Collaboration between Tanderbolt and Ghost Shadow
--
Henry paced down the sidewalk faster-than-appropriate, a slight bounce to his step. He didn't focus on anyone or anything besides the music that streamed through his Walkman, everything horrible that had happened to him would finally be reconciled - and he would have...peace
He entered the hospital for what was the second time today, not bothering to take his headphones off as he signed in as a volunteer, receiving a dark glare from Ms. Lezowski - who, as Faye aptly put, didn't look too happy at being snuck past. Henry chose to ignore her glare, however, and pinned his nametag onto his coat before strolling through the double-doors and down the hall.
The amply spacious room that occupied Snow White was as it always was: dim and sterile, and yet, somewhat cozy.
Henry took off his headphones as he entered, that same warm smile on his face - hopeful, sincere.
As he stood there, almost afraid to move forward, the music continued to play through his player - the song almost ironic, given the situation...
Unforgettable
In every way,
And forever more
That's how you'll stay.
That's why, darling, it's incredible
That someone so unforgettable
Thinks that I am
Unforgettable, too.
"Oh!" Henry vocalized, reaching his hand down and pressing 'Stop' with a small flush on his cheeks. "You're not even awake yet and I'm already being awkward." He admitted with a chuckle as he finally stepped up to the side of the bed.
"I know you can't hear me yet Snow--" he began solemnly, eyes both sad and hopeful at the same time. "--But I've waited a long time to see you again. Heh...come to think of it, you've never seen me without a tail and four paws. Isn't that something? Bugger Prince Charming, he doesn't deserve you...no one does. But I'll try my best." He ended wistfully before leaning his head in over the bed and letting his lips just barely meet hers.
He stayed like this for just a second, pulling back in confusion. "Did I do something wrong?" He asked aloud, scratching the back of his head perplexedly.
He tried again, this time trying to muster more fervency into the kiss - again, nothing.
"Snow? Please wake up..." he plead, the once-bright, hopeful tone in his voice fading. He gently shook her by the arm, as if she just needed to be beckoned from her sleep.
As if thinking it would do anymore, he kissed her once more, almost roughly as fresh tears stung the edge of his eyes.
"Come on, wake up...*Wake up*!" He cried out despairingly, squeezing her bedpost with enough force to turn his knuckles white.
As if realizing the truth of the matter, the still-steady beeping of Snow's heart monitor reminding him constantly, he slowly sunk down to the floor, burying his head in his hands and sobbing quietly. It was all quite clear to him now: He was alone...
--
Many years ago....
The Cat strolled about his portion of the castle curiously. Though he'd already been staying there for a few days, there were still new things to find and discover. "Hm...Snow's late. Usually she's here by now." He said aloud to no-one-in-particular. It seemed like the young woman always made time for him, even with her busy schedule. "Might as well wait somewhere convenient." He added before disappearing in a bright orange flash, leaving a silhouette of his figure for just a moment before it faded.
Chesh landed in what would be considered his 'bedroom', the same room that they first met in when Snow had been fervently looking for her tiara, which, the Cat had learned, was a gift from her dearly-departed mother.
Snow walked into the room, looking for a moment of peace. Her head was hung low and a few tears could be seen streaming from her eyes, a fraction of those that she had cried that day. Lost in introspection, she didn't notice the cat in the room as she found a chair to sit down on.
The Cat walked slowly towards her, his own eyes empathetic - off-setting his grin. "I heard what happened, my dear." He began solemnly, letting his tail simply fall instead of swish as it usually did when he was speaking.
"Your father was much beloved throughout the castle. He will be missed..." The Cat wasn't sure what else he could say. Were he human, he could do more - say more. Hold her hand, hug her, do *something* other than sit there looking positively amused when he wanted to mourn with her. He only watched King Leopold from a distance, never speaking to the man; but he was just and fair, as any true ruler should be.
Snow took a moment befoe speaking, trying to collect her words. "This wasn't normal, this isn't how men are supposed to die. I remember my Mother's death, but that was expected, natural, almost like it was fated to happen. I can't see this the same way, he's gone, not because of natural phenomenon, but because of the choices that someone out there made." Maybe the cat would be able to help her deal with her sorrows, she thought to herself. If what he had said of life in Wonderland was true, this wasn't the first time he had witnessed an unnatural death.
"The reports I heard gave reference to a...venom from a bite of sorts - potent enough to kill and an Agrabah Viper was found in his sheets. The guards say they saw no stranger or assassin, and I, myself found nothing of note - but there are whispers though, that your father's advisor, being from Agrabah, is to blame. But, please, my friend, don't let such horrid thoughts remain in your head, precious one. Remember the king for who he was and what he meant to you and to the rest of the kingdom, relish in it - or be swallowed by the pain and self-loathing..." He said, his tone turning aloof and pained, as he knew internally that he was suffering the same fate he was warning her against.
She wiped away some of her tears, showing a bit more composure. She looked into the cat's eyes, and said "I don't blame myself, but I wish I knew who could do something like this. I don't think I've ever met anyone who was evil enough to even think of this. In all your travels, have you ever seen someone who would want to kill a man as noble as my father?"
"I've met many cruel and vile people who would slaughter scores of men like your father without hesitation. They are men, and women without remorse or empathy. But they do exist...allow me to ask you this, Snow: can there be good, if there is no evil?" He asked wisely, yet his eyes were still sympathetic and kindly.
Snow stood up, and her tears had now stopped. She had a little more confidence in her voice when she said "Chesh, I know that there is evil out there, it just shocked me to witness it so suddenly and dramatically. Evil is distancing oneself from good, falling away from path of righteousness. Even allowing the slightest concession means leting evil into your heart. Everyone must choose their road, no one else can do it for you, and it is either one or the other. I hope you will remember this, and journey together with me through the hardships that life throws at both of us. "
Chesh seemed to hesitate before speaking. In truth, he was an enemy of law and order - preferring freedom and random chance, chaos. But he hadn't the heart to argue with her philosophy at this time, the wound of loss so fresh and open to infection. The wound would heal, but leave a mark - the scar tissue that would remain forever.
"I am, and always will be with you, Snow. No matter what..." He promised sincerely.
Lord Wyron
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Most Recent Posts
Collaboration between Grim327 and Ghost Shadow
--
Kinda surprised she forgot her phone, figured a girl like that would have her phone beside her 24/7. Jake thought to himself as he pulled up into Granny's. He was met with the sight of a rather busy, lunch-rush establishment, "And I picked a good time to bring it back," he said with a sigh. People were continously walking in and out of the restaruant as he reached the door. With a couple of "excuse me's" he made it in. Might as well grab a bite to eat.
Jake looked for an open seat, but his search came to no avail. He did however, see a man sitting in a booth by himself. "What the hell?" he mumbled to know one in particular. Jake made his way to the booth and slunk into the side opposite the man. "Hey, sorry buddy. Hope you don't mind, there weren't any open seats. Jake quickly looked over his booth-mate, a rather short fellow and broad-shouldered. Well-toned and tanned. He looked familiar, "Mark, right?"
Mark looked up to see the bartender, Jake Frosburn sit down across from him. "Yes, nice to meet you." He replied, though he sounded anything *but* pleased to meet the man across from him.
"Place is crowded - too crowded." He observed in an almost sullen manner, veiling it with indifference. He reached into the interior pocket of his jacket, removing a pill bottle from it. Without even bothering to look again at Jake, he opened the bottle and dabbled out two round pills into his hand; promptly downing them with a sip of his iced tea, clearing his throat as he closed and put the bottle back in his coat, eyes landing again on Jake. "Something catch your eye?" He asked in an almost suspicious manner.
"Nah, not really. Though the waitress is rather cute," he said, hinting towards Ruby. "And you're right, this place is too crowded. I bet they're breaking fire code." A waitress besides Ruby came up, and took his order for drink, a simple coke. "So what are you having for lunch, friend?" He asked while grabbing the menu, "I'm not too sure what I'm in the mood for."
"She's not worth it." Mark replied bluntly to Jake's observation at Ruby's attractiveness, the former obviously not enticed by her appearance. "Fire code is nothing to make jokes about, Mr. Frostburn-" Mark began seriously, though his tone was almost conversational and informative. "-Have you ever had an entire building full of people trying to get out, only to have them clamber over each other in a panic and burn alive? I'm having the hamburger, by the way." He added, as if he hadn't even mentioned infernal burning.
Jake knew Mark was being very serious with that commment, but he wasn't about to let Mark bring him down. "No I haven't, and I hope I don't have to. And I'm sorry if you ever did. However, neither of us are working right now, and can try to forget about all the stuff that keeps us awake at night. You said the burger? Hmm, sounds good enough to me. Guess I'll have the same." The waitress returned with Jake's drink and grabbed their orders, "Excuse me miss, if you can, tell Ruby that I've got something of hers. The name's Jake by the way." The waitress gave a quick nod and set about her business. "So Mark, how are you doing on this fine-feathered day?":
"Fine. Had to rescue a...boy from the mines." Mark said, his tone almost going soft at the mention of Mason.
"The child was unharmed - just frightened. He...needed someone." Mark added in an almost confused tone, scratching the back of his head. "I think the mayor has him now..."
"Hmm, not sure if that's a blessing or curse. . . the mayor having him I mean." He added. "Yeah, I heard about the mine's. Some tough shit, man. Glad you and the kid made it. I guess now you don't have to worry about him. . . I think. But enough about work. Like I said, we're at lunch, one of the only times we don't have to wrry about it. There anything else going on? Catch the game last weekend, played the next shooter. . . get laid?"
"Hmm." Mark noised thoughtfully, his tone almost becoming affable as he spoke, almost. "I had to take Grip to the veterinarian to get his check-up and shots, then I had to pick up a few groceries from the store - including a new prescription of OxyContin, then..." He stopped suddenly, as if thinking deeply for a moment before continuing, "I saw Mr. Gold in the forests on my way back from a camping trip." He added, his tone turning irritable once again.
"Hmm, interesting, "Jake said, though he was lying, " Mr. Gold huh? I wonder what that guy would want out in the middle of nowhere." Jake took a sip from his drink before continuing, "So what kind of dog do you have? Jesus Ruby, where the hell are you? Save me from this tortous bordom
Mark took a moment to take another drink from his iced tea. "Grip's a German Shepherd...had him as long as I can remember. Probably my best friend." He added with what could be deciphered as a smile, but on Mark looked...quite frightening. "Tell me, Mr. Frostburn? Do you like dogs?" He asked, his tone almost interrogative and accusational.
"Sure, though to be honest, I can't remember the last time I had one. I think my parents said it was too much responsibilty or something like that. I guess I could always get one, but I just don't have the time to take care of him. And you can call me Jake by the way, I'm not that old."
