A/N: I know, I know, I haven't updated in ages for which I offer my most humble apologies. It was down to a combination of busy-ness and writer's block so thanks very much for sticking with me while I sorted (some of) that out. Ooh and multiplicitous thanks for all the comments/guesses that have been posted- some interesting ones there for sure. Blue Fairy and Belle are the frontrunners for sure, in the evil villains stakes which makes me smile at how twisted some of you are. It's awesome. I'm still umming and aaahing over the endgame scenario so all ideas are welcomed! Anyways I'm hoping to post the next chapter much quicker than this one, so on we go.
Enjoy if it pleases you…
TELLS: CHAPTER NINE
There it was again. Dancing just out of her reach… or at least it seemed that way.
Vile and seductive.
She didn't know what other words to use to describe the way it tempted her to turn her head and catch a real glimpse of its liquid body as the thing writhed around. Words were never her strong suit but those two seemed weirdly appropriate
The trouble was that she couldn't turn her head. They'd notice; she knew they would.
Even in the midst of their constant needling and mini verbal victories across the table top, they'd pick up on the movement. Or at least Regina would for sure.
With that bizarre preternatural awareness she seemed to have of everything around her.
So Emma forced herself to be still. To curve her spine a little the way she usually did, to pick up the glass in front of the kid without giving away her own fumbling, childish fingers.
To be a normal person.
Good luck with that, they sang.
"So….since we both know I'm not allowed a dog…"
Henry snuck a quick glance over at his mother, as she stared right back with an unflappable face. Grumping a little, he turned back to Mary Margaret.
"…and hypothetical dogs technically can't chew up homework, what are we looking at in terms of possible reasons for not handing in the assignment tomorrow?"
Regina looked askance. "Henry!"
"What? I'm asking for a friend!?"
At the innocent look crossing his face, Mary Margaret tried to stifle her own growing grin but judging from the cool gaze focused on her, apparently wasn't as successful as she might have hoped.
"Do I take it from your barely disguised smirk that you have no problem encouraging these inappropriate questions Miss Blanchard?"
The younger brunette swallowed. "I would never encourage anything even remotely associated with indolence, Madame Mayor, as I'm sure you're aware. My classes are the most strongly structured in the school."
"Some would argue that structure only gets you so far in this world."
"Some would argue that structure is the backbone of humanity."
At that the mayor practically fell off her chair. "Backbone?! Really Miss Blanchard, you're going to use the one thing you've lacked your entire existence as the killing blow?"
The urge to shoot her arm out and grab at the dripping black coating assaulted her again but Emma fought it, trying desperately to hold onto the loosening threads of conversation. Trying not to lose the feeling of Regina's fingers resting on hers; skin on skin, grounding her to reality…
What was that they were talking about… backbone?
"I don't know what you're insinuating Madame Mayor."
"Oh you don't? I'm not one to gossip but I heard from a very reliable source that when you first joined Storybrooke Prep, you believed a vertebrae was some kind of Russian soup."
"I…That's….."Stuttering in absolute outrage, the smaller brunette's eyebrows knitted together as she blew acrid air from her lungs.
"Well, perhaps you should learn not to listen to every little whisper in your ear."
"What can I say? I have a well informed circle of friends."
"I'm not entirely sure you can call it a circle if it only has one other person in it."
Regina's brown eyes flared dangerously. And Mary Margaret leaned forward as she smelled blood.
"I'm not sure you and Sydney Glass even qualify as a line, actually."
Indignation flashed across the older brunette's face and she straightened herself in her chair. "You know what Miss Blanchard; you had better learn to wipe that supercilious smile off your perky little face."
"Mom, come on!…"
Slumping further down in his seat, Henry folded his arms as he watched the two women at the table scowl at each other, jaws locked tightly in place. He might have been young but he knew the preliminaries of a showdown when he saw it, and he also knew better than to interrupt either of them when they were building up into full flow. Truth be told he'd never been able to work out exactly what it was that drove his mom and his teacher to get into these stupid fights but he knew all too well that they never ended happily for anyone involved.
