I'm Friends with the Monster Under my Bed

He shook his head.  “Kidnapping’s not really my style,” he said.  And he’d never been asked to do it in his so far short career as a mercenary.

He paused as the girl just sort of… walked right into him, not paying attention at all.

“…you should pay attention.  Someone might kidnap you if you’re staring off into space.” Was he being a little extreme?  Yes.

He put a hand to his mouth, just trying to hide a laugh he was having a hard time holding back. “Perhaps so. I know I’ve had that problem in the past, but it was usually with women.”

“Indeed. Or I could approach him and see if he’d be willing to learn from me, rather than making an excuse.”

He shrugged at that. “He can learn and be taught if he likes. That’s what we’re all here at this school for. I’m just aware of the reputation he tries so hard to spread.”

He arched an eyebrow at that. “Is that so? Considering most healers here are women, are we sure his intentions are entirely pure?”

“Yes!  I’ve been trying to learn as much as possible.  Ashe is also teaching me to use a bow, and Professor Manuela is going to give me lessons in being a Dancer.  I bet if you’d like you could join me for either!”

“Well, it is a different set of skills.” Tempera shrugged, the smile still on his lips.  “And of course there are plenty of people around here who can teach you how to fight with a sword, including our own professor.”

“I know Professor Manuela’s started teaching Flayn.  I was going to ask if she’d be willing to teach me too.”  Besides it was easier to wield magic and a sword at the same time rather than magic and a lance.  

“That is true.  Many of our peers come from families that are quite a bit stricter on them.” And then he pulled his eyes from the pegasus.  “And you, Stevie?  Have you been making any friends?”

She had heard enough about the girls, at least, being expected to marry who their fathers had chosen for them.  Or they had come with the expectation to snare a spouse that would be an advantage.  It made her grateful that such a restriction hadn’t ever been laid on her. 

Maybe she was just too young for it to be as big a deal.