Ruby quickly arrived at the table with a refill for Mark’s iced tea that he hadn’t even asked for. One could say that she must have been observant, but one look at her would say otherwise. Chest heaving just slightly underneath her new wardrobe of clothes that didn’t sell her out; the lack of lipstick and heavy eyeliner and short shorts, an apron actually doing its job rather than being put on as a fashion statement…Ruby looked like a real waitress, her hair in tangled knots in various places to prove to the fact that today had indeed been very busy.
“Here you go Mark, no charge. It’s gonna be a bit on those burgers boys, sorry.” She said, shooing the both of them an apologetic look before looking to Jake specifically.
“Ashley said you had something for me?” She asked, blinking a few times to keep her tired eyelids open. She couldn’t even remember the fact that he still had her cellphone.
Jake gave Ruby a "Thank Christ, you're here" look, "Hey Ruby, and yes I do." Jake quickly pulled out her phone from his pocket and placed it on the table, "You left this in my car when I dropped you off. Figured it would be a good idea if I returned it. Don't worry, I didn't go looking through it or anything. All your little secrets are still safe. And it's alright about those burgers, Mark and I are having a lavishing conversation, aint that right, buddy?"
Mark looked up as Ruby attended the table, a look of genuine shock on his face at her radical change of appearance and disposition. "Oh, why, thank you." He said sincerely, if not gratefully; his surprised expression turning to one of impressed acceptance.
However, his light expression dropped as Jake called him 'buddy'. "I wouldn't call it lavishing." He remarked bluntly, but not rudely - simply stating it how it was as he took another drink of his tea, wincing sharply as he felt a sudden pain in his shoulder, forced to take one more pill from his coat pocket before looking somewhat normal again.
Ruby beamed, taking the phone from Jake with a very quick 'thank you' and pocketed it into her jean pants. Usually, she would have opted to stick around and chat, pretending to be a third person to their lunch-date rather than a waitress but the bell from the front door chimed again, and Ruby watched as four more people squoze their way in.
"Sorry, I'll be right back with those burgers." She said, putting her hand on Jake's shoulder and giving him a small, reassuring squeeze before hustling over to clean off a small table, hoping she could squeeze four people there.
"Thanks, Ruby." Jake said as she walked away. "And nonsense, my good fellow. Talks of canines, pills, and old men in the woods is quite rivetting!" Jake replied to Mark with unscrupulous amount of sarcasm. Jake turned serious, however, soon after, "Look man, I'll be honest, you're drier than a nun's vag in the desert. Whatever made you that way, I'm sorry, but you gotta do something about it. Tell you what, the next time you have a night off, hit me up. You need a good night of fun."
Mark exhaled deeply and began to chuckle, not a friendly, amused chuckle - but one that almost bade a warning. "And I'm going to be honest with you--" he leaned in slowly, "I. Don't. Like. People. Especially jumped-up punks like you who think you can change me because I'm "uncool", or, as you so put, "dry". I came here to grab lunch and leave, not converse. Are we clear?" He finished, his eyes narrowed coldly.
"And I came here to drop off a phone. Not even grab lunch! But fate decided different. If I insulted you, I'm sorry, but somebody had to tell you the truth. You're also a firemen for christ's sake. If you didn't like people, you would be shut in your house all day playing video games and eating chips. Not very many people have the balls, courage, and intestinal fortitude to do your job on a daily basis. All I'm saying is that you need to balance your life out a little. Have a little bit of fun, meet folks. . . have a LIFE. Don't just wake up and do the same routine day-in and day-out." Jake took a deep breath before finishing, "However, whatever I say doesn't mean you have to do it, or are even gonna do it. You're a grown-ass man that knows himself. I'm just trying to help a fellow out is all."
Mark sighed again, seeming to calm down slightly. "For as long as I can remember, I've been alone - and I'm alright with that. I don't need anything else. So thank you for your offer - but no." He repeated, this time sounding more level-headed and neutral.
"I apologize for my behavior, Mr. Frostburn." He started again suddenly, ignoring Jake's plea to use his first name. "My...shoulder's been bothering me especially more today, it grants negative implications on my behavior." He finished in a tone that was sincere, if not collected and barely emotional.
Jake sighed himself, "If that's your stance then so be it, I won't try to push the envelope, just remember the offer will always stand." Jake looked at his watch, before returning his gaze to Mark, "Look can you apologize to the waitress for me? I gotta run and won't be able to eat lunch." Jake stood up from the booth, pulled out a twenty dollar bill and placed it on the bill, "Consider your lunch paid. See it as an apology for my behavior." He took a couple of steps before turning around, "Oh, again, it's just Jake." With that, he pivoted back towards the exit and returned to his vehicle.
--
Kinda surprised she forgot her phone, figured a girl like that would have her phone beside her 24/7. Jake thought to himself as he pulled up into Granny's. He was met with the sight of a rather busy, lunch-rush establishment, "And I picked a good time to bring it back," he said with a sigh. People were continously walking in and out of the restaruant as he reached the door. With a couple of "excuse me's" he made it in. Might as well grab a bite to eat.
Jake looked for an open seat, but his search came to no avail. He did however, see a man sitting in a booth by himself. "What the hell?" he mumbled to know one in particular. Jake made his way to the booth and slunk into the side opposite the man. "Hey, sorry buddy. Hope you don't mind, there weren't any open seats. Jake quickly looked over his booth-mate, a rather short fellow and broad-shouldered. Well-toned and tanned. He looked familiar, "Mark, right?"
Mark looked up to see the bartender, Jake Frosburn sit down across from him. "Yes, nice to meet you." He replied, though he sounded anything *but* pleased to meet the man across from him.
"Place is crowded - too crowded." He observed in an almost sullen manner, veiling it with indifference. He reached into the interior pocket of his jacket, removing a pill bottle from it. Without even bothering to look again at Jake, he opened the bottle and dabbled out two round pills into his hand; promptly downing them with a sip of his iced tea, clearing his throat as he closed and put the bottle back in his coat, eyes landing again on Jake. "Something catch your eye?" He asked in an almost suspicious manner.
"Nah, not really. Though the waitress is rather cute," he said, hinting towards Ruby. "And you're right, this place is too crowded. I bet they're breaking fire code." A waitress besides Ruby came up, and took his order for drink, a simple coke. "So what are you having for lunch, friend?" He asked while grabbing the menu, "I'm not too sure what I'm in the mood for."
"She's not worth it." Mark replied bluntly to Jake's observation at Ruby's attractiveness, the former obviously not enticed by her appearance. "Fire code is nothing to make jokes about, Mr. Frostburn-" Mark began seriously, though his tone was almost conversational and informative. "-Have you ever had an entire building full of people trying to get out, only to have them clamber over each other in a panic and burn alive? I'm having the hamburger, by the way." He added, as if he hadn't even mentioned infernal burning.
Jake knew Mark was being very serious with that commment, but he wasn't about to let Mark bring him down. "No I haven't, and I hope I don't have to. And I'm sorry if you ever did. However, neither of us are working right now, and can try to forget about all the stuff that keeps us awake at night. You said the burger? Hmm, sounds good enough to me. Guess I'll have the same." The waitress returned with Jake's drink and grabbed their orders, "Excuse me miss, if you can, tell Ruby that I've got something of hers. The name's Jake by the way." The waitress gave a quick nod and set about her business. "So Mark, how are you doing on this fine-feathered day?":
"Fine. Had to rescue a...boy from the mines." Mark said, his tone almost going soft at the mention of Mason.
"The child was unharmed - just frightened. He...needed someone." Mark added in an almost confused tone, scratching the back of his head. "I think the mayor has him now..."
"Hmm, not sure if that's a blessing or curse. . . the mayor having him I mean." He added. "Yeah, I heard about the mine's. Some tough shit, man. Glad you and the kid made it. I guess now you don't have to worry about him. . . I think. But enough about work. Like I said, we're at lunch, one of the only times we don't have to wrry about it. There anything else going on? Catch the game last weekend, played the next shooter. . . get laid?"
"Hmm." Mark noised thoughtfully, his tone almost becoming affable as he spoke, almost. "I had to take Grip to the veterinarian to get his check-up and shots, then I had to pick up a few groceries from the store - including a new prescription of OxyContin, then..." He stopped suddenly, as if thinking deeply for a moment before continuing, "I saw Mr. Gold in the forests on my way back from a camping trip." He added, his tone turning irritable once again.
"Hmm, interesting, "Jake said, though he was lying, " Mr. Gold huh? I wonder what that guy would want out in the middle of nowhere." Jake took a sip from his drink before continuing, "So what kind of dog do you have? Jesus Ruby, where the hell are you? Save me from this tortous bordom
Mark took a moment to take another drink from his iced tea. "Grip's a German Shepherd...had him as long as I can remember. Probably my best friend." He added with what could be deciphered as a smile, but on Mark looked...quite frightening. "Tell me, Mr. Frostburn? Do you like dogs?" He asked, his tone almost interrogative and accusational.
"Sure, though to be honest, I can't remember the last time I had one. I think my parents said it was too much responsibilty or something like that. I guess I could always get one, but I just don't have the time to take care of him. And you can call me Jake by the way, I'm not that old."
Ruby quickly arrived at the table with a refill for Mark’s iced tea that he hadn’t even asked for. One could say that she must have been observant, but one look at her would say otherwise. Chest heaving just slightly underneath her new wardrobe of clothes that didn’t sell her out; the lack of lipstick and heavy eyeliner and short shorts, an apron actually doing its job rather than being put on as a fashion statement…Ruby looked like a real waitress, her hair in tangled knots in various places to prove to the fact that today had indeed been very busy.
“Here you go Mark, no charge. It’s gonna be a bit on those burgers boys, sorry.” She said, shooing the both of them an apologetic look before looking to Jake specifically.
“Ashley said you had something for me?” She asked, blinking a few times to keep her tired eyelids open. She couldn’t even remember the fact that he still had her cellphone.
Jake gave Ruby a "Thank Christ, you're here" look, "Hey Ruby, and yes I do." Jake quickly pulled out her phone from his pocket and placed it on the table, "You left this in my car when I dropped you off. Figured it would be a good idea if I returned it. Don't worry, I didn't go looking through it or anything. All your little secrets are still safe. And it's alright about those burgers, Mark and I are having a lavishing conversation, aint that right, buddy?"
Mark looked up as Ruby attended the table, a look of genuine shock on his face at her radical change of appearance and disposition. "Oh, why, thank you." He said sincerely, if not gratefully; his surprised expression turning to one of impressed acceptance.
However, his light expression dropped as Jake called him 'buddy'. "I wouldn't call it lavishing." He remarked bluntly, but not rudely - simply stating it how it was as he took another drink of his tea, wincing sharply as he felt a sudden pain in his shoulder, forced to take one more pill from his coat pocket before looking somewhat normal again.
Ruby beamed, taking the phone from Jake with a very quick 'thank you' and pocketed it into her jean pants. Usually, she would have opted to stick around and chat, pretending to be a third person to their lunch-date rather than a waitress but the bell from the front door chimed again, and Ruby watched as four more people squoze their way in.
