A/N: I know you all were probably expecting the next chapter to be 7:15 AM, but I wasn't sure how to work that episode's plot with David and Mary Margaret and their backstory as Snow White and Prince Charming with the theme of this story, so I thought I'd do a little something different with my OC Dee Dee and her backstory. I hope this worked out okay for you and Part 2 will come after this and we'll see if it's either Fruit of the Poisonous Tree or my personal favorite from this season Skin Deep. I hope it worked out with the main story and the flashbacks I did my best to emulate the show's style in what I think a canon episode with Dee Dee would be like.
When the morning sun came, the stranger of Storybrooke was shown to be tinkering with his motorcycle just outside the Mayor's house.
"You have everything?" Evie asked Henry as they came out of the house. "Books, homework, lunchbox, supplies?"
"Yes, Evie. I double-checked before I came downstairs too." Henry nodded.
"Good boy," Evie said with a small smile. "I just like to make sure you have all of your stuff."
"I like it when you do stuff with me, Evie, instead of trying to impress people in school because you might think they think that it's uncool to help out your little brother." Henry said softly.
"I know..." Evie sighed. "Things will get better, I promise."
"Especially when Emma breaks the curse." Henry nodded hopefully.
"...Right. When Emma breaks the curse and restores everybody's memories..." Evie then said, trying her best to sound convincing in agreeing with him.
Henry nodded before looking over. "Hey, it's that guy." he then said.
"Which guy?" Evie asked before she looked where he was looking. "Oh... That bike guy... Is he in your book?"
"I don't know, I'm not sure." Henry shrugged.
"Well... Come on, we better get moving." Evie suggested before they walked down the path together to get to school, though encountered the stranger on their way.
"What are you doing here?" Henry asked the stranger.
"Henry, you can't talk to strangers." Evie whispered firmly as she reminded him of a basic childhood rule.
"But he's on our property." Henry defended.
Evie paused thoughtfully before she realized that was a good point.
"Fixing my bike." The stranger told Henry.
"Okay..." Evie said with a small nod.
"No, I mean in Storybrooke." Henry clarified.
"Just visiting." The stranger then said.
Henry then looked over and noticed that he had a certain thing with his motorcycle. "What's that?" he then asked.
"A box." The stranger simply stated.
"What's inside it?" Henry then asked.
"Stop, Henry." Evie murmured as this seemed to be nosy behavior.
"It's okay, he's just a kid, he's bound to be curious," The stranger told Evie. "Let's just say that it's just something I need to do what I came here for."
Regina then came out the front door to see her children talking to the stranger who was on her property.
"Well, I thought you were just visiting?" Henry then reminded the stranger.
"Doesn't mean I don't have something to do." The stranger then said as he started his motorcycle.
"And just what do you plan to do in Storybrooke, sir?" Evie then asked as she crossed her arms.
"Sorry, but I thought you weren't allowed to talk to strangers." The stranger smirked at her a little.
"Henry! Evie!" Regina soon yelled out.
"Better get to school. Looks like a storm's coming." The stranger advised the Mills siblings before he rode off on his motorcycle.
Evie slowly blinked before looking over her shoulder.
"Evie. Henry. Who was that?" Regina demanded.
"We don't really know," Evie replied. "Sorry, Mom. We're going to school right now."
"See that you do," Regina nodded. "I thought I always told you two to never talk to strangers."
Henry just hid behind Evie since he couldn't defend himself then.
"Sorry again, Mom," Evie replied. "It won't happen again."
Regina gave a firm nod.
"Come on, Henry, let's go." Evie then told her little brother.
"Okay, Evie." Henry said before following his big sister on the way to school.
Regina watched them go and eyed the stranger curiously before she let her children head off to another day of school.
"By the way, Dr. Thatcher the Vet is good with animals... Almost like he can understand them..." Evie said to Henry with a small smirk. "Maybe he's Dr. Doolittle."
"You mean like the movie?" Henry asked.
"Probably, yeah," Evie replied. "But I know he was a doctor who could talk to animals... Kinda like in The Wild Thornberrys." she then said.
"...What's The Wild Thornberrys?" Henry then asked, feeling confused.
"Oh, Henry. I have so much to teach you and so little time." Evie laughed a little as she began to walk him to school as the rumbles of storm clouds could be heard.
It was just another ordinary morning in Storybrooke, aside from the new stranger in town who no one still knew anything about, but there was more to him than there appeared to be. The sound of the song "Fur Elise" could be heard inside a woodsy-looking house that resembled a fairy tale cottage. Inside the house was the girl known as Dee Dee as she began to dance around, standing on her tiptoes and having her hands over her head as she tried to dance like a very skilled prima ballerina. She wore her hair in pigtails as always and was wearing her school uniform as she began to dance before she soon stopped as the song stopped and she took a look at her clock on the wall with the time 7:30, telling her one thing.
"Oh, dear... I'm late..." Dee Dee said to herself before she walked over to the gramophone in the room to pull the needle above the record she had played. She then looked in the mirror and brushed some of her blonde hair down while keeping them in bouncy pigtails and then went to pick up her jacket and backpack and put them on before she dashed off out the door. She then walked back over for a moment then came to pick up some money, counting it in her hand before she nodded and hoped it would be enough before she came to leave the door and lock the door behind her as she began to creep out to a brand new morning in Storybrooke.
Far away from Misthaven which was home to The Enchanted Forest and a lot more, there was a different world shown. This world was known as Parthenia which had its own magic, especially in the power of dance. Many folks lived here such as The Swan Princess, The 12 Dancing Princesses, Giselle, Romeo and Juliet, and a whole lot more. Another best-known dancer with her story was a girl named Clara Drosselmeyer. She lived among King Mortimer who was often known as The Rat King as he was rather tyrannical, cruel, and rat-like, hence the nickname others had given him from outside of his kingdom as no one would dare call him such a thing in his presence. Today would be Clara's first effort in becoming one of the king's best dancers as she had traveled near and far to show her dancing skills and was going to be dancing among the other dancers who were already there. The day soon started as King Mortimer demanded to be entertained as a couple of soldiers were beside him as he sat on his throne.
