AN: See chapter 1 for story notes and summaries.
Ships: Snowing, Rumbelle, Swan Believer, eventual Swanfire, and a delightful Golden Mad Charming BroT3. :)
Please consider leaving a review. Feedback is much appreciated.
Also, feel free to follow me on Tumblr lilacmoon83. In an effort to grow my Snowing fanfiction blog on Tumblr and get more visibility for my writing, I invite anyone following my stories here on to follow me on Tumblr.
For one face claim reveal, I will tell that I chose Gal Gadot as the face claim for Persephone...cause she's perfect as Persephone!
Please consider leaving a review if you're reading. It is very much appreciated!
I was asked to give a rough estimate of exactly what month/year it is, like I do with Finding You Always. So since it's estimated that the curse was broken in late February 2012 and it's been a few weeks since, it is now early April 2012
Thanks for awesome the reviews. Here are individual responses:
Theinferno1536: Leo and Eva were written for Finding You Always. To me if I were to transplant original characters from one story into another, that would be lazy writing on my part. So any baby Snowing has in this story should be treated independently from Finding You Always. I'm not sure about Greg/Owen yet. We shall see. I agree that he got a raw deal, but he and Tamara did want to blow a town full of innocent people. Regina killed his father, not the rest of the town so at some point, he'll have to be held accountable for those actions too, even if Regina drove him to them. No promises on a happy ending for him, but I might be going a bit of different direction with him.
Baratta Jennifer: Yep, trouble is definitely lurking beneath the surface still. In more ways than one. Glad you're enjoying the story!
MerlockVonBaron: Don't worry, Swanfire is coming eventually.
Sara K M: Glad you like the inclusion of Anton too. Glad you liked the Snowing moments. I wanted to work in him comparing himself to James so Snow could assure him that they weren't the same person. And I wanted to show that Snow might still be struggling a bit too with everything. But as always, their love wins out. The situation with August is very complicated and I have to say, I verge from canon with him in this chapter and make things more complicated, lol. Yep, I'm not a big Marco fan. He almost screwed everyone over and I don't like how everyone acted like Snowing didn't have a right to be angry with him. In this, they had the dreamscape so that helps make things a little better, but still. Yeah, I always thought Snow and Charming were treated like they couldn't make mistakes, so when they did, everyone treated them terribly when other characters did bad things and far worse things than Snowing did. But you're right, they do need to have a talk with Henry. Hopefully that will get worked in with all the chaos. ;)
Naomi Blue: Yeah, I do have a soft spot for August. Not so much Marco. I blame everything mostly on him. Yep, Regina better watch out. Greg is not going to let this go.
Saberius Prime: Yep, the feels and anger was strong in the last chapter. So much emotion. I get pretty worked up writing all that sometimes, lol. It's a good way to work through real life emotions without crying or blowing up at people, I will say. Glad you're enjoying it!
Grace5231973: There was the scene in 2x20 I believe where Greg digs up a skeleton at the campsite after Regina finally tells him that Kurt is dead, after he tortures her. But that's all we get. It leaves a lot open to interpretation for sure, so the question on whether I'll be following canon on that remains to be seen. I do feel bad for Greg in the fact that Regina drove him there, but when he goes after everyone, then all bets are off. Lol, oh Hook...I do enjoy writing him as the foil. Yep, there will be no putting up with his crap here.
