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Post by Hollywood Heidi on Jun 28, 2020 17:22:01 GMT -8
"Maybe I'll check it out later. Don't want to feel like I'm getting in the way,"
Emma was obviously collecting information. Not that Gail had a problem with that. "You're not in the way if you're helping while digging for intel," Gail suggested with a wink.
"So who's Gabriella? Not one of the Mayor's minions, I take it?"
"Nah," Gail said with a dismissive wave. "Gabriella keeps to herself. Not in like a rude or snooty way. She's a really great nurse. Kind and compassionate to her patients but just avoids people outside of work. Seems nice enough if you can get her to stick around long enough to talk. Introvert, maybe?" Gail shrugged, mentally conjuring up recent Gabriella sightings. Usually quickly in and out for coffee-to-go. Polite smile with her 'thank you' as she paid and left, but the smile was absent lately as she seemed too distracted glancing at her surroundings to remember to include it with the thank-you that automatically tumbled out. Glancing around as if looking for someone... or making sure someone wasn't there. Sudden realization flitted across Gail's face followed by concern. "Actually, you might be interested in chatting with her. Not sure you'll get anything out of her but," Gail leaned forward, finishing quietly, "she's had that haunted look."
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Post by Kristi Lynne on Jun 28, 2020 21:24:58 GMT -8
"Actually, you might be interested in chatting with her. Not sure you'll get anything out of her but, she's had that haunted look."
"And you think that has something to do with Mr. Gold," Emma inferred. What business would he have with a withdrawn, do-gooder nurse? Not that it was really any of Emma's business, but it was business that seemingly concerned Gail. And the waitress had just given her an excuse to be nosy while also learning about Henry's hometown.
"Well, I should let you get back to work," she sighed, noticing the glares from Ruby were coming hard and fast. She dug through her bag for enough cash to cover her breakfast, along with a generous tip, and slid it across the table to Gail. "Thank you for the food, and the intel." Emma gathered her things, slid out of the booth, and headed for the door.
*** Emma leaves for Mr. Gold's Shop ***
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Post by DarkSideCookie on Jul 5, 2020 15:15:33 GMT -8
*** Walter enters from Mr. Gold's Shop ***
The usual expression of deep relaxation on Walter's face had gone ever since he'd started to walk back from the pawnshop. That man was shielding the girl, and Walter was deeply interested in his motives for such a generous act. He'd had a wary eye on Mr. Gold since day one, so he knew that none of his acts were coming from anything but selfishness. If he just ever would get a proof for suspicions against this man. But what was more important was who that girl was. How could it be that Walter had never seen her before, although he knew about anything that happened in Storybrooke?
Just as Walter was going to reach out for the door to enter the diner, someone was opening it from the other side. Normally, he would have been interested in another chat with Emma Swan, the first tourist, but not right now. And so he just gave her a professional but not exactly friendly nod before he walked past her and back inside.
Not even pretending to make a friendly face, Walter took a seat on his regular table, threw an unmistakable look at his watch, and let out an audible sigh of annoyance. That was just his way to send a sign towards the waitresses that he was expecting to get his late breakfast served; the breakfast that he had ditched for his early hounding trip. But what was more important to him than his breakfast was to get some information out of Gail or Ruby once one of them would arrive at his table.
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on Aug 2, 2020 12:48:03 GMT -8
"And you think that has something to do with Mr. Gold,"
Gail gave a shrug along with a noncommittal sound but the look in her eyes said that she was leaning toward thinking it did have to do with Mr. Gold.
"Well, I should let you get back to work," "Thank you for the food, and the intel."
"Hey, any time! It's refreshing talking to someone new." Someone she didn't know the life story of and who'd been outside of their little town. Gail scooted out of the seat and pocketed the tip, noting the generosity of it and with mental amusement thought Emma was definitely welcome for all meals if she kept tipping like this. "Have a good one, Emma!" she called after her retreating form.
Now that the thought about Gabriella and Mr. Gold had popped into her head, she couldn't shake it. Unknowingly, she was thinking the same as Emma, wondering what Mr. Gold would want with the introverted nurse. Her mind was starting to spiral into deep thought about it when a sigh of annoyance broke through. She hadn't noticed that when Emma had exited, someone had entered. By that familiar sound of disappointment, Gail knew who it was and immediately rushed into action.
