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Post by Hollywood Heidi on Feb 13, 2018 22:45:40 GMT -8
Mr. Gold had another late night customer. Someone she hadn't met before, which was common for someone who kept to themselves and didn't go out to mingle with the townsfolk.
Gabriella took advantage of the stranger's presence to leave on her own terms. "I'll let you review the items and I'll return tomorrow to negotiate a price," she said, purely businesslike but without phony smiles.
She started for the door and as she neared the stranger, she locked eyes with him. Something swept over her and though she felt like her world slowed a bit, she did not break her stride. Worried pleading came to her eyes and just as she passed him, in a knee-jerk reaction, said "Don't trust him." It had been spoken conspiratorially. For his ears only. Without a turn of her head or any motion that gave evidence to the fact she'd spoken.
As Gabriella exited, she felt an odd sense of relief over delivering that warning, completely unaware that as in another life, she'd given it too late.
***Gabriella exits to Main Street Outside of Shops and Diner***
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Post by DarkSideCookie on Feb 19, 2018 13:32:25 GMT -8
"Well, you'll have to find interest in that stuff,""My ride and help thinks I have a deal to pawn everything we find. I need to keep up the appearance that there's incentive in all this for him."
Yah yah, whatever she says. How could one person be just so extreme unnerving? Mr. Gold didn't even turn around nor did he stop his preparations to call it closing time. If she wanted him to keep that box full of junk, he could do. Above all, if that would make her leave and finally find what she was supposed to find.
Then, after all, something else made him turn all of a sudden. The door's bell rang another late night shopper. One, more to his liking. That was for today at least. It had been quite an eventful day and he wasn't that much keen on letting it end with this bossy stubborn person.
Just as Mr. Gold was about to welcome his new customer, another second visitor of the day, and to break the silence that had started to cover the three of them, Gabriella raised a word once again.
"I'll let you review the items and I'll return tomorrow to negotiate a price," She didn't get more than a quick sideglance at that, before he watched her heading towards the door, obviously exchanging looks with the new arrival. Only the hint of a smile appeared on Mr. Gold's lips. He wasn't able to hear the words she was giving him, not even sure she did in the first place, but did this situation feel familiar. And only he would know why. The devilish amusement vanished and instead gave place for a business-like smile, once Gabriella had been through the door and he was alone with the prince... well, with Christian of course.
"Mr. Fry.", he finally spoke up, asking him closer. "I was just about to close, but I might be tempted for another exception. If it would be worth it, that is." The smile widened, still friendly and professional though. "So, is it?"
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Post by Medieval Kevin on Mar 10, 2018 22:10:00 GMT -8
Christian heard her words echoing in her mind like reverberations of a gong sounded right next to him. It was not a painful sensation though. But one that bombarded every corner of his mind. It felt like Deja vu. But as he thought about it to no avail he realized that his chance to slip away had passed.
"Mr. Fry.", Gold spoke up, beckoning him closer. "I was just about to close, but I might be tempted for another exception. If it would be worth it, that is." The smile that spread across his face was not unfriendly, yet it still set him off his balance. "So, is it?" Fry cleared his throat and regained his composure. "I should hope so, my... friend was quite pleased with the shell. It is worth it to me, whatever the price we agree upon. So what can I do for you?" he shifted from one foot to the next as he awaited the shop keepers decision.
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Post by DarkSideCookie on Mar 15, 2018 4:39:44 GMT -8
"I should hope so, my... friend" Mr. Gold had to smirk at the short pause before friend, but let the man continue without any interruption. "was quite pleased with the shell. It is worth it to me, whatever the price we agree upon. So what can I do for you?"
For another moment Mr. Gold tantalized him with some more silence, before he finally spoke up, still the friendly smile on his lips. "And I am very pleased to hear that your... friend like it that much. Actually, right now there's nothing I can think of you could do for me." Of course, that was not the end of his sentence. And so he went on with his smile even growing. "But maybe there will be something at another time. Means, you can keep it. In return for... let's say, a little favor, unspecified for now."
Mr. Gold watched the young man intently, as he waited for an answer. He would say yes anyway. The shop owner didn't even need to have a look in the man's eyes to see what was written behind them. Namely, deep affection for the mute girl.
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Post by DarkSideCookie on May 26, 2018 12:21:52 GMT -8
And as expected the young man in front of him just had had no other choice than to comply.
"Now, if you'll excuse me", Mr. Gold eventually spoke up again with another smile, friendly but slightly pressing at the same time. He still had some other business to do. The shop's closing hour never meant the end of his day, not even as for conduct transactions.
