still has that new username smell tbh.

[empirics]

Yes, this is more fitting. The less I have to deal with your brand of quote-unquote "cleverness," the better off I'll be.

And there. Now you've got it. The whole story, right? No more mystery or intrigue. No more annoying guessing games is really what I'm getting at. So there you go. You win. You got what you wanted.

- And you don't know where he is anymore than she says she does, do you? Great.

Comments

[offwithhishead]

I would offer to help but really, not much I can do. I would say to see Gold but given you have a whole pair again, that's a bit late.

[empirics]

Just slightly.

[offwithhishead]

I would offer my services but, well, they destroyed the hat so...

Build a new brother?

[empirics]

I think you know it's more complicated than that, but thanks for playing.

[offwithhishead]

You’re all finally living with what I have for twenty-eight years. Caught between who you were and what you are and everything left behind. Complicated doesn’t even begin to cover it, but neither does tantrums and fits over not getting what you want. She will hold us all apart from what we want for as long as she can.

[empirics]

Oh? So determination and having and understanding of the situation are the same as a tantrum? [shh, nobody needs to know what basically went down in archie's office.]

Regina can do what she wants. Fact of the matter is, I know what needs to be done, just not how to do it. And when I figure that part out, her power's going to be nothing to me.

[offwithhishead]

So uhmmm... We're calling you, and armless and the cooler walking through town to be determination? So it didn't happen from trying to force Regina's hand? Because, you know, that always goes soooo well.

What you need, you know. You've been there, done that. You need a portal jumper. For that, you need a portal.

They. Destroyed. The. Portal.

Now what?

[empirics]

Determined to get my arm back, wasn't I? Even going back on my own methods. There's something to be said in that.

And yes, I'm more than aware. Thank you, Jefferson. The 'now what' is what I'm working on.

[offwithhishead]

Cause ‘now what’ is going to get you somewhere. Best advice?

Forget Regina. Your answer isn’t going to come from her. Whatever could be wrung from her, has been.

[scents]

The great mystery, solved at last.

[empirics]

I know too well how you were all on the edges of your seats to figure it out.

[scents]

But not one that comes without a price.

[ It might not be magic, doc, but it works an awful lot like it. ]

[empirics]

[he frowns. does everybody have to know about that?]

Not one that can't be fixed, actually.

[scents]

[ It's a small town; word travels. What, like nobody saw you carry a cooler down the street? ]

Magic's dangerous. We all know that.

[empirics]

[excuse you that street was entirely deserted in the middle of the day.]

And I used it, what, once? Please.

[scents]

[ Lucky this nose is as good as it gets? (???) ]

So did Regina. Look where the town is now — look where we all are.

[empirics]

[okay as long as this stays on the down-low.]

Better off than we were a few months ago. Knowledge is power.

[unvarnished]

The new name suits you, doc.

[empirics]

Still working it out, getting used to it. Already almost feels like home. [victor, please.]

[unvarnished]

I thought your home was a little more monochromatic.

[empirics]

Metaphorically.

[unvarnished]

Be glad your mun finally has some answers. Mine's been going crazy wondering where I am right now.

[theboywiththebook]

That's who you were, I didn't even think of that.

[empirics]

Not many people did. I can keep a secret.

[madefirst]

Interesting version of our world you hail from. Though I'd tentatively say it's preferable to my own.

[empirics]

Oh? How'd you come to that conclusion?

[madefirst]

As best I can tell, you haven't attempted to take over the world, yet, which is more than I can say for the Victor I knew.

[empirics]

What, is there just something in me that screams that I wouldn't make a good overlord?

[madefirst]

You may have to practice with creating more creatures, first.

[empirics]

Well, seeing as there's only one that I care about, I suppose you won't really have to worry that.

[madefirst]

.. I'm glad that he means something to you.

[empirics]

Would I be doing this if he didn't?

[madefirst]

My maker created me because he could.