Love and Mischief
Chapter 3
When they returned to the house it was to discover Roland and his cousins Matthew and Roberta had snuck out in an attempt to follow them, but had been caught. Apparently Killian had scared them back into the house by giving them a dose of Captain Hook, after which Emma had further scared them with a threat of a night in a jail cell. Poor Roland was in tears, while Matthew sat at the table with a defiant scowl and Roberta said the boys had told her she was a scaredy cat if she stayed home.
Regina sighed, here we go again. She'd gone through this with Henry when he was around Roland's age. But at least Roland knew exactly who she was and she hadn't been the "Evil Queen" in years. So part of that behavior just must be normal… she sighed again.
Henry grinned at Emma, realizing much the same thing.
Emma quirked a smile back. Back when Henry was that age she'd actually abetted that behavior. In retrospect she saw how irresponsible that had been. If she hadn't been that way, taken a more moderate tactic, maybe she might have helped Regina throw off the shadow of the Evil Queen sooner, and some things they both regretted wouldn't have happened. It certainly helped had when she eventually did take a more moderate tactic. Emma still remembered the look of astonishment on Regina's face the first time she'd taken her side and defended her to the others. Emma gave Regina an apologetic look, perhaps they'd been a bit over the top. Emma was glad now she'd just been one of Henry's parental figures and Regina had done the lion's share.
Regina shrugged; Roland was still more sensitive than most children. She knew the tears were not from fear but shame. Robin was best to handle Roland's initial intense reactions. He'd come to her later for a cuddle.
Emma followed Regina into the living room
"Hey, sorry about us upsetting Roland."
"Its okay, parenting isn't easy, gets tougher as they get older, then it starts to get easier and you have to let them go…"
"Henry. It's more difficult for you than it's for me. I'm just not the maternal type."
"So you really are definite, you and Killian don't want to have any kids."
"No kids. Henry's enough for me, and Killian doesn't want any either."
Regina nodded, then gave a lopsided smile. "Well you'll need to prepare to be a grandmother a few years from now."
"So they chose Henry and Violet, but you got them to wait?"
"Yes. Until Henry and Violet get their degrees and both have a steady job."
"So a while yet, good. Don't if I'm ready to be a grandmother yet." Then Emma laughed "Look who's saying this. I sprung a grandkid on my parents way younger than I am now."
Regina winced slightly, "Sorry about that." That damn curse she'd cast…
"No, over and done, it's the past, you were Gold's pawn, broken, crazy, consumed by evil, and we found out, cursed as well."
"Still I am guilty of it."
"You are, but it's not who you've been for a very long time. And none of us are pure either. I'm sorry I stood there like a self-righteous ass, when I was the one who was being reckless about Henry's safety."
"Ancient history, I was hardly acting like a good role model for him either at that time."
"Okay, but you know what? Because of all of us: you, Robin, mom and dad, and me, Henry turned out to be a really great kid. I'm sure whenever he and Violet start a family they'll be great parents."
"Yes. It's how I reconcile myself to the choice."
"Plus aren't you already technically my step grandmother?" Emma said lightening the conversation
"And both Henry's mother and step great grandmother." Regina smirked
Belle came down stairs with her three year old daughter, who was cranky from being woke up to go home. "Regina, I'm sorry I missed Roland and his cousins sneaking out."
"Roland spent his earliest years with a band of thieves; he knows how to sneak when he wants to. I'm sure he taught his cousins." Regina said with a laugh.
"Mulan spotted them, and Killian figured he could scare them back home so we let him go after them with Emma."
"Rebecka told me. She waited on the porch to let us know the situation before we walked in."
"Is Roland still crying?"
Regina glanced into the dining room. "He's fine now."
"Good. How did it work out?"
"They chose Henry and Violet, but are willing to wait a few years."
Belle smiled. "I think they made the right choice."
"I guess." Regina said neutrally, but with a hint of a smile
Late that same night.
In the fox spirit realm, Inari was gazing up at the stars. The heat and humidity of this summer night had made him let his yukata hang open to let the rare breeze strike his bare skin. He suddenly felt the pull to the other realm. But oddly, he hadn't heard his name called as he usually did. He stood up and vanished.
He found himself in a strange town. It was different from any town he'd even been in; even the one near where he'd rescued his adoptive daughter Mitsue. It was very cold. Inari tried to transform to fox form. He snarled in anger- something was keeping him in human form. He shivered; the pavement was painfully cold to his bare feet.
He attempted a simpler spell and was relieved when heavy workers tabi now protected his feet, and his yukata had transformed to a lined and padded winter kimono. The signs were in another language but his magic was working there at least as well- he could read them. He should be able to understand and speak the language. He could still sense remnants of the magic that brought him here. He looked toward the Pawn shop; it radiated a lot of magic. This must be the person who brought him here and suppressed part of his magic. Unless they had a very good reason for this they'd be sorry. It was nearly dawn and the shop still appeared to be closed. Getting in should be simple magic. He grinned ferally when he quickly gained entrance to the shop. It would be a simple matter to hide among the clutter.
