Memories

New Memories

Emma and Regina walked into the small town after leaving their horses at a stable at the edge of town. They walked towards the market together, Regina sticking close to the blonde as she was quite nervous seeing all these people here that might know her, or at least, who she was. She didn't feel confident about dealing with that.

Emma could tell Regina was nervous and uncomfortable. She gently put her hand on the woman's arm, grabbing her attention.
"It'll be fine. I'm here." Emma smiled gently at her as she spoke. Regina bit her lip before smiling a little.
"Sorry... I'm just afraid someone might know me." She spoke softly and looked at the hand that was on her arm. The blonde followed the woman's gaze and gasped.
"I'm sorry." She said and pulled her hand back. Regina stopped her and instead took her hand.
"No... I just..." Regina tried to form words and sighed in defeat before chuckling softly and looked up at the woman. "This helps." She said and moved closer, casually linking their arms. Emma looked at the woman and chuckled.
"Very well." Emma smiled and bumped her shoulder against the other's gently. "Come on, let's go."

The two women went around the market, looking at all types of foods and even looked at some new clothes for Regina.
"Are you sure this looks good on me?" The woman asked as she turned to look over her shoulder, trying to see the back of the riding coat she was wearing. It was nearly floor length in a beautiful aubergine colour. Emma smiled and nodded.
"I think that colour looks beautiful on you." She said and looked at a few dresses that would match the coat. She pulled out a few dark shades like black and gray as well as a few lighter shades as cream and peach.
"You don't want me to try on all of them I hope?" The brunette asked and Emma chuckled softly.
"I want you to pick the ones you like most." She said and Regina looked at the dresses the blonde had selected for her. She slid her hand over the fabrics and put the coat next to the dress, trying to figure out what would look the best.
"I think black looks nice with it." The words made Emma laugh softly.
"What?" Regina asked and bit her lip.
"It's a similar colour scheme as you used to wear." She said and bit her lip to stop a laugh from coming out. The brunette gasped and immediately took off the coat, seemingly offended by the fabric. Emma sighed and put her hand onto the woman's shoulder. "I'm sorry, please... Relax. You look good in them honestly. Even if you can't remember, I suppose preferences like that wouldn't change." The blonde said and smiled. Regina looked at the clothes the blonde was holding and sighed.
"I want to change though... I don't want to be associated with something... Evil."

It was silent for a while and Emma put away the dark dresses and held the cream coloured one in front of the woman and made a face.
"Honestly, it doesn't suit you." She said and Regina sighed.
"Let's go back..." She said and turned away. Emma could tell Regina wasn't enjoying herself and quickly put away the dresses before following the woman who was making giant strides out of there, quickly ducking into one of the alleys.

"Regina, wait!" Emma reached out and stopped her in her tracks, holding onto her shoulder. The woman turned around, eyes filled with held back tears. The blonde gasped and pulled the woman further into the alley. "I'm sorry... Is it something I said?" Emma asked and the woman shook her head.
"No... It's just that I'm constantly being reminded of the old me with every step I take. I'm afraid people will recognise me and I can't even pick a damn shade of dress without looking like her or looking like shit!" The woman was so incredibly frustrated and angry at herself, particularly her past self.

Emma slowly reached out and wiped away one of the tears that had fallen down the smaller woman's cheek. The blonde then closed the distance between her and Regina, wrapping her arms around the brunette. The woman softly cried into Emma's shoulder, letting her bottled up feelings spill out as she held onto the blonde. Emma let the woman cry and gently rubbed her back, trying to soothe her.