[IC] In a Land of Fairy Tales and a Place of Magic

[ravenhuffle]

Name:Rumpelstiltskin

Age: Unknown

Story:

That night had been dark and cold. The rain poured down relentlessly from the sky above. Rolls of thunder had children hiding in their parents’ arms, and flashes of lightning that lit the night sky were as bright at a ray of sun. Wind howled through the trees and through the cracks around windows and doors. Not a soul was brave enough to go out into a storm like that.

Except one.

A dark hooded figure crept through the forest, making steady time despite the fact that the booted feet sank and inch with each step. Rain poured down of the person’s shoulders and made his cloak a dark black. Amongst a small cluster of trees, another figure stood, this one not cloaked. The man visibly shook in the cold, his arms clung around himself trying to stay warm, but the rain still managed to zap every inch of cold from his body.

The hooded figure approached the man. “You are either brave. Or very stupid.” The hooded figure’s voice was more of a hiss then an actual voice. The man let his arms dropped and willed his body to stop shaking. The hooded man laughed, noticing the other man’s shaking. “Stupid it is then. You never were brave, my son.” The hooded figure threw back his hood, and lightning flashed in the sky illuminating his twisted face.

“You killed her.” the man said as he turned his face to the ground.

“I did, didn’t I?” The hooded man laughed. Within the blink of an eye, the hooded man had the cowered by the neck and held him a foot in the air. “I always did tell you that love is nothing but a weakness. It makes the heart wither and melt. It steals away strength and destroys power.” The hooded man threw the cowered against the tree. The coward hit the tree just as thunder sounded in the sky. Blood ran down the left side of his face from where he hit the tree, obscuring his vision. He rolled onto his stomach and attempted to push himself up, but a boot slammed onto his back and pushed him further into the mud.

“You are weak, my son. You allowed love to make you mild and passive when you could have been strong and powerful like me. Now you will die for it.” The hooded man pushed down with his boot.

“I am not weak.” The coward said as he spit the blood and mud from his mouth.

“Come again.” The hooded man leaned down, pretending to try and listen over the storm.
“I am not weak, father!” The man cried as he shoved himself up onto his knees, causing the hooded man to stumble back a few steps. “You really should be more careful about who you piss off.” The man said as he wiped blood from his mouth. The hooded man started after him, but the coward pulled out a long and sharp knife from his belt loop, causing the hooded man to stop in his tracks.

“How could you? That is impossible!” The hooded man screamed.

The cowered stood up and smiled, a full smile with teeth, mud, and blood. It sent shivers down the hooded mans spine. “Like I said, father. You should be careful who you piss off.” He twirled the knife in his hand. “I grew up with you; I have spent my whole life studying you. Do you really think you could have hid something of this importance from me? I have known where your dagger was since I was ten, papa. Everytime you moved it, I knew where it was. There was never a moment of my life that I did not know where your precious dagger was.”

“Then why have you not used it until now?”

“Love makes you weak, remember father?”

“So what? You are going to control me now?”

The coward pushed his father up against a near by tree and held the knife against his throat. “No, Papa. I am going to kill you. I am going to rip your heart out of your chest. I am going to rid myself of you.”

The hooded man laughed. “Do you not know? If you kill me, you take my power. Finally, I can be proud of my son.”

The cowered pulled back the knife and slammed it into his father's chest. “That was for Jesslyn!” he screamed. Another stab. “That was for mother!” Another stab. “That was for ME!!!”

Blood spilled over him as the cowered slid his father’s body to the ground. The dagger in his left hand began to glow a bright green. The cowered watched as the letters rearranged themselves until his name was carved into the dagger’s blade. Rumpelstiltskin. Now he was the dark one.

“Love is a weakness, father.” He said as he reached down to close the corpse’s eyes. “And now I have no more weaknesses.” He rolled the body over, took off the cloak and swung it over his own shoulders. Sliding the dagger back into his belt loop, Rumpelstiltskin started walking back into town.



Name: Hercules

Age: 28

Story:

“My son.” Zeus held the baby boy in his arms. The child screamed and wailed as the umbilical cord separated him from his mother. Shortly after, the god took his son out of the tent and into the bright son. The bright, young, green eyes squinted in the sudden light. Another man came out of the tent and put his hand on Zeus’ shoulder.

“The mortal is dead. Another one that could not handle giving birth to a halfling.” The man said. Zeus sighed and looked at his son with sorrowful eyes.

“And she had such promise too. Thank you Poseidon, brother.” Zeus looked up from his son for the first time since he was born to look at his brother.

“You know what that means.” Poseidon held his hands out for the child.

Zeus sighed and handed the child over. “I have better things to do anyway.” he said in a deep voice then disappeared. Poseidon rolled his eyes at his brother but took off into the mountains anyway. Soon he approached upon a small cottage built into a cavern and knocked on the door. A short and rather large woman opened the door only to sigh when she saw the man at her door.

“When will you mortals stop this stupid experiment?” she asked putting her hands on her hips.

“It worked.” Poseidon stated simply.

“What?” the woman’s arms dropped from her hips.

“His mother survived the birth.”

“Then why are you bringing me the child?”

“Because I killed his mother.”

“What for?” The woman cried in outrage.

“That is none of your business, mortal!” Poseidon roared.

The woman took a step back.

The water god took a deep breath. “Sorry, but you do not get to know why. All you must do is take care of the child and keep him from Zeus like you do the others.”

The woman messed with the front of her dress, smoothing out non-existent winkles. “He is going to be different, yes?” She asked in a shaking voice.

“Yes.” he sighed holding the child out. The woman took the child and cradled him to her bosom.

“Tell me what I must do for him.” She said with the authority she did not have.

“I will come back and talk to him as he develops his powers.” Poseidon turned to leave when the woman called his name. He sighed and turned back to her.

“The name? What do I call him?” she asked.

“His name is Hercules. Zeus named this one, so you must be extra careful.”
The lady nodded her understanding then turned her back to him and shut the door. “Children!” she called as she walked deeper into the house that was much bigger than it appeared to be on the outside. Six other children came running in ranging from ages of sixteen to two years old. “Meet your new baby brother, Hercules.” She knelt down so all the children could come get a closer look at the new member of her family.

---

A young boy with long blond hair ran down the hallway, he was probably ten years of age. A girl, just a few years younger than him, was chasing after him. Giggling filled the house as the little girl chased her brother. “Hercy! You run too fast!” the little girl fell on her butt in the kitchen and started to cry.

The boy, Hercules, walked back over to his little sister laughing. “You’re such a faker!” he told her as he knelt down in front of her. She stuck her tongue out at him and he reached out and grabbed her waist before she could run away again. She giggled as he pulled her into a tight hug. Hercules smiled down at his baby sister. Of all his siblings, Amelia was his favorite. She could make any frown on his face shift with the slightest look. She was is rock when it felt like his life was nothing but a tornado. “Herc! You are hugging me too tight!” she squealed. Instantly he let her go and she took a step back, breathing a little hard. “You sure are getting strong, mister!” she said poking at his arms.

About then, an older boy of about nineteen walked in. He had jet black hair and stormy grey eyes. “Go away.” Hercules said without looking up to see his oldest brother. Jerico and Hercules had never really gotten along, Jerico always felt entitled and had a better-than-thou attitude because he was the first born. With this entitled attitude, he quickly became the bully. He would do anything to any of his siblings in order to get his way. Everyone, besides Hercules, was scared of the eldest brother and his temper. Hercules was the only sibling that didn’t bend backwards to appease his older brother which meant the two boys were never on good terms.

Jerico crossed his arms. “Go to hell, Hercy.” he said with a sneer.

Hercules stood up “Whenever you are in the room, I am already in hell.”

Jerico smiled wickedly. “Good. Am, you have to do the dishes.”

Amelia, who was standing a little behind Hercules crossed her arms. “I did them yesterday! Today is your turn.” she said bravely.