Number Ten: It's fine about Hook. I just feel very ugh and meh about Hook Prime most of the time. Like I said, he's not really evil, but he's completely in character as he looks out for number one and thinks he can get any woman he wants with the bat of an eye. Snow just gave him a bit of a re-education on that. David was being harsh, but then he's hurt for what they all went through, especially Emma. I am not a Marco fan and blame most of it on him. August was set up to fail and I'll always have a soft spot for him. Yeah, it is sad that Regina just killed Kurt. The show was too vague about it. It makes me wonder how she killed him. No magic means no heart ripping during the curse. So did she bludgeon him? Shoot him? Poison him? Questions I want answered so I may be answering them. ;)
Austenphile: Chapters 1-7. I'm glad you're giving this story another go! I'm really excited for you, as I feel that you will really enjoy it, especially when you hit the teen chapters and especially chapters 20-on. :)
izzypirelli: You're welcome on the time line update! I liked the Neal and Hook reunion too. Neal is so in denial and Hook does still care about him, just not quite enough to clue him in on Tamara. Oh, it's funny you mentioned Snow boarding the Swanfire ship...cause she and Rumple start that a bit at the end of this chapter and it's pretty funny. I won't say more than that, but both Belle and David get a little exasperated at the prospect of their proposed meddling. Yep, there was a big dose of Snowing feels for you. Yes, I like to focus on how hard Snow's life would have been as a bandit. She doesn't get enough credit for what she went through. I know, my eyes were hearts too when I wrote that line. Charming just makes me melt. Ha, yeah I can imagine Snow trying to teach him about royal etiquette and it not really taking, much to her amused chagrin. Yep, she's the reason Greg was even there in the first place and yet she always places blame on Snow for everything. I hate how harshly her short time as Mayor was judged. She should have been on maternity leave when they were harping on her about the electricity. They should have been going to city works for that and not the Mayor, but that was taken as an automatic sign that she wasn't up to the job, which I do not think was true. Yep, Regina's been out of the loop. Lol, I do seem to write some tearjerkers, don't I? Honestly, I have no idea how that happens, lol. I'm not a Marco fan and I can say that I'll be taking a bit of a different approach than canon did. Let's just say Marco isn't going to get off easy in this. He's going to have to face the reality of what he did to his son. Yeah, Regina owes Snow like a hundred apologies by now. We'll see if we even get one. Yes, Tamara is super sneaky. Glad you're enjoying. :)
Beth1980: Neal believed he had outsmarted Pan and found a way off the island. I can't remember exactly how, but it is revealed that Pan actually let him go, because he knew if he didn't, Henry wouldn't be born and he needed Henry. Neal will soon see the truth, I promise. Yep, Hook is an irritant and will continue to be the foil. Glad you liked the Snowing conversation and love. August has done some shady stuff, but I have always blamed Marco for most of it. He set August up to fail. I think you'll be happy on the August front when it comes to this story. As for Hades and Persephone, let's just say things are really complicated and not exactly what they seem. In the original myth, Persephone really did love Hades and here, he poisoned any chance they had. Remember, we know very little of what went on the Underworld so keep that in mind, because there is more going on here than meets the eye. There's a bit of mystery afoot as you will see in this chapter. ;)
Dreaming Out Loud
Chapter 63: Who Will Save Your Soul
Snow and David arrived at the convent with Emma and Marco following them.
"Snow...it's so good to see you!" Nova greeted, as she hugged her, surprising Snow. While they may not have known each other back in the Enchanted Forest, Nova was always one person that had been kind to Mary Margaret before Emma, David, and her mother had entered her life.
"It's good to see you too, Astrid...or I guess it's Nova," Snow replied. The pink fairy nodded.
"We need to see Mother Superior. It's urgent...it's about my boy!" Marco insisted.
"I know about August," Blue announced, as she made her presence known.
"He came to me shortly after the curse broke and asked if I would return him to what he was," Blue stated.
"Why didn't you?" Emma questioned.
"Because what he was is what he is," Blue responded, as she turned to Marco.
"Do you remember the morning I found you on that beach all those years ago? The day I turned your son into a real boy?" she asked.
"Yes. It was the happiest day of my life," Marco answered.
"I told Pinocchio that so long as he remained brave, truthful, and unselfish, he would stay a real boy. But I'm afraid he did not. That is why he changed back and that's why there's nothing I can do for him," she said.
"But...he was just a little boy. The burden put on him was something no child could have coped with. Our own daughter was burdened with things she should have never been charged with either," Snow argued.
"She's right...August made mistakes, but he wasn't placed on that path by choice. The two of you set him up to fail and now there's nothing you can do?" David asked, as his anger threatened to boil over. Snow put a hand on his chest and tried to calm him.
"He made mistakes. I made a lot of them too. I got lucky to have the dreamscape, but August didn't have any of that. Doesn't he deserve a second chance?" Emma asked.
"If there is still a path of redemption for August, it is one that he must travel on his own. No one can force him or it will not be true," Blue responded.
