Sit down for a spell. Have I got a story for you.

[undealt]

♪The Curse of Elkheart- Murder by Death

WHO || Gold, Emma, Hook, Belle, and Lila
WHAT || Gold did some digging around and now he's gathered a team together for a SEKRIT MISSION.
WHERE || Gold's hot mess of a room in the castle.
WHEN || January 5, 2014
HOW || actionspam. One thread.

Gold did some research, as promised, and all of his information was gleaned from people he'd rather Wynn and the other Knights not know he was dealing with. As such, he's determined to keep this private. He and Emma are going on a trip to Scotland to practice magic privately- Hook and Lila are providing moral support.

At least that's what Gold is telling anyone who asks.

As such, this mission briefing occurs in Gold's elaborately decorated room (be careful of the switch on the bed- it rotates). When the four of them are all gathered, he wastes no time in detailing the situation.

"According to my sources, there are some ruins that came through the Veil awhile back, located in a very secluded, very old-fashioned village in Scotland. The ruins are presently invested with goblins, who remain in hiding for the better part of the year... Except in midsummer, when they emerge for one very specific purpose." There's a bowl of fruit on his desk and he picks up an apple to illustrate. Convenient, isn't it? "They auction off a single apple."

Ba-dum.

Comments

[uncurse]

You called us all here because some goblins will be, picking fruit in six months?

[ this is some grade-a bullshit and emma won't be part of it. she rises from the chair she'd found a seat in, because she's ready to peace out if that's the best he's got. ]

[untethered]

[ belle is seated on that pink thing with the leopard print patch in the middle, but she's watching gold with interest, not so quick to dismiss him. ] The apple - why do people want it?

[unhand]

[Hook puts a hand on Emma's arm to stop her from leaving. He himself hasn't sat down. He isn't particularly comfortable here in his nemesis' lair. Even if he can't remember Gold's offense, he's still not Gold's biggest fan. But he's been around enough magic to know there must be more to the story.]

Hold on, love. Let's hear him out.

[undealt]

[GOD, EMMA. WHERE IS YOUR SENSE OF DRAMATIC PAUSING.]

The apples, in question, can heal any affliction that magic can't- hence why they're auctioned off at such a high price every year. I believe that may include Amara's curse. And since the goblins produce precisely one apple every midsummer, they must have a store of them somewhere in their home. [He sets the apple on the table.] So we're simply going to take one.

[bittersweeter]

So you're saying that after thousands of years, the most powerful spellcasters ever known, what? Just didn't get the memo that an apple a midsummer would keep the non-consensual love and mind rape away? [ she arches an eyebrow dryly, but most annoyingly, she knows that that is probably exactly right. especially because those under the curse would fiercely protest that idea. not the apple, of course, but that they were under a curse in the first place. man, it really sucks with the first person experience here. being uncomfortable makes her argumentative.

y'all are in for a super fun time with this one. ] And you just stumbled across it. Handy.

[uncurse]

They were hiding, not looking. [ and it's said with no small criticism. bitches. with that explanation made, she shifts her gaze from lila to rumple. ] Any chance you figured out where they're keeping these things in their city? [ because it may be ruins to them, but by the sound of it, it's a whole goblin city living there. ] We can't make an escape plan without knowing where we're escaping from. And I'm not sure planning to fight our way in and out of a goblin city is a plan.

[unhand]

Depends how tough the goblins are. [But she's probably right. He looks over at Gold.] Don't suppose you know any secret weaknesses, do you?

[undealt]

That's why I invited Belle. [He gestures to her.] I trust she has the necessary skills to get us through the difficult parts. [BIG SMILES, BELLE. He believes in you. He believes in you a lot. It is totally based on facts and reason and not because of his big stupid crush.]

[untethered]

Goblins often consort in large numbers, but they aren't known for their intelligence. They're bad with strategy, and as individuals, they tend to turn craven quickly when they think themselves outmatched. I'd say even in their own territory, we have good odds if we keep our wits about us.

[undealt]

[FYI, Gold botched his will save, so everyone gets treated to him looking at her with a dumb puppy look on his face.]

[bittersweeter]

[ judging you, gold. judging. silent judgment. ]

What if the reason they only auction one apple is that there is only one apple? If we go in storming their castle for a fruit that hasn't even grown yet, I'm pretty sure our chances of winning it at auction are going to plummet. [ which isn't to say that she's 100% against the idea, she would just like the back up plan to remain feasible. ]

[uncurse]

What if we look into some of the people who've won auctions in the past five years? Are there records for that kind of thing? We can check it out on the way, and worst case scenario, I wouldn't say we lose anything by trying to get our hands on one by infiltrating the city.

[untethered]

We could always send someone they wouldn't recognize to purchase it if they see us. I doubt goblins do any research on the people bidding.

[uncurse]

If it comes to that, I think I know a guy we could send when midsummer rolls around. [ thoster would totally go for it right??? she'd say faye except faye in any situation that may possibly require diplomacy sounds like asking for trouble. ]

[bittersweeter]

So when to we leave?

[undealt]

As soon as the captain can prepare his ship.

[POINTED LOOK AT HOOK. Sure it's kinda stupid to sail a ship to SCOTLAND, but Gold hates planes. Gold hates planes a lot. And Milah is difficult to get through airport security.]

[unhand]

She's ready. You lot take care of whatever you'll need to do before we go and come to the dock. We'll sail at dawn.

[Hook shoots Emma a small smile.]

Guess you'll get that tour after all.

[uncurse]

[ emma is not smiling. she looks a little uncomfortable at this point, actually, and she scans the other faces in the room before settling on hook's and nodding. ]

Yeah, guess so.

[ she takes a sidestep towards the door. ] We all better get packing.

[bittersweeter]

[ lila flicks another piece of popcorn for milah and stands to join emma, shooting hook a mild glare. (sense motive 22) don't make this uncomfortable, dude. if you think emma is protective of lila... just wait. ] See you in the morning then.

[untethered]

We might wish to bring some potions in case anyone should get hurt. Healing will be difficult to come by in the middle of a goblin settlement.

[undealt]

Thank you, Belle. [Thank God someone has the brains in this operation.] In the meantime, I'll continue looking into the matter to make sure we have every bit of information there is about the ruins. I don't want any nasty surprises to greet us while we're there.