"Detective Smith, welcome back," she said as she quickly headed to the pastries now neatly displayed in the glass dome. She placed a muffin on a plate and hurried over to place it in front of him. "Would you like another coffee to go with that? On the house for the inconvenience this morning."
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Post by DarkSideCookie on Aug 15, 2020 14:05:10 GMT -8
"Detective Smith, welcome back,""Would you like another coffee to go with that? On the house for the inconvenience this morning," finally someone came over and looked after him.
Although not in the best mood by now, Francis was still not a nasty customer. Fastidious and admittedly a little bit unpleasant, but nothing compared to a certain lady that hadn't been seen here for a while actually. Francis had heard rumors about that, but not really something that he would make his business.
"Yes, thank you," he said, yet seeing the coffee on the house rather as a thing of course than of courtesy.
When Gail was going to leave his table to prepare the coffee, he suddenly held her back. The coffee could wait, his questions not. Well, considered this saying, it was actually unusual for him, but so was this whole morning. "What can you tell me about that girl? And I mean beyond the fact that she is delivering you." he quickly added in a tone that gave away he had no time and surely no stomach for facts that he could figure out on his own. If Gail knew nothing about her, then nobody did.
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on Aug 30, 2020 14:37:00 GMT -8
"Yes, thank you,"
Thinking she was in the clear, Gail turned with a silent sigh of relief. But she didn't get a step away before the interrogation began.
"What can you tell me about that girl?
She turned back around opened her mouth to give the same answer Ruby had before but he shut her down before she could as if expecting it.
And I mean beyond the fact that she is delivering you."
Gail closed her mouth and shrugged, remaining extra calm because he seemed worked up about the mystery girl. "I honestly don't know anything else about her. Not even her name." Clearly that little bit would not appease him. He was like a bloodhound that had picked up a scent. An analogy she realized had a funny, perhaps a bit unsettling correlation to the fact that Gail had come to mentally refer to the girl as a bunny rabbit. Gail laid out the small details. "I only just recently saw her for the first time. She's only been in here two, maybe three times? Usually Callie makes the deliveries, so I'm assuming Miss Bunny Rabbit--how I've come to refer to her on account she takes off like one when anyone tries to approach her--" she explained, "covers for Callie." Gail finished off with her own speculations gathered since first seeing the mystery girl, hoping it'll be enough to keep the bloodhound at bay. "Maybe she's just severely introverted. Maybe she's in witness protection or hiding from someone." Again she shrugged. "Storybrooke's the perfect hiding place. Quiet, uneventful little town, rarely ever any visitors..."
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Post by DarkSideCookie on Sept 11, 2020 13:51:04 GMT -8
"I honestly don't know anything else about her. Not even her name." Walter remained quiet as he was waiting for her to go on. She surely had a little bit more to say. And finally, she went on with the small yet important details, for they were all he would get for now. "I only just recently saw her for the first time. She's only been in here two, maybe three times? Usually Callie makes the deliveries, so I'm assuming Miss Bunny Rabbit--how I've come to refer to her on account she takes off like one when anyone tries to approach her--""covers for Callie."
Walter's facial expression didn't change, not even for the raising of an eyebrow. He was well known for having no sense of humor, probably even less than Leroy. Although, with Walter, it was more likely that he just didn't share the same humor as the common people. Yet still, for a long time already, the only thing that could bring joy to his face was when bringing someone to bay. An unmerry life, but that was the life he chose himself... nowadays at least.
"Maybe she's just severely introverted. Maybe she's in witness protection or hiding from someone.""Storybrooke's the perfect hiding place. Quiet, uneventful little town, rarely ever any visitors..."
"You would think that," Walter eventually replied to her without adding anything more in that case, and finally ended their little interview rather abruptly. "Thank you." He even faced away from her, like he had heard enough and just wanted to be on his own until she would come back with the coffee for free.
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on Sept 13, 2020 17:42:20 GMT -8
"You're welcome," she finished to his profile. Wow. Did this man know how to make a person feel thoroughly dismissed, or what? "I'll just..." she pointed toward the counters, a pointless gesture when he wasn't even looking at her, "get your coffee." And possibly not even listening.
Gail made her way over to the coffee area, giving Ruby a wide-eyed look along with a whispered "Sheesh!" as she passed her. Ruby gave her a tight lipped smile. It was her usual standoffish attitude but Gail knew her really well and could sense she'd just released some underlying worry. Though she had no idea what Ruby might have been worried about when Gail annoyingly knew nothing about Miss Bunny Rabbit.
