Conversations in the Dark
"So are you going to tell me what's been troubling you, dear?" Regina asked as she pulled her glasses from her face.
"Nothing's bothering me." Emma replied, pulling her boots off before storing them in the closet. "Why do you ask?"
"Well aside from the fact that I have sensed uneasiness in your magic these past weeks, you hardly touched your dinner tonight. And you have never passed on seconds, especially when I make baked chicken."
"You can really sense my magic?"
"Yes. It is a natural occurrence when two powerful magic users are together. As much of a blessing as it can be, as it heightens our powers, it can also be a curse when, at times like this, we unintentionally feel the other's pain. So please, tell me what's wrong." Regina implored as she reached over and ran her fingers gently through the blonde's hair.
"God Regina, I am so sorry. I never meant for you to feel my stress. If you can believe it, I was keeping quiet to save you the worry." Emma chuckled.
"What would have you so worried about me? Have I done something wrong?" Regina fearfully questioned.
"You did nothing wrong." Emma grabbed her wife's hands in her own. "It has to do with Eva and honestly, I might just be overreacting."
"What is going on with our daughter?"
Emma took a deep breath.
"You know the young girl she has been spending time with, her new friend?"
"Yes. Henry explained they met that night at the bonfire."
"And he didn't tell you anything else?"
"Truthfully, I didn't ask. I assumed she was someone from the school. Why, should I be concerned?"
"I wouldn't say you need to be concerned but you might not like what I'm going to say next."
"Emma, just tell me. This going around in circles is beginning to frustrate me."
"Okay, okay. Well first things first, this girl is not from Henry's school. She came to town with her parents."
"She's from the Enchanted Forest?!" Regina exclaimed.
"Yeah. And you sorta know her mother." Emma hesitantly replied.
"That's preposterous. You know very well that I did not acquaint myself with anyone while I lived back there. Unless... is she the daughter of someone who worked in the castle? But wait, all of my staff was relocated here with the curse."
"I said you knew her mother. Not that you were friends or anything."
"Fantastic. Then you are saying it is someone I wronged in some way." Regina abruptly stood from the bed and stood by her bedroom window.
"Well..." Emma shrugged.
"I am well aware of the heinous crimes I committed in my past against many people. So go ahead, spit it out. Who is she?" Regina demanded.
"It's Ariel."
Regina turned around, her eyes wide in shock.
"The mermaid?!" Regina shouted.
"Lower your voice. The kids can hear you." Emma admonished.
"Mermaid..." Regina angrily whispered.
"I know what you're gonna say..." Emma held up her hands.
"My daughter...is friends...with a magical creature. A princess no less." Regina dropped to the bed, her head hung back and her eyes closed.
Emma sat beside the older woman, draping her arm around her shoulders.
"It's not as bad as you think." Emma consoled.
"Not as bad? Emma, our daughter is spending time with the daughter of a Queen in the Enchanted Forest. How is that not bad?"
Emma shrugged her shoulders.
"Have you no idea the ramifications of this?" Regina continued, exasperated.
"What's the big deal? You're a Queen too."
"Yes, the Evil Queen. I am seen as nothing more." Regina's eyes watered.
Emma took the older woman into her arms, cradling her head against her chest.
"I don't give a damn about how those close minded assholes think of you. You haven't been the Evil Queen in years. As a matter of fact, you have saved more lives than I can count." Emma declared.
"It means nothing to them." Regina whispered.
"Well, it means something to us. And the only opinion that counts is that of the people who love you. You're family."
Pulling back, she looked up into the fierce eyes of the savior and was still amazed by Emma's unwavering devotion. Regina smiled as she tightened her arms around the blonde.
"What about Eva? I don't want her to resent me because she is judged by my mistakes."
"Eva is a strong girl. And everyone who meets her falls for her charming personality." Emma smirked. "Besides, she loves you so much. There's nothing that would change that."
Regina nodded as she wiped at her eyes.
"Then I believe it's time." Regina stated as she resumed her spot on the bed, gathering the comforter around her.
"Time for what?" Emma asked.
"That I go and have a chat with Ariel."
"Is that really necessary?"
"Yes, it is. It's true, she and I came to a truce after her help with Pan. However, if our daughters are becoming close friends it is customary to meet. They have been spending time together now for over a month."
"Why all the formality? This isn't the Enchanted Forest."
"I would not expect you to understand. There are protocols when the children of royalty are concerned. And it does not matter where we are, we are always Queens."
"Alright, I guess. I just don't see what the big deal is about two girls being friends." Emma said as she snuggled beneath her blanket. "Good night, Regina."
"Good night, dear."