"Bring out the dancers." King Mortimer demanded.
"Yes, sir," One of the soldiers nodded and he soon left his side and soon went to go and alert the woman in charge of the dancers for their housing and care in The Rat King's castle. He soon came down the corridor and looked around before he soon found a woman there and decided to have a word with her. "Excuse me, Miss?"
"Yes?" The woman answered before facing him. "Ah... Good day to you."
"Are you the woman in charge of the dancers in this castle?" The soldier asked. "I'm a little new at this job."
"Yes... My name is Marie," The woman replied. "Shall I bring out the dancers for His Majesty?"
"That would be best, yes," The soldier nodded. "It's a quiet day with no attacks and no sign of this legendary Dark One they speak of in Misthaven."
"Very nice," Marie approved at that news. "I shall fetch my dancers for you, good sir. I shall see to it that King Mortimer is amused."
"Very good, Miss Marie." The soldier said before he decided to leave her to it.
Marie nodded and she soon went to go get her dancers for King Mortimer, especially Clara who was going to have her official dancing debut. The soldier watched her go and soon went to go back into the throne room. King Mortimer looked over with small glare toward the soldier who came back.
"The dancers are on their way, sir." The soldier informed.
"Very good," King Mortimer nodded before smirking. "Things are about to get very interesting around her."
"Very good, sir." The soldier agreed as he stood in his place.
King Mortimer then looked forward as he began to wait for the dancers and soon had some of his favorite food to snack on during the dancing he demanded which was in the shape and form of cheese.
Dee Dee was soon making her way to school like the other young folk in Storybrooke. She then looked over to see that Mr. Gold's shop was not open yet and soon took a peek inside to look for anything interesting. She looked further in before she thought she saw something and beamed warmly as it caught her interest and looked hopeful before she reached into her pocket to take out some money. "You will be mine... Oh, yes. You will be mine..." she then whispered to herself before she went to keep going to school before gasping as she ran into someone.
"Watch it, sister." The grumpy bearded man glared, on his way to the hospital before he looked down in a bit of surprise.
"I-I'm sorry..." Dee Dee said softly and flinched.
"...You're just a kid." The man said softly.
"I'm sorry, sir. It won't happen again." Dee Dee said, quietly and urgently, before she then decided to bolt down the street to school.
The bearded man glanced as Dee Dee dashed away before he shook his head at himself and decided to keep doing what he was doing. "What's a little munchkin doin' out here alone anyways? Don't she got any parents?" he then muttered to himself a little.
The storm then seemed to get closer and closer before Dee Dee made it over to school and panted a bit as she had quite a long walk over to school.
"Hey, Dee Dee," Henry smiled as he saw his friend. "You okay?"
"Huh?" Dee Dee blinked before looking over. "Oh... Hi, Henry. Yes, I'm fine." she then nodded.
"Ooh, it looks stormy up there," Henry said as he looked up to the sky. "We better head inside really quick. I imagine today in school might be unlike any other."
"Maybe," Dee Dee shrugged a little bit. "Say, do you know when Mr. Gold's shop opens?" she then asked.
"Um... I think 10:30," Henry replied. "Why?"
"Just curious..." Dee Dee shrugged as she put her hands behind her back and looked a little bashful.
The school bell soon rang which summoned them.
"C'mon. We better get to class." Henry suggested.
Dee Dee nodded before she came to follow Henry and the other students into school to start another brand new day of learning and adventure. Though, Dee Dee being Dee Dee, decided to pirouette and leap around on her way into the school as she really wanted to be a dancer someday. Henry smiled a bit as he knew how much Dee Dee loved to dance before they went to head inside as the storm was starting.
Very soon, Clara and the other dancers were soon beginning to do their dance for Mortimer.
Mortimer noticed how new and different Clara was as she was a bit clumsy and slower compared to the other girls as she did her best. She wasn't bad for an amateur, but still not up to The Rat King's standards. "Look at that awful display..." he then groaned to his soldiers as he leaned back in annoyance.
"Yes, sir!" The new soldier said rather eagerly as he leaned in and tipped his hat a little.
Clara soon continued to dance with the other girls as she did her best to keep up with them. She then did a twirl and ended up kicking too hard and ended up making her slipper slip and slide right off her foot and hit The Rat King right in the face, making him grunt and complain. Clara gasped as she cupped her mouth and he glared at her, making her look around before she quickly ran off before the song even ended.
"How rude... She didn't even stay for the big finish." The first soldier scoffed and rolled his eyes as the second soldier came toward The Rat King.
"Then good riddance to good rubbish," Mortimer scoffed as he checked his face a little as the second soldier picked up the slipper before looking over at his king. "I'm not bleeding, am I?"
"No, sir. You are not." The second soldier replied confidently.
"Good..." Mortimer nodded before he glared. "That irksome and clumsy girl didn't have to hit me with one of her shoes."
"I think that it was an accident, sir." The second soldier replied softly.
"Well, accident or not, it won't happen ever again," Mortimer glared. "She's going to pay for that."
"I will give her her slipper back and make sure that it doesn't, my king." The second soldier soon said as bravely as he could.
"See that you do," Mortimer rolled his eyes before looking at his first soldier. "Fritz? Send away the dancers. I'm no longer in the mood."
"Yes, sir..." The first soldier nodded before he soon went to go and see the 11 other dancers.