“Do the dishes, dumbo. Or I will take away your playing privileges.”

“You cannot do that!” Hercules stepped in.

“Watch me!” Jerico sneered.

When it came to messing with him, Hercules did not care what he did, but he was not going to stand by and allow his sister to be bullied. Without thinking, he lunged at Jerico with his fists flying. The boys fell in a heap on the floor. Amelia squealed and covered her mouth, but the squeal was loud enough that it alerted their mother. Her hollering could be heard as the older woman made her way to the room. Jerico and Hercules froze for a moment.

“Why you little piece of -” Jerico reached for the youngest sibling, but Hercules managed to grab her arm and pull her behind him. Yet it all happened so fast… All he wanted to to do was grab his baby sister and pull her to safety behind him. Instead he grabbed her arm in such a tight drip that it broke the bone cleanly in half, and instead of setting her down safely he ended up throwing her through the wall. He turned after he felt her leave his grip and his mouth fell open.

“Amelia!” Their mother rushed in and to the little girls side. After a few moments, she picked up the lifeless body and started to cry hysterically. Hercules sat on his knees, tears running down his face. Jarico walked up behind the younger brother and put his hand on his shoulder. “Welcome to hell.” he whispered then took a step away as the other siblings came into the room.

“Murderer!” Jerico accused. A confused, young Hercules looked around at all the accusing and disbelieving faces of his family.

“I didn’t mean too!” he cried desperately. All of a sudden a dark shadow appeared in the doorway and every turned to face the large, muscular man. Dark blue eyes peered only at Hercules. “You are coming with me, son.” he said calmly but his voice still resembled the sound of thunder and demanded attention as well as obedience.

Without knowing how, Hercules knew this man was his father. “You are no longer safe here.” He turned and walked out, expecting Hercules to follow. The ten-year-old boy looked back at the dead body of his sister with tears streaming down his face, then he turned and started to follow his father.

“Papa!” Jerico called, following closely behind Hercules. “Take me too!” he begged. Zeus did not even look back or acknowledge the eldest son. Jerico grabbed Hercules’ shoulder causing him to stop. “You will pay for this, Herc!” He said angrily. “If it is the last thing I do, I will kill you!”

Hercules formed a fist and slammed it into the older boy’s face knocking him out cold. “That was for Amelia!” he growled then hurried after his father once again.

[Love Dove]

Name: Belle

Age: 22

Story:

Belle’s mother had been a shopkeeper, she used to sale flowers. Every day after school she was out to help her mother in the garden, her mother had been allergic roses, and so Belle would pick and trim them for the shop, they grew to even be her favorite flower. Life was perfect for her, until around the time she turned twelve. Her family fell on hard times, her mother lost the La Rose, and they were forced to move to a small French town with her rather crazy uncle Maurice. Still her mother always seemed to make the better out of everything, she even opened a La Rose in the small town, and things started looking up.

However only two years later at fourteen her mother died leaving her in the care of her uncle, and no matter how hard she tried to save the flower shop, her uncle took the shop and sold it for the money for his “inventions” if that was what you could call them. So without her mother, her mother’s shop, or any real friends Belle found a way to coup through books, refusing to grow up and be like everyone else.

She heard the things that the people of the town said about her behind her back. “Dazed and distracted can't you tell?” “Look there she goes that girl is strange no question” “It's a pity and a sin, she doesn't quite fit in.” Though in truth Belle never really cared what the others thought about her. She was too engrossed in the world of stories about the Princes and Princess in the world who found true love, or who were swept away from places like the small boring town, she would have wanted to be anywhere but here. Of course whenever she wasn’t doing that silly thing, reading, she was taking care of her uncle as he got worse and worse every day.

Shortly after she turned twenty one Belle started to gain the attention of Gaston an overly self-observed, rich hunter in the town. Not that the people in town helped with bringing him down off his pedestal. After all from what she was always told that, no man in town as admired as him, he was everyone's favorite guy. Everyone's awed and inspired by him, and it's not very hard to see why. No one's slick as Gaston, no one's quick as Gaston. At first she was even swept up by Gaston as well, but after the first time that she met him, she found that the rich hunter was an utter bore. Talking only of him and how great he was. Belle wanted adventure, she wanted someone exciting like the people in her books.

Though as the money from the La Rose ran dry and her uncle descended downer into the rabbit hole of madness, Belle was focused to fend for herself in the only she could find, stealing. It started out with simple food, and then bigger things like jewelry, soon she was finding the rush of stealing to be a better outlet than her books. She found herself slowly moving on from the books full of adventure that she could never have, to the type of adventure she could have. Soon her uncle was locked up in an insane asylum and that only gave her more freedom, and with that freedom came the sense she couldn’t be caught. It was that sense that made her careless, that caused her to be caught by Gaston.

Now at the age of twenty two, Belle stood in front of a mirror being poked by the pins Mrs. Potts used to fit her wedding dress. Tomorrow was her wedding, to a man she didn’t love, a man who was blackmailing her into marring him. “Okay Belle darling, you can change back now.” Mrs. Potts said standing up finally, as she scribble the last of the measurements down for the dress. Sighing Belle stepping down from the raised floor, slowly moving behind the curtain. Carefully getting undressed before handing her wedding dress back to the woman, before getting redressed in the white and blue dress she had been wearing and listening to the woman talk about how Gaston will be the perfect husband for her.

“If you will excuse me mademoiselle, I think I need some fresh air.” Belle softly her nerves getting the better of her and making her feel sick. She waited for Mrs. Potts to nod before rushing outside the large house. The air was helping her deal with tomorrow and she quickly made her way around to the back, sitting on a bench by some flowers which the lack of rain had killed.

Softly she begin to cry, as nothing ever seemed to work out for her. Wiping her eyes after a while she started to get up, only to stop as she noticed something she hadn’t before. Across from her in a dead rose bush, grew one single beautiful perfect dark red rose, still alive among the other dead. As she admired it, strangely it gave her hope. This rose should and been dead like the others, but somehow amongst the strangles of the others, it had lived.

As she walked back to her little cottage she thought, if a weak little flower could save itself? Why could she not? In the middle of the night she packed what she would need, before stealing her neighbor Lumière’s horse. By the time of her wedding she was long gone from Gaston, instead of waiting to be saved, she would save herself. Even if it did mean using her looks and becoming a thief once again.



Name: Jasmine

Age: 19

Story:

Happiness is nothing but a perfect fantasy, There's no desire I hold fonder. Than to be, simply me, to be free.

Jasmine was never meant to the Sultana of Agrabah, the Sultan had two daughters, Chamomile and Jasmine. The Sultan’s daughter Chamomile was two years older than Jasmine and thus she was never rightly truly even in line to be Sultana. Though Jasmine never had the freedom to actually leave the place, she still had much more freedom than her older sister.

One of which was the choice of who would take her hand in marriage. While her sister was going to have to marry the royal adviser Jafar, Jasmine could have whoever she wanted. Though there were many, many men who tried hard to catch her eye. It was the one no one ever thought of that took her heart and held it tightly. A servant in the castle named Rajnish, though he was a year older than her, he treated Jasmine as a person rather than the Sultan’s daughter; he was also her only real friend.

Their love was so true that at only sixteen Rajnish asked her father for her hand in marriage when she turned eighteen, and her father agreed. Though her sister Chamomile who was Rajnish’s age was jealous of her sister’s happiness, she wasn’t the only one. Jafar was also jealous of Rajnish, he would have rather married the younger more beautiful daughter than the oldest. Chamomile came down with a strange sickness that ended up slowly killing her, on Jasmine’s seventeenth birthday. Because she was to be the Sultana, Jasmine had all of her freedoms she held so dear taken away from her. Worst of all her marriage to Rajnish was no longer allowed.