Sometimes it made his head hurt just thinking about it.
And in fact, none of his current consternation was lost on Regina either. Even in the midst of her anger she was aware of her son's newly deflated attitude. In the same way that she was aware of her own brief curiosity at Emma's absence in the debate… since usually she was the first person to jump into the role of peacemaker and turn everyone's attention to something a little less incendiary. Like what kind of pie to order. Or which comic book villain would win in a cosmic fistfight. Or in fact anything equally ridiculous and inane.
Any other day, she might have taken a moment to consider the implications of her behaviour in such a public venue but right now she was barely holding it together; worn out from lack of sleep. Exhausted by the worry and panic that had been keeping her awake until this point. And the real problem was that she was just having too much fun. The growling bilious wave inside her stomach that swelled every-time she scored a blow against the meek and mild Mary Margaret was surging unstoppably under her ribs. So she leaned forward, taking her hand from off the Sheriff's for a moment and pointed it at the schoolteacher.
You see, they all leave you in the end, the voices in Emma's head crowed with glee.
In that second it took all her energy not to lay her head down on the table.
"One of these days, Miss Blanchard, you are going to have to learn your place in this town and let me tell you right now, it's …"
Suddenly the brunette was cut off by a flickering of the lights in the diner and everything was instantly shrouded in darkness before they miraculously came back to life.
And went out. Then on again.
Their argument forgotten for a moment, both women turned their attention to the front of the small rustic café to see a small figure in a pale dress flicking the main light switch back and forth with some gusto.
Satisfied she now had everyone's full attention solely on her; Grace flipped the lights back onto continuous beam and watched with obvious excitement as her suited companion rapped his cutlery on the table a few times just to make sure there were no other distractions.
"Miss Lucas? Everyone, if I may?"
Every person in the diner stopped what they were doing at the sound of Mr Gold's voice. Usually quietly spoken and brimming with what could only be described as insidious malcontent, the man seemed unnatural as he stood there taking it all in. In fact he was positively grinning, his arms thrown wide in a friendly theatrical gesture.
From behind the counter Ruby looked over as if she'd wandered into some kind of gypsy side-show.
"Now I know that I am not the kind of man you would look to for favours or gifts…I know some of you have found me to be cold-hearted. Ruthless. Callous even…"
Of course she hadn't been aware of the light show but Emma listened intently to the speech; trying her best to block out the murmurs under her skin whilst attempting to understand what was going on with the usually morose magician. It was a strange juggling act to try and conquer and at the surreal joyous tone in Gold's voice, she motioned with her hand as if to share something with the mayor but found a hand clamped down over her mouth before she could even blink. A warning signal from Regina. To see how this played out or to keep the attention away from their little get-together, Emma wasn't entirely sure. She complied anyway though, if a little begrudgingly.
"…But since this is such a beautiful evening, and the moon and stars are high in the sky I…" He turned then with a look of apology, "That is we…would very much like to buy everyone in here a drink."
"No!" Maleficent stood then and clapped him on the shoulder. "Not just a drink. Drinks and dinner."
"For everyone!" said Grace. "Everyone deserves it."
Gold smiled again. "You heard the ladies, Miss Lucas. The full works for everyone in here. On us."
If the act of a jaw dropping had an accompanying sound there would have been a series of clicks and clops as everyone in the diner stared dumbly at the beaming newcomers.
The subsequent silence was almost thick; plump with a combination of disbelief and suspicion. At least for two minutes or more. Regina simply watched as Ruby threw her hands open at Granny behind the counter as she contemplated the logistics of the situation in front of them even though no-one had moved a muscle.
It was as if everyone was holding their breath. Waiting for someone to make the first move. Waiting and hoping.
Hoping and waiting.
Right up until Grumpy dragged his head up from his table-top and with nary a glance Gold, stuck a bristled hand in the air.
"Pitcher of ale. Beef and onion pie, crust on, with a side of creamed potatoes and as many vegetables as you can throw at a small child."
Regina shot him an irritable glance but before she could intervene, there was another order from the far corner of the room.
