Heyyyy guys. So this chapter is kind of a part 1/part 2 kind of thing, so there's more to explain in the next chapter. As always, love my reviewers, readers, subscribers, and favoriter-ers. I'm just gonna start using that as a word now, even if it looks weird. I'm looking forward to your comments all the time, so go ahead and tell me whatcha think.
It began with a dark nothingness. And then, light and colors burst out of the empty void. When the brilliant radiance had faded, Regina found herself in the middle of a forest. It wasn't just any forest, because Regina recognized it. She had memorized it's every clearing, every stream, every twist and turn, and every single tree in the whole forest. It was her forest. Regina was back home, in the Enchanted Forest.
It wasn't tranquility that Regina identified. No, it was something much worse. It was an eerie silence that materialized over the woods. Not even sound of bubbling water from the nearby stream was audible. And Regina realized why; the stream had run dry. Regina twirled around, locating the direction that faced her castle. She flashed herself there, materializing in the grand foyer where her guards would usually greet her. No one was there. Rushing off to her den, Regina began to panic.
Regina gazed around at her mirrors, they were smashed. All of them.
Regina inspected her desk, and found a hastily-written note:
Dearest Regina,
I doubt you shall read this, or ever return to the place you once called home. I do not blame you, for it was also your prison. I realize now that the only way for you to gain happiness was to seek it in another life. The Enchanted Forest has been overturned. Your departure has assured his arrival. He has killed the other kingdom's rulers, and I fear that he is coming for me next. I do not judge you for the decisions you have made. I can only hope that you are happy now. Alas! The remaining guards have alerted me of his arrival. He is here and I must accept my death, just as the others have accepted theirs. I bid you farewell, my beautiful daughter. I love you.
Her breathing stopped as she realized who had inked it. The words were smudged, but she could make out her father's signature. She wiped the tears that rolled down her cheek. Regina scanned the table, and found one last mirror. She wiped it with her sleeve.
"Mirror, are you there?" Regina questioned, an uneasy feeling forming in her stomach.
The genie's face slowly appeared. He looked drained and beat, and his eyes were only half open.
"Your Majesty! You're back!" the mirror exclaimed, smiling slightly. Then a look of horror washed over his face, "Oh no. You can't be here. He will surely kill you. Listen to me, your majesty, you need to leave. Now. It is not safe, he will be here, I can sense it."
Regina was truly frightened now. Gripping the mirror's frame, she asked, "Mirror, who is the devil that you and my father speak of?" The mirror gulped and transformed into an image of a wicked-looking imp. Regina recognized him all too well. Then, the image was replaced by her reflection. Except, it wasn't only Regina's reflection, for behind her stood the same monster the mirror had showed her. Looking at him in the mirror, her panic was replaced by genuine fear.
"Hello, dearie," the Dark One purred in his high voice.
Regina woke up with his words echoing in her head. She breathed in relief as she stared up at the ceiling. It was just a dream. Just a dream.
"Emma?" Regina called faintly, blindly feeling around the sheets to locate the blonde. Emma had notified her the night before, but there was no harm in checking. When she couldn't find the definite shape of a body, Regina sat up in bed. She was greeted by the loud pattering of raindrops beating against the window panes. Regina glanced behind her. The other side was a little ruffled, but empty. Okay, so maybe there was a little harm in checking, Regina thought, her heart stinging. She kind of hoped that maybe Emma would be there when she woke up. But, there was no point in wasting hope for unlikely things, being the practical woman Regina was.
Groaning, she repelled herself off the bed and shuffled to the door, snatching her robe on the way. Regina stepped out of her room and walked downstairs. Entering the kitchen, she was surprised to see Emma behind the stove. The blonde turned around, spotted Regina observing her, and almost dropped the griddle she was holding.
"Oh. Hi, Madame Mayor. Good morning. I was um... just gonna eat breakfast and get out of your hair. I was gonna leave some for you, but... Well, you want some?" Emma stuttered like a deer in headlights. Regina sat on a high stool and watched Emma from behind the marble island.
"Depends. I didn't know you could cook, Sheriff Swan," Regina said, allowing herself a small smile. Emma tittered nervously, returning to the stove so she didn't have to meet Regina's eyes.
"It's not world-class or anything, but it gets me through the day. When you live alone, you can't always have Chinese takeout for every meal, right? You gotta learn to feed yourself," Emma replied, " Oh, and your coffee machine is amazing. And I didn't expect you to have the tools of a professional chef. I had a hard time figuring out which pan I should use." She turned and saw Regina smirking.
"Then, maybe we should ignore our expectations and start living the unexpected," Regina stated, biting her lip. Emma found that incredibly sexy. And adorable. But mostly sexy. She switched her train of thoughts.
"This coming from the woman who lives by the rules of perfection. Isn't it your job to make sure everything that was expected is executed flawlessly?," Emma quipped, flipping the contents of the griddle. She handed Regina a cup of coffee.
"Touché," Regina commented, sipping the warm drink.
"So... how'd you sleep?" Emma asked.
"Really? Small talk, Ms. Swan?" Regina replied.
"Just answer the stupid question," Emma said, rolling her eyes.
"I slept fine," Regina muttered, mind flashing back to her nightmare. It had all seemed so real...
"Have any interesting dreams?" Emma said, back to Regina. The brunette almost spat out her coffee. It's as if Emma had read her mind.
"Um... no. Well actually, yes, I did," Regina paused, "I dreamed that a certain sheriff would hurry up with the food and quit the small talk." Emma turned around and childishly stuck her tongue out at the brunette.
"Sorry about the small talk. Life as a bail-bonds agent is basically going solo and kicking guys' asses. There's really no need for talking. Coming here has forced me to become more social. I just started... interacting with the people of Storybrooke," Emma explained.
"Well, you'll get plenty of time to interact with the people of Storybrooke soon enough. As sheriff, you're required to join every council meeting and I'm hosting a little soirée down at the town hall next weekend. It's custom to bring a um... guest. And I, as mayor, am entitled to bring a guest as well, which I have yet to choose. So I was wondering, would you like to accompany me?" Regina asked, staring down into her cup of coffee. Emma broke out into a huge grin and twirled around to look at the mayor. Emma crossed her arms.
"One night of sex and you're already ready for something more. Jeez lady, you work fast," Emma said, still smiling. A look of confusion crossed Regina's face.
"Excuse me?" Regina asked, not understanding the situation.
"Madame Mayor, did you just ask me out?" Emma questioned, her smile only growing wider, "On a date?" Regina was trying really hard to keep calm and not punch her in the face. She was right, Regina just didn't want to admit it.
"Absolutely not! Let's make this clear, Sheriff Swan. You are my second in command. I just thought it'd be appropriate if we showed up together, as business associates," Regina seethed, emphasizing the words clearly, "Besides, that just means less questions for me to answer and less problems I have to deal with. So, just make this easy on me, and agree."
"Sure, I'll 'accompany' you," Emma said, noting the relief on Regina's face. "And... we'll just ignore the fact that you're too chicken to admit it's actually a date," Emma teased.
"Oh, just give me my damn breakfast," Regina growled, internally grateful that Emma hadn't rejected her invitation.
More of the party later on. See ya next time, True Randomness.