potentially apping at tu shanshu | canon: once upon a time.

[lucency]

It has been almost a year since you picked me up. Seems as good a way to celebrate as any, don't you think?

I don't want to leave everyone. You know better than that. But I don't want to be without my memories, either, and I'll gladly dive into an adventure instead.

Don't worry. You're not as rusty as you think you are. There's got to be a little bravery in you - I've had a whole year to rub off, after all.

Comments

[placeintheworld]

This whole community reads like a litany of pleas from oppressed convicts to their lawyers. It's rare to see. [It's weird. It's nice therefore that makes it weird]

they're nervous?

[lucency]

She has come up with worse. I'm not one to take good behavior for granted. [she smiles and shakes her head. oh, like that whole turning-evil thing that never got to be played out? probably that.]

It's just - she hasn't done this in a while. She doesn't want to be too rash.

[placeintheworld]

Not one to jump in head first huh? [Someone is envious. His is like that.] You oughta hold on to her.

[lucency]

[belle just laughs.] In some ways, I think I am glad for it. It makes me feel like I've got some sense of control in the situation. Better than being - tossed around this way and that, like it seems so many others are.

[placeintheworld]

They like charging in guns blazing. Kind of a sink or swim deal, hard not to hate it.

[He smiles tightly. Hard not to be jealous] Where are you going?

[lucency]

You've got experience in that, then? [a slightly apologetic smile, but still -] If nothing else, it's got to be more exciting than sitting out all the time. Waiting.

Tu Shanshu? [she frowns slightly, questioning it, before, conspiratorially:] I hear there are turtles involved.

[placeintheworld]

Yeah. I like a fight as much as the next guy. I just wish I had -

[Wait what? Lindsey looks shocked, squinting closer] did you say Shanshu?

[As in the prophecy? As it...no. Can't be. He looks very confused then.] and turtles?

[lucency]

[a pause. she blinks.] Yes? I - think that's right. Do you know it?

You wish you had what?

[placeintheworld]

...No. [He squints] It's ... you wouldn't believe me. It'd be so hard to explain. [You're not a vampire. With a soul.] Prophecies and curses.

[He scratches his head] ...A little more stability I guess.

[lucency]

[okay wait, actually, she would believe him.] What kind of curses?

[placeintheworld]

[Lindsey runs a hand through his hair] ...not. Well it's a prophecy more then a curse. Curse on the world. Curse on the rest of us.

The Shanshu prophecy ... was something...from my world. That ultimately meant someone would become human again. After being a monster.

[lucency]

[the iciness of her expression is gone almost instantly, replaced by something close to utter fascination.]

And it was just for you all? No - mention of anyone else, anyone in particular?

[placeintheworld]

...No it wasn't for me. [He exhaled] Though we all ended up suffering because of it. Everybody in Los Angeles.

I mean.

[He lowered his head] Why?

[lucency]

[nothing much, just the fact that it screams of rumplestiltskin. she manages not to look disappointed - and besides, she gets the impression that he's clearly bothered by talking about it.]

It's - nothing. Sounded like an old story I once heard. Forget I asked.

[placeintheworld]

[Lindsey hesitates] ...No. I. Tell me? Please? I mean, I know there are other dimensions but it might be ...interesting. Or helpful.

[lucency]

How would it help you?

[she shakes her head, not quite understanding - she's fairly certain that the dynamics of their worlds are different, but - if he insists. she sighs, still under the premise of a story.]

There was a man. A powerful man, but he was under a curse and thought himself some sort of monster - something unlovable. There were those who disagreed, but not even true love could change his way of thinking, or his fears.

[she could continue, but it just leads to storybrooke where things get messy, so belle lets it cut off there.]

[placeintheworld]

[His hands spread] ...Help me keep me from going crazy while I wait to be sent to one of these games?

[It's meant to be a joke. The story though. Lindsey stops, the interest is gone and he looks...blank. emotionless. Anyone with any experience dealing with people can see he's hurt.] ...True love doesn't change anything. He's right.

[lucency]

[she starts to laugh, ask where, but he goes still and she looks away, embarrassed. not for the fairy tale nonsense, but for hurting him.]

Things are different, where I'm from.

[placeintheworld]

...It's a thing? Kissing princesses and waking them up from curses. Beauty and the Beast? Knights in shining armor rescuing fair maids?

[He snorts. The thing is, he doesn't sound like he doesn't believe it.]

[lucency]

You'll - forgive me if I don't necessarily see the humor, right?

[placeintheworld]

...No.

No I guess it would be kind of offensive huh.

[halfheartedly] sorry.

I don't suppose it's...easier. Living in a world like that.

[lucency]

[a glimmer of a smile. the same as a non-verbal 'apology accepted.']

I wouldn't suppose. We've a league of problems unlike any other, believe me.

[placeintheworld]

Yeah but it's got to be simpler. Good and evil somewhat more clear cut? No demons. None of that?

[lucency]

That doesn't mean there aren't other monsters, other powers at work - not necessarily as easy to define as you think.

Besides, even if they were, why would things be simpler when morals are at such extremes?

[placeintheworld]

Because that's how all the good stories work.

[Lindsey presses his hands together.]

...Hard not to think that when you grow up with it.