Well, it could be worse. She could be out on her own, left to fend for herself in the untamed frontier had Connor not found her. If what Achilles said was true, the bears and wolves would likely have gotten her, if a mountain lion or some other predator hadn't first.

For that, she was extremely grateful and made sure to apologize to Connor for insulting him and jumping to conclusions. He accepted, though he'd get stiff if he looked at her. Probably still flustered from earlier, but at least he didn't hold her harsh words against her.

Especially since she would be bunking in his room for the time being.

She protested, of course, but the two men insisted she stay with Connor. It wasn't until later that day, after a short tour of the place, when she discovered there were no spare bedrooms. But even so, she suspected that the reason they wouldn't let her sleep in one of the other spacious rooms was that they were wary of her. Connor still watched her closely and only left her alone for the few minutes it took to use the bathroom. Or chamber pot, since indoor plumbing wasn't a thing yet.

"You can chill around me, you know," she told Connor after finishing up.

The native was walking beside her, heading towards the bedroom to retrieve her bag when he shot her a strange look. "What?"

"It means to relax."

Connor still seemed perplexed, but soon shrugged it off. "Forgive me, but we need to be careful."

She raised a dark blonde brow. "Do I seriously look like I would hurt anyone?"

"Looks can be deceiving."

They arrived in what turned out to be Achilles' room. She grabbed her duffle and, though slightly annoyed with the native's blunt attitude, turned to follow Connor to his room. "Well, if it makes you feel better, I'll let you look through my bag."

Connor's eyes snapped to hers.

"Don't look so surprised. I have nothing to hide."

"Truly?" Genuine surprise coated his words, and it was the first time Cheyenne had heard a tone of voice from him that wasn't emotionless or distrustful.

"Of course. Then you can settle down."

"You are...unconcerned with privacy."

"Well like I said, there's nothing to hide. And I don't have anything that you'd find overly damning, I think."

His brows creased at that.

"It's fine, Connor. I'm harmless." She giggled. "Unless you think I plan to choke somebody with my underwear, that is."

She was only being sarcastic, but Connor's bronze face darkened with suspicion. Cheyenne quickly stuttered out an apology but he still seemed unsure, even as he turned around and brought her into his room. She wanted to try reassuring him again, but instead handed him the duffle and left to retrieve the spare sleeping bag and blankets Achilles dug out for her. She thanked him before returning to Connor, and was surprised when she found the duffle sitting near the corner she would be staying in.

"That was fast," she observed while beginning to make her bed.

A small, "hmmm," was all she got out of Connor. Although, she was pleased to note, he seemed a little more at ease.

"I told you," she continued lightly. "Nothing deadly."

"Perhaps."

With a small sigh, Cheyenne opened the duffle and started digging through it. She was still wearing her pajamas, and as she selected a pair of shorts and a tank top to change into later, she dug around for a bottle of face wash and a brush as well. She could do with a little freshening up.

A little creak sounded from beside her. "What are you looking for?"

"A white bottle. I want to wash my face."

"Which one?"

Cheyenne nearly balked as she rose and went to Connor's side, who was overlooking the missing bottles on a small bedside table. "You took some of my things?"

"I do not know what they are."

"Can't you just read what's on the label?" Connor didn't bother with a reply, causing Cheyenne to repress an annoyed sigh. "Nevermind. Can I take what I need?"

"Sure."

Cheyenne nearly rolled her eyes while grabbing her face wash. She could understand caution, but while overlooking the assortment of soaps, hair products, and a couple of pill bottles, she thought it was a little excessive. Hopefully, after she explained what each item was used for, Connor would let up.

For now, however, he was eyeing the bottle strangely. "Why not use soap?"

"This is soap. Well, it's different than the kind you're familiar with, I'm sure."

"It is. Our soap is not a liquid, nor does it have pebbles in it."

"Pebbles? Oh, those aren't pebbles. They just help to scrub the face."

"Is regular soap not enough?"

"Isn't your soap kind of harsh on skin?"

He considered. "I suppose."

"Then it's a bit much. The stuff made in my time is much more gentle."

Connor's demeanor softened a little. He seemed genuinely interested and brushed his fingers against the side of his face. "That sounds nice. How do you make it?"

"I wish I could tell you. Other people make it and I buy it."

He frowned at that, but the tapping of a cane sounded before he could speak. "Are you settling in, Cheyenne?"

She smiled at Achilles. "Yeah, I am."

"That is good. Dinner will be ready in an hour."

At the mention of food, her stomach growled. Despite being brought into the kitchen earlier, her stomach had twisted into knots and she couldn't eat. Now that she'd calmed a little, she was famished. "I'll be there," she said to Achilles, then turned to Connor. "Do you have a place where I can wash up?"

He nodded, Achilles' cane echoing in the background as he headed downstairs. "This way."

...

