Chapter 7: Seeking the Truth
Killian dove head first into the rumor mill.
His rather intensive questioning was causing some very interesting rumors to fly about. Yeah, he was a little obsessed at the moment, he would not deny that, but he did go a bit overboard while trying to learn more about the Crimson Savior...and it showed.
He had overheard a rumor about himself...something along the lines of 'You know that one handed fellow, the blacksmith that turned up a few months back...he's practically smitten with the Savior.' And the usual reply was 'Oh I know. I feel so sad for him. She's the Savior. There's no way she would ever be interested in a coward like him.'
That annoyed him...that annoyed him a lot, but then a new rumor started circulating and he wasnt sure which emotion he should be feeling; joy or dread. The rumor's origin was the red head asking about him.
'Have you heard?! The Savior is asking about that blacksmith!'
'You're kidding! Oh...she probably just wants him to stop leering at her. Disgusting creep.'
'No! She was asking if he was married or betrothed to anyone!'
'Now I know you're not serious. She...is… the… Savior. There is no way she is interested him at all.'
'Cowardly or not, he is somewhat attractive. Clean him up a bit and I'm certain…'
'I think you're the one that is smitten with him.'
He actually found that to be a little amusing...even as a cowardly blacksmith, the ladies still couldn't resist him. He watched another gossip biddy rush up to the other two, clearly there to relate the newest rumor.
'You are never going to believe what I just heard!'
'Great...whats happened now?'
'The savior wants to meet the one handed blacksmith but is too shy to approach him!'
'Oh for heavens sake, that is utterly ridiculous. Why because the Savior has not hesitated to walk up to any of us and start a conversation. Me think he makes her feel uncomfortable, constantly gawking at her like an idiot and trailing after her like a stalker.'
He did cringe slightly at the stalker comment. He hadn't meant to be so obvious but between gorgeous goddesses and cryptic cat/rats...he didn't really pay attention to who was watching.
'Oh yeah...well how about this then? I asked her why she was so suddenly interested in that scaredy cat and she blew up one of the water barrels with her magic!'
'What?! Why?!'
'She was angry at me for calling him a coward and said that courage was not the absence of fear but that there was something more important than fear...and if I ever called him a coward again and she hears about it...my head will be the water barrel.'
Killian was a bit surprised. They hadnt even met yet and she was already defending him and so violently too. He wondered if it was normal to be aroused from the idea of that gorgeous woman violently tearing into someone...even if it was only verbally.
'Okay so she doesn't like it when people badmouth about other people. It does not mean that she is attracted to him at all. She just feels sorry for him. You've seen how kind she's been, being attentive, honest...especially good with children… thank you, God, for your divine mercy.'
He was not surprised about the kids part. That woman was fantastic with children. She would make a wonderful mother...did she have a child back in her land? His heart pinched...did she have a husband to return to?
Despite the way she had been treated in Storybrooke, for someone like her to be unattached...there was no way that she...another woman runs up and this one looked completely shocked. What's going on?
'She was asking about the blacksmith… again. She keeps asking again and again, wanting to know more about him and when Lily asked her why she was being so persistent...she blushed.'
'What?' All three women said in unison.
Hell he even thought it in his mind.
'Lily kept pushing her for more and the Savior caved. She heard that the blacksmith was asking around about her and the things he was asking about…'
'And...come on! Don't leave us in suspense!'
Yes, please don't...his heart was thudding hard in his chest with both anticipation and for once...fear.
'She said that it sounded like he might be interested in her...oh my god, she was blushing so hard! She wants to know more about him too but she was afraid to approach him. What if he wasn't interested in her at all?
What if he was just curious about her magic, her being the savior...or worse, what if he thought she was some kind of freak of nature because of her magic or exotic looks?
You know she was treated horribly in her land, right? Everyone hated her or ignored her...she doesn't even have a bloke of her own and she's scared of what the blacksmith will say or do!
No one has ever shown that kind of interest in her, so she doesn't know what to do. That's why she's been asking around about him. She wants to know for sure before she decides to speak with him.'
'Hmm...that is a problem. Okay since I'm the biggest cynic here…' receiving several sounds of affirmation, 'the point is that I am not the least bit afraid of that cowardly prat. I'll just ask him meself.'
She could not be serious. He knew who this woman was and she was a fast talking trouble maker that just loved making things more complicated than they should be.
The Captain's obsession with the Crimson Savior has begun a series of events that he can no longer avoid. All things in life, not just magic, comes with a price...but who would pay the price and how much will be lost?
