knightsoflegend | london ♔ right from the start | you were a thief

Entry tags:

london ♔ right from the start | you were a thief | you stole my heart

♬ Just Give Me a Reason - Pink

WHO || Belle, Gold, Gaston [closed]
WHAT || Belle introduces Gold to her "husband" ... It goes probably as well as you'd expect it to
WHERE || London, Scotland
WHEN || Mid-October [back-dated]
HOW || Actionspam

Upon returning from Andres, Belle finally managed to admit something she'd been keeping from Gold ever since he was gone to Scotland in the summertime: that she'd discovered her fiancee from the Enchanted Forest was here, and been helping support his transition to this world ever since.

And more importantly, that he'd told her something she firmly believes to be true - that the Veil stripped her of the memory of their wedding. Convinced that Gaston is actually her husband, she was heartbroken, but told him the truth about her relationship with someone she'd met here. Hoping it will allow Gaston to move on, Gold has agreed to meet the man, despite his own jealous rising rage over his existence, which he's struggling to keep repressed on top of his growing identity crisis.

It's a recipe for a great Sunday evening.

Belle directs Gold where to park on the street of the building where Gaston has a flat that... she's been paying for, A+ waifu. And awkwardly stares out the window at the building as if it might bite.

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[Gold reaches out to take her hand, squeezing it tenderly, though nothing can really hide his own noticeable tension.] It's going to be all right, Belle.

[ she looks over suddenly at the touch, as if almost surprised by it, and then looks down at their hands, a strange expression on her face as she says: ] I-I'm sorry that I kept this from you, Auric.

I know you'd never keep anything from me.

It's difficult to know how the people we love will react to such... troublesome news. I understand why you did it. And as far as I'm concerned? There's nothing to forgive. [because the matter will be dealt with. :)] Now then... Shall we?

[he pulls away, gently, stepping into the cool autumn air.]

Yes. Of course. [ /stares out the window a moment, before taking a deep breath and getting out the passenger side to join him on the sidewalk. ] I helped him find this place not long after I came upon him. He wouldn't hear of being put up in a... a Shadowkind shelter.

[Gold raises an eyebrow suspiciously as he shuts the door.] Is he truly that proud?

[That doesn't seem like someone Belle would go for at all...]

He did grow up in luxury. It was jarring enough for him, being thrust in this world.

Some adapt better to being humbled than others, I suppose. [This is going to go well, already. Can't you tell???

But anyway, he starts walking, keeping pace with Belle with his gimpy leg, but letting her do the leading... since he has no idea where he's going. Contrary to popular belief, hatred does not make you laser-guided.]

[ her lips quirk up a bit, in spite of herself ] From what I remember of him, 'humble' was never the first word that would come to mind.

I can see why someone of that type might be enamored of you. Honestly, I can't imagine anyone not being, but... that's beside the point. [She's like sunshine and puppies, but she's also smokin' hot.] But what on earth did you see in him? If I might ask...

[is that a weird question to ask??? does he care??]

[ she looks over at him like gurrrl ] It wasn't about seeing anything in him, actually.

It was an arranged marriage. Feelings didn't really enter the decision.

All the more reason he should be comfortable not feeling bound to societal expectations. [he gives her an uncomfortable smile.] He's parted from that life, as have you and as have I. I see no reason why this can't end pleasantly for everyone.

[and if it doesn't, he'll bury him behind lan's cabin. i mean what.]

I hope you're right. [ she looks like she wants to say something else but instead she steps up to the door, and raises her fist, hesitates a second, and then knocks a couple of times. ] Gaston? It's Belle.