The wait wasn't long, but the shop owner came from the back instead the outside. Odd, he sensed only a very weak hint of magic, certainly not enough to draw him here, nor did the shop contain an object that could draw him from his realm, still… He abruptly stood as the sorceress stepped into the shop. Before he said a word though, he realized two things, the woman held the hand of a young child, and she had no magic. The hint of magic came from the child. This changed things. Neither could have suppressed part of his power. Maybe the woman could help him though.
"How'd you get in?" Belle looked at the handsome stranger warily and made sure she stood in front of her daughter.
"Magic" Inari smiled charmingly. "Perhaps you can help me. I'm not here by choice, someone brought me here. What is this place?"
Belle relaxed slightly. "You aren't the first one. This is Storybrooke. Are you Japanese?"
"Close. I come from the fox spirit realm. My name is Inari."
Belle thought for a moment, "The Fox God?"
"Yes. As I said, though, I'm not here by choice, nor was I called by a child or a person in need of my help."
"So you're completely unprepared."
"Yes, it pains me to say so, but whatever magic brought me here has also suppressed part of my powers. I cannot transform to my fox form and it is quite cold here."
"Nights can still be cold this time of year. It'll warm up during the day though. But you were brought here with nothing, right?"
"Yes, it was midsummer in my realm. I was even less prepared for this weather when I arrived. Fortunately I could access enough of my magic to allow for warmer clothes."
"But you need clothes, a place to stay..."
"Could you help me?"
"Rumple left some of his clothes behind but you look too tall and muscular to wear them, maybe Granny could help you find that too."
"Granny?"
"She runs a restaurant and a bed and breakfast
"Bed and breakfast?"
"Kind of like a hotel but small and with meals."
"Ah."
"I'll take you over when she opens up. She's good about helping people new to town. When did you get here?"
"Just before I walked in here."
That definitely means he's not the one who sent us those dreams. But I wonder if the same person brought him here for some reason. Belle thought.
Inari could sense the sadness in the woman. She had mentioned someone named Rumple who had left, the father of her child, perhaps?
"Oh, I'm sorry! I didn't tell you my name, I'm Belle. I mostly run the library here, but this shop was my husband's. I have it opened once a week."
"You said he left? Are you divorced?"
"Unofficially separated. He didn't want to stay here, I did."
Inari could tell there was more to her story, but he wouldn't pry. It was always better to let people tell their sorrows when they wished to.
"I am sorry. You are a lovely and kind woman."
"Thank you. Granny's won't open for another hour, are you hungry?"
"To be honest, yes."
"I don't know if we have anything you might like but we'll see." She motioned him to follow her back behind the curtain that separated the private area of the building from the pawn shop.
"You're a fox?" Bae looked up at Inari curiously
"I can be." He smiled down at the child
"Wow."
"But sadly I cannot show you now. Someone has taken that from me."
"Someone bad." Bae frowned
"Yes, someone bad. I need to be able to turn into my fox form."
"You do?" Belle asked "Are you more powerful in fox form?"
"No. But it's like having a part of me amputated. It's a part of me and I want to know why whoever brought me here did this to me."
"It's cruel."
"Yes, and it doesn't inspire me to think kindly of them. I will go to help someone when they call on me, but using a spell and taking a part of me away... whoever did this has made an enemy out of me."
"I'll help you find out who did this to you."
"Thank you."
"You're welcome. So um, rice, I guess you like that? "
"Yes. I'm also called the Rice god, after all."
"Well, I don't know how well you'll like this rice" She pulled out a box of rice.
"Hmm let me see" He scanned the cooking directions on the box and snorted "that's a poor way to make rice. Perhaps I can improve it"
Twenty minutes later the three of them sat down to breakfast.
"Wow, you're a great cook!" Belle exclaimed. "I bet Granny would love to have your help while you're here." Then she looked embarrassed "Um, that's if it's not insulting to suggest."
"Not at all insulting. I'm no lordly god making others do all my work. I enjoy helping others."
"That's wonderful."
"In fact, I quite enjoy taking lordly people down a few levels."
Belle laughed. "Granny will really like you then, that's what she loves to do!"
Inari grinned "I look forward to meeting her then."
A short while later Belle walked over to Granny's with her daughter and Inari
As soon as he walked in Granny sniffed the air and looked at him sharply. Inari raised an eyebrow. So this Granny is a wolf, much like he is a fox, he thought, although nowhere near as powerful.
Belle explained the situation and who Inari was.
Granny's expression turned speculative, with a hint of something else, as she grinned appreciatively at the handsome looking fox god. "So you can cook, huh? I might need some help in the kitchen. If you're as good as she says you can have room and board free and I'll pay you a bit besides."
Inari grinned slyly. She really did enjoy making sure no lord or even a god had anything over her. He would enjoy this, indeed.
After she left Inari at the diner, Belle called Emma and told her about Inari.
"So you don't think he's the one who caused everyone's nightmares?"
"No. He's really upset about being brought here and part of his powers cut off. He said he'd just been brought here this morning. I think he's telling the truth."
