deal 005 ❖ [video]

[intogold]

[Rumpelstiltskin is smiling. This in and of itself is probably not at all surprising. In fact, it's genuinely par for the course.

The video shows that he's not in his shop for once, instead out and about and in motion. And even more surprising, perhaps, is what he decides to ask about.]

Where I'm from, love is a very powerful magic. Well, the right kind of love is.

So tell me, dearies, what is your experience with love? Have you been in love? Does love conquer all where you're from? Has it ever saved someone you know?

I can't help my curiosity, after all. [Here he giggles, high pitched, the sound sudden and then ending just as abruptly.] So perhaps you wouldn't mind indulging an old man's wondering.

Comments

[intogold]

That is too bad, my dear. You must miss him terribly

[A pause and he considers quietly.] Don't you? Love breaks hearts as much as it makes them. And broken hearts are deadly things. If you're lucky they only kill you, not just those around you.

usagi stop you're not making sense

[moonbeams]

Mm... [She's rather sad about it. But even as she allows herself to be sad for a moment, her chipper persona finds root again, and she smiles.]

But I'll see him again! He'll find his way here, or he'll be at home when we rescue our world! [Just like he always has been.]

Hm... I think a broken heart can be sad... but without being sad sometimes, you can't really ever know what it's really like to be happy right? If you're using someone's broken heart.. then you're using sadness, not love at all.

[intogold]

Well, one can hope. I'm sure he's close in your heart.

[...gag him. But no, really, he does understand love. More than anyone really expects him to be.]

You're fooling yourself. You're using love, warped and broken and twisted. But still love.

Then... sometimes even unbroken love can kill.

[moonbeams]

[That makes her frown. It's not really something that she wants to believe, or something that she personally could ever imagine doing.]

But... [Obviously this frame of thinking isn't exactly something she's comfortable with. She clutches her hands together, frowning.]

[intogold]

[Here though he smiles.]

Don't fret too much, deary. For all its dangers, most would say true love is worth the risk.

If your sweetheart ever shows up, do let me know. I'd love to meet him. [...and find out if he can make potions from your love. lalala.]

[moonbeams]

[she blinks, her attention all together being brought back from inward thoughts]

Oh! Mm! If he shows up here... [She would really like it if he did. ... And Rumple :( that's not nice. At least ask first.] Do you have anyone you really like?

[intogold]

[Permission is for losers.] Wonderful! I do hope he does.

[Here though he pauses, a little surprised by the question. People keep asking him that. Can't they see he's a monster?] Someone I love? In a way, yes. There is one I love more than a creature like me should be able to love. But I ruined that chance.

[moonbeams]

[she tilts her head.]

You don't look like a creature to me! Why would that even matter? Everyone deserves the chance to have someone.

[intogold]

Not everyone, deary. Not monsters.

[He smiles that typical toothy little grin.] But I did have the chance. I was afraid and I drove her away.

[moonbeams]

You don't look like a monster to me. [Strange sure. And she's seen her share of monsters, so don't think she doesn't know what she's talking about.]

I'm sorry though... have you tried apologizing? Maybe she'll listen!

[intogold]

[He laughs at that.] How kind of you to say.

[But the laughter is quick to fade.] Apologizing. Yes, well, something like that. We are... on speaking terms at least.