A/N: Hello all! Guess what? In one of my classes, our unit final will be writing a Hunger Games fan fiction! Isn't that funny? Also, it turns out my teacher wrote a pretty popular fan fiction. But, he took it down, so I'm not able to find it ;(
It was quite gaudy, if Regina was to be honest. She may have been an over-the-top evil queen once upon a time, but she still had standards even then. This house (if one could even call it that) was layered with gold, silver, and dozens of decals, splashed with every color you can imagine. There was not a spot left plain.
It was so bad Emma and Henry started snickering. A sharp look from Regina, Snow, and David managed to stop the two before Jamie could hear them. He was already knocking on the door, excitement obvious. A couple minutes went by, and Regina started to think no one was even there. Then the door opened, to reveal an older man, his head full of white hair, his face as wrinkly as a prune. He looked around at the group, then brought his attention fully to Jamie.
"Jamie, why have you brought these newcomers here? Elder Junili doesn't meet with them before the ceremony. You know that." The irritation this man exuded was palpable in the already tense atmosphere of the community.
Jamie shuffled nervously, "Well, um…" He trailed off slightly. The older man rolled his eyes, "Go bring them to Ms. Young." He started to close the door, and Jamie leaped forward, "Wait! These people are from a different realm!" He spoke loudly, and Regina flinched, worried someone nearby would hear him.
The man narrowed his eyes, once more looking at the newcomers, "Are you saying what I think you're saying?"
Jamie nodded eagerly, "Yes! They even believe the story of The Lady is a lie as well!"
The older man smiled broadly, and spoke softly, "Well done, Jamie!" He then finally addressed the rest of them, "Welcome to our humble community, I am Elder Andre. Follow me, and we will get you situated."
Regina narrowed her eyes on the man. As subtle as possible she pulled Henry close to her. He looked confused but didn't resist. In the corner of her eye she saw Emma smirk for a moment, before then getting a confused look on her face. She worried at the cuff on her wrist as they walked inside. One by one, they walked in, and just as she crossed the threshold, Ruby started to gag, her face turning red, "Here. The smell is coming from here." She whispered to Regina. Ruby started taking shallow breaths through her mouth.
Had we just walked into a trap? Regina prepared herself to use magic, keeping Henry tucked under her arm.
What were these people doing to create such a terrible smell? It had to be magic, Regina concluded. No one else in the group could smell it, and if it was as strong as Ruby seems to say, they should have.
The group was led to a sitting room. Like the outside, the inside of the house was ornate, full of expensive seeming items and decorations.
"Please, make yourselves at home. We will only be gone for a few minutes," Andre said as he left the room with Jamie.
"This doesn't seem too good," Snow whispered, glancing around as if someone might jump out from behind one of the strange statues lining the room. Ruby could only nod her agreement, her hand covering her mouth and nose. "These people were way too happy to learn we're from a different realm." David added, his hand resting on his sword. Regina, unfortunately, had to agree with the shepard, she could not risk Henry, "We need to go, no—"
"Welcome, young strangers. It's a pleasure to have you in my humble house." A woman's voice rang through the air. All their heads turned to see an ancient looking woman enter the room, followed by Andre and Jamie. Emma let out a breathless, almost inaudible, "Junili?" Her eyes held a fire, her mouth the slightest of smirks.
"I'm sure you must all be hungry, traveling as far as you have. Let us eat dinner together, and then you can tell me more about your situation." The woman continued, her eyes traveling across the group. She stopped when her eyes met Regina's, "You must have the most interesting of tales to tell."