Completely distraught and desperate, the still childish minded Jasmine told Rajnish the news. He was wiser than Jasmine, he knew quite a few different people that the princess would have never been allowed around. With the princesses approval her lover sent word though the people he thought could help, that princess Jasmine was looking for a genie. However instead of a genie, it was a man named Rumpelstiltskin that showed up in front of her. The foolish princess made a deal for a potion that would make Jafar become something she could not marry, the price was so simple it seemed almost free. The potion, for a future favor.

Everything was sat in place only a few days later, Rajnish slipped the potion into Jarfar’s drink while it was left unwatched. The Princess, the Sultan, and Jarfar sat at the table. The Sultan and Jarfar talked back and forth about the wedding that would take place in only a week. A thin woman servant brought the drinks to the group, as the grey haired Jarfar rested his hand on the inter part of the leg of his soon to be wife. Jasmine’s eyes widened as she felt him do this, angrily she jerked her hand back slapping him roughly across face.

“Jasmine!! What on earth are you doing daughter?!” Her father yelled angrily at her, seeing her slap him.

“But father he touched my leg!” She answered him.

“Jasmine, Jarfar is to be your husband, he can touch you all he wishes. You have no right to slap him.” He answered angrily to her.

He was angry at her?! Jasmine was completely shocked that her father would take up for Jarfar and not her! “Father…” Jasmine started to argue before the angry look stopped her. However because of the fighting between her and her father, no one but Rajnish noticed the fact that Jarfar switched the cups, giving Jasmine his. As Jasmine sat down and went to put cup to her lips, Rajnish pulled the cup from her lips, insisting that Jarfar was trying to use magic on the princess.

By now the Sultan was beside himself with anger, clearly his daughter and her old lover was trying to find a way around his rule. “Guards take this servant to rot in the dungeon” The Sultan ordered, then before the guards could get to him, Rajnish lifted the cup to his own lips drinking the potion, if nothing else he would save Jasmine from marring Jarfer. Rajnish didn’t die however he turned into a large white tiger, Jarfar was sent to the dungeon for trying to use magic against Jasmine. Still no one ever thought that Jasmine would turn out quite the almost heartless seeming Sultana that she has became.

[ravenhuffle]

“So you want me to just give you a potion that will make any man fall in bed with you?” Rumpelstiltskin asked, waking his hand about as he talked. The woman in front of him was an older lady, about mid forties, a little on the larger side, with a long, braided, grey hair, and cold green eyes. Rumpel hopped up on the edge of the bar and put his elbows on his knees. “What should I do such a thing?” he inquired with a bored air about him.

“Please, Rumpelstiltskin! I would give you anything!” The woman begged. She was all but crawling on her knees, it made him sick. People were just so desperate to get what they wanted. “Oh, please don’t grovel. It is unbecoming.” He sighed as he stood up and began pacing on top of the bar. The woman watched him while rubbing her hands together anxiously. “You can’t make such a potion, can you? I should have guessed. This is beyond your power.” The woman stood up from her stool and began to walked towards the door.

Nothing makes Rumpel’s blood boil faster than people underestimating his ability! He jumped from the bar and was in front of the woman before she could take two steps. “But of course it is within my power, you sick mongrel! There is very little I cannot do! Now take a seat!” He put a hand on her shoulder and shoved her back into her chair. The woman squealed as she was pushed down but was otherwise to shocked to say anything.

Rumpel pulled a vial out of his jacket’s pocket and plucked a hair from the woman’s head. After dropping her hair into the vile and reciting a small chant, he shoved the vial into the woman’s chubby hand. “The person you want to sleep with must drink this potion. It is a one time use. Meaning one person, one time.” The woman smiled at him and pulled the vial closer to her. “Would it work on you, handsome?” she asked suggestively. Rumpel wanted to to throw up at her suggestion. “Yes, but I wouldn’t be stupid enough to drink such a potion.”

The woman sighed, looking defeated then started for the door. “Oh! Not so fast!” Rumpel skipped backwards a step to keep her from passing him. “I am not giving you this for free!” He told her, outraged that she thought she could just walk away. “What do you want?” She asked, shrinking back a step. An evil grin spread across his face. “Just your blood, dearie!” The woman stared at him in shock. “Oh, please. Not that much! Just a little bit. Just a vial.” He shrugged.

Grabbing a knife from his belt, he grabbed her arm, slit her hand, and allowed her blood to fill up a vial before she could even react to what he was doing. “All done!” He smiled at her as he pocketed the blood in his jacket. “Might want to put something on that cut, looks kind of deep.” He told her as he started to walk back towards the bar. “And remember, dearie, all magic… comes with a price!” He vanished from the room just as the woman turned around to ask him what he meant.

Rumpel walked through the front doors of his castle, laughing to himself. “Blood of a virgin! Now I can complete my spell.” He threw his coat onto a near by chair and continued on into the room where he performed most of his spells. All over the room were blood painted symbols, candles, and in the middle sat an empty chair. Whistling while he worked, Rumpel started gather various potions, herbs, and other ingredients and carefully started measuring and adding things to a large bowl.

After several minutes of measuring, adding, humming, and whistling, Rumplestiltskin finally stopped. “Here we are, dearie.” he said to himself as he stopped in front of the large bowl. “One last ingredient.” He pulled out the vial of virgin blood and poured it over the mixture in the bowl. Flames shoot from out of the bowl, quickly followed by black smoke that covered the room a foot deep. Rumpel put the empty vial down and started to laugh. Perfect. It was just perfect!

The outline of a figure appeared in the empty chair, and shackles appeared and wrapped around the unformed human’s arms, legs and chest. Rumplestiltskin. I call thee, Rumpelstiltskin! Oh for the love of… Rumpel turned on the spot only to find himself in a different place. A quiet village, if he had to describe the place he was at, where every day would be like the one before. A little town, full of little people. All of them beneath him. Rumpel looked over his shoulder at the man who summoned him.

The man was a good head taller than Rumpel, broad shouldered, wearing a ridiculously bright red shirt with a shotgun slung across his back. “Are you really that hairy?” Rumpel grabbed the man’s arm and lifted it up to inspect the hair. “Every inch of me is cover in hair!” The large man boasted with a puffed chest. Rumpel quickly dropped the arm he was holding and dusted off his hands. “Disgusting!” He mumbled. “Now on with it, you over sized grizzly bear! I was in the middle of something quite important, and you so rudely interrupted me!” Rumpel waved a hand at him to inform the ogre that he could speak.

“I need something from you.” Gaston began.

“Everyone does, love. Get to the point.” Rumpel began to circle the man impatiently.

“Yes, well, I need you to make a woman obey me. She is to be my wife.”

“Why?”

“She is strong willed and is always running away from me.”

“I would too!” Rumpel laughed.

“I will only marry Belle. For only she is as beautiful as me!”

Rumpel almost choked. “Belle? As in the theif?”

“No. Of course not!” Gaston shifted his gun and stood up taller.
“I do not enjoy being lied too, boy! Where is this Belle?” Rumpel turned to face Gaston, anger written all over his body.

“Why does it matter?” Gaston asked stupidly.

Rumpel took a calming breath. This was not the guy who would subcome to tourcher quickly, and time was of the essence. “Because, I have to see her to make her obedient, you buffoon. Obedience is a spell I must cast, not a potion I can give.” He lied.

“I do not know where she is. She is supposed to be home, cooking the meat I killed. But knowing Belle, she is off doing a job.”

“Stupid oaf of a man! You really think someone as simple minded and pathetic as you can keep ahold of such a thief?” Rumple asked with a snarl. This guy was starting to make him angry. “Do you have something of hers?”

Gaston huffed. “Of course I do! I must keep my fiance close to me somehow. I have a lock of her beautiful golden hair.” Gaston pulled out a small cluster of blonde hair tied in a blue ribbon. Rumpel decided to let the stupidity, and grossness, of this man’s decision to himself. Desperate people never failed to make him sick.

