Sorry for the extreme lateness of this chapter, Spring Break had me without my laptop charger and pretty busy, so I got no writing done outside of some essays for school (on the bright side- I was able to fully recover from whatever nasty virus I had picked up and I got to cuddle with my cat and dog!), and then these past few weeks have been strangely hectic for no real reason in particular. And now it's finals! But that's boring stuff: on with the show!
Skin Deep is turning out to be a lot of fun with Ada around- she brings in some fun perspective. I'm also adding in my own original Sarah Monday plot. Exciting. And nerve-wracking... but that plot kind of took over most of this chapter, so Skin Deep is going to be more in the next chapter.
Sydney's fingers shook slightly as he dialed, his eyes nervously flashing back and forth between the woman sitting in the booth at Granny's counter across from Henry and the phone. He had to restart several times when the trembling of his hands caused he to press the wrong number.
Oh, she would not be pleased with this.
Sydney wasn't sure what she'd do, but he knew she'd do something and it would be swift, and leave no doubt as to who held the power in this town. He almost shuddered thinking of it. And he would be by her side, ready to do whatever she willed, her loyal servant. Regina was swift, powerful, and full of a fire that burned Sydney even as he tried to inch closer.
It was glorious.
He could barely imagine the inferno that would be sparked by this.
Regina rolled her eyes slightly at the sight of Sydney's number on her phone. She briefly debated if she even wanted to pick up or not. It had been a long day and between time beginning to move, Henry rebelling against her, and the citizens of her sleepy town beginning to wake up and complain, she'd been doing more Mayoral work in the past few months since Miss Swan's arrival than she had in all the twenty-eight years before. For all the repetitious monotony of Storybrooke prior to the sister's arrival, at least being Mayor required very little actual effort from her. She had signed off on the same papers every day, year after year, rejected the same proposals, ran the same meetings. Nothing had changed, and her power had remained absolute. Now the obnoxious Hansel and Gretel, who had hurt her so, had been reunited with their ignorant low-class father, she was getting swamped with paperwork, Henry was openly defying her and seeking out other company instead of only having hers, the cricket that was supposed to occupy his time and convince him that his delusions were no fault of her own was getting...ideas, and Snow White was once again nauseously smiling into the eyes of her beloved Prince Charming. And they didn't even have to worry about the ex-wife! Somehow, Kathryn had run across her True Love, making her perfectly happy to let David ride off into the sunset with the school marm as Kathryn spent her time with the sweaty, reeking gym teacher!
Regina had thought that she had manipulated Princess Abigail better than that.
Still, retrospection did not suit her. She had never cared for it. Wallowing, continuously pressing on the bruises and cuts of her heartache so they throbbed and never healed? In that, she was a savant. Retrospection?
She never cared for examining her own past actions.
Regina had to look after the present if she wanted her future to remain her own Happy Ending. With that in mind, she answered Sydney's call. A tool, no doubt, but he had his uses.
"There is a stranger in town. She's been asking questions."
Regina sighed, "I know about the stranger already, Sydney. He- wait," she thought back over his words, "You said "she." Another stranger?"
It was bad enough one had gotten past the borders. If more and more were coming...that was a sure sign of her beautiful curse weakening further. And the more strangers there were, the more eyes there were on her and her town, which means the more questions people would ask.
Regina did not like people questioning her.
"She's asking about Henry."
Regina could've sworn her heart stopped.
"What about Henry?" she gritted out.
Sydney's voice took on that obnoxious quality it always had when he was giving her news- he gloried in being able to tell her things first, in giving her information, in being her spy. He wouldn't glory in it so much if he had realized that every piece of bad news he gave her made him more disgusting in her eyes. Sure, none of this was Sydney's own doing, but Regina was always one for shooting the messenger.
"Whether or not there was a home visit when he was adopted, if he's happy, if he's well cared for. I think she's a social worker of some sort."
"So," Regina mused aloud, mind already tossing Sydney to the wayside as she considered her potential moves. "Miss Swan is gearing up for a custody battle after all."