She made quick work of creating Walter's coffee creation and quickly brought it over to him. "Here you are," she said with easy cheeriness now that they'd gotten past the interrogation portion of his visit. "Can I get you anything else?"
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Post by DarkSideCookie on Sept 29, 2020 4:29:40 GMT -8
Walter picked up the newspaper he'd left unfinished when he rushed out to follow the unknown girl outside. He was sure that Gail had served him with all information she had. If there was something she withheld, Walter would have known, for, it could be said, he was a human polygraph. And since most of the townspeople were aware of that fact, barely anyone even tried.
"Here you are,""Can I get you anything else?"
"No, thank you.", he replied absent-mindedly as he just read another article about this Emma Swan person. Whatever the Daily Mirror wrote, Walter didn't take it at face value right away. That paper was as corrupt as anything that had a connection with Regina Mills or Mr. Gold - how does it come nobody knew his first name? -, especially ever since he had seen Sidney Glass, one of its top reporters, talking to the Mayoress like they were old friends or something.
He would just sit here for the while of finishing his late breakfast and his second coffee before heading towards the office. That gosling Graham might be the Sheriff nowadays, but secretly Walter has never stopped seeing himself in that position instead.
***
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on Oct 16, 2020 23:19:37 GMT -8
Gail opened her mouth but shut it before even thinking up what general nicety would have come out of it. She was already gone, as far as he was concerned. Plus she'd rather not bring attention back on herself for fear of another interrogation.
Taking advantage of the lull, Gail headed for the kitchen to make herself a hot chocolate. She'd earned it.
"Milk is warming on the stove," Tony said while scraping the grit from the grill.
Gail sent him an appreciative smile. "Tony, you're an angel. You always know what I need. Hot chocolate, handful of fries, a moment in the relatively sound proof fridge to scream my frustrations out in..."
Tony chuckled. "Eh," he said with a modest shrug. "You know what everybody needs. Somebody's gotta keep track of what you need."
She smiled and patted his bicep as she passed him. Letting out an exaggerated sigh, she poured the milk from the pan into a mug. 'Poor thing probably won't ever set foot in this diner again,' Gail thought as she stirred in the chocolate mix. Great. That meant she'd never solve the mystery of who the girl was all because the Detective had to go and try to chase her down. Well practiced in dismissing people as he was, he'd probably already forgotten about her while Gail would be pondering for a long while.
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on Oct 18, 2020 20:51:22 GMT -8
Gail did not want to go back out there until the detective left. She stood and glanced through the kitchen opening to the main floor, wondering how much longer he was going to be and continued to stir. And stir and stir and stir until something stopped the motion of her hand. She looked down then up to the man whose hand had stilled hers.
"Why don't you take the rest of the day off? It never gets too busy in the middle of the week. You never take time off and I think Ruby owes you hundreds of shift covers. You could go and volunteer with the toy shop renovations."
Gail grinned at him. He remembered that she'd said she wished she could help back when Gabriella had first put up the ad about it, but she was always here, working. "Nah, I can't do that. It's too last minute and besides, what would happen if Ruby decided to run off for the day?" she said, gesturing in Ruby's direction. They all knew how she was, playing by her own rules, marching to the beat of her own drum. But she did wish she could help in some way.
Looking at her hot chocolate again and then over at the pan with still enough warm milk for a second hot chocolate, another idea was forming. "I can't take the day, but maybe I can take that half hour break I've been hearing I'm supposed to have been taking every day?" she joked, knowing it was her own choice to not take them. The collective time of chatting with the customers throughout the day was far more pleasant than taking a half hour to sit by herself in the back. Or whatever it was people did on breaks.
Grabbing a couple of to-go cups, she pours hers into one then filled the other with warm milk and quickly stirred chocolate and cinnamon into it. "I'm gonna go visit William," she told Tony as she snapped lids on the two cups. She went to the coat rack to switch out her apron for her cardigan as she continued to talk "Everyone's so busy and excited about working on surprising him with his store renovation that I don't think they've had the time to or even thought to visit the poor guy."
She grabbed a little bag and filled it with marshmallows, stashing it in her cardigan pocket and one of the extra muffins that hadn't fit in the cases in another bag that went into her other pocket. Opting to take the back door, she picked up the cups and started on her way. "Half an hour," she promised, using her elbow to press down on the handle and a push of her hip to swing the door open.