Rumpel took the hair and walked over to a puddle of water and knelt down in front of it. After whispering a short spell, he dropped the hair into the water. After a moment the water froze into a thick layer of ice and then a picture of Belle showed up. Rumpel smiled, he had her now. “Where is she headed?” He asked the image. It shimmered then showed the picture of a gypsy woman. “Esmeralda. Why am I not surprised?” he said to himself.

With a wave of his hand, the image disappeared. Gaston watched Rumpel disappear before his eyes. A smile appeared on his face, the beast must have like him! He left without payment. Indeed he would have the most beautiful bride!

Rumpel appeared inside the small cabin. Esmeralda, and her beautiful black hair and shapely figure had her back to him. “My, my, have the years have flown! Such a beautiful flower you have turned into!” He grabbed a fist full of her hair and brought it to his nose to smell. Esmeralda spun around, her hand raised to slap him, but Rumpel caught her wrist and ticked his tounge at her. “Now, now, you know better than to do that, young flower.” Esmeralda tried to jerk her arm away but Rumpel held her firm.

“It that anyway to treat an old friend, young flower?” He asked in the calmest voice. “Please, take a seat. You are going to wait with me. You have a friend coming over that I am just dying to meet!”

“Belle!” Esmeralda squirmed as Rumpel pushed her into a chair and put a binding spell on her to keep her quiet and still.

“And now,” Rumpel said as he sat down at on the table, “we wait.” He smiled at his guest and rubbed his hands together. Finally he would catch that thief!

[Love Dove]

Without having to worry about crazy or selfish men that thought they had the right to tell her how to live or how to act. Belle was free to be whoever and whatever she wanted, it was a wonderful feeling to be free, and she wouldn’t give it up for anything. Over the last four months since she escaped what would have been an utterly boring and loveless marriage. Belle despite trying to keep herself hiding for who she was, had made a name for herself, being a thief that could get things the others could not. It wasn’t the fact that she had more skills than the others that made her a better thief.

In fact the funny thing was that she had worse skills than most, she couldn’t even pick a lock every well, and sometimes she couldn’t pick them at all. What Belle did have was both street and book smarts, as well as the fact that she had the look to get out of getting in trouble whenever getting caught by a man. Who would think the poor, weak, and attractive shopkeepers daughter would be the one whom had the nerve to steal from them? Let alone do it more for the fun than for the money. However there were times like this that she would be asked for help, to take something for someone with the promise of money. Belle rounded the corner out of the alleyway to the cabin a little before dawn, to find the raven haired gypsy woman named Esmeralda waiting for her by the door.

“Bonjour mademoiselle Esmeralda, Clocksworth said you were looking for me again, my friend.” Belle said as she greeted her friend politely, she pulled the light red hood of her cape off of her head smiling ever so softly at gypsy. A strand of her light blonde wavy hair covering the one side of her face while the hair on the other side of her face was tugged behind her ear, her light olive green eyes looking the woman in front of her over. There were often times that she gave the gypsy things she stole when looking for money, and whenever Gaston got to close to finding her, the gypsy’s would help her get away because Esmeralda asked them.

“Greetings Belle.” Esmeralda said softly with a wide smile, before wrapping around her pulling her into a tight hug. A smile played on Belle’s lips for only just a moment before pushing the gypsy away from her softly.

“Whatever could you actually be looking for me for?” She asked moving away from her a little so she couldn’t be hugged once again.

“I need you to get me something I’m not allowed to get myself. Something from a dangerous priest.” Esmeralda answered Belle, looking for any actual sigh of fear from the thief before continuing. Though the only thing that she saw on Belle’s face was excitement, Belle always loved danger and a challenge. “It is a glass figure that I gave to someone very important to me, a very long time ago. The priest took it away from him, so I want it back.” She finished with a sad sigh.

Belle nodded placing her hand softly on her friends shoulder, giving her a reassuring smile. “I can surely get that for you, my friend just tell me what it is and where to go.” Belle said softly, Esmeralda turned and went back into her cabin as Belle waited outside for her. Soon after a little searching the gypsy returned, shoving a piece of paper into her hand, before pulling her into a hug and giving her a kiss on the check.

Belle forcibly pushed away from the woman with a smile, before pulling the red hood back over her head and turning away from the woman. If she could get this done early she could steal from a few more places before she lay down to rest for the night. The sun was just setting as she got to the church, getting down on her knees Belle quickly tried to pick the lock, though she had no such luck.

Sighing she quickly gave up, walking around the outside quietly until she could find a window she could crawl through. The place was dark and crowded with loud church music playing, the whole place just felt wrong to steal from, Belle quickly found the glass goat figure before crawling out the window. Placing one foot on the ground, she felt someone’s fingers grab ahold of her ankle. Belle panicked as she looked behind her to see the silver haired man that had a tight grip on her ankle, and kicked him in the face before running as fast as she could back to Esmeralda.

By the time she made back it was very late, which meant she would be unable to steal from someone else tonight. Her ankle was throbbing and had a bruise that was shaped like fingers around her ankle, in the morning she would have to have it checked, perhaps it was a good thing that she was getting paid for this. She knocked once lightly on the door of Esmeralda’s cabin, before the door creaked open. Belle stepped back looking at it, a warning flashed in her mind, before she pushed the door open a bit more.

“Mademoiselle Esmeralda?” She asked softly before limping into the cabin, seeing her sitting in the chair she made her way towards the kitchen.

“You really shouldn’t leave your door opened my friend. It makes you…” She started happily before seeing the man sitting on the gypsy’s table, Belle hide the figure behind her back. Belle’s eyes going to her friend, Esmeralda didn’t say a word but the look in her eyes told Belle to run. She looked back at the man on the table frowning, before taking a step back wincing as she stepped down on her hurt ankle.

“Excuse me. For I very clearly am interrupting. I’ll just be leaving now. Forget about the money mademoiselle.” She said her voice slightly guarded as she took another step back, trying to back her way out of the cabin. She of course knew who his man was, and that she had stolen from him as well, she had stolen from everyone at one point or another after all. He did look very happy, in a way that sent shivers down Belle’s spine. Quickly Belle limped towards the door, trying to get away in hopes to get away from Rumpel, if she wasn’t hurt she would be running to get away right now.

[ravenhuffle]

“Gah, waiting is so boring.” Rumpel complained in a bored tone. “You have nothing here to keep me entertained, gypsy. Since when does one of your kind turn into something so boring?” The gypsy across from him turned her head away in an act of showing that she was not listening to him. Rumpel wanted to strangle her, but he needed her alive. Instead he jumped off the table and started to stroll around the kitchen, picking up random things and examining them.

“How is your son, Esmeralda?” He asked, picking up a random spice. A smile grew on his face as he glanced at her. A small tear rolled down her face, and Rumpel laughed gleefully. “Thats right! You never get to see him anymore!” He walked over to her and pushed her hair away from her neck in a gesture that was almost lover-like. “Do you remember the price of protecting your malformed child?” The gypsy looked at him with a cold expression then spit in his face. Rumpel laughed as she stood up straight and wiped away the saliva from his face. “I see you do indeed!” He said gleefully.

“What did you get from the deal, you deamon?” Esmeralda spat.

Rumpel shrugged and waved a hand in the air. “More than you know, dearie!” He got suddenly quiet and held a finger over his lips. “Our guest is almost here, gypsy. Time for you to be quiet.” He waved a hand at her and instantly she was quiet. She tried to yell and warn Belle as the door creaked open, but no sound would come out.

Rumpel jumped back up on the table to wait, a smile on his face that just would not go away. As soon as the thief was fully in the house, Rumpel cast a spell that locked every door and every window. She was not getting away this time. “Oh look, my dearest. Our guest has finally arrived!” He held out his hand in gesture to the young girl who just walked in. Then his eyes truly landed on her, and took her all in.

“My, my, what a beautiful thing you are! No wonder you get away with so much.” Rumpel jumped off the table just as she was backing away towards the door. “Now, come my frightened friend, there is no need to run!” He leaned in close to her ear. “Not that you can.” He laughed and walked away from her, once again taking his time to stroll around the kitchen.

