Disclaimer: Sadly the producers of OUaT have not yet agreed to sell me the rights so I don't own anything.
The bar had cleared out a little when Mulan arrived downstairs. She didn't immediately see Red, so she stood looking around for a moment when she heard a "hem" to her left and turned to see a shorter woman standing there with her hands on her hips. She was wearing white and blue with pants and her hair, while as dark as Snows, was at her shoulder's length and turned slightly outward at the ends. Unsure of who it was Mulan looked at her blankly waiting for the woman to continue.
"Mulan, I presume? Miss Swan said you would be down from your room soon. I'm Regina." She perhaps would have continued, but the look on Mulan's face told her that the warrior had heard some less than enchanting stories about her. That and the fact that Mulan's hand was moving towards her sword. "You won't need your sword, I'm… working on not using magic. I didn't come here to talk about that though; I came over to thank you."
"Thank me for what? I've never even met you, and before today I would have fought against you on principle." Regina swallowed—usually people were less blunt. The years as their alter egos had dulled the Storybrook citizen's hate…she thought back. Never mind, no it didn't. Shaking her head she explained.
"For bringing Emma home. Henry missed her a lot, and she did save my life back there. He blamed me a little for her ending up there, and I heard you saved her life a few times, so I wanted to let you know that I appreciated it. Hopefully he will think better …" The brunette paused unsure whether or not to continue, but Mulan's face had softened in sympathy at her mention of Henry. Pulling on all her training as a queen, Regina stood up taller and continued. "I am having a welcome home dinner for Snow and Emma, and since you and Princess Aurora were key in helping them get back, I would be remiss if I did not invite you as well." She breathed out when she finished as if just saying that had been an exertion.
Mulan wasn't quite sure how to respond especially since Aurora was feeling so tired, but it was only mid-afternoon, so dinner should be fine… The warrior felt uncomfortable making a decision about the princess without her present, and she began to say no when she saw Emma pleading with her eyes across the room. The comical sight almost made her burst into laughter, and Regina snapped her head around to see what Mulan was looking at but by then Emma was sitting back up and looking at Snow with a look of intense concentration on her face. Regina narrowed her eyes as she turned back to Mulan waiting for a response, and Mulan came to her decision.
"I cannot speak for the princess, but I would be delighted to accept your hospitality. What time should we arrive?"
Regina smiled, "6 pm precisely is when dinner will start, so be there before then. Anyone in town can tell you where I live, so getting there should not be a problem." Her eyes narrowed again as she turned to leave. "Do NOT be late." Then the former queen stalked out of the diner letting the door slam as she left.
Emma walked over to where Mulan was standing as soon as the door shut. "That's the woman you share a son with?! Well with a mother like Cora…" Mulan drifted off not wanting to think of the witch more than she had to.
"If you thought that was bad, you should have seen her before the curse was broken. We were getting into fights ALL the time. All told, I think she was rather polite—she must like you." Mulan looked at the blonde with eyes wide in shock.
"She likes me? I thought she was about to rip my head off if I so much as interrupted her."
"Haha yeah that's just how Regina is. You'll get used to it eventually; she's actually nice after you get to know her… Anyways, thanks for coming tonight! It would be really awkward with just the family especially since Snow is still a little angry. Having you and Aurora will definitely make it more civil."
Shaking her head to clear the bad memories Emma changed the subject. "So, what are you going to wear? And how are you getting there? I'd drive you but I think that there isn't any more room in the car—Henry and I are going with Snow and James."
"She can get a ride with me." Both turned to see Red there. "Sorry, I didn't get here sooner. Sleepy got a little tipsy and Grumpy needed a hand with him. Belle is going to hang out in the bar tonight, so we can get them some more appropriate clothes and then I'll drive them over while she watches the bar."
"Great! Thanks Red! 'K I have to go now. Snow and James want a 'family talk' before dinner. Something about behavior suited for a princess… whatever. See you tonight, Mulan. Oh, and really, really don't be late, ok?" Emma walked out of the diner with Snow and James on either side of her and Henry in the front.
"They look so happy now huh?" Red looked down at Mulan as she moved back behind the bar. "I'm glad they're all a family again."
"It is difficult to be separated from one's family, yes, and she does look more relaxed than she did in the Enchanted Forrest…" Mulan nearly slapped herself as she remembered why she was downstairs. "Oh, Red I was supposed to be just a moment. Aurora will be worried… Can I get some food and water for her?" Red smirked at Mulan's worry and then looked more closely at the concerned warrior before responding.
"Of course. I'll make a tray for you to take up." She began to load things up but kept talking. "So Regina invited you over for dinner? I heard her talking about it with Snow earlier. Not exactly my idea of a fun night, but whatever. When do you want us to bring clothes up?"
Mulan's head was spinning just with everything that was going on "umm I'm not sure if Aurora" Red didn't let her finish; making the decision herself.
"I'll bring some stuff up in a half hour or so, so you can rest a bit." She handed Mulan the finished tray and leaned back looking her up and down. "You look like you could fit in my things, and I bet Aurora will fit in something of Belles. Wha-"
"Mulan?" Both turned to look at the top of the stairs where Aurora stood, and Mulan rushed over and up thanking Red over her shoulder as she left.
"I'm so sorry, Princess. Regina met me downstairs and invited us to dinner tonight. Would it please you to attend?"
Aurora turned to her as they walked to the room again. "Mulan, you can use my name. You are not one of my servants; I'm not even royalty here, okay? And you don't have to be so deferent all the time. Of course I'd be delighted to go."
Mulan exhaled relieved. "Good, Emma was hoping we could both come. Red is going to drive us over after she brings up some clothes." Aurora looked down at her by now tattered dress and smiled. New clothes were always fun.
