Author: MsCrazybird
Fandom: Once Upon a Time
Pairing: Emma/Regina
Rating: R
Summary: "a noticeable shift can be felt amongst the true town patrons causing everyone to become just a bit wearier of all that surrounds them. The atmosphere seemed to have everyone on as it appeared there could be no peaceful moment in the lives of Storybrooke's residences. A weird almost unnatural silence seemed to hang in the air, even amongst the chattiest quiet now infected..."
Disclaimer: All television shows, movies, books, and other copyrighted material referred to in this work, and the characters, settings, and events thereof, are the properties of their respective owners. As this work is an interpretation of the original material and not for-profit, it constitutes fair use. Reference to real persons, places, or events are made in a fictional context, and are not intended to be libelous, defamatory, or in any way factual.
A/N: Okay, this is very loosely based on the promo for episode 3-18. And I mean loosely because it borne a specific scene that I had the need to create which ultimately has no bases in that promo, but meh.
The title? It’s an actual line, but it’s not in this chapter. I’m hoping to get one of these chapters every night so enjoy!
XXX
The small, sleepy town of Storybrooke, Maine is cloaked in silence as the night descends upon the town. A mix matched and scattered family filled with hurt and pain stays separated by space and distance, but all connected by a single child, bounded by past transgressions that leave old and new wounds cutting into flesh and soul. As the whole of the town’s residence bound by secrecy and belonging, separated and hidden from the rest of the world out of need and precaution. A town that cares not for outsiders and fear leaving for the very real notion of losing everything that makes them, themselves.
But as this town sleeps with a single stranger roaming their town unfettered a family mourning and warring in pain, a very real threat approaches the town boundary in the form of two headlights fast approaching. Its approach is in no way grandiose or extravagant instead it is rather ordinary and subtle. As the vehicle quickly glides into the town limits nothing happens, no large alarms sounds and no one is any the wiser as most of the residence continue their slumber peacefully.
It is not until the next morning that a noticeable shift can be felt amongst the true town patrons causing everyone to become just a bit wearier of all that surrounds them. The atmosphere seemed to have everyone on edge as it appeared there could be no peaceful moment in the lives of Storybrooke’s residences. A weird almost unnatural silence seemed to hang in the air, even amongst the chattiest quiet now infected and took over. But despite the sudden shift in the town no one could truly pinpoint the reasoning for the unsettling feelings that had descended down to cloud over everyone. Well, everyone that is except for one.
Rumplestiltskin was amongst the people who felt the definite difference in the atmosphere that descended down upon the town in a thick sheet like the falling snow that the Maine town was so accustomed to. It caused a giddy grin to take over his features at the unrest that filled the atmosphere; he always did love disarray in other people’s lives. It was almost something he could thrive on and in the type of climate the Dark One always found a way to do well; everyone wanted to make a deal in times where they were most unsure about their futures.
Before he even realized that he was doing it, the man found himself giggling like his old self and doing a little jig amongst the Fairy Tale Land’s treasures in his pawnshop. That is until a peculiar and all too familiar feeling rushed through his being making his merriment halt suddenly. It was like a unique taste in the air that had his mind rushing and memories whizzing in a flurry to find just where to place it.
And when he remembered it hit him like a ton of bricks. His customary tilt of his lips instantly falling, eyes widening in realization for just a moment as the knowledge truly sets in. It is at this moment he finds himself sneering for just a moment; he should have really realized that all that was going on around, that the feeling that he felt, was not natural. He gave himself a light shake to ward off the issue before quickly turning and stalking back into the back room of his shop to look for a few things before he set out to do anything else.
[BLEEP]
The forest surrounded him as he made his way through the thick trees being as silent as a man could be using a cane and limping. His senses are spread wide as he tries to follow the distinct feel of magic that he felt earlier trying to pinpoint its exact origins amongst the trees. A brief thought that it could all be originating from the well passes through his mind and it unnerves him that his own activities may have been sensed in the location.
Hopes of its origin not being near the well are dashed when he comes upon it many minutes later and a tidal wave of strong magic rushes against his body coating his skin like mist sticking to his skin. A tongue runs over his lips as the potent taste of the strong magic tickles his taste buds and he instantly notices that it is rather mild, not the strong tang of a large power dose of magic, but the mild bitterness of something smaller and filling. His eyes narrow at the idea that the effect over the town was so sudden with something that was not potent.
“Ah, Rumple. I knew you would come soon.” A voice speaks up behind him and he turns looking unsurprised to see the woman standing there; she just smiles at this. “It has been a long time.”
“Indeed it has.” His voice is firm almost spoken in a bored town.
The woman smirks. “What? You act like you’re not happy to see me.”
“I can’t say that I am” A sneer comes over his face as the words slip out, but as soon as it changes his features. It is gone being replaced by the same neutral expression he once held.
A mocking laugh leaves her lips. “Oh, come now. Is that anyway to treat an old friend?” she smiles, but the man remains stoic and another small chuckle escapes her lips. “Well, I’m sure your son will have a very different attitude.”
“WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO MY BOY!” the man instantly explodes eyes flashing with anger and his magic welling up within him.
She chuckles again smiling cruelly at the man. “Now, now. I’ve done nothing, do calm your self. You can’t anything to me anyways.”
The man grits his teeth before asking in what could be mistaken as a hiss “What do you want? What have you done to Bae?”
“What I want? Well, what I always find pleasure in creating of course.”
“And Bae?”
A cruel chuckle leaves her lips at the man’s weakness. “Ah, yes Bae or Neal now…mm? Nothing really.” A vicious smile has the woman barring her teeth at the aged man. “Ah, but it looks like you may be receiving a daughter-in-law.” Her eyes flash with sadistic amusement. “Can I call you dad?”
The man is silent which only adds on to the woman’s sadistic pleasure and her smile grows letting loose a dark chuckle. “No? Oh, well all the same.” She gives nonchalant shrug. “It’s not like much time is left for him or anyone else for that all to come really.” She smiles viciously once again.
“What is that supposed to mean?”
She laughs cruelly. “Why Rumple are you loosing your touch? Killing that seer to take on her curse not what you once thought it was?” his hands are fisted at his sides and she notes this with satisfaction. “This town will be mine.” Her eyes flash a red at the statement and Rumple knows that she does not mean to control the place.
“Why?”
t
“Oh, I’ve been awaiting this a very long time. I a few scores o settle you see.” She winks.
“YOU...” he throws a blast of magic at the woman only landing squarely in her chest. Her laughter fills the air as a searing pain shoots through his body.
“You stupid fool; you can’t harm me as per our agreement. You’ve your own hand in all this yourself Rumple, be proud. Or be the coward you are and fear your eminent death.” She cackles.
The man opens up his mouth to speak, but before a single word could be uttered the woman and evaporated into nothing and he was left alone.
[NEXT]