Chapter 33

Statements

Esmeralda was a woman of many worlds, of many thoughts, and her knowledge was both broad and deep. She knew that she loved her Nightingale more than anyone or anything. She also knew that her sweet girl was not subtle. Regina showcased her emotions for all to see. It was in her smiles and the way her hands moved. Her happiness made her glow. Emma Swan was only a little bit better at masking her emotions. She had a light twinkling in her eyes and her laugh was warm and hearty. The energy buzzing between the two of them was so thick it was almost visible. The only one who couldn't see their budding romance was Little Henry.

That was good. Children should be happy, self-absorbed creatures. They should only think about learning and play. Little Henry needed more fun, laughter, and friends in his life. She had not seen him around other children the entire time she'd been in Storybrooke. He spent his time with adults. Worse, many of those adults tended to treat him as an adult. He was not as grown up as he imagined himself to be. He was a child, Regina and Emma's child, to be precise.

He needed friends his own age. She imagined that he'd had friends before, but the Dark Curse had meant that he had grown but they had not. He had been the only growing child in an unmoving world. That was worse than not having any friends at all.

New friends would help when the rest of the town became aware of Regina and Emma's romance. It wasn't going to be a secret for long. People were nosy by nature and the two of them were too caught up in each other to realize who was watching them. They kept staring at each other with come-hither eyes and can't-resist-you smiles. It was like they weren't in the middle of the town's most popular (and only?) eatery.

Ruby had already given them several knowing looks. The young woman looked and sounded enough like Anita that it made Esmeralda's heartache. It had been almost three decades and she still missed her friend. Esmeralda heard whispers all around her, about how the Dark Curse had torn families apart. How lucky those families had been. It had taken a curse to tear them asunder. Other families, like hers and Anita's, fractured long before the curse.

Pancakes and conversation were the order of the morning. Regina, Henry, and Emma enjoyed themselves, oblivious to the world. Esmeralda, on the other hand, was all too aware that they were the center of the diner's attention.

"Hey, Ruby!"

Little Henry addressed her while she refilled Regina's coffee again.

"I thought you were a deputy now. Why are you here?"

"Henry." Regina frowned at his bluntness.

"Kid." Emma groaned too.

"I am a deputy but Granny would kill me if I didn't help out around here." Her smile (Anita's smile) softened her words. "Besides I like waitressing, I get to talk to people without handcuffs."

Emma let out a loud guffaw of laughter. Regina hid a small grin behind her coffee cup. Little Henry looked to the side to see if his mother had handcuffs on her belt. Esmeralda supposed that she did. Ruby left them to attend to another table and Esmeralda let a sigh slip out.

"Nan?"

Regina, beside her, looked her over with worry in her brown eyes. She worried about everyone but herself, like her father.

"I'm fine, Little One. Ruby reminds me of her mother. Anita and I were close."

"Oh." Regina's brow furrowed and Esmeralda knew why. Regina had never been able to cultivate real friendships, not as a child or as an adult. That was why she had not been able to help Henry with friends. A sickening mix of Cora's desire for power and Leopold's possessive perversions had isolated her. Regina's own descent into darkness had only made things worse for her. A mother couldn't teach a child a skill, social or otherwise, that she didn't know herself.

"Do you have stories about Ruby's mom in your book too?"

Little Henry's question startled her out of her deep thoughts. Esmeralda couldn't help it, she laughed. "I have many stories about Anita, but most of them are about her misadventures with me so I don't need The Book to tell them."

"Really?" Regina was as curious as her son but hid it a little better.

"Yes, and the stories predate you and Ruby. There aren't any witnesses and I shall keep it that way."

Emma laughed, Little Henry pouted and Regina smiled.

"So you have everyone's story in your book, right?" The boy's curiosity was never-ending.

"Yes, all the way back to the very first story, but you know that one, of course."

Little Henry cocked his head to the side, "I do?"

Esmeralda blinked, a little confused herself. "Yes." Hadn't he said his mother sang him the lullaby? "Yes, the story of the Blessed Light and the Beloved Dark?"

Henry's face was blank.

"In your mother's lullaby."

