The adrenaline rush that came with the speed of the old truck and that fact that she was finally free made Chastity approve of her decision even more.
This was it. She was going to find her birth mother.
After all the years of not having a mom, after wondering what it would be like to meet her and actually be important to somebody, Chastity was finally going to find her. Most importantly, she wanted to know what it meant to be a daughter. Her expectations of her mother were vague; she hoped she would be accepting of the fact that she just planned on showing up on her doorstep. She hoped she would love her, fight for her really. She wasn't in any way upset with her for giving her up. She couldn't imagine what she was going through during the time of her pregnancy, and she wouldn't know until she asked. Maybe now things settled down for her and she might want a daughter.
All her life she had been cooped up in that dreadful foster home, dreaming about what it would be like to have a family and to learn more about the supernatural. She knew about her mother's wielding magic; after all, she had started using it herself. It was a rather complicated art, one that she preferred to keep as pure as possible, trying her best to stay away from the sinister part of it. She had kept her powers from the other kids in her foster home.
One gift of hers that made her rather different from other magic wielders was her ability to feel what others were feeling if she concentrated on it strenuously enough. After a few years of practice, she had mastered the art of it. She didn't use the skill often anymore; it was unsettling for her to slither her way into people's thoughts and emotions, and only when it was necessary did she call upon the talent.
Getting lost in her thoughts, Chastity had to swerve to the other side of the road to dodge a bunny the appeared in front of her tire. Just missing it, she returned to the right side of the road and steadied herself. In all honestly, she was worried that her mother, whose name she found to be Regina Mills after scrying for a few hours, would actually want her. Chastity wasn't necessarily the easiest teenager to take care of, and she knew that. But maybe her mother was the same way? Maybe she was just like her.
Dear god did she hope so.
Finally, the headlights of her old rusty truck illuminated the Storybrooke sign in the near distance. However, to Chastity's surprise, they also revealed a stout man standing a few paces away from it, holding a flashlight. Chastity knew better than to pull up next to a stranger on the road, so she drove past him cautiously, wondering what he was doing out so late at night. Trying to keep herself from getting panicked or freaked out, she soon found herself in the middle of the town, looking around curiously for a place to stay the night so that she could start her search in the morning, or, if she was lucky, find someone who knew her mother.
After about ten minutes of exploring, she came across a "Granny's Inn". It seemed inviting enough, what with its floral décor outside and warm lighting coming from the inside. She crossed her left hand's fingers in her lap and pulled into the parking lot, biting her lip anxiously as she went. She parked the truck and stepped out of it, taking in a deep breath of the brisk air that surrounded her
and the sweet scent of lavender, rosemary, and just a hint of lilac. She was so close now.
The door to the diner was locked, but the door to the inn wasn't. Thankfully, she had arrived early enough to get a room before the place closed, and yet late enough to see a crazy out on the road. A bell rang when she pushed open the door, and the smell of gently burning wood brushed across her face. An older woman to her right stood behind a desk, and she greeted Chastity with a charming smile.
"Welcome, dear. What brings you to our sleepy little town at this hour? You look a little young to be out and about." The woman said, her voice inviting Chastity to take a step closer.
"Well…I-I was hoping you could help me. You see, I-I'm looking for my mother. Perhaps you know her?" Chastity stuttered and she clutched her hands together, trying her best not to look as nearly as awkward as she was already being. "Her name is Regina Mills?" She was finally able to declare
For some reason, the woman was taken aback. The name did something to her, Chastity knew that for sure, and it didn't seem like a good thing. She restrained from reading the woman's mind. "You're Regina's…daughter?" The woman asked, her voice full of utter shock and almost a bit of terror.
"I believe so. You don't suppose you could point me in the direction of her house, do you?" Chastity asked, concerned with the sudden situation at hand.
"I don't think you'd want to do that, dear. She's not exactly the nicest person around here."
The rude-sounding answer put Chastity a little on edge. "I don't care. I'd greatly appreciate it if you could help me find her. I've been waiting for this for seventeen years." She retorted, her chest tightening from having to be so straightforward and demanding.
"Oh yeah. You're definitely her daughter." The woman remarked.
Chastity countered her as quickly as she had responded, "What's that supposed to mean?"
"You'll find out. Take a right down this street and keep driving till you see a rather impressive house with an iron gate around it." The woman merely directed her and turned off the lamp on the desk, shaking her head in disbelief. "Good luck." She added, gave a little wave, and turned the corner behind her into another room.
Left in dim lighting, Chastity stood where she was for just a moment longer before leaving. She was alarmed now. Clearly, some of the townspeople did not like her mother, but what could she have possibly done to distraught them? The question gnawed at her irritatingly until she came upon Regina's house. Suddenly, every question and every wonder disappeared and all Chastity was left with was dread. Regina wasn't going to like her. She was going to slam the door right in her face. After all, that was all Chastity had ever known: disappointment.
