*for the sake of this story, Rumple is a little nicer, Belle is still at his castle and Jefferson isn't in Wonderland*
As Ruby had said, the walk to Count Von Stilskin's castle was not a long one. However, it was still long enough for Victor to worry the whole way there. Ruby noticed the whole way there.
"Don't worry, Victor." She said. "This man can do just about anything, I'm sure he'll let you stay a little longer."
He didn't miss the 'almost' in her sentence, but he let it slide. He wasn't sure if he was doing the right thing by staying in the Enchanted Forest. On one hand, it meant spending more time with Ruby and actually having a friend. On the other hand, it made him a little nervous to be away from his work for so long. But then what use was his work if it kept going wrong? He sighed quietly to himself; he may as well see what the Count had to say.
As they rounded the corner, the castle came into sight. It was huge, dark and looked a little bit frightening. But Ruby carried on towards it, not looking the least nervous, so Victor followed.
They reached the door in no time and the huge brass door knockers looked intimidating. They both stared at the door for a moment, until Ruby reached up and knocked. There was a rushing noise and footsteps coming towards the door. There was a brief moment of silence, then the door swung open dramatically. Standing behind the door was not, as Victor expected the Count, but instead a pretty girl in a blue dress.
"Ruby!" The girl exclaimed.
"Belle!" Ruby greeted back and stepped inside the doors to give her a hug. Well, Victor thought to himself, at least that explains why Ruby has been to the castle before.
"Belle, this is my new friend Victor." Ruby was saying. Victor snapped out of his thoughts at the mention of his name. "He's here to see the Count."
"Right this way then." The girl named Belle smiled at them, leading them up a staircase.
She lead them across a long corridor and into a large room with many different items, most notably the spinning wheel in the corner.
"The Count will be here soon." She said as she closed the door and headed towards a cupboard to make some tea.
"Hello dearies." The voice from behind them startled both Victor and Ruby as they turned around to face it. There stood the Count, laughing at their shock.
"Thank you for bringing them to me, dear Belle." He said as she gave him his cup of tea. She nodded and when Ruby gave her a meaningful glance, she blushed. She left the room, closing the door behind her, leaving Victor and Ruby alone with the Count.
"So, what is it that you want?" He asked.
"Can he stay for two weeks?" Ruby blurted out.
"Two weeks? Just before the curse hits?" He said, Ruby nodded.
The Count glanced at Victor. "Is that what you want?"
Victor hesitated for a moment. He looked at Ruby, who was giving him pleading eyes. She was the the first person who seemed to care about him since his brother. "Yes." He said. "I want to stay." Ruby grinned at him and he smiled back at her.
"I don't see why not." Said the Count. "As long as you do something for me."
"Whatever could you want from me?" Victor questioned, looking confused.
"I need something from your Land."
"Couldn't you get it yourself?" This came from an annoyed sounding Ruby.
"I could if I knew what I was looking for." He admitted.
Victor sighed. "I'll get you what you want as long as I come straight to this Land and stay here for two weeks."
"Deal." The Count agreed. He then magicked a pen and paper, wrote down what he wanted and handed it to Victor. "Get Jefferson to take you there and back. He can bring the items to me, I just need you to get them." Victor looked at the paper and nodded.
"You can leave now." The Count looked at both of them, dismissing them with a wave of his hand.
They shrugged at each other and left the room. Belle was waiting just outside and said goodbye to them. Both girls gave each other a look that Victor didn't quite understand.
Once they were outside the castle, Ruby grinned at him again.
"See, I told you he'd let you stay!"
"Yes, yes, you were right." Victor replied, rolling his eyes at her jokingly. "Now we have to find Jefferson."
"Easy enough, he's almost always at his cottage." For someone who claimed she had no friends, seemed to know a lot about people. Victor shook out of his thoughts when he saw the look of concern on her face. "Victor, what exactly does the Count want from your Land?"
"Just some potions that this Land isn't capable of. You may have magic, but you don't have science." He couldn't help but sound a little smug despite himself.
"So we'll see Jefferson, go to your Land and come straight back."
"We?" Victor asked.
Ruby looked at him. "Well you don't just expect me to wait here, do you? I'm coming with you!"
"I'm really not sure that's a good idea."
"But I've never been to another Land before!" She protested.
He sighed. "Fine. You can come."
She grinned and he smiled weakly. It was starting to be a long day.