Sydney continued to prattle on, but Regina wasn't paying attention. Her mind was already moving several steps ahead. Her former teacher always liked to compare manipulation to a game of chess, but Regina preferred the idea of a battle- she would have to summon up her troops, all her strength, and go for a full-frontal assault on the enemy. The Evil Queen rarely had patience for more subtly than that. She had been subtle for years- waiting for the perfect way for the King to die, for Snow to trust her completely so she could kill both Royals and seize the kingdom for herself. She'd be the Queen her mother had always wanted her to be, but she'd be avenged by the gain of absolute power.
With Snow's finding of True Love, with her sappy wedding and disgusting baby plans, the time for subtlety had long since passed. Regina had all the power and she'd use it. No waiting required.
She dismissed Sydney half-mindedly, and hung up the phone. Miss Swan had damaged her apple tree, but she could still bring a little something to soften up the stranger with.
Time to get baking.
Sarah Monday walked cautiously into the Sheriff's office, trying to clear her mind of all assumptions so she could be as impartial as possible. She'd liked all she'd heard about Miss Swan, and Miss Ward certainly thought her sister a wonderful person, but Sarah had to make her own judgements so she cleared her mind accordingly.
"Hello?" she called out to the blonde woman sitting at the one desk. It was off in its own office, surrounded by glass walls and facing the cells. There was a man's leather jacket hanging on the coat rack, a single walkie talkie on the desk beside the woman and all her paperwork, and a to-go cup from Granny's by her elbow. The blonde herself was wearing a pair of jeans, boots, and simple blue shirt with her own leather jacket hanging on the back of her chair. She looked up at Sarah's call and stood up, obviously nervous.
"Hi," she said and fidgeted slightly, "I guess you're Sarah?"
Sarah gave a small nod, "I'm going to assume you're Emma?"
The blonde gave a shaky nod as she tucked some hair behind her ear. Sarah noticed a brown shoelace tied around her wrist as she completed the movement.
"How about we sit out there," Emma gestured to the main area between her office and the cells where two other desks faced each other and the filing cabinets stood along one wall. Emma and Sarah both moved into the area in silent agreement and each grabbed a chair. They sat between the two desks, facing each other. Emma's back was to the cells, and an ancient computer was Sarah's own backdrop as the two women sized each other up. Emma fidgeted. Sarah crossed her legs and folded her hands into her lap.
"Why don't you tell me what's going on?"
And Emma began.
Regina smiled as she pulled the apple turnover out of her pristine oven. She did like the kitchens of this world. Hers contained all the gadgets she could want. She breathed deep, inhaling that smell of apple. None of the apples from her tree in this world contained the...potency of the apple she had once cursed Snow White with in their own world. Of course, there was no magic in this land. But something about the symbolism of it all appealed to Regina's inner dramatist. Perhaps she had learned something from Rumple beyond the use of her mother's spells. She frowned as she thought on the imp: she'd spotted him giving something to David Nolan after the town meeting. Also, he was being far too helpful towards the Misses Swan and Ward. Regina had started to have a sinking feeling that the treacherous imp found a loophole in the curse that allowed him to remember. She'd have to set up some sort of test.
She carefully timed the cooling of the turnover, and then popped it gracefully into a container. Ziploc, another great wonder of this world. Strange what they come up with to compensate for a lack of magic.
Regina carefully checked her outfit and made sure her make-up was impeccable. She was always careful of her appearance, but she wanted to make sure this...social worker left with the right impression. Regina was a great mother- she was the one who was there for Henry throughout his life, she soothed fevers, changed diapers, and rocked him to sleep. She was the one he owed, not Miss Swan for simply carrying out the pregnancy. She had raised him single-handedly. If Miss Swan wanted a child, she'd have to find another one. Henry was hers.
The citizens of Storybrooke were silent as they watched her make her way towards Granny's B&B, where this person was no doubt staying. When the curse was in full effect, they'd all greet her or at least demonstrate some fear at her presence. Now...they gawked. Regina did not appreciate gawking and so put on her iciest glare to discourage such behavior. The cursed buffoons had the nerve to start whispering to each other, and one, that irritating dwarf that was so loyal to Snow all these years, even sneered back.