He shrugged, "Yeah but that is in Spanish or something, I don't know what the words mean."

Esmeralda dropped her fork. It clattered against her plate then the table. She turned her entire body on the bench seat to look at Regina. "You did not teach him your father's tongue?" Her voice was loud and sharp, it bordered on a scream.

It was small, almost invisible, but Regina flinched at the sound. "I-"

Esmeralda's flare of temper quickly cooled. She hadn't meant to confront her in public. She hadn't meant to scream.

"I didn't" Regina looked down and away, she looked upset.

"Wait, you speak Spanish?" Emma looked at Regina too. "Like actually speak-speak it?" Even Emma Swan hadn't known.

"Well," Regina's cheeks were pink with shame. "Yes and no, the Southern language would be considered a dialect of this realm's Spanish. It would sound very archaic and oddly accented to any contemporary speaker, but yes I do."

She was stiffening up, her shoulders were squaring and she was becoming defensive. She was using formal words and over-enunciating them. Her clipped and cool delivery made her seem calm. Her bone-white-tight grip on her coffee cup said otherwise.

"I wasn't permitted to speak it at court or in the castle. The King-"

She flinched again, it was still small but no less painful to watch. She paused as if to gather strength. "The King preferred the common language of the Enchanted Forest, English." There was more to it than that, but Regina did not say anything else.

Cora and Leopold had taken so many things away from Regina. Hatred was not good for the soul, but Esmeralda would always hate them.

"Well," She swallowed her anger, this was not the time nor place. "We have time for one story."

All three faces lit up as if she'd declared a festival day.

Once Upon a-well, this was before time. Before the beginning. There was nothing. Existence was a vast expanse of emptiness, untouched by fate or even magic.

Her people, The Romani, were storytellers. It was her culture, her life, it was like breathing. Esmeralda started to speak and fell into a familiar rhythm.

Then there was Light and Dark. Both powerful, both very different but also the same. The world as we know it, all the realms and lands, were borne from their meetings. They struggled and fought, always at war. Their battles lasted so long that the ebb and flow of victory and loss became how we measure time, day and night. Their battles spread pieces of their power through the world: dark and light, light and dark. Neither could or would ever win.

It was the oldest story in the world, the origin of all life.

After a small victory, Dark looked out across the battlefield and saw Light. They stood, separated by a great field, surrounded by the world that they had created together. Dark finally saw what they had done. Though they were opposite and opposed, they had created beauty. Dark reached out to Light.

She paused unsurprised to see that her audience was more than the three people sitting with her. Ruby was leaning on a nearby table, empty tray propped against her hip. She was completely caught up in the tale. Eugenia was behind the counter, she was wiping a rag back and forth across the surface, mindlessly. She knew the story but was listening all the same. Others, singles, couples, workers and even whole families, were listening. She didn't mind this sort of attention.

Light could see what they had created, could see the futility of their battles, and looked back at Dark. Light looked, saddened because, despite all the beauty, their world was empty. It was devoid of life. Light met Dark for the first time in peace.

How many times had she told or sang this story to Regina? Hundreds of times. Henry had been the one to turn prose to song. He had been a poet like that. He'd spent so many evenings picking and strumming an accompanying melody out on his guitar. When Regina had been a baby, she would wiggle and shimmy in her cradles when he'd played. The babe would only settle into sleep when Esmeralda sang. She'd known this story before she could talk or walk.

Their war had done many things, but war can never create life. This ability, this little piece of magic exists in each of us. Some call it True Love. Others call it Soul Mates-there is a name in every language and realm for what happened. The Light and Dark shared the very first kiss. They fell in love, no they created love, together. That first love, that very first kiss, made the world. They were stronger together than they could ever be apart. Their kiss, their love, exploded with color, sound, and life. All life, from the smallest beetle to the largest giant, started with their act of love. We are all a mix of light and dark. To find a balance between the two is to honor the Blessed Light, Beloved Dark and the love between them.

That was the basic belief of her people, the foundation of their world. She had seen this play out over and over again.

"No one can be purely one or the other -they can try, but it is not sustainable and leads to conflict, in the soul, and in the world."