With a look at the clock above the entrance door, he gave the young man a pat on his shoulder and at the same time literally chucked him out of his shop with a slight shove, inviting him to leave now. "Convey my greetings to your... friend.", he said his farewell before turning the lights off and making sure he was the last one stepping out of the shop.
"Good evening, Mr. Fry." And with that, he left for some other business.
***Mr. Gold exits***
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on Jun 5, 2018 21:23:17 GMT -8
The night passes and it is now Tuesday morning,
two days after the clock started moving.
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on Jun 5, 2018 21:59:59 GMT -8
Gabriella had been up early and walking from business to business, making use of public announcement boards or clearing with the owner the posting of the fliers she'd printed when she'd gotten home late last night. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Will's Itty Bitty Wonderworld has suffered minor fire damage. William Robinson has been a kind and giving member of the community. Looking for volunteers who would like to show the same kind and giving spirit by helping with repairs and refurbishment so that he has a home and store to return to when released from hospital.
Costs are covered. Supplies and paints have been purchased. Additional tools and paint supplies would be helpful but it is your dedicated time and work that would be most appreciated.
Work to begin noon Friday and continue at all hours throughout the weekend until completed. Volunteers are welcome to report for whatever times are convenient.
Thank you.
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Post by DarkSideCookie on Jun 8, 2018 10:23:15 GMT -8
***Mr. Gold enters***
Mr. Gold was about to just unlock the door to his shop like every single morning of the week when he suddenly noticed something taped at it. His eyes narrowed while he started to read the printed text on the flier, widening back to their normal state with every further word. Once the shop owner had finished reading, a thoughtful yet satisfied smile appeared on his lips.
"Working on a voluntary basis?", Mr. Gold mumbled to himself, as his finger softly pressed against the tape holding the flier so that it wouldn't get blown off by the wind. Him showing up at a voluntary mission like that definitely would create a sensation, maybe even change his reputation among the townsfolk. And as a welcoming side effect, he could reach out to the barker of this event. Mr. Gold had no doubts in regard to the question who might have hung up these leaflets so that he even wasn't considering anyone else but the universally obliging Miss Belinda Goodall.
He proceeded his move to unlock the door, before stepping inside, seemingly in high spirits all of a sudden. This might be a good occasion to have a little chat with her. He was still owing her an answer and since the day she had asked for his help he had come up with one indeed.
The smile on Mr. Gold's face remained all throughout the morning and seemed to bewilder a lot of customers who made their way inside his shop at this early hour. Today he would grant himself an early quitting time and a premature weekend, which didn't mean he wouldn't take care of other business though...
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Post by DarkSideCookie on Jun 8, 2018 15:19:35 GMT -8
When it seemed that no one was entering anymore with the time going by, Mr. Gold decided to close his shop at an unusually early hour. There was still some time left until noon even; enough time to allow himself to make a stop somewhere else on his way to business... correction: on his way to voluntary work.
***Mr. Gold exits to Country Bread***
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on Jan 18, 2020 15:03:08 GMT -8
The rest of Tuesday passes uneventfully.
It is now Wednesday, October 26, 2011, early morning.
Three days after the clock started moving
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on Mar 22, 2020 13:07:11 GMT -8
***Charlie enters from Main Street Outside of Shops and Diner***
Charlie continued to run down the sidewalk, the sound of her own heartbeat pounding in her ears making it impossible to hear if footfall followed her. Her hoodie blocked her view when attempting to turn her head to glance back, but she heard him call out to her, so she knew he still followed.
As she approached the end of the line of shops, she veered to the left and into the street, the forward motion finally dislodged her hoodie just as she was approaching the other side of the street. View now cleared, she turned her head back and saw that she was still being pursued and that the distance between them was far less than she'd anticipated.
She faced forward again, hoping she'd make it to the safe haven of the forest before he caught up to her. But at the rate he was gaining and the distance still to the forest, she wasn't hopeful. She also did not like the idea of leading him into her safe haven. The forest was where she came and went from home to work. It was the place she liked to wander freely. The only place she was allowed to wander freely. Should she manage to reach it before he caught up and lose him in it, it might give him reason to continue to come back and wander her woods.
Panic on her face, Charlie looked forward to find Mr. Gold's shop ahead of her. Seeing the name of one of the few people she knew, and considered to be kind, gave her a bit of relief. Would he be in already? Her eyes stared hard ahead, trying to see behind the gloss of the window for any sign of life. Lights, movement. To her relief, she was able to barely make out a silhouette in one of the windows. It seemed to be motioning to her left. Charlie followed the silhouette's directions and veered left again, running down the alleyway between Mr. Gold's and the neighboring shop.