"Yeah...he made mistakes and he lied. But so did the two of you! Why is he the only one that's paying for it?" David questioned.
"Charming please…" Snow pleaded, as she put both hands on his chest. He sighed and deflated a bit, but the frustration was still clear on his face.
"There is still hope...there has to be," Snow insisted, as she took his hand and led him out of the convent. Emma and Marco followed, as they were intent on finding August now. Snow didn't know if talking to him again would do any good, but she wasn't giving up.
Tamara wrinkled her nose, as she looked around at the meager living space.
"Not much of a decorator. Then again, I guess a man made of wood doesn't require much," she commented.
"You can see me? You believe?" August questioned.
"Do you think I would have chased down someone called the Dragon if I didn't?" she retorted.
"I don't understand. What are you doing in Storybrooke. How is that even possible?" he asked.
"What I'm doing in Storybrooke doesn't concern you. But I need you to do something. And after what you pulled in Hong Kong, you owe me," she responded.
"What could I ever do for you?" he inquired.
"Leave. It's a simple request, considering what I'm about to offer you," she answered.
"No...you're going to explain this. Did you follow me? Are you like me?" he demanded to know.
"Magical? No...I'm quite human. But forget for a second why I'm here and who I am and instead ask yourself the more important question, which is how? My cancer was a death sentence. Yet...here I am," she reminded.
"The Dragon. The liquid in the bottle...it worked," he realized.
"It cured me, August. And it can cure you too. I still have some of it left. The bottle is in my apartment in New York. You can go get it. All I ask...is that you leave Storybrooke and never return," she requested. That's when August realized exactly who she was.
"Neal...you're the fiancee. Are you and Neal here for the magic? Are you trying to steal the magic from Storybrooke?" August questioned.
"Neal has nothing to do with any of this. He knows as much as you do. Actually, you know a lot more now. So...do we have a deal?" she asked.
"I can't leave without knowing what you're doing here," August refuted.
"Sure you can...and you will. You're the same man I left in a Hong Kong gutter...a man willing to do anything to save himself. And that's what I'm offering, August," she stated, as she tossed him her keys.
"Salvation," she offered. August looked at the keys and then back at her. The urge to run and never look back was very strong, but then so was his guilt. He looked at her and made his decision.
"You are right, Your Highness...this is my fault," Marco finally admitted, as they trekked passed the Toll Bridge. Things had been silent since they entered the woods and they knew much contemplation had taken place in that silence.
"No arguments here," David agreed.
"Putting Emma through the wardrobe is a decision that has haunted us since we did it," Snow said, as they stopped and she turned to him.
"We have just had more time to lament and come to grips with our decision, because of the dreamscape. I know that you are only beginning to realize the ramifications of what you did," Snow stated.
"When I found out I could have gone with her...I was very angry at you and I cried for what we lost. I wondered how much worse it could have been if we didn't have the dreamscape," she continued.
"There is no apology I could give that could ever make up for what I did. But I am so sorry," he said.
"I forgive you," Snow said, as she glanced at her husband and he sighed. He looked at Emma and she nodded, telling him it was okay; that she was okay.
"And I forgive you as well," David added, as they shook hands. Snow smiled, glad that things were coming a resolve between them. Things likely would never be the same between them, but she knew they were both ready to let go of their anger at him.
"Our children have been burdened long enough. We have our daughter back and now it's time to get your son back," Snow said, as they continued on.
"And I will be forever grateful and humbled by your incredible kindness, Princess. It is not something I will ever forget," Marco said sincerely.
"You are amazing, you know that, right?" David whispered to her. She gently leaned against him, relishing his arm around her.
"I can forgive, because I have your love...and Emma's," she said.
"And I can too, because I have you and Emma as well," he agreed, as he pressed a kiss to her lips.
"You two seriously can't go five minutes without kissing, can you?" Emma chimed in, lightening the mood, as they chuckled.
"You should know that by now, Em," David teased, as they arrived at the trailer.
"August?" Snow called, as she opened the door and peered in.
"August?" she called again, but they found the trailer empty.
"He's gone…" Snow said, as they exchanged glances and all wondered where he might have gone.
Persephone pounded on the door of the mansion that once belonged to Deimos.
