Chapter 56

It had been two days since they had been forced to stay in this other realm. Regina and Emma had actually become rather comfortable. It wasn't very often they got to relax and simply exist together. There were no monsters or threats bearing down on them here, just normal things to think about. Henry and Belle spent plenty of time together in the library, pouring through books they wouldn't find in Storybrooke. Ruby and Lorelei mostly ran off to the village and had an all out party most nights.

Cora was trying to pull Snow and Red into their new roles as queens, but although Snow had a decent grip on politics, Red was far from royalty. If it wasn't for Snow guiding her and patiently teaching her about the system, Red would likely have bolted on day one.

Rory seemed to be flashing in and out of everybody's life hourly. She spent plenty of time having fun with Ruby and Lorelei, but she also spent a great deal of time with Cora and the infants. It wasn't until the late evening of the second day that Rory decided to take a shot at Belle again.

Henry had retired for the night, apparently he was getting random waves of whatever Lorelei was doing in the taverns and he decided to go to bed before it overwhelmed him. Belle was studying her notes from the runes on Lorelei again, still trying to make sense of it all. "How is someone so beautiful always alone?"

Belle jumped at the sudden voice by her ear and nearly fell out of her chair before Rory caught her and sat her back down, smiling all to sweetly. "Ugh, Rory. Really? Can't you walk in a room like a normal person?"

"Actually, my little bookworm, I did."

Belle eyed her suspiciously but shook her head and turned back to her writings, "well then try announcing yourself, and respecting personal boundaries."

Rory sat in a chair very close to Belle and leaned her head on her hand as she put her elbow on top of Belle's notebook. "Are you not bored? Wouldn't just a little excitement do you some good?"

Pushing the sirens arm off the table, Belle sighed at her, "I am not bored. I am trying to decipher these runes." Glancing at Rory, she added, "are yours the same as hers?"

Grinning widely, Rory spread her arms wide, "why don't you see for yourself, my dear?"

Belle bit her lip, she was trying to decide if it was worth the trouble to see just a few of them to compare… "can't you just be a decent person and show me a few? I mean, without the flirting?"

Rory dropped her arms but still smiled at her, "do you really mean to tell me you're not interested in me?"

Belle sighed, "I am not interested in you romantically. Aren't you in a relationship with Cora?"

Rory grimaced hard and seemed to deflate a bit at Belle's question. "I am not in a relationship with anybody. I am a free being who refuses to be caged like an animal in some sort of one on one existence."

Belle cocked a brow at her, "you love her."

Rory looked offended, "how dare you?!"

"Why is it that hard to admit? Just let yourself be in love with her and move on. Lorelei admitted she loves Ruby and they are far happier for it."

Rory seemed to consider for a moment and then leaned in closer to Belle, "would you like to play a game?" Belle shook her head, but Rory pressed closer, putting a finger and Belle's notebook. "For the price of one, let's say, ten second kiss, I will tell you exactly what trans-essence delivery is all about."

Belle gasped and grabbed Rory's arm in excitement, "you know what it is?" Rory nodded. "How do you know if Lorelei doesn't?"

Rory shrugged and licked her lips, she had her now. "We look and act alike my dear but we are not the same person. She knows things I do not, and vice versa. Do you want to play or not?"

…..

Regina was sitting at the table used for royal discussion with Emma, Cora and Red. Snow had gone to check on the babies while everyone tried to figure out the trade routes the evil queen had set up. It was confusing and muddled and needed to be straightened out immediately. They were quietly talking when Belle burst through the doors and immediately stared down Cora.

"Cora! I demand that you control your little girlfriend or I am going to kill her myself!" Belle shouted angrily at the woman who sat looking startled.

Rory threw herself through the door just behind Belle and held her hands up in defense while trying to push Belle back out, "hey, sorry for interrupting, never mind this crazy thing here! She just had a bit too much to drink!"

Belle slapped Rory right across the face and shoved past her to stare at Cora directly, "she has been trying rather aggressively to get me in her bed for the past hour. I have not been drinking, I have been working on something very important and she will not leave me alone. I demand you contain her."

Cora stood then, looking angrily at Rory, "what is wrong with you? I told you that you are not allowed other partners!"

Rory glared back at her, "I will do as I damn well please, and by the way, little miss innocent here agreed to kiss me and never paid up, even after I delivered good on my word!"

Cora stared back to Belle who was blushing now, "I only agreed to kiss you if you told me about trans-essence delivery! I had no intentions of actually following through with it!"

Rory pointed excitedly, "ah see? She agreed, we made a deal and she broke it!"

