spoilers likely!

[offtheroad]

Look, my "backstory" is my backstory, and no, I don't really feel like getting into it. It's nothing you'd be interested in, and it's over with. 

So do me a favor and don't start with all of this [ he makes a big, sweeping gesture with his arms ] crap. I've got enough to worry about without adding...what did you call it? "Roleplay". [ an eyebrow raise ]

Hate to break it to you kid, but I think you missed the D&D craze by a few decades.

Comments

[humble]

[ not what she'd been hoping to hear. and she'd been so sure, too-- but oh well. ]

Yes, I'm also from Storybrooke. I'm Belle. It's good to meet you, Neal.

[offtheroad]

[ wait. that name. he's heard that name.

he looks at her critically for a few seconds. this can't be right ]


Belle.
From Storybrooke.

[humble]

[ she nods. ]

Belle, from Storybrooke. Previously from Avonlea.

[offtheroad]

And there's...no other Belles in Storybrooke?

[humble]

Not that I know of. Why? Did you meet someone else with my name?

[offtheroad]

[ and there's that stare again. ]

Yeah, I'm going to need a beer.

[ he raises an eyebrow ]

You're not cursed or anything, are you?

[humble]

Oh, nothing too dramatic. Only the curse that gives me two sets of memories and knowing it would erase my real ones if I ever left town.

[offtheroad]

[ he scratches the back of his neck, wishing to be anywhere but here right now

well, besides neverland. neverland sucked. ]

Nothing that effects judgement or anything?

[humble]

You sound like my father. No. My judgement is my own.

[offtheroad]

[ dad issues. Neal makes a mental note ]

Just making sure.

[ he sighs. somewhere the god of coincidences is laughing while simultaneously giving him way too much to cope with in such a small amount of time ]

I, uh. Think we have a mutual acquaintance.

[humble]

You mean Rumpelstiltskin. Or you wouldn't have asked about my judgement.

[offtheroad]

[ he gives a little half-smile at that. At least she knows he's questionable company ]

That's the guy. [ and, just to make sure, because really. ] How do you know him?

[humble]

A long time ago, I agreed to go with him. As part of a deal. And today... you could say he's my boyfriend, to put it in this world's terminology.

[offtheroad]

[ what. ]

He made a deal with you?

[humble]

With my father. It was the whole "I'll do this for your first born child" thing he's so good at... but my father wouldn't agree. So I decided for myself.

[offtheroad]

[ ugh, Neal has got to introduce Rumplestiltskin to some dating sites or something ]

You seem like a nice girl, so I'm guessing it wasn't for the usual gold and limitless power and assassination stuff.

[humble]

... It was all for true love. I believe he's someone worth fighting for.

[offtheroad]

[ well that's certainly new. Neal falls quiet for a few seconds ]

Yeah? What makes you think that?

[humble]

Because there's still good in him. Behind the monster, there's still a man. Even if... even if he doesn't always want to admit that goodness is there, he still needs to be reminded.

[offtheroad]

[ he's quiet for a while. the phone call still weighs on his mind ]

Well, you're closer to reminding him then anyone else I've ever seen.

[ a deep breath ]

Just. Don't get caught up in all of his crap.

[humble]

That's not entirely true. There's... someone else, someone I've never had the chance to meet. But I know the thought of that person is doing more for him than I can imagine.

[ she takes a deep breath of her own, but manages a reassuring smile. ]

Don't worry, I have no intention of getting caught up in anything.

[offtheroad]

I doubt it. He's...

At the end of the day, he's always going to go back to his power. That's just how he is.