"Hades...open this door now! We need to talk!" she demanded. Inside, Hades smirked knowingly. He knew she wouldn't be able to stay away and that she would come, if only for the reason to yell at him.
"No need to shout, my love...my home is your home," he said, as he waved his hand and it opened.
"Forgive the magical protections I put in place, but as the God of the Underworld in the land of the living, one cannot be too careful," he added.
"You always were paranoid," she commented, as she stormed in and came face to face with him. He raised his hand, as if he was reaching to caress her cheek and she batted his hand away. This would have once incited fury from him, but now it was just met with an amused chuckle. This confused her greatly. She refused to believe that he had changed so much since she had left.
"What can I do for you today, my Queen?" he questioned, as he poured himself another drink.
"I am here to make sure you don't undo the trappings I placed Deimos in," Persephone stated.
"I know the great lengths you went to in order to obtain Prometheus' chains to protect Snow. I wouldn't think of doing such," he responded.
"I don't believe you," she accused.
"I know...and your distrust in me is not only understandable, but warranted. I've done terrible things," Hades replied.
"You sent that monster after my baby girl...knowing full well what he intended for her," she growled.
"And when Snow and David found a way to kill him, you went to superior lengths to see that he was revived! You made sure he was cursed and brought here!" she shouted.
"Yes...my actions were deplorable, to say the least. I used Ares and sacrificed his better son to revive his monstrous one. If I could go back...I would undo it," he responded.
"And why should I believe that? You keep telling me you have changed and that you have seen the error of your ways. But I see none of it," Persephone refuted.
"He didn't release Deimos the moment he got here...that should tell you something," Hermes chimed in and then he choked, as Persephone silenced him.
"Reminding me of your presence isn't wise, worm," she hissed. Hermes chuckled, as she released him.
"Still sore about the price I made you pay for allowing you to have those chains?" he goaded, as the golden bough appeared in his hand and he tossed it at her feet.
"Have it back...it's useless to me. Besides, my Lord has revived your mortal Prince. Yet...you have made no effort to gaze upon him again or go to him," Hermes stated. Persephone glared at him.
"My place is with my daughter...here," she shot back, as she went back to ignoring him.
"It's just as well," Hades muttered.
"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" she demanded to know.
"It's of no consequence…" he replied cryptically. But her eyes narrowed.
"No...I know you. We've been married for centuries and you're hiding something from me!" she cried.
"You're right...I am, but not for the reasons you think. I'm not hiding this to hurt you...I'm hiding it to protect you. And your family," he insisted. She scoffed.
"You are unbelievable...do you think I'm a complete moron?" she questioned.
"Of course not…" he snapped back, as they stared at each other, until he finally spoke again.
"I know that I have given you no reason to trust anything I say and that my sudden change is puzzling. But I am going to prove myself to you," he promised.
"Well, I'd say it would be a cold day in the Underworld when I believe that. But since I already know it's a frigid climate there, I won't use that euphemism," she retorted. He chuckled.
"So witty...I have missed that," he mused. She rolled her eyes.
"Your attempts to charm me are futile...you never were very good at it," she said.
"You can't talk to the King of the Underworld like that! You should be on your knees thanking him for not obliterating you and that precious little family for your constant betrayal!" Hermes said angrily, but Hades put his hand up.
"Enough…" he ordered.
"But my Lord…" he protested.
"I said enough! She is my wife...my equal and it is long past time that I actually started treating her as such," Hades snapped. Hermes looked confused and stunned by this, as did Persephone. But she quickly covered those emotions with a mask of indifference.
"I'm going to find out what is going on with you and what supposedly happened in the Underworld…" she warned.
"I hope not...it will only cause you pain. What really matters is the here and now," he responded. Persephone let out a frustrated yell.
"You are so infuriating!" she complained and he smiled slightly, as he watched her stomp around the room. She was even more beautiful when she was angry.
"News flash, I don't need you to protect me, so if you're not going to be straight with me and insist on playing your mind games, then I'm leaving," she said, as she pointed her finger at him.
"And I will say this one more time. Stay away from my family," she ordered, before looking to Hermes.