The second soldier then held onto the missing ballet slipper as he left the throne room. He soon came down the corridors and soon memorized where he had found Marie before he heard a very sad sound which was a crying sound. He then looked around before he listened a lot closer and put his ear to one door as the crying sound grew stronger. That must have been the poor ballerina who was humiliated because she didn't tie her slipper on tight enough before the dance. Feeling empathetic and guilty for the poor dancer, he soon knocked on the door.
Clara was still heard crying and soon sniffling. "W-W-What is it?" she then answered softly. "Is that you, my king? Here to torment me for what I did to you?"
"N-No, it's not the king..." The soldier replied softly.
"Then... Who is it?" Clara then asked.
"May I please come in? I have something that you might want." The soldier said as gently as he could.
"Oh... Um... Okay..." Clara sniffled and pouted. "The door is unlocked."
The soldier then came to open the door once he had Clara's permission.
"Oh... You're not King Mortimer..." Clara noted.
"I told you I wasn't," The soldier said with a bashful smile before he looked at her a bit closer and his eyes slowly widened. "Wow..." he then whispered as she was far more beautiful up close than far away than he had even imagined.
"W-W-What do you want from me?" Clara asked. "A-A-Am I going to be banished for doing something so stupid and embarrassing?"
"No, you won't... At least I hope not..." The soldier shook his head before he came closer to her. "Erm... Miss... You forgot... Erm... You forgot, erm... Um... Your slipper..." he then said before he brought it out. "I rescued you it for you."
"Oh..." Clara said softly. "Thank you... Thank you so much. My uncle bought those for me when I was a girl."
"Well, I'm glad that I could help you out," The soldier said softly. "I know you didn't mean to hurt King Mortimer, but I think you were a very lovely dancer."
"Oh... Thank you for that too..." Clara said before blushing. "What is your name?"
"Erm... Nathan..." The soldier replied. "I'm a new soldier and I was sent by Major Mint and Captain Candy to become apart of King Mortimer's guard against King George and Prince James of Misthaven."
"Well... Nathan... It's very nice to meet you..." Clara said with a small smile. "You seem very sweet and I hope I can see you again."
"I think I would enjoy that myself, Miss... Uh... I'm sorry, but what is your name then?" Nathan then replied as he smiled back at her as sparks seemed to quickly fly between the two of them. "If you don't mind me asking."
"Oh, my name is Clara," Clara then said as she looked down shyly before looking back at him with a small smile. "Clara Drosselmeyer."
"What a lovely name for a lovely dancer." Nathan smiled back as Clara blushed and giggled a little.
It looked like there was going to be a bright future for both Clara and Nathan, but only time would tell.
After school, Henry and Dee Dee soon left to do their own thing. Henry was going to probably meet with Evie and Emma for more work on Operation: Cobra as Dee Dee checked the time for herself and she suddenly looked determined in doing something. Dee Dee soon came further into town and was nearly coming closer to the pawnshop in Storybrooke where the owner, Mr. Gold, was leaving and decided to take a quick walk before he would get ready to work with Ben once his son would be done with school for the day. Dee Dee was skipping along down the sidewalk before she gasped and yelped as she nearly ran into Mr. Gold then. However, before she could fall, he managed to catch her from falling, after all even distracted only someone rather shorter and smaller than him wouldn't make him fall, so it was obviously a child with who he had collided with.
"Eek!" Dee Dee let out a small yelp as she glanced up at him before pausing at the sight of him. "...You're Mr. Gold." she then said softly like she was amazed.
"Yes I am, and you should be more careful who you run into," Mr. Gold said, though unlike with adults he didn't actually want to scare the girl. "And you are?" he asked then.
"Oh, um... Delia..." Dee Dee blushed. "But everybody calls me Dee Dee."
"And what is a young girl such as yourself doing walking alone?" Mr. Gold asked raising an eyebrow.
"...Walking," Dee Dee replied sheepishly. "...Is your store open yet?" she then asked, dodging the question about being alone despite her age.
"Not really, but I'm guessing you're searching for something." Mr. Gold slightly smirked, letting her get away with dodging the question this time.
"Mm-hmm..." Dee Dee nodded. "I saw you had a doll in there I really wanted... I saved enough money for it."
Mr. Gold looked to her a long moment. He gave a small sigh. "Very well, but the store is not officially open yet..." he said, and warned.
"So could I go in?" Dee Dee asked softly as she shuffled her feet, avoiding his gaze slightly.
"Come on, I'll sort out for you to buy the doll." Mr. Gold said and then led her towards his shop.
Dee Dee smiled bashfully as her face briefly turned red before she followed him with her hands in her pockets. She then took a look around before seeing a rose garden and glanced back at Mr. Gold on the way over to his shop. Mr. Gold continued on. Dee Dee went to get a rose, but then stopped as she saw the thorns and backed away, then went to keep up with Mr. Gold, rushing right beside him so she wouldn't get left behind.
Mr. Gold let her into the shop. "Which doll?" he asked her.
"It had big teeth and a big hat." Dee Dee described the best that she could.
Mr. Gold thought a moment, then nodded. He went over and fetched a certain nutcracker. "This?" he asked, sure but just wanting her to confirm.
"Y-Yes!" Dee Dee nodded. "That's it."
Mr. Gold nodded and started to wrap him up so she could carry him safely. He then gave her the price.
Dee Dee then reached into her pocket and handed him the money with one hand as she took the doll with the other. "Thank you." she then said softly.
Mr. Gold then gave her her change before pointing firmly to the door. "Now I trust you can make your way back home, safe and sound." he said, not unkindly.
"Y-Yes, sir... Of course..." Dee Dee nodded as she hugged the doll and stepped back. "Th-Thank you, Mr. Gold."
Mr. Gold nodded. Dee Dee soon stepped out, having a bit of color in her cheeks as she went off with her new doll. She then looked over to the dance school and looked hopeful as she just wanted to go there ever so much as dancing was her greatest passion. She also saw a group of girls who were her age and she soon went to go and hopefully join them and make some new friends.