Regina briefly wondered how Snow White managed to inspire such deep and abiding loyalty while she, the righteously wronged, the sufferer of Snow's fickle promises, had to force obedience in her subservients.
She didn't like where her thoughts were turning, so she dismissed them.
A quick conversation with Ruby (who coped an attitude that was usually reserved for the old woman) told Regina which room to head towards.
She knocked briskly, and the door opened.
Regina took the measure of this woman who was supposed to have the audacity to declare whether or not she was a fit parent. She was a small woman, her dark hair pulled into a serviceable bun that was still attractive rather than severe. She was wearing no make-up but had no creases in her grey skirt suit or green blouse. They both set off her dark complexion very well. What concerned Regina was the woman's sharp, clear eyes- they held no nonsense. In fact, they were entirely still, as if she were playing a game of poker. The knowledge behind them was a calm, still intimidation.
Regina had not been intimidated in a long time, and had no use for the feeling. She'd faced down her mother, made deals with Rumplestiltskin, and had fought for her own Happy Ending in spite of Snow White's eternal hope brigade and all their dithering. Regina had cast the Dark Curse, her father had sacrificed himself so she could have this town under her thumb- have everything she wanted. She couldn't have Daniel, but she could have this. She owed her father to make sure it remained under her power. She would not allow Miss Swan and Miss Ward to make her father's sacrifice void.
"Hello," Regina greeted, giving the polite courtly smile her mother had trained her to smile at her enemies, "I thought I might come and speak for myself. You were going to ask for my side of the story, weren't you?"
Sarah carefully kept her face blank as she allowed Mayor Regina Mills into the room. It wasn't often someone sought her out rather than waiting for her to come to them. They were usually the ones who were sure they were in the right. Of course, they were all usually sure they were in the right. It was a horrifying trick of humanity that even as someone could beat their child, they were certain that what they were doing was right. No one ever thought they were in the wrong, they more often accused the laws of being nosy, or too harsh, or simply ridiculous. There was usually some discussion of the "good-ole days" and government interference. She reminded herself to be impartial, to ignore the other accounts she had just finished typing up and act like this was an entirely new case she was taking news on. Pretend this was the first time she'd heard the names Henry Mills, Emma Swan, and Regina Mills. She would not let anything compromise her objectivity, but it was a struggle after hearing the entire town implicate the Mayor. The Mayor took a seat at the chair by the desk, and Sarah was glad she'd closed her notes before answering the door, it wouldn't do for this woman to be able to read any of them. Sarah herself sat on the end of her bed and crossed her legs, folding her hands into her lap.
"Well," she said, conscientiously choosing the same words she had spoken to Emma Swan some hours earlier. "Why don't you tell me what's going on?"
Rumplestiltskin spied the former King Maurice loading up his van for his flowers. Valentine's Day was around the corner, and the man would be able to make up his payments then, but...well, this man, after what he did to Belle? This father that Belle had adored so much and sacrificed so readily for?
Rumple found there were a few perks to this curse, and this was his first opportunity to get some of his own back from Maurice since his memories had returned.
"Well," he said to the man, startling him as he came from behind his truck to find Gold and the muscle he'd hired waiting for him, "This is just perfect, I've been looking for you, Mr. French."
The man handed the flowers off to an assistant, his hands clutching and releasing by his side, betraying his emotions even as he kept his voice even and replied, "I'll have your money next week."
"The terms of the loan were fairly specific," Gold said as if it were out of his hands, he turned to the muscle, "Take the van," he calmly instructed, and the man quickly bowed his head and walked towards the driver's side.
"Wait!" Moe French cried out, following the tall man before he came to a stunned halt before his own van, "No! Tomorrow is Valentine's day!" he objected towards Mr. Gold, his eyes darting between the Pawnbroker and the man currently climbing into his truck, "It's the biggest day of—I've got a grand in roses in the back!" the car started, and Moe French stubbornly remained standing in front of it, his hands spread as if to push the van back from inching forward, "Stop! You've gotta let me sell them!"
