star_kingdom | deal 006 ❖ [video]

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deal 006 ❖ [video]

[The video is on. But Rumpelstiltskin is unaware of this, largely because it was turned on as it was flung against a wall.

He's having a bit of a tantrum. These are, thankfully, quite rare, but also quite violent. There is broken glass strewn about, vials and bottles shattered and small pools of variously colored liquids.]

Useless! All of this entirely useless. How is it there's not one pair in true love in this entire mess of an existence?!

[It's about here his eyes fall on his communicator and he realizes he's being watched. He straightens up a bit, schools his face into a bit of a smile. Tense around the edges, pulled a bit too taut over his features.]

Well dearies, sorry you had to see that. Call it a bit of frustration and homesickness. I suppose perhaps while I have some of your attention, I should make the most of it. What is the happiest memory you have? What would you be willing to sacrifice to reclaim it?

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Because that would be too easy.

[he shrugs, trying hard not to look concerned.]

I doubt you're the first person here to break stuff out of frustration, and if you are that would be a little creepy.

Since you asked, I want to hear your answer to your own question.

Far too easy.

[Bit of a sigh and he summons up a smile.] Undoubtedly true. But it's unbecoming, regardless.

[A pause at the question as though he's considering whether or not to answer it. But it's Tidus, whom Rumplestiltskin finds interesting. And useful. So he answers, quite plainly.] My best memory is a time long past, when I lived with my son. And I would give anything to get him back.

[Not it back. Him. The pronoun is likely telling.]

And a waste of resources.

[He looks down quietly, then at him, nearly glaring in determination.] You will get him back. Let's make sure it's as fast as possible.

Yes... yes that too. I will need more vials. Hmm.

[Rumplestiltskin watches him. Quite vehement, isn't he?] Thank you, deary.

Fast would be preferable, though it's complicated. Bae is... Well. It's a long story.

I'm sure there is some sort of vial store there.

It's not like we'll run out of time soon here, if you want to tell me.

Undoubtedly. Perhaps Belle will know.

[He has no idea what he'd do without her. She's the practical in-touch-with-the-actual-world one.]

Well... [Bit of a wiggle of his fingers to coax his device into a private line.]

It's not a terribly interesting story either, deary. It's a story about a coward and a mistake.

She's more likely to than anyone.

[He frowns faintly. He doubts Rumpelstiltskin would call his own son a coward, so it's easy to guess.]

Why don't you let me be the judge of that?

Quite true.

[A wave of his hand, a silent sort of "Very well" before he sighs.]

I was a man once. I was a father once. And then I became what I am.

[For a moment, he's silent, looking off to the side, before he stares at him.]

You did it for him, didn't you? But...what happened?

For him, yes. For my son. And for myself too.

[A shrug of his shoulders here, as though it's easy to dismiss. His voice is remarkably quiet, tone lower pitched, strangely thoughtful.] But all magic has a cost. I'm not the man I used to be.

I changed. And Bae was... Bae was a good boy. He couldn't abide by it. He found a way to break the curse I took upon myself. But I was still too much of a coward to go through with it at the end, and I lost him to another world, alone. I promised I would go with him. It's the only deal I've ever broken.

[He stares at him quietly. This is probably the most human he's ever seen Rumpelstiltskin. The regret is easier to see, and believe.]

It's hard... Why another world?

Edited 2012-08-28 17:10 (UTC)

[It's rare for him, and already there's something uneasy growing in discussing this. But then, perhaps it will work to his advantage. Tidus is the hero type, after all. And at the heart of this part of his story is a father searching for a lost child. It's a noble enough cause.]

In a world without magic, even the curse I am under would have no power.

[Oh, it's working. He can't help but want to help Rumpelstiltskin, hating the idea that he's been suffering from a power greater than him, while his son was probably scared, lost, and even angry. He has to help, while there's still time.]

So it is a curse. What was the method he thought of?

It is. Few more powerful have ever existed.

[But there's no menace in his voice for once when he mentions this. He's not trying to intimidate.]

He asked a fairy for help. [Horrible, meddling little things.] For a way into this world with no magic. And he wanted us to go together. And that was the last that I saw him.

Did you...know it was a curse?

[He doesn't seem afraid. Curious, and a little sad, but there's no fear.]

So I guess it was just a one time trip.

Oh yes. Quite clearly. But at the time, it was the only way I thought I could save him.

[A nod.]

The last of its kind, that. The fairies did it on purpose, I'm sure. Horrible, nasty little things.

You did what you had to-- what you thought was right.

Was it a trick on their part? Why would they be so willing to help?

Yes, I did.

[And he doesn't regret the power. No. He's terrified of being weak again, but that terror, it's its own weakness and he realizes this at least in part.]

It does seem strange, doesn't it? Certainly not for any love of me they may have had.

But it's strange that they would want to do anything to make you upset, too, since you could probably just kill them.

[Could kill them. Does kill them. Gleefully.]

True true. I have no idea of their motivations. All I know is that after that portal closed, there was no way to open it again and Bae was gone. Because I hesitated.

Since then...have you been looking?

For another way from my world to that other world where Bae has gone, yes.

So far to no avail. [No need to mention the curse he'd cooked up to get him into that world. It hadn't been cast yet, after all. He couldn't cast it.]

How can I help?

[...such a good predictable hero, Rumplestiltskin tells himself. But at the same time, some small part of him is rather genuinely touched by the offer, given as readily as it is.]

I need to find my way back to my world. Or perhaps even better yet, a way to the world that Bae has gone to -- if it's out there in this darkness as well.

[He is doing it partly because "it's the right thing", but also because he wants to help Rumpelstiltskin himself.]

Then I'll help you find a way. We just have to figure out where to start.

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