In Parthenia, King Mortimer led his soldiers into victory as much as he possibly could, though he was mostly lazy and expected them to do the work for him. Time had passed and it went as it usually went, the soldiers marching into victory and glory for their land and the dancers would be coming in to dance once in a while to remind the men of who they were fighting for and if they died, it would be an honor. However, one major thing that never really changed as that Nathan was visiting Clara as much as he could and soon, the two formed a bond beyond friendship which led to becoming lovers. They decided that the others wouldn't understand their bond and decided to meet in secret as much as they possibly could, though preferably when it was nighttime when everyone would be finishing their dinner and heading to bed for the evening. One day though, Nathan decided to surprise Clara with a treat and knocked on the door to her chamber where the other dancers were. One dancer stepped out and looked around before seeing the soldier who was behind the door.
"Good day, my fair dancer." Nathan greeted with a low bow.
"Good day, soldier," The dancer responded as she curtsied to him. "May I help you?"
"Yes... Is Miss Drosselmeyer in?" Nathan asked.
"I believe the others have mentioned you have been asking to see her in private for a while," The dancer remarked. "Is there something going on that I don't know about?"
"Her presence is required in the meadow by Swan Lake." Nathan replied.
"Swan Lake?" The dancer asked curiously. "What business could she possibly attend to in Swan Lake?"
"Our business is not to question why when King Mortimer has demands." Nathan replied innocently and bravely.
The dancer looked at him before she went to go back inside the chamber where the other dancers were either practicing their next dance or resting after a very eventful night of dancing for their king. Nathan waited as patiently as he could before Clara soon came on out and smiled warmly once she saw him.
"Nathan..." Clara greeted softly and sweetly.
"My dear Clara," Nathan smiled as he bowed at her before taking the back of her hand and kissing it. "You look radiant as always."
"Oh... You... You're so sweet..." Clara blushed as she smiled back. "I wish we didn't meet in secret all the time like this."
"I know... But the others would not understand," Nathan replied. "Especially King Mortimer."
"He's a rat bastard." Clara muttered.
"A beautiful woman like you should not be using ugly words like that." Nathan frowned a little.
"I'm sorry, Nathan, but that's how I feel," Clara replied. "Now, you had to bring me out somewhere? Such as Swan Lake?"
"Yes... May I?" Nathan nodded before he offered her his arm.
Clara smiled and nodded as she linked her arm with his. "You may, my good man." she then said.
Nathan smiled back as they soon walked off together to go and meet up in Swan Lake by the meadow there. They had heard legends of the girl known as Odette: daughter and only child of King William who became The Swan Princess due to magic by Rothbart and his daughter Odile until she fell in love with her betrothed: Prince Derek, son and only child of Queen Uberta.
King Mortimer was soon shown with one of his best soldiers by his side. He glared as he watched Clara and Nathan wander off on their own yet again. "Those two are always sneaking off doing Gods know what," he then grumbled. "I want to find out what they're up to. What they're plotting. They better not be plotting against me."
"I can do a bit of work for you, my King," The soldier offered as he saluted. "This madness between the soldier and the ballerina needs to stop."
"Yes... Go and see what they're up to..." King Mortimer decided with a rat-like grin on his face. "I know I can count on you, Pantaloon. You're the best soldier in the rank and need to teach those fools a lesson for sneaking away from me."
"I won't fail you, my king," The soldier, named Pantaloon, smirked. "Hopefully they aren't doing something boneheaded and plotting against you when we have King George to fight, especially his son."
King Mortimer nodded and soon raised his hand. "Now go. Who knows how much time we might have before the big battle?" he then suggested firmly.
"Yes, My King." Pantaloon replied before he soon took off after Clara and Nathan to see what was going on between the soldier and the dancer.
King Mortimer grinned and chuckled wickedly before he helped himself to some more cheese. He became fatter and lazier just about every day even if he was determined to bring down King George in Misthaven.
Nathan led Clara and had told her to close her eyes to the meadow of Swan Lake. "Okay... Now you can open your eyes." he soon told her with a small smile.
Clara soon stopped walking where she stood and then opened her eyes before gasping and cupping her mouth in excitement.
There was soon a small group of girls walking together and they all seemed to have Barbie dolls in their hands. They seemed to be similar to The Pinkettes who went to the high school as they all had matching pink backpacks and blended together as they seemed to be leaving The Red Shoes Dance Academy which was Storybrooke's ballet school if you couldn't already tell.
"So I'm sure you guys will be coming over to my half birthday slumber party next week." The leader girl told the other three with her.
The other three girls seemed to quickly agree. They soon felt someone right behind them and backed away once they spotted Dee Dee right behind them, looking curious and hopeful.
"...You better not have cooties." The lead girl glared at Dee Dee.
"If you have cooties, ya gotta get a shot." One of the other girls added.
"No... I don't have cooties... At least... I don't think so..." Dee Dee said before looking at them. "...So you guys go to The Red Shoes Dance School, right?"
The four girls just looked at each other before looking back at the blonde girl as they viewed her as weird and awkward.
"Yeah... So?" The lead girl scoffed. It was clear that she was the leader of the group due to how she acted around Dee Dee and pretty much ordering around the other three almost like a miniature version of Mayor Mills.
"I wanna go there..." Dee Dee smiled. "I've always wanted to be a dancer."
"Good for you..." The lead girl rolled her eyes.
"Erm... My name is Dee Dee." Dee Dee then said as she hoped that she was doing this right as she wasn't good at making new friends easily, though she was already best friends with Henry.
"I'm Olga and these are Macy, Duchess, and Justine, and we don't care." The lead girl then said.
