Aide Me

Chapter Fourteen - Teach Me (Pt 1)

"Dash, for the hundredth time, I'm fine. I don't need you to sit with me."

"You were attacked, Em. I just want to help you a little."

Emaia rolled her eyes and yanked the reins out of Dashel's hands when he tried to grab them. "I can steer myself, thank you."

"I can take over for a little while? You could lie down in the back and rest?"

It had been this way ever since they had left the camp at Lake Monahoe. Dash was convinced that Emaia suffered from shock and needed to be treated with kit-gloves, but in truth, she was fine. After sleeping on it, she had come to terms with the fact that she would have to get used to killing. For what they were fighting for, some lives would be lost. Even if they hoped they could do this the non-violent way.

"Stop fuzzing around me," Emaia snapped flatly. "That is the last time I'm telling you. If you try one more time, you get to walk behind the wagon. Got it?"

Dash sheepishly smiled. "Okay, okay, I'll stop. I'm just worried about you."

"There's no need to be," Emaia assured him. "I'm not scared – at least not anymore. I was in the moment, but that was only because that brute tried to touch me."

"Again?" Dashel exclaimed horrified. "Didn't you mention something along the same lines, back in Bart?"

"Yes, I did."

"Man, they flock around you like flies," Dashel mumbled. "Do you think it's your hair?"

"My hair?" Emaia questioned and looked down at her braid. "What's with my hair?"

"It's so... red," Dashel said and admired her hair. "It shines in sunlight, it glows in moonlight—" He cut himself off. A pink blush made its way up to his cheeks. "Wow, that sounded cheesy. I'm sorry."

Emaia chuckled and shook her head. "It's alright. Thank you, I think. Maybe you're right, though. Maybe it is my hair."

"Could be your dresses, too," Dashel awkwardly murmured. "A dress stands out pretty harshly among breeches."

"That's actually not a half bad idea," Emaia exclaimed when an idea popped into her head.

"Idea? What idea? I didn't mention an idea, did I?" Dashel looked confused.

"Breeches," Emaia grinned. "I'll buy some breeches."

"Uh, what?" Dashel blinked. "How did we land there?"

"I'm tired of leafs always sticking to the hem of dresses," Emaia told truthfully. "They're unsuitable for staying in the woods and I hate whenever a branch gets caught. I'll invest in a pair of breeches!"

Dashel was quiet for a moment. "Is this the part where I mention you're a little crazy?"

"Is this the part where I mention I don't care?" She was buying some breeches. Why the idea hadn't occurred to her sooner was a mystery. Dresses were unfit for the forest. She needed something that was easier to movie around in. Something tighter and less fluffy. Who cared if women wearing breeches were frowned upon? She wrote a mental note to remember to buy a pair when they stopped in the next town. She was doing this.

~*~

Emaia rolled around on the leafy forest ground, laughing uncontrollably. She couldn't remember the last time she had felt this free. She was wearing breeches, and they were so comfortable, she swore she would never wear another dress. Breeches were much better.

"You look happy," A voice said from above her.

Emaia glanced up and saw Aide standing over her, smiling down. Even from this point of view, he looked handsome. Emaia was beginning to think he didn't have a bad angle.