Operation: Felicity.
Here's the down low of the plot (Though it's as discreet as possible):
The spell has been broken yet no one is able to return to Fairytale Land. They learn to adapt and, after redeeming herself, allow Regina to return to her place as Mayor. Emma and Regina end up getting together and, after a while, the town also adapts to that and allows it to become normal. The only people who still refuse to accept Regina and Emma are Snow and James, though they keep it to themselves. After a few phone calls and meetings, Regina allows an orphanage for abandoned teens to move into town. One of the orphans, Finny Anderson, gains the attention from the residents of Storybrooke. No one can recall any of the teens from their memories of their Fairytaie lives, but they all feel like they might just have something to do with the lands they once called home.
Henry, however, remembers Finny for who she was and is now going out of his way to get her to remember her identity as well so she can show everyone the way home and restore the hope that not even the Savior can fix. Can he show her the truth before she is taken by evil?
But, in this story, what you thought was good...might just be the evil that both Finny and Henry are trying to avoid.
So, basically, what is canon Evil in the true plot for the show might not be canon in this story. And it goes the same way for what's considered to be 'good' in the show.
Also! This has Swan Queen and Rumbelle, not to mention an eventual ship that some of you might not like. Oh yeah. It's also going to have Sleeping Warrior.
I hope you all enjoy my story. :)
She cries.
I watch, silently, staring hard at the small girl.
She was only an infant, yet large bounds of curly red hair sprouted from her scalp. Reaching up, I gently touched my own thick locks. Was I the same age as her?
A man walked into the room, his face grimy and wrinkly. He smiled, his teeth rough, pointy, and a faded yellow.
"I see you two have woken up, my Dearies. How was your...slumber?"
The red headed girl stopped crying, her face suddenly steely and her eyes full of anger. A long, fleshy, peal pink scar trailed through and down her left eye. It hit me then that she must be blind in that eye. I wondered if I had any scars.
He walked over to her, taking her vibrant locks into his hand. She stared up at him, a scowl written on her face.
"Ah, my youngest. What a beauty. You'll be quite a trade."
I watched her open her mouth, almost as if she were going to retort, but she quickly closed it as if she had remembered who she was. Or, rather, who she was supposed to be.
His hand suddenly flew to her chin, pulling her face so that she was staring at him.
"...you must be the teenager that can change ages. Brilliant. A girl who can be whatever age she chooses? Who would've guessed?" He laughed, jerking her head away.
"But why guess when you already know?"
He brushed by her and she made a face at him.
"Now, now. Who do we have here?" He brushed his fingers down my face, like I was a prize show pony.
"I never saw you in the future, Dearie. Tell me, what's your name?"
He grabbed my face, looking down at me with a wide smile.
I didn't respond. He didn't make me.
Pulling back, he laughed, throwing his head back.
"Well, maybe that's because you're not meant to be there! No worries, it doesn't really matter who you are," He walked to the door, only stopping and looking back at me as soon as his hand hit the rough wood.
"You're nothing special anyhow."
The door shut and I blinked, numbed by his cold words.
"...if only he knew." A voice spoke.
I whipped my head towards the source, only to find that the small girl had changed into a teenager. She had used a hidden knife to cut away the ropes that bound her to a wooden pole. She crawled over, carefully but quickly cutting away mine.
"My name's...Anya..." She grunted, cutting away the last of the rope.
Looking up at my face, she gave me a crooked smile.
"It's nice to finally meet you...Princess."
Princess?
Standing up, she let out a sigh, running her hand through her hair. A small smile played at her lips as she stared me down.
"Can you stand?" She asked, holding out her hand for me to grab onto. I took it, nodding slightly.
"Now, I'm sure you're wondering who you are, but that's not the point. This is a mission and we're only so close to succeeding. It's hit or miss, Princess. One chance." Anya winked, making a clicking sound with her tongue.
I blinked and opened my mouth, trying to speak, but she covered my mouth with her hand.
"Save it. There's no need to strain yourself. Like I'm blind in my left eye, you are temporarily mute." She caught my gaze, holding my chin in her hand.
Dropping it, she smiled.
"Grab onto me and, no matter what, do not let go. At all. Even if I say so. Keep holding. Understand?"
I nodded, grabbing onto her arm. Raising an eyebrow, she looked down at me.
"When I said, 'hold onto me', I meant 'hold onto me', Sweetie."
As Anya wrapped her arms around my waist, meshing my body against hers, I realized something.
I was not a toddler.
–
"An orphanage?"
Emma Swan leaned against the Mayor's desk, her eyebrow shooting up. Ever since the curse broke, more people were coming and showing up in town. It was never anything permanent; they would stay a few days or even only a night and then leave the next day. But this was the first permanent move the town was going to be accepting.
An orphanage.
"Yes, Miss Swan. Is that alright with you?" Regina asked, shooting Emma back with the same raised eyebrow.
Emma smiled, glancing down at the desk and then back to Regina's face.
"Of course it's alright with me. Maybe some people in town would be willing to adopt them or something. Maybe they'll find homes. Maybe," Emma stopped, her eyebrows scrunching in confusion.
"Wait a second. You mean, like...permanent?" She asked, eying the mayor.
"Well, yes. I mean, it's going to be as permanent as you can call an orphanage. Why?"
Emma shook her head, standing up straight.
"...there's not really a reason, I guess. It's just weird knowing that, for once, we're actually going to get some new people in this town."
Regina gave a small smile.
"I'm sure that'll be a good thing, Emma. If you can remember, the last new person in this town was you, after all." Regina looked the blonde up and down. "And we all know what happened after that."
Emma smiled back, giving a hearty laugh.
"Lets hope that doesn't happen again. I'd hope that I'm enough and you aren't going to need some little orphan to make your clothes fall off." Emma winked, smirking.
Regina shook her head, slowly standing from her chair.
"Now you know good and well, Sheriff, that you're the only one for me." Regina said, her voice smooth.
She turned Emma around from her perch against her desk, grabbing the blonde by the lapels of her jacket. Her eyes fell from Emma's eyes to her mouth, her tongue shooting out and licking her small scar.
