mr. gold pawnbroker & antiquities dealer

[sticktomybooks]

Belle is dusting the shop. Rumple has such a lovely collection but he only occasionally remembers to clean it. Having started, she can see why he avoids the task- there's all sorts of small, delicate pieces that accumulate just horrific amounts of dust- but she refuses to let that stop her. The shop is entirely too dusty, and she is going to fix it.

It's something to do, at least. She doesn't need to be in the library for another hour or so, and Rumple's gone off somewhere again. She suspects he's getting her a present again. She keeps telling him he doesn't need to buy her things, she loves him just the same, but the fact that he thinks to buy her gifts makes her so happy she hasn't really made him stop.

She's free, she's found Rumple, he loves her, she loves him. Life is good. And right now, at this second- this shop is going to be spotless.

She moves onto the next piece, humming to herself in contentment.

Comments

[darkest_evening]

<"Apparently. The man that looks like me and his girlfriend's, not the other one.">

[blooded_poet]

<"Then,"> she muses, <"I won't break anything in here.">

[darkest_evening]

<"How very kind of y-"

He is interrupted by Lynn snatching him by the collar.

[blooded_poet]

<"Excuse me,"> she says, politely, to the assembled strangers as she forcibly drags him to the door.

[made_not_born]

Regina promptly moves out of the way.

[mask_of_the_monster]

"I'm the Dark One, not a demon," Rumple says. "It's not the same at al-"

And then, off they go. He stares. "What, you just let them go?" he demands of Regina, following his impromptu visitors outside.

[made_not_born]

"I'm enjoying the view," she tells him dryly. "It's not every day I get to watch you dragged around by a woman the size of your pinkie."

[blooded_poet]

The woman the size of his pinky calmly picks Adarin up and tosses him once they're outside. Quite easily. Her red eyes are glowing, and she does not look like a happy camper.

[darkest_evening]

Adarin rolls for a bit from where he was tossed, and drawls, "Ow."

[blooded_poet]

And that is when Lynn draws a sword that's black as pitch and etched in runes that are glowing a faint red. She storms over to the prone mage, and points it neatly at his throat.

<"So,"> she purrs. <"How about taking me home?">

[darkest_evening]

Adarin... Looks at the sword.

<"Would. Will, in fact, but. Alas, can't. Yet.">

[blooded_poet]

<"Aha. Of course,"> agrees Lynn. <"Well. If it seems like you're delaying...">

She smiles. It is not a nice smile. The sword at Adarin's throat becomes a teensy bit more acquainted with it, and a thin trail of blood slowly drips down his neck.

<"I will not be happy.">

[mask_of_the_monster]

Rumple stares at the sword, and is deeply glad that Belle stayed inside.

"Ah. Regina?"

[made_not_born]

"Oh, give me some credit. Of course I texted Charming. She has a sword." She eyes the scene in front of her. "I like her style, though."

[darkest_evening]

<"And far be it for me to make you unhappy,"> drawls Adarin. He is - pretty sure there isn't a way he can fight his way out of this. Not with her resistance to magic and his low mana stores. How - nice.

[blooded_poet]

<"See, there you are, you're getting the idea.">

Her point made, she sheathes the sword without further incident.

[darkest_evening]

<"Hurray for me.">

Adarin gets up, brushing himself off and wiping away the blood from his neck. It was just a nick, but - yes, thank you, Lynn, point made.

[blooded_poet]

<"Also! I need a translation spell. Yes, it'll delay us, but not by much.">

[darkest_evening]

He makes a mocking sort of bow, trying very hard not to sneer, and retrieves his book of cheetsheets and pages through it for notes on translation spells.

[blooded_poet]

Lynn smirks, and then waves at Regina and Rumple, amused. Looking smug.

[made_not_born]

Regina smiles and applauds. Seeing basically-Rumple threatened by a tiny sword lady is her new favorite thing.

[mask_of_the_monster]

"Don't you have a son to raise? Must you grace us with your presence?" Rumple asks sourly.

[made_not_born]

"For your information, Gold, Henry's with Emma," Regina says, looking displeased. "So I have plenty of time to be a thorn in your side."

[mask_of_the_monster]

"Yippee."

[darkest_evening]

<"Got it,"> informs Prime. "Welcome to the land of me not having to translate you anymore."