#yeah no we lost Ben. Emma is just: ADA. REALLY. SHE EVEN OFFERED ADELAIDE AND YOU PICKED THE MOST FAMILIAL ONE??

[witcheyedcrow]

She relaxed immediately as he tried her name, but rapidly confirmed: "He is," at that not if it's truly so abhorrent, and then corrected herself: "It is, I mean." Obviously she had very much meant he was, her father's, but his last name being abhorrent was surely a more socially acceptable answer to give. Still, to be freed from him to the point of only hearing Rowe when he'd have to be mentioned felt like a dream come true.

It surprised her even more that he'd so readily promise help to have her educated, but it became more clear when he told her he had been a schoolmaster. One who wasn't against women being taught, it seemed. Who was this man? Was he some sort of reward for everything she had gone through, offering protection and freedom? "I broke into my father's library," she felt safe enough to confess, guessing she could give herself the liberty to admit transgressions if the Major felt that way, "He mostly only had books about history, wars, but I made it do. The maid brought me a couple of books too, every now and then, but we didn't have much time..." tales of love or sea voyages, but she had only been a child then, hadn't understood much. "I can't possibly take advantage of your kindness and time more than I'm already doing, especially not to help me learn when you have far more important duties. But if you ever happen to find books... about anything, that would be a great help. Any subject, I just... want to know."

'Your eyes cannot hurt us anymore than the grass on the ground or the clouds in the sky. God makes us all unique -- perhaps this is what He's chosen to set you apart'

That was a rather comforting point of view that she hoped the others would share. "I think God may have sent the kindest gentleman in this entire army to me, to show me there is more than my father and his guards," she replied softly, "Because I'm certain He never intended for my father to attempt to cleanse my soul from evil I did not commit... for all we know He just wanted to try a new shade of blue." Because her eyes were far closer to blue when the sun wasn't out. "I told my father that once. Didn't like it."

Yes, she knew all too much about hysteria, her mother had been swallowed by it to never come back; still, she chose not to tell the Major that she had never succumbed to it even while torn apart, because it felt like such a dark topic when she could instead focus on what he was offering, and take his hand with some hesitation that melted into a firm grip - human contact, warmth, softness, she wanted it all. She'd take all of it every time it was offered.

Truthfully, it wasn't the amount of new information nor the openness of the camp that felt odd, nor the smells or noises themselves, but the amount of people she knew were there, all at once. That was a little disconcerting, when she felt someone may strike her at any second if she let herself grow too comfortable. Yet, the genuine joy of seeing actual nature from up close overcame her caution, her fingers tracing a tree trunk, rough and solid and there, and picking a leaf, bits of green from the bushes, bringing it closer to her nose so she could actually smell the freedom, looking up to the sky that was right above her, taking a deep breath of fresh air and letting her eyes fall close for a moment to take it all in - and for every heartbeat filled with contentment, one followed wishing her father hell. A neigh had her jumping, and there was actual happiness in her voice even if she couldn't find in herself to properly smile, eyes wide with excitement, "Those are horses, right? I remember horses," Ada looked at the leaf in her hand, "I remember this."

"Ada," Ben echoed, testing the name on his tongue. It felt odd speaking as familiars so soon in their acquaintance, but for the sake of avoiding any further discomfort, he would acquiesce. "We don't ever have to speak your father's name -- not if it's truly so abhorrent."

Reluctant, Adelaide explained her situation and the heaviness in Ben's chest worsened. Before the war, he'd been a schoolteacher, and even in those well-to-do families, he would occasionally find young girls who were treated as second class -- as the cattle she alluded to -- and with a wince, he assured her, "We will do everything in our power to help you, Miss. You have my word. I used to be a tutor -- a schoolmaster, for that matter -- so I promise you, I have an abundance of patience."

"A man who'll have me, with my scars and my cursed eyes? As much as that's a very nice thought, I doubt I can compete with the normal women at camp."

Bemused by her self-deprecation, Ben offered a disbelieving smile. "Any man who's sound of mind will recognize your merits, Ada -- they will see much more than scars and fairytales. Your eyes cannot hurt us anymore than the grass on the ground or the clouds in the sky. God makes us all unique -- perhaps this is what He's chosen to set you apart."

Adelaide appeared sheepish again, and her unique, vibrant eyes of electric lilac seemed to sparkle. "I was forbidden to go outside when I was twelve. I stopped sneaking into the backyard around seven years ago. Any... tree, or bush or flower will do, sir, I'd just like to touch one."

Ben visibly recoiled. The idea of not being able to go outside, nor breathe in the scent of flowers nor the ocean, nor touch even a blade of grass was wholly unfathomable to him, and with a sting of pity between his ribs, he softly agreed, "You will be granted far more. I promise you -- but for now, perhaps we should take this in moderation? My fear is that you'll experience too much too quickly, and then be spiraled into hysteria."

Cautious, Ben rose from his perch and reached for her hand. "Shall we go?"