A/N: If you have been reading this from the beginning, I have updated the first half of chapter 3. You may want to go back and read it :)
Chapter 7: Mr. Gold
The bell rang as she opened the door. Aliyah looked around quietly. The pawn shop was full of wonder. She loved pawn and antique shops, not necessarily to buy but to learn the history behind what she finds.
She smiled fondly when she saw two marionettes by the window. Running her fingers over them, Aliyah recognized the maker's work and felt the chisels he used. Aliyah picked one up by the strings, watching the marionette move with ease.
"May I help you?"
Startled, Aliyah placed the marionette down. "Just looking around." She smiled as she turned around and continued.
The older man looked at her. "You must be one of the new visitors I heard about." Aliyah looked at him questionably. Her smile faltering. "Small town." He answered, watching her with possible recognition.
She continued to look around slowly and stopped when she rounded the corner. A mobile. Aliyah reached for it, watching the blue and white unicorns move delicately. It was a beautiful piece and one she felt she should recognize.
The man silently watched her from behind the counter. "Beautiful, isn't it?" Aliyah glanced at him. "I didn't catch your name." he said, "would you like me to wrap that?" he asked, reaching for the mobile.
"Sorry." Aliyah looked back at the piece, grabbing one of the blue unicorns. "I'm just looking." Letting it go, she took one last look, turned around and headed towards the door. Feeling a pull, Aliyah stopped a few feet in front of the door and turned to look at her right. She shook the feeling away, not wanting to stay in the shop much longer. "You have a lovely shop." She remarked before reaching for the door and left.
Aliyah rounded the corner and leaned on the wall. She felt odd being in that shop. Taking a few breaths, Aliyah kicked off the wall and headed toward the bed-and-breakfast.
Her mind still in the pawn shop, Aliyah walked into someone as she entered the bed-and-breakfast. "Sorry." She mumbled coming back to where she was. "Emma!" she smiled, then looked over at the empty counter. "Booking a room?"
Emma gave her an annoyed look.
"You're out all night, and now you're going out again."
"I should've moved to Boston!"
"I'm sorry that my heart attack interfered with your plans to sleep your way down the Eastern Seaboard!"
Aliyah looked over at Emma. They obviously stumbled into an argument. "Why don't you bunk with me?"
Emma glanced at Aliyah, then back at the two women. "Excuse me? I'd like a room."
The two stopped and stared at Emma. This gave Aliyah an excuse to leave. She wanted to be alone to collect her thoughts for the day, and she really needed to send those pictures to her client.
"Really?" Emma nodded as Granny fetched the ledger. "Not so fast, you." Granny said to Aliyah.
Aliyah stopped at mid step. She turned around looking back at Granny who was giving her a stern look. She glanced at Ruby who gave her a silent sorry in return. 'Why does she make me feel like I'm five?' Aliyah thought before sitting on the stair step.
Granny looked back at Emma, "would you like a forest view or a square view? Normally there's an upgrade fee for the square, but as the rent is due, I'll wave it."
"Square is fine."
Aliyah heard the door open and saw the man from the pawn shop enter. She noticed Ruby's body language go stiff and Granny's face harden. The man glanced over at Aliyah before turning his attention towards Granny and Emma.
"Now, what's the name?"
"Swan, Emma Swan."
"Emma, what a lovely name." the man remarked, walking towards Granny.
"Thanks." Emma said, stepping out of the man's way.
Aliyah watched Granny remove what she assumed was a roll of cash. "It's all there." She heard Granny as she handed the man the roll. Aliyah noticed the man didn't bother counting it.
"Yes, yes, of course it is dear. Thank you. Enjoy your stay…. Emma." He looked over at Aliyah. "I still never got your name, dearie."
Aliyah looked between Granny and Ruby, who both looked oddly uncomfortable. Then at Emma, looking off herself. "Hunter." She stated. "Selene Hunter."
"Well, Selene, enjoy your stay." He nodded then walked out the door.
"Who's that?" Emma asked, giving Aliyah a questioning glare.
"Mr. Gold. He owns this place." Ruby answered, coming out of her uneasiness.
"The Inn?" Aliyah asked, watching Ruby look through the curtains.
"No, the town. So, how long will you be with us?" Granny asked, going back to her usual self.
"A week. Just a week."
"Just a week?" Aliyah asked, still watching Ruby.
Emma nodded.
"Great." Granny hands Emma an old-fashioned key. "Welcome to Storybrooke."
Emma grabbed the key and headed towards the stairs. Aliyah leaned over letting her sister walk by, then looked at the two remaining women and sighed, wondering what Granny had in store for her.