Gold checked his pocket-watch, affecting indifference and then began to walk away, "I'm gonna leave you two to continue this conversation."
"Oh, this is no way to do business, Gold!" he jerked back as the van lurched forward, "You are the lowest!" he called after Gold's retreating back, spinning out of the way as the van drove off, "People aren't gonna put up with this!" Moe shouted after the man who he first knew as the Dark One. The florist turned back to watch his van disappear, seemingly at a loss.
Gold noticed Ada across the street and approached her. The woman was watching the scene, frowning, her arms crossed across her chest.
Rumple sighed. For all that Miss Ward was a mind almost able to match his own, she was, dreadfully, still one of those obnoxious goody-goodies. He had a feeling she was about to make her objections known- she was never shy with those.
"What was that about?" she tossed her hair as she quickly turned her sharp eyes on him.
"Business, dearie. He defaulted on his loan, I took the truck as collateral."
Ada gave a hum as she examined him, "You're too gleeful for that to be just business. Who was he?"
Rumple sneered, "A foolish king who didn't realize what a gift he had and destroyed it in the vilest of ways."
Ada's eyebrows shot up, "Well, that was...vehement."
"It is earned, dearie. He may appear innocent and trusting now, but that man," Rumple cut himself off before he could finish that sentence. Destroyed the only bright spot in my curse. The one who could've broken it, had I let her. That would've meant giving up on Bae. Of course, I never told her that.
Ada examined Gold, "Listen, I don't know the story here, but I do know that you're not usually on the justice train. So why don't you tell me who that gift was and what they meant to you?"
Rumple turned his eyes on Ada and she trembled slightly before shoring up her courage. His gaze was furious, burning and spitting fire and hurt. She felt almost a reflexive twinge in her own heart, as if it felt some sort of kindred empathy of what his heart had gone through to achieve that look. Her prickings raced along her skin, leaving goose-flesh across her skin as her hair stood on end.
A lesser person would've cowed before that look.
Ada was not a lesser person.
"Listen carefully, dearie," Ada got the sense she was closer to the true Dark One than she had ever been, "Just because we are temporarily allied and you show some aptitude for my lessons does not allow you to question me. My business is my own, and my motives belong to me. Don't question me again, or I may withdraw my support towards your beloved sister. Don't forget who owes who in this little situation."
He turned to walk away, but Ada took a deep breath and gambled.
"You won't stop helping Emma- you need her to break the curse for whatever reason. You've been playing a long game, putting everyone into their spots for this curse and its breaking. I don't know why, but there's something in it for you. Now, why don't you stop threatening and posturing and face me. Only cowards walk away from questions."
At that word, Rumple stiffened.
"So what are your thoughts on letting Henry spend time with Miss Swan? Not allowing her custody, but allowing him to talk to her and ask her whatever questions he has?" Sarah's fingers itched to take notes, but she refrained. She kept her body completely still, down to her fingers. Twitching would only make her seem weak, and her stillness helped to intimidate those she interviewed. People who were intimidated tended to blabber, and those who blabbered tended to reveal more of the truth then they meant to.
Mayor Mills sniffed disdainfully, "He doesn't have any questions for Miss Swan. She tossed him away," Sarah hid her flinch at those particular words, "And I was the one who took him in. She cannot come back years afterward and expect to have any rights. She asked for a closed adoption. That's what she got."
"I understood that Henry had sought out her?" Sarah phrased it as a question, though she had seen the evidence to back up the fact that Henry Mills had been the one to seek out Emma Swan- Mary Margaret Blanchard had provided the receipt and credit card statements from when the boy had stolen her card to seek out Emma, and the computer trail was fairly self-evident.
"Henry is currently going through a rebellious phase. He knows who cares for him, deep down. I just don't want Miss Swan to hurt him when she eventually leaves."
