Hey guys. Right, things are starting to move somewhere now. I won't spoil it, but things happen for which you will hate me, but they will work out eventually, I can promise you that, so anyone that's going to message me saying I'm evil or anything, I'm only evil temporarily. But I hope you enjoy the story, I just get bored if there's nothing much happening. All mistakes are mine, no copyright, please review if you wish :)
"Belle?" Gold looked up from the book he was reading as the door opened and Belle entered, striding up to Gold.
"Rumple," she replied as evenly as she could. Despite everything, there was still a small part of her that cared for him. He noted the use of his real name.
"How are you?" he asked softly, before he noticed Mulan stepping inside. His eyes hardened as Regina stepped through.
"That's not what we're here for," said Regina curtly.
"Pleasure to see you, Mayor. Give the Saviour my regards," said Gold, closing his book with a solid thud. "If we're done with pleasantries, may I ask what you want from me?" he asked, regarding each woman in turn. Belle noted there was a definite layer of dust over most of the antiques that was not present when she stayed there. Memories flooded back and she shook them off with an almost imperceptible twitch of her head. Flexing her fingers, she felt them tingle as she grew more and more stressed. She breathed deeply, calming herself before she destroyed something. Regina stood with her arms folded, her pale fingers tapping on the black sleeve of her coat. Mulan looked a little fearful, but stood her ground.
"Are you Rumplestiltskin?" asked the warrior. Gold focused on her and tilted his head a little.
"I am, dearie. And you are?"
"Mulan."
"And what do you want from me?" Belle saw him scrutinising Mulan, silently gathering details as he always did when a customer walked in.
"I want something that belongs to me."
"Ah… I remember you," said Gold with a grin. "The warrior girl." Mulan looked a little taken-aback, her fingers drumming against the hilt of her sword.
"You heard about me?" she asked, curious despite herself. Belle and Regina stood slightly to the side, sharing a look.
"I hear everything, dearie. Now, what is it that you want?" Mulan took a calming breath before replying clearly. She did not trust this man.
"When I served in the Emperor's Army, I was forced to give up my father's chain. It had a charm on it. I want it back." Gold tapped his fingers against the desk for a moment, before he swept his hand through the air. A long, golden chain appeared in his hand, a silver amulet hanging from it.
"Is this the one you're looking for?" he asked with a smirk. Mulan nodded, her expression cold. "It's yours, for a cost –"
"Rumple, she's travelled so far to get here. Can't you just once make life easy for someone other than yourself?" said Belle wearily. She was tired of this, of Rumple. Gold was silent.
"Besides, Gold. There are more pressing matters to discuss than trinkets," added Regina. Gold exhaled a heavy sigh, glancing at Belle's stony face to Regina's indifferent expression as she cast an eye over the antiquities. He tossed the amulet to Mulan, who caught it, eyes narrowed as she quickly looped it over her neck and under her armour.
"And what is the nature of these matters?" asked Gold through gritted teeth.
"A portal has opened up in the woodland to the north," said Regina, stepping forwards. "That's how the ogres managed to get through and attack us. Unfortunately, it is too large for me to close myself."
"Why not have your new apprentice help you?" he asked, glaring at Regina.
"Don't be childish," said Belle softly. "I don't have enough power, and you know that. We need you."
"And if I say no?" He drummed his fingers against the book's brown leather cover as he watched Belle and Regina glance at each other. He waited for their answer.
"Then we'll have to resort to underhand tactics," Regina smirked as she poked a small dream-catcher hanging from the ceiling, watching the beads collide.
"Will you stop playing with my merchandise, please?"
"Since you asked so nicely."
"What's in it for me?" Again, Belle and Regina looked at each other. Mulan was standing slightly behind them, eyeing the exchange warily.
"For one, you don't get your shop trashed by ogres if they come through again. And who knows what other creatures could come spilling through."
"Rumple, please. This is for the good of everybody." Belle could tell she was getting through to him. He seemed torn. "Do it for me?" she asked, knowing it would tip the scales in her favour.
