Regina looked at the row of taverns and shops. Wow, where's Swan when you need her? She was tempted to use "eenie meenie miney mo" to figure out her best chance at finding Killian or Rumplestiltskin. She wandered along the street, peering in at customers and sellers. She didn't remember much of this, as her mother rarely let her visit the grounds where the commoners roamed. I'd settle for the Charmings!
Something caught her eye. She was sure she saw something dart behind a market stall. The creature seemed to vanish, then appear behind another stall. She craned her neck to try to follow the figure, but it was too quick. She hurried towards where she last saw it, but tried not to stand out. She spotted a glow on one of the creature's limbs, perhaps a reflection from the sunset. She followed it into an alley, then heard and unmistakable giggle.
"Miss me, Dearie?" The scaly man appeared from the darkness.
"You! What do you want?" She wasn't sure how much to divulge, as this imp was known for using anyone's vulnerability as a tool for manipulation.
"Well, I suppose I was just minding my own business, after returning from a hard deal – for them, not for me – and I found a present in my dungeon. I'm not sure who put said gift there, but my guess would be I did."
"You've lost me." The way he spoke made Regina's skin crawl. There was something almost slimy about his presence.
"Now, now – that's a lie. I may not know how you got here or who the pirate is, but I know you're not from this time and that the one-handed sea rat is somehow an important part of my future."
"Wait a minute. That doesn't make sense. You don't make sense. If I'm only a young child in this time, Killian isn't even born. Your wife, Milah – you turned all Dark One after she left you for him, which she can't have done yet. That means you're not from this time either because you have powers."
The man fell silent. He had a look of annoyance on his face, twiddling his fingers in a creepy manner, trying to hide that she had caught on to his deceit.
"Sure, sure. I'm a fairly new arrival to this era and won't be staying long, but my memory is a wee bit... how shall I put it? Gappy" he chortled. "I am a young man, in this time. No boy. No wife. No powers. Just coward. I had finally freed my castle of it's... previous inhabitants, then your hook-for-a-hand friend showed up." With every other word, he hopped about and made odd hand gestures.
"You – or one of you – hijacked my teleportation, sending us back here. Why?" she snarled.
"Well, I can only speak for myself - I hardly have all the answers" he said sarcastically. She quickly developed a glint of anger in her eyes, the same one she used to get before plotting her revenge as the Evil Queen. He backed up as she leaned in. "Now, now." He waved his hands and they disappeared, reappearing in the grand hall entrance of his castle.
"You may be the Dark One, but I will squash you like the cockroach you are, if you keep playing games. Give me Hook and I'll leave you to your... collection" she scowled, looking around at the antiques and souvenirs from his deals. For a moment, he pondered what he should ask for in return, and then thought better of incurring her wrath.
"I'm sorry to disappoint, Your Majesty, but I don't have much use for unconscious buccaneers. He's no longer on my estate. I must also inform you that I am unaware of his current whereabouts or state of health." Regina threw her hands up in frustration, partially turning away. "Look, I can see this is somewhat distressing for you, Dearie, so perhaps I can help?"
He held out his hand, palm up and a ball of lime green light rose from it. Regina squinted to see what was forming. The light descended back into Rumplestiltskin's hand, leaving a vibrant blue lapis lazuli gemstone in its place.
"The hotter it gets, the closer you are – once you get it enchanted by the fairies, of course. I'm giving you the vessel; you must find the wind for the sails."
"The fairies?"
"The fairies" he repeated.