***Gail exits to Storybrooke General Hospital***
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on May 8, 2021 15:39:52 GMT -8
***Gail enters from Storybrooke General Hospital***
Gail entered through the back door, grabbing her waist apron from the table. She placed it on the prep counter and grabbed onto Tony's shoulder so he'd stay put as a barrier to hide her whilst she peaked over his shoulder through the pick-up window to the main dining area.
"He's still here."
Gail could hear the amused smile in his voice. "Wanna trade jobs?" she joked, releasing his shoulder.
Tony threw an exaggerated horrified look over his shoulder at her.
"What? I can cook," she said to his back. She saw him stop what he was doing to turn and face her, almost brushing against her in the action as she was still standing so close. He looked at her incredulously with those pretty blue eyes of his and she took a little step back. "-ish..." she added with less confidence. A corner of his lips lifted in quiet amusement. "What?" she huffed.
"Last time you tried to cook, you almost burned the diner down."
"That was one time," she said in an annoyed whisper, holding up one finger, then narrowed her eyes, adding, "and it was your fault."
"Really? How?" he asked, putting on an obviously feigned innocent expression.
Gail glared up at him, knowing he was trying to get her to admit that it was because he'd managed to fluster her, but she wouldn't give him the satisfaction. All the other girls fawned over him like a friggin' Tony fan club, easily charmed when he set his blue eyes and smile on them and Gail would just roll her eyes. "You were... distracting me. What are you doing?" she squeaked out when his arms suddenly went around her waist, releasing a hoard of butterflies in her stomach as a warm, giddy sensation filled her from head to toes.
"Tying on your apron," he said with calmed ease. Gail looked down and held her arms out as his came back around, pulling the strings forward after wrapping them once around her waist before tying it off into a bow in front. "You can't put things on my prep counter. Now I have to clean it." She looked up at him again and though his expression and tone were admonishing, she saw and heard the amusement. Both seemed to have gotten caught up in the nearness and the gazing. It was several moments before Tony finally spoke up again. "Why Miss Carvine, are you blushing?"
He was trying to fluster her again but she wouldn't admit that he'd managed to. Then he mentioned the blushing and Gail could feel that she was. Dammit. "It's just the hot grill."
"You mean that grill way over there?" he hitched a thumb over toward the grill that was too far to be used as an excuse.
Gail just narrowed her eyes and let out a low growl. "You know, you're not as charming as you think you are," she said, taking a jibe at that victorious expression of his as she stepped around him to grab the plate he'd been working on and started to take a step toward the door to the diner's floor.
"Um, actually," he began, rushing to grab her free hand before she left and ended up truly embarrassing herself to the patrons, "I'm not so sure you mean that." She turned and narrowed her eyes at him again which only made him feel all the more triumphant. He pointed to the plate. "That's not ready yet."
Gail looked down at the open faced, clearly half assembled breakfast burrito. She'd gone beyond the point of weaseling her way out of creating any sort of excuse that he didn't flustered her. "You," she pulled her hand free from his and pressed the plate into his hand, "are the devil," she said in a light, smug tone of her own before starting for the main area again.
"But just a half hour ago, you said I was an angel," he said in a mockingly hurt tone, purposefully continuing to goad her.
Hand on door, Gail turned one last time to pin him with a hard look. "The devil was an angel." Seeing a small flame start up on something sitting too long on the grill, Gail finally got to give a smug grin of her own. "Don't burn the diner down," she tossed out, hearing a muttered, 'shit' coming from him as he rushed back to the grill.
With a sense of satisfaction that she could distract and fluster him in turn, Gail pushed open the door and returned to her rounds, back in her normal spirits and no longer bothered by the fact the sheriff was still there.
Just as Tony had intended. Seeing that he had an affect on her just as she had on him was merely a bonus.
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Post by Kristi Lynne on Nov 21, 2021 17:44:45 GMT -8
*** Cora enters from the Daily Mirror offices ***
"Morning, Gail!" Cora called once she was inside the door of the diner, as that was the first waitress she saw. "Can I trouble you for a coffee refill?" she asked, placing her travel mug on the counter, then catching a glimpse of the fresh pastries that had appeared since her earlier visit. "Ooh, and a croissant!"