"Fine," he sighed. He looked to Belle for a moment, before turning to Regina. "We could use a three-point spell. She has enough power for that."
"It would be more efficient," mused Regina as she turned the idea over in her head. Belle had read about a three-point spell before. It was pretty much how it sounded; three casters would stand in a triangle and concentrated their power into the centre of the triangle. "Are you alright with that?" asked Regina, looking at Belle, who nodded.
"Excellent," said Regina, clapping her hands. "I'll prepare it. Be there at seven o'clock tomorrow morning."
"See you then," replied Gold. He waved them from the shop, giving a warm but small smile to Belle. Belle felt her heart melt a little. She wasn't cut out to be like them – cold and detached. She just couldn't do it.
"Have a nice day," she said softly, watching Gold's face warm a little. She didn't have the heart to be so cold.
"That was awkward," said Mulan as the door swung shut behind her. Her armour clanked slightly as she kept pace with the Mayor. Belle fluffed her hair as she walked briskly down the road. Regina assumed she was going to the library as she followed.
"It becomes entertaining after a while," commented Regina as Belle strode on slightly ahead. Regina was surprised to feel concern for the girl she had imprisoned in a tower for years. She still felt tremendous guilt, and hoped that teaching Belle magic could at least make it up to the librarian, even a tiny percentage. It would be better than nothing.
"Is she okay?" asked Mulan quietly so Belle wouldn't hear. Regina thought for a moment before replying. She really wasn't used to knowing if anybody was okay apart from Henry and Emma. But she could feel that list of people she would happily help was growing longer.
"She and Gold have quite a history. But she's free of him now." Mulan nodded. She had realised that when she and Belle were in the Enchanted Forest, Belle had mentioned a Beast she had encountered before. She knew now, thanks to listening to the local folklore, that that Beast was Rumplestiltskin, who now seemed to be Mr Gold.
"With Ruby?"
"Yes," confirmed Regina. Even with her heels on, they were still the same height. Mulan's armour clanked simultaneously with Regina's heels clacking against the floor.
"She seemed nice."
"She is quite nice. For a wolf."
"Ah."
"So if you stay, don't go slicing up the town wolf, or I guarantee Belle will tear you to shreds."
"Duly noted," replied Mulan. Regina thought over her words, and realised that Mulan hadn't really had a decent welcome into the town. Belle and Emma, and people in general must be rubbing off on her as she rolled her eyes.
"Why are you staying in Storybrooke?" she inquired, trying to be nice. It was hard.
"I… I need a change," replied Mulan. "I just couldn't stay." Regina interpreted this cryptic answer correctly. Something had happened back where she lived.
"Ah, I see. I hope you enjoy it here."
They approached the library, Mulan staring around in wonder at the buildings and lights and vehicles. The people too. Just the styles of dress, the way they talked to each other, the strange little boxes they just couldn't stop looking at. They didn't seem too surprised to see a woman wearing armour and armed with a sword walking down the road either. Well, she thought. They are from the Enchanted Forest, they've seen a lot worse. Belle fished the key out of her pocket and opened the door. Mulan chuckled as she remembered how Belle had managed to beat her to her prey on their first encounter, armed with only a book and a dagger.
"Of course she has a library," smiled Mulan as she and Regina walked into the centre of the room.
"She's very bookish," observed Regina, turning to face her. Suddenly, a ringing noise sounded and Mulan jumped, pulling her sword out of the sheath and pointing it at the source of the noise – Regina.
"Relax! It's just my phone." Regina pulled out a small silver box and held it up. Mulan sheathed her sword and leaned against the reception desk. Regina answered it and talked into it while Mulan looked around for Belle. She thought the librarian had disappeared in the stacks, searching for books.
"I have to go. Tell Belle that Emma needed to speak with me. I need Belle to be at the portal by seven, earlier if possible. Will you be okay?"
"I'm fine."
"Belle will sort you out with a place to stay. Just ask her if you need anything."