"Oh..." Dee Dee said softly and flinched.
"Now, if you'll excuse us, Dee Dee, we best get going," Olga soon decided and narrowed her eyes. "We have better things to do than to associate with riffraff, so you better run along and-"
"Aren't you gonna play dolls?" Dee Dee then quickly asked since she saw that they had Barbie dolls.
Macy, Duchess, and Justine looked nervous before they hid their own dolls behind their back away from Dee Dee before Olga did the same.
"You don't have a doll." Olga soon coldly told Dee Dee as she also hid her own doll.
Dee Dee smiled as she saw this as her chance to be accepted by the other girls. She then reached into her backpack and took out the nutcracker doll that Mr. Gold let her buy. "This is The Nutcracker Prince." she then started to tell them.
The other girls recoiled in horror and disgust at the sight of the doll and the other three girls quickly hid behind Olga for protection.
"I got him from Mr. Gold's store," Dee Dee then started to tell them as she looked down at the doll she held dear. "He's made outta wood, plus if you pull on his back, he'll crack a nut for you so you can eat it and he's from my most favorite-" she then looked over only to see that Olga and the other girls had suddenly left. She then pouted before she set down the nutcracker and went to leave without it as it made her feel even more lonely. After a few moments though, she came back for it and hugged it dearly as though to apologize for going to abandon it, then went to head back home alone yet again.
Nathan had brought Clara out to a picnic right next to Swan Lake and smiled as she looked excited and endeared.
"Swan Lake... I have heard stories about this... Such as Princess Odette turning into a swan because of Rothbart and Odile." Clara said to the soldier beside her.
"I was hoping you might like it," Nathan smiled softly. "I wanted it to be perfect."
"It's really nice," Clara said before she came to sit on the blanket. "Thank you so much, Nathan. What's the occasion though?" she then asked. "It's not my birthday or anything."
"I just wanted to show you a good time." Nathan said before he stepped over and sat on the blanket before patting the spot next to him with a rather large basket in between the two of them.
Clara smiled before she walked over and soon came to sit next to him.
"Just the two of us," Nathan then added with a small smile. "You look wonderful when you smile. You should wear yours more often."
"Oh... I'll try that..." Clara said before blushing at his compliment. "Sorry... I'm not used to such kind words."
"A lovely girl such as yourself deserves to be showered with compliments." Nathan said to her before opening the basket for them to show a lot of wonderful foods such as roast turkey, fruit, bread, a bottle of cider, and assorted nuts. He then took out one nut and bit down on it to crack it to show her a personal trick.
"Ooh..." Clara winced and cupped her mouth. "Doesn't that hurt?"
"Not really... It's just something I've been able to do for as long as before I can even remember," Nathan replied. "Would you care for some?"
"Maybe in a moment..." Clara smiled softly before she helped herself to some grapes and cheese, though winced briefly at the cheese. "Oh."
"...You do like cheese, don't you?" Nathan then asked. "I'm sorry if I'm asking so many questions, but I did my best to pick up enough variety of foods based on what I know about you."
"It's fine, really... King Mortimer just makes cheese seem rather disgusting." Clara explained gently.
"Ah... Yes, I can understand that... More cheese for The Rat King..." Nathan then nodded as he ate the nut in his hand after removing the shells.
The two continued to have their picnic together and enjoyed it very much so far, especially in each other's company. It felt very perfect and almost felt like nothing could possibly ruin it. That is, until Pantaloon made it over at the worst possible time while they were talking.
"Did you enjoy your picnic, my dear?" Nathan asked bashfully.
"Oh, yes, I very much did," Clara nodded. "I'm just glad I don't have a performance right after."
"How so?" Nathan then asked.
"It's usually best if a dancer doesn't eat right before a dance," Clara advised. "At least... That's what Madame Marie told me when I first joined the dancers."
"Hm... Well, at least you ate up quite a bit," Nathan said. "I want you to have the best care and treatment as long as I'm around."
"I appreciate that, Nathan," Clara smiled warmly. "You're a very sweet soldier."
"I need to get you out of here too." Nathan then added.
"Out of here? But we're having so much fun in Swan Lake and King Mortimer doesn't need either of us." Clara replied out of soft confusion.
"No, no, not like that," Nathan shook his head before smiling at her. "I mean... Away from Parthenia... Away from this Rat King especially."
Pantaloon soon hid behind a far-off tree and looked out a little while Clara and Nathan had their talk together.
"You mean... Run away together, especially far, far away from The Rat King?" Clara then asked Nathan as they relaxed after eating a hearty meal together.
"Yes, especially away from him," Nathan nodded as he reached out and brushed some of her dark hair behind her ear. "Somewhere where we'll be happy as a soldier and a dancer... We'll raise our children to become fine soldiers and lovely dancers... If that is what we want after all."
"Oh, it sounds so promising and romantic... But where would we go?" Clara wondered.
"I don't know, but if you think we could do it, then I think that we should," Nathan told her with a charming smile. "We'll find a place to run away together and live happily ever after away from The Rat King and Madame Marie. I know of a kingdom outside of here that Captain Candy told me about."
"Oh?" Clara asked curiously.
"Yes, my dear," Nathan smiled and nodded. "In the forest of Misthaven."
"Where King George and Prince James live?" Clara then asked. "I hear that the prince himself is engaged to King Midas' daughter."
"Surely they'll give us a far-off better home than here," Nathan suggested with a small smile. "That is, if you trust me to let you come live happily ever after with me and we can run away together like Romeo and Juliet."
"Oh, Nathan, that sounds so exciting and romantic," Clara beamed before she instantly frowned. "Oh... But what if we get caught?"
"We won't get caught," Nathan smiled. "I hardly speak a word to Fritz, Pantaloon, or anyone else in this royal guard and you hardly speak with the other dancers. You and I are the same and we will be very happy together."
