I'm actually still really sad I never got to this part in the story, it was very important to me. I know the "cutting hair" thing can be seen as played out but whatever, it matters to me because I can connect with it so I wanted to do that with Shela too. It felt right and will still happen in current canon, though differently.

Chapter 01
Chapter 02
Chapter 03
Chapter 04
Chapter 06
Chapter 07
Chapter 08
Chapter 09
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20

---

(Shela steps out of her bedroom and into the hall. She hears voices and decides not to enter the main room yet, listening)

Charles: Is Desmond coming today?

Roy: (sighs) No. The medicine is making him feel a little ill lately. Even during the training session a few days ago he wasn’t feeling very well.

Charles: (frowns) Alright. It’s just nice having an extra person there. Maybe we could-

(Shela looks hopeful, knowing her brother is asking for her)

Roy: I don’t know. Look I need you to grab some things out of the garden, can you do that real quick?

Charles: (angry sigh) Fine.

(Shela jumps, hiding back in her room again. She takes the time to straighten herself up a little and once her brother is past, she steps out like nothing had happened)

Shela: Good morning.

Roy: Morning.

Shela: You’ve got the bags out, training again today?

Roy: Yes. It’ll just be the four of us but progress needs to be made, despite the set backs.

Shela: Well, you know I haven’t gone since…It would be nice to have more new stuff to teach the others.

Roy: (sighs) Shela, it’s hard enough keeping my eyes on everyone out there without Desmond around. Adding an extra person won’t help.

Shela: Come on, it’s not like I need a baby sitter dad! If anything, I can work with Charles. Then you wouldn’t have to be his sparring partner, you can spend more time teaching!

Roy: (folds ears back, looking guilty) It’s just not…You’re over simplifying again.

Shela: And you’re growing tunnel vision again!

Roy: (becoming angry) Don’t talk to your father like that! You know bett-

Shela: Fuck it, fine. If you want to pull that card then I’m leaving, I’ll be back in time for dinner. (walks out the front, slamming the door behind her)

Charles: (walking in from the hall) What…

Roy: Don’t. Just get ready.

Charles: (stares at the door for a moment, as if Shela will come back)

Roy: Now!

(Charles sighs and goes back to preparing his bag)

(Scene fades to Shela, stomping through the village. She’s heading in the direction of the training ground)

(Dean is outside his home, pulling some carrots from their front garden. He looks up and is about to wave at Shela when he notices the look on her face)

Dean: Shela! (getting up to head over to her)

Shela: (glances at him but acts as if she didn’t hear him)

Dean: (running over) Shela! Hey, come on, don’t ignore me.

Shela: (growls) I’m not, I’m just-

Dean: That’s not gonna fly by me, you know that. We’re friends, can’t you just tell me what’s going on?

Shela: Dean, it’s private and it’s really not a big deal.

Dean: Uh huh, sure. Is that why you’ve been so much rougher during our training sessions? Why you don’t come hang out with us as much anymore? It’s been pretty obvious to the rest of us that something has been eating at you since well. Desmond’s clinic visit.

Shela: Pretty sure I’ve been just as angry about the same issues not related to Desmond as I am in this moment so really-

Dean: Well yeah, it doesn’t take much to guess it involves your dad but-

Shela: Dean do not push this fucking subject. (growls)

Dean: Fine. But I don’t think the training ground is really where you should be headed.

Shela: Oh really? And what exactly do you think I should be doing instead of that? Since when have you been my keeper?

Dean: Hey I didn’t mean it like that…

Shela: (continues to glare at him but eventually huffs) What do you mean then?

Dean: I found a pretty cool relaxation spot. Just, follow me okay?

(Shela just huffs again, which Dean takes as agreement and starts moving. Shela does follow behind him, though silently)

(They take the path that isn’t traveled often into the woods on the other side of the camp. It’s a lot smaller of a wooded area and less densely packed. Dean takes her off the path pretty quickly. After a few minutes of walking, and making their way through some brush, they find a clearing. In the clearing is a small pond of water, with a soft waterfall, running down from the rocks on the mountain)

Shela: (Quiet for a few minutes, taking in the place, looking shocked) How did you even find this place?