Emma smirked, leaning in closer.
"Touché, Madame Mayor."
Just as their lips were about to touch, a cough rang throughout the office.
Regina turned slowly, her face written with frustration.
"Yes, Kathryn?" She spoke calmly yet her voice was cold.
"Well, Miss Gans is here to see you. Should I send her in, or...?" Kathryn smirked.
Emma looked away, biting her lip.
"Send her in." Regina responded, her hands on her hips.
"Alright then."
Kathryn closed the door behind her and a wave of relief shot through the two women.
"...it could've been worse." Emma shrugged.
Regina laughed, shaking her head.
"Yes, indeed. I'm grateful that everyone in town has welcomed our relationship."
Emma placed a small kiss on her girlfriend's lips before she grabbed some papers off of the desk. Walking past Regina and towards the door, she couldn't help but give her girlfriend a smack on the butt. Regina gasped in surprise, turning around to stare at her lover.
"We'll continue that later." Emma smirked, walking through the door.
Regina inwardly moaned, wishing she could somehow speed up time to move faster. She walked to her desk, sitting down. Her hand scribbled on some paper, but her mind didn't seem to be focused.
"Hello there." A voice boomed throughout her office.
Regina looked up and into the eyes of a stout, chubby woman. She wore tiny glasses perched upon her nose and she had an all-too-knowing gaze placed upon her face.
The Mayor stood, walking around her desk to shake hands with the loud woman.
"Hello, my name is Regina Mills, and I'm the mayor of this town." Regina smiled widely at the woman.
"Well, my name is Alma Gans, and I'm glad that you're the mayor. It would've been a shame had that nice lady brought me to the wrong person." Alma smiled back, little crinkles forming around her eyes.
Regina let out a small laugh, motioning to the chair in front of her desk.
"Go ahead and sit, Miss Gans."
"Alrighty then," Alma replied, sitting in the plush chair.
"Now," Regina sat down at her desk, grabbing a pen and some documents. "We need the names and information of each orphan moving into town. For safety purposes, of course." She informed, clutching to the pen.
"I completely understand. Now, do you want me to fill them out or are you going to just fill them in yourself, Miss Mayor?" Alma raised her eyebrows, smiling warmly at Regina.
Regina blinked.
"Oh!" She held out the pen and papers, laughing. "I'm sorry about that, Miss Gans. Please excuse me."
"That's alright, Miss Regina." Alma started writing, stopping every once in a while to think.
"Would you like to know a bit of information as I go along?"
"That would be lovely." At least then it wouldn't be so quiet.
"Well, of course, you have our eldest orphan. Her name is Nastya Almana, though we just call her Anya. She's been with us since she was five. At the moment, she is seventeen years old and is thinking about leaving the coop. Actually, she claims that she would've already left it she didn't feel like it was her duty to help me bring money in. I keep trying to tell her that I don't need any help, but she just won't listen. Stubborn bugger, that one is."
"Oh, yes! This is an orphanage for orphaned teens, correct?"
Alma nodded.
"Yes Ma'am. Alma Gans' home for abandoned and orphaned teens. Or, as we like to call it, 'The Coop'."
Regina smiled a little at the reference. There was something about this Miss Alma Gans that she just couldn't put her finger on...
"However, we do have three children with us. Well, two of them are twelve, so they've only got a year to go. Their names are Jack and Gustav Murris, though people just usually call him Gus. They're helpful yet mischievous. Well behaved, don't get me wrong, but children will be children, after all."
Thinking of Henry, Regina nodded, agreeing with Alma.
"Our youngest isn't quite an orphan. She's my own child, Cosette Gans, and she's nine years old. The way she was conceived was an unfortunate circumstance, but at the same time, I couldn't bring myself to get rid of her. She was my own baby, even if she was half of a stranger's." Alma sat up straighter, filling out Cosette's papers.
"You have Sarah Kimi and Lola Nixie. They're both very outgoing and adventurous. Lola came to the coop when she was thirteen and Sarah when she was twelve. There's also Ishai Kahul who we picked up off the street when he was fourteen. He was a wanderer, helping people out. He's a gentleman and is completely and utterly amazing." Alma looked up, softly laughing.
"But, then again, all of my Chicks are amazing."
After going through a few more kids, Alma looked back up, worry creasing through her face.
"Are you finished, Miss Gans?" Regina asked, cocking her head slightly.
"Well...no. There's one more. But, unfortunately, I can't fill out all of the information on her."
"Fill out what you know."
"Well, her name is Finny Anderson. She's fifteen and she's been with us since she was thirteen. The only person she ever speaks to is Anya, though she might talk to me occasionally. She's very shy and introverted. That's all we know about her." Alma finished up, handing the documents to Regina.
"Does she not speak at all?" The mayor asked, raising her eyebrow.
Alma shook her head.
"That's not it. She'll speak when she feels like it's necessary. But that usually involves a bunch of stuttering and mumbling and you can barely even hear her speak."
Alma stood up.
For the oddest reason, Regina wanted to know more about the mysterious young girl, but she could only know what Alma knew...and that wasn't much. She stood from her desk, walking around to shake hands with Alma.
"Well, Miss Gans, I welcome you to the town. We're overjoyed that you're all here." Regina smiled.
"Why, thank you, Miss Mayor. We're overjoyed to be here." Alma let go of the woman's hand, walking back towards the door.
Regina was about to walk back to her desk when she noticed Alma had stopped, freezing in front of the door.
"Miss Mills, if I may," Alma turned, staring at the woman with that all-too-knowing stare.
"Yes?"
Alma's face grew into a soft and caring smile.
"If it's that pretty little blonde that greeted me as I walked into the room...then you better treat her well 'cause she's a keeper." Alma winked.
Regina blinked, waiting until the older woman had left the room before letting her mouth break out into a wide smile.
–
"Alright, so, Finny, you stay outside and watch the little ones. Sarah and Lola, I want you to start handing me and Ish the boxes from the inside of the van so we can start moving them into the foyer. Is everybody alright with that?" Anya looked around, waiting for objections.
