He couldn't believe it. The Dark One couldn't believe HE was going to someone else for a deal. The thought made him growl as he made his way up the castle steps. He could have easily used magic to appear, but since he hadn't been called on, he didn't. He knocked on the big doors to the castle, he still couldn't believe he was doing this. The large oak doors opened and there was a young servant girl, she looked quite clean for her area of work but Rumpelstiltskin heard that the servants master never treated them with anything but the best and finest, wanted them to think they were equals but Royals and servants were never equal.
"Dark One," the girl curtsied deeply before moving aside to let him in. "Lady Belle will see you in the grand hall."
They made their way through the castle, the girl all but shaking being near him. That lifted his spirits slightly, but there was still this begrudged feeling about having to ask for a deal. Queen Belle of Avalone had a gift though, she could control any magical being. Ogers, trolls, dragons, unicorns, etc. Which made her Kingdom quite feared and everyone wanted to be her ally. The Dark One needed a Jaculi, a serpent that lives in dry trees and attacks for the thrill of it. Regina needed it, he didn't care why because she had a vile of Death's Breath that he wanted. He had been waiting for her to ask a deal so that he may acquire it. The young servant finally pushed open the great doors that lead to the grand room. She quickly ushers him to sit before pouring him a cup of tea and asking how he liked it. When she was done, she practically ran out of the room. He sat, drinking his tea before looking around. He noticed there were many shelves with books, he walked over examining them, they all looked to be worn which told him, she must love to read or someone did. Not a speck of dust was on any of these books. But then again, there wasn't dust anywhere. The room was beautiful, cherry wood floors with red walls. There was a fireplace and light orange seats with a plush carpet. A dining table, long and brown. It would be comforting it weren't for the fact that he was here by his own faults. He picked up a book, flipping through the pages only to realize it was in French. He of course knew every language simply because of his curse, he picked up another book and this was in Greek, another in Italian, another in Spanish and some more in other languages, it slightly surprised him.
"I see you've found my book collection." A soft, accented voice said from behind him. He turned to see a woman, eyes like the bluest ocean, hair of auburn curls and skin fair. She was wearing a blue silk dress that hung to her curves while still being modest, it had a long train and she was adorned by gold bracelets and a beautiful gold necklace he made as a peace offering, he needed her to make a deal.
"I see you are wearing my gift, dearie." He said in his high pitched Dark One voice. He loved the way it complemented her skin and it only made his eyes trail to her swollen breasts that were seen from the top. She was a thing of beauty, far surpassing Snow White who was deemed fairest of them all.
"Oh, yes, I haven't taken it off since you gave it to me. Thank you, it is truly beautiful." That made him want to smile but he didn't. She hasn't taken it off which made him jealous of the necklace. It got to touch her- he stopped and shook the thought out of his head. What was he thinking? He only wanted a deal.
"Come sit and we can discuss what you wished to talk about." She was already making her way to the cushions near the fireplace with her tea cup in her hand, he did the same, sitting on a couch across from her. "What is it that you wanted?" She asked as she took a sip and all he could focus on was the way her lips parted for the cup.
"I've come to make a deal, dearie." He suddenly said, trying to focus on the task at hand. He was gripping his cup hard as the beast in him was trying to grab at her and do unspeakable things to the lady. She set her cup down and smoothed out her dress, placing her hands on her lap.
"What is it you would like from me?" She said in a almost careful tone, unsure of what the Dark One could possibly want. Didn't he have everything?
"You have a gift, a gift to control magical beasts that would surely eat you up for dinner. I need a Jaculi." He said seriously, setting his cup sit next to hers. He usually enjoyed deals, he loved the show he put on, but he had to be serious, this was a deal he couldn't leave empty handed. She simply raised her perfect brow a small smirk on her rosebud mouth. He wanted to kiss those lips, he didn't know what was wrong with him.
"You know, I was quite surprised to hear that you wished to meet with me. I knew you were going to make a deal, you wouldn't have come for any other reason, but I am quite surprised to find out you need a Jaculi. Tired of killing everyone who crosses you? Wishing for something else to do your evil deeds?" She said calmly and his jaw fell open, how could she sit there and say that to the Dark One as though they were old friends and she was simply making a joke. He quickly snapped his jaw closed and narrowed his eyes at her.
"That is my buisness, dearie and if you must know, I still enjoy killing those who cross me, it gives me a rush and I don't plan on letting some beast take my place." He hissed at her, he saw a fiery passion in her and it made him want her even more. What was he talking about? She just about insulted him and here he was wanting to take her across the table and make her scream in ecstasy.
"Now name your price and lets be on with it." He growled and she laughed, it was the most beautiful thing in the world and he hated her for it.
"Who says I wish to make a deal? Why should I let you have one of my beings? So you could torture it? Torment it? Kill it? Why don't I just let you have me as well? Hmmm...?" She was sitting straight up, stiff and her eyes never left his amber brown ones for a second. She knew he wasn't going to leave without the animal and was wondering how far he would go. Her words made his mind go to a highly inappropriate place, oh the things he would do to her if she gave him the chance.
"Well, if you insist, dearie, I could use a new maid." He couldn't stop the quip that left his lips and was glad that the scowl that was on her face was replaced with a light smile.
"I do, however, promise that the animal would not be harmed in any way." He could make sure Regina kept the beast safe and would promise a thousand hells would rain upon her should she let it be killed or tortured. Lady Belle seemed to take his promise seriously and she rose as did he.
"Then I will lend you my beasty, however, if it runs away and comes back to me, I will not send it back to you. These creatures have a mind of their own and no matter if its gone a year or two thousand, it finds its way back to me." She said seriously and there was a look of warmth on her face, as if she adored all the creatures she took care of.
"What is your price?" Is all he said, wondering what she would want and knowing it could be something he could easily give.
"Do you want jewels? Dresses? Crops that never die? Perfect weather forever for your people? Perhaps you would like a lovely pile of gold?" He began naming several things and circled her, waiting for her expression to give away what she wanted.
"I want you to stay here for a week." Thats all she said and his brows furrowed as a look of confusion crossed his face. He came to stand in front of her, she looked calm and there was no hint of playfulness in her voice or on her features.
"Why?" He said, unable to stop himself. Why would she want him of all people to stay in her kingdom?
"That is my price, you can either take it or you can leave, Dark One." She didn't answer his question and he was confused about it all but if he wanted to get what he needed from Regina then he would have to agree. He conjured up a contract and a spell binding quill, he signed first before handing it to Lady Belle. Her loopy signature was suddenly on the parchment, it glowed before returning to normal.
"We have a deal, dearie."