Dean: Just from wandering really. Ash and I got into a sibling squabble, I ran off to get some air, and found this place. So it’s where I come to relax and take my mind off things.

(Dean sits down, quick to pull his shoes off and put his feet in the water)

Shela: (still taking it in) I can see why, it’s really quiet too. Not like a noisy rushing waterfall.

Dean: Yeah that’s one thing I really like about it.

Dean: (pats the spot beside him) Come on, sit down.

Shela: (hesitates but eventually sits next to him, she doesn’t put her feet in the water at first, keeping herself more curled up)

(They’re both quiet for a bit until finally Shela speaks)

Shela: I just don’t get it.

Dean: Get what?

Shela: My dad. He’s just becoming more and more irrational, but not about everything, only when it comes to me.

Dean: As in?

Shela: I asked him to train this morning, especially since Desmond can’t be there today. But he just won’t let me, hell he couldn’t even give me a good reason. He never really does but this time he just ignored what I had to say and told me not to talk to him like that. He’s…never ever pulled that before.

Dean: Well, have you ever rebelled against him before?

Shela: No, I never had to. We used to train all the time, I used to be part of the team. He started pushing me aside when we left the village but especially after my mom died.

Dean: Well I mean, that seems like your reason there.

Shela: But why me? Why not both myself and Charles? Is it because I’m a girl?

Dean: (looks at Shela and tilts his head)

Shela: (after a moment) What?

Dean: Can you take your hair down for a moment?

Shela: Uh, why?

Dean: Just do it, please?

Shela: (sighs and pulls her hair tie out, letting her hair drape around her)

Dean: Ah.

Shela: Ah what?

Dean: Look at yourself in the water and just like…really look and think about it.

Shela: (raises an eyebrow at him but does as he asks. At first she seems perplexed but after a few seconds, her eyebrows raise in realization) I look like my mom…

Dean: A little bit yeah, at least in terms of the waves of your hair.

Shela: I can’t believe I never noticed that before, never put it together.

Dean: Well I mean, why would you? You’ve always looked at yourself as an individual, someone different from your mom. You saw your mom as well, your mom.

Shela: Maybe but I think subconsciously, that’s why I’ve always worn my hair up after she passed away, even when I’m not training.

Dean: (puts his fingers on his chin) I never realized that but you’re right.

Shela: I just never realized it affected other people, I didn’t even know it was affecting me.

Dean: I guess that complicates things though like, what can you really do about that?

Shela: Well (stands up) it’s just hair.

Dean: (gives her a confused look) What does that mean?

Shela: Thanks for the talk Dean, I owe you one okay? (smiles at him before wandering back the way they came)

(Dean sits stunned for a moment before rushing to catch up to her. However he lost her in all the untraveled brush and decided to just leave her be)

Dean: I hope she’s not up to anything too crazy…

(Fading back to Shela in the village, she stops in front of Aero and Keeta’s house, knocking gently on the door)

(Keeta answers the door, looking at tad confused)

Keeta: Oh hey Shela! What brings you here? Hopefully you’re not looking for Aero because he went out for food supplies.

Shela: No, actually you’re probably the better person to be talking to here. I was wondering if I could trade a few mana crystals for an extra pair of scissors?

Keeta: (looking excited) Oh yeah, sure! You know I would never turn down mana crystals, let me just go grab the scissors. (rolling away from the door but leaving it open)

(Shela waits outside while he rustles around on his workbench, eventually coming back to the door with scissors sitting on his lap)

Keeta: So can I ask what you need these for? You trying to trim the fluff off Dean’s face for being flirty?

Shela: (chuckles) No, uh I just figured I should give my hair a trim you know? The ends of it are getting caught in everything. (pulling the crystals from her hip back)

Keeta: (holding the scissors out for her to take while also holding a hand out for the crystals) That makes sense, I’m sure that gets annoying during training. I know Aero has had that issue a few times in the past.

Shela: (swaps the items) Thank you! And yes, it doesn’t make for good training sessions at times.

Shela: Either way, I’d better get going. I need to get a fire started for dinner before I mess with my hair. But thank you again.

Keeta: (smiles) Sure thing, we’ll see you around!