"And if your worm of a minion comes anywhere within twenty feet of my little Snow, Charming, Emma, or Henry...you'll be scraping him off the pavement after I get done with him," she warned. Anger at her burned in him, but he also gulped visibly, mostly because he knew she'd squash him in an instant if provoked. Hades chuckled and she rolled her eyes.
"Are you laughing at me?" she asked dangerously.
"No...no...I'm just imagining Hermes as a flat as a pancake on the pavement. Thank you for the mental image," he joked. The look on Hermes' face was both indignant and offended.
"Forgive me, my Lord, but I do not find that funny," he protested, but Hades only shrugged.
"We all know that I have a bit of a sadistic sense of humor," he countered.
"Finally something we agree on," Persephone huffed, before she disappeared in a puff of lavender smoke. This was followed by Zelena appearing in a puff of green smoke.
"Well, she certainly is spunky. I suppose I see why you were drawn to her," the redhead commented. Hades chuckled.
"Jealous?" he challenged and she scoffed.
"Hardly...she can have you. I have much bigger ambitions. I do want to be Queen...but certainly not Queen of the Underworld," Zelena responded. Hades shrugged.
"You must tread lightly for now. We do not even know if Snow White is with child or not yet," he reminded.
"No, but she soon will be if she isn't already. Those two are purely nauseating. I can see why my sister detests them so," Zelena retorted, as Hades went out into the garden.
"My Lord...what are you doing?" Hermes asked.
"I was thinking of planting a garden," Hades answered, as a large garden full of snowdrops sprouted forth from the soil and Hades smiled.
"I have not made anything grow in a very long time...I forgot how satisfying it can be," he mentioned. Zelena rolled her eyes and Hermes looked at him like he had gone insane.
"Are you seriously trying to woo her?" she questioned.
"Well, I didn't before so I thought I would try it," he responded.
"Just don't forget our plan. I can't have you going completely soft on me," Zelena snapped.
"Relax...I know that Persephone will never love me at this point. But if I can go back and do things a bit differently, I know she will see things differently then," he replied.
"My Lord...when I left the Underworld, you wanted to make Persephone pay. I do not understand your sudden desire for her again," Hermes stated.
"I told you...things have changed," Hades snapped back.
"What happened in the Underworld?" Zelena questioned curiously.
"That's my business," he hissed, as he strode back inside, leaving them both a bit confused.
August sped past the town line and picked up speed, as he hit the open road. The car was jarred though, as he hit a rather large pothole. The bump caused a photo of Tamara and her grandmother to fall from the visor and onto the passenger seat. August slammed on the brakes and the car came to a screeching halt. He stared at the photo and realized that everything Tamara had ever told him was a lie.
There was no cancer. There never had been. It was Tamara that had murdered the Dragon. He never knew who had killed the old Sorcerer, but now it all made sense. She had done it and taken back her picture. He turned the car around and then started back toward Storybrooke. But again, he slammed on the brakes and cried out in fright, as a man stood in the road. And it wasn't just any man that blocked his path. It was the Dragon...alive and well. August stumbled out of the car and pointed at him.
"You…" he uttered.
"Hello August...or should I say Pinocchio," he greeted.
"How...how are you alive?" August questioned.
"I have my ways…" the Dragon answered cryptically.
"Why are you here?" August asked.
"To help you…" the Dragon offered, as he produced a potion from his robes.
"I didn't have ten-thousand dollars a year ago and I certainly don't have it now," August refuted.
"And I am not interested in money as payment this time. I help you and you help me," the Dragon responded.
"Why would you need my help?" August asked.
"Many years ago...I lost my daughter and I need help to find her," he replied.
"And you think I can help you do that?" August questioned.
"You located Emma and Baelfire fairly easily after having years of no contact with them. You are a resourceful young man," the Dragon stated.
"Fine...but just who are you? How are you able to create magic in a land with none?" August questioned. The old mage smirked.
"I will tell you all you want to know in good time, my boy," he responded.
"I need to tell Emma about Tamara. I think she's going to try to destroy magic, though I can't begin to tell you how she thinks she can do that," August replied.
"Storybrooke will be fine...the Savior will discover Tamara's treachery in due time. If you want this potion, then you must come with me now," the Dragon said, as he snatched his phone.
