Even though Storybrooke was as isolated as it was possible for a town to be, with it's middle-of-nowhere location and the spell over the town line which would prevent people from even coming in, somehow the buzz about the new iPhone (known as the X) seeped through the cracks and began to stir up excitement in the residents. Ads broadcast on television promised a magic akin to the magic they possessed. Maybe even something more powerful. With flashy graphics and upbeat music the devices were intensely enticing... the most exciting element was Emojis. These tiny pictures enabled a level of communication not previously possible in normal conversation. With a little yellow face you could indicate emotion, lots of little clocks with which you could tell the time, and a purple vegetable that meant something different than anything about nutrition. The Apple corporation (much like other companies that I could name here) existed on the premise that technology could be magical and they believed it, just like everyone who would queue out of the door days before a product was released just to be the first to get a hand on one.
That's why for Christmas Killian Jones received a strange white box. He unwrapped it on his lap, tossing multicoloured paper across the room and then once he had unveiled a simple white box looked confusedly up at his wife, with his signature eyebrows raised. "Another box?"
"It's what's inside Kill... Open it properly"
"Why did you even bother wrapping it in the first place. A box in a box? It's pointless."
"I don't care. It's fun. Open it."
With some trepidation he peeled the top half off revealing a black oblong. Then was the look again. Trying to diffuse the awkwardness Emma squeaked and ran to hug Killian, wrapping her arms around his neck "Surprise! Happy Christmas!"
"Another bloody talking phone?" He said around her embrace "Swan I don't even know how t-"
this is when she relinquished her grip and "No it's fine look! it's already set up!" she bounced back over to the box and presses the home button, which was a little white square at the bottom of the device causing it to
"wow... great... but why do I need this? I've already got a phone?"
"It's got cool new features, which I think you're really going to like. Mum's left us a message, see!
Emma held up the screen and let Killian squint. On the phone was a unicorn, and it was speaking. With the voice of Mary Margaret. "Hi Emma and Killian!" she squeaked from the mouth of the mythical creature, which was bobbing up and down enthusiastically "Happy Christmas to you both! Aren't these new phones just fantastic! LOOK I'M TALKING TO YOU AS A UNICORN HAHAHA! Anyway, can't wait to see you later David's cooking something special. It's 4pm, remember? Great, bye."
Then it was gone, the unicorn pausing mid animation.
"What the bloody hell was that? Swan... I think your mother's finally lost the plot. Also, I'm slightly concerned about what special might be... I hope to goodness its not-"
"It won't be... not again and Mom's not crazy, not really. It was an animated message. You can record your voice as an emoji character. Like a robot! Look see! Or a pig!"
"What's that one?" Killian said with some amusement, pointing at a brown splodge with eyes in the corner of the screen. Immediately the new character took over the screen and Killian burst out laughing, "Is that? Poo Swan? You can talk as a poo?"
"I don't know..." Emma said, blushing as her words were echoed by the talking faeces. "I think... I'm hoping... it's chocolate ice cream."