"Well-" Jack started, raising his finger.
Anya glared at him, raising an eyebrow.
"No, Jack. You're not moving boxes. You're like a skinny strip of bacon; there's no muscle on you." She flicked him on the forehead while smirking.
He made a face, rubbing at the place she flicked.
"You need to trim your fingernails, Nastya." He groaned, sticking out his tongue.
She examined them, shaking her head slowly.
"No, Jack. I'm pretty sure it's just a girl thing that you aren't ever going to understand." She responded, sticking out her tongue back at him.
He laughed, smiling and turning to run away, Cosette right behind him and Gus following reluctantly.
"C'mon, you guys! Lets go explore!" Cosette shouted, running ahead as she grabbed onto her yellow tutu.
"Don't go out of the yard! Wait until Alma gets back!" Ishai shouted to the children, smoothing his hair back.
Anya sighed, motioning for Finny to follow the children. Finny nodded hesitantly, running after them.
"Sorry, Finn." Anya watched the younger girl run after the children before turning around and started the transaction of moving the boxes from the truck to the house.
"Alright you guys! Lets get on it!"
–
Finny ran through the trees, pushing branches away with her hands. She stumbled clumsily over roots and stumps before finally catching up with the kids.
They had stopped at a clearing in the middle of the woods, a small building standing in front of them. It was falling apart, the structure breaking at the seams. It looked like it had been lived in yet, somewhere along the way, had been abandoned.
Finny blinked, brushing her long, brown bangs from her eyes to get a better look at the building. It was too big to be a shed yet too small to be a house. She moved closer to it, her fingers brushing it lightly. It was enchanting almost, the little, odd, decaying room in the woods.
"What do you think it is?" Cosette asked, walking up.
Finny knew the question wasn't directed to her, but she shrugged anyways. The kids at the orphanage all knew better than to talk to her. They loved her just as much as the other orphans that they had gotten used to living with, but Finny never spoke to anyone except for Anya and occasionally Alma. Why try and make her speak when you could just accept her for what she was? Or, at least, that's how the other kids saw it.
"Who knows." Jack shrugged, pulling Gus with him as they inspected the 'room'.
"Just a random little building, given the dimensions." Gus agreed.
"Who would build something and just...leave it?" Cosette raised her eyebrow, staring at the building suspiciously.
"I'm out of here. Lets just get back to the house. It's creepy back here in the woods." She shuddered.
"I dunno. I think it's cozy." Jack winked at her.
She groaned and Gus punched him lightly in the shoulder.
"No, Jack. Lets get back. Ishai didn't want us back here in the first place." Gus reminded Jack calmly, grabbing the boy's arm and dragging him from the woods.
Jack sighed, giving in.
"Fine. I'll be back though, trust me. Whether I bring Ishai or not," He complained, crossing his arms.
Cosette gave a stiff laugh before smacking him upside the head.
"Ouch! Needed?" He asked, rubbing it tenderly.
"She didn't slap you that hard." Gus laughed.
"First Anya and now her. What's up with girls?"
Cosette gave him a look.
"Question is, what's up with boys?"
Jack shot her the look back to her.
Staring at the building for only a few more seconds, Finny turned back around, running after the children.
A man who was watching from behind a tree slipped through the branches, cursing under his breath as his cane got caught under a root.
–
Emma walked up to the teenagers who were moving boxes into a large house, presumably the orphanage she had heard so little about. They weren't exactly arguing, but you could hear light bantering from a tall tan boy and an equally as tall, tan girl.
"Why send Finny with them? As much as I love her, she's a push over. Not saying that's a bad thing, but..." The tan boy spoke softly, walking out of the house.
"Listen, Ishai, Finny knows how to keep both those kids and herself safe. We have to give her a little responsibility every once in a while. Maybe then she'll start opening up." The girl spoke, passing him with a heavy looking box.
"It's not that I don't trust Finny, it's just that I don't exactly like the way she works. She's too..." The boy stopped, grunting as he got a grip on a box.
"Don't you dare insult Finny!" A loud, echoing voice exclaimed from the inside of the van.
The tan boy sighed, shaking his head as he walked toward the house.
"I wasn't insulting her. I was merely saying that-"
The girl walked out of the house, interrupting him by slapping the back of his head as she walked back towards the van.
"Sounded like an insult to me." She spoke, her face serious.
He groaned, almost dropping the box.
"Thanks, Anya."
"Any time, Ishai." She smirked, turning back towards the van.
That's when she noticed Emma, who was loitering around the side of the van.
"Well, hello there." Anya gave a small smile, walking up to the blonde.
"Hey," Emma responded, holding out her hand. "Emma Swan, the sheriff." Emma smiled as Anya shook her hand.
"Anya Almana. Well, actually, the name's Nastya, but I just go by Anya." Anya let go of Emma's hand, stuffing her hand back into her jacket's pocket. "So, Emma. If we're making too much of a ruckus, we can quiet it down or something-"
"No, no! You guys aren't causing a ruckus." Emma laughed lightly.
"Well, you said you were the Sheriff, so I only assumed." Anya smirked.
"Nope, I came to help with the boxes...if that's OK."
Anya smiled briskly.
"That's definitely OK. We could use some help."
Emma followed Anya to the van, looking at the two girls inside.
"Lola! We have to move the boxes out of the van...not unpack them!" Sarah shouted, laughing at the other girl.
Lola looked up, blushing.
"Sorry. All this stuff is just so interesting."
"You're alright; just pack it back up and put it down here." Anya smirked. "Emma, this is Sarah and Lola. The dude helping with the boxes is Ishai. You guys, this is the Sheriff, Emma Swan. She's going to help us with these boxes." Anya informed.
Emma gave a small wave, smiling softly.
"I'll help move the boxes into the house, alright?"
Anya nodded.
"That's alright with me. Thanks for helping."
"No problem."
