Lacey
Rumplestiltskin heard the clashing of metal in the distance. He smiled and laughed before remembering his new 'housecarl', as she called herself, was outside doing the laundry.
He taransported himself outside and saw to his amazement, the blood haired woman fighting in her working dress against seven fully armored men. And she was taunting them.
"My nine-year-old daughter can fight better than this!" She ripped off one man's bracer and sliced his arm off at the elbow. "I'm going easy on you!"
One man was able to slash his sword across her face before she cut open his side. Blood marred her features as well as a frown. "Really? My face? What do I look like, some maiden in a tower?" She watched the man fall and stuck her tongue out at him childishly before blocking the next blow.
He continued to watch as she... 'played' was the word. She wasn't fighting, there was too much laughter, she wasn't using her magic, her usual sword, or her gifts. She was dancing about the men, not causing much harm, but an annoyance that made them angry.
One was able to wrestle her sword away from her hand. She smiled and electrocuted him. "Oh, we wanna play like the big boys do, hmm?" She planted her feet and unleashed a dragon roar. "FUS, RO, DAH!" The five remaining men were thrown back and she began to stalk toward them.
"Having fun, Dearie," Rumplestiltskin called out from the sideline.
Certainty turned to him quickly, delight shining in her eyes. "Oh, Milord! I didn't realize... Would you like me to dispose of them?"
He thought a moment. "I was rather enjoying that little display."
Her smile brightened as she turned back to the men. Less than ten minutes later, she felled the last man by decapitating him with his own sword. Her dress was covered in blood as she examined herself. "Ohhh... these were my favorite boots. Jerks."
He laughed as she pouted. "Certainly not nice men at the least."
She glanced at him playfully. "You can be no better." She magically changed her clothes as her skin cleaned. "Shall I skin them, sir?"
"What for?" He tilted his head to the side, interested.
"I noticed some of the books in the library were very worn and fresh parchment is expensive in town. And I'm going to strip them of their things anyway, it's not like it's a huge step."
He laughed. "Then skin them you may."
"Yes, My Lord," she said with a curtsy before turning to the laundry basket. "I shall start as soon as I finish hanging the drying."
"See that you do," he said before going back inside.
Orabella called on Devon, and the pair donned their old armor and joined Belle in her talk to the ex-Sheriff of Nottingham. Once the man had seen the cold armors of Absolute and Certainty, he had soiled himself, which only made the conversation shorter and more understanding.
Once he ran away, Belle turned to her bosses. "Thank you for helping me," she said as she twisted her hands together.
The two guards let their armor disappear to regular clothing. "It's no problem, dear," Orabella said as she took the younger woman by the shoulders. "It's been an emotional roller coaster for you today." She started walking them down the street. "Why don't you go home, have a drink, relax? Don't worry about work tomorrow."
"I have to clean Mr. Gold's house tomorrow."
"I'll take care of it." Orabella smiled as she cupped Belle's worried face. "You need a mental health day. Take it."
The younger woman nodded. "Yes, ma'am."
The former guards watched as Belle left them. Devon lent over Orabella's shoulder. "Very motherly thing for you to do."
"Yeah, I know," she sighed. "Still a twit."
"But I bet you don't want to kill her."
"No, I don't. But I do have to figure out what to do with her."
Devon only nodded as they made their way back to work.