"Oh, Nathan~... You just make it sound so enchanting and easy," Clara said before she hugged him. "Yes, Nathan. We shall run away to Misthaven together."
Pantaloon smirked as he heard that and soon dashed away from Swan Lake before anyone could see him. Clara and Nathan smiled at each other warmly as they were more than just friends now. They really loved each other and nothing will ever change that.
"Boy, that was a crazy day of school," Henry said to Evie. "I hope yours was somewhat better."
"Same old, same old," Evie shrugged. "Just some teenage drama that you don't have to worry about for another three or four years. Hoepfully if you're lucky, never."
"Yeah, I guess that's true," Henry said. "Luckily no one really bullies me."
"Yeah, 'cuz they're scared of Mom," Evie chuckled and smirked. "But if anyone's bothering you in school, you can always tell me."
"Thanks, Evie. I think I'd like that," Henry replied before looking over from afar and saw a certain girl he knew sneaking around. "Hey. There's Dee Dee."
Evie then looked over. "Yeah, it is..." she then said. "What's she doing out here all by herself?"
Henry paused before shrugging.
"...Henry, does Dee Dee not have a family?" Evie soon began to wonder.
"I... I don't know actually," Henry replied. "I don't think I've actually noticed anyway."
Evie frowned as they watched Dee Dee going to a house all alone and was making sure that no one was watching her. Henry and Evie looked at each other and decided to follow Dee Dee a bit just to see about her living conditions. Dee Dee did appear to be all alone at home as she set her backpack down and decided to put her new nutcracker doll in a safe place where she could always see it. There were no parents around and it just seemed to be only her.
"Oh, my gosh..." Evie whispered. "Dee Dee's an orphan."
"What should we do?" Henry asked.
"I-I'm not sure, but I feel like we should tell someone, but she might get in trouble like Nicholas and Ava," Evie replied. "We might need to think this over a little."
"Well... Okay," Henry said before frowning. "Poor Dee Dee. I might have been adopted by Mom, but that's still family."
"Indeed," Evie nodded. "We won't say anything to her though unless we absolutely need to."
"That sounds like a good idea," Henry agreed before they soon heard classical music playing. "Looks like it's time to do a little dance. Dee Dee always loved dancing."
"She's very good at it," Evie smiled softly. "She'd be very good at that dance school."
"Yes, but who would help get her a scholarship?" Henry then reminded as any student in the dance school needed parents' permission to attend.
"That's a very good point too," Evie nodded. "I wish we could help her."
"Yeah..." Henry agreed.
"Well, come on," Evie then suggested. "We better get back home. We'll do some more spy work later after some homework and a snack."
"Sounds good to me." Henry said before they walked away as Dee Dee continued to dance on her own.
Dee Dee soon danced, passing by her nutcracker doll occasionally as she quietly spoke to herself through her dancing. "Oh... Mama, Papa... Wherever you are... Whoever you are... Is it nice where you two are? Did you go see ballets together? Did you two share a dance together and become soulmates? How I wish we could have these conversations together..." she then said as a tear rolled down her cheek as she was a bit lonely even if no one else knew that she lived on her own at the age of 10.
"So... They're going to Misthaven?" King Mortimer glared as he spoke with Pantaloon who did a bit of spy work for him.
"Yes, my king," Pantaloon replied as he bowed in his stance loyally. "It appears they want to run away together and be under the rule of King George rather than you."
"Argh! Those traitors!" King Mortimer snapped as he nearly flipped over his table before he stood up aggressively. "Those fools! How dare they do that?! What did I ever do to them?"
"Well, they did call you The Rat King, sir," Pantaloon replied. "Only your enemies call you that."
King Mortimer snarled. "They shall pay for this," he then decided sternly. "I don't know how yet, but I will make them pay. Leave me! I need some time to myself to think this over!" he then demanded.
"Yes, my king..." Pantaloon nodded as he bowed before he quickly left the room.
"And get the cooks to bring me back some more cheese!" King Mortimer then demanded. "It's been an hour since lunchtime!"
"Yes, sir!" Pantaloon then said before he was officially gone.
King Mortimer growled as he stormed around the room for pacing. "I need to make that pipsqueak pay... Where does he get off?" he then snapped as he pondered how to get back at Nathan for "betraying" him. "Not to mention taking that clumsy little dancer with him. She's rather pretty even if she can't dance right. Not her fault she was born with two left feet... I'm going to need some extra help..." he then said to himself.
There was soon the sound of a high-pitched giggle.
"What? ...Who's there? What is that?" King Mortimer demanded before he unsheathed his sword. "Answer in the name of The Rat King-Erm... King Mortimer!"
The giggling got a bit louder and closer before King Mortimer soon found himself face-to-face with someone he was not familiar with. "Peek-a-boo!" the new face smirked.
King Mortimer let out a shriek in surprise and jumped back, then fell right on his back on the floor and dropped his sword on the way. He then groaned and felt very mortified that he had a great big fall like this like old Humpty Dumpty. "Who... Just who the hell do you think you are?" he then demanded and glared.
"Ah... You don't know me as well as the kingdom I just came from i see," The man smirked as he eyed the fallen king before he posed and introduced himself. "Rumplestiltskin at your service."
"Rumplestiltskin?" King Mortimer repeated before his eyes widened. "...I-I have heard of you... You're The Dark One of The Misthaven Forest."
"Oh, it's so nice to see my name is carried out throughout other lands," Rumplestiltskin giggled as he grinned before approaching the fat oaf who was the king of this land. "It appears to me that you're having some sort of trouble, dearie~... And well, lucky for you, I can help you out... For a price of course."
"A price?" King Mortimer asked.
