7:15 AM AU - Things go a bit differently in the cabin during 7:15 AM. With memories returned, how will this change things?
Face Claim for Narcissa: Eileen Davidson
Face Claims for the three good fairies:
Flora: Maggie Smith
Fauna: Linsey Godfrey
Merryweather: Jackee Harry
Thanks for the amazing response to this story. It's a lot of fun. I'm glad everyone is enjoying the twists and turns. Season 1 can be very fun to play with. Enjoy this latest and keep reviewing! Here are individual responses to reviews:
Jennifer Baratta: Thanks, glad you enjoyed it! Yeah, Ruby is going to need luck with that job.
Ghostwriter: Glad you enjoyed it. Yeah, I'm sure their relationship will mend nicely once the curse is broken. Yeah, I hope they can stop Narcissa too. Glad you like Emma getting flashes of truth. :)
Number Ten: Yep, Emma is finally coming around. I am a bit worried about Ruby considering what we know about Narcissa. We actually find out a bit more about her in this chapter. Ruby is tough and already on guard around Narcissa though so I think she'll be okay. Glad you're enjoying!
Sexystarwarslover: Yep, Emma saw Snow this time! Yep, Ruby quitting at that exact moment is just what David needed. Yep, David is helping her truly see herself. Yep, even cursed, she's a true friend. Yeah, Narcissa won't suspect anything at first since Ruby so publicly stormed out and quit. Yeah, I thought it was a good opportunity to tie in 1x15 here. Yeah, Merryweather likes to argue. An attorney is a good curse occupation for her. Yep, Emma's blanket!Yep, I think Emma will eventually be a big sister. Yep, Cora is the worst and Regina is a bitch at this point. She gets is now. Finally. It just took her a while. Yep, just wait till they find out about Narcissa and who she really is. That will be explosive. Glad you're enjoying!
AnonSnowing: Yep, David knows Red is in there and he needs her skills right now. Ruby does still have good instincts about people, I agree. Yep, she's not just stone cold, she's a murderer and a really horrible, conceded person. No redemption for her. I know, Snow is such a Mom. I love it. Yeah, I think Granny made the blanket, but yeah, she probably also made Snow's bandit outfit. Yep, Emma was the perfect name. Yep, Regina hating Snow is and always was silly. I love the way Snowing lights up too when they see each other. Yep, Emma saw another memory. She's slowly accepting it. Glad you're enjoying!
Clarity
Chapter 32: Shroud of Mystery, Pt 1
Narcissa enjoyed a glass of the finest white wine in her office, as she relished her niece's pain. She so wished she could have been there, but with no magic, none of her mirrors were enchanted. She was used to watching Snow's entire life play out before her from behind glass. She had witnessed it all, seething at all the good and relishing the bad. She remembered watching her lose her mother and relishing it. She wasn't even sad at her sister's untimely demise and considered it revenge for what she had done to her. She cheered Regina on as she came to hate Snow as much as she did and watched with glee, as she was forced to flee and live in squalor in the woods. She considered it fitting and thought Snow deserved all of it and more.
But then she had been forced to watch her niece find true love; the truest of love, as that man fought for her, was willing to die for her, and found her time and again. She had been forced to watch him awaken her niece from a sleeping curse with true love's kiss and then watch them marry.
She had cackled with glee, as she watched Regina crash and ruin their wedding and as the curse grew closer, she wondered what would become of her.
Flashback
"Mirror...what becomes of us when the curse hits?" Narcissa questioned one day, as she sneered at her pregnant niece through the looking glass. She was glowing and her handsome husband doted upon her. It made her sick.
"We will go as well...but what will become of us, I do not know," the gray entity that she shared the space with answered.
On the day of the curse, as she relished her niece's agony at losing her child and possibly her husband, Narcissa awaited her fate at the hand of the curse. The walls around them cracked like glass and she realized that escape could suddenly be possible.
"Mirror...we can escape!" she called.
"No...you will gain your physical form again, but you shall be cursed. Only I will finally escape," the entity said, as a portal appeared before him.
"You...you said you didn't know what would happen," she called, as the glass began to crack even more.