Turning off the truck, she sat staring at the beautiful house in front of her as though it were some unfathomable creature that she had never seen before. What could she say? How could she break it to her that she was her daughter and she had come looking for her? What if it wasn't a good time? Chastity let out an over-exaggerated sigh and slammed her head off the car's steering wheel.
"OW!" She cried, throwing her head back and putting her hand to her now throbbing skull. "Why did I do that!?" She asked herself rhetorically, realizing now that she was seriously going to cause some chaos if she couldn't find a way to control herself.
Taking a deep breath and recollecting herself, she pushed open the car door, slammed it shut, and then checked in the rear view mirror to see if she had a bump. Rolling her eyes when she saw the huge red mark just across the top of her right eyebrow, she waved her hand across the bruise. It faded instantly, leaving behind only her smooth pale skin and a proud smile. Attempting to lift her spirits, she straightened her back and strutted toward the door as confidently as she could.
The gate wasn't locked, and yet with the way that it creaked when she slid it open, she was surprised when no one came out to investigate the loud noise. The porch light was on, and as Chastity stood under it with her arms folded across her chest from the cold, she procrastinated knocking on the door.
Just above her, looking down from the top story window, Regina peered down at her with wary eyes and said harshly under her breath, "Who the hell is that?"
"Should I investigate, dear?" Cora asked from behind her, putting a hand on her daughter's shoulder.
"No. I'll take care of it." Regina said and turned swiftly on her heel.
Below them, Chastity finally worked up the courage to knock. She rasped on the door thrice before pulling back, crossing her arms again. Just seconds later, the door whipped open, revealing a dark and yet absolutely stunning woman who didn't seem to want visitors at all, and yet was undeniably her mother.
"Uhh…" Chastity stammered, a little intimidated now, "You wouldn't happen to be Regina, would you?"
"Yes, and what's it to you?" Regina demanded smoothly and crossed her arms as well, staring at Chastity like a predator about to eat her alive.
"Well… If I did my research correctly, and if that is your name, it means that I'm your daughter." Chastity blurted, keeping back her tears with an incredible force.
She knew it. She hated her already.
Regina took a step back, unfolding her arms and looking horribly distressed. Though she was secretly overjoyed, she couldn't risk her mother seeing her. Instinct made her grab Chastity by the arm and drag her around the back of the house, hopefully out of her mother's sight. Though this startled Chastity, she followed Regina and waited patiently as she rested her back up against the side of the house for her to say something as she paced back and forth with her hand to her head.
"You . . . You're Chastity, aren't you?" Regina asked suddenly and stopped pacing, looking her daughter straight in the eye. Nodding, Chastity continued to grow apprehensive as to why her presence seemed to be problematic. "You can't be here . . . not right now. If she sees you…." Regina trailed off, for the most part talking to herself, and she started to pace again.
"What's wrong?" Chastity asked, her innocent voice making her mother stop again and turn to look at her.
Regina looked at Chastity in a way that made her knees shake. She seemed to be examining her thoroughly, looking for similarities between them, but for the most part keeping her eyes locked on hers. There was something that was scratching at Regina's insides; an irritation, perhaps? Chastity couldn't tell, but when Regina's facial expression went soft and she smiled, she didn't care.
"Oh my god . . . you are so beautiful." Regina mused after a couple moments of her methodical staring, putting her hand to her mouth to hide her quivering lips. She could see Daniel in her. There was something in Chastity that reminded her of Daniel. She couldn't quite place it, but when Chastity's cheeks turned red, she couldn't help herself then; she approached her daughter and put her hands on her cheeks, examining her face once more and finally smiling a full and blissful smile.
Chastity had been waiting to see her mother smile the entire time. She embraced her mother tightly then, burying her face in her neck and unleashing her tears, for it was too much for her to restrain any longer. Regina hesitated, surprised that Chastity had accepted her so quickly, and then held her as closely as she could. Without Henry, she had forgotten what it felt like to hold a child, especially one that was her own by blood and birth. She pulled away then, looking at her daughter's face again and still emitting her smile.
"Can you . . . can you wield magic?" She asked, her face more inquisitive now than loveable, yet the compassion was still lucidly there.
Chastity nodded and took a step back. She hovered her left hand over her right hand, making circle motions with both, closed her eyes, and concentrated. She wanted to give her mother something; something that would show her how appreciative she was for her immediate adoration. Slowly, a necklace materialized in her palm. After another moment, Regina could see that the necklace was silver, and that the charm on it was a strip of the silver fashioned into a heart. Another second passed, and the words "For my mother" engraved itself on the silver.
Speechless, Regina could only stare at the magnificent piece of jewelry. Another tear ran down her right cheek. Chastity opened her eyes, smiled, and took her mother's hand. She placed the necklace in her palm and closed her fingers around it, holding her hand for a moment before withdrawing. Only a few minutes had past, and Regina was already vowing to herself to keep her returned daughter safe. She didn't want to think about the situation that led up to her having to give her little love child up; she just wanted to spend as much time with her as possible, but still find a way to get Henry back too.