Soothsayers could see the mix of light and dark in a child, the sparks of magic and potential. Most babies were a harmonious mix, a proper balance between light and dark. Some babies, like Regina, were born with clouds of light or dark around them. A thick cloud around a baby, it meant that theirs would be an unbalanced life. Regina's cloud had been dark and thick. She had always been destined for darkness. The chaotic mix of magic and darkness, the shadows that the babe cast had screamed her dark story. That was why Esmeralda's sisters had refused to touch her.

One day, when the world becomes chaotic, unbalanced when all hope seems lost, it will all happen again. The Blessed Light and Beloved Dark will find avatars. Two special humans attuned to magic and love, to bring balance again. When this happens, a new age of peace and magic will begin.

She looked around, the entire diner was silent, everyone was hanging on her every word.

"This" She smirked a little, "is known."

"That is what your lullaby is about, My Little Prince," Regina whispered to Little Henry, but she was staring at Emma Swan. "The power of love and how every person has both light and dark in them. It is about how beautiful life can be."

"But" Little Henry protested, "why haven't I heard this before? No one, not Grams and Gramps or the fairies or even my book ever had this in it. No one at school ever said anything like this either. Why doesn't anyone talk about it?"

"School!" Regina jerked and looked at her wristwatch, "Finish your breakfast, Darling, we're running late." She did not answer his question.

Henry rushed to finish his last few bites and Regina fussed over him. It was heartwarming to watch mother and son interact. Even better was the way that Emma Swan watched over them. She smiled at the two like they were the most important people in the world. Esmeralda remembered that look. Sometimes she'd look up and see Henry watching her and Regina with the same look in his eyes. Emma Swan had gone right past smitten. She had fallen head-over-heels in love with Regina.

Good.

Regina dropped paper money, several bills, on the table, "Miss Lucas" Ruby turned to look at them, "Keep the change." Ruby came over to scoop up the money with a very large smile. "Now if you'll excuse us we are-"

"Running late." Emma finished Regina's sentence for her and flapped her hands at Little Henry.

"C'mon, kid, say bye to Esmeralda and Rubes. Let's go before I decide to let you skip school and be Granny's dishwasher for the day."

Henry waved and shouldered his backpack with a smile. He still had a dusting of powdered sugar on his lips. He looked as happy and carefree as any other child. Regina kissed her cheek. "I have a few errands to run, will you be okay?"

Esmeralda rolled her eyes. "I changed your diapers, Nightingale, I can handle myself for a few hours. Go."

She shooed them all away.

"Let an old woman finish her breakfast and tea in peace."

She watched them go and smiled. Things were falling into place.

They walked Henry to school and talked about nothing in particular. The kid was practically vibrating with hyper energy. Regina had done that on purpose. She had let him have all the syrup, whipped cream and powdered sugar he'd wanted. She'd even let him wash it all down with chocolate milk. Now Snow got to deal with his sugar rush. It was cruel and unusual punishment. Regina was a diabolic genius, which was way sexier than it should be.

They dropped him right in front of the school and after a quick hug for each of them, he was gone. He sprinted up the stairs to the door and never looked back. He was ridiculously excited to be at school. The three pounds of sugar he'd scarfed down wasn't helping.

"Our kid" Emma couldn't help but smile "is a nerd. He likes school way too much."

Regina cocked her sassy brow, "And that is a bad thing?" Why was her disapproval face so beautiful? That wasn't even fair.

Emma, in her khakis and Sheriff Office polo, felt under-dressed beside Regina. She was wearing one of her model-perfect suits and sky-high heels. Then again since Regina liked her in uniform, Emma didn't mind wearing it. She'd do anything to keep her prim on the outside and a little perverted on the inside Almost Girlfriend happy.

"No. Hell no. It's great. He's going to go to college, a good one. One known for its classes and not its sports teams."

They walked back towards the main hub of town. They were close enough to each other that their shoulders brushed with each step. Emma wanted to close the tiny gap between them and wrap her arm around Regina. She wanted to hold her hand. She wanted everyone to know that she was the luckiest woman in the world. They were in the middle of town, though, and everyone was watching. It wasn't a good idea. Besides, Emma still wasn't exactly sure what they were. Friends? They were definitely more than friends, but what exactly, she wasn't sure.