The sound of crunching leaves broke them from the promise of moved boxes. Gus led an upset Jack and a smug looking Cosette up to the moving van, his face as calm as always.
"Jack..." Anya started, her eyes dropping to the red mark that stood out on his pale skin.
Jack grunted, looking away.
"He decided to make a comment on her tutu. I don't know if he regrets it, but he should really start thinking before he speaks." Gus informed the older girl, a look of amusement on his features.
"Jack..." Anya started yet again, trying to contain her laughter. Instead she turned to Cosette, holding out her fist.
"Good going, girl. Don't take crap from any guy...especially this one." Anya laughed, bumping fists with the younger girl.
"Hey!" Jack shouted, raising his arms in anger. "I try to help her with her fashion choices and I get hit!"
"Well, Kid, sometimes it's better to let a girl dress the way they want to. A girl's beauty isn't something you speak bad about." Emma smirked, ruffling the short boy's hair.
He stared back up at her, questioning the reason behind the notion of her hand on his head.
"Who're you?" He asked, politely removing her hand.
"My name's Emma Swan. I'm the Sheriff." Emma introduced herself, smiling softly.
"Oh, well, in that case..." Jack turned back to Anya. "You allowed an outsider to help unpack yet I can't even attempt to move a box?!" He shouted, crossing his arms.
"Jack!" Sarah shouted from the inside of the van. Her head sprouted from the side, a scolding look etched on her face.
Cosette pinched his back. Jack yelped and turned to glare at her.
"What now!?" He exclaimed.
"You're being rude! Emma's only helping." Cosette frowned, glaring back at him.
"Cosette's right." Gus agreed.
Finny walked up silently, her hands inside the pockets of her hoodie. She stared at the ground, trying not to meet Emma's eyes.
Yet, how could she do that when Emma wouldn't stop staring at her.
"My name's Cosette. It's nice of you to help us, Miss Emma," Cosette smiled, holding out her hand. "This idiot right here is Jack and that's his brother, Gus."
Emma smiled down at them, shaking Cosette's hand.
"It's my pleasure,"
Cosette smiled brightly up at her, the white beads on her head clacking as they bobbed around.
"And what's your name?" Emma asked, turning towards Finny.
Finny looked up, her eyes wide. She gulped, a look of fear passing her face. Emma's smile dropped, confused at the reaction she got from the girl.
Anya laughed, her hands on her hips.
"That's Finny. Don't mind her. She doesn't talk too much and she's very shy. Talking to people freaks her out." Anya informed, smiling down at Finny.
Finny smiled shyly at Emma, her bangs covering her face.
Emma couldn't help but smile back. This kid's familiar...
They all are.
"Anyways, we oughta get back to these boxes. They aren't going to move themselves, now are they?" Ishai cleared his throat, noticing the look Emma gave Finny.
"Right." Emma nodded, breaking the stare.
Finny looked back at the ground, fiddling her hands.
"Lola!" Sarah shouted from the van.
"It's just a spoon!"
His fingers worked nimbly on the potion, mixing and pouring slowly. He hated hiding these things from Belle, but he couldn't help it. If he told her, she would never agree. She would argue that his plan was silly and, once again, edging him on the 'evil' side of the story. She would never understand that this was the way it was supposed to be. This was the only way that the sacred child could ever come to be.
The jingle of the shop doors brought him from his concentration. He closed the case that contained his potions, looking towards his customer with a smile.
"Why, hello there, Dearie. And..." He stopped, his eyes widening. "Who are you?"
The redheaded girl smiled quickly, looking around.
"I'm Anya. Just moved here, actually. Decided to come and take a look around the town and ran into your store." Anya looked around, her fingers brushing gently over a worn and faded clock. "I love antiques. So much history to be learned, so many stories to be told..."
Mr. Gold closed his eyes briefly, only to open them back up as quickly as they were shut. He smiled back at her.
"Well, not many people of your age would be interested in an old clock." He tilted his head.
She laughed lightly, shaking her head.
"I'm only interested in it for the history. I was just wondering if I could look around is all. I understand if you want me to leave. I don't have any money, after all," Anya glanced at him.
"No, my Dear. You go ahead and look around. My shop if your oyster." He leaned forward, scrunching up his face. "Lets just not break anything,"
Anya nodded.
"I would never," She promised.
He nodded, opening his case. The lid blocked her view, so he decided to work silently and carefully, trying not to get her attention.
He didn't.
Glancing up every so often, he noticed that she had picked up a tiny music box. The outside was silver, a little stripe of dark blue going around the base. Magical, mysterious swirls were engraved on the outside, decorating it. A key hole was placed on the front, yet there was no key in sight.
Anya glanced over.
"Sir?" She asked.
"Yes, Dearie? And, do just call me Mr. Gold," He smiled.
"Does it...open?" She asked, staring back down at the box.
"No. I spent years searching for the key to the box but I never could find it. It's a shame."
He closed the case to his potions once again, walking over to her.
"Have you taken an interest in it?" He asked, glancing down at it.
She was silent for a few moments.
"It's a lovely box. Even without opening it...it's like..." She stopped, her thumb gently rubbing the side of it.
"Magic," Gold breathed, his smile widening. "They say that the person who holds the key and can open the box possesses a great, mysterious power. Some even say that the person who is able to open the it isn't even human. In my opinion, it reminds me of Pandora's box...though, I'm quite sure that isn't the case here,"
"...Pandora's box?" She asked, staring back up at him.
"It's the legend of a girl, Zeus' daughter, the first woman made of clay. Her name was Pandora. Zeus sent her to marry a man named Epimetheus and sent the box with her, telling them not to open it. Yet, silly little Pandora couldn't keep her curiosity to herself, and stole the key to the box one night while her husband was asleep. Once the box was opened, all of the horrible things in the world-disease, envy, crime, hate- were released into the open." Gold informed her, watching her listen to him with interest.
"Yet, there was also something else that the box released."
"What was that?"
"Hope." He smiled down at her, enclosing her hand around the rest of the music box as she tried to set it back down.
"Wha-?"
"Keep it. You're the only one who's ever taken any interest in it."
