It's just another slice of modern life. It's not a fairy tale to me.

[undealt]

WHO || Mr. Gold vs. the Castle (aka OPEN)
WHAT || there's a guy in your library who has totally always been there. no really.
WHERE || the library
WHEN || like a week before the squiring ceremony.
HOW || either/or. i am flexible if you want more exp points.

The strange thing you might notice is that there's a crocodile curled up outside the library, not really bothering anyone. Just existing. As crocodiles do. Mostly, she's sleeping. Occasionally someone will walk by fairly loudly and she'll lift her crocish head and give generally displeased looks, but otherwise... Crocodile. Sleeping in the hall. Totally normal.

And a member of the Dragon's Fire presently flipping through atlases in the library will tell you as much. His atlas-hoarding is less normal, but he's not really going to comment on it, because he couldn't properly tell you why in the first place. Following leads on his own time, looking up information for missions- who knows. Maybe he liked maps in another life.

Plus they're more interesting than the pile of half-sorted legal documents he's been searching through, checking for loopholes and the like. He might be one of the few people in the damn castle who actually enjoys paperwork (he sort of insisted on taking that project), even if it's half abandoned right now in a fit of whimsy.

Comments

[untethered]

I just don't see what other option we have, if we want to be happy here.

[undealt]

[THAT... is a valid point. And it actually shuts him up for a second. Good one, Belle.] I've never actually considered that option. Remaining here and being content with it, that is.

[What is happy. I was under a curse. Happiness isn't real.]

[untethered]

No one else seems to think of much else. [ she looks thoughtful ] I don't suppose it's a bad thing to want to go home either, but if it should prove impossible, then why waste the opportunity we've been given for a life here?

[undealt]

A life in service to this organization. [He's trying so hard not to laugh at that.] Is that the life you'd picture for yourself, Ms...?

[He's been talking to her like twenty minutes and he does not know her name...]

[untethered]

Desrosiers. But that's merely a name I picked up in France. [ the sweetest smile of all time. ] I'm Belle.

[undealt]

Belle. [ANNNNNNND...

Nope. Nothing. Doesn't ring a bell. Yep.

Except he smiles back, because duuuuuur pretty girl smiling at him duuuuuur.] What a lovely name.

[untethered]

I don't think I caught yours. [ /snaps in front of his face to wake him out of his dreamy trance ] And as for your question...

Actually, yes. It's a life of guaranteed adventure. I'd say that sounds like all I can ever remember wanting.

[undealt]

Mr. Gold. [Yep. That's it. That's his name.

Wow. And she's an adventurous librarian. Move over Evey O'Connell.] And have you been on many so far?

[TELL ME YOUR STORIES, PRETTY LADY. Seriously, bro. You're going to make the crocodile throw up.]

[untethered]

Several. [ her whole face lights up at the memory ] Monsters, magic, distant and fascinating lands... It's almost too good to be true.

[undealt]

Mine likely pale in comparison to all that. [He scoffs, light-heartedly, because hey she sounds so enthusiastic and his missions pretty much about to "they did the thing."] Although, I suppose there's been a few noteworthy exceptions. Things do tend to get intense when you bring a crocodile along.

[Aforementioned crocodile is just glad to finally be noticed. She sort of waddles into view, because I have no idea how crocodiles move. Do they waddle? They waddle. Fuck it.]

[untethered]

[ her mouth falls open in a silent gasp and she raises a hand to her mouth, but to her credit she doesn't back up or scream or anything... like a natural reaction to oh hey, crocodile ] Oh!

[undealt]

[Milah just sits there. Because she's a fucking crocodile and crocodiles don't really do anything adorable, but she clearly has no interest in devouring faces.]

This is Milah. My familiar. And perfectly harmless, so long as no one poses an immediate threat to me. [He glances down at her.] I realize most people choose cats, but I could hardly be expected to be anything but original.

[untethered]

[ his words do seem to assure her a bit and he laughs nervously ] Does... does she mind living in a castle?

[undealt]

[He and the crocodile exchange a meaningful look. It would be romantic if the crocodile was anything more than a crocodile. Maybe they were communicating or maybe this is just a thing. Either way, Gold looks back at Belle and shrugs.] She hasn't complained to me any. And she usually only has to suffer one person a day being startled by her and threatening to make her into a pair of shoes, so I'm certain that pleases her.

[untethered]

Somehow I don't think you'll let that happen.

[undealt]

Not on my life. I don't get attached easily, but when I do, I can be a bit... [He chuckles.] I suppose protective is the nicest way to put it.

[You could also say he goes loco crazy when people touch his shit. Like The Duke. But that's pretty awful to point on during a first conversation.]

[untethered]

[ hot. ] So was she a wild crocodile that you bound to you? Or is she a magical creature you summoned? I've read about both types of familiar rituals, but it seems to be entirely at the discretion of the spellcaster.

[undealt]

[Way to make me commit to this fucking crocodile, Arden.] It was a summoning. Luckily for me, there hasn't been much call to send me to places where one might find them in the wild.

[What does he look like? A member of Team Failboat?] As for why her, of all creatures... It just felt right somehow.

[Almost like I had a nickname or something...]

/actual things i just looked up and was creeped out by for 1000, alex

[untethered]

[ revenge is so sweet. belle reaches over to pick up one of the books on the table, flipping through it idly as she thoughtfully says: ] ... I read that in mythology of this world, catching a crocodile is rumored to have been a symbol of regenerating power, or of connecting with the ancient elemental forces of the world. Like your magic, maybe. [ the more you know, with belle the librarian, who looks over the book with a mysterious little smile. ] I've also read about dreams of crocodiles having to do with something called 'Shadow Gold'. [ she smirks at the double irony of the term as she looks back up at him. ] It means all the parts of oneself that a person has tucked away into the very back of who they are, because they associate those things with something unpleasant or painful that happened to them - even when they're really some of the best parts of that person.

[ she sets the book down again, glancing over at milah ] Maybe the Veil does something like that to us.

that moment when a gag becomes surprisingly legit

[undealt]

[....That

is really hot.

Gold's momentarily thrown off for a second as he glances down at the inexplicably yellow crocodile. Maybe...

He looks back up at her, tilting his head.]

And choosing a crocodile is my subconscious way of combating it? [It makes way too much sense, considering he was just sitting there confessing his desire to figure out what he's missing- why he keeps hunting for something in maps he'll never recall.]

awww yis B)

[untethered]

Or maybe just expressing frustration with it.

[undealt]

[Caaan't argue with that.]

I didn't realize I was such an open book. [Look at this charming smile. It's like he's flirting or something.]

[untethered]

Well... not necessarily. Books just happen to be my specialty, open or otherwise.

[undealt]

Regardless, you might be onto something. However we feel about our situation here, understanding the reasons why the Veil takes memories at all, much less which and how many memories it takes, is beneficial to the entire organization. It might only be a side project, but I could always use another pair of eyes.

[untethered]

I imagine Wynn would be very interested in that knowledge as well. He'd certainly approve.