"Yes... All magic comes with a price~" Rumplestiltskin grinned before grimacing as he caught a whiff of something. "...I see the king likes his dairy products quite a bit... Almost like a big, fat rat~"
"I am NOT a rat!" King Mortimer snapped. "You can't talk to me like that!"
Rumplestiltskin giggled. "And you can't talk to me like that either, dearie~" he then retorted smugly. "It often doesn't end well~"
"What do you want, Frumpypigskin?" King Mortimer demanded.
"That's not how you say it, dearie," Rumplestiltskin tutted and wagged his finger. "I'm going to have to teach you a lesson for that, but for now... Allow me to help you out... If you tell me your trouble first~"
King Mortimer glared before he helped himself up and soon straightened out his crown as best as he could. "I was given a new soldier highly recommended by the great Captain Candy himself, but he's turning on me to be with a clumsy dancer," he then explained with a huff. "I can't believe he would do that. He just got here and he's already deceiving me with that little klutz."
"Do you know that he's deceiving you?" Rumplestiltskin asked, almost suspiciously as he could tell that King Mortimer was the kind of man to shoot first and ask questions later.
"I heard it with Pantaloon's own ears," King Mortimer retorted boastfully. "Those two should be punished. I'd just like to make it so that puny little soldier never moves again."
"Never moves, eh? How strangely specific," Rumplestiltskin replied with a small smirk. "I suppose I could help you with him becoming the form that suits him the most... Though perhaps, what might happen with the girl?"
"Why should I do anything to her?" King Mortimer scoffed before smirking.
"Well, you seem so hellbent on both of them, you might as well do away with the girl too," Rumplestiltskin smirked. "I usually take a firstborn away from one who deserves it, but I can tell that this girl might interest you even if you think she might be a clumsy fool."
"Hmm... Maybe... I dunno about that..." King Mortimer shrugged before smirking. "She is a bit pretty though."
"Then perhaps you should pursue her and get rid of this soldier of yours," Rumplestiltskin suggested. "If you truly think that they don't deserve to run away together."
"They don't," King Mortimer glared as he faced the impish man. "So what do I have to do?"
"I'll give you this," Rumplestiltskin said as he waved his hand before bringing out a sack filled with a glowing powder inside. "Some of my magic."
King Mortimer smirked and soon walked over to snatch it.
"Not so fast, Rat Boy!" Rumplestiltskin then said as he put his hand up to make the king stop before he flicked his wrist in his other hand and brought out something.
"What's that?" King Mortimer asked.
"It's an apple... What do you think it is?" Rumplestiltskin replied sardonically. "This is your new contract. If you make a deal with me, you must sign and agree to my terms of service."
"And what does that mean?" King Mortimer then asked.
"Ugh... Seriously... Who let you be in charge of this world?" Rumplestiltskin rolled his eyes at King Mortimer's thick-headed behavior. "You have to sign to get what you want and you should know that once you sign my contract, the deal is struck and there's no turning back..." he then smirked and grinned darkly. "You turn your back on me and it won't end very well for you, dearie, so choose wisely."
But of course, King Mortimer being himself, decided to sign the contract without reading it first. He was more eager to get what he wanted rather than be patient enough to read about just what he was getting into.
"Excellent choice," Rumplestiltskin giggled wickedly in delight after the contract was signed before he made it disappear as he held out the magic powder to King Mortimer. "This magic will transform Nathan into his desired and destined form."
"Perfect! This is just what I need... I just need to decide when the right time to get him would be..." King Mortimer grinned eagerly as he accepted the magic.
"Yes, dearie, that in fact, you do," Rumplestiltskin nodded "Although, I should probably warn you about something."
King Mortimer then turned around to face the man.
"If this magic is used improperly... Then you will be faced with the magic turning you into YOUR destined form," Rumplestiltskin informed before smirking. "So you better be sure you know what you're doing or else it will horribly backfire on you~"
"How could it backfire? Those pipsqueaks deserve it," King Mortimer scoffed. "Going after King George, one of my greatest mortal enemies."
"Very well, dearie," Rumplestiltskin nodded. "Just don't say I didn't warn you~" he then giggled before he suddenly disappeared when King Mortimer turned around again.
"...Creepy creeper..." King Mortimer grumbled slightly before smirking as he held the magic with pride. "No matter... This will show those two for trying to desert me in my land. No one tries to pull one over on King Mortimer and gets away with it. This, I swear." he then told himself with greedy and dark determination.
Henry and Evie soon went to go and visit the nuns to talk to her about Dee Dee so they wouldn't have another incident like when Nicholas and Ava were about to be sent away to separate foster homes until their birth father decided to take them home. Speaking of which, the twins were there with him right now, including Ginger as they all seemed to look happy and excited about something.
"There you go," Mother Superior smiled warmly as she handed them a form. "You are all official now."
"Thank you, Mother Superior," Michael nodded. "The kids seem to be very excited about this chance."
Nicholas and Ava beamed at each other before they suddenly hugged Ginger. Henry and Evie weren't sure about what was going on, but at least it looked happy and had good vibes about it.
"What's going on here?" Henry asked as he decided to step over.
"Oh. Hi, Henry," Ava smiled. "We just got a new big sister."
"You did?" Henry asked, surprised, but in a good way.
"Uh-huh," Nicholas nodded. "We believe you know her. Ginger."
Ginger smiled bashfully before waving at the Mills siblings.
"Ginger, were you just adopted?" Evie asked her schoolmate.
"Mm-hmm," Ginger nodded. "I'm also going to try to enter the pie contest in school with Jack Horner as the judge. I'm a little nervous, especially since no one really eats my desserts, but I think I'm gonna give it a try."
"We're gonna be taste testers too." Nicholas added eagerly.
"Just don't eat too many sweets," Michael reminded his children. "Or else Dr. White will have her hands full at the dentist's office."
Nicholas and Ava shuddered about going to the dentist.
