oh-so-voice-testy

[beltet]

Miss, you're not even certain what point in the timeline you want to pull me from. If I might make a suggestion, though? Personally, I'd prefer a time when I was happy, or at least content.

.. Please. I'd like for things to be okay between Rumpelstiltskin and I.

Comments

[servesnopurpose]

[Don't mind the chubby restaurant owner stopping, mind trying to figure out where he's seen you...

tick tock tick to- there we go.]

You. Y- You're the girl from the estate!

[You wouldn't remember him, Belle. He was a definitely not talking clock.]

Don't expect them to let you be happy; that's not how it works around here.

[beltet]

I-- I'm sorry? I don't think I've-- We've met?

[ her expression twitches, a little sad despite herself. ]

I'm not certain I believe in happy endings anymore.

[servesnopurpose]

[Through gritted teeth] No, you wouldn't have... [Ahem. Not a disposition to have, Cogsworth. He peps up almost instantly, obviously practiced in socializing- yet, still not amazing at it. :I] I was the clock.

Benjamin Cogsworth. [He bows professionally, a toothy-bordering-on-goofy grin on his face.]

As you shouldn't believe, mademoiselle. Happy endings are few and very much false.

[Or come with magic. Don't trust Rumplestiltzkin and all that mumbo jumbo...]

[beltet]

The.. clock. [ a stunned stare for a second or two before smiling a little helplessly. ] Good heavens. Well, I'm rather glad you're not a clock any longer. It's nice to meet you, Benjamin.

[ her smile falters, then fades away. ] Perhaps you might be right.

[servesnopurpose]

Indeed. As are the household's staff, I'm sure.

[There they were, all minding their business, doing their jobs and- bam, along comes Gold and the next second they're nothing more than simple household objects.

He's happy to be a human again though, more than anything.]

Ginormous clouds of magic, curses- no matter how broken, still curses... If you ask me, you shouldn't expect to get any sort of happy ending without paying for it!

[beltet]

--Was the entire manor enchanted?

[ a small smile again, reaching up to pat his wrist. ] You shouldn't sound so bitter.

[finedprint]

[ Gold sits seemingly without expression. A person familiar with his mannerisms might be able to detect a hint of nervousness ]

...And when might that have been?

[beltet]

[ for a second or two, she looks a little startled by his relatively harmless appearance-- but then she smiles a little helplessly. ]

Are you asking when I was happy? You're quite good at lying to yourself, Rumpelstiltskin, but I think you know that answer very well. [ her gaze lowers slightly, smile wistful as she tucks a few strands of hair back. ] I was as close to happy as I think I can remember in those last weeks with you.

[makeitwork]

Happiness is fleeting.

[beltet]

It's why you have to hold onto it as hard as you can while you have it.

[makeitwork]

So someone can break your fingers when they rip it away from you?

[beltet]

If that's what it takes. Pain is pain regardless once you have nothing left.

[makeitwork]

And you have nothing without him? [He's not one to talk.]

[beltet]

My life, which seems to count for little these days. .. You're Jefferson, aren't you?

[makeitwork]

Yes.

I've hung up the hat, before you ask.

[beltet]

I.. I wasn't going to. I was going to say that you helped me once. Didn't you? I mean, you will. Or you already have. .. I don't know, she's still unsure about my-- timeline.

[makeitwork]

She should get that figured out. In the meantime, you should know.. I didn't do it for you.

[beltet]

It doesn't matter. I'm still grateful, so.. thank you.

[makeitwork]

Thank me by helping him ruin Regina.

[canfindrope]

...Rumpelstiltskin?

[beltet]

Ah.. yes. Do you know him? .. I suppose he's a bit infamous.

[canfindrope]

I... heard about him; there's one in one of the games I'm going into

[beltet]

Oh. Really? Do you know if he's.. okay?

[canfindrope]

I... heard something about a drug dealer in his basement.

[beltet]

[ she groans, rubbing her eyes with the heels of her palms. ]

.. Yes, that sounds like him.

[canfindrope]

I think he's bee like that for a while.

We're still trying to get him on last voyages;

[beltet]

Where.. is he?

[canfindrope]

Siren's pull; that's where I'm headed; if I get in.