"Sorry, I'll be right back with those burgers." She said, putting her hand on Jake's shoulder and giving him a small, reassuring squeeze before hustling over to clean off a small table, hoping she could squeeze four people there.
"Thanks, Ruby." Jake said as she walked away. "And nonsense, my good fellow. Talks of canines, pills, and old men in the woods is quite rivetting!" Jake replied to Mark with unscrupulous amount of sarcasm. Jake turned serious, however, soon after, "Look man, I'll be honest, you're drier than a nun's vag in the desert. Whatever made you that way, I'm sorry, but you gotta do something about it. Tell you what, the next time you have a night off, hit me up. You need a good night of fun."
Mark exhaled deeply and began to chuckle, not a friendly, amused chuckle - but one that almost bade a warning. "And I'm going to be honest with you--" he leaned in slowly, "I. Don't. Like. People. Especially jumped-up punks like you who think you can change me because I'm "uncool", or, as you so put, "dry". I came here to grab lunch and leave, not converse. Are we clear?" He finished, his eyes narrowed coldly.
"And I came here to drop off a phone. Not even grab lunch! But fate decided different. If I insulted you, I'm sorry, but somebody had to tell you the truth. You're also a firemen for christ's sake. If you didn't like people, you would be shut in your house all day playing video games and eating chips. Not very many people have the balls, courage, and intestinal fortitude to do your job on a daily basis. All I'm saying is that you need to balance your life out a little. Have a little bit of fun, meet folks. . . have a LIFE. Don't just wake up and do the same routine day-in and day-out." Jake took a deep breath before finishing, "However, whatever I say doesn't mean you have to do it, or are even gonna do it. You're a grown-ass man that knows himself. I'm just trying to help a fellow out is all."
Mark sighed again, seeming to calm down slightly. "For as long as I can remember, I've been alone - and I'm alright with that. I don't need anything else. So thank you for your offer - but no." He repeated, this time sounding more level-headed and neutral.
"I apologize for my behavior, Mr. Frostburn." He started again suddenly, ignoring Jake's plea to use his first name. "My...shoulder's been bothering me especially more today, it grants negative implications on my behavior." He finished in a tone that was sincere, if not collected and barely emotional.
Jake sighed himself, "If that's your stance then so be it, I won't try to push the envelope, just remember the offer will always stand." Jake looked at his watch, before returning his gaze to Mark, "Look can you apologize to the waitress for me? I gotta run and won't be able to eat lunch." Jake stood up from the booth, pulled out a twenty dollar bill and placed it on the bill, "Consider your lunch paid. See it as an apology for my behavior." He took a couple of steps before turning around, "Oh, again, it's just Jake." With that, he pivoted back towards the exit and returned to his vehicle.
Mark sat in the corner booth at Granny's, crouched over his steaming cup of coffee - as if he was trying to make himself invisible. He could tell enough from the small-talk that roamed the diner that Knox, Ruby, and himself were considered 'town heroes'; and Mark couldn't hate it more.
He was never one for being in the spotlight, for as long as he could remember. He had simply been doing his job - and it shocked people to a point of reverence. At this, Mark couldn't help but sneer; who wouldn't have gone after Mason in the mines? He was simply the best one trained for the job.
As he lifted his mug to take another drink, he couldn't help but ponder on the boy's name - Mason...it sounded so familiar to him: yet he never knew anyone of personal significance named Mason. So then, why would this one boy give him an almost painful sense of nostalgia and dysphoria?
He would have continued this thoughtful reverie, when suddenly, Leroy plopped down on the other side of the booth, holding his own mug of coffee in hand. "You look down, Tin Man. Why aren't you celebrating with everyone else?" The janitor asked with a hint of sincerity to his voice.
"No need to." Mark replied simply. Suddenly, his eyes shot up to lock onto Leroy's. "Tin Man? That what they're calling me now?" He asked, his tone holding a mixture of both amusement and melancholy at the same time.
At this, Leroy held both hands in the air, as if warding off suspicion. "Hey, it wasn't me who started it; talk to your pals at the fire station." He answered innocently enough, though Mark was more than certain that Leroy had something to do with the naming.
Mark decided to drop the subject, and switch back over to the earthquake. "Why is everyone celebrating? We just rescued a boy that was trapped; anyone would have volunteered."
"Yeah, but you did. Along with the town skank and Captain Dismal. You saved a kid, whether it was your job or not. So quit being an asshole, and suck it up for the rest of the town." Leroy admonished, but with more sternness to his tone instead of outright anger.
Leroy clapped Mark's shoulder firmly with a sharp nod before getting up from the booth, standing by the table for a few moments after. "Oh, hey, I'd be careful around the newcomer..."
"And why is that?" Mark asked, sounding somewhat tired.
"Rumor has it he's Regina's new pet," the short man began with an almost dark smile hidden behind his bushy beard before continuing, "I saw him come out of her house this morning, but never go in. Which means he's either sleeping with her, or--"
"--Came in through the back door? The Mayor hates newcomers." Mark interrupted impatiently, apparently trying to blast holes through his friend's theory.
Leroy seemed to fumble for a response, his eyebrows furrowing at Mark. "Well, yeah, but..." he exhaled deeply. "Just keep an eye out, alright? Be seein' ya Tin Man." And with that, the janitor left the diner, leaving a very confused Mark at the booth.
He was never one for being in the spotlight, for as long as he could remember. He had simply been doing his job - and it shocked people to a point of reverence. At this, Mark couldn't help but sneer; who wouldn't have gone after Mason in the mines? He was simply the best one trained for the job.
As he lifted his mug to take another drink, he couldn't help but ponder on the boy's name - Mason...it sounded so familiar to him: yet he never knew anyone of personal significance named Mason. So then, why would this one boy give him an almost painful sense of nostalgia and dysphoria?
He would have continued this thoughtful reverie, when suddenly, Leroy plopped down on the other side of the booth, holding his own mug of coffee in hand. "You look down, Tin Man. Why aren't you celebrating with everyone else?" The janitor asked with a hint of sincerity to his voice.
"No need to." Mark replied simply. Suddenly, his eyes shot up to lock onto Leroy's. "Tin Man? That what they're calling me now?" He asked, his tone holding a mixture of both amusement and melancholy at the same time.
At this, Leroy held both hands in the air, as if warding off suspicion. "Hey, it wasn't me who started it; talk to your pals at the fire station." He answered innocently enough, though Mark was more than certain that Leroy had something to do with the naming.
Mark decided to drop the subject, and switch back over to the earthquake. "Why is everyone celebrating? We just rescued a boy that was trapped; anyone would have volunteered."
"Yeah, but you did. Along with the town skank and Captain Dismal. You saved a kid, whether it was your job or not. So quit being an asshole, and suck it up for the rest of the town." Leroy admonished, but with more sternness to his tone instead of outright anger.
Leroy clapped Mark's shoulder firmly with a sharp nod before getting up from the booth, standing by the table for a few moments after. "Oh, hey, I'd be careful around the newcomer..."
"And why is that?" Mark asked, sounding somewhat tired.
"Rumor has it he's Regina's new pet," the short man began with an almost dark smile hidden behind his bushy beard before continuing, "I saw him come out of her house this morning, but never go in. Which means he's either sleeping with her, or--"
"--Came in through the back door? The Mayor hates newcomers." Mark interrupted impatiently, apparently trying to blast holes through his friend's theory.
Leroy seemed to fumble for a response, his eyebrows furrowing at Mark. "Well, yeah, but..." he exhaled deeply. "Just keep an eye out, alright? Be seein' ya Tin Man." And with that, the janitor left the diner, leaving a very confused Mark at the booth.
Collaboration between YoshiSkittlez and Ghost Shadow
--
Bracing a hand against the wall, Regina reached behind her to zip up the small black dress that hug onto her skin so tightly, it was like a second skin. In all actuallity, the design of the zipper would have required someone else to have done it up for her, but with a closet full of dresses of the like, she had managed a way to do it on her own.
Fluffing her hair in the mirror in her bedroom, she looked past her own face to see Henry finally rolling over, waking up. She smiled smartly to herself, and continued to splay her black hair out making sure the part to the side was perfect.
"If you want any coffee before you leave I suggest you get up now." Regina said puckering up her lips in the mirror, double checking the crispness of the lipstick she had applied earlier. "I brought your clothes up from downstairs, just there." Regina pulled herself from the mirror and gestured lightly to the pile of neatly folded clothes on the end of the bed before she disappeared into the bathroom to apply any last-minute touch-ups to her makeup.
Henry's tired eyes slowly opened, his vision blurred as he adjusted to the morning light. It took him a few moments to realize where he was.
'Wait, why am I still here?' He thought to himself, trying to recall the memories of the night before.
'Did we...? Wait, am I naked?' He mentally asked himself, lifting up the comforter slightly to see himself fully.
'Welp, I've done it now.' He thought, exasperated before slowly rolling towards the edge of the bed.
Rubbing his eyes, he stood up completely, his now fully-adjusted eyes just catching Regina as she walked into the bathroom. Wordless, he got himself dressed quickly; not forgetting his glasses in the process.
"Coffee sounds good, thanks," He said quickly, if not slightly uncomfortably as he hastily went down the stairs to the first floor, running both his hands through his hair while whispering, "Oh no, no, no, no, no" to himself.
Regina met with Henry just a few moments later downstairs, clipping on her earings as she walked into her kitchen and filled up two coffee mugs, one for herself and the other for her guest and brought it over to him. She brought the coffee to her lips, her eyes looking over Henry's shoulder at the digital clock on the stove and tilted her head slightly, looking back at Henry.
"You're going to be late." Regina said seemingly out of the blue.
Henry came out of his reverie just moments before Regina joined him downstairs. He accepted the coffee with a small nod, taking a small drink. He turned to look at her as she spoke, taking off his glasses (for some reason) in the process. "Sorry...late?" He asked, obviously confused.
"For school." Regina said raising her eyebrows, wondering why this wasn't obvious to him. "You have a job to do Henry, a responsibility. It wouldn't look good to...well...me if you were late on your first official day as their teacher."
"So...I've got the job," he began, though phrased it as more of a statement than a question. "That's fantastic." He said, a wide grin forming. "Absolutely fanTAStic!" He repeated, looking sincerely excited.
Regina shrugged her shoulders, not sharing his enthusiasm as she quietly sipped at her coffee again.
"Well you said it last night, who else around here is qualified enough?"
The word 'enough' hadn't even a pause once it left Regina's lips as suddenly the lights in the entire mansion began to flicker and a loud, rumbling roar resonated from all sides. Regina suddenly lurched, the ground beneath her feet becoming unstable as what would appear to be an earthquake split through not just Regina's home; but all of Storybrooke.
Henry's eyes widened in a split moment and he instantly sought cover, diving underneath the dining table to wait out the ordeal.
Attempting to walk through the shaking, Regina made it over to a large glass window that looked out on the streets of Storybrooke, watching as telephone poles began to split and powerlines began to snap, of course causing the power in her home to go out completely. The glass in which she was standing in front of shattered, not enough to send the pieces flying but enough to startle Regina to take a few steps away from the window.