"Sweetie . . . You came at a very bad time…" Regina said, clutching the necklace tighter in her hand and trying to keep herself stable, "There's a lot going on right now that I'd hate to get you involved in, but it's your choice whether or not you stay."
Chastity raised an eyebrow. There was something going on, something that was clearly stressing Regina to the maximum. She could tell just by looking at her that someone had broken her down and degraded whatever drive it was that kept her going every day. This enraged her of course, giving her a growing fury that was hard to diminish. Unsure of how Regina coped with anxiety, Chastity studied her closely, keeping herself calm, but still kept a small distance between them.
"Who did this to you?" Chastity asked, looking her mother dead in the eye and trying to show her that she was going to attempt to help.
"What?" Regina said warily, narrowing her eyes in bewilderment, the tone of her voice confirming her daughter's suspicions.
Chastity took a step closer, breaking the unsettling distance between them, and took her hand. "Who broke you?" She repeated her question a different way, and paused a moment before continuing, "Of all people, I'd be the one to see a shattered soul…You can talk to me."
Regina's heart sank. She dreaded that telling Chastity about her past would push her away, for they had already become so close so quickly. She previously lost so many loved ones, and she couldn't imagine losing her only birth child. Just before she opened her mouth to express herself, a bone chilling voice broke her chain of thought.
"Regina. Who's this..?" Cora's voice inquired next to her.
Turning to look at her, Regina grew defensive instantly and her posture changed to a protective one over Chastity. She knew immediately that her mother would be infuriated; after all, she had Chastity with Daniel. Regina hovered close next to her daughter then, raising a cautious hand as warning to her mother to stay back.
"Mother, please let me-" Regina began, but Cora cut her off.
"There's no need for explaining, dear… I can see she has your eyes. Beautiful, really. Don't worry, I won't hurt her." Cora said slickly, examining Chastity so closely that she felt as though she were looking right through her.
Feeling threatened, Chastity's ability flickered on, and she suddenly gasped, taking a step back. The darkness emitting from Cora was revolting. "I don't believe you." Chastity said shrewdly, putting her hand over her heart.
The more memories that were flowing from Cora's mind to hers, the more frightened, and yet more ruthless Chastity became. Power was all Cora cared about, and Chastity could only find a sliver left of love for Regina in her, hardly a drop. She let the woman's feelings flow into her heart like a wave of black, and she had opened her mind so much, that she felt Regina as well. Magic to her was almost nearly as strong of a drug as it was for Cora, and as Chastity accidentally dug deeper, she found that she wasn't the only child that her mother loved. There was someone else, but the vision was too blurry for her to decipher, and just before she pulled away, she felt herself being pushed from Regina's mind.
In all her years, Chastity had never met anyone who had ever actually felt her reading them, and yet Regina had. She flashed her daughter a quick look, giving her the warning to keep out until she allowed entry, and turned her concentration back to her mother.
Cora's grim smile turned into a cold sneer and she shot her hand forward, casting a binding spell on Chastity's wrists, locking them together. Chastity let out a whimper as she was dragged forward toward Cora. This didn't last long, however, before Regina let out a horrifying scream and threw her own hand forward, breaking the spell instantly but knocking both her mother and Chastity back. Unfortunately, when Chastity was pushed onto her backside, she smashed the back of her head off of a rock, knocking her unconscious.
"Mother!" Regina hissed, for the moment ignoring her daughter and focusing her rage onto Cora. "She is still your granddaughter, and you will not lay an aggressive hand on her, do you understand me!?"
Cora's face grew unsettling, and suddenly her very presence became menacing. Regina had sparked something inside of her, something that would take years for them to reach a settlement on. "That is NOT my granddaughter!" She hissed, pointing a foreboding finger at Chastity.
Regina made a move to attack her, but Cora cast a teleportation spell and was lost in a cloud of purple smoke before Regina could advance in on her. Her fury took a few minutes to diminish, consisting of great inhales and clenching and unclenching of her fists, and by the time she was somewhat settled, her vexation with her mother returned when she looked over at her daughter. How dare she try to hurt her Chastity, even if she was Daniel's daughter. She was still Cora's granddaughter, and Regina simply couldn't understand why her mother still deemed it acceptable to treat her like an animal.
She opened her right fist then, revealing the necklace she had been clutching so tightly within it, and slipped it around her neck. It hung level with her heart.
Chest tightening, Regina scooped her daughter up into her arms and took her inside. She tentatively tucked her into her own bed, finding that there was no way she herself could fall asleep now. She wondered aimlessly about the room for the rest of the night, stopping only when Chastity's faint breathing made her turn to gawk at her in admiration, only to continue to pace moments later, her daughter's presence reminding her of her newfound responsibly she had to worry about. When three o'clock rolled around, she changed into a flannel shirt and a pair of shorts, knowing she had no reason to be intimidating with her daughter, and finally sat down on the chair across the room. Terrified that if she crawled in next to Chastity she would upset her, she stayed where she was, hoping that even with her many flaws, Chastity would still accept her.