“Let me guess, you are here visiting your dear friend? No, of course not! A master thief like you would never have the time to visit a long lost friend.” He grabbed a kettle and filled it with water before placing it over the fire. “You stole something for her.” He said turning back to his two female guests. “Let’s see what it is, shall we?” He twirled his hand in the air, chanting under his breath. Within seconds, the figurine of a goat rested in the palm of his hand. Instantly, his smile dropped and the cold look that replaced it was much scarier than the smile.

“I should kill you for this, gypsy filth!” He hissed angrily. The gypsy squirmed in her chair, and tried to speak but still no sound came out. “You are nothing but a worm under my foot! It is only my mercy that keeps you alive!” He said as he walked up towards her and tilted her chair back. “How dare you do this.” He whispered. His hand closed around the figure, then when he opened his hand it was gone and he let the gypsy drop back to all four legs on floor.

“As for you, thief. What am I going to do with you? I am done with the trouble you cause me.” He crossed his arms. “Perhaps I should make you obedient to that buffoon. What was his name? Right! Gaston. He would love to have you as a good little housewife.” He walked towards her. “Or maybe I should keep you closer than that, make sure you never continue this business personally.”

[Love Dove]

Belle looked at Esmeralda when Rumpel said something about her being ‘their’ guest. After all the time she knew the gypsy, the help the two had given every other. The woman she thought of as family. Would she really actually give her to this evil little man? The frightened look on the gypsy’s face, told her otherwise. She didn’t like Rumpel’s eyes looking at her, as she started backing away. When he said she was beautiful, Belle gave a soft uneasy smile. “Merci monsieur.” She said her tone still guarded.

Though as he moved towards her, Belle cringed. “I am not your friend Rumpelstiltskin.” She said frowning as he leaned in to whisper in her ear, Belle went to move away as he walked away himself into the kitchen, laughing. Belle’s eyes looked back at Esmeralda, trying to think of a way to help her, there had to be same way! Right?

She started to take a step towards her friend, only to stop when Rumpel started to speak. “What do you know of what time I have.” Belle spat at him as she watched him get the kettle of water, and put it on the fire. Ever curious as she was, she wanted so badly to ask what in the world he was doing. When he asked to see what Belle how stolen, she let the glass figurine drop from her hand so that it would broke onto the floor. Though before it landed, it was in his hands. The fear she had felt before only worsened as his smile disappeared and he turned to Esmeralda. Belle quietly moved a knife off of the counter as his attention was away from her, holding in her hand under her cape.

Rumpel’s anger was very confusing, wasn’t the goat the gypsy woman’s? From the way Esmeralda said it, Belle thought that the figurine had been hers, though she of course didn’t know everything about their deal. “Why should it matter what I took for her!” Belle yelled at him as he let the chair hit the ground. “It was hers! Not yours!” Belle was trying to stick up for her friend, it was not a very good idea clearly. Though Esmeralda was quite afraid, and Belle didn’t wish to see her friend being killed over a figurine.

She swallowed when he turned to her crossing his arms, what trouble had she caused him. Oh goodness! He was really that upset she stole two little things from him. “You could let me go of course. I wouldn’t be stupid enough to steal from you after those traps were placed.” Belle said her tone almost hopeful as she gave him a soft smile.

When he said the name Gaston though, the smile disappeared, as she shifted her eyes wide. “Gaston? That loathsome and vain man! That…that is how you found me?” She said angrily, her eyes going to the gypsy who had been helping her to get away from the hairy idiotic man. Before meeting Rumpel’s glaze as he continued speaking and walked towards her.

“Oh I see…this is the part where I beg and pled for you to take me insisted. Or ask for a deal?” She asked him grinning widely.

“Oh please, please monsieur! I’m such a weak and desperate woman. Please save me from the idiot blackmailing me into marring him! I’ll give you anything.” Belle spit on the floor between them, before looking up and rolling her eyes at him.

She wasn’t stupid like she might have seemed, making fun of the people who he made deals with. She just needed him to go close enough; she closed the gap between them, the look of actual excitement in her eyes. Today was just full of lovely danger for her, of course she was actually enjoying it. “I’m afraid, I’m just…not really feeling all that desperate tonight, monsieur.” She said before using the knife in her hand to stab him in the stomach leaving the knife in, quickly she turned to the window behind of her, hitting it hard with her elbow, the glass barely broke. Only enough to cut her skin and make her arm bleed more than anything. Frowning Belle shifted back to hit the glass once more, cussing under her breathe, of all the times she had to be unlucky.

[ravenhuffle]

Belle was much prettier than Rumpel had expected her to be. It almost made him pause. And her soft voice was almost calming and certainly not what he would have pictured for a master thief. A princess, yes. A shopkeeper, yes. A housewife, yes. Not a thief. From the way she begged his pardon, gave him a sweetly frightened look, and tried to back away from him, Rumpel could almost see how she got away with never being caught. Because what girl as sweet and innocent sounding at this lady in front of him could possibly fall so far as to start stealing? Rumpel shook the thought from his head. It mattered not what he expected her to be. She was who she was, and he could not have her running around amok. Besides, she could possible hold many advantages.

A cold biting laughter came from his mouth. “I know more than you think, dearie. I know the lack of time that comes with sneaking around to get the things you want.” It was cute. The thief thought she could out fool him. She tried to break the glass, but he got to it first. “I think, my love, that you are underestimating who you are dealing with.” At that point he really looked at the figurine and anger boiled his blood. He yelled at the gypsy then turned to Belle.

Rumpel bowed his head as if to contemplate why the figure would mean so much. “For that question, dearie, I shall let your friend tell you the tale.” He waved his hand at the gypsy. The woman let out a muffled scream then jumped as if the noise had scared her. Rumpel knelt down in front of her and took her hands into his. “My darling gypsy, tell our guest about the figure. Why is it so important to you?” he asked in mock concern while tilting his head to the side.

“Go to hell, you monster!” She spat in his face then turned her head to Belle. “Run, stupid girl. And for loves sake, don’t make a de-” Rumpel waved a hand in her face rending her voiceless again while whipping her spit off his face with his other hand. “Guess she does not want you to know.” He said with a shrug as he stood up.

Rubbing his hands together, he rocked on his heels, a small smile playing on his face. “You see, the thing is, it is not what you stole.” He laced his fingers together and put them against his lips for a moment then let out a ticking sound. “It is that you stole from me. And no one, and I mean no one, get away with stealing from the dark one.” He walked over to her so that he was inches away from her. “Begging, or bargaining, would be your best options right now, filth.” He hissed.

He reached out and twirled one of her locks of hair around his finger. “Did you know that the buffoon had a lock of your hair in his pocket?” He asked as he pulled her hair up to smell it Though his eyes still held onto his anger. He listened to her beg, knowing that if was forced. Though that did not stop the smile on his face. It amused him that she was so confident around him when clearly he had the upper hand. He glanced at the saliva on the floor at his feet and laughed. “Such utter pride for someone so innocent and pathetic. You should just stick with your books next time, child! They do not cause you nearly as much as you are going to have to pay tonight.”

It was funny when people stabbed him. Sure, it hurt like hell but he had long since gotten used to the stinging pain of knifes, swords, and various other weapons. Sometimes, he would even hire someone to use a weapon on him just to get used to the pain that was associated with it. Through all that effort, Rumpel had learned to work even through the pain. Not that the pain ever lasted long since his body healed quickly. So when Belle stabbed him, it took all of his energy not to laugh. As soon as she turned from him, he said a quick spell that created a force field around the house, just to make sure that she wasn’t going to get out. Then he pulled the knife from his stomach.