Sarah allowed herself to tilt her head slightly to the side, "What makes you think she's going to leave? It's been four months, she's gotten a local job, involved herself in the community, found a place to live. Her friend Miss Ward has moved into an apartment locally as well."
"Miss Swan has lived in seven different cities in the past ten years. She's not stable, no matter how she may appear. The longest she stayed in one location was two years," the woman scoffed, "I think her track record speaks for itself."
Ada had no idea what a trigger that word would be when she had first uttered it, but now she made a careful mental note of it. The book was spare on the story of Rumplestiltskin. It didn't tell much about who he was before he became the Dark One, and it was also spare on the details of what that curse exactly entailed. All she knew was it was an awful lot of power for one tiny caveat. The dagger that controlled him. It was a small price for seemingly limitless dark power and apparent immortality. The man essentially walked around with the magical equivalent his heart outside of his chest? Too easy, in Ada's book.
She was beginning to regret starting this. Emma wasn't here to back her up or stop her from running her mouth. It was Ada's own personal curse- she was always measured and sure in her actions. She never acted out. Each of her actions were thought out and considered. Emma joked that it would make her a good serial killer- Ada never panicked. It was her tongue that she couldn't control. Her mouth always flew off the handle and ran away with her. She never could hide her opinion on anything- she just couldn't keep quiet when she was riled up. Emma always said that would be what would get her in trouble one day.
Ada was hoping it wouldn't be this day.
"Watch it, dearie," Rumplestiltskin warned her. Ada gathered her courage around her and prepared for another verbal spare. This wasn't like when they were trading quips over the chess board- if he nicked her here, she would bleed. Ada could not afford to lose.
"I'll watch it when you stop outright lying to me."
Rumple turned again to examine her, "I never lie, dearie," he averred. And, indeed, the man was right- he was always very careful to keep on the flimsy side of truth.
"You were the one who just said you'd stop helping Emma if I kept asking questions. We both know that's not true."
Ada could've winced. Calling Rumplestiltskin out on his lie? Not something most people with anything resembling common sense would do.
Rumple couldn't remember the last time someone had actually confronted him (he could) and for a moment was shocked out of his anger. It was enough for him to recognize he'd lost his head and actually revealed more than he'd ever intended.
Against his own will, he was impressed with the red head. Regina had tried to contest him, but had only ever reached the level of an annoying gnat, easily swatted away. Miss Ward was a worthy opponent, he had known this, but it took a special person to know exactly who he was (and of what he was capable) and still defy him.
He grinned slowly and watched Miss Ward closely. He thought he detected some discomfort in the corner of her eyes, but she ultimately maintained her strong facade and he decided that, in and of itself, deserved a reward.
"Very well, dearie, what would you like?"
Ada examined him carefully. "You better give the terms of the deal now. I've impressed you and in return you'll let me have something- but what are the parameters? And are there any hidden costs?"
Rumple let loose his signature giggle. Oh, Miss Ward was fun! "No other cost, dearie, you've contested me where braver men and their armies failed to even whimper in my direction. You may choose anything within my current power that can be done today, but I will provide no more information than I desire to any questions. You'll get the bare truth, but no details," he wagged his finger at her. She narrowed her eyes and darted them over to where Moe French was standing outside his flower shop.
Well, he hadn't considered that, but he couldn't go back on the deal now. Then, Ada's eyes flashed back to him. Gold grinned- she was torn between bargaining for the man, who she knew nothing of, and for getting more information from him. She remained silently indecisive for a minute.
"Twenty questions. Honest answers, with no details."
The crocodile grinned. "Ten questions. No details."
"I believe I heard something about a defaming article on Miss Swan?"
Regina grinned, "Which one? The one where she drove drunk upon her first day in Storybrooke and destroyed a historic sign? Or the article about how she cut Henry's cord with a shiv?"
Sarah tried not to show any emotion at the Mayor's choice of words.
"I did some research on Miss Swan myself- that was a juvie record, even I didn't have access. How did a small-town reporter manage to do so?"
Regina shrugged, "I don't control the press."
