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

[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.

[lucency]

There are always going to be - ideals and exceptions to rules, but. Really, we're just as troubled as any "normal" person. The stakes are just raised.

[still apologetic, she manages a shrug.]

Sometimes, I think we'd be better off without the magic and the prices and - all of it.

[placeintheworld]

...On that. We agree. [Lindsey looks pained]

So what's your story?

[lucency]

My story? [she blinks, slightly taken aback.] Well, I think I summarized quite a bit of it for you rather nicely.

What about yours?

[placeintheworld]

...You're a man who doesn't believe in true love?

[It's a joke. See? He's smiling? Tiredly?] Sort of similar ironically.

[He offers her a hand. His right one. His left is...hanging limply at his side] Lindsey.

[lucency]

[she laughs and rolls her eyes.] There was another role there too. Mine.

[she doesn't press him for more information, just tilts her head and shakes his hand.] No wonder we should get along so well, then.

And I'm Belle.

[placeintheworld]

...You were the person trying to convince the guy love's possible. [Lindsey's smile is full of understanding. And at her name.]

...No way.

[long pause] ...You...don't have your nose stuck in a book.

[lucency]

You've caught me on an off day.

[she doesn't laugh, but it's clear she's playing around. but after a moment, she realizes that this man has never been to storybrooke or the enchanted forest and - wait -]

But how could you know that?

[placeintheworld]

...That's the version I heard. She's the girl with a nose stuck in a book. You've...

I'm not going to break some sort of interdimensional rule by telling you this am I?

[lucency]

[a beat.]

Well, seeing as she can't really be me...

I won't tell if you don't.

[placeintheworld]

...No I guess not. It was a song. You don't sing do you?

[Nod] Yeah no. I won't. Trust me. I'd get fired.

[lucency]

Well, I'm not incapable, but I don't exactly make a habit of it. I take it she did?

[placeintheworld]

Yeah. [He hesitates half a heartbeat...and stops himself before singing. Yes. singing. Except it's soft and he's glancing around and mumbling it.

It's good though.]

I want adventure in the great wide somewhere
I want it more then I can tell...?

[he coughs] ring any bells?

[lucency]

I -

[CAUGHT SO OFF-GUARD RIGHT NOW.]

The sentiment isn't too far off, if it's any consolation.

[placeintheworld]

You ought to sue Disney for the rights to your story then. You could get a big chunk of money.

[He'd be happy to help. Sticking his hands in his pockets he shrugged] Sorry. I have a thing.

....about. Music.

[lucency]

If people remember it so fondly that they're willing to sing from it for total strangers, I don't think I have much to be angry about.

[but thanks for trying. a grin.] As you should. You've got a wonderful voice.