Twirling the knife around his fingers, Rumpel went and sat on the arm of the chair that Esmeralda was trapped in. “You are not getting away that easily, dear.” He told her in a tone that was both amused and annoyed. “However, you are welcome to try all you want.” He concentrated on the knife for a few moments. “In the mean time, could you help me with a demila? You see, I have this lovely knife.” He gripped the knife and ran the flat of the blade against Esmeralda’s cheek, smearing his blood on her face. “And I have this beautiful, if dull, girl. I think she would make an excellent knife holder….” He turned the blade to face down as if to stab the gypsy in the leg. “Can you think of a reason that I should not stab her like you did me?” he asked.

[Love Dove]

Belle even jumped at the sudden scream coming from Esmeralda, as Rumpel let her speak yet again. She wasn’t surprised that the gypsy didn’t want to tell her why the figure was important. Esmeralda never really told Belle about herself, though she never asked for Belle to explain herself either. They had kind of a silent understanding, they didn’t ask each other questions about their past, and they helped each other. It was slightly amusing to watch the gypsy spit in Rumpel’s face, of course Belle much too polite to be that bold. When the gypsy told her to run the thief didn’t move, because there was no where she could run, even if she was one to run and leave her defenseless friend with the crazy man in front of her.

She watched the dark one rock on his feet in front of her, the soft hopefully smile still on her face. Even as he said it was the fact she had stolen from him that was the reason he was upset with her. Her smile only widened slightly when he pointed out that no one stole from the dark one. “Well it seems that is no longer the truth. I’ve gotten away with it twice already monsieur.” When he moved so closely to her, it wasn’t the most comfortable feeling, even the air around was angry. It was enough to wipe the smile from her face. Being hissed at and called filth, made Belle flinch and look away from him. When she looked back at him, her face was clear of any emotion. “And I thought you would be angrier that I have used some of your sad little deals to get away with my hobby.” She said looking at him, fighting the urge to smile yet again despite his anger.

Belle was about to move where her hair wasn’t around his finger, but the fact Gaston had a lock of her hair in his pocket stopped her. Belle made a face of pure disgust at this knowledge; of course she was unaware of this. What kind of sick person would keep someone’s hair? Gaston, that’s who. “That is just disturbing, the complete moron.” She answered Rumpel as he pulled her hair up to smell it, her eyes widened slightly looking at him in shock of the strangeness of the gesture. “Do not touch me you putrid little man!” Belle snapped as she pulled her hair from his grasp. Before mocking the people that he made deals with.

Her eyes narrowed as he told her that she should stick to her books. There was nothing that annoyed her more than being told what to do and being called pathetic. At the first thought of stabbing him, she had believed it would make her feel bad. She wasn’t type to actually hurt someone coldheartedly. However his words made doing so easier on her. She stabbed him and tried to break the glass to get away, but it only broke enough to cut up her elbow. She went to try again only to hear Rumpel talking behind her.

Even though he said that she wouldn’t be getting away easily, Belle’s eyes still looked around her to get away, her back still turned to Rumpel. In a way she was like a trapped animal at that moment, her mind realizing that she was trapped, by a man who she just stabbed, and there was no way out. However his words about having a lovely knife, made her attention pull back to him as he smeared his blood on Esmeralda’s cheek. She tensed up as she looked at him, on the edge of letting out angry tears.

Esmeralda sat in the chair her eyes wide, as her tears mixed with the blood on her cheek, smearing it even more. She tried to shift away from the knife pointed and her leg. Only she couldn’t move due to Rumpel’s spell.

“I…I do not care Rumpel. Stab her, it will not matter less to me.” Belle lied to him as her looked away from him at the gypsy. So she would get stabbed in the leg. She would likely rather that than Belle make a deal either way. Even still Belle really hated the idea of her friend getting hurt because of her. As the knife actually went to stab the gypsy Belle took a step towards him and held a hand up. “Wait….please!” She said loudly.

Sighing sadly she took a few more steps towards him, crossing her arms in her chest. Her eyes went to the gypsy as she glared at her. Esmeralda’s lips mouthed not to make a deal with him. However Belle looked back at Rumpel. “I refuse to beg and grovel too you monsieur. You really want one of your childish deals with me, fine. What do you want from me?” She said her voice a soft and barely audible whisper. She wasn’t stupid nor as desperate as the people who actually called for him. Belle wanted to know what his price was before making the deal with him. Even if she had no real room to bargain with him.

[ravenhuffle]

A fake look of disappointment appeared on Rumpelstiltskin’s face when Belle pulled away from him. “Do I truly disgust you, mademoiselle?” He asked with fake innocence. However, he started making fun of his deals and a smile grow on his face. This thief was an entertaining woman! It was about then that Belle stabbed him in the stomach. For a moment, lightning flashed in his mind and he was back in a clearing of the woods with his father, about to drive the knife into the old man’s heart.

The momentary flashback confused him. Why did he feel the need to suddenly remember his father? No matter! He reached down and pulled the knife from his stomach and went to sit down by the gypsy. As soon as the knife touched Esmerelda’s cheek, Belle gave him her full attention and it was about time! He smiled as he threatened to stab the gypsy. At first Belle tried to act as if she could care less, but the ways her eyes tracked the knife told Rumpel everything he needed to know.

The book worm was going to cave before he would be able to get the blade anywhere near the gypsy. “Oh good! You are finally beginning to see things my way!” He pulled the knife away from the gypsy and examined the blood staining the silver. With a grunt he wiped the blood on Esmeralda's shoulder. “You were such a great support.” He whispered in her ear before standing up.

With a wave of his hand the knife disappeared, put somewhere amongst his collection at his castle. “Now that I have you within my grasp, what should I do with you?” He asked her as he walked around her slowly. “I could stop you from stealing, but where is the fun in that? It would cause me no pleasure!” He stopped in front of her with a gleam in his eye.

A smile grew on his face and his eyes sparkled with malicious glee. “I got the perfect price for you, my love.” He reached out and ran a finger down her cheek before going to stand behind the gypsy. “But before I tell you my price, I will tell you what you are saving.” He leaned over, ran his hand along Esmerelda’s cheek, whispering softly. As his fingers passed the open sore, it mended itself and disappeared. “You will be saving your dear friend’s life. Not only will she be allowed to leave with her life, but she will not have to watch her son killed at the stake for being a monster. Meaning, if you don’t take my deal, I will pull her son out of hiding put him on the spotlight, and let the towns people humiliate him, torture him, and then kill him. And your friend here will watch the whole thing.” He laughed as the gypsy tried to scream and tears ran down her face.

“The best part is, I will let her live for a few months, really soak up the pain of losing her only child. Then I will kill her nice and slow in front of you.” He put his hands behind his back and walked up to Belle. “Or, you can promise you life in service to me. You will become my thief. Stealing what I ask, when I ask, and staying at my castle to do my bidding as I see fit. Really, the choice is yours.” He wave a hand at the gypsy, taking off her silence curse.

“Belle…” Esmeralda said, her voice hoarse from screaming silently. At this point, the gypsy did not know what she wanted from Belle. She wanted to save her son’s life, but she did not want to see her only friend enslaved to the monster. “I’m sorry.” she shook her head and looked down ashamed. Rumpelstiltskin laughed, there was no way Belle would refuse his offer. She was too tender hearted, which was her only mistake in life.

[Love Dove]

The disgusted look remained on Belle’s face as Rumpel asked if he really did disgust her, she nodded her head slowly. “Oui monsieur, you really do.” She answered though she could tell he was faking the disappointed look, it did not change this fact.

Belle couldn’t help but stop him from hurting her friend, after all no matter how many countless times she tied not to care for others, to be heartless as was needed for a thief, it was impossible for her to be such. It was almost as if Rumpel could tell this as well, that she didn’t wish for her friend to die, if she hadn’t stopped him, he might have caused more damage, even death. How horrible it felt to make an offer for a deal with him, she fought the urge to look away with not only disgust of him but herself as well. Belle let out a huff as he said she saw things his way. No. She saw things her way, not his, and in her way she was being true to herself and being a hero, saving her friend from death. Just like her books.