And then, it was done. The entire ordeal hadn't lasted longer than ten seconds, and Regina tentatively walked back to the now broken window to watch as citizens of Storybrooke began to walk outside to survey the damage of what had just happened.
Henry slowly crawled out from the table, surveying the surroundings as he stood back up on his feet; dusting off his coat. "Well...looks like school's canceled for today." He said dryly, putting his glasses back on.
"Have you any idea where that came from?" He asked, turning to look at Regina.
"No." Regina answered instantly and with heavy bitterness. She hadn't even looked at Henry, only outside of the window, watching people starting to gather and talk amongst themselves about the commotion. If she had turned to look at him, however, he would have seen her eyes filled with fear, not of the damage that Storybrooke had taken, but the reasoning behind why it had happened.
Surely it was coincidence. Giving Henry a job here in Storybrooke was hardly anything that would cause such a drastic chain of events to start unfolding. But then she realized, the chain of events had already been in motion. The Clock Tower, it had started working the very day that Henry first arrived in Storybrooke. She didn't want to believe Mr. Gold's unspoken words, that Henry would be the one to break the curse. And yet...
Regina quickly set her coffee mug down on the counter, feeling like if she drank anymore she would vomit. Without saying (or even looking) at Henry, Regina hurried to the front door and left the mansion to see what the people of Storybrooke were talking about.
Henry could barely say another word until Regina seemed to rush out the door. "Well...off again, I suppose." He said to himself with a quick shrug before quickly following her out the door towards the mass of people that had started to form, overlapping each other with random questions and frightened or angry statements. It was going to be a long day.
Regina did her best to try to quiet the startled crowds. Other than a few telephone poles and power lines, the city seemed to be safe, nothing that a few days of work couldn't help fix (most importantly, in Regina's opinion, her kitchen window). She had managed to convince most of the people to start working and stop talking when Leroy, the town drunk, ran into the thrall of things shouting that the old mines had collapsed down the way.
Of course this only sent the people that Regina had just calmed down into a wide panic, and Regina could do nothing to stop the crowd from following Leroy to the mines. The knot in Regina's stomach only tightened more, keeping her from being able to breathe for a few moments. Just how much of the mines had collapsed? Feeling her hands starting to shake, and no jacket pockets to shove them into, she took a deep breath and followed the crowd to the area.
Henry had remained silent during the entire ordeal, but hadn't moved from Regina's side until the entire group began towards the now-collapsed mines.
"Oh yeah, town explodes, let's go to the source; brilliant." He said in an exasperated tone, hands in his coat pockets as he began to follow.
--
Bracing a hand against the wall, Regina reached behind her to zip up the small black dress that hug onto her skin so tightly, it was like a second skin. In all actuallity, the design of the zipper would have required someone else to have done it up for her, but with a closet full of dresses of the like, she had managed a way to do it on her own.
Fluffing her hair in the mirror in her bedroom, she looked past her own face to see Henry finally rolling over, waking up. She smiled smartly to herself, and continued to splay her black hair out making sure the part to the side was perfect.
"If you want any coffee before you leave I suggest you get up now." Regina said puckering up her lips in the mirror, double checking the crispness of the lipstick she had applied earlier. "I brought your clothes up from downstairs, just there." Regina pulled herself from the mirror and gestured lightly to the pile of neatly folded clothes on the end of the bed before she disappeared into the bathroom to apply any last-minute touch-ups to her makeup.
Henry's tired eyes slowly opened, his vision blurred as he adjusted to the morning light. It took him a few moments to realize where he was.
'Wait, why am I still here?' He thought to himself, trying to recall the memories of the night before.
'Did we...? Wait, am I naked?' He mentally asked himself, lifting up the comforter slightly to see himself fully.
'Welp, I've done it now.' He thought, exasperated before slowly rolling towards the edge of the bed.
Rubbing his eyes, he stood up completely, his now fully-adjusted eyes just catching Regina as she walked into the bathroom. Wordless, he got himself dressed quickly; not forgetting his glasses in the process.
"Coffee sounds good, thanks," He said quickly, if not slightly uncomfortably as he hastily went down the stairs to the first floor, running both his hands through his hair while whispering, "Oh no, no, no, no, no" to himself.
Regina met with Henry just a few moments later downstairs, clipping on her earings as she walked into her kitchen and filled up two coffee mugs, one for herself and the other for her guest and brought it over to him. She brought the coffee to her lips, her eyes looking over Henry's shoulder at the digital clock on the stove and tilted her head slightly, looking back at Henry.
"You're going to be late." Regina said seemingly out of the blue.
Henry came out of his reverie just moments before Regina joined him downstairs. He accepted the coffee with a small nod, taking a small drink. He turned to look at her as she spoke, taking off his glasses (for some reason) in the process. "Sorry...late?" He asked, obviously confused.
"For school." Regina said raising her eyebrows, wondering why this wasn't obvious to him. "You have a job to do Henry, a responsibility. It wouldn't look good to...well...me if you were late on your first official day as their teacher."
"So...I've got the job," he began, though phrased it as more of a statement than a question. "That's fantastic." He said, a wide grin forming. "Absolutely fanTAStic!" He repeated, looking sincerely excited.
Regina shrugged her shoulders, not sharing his enthusiasm as she quietly sipped at her coffee again.
"Well you said it last night, who else around here is qualified enough?"
The word 'enough' hadn't even a pause once it left Regina's lips as suddenly the lights in the entire mansion began to flicker and a loud, rumbling roar resonated from all sides. Regina suddenly lurched, the ground beneath her feet becoming unstable as what would appear to be an earthquake split through not just Regina's home; but all of Storybrooke.
Henry's eyes widened in a split moment and he instantly sought cover, diving underneath the dining table to wait out the ordeal.
Attempting to walk through the shaking, Regina made it over to a large glass window that looked out on the streets of Storybrooke, watching as telephone poles began to split and powerlines began to snap, of course causing the power in her home to go out completely. The glass in which she was standing in front of shattered, not enough to send the pieces flying but enough to startle Regina to take a few steps away from the window.
And then, it was done. The entire ordeal hadn't lasted longer than ten seconds, and Regina tentatively walked back to the now broken window to watch as citizens of Storybrooke began to walk outside to survey the damage of what had just happened.
Henry slowly crawled out from the table, surveying the surroundings as he stood back up on his feet; dusting off his coat. "Well...looks like school's canceled for today." He said dryly, putting his glasses back on.
"Have you any idea where that came from?" He asked, turning to look at Regina.
"No." Regina answered instantly and with heavy bitterness. She hadn't even looked at Henry, only outside of the window, watching people starting to gather and talk amongst themselves about the commotion. If she had turned to look at him, however, he would have seen her eyes filled with fear, not of the damage that Storybrooke had taken, but the reasoning behind why it had happened.
Surely it was coincidence. Giving Henry a job here in Storybrooke was hardly anything that would cause such a drastic chain of events to start unfolding. But then she realized, the chain of events had already been in motion. The Clock Tower, it had started working the very day that Henry first arrived in Storybrooke. She didn't want to believe Mr. Gold's unspoken words, that Henry would be the one to break the curse. And yet...
Regina quickly set her coffee mug down on the counter, feeling like if she drank anymore she would vomit. Without saying (or even looking) at Henry, Regina hurried to the front door and left the mansion to see what the people of Storybrooke were talking about.
Henry could barely say another word until Regina seemed to rush out the door. "Well...off again, I suppose." He said to himself with a quick shrug before quickly following her out the door towards the mass of people that had started to form, overlapping each other with random questions and frightened or angry statements. It was going to be a long day.
Regina did her best to try to quiet the startled crowds. Other than a few telephone poles and power lines, the city seemed to be safe, nothing that a few days of work couldn't help fix (most importantly, in Regina's opinion, her kitchen window). She had managed to convince most of the people to start working and stop talking when Leroy, the town drunk, ran into the thrall of things shouting that the old mines had collapsed down the way.
Of course this only sent the people that Regina had just calmed down into a wide panic, and Regina could do nothing to stop the crowd from following Leroy to the mines. The knot in Regina's stomach only tightened more, keeping her from being able to breathe for a few moments. Just how much of the mines had collapsed? Feeling her hands starting to shake, and no jacket pockets to shove them into, she took a deep breath and followed the crowd to the area.
Henry had remained silent during the entire ordeal, but hadn't moved from Regina's side until the entire group began towards the now-collapsed mines.
"Oh yeah, town explodes, let's go to the source; brilliant." He said in an exasperated tone, hands in his coat pockets as he began to follow.
Collaboration between YoshiSkittlez and Ghost Shadow
--
It didn't take long to...convince Dr. Hopper that she was entitled to taking Dr. Stevenson's client file from his office. She couldn't stop to read it now though, she was still a bit shaken by the days events but she had enough of a head on her shoulders to find Henry at the school without looking like she was about to pass out.
She walked into the room just as the bell rang, using her hand to gently push the children that filed past her away lest she stomp them down in her rage. One boy in particular, possibly the smallest in the class bumped into her harshly, causing him to stumble back a few paces as he looked up at her with wide, terrified eyes.
"I'm...I'm so sorry Madam Mayor!" The boy squeaked. Regina just pushed forward, ignoring the boy's apology and pressed on to Henry towards the front of the room.
Henry, in the meantime, had begun to erase the writing from the chalkboard; whistling a small tune to himself as he did so, obviously not paying attention to his surroundings - or so it seemed.
"What an unexpected pleasure, Madam Mayor! What might I do for you?" He greeted suddenly, putting down the eraser as he turned to look at her.
"I-" Regina stopped. She had been so focused on getting here, to confront Henry, that she hadn't even paused to think about what she wanted to say. "I had heard you voulenteered to fill in here..." She decided on, at least trying to sound civil in the same way she had spoken with him just last night. "...without consulting me." She added on. It wasn't anger or annoyance in her voice, more like a mother scolding her child for forgetting to pick up his shoes.
"Yes, and I do hope you'll pardon me for that. But, I was made aware of the lack of help you had here and took it upon myself to...lend a hand. The rest of the faculty was...quite welcoming, actually." He added, placing odd spaces in his words, yet still maintaining a cheery smile and easy posture.
"Of course they were." Regina replied bitterly under her breath, shifting her focus to a notepad that had been left on one of the desks by one of the students. She picked it up, whiped away the eraser marks left on the page and then brought it up to Henry.
Henry pushed his glasses up on his face as Regina handed him the notepad. "Ah, someone misplaced this. Thank you." He answered with a warm smile, grabbing the pad and placing it on his desk. "Again, I do apologize for not informing you first. But I will gladly allow any background checks you wish to run." He offered friendlily.
"That won't be necissary." Regina said, giving him a polite smile. She walked around Henry to sit on the edge of his desk, far enough to hold her weight but not so much that her feet dangled above the ground. The position pulled Regina's black slacks tight, showing off the curvatures of her thighs all the way down to her calves before they 'ballooned' out at her ankles.