"Hey...give that back!" August called, as he started to walk toward him, but his leg caught and he fell to the ground in pain.
"Okay...please, just give me the potion!" he pleaded. The Dragon popped the cork on it and poured the potion down the wooden man's throat. His entire body glowed with pink magic and he felt relief, as he was turned human again. He looked at the man in awe, as he felt real flesh again. He sighed, as he got to his feet. He felt guilty for abandoning Storybrooke, but a deal was a deal.
"Does your daughter have a name?" August questioned. The Dragon nodded curtly.
"Circe," he answered. August sighed.
"And wouldn't someone like Circe still be in a place like the Enchanted Forest? Say near Mount Olympus?" he questioned.
"She is no longer there and there are great many reasons why. She is here in this world now, but that is all I know," the Dragon replied.
"Yeah...something tells me that's not all you know," August said, as they got back into the car.
"Where to?" he asked.
"New York City," the Dragon answered.
"Where could he have gotten to?" Marco fretted, as they returned to the diner.
"I'm not sure...but we'll find him. That's one thing this family is pretty good at," David replied. Tamara was sitting close by and smirked at the Prince's words. Once August had that potion, she was positive they would never hear from him again, no matter how good they were at supposedly finding people.
"Yeah...I know August though. If he doesn't want to be found...then he won't be," Neal warned.
"But if he's completely wooden now, then he couldn't have gone far," Snow reasoned.
"Neal could be right...he is completely wooden now. He doesn't need food or other necessities that a human does. Hiding is a lot easier for him in his state," Emma said, as Snow deflated a bit at that. David put his arm around her and pulled he close. She sighed and felt herself stumble a bit.
"Whoa...are you okay?" David asked, as he kept her from falling.
"I'm fine...just lost my balance there for a second," Snow replied. But he didn't look convinced.
"Really...we ate breakfast kind of late so I skipped lunch. I probably just need something to eat," she said.
"Yeah...and some water too. Hey Ruby?" David called.
"Already on it," the waitress called, as they found a booth and David prodded her into it.
"You know, we never did let a doctor look at you after you were kidnapped. Maybe we should," he mentioned.
"No...honey, I'm fine. I'm just starving and after a good meal, I'm sure I'll be fine," she insisted.
"Then we can keep looking for August," Snow insisted. But Marco sat down dejectedly.
"No...your daughter is right. If my boy does not want to be found...then he won't be," Marco said sadly.
"Don't lose hope, Marco. Maybe August just needs time to come to terms with everything," Snow said encouragingly. But it didn't seem to help the older man much.
"I'll take him home," Archie offered, as he stepped in, having been waiting at the diner for them to return. They nodded, as the two men left, just as Rumple, Belle, and Jefferson arrived.
"No luck with the puppet?" Jefferson asked.
"No...he's hiding again. We're not sure where he is now and I'm not sure he wants to be found," David replied.
"August has to know how much his father misses him. I just don't understand why he would do this to him," Snow fretted.
"August is selfish...and probably ashamed. He should be. I should have never let him call in that anonymous tip that sent Emma to jail. It's one of my biggest regrets," Neal admitted. His admitting of that definitely made an impression on Snow and she glanced at her daughter, who was at the counter getting their drinks.
"Thank you for saying that, Neal," she said. He shrugged.
"It's the truth," he said, as he patted Henry on the shoulder and then went to talk to Tamara.
"So...did you meet Tamara?" Belle asked curiously. Snow nodded.
"We did...Emma introduced us as her parents. Which was really great, albeit awkward for someone like Tamara," Snow replied.
"Yeah...I don't think she quite believed that we could actually be her parents," David added.
"I'm sure it will just take time. I suppose all of this would be a lot for a person that believes we're all just characters in fiction. It is really strange to think about," Belle mentioned.
"Which is why this whole thing is pointless," Rumple said.
"Why do you say that? Aren't you a bit eager to meet your son's fiance?" David asked. Rumple looked indifferent, as usual.
"Perhaps I would be if my son wasn't still carrying a torch for your daughter," Rumple replied.
"What?" David questioned, as he looked confused. But Snow wasn't even a little surprised.
