The Halcyon
by ArkhamBarbie
~Four. In which, a fair is held...
In honor of the troupe's extended stay, as mayor, Regina had proclaimed a week's celebration and festivities to help the establishment of tourism in Storybrooke. Of course, that was only her reason at surface. After her emergency meeting with Jefferson, she had sent establishment owners to prepare for the town fair. This came to Ben Storm's favor as he had encouraged street performances and trade among his cast and crew and the city's inhabitants. The informalities, she thought, would provide ample time for her to investigate the identity of Olivia and some of the characters in Henry's book. She knew she had to take things into her own hands before Gold could interfere. She didn't dare to confront him even though his taunts were very evident.
The fair had only been opened for a few hours and already, a number of people where gathered at the town square to Granny and Red's delight. They had been receiving customers all morning and for the first time, Emma couldn't have been happier to have given her father, David, the sheriff title. She and Henry entered Granny's diner and quickly spotted August sitting at one of the far corners of the room. The last time they had talked, August had told them that before he returned to Storybrooke, he had hidden half of the book in one of his cottages only to return to it burning. He was certain that he was stolen from since there were evident signs of a break-in. The purpose of their meeting now was to plan the best way trace the next few pages.
Regina had no idea about this, as well as Jefferson. The three had different ideas of how to approach the situation and none had intended to create much decision-making until they were certain that everything was connected. Regina, Jefferson and Henry- each knew different parts of Odette's story but none of them were aware that each knew a fragment of her memories. Regina knew of Odette's life as a maiden. Henry read about Odette's experience at the ball and her meeting with the Prince but it was only Jefferson who knew about Odette's life as a wife and a mother and most importantly her life after Siegfried. But even if they were each to place a piece into the large puzzle, no one quite knew the life she had with Siegfried.
Henry allowed the grown-ups to take charge of the situation as he patiently waited for his turn to talk. He scanned the room and saw the variety of real life characters in a normal setting and couldn't help but smile. He looked towards Emma and excused himself to get a cold drink at the counter. Henry sat at one of the stools and asked Ruby for a cold glass of lemonade. As Red gave him his drink, the diner's door opened and a girl in expensive civilian clothing entered. Her dark locks tumbled down her shoulders as she walked in. She closed the door and smiled at Ruby who had greeted her.
"Hi! Welcome! Olivia right?" Ruby fixed her apron and motioned for her to seat beside Henry who looked at her wide-eyed. Olivia's hazel eyes met his and Henry blinked to break her stare. Henry blushed and looked towards Emma and August who were only slightly disturbed and pretended to speak.
Olivia shook Ruby's hand and sat, "Yes. You must be Ruby, I met your grandmother last night. She wasn't kidding about the homey and lovely feel of this place," Olivia glanced around the diner and set down her sling bag.
"Thanks. That's kind of the point of the whole Granny's thing. So, can I get you anything?"
Olivia sighed, "I'm dying for some caffeine but I'm meeting with Mary Margaret later and she specifically stated that I lay off anything with sugar since the kids prepared some for me so…water would be great," One of the customers signaled at Ruby for assistance.
Ruby raised her had to acknowledge the customer and turned her attention back at Olivia, "You got it. Just one sec?"
"Sure." As Ruby went to the customer, Henry pretended to just drink his cider when Olivia had turned her head to face him.
"Hi," she said which made him flinch.
Henry couldn't help recalling the story in his book, "Hi, I'm Henry. I saw you perform."
Olivia held out her hand, "Hello Henry, I'm Olivia. And can I ask how I did?"
Henry grinned, "Awesome,"
Olivia let out a sigh of relief, "Thank God." She blinked, "So Henry, you're the mayor's son right? What brings you here?"
"Oh I'm here with my mom," Henry pointed towards Emma which made Olivia flinch. Henry noticed her expression and laughed, "Biological,"
Olivia's lips curved, "I see. Just like-anyway, have you seen the town fair yet? I heard that everyone set up a bargain,"
Henry shook his head.
"You think you're mom would mind if I ask you to tag along with me for quite a while?"
"I'll go and ask her," Henry hurried towards Emma and August and began whispering.
Emma smiled at Olivia and turned to her son, "What's she saying?"
"Nothing yet. I wanna go and find out more about her. We're going to the fair," Henry was about to turn as soon as he grabbed his backpack but Emma quickly spun him around and reminded him to be back before Regina would be picking him up.