"But what has been done? He did break the law in accessing that file. Was he arrested?"
Regina scoffed, "Miss Monday, we believe in the free press in this town. I don't know what sort of assumptions you have about small towns, but I assure you, Storybrooke...is enchanting."
"What about Henry? How was he when the article was released?"
"Oh, we all have to lose our heroes sometime. I believe the faster Henry is disillusioned with Miss Swan, the better. It'll make the separation that much easier."
Sarah decided to take a different tact, "Aside from yourself, who does Henry spend most of his time with? Who are his friends at school?"
"Henry's a bit of a loner," Regina shrugged, "When he's not with me, he's at home, though he has snuck out a few times to try and see Miss Swan. I've put a stop to it, obviously."
Sarah gave a small hum.
"Twenty-five questions."
"Dearie, I think you're rather confused on the concept of bargaining."
"Thirty questions."
"Ten."
"Twenty-five."
"Ten."
"Twenty-five."
Rumple gave a sigh, "Fifteen."
"Ten and you give the man back his van," Ada slyly countered.
"Twenty," Rumple immediately offered.
"Done," Ada pounced with a grin.
Gold couldn't help but sigh, "Let's take this inside, shall we?" he offered with a gesture of his arm towards his shop. Ada boldly hooked her arm through his as they walked towards the Pawnshop.
"I'm so glad we could agree on this."
"And how is the social worker's investigations going?"
"Emma texted me saying she had talked with Sarah. Emma, once she was done panicking, thought it had gone alright, which probably means it went rather well since Emma consistently underestimates herself."
"A problem you don't share?" Rumple probed.
"I know my flaws, if that's what you're asking. I like to think I'm as self-aware as the next person. You?"
He gave a small chuckle, "I can't decide if you're bold or just careless, dearie."
"I think it takes a bit of both."
She released his arm to allow him to unlock the Pawnshop door, which he held open for her. She automatically took her usual seat at the table with the chess board.
"I've often found that the brave are rather foolhardy and reckless. Their bravery stems from a sort of showboating."
"I like to think better of people than that," Ada countered as she ran her fingers along the engravings that decorated the edge of the table.
"Really?" Rumple couldn't help but ask, eyeing her. Most people from Ada's background, like Miss Swan, were quicker to assume the worst of people. It's what Rumple himself did- he found it saved time.
Ada shrugged, "Maybe I'm odd, but I'd rather go through life waiting to be proved right rather than praying to be proved wrong."
Rumple took his seat and her eyes jumped from the engravings to his as he examined the board. "I believe we left off on your turn."
Ada examined her pieces. She moved a knight, "Who was the gift the man didn't appreciate?"
Rumple giggled, "I expected you to warm up to that one, dearie."
Ada shrugged, "I only have twenty questions."
Gold occupied himself with the chess board as he tried to figure out a short answer that would give away a minimum of information. He pushed forward a pawn, "She was named Belle."
Ada's eyes seemed to be cataloging all of Rumpelstiltskin's face, looking for any tells.
"Question two," she moved forward her Queen, "What happened to Belle?"
"She died." He moved a Rook.
Ada was quick to move a pawn, "And how did you know her?"
"She worked as my caretaker as part of a deal," he stubbornly moved a pawn of his own, frowning at the girl across from him.
Ada seemed to be reviewing something in her own memories, perhaps trying to remember if she'd read about Belle in the book.
"Belle," she whispered, as if testing the syllables on her tongue, trying them, out, "Belle, who cleaned your place for you. As a deal. Question three," she moved one of her Rooks out of danger, "Who made the deal with you?"
Twenty questions were too many to hand over to this girl, but he really hadn't wanted to give Maurice back the damned truck. "She did." Rumple moved his Queen, then cursed himself.
"In exchange for what?" A Knight.
"The lives of her friends and family." His Rook captured one of her pawns.
"Question six: how did she die?" One of her pawns managed to capture a knight he'd seemed to have forgotten he had. Talking about Belle was a horrible distraction while playing chess, and he reapplied himself to the game even as he tried not to think too hard on this answer.