"I lied…" he said, as he prepared to go through the portal, but suddenly cried out, as there was a sharp pain in his chest. He looked down to see a large shard of glass protruding through his check from his back. He looked at the former Queen in horror.
"I was willing to kill a baby without regret or second thought. Did you really think I would spare you?" she asked, as he fell to the ground, bleeding not red blood, but gray essence. As he faded away to dust, Narcissa stepped through the portal and into a very strange, new land. It was filled with lights and structures that reached the sky beyond what she could see. There was a sea of people milling about, going where she had no idea, and giving her funny looks as they passed by. She didn't know where she was, but she wasn't cursed. That meant she was outside it and Snow wasn't. She smirked.
"I'm not sure how yet, my dear niece, but I'll find you once the curse is broken and if Regina hasn't ended you yet...then I will," Narcissa promised.
The memories of liberation were still fresh and she was about to continue to reminisce when she heard the bell on the shop door chime. She put her wine down and went to see who it was.
"Can I help you?" she asked. She had to hold back a sneer, for this one was her niece's best friend. But right now, she didn't remember that.
"Yeah, I was hoping to fill out an application?" Ruby questioned. Narcissa raised an eyebrow.
"You want to work here?" she asked.
"I need a job. I just quit mine, because I couldn't take my Granny anymore," Ruby answered.
"Yes…I can see where she would be difficult to get along with, but what makes you think you have what it takes to work here?" Narcissa asked.
"Well…I may not be a fashion guru like you, but no one can deny that I'm a fast learner," Ruby replied.
"Mmm…and I suppose you do have basic skills like operating a cash register," Naricissa said.
"Of course," Ruby answered. Normally, Narcissa wouldn't allow her niece's filthy friend anywhere near her...but since she didn't know who she was right now, she might be able to use her against her somehow.
"Okay...we can try it, but you can't wear that," she said, looking at her flannel shirt and ripped jeans in disgust.
"Oh...yeah, I guess I don't have a lot of dress clothes," Ruby said.
"It's fine...to work here, you have to dress the part and only a Blake Fashions original will do," Naricissa said, as she plucked something off the rack and handed it to her. Ruby was nearly horrified by the fancy dark blue pantsuit, but forced a smile.
"Try this on," she said. Ruby found a dressing room and changed. She put her hair up and hardly recognized herself, but she reminded herself that this might be the only way to prove Emma's innocence.
She returned to the front of the store so Narcissa could see and the blonde nodded.
"It will do...now, let's go over your duties," she said. Ruby nodded and as the woman turned her back, Ruby took her phone out quickly and sent a text to David that simply said, "I'm in".
"Hey...you up for some grub?" Neal asked, as he arrived at the station with Henry and a couple food sacks from Granny. Mary Margaret had left to run home for a while and had promised to return with dinner.
"Uh sure…" Emma replied, as Henry came up to the bars.
"Grams was going to bring you dinner, but we asked if we could instead," Henry said. She smiled.
"I'm glad…" she said, as Neal handed one of the sacks to her.
"Grilled cheese and onion rings," he said.
"That's the best thing I've heard all day," she replied, as they started eating.
"Mary Margaret told me that the judge didn't completely throw the case out?" Emma asked.
"Fortunately no...and we'll soon prove that you didn't do this," Neal replied.
"We need to prepare for what happens if David can't though," Emma said quietly.
"Emma...he's your father, even if you keep denying it. He's not going to give up," Neal replied. She sighed.
"I...I know, but no matter how much he wants to prove it, there is a possibility that he won't be able to. Regina wants a frame job and there's no promise that we can," she argued.
"Fair point…" he agreed, as he noticed her pensive look.
"Hey buddy...why don't you go grab us some sodas out of the fridge in the break room," Neal said, as he went off to get the drinks.
"If I'm convicted...then you need to take Henry and my parents and blow this town. Your Dad too if he'll go," Emma said.
"Emma...do you really think running is the answer?" Neal replied.
"Of course not...but if I'm convicted, then she'll come after you and my parents," Emma said. He couldn't deny that.
"There has to be another way…" he said.
"You could just break the curse," Henry chimed in as he returned. She sighed.
"I would if I could, buddy...but I just don't know how," Emma lamented.