As she awaited her order, she cast a surveying glance over the current patrons. One of whom was Detective Smith thoroughly engrossed in his newspaper. And she knew there was nothing he hated more than idle chatter. "Morning, Walter!" Cora beamed. "I trust you're doing well. Any nefarious goings-on ? And if so, why wasn't I invited?" she added, with a wink aside to Gail.
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on Nov 26, 2021 15:33:13 GMT -8
Gail had just made her way behind the bar when the tinkling of the diner door went off.
"Morning, Gail!"
"Good morning, Cora!" she beamed back in a sing-song tone. Seeing the mug in Cora's hand, Gail headed for the coffee pot.
"Can I trouble you for a coffee refill?"
"No trouble a'tall!" she said in a playful proper old-timey manner as she poured the fresh coffee into the travel mug.
"Ooh, and a croissant!"
"Sure thing! Coming right up." She stepped away to the glass pastry display, grabbing a small bag as she removed the lid. With the tongs, she retrieved a still warm croissant and placed it in the bag, cringing as Cora addressed the detective.
"Morning, Walter!" "I trust you're doing well. Any nefarious goings-on ? And if so, why wasn't I invited?"
Returning to Cora, Gail angled herself with her back to Walter as best she could, temporarily taking on an uncharacteristic warning look as she handed the bag to Cora. "He's extra grumpy-pants," she whispered. "Lost a mark this morning." 'Is that how they said it?', she wondered as she took stepped over to the register to ring up Cora's order. Gail mentally shrugged it off. Cora probably got what she meant.
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Post by DarkSideCookie on Dec 11, 2021 1:15:17 GMT -8
Walter was so deep into his thoughts that he didn't even realize someone was entering the diner. Not that one would necessarily have to notice, but Walter always did. It was a habit of his job, or maybe just of himself, to have an open eye at the doors always; Not only at Granny's but also practically anywhere he was. His attention would never really sleep. That was until now. So, this time, being addressed was taking him by total surprise.
"Morning, Walter!""I trust you're doing well. Any nefarious goings-on ? And if so, why wasn't I invited?"
The time it took for Walter to look up from his newspaper and especially to get rid of his former thoughts was the time Gail needed to intervene with words towards the new arrival; Not that Walter would be getting anything from the whispering but now he was attentive enough to take notice of that, at least. Then, when the waitress walked away to take care of Cora's order, Walter lowered the newspaper in his hands. At first, he said nothing at all, but then he went with a greeting back, after all, as he rather faked a smile. "Good morning." And that was it. He raised the newspaper again, not looking interested in any small talk, like usual.
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Post by Kristi Lynne on Dec 14, 2021 16:43:54 GMT -8
"He's extra grumpy-pants. Lost a mark this morning."
"Lost a mark?" Cora gasped dramatically, effectively cancelling out Gail's whispered explanation. "How dreadful!" Since Detective Smith considered himself the Sherlock Holmes of Storybrooke, this investigative lapse (even if only temporary) was no doubt a real bee in his bonnet, making him even more disagreeable than usual. "But we're all losing these days, aren't we?" she mused, while paying Gail and receiving her change. "I've lost all this time and money on a fabulous musical that the townsfolk may never see because my leading lady lost her voice. I've had to postpone the show indefinitely until Vanessa recovers or I can find a replacement."
And despite knowing she was unwelcome, Cora pulled up a chair at Walter's table and proceeded to pull off a piece of freshly baked croissant and pop it in her mouth. "Since I've got some time on my hands, do you want some assistance with the case?" she offered. "Do you have a description of the suspect? Where did you last see them?"
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on Jan 2, 2022 10:31:03 GMT -8
"Lost a mark?" "How dreadful!"
Gail cringed. Sometimes she forgot just how brave Cora was. Or perhaps 'brave' wasn't the correct word. What would you call someone who seemed to so love a challenge that they'd go so far as to create one for themselves? 'Crazy' was the word that immediately popped into her mind, but that wasn't quite right either.
"But we're all losing these days, aren't we?" "I've lost all this time and money on a fabulous musical that the townsfolk may never see because my leading lady lost her voice. I've had to postpone the show indefinitely until Vanessa recovers or I can find a replacement."