[ from inside, the confident voice of a young man calls out: ] Come in. [ apparently, he can't be arsed to open the door for himself, we don't know. belle gives gold an encouraging(?) look, before squaring her shoulders and pushing open the door.

it's a very tastefully decorated flat, although certain touches speak more to belle's flair than this stranger's, probably, especially the bookshelf stocked against the wall, that is already gathering dust. it's full of non-fiction volumes detailing information about this world that might be practical for someone from outside it.

the traces of gaston's personality are evident in certain other ways: most notably in the large amount of antlers hanging on the wall. there's a fire roaring, and gaston sits on a leather chair beside it, a drink in hand. he swings his head over, and his lips twitch into a visible scowl when he sees gold beside her in the doorway. ] I see you brought your... friend.

[Gold's eyes swing to the antlers before they swing to Gaston, a look of cold contempt on his face. After a second, he drags his eyes to Gaston, regarding him with the same look he gave the furnishings.]

You have quite a flair for decorating. [he steps further inside, leaning on his cane, and giving the slightest of nods.] Auric Gold.

Gaston. [ gold's tone doesn't go past him, and it's met with one that's just as derisive, as he looks him over, taking in the cane - and his age - with apparent distaste, his eyes flitting over to belle like reaLLY. ] Belle was kind enough to humor some of my more specific requests. [ it'd be hard to miss the edge to the words, a pointed comment that's more about what belle's been willing to do for him than about her kindness in doing it. ] Pardon me, but she said she intended to bring her suitor by - not her adopted father. I must have heard her wrong.

[ shots fired. ]

You did not. [ so fucking done. but despite her offense, she almost looks a little relieved about something. ] Gaston, please. Auric's the one I've told you about, and I was hoping the three of us might have some civil conversation.

[Gold's grip on his cane tightens, but he manages to hold his temper in check with a... nat 20 will save. holy shit. his boner for belle runs deep.]

Indeed. There's no reason for this to turn into a feud. [he'll take that high road and then shove you into oncoming traffic while he's on it, you arrogant schmuck.]

No. [ he gets to his feet, setting down the glass as he does so, and turning to face them, fixing his gaze on gold, forehead furrowing as he stares at him. ] I think the issue is rather black and white, don't you?

I'm afraid I don't. [Gold chuckles dryly, canting his head.] Surely you don't intend to hold Belle to vows she no longer remembers- vows, I might add, that were only made because they were arranged. I believe the decision lies solely in her hands. Her fate is her own.

[ gaston takes a few steps towards him, even as belle casts gold a grateful look. something shifts in the other man's expression, a shadow crossing his features. ] What did you say?

[through gritted teeth:] Her fate is her own. No one decides it for her.

That's not something that's ever been up for debate here.

[ he doesn't give belle so much as a second glance, still starrrring at gold as he takes another step forward. disbelief and horror mingle in his expression as a dreadful realization seems to take hold along with the inspection. ] ... You. It's you.

[Gold's determined expression falters and he takes a step back hesitantly, but his words belie his uncertainty.] No. You clearly have me mistaken for someone else.

[ all that relief on belle's face seconds ago evaporates now, and she watches gaston's face with growing fear, stepping away from them both, back towards the antler covered wall. ] Gaston...

[ gaston finally notices her at that, and side steps so that he's in front of her, between her and gold, placing one arm to shield her. ] Belle, this is him. The monster who took you. He may have disguised himself, but I'd know him anywhere.

This is ridiculous. [Gold laughs it off, bitterly, glowering at Gaston for putting himself between him and Belle.] He knows you're never going to choose him, so he's stooped to playing mind games to win your favor. He could say anything and claim it to be true, and none of us would know the difference.

No. [ the word is difficult for her to say, but it escapes her lips nevertheless, as her head shakes back and forth, and makes no move to tell gaston to stand aside, staring instead past him at gold. ] It's... it's not just him.

She was right. Emma... I didn't want to believe it. [ tears start to fill her eyes, anguished pain overwriting her features. but not surprise.

no surprise at all, really. it's clear that part of her has already had time to prepare for exactly this. ] I told them all they had to be wrong. That you could never be the Dark One they all spoke of.

[ the next part is the worst part though. ] What did you do to me?