"Of course." Regina nodded as if that were the most obvious thing in the world. "Henry can go to any university he wants. He is a smart boy and the curse gave me means to provide him with a large college fund in addition to his trust."

Jesus, Emma almost tripped over her own feet. Her kid had a trust fund? She knew that Regina had money, but damn. She was Scrooge McDuck rich.

"Right, of course." Because what was she supposed to say to that? College funds had been as fantastic and as sci-fi movies to her when she'd been Henry's age.

"So- " She wanted to throw her arm around Regina and pull her closer. They weren't out, though. They hadn't talked about it either. Emma hated holding back, not being able to touch Regina. "Do I have to get dressed up for this stupid dance?"

"Yes," Regina sighed, " As much as I loathe to admit it, Snow White is partially right."

Damn! Coming from Regina, she might as well have offered Snow White a Nobel Prize.

"Which part?" She hoped it wasn't the bowing and smiling and apologizing part. Regina wouldn't sign off on Snow's scheme, right?

"Yes, you do need to be at this ball to present yourself, but it needs to be on your own terms. You have to let everyone see the Emma that you want them to see, not the Emma they want you to be. You have to make your statement."

Finally, somebody got it. Got her.

"And you'll escort Henry, of course."

Well yeah, it was a family dance, after all.

"But you're going to be there too, right?" Emma wasn't sure she'd be able to get through it without her.

Regina's smile was fast and sharp, like a switchblade. "Yes, making my own statement."

More politics. Emma was already sick of politics. This dance crap was worse than a national election year.

They turned onto a stop on one of the side streets that ran along the waterline, Lilac Avenue. Emma had patrolled it but had never paid much attention. It was stores and shops with some apartments and offices and other stuff that she had never checked out.

Regina lead them right to a red door. Emma didn't see display windows, signs or anything. Hopefully, Regina wasn't leading her to some weirdo fairytale dress barn. She didn't want mice and birds to be her tailors. Emma looked around while Regina pressed a discreet doorbell. Finally, she noticed a small brass plaque that read House of Deville.

No way. Emma loved that movie! She bet Pongo didn't, though. She wondered if Cruella had crazy hair like in the cartoon. Oh, she hoped she was more like the Glenn Close version. Emma had been in Storybrooke for weeks, and she was just now finding this out? Lame!

There was a buzz and Regina opened the door. Emma followed her inside, She was a teeny bit excited. She was going to meet Cruella Deville, one of the coolest Disney creations of all time. Right behind the Evil Queen, of course. Speaking of, why was she surprised by this whole Cruella thing? Who else would design The Evil Queen's dark and sexy wardrobe?

They entered the main room, it was large, open and painted white. The furniture: table, chairs, shelves, were all black. Holy shit, it was perfect! There were racks of dresses and suits along one long wall and mirrors along another. Dummies, like the one that had tried to kill her, were evenly spaced around the room to make workstations. Each station had dresses in various stages of construction.

"Woah it's like a Home Ec Class and David's Bridal got together and had a fairytale baby." Emma had never been to either of those places, Thank God, but figured it was close enough. Regina smiled so it had to be a little bit funny.

"That taffeta and polyester disaster zone wishes they had a thimble full of my style."

Emma turned around and mentally psyched herself up to meet Cruella.

She was not prepared, not even a little bit.

The man stepped out of a back room that she hadn't noticed. He was tall and fit, a swimmer's lean body poured into jeans old enough to have seen the first Bush Administration. He had warm brown skin broken up with white patches. Michael Jackson's disease, vitiligo, Emma remembered. It dotted across his face and the chest his arms crossed over. His hair, long dark locs, had streaks of white going through it. He was definitely not Glenn Close.

"Regina Mills." His voice was deep and quiet.

He towered over her by at least a foot with bare feet. Regina didn't seem even a little bit intimidated. She lifted her chin, her only concession to his height advantage. "Mikel."