"I'll just need to ask you a few questions. Consider it an interview." Regina neatly folded her hands into her lap. "Have you a teaching degree?"
Henry raised his eyebrows in interest at the mention of an interview. He grabbed a chair from a nearby desk and sat down neatly in it, making sure to catch a glancing look at the mayor's curves before focusing on her face.
"I have a Bachelor's degree in English, but no teaching degree." He responded simply, tapping his left foot rhythmically.
Regina's full lips pressed into a thin line, looking almost disappointed in his answer.
"Well now, that is a problem..." Regina hummed, moving a hand from her lap to tap at her lower lip in thought. "You understand of course, that I can't allow you to teach here without a degree..."
Henry slowly reached up and took off his glasses. "Problems can be solved, as I so often like to think. So...why don't we solve it, then? You could always come in and watch me teach one day, if you'd like. Then, if you're impressed - you could skip over that little detail." He offered with a grin.
Regina tilted her head to the side just a bit, looking at him thoughtfully for a moment.
"Awful lot of work to do for someone who's just...passing through." Regina commented, a smile playing at her lips.
"Oh?" Henry noised, eyes catching her small smile. "Then what would you have in mind?" He asked in an almost coy manner.
"Storybrooke..." Regina began, sitting up just a bit from her relaxed position on the edge of the desk. "...is a very small place, as you well know by now. But...the city doesn't come without it's dangers. Hardly anything compared to New York I'm sure, but still dangerous."
Regina felt her hand instinctively move to her neck where the red hot burn around her throat still lingered, but she let her hand immediately fall back into her lap.
"In fact, I had the pleasure of meeting with one of our prisoners this morning. I had every intention of releasing her-" Regina patted the pocket of her suit jacket where the keys were located hearing them clink together a few times. "-however she attacked me, and thus her fate is set." She paused to clear her throat.
"My point, Mr. Carlyle, is that you truly don't know someone until you give them a chance. You are new here, and I do not know you, nor what sort of influence you will have on the children here at the school if I allow you to continue teaching and yes, even the dangers you might pocess to my city. However...I'm all about giving chances." Regina stood up off the desk completely and walked a few paces towards Henry. "So...Mr. Carlyle, all I ask is that you give me a reason; one reason that I should allow you to teach here."
Henry could barely contain a smirk when she spoke of him being a 'danger to the city'. 'Why, yes, your majesty. I'm the biggest threat to your city you'll ever see.' He thought to himself, not letting his expression change from its general mirth.
"One reason, eh? Well, I'd hate to use this card so early but, with all due respect, who else do you have? Everyone else in the town is either employed or lacks the necessary skills. I don't have a teaching degree in itself; but I am teaching a subject I studied on a college-grade level for four years." He finally answered with a small shrug of his shoulders. He wasn't sure if the answer would convince Regina or not...but worst come to worst, he just doesn't get the job - that's not his problem.
Regina, who would have normally glared at the way that Henry spoke to her, instead smiled and placed her hands on either side of the desk Henry was sitting behind, bending over the desk so that her face was almost too close to Henry's.
"I like you Henry. I wasn't so sure yesterday when you first came into town, but I can now see that you'll do well here in Storybrooke, provided of course...you'll stay..." She purred, her dark browns flickering for just a split second to the stranger's lips.
Henry caught her glance, returning with a sultry smile. Inwardly, he wasn't sure whether or not this was a trick (which, it most likely was), but he didn't care; instead letting himself fall into the enticement.
"I'd love to." He replied, voice as smooth as silk. Nothing else had to be said.
The implications were there, they had been there ever since Regina caught Henry looking her over just last night when she met him for the first time. It was a look she wasn't unfamiliar with, a look he seemed to carry around with him wherever he went; desire. It could have been for Regina solely; she knew she wasn't hard to look at, or it could have been for someone else he had met along the way but it was there now, and their conversation had a completely different implication unknown to anyone that was unable to see the way they looked at one another.
Regina took a single breath as she bent her head forward and crashed her lips against Henry's. There was nothing remotely tentative or timid about the kiss, but neither seemed to mind as they veritably devoured each other whole; tongues eagerly exploring and meeting in frenzied bliss, like this is why they had them in the first place and they were both just finding that out.
Henry found himsef lost in passion. Any sense of logic or judgement tossed aside the moment their lips touched. A sense of dread seemed to pang in him when they first started, as though his body was signaling a final warning to think his decision through. But it was soon ignored.
Henry abruptly, but not ungently, stood up, using a single hand to push the small desk separating them to the side; allowing them both to narrow the distance between them. Henry, in an almost ferocious manner, began to push Regina back, not letting their lips part in the process until she was pushed onto his larger desk getting no complaint from Regina; random items falling off in his haste.
He let his hands fall to her, admittedly curvy hips, letting them linger for more than a moment as he let one rational thought enter his head: get the key. Regina's hands went to his chest, bracing herself against him as she continued to kiss him, refusing to let herself part to breathe.Parting his lips only to catch a small breath of air, Henry let two deft fingers go into her coat pocket, quickly swiping the key before pulling his hand out; letting it rest on her hip once more. If Regina noticed, she didn't show it. She was immensly engrossed into Henry at that point, her hands running up and down his chest and over his shoulders, unable to decide where she wanted to keep them.
Henry let himself pull back to catch more than a gasp of breath, though his eyes were alight with a passionate fire, a hunger for more. "No...no, not here." He said breathlessly. "But tonight..." he added on, stopping in mid-sentence to let Regina put two and two together.
Regina looked up at him with a breathy smile, sweat beading at her forehead and her chest heaving as she as well tried to catch her breath. She patted him where her hands had stopped their roaming on his shoulders as if to say 'alright' unable to do it herself.
"Dinner." She reminded him simply, moving to sit up, her body seeming to be out of sorts as she did but she still somehow managed to keep an air of authority in the way she got off of the desk. Once standing tall again, Regina fixed up her suit jacket and gave Henry a curt nod, running a hand through her black hair to ensure that it was still in place and walked towards the exit, making a point to sway her hips a bit more than necessary.
Henry straightened up his outfit as Regina did, leaving his hair be as it was *always* in some sort of chaotic mess. "6:30, I won't forget." He reassured with that same friendly smile, though that seductiveness still remained in it. He paid close attention to her as she walked out, raising his eyebrows before nodding in approval.
As soon as Regina was out of sight, out of the classroom and into the hallway, Regina her fingers into her coat pocket feeling only one key, the missing one being the one that opened up the cell. Without even so much as flinching, or looking at the remaining key just to be sure...she smiled and hurried on her way, finally in the right mood to read over Dr. Stevenson's files.
--
It didn't take long to...convince Dr. Hopper that she was entitled to taking Dr. Stevenson's client file from his office. She couldn't stop to read it now though, she was still a bit shaken by the days events but she had enough of a head on her shoulders to find Henry at the school without looking like she was about to pass out.
She walked into the room just as the bell rang, using her hand to gently push the children that filed past her away lest she stomp them down in her rage. One boy in particular, possibly the smallest in the class bumped into her harshly, causing him to stumble back a few paces as he looked up at her with wide, terrified eyes.
"I'm...I'm so sorry Madam Mayor!" The boy squeaked. Regina just pushed forward, ignoring the boy's apology and pressed on to Henry towards the front of the room.
Henry, in the meantime, had begun to erase the writing from the chalkboard; whistling a small tune to himself as he did so, obviously not paying attention to his surroundings - or so it seemed.
"What an unexpected pleasure, Madam Mayor! What might I do for you?" He greeted suddenly, putting down the eraser as he turned to look at her.
"I-" Regina stopped. She had been so focused on getting here, to confront Henry, that she hadn't even paused to think about what she wanted to say. "I had heard you voulenteered to fill in here..." She decided on, at least trying to sound civil in the same way she had spoken with him just last night. "...without consulting me." She added on. It wasn't anger or annoyance in her voice, more like a mother scolding her child for forgetting to pick up his shoes.
"Yes, and I do hope you'll pardon me for that. But, I was made aware of the lack of help you had here and took it upon myself to...lend a hand. The rest of the faculty was...quite welcoming, actually." He added, placing odd spaces in his words, yet still maintaining a cheery smile and easy posture.
"Of course they were." Regina replied bitterly under her breath, shifting her focus to a notepad that had been left on one of the desks by one of the students. She picked it up, whiped away the eraser marks left on the page and then brought it up to Henry.
Henry pushed his glasses up on his face as Regina handed him the notepad. "Ah, someone misplaced this. Thank you." He answered with a warm smile, grabbing the pad and placing it on his desk. "Again, I do apologize for not informing you first. But I will gladly allow any background checks you wish to run." He offered friendlily.
"That won't be necissary." Regina said, giving him a polite smile. She walked around Henry to sit on the edge of his desk, far enough to hold her weight but not so much that her feet dangled above the ground. The position pulled Regina's black slacks tight, showing off the curvatures of her thighs all the way down to her calves before they 'ballooned' out at her ankles.
"I'll just need to ask you a few questions. Consider it an interview." Regina neatly folded her hands into her lap. "Have you a teaching degree?"
Henry raised his eyebrows in interest at the mention of an interview. He grabbed a chair from a nearby desk and sat down neatly in it, making sure to catch a glancing look at the mayor's curves before focusing on her face.
"I have a Bachelor's degree in English, but no teaching degree." He responded simply, tapping his left foot rhythmically.
Regina's full lips pressed into a thin line, looking almost disappointed in his answer.
"Well now, that is a problem..." Regina hummed, moving a hand from her lap to tap at her lower lip in thought. "You understand of course, that I can't allow you to teach here without a degree..."
Henry slowly reached up and took off his glasses. "Problems can be solved, as I so often like to think. So...why don't we solve it, then? You could always come in and watch me teach one day, if you'd like. Then, if you're impressed - you could skip over that little detail." He offered with a grin.
Regina tilted her head to the side just a bit, looking at him thoughtfully for a moment.
"Awful lot of work to do for someone who's just...passing through." Regina commented, a smile playing at her lips.
"Oh?" Henry noised, eyes catching her small smile. "Then what would you have in mind?" He asked in an almost coy manner.
"Storybrooke..." Regina began, sitting up just a bit from her relaxed position on the edge of the desk. "...is a very small place, as you well know by now. But...the city doesn't come without it's dangers. Hardly anything compared to New York I'm sure, but still dangerous."
Regina felt her hand instinctively move to her neck where the red hot burn around her throat still lingered, but she let her hand immediately fall back into her lap.
"In fact, I had the pleasure of meeting with one of our prisoners this morning. I had every intention of releasing her-" Regina patted the pocket of her suit jacket where the keys were located hearing them clink together a few times. "-however she attacked me, and thus her fate is set." She paused to clear her throat.