"I don't have any money-"
He waved his hand, laughing.
"No worries, my Dear! It's free! I want you to have it." He turned, smiling at her.
She smiled.
"Really?!"
"Yes." He walked back to his potions.
'It was yours in the first place,'
"Now, run along. It's almost closing time."
"Ah. Thank you very much."
She turned, walking through the door.
"No worries, my dear Anastasia." He spoke quietly, eyeing the silver key that hung around her neck as he watched her walk away through the shop's glass window.
The forgotten princess...
Gold shook his head.
More like the Princess who never was. The Princess who was taken advantage of by those Charmings to protect her Princess from an evil that wasn't really evil.
He scoffed, shaking his head lightly.
Even in a different world, he didn't like the girl. Manipulated at a young age or otherwise, he held a distaste for her that didn't set right. She hadn't done anything, in this world, to set him awry.
Not yet, at least.
–
Finny walked through the town silently, following Sarah and Lola closely. She glanced around, trying not to stare too long at the unfamiliar townspeople. They glanced at her, giving small smiles, but otherwise not acknowledging her presence.
"Lets go look at the school," Lola requested, walking ahead of Sarah.
"The school?!" Sarah gave the taller girl a sideways glance. "I'm trying to avoid that for as long as possible." She groaned, lulling her head around.
"Well, better get used to the idea of going. We're being enrolled and we're starting next week," Lola responded, smiling excitedly.
"What's up with you and learning things...?" Sarah asked, raising her eyebrow.
Lola shrugged, looking away bashfully.
"I dunno. I just want to learn as much as I can...just in case,"
Sarah didn't ask for her friend to finish her sentence.
Finny smiled softly to herself. That's why Sarah and Lola got along, despite their differences. Because Lola wanted to learn as much as she could and Sarah wanted to experience as much as she could...before they lost the privilege of being able to do anything.
Just in case.
Stumbling a bit, she almost ran into Sarah as the two girls stopped in front of her, without warning.
Finny looked up, peering over Lola's shoulder in an attempt to locate the reason for the sudden halt.
"Look at those flowers, Lola!" Sarah exclaimed, running off to gaze at them. Lola sighed, chasing after her.
Finny stood, awkwardly playing with the sleeves of her jacket. Should she follow? Or...
Glancing across the street, Finny noticed a building with the sign 'Library' hung over the doors.
Smiling softly, Finny started over to the building. At least there she was allowed to be quiet without any sideways glances. And if a librarian asked if she needed help, she could just shake her head.
Tensing momentarily at the thought of librarians, Finny made a face.
She was quite fond of a librarian, once.
Leaving the thought on the other side of the library doors, she pushed through them, entering quietly.
It was a nicely sized library, an array of shelves, chairs, and tables arranged nicely around the large building. A desk sat near the entrance and a woman was reclined in a chair behind it, her nose buried deep into the pages of a thick book. She was so caught up in the book that she didn't even glance up as the bell attached to the door jingled when Finny walked inside. The younger girl slipped past, quietly thanking whoever was listening that she didn't have to speak to the woman.
Quickly working her way through the shelves of books, she finally hit the section she was looking for. Sifting through the title, reading the backs and inside flaps of those that looked interesting, she chose one and started moving towards an empty table.
She seemed to be the only one in the library. Did no one in this town read? Or was the population so tiny that everyone had something better to do?
Sinking into the chair, she cracked open the book, trying to get as caught up in the words as the woman at the desk had.
No luck.
Finny gave a light smile, turning the back of the book over and absentmindedly reading the description for the fourth time.
Suddenly, the book didn't seem that interesting.
Raising her head and looking towards the front desk, she noticed that the woman who seemed so enthralled in her book was now staring at her. She was biting her lip, an excited look on her face. Almost like she wanted to speak, yet knew that this was a library and didn't want to interrupt her patron. Finny gulped, her eyes flickering back to the book.
'Beauty And the Beast'
It was your average fairytale, one that everyone knew. Even If they didn't recognize the name, the plot was something that could recognized in real life situations. It was interesting. Did the beast really deserve the love? Who knew. But Belle loved him anyways. And when you're in love...it doesn't really matter whether the other person deserves the love.
It just matters if they're willing to love you in return and look past your flaws, just as you're doing for them.
Finny shuddered, standing up slowly and walking back to the shelf that the book came off of. Choosing another, she walked back to the table.
'Romeo and Juliet'
That was better. She was in a travesty sort of mood, anyhow.
The entrance doors opened and Finny heard two pairs of feet enter the building.
"Hi you two. What brings you here today?" The librarian greeted.
Finny didn't look up.
"Oh, Henry just wanted to get another story." A woman's voice answered.
A smaller pair of feet pattered over to her. Finny tried to bury her face deeper into the dusty pages, but she found it impossible without breathing it all in.
The feet stopped briefly beside of her table and she felt eyes staring down at her. After a moments hesitation, the feet continued walking, however slower than before they had stopped walking.
"Have you heard about that new orphanage that Regina allowed into the town?" The woman asked.
"Yes, I have. I think it was a great idea. We need some normal people here after...all that's happened." The librarian responded. Finny could hear the smile in her voice.
"Well..." There was hesitation in the other woman's voice. "I don't think it was such a good idea,"
"And why not?"
"Like you said, with all that's gone on in this town, I think we should all just stick together."
"And not let anyone else in...?"
The woman must've nodded, because there wasn't any response.
Glancing at her watch, Finny stood up quickly, trying to memorize her page number. Maybe if she came back tomorrow, she could make a dent in it. She didn't want to be any burden to anyone. Turning around, she almost ran into a small boy.
He was looking up at her intently, clutching two books to his side.
"Hi there," He greeted, his smile wide.
Finny gulped, nodding down at him and giving a strained smile.
"Just a guess, but you don't talk much, do you?" He asked.
Finny shook her head.
"I see. Well, that's OK. I hope we can be friends regardless. My name is Henry. You're an orphan, right?"
The girl nodded in response, her smile relaxing.