She tried not to show it, but Cheyenne was a little put off when Connor took her to the nearby river. She really should've expected as much, for the same reason indoor bathrooms weren't a thing yet. It was the first time she'd ever washed her face outside, but she managed while ignoring the feeling of Connor's eyes boring into her.

She must've made her discomfort a little too obvious, for Connor started asking questions while they walked back to the manor. He seemed a little annoyed with her at first, perhaps thinking she was spoiled or stuck up, until she explained how people from her time bathed. By the time they got back, she'd introduced Connor to indoor plumbing, the idea of bathing everyday, and the fact that rivers back home weren't really safe to bathe in or drink from. Thankfully, he seemed to understand where she was coming from.

Perhaps this wouldn't be so bad after all.

…

Nevermind. As it turned out, this time period was going to take a lot of getting used to.

Cheyenne sighed as she turned over in her sleeping bag, eyes open and staring at the wall. Dinner hadn't gone over well and it appeared she underestimated just how much had changed between the 18th century and her own time.

Apparently, her pajamas from earlier were strange to the two men. Perhaps because there were more concerning issues at the time, like dealing with the sudden time traveler and figuring out if she was a threat, neither mentioned it and she never considered the possibility that they might not think highly of modern day attire. Because of that, she thought nothing of wandering downstairs in a thin tank top and short-shorts, causing an extremely flabbergasted Achilles to nearly have a fit when he caught sight of her.

"What are you wearing!?"

Cheyenne stopped short, startled badly enough that she nearly jumped out of her skin. "Is something wrong?"

"You are nearly naked!"

"What!? I am not!"

"I find it completely unacceptable to wear underwear at the dinner table!"

"These aren't underwear; they're shorts and a shirt. And there's nothing wrong with them!"

Achilles may have reacted strongly, but Connor's eyes doubled in size the second he entered the room, face flushed red while he averted his gaze. Cheyenne felt frustrated and embarrassed, but finally stalked back to her and Connor's room while muttering about changing clothes. Thankfully, when she came back down in a t-shirt and jeans, neither seemed to have no problem with that.

But Cheyenne did, as she was uncomfortable due to the thick, humid summer heat. By the time it was over, her mood had taken a nosedive and she craved a shower desperately; but, of course, she would have to go back to the river for that.

It was yet another thing she'd have to get used to, though she knew adjusting to a lack of air conditioning in summer weather would be difficult at best. As would the different moral values held by people in these times, something that Achilles and Connor filled her in on at dinner.

Unfortunately for Cheyenne, discomfort was grating on her nerves, as was the stress and uncertainty that came from being ripped away from everything and everyone she once knew. She could feel it boiling in her veins, begging to be released in one way or another.

"I guess people in your time do not cover up as much," Connor remarked while Cheyenne followed him up the stairs, breaking her current train of thought.

"Especially not when it's this hot," she grumbled angrily.

"Is Iowa a cold place?"

Great, it seemed Conor felt like talking now; just when she hoped he'd leave her to tend to her foul mood in peace. "In the winter, but not the summer."

"Shouldn't you be used to the heat, then?"

Cheyenne bristled at that. "You seem to have forgotten, yet again, that I'm from another goddamn time! So no, I'm not fucking used to dealing with shit like this!"

The second the words left her mouth, a deep sense of regret washed over Cheyenne. In her anger, she mistook the question as a way of implying that there was something wrong with her, even if his tone was even and free of any accusations. But it was too late to take the words back, for Connor had already narrowed his eyes and turned his back. She tried to backpedal, but the native was having none of it. "Come on!" he barked when she attempted to apologize.

They hadn't spoken after that, with the silence between them filled with her regret and his anger. Connor also refused to so much as look in her direction and focused on cleaning the tomahawk he retrieved from his belt. Cheyenne, on the other hand, went to bed immediately after changing back into her pajamas, even if they were no better than her jeans and shirt.

"You can put on your clothes from earlier, if you want."

Connor's voice startled her, even if he was quiet. He still wasn't looking in her direction, but his voice was flat and hard.

"They don't bother me," he continued. "You just surprised me."

She nodded, even if he couldn't see it, and reached into her duffle to get her shorts and tank top again. She would suffer a little less now, although part of her felt like she didn't deserve any kindness from him.

Thinking of Connor, Cheyenne lifted her head and looked at the young man lying in his bed, fast asleep on the other side of the room. It was too dark to make out details, but she could see the outline of his half-naked form on top of the covers. She felt envious of him; at least he could sleep. Then again, he was used to the heat and didn't have guilt hanging over him like she did.

Eventually, Cheyenne managed to bury the negative thoughts and lay back down. She couldn't do anything right now, but would make sure to try apologizing tomorrow. Maybe do something nice for him too; anything to show him she was sorry.

Finally, after what felt like hours, Cheyenne's world went black and she slipped into something like sleep.