Mun Desires More Archie But Has No Set Plans For Games

[contocricket]

Dear Miss Mundane,

I'd like to say that I appreciate your interest in me and how much you apparently want me to play a major part in upcoming events. There's no way to really be sure, however, if I will or not. Sorry. I know you think that there's some sort of potential story arc even independent of Pongo's, but you shouldn't get your hopes too high and be content with whatever happens.

However, I don't feel comfortable with the username you picked. The second part I like, but the first references a part of my life I don't like thinking about any more than I have to. Given that the only way to change it is to pay for it, I know I'll have to get used to it since I don't want you to spend the money you could use for more important things.

Sincerely yours,
Dr. Archie Hopper

Comments

[atemyboyfriend]

Don't let the username get to you too much, Archie.

I mean, just look what mine gave me.

[contocricket]

[And taking a look and grimacing.]

That's terrible. [If he were the type, he'd say your mun was a monster...and so is his own for snickering a little.]

[atemyboyfriend]

[Yeah, her mun still thinks it's pretty funny. Poor guys.]

It's okay. [She shrugs a shoulder casually, doesn't let it get to her anymore.] I've been around for a little while now, guess I just got used to it.

She has a really strange sense of humor.

[contocricket]

I likely will, too, but I've only known my mundane for a short while.

How long have you been with yours? Do you two get along?

[Not asking as just the town shrink but as a friend.]

[atemyboyfriend]

Hey, as long as your mun doesn't forget about you like mine does, I'm sure you'll be okay.

... depending on what they want to do with you. There are places you probably don't want to go to.

[He's just being Archie.]

I've been with her a little over a year.

We get along okay, I guess. She doesn't let me out much.

[contocricket]

I think mine's planning to send me to random scenarios. Nothing serious. I guess.

That must be difficult. You've always been pretty active.

[atemyboyfriend]

You should be fine, then.

Yeah, a girl can get pretty restless just waiting around like this. There's no room to run.

[patriarchia]

People's pasts cropping up inconveniently is kind of a running theme with... well, basically everyone that we know.

[contocricket]

That's true overall.

We miss you around Storybrooke, Neal. Emma, Henry, and your father especially.

[patriarchia]

I miss them.

[ He winces a little, having been brought up to date with things. ]

I hear things have been... sort of going off the rails lately. I should be there, but I'm not.

[contocricket]

I don't think anybody could blame you for it. After we all went back to the Enchanted Forest, you lost your entire family. It's only natural that you'd want to try and find some way to bring back your father if nobody else. You were grieving.

[He's just sorry he wasn't able to help you any. Of course he has no idea you're not the Neal he knows.]

[patriarchia]

I'm not looking to assign blame, Doc. The point is, I'm not where I'm needed to be.

[ But this is about Archie, so he hushes up. ]

So your mun's not looking for a game, then?

[contocricket]

It would be nice for you to be around. I'm sure if you came back Emma and Henry would be very happy, but you have to accept that you're not there just like they're starting to do. Worrying when you can't do anything about it is only going to make you feel worse.

[Archie shakes his head.]

Not at the moment. She's thinking about sending me to random scenarios in some of these communities.

What about yours? Have you been with them long?

[cantwalkwithoutit]

They're not always especially clever in choosing names, are they?

[contocricket]

[Glances at your name.]

Apparently not. [Trying so hard not to chuckle or even smile. Making the Dark One mad is not the wisest of decisions.]

[cantwalkwithoutit]

[ That. He misses that. While being in a place where almost no one knows what a Dark One is has its advantages if one's to make a life there, it's nice to be recognized and treated as such.

That said, whatever sourness there is in his demeanor seems more reserved for his mundane and his general lot in life, not Dr. Hopper. The island could sorely use people like him.

...Still, being the Dark One, he's not always the best at striking up a normal conversation or making small talk. ]

You appear unharmed, overall.

[contocricket]

[He nods.] I can't complain too much. I actually haven't been with my mundane that long, and she was more than happy to let Pongo stay, too.

[He still doesn't know why the curse let him have Pongo, but he's not gonna complain about it.]

And you? How have things been for you?

[cantwalkwithoutit]

[ His gaze flicks away, and he glowers at nothing. ]

That answer is far more complicated than it should ever have to be. Terrible, but also somehow preferable to the alternative.

[contocricket]

Maybe talking it out will help make it less complicated? Sometimes explaining things to another person can help unravel what you're stuck on.

[nolongeraqueen]

More often than not, they pick a name regardless of how we may feel about it. I've seen much worse.

[contocricket]

I'm starting to get that impression. [A little smile.] How're you doing, Regina?

[nolongeraqueen]

Peachy. [Her eyes roll and her voice drips with sarcasm.] My mun put me in a game where I am in a colony under a dome. I had to get a job. And, of course, Emma and Hook are here, but no Robin or Henry to be found. Even Charming is here.

[contocricket]

It's a shame that Robin and Henry aren't there with you, but it's good that you're not alone. A place like that seems like having familiar faces around would make it more bearable.

What kind of job do you have?

[nolongeraqueen]

There are others here. And some from other worlds as well that I've gotten to be friends with. It's... It's odd having friends, but it's a change I enjoy.

I toyed with the idea of working for someone else, but let's be honest, how good would I be working under another? No, I started my own business instead. I run a winery.

[contocricket]

I'm glad to hear that, Regina. [And he is. Regina's always seemed so lonely.]

[That last part earns a small chuckle.] With all due respect, I honestly couldn't imagine you working for someone else. How's business?