Their standoff lasted for less than a minute, and it ended when he smiled. "My Queen" He bowed, like a real straight out of England, bowed in front of her. Sometimes Emma forgot that Queen wasn't a nickname. Regina was actually royalty.

Regina smirked but it almost looked like a smile. "Stand up, Mikel, I didn't want you to bow to me then and I don't want you to now."

Cruella or not, Regina was comfortable with this Mikel guy. In fact, Emma would say that they were almost friends. She didn't recognize him, which was annoying. She was the sheriff, she should know everybody in Mayberry, Maine.

"Emma"

Regina took her by the hand and pulled her forward, "This is Mikel Ceola."

Emma wanted to ask but knew better. There was no way asking people if they were a Disney villain was polite. Miss Manners never had to deal with this shit. She really wanted to ask, though.

"Yes, of the noble family of Deville." Regina answered her unasked question. Mikel was my advisor and dressmaker when I was Queen. Now he is the most sought-after stylist in Storybrooke."

Cause Storybrooke had so many red carpet and black tie events.

"Mikel, this is Sheriff Emma Swan."

He looked her up and down. It was a fast and brutal assessment. In the grand scheme of things, she was still an outsider, an unknown. She wouldn't trust her, either.

"I voted for you and I haven't regretted that" He gave her another glance, "yet."

"Behave." Regina shook her head, "both of you." She seemed more amused than annoyed. Regina was still holding her hand and seemed more relaxed than Emma had ever her seen outside of her own home.

"I suppose that you both need a gown." He winged up a brow, Evil Queen style, "Or do you need yet another pants-suit tailored?"

Regina didn't miss a beat, "I know its a little short notice."

Mikel blew out a big puff of air, "It is all last minute. A full on Ball slapped together in less than two weeks? Blasphemy."

Regina was still holding her hand, but her attention was with Mikel now.

"So what are we thinking?"

Regina was the only thing holding her in place now. Emma was way out of her comfort zone. Regina and Mikel were in their element. Emma, not so much, she hadn't even gone to Prom. She'd dropped out of high school long before that. Even if she hadn't, no foster family would have sprung for a sparkly fluffy dress.

Regina's thumb smoothed over her hand. "Emma has already seen Helen's handiwork and it wasn't quite her style."

Mikel rolled his eyes. "That implies that someone somewhere thinks Helen has style."

Emma chuckled. Okay, she kind of liked this guy.

"Yes, well, you know Snow."

He rolled his eyes again. He did know Snow, or had. Emma watched his face and eyes as he and Regina spoke. He wasn't a big fan of Snow. Neither was she right now.

"So" Mikel turned and put her on the spot, "what statement do you want to make?''

Again with the statement thing? Emma wanted to survive the night without falling over a shit ton of ruffles, skirts, and heels. She also had to make sure that she didn't strangle any of the mouthy royal assholes.

"Uh-"

Regina shook her head, amused at her confusion.

Mikel grabbed a sketchbook off of one of the nearest workstation. He flipped through pages of stretches. Some were normal prom or wedding dresses. Some were fairytale dresses. Some of the designs were glamorous gothic gowns designed for the Evil Queen. Emma felt a frisson of heat go up her spine. "Damn." Henry's Book did not do The Evil Queen justice.

"Yes, imagine my confusion." Mikel pushed several locs out of his face. "Why did I keep designing such dramatic and darkly beautiful ensembles for the mayor of my tiny town? I was starting to think that I was going crazy."

She definitely understood how that felt.

"I don't think this is Emma's style, either." Regina ignored the crazy comment, or she was going to talk to him about it later, Emma wasn't sure.

He flipped to another dress-sketch. "A dress or suit is as much as a political statement as a speech. It sends a message and you want to make sure it is the message that you want to send."

Uh sure, that made sense, kind of.

He flipped the book around to show them the page. It was deep blue and elegant, the sort of dress that ladies in old paintings of Greece and Rome wore. What message was that supposed to send?

"Kathryn Nolan." Mikel preened a little.

Regina nodded, "Kathryn does look good in blue." Regina met Mikel's eyes, "Not gold?"

Gold? Emma had only skimmed Henry's book and had skipped over a few sections. Who was Kathryn, anyway?