"Chicken Chasseur, no rice, please."
She recognised the voice of one of the carpenters from the hardware store.
And that's when the floodgates opened.
"Sea Bass!"
"Vegetable lasagne!"
"Screw the food, what's the monetary equivalent in Merlot?!"
"Pound cake! Nothing else."
They just seem to keep coming.
"French onion soup."
"Pumpkin risotto!"
"That's not even on the menu, Larry!" Ruby shouted above the throng.
"Who cares, I want me some pumpkin!"
Shout something, whispered the voices in her head. Join in their anarchy; no-one would judge you.
"Burgers on this table; hold the gherkins!"
"Bread."
"Which kind?" asked Granny exasperatedly.
"Every kind!"
The insatiable screeching pushed in around Emma as she breathed hard in and out, focusing all her attention on the sound of her own exhalations rather than the frightening cacophony of sounds.
But the shouts and choruses kept vaulting into the air, some of them indistinguishable as words until the whole place seemed like little more than a mediaeval tavern; a classless inn filled with excited voices clambering and elbowing each other under the strip lights.
"Pastries!"
"Whipped cream as well!"
What the hell is this?!
Regina could only take in the scene with complete incredulity. These people, these fools who'd spent their lives being taunted and terrified by the antiques seller in all his many guises were practically falling over the feet to get over there and shake the man's hand. Their mouths were already watering at the sounds of sizzling meat and pasta, the creases in their clothing making their greed obvious, as if it hadn't been before. Even Ruby and the usually level headed Granny were sprinting between the kitchen and the dining area, as if their lives depended on it, trying to keep some kind of order in the verbal chaos although the task seemed just about as thankless.
"What's freaking happening? Anyone?" said Emma at last, to the people at her table. Mary Margaret was just watching open mouthed, shaking her head, which was of absolutely no use to the blonde. Henry, for his part seemed to be finding the whole thing just about the most awesome sight he'd ever seen, and his wide brown eyes constantly scanned the sea of people in front of them, flicking back and forth between the people moving about.
"That is an excellent question, Miss Swan," said Regina mesmerised by the sea of grinning faces and erupting handshakes, although she was conscious enough to allow her fingertips to brush lightly across the blonde's arm next to her.
Too little too late, they laughed.
The doorbell clanged as a couple of people entered the diner and joined the fray. A second later, off it went again as a small group of youths barged their way in, skateboards in hand, a patchy attempt at stubble giving them some unnecessary confidence.
The word must be spreading, Regina mused anxiously.
That was an understatement though. As she looked on, the small crowd of diners began to swell and bulge with new members, as if some kind of siren had been sounded in the streets of Storybrooke. A siren linked inexorably with the knell of the diner's smaller bell. People were coming in constantly now. More of a flow. A rivulet of human ravenousness with townsfolk clutching things tightly in their fists. Plates. Cutlery. One of the dwarfs had what looked like a hand carved pen knife dangerously sticking out from between his knuckles but none of the other people bustling and jostling him seemed to mind it sticking into them as they pushed their way inside.
Joining more and more of them. Endless streams of people now, forcing their way in twos and threes through the doorway. Smiling and linking arms as they went.
The three instigators were already obscured from Regina's view by the sheer number of people crammed into the small room which ratcheted up her anxiety levels another few notches, although she could tell their rough location due to the loud circle of cheers ringing out towards the window. The eye of the storm so to speak.
It was at this point that someone unceremoniously slammed back into her chair with an audible oomph. Growling under her breath, the Mayor pushed them away with as much strength as she could muster, affronted by the sheer cheek of the action. And the worst part was that the portly man didn't even offer an apology, he simply pressed back into the mass of bodies, trying to worm his way through to the groaning serving counter.
In all the vexation and confusion there was one thing that the former evil Queen had missed though. The man had also slammed into Emma's back at the same time as he had hit Regina, pushing all the air out of her lungs. At any other time, the incident wouldn't have been more than an irritation at best and she would have swung round in the chair and more than likely socked the man in his astonished jowled face. But this time she had no warning and the liquid darkness clung to her as she was pushed forward into it. The swirling miasma in front of her eyes had been coalescing into more and more distinct figures since she had finished her food, the action of holding the burger in her hands somehow acting as a cheap sensory distraction if nothing else. Keeping the darkness at bay. For a while.
