"Wanna go out on a date?"
Emma had been having a nice afternoon with a warm cocoa when August showed up. He'd seemed a bit nervous, probably from his near-woodening experience a few days ago, but Emma had forgiven him for that. And that's when it happened and now Emma knew exactly what the nervousness was about for she felt it a hundred times worse. It had been a while since someone had asked her out on a date, but none felt like this. She was panicking and throwing her clothes around when Snow showed up.
"Emma?! What... what are you doing?" she asked.
Emma turned to her and couldn't help but have a goofy smile on her face.
"August asked me out on a date so I'm looking for something to wear, but I can't FIND anything!"
Snow smiled and grasped her hand. "Hey, hey, hey. Look at me, Emma."
Emma looked at her.
"You want this to be a perfect date? Buy some new clothes."
How come I didn't think about that?
Despite that, after 3 entire hours of searching and choosing, Emma still couldn't pick the right one.
"August's going to pick me up in half an hour! I'm screwed!"
She nearly cried and Snow tried to calm her. Fortunately, fate decided to intervene.
"Well, dearie, why don't you try my shop?" said a silky tone coming from behind some clothes. Mr. Gold emerged from it. Emma looked up at him with an expression that clearly said: "Seriously?"
Gold caught on to her thoughts immediately. "You see, my shop contains a number of pawned clothing that would be rather suitable for a woman such as yourself especially for a major event. And did you not say you wished unique?"
Emma rolled her eyes and nodded. The three left the clothes shop and went to Gold's. There, Rumplestiltskin managed to find a dress perfectly suited for her. It was silver and fitted Emma beautifully. With her permission, Rumple also magically enhanced her appereance.
Snow gasped:" You're... you're beautiful Emma! I think I was just beaten in the fairest of all the land contest."
"Alright, Gold. What's the price?"
"Nothing much for this dearie. All that I ask is that you get Bae to try a little bit harder. You see, the time he spends with Henry... some of it is time I'd rather have him spend with me. Please."
Emma accepted and thanked him. Snow did the same and the two left to hurry back to the apartment.
As for August, the man thanked the heavens that he was a good actor or otherwise he'd be shaking with fear. This was the first date, for heaven's sake. Taking that in mind, he decided not to get help from Geppetto or Jiminy but try to think out something fresh himself.
Oh come on, where's your writing skill, use your imagination!
As August was brainstorming, he heard a knock on the door. He opened it to find Neal there to his surprise.
"Neal? What brings you here?" "Gold told me that you and Emma are going out on a date and I came to tell you a few tips."
August opened the door to him right away.
"I am kinda stuck. What to wear? What to do? Things were so much easier back in Phuket."
Neal grinned. "I'm sure they were. But please, do me a favor and don't pull a Pinocchio today."
"I won't, I swear. Now, about those tips?"
"Yeah. Lesson nr. 1, wear something that she hasn't seen before but would like you in. Now don't think too formal, it's only a date."
August thought hard. "A suit?"
"There ya go, it's not that hard, eh? A suit it is, she'll love it, don't worry."
"How are you so sure?" asked August, worrying.
"Well, she loves you. That's always been good enough."
August chuckled. "I hope so."
"Here's lesson nr. 2. If by any chance you two go beyond the date today, remember: she loves to cuddle. She loves to feel protected. She loves having an arm around the shoulders. Probably the whole growing up without a family thing."
"Right, that I can do." said August.
"And whatever you do, do not mention Phuket." pleaded Neal.
"Anything else? What should we talk about?"
Neal thought for a few moments.
"Tell her about the Forest. The way it was before the Queen screwed it up. Tell her the way fairytales really happened."
"Won't she be uncomfortable?" asked August.
"If it doesn't include her, I hope not. And August..."
"Yeah?"
"All magic doesn't come with a price."