Cora growled and snatched Rory up by an arm angrily muttering at her while she drug her out of the room.

All eyes turned to Belle then. "What? She knew all about it! I finally have the answers for Lorelei's runes! I needed that siren off my back so I can find Lorelei and tell her."

Regina shook her head, "Belle, did you actually make a deal with Rory?" Belled blushed and nodded. "Well, for starters, that's disgusting. Second of all, shame on you for breaking the deal, and lastly, Ruby and Lorelei are probably at the taverns again."

Belle nodded and rushed out of the room, presumably to head for the taverns. Regina groaned and rubbed her eyes tiredly. Emma rubbed her back and said to Red, "and that is how you deal with daily bullshit."

Red nodded and looked nearly ready to fall asleep at the table. "I'm going to bed. I've had enough for one day I think."

After Red left, Emma and Regina decided they should also head to bed. Running a kingdom was exhausting and although they weren't doing all of it, it still took a toll. They were ready to go back to Storybrooke, even if this place was still far less stressful than home.

….

Belle had to duck in and back out of four taverns before she finally heard loud music and singing coming from her next target. As soon as she got close enough to hear a woman singing, she knew she had found Lorelei.

As I came back through Dublin city

At the hour of half past eight

Who should I spy but the Spanish lady

Brushing her hair in the broad daylight

First she brushed it, then she tossed it

On her lap was a silver comb

In all my life I never did see

A maid so fair since I did roam

Smiling in spite of herself at the song, Belle made her way through the crowd to find Lorelei happily dancing and singing on the bar top with Ruby sitting nearby. Belle sat beside Ruby and when the song was finished, Lorelei took a bow and climbed down to join them. The crowd seemed upset she was finished but she loudly promised them another song later.

Lorelei was sat beside Ruby with Belle on the other side of Ruby. She leaned around to smack Belle's shoulder playfully, "what're you doing here little miss educated one?"

Ruby laughed, she was obviously a few mugs of ale in already. "I thought you were too busy reading to join us?"

Belle rolled her eyes, "I was too busy, and now I have finished! I'm not staying, I just wanted to tell you two that I have fully translated Lorelei's runes."

Ruby looked intently at Belle, "you know, technically, you still owe her a free viewing for that… she hasn't forgotten."

Belle blushed furiously, "well make that two debts to sirens I never intend to pay." Lorelei looked at her in confusion, but Belle continued. "Anyway, I wanted to tell you about the spell she can perform. It's called trans-essence delivery and…"

Belle was unable to finish her sentence due to Lorelei having popped up behind her and covering her mouth with her hand. "lovely story Belle. Can't wait to hear more. Too loud in here though, let's go somewhere quiet!" Lorelei winked at Ruby, "be back in a moment darling, don't drink my bourbon."

Ruby laughed and waved them off, too far gone to protest or question. Lorelei flashed her and Belle outside away from the tavern before letting her go. Belle shoved her away and angrily glared at her, "what was that for? It wasn't that loud in there."

Lorelei was fidgeting nervously, "you can't tell her about the soul sharing Belle."

Belle stared at the siren, mouth open in shock, "you knew?! You knew this whole time didn't you? You let me pour over all this and make a deal with that even more repulsive version of you to figure it out!" Then Belle started smacking Lorelei until the siren captured her hands in her own.

Staring at her intently, Lorelei spoke in a low tone, making sure no one would overhear. "Belle, you can't tell her, she would want to do it. You don't fully understand. I didn't think you could figure it out, and I hadn't thought the other I would tell you."

Belle pulled free and although still mad, her curiosity was beating her. "What don't I understand?"

Sighing heavily, Lorelei resigned to tell her, if only to avoid Ruby learning of the half story. "I will explain it to you. But not tonight. Tomorrow, I promise. But you cannot say a word to anyone else."

Belle crossed her arms and was about to argue, but there was a sadness in the siren that made her decide to wait. "Fine, I'll wait to hear what you have to say. I don't understand, but I will wait and I won't say anything."

Lorelei smiled at her and turned to go, but then turned to smile sweetly at Belle once more, "just for clarification, what promise did you make to the other me for that information?"

Belle blushed and rolled her eyes, "I promised to kiss her if she told me."

Lorelei giggled, "well now, you owe me a nude viewing and her a kiss. That sounds very much like a fine evening if you ask me Belle!" Belle threw her hands up in irritation and stormed off as Lorelei made her way back to Ruby. She had no intention of letting this night be ruined by tomorrows impending conversation with Belle.

…..

The song referenced in this chapter is Spanish Lady as performed by Celtic Woman.