but as soon as she recovered from the light scare she began to get concerned. He seemed to be alright. He was able to remain strong and composed, and speak well. So, Emilia didn't put too much thought into the sneeze right away. "I don't mind at all. What's mine is yours for however long you need." she'd say, unphased by the sneeze this time.

More sneezing meant that there was deeper problem, especially that close in between. "First things first, we need to get you something dry to wear! We don't want you to get sick, now do we?" she'd say with a light smile. "Though, with your looks it would probably take a lot to get you sick." she'd chuckle at the last comment, but inside she was worried. With the way he was sneezing it was possible that he was already sick, a fact which meant that getting him in dry clothes was even more important.

The woman highly doubted that she'd have anything in the mans size. He was at least a good foot taller than herself. Which posed a problem in their quest to get him into something dry. "Hmm..." she'd say tapping her chin and stopping for a moment in the hallway. "I'm not quite sure I'll have anything that fits you... Do you think you'd be alright with just a blanket until I can get your clothes dry?" It was the easiest solution to their problem.

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[Sergei Zaharov]

[atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=border,0,true] [style= margin-top: 50px][style= float: left; text-align: left; font-family: impact; font-size: 30px; margin-top: 10px; color: CCCCCC; letter-spacing: 2px; margin-top: -55px; margin-left: 10px]i came, i saw[/style] [style= height: 100; width: 100px; margin-right: 10px; float: right; margin-top: -24px][style= height: 350px; width: 90px; font-family: verdana; text-align: justify; font-size: 8px; padding: 5px; border-top: 10px solid C11B17; color: 000000]TAGS people. COUNT number. NOTES random. SONG hearts. coded by JIN of PRE & OTE[/style][/style] [style= margin-top: -50px; width: 430px; background-color: 656565; border-top: 10px solid 000000; border-right: 10px solid 000000; border-radius: 8px 8px 8px 8px][style= width: 280px; height: 350px; padding: 20px; font-size: 9px; text-align: justify; font-family: verdana; color: 000000; border-right: 10px solid C11B17; border-top: 10px solid C11B17; overflow: auto]"You're too kind, madame." Sergei nodded his head to her in respect, and sniffled a little, noticing that his nose was gradually slowly, slowly feeling stuffy. His eyes darted around the entrance room, noticing that it wasn't as over-extravagant as some houses he's been to, but it's in good condition. Sergei concentrated on the woman then, focusing closely on her now that he had the time, and once more, he was able to notice her striking physical features, but his military will quickly pushed that to the back of his mind. "Something dry will be nice." Sergei calmly spoke, his face still strong and powerful despite his weak position and ridiculous condition. Slowly, a puddle was gradually accumulating under him from his wet clothes. Sergei, quickly reacting to such, undid his top Marine t-shirt, and pulled it off, relieving his upper body from a few pounds of wet clothes. He stood in the room with his wet, sleeveless undershirt on, and glanced down at the other clothes he had on him. "I don't think you'd appreciate me stripping before you though, ma'am.." His solid tone contained no teasing nor hinting, only truth, as his hands moved down to the top of his Marine pants, but didn't undo them just yet. "A blanket will be perfect, thank you. Where may I put the wet clothes though?" Sergei looked around, emphasizing his previous question as he was curious if she had any place to put his clothes in to dry off. And once more, a sneeze, the loudest one. He rubbed his tingling nose, and clutched at his body as he noticed the involuntary shivers running down his spine and then up his body. He locked eyes with the attractive hostess, and conveyed a sense of urgency to her through his gaze. He had not gotten sick in years, to let a little cold and rain do this to him bothered Sergei heavily. Showing no shame, Sergei turned his back to the woman, and quickly pulled off his shirt, throwing it in a pile with his t-shirt next to him, and spoke to her, keeping his back to her out of respect. "Do you think you could get me warmed up, please? Heat is the best cure for me right now." [/style][/style] [style= float: right; text-align: right; font-family: impact; font-size: 40px; color: CCCCCC; margin-top: -15px; letter-spacing: 2px; margin-right: 10px]I CONQUERED[/style][/style]

[Emilia Valerio]

"Of course." she'd say with a smile. "Just leave your clothes on the floor and I'll get to them once you're out of those clothes." The woman was planning on going to get him a thick comforter, but his sneeze and then the look that he gave her. It was obvious that it wouldn't do to force him to stay in his wet clothes for any longer."You can use this blanket." Emilia would say taking the blanket she was using to cover her shoulders and holding it up before setting it down on the couch. "I'll go get a heavier blanket while you get out of those clothes."

With that, the woman would make her way out of the living room into a hallway and head for her bedroom. It would give Sergei time to get out of his clothes and her time to get him something a bit warmer. Once she was in her room she would dig around in her closet for a minute or two before finding a nice and fluffy comforter that would be perfect for keeping the giant man warm. Emilia would stand in her room for a moment contemplating if there was anything else she would need to get him. A towel would be good...

Due to the mans overall baldness, she hadn't really thought a towel would be necessary, but he did have a beard. Certainly it would need to be dried. So, she'd pop into her bathroom and grab a towel before heading back out. The woman would pause just before the doorway that lead to the living room. "Can I come in?" she'd ask to avoid any mishaps of walking in on him without anything on.

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