Gail handed Cora her change. She would have loved to have volunteered to be in the play. She could sing, but she lacked the bravery of standing on a stage and performing in front of people. It was one of those daydream scenarios of confidently taking the stage and wowing the audience into an ovation by the end of it. Given how outgoing she was with all the patrons, nobody would guess she had stage fright. It would be a heck of a challenge to set for herself and while Cora may love running head-first into a challenge, Gail most certainly did not. She, like most people, avoided them, along with complications. Though the payoff could be something amazing or magical, the overpowering fear of it going wrong kept her, like most others, at bay.
Cora stepped away from the register and without realizing it, Gail's eyes wandered toward the kitchen where her subconscious kept a complication at bay. Said complication sent her a wink from where he stood, having been watching in obvious amusement as Cora had entangled her in a bit of a challenge. The nerve. He knew she was miffed with him and should act accordingly, but when had he ever done that? He loved ruffling her feathers and looking for every opportunity to ruffle them further when he'd succeeded.
Gail crossed her arms and hmphed, dramatically lifting her chin as she turned away from him to tend to whatever distraction she could find with organizing the back counter.
The scrape of a chair had Gail looking over her shoulder to see that Cora had made a beeline straight into a challenge. In her distraction, she'd assumed Cora had headed out and now that she was clearheaded, she realized what a dumb assumption that had been on her part.
"Since I've got some time on my hands, do you want some assistance with the case?" "Do you have a description of the suspect? Where did you last see them?"
Gail's eyes might be anywhere but at Walter's table as she continued to busy herself but the conversation Cora started with Walter had her full attention.
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Post by DarkSideCookie on Jan 12, 2022 3:05:03 GMT -8
The newspaper in his hands would only lower enough to get another glimpse at the woman who now pulled up a chair opposite him. How was reacting to a question with no more but a cold greeting not a hint to be not interested in small talk? However, Walter rose the newspaper back to its original position only a second later, saying nothing at all until she would. And, of course, she did.
"Since I've got some time on my hands, do you want some assistance with the case?""Do you have a description of the suspect? Where did you last see them?"
Once again, he looked up just a little, giving her a thoughtful expression this time, though. Then, suddenly, he folded the newspaper and put it down, right next to his coffee. If there was anything stronger than his opinion about small talk, then it was his will to solve a case. Walter doubted that Cora would be able to help, but if there was just a small chance that she knew the girl, then it was worth his time.
"Let me ask you a question," he started in his quirky way, as usual, not reacting to anything she had said before. "What would you think how high the crime rate is here in Storybrooke? And I'm not speaking of speed limit ignoring."
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Post by Kristi Lynne on Jan 15, 2022 11:18:23 GMT -8
"Let me ask you a question, what would you think how high the crime rate is here in Storybrooke? And I'm not speaking of speed limit ignoring."
Content to be engaged in an attempt at converation rather than being abruptly shoo-ed away, Cora chewed another bite of croissant as she mulled Walter's question. "Hmm, I'd say zero to none," she replied, "apart from Dr. Hopper's dog digging up someone's garden. Though I gather the new girl in town is racking up quite an arrest record."
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Post by DarkSideCookie on Jan 15, 2022 13:02:01 GMT -8
"Hmm, I'd say zero to none,""apart from Dr. Hopper's dog digging up someone's garden. Though I gather the new girl in town is racking up quite an arrest record."
"Astutely observed," Walter uttered humorlessly, not obvious, if this was meant as a joke or actually seriously. But since he was known for his lack of humor, it might be the second. "So, I wonder why someone would have to feel the need to hide?"
Walter was also known for being rather economical with his words unless he was interviewing someone. With Cora, however, he found another reason. It seemed that she was the only one in this town, who was somewhat close with Mr. Gold, and Walter had a guess that Mr. Gold was holding back information about the girl that he could swear have seen disappearing in his shop. He knew something, and if he knew something, then he might share it with the one person that he seemed to trust at least a little bit. Instead of uttering more thoughts, though, Walter studied her features, searching for reactions to that mentioned person while continuing sipping his coffee.
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Post by Kristi Lynne on Jan 15, 2022 13:25:25 GMT -8
"Astutely observed. So, I wonder why someone would have to feel the need to hide?"
"Well, the obvious assumption would be that they're avoiding someone, or something," Cora offered, taking a sip of coffee. "An abusive parent, or a spurned ex-lover, or a lender looking to collect...?" Was this how they did things down at the station? He and Sheriff Graham trading theories over coffee and croissants? Probably not, she concluded with a shrug.