August clicked his tongue, "Be careful kiddo. Don't ask anything stupid now," Henry stuck out his tongue and ran towards Olivia who bade Ruby farewell and went out the door.
Henry found himself strolling around the fair with Olivia who was telling him all about her experiences around the world as a performer but none of which seemed anything significant or connected to the magical realm from where she was supposedly from.
"So," Henry began, "Have you been travelling your whole life?"
Olivia and Henry stopped at a large stall where garments and costume wear wore sold and displayed intricately, "I guess you could say that." Olivia's fingers traced around the masks on display.
"But what about your family?" Olivia took a minute to look at Henry and shrugged, "I never really knew my real family. I woke up in a hospital one day and was told that I was in an accident. Quil, our ringmaster, was a family friend and he was taking care of me ever since. He's my family and I love that he introduced me to the theatre and-"
"Here you are now," Jefferson appeared at Henry's side and beamed at the both of them. Her presence still startled him but if he wanted answers he needed to be bold.
Olivia smiled, "I guess so,"
"Hello Henry," Henry looked at Jefferson oddly and stood closer to Olivia, "Sorry to interrupt but your mother has been looking for you,"
"Emma?" Henry asked.
"Regina. She's by Mother Superior's charity stall over there," Jefferson pointed towards a worried Regina and then glanced back Henry.
Henry looked up at Olivia and frowned, "I have to go, sorry!"
Olivia patted his head, "Sure thing. Say hi to the mayor for me," Henry gave her a half-smile and left. It irked Jefferson to hear how formal Odette had addressed her sister. If this was some sort of amnesiatic spell, it was pretty strong.
"So," Jefferson cleared his throat and entered the booth along with Olivia as he waved goodbye to Henry, "New friends?"
Olivia snickered, "Kid was lonely at the diner and I wanted some company to enjoy the fair,"
Jefferson nodded and followed Olivia as she looked through the display, "And how do you find it so far?"
"Good, well, great actually. I have to say, I like this place best so far,"
Jefferson put his hands behind his back and tried his best to hold his grin. Olivia weaved her brows together and looked at him, "Wait, this is yours isn't it?"
Jefferson shrugged, "Could be. Okay, yes, it is."
Olivia nodded, "Lovely," she continued to look around the stall.
Jefferson bowed which made her laugh, "So, Ms. Fair, wow," He paused midsentence and made a face at her, "You're name is fitting," her smile only grew wider, "How do you find my work so far?"
"You mean to say, you not only own all of these but you also made them?" she raised a brow.
"I wouldn't want to take all the credit but yes, most of the work is mine,"
"Interesting," Olivia quipped.
Jefferson had forgotten for a minute the purpose of all his conversing with Olivia. He was talking to his long lost wife and yet, the past had not occurred to him one bit until he watched her pick up a venetian mask he had personally crafted.
If she really was Odette, did she, by some chance remember that, the mask was hers? He thought.
Jefferson massaged his temple, "Do you fancy anything yet?"
"Why the persistence?" Olivia narrowed her eyes and looked up at Jefferson, "I knew it. You were the guy that Ben told me about. I guess he mentioned his one condition for business?"
Jefferson sighed, "You mean the muse part? Yeah, he did mention that one little tidbit. I don't really understand what he meant though,"
"Yeah? Well, don't listen to him. I'm not really the one you should impress. He's just getting you all high and running," Olivia turned.
Jefferson stood closer towards her now, "But say for curiosity's sake, I ask for your impression?"
Olivia fastened the mask on her and looked back at Jefferson now, "What do you think?"
AN: Short chapter for an update? Don't fret! Will be updating twice this week! Penny for your thoughts?
Also, thanks much for your feedback! Keep your guesses coming!
If you're wondering what I imagined Prince Siegfried looked like, type in Dominic Cooper (preferably as Henry from Abe Linc). As for Ben, thinking about Vincent Kartheiser for now. Or they could be interchanged.
Odette, Siegfried and Benno are characters based from Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake. I do advise reading the synopsis/story of the play (or even watching the ballet) to follow the story better.
I do not own Once upon a time.
The characters I used which appeared on the series have a touch of my own imagination in terms of heritage and origin.
Loki fans check out Worth by Lady-von-Strife (she reads your story back) and Twihards check out her sister's work too (reincarnatedcrazybutterfly)
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