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

[ video ]

[thisonemaiden]

This sounds like the wolves.

[ video ]

[intogold]

One would imagine it might, yes. But for wolves that's the natural order of things. For humans, it's the exception, not the rule.

[ video ]

[thisonemaiden]

Humans... Were not made to be wild?

Why do they choose to be this way?

[ video ]

[intogold]

Maybe once they were. But they've lost that part of themselves, tucked it away in the back of their minds.

We are what we know how to be, deary. What we have been taught to be. Few are given the chance or the means to change.

[ video ]

[thisonemaiden]

...This one does not know how to be.

This one...was once a flower. But this one can't go back to being a flower. [ she frowned lightly. was she supposed to be just as wild as the wolves? or was she still supposed to be...a flower? that's what she had grown up as, but she had changed so much since then ]

[ video ]

[intogold]

Well, you could. I've quite a good spell for flowers. Roses in particular are my specialty.

[He grins at that, cheerfully.] But I wouldn't recommend it.

But were I you, I'd be how you want to be, deary. Be what feels right.

[ video ]

[thisonemaiden]

No spell could help this one. This one was once a lunar flower and then was created to be a flower maiden. This one...is happy this way.

[ video ]

[intogold]

Well then, stay the way you are, hmm? Happily ever afters should be pursued.

[ video ]

[thisonemaiden]

This one wants to know... Will you have a happy ending?

[ video ]

[intogold]

Me? [A laugh, but it's quieter than his usual manic little bursts of mirth.] No, I don't think I'm the sort those are meant for.

But there are certain things that would make me quite happy that I haven't yet given up on.

[ video ]

[thisonemaiden]

Everyone deserves to be happy.

[ she smiles though, nodding ] ...This one hopes that you find what makes you happy.

[ video ]

[intogold]

Thank you, deary. How very kind. [A smile, all teeth and no warmth, but somehow it's a bit on the softer side of his usual expressions.]

[ video ]

[thisonemaiden]

Everyone...should experience happiness. Whether they believe that they deserve it or not.

[ video ]

[intogold]

In a perfect world, yes they should.

But no world is perfect. Some are arguably... [He tilts his head head to the side and then the other.] better than others for some sundry reason or another. But, none are perfect.