"Storybrooke isn't exactly the best place to do so, though," she remarked. "Not many places to hide. Everyone knows everyone else. And everyone knows everyone else's business, whether they want to or not. Till three days ago, we all thought we knew everyone's secrets, didn't we?"
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Post by DarkSideCookie on Jan 15, 2022 15:44:17 GMT -8
"Exactly," Walter reacted only to the last of her conclusions, once again in a calm, humorless way. "And that's where the crux of the matter lies," he added more lively as for his body language, slightly shoving the folded newspaper away from its position between them as if to symbolize that nothing had to stand there, between them. No information had to be held back for reasons of being loyal towards a friend.
"While we can say that it's nearly impossible to hide in this place, we could not imagine someone hiding so good that practically nobody had ever heard of them... Isn't that so?" Walter made her wonder as he leaned back in his chair, then, suddenly, picked back up the newspaper, although ever so slightly, unfolding it and raising it to his eyes as if it hadn't been different for the whole while they were having this rare conversation. He could not say that he would really know Cora, but at least he could say that she was a curious person. Yet if she was aware of Mr. Gold hiding that mentioned someone, she wouldn't ask any more questions. So all Walter had to do for now was wait for her reaction.
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Post by Kristi Lynne on Jan 16, 2022 19:13:57 GMT -8
"Exactly, and that's where the crux of the matter lies. While we can say that it's nearly impossible to hide in this place, we could not imagine someone hiding so good that practically nobody had ever heard of them... Isn't that so?"
Cora had opened her mouth to speak when suddenly, the newspaper was back in front of Walter's face again. Being dismissed for the second time that morning didn't sit well with her, so there was a slight pout on her lips as she fell back against her chair and consumed the rest of her croissant in thoughtful silence. "You know, Gold was being even more cryptic than usual this morning," she remarked. "Suggested I wait outside the bakery tomorrow morning to find the replacement star for my show. I told him it's not possible. I know the vocal range of every person in this town, for better or in some cases worse, and sadly no one comes close to Vanessa."
Cora sprang forward and pushed down the upper corner of the newspaper in order to be face-to-face with the detective. "Hey, what if this stealth soprano and your suspect are the same person? The shadowy citizen of Storybrooke who's managed to elude us all this time? No, no, that would be too much of a coincidence." Her enthusiastic outburst shifted to a deflated sigh as she released the newspaper from her grasp.
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Post by DarkSideCookie on Feb 4, 2022 12:40:04 GMT -8
"You know, Gold was being even more cryptic than usual this morning,"
A-ha. Here we go. The newspaper held up in front of him lowered slightly, yet not, at all, back into its former position. With curiosity, Walter listened to her words, on the outward rather unconcerned looking, though.
"Suggested I wait outside the bakery tomorrow morning to find the replacement star for my show. I told him it's not possible. I know the vocal range of every person in this town, for better or in some cases worse, and sadly no one comes close to Vanessa."
Over the top of his newspaper, Walter gave her a look as if to silently push her to come to the point, or rather to the one of interest for him and his investigation. Then, suddenly, Cora jumped forward to lower his newspaper some more herself. His features remained severe while she did.
"Hey, what if this stealth soprano and your suspect are the same person? The shadowy citizen of Storybrooke who's managed to elude us all this time? No, no, that would be too much of a coincidence."
Now, that was interesting. Helpful even, maybe. Walter lowered the newspaper completely, taking his time to fold it again, replacing it where it had been resting before he picked it up. "You know, there is no such thing as a coincidence," he uttered with a humorless smile, "but only evidence. So, let us assume that they are the same person indeed..." He didn't ask that out loud, but the look on Walter's face was suddenly showing a willingness to allow her to work with him. As an accessory, naturally.
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Post by Kristi Lynne on Feb 8, 2022 16:07:20 GMT -8
"You know, there is no such thing as a coincidence, but only evidence. So, let us assume that they are the same person indeed..."
"What possible reason could Gold have for hiding someone? From you, from me, from the whole town?" Cora observed. "He's not exactly in the habit of helping those who can't help him. If not now, then at a point in time of his choosing." Even though she considered the wealthy shopkeeper a friend, Cora wasn't blind to the way in which Gold related to every other citizen in Storybrooke. His grace and good favor were almost always transactional.