"Great! I was getting rather sick of this dress." By now they were sitting on the bed eating the contents of the tray. Luckily Red had chosen easily recognizable foods—fruit, bread, and some cheese. She'd also included a drink that they had thought was wine, but it was sweeter. Aurora looked up at the warrior as the food was almost finished. "Mulan, why was she looking at you like that when I got to the stairs?"
Mulan blushed a little, thanking her ancestors for the tanned skin that made such a flush unnoticeable before replying, and she was unsure why that question had prompted such a reaction. "She was trying to figure out whose clothes would fit me better for tonight, and she decided that hers would fit. She thinks Belle's would fit you best, Princess. I mean, Aurora" Mulan ended hurriedly as the princess mock glared in her direction. Mulan played with her gloves as she looked down again and she mumbled something Aurora didn't quite catch.
Aurora leaned in closer. "What was that Mulan?"
Mulan looked up before standing and moving to the door, pretending to look for Red before replying. "I said that you don't really need newer clothes because you look beautiful in that dress." Aurora flushed beet red and looked down, for once speechless.
"Well, I …thank you Mulan." She got up and walked over to the door to join the warrior and reached out to take her hand when Mulan jumped back into the room and away from the door.
"All-right guys! We brought you some clothes to wear tonight." Red looked down at the hampers in her and Belle's hands and then grinned. "We figured a wide selection would be nice."
Mulan and Aurora looked at each other awkwardly before turning to the two in the door. Aurora caught her wits again first and replied, "Well, lets see what you have then!"
Belle and Red began laying things out on the bed in little piles explaining as they went. They were almost to the bottom of the baskets when Aurora cooed and pulled something out. It was a purple sweater, and Belle smiled handing her the skirt and hose she usually wore with it. Aurora's face lit up and she practically squealed as she ran to the other room to change. Belle looked at Red and smiled, "She must really like purple."
Mulan continued looking at the clothes they had set out. None of it was something she would wear, and she was unsure of what to do when Red pulled out the rest of her clothes. The last item was a black jacket like that Emma had worn with a dressy white undershirt, and Mulan looked at it excitedly. Red smirked and elbowed Belle "Knew she'd like that one! Here you go," as she handed the items to Mulan before leaving the room giggling about something with Belle.
Aurora spun around looking at herself in the mirror. If more clothes like this existed here, then she was definitely going to have a good time. She wondered what Mulan had chosen to wear, and was almost out the door when she realized that the dark haired woman was probably still changing. And why shouldn't I go back in? Her hand shot over her mouth at the thought and she paused again. Where did that come from? I should probably check before I go back in then. "Mulan? Can I come in?"
"I am decent if that is what you mean, Aurora." The princess stepped back into the room and nearly gasped. She had only ever seen Mulan's hair down that first day and at fleeting moments since, but now the warrior was brushing it completely down over her jacket and top. She'd put on a pair of dark pants like those Snow had worn and Aurora thought she'd never seen the warrior look so beautiful.
The way Mulan was looking at the princess made her blush again, although she was still unsure why. "Perhaps we should head downstairs now? Red must be waiting for us." Of course, Pr—Aurora. Would you like to bring your cloak? I looked outside and I think it's going to be cold." Mulan offered the girl her travel worn cloak, and then stepped back holding the door for the princess. Aurora took it and they headed down the stairs to where Red and Belle were waiting.
Mulan and Aurora headed down the stairs to the diner where Red and Belle were waiting for them. "You look great guys!" Red smiled at them as Belle moved behind the bar. "Just wait till we all go shopping; it's going to blow your minds."
Belle started wiping up the bar and shooed them out with her hands. "Get along then, wouldn't want to keep Regina waiting. I'll hold down the fort here till you get back, Red."
"Awesome, thanks Belle! Follow me you two—your carriage awaits." All three headed out the front door heading towards the street. When they stopped in front of one of those strange shiny boxes, Mulan tapped Red on the shoulder.
"Should we not be heading towards the stables? After all, it is cold out and the Princess is tired, so unless it is close by…" She drifted off as she saw Red's eyebrow shoot up, and instead of responding she swung open a door on the box and motioned for them to enter.
"I was only joking about the carriage. We use cars here; they're faster and don't need horses… although you do pay a fortune in gas." After Mulan had helped Aurora in and had slid into the back herself, Red shut the door and ran around to the other side. Pulling a key out from her pocket, she inserted it near a wheel and instantly a roar like an ogre's began. Aurora instantly covered her ears and leaned towards Mulan who started looking around for a weapon—regretting having left her sword behind.
"Guys, chill. Really, this is just the sound a car makes, honestly, there isn't anything to be afraid of." Mulan, deciding that Red was telling the truth, pulled Aurora's hands away from her face and wrapped her arms around her to calm her down. Red looked back worried as they drove towards Regina's.
Mulan answered her unwritten question, "It sounds like an ogre, and we had some bad experiences back in the Enchanted Forrest with them and Cora." Red nodded and continued driving.
Eventually they stopped and Red pointed out the window at a large house across the lawn. "That's Regina's over there. Just walk up and knock and someone should let you in. Emma is going to drop you off back at the diner; Belle and I should be up still, so we can let you in and help you get settled for the night. Have a good time!"
After opening the door and helping the still jittery Aurora out, Mulan took the lead and walked down the pathway towards the house. They could hear people talking inside, and after waiting a moment, she lifted her hand and knocked on the door.
Sorry it took so long to update! I wanted to finish their first night here, but I realized I don't have time to write the rest in a way that will do it justice. Hopefully I can get that written over the weekend though.
As before please let me know what you think! I only started writing 8 days ago exactly so this is all still new for me.