"My point, Mr. Carlyle, is that you truly don't know someone until you give them a chance. You are new here, and I do not know you, nor what sort of influence you will have on the children here at the school if I allow you to continue teaching and yes, even the dangers you might pocess to my city. However...I'm all about giving chances." Regina stood up off the desk completely and walked a few paces towards Henry. "So...Mr. Carlyle, all I ask is that you give me a reason; one reason that I should allow you to teach here."
Henry could barely contain a smirk when she spoke of him being a 'danger to the city'. 'Why, yes, your majesty. I'm the biggest threat to your city you'll ever see.' He thought to himself, not letting his expression change from its general mirth.
"One reason, eh? Well, I'd hate to use this card so early but, with all due respect, who else do you have? Everyone else in the town is either employed or lacks the necessary skills. I don't have a teaching degree in itself; but I am teaching a subject I studied on a college-grade level for four years." He finally answered with a small shrug of his shoulders. He wasn't sure if the answer would convince Regina or not...but worst come to worst, he just doesn't get the job - that's not his problem.
Regina, who would have normally glared at the way that Henry spoke to her, instead smiled and placed her hands on either side of the desk Henry was sitting behind, bending over the desk so that her face was almost too close to Henry's.
"I like you Henry. I wasn't so sure yesterday when you first came into town, but I can now see that you'll do well here in Storybrooke, provided of course...you'll stay..." She purred, her dark browns flickering for just a split second to the stranger's lips.
Henry caught her glance, returning with a sultry smile. Inwardly, he wasn't sure whether or not this was a trick (which, it most likely was), but he didn't care; instead letting himself fall into the enticement.
"I'd love to." He replied, voice as smooth as silk. Nothing else had to be said.
The implications were there, they had been there ever since Regina caught Henry looking her over just last night when she met him for the first time. It was a look she wasn't unfamiliar with, a look he seemed to carry around with him wherever he went; desire. It could have been for Regina solely; she knew she wasn't hard to look at, or it could have been for someone else he had met along the way but it was there now, and their conversation had a completely different implication unknown to anyone that was unable to see the way they looked at one another.
Regina took a single breath as she bent her head forward and crashed her lips against Henry's. There was nothing remotely tentative or timid about the kiss, but neither seemed to mind as they veritably devoured each other whole; tongues eagerly exploring and meeting in frenzied bliss, like this is why they had them in the first place and they were both just finding that out.
Henry found himsef lost in passion. Any sense of logic or judgement tossed aside the moment their lips touched. A sense of dread seemed to pang in him when they first started, as though his body was signaling a final warning to think his decision through. But it was soon ignored.
Henry abruptly, but not ungently, stood up, using a single hand to push the small desk separating them to the side; allowing them both to narrow the distance between them. Henry, in an almost ferocious manner, began to push Regina back, not letting their lips part in the process until she was pushed onto his larger desk getting no complaint from Regina; random items falling off in his haste.
He let his hands fall to her, admittedly curvy hips, letting them linger for more than a moment as he let one rational thought enter his head: get the key. Regina's hands went to his chest, bracing herself against him as she continued to kiss him, refusing to let herself part to breathe.Parting his lips only to catch a small breath of air, Henry let two deft fingers go into her coat pocket, quickly swiping the key before pulling his hand out; letting it rest on her hip once more. If Regina noticed, she didn't show it. She was immensly engrossed into Henry at that point, her hands running up and down his chest and over his shoulders, unable to decide where she wanted to keep them.
Henry let himself pull back to catch more than a gasp of breath, though his eyes were alight with a passionate fire, a hunger for more. "No...no, not here." He said breathlessly. "But tonight..." he added on, stopping in mid-sentence to let Regina put two and two together.
Regina looked up at him with a breathy smile, sweat beading at her forehead and her chest heaving as she as well tried to catch her breath. She patted him where her hands had stopped their roaming on his shoulders as if to say 'alright' unable to do it herself.
"Dinner." She reminded him simply, moving to sit up, her body seeming to be out of sorts as she did but she still somehow managed to keep an air of authority in the way she got off of the desk. Once standing tall again, Regina fixed up her suit jacket and gave Henry a curt nod, running a hand through her black hair to ensure that it was still in place and walked towards the exit, making a point to sway her hips a bit more than necessary.
Henry straightened up his outfit as Regina did, leaving his hair be as it was *always* in some sort of chaotic mess. "6:30, I won't forget." He reassured with that same friendly smile, though that seductiveness still remained in it. He paid close attention to her as she walked out, raising his eyebrows before nodding in approval.
As soon as Regina was out of sight, out of the classroom and into the hallway, Regina her fingers into her coat pocket feeling only one key, the missing one being the one that opened up the cell. Without even so much as flinching, or looking at the remaining key just to be sure...she smiled and hurried on her way, finally in the right mood to read over Dr. Stevenson's files.
Collaboration between YoshiSkittlez and Ghost Shadow
--
A gentle wind seemed to breeze through the forest, making odd whistling sounds, as if the trees were making quiet conversation amongst themselves. Birds began to make their chirping sound as they awoke from the night’s rest, and squirrels scuttled from branch to branch in search of nuts. The morning sun dappled across the expanse, the treetops transforming the sunlight into odd patterns across the landscape: all was quiet, all was peaceful.
Mark had gotten to work no more than an hour earlier, packing up his equipment with haste. He had enjoyed the weekend out in the woods, but he had a shift at the fire station, and God forbid he be late.
Grip sauntered about the campfire lazily, perking his ears this way and that as the woodland sounds piqued his interest. Mark could only offer a small smile to his dog before stuffing his mess kit in his backpack.
He stamped out the still-smoldering remains of his campfire; ensuring to leave no mark of his presence in the woods. He looked down at his wrist, his watch giving the time at around 8 o’clock. Mark nodded approvingly; he would have enough time to grab a quick breakfast at Granny’s and drop his gear off at his house before heading into work for the day.
He continued working on in silence. His peace was soon interrupted, however, when Grip stopped dead in his tracks. The German Shepherd's fur seemed to bristle, and a low, guttural growl came from deep in his throat.
Mark gave the dog a peculiar look, Grip only growled when something dangerous was about. He instinctively placed a single hand on the hunting knife that was strapped securely to his thigh, eyes sharp and alert for any danger.
The rustling in the bushes continued, something large enough to make a few thicker twigs snap in a ghostly echo of the morning air, getting closer and closer until finally, Mr. Gold pushed his way through the push and into the clearing, pausing to lean heavily on his cane once he spotted that he was no longer alone but unable to keep a smile out of the corners of his eyes, obviously very pleased with something.
Aside from his usual wear, a rather large green gardening apron protected his four piece suit from the elements of the forest, giving way that Mr. Gold was indeed not here by accident, although humerous that the apron could really keep his suit clean in all areas, however not a spec of dirt could be seen anywhere but the apron.
"Good morning Mr. Dufresne. Sorry if I startled you." Mr Gold offered in what almost sounded like sincerity in his thick, Scottish accent, hinting with a drawl of boredom.
Mark quickly released the grip of his blade, choosing to rest both hands in his pants pockets. "A good morning to you as well, Mr. Gold; pardon my actions, I thought you might have been a wolf." He explained, his words sounding conversational enough, but his tone was stiff and slightly uncomfortable. Grip continued to leer at Mr. Gold even after the pawnbroker made his presence known.
Mr. Gold flashed a sideways smile, his white teeth and single golden-capped tooth glinting in the morning light, a twinkle in his eye as if thinking of something humerous.
"Did I forget to shave?" He mused.
"Oh, no..." Mark began, scratching the back of his head. He wasn't quite used to joking banter, and was obviously fishing for a proper response. "What are you doing out here anyways? If you don't mind my asking." He finally settled on, calling Grip to him with a simple pat on his hip.
"Oh, just a spot of gardening." Mr. Gold replied with a gentle shrug of his narrow shoulders, and as if to prove this, he reached back behind the bush, procuring a shovel that had been resting against a tree that had been well hidden from sight behind the bushes he was still standing beside. Fresh, clumped dirt covered the spade, but just like Mr. Gold's suit, the rest of the shovel remained immaculately clean. "Yourself?"
"Just camping for the weekend. I come out here every few weeks when I want some time to think." He replied nonchalantly, securing a few more items to his backpack while he spoke; though never letting his eyes off of Mr. Gold longer than a few seconds. "Pardon the observation, but I would have never taken you for a gardener." Mark said simply, standing still to look directly at the Scottish man once more.
Gold's smile brightened, if just a bit and palmed the handle of his cane a bit, answering with a snide smile,
"I suppose not." He said simply and then after a pause. "But then you don't really know me, do you?" Letting it rest at that, with his cane in one hand and shovel in the other, Mr. Gold began to walk forwards, back towards the trail that would lead him back to the town. "Enjoy the quiet while you can." Gold then said just before disappearing into the thicket of trees, his voice holding something that almost sounded like...like a warning.
"Huh...sure." Mark simply responded to himself with a slight shrug. Mr. Gold made him feel nothing short of uncomfortable, as if he knew something no one else did. Pushing this thought to the back of his mind, Mark finished packing up his gear before beginning the short hike that led to Storybrooke, Grip treading closely at his heels. With the newcomer rolling into town, something inside Mark seemed to signal to him that this would be far from a normal week.
--
A gentle wind seemed to breeze through the forest, making odd whistling sounds, as if the trees were making quiet conversation amongst themselves. Birds began to make their chirping sound as they awoke from the night’s rest, and squirrels scuttled from branch to branch in search of nuts. The morning sun dappled across the expanse, the treetops transforming the sunlight into odd patterns across the landscape: all was quiet, all was peaceful.
Mark had gotten to work no more than an hour earlier, packing up his equipment with haste. He had enjoyed the weekend out in the woods, but he had a shift at the fire station, and God forbid he be late.
Grip sauntered about the campfire lazily, perking his ears this way and that as the woodland sounds piqued his interest. Mark could only offer a small smile to his dog before stuffing his mess kit in his backpack.
He stamped out the still-smoldering remains of his campfire; ensuring to leave no mark of his presence in the woods. He looked down at his wrist, his watch giving the time at around 8 o’clock. Mark nodded approvingly; he would have enough time to grab a quick breakfast at Granny’s and drop his gear off at his house before heading into work for the day.
He continued working on in silence. His peace was soon interrupted, however, when Grip stopped dead in his tracks. The German Shepherd's fur seemed to bristle, and a low, guttural growl came from deep in his throat.
Mark gave the dog a peculiar look, Grip only growled when something dangerous was about. He instinctively placed a single hand on the hunting knife that was strapped securely to his thigh, eyes sharp and alert for any danger.
The rustling in the bushes continued, something large enough to make a few thicker twigs snap in a ghostly echo of the morning air, getting closer and closer until finally, Mr. Gold pushed his way through the push and into the clearing, pausing to lean heavily on his cane once he spotted that he was no longer alone but unable to keep a smile out of the corners of his eyes, obviously very pleased with something.