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Post by DarkSideCookie on Mar 6, 2022 9:37:08 GMT -8
"What possible reason could Gold have for hiding someone? From you, from me, from the whole town?""He's not exactly in the habit of helping those who can't help him. If not now, then at a point in time of his choosing."
Walter knew this type of person, and he had no sympathy for them. Those who only helped out when there was something in it for them. As if bonhomie or justice wasn't enough for a reward. It seemed that men coming off with honor were a rarity these days. How sad a trend... However, if this girl was some kind of fugitive, as ridiculous as that seemed, they had to get to the bottom of it, even if it meant to cross swords with Mr. Gold. If Walter was totally honest with himself, he'd been waiting for an opportunity to dig for the skeletons in his closet for a while already. How better than with someone obviously knowing him well enough to get called a friend of his?
"How good do you know that man?" Walter suddenly asked in an interviewing manner. After all, it had been her who sought a conversation with him. Curiosity, though, could make for good assistance.
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Post by Kristi Lynne on Mar 6, 2022 15:02:53 GMT -8
"How good do you know that man?"
"This is starting to sound a bit like an interrogation, Detective," Cora remarked with a wry grin, her enthusiasm for this conversation beginning to cool along with her coffee, "and I don't do those before noon. Besides, I know Gold well enough to know that I don't talk out of turn about him. Besides, he's given me a roof over my head and a considerable savings on my props budget. What have you done for me lately?"
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Post by DarkSideCookie on Mar 25, 2022 6:14:59 GMT -8
"This is starting to sound a bit like an interrogation, Detective,"
Walter replied her wry grin with one of his own, and while she kept talking, he leaned back some more in his chair, just listening.
"and I don't do those before noon. Besides, I know Gold well enough to know that I don't talk out of turn about him. Besides, he's given me a roof over my head and a considerable savings on my props budget. What have you done for me lately?"
"I don't think this is about favors and pleasures," Walter spoke up again, slightly shrugging his shoulders along with the words. "I'm not the kind of person who has to buy into someone's goodwill or anything." Unlike your friend, he added only in thoughts. "Anyway, wasn't it you who approached me for this conversation? So, here am I conversing." Walter gave her a fake, or rather simply a joyless, smile.
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Post by Kristi Lynne on Mar 26, 2022 6:48:19 GMT -8
"I don't think this is about favors and pleasures. I'm not the kind of person who has to buy into someone's goodwill or anything. Anyway, wasn't it you who approached me for this conversation? So, here am I conversing."
"Well, you know me, Detective. Always on the lookout for a good scene partner," Cora replied, trying to match his nonchalance. Unsure how a bit of fun had turned into an in-depth examination of her relationship with the pawn shop owner. "If you'll excuse me, I've a million things to do. But it was lovely to see you."
She hopped to her feet, gathering up her cup of coffee and the remnants of her croissant. "Oh, and Detective," Cora added, leaning in closer, "if Gold doesn't want you to know something, I've found it's in one's best interest to keep it that way." The point made, her serious expression quickly shifted to a congenial smile. "But good luck, and good hunting."
She slid the now empty chair back under the table and headed for the door, pausing to address the waitress behind the counter. "Thanks, Gail! See you later!" she called, ducking out the door and into the street beyond.
*** Cora exits Granny's Diner ***
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Post by DarkSideCookie on Mar 26, 2022 10:40:08 GMT -8
"Well, you know me, Detective. Always on the lookout for a good scene partner,""If you'll excuse me, I've a million things to do. But it was lovely to see you."
So, she would step back as soon as it got too personal; At least, so it seemed, by looking at her reaction once he had asked for her relationship with Mr. Gold. Surely not his problem, same as not really of his interest, but it was when it came to the fact that she seemed to protect him. Maybe she didn't know anything yet, but Walter was sure that this woman would do so if the pawnshop owner ever shared something with her, no matter how questionable it was.
"Oh, and Detective," He didn't back off at all when she leaned in closer, "if Gold doesn't want you to know something, I've found it's in one's best interest to keep it that way.""But good luck, and good hunting."
The smile vanished completely from his face for a moment. He didn't like when a conversation hadn't proceeded as he wished.
"Good luck for your replacement search," Walter replied with a slight reappearing of that former smile. "And good day," he added more quietly before turning his attention back to the newspaper next to him. Inwardly, he was not at all relaxed, though. Cora seemed to be a good chance to find out more about that girl, so he somehow had to get her to cooperate with him.
***
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