When he stood Belle still locked her eyes on the knife, afraid he was going to kill her instead, until it disappeared. She couldn’t help but look back to where she had gotten it, like it would go back to where it belonged, however it didn’t. How strange, was he actually stealing the stuff he did that with? The thought was wiped away however when he started talking to her, Belle’s attention going back to him, following as he circled her. At the mention of stopping her from stealing, Belle closed her light green eyes sadly. He didn’t understand that stealing was her escape, that she had to do it, but then again none ever did. Though hearing him decide against doing that, she opened her eyes and flinched at the fact he was right in front of her. He was too damned quiet, it was unsettling.

“Pleasure? I thought stealing was why you were after me?” She asked confused by how her stealing could possibly bring him any pleasure whatsoever. Belle pursed her lips glaring at him when he ran a finger down her cheek, she didn’t want the evil man even touching her, let alone calling her love.

She had no idea that Esmeralda had a son, and the shock of this knowledge was not lost on the look on her face. The thief had asked Esmeralda why she unlike the other gypsies, had no children, and now she had a son? One that was a monster? How could a child be a monster? Belle was confused but quiet as he threatened not only to make her friend watch her son be tortured to death, and then to make Belle watch Esmeralda die. In truth the thought that Belle knew what she was in for, it was clearly very wrong. This man was evil, he was crazy, he was…..able to know what to say to get his deal.

Want he wanted from the deal was a horrible thing to ask of her, to steal when he wanted, what he wanted. He was almost as bad as Gaston in a way, he wanted to take her freedom from her, just as Gaston had wished to. Her eyes narrowed angrily at him as he walked towards her. She was to be his, what was it with men and wanting her to be theirs? She wanted to be her own, she was happy that way. Her name being said brought her glaze back to her friend, eyes sad. “Don’t be sorry ma gitan soeur” She said before glaring at Rumpel once more crossing her arms. What was so funny about this? It was not funny in the least. “I thought you had a deal with Gaston? Do you so easily break such deals?” She asked warily, she of course had no choice on the matter, he had told want would happen if she refused. Belle closed her eyes, refusing to cry in front of the man. “Fine monsieur, you have your deal. Now please unbind her from the chair.” She agreed sadly.



“Please, your Majesty. My son is a good boy, surely if he was caught stealing it was a mistake.” The older woman cried out, as she was being pushed gently on to her knees by the guards. Her clothes were pretty much made of rags, hair matted, and red puffy eyes, from crying, looking up at the young Sultana of Agrabah. Jasmine looked down at the crying woman with cold dark hazel eyes, which many believed to be soulless. A white tiger, Raj, sat down beside her throne, his head resting on the lap of the Sultana. Human-like blue eyes watching the woman beg for her son, whom the guards were searching the city for.

“Are you saying that your street rat of a son is a thief as well?” Jasmine said loudly as if the reason this mother thought her son was in trouble, was complete news to her. No the fact that the man her guards were looking for was a thief, had not been the reason he was being hunted down.

The woman looked up at the Sultana in confusion, why would her son be looked for if not for his thievery. True such was a crime that would land him in prison, but he had done something much worse. “But I do not understand. If not that, than what?” She squeaked out loudly.

“Your son is believed to be in contact with a jinn. I want to lamp to which it is contained.” Jasmine said harshly, no longer did she allow magic to be used openly in the city of Agrabah, unless she gave permission which she rarely did. Magic was a horrible thing, as she had seen firsthand over a year ago. When a jinn ruined her live. Jasmine reached down petting the soft fur of Raj, feeling the soft purr against her leg.

“That isn’t true your Majesty!” The woman screamed out, going to stand once more. A deep growl coming from Raj’s throat has he took a step towards the woman. “The genie is not a jinn!” She continued as the guards pushed her back to her knees. Jasmine stood from her throne looking over the woman angrily. “Genie?! How do you know that this ‘genie’ is not a jinn?” Jasmine asked before looking the woman over for the first time, to see the shine of a silver handle, to a lamp. “Hold her down and check her.” She commanded, the guards done as they were told holding the woman down, as she screamed loudly for them to stop.

After a search they found the lamp on her, the captain brought the lamp to the throne keeling on one knee holding the silver lamp up to Jasmine. “Call off the search for the street rat, and throw her into the dungeon.” She commanded taking the lamp from him, as they left Jasmine stepped from the throne room, to seal the lamp in glass before returning.

[ravenhuffle]

Such a silly little girl. Stealing was the only reason he was after her until she proved herself to be more valuable. It had been his full intention to just give her back to Gaston, but she was far too delightful for that oaf! However, if she was really dying to go back to Gaston, maybe he could bring the hairy man to her. Oh the way she would react to that would be a week’s worth of entertainment! The thought made Rumpelstiltskin smile.

It was not enough to trust the word of a thief, in all of his years of experiences, he had learned to never trust anyone. With a wave of his hand, and a few magical words, a contract appeared in his hand and a quil appeared on the table. “Before I let her go, sign your agreement on the dotted line, love.” He said thrusting the paper into her hands. With a gleeful laugh, he waited for her to go to the table and sign the paper. Once her signature was on the paper, it would disappear. “Good! Now that it is all settled….” With a wave of his hand, the chair went back to where it belonged at the table and Esmerelda fell on her butt without the chair to support her.

Rumpelstiltskin turned to Belle and smiled. “By the way, I never made a deal with your overly furry fiance. I took your lock of hair, found you then left. But I can just see the turmoil in your eyes. Will you ever get to see your beloved monkey again? Rest assured fair maiden,” He dipped into an elegant bow. “Your wish is my command! He shall be waiting for you at my castle. You can even marry the buffoon if you so desire.” Rumpelstiltskin stood up with a wicked smile on his face.

The gypsy stood up from her place, tears in her eyes. “I am so sorry Belle.” She whispered though she dared not move with the monster in her house. “I am so sorry.” Rumpel looked back at the woman, tisking. “You used to be so full of spirit and spite, my old gypsy.” He said as he turned to face the woman. “Goes to show you, love only makes you weak.” He spat at her feet, a return for her earlier disrespect. “You can keep on living your miserable life away from your deformed child.”

“Belle, it is time to go. I have important things to do.” He snapped his finger, drawing her close to him, then dropped a bottle at their feet. A cloud of red encircled them and when it disappeared they were standing in a grand hallway. “Get out of my sight. I am sure Gaston is here somewhere, go find him or something.” Rumpel waved a hand at her and continued down the hall, each foot step echoing in the dead silence of the marble hall.

Back to his potions. Still had that one ingredient left….



“Daddy, where are we going?” The ten year-old boy tugged on Zeus’ hand.

“You are going on an adventure, my son. One that I cannot go with you on.” Zeus stopped, and got eye level with his son.

“Daddy, I have waited for you for so long! I want to be just like you!” Hercules protested.

“You will never be like me, Hercules. Let go of that stupid fantasy now, because it will never happen.” Zeus told him sternly.

“Da-” A slap across the face cause tears to spring into Hercule’s young eyes.

“Never call me dad again. I am Zeus to you.” The little boy looked up at him with hurt eyes and a broken spirit. It almost made the god crumble. “Go my son, learn more of your powers. Become strong. Tell no one that you know me personally. I will help you when I can.”

“I already know my power da- Zeus!” Hope filled the little boy’s eyes. “I am strong! Probably the strongest man on earth!”

Zeus almost smiled but then wiped the emotion from his face. “You are more than just strength. You are so much more than that. You are a demi-god. Learn what that means.” He stood up and the sky darkened. “I have to go.”

“Daddy!” the boy cried, reaching for his father’s hand, but Zeus was already gone. Rain poured from the heavens as the little boy fell to his knees crying.