"That's cool!" His voice boomed with excitement. "Do you like fairy tales?"
Finny motioned to the book she was holding.
He laughed.
"I'll take that as a yes! Though, that's not really a fairy tale. Anyways, here. I think you'll like this one,"
Holding out a thick, brown leather book, he stared up at her excitedly. Yet, Finny noticed, there seemed to be a tinge of sadness in his expression.
"Don't worry about checking it out. It's my own personal copy. When you finish it, come and find me! It's a small town, so it shouldn't be that hard. My mom's the mayor, so if you can't find me, then just go to her." He informed, forcing the book into Finny's hands.
"Henry!" The woman called from the desk, a look of worry on her face.
"Coming!" Henry shouted, glancing at the woman. He turned back towards Finny.
"That's my grandmother. You'd better call her Mary Margaret, though some people call her Snow. She's really nice, so if you ever need to talk about anything, she'll listen. Anyways, make sure you find me, OK? See you later!"
He gave a small wave, running towards Snow. She grabbed the other book he was holding, reading the front.
"This is different, Henry. You didn't get a new fairy tale story?" Snow asked, staring down at him.
He shook his head.
"No. I decided that I wanted to do some research on Princess Anastasia."
–
Walking through the town slowly, Finny stared down at the book's cover.
'Once Upon A Time'
To be honest, Finny hated fairy tales. She didn't even know why she read them in the first place, but for some reason, she just couldn't help herself. It was like eating a slice of cake when you're on a diet.
...well, not really.
It wasn't like the stories hurt Finny or anything.
The girl shook her head, stopping the thoughts from evolving into something else.
Noticing a bench in front of a diner, she headed towards it, sitting down slowly.
Granny's. What an interesting name for a diner.
Glancing down at the book, she flipped open the cover slowly.
At least there were pictures.
After a few minutes, miraculously, she found herself getting into the book without much forcing on her part. Evil and good; love and hate; Royalty and peasants.
Her brows furrowed. It was all too much. Her eyes skimmed over the words as she pushed on the bridge of her glasses, moving them closer to her face.
Wait.
The book was nostalgic. The pictures were familiar and the style of writing almost looked like...
Finny's eyes widened and she let out a small gasp.
Suddenly, she felt a presence standing in front of her. She froze, looking up slowly.
The librarian.
The woman stood in front of her, her brown hair disheveled. She was panting slightly, almost as if she had been running to catch up with her.
"Hello there," The librarian greeted. "Mind if I sit down?"
Finny shook her head, motioning to the open space beside of her.
"Thanks," The librarian sat down, shifting so she was facing the younger girl. "My name's Belle,"
Finny gulped nervously, gripping onto the book tighter.
"F-Finny," She stuttered, her face turning bright red.
Belle laughed lightly at the girl's response.
"Oh, you're shy! Thanks for telling me, Finny. That's a nice name. Anyway, I chased you down because you left this laying on the table."
Belle handed over a black and red plaid bag that was laying on the bench beside of her.
"You left in such a hurry that it's no wonder you forgot it," Belle smiled kindly, folding her hands in her lap.
Suddenly, she noticed the book. Her eyes widened slightly and her smiled dropped.
"Did Henry give you that?"
Finny nodded, tracing her fingers over the cover.
Belle shook her head, the smile returning.
"That boy. Still trying to make people believe, I suppose." The librarian laughed and Finny found herself relaxing, her grip on the book releasing a bit.
"Hey, Finn!" Anya shouted, running up from the other side of the road.
Finny glanced over, a wide smile growing on her face.
"Sorry I had to leave you with Sarah and Lola. I wanted to take a look at that antique shop that we passed on our way into town," Anya glanced at Belle, her smile wavering.
"My name's Anya."
"I'm Belle. Nice to meet you," Belle nodded her smile matching Anya's as she stared up at the tall girl. "My boyfriend owns that shop, actually. I hope he treated you well,"
Anya's smile regrew.
"You're Mr. Gold's girl? Well, then it's a pleasure to meet you."
Belle gave a thin smile, standing from the bench.
"Well, Finny, it was quite nice to meet you. I hope we can talk some other time. Become friends...if you want." She glanced at the younger girl, giving her a warm smile.
Finny glanced down, forming the words in her head.
"I wouldn't...uhm, mind that...actually." She looked back up at Belle, biting her lip.
Belle laughed.
"You're too cute, Finny,"
She gave a small wave as she headed back to the library.
Anya watched her go, uncertainty washing over her.
"How'd you meet her, anyways?"
Finny shrugged, smirking.
"The same way you met her lover."
Anya stared down at her, arching her eyebrow.
"You? You actually went someplace and met someone and actually spoke words to them...aloud." Anya placed her hand on Finny's forehead, checking for a temperature. "Fuck, man. Are you really Finny Anderson? And, if not, what did you do to her?"
Finny laughed, swatting at Anya's hand.
"Yes! I actually did. Be proud. I might not have to follow you around like an annoying younger sister anymore. Relish in that,"
Anya's face fell at those words, but only slightly.
"You know I don't mind you tagging around, Finn."
"...I know. But now, you're going to make new friends. And you know how hard it is for me around people I don't know. I'll only hold you back," Finny gave a forced smile.
"You are seventeen, after all. I'm only fifteen. Next year, you're going to want to be on your own."
Anya scoffed, holding out her hand to help Finny up.
"Yeah, right. C'Mon. I'm going to apply for a job at this Granny's place. Alma says she's close to the woman who runs it and she's interested in hiring me."
Finny made a noise of interest, following Anya as they walked closer to the entrance. As they came closer to the doors, a gasp of excitement could be heard coming from inside. Suddenly, a woman rushed outside, engulfing Anya in a tight hug.
"You must be Anya! I've been waiting for you." The girl pulled back, her face covered with glee. "My name's Ruby and, from this moment on, you're a waitress in training!"
Anya nodded, a grin slipping onto her face.
"This is the most exciting news I've had in a while. I take it Alma has stopped by?"
Ruby laughed.