"Well, congratulations to all of you," Evie smiled. "I just know that you will all become one big happy family."
"Thank you, Evie," Michael nodded before he looked at his children. "Well, come along now. Let's go home."
The Zimmer twins soon clung onto both of Ginger's arms as they followed Michael out of the building. Evie and Henry watched the family go off together and smiled warmly as things were really looking up for them.
"Evie. Henry. What a surprise," Mother Superior said as she saw the Mills siblings. "Can I help you two with anything?"
"Mother Superior, hello," Evie nodded as she looked over. "We wanted to talk to you about something... Or rather... Someone very important."
"Is it your mother?" Mother Superior guessed.
"Well, no, but can we talk in private?" Henry asked. "And not get Mom involved?"
Mother Superior looked at them before she nodded. "Okay," she then said quietly. "Should I bring out anyone else?"
"Please, just you for now," Evie replied. "If you don't mind."
Mother Superior gave them a long look. "Okay. Follow me into my office." she then told them gently.
Henry and Evie smiled a little before following Mother Superior into her private office while the other women did their own thing. One of them stood out in particular as she seemed to be doing her own personal Arts & Crafts and had a very radiant and cheerful smile on her face. Evie gave a small smile before they went into a closed and locked door in a small room to speak in private with Mother Superior.
"Now, Henry, Evie, what can I do for you?" Mother Superior asked the Mills siblings once they were alone.
"Just remember not to get Mom involved, okay?" Evie replied. "This is very important."
"I understand," Mother Superior nodded. "Just please tell me what's going on."
"Of course," Evie replied before facing her brother. "Henry, would you like to tell her?"
"Okay," Henry nodded. "Well, Mother Superior, this is about my friend Dee Dee."
"Dee Dee?" Mother Superior repeated. "...She's that girl who wants to be a ballerina, right?"
"Yes, dancing is her most favorite thing in the world," Henry nodded. "We just think that she might be living on her own."
"Oh, but she shouldn't be doing that," Mother Superior frowned. "She's too young to live on her own."
"We know and that's why we don't want you to tell Mom or have her find out or else Dee Dee might get taken away like Nicholas and Ava," Evie replied softly. "We were just wondering if maybe you could send someone to look after her or something? Maybe get her a proper home and make sure she has the care she needs if she doesn't have any parents around."
"Oh, my... That's a pretty big job..." Mother Superior said softly.
"We know it might be strange and a big task, but maybe you could look after her?" Evie suggested. "Something like that?"
"Hmm... I don't know if I could, I-" Mother Superior said softly before there was a knock on the door. "Oh, I'm sorry. Excuse me."
Henry and Evie nodded.
"Come in." Mother Superior said before she stood up and walked over, opening and unlocking the door to let the person who was knocking inside.
Inside came Jane as she looked nervous and shy as always. She even squeaked nervously once she spotted Evie and Henry before she took out some papers for Mother Superior.
"Hello, dear one." Mother Superior greeted the meek girl who stepped inside her office.
"Hi," Jane said nervously as she held out the papers before giving a shy and nervous look to the Mills siblings. "You need to sign off for The Teen Night coming up for the high school kids in Storybrooke."
"Ah, yes, of course," Mother Superior nodded before looking at Henry and Evie. "I believe you both know Jane. She goes to school with you, Evie."
"Yes, I'm familiar with Jane," Evie nodded. "Hello there, Jane."
Henry just sat in silence as he nodded his head and waved his hand to the shy girl who was quite a shrinking violet.
"Hi. That's okay, don't mind me. As you were." Jane said nervously to the Mills siblings.
Evie frowned a little bit as she wasn't sure why Jane was so scared of her, though she wondered if it had something to do with Regina raising her and Henry.
"I'm sorry, it looks like I have my hands full," Mother Superior soon told the Mills siblings. "I might not be able to look after your friend Dee Dee for you."
"Oh." Henry and Evie said softly before looking down, a bit in the dumps as they felt worried about Dee Dee being alone.
Jane soon took the signed forms and walked off, squealing a bit scaredly as she got out of the way of the Mills siblings. The nun who was doing her crafts soon saw Jane and tried to comfort her almost like a surrogate mother and seemed to have her own natural maternal touch.
Mother Superior watched that before she looked hopeful and curious. "However..." she soon started to say before looking back at the Mills siblings. "Perhaps I could find a suitable replacement."
Evie looked quizzical. "Erm... No offense, Mother Superior, but Jane doesn't seem like mom material for Dee Dee," she then spoke up. "I think she's a bit too young for that job."
"Oh, no, not Jane," Mother Superior said with a light chuckle. "Don't worry about that. I meant someone else."
"Really? Who?" Henry wondered.
"Our very own 'Fairy Craftsmother', Sister Astrid," Mother Superior suggested with a small smile before she stepped out of her office briefly. "Excuse me. I'll have a word with her."
Henry and Evie soon looked curious as Mother Superior came to discuss her possible idea with Sister Astrid. Jane soon left the two women to talk with each other as she went to get the forms ready to send out for Storybrooke's upcoming Teen Night hosted by a boy named Carlos. The two talked back and forth while Henry and Evie tried to be patient before the conversation seemed to end in smiles before the two women soon came back into the office.
"Hello, Henry and Evie." Astrid smiled warmly.
"Hello, Sister Astrid," Evie smiled back. "How are you today?"
"I'm fine, thank you," Astrid nodded. "And yourself?"
"We're both good," Henry replied. "So do you think that you can help us out with Dee Dee?"
"I think that I might be able to do that," Astrid smiled. "In fact, I'd love to keep an eye on the little sugarplum fairy."
"Great." Henry and Evie smiled back.
Astrid smiled and nodded. "Great." she agreed.
Mother Superior smiled warmly as this might work out just fine.