Emma heaved a huge sigh, her knuckles had turned white from the tight grip that she had had on the steering wheel. As they drove back to Storybrooke she had become more nervous, her nerves making her jittery second by second. All parking spots of the barn were empty, the place always desert with the exception of the employee that cleaned it day after day. With the car parked and the engine turned off, the woman sent a nervous glance across the dusty car park, then walked out with her fists clenched; what the hell was she so nervous about? Hell, learning to ride a horse wasn't something that would shake her.
Regina, on the other hand, walked firmly to the door and opened it within seconds. Taking the rusty old key from the lock, she opened the door and walked inside, making Emma follow her. The floors were even swept free of the tiniest bit of dirt and stray straws of hay, too clean for it to be a usual sweep-up. Emma was beginning to wonder if it had been Regina the one to prepare the barn for today.
"Now how about we get started." the brunette said, one of the animals neighing at the sight of his owner, who smiled and turned to the other. "First step, which horse do you feel you wanna ride?"
Emma raised a brow. "You want me to choose?" she asked, slightly confused.
"Of course, Miss Swan. If you want to learn how to ride a horse properly,you have to feel comfortable while you're learning. So it would just be easier for us both if you decide yourself, rather than me picking out a horse for you."
"Okay… Which one is yours? Rinoceros."
"Rocinante." the brunette corrected her before turning to the brown animal. "They're all special to me, but Rocinante is my horse." Regina smiled, a smile so genuine it was almost scary. Emma, still feeling somewhat doubtful about choosing which was supposed to be the right horse for her, stepped towards the closest horse to her left. If there was something she knew Regina did not have, it was patience. And even if she had, maybe Regina was just eager to get the 'lesson' started. She had to make a decision soon.
Choose the one you feel you can ride with.
Remembering the brunette's words, Emma stared into the eyes of the horse before her. How would she know which one she would be able to ride? What if she felt that she couldn't ride with any of them? Maybe there wasn't a horse here that she could ride, what would Regina think of that?
The horse in front of her suddenly gave a short, sudden neigh, bucked its head and stamped on the ground with its hooves. Taken aback, Emma backed up right into Regina, who had approached her. "It's alright." the woman whispered, stepping around her and placing a hand on her shoulder. The contact startled the blonde, and she quickly pulled away.
"Sorry. I just, i had never seen a horse from so close..." she muttered. What if it hurts me?, she added silently.
"Be calm, Miss Swan. They can sense fear. But, if you don't think you can do it, we don't have to do this." Regina said gently, what just made Emma all the more nervous. How could someone who was allegedly hatedby the rest of the town be also so kind? Not that that kindness lasted much, but it was something. "Really, Emma."
"But you wanted to ride…" the blonde muttered, now even more confused. Did she just call me Emma?!
"It's alright, I'll go riding another day."
"N-no, I'm fine."
"Are you sure…?"
"O-of course."
"You're stuttering."
"Sh-shut up."