Aside from his usual wear, a rather large green gardening apron protected his four piece suit from the elements of the forest, giving way that Mr. Gold was indeed not here by accident, although humerous that the apron could really keep his suit clean in all areas, however not a spec of dirt could be seen anywhere but the apron.
"Good morning Mr. Dufresne. Sorry if I startled you." Mr Gold offered in what almost sounded like sincerity in his thick, Scottish accent, hinting with a drawl of boredom.
Mark quickly released the grip of his blade, choosing to rest both hands in his pants pockets. "A good morning to you as well, Mr. Gold; pardon my actions, I thought you might have been a wolf." He explained, his words sounding conversational enough, but his tone was stiff and slightly uncomfortable. Grip continued to leer at Mr. Gold even after the pawnbroker made his presence known.
Mr. Gold flashed a sideways smile, his white teeth and single golden-capped tooth glinting in the morning light, a twinkle in his eye as if thinking of something humerous.
"Did I forget to shave?" He mused.
"Oh, no..." Mark began, scratching the back of his head. He wasn't quite used to joking banter, and was obviously fishing for a proper response. "What are you doing out here anyways? If you don't mind my asking." He finally settled on, calling Grip to him with a simple pat on his hip.
"Oh, just a spot of gardening." Mr. Gold replied with a gentle shrug of his narrow shoulders, and as if to prove this, he reached back behind the bush, procuring a shovel that had been resting against a tree that had been well hidden from sight behind the bushes he was still standing beside. Fresh, clumped dirt covered the spade, but just like Mr. Gold's suit, the rest of the shovel remained immaculately clean. "Yourself?"
"Just camping for the weekend. I come out here every few weeks when I want some time to think." He replied nonchalantly, securing a few more items to his backpack while he spoke; though never letting his eyes off of Mr. Gold longer than a few seconds. "Pardon the observation, but I would have never taken you for a gardener." Mark said simply, standing still to look directly at the Scottish man once more.
Gold's smile brightened, if just a bit and palmed the handle of his cane a bit, answering with a snide smile,
"I suppose not." He said simply and then after a pause. "But then you don't really know me, do you?" Letting it rest at that, with his cane in one hand and shovel in the other, Mr. Gold began to walk forwards, back towards the trail that would lead him back to the town. "Enjoy the quiet while you can." Gold then said just before disappearing into the thicket of trees, his voice holding something that almost sounded like...like a warning.
"Huh...sure." Mark simply responded to himself with a slight shrug. Mr. Gold made him feel nothing short of uncomfortable, as if he knew something no one else did. Pushing this thought to the back of his mind, Mark finished packing up his gear before beginning the short hike that led to Storybrooke, Grip treading closely at his heels. With the newcomer rolling into town, something inside Mark seemed to signal to him that this would be far from a normal week.
It's all good, Ruby. We understand how difficult it is to juggle real life and roleplaying - no apologies necessary! :D
Henry sat at, what was now, his desk, the only sound beside his fingers rapping against the hardwood surface being the wall-clock ticking as all clocks do. He had arrived to the school about half an hour early to gather his materials and ensure this first day went as smoothly as possible - and the students were due to arrive at any time.
Henry stood up and turned behind him to look at the large chalkboard that was placed against the back wall. On it was written in large letters: "English Class: Mr. Carlyle." Henry could only subtly nod in approval at the wording, pushing his glasses up against his face as the last few minutes seemed to take their sweet time.
Suddenly, the sound of the school bell rang out across the halls, signaling it was time for class to start. Henry took a quick final sip of the can of Coke he brought with before a group of youngsters seemed to flood through the doorway into the classroom.
All small talk and joking amongst the students seemed to quickly subside as they took a second to glance at Henry, immediately recognizing him as being new. They were almost completely silent as they hung up their coats and lunchboxes before sitting down at their desks, staring intently at their teacher; who currently seemed to be studying them as well.
Henry let a few moments pass before finally speaking, "Good morning class, and welcome to English!" He began, pacing about in front of the chalkboard in an almost casual manner; attempting to defuse any wariness from the get-go. "I am Mr. Carlyle, your new English teacher; and I hope that, by the end of the period, we're all good pals, eh?"
Without giving them a chance to respond, he continued with just as much vigor. "Now then, let's take roll, shall we?" He reached for a simple clipboard that lay aimlessly on his desk, holding it up with a single hand whilst adjusting his glasses. "Alrighty then, Michael?" He called, answered by a simple "Present!" By the child.
"Grayson?"
"Here!"
"Marie?"
"That's me!"
"Brittany?"
"Present!"
Henry continued to call out names on the list before coming to the last one; "Mason?" At this a small boy with a mop of curly dark brown hair raised his hand up high. "Here, Teacher!" The boy piped with a cheerful voice.
Henry looked out under his glasses for a moment, placing the boy before checking his name off the board. "Alright, class, that should be everyone! Fortunately we didn't lose anyone - good thing too, because they'd have missed out on all the fun." He added with a friendly smirk, almost haphazardly dropping the clipboard onto the desk, where it landed with a louder-than-appropriate thud
"So...English! What about it? We speak it, we read it, we write it; it's normal to us - and that's all well and good, but there's more *beyond* that. So, this week, we're going to cover a bunch of different parts of speech. Today, we're going to work on adjectives!" At this, Henry clapped his hands, rubbing them together furiously.
"Now, can someone tell me *what* an adjective is?" Henry asked, watching as small hands shot up into the air. Henry looked about the class for a split-second before landing on Grayson. "Mr. Grayson! What is an adjective?" He repeated, waiting for the young boy to answer.
"A word that adds on to a...noun?" The boy responded, phrasing his answer like a question.
"Correctamundo, a word I've never used before and hopefully never will again." Henry replied approvingly before seeming to launch himself towards the chalkboard; writing "Adjective - word that describes a noun."
"Now then, who can give me an example of an adjective? I'll pick...three students." He settled on, eyes alight with curiosity. "Yes, Marie?" "Bright!" The young girl replied, earning herself an approving grin and a written version of her example on the chalkboard.
"And, Michael?" "Slimy." The boy replied with an almost devilish smirk. "Slimy, good." Henry replied, writing that on the chalkboard as well.
"And last, but not certainly least, Mason!" He declared, pointing to the boy. "Um...uh...Noisy!" He finally said after pondering for a few moments.
"Noisy - yes." Henry responded, writing the third example on the chalkboard. "Now, what can we all gather from these three examples?" Without skipping a beat, he continued, "They *describe* a noun, which is a person, place, or thing! So essentially, everything in this room is a noun!"
The rest of the class continued on very much like this, with the time seeming to fly by until the blaring of the school bell signaled that class-time was over. "Well, look's like we're done for today. Remember, I want individual reports about yourselves using as many adjectives as you can by Wednesday." After that reminder, he proceeded to give individual goodbyes to the students as they left, finally taking a moment to sit down and relax for a few minutes. It was turning out to be a good morning.
Once Upon A Time - ACTIVE
--
Name: Nick Chopper, (Curse Name: Mark Dufresne)
Appearance:
--
Wardrobe Style: Trying to adjust to a more modern feel while still keeping to his vintage roots, Nick's typical apparel now consists of a dark brown leather coat over a tucked-in button-down shirt with a plain white t-shirt underneath, along with khakis or suit pants, a black leather belt, dark brown brogue boots, and a leather-strapped Rolex watch on his wrist.
Example Outfits:
Age: 44
Status and Job: Former woodsman, worked as a fireman for five years.
Skills: Having worked as a woodsman for many years, and a fireman for five more, Nick is in excellent physical condition, his strength, speed, and stamina far above-average, especially for a man of his age. Practically living his entire life in the woods of Oz, Nick displays exceptional survival skills; his well-built physique coupled with his knowledge make him a natural survivalist. Branching off from this, Nick is a capable navigator, surveyor, and map-reader, his navigational skills adept enough that he can guide his way out of any woods just by following the stars and/or sun. Lastly, Nick's tenure as Mark Dufresne has left him an adept mechanical skill, though this is typically limited to things like his truck, or small household appliances.
Talents: Nick is an inherit odd-job man, and has always found that working with his hands comes easy to him; whether it be working with wood and lumber, metal, or even smaller things like the Civil War model table he keeps in his basement. Secondly, Nick has always found that he has an easy time speaking to children, possibly stemming from the close relationship he had with is own son, Mason back in Oz. Thirdly, Nick has both a focused, hardworking temperament, and high levels of stress-management. Because of this, he can easily take control of situations that are going out of hand and work with others to find a solution, a natural leader. Lastly, while not as intellectual or scholarly as others like Mr. Gold or Dr. Hopper are, Nick shows great knowledge in the fields of military history, strategy, early U.S. history, politics, weapon care and maintenance, and basic medicine (stemming from his camping experience).
Strengths: Nick is a single-minded and strong-willed individual, determined to stick to his values and accomplish his goals. Because of this, it's incredibly difficult, if not impossible to change his mind on something if he stands firm in his beliefs. Though this occasionally makes him irritatingly stubborn, it also allows him to function as a strong tether for others. Nick also is somewhat chivalrous when it comes to interacting with others, this trait even transferring over to Mark Dufresne as he would frequently help out the Storybrooke Nuns whenever they asked for volunteers. Branching of from this, Nick's temperament is perhaps most different from Mark's in that he is much friendlier and more helpful than Mark was, lacking the 'sleeping' fireman's brash and cold demeanor.
Weaknesses: Still without a heart, Nick has a difficult time feeling any emotions whatsoever, finding love to be the most difficult to perceive. Because of this, he is unable to react to others in an empathetic or sympathetic way, instead showing indifference. His years spent as the Tin Man have also affected him negatively, making him unnaturally afraid of enclosed spaces, heavy machinery, and loud noises; these fears deep enough to cause severe anxiety, visual and auditory hallucinations, and even panic attacks. Lastly, his years as both a woodsman and a fireman have left him with tendonitis in his shoulder, causing him deep chronic pain only treated with pain medication. As a result of this, Nick has become dependent on Aspirin as a relief to this pain, reaching a point where even functioning requires multiple pills a day to deal with the pain.
Relationships: With the Curse now broken and memories returned, Nick is struggling to figure out who his friends and enemies are in Storybrooke, though he takes Mark Dufresne's own relationships as a basis for himself.
Brief Bio: Wandering the woods of Oz in a mechanical body, the Tin Man was suddenly transported to the Land Without Magic by an Evil Queen. Implanted with the identity of Mark Dufresne, he was left with no memories of who he was before, believing himself to be a simple fireman who hadn't married, or had any children. He lived like this for five years until the newcomer, Henry Carlyle came to Storybrooke; breaking the Curse and freeing the inhabitants of their false memories. Now awoken, Nick has to deal with memories of his old life while reconnecting with his long-lost son.
Music Gallery
Other: Nick has a pet German Shepherd dog named Grip who he owned since the Curse was cast. Also, while not practicing often Nick shows some skill when it comes to playing guitar, though he rarely shares this skill with anyone.