"Oh, yeah, she came by alright. It's hilarious, seeing my Granny and that woman interact! I take it she hasn't told you of her position here at the diner?"
"Alma works here, too?"
"Well, she has to get her income from somewhere. So, while all of you are at school, she's going to be working as head chef in the kitchen."
Anya blinked.
"Granny's really picky with who gets to work in the kitchen, so this is big news. Maybe not headline material, but it'll definitely get a spot in the newspaper," Ruby nodded. She shifted her eyes, looking behind Anya and instead at Finny.
"I didn't even notice you there!" RUby gave another hug, but this time it was Finny who was squeezed to her body.
"Like I said, my name's Ruby. Welcome to Storybrooke. Alma's spoken a bit about you, too. You're Finny, right?"
Finny nodded, glancing at the ground.
Ruby stared at her quietly, arching her eyebrow with a slight smirk.
"Alma said you were shy. I didn't know that it was this bad."
"Hey, at least she isn't mute or anything." Anya smirked, walking into the diner.
Ruby agreed, laughing as she following Anya inside.
Finny looked down, closing her eyes and taking a small, deep breath.
'I'm not anymore'
–
Regina closed the doors to the Town Hall behind her, taking her keys and locking them with a delicate click.
Paperwork and meetings had taken up most of Regina's day and she felt herself relaxing at the idea of being able to get home to spend some time with her family. She turned around, she headed to her car, only to see a familiar shadow standing in front of the passenger door.
The mayor smirked, a playful look coming over her features.
"You know how I feel about loitering, Miss Swan."
Emma laughed.
"I never heard you complaining about it before, Madame Mayor," Emma leaned in, giving Regina a soft kiss. "How was your day?"
Regina sighed.
"That bad, eh?" Emma smirked, cocking her eyebrow.
"Mom!" Henry shouted from the inside of the car, opening his door and launching himself at his Mother.
Regina smiled softly, wrapping her arms around the small boy.
"Today at the library I met one of the kids that moved into town! I don't exactly know her name because she was really shy, but I hope we can become friends!" He exclaimed.
"I was thinking, why don't we go down to Granny's diner tonight for dinner? I hear they've got a new cook and I'd like to try her food," Emma suggested.
"Yeah!" Henry shouted excitedly, looking up at his Mother with pleading eyes.
Emma leaned in a bit, sticking out her bottom lip. Regina sighed, a look of faked defeat showing on her face.
"Alright, I guess that's fine." Regina smirked, walking around to the driver's door. Emma ran ahead of her, holding the door open.
"Thanks, 'Gina." The blonde leaned down and captured Regina's lips with hers. Pulling back, Emma smiled sweetly and allowed Regina to get into the car.
"I hope you're willing to keep that promise that you made this morning,"
Regina gave Emma a look that made the blonde wish she could take her right there, outside of the car. Unfortunately, with the downside of being watched by their son and in plain sight of the whole town, that was impossible. Emma groaned, throwing her head back as she stomped back to the other side of the car, opening her door and getting in quickly.
"You OK, Emma?" Henry asked, leaning forward as Regina started the car.
Emma nodded slowly.
"I will be...tonight, that is."
Regina couldn't help the small snort that made its way through her throat.
–
"OK, Anya. So, you're practically the perfect waitress except for one thing," Ruby sighed.
"You don't need to run around cursing like a sailor as you ask the customers what they would like to eat." She shook her head. "It's common sense, Hon,"
Anya laughed silently.
"Listen, it was one customer. And that person happened to be Leroy. Or Grumpy, as you guys like to call him." Anya narrowed her eyes. "Why Grumpy anyways? I know his disposition isn't exactly the most charming, but-"
"Oh, no. Call him whatever you like, just, please, lets refrain from calling him a jackass. Please." Ruby leaned back against the counter, running her hand through her hair.
"He was treating me like I was...I dunno. I just felt..." Anya trailed off, glancing down.
"Like you were less, right?" Ruby looked at her, smirking. "No worries, little cub. I used to feel like that, too. Well, not really. I used to get guys whistling at me because of how skimpy my clothing was. I never really felt less. Mostly because I knew how to fend them off."
Anya blinked.
"Did you just call me...little cub?" Her eyebrow arched.
Ruby groaned, lulling her head around.
"Not the point, Anya! Point is, the more you show Leroy that you aren't going to take it, the more he respects you. So, don't worry. Over time, he'll leave you alone, OK?"
Anya nodded.
Finny watched from her perch on the barstool, a faint smile growing on her face. It had been a long day, but she had seen Anya work hard for once. Her friend was always talking about providing for the orphanage but, to be honest, Finny wished that she would take her hard earned money and save it. Whether college or just getting her own place, Finny knew that Anya didn't want to stay around with the infamous 'Mother Goose and her Chicks' forever.
Anya deserved the freedom that she so frequently craved.
"Alright, Anya. Just one more customer and I'll let you go, alright?"
"Yup. I'm down with that. What ever you say, Boss Woman," Anya smirked, winking.
"Just Ruby, please," The older woman laughed, ruffling Anya's ponytail.
"Alright, alright," Anya laughed in return, swatting away Ruby's hand.
Finny saw Henry before Henry saw her, but once he did, he was shooting off through the diner before either Emma or Regina could stop him.
"Hey!" He shouted, stopping to stand in front of him. "Have you been reading the book?"
Finny nodded, handing the book down to him.
"You're...finished...?" He asked, the excitement on his face falling slightly.
Finny gave a small smile, shaking her head lightly.
"I'm, uh, already familiar with the stories," She admitted, ducking her head.
He laughed, holding the book back out to her.
"I don't think you've read the stories in this way, though. This way is the actual truth. These fairy tales are real." His excitement replenished.
Finny shook her head again, gently placing the book back into his hands.
"Alma...my...foster mother. She has a copy of this book. I've read it." She admitted, somehow managing to lock eyes with the boy and say a sentence without stuttering.
He blinked, watching her closely. He could tell that she was telling the truth, yet she was hiding something. He wasn't as good as Emma in telling if people were lying, but she was teaching him slowly.