Mikel shrugged, "She's a little miffed at her father. She's still a little upset about-" He tilted his head, "the James situation."

They flipped some other pages. Emma matched a light pink dress to the almost-done dress pinned and draped on a dummy across the room.

"I took pity on Ella. She can't afford Helen on tips.' He grinned, "I'm even throwing in a matching dress for that cute little girl of hers. It was a good use of the scrap material."

What kind of statement was a baby supposed to make, anyway?

Regina was still holding her hand, but her attention was on the dresses. It was still nice, though. Regina kept ahold of her like it was natural, automatic, normal.

"You're mixing traditional and modern in some of these?''

By traditional, Emma figured she meant squeeze-your-guts corset and ruffly-fluffly skirts.

Mikel flicked another page to reveal a beautiful sketch. The faceless model was wearing a sky blue dress with a corset top that looked like a modern halter. The thing that made it special were the eye-popping flowers on it. It was like a wearable garden. Emma looked around and spotted the material on another dummy. It was amazing, like something for a movie star.

"Who commissioned this?" Regina was definitely impressed. "It's brilliant."

Mikel grinned, pleased by her praise.

"Maurice asked for something traditional for his daughter. Since we do so much business together, I couldn't say no." He huffed, "I don't even know if she's going to the ball. If she does, I thought she would like something fresh and new, untouched by her past."

Oh great, more fairy-tale history that Emma didn't know. She needed to read the Kid's book. Better yet, she should read Esmeralda's special book. It was almost as good as the internet.

"Belle always avoided balls like the plague in the old world."

Emma looked at the sketch then at the almost-dress. Ruby would probably die if she saw Belle in a dress like that. The Wolf-Girl had it bad for the town's librarian. She wondered if she could find a reason for Ruby to stop by the Ball. Her uniform plus that dress would be a perfect match.

"But I'm sure she'll attend this one. It is the biggest social event in the history of the town. She'll be by later today."

Since when were Regina and Belle buddies?

"I believe she'll bring Mulan with her too."

Wait what? How did Regina know that?

"Mulan will need something to wear." She pursed her lips, "A suit," Regina nodded, "Yes, I'll cover it and a couple of tux fittings too, please."

Mikel nodded, like it was a totally normal request, "Black on black, I assume?"

How many suits did Regina think Mulan needed?

"And what about the Sheriff here? Will she be sporting a suit or tux?" The implied question was what statement did she want to make. Emma had no idea.

He looked at her again, like she had an answer. She wished she could wear her damn uniform or her jeans.

"If she wants, but I like the fusions you've been working on."

Regina squeezed her hand again. "Emma is learning to be a woman of both worlds. It would be fitting."

Had Regina Too-Serious-For-Her-Boots Mills made a joke? Emma grinned, the woman was too perfect.

"Well." Mikel looked her over again, "We don't want to cover those arms."

Regina smirked, "Absolutely not."

It was official, Regina was a sucker for her arms. Emma made a mental note to add a few free weights to her impending Amazon order. She had to maintain the gun show.

"White?"

What? Had the conversation continued without her? Emma scowled, "Not happening. Mary Margaret has already shown me that crap. No white. No fluff. If I end up looking like a cupcake, I will set the dress on fire and skip the ball."

Mikel snickered and Regina tried to hide a smirk but wasn't quite able to.

"And do you have any fire-related feelings about blue or green?"

"No." Regina softly declined for her.

Emma didn't know why she'd always looked okay in those colors. She preferred red, but with her coloring, blue and green looked good on her.

"We can't do green. I'll be wearing my emeralds." Regina stated quietly.

Mikel looked shocked for a second but quickly schooled his face. "No green then."

Emma looked between them, confused. She was so tired of not understanding things. "Um, why not? What does Regina's jewelry have to do with my dress?"

"I" Mikel sat his sketchbook aside, "have an idea. Be right back.''

He walked away from them, bare feet quiet on the hard floor. He went to the same back room he'd come from and she and Regina were alone again.

"Regina" Emma lifted Regina's hand to her lips and brushed a kiss across her knuckles. Her lips brushed against the ring she always wore. Regina's gold and emerald ring. "I don't understand."