Long after Emma had fallen asleep, Regina sat in the dark, her thoughts whirling around in her head. Emma had a point; there was no need for concern over young women of different households becoming friends. Yet, as she had personally witnessed over the past week, her daughter appeared to harbor feelings for the other girl that extended beyond friendship. And if these feelings were not one sided? That in itself would not cause her worry, if she were not aware of how things were done in her homeland. Her greatest fear was that circumstances beyond anyone's control would cause two innocents to suffer greatly.
"Rumple, what are you doing here in the dark?" Cora asked as she walked into the back office.
"I am not in the dark dear. I just prefer to read by candlelight." Gold replied.
"With all of the modern conveniences available here, you still prefer to rough it." Cora smirked.
"I am very old and accustomed to my ways. However, you're one to talk, with that ridiculous wardrobe you keep filled with all of those ornate gowns. I doubt there will be any balls here in Storybrooke for you to attend." Gold teased.
"Hush now. You know I am a woman who believes in always being prepared. And speaking of which, I don't see why we do not have such events. A ball is what this dreary little town needs."
"Well, you be sure to take that up with the Mayor. I can just imagine how thrilled your daughter will be with your idea."
Cora huffed before sitting beside Gold. She looked over his shoulder at the book he had laid before him. The pages were filled with texts written in a language she could not place. Far more curious were the notes Gold was ardently taking. The pen scratched across the journal sheets furiously, as he recorded information for some unknown purpose.
The feverish look in his eyes concerned her.
"Rumple..."
"Yes?"
"Please tell me what has you in such a state my love?"
Gold leaned back in his chair. His tired eyes fixed on the woman in front of him.
"I was bespelled by a vision the other night."
"But you told me you did not get them here."
"That is true. Since coming to Storybrooke with the curse, my ability to see the future disappeared. At the time, I took it simply as a loss due to this world's lack of magic. However, after bringing back the magic, I was still unable to conjure any foresight. I came to accept it was a sacrifice made in my effort to find my son."
"And yet, you are telling me it has returned?"
"I would not say that it has returned, but rather I have been given a glimpse."
Gold stood from his desk and walked over to a locked cabinet. Opening it, he retrieved a cloth wrapped bundle. He carried the item back towards Cora and gently laid it in her lap.
"What is this?"
"Go ahead, open it."
Cora peeled the edges back carefully. She frowned as she examined the strange object. She looked up at Gold, waiting for an explanation.
"I retrieved this, the night you returned to this world. It was left behind during a battle where the life of a friend was lost."
"And what is its purpose?"
"I am not quite sure, except that it was able to end the life of a being that was, for all intents and purposes, an immortal."
"Do you expect to have need of this? Is that what your vision has revealed?"
"Unfortunately this blade is of no use. Whatever essence powered it has been depleted."
"I must confess Rumple, I am at a loss."
"My vision showed me this dagger." Gold grabbed the handle holding the blade aloft. "Bright and glowing as on the day it had been newly forged in fire. I can only surmise that it was a warning. An ominous portent of what is coming." He tossed the dagger across the room, smashing a lamp onto the floor.
"Rumple!" Cora exclaimed as she grabbed his shoulders. "Calm yourself."
"Do you not see? Danger is coming. And we may not be strong enough to face it." Gold declared before taking Cora into his arms.
Cora wrapped her arms around his waist and pulled him in tightly. She had never felt fear before. However, seeing the look on the face of the once great and powerful Dark One, set her hands to tremble.
Gold pulled away from the embrace and placed his hand against Cora's cheek.
"I apologize for my outburst. I do not know what came over me."
"You are a protective man. Something that threatens you or what you hold dear is not something you take lightly." Cora smiled.
"Then you understand I must find a way to prevent this. No matter what the cost."
"Yes, as I hope you understand that I will be by your side."
Gold opened his mouth as if to protest but quickly found two fingers pressed against his lips.
"I was brought back to be with you. I will be damned if you go off and get yourself killed, leaving me behind this time. We do this together. Do I make myself clear?"
"Crystal." Gold smirked.
"Good. Now go and get yourself up to bed. We have work to do in the morning." Cora stated before walking out.
Ava sat on the porch of her home smoking a cigarette. Everyone inside had gone to bed hours ago, but sleep eluded her once again as her thoughts centered themselves on Henry.
She did not know what had possessed her to sneak into the stables this afternoon, but she had had the undeniable desire to see the young man. A moment was all she had convinced herself she would stay. Nevertheless, that moment had turned into hours as she knelt behind the small gate.