"But you called them your parents. You believe it now, don't you?" he asked innocently.
"I...I do," she answered reluctantly.
"There must be something else we're missing then, but for the life of me, I can't figure out what it is," Neal replied.
"You and me both," she said, as she continued eating.
"I don't get it...Mom believes. How come it hasn't broken the curse yet?" Henry asked.
"I'm not sure, buddy, but we'll figure it out," Neal promised.
David came home that night and found Mary Margaret in the kitchen, making dinner.
"Wow...smells great," he said, as he came up behind her and kissed her cheek. She smiled.
"Well…I was going to take food to Emma, but Neal asked if he and Henry could, so I decided to give them some time, which gives us some time," she purred, as she put the spoon down and slipped her arms around his neck.
"That sounds incredible…" he said, as he kissed her tenderly.
"So...any luck with the case?" she asked curiously.
"Not yet...but Ruby got the job. Now if she can get into the computer, we might find out something about Narcissa Blake and why she's really here. I did ask Gold though. In fact, I just came from there," he said.
"What did he say?" she asked.
Earlier that afternoon
David walked into the shop and approached the counter.
"Deputy...what can I do for you?" Gold asked.
"I'm hoping for information," David replied.
"Ask away," Gold replied.
"We think Narcissa Blake might be...from the same place we are. Can you confirm?" David asked.
"If she is...then she's no one I know of and I'm much older than anyone," Gold replied.
"Then she's not," David said. He smirked.
"Oh, I didn't say that, dearie," he replied.
"I'm confused," David said.
"There is always the possibility that she could have been erased from the memories of those who knew her and subsequently, from history. It has happened before," Gold replied.
"Is there any way to find out?" David asked. Gold shrugged.
"I have history books on different Kingdoms. If something was erased from history, my books would have remained untouched, as they are enchanted to resist any spells," Gold said, as he grabbed one large tome.
"This would be the place to start. It's the history of most of the central Kingdoms in the Enchanted Forest," he said. David sighed.
"That's a huge book...thanks. Snow and I'll look through it," he said.
"May I ask why you think Narcissa Blake might be from the Enchanted Forest?" Gold asked. David shrugged.
"She found this place without any direction, just like Tamara. Even Emma needed directions from Henry to find Storybrooke. It doesn't add up that she's just some fashion mogul that's taking a break from the big city. There's a million other small towns in the country she could have gone to," he reasoned. Gold nodded, now deep in thought about that.
"Let me know if you find anything of value...Ms. Blake is suspicious," he agreed. David nodded and left the shop with the large tome.
"So that's what the old, dusty book is that you put down when you came in," she surmised. He nodded.
"I know...it's not the most exciting thing to do with our evening," he said.
"Oh I don't know...we'll have dinner, wine, and read through history together. And then...we'll go to bed," she mused, as they swayed together.
"To bed...or to bed?" he asked sultrily. She smiled and bit her bottom lip.
"What do you think, handsome?" she asked, as he kissed her tenderly.
"I'll pour the wine," he said, as she went back to finishing dinner.
Flashback
Merryweather appeared in Snow's nursery and looked upon the sleeping child with sadness.
"Oh my little Snow...I so wish I could be your fairy Godmother. But I've been sent away," Merryweather said.
"What?" Eva asked, as she overheard her.
"Oh…I'm so sorry, my Queen," Merryweather said, as she bowed curtly.
"You're going away?" Eva asked.
"Yes...not by choice. My request to be assigned to Snow was denied. I am furious about it, but if I disobey...I will lose my wings," Merryweather replied.
"This isn't fair," Eva said, but she knew she had to accept it. If the head fairy had made this decision, a mortal could not interfere in the affairs of the fairies.
"But I promise you that I will look upon little Snow from a distance and watch over her when I can," Merryweather promised, as they shared a hug.
"Who will be replacing you?" Eva asked.
"Another Blue Fairy...her name is Ruel Ghorm," Merryweather answered.
"I'm sure she'll be kind to Snow," Eva said.
"Don't let on...but watch things with this one," Merryweather warned, as she shrank herself and fluttered away. She would still find a way to watch over Snow White...even if it meant from afar.