"Yeah and Emma's not really over him either, as much as she tries to deny it," Snow added and Charming look at his wife in disbelief.
"I knew it! So my parents should get back together!" Henry chimed in.
"Whoa kid...I think we need to keep any of that kind of talk to ourselves. We shouldn't meddle with things between your parents," David reasoned.
"I think David is right...this is something they have to figure out themselves," Belle agreed.
"There is nothing wrong with giving them both a little nudge into at least realizing that there are still feeling there. If anything, it's not fair to Tamara if Neal really does still have feelings for Emma," Snow countered.
"I'm inclined to agree with Snow," Rumple agreed.
"Hey...what are you guys talking about?" Neal asked, as he arrived at the table with Tamara.
"Nothing," David stated.
"The weather...it's unseasonably cold today for April," Belle mentioned pleasantly.
"Yes...my mother isn't in a very good mood today," Snow added.
"Can you blame her?" Rumple asked and Snow shook her head in agreement.
"What does the weather have to do with your mother?" Tamara asked in confusion.
"Oh...well, my mother is...happens to be...Persephone," Snow stammered in response. Tamara raises an eyebrow.
"Like the Queen of the Underworld?" Tamara asked skeptically. Snow swallowed nervously and nodded.
"She is," Snow confirmed.
"And she controls the weather?" Tamara questioned, her voice practically dripping with sarcasm.
"She doesn't really control it...her emotions can influence it though, right?" Neal chimed in, trying to explain. Snow bit her lip and nodded.
"That's right," she confirmed.
"So...it's April and in the fifties back home in New York. But here we're all freezing our asses off, because your Mom is in a bad mood?" Tamara questioned shortly.
"Babe…" Neal started to say, but she stopped him by putting her hand up.
"No Neal...I've been trying to get my head around all this, but it's too much! I mean, are you really expecting me to believe I'm standing here talking to some fairytale Princess? And that she's the daughter of some Goddess from a myth we learned about in High School?" Tamara questioned, as she looked back at them. Rumple rolled his eyes and then started to purposely make the lights flicker.
"Rumple…" Belle scolded.
"She doesn't believe...perhaps the only way to get her to is to show her," he responded.
"That's what I've been saying!" Henry complained. Rumple smirked in amusement.
"And as usual, you were right, Henry," he agreed.
"So now you want me to believe that you're making the lights flicker, because there could be a million different explanations for that," Tamara refuted.
"You're right...that was a mere parlor trick. But this isn't," Gold hissed, as she disappeared. Neal looked around frantically.
"Papa...what the hell?" he cried.
"Relax Bae...I'll bring her back in a minute. I merely magicked her back to New York City...the top of the Empire State building to be exact. Belle was reading about that last evening, if I recall?" he said, looking at her. She nodded.
"Glad to know you were paying attention," she deadpanned, as Tamara reappeared and cried out as she did. Her eyes were wide in shock and disbelief.
"That...that couldn't…" she stammered, but didn't finish her sentence.
"It was as real as any of us are, dearie," he responded. Neal scrubbed a hand over his face.
"Really? Do you really think that helped?" he scolded.
"Well, she's seen that magic is real now so now there is no longer any question," Rumple stated. Neal was about to continue his tirade, but Tamara put her hand on his arm.
"It's okay Neal...I am a logical person that requires evidence and so he gave it to me," she stated, as she eyed them all with scrutiny.
"I...I think I need to take some time and process all this," she stammered, as she went back over to the Inn side.
"She looked like someone just scared five years off her life," Emma commented, as she brought drinks over from the counter.
"My father, in his infinite wisdom, just gave her a magical demonstration by poofing her to New York and back," Neal said in irritation. Emma's mouth hung open for a minute and then she looked to where Tamara had retreated.
"Guess that cat is out of the bag," she murmured. Neal looked torn as to whether or not he should go after her. He was realizing, not for the first time, that he wanted to be there with his son and the people that were his family. He realized that they were becoming his family too and if Tamara couldn't accept them...then he wasn't sure what the future held for them.
"I'm sure she'll be fine, Neal. She just needs time to process all of this," Belle assured. Neal nodded and looked at his son, who obviously was eager for him to join them. So he did and put his problems with Tamara out of his mind for the moment...