She watched him throughout his day as he went about doing his new duties as manager. Smiling to herself, she watched Henry interact with children coming in for lessons. Her heart swelled with adoration at the thought of him showing the same attention to their children. He would make a wonderful father someday, unlike her father who spent his days wallowing in his misery with liquor.
Finally, Ava had worked up the nerve to enter the stables to simply invite Henry to have lunch with her. However, as she stepped in the doorway, she immediately pressed herself against the outer wall. Her fists clenched and unclenched as she heard Paige's irritating laughter float out from one of the far end stalls. She bit her lip until the taste of copper filled her mouth, as she realized this interloper had once again spoiled her chance to be with her love. Reluctantly she conceded and left the stables to return home.
Sitting alone in the cold night, she wondered how much longer she would have to be patient. How much more would she have to endure before Henry became hers?
"Good evening."
Ava jumped at the voice coming from the darkness.
"Who's there?"
"Relax, girl. I mean you no harm."
A young woman stepped out of the shadows and slowly walked to stand in front of Ava. She flipped her long blonde hair over her shoulder before reaching into her jacket pocket. Removing a sterling case, she pulled out a dark cigarette.
"Can I trouble you for a light?" The woman smirked.
Ava stood from her seat and carefully lit the cigarette with her lighter before stepping back again.
The stranger smiled as she took a long drag of her cigarette.
"You're not from around here."
"You're right. I'm most definitely not from around here."
"So who the hell are you?" Ava challenged.
The woman laughed, a sound sending a chill down Ava's spine.
"My name is Mora. And you?"
"I'm Ava."
"So Ava, what are you doing out here all by yourself?"
"I don't see how that's any of your business."
"Cheeky. I like that in a girl."
"Well I don't give a damn what you like. You got your light, now why don't you just leave."
"And why would I do that?"
"Cause if you don't I'll call my dad."
Mora inclined her head slightly before turning steely eyes on the young woman.
"Well if you could wake him from his drunken stupor, I might be concerned."
"Fuck you!" Ava shouted.
"In due time." Mora sneered.
Ava balked at the woman's words. She turned to walk back into her house having had enough of dealing with the stranger.
"Why are you such in a hurry to leave? Don't you want to even hear why I'm here?"
"Why should I care why you're here?"
"Because I can give you what you want?"
"And how would you know what I want?"
Mora dropped the cigarette down onto the ground, smashing it beneath her black heel.
"True love, my sweet."
Ava's hand stilled on the doorknob and she turned her head to look over at Mora.
"What did you say?"
"That is what you want, isn't it? True love." Mora sneered.
"How do you... I mean, I never..."
"Don't worry about that. Do I have your attention or not? My time is precious and I will not waste it."
Ava stepped from her porch and walked towards the woman. Standing close, she was able to see just how unnaturally beautiful she was. Ava felt cold again and rubbed the goose bumps along her arms.
"I'm listening."
Mora's teeth flashed into a wolfish smile.
"Good girl."
Evangeline sat up in bed clutching her chest, the nightmare still vivid in her mind. There was so much blood, the scent still lingered in her nose. She looked down at her hands, grateful to find them clean. Why was she dreaming such dreadful things?
She stood up from her bed and walked over to her window. Opening it slowly to keep from making a sound, she welcomed the cool night air against her sweat soaked body. Closing her eyes, she focused her thoughts on the one thing that seemed to calm her... Melody.
The princess had become a constant in Evangeline's life since the moment they met that night on the beach. They spent nearly every day with each other, sharing parts of themselves they kept hidden from most. And with each passing day, Evangeline dreaded the moment she would eventually have to say goodbye more and more. She could not imagine finding a truer friend and envisioned her life lonelier than it had ever been before Melody had come into it.
She reached down and pulled the small pendant hanging from the chain around her neck. Pinching the gem between her fingers, she wondered how her father had lived alone for so many years. She had asked her mother the same question, but Regina could not answer. It seemed that, although her birth parents had shared some time with one another, he had not been very forthcoming about his past. What her mother did know she had shared openly. However, aside from some adventurous stories, the mysterious Azael remained just that... a mystery.
She wondered what he would have told her had he lived. Would he have explained what had happened to her? Could he impart some reasoning to the dreams that haunted her nights? She would never know and never tell her mothers. They worried so much over her already that she would not give them something else to concern them. Even Henry with his easygoing manner would fret if she were to confess her fears.
Roughly rubbing her hand across her face to wipe away the tears, she decided to push aside her distress. She would not allow herself to become overwhelmed by melancholy. Right now, she would focus on enjoying her time with Melody. Bask in the wondrous warmth that filled her heart whenever she was with the young woman. And continue with the denial of the fact that she was falling madly in love with her best friend.