And now the oily whispers had returned full force.
Now you see them for who they really are; idiots with stupid, cheap desires.
Emma screwed her eyes shut, hating the harsh words ringing in her ears.
Look at them all- Satisfied with a ten dollar meal ticket. Regardless of who's behind it.
And what about Ruby and Granny- two misfits apparently now satisfied with a couple of zeros on a cheque.
She tried not to whimper at the dripping venom that wouldn't go away no matter how hard she wished it.
Even Regina.
She held her breath, unwilling to listen to the attack that she knew was coming and reciting the words in her mind as a defensive mantra.
Please. Not Her. Leave Her Be.
The Great and Powerful Evil Queen satisfied with a pointless slanging match that'll have no end.
How low her expectations have fallen that a few words will put out such a fire.
"More of everything, kind ladies!" came the call from somewhere in the darkness, although whether it was actually Mr Gold or one of his growing number of acolytes Emma couldn't be sure.
She was sure of one thing though- she couldn't take it anymore. The multitude of voices around her was making her feel nauseous and it only grew with the poisonous taunts ricocheting inside her own head. She wasn't sure if she was going to pass out or just lose her mind the way she was being jostled and bumped by elbows and thighs as the townsfolk poured themselves into the diner. Either option seemed like a blissful reprieve from the unending noisy, tactile, threatening chaos around her and she knew she had to do something.
Had to do something right now.
"Henry, sit back in your seat right now," yelled Regina, in a most unmayoral manner as her son got to his feet.
"But Mom…it's free food!" he whined.
"What have I told you before? Nothing in life comes for free."
"That sucks if it's true."
"Yes well…there are a lot of instances where it turns out that the truth isn't that grand... " Regina flinched mid-flow someone jerked her chair leg accidentally.
"My God; do you mind?!"
"Sorry darling, my mistake."
Brown eyes lit up with ire as she surveyed the drunken lout barely holding himself up in his ratty tweed jacket and she pulled herself up to her full height, towering over him by at least two inches.
"If you call me that again, you truly will be sorry. In a hospital gown. With multiple drips hooked up to the appropriate veins. Do I make myself clear?"
The man's sallow face and manic eyebrows seemed to twitch at the ice in her voice and finally picking up on the waves of rage rolling off her skin, he finally took a step back towards the single gluttonous clot of bodies swarming around the counter.
"Absolutely understood. Please accept my apologies ma'am."
It was only as she was turning back to the table, that Regina caught the strange glint shining in Mary Margaret's eye. One she wasn't entirely sure she'd ever seen before.
"That was nicely done." Said the teacher.
"Thank you, I'll be here all evening," replied the mayor wryly. Although she couldn't help an inward smile from forming at the unexpected compliment.
"Mom?"
Regina sighed though as she was brought down to earth immediately. She should have known though that her son wouldn't give up so easily on the issue of free food; he was nothing if not tenacious. Pinning him with as strict a gaze as she could muster, the mayor frowned.
"Henry this is not a discussion, we are accepting no gifts from that man."
"No, I got that. It's just…" His small face screwed up with confusion. "Where's Emma?"
"What are you talking about, she's right there!"
Swivelling to her right, the brunette's chest constricted as she saw the empty chair beside her and the space on the table where their hands had been resting.
Oh God.
And then a moment later a thought struck her.
I let go of her. I let go of her hand.
The thought sent globules of panic and reflux up through her throat as she scanned the faces nearest to them, desperate for any signs of familiar blonde hair or smooth leather.
But there was nothing. In the midst of all the flesh and cotton filling the room, there wasn't even a trace of the Sheriff left.
Just fat. Greed. And gluttony.
She was gone.
And for the first time in a long time, pure unadulterated fear seeped into Regina's lungs.
TBC….