(Shela turns away and Keeta closes the door. She walks up toward the fire pit and does as she first said, starting a fire. The scissors waiting for her on a rock)

(She works on prepping food all while nervously glancing over at them)

Shela: Am I really going to do this?

(Sets things to cook on the fire)

Shela: I have to. Not just for him but for me. (she grabs the scissors off the rock and stands up away from the pit)

Shela: One last time and then it’s time for a fresh start. (she ties her hair in a ponytail and after taking a moment, cuts her hair)

(She sets the hair down on of the logs set around a make shift dining spot, before she can process or do much more, she hears voices, turning her ears up)

Roy: I smell food so she must be back

Charles: I sure hope so

Roy: Set the bags here, let’s walk over

(The two set the bags down and head around the edge of the house)

Roy: Shela we’re-

(the two are in shock at seeing her now short hair)

Roy: What…What happened?

Shela: I cut it dad.

Roy: What…when…Why?

(Charles backs off a bit, not completely out of earshot but clearly not wanting to intrude)

Shela: Because I figured it out. The reason you won’t involve me in anything, the reason you don’t let me train. I always kind of thought it had to do with me being a girl-

Roy: That’s absurd-

Shela: Shh. In a way it kind of did but not in the usual way. It was my hair.

Roy: That doesn-

Shela: Dad please! Let me finish speaking!

(Roy folds his ears back but is quiet)

Shela: I didn’t notice it, really notice it until I was shown, but with my hair down I look extremely similar to mom. And that’s it, you’ve only been able to see her in me right?

Roy: Shela that’s not…I know you’re my daughter and not your mother…

Shela: You just don’t listen! I’m not saying you see me only has her but you see enough of her in me that you’re afraid it would be like losing mom for a second time. Well, I’m not mom for one! But two, you always taught us that we can’t live life in fear! We have to be ready to take on battles and challenges, well this is a challenge for you too! Just because there isn’t a physical battlefield doesn’t mean you’re not fighting something.

Roy: (too taken aback to speak)

Shela: You have to let me train and fight too dad. I need to know what’s going on or I can’t help as effectively, I don’t know what I’m preparing for. 9starts crying) So to help you be less afraid to fight your battle, I cut my god damn hair. It’s just hair anyway, it’s not like it matters. I just want to train, please!

Roy: (begins crying too) Shela…

Shela: Please dad, I’m more likely to die too if you don’t prepare me for what’s to come. If I don’t-

Roy: (hugs her) I get it okay, your point is made…

Shela: …Okay (sniffles and hugs back)

Roy: I’m so sorry Shela, I didn’t realize what I was doing. I didn’t even see how much it was hurting you. I know it bothered you but it wasn’t clear to me exactly how much that would really make things worse. I should have known better…

Shela: (bawling now) It’s okay dad, I just needed you to realize…

Roy: I’m sorry I made you cut your hair for it.

Shela: (laughs) God dad I don’t care about that. Actually, I think I might like it better this way. I only ever left it long because mom wanted me to.

(Roy releases her from the hug, chucking softly)

Roy: She tried to get me to have long hair too for a very long time. I was pretty firm about that not happening, but she got so upset that I told her that Charles wouldn’t have to have the military cut.

Shela: (snorts) Oh is that why he looks so funny?

Charles: (off camera) I can hear you, you know!!

(All of them laughing as Charles joins them)

Shela: So I guess…oh shit the food! (quickly rushes over to grab it, much of it is charred but edible) Damn it…

Roy: Here, I’ll take some of inside to remove the extra burnt bits. I’ll bring out some other stuff we can cook up real quick too.

Shela: Thanks…

(The two smile at each other for a moment and Roy heads inside with the food. Shela and Charles are quiet for a moment as Shela fixes up the fire)

Charles: So uh, want me to even that out for you?

Shela: Huh? Oh…hehe how bad is it?

Charles: I mean, I’ve definitely seen worse but it looks pretty silly.

Shela: That would be great then if you don’t mind.

(Charles nods, he helps even out Shela’s hair. Roy comes back out in the middle of it, laughing at the sight. He sets down the cooked food and starts cooking up the extra stuff he brought out. They all sit down together for dinner, enjoying nice conversation and laughing. The air much lighter than it had been in a long time)

CHAPTER END