glastonbury ♔ they came snapping at your heels

[behindcloseddoors]

See You Soon- Coldplay

WHO || Faye, Lila, Gold? [closed]
WHAT || Faye finally has a clue to Gold's location, and goes to confront him about his absence
WHERE || Glastonbury, England
WHEN || After this
HOW || Actionspam

[ Gold's been gone now for long enough to leave most people assuming that he isn't going to come back. Driven off by confirmation that he was, in fact, the Dark One from the Enchanted Forest by Gaston and Emma, the only indication that he's even alive came in a dream delivered to Belle, where he admitted that he was looking to understand more about this Dark One, perhaps seeking a way to refute the claims of the others. Plenty of people are worried, however, about what direction his search might take him. Others, however, are just plain pissed that he would abandon them without a word - and it's that anger that drove Faye to ally with GLADOS to discover that he was in Glastonbury, and with Lila's help enlist Zero to pinpoint his exact last known whereabouts, at a shitty motel. Together, the girls take a car and head out, hoping to find him once and for all.

There's only one car in the lot when they pull in, the VACANCY sign flashing forlornly above the office door. No lights are visible in any of the rooms, but a COKE machine provides some illumination, along with the lone pair of streetlamps that dully lighten the parking lot. ]

Comments

[undealt]

I knew I was the Dark One before this conversation- that was... why I left. I didn't know if there was any way to change it. Or if I was merely born with it. This power I have... This magic. It's in my very blood. It was easy to assume I was born a monster and something in between all of that, and Storybrooke, and my crossing the Veil had just eradicated the memory of it entirely.

[But now he knows it was a choice- that Lila was right. And he's seen the destruction the darkest of his magic can cause.] In trying to find those answers, I nearly succumbed to the darkness and very well might have killed a girl in doing so. And I hurt someone I care for very much. So as to your answer, I think the only thing I can do is be cautious about my magic and to stay within these walls where I can be pulled back if necessary.

In a way, I imagine it changes everything. [he stares down at his hands.] It was always my choice.

[fuckingneal]

[He's quiet for a long time. Something in that answer seems to at least satisfy him enough to continue.]

What if I told you there was something that could control the magic...control you?

[And being near it for too long had infected him with terrible dark magic but sure lets talk about it, Neal. Sounds great.]

[undealt]

[ahahahahaha THAT WASN'T WHAT HE MEANT, so he looks up abruptly. As does Milah, apparently hearing something unspoken in his shock.]

How do you mean?

[fuckingneal]

[Nope. Not giving details on it until he's sure.]

If the magic could be controlled, would you agree to it? If someone had the power to stop you if you went to far, would you let them?

[undealt]

The power... You mean aside from trusting that I'll listen?

[It is an awfully big ask, but the idea of not being able to have the choice of his own accord...] Just... Removing any option of ever choosing wrong.

[He thinks of Lila recovering from her injuries- what choosing wrong cost him, but he still hasn't given an answer. He still can't.]

[fuckingneal]

I mean a way to make sure that you don't hurt anyone again.

[Oh look at Neal's patience wearing thin as Gold can't seem to answer the god damn question.]

[undealt]

Yes.

[he says it before the words are fully out of Neal's mouth, so abrupt he almost startles himself.]

[fuckingneal]

[If he's completely honest with himself, that wasn't the answer he was expecting. At all. For a moment, he just stares wondering if he heard correctly, or if his father didn't quite understand the question.

But the answer was simple enough. And there wasn't really room for confusion.

Let out a slow exhale, Neal idly rubs his hands together as he tries to think of how to explain. Telling him about the dagger at all is dangerous. Once he knows about it, he could try to take it for himself, but he wants to believe that maybe this time they can do this right. Maybe this time, his father can make the right choices.]

There's an artifact- a dagger. It's bound to every Dark One. When you took that power, your name was inscribed on the blade. Whoever wields that dagger, controls the Dark One.

I found it when I came through the Veil.

[undealt]

[Gold nods slowly, still looking a little uncertain about his answer, but sticking to it.]

And who would... Who would you have to hold the dagger?

[No offense, Neal, but you came here, said you were his son, and he can't disprove a damn bit of that, but he's not a fool. If that dagger goes into anyone's hands, it needs to be someone who at least has even footing with. there's too much history between them Gold will never be able to see with his own eyes, so he can't even begin to learn about his son with a literal and metaphorical power imbalance between them.]

[fuckingneal]

I'm thinking Wynn should have it. I haven't seen it in awhile, but it's here. I think they're studying it.

[Hasmed maybe mentioned something in one of their sessions? Idk /waves hands at it.]

I don't want to be anywhere near it, if that's what you're wondering. Keeping it for as long as I did already did enough damage.

[undealt]

[Gold isn't sure he wants Wynn to have it either, but he isn't going to argue that right now. Besides, he's more curious about the other half of that.]

What do you mean?

[fuckingneal]

Near as we can figure, the combination of possessing the dagger and just... being your son made me susceptible to the dark magic.

[He swallows hard because this is still difficult for him to accept.]

I have it now. Magic.

[undealt]

[oh.

that would probably mean more to him if he really knew anything about this situation beyond what he's been told, but at least he figures it's NOT A GREAT THING.]

And given your history with it, that must be... difficult for you.

[fuckingneal]

Yeah. [He says, a scoff of a laugh escaping him.]

The fact that I nearly burnt down half of Andres didn't help either.

[undealt]

[a hesitant pause] With a spell that produces white flame?

[as he never LEARNED that spell and Neal clearly hasn't been practicing spells in his spare time, it's the only one that comes to mind.]

[fuckingneal]

That's the one. [He says grimly]

[undealt]

[somber nod. he looks at his burnt and charred suit.] I don't imagine they've figured out what it is since then?

[fuckingneal]

Other than terrifying? Not really.

[undealt]

I thought not. [THERE ARE NO ANSWERS. A long, awkward pause.] I suppose we... should speak to Wynn, then.

[fuckingneal]

Yeah? [Again, he finds that pretty surprising, but in a good way.] He knows about some of it. We talked about what was happening to me. He's had me working with Hasmed to try to get a handle on the magic I've ended up with.

[undealt]

[Gold stands, nodding.] Hasmed's a very good teacher. He was my mentor when I was just a squire here. I didn't have any memory of having magic at all when I arrived, so this is... likely something he's used to from... [an awkward pause] from our family.

[fuckingneal]

I haven't exactly been the most receptive student, but... he hasn't given up on me. Despite my best efforts. [He manages a small smile, but it's strained. He still just... hates that he has magic at all.]