"Okay, I'll call my parents and Regina. Could you ask him to come over to the mayor's office? I'm sure that's where Regina will want us all to meet."
Inari warily walked into the mayor's office. There were two powerful adult magic users in the room. But Belle said neither of them had brought him here and wanted to help him.
"So you say you're a fox god?" Emma asked
"Yes."
"Storybrooke hasn't had very pleasant encounters with gods, perhaps you might want to not broadcast that point" Regina advised
Inari nodded. "I understand. Some call me a fox spirit instead. Would that be better?"
"I believe so."
"Yeah doesn't sound so threatening." Emma agreed.
"Then that's what I will say."
"Now that's out of the way. What can you tell us about how you came here?" Regina asked.
"I was at home, my older daughter had just left to put my younger daughter to bed-"
"You have children?" Belle asked "You didn't mention that."
"My apologies, but yes I do. My older daughter Kitsu is my biological child. She was raised by me because her human parent rejected her when she showed magical traits. He left her at one of my temples in Japan when she was seven years old."
"He? But you're-"Emma began
Inari looked embarrassed.
"I think I can explain for Inari, it's a pretty personal thing for him to speak of. Fox gods are truly gender fluid; they can change gender as they wish."
"So with that guy, you were a woman?" Robin asked, trying to wrap his mind around the concept.
"Yes. We fox spirits actually tend to prefer taking on female human form and forming lasting relationships with men and having children with them…."
"But the relationships never last more than a few years, right?"
"Only rarely…"
"You left your child with this man who rejected her when she showed she had magic…" Regina gave Inari a stern look.
"Not by choice!" Inari shouted.
Regina's eyes widened. Then her expression softened; so this wasn't a case of being abandoned twice by different parents.
"Fox spirits have to leave if their identity as one is discovered. Most the time they can't take any children with them, unless they are rejected by their human parent." Belle said gently.
"Oh how awful!" Snow cried out.
"It is." Inari said. "But I accepted it because that's was how it was for us. Most the time the children are loved and accepted by their human parents. But when Kitsu was rejected so resoundingly by her father, I lost the desire to take on female form. It hurt too much to see my daughter's pain. I would not inflict this on another child."
"So in male form you don't-"
"It's much rarer. I only have one child that way. His mother was rejected by her community for having a child outside of marriage…"
"You didn't marry her?"
"It was a one time thing, an impulsive act on both our sides. I had all but forgotten her when she came to a temple and called my name. She came to live in the fox spirit realm until her child was old enough to travel with her. By that time 60 years had gone by in her world and no one still lived there remembered her. Time moves much more slowly in the fox spirit realm than in this one. She returned to her village with her son and they lived out the rest of their lives normally. The villagers assumed she was a widow who had lost her husband in one of the many little wars that happened back then…"
"So a long time ago, huh?" Emma asked
Inari saw the calendar on the desk and made a calculation. "Yes, around 500 years ago in your world."
"Then you're-"
"Around 1,000 years old in your realm. "
"Wow."
Regina shook her head, while it was nice this Inari was so open with them, this discussion didn't really help the matter at hand. "Thank you for being so open with us about who you are and your history, but we really need to focus on what happened when you were abducted from your realm"
"My apologies. I was alone at the time, as I said when I felt to pull to your world. But unlike what I should, I didn't hear my name called, nor did I arrive anywhere near one of my temples. Instead I arrived here. I soon discovered that I could not transform into my fox form. "
"Part of your magic is cut off. So whoever brought you here wanted to be sure you'd have to interact with us. They want us focused on the disruption of your situation." Regina said with a thoughtful expression
"You've mentioned nightmares, that you believe are magically caused." Inari asked
"Yes, happened just a couple of days ago now."
"So could whoever did this to me, have also brought over a person that can cause these nightmares?"
"That's our theory." Regina responded.
Inari nodded "Since you are so willing to help me, I will gladly help you."
"Thank you," Regina smiled slightly.
On another side of town.
The Blue Fairy looked up from the pool of water that was acting as a kind of spy mirror with irritation "I don't see how this one will be any help to us. He's already said he'll be helping them"
Isaac smirked "There's different types of chaos that we can spread. Inari has done exactly what I expected him to do."
"And the other, this Maya? What can she do now; they know the dreams were caused by magic."
"And they are nowhere near to finding her either, aren't they?"
"Yes."
"See we are still causing chaos, they are probably still all on edge wondering if they'll get another night of dreams like Maya's first. Plus the people who couldn't easily resolve their nightmares are still anxious. They are going to start putting pressure of the mayor and sheriffs to find the culprit and fix their problems."
"Alright I agree Maya is doing exactly what we need done. But I don't think this Inari will be useful." She grumbled.
"Wait and see, like I said there are different types of chaos they can cause. Plus he distracts them from fully focusing on finding who caused the nightmares."
"Thus causing more tension in town as they focus on his plight rather than who caused their dreams. Okay, so he is useful that way. I just think you should have found someone more chaotic."
"If Inari doesn't cause enough chaos, we can bring in others. I have one in mind…."