--
Name: Nick Chopper, (Curse Name: Mark Dufresne)
Appearance:
--
Wardrobe Style: Trying to adjust to a more modern feel while still keeping to his vintage roots, Nick's typical apparel now consists of a dark brown leather coat over a tucked-in button-down shirt with a plain white t-shirt underneath, along with khakis or suit pants, a black leather belt, dark brown brogue boots, and a leather-strapped Rolex watch on his wrist.
Example Outfits:
Age: 44
Status and Job: Former woodsman, worked as a fireman for five years.
Skills: Having worked as a woodsman for many years, and a fireman for five more, Nick is in excellent physical condition, his strength, speed, and stamina far above-average, especially for a man of his age. Practically living his entire life in the woods of Oz, Nick displays exceptional survival skills; his well-built physique coupled with his knowledge make him a natural survivalist. Branching off from this, Nick is a capable navigator, surveyor, and map-reader, his navigational skills adept enough that he can guide his way out of any woods just by following the stars and/or sun. Lastly, Nick's tenure as Mark Dufresne has left him an adept mechanical skill, though this is typically limited to things like his truck, or small household appliances.
Talents: Nick is an inherit odd-job man, and has always found that working with his hands comes easy to him; whether it be working with wood and lumber, metal, or even smaller things like the Civil War model table he keeps in his basement. Secondly, Nick has always found that he has an easy time speaking to children, possibly stemming from the close relationship he had with is own son, Mason back in Oz. Thirdly, Nick has both a focused, hardworking temperament, and high levels of stress-management. Because of this, he can easily take control of situations that are going out of hand and work with others to find a solution, a natural leader. Lastly, while not as intellectual or scholarly as others like Mr. Gold or Dr. Hopper are, Nick shows great knowledge in the fields of military history, strategy, early U.S. history, politics, weapon care and maintenance, and basic medicine (stemming from his camping experience).
Strengths: Nick is a single-minded and strong-willed individual, determined to stick to his values and accomplish his goals. Because of this, it's incredibly difficult, if not impossible to change his mind on something if he stands firm in his beliefs. Though this occasionally makes him irritatingly stubborn, it also allows him to function as a strong tether for others. Nick also is somewhat chivalrous when it comes to interacting with others, this trait even transferring over to Mark Dufresne as he would frequently help out the Storybrooke Nuns whenever they asked for volunteers. Branching of from this, Nick's temperament is perhaps most different from Mark's in that he is much friendlier and more helpful than Mark was, lacking the 'sleeping' fireman's brash and cold demeanor.
Weaknesses: Still without a heart, Nick has a difficult time feeling any emotions whatsoever, finding love to be the most difficult to perceive. Because of this, he is unable to react to others in an empathetic or sympathetic way, instead showing indifference. His years spent as the Tin Man have also affected him negatively, making him unnaturally afraid of enclosed spaces, heavy machinery, and loud noises; these fears deep enough to cause severe anxiety, visual and auditory hallucinations, and even panic attacks. Lastly, his years as both a woodsman and a fireman have left him with tendonitis in his shoulder, causing him deep chronic pain only treated with pain medication. As a result of this, Nick has become dependent on Aspirin as a relief to this pain, reaching a point where even functioning requires multiple pills a day to deal with the pain.
Relationships: With the Curse now broken and memories returned, Nick is struggling to figure out who his friends and enemies are in Storybrooke, though he takes Mark Dufresne's own relationships as a basis for himself.
Brief Bio: Wandering the woods of Oz in a mechanical body, the Tin Man was suddenly transported to the Land Without Magic by an Evil Queen. Implanted with the identity of Mark Dufresne, he was left with no memories of who he was before, believing himself to be a simple fireman who hadn't married, or had any children. He lived like this for five years until the newcomer, Henry Carlyle came to Storybrooke; breaking the Curse and freeing the inhabitants of their false memories. Now awoken, Nick has to deal with memories of his old life while reconnecting with his long-lost son.
Music Gallery
Other: Nick has a pet German Shepherd dog named Grip who he owned since the Curse was cast. Also, while not practicing often Nick shows some skill when it comes to playing guitar, though he rarely shares this skill with anyone.
Once Upon A Time - ACTIVE
--
Name: Formerly Nick Chopper, currently named the Steel Monger. Is mockingly referred to as the 'Tin Man' to some people.
Appearance:
--
Wardrobe Style: While still entirely whole, Nick Chopper wore clothing that was simple and efficient, bearing his job and status. His typical attire consisted of a brown leather jerkin with a large belt over a simple laced shirt with a small, drab brown neckerchief tucked into the collar. With this he wore simple brown trousers and rawhide boots that were knee-high in height. For efficiency in work, he had an over-the-shoulder sling on his back for his axe, and a rough leather sheath for his hunting knife at his hip.
Height: Formerly 5'9", currently 7 feet tall.
Weight: 583 pounds
Age: Unknown, presumably over 40 years old.
Affiliation: True Neutral
Magic Capabilities: Though not inherently magical, the Steel Monger has gained a few special abilities from his mechanical modifications. Having been built with survivability in mind, his body is extremely resistant to both physical and magical attacks. Likewise, he is also exceedingly durable; and can withstand incredible amounts of damage before requiring serious repair. The Steel Monger is also gifted with incredible strength, being able to lift a grown man off the ground with a single hand, or chop down a large tree in 2 or 3 strikes with his axe.
Weapons: Besides his great strength, the Steel Monger's only weapon is a simple woodsman's axe.
Strengths: Exceptional strength and durability, incorruptible will, undying loyalty, extensive knowledge of the forests of Oz, purely rational thinking due to a lack of a heart, has no need to eat, drink, sleep, or expel waste, and cannot feel pain.
Weaknesses: Sheer size and weight make him very slow and clumsy, giving him a disadvantage against quicker, more acrobatic enemies. Lack of heart destroys any sense of empathy or compassion. Prone to rusting if subject to rain or water. Requires mundane repairs every so often.
Relationships: Though the Steel Monger lacks any friends or allies of his own, his reputation is quite well-spread throughout Oz as a mysterious 'Guardian of the Woods'
Brief Bio: Before having a body made of steel, the Monger was at one point a woodsman named Nick Chopper, who lived in a small village that traded in lumber. Nick made little, and could only afford a small cottage, but found solace in the company of his wife Catherine, and son Mason. The three of them were happy in the village, with Nick bringing in the main source of income through woodcutting, and Catherine making a little extra with knitting and embroidering. All was fine for a few years until the day Zelena, the Wicked Witch of the West, visited to reap one of the villagers as a new servant. Catherine was chosen by the Witch, and Nick, in a fit of fury, grabbed his faithful axe and charged at Zelena; who disarmed him easily. As punishment for his insolence, Zelena ripped Catherine's heart out, and crushed it in front of him before taking Mason to her palace instead. Unbeknownst to Nick, a curse was placed on his axe that caused him to chop off his own limbs one by one - each time having the part replaced with a prosthetic wrought of steel and tin. This process continued on until all that was left of the man before were the mangled remains of his chest and head, both encased in metal to preserve them. His heart, too, was left behind by the steelsmith who repaired him; lacking the skill to implant it or forge a new one. Now the Steel Monger, little more than an emotionless machine, wanders the woods of Oz, filling his days with chopping down trees and killing dangerous creatures that stalk the forests.
Music Gallery
Other: The Tin Man wears a somewhat ornate heart-shaped locket around his neck that Catherine was given by Nick Chopper in the early days of their marriage; a gift the woodsman loved so greatly that even as a heartless machine, he could not bear to part with it after her tragic death.
--
Name: Formerly Nick Chopper, currently named the Steel Monger. Is mockingly referred to as the 'Tin Man' to some people.
Appearance:
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Wardrobe Style: While still entirely whole, Nick Chopper wore clothing that was simple and efficient, bearing his job and status. His typical attire consisted of a brown leather jerkin with a large belt over a simple laced shirt with a small, drab brown neckerchief tucked into the collar. With this he wore simple brown trousers and rawhide boots that were knee-high in height. For efficiency in work, he had an over-the-shoulder sling on his back for his axe, and a rough leather sheath for his hunting knife at his hip.
Height: Formerly 5'9", currently 7 feet tall.
Weight: 583 pounds
Age: Unknown, presumably over 40 years old.
Affiliation: True Neutral
Magic Capabilities: Though not inherently magical, the Steel Monger has gained a few special abilities from his mechanical modifications. Having been built with survivability in mind, his body is extremely resistant to both physical and magical attacks. Likewise, he is also exceedingly durable; and can withstand incredible amounts of damage before requiring serious repair. The Steel Monger is also gifted with incredible strength, being able to lift a grown man off the ground with a single hand, or chop down a large tree in 2 or 3 strikes with his axe.
Weapons: Besides his great strength, the Steel Monger's only weapon is a simple woodsman's axe.
Strengths: Exceptional strength and durability, incorruptible will, undying loyalty, extensive knowledge of the forests of Oz, purely rational thinking due to a lack of a heart, has no need to eat, drink, sleep, or expel waste, and cannot feel pain.
Weaknesses: Sheer size and weight make him very slow and clumsy, giving him a disadvantage against quicker, more acrobatic enemies. Lack of heart destroys any sense of empathy or compassion. Prone to rusting if subject to rain or water. Requires mundane repairs every so often.
Relationships: Though the Steel Monger lacks any friends or allies of his own, his reputation is quite well-spread throughout Oz as a mysterious 'Guardian of the Woods'
Brief Bio: Before having a body made of steel, the Monger was at one point a woodsman named Nick Chopper, who lived in a small village that traded in lumber. Nick made little, and could only afford a small cottage, but found solace in the company of his wife Catherine, and son Mason. The three of them were happy in the village, with Nick bringing in the main source of income through woodcutting, and Catherine making a little extra with knitting and embroidering. All was fine for a few years until the day Zelena, the Wicked Witch of the West, visited to reap one of the villagers as a new servant. Catherine was chosen by the Witch, and Nick, in a fit of fury, grabbed his faithful axe and charged at Zelena; who disarmed him easily. As punishment for his insolence, Zelena ripped Catherine's heart out, and crushed it in front of him before taking Mason to her palace instead. Unbeknownst to Nick, a curse was placed on his axe that caused him to chop off his own limbs one by one - each time having the part replaced with a prosthetic wrought of steel and tin. This process continued on until all that was left of the man before were the mangled remains of his chest and head, both encased in metal to preserve them. His heart, too, was left behind by the steelsmith who repaired him; lacking the skill to implant it or forge a new one. Now the Steel Monger, little more than an emotionless machine, wanders the woods of Oz, filling his days with chopping down trees and killing dangerous creatures that stalk the forests.
Music Gallery
Other: The Tin Man wears a somewhat ornate heart-shaped locket around his neck that Catherine was given by Nick Chopper in the early days of their marriage; a gift the woodsman loved so greatly that even as a heartless machine, he could not bear to part with it after her tragic death.
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