"She killed herself. Threw herself off a tower."
"Why?"
Rumple shrugged as he moved his Queen again, "To escape the torture."
"Who was torturing her?" Her Bishop.
"Her father." His pawn.
"The man whose truck you took away?" Her own pawn.
"Yes." His remaining Knight.
"How did her father torture her if she was your housekeeper?" Her King.
"She went home." His Knight took her Bishop.
"You let her out of the deal?" She moved her Rook out of danger.
"Yes." He forgot to position his King and instead moved another pawn.
"Why?" She took the pawn and was posed to take either his Bishop or Rook.
"I didn't want her around." He moved the Rook.
"Why?" She took the Bishop.
"Because she was in the way." He tried to refocus his efforts on the game. If he couldn't play a decent game of chess, Miss Ward would be all too quick to pick up on the subtleties of that particular distraction. He finally moved a pawn because he couldn't think of a better plan.
She took his final Knight. "How did you know she died?"
"I got to hear the Evil Queen crow it," he moved a Bishop. Nothing is more dangerous than someone who sincerely believes they're right, after all.
Ada captured a pawn. "Why was she bargaining for her family and friend's lives?"
He grinned, she'd slipped up there. "Presumably because she held some sort of affection for their continued existence."
Ada grimaced as he captured her own Knight. "Alright, why were their lives in danger at that particular time?"
He watched as she moved a pawn cautiously, "There was a war." He moved his Rook and captured the pawn.
"Against whom?" She timidly put her final Knight into play.
"Ogres," He moved his pawn and captured one of her Rooks.
Ada's jaw dropped, "Ogres are real, too?" As soon as the words left her mouth she cursed loudly.
He smugly waited for her move as he answered, "You wouldn't question their reality if you'd ever smelled one's breath."
She moved her Queen. She only had two questions left. She vindictively took a Rook with her Queen as she tried to hold her tongue long enough to make sure she made her remaining questions worth it. "How do you know she's dead if your source was Regina?"
He took her last Bishop as he squashed the hope in him, "She had no reason to lie."
Ada skeptically raised a single eyebrow, "I think she lies for fun, personally, but alright," she sighed and moved her Queen to take his last Rook, "Why do you want Emma to break the curse after wanting Regina to cast it?"
It was her final question. Rumple was surprised by the shift the conversation. He hadn't expected her to shift gears so quickly and he pounced on her Queen and took her. She was down to a Knight, her King, a Rook, and a couple of pawns. He was left with his King, Queen, a Bishop and a handful of his own Pawns. "Because I need something from this world."
Ada's eyes held still on him. Her eyes were perhaps unnerving. They were still, unlike other eyes that flashed or sparked. Rumple was reminded of moss on the side of trees that surrounded a fairy circle when he examined the redhead's eyes. They were both dark and bright and somehow deep, but motionless, as if waiting and watching was all they needed to accomplish. As if you would do all the action for them and they need only observe. The stillness of her eyes was perhaps in some contrast to the rest of her- all wild, blazing hair that seemed almost alive at times, and her perpetual state of motion. Not to mention the way her mouth ran.
"Do you know what I find particularly illuminating about this particular game we just played?"
"You've used up all your questions, dearie."
"It's okay- I already know the answer to this one," she rose up and gathered her purse and jacket as she prepared to leave. As she opened the door and the bell rang, she turned over her shoulder to comment to him, "You've had me in check the last three turns."
Ada left the pawnshop.
So I just realized while writing this chapter...I'm over half-way through Season One! Oh my Rowling! Seriously, Skin Deep is the twelfth episode out of twenty-two, and considering I've already added in the storyline of What Happened to Frederick (the thirteenth episode) I am over half-way!
That's sort of weird to think about. Also, in other news: I've had officially over a hundred reviews on this story between AO3 and ff. net. So, yay!
Again, sorry for the late posting, but I hope this chapter was worth the wait! That entirety of everything between Ada and Gold came out of nowhere! So not planned, but it happened anyways. What did you guys think?