[Gold's jaw drops and he staggers back, suddenly winded by the realization that Belle is on this bastard's side... that this whole time she's known they really were from the same world, that all those feelings between them that seemed to extend past the here and now might have reached deeper into their half-remembered pasts.

But he'd never think it was anything this dark.] Belle... No. I don't remember any of this. You know I don't. I've never- But you must believe me, surely?

[He backs up a little more, closer to the door, every instinct urging him to run or find a corner to cower in and he has no idea where either of those impulses came from.]

Don't listen to him, Belle. Whatever enchantment he's worked on you, we'll find some way to break.

[ he sneers at gold. ] He knew there was no way you'd ever love such a beast. No wonder he made you forget what he was.

Edited 2015-01-09 07:26 (UTC)

[ belle's hands fold around her midsection, as she steps back again, recoiling from both of them, from what they say. her voice shakes a bit as she recounts the story, but there's a firm certainty to it now: ] The Dark One stole me from my home, from my family, after our wedding. Took me against my will to his castle never to be seen again. Took my freedom.

I know who you are, Auric. Rumplestiltskin. [ the word makes her gasp against her own tears. ] Emma, Hook... they both knew. They tried to warn me.

Are you going to ask me to believe it was a coincidence that you found me here, in this world? That you-- [ but she can't say the rest, dissolving into tears that she doesn't seem to want him to see, losing her strength to make the argument she doesn't want to believe in in the first place, and gaston is quick to wrap one arm around her, which she doesn't even have the wherewithal to argue with. ]

I never- [suddenly his list of people to murder grew two sizes today.] Belle, I swear... I would never... I-

[He zeroes in on Gaston as the only person here who can actually shed some light on this matter and his expression hardens] You did this. You've poisoned her mind, so why don't you do us all a favor, and tell her the truth. [Yeah, that's... a suggestion spell right there. (DC 17)]

[ ahahhaha his flat up roll was

a 17.

:)

instead, he just pulls her closer, and lifts his chin defiantly. ] She's heard it already. You're the one who's bent her mind into loving you, tried to steal her away from those who really do.

If you know what's good for you, you'll leave now. Leave us both alone forever.

[ wow unfortunately, belle's int check is hella hell, enough to recognize what the fuck gold is doing.

which is awful because she

doesn't know gaston made his will save.

(unsure) ] Gaston! [ her words are clearly meant to alert him, and her hand closes around his arm, as she stares at gold with growing horror. her next words are directed at gold, however. ] Haven't you done enough? You're still using dark arts even now!

[shit.

that did not go as planned.

Gold whips his head around to Belle, horror growing as he realizes how that must look to her.] He's the one lying to you, Belle. Not me. I just needed to make him admit it.

[But he realizes he's digging his hole deeper (wis 20 total) and he backs up closer to the door.] I can't be the monster. That can't be me. I- [he swallows, holding his cane like it's the only thing tethering him to the reality and some uncertain past that he's been so frightened of being the truth.] Belle, I'm afraid.

[He's going to slip. He's going to find all those dark shadows and instead of ignoring them as he promised her, they're going to consume him, because he has no way of denying they don't exist now.]

[ noooooooooo she rolled a 2 on her sense motive this is the worst. ] How could you do this to me? [ the tears full freely now, and she seems to have lost all will to doubt, overcome by the pain of betrayal, letting herself really think about the ramifications of something she's been trying so desperately to deny. ] Please...

Please go.

You heard her. [ some of gaston's courage seems to abate a bit upon realizing the dark one is HURLING MAGIC AROUND NOW and he steps back, pulling belle with him. ] She wants you to leave.

[Well, he was the one who was all pro-Belle's agency, so awkwardly he fumbles for the doorknob behind him and vanishes out the door, slamming it behind him.

At least he makes it to the car before he actually breaks down. It takes him a moment to reign it in enough to drive, but when he does, he doesn't head back to the castle.

He may not be back to the castle for a long time.]

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london ♔ right from the start | you were a thief | you stole my heart

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