Eighteen years later, Hercules had found that he does quite alright on his own. Moving from village to village, empire to empire. Never really staying in one place for longer than a few months. Never again to his broken heart learn to trust. After killing his sister and being personally abandoned by his father, Hercules did not see the need to trust anyone for all they did was le you down. There were a few girls who tried to win his heart, beautiful as they were, none of them were able to succeed.

Even yet, as the demi-god went from one place to the next, he was called a hero. Story after story was told about his daring, his bravery, his strength. Some tales ringing with less truth than others. Still, despite all his adventures, Hercules could not figure out what his had had meant to find his powers. The only thing he had was his strength and his trusted ax that he carried on his back all the time.

Hercules walked into a village at the base of a large castle. It was said that the princess, no not princess, what did they call her here? Either way, he had heard rumors that she had cursed a servant into being a tiger due to disobedience. It was as good of a reason as any to come visit a new city.

Not even five minutes into the town,was he stopped by a guard. The man was well built but wore the strangest clothing, no shirt, bright pastels pants that were tight at the ankles and hips and lose everywhere in between, and shoes that rounded into a point above the top with a ball of white fabric attached to the end. “Excuse me, but you are not allowed to own a weapon in this village.” The weirdly dressed guard said.

Hercules looked over his shoulder at his ax. “I did not know. I have no where to put my weapon, please allow me to keep it. I swear no harm will come to anyone at the hand of my ax.”

“I cannot let you, we will take it from you and put it in our armory.”

“Will I get it back?”

“No.”

Lightning flashed in Hercules’ eyes and his face turned cold. “Then take it from me.” He dared. Out of no where, a man grabbed at his ax from behind. Relying on nothing but instincts, Hercules reached behind him, grabbed the guard’s head and pulled him over his shoulder meaning to just have the guy land on his back. Instead, as the body flew over his shoulder he could feel the neck snap. “Damn it.” he growled as he let go of the dead guard, allowing the body to fly.

It was never his intention to kill the guard. “He killed him!” One of the guards shouted. All at once, five guards surged him, and he just dropped to his knees. Other than wanting to take away his ax, these men had done nothing wrong and he did not want to kill them. Chains and shackles were attached to his wrists and legs and he was lead to the palace and to the throne room.

The guards presented Hercules in front of the Princess, he never could remember what she was to be called. “Your Majesty, this man killed one of your guards without even hitting him. I think it could have been done by magic.” The guard pushed on Hercules’ shoulders to get him to bow but he refused to bow to any royalty. He was the son of a god!

The guard tried again, this time all but lifting himself up off the ground. Hercules laughed. “You cannot make me bow.” he said simply. He grabbed the cuff on one hand and broke it with a tug then did the same to the other hand and his feet. The guards stared open-mouthed. “Princess, let me introduce myself. I am Hercules, and I did not mean to harm your guard. I was simply trying to protect my own property from being stolen.” He casually walked closer to the throne. “I truly did not mean to kill him.” He said bowing his head a little.

[Love Dove]

Belle looked down at the paper in his hand as he thrust it into her hands telling her to sign. Biting her lip softly she moved to the table, reading their agreement as she walked. She was no fool and she trusted Rumpelstiltskin no more than he had her. Picking the quill up from the table, Belle took a deep breath, her last truly free breath, before signing on the papers dotted line and promising her life in service to a monster. Belle Beauchene As soon as the last E was signed, the paper and quill was done from her hand. For a moment she simply looked down at her hand, almost in disbelief of what she had just done, before turning back to Rumpelstiltskin crossing her arms, as Esmerelda fell to the floor.

Belle raised an eyebrow at the fact Rumpelstiltskin didn’t have a deal with Gaston, he had threatened to make her obedient to the hairy moron. So she never stopped to think of the fact that he might not have made a deal with him as well. It seemed like he had wasted quite a bit of his time, getting a lock of her hair from Gaston, and wasting time to threaten Esmerelda just to get a hold of her.

There surely wasn’t any turmoil in her eyes, not over Gaston anyway. “Now, we both know that’s not true monsieur.” She said pursing her lips as he stood up, her wish wasn’t his command, because if her wish was his command, he’d had left her the hell alone. If Rumpel was as smart as he said he was, than he knew she didn’t want to have Gaston anywhere near her.

Belle looked past Rumpel to Esmerelda though she didn’t have a chance to reply before he said such harsh words to the poor gypsy, even if she hadn’t been Belle’s friend still she would have felt badly for the poor woman. It only took a snap of his fingers for Belle to be pulled to him, and that was a sickening feeling, to be at someone else’s command.

She closed her eyes, almost afraid of where they were going and getting dizzy by being brought there, however it actually didn’t cause her dizziness, and she opened her eyes to be standing in the grand hallway, somewhere she had been before. Narrowing her eyes she watched start to him walk down the hallway, the sad little man could have at least showed her where she was going to sleep. “Get out of my sight. I am sure Gaston is here somewhere, go find him or something.” She said loudly to herself mocking him and making a face at his back, before turning to go into another room and look around.

The only time she had been here, it was dark and she was stealing so she didn’t have time to really look around how that she had a chance, she had no clue still where she was going. After lighting a candle, it was quite clear that the dark one was almost as much of a pack rat as she. He had more things than she did, the light of the candle hit something that glow and she picked it up to the little figurine of a goat and she glared at it. “Son of a…” She yelled out angrily before throwing the goat against the wall, making it shatter along the floor.



Not only a few seconds after Jasmine returned from placing the new lamp among the others, did a group of her guards come into the throne room. A man in strange clothing, chains and shackles upon his hands and feet as well as a weapon on his back following the first two guards, followed by the other three guards. She couldn’t help but look boredly at the group, yet another man who refused to give up his favored weapon. Travelers seemed to have such trouble with this law; however it made things safer in her kingdom.

“Your Majesty, this man killed one of your guards without even hitting him. I think it could have been done by magic.” Jasmine sat up slightly finally paying full attention, brown eyes looking over the man in front her as the guard tried to push him down on his knees. He looked muscular of course but so were her guards, in her mind he was rather boring besides the possibility of his having magic. The fact that he refusing to get on his knees, was a completely sign of pure disrespect, she pursed her lips glaring at him as Raj growled softly head on her lap.

When he broke the chains on his wrists Jasmine flinched back a little ways, wide eyed staring at him, before the surprise was wiped from her face, a blank mask replacing the look. The chains that her guards used were of the strongest iron, there was no normal way for him to break them! Not even could her guards break those chins! She had made them try to move sure that were fit to use! He broke the chains as if they were twigs!

She had heard of this Hercules of course, he was known far and wide for being a hero. Though Jasmine didn't believe in heroes, they were never what they claimed to be, they were all false lies. In honesty though she had thought he would be less, normal looking, other than his odd clothing he looked albeit slightly attractive man. "I would say that you did slightly more than harm my guard, Hercules." She answered coldly her eyes narrowing as he walked closer to her throne. When he got too close Raj let out a deep growl, moving from beside Jasmine to sit in front the Sultana, ready to try and protect her from the man who was far to close for his liking. This was the reason that the guards would stop the people to bow so far away from the throne. Raj had been known to attack anyone you came too close to his princess.

Jasmine hold out a hand to stop the man from coming any closer. "You will not come any closer, lest you wish to be bitten." Jasmine told him harshly as Raj's eyes glared at the Hercules.

When he said that he truly did not mean to kill her guard Jasmine slightly looked down at Raj and started to pet him, as if she did not care. She simply lost so many to magic users and jinn that she no longer mourned their lost.

"So you killed my guard for taking your weapon to protect the people? It has happened before, it shall happen again." She said flicking her wrist heartlessly as if it didn't matter much to her. "However I do not allow jinn freely in my kingdom. Since I doubt I can encase you in glass as I do the genies. It only makes sense that you should make up for the life you took somehow." She said thoughtfully.

Her guards moved closer but she shook her head. "No, not by death. That would be a shame, stealing the false hero others seem to foolishly believe in." She added loudly, making her guards back to where Hercules's chains were.