Regina let out a small sigh. "My familial colors are green and gold, my father's I mean. Emeralds are a kind of royal luxury. If you were green, especially if I'm wearing my emeralds." They were close again. Emma could feel the heat of her skin. She could smell her conditioner and if she reached out, she could curl the dark silk of her hair around her fingers. "It would be a statement that you, that we, would not be able to deny. You would be marking yourself as loyal to me. You would be declaring yourself to be my royal consort or my champion, both."

Champion sounded better than Savior. Consort sounded even better.

Only everyone else in town wouldn't think it was so great. Her parents would flip shit. It would be funny to watch but not very smart in the long run. Plus there was Henry to consider. Oh and their jobs. Plus Cora and The Dark One and whatever other villains of the week happened to pop up.

"Emma." Regina smiled at her. It was one of her real smiles, small and sweet. "We have to be careful. Between all the politics and my mother, it isn't a good idea to be aligning yourself with me." She took in a deep breath and Emma could feel her shudder a little. "To be with me."

Because she was the big-bad Evil Queen and no one could possibly be on her side.

Emma wanted to drop to her knees and swear herself to Regina then and there. That should scare her, but it didn't. Why didn't that scare her?

"Mik."

Another voice, a man, sounded off. Footsteps followed his voice down a tucked away set of stairs. "I don't know who this special customer is-but I-" He stopped mid-step into the room.

"Your Majesty."

Regina's smile could power the town for a few months. "Bastian." She turned to face the other man but didn't move away from Emma. Even so, their very personal conversation came to an abrupt end. Was she relieved or annoyed? Emma wasn't sure, maybe both.

The man, Bastian apparently, was still in his pajamas, baggy shorts, and a faded X Files t-shirt.

"Emma, this is Bastian, the best chef in any realm."

He was thin, slender leaning towards wiry. A chef? He didn't look like he'd ever eaten a sandwich, let alone made one. His hair was long, dark, wavy and it hung to his shoulders. A pale scar cut across his tanned cheek. He smiled for Regina and scowled at her. Emma didn't recognize him either.

"Bastian, this is-"

"Snow's spawn." His voice was a melodic baritone and held an accent that Emma couldn't place. Accent or not, he didn't sound happy. Was he sneering at her? She didn't even know this guy and he was hating? Rude.

"Play nice."

Bastian ran his hands through his shaggy hair. He spouted something off in the same kind of Spanish that Esmeralda spoke. Regina didn't answer but cocked that judgmental mayoral-brow.

He raised his hands in surrender, "Fine, Sheriff Swan." The corner of his lips twitched, "but I didn't vote for you." He added like he couldn't resist one last swipe at her.

"Bastian's grandmother cooked for my Grandfather. When we-" She hesitated, "relocated to the Enchanted Forest, we couldn't find anyone who could cook like her." Emma could read between the lines of that. Cora hadn't wanted anyone that would cook that way. "When I took the throne, Daddy went as my ambassador to The South. He came back with this skinny angry overgrown teenager who could cook like a dream."

"And the rest, as they say," Mikel walked back in with a bolt of cloth tucked under his arm, "is history."

Emma was pretty sure it was more complicated than that. Everything in Storybrooke was more complicated than it seemed.

"Oh Mikel, it's gorgeous." Regina finally let go of her hand to run her fingers over the fine gold cloth (silk?) that he'd brought out. Just like that, she lost Regina's attention completely.

"She doesn't need a corset, but a fitted bodice-" Mikel and Regina abandoned her. They talked about dresses like it was life-or-death.

"Get comfortable, Sheriff. Those two can talk about dress designs all day. Trust me, I've seen them do it."

Emma turned back to her unfriendly company. "Fun." He scoffed at her flippant response but didn't say anything else.

Emma looked around for a minute and wished like hell she had a phone to distract her.

"So-" She hated making small talk, she sucked at it. "You knew Regina when she was all big and bad, huh?"

He nodded, obviously still not a big Emma Swan fan, "The biggest and the baddest, according to your mother."

Emma sighed, more freaking politics. This was going to be a long day.