"Alma must be amazing then."
Finny smiled.
"She is. I'm...Finny, by the way."
The little boy laughed at Finny's deep red face and realized how much of a struggle speaking to people actually was for her.
"You can talk to me. I mean, I've been wanting a friend. And I think, underneath all that silence, you want one too."
Finny's expression went from surprise to relaxation to happiness. She made a small noise of embarrassment and hid her face. Henry shot her his usual, wide smile, bouncing on his feet.
"Henry!" Emma called. "What do you want to eat?"
"Oh- the usual!" He called back, turning around to smile at them.
The two women gave Finny a wave from their booth.
Finny ducked her head, holding up her hand in a bashful wave.
"I've gotta go eat. But before you leave today, will you promise to come over and meet my parents?"
Finny looked down, her eyes falling to the gleaming white tile floor.
"I know you're really shy, but my Mother's the mayor and my Ma's the sheriff, so you'll have to meet them eventually," He shrugged, staring up at her with a pleading expression.
"Well..." She whispered to herself. Biting her bottom lip, she nodded hesitantly.
"Alright, Henry. I'll...meet your parents."
That hesitant agreement seemed to be enough for him because he ran off, back to the booth that both of his mothers occupied.
Finny sighed, taking a deep sip of her iced tea.
"Who was that?" Regina asked Henry as soon as he sat down.
"Her name is Finny. She's the girl I met at the library today." He exclaimed.
"Oh, yeah! I met her yesterday when I went to help them move boxes into the house." Emma nodded, remembering her encounter with the shy girl and the strange connection they had shared. Well, it was probably more awkward than strange for the younger girl, but with all of the things Emma had gone through in the town, she wouldn't be surprised if Finny was somehow connected to Fairy Tale Land.
Regina seemed to read her mind.
"If Finny has anything to do with the Enchanted Kingdom, I don't know what it might be. I certainly don't remember her." Regina sipped some of her water.
Henry smirked.
"That's what you think."
"What was that?" Emma asked, missing his words.
"Just agreeing with you," He lied, smiling.
Emma narrowed her eyes, hearing the lie in his voice. She decided to drop it.
"Anyways, I asked if she'd come over here to meet you guys before she left. I thought, since you were mayor, you should know everyone. But she's really shy, so don't ask too many questions or anything."
Regina agreed that it was for best if she knew who was living in her town and Emma laughed at her business-like response to what he said.
Anya walked up with their food, setting the tray down on their table.
"Here you go, guys. Hope you enjoy it! Ruby will get the bill for you when you're ready to go, M'Kay? Have a good night!" Anya exclaimed, smiling down at them. "Oh, also, Emma. Thanks again for helping us move in. We really appreciate it."
"Well, it looks like you have moving in all under control without my help." Emma laughed lightly. "You already have a job!"
"Oh, no! I only got this job because Alma's friendship with Granny. Not to mention," Anya leaned in, lowering her voice. "I'm pretty sure Ruby has a crush on me-"
Red walked up quickly, giving Anya a light slap on the head.
"You're such a liar, Anya," She smirked.
"Not a liar," Anya winked. "I just like to stretch out the truth."
Finny decided that this would be the best time to creep over, silently standing beside of Anya. Her hands instinctively started pulling at the bracelets on her wrist.
"Ah, Mom! This is Finny. Finny, this is my mom, the mayor." Henry introduced the two, his face lighting up.
"Regina Mills. It's nice to meet you, Finny." Regina politely wiped her mouth with her napkin before turning her head to smile at the girl. Yet, once their eyes locked, Regina's smile faltered.
Finny broke their gaze, mumbling a soft 'hello'.
"Nice to see you again, Kid," Emma spoke, giving Finny her signature half-smile.
"H-hello," Finny mumbled, her hands trailing up to twist the fabric of her jacket sleeve.
Regina reached out instinctively, removing Finny's fingers from the puzzling twist they had managed to tangle themselves up into. Their eyes locked as Regina pulled her hand back.
"There's no reason to be so nervous. Hold you head high, Dear."
Finny broke the stare, her face turning beet red. She nodded sheepishly, muttering something softly.
"Girls! C'Mon, it's time to get back to the coop!" Alma called, entering the diner suddenly.
Finny gave a small smile before scurrying off towards the door, hovering behind the stout woman. Anya watched, sighing at the girl's actions.
"Sorry about her. When people give her compliments or try to make her see that she should do better, she gets really shy. Well, more shy than she already is." Anya explained, apologizing for her friend. "She isn't brainless, though. She's tried to change, but it's just not in her character. She hates being so shy, but she just doesn't have the means to be as outgoing as everyone else."
Anya let out a deep sigh.
"Anyways, it was nice to meet you guys. And, well, it was nice seeing you again, Emma. Gotta go though. Alma doesn't play when it comes to ignoring an elder's orders."
Alma shouted for her to hurry up.
"See? It's like she's never been a teenager before."
Henry stared hard at the woman.
"I don't think she has."
"Henry!" Regina scolded.
Anya snorted, her hand flying up to her mouth.
"That's gold, Kid. Henry, was it? I'll make sure Finny comes by a lot to spend time with you. You'll do some good to her."
"Thanks!" Henry smiled.
"You're welcome. See you guys later."
'Yes. Yes, you will.' Henry thought.
'And this marks the beginning of Operation Felicity.'
Yes it does, Henry!
Props if anyone can guess the characters that Ishai, Sarah, and Lola are representing. That whole spoon comment should really help with Lola's character. :D I'm not sure if Ishai is going to stick around in the story (I have to find a place for him), but I'm certain that both Sarah and Lola are. It's not that obvious who they all are yet, but it's DEFINITELY not obvious who Jack and Gus are. There are a lot of clues in their names, however. I mean, 'Alma' means 'Fostering Mother' and 'Gans' means 'Goose' in German.
'Fostering Mother Goose'
I'm feeling so clever.
Anywho, I hoped you liked the first chapter. :) Thanks for reading~!