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Post by DarkSideCookie on Mar 22, 2020 16:55:21 GMT -8
Maybe for once, it was rather a coincidence that, of all mornings, it had been this one that he'd been up very early, thinking that, now that he was awake anyway, he could go into the shop early as well. He had left his doors closed, intending to get some things done, without people entering - the kind of things that weren't meant to be seen by anyone who knew him only as Mr. Gold, Storybrooker's owner and rent collector. Maybe he was still not able to use magic here, but, at least, he could work on his plans in order to set the ball rolling, now that the most important turn had been made - the stay of the Savior. From now on, every further turn would be just the tactical placement of the right token to the right time. A smile appeared on Mr. Gold's lips every now and then, as he set up preparations.
But back to the mentioned coincidence of this morning...
He had been throwing an actual rather random look outside the front window when he suddenly saw a hooded figure running along the pathway. Mr. Gold narrowed his eyes in concentration to get clear of the situation very quickly. It seemed that the girl, obviously the town's unknown, Charlotte Briar, was running away from someone.
Another smile appeared on his lips before he made himself known by giving her a motioning towards the backdoor of his shop. Not actually sure if she had gotten his silent message from behind the glass, Mr. Gold grabbed at his cane and hurried to walk through the room to get to the backdoor before her tracker would be able to see where she had gone.
Quickly unlocking and opening the backdoor, Mr. Gold went without words to not risk anyone to overhear them, and just gave her a waving sign towards the back of his shop instead - actually a part of his shop that he never led customers in, but he was quite sure Charlotte wouldn't do any damage there. The worst that could happen was her getting to see some of the more exclusive stuff, although he was sure that she wouldn't figure their use or value.
"Mr. Gold.", sounded the friendly yet determined voice from outside or rather practically the doorstep. "Good morning, sir."
"Good morning, Detective."
"Early opening today as I see?"
"Well, I just arrived so please excuse that I can't let in any customer yet."
"Oh no no, I wasn't going to shop, Mr. Gold.", the detective replied with a joyless chuckle. "Actually... I have seen someone turning off here and was wondering if..."
"... if I gave asylum to some outlaw in the back of my shop?", Mr. Gold was quick to snap back in mocking amusement, one of the kinds that turned every situation and further questioning into ridicule.
A short pause was following before the detective raised his voice again, obviously a little irked about the fact that there was not the option to force a step inside. "... Fine fine. But if you should see anything unusual, please let me know, will you?"
"Of course, Detective."
With a triumphant smile, slightly growing once the door was closed behind, Mr. Gold locked it up again and stepped back into the inner of his shop, heading towards the room where Charlotte was waiting.
"You've fallen in with the bad cop instead of the good.", Mr. Gold said once he came to face the outlaw he had just given asylum to. "I hope you're not in trouble, Miss Briar.", he added rather questioning yet with a friendly smile before she could have reacted to his former words.
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on Mar 28, 2020 13:21:12 GMT -8
At the end of the alley, Charlie turned right. To her relief, Mr. Gold was holding open the back door and waving her in.
"Thank you," she said on a winded whisper as she flew passed him. The back room of the store was so cluttered that she couldn't readily find a place to hide, so she ducked passed the curtain to the front of the store and hunkered down behind the counter. Charlie closed her eyes and hugged her knees to her chest, taking a few quiet, deep breaths, concentrating on returning her breathing to normal while being as quiet as possible.
"Mr. Gold." "Good morning, sir."
Charlie held her breath, afraid to make even the slightest sound.
"Good morning, Detective."
Detective. Goodness, she'd run from law enforcement. Her worry and panic immediately doubled. Would he use his status to intimidate his way into searching the place? Of course she knew a warrant was required, but most people tended to avoid defying a member of the law. At least in her mind, she believed so.
She listened carefully, ready to scurry out and make a run for the front door should Mr. Gold feel pressured into letting the detective in. Feeling intimidated herself, Charlie wouldn't blame him if he did.
"Early opening today as I see?"
"Well, I just arrived so please excuse that I can't let in any customer yet."
"Oh no no, I wasn't going to shop, Mr. Gold." "Actually... I have seen someone turning off here and was wondering if..."
"... if I gave asylum to some outlaw in the back of my shop?"
Charlie relaxed with relief. Unlike herself, Mr. Gold didn't seem to sound intimidated in the least. He was calm and collected. Surprisingly, even a bit flippant. That was an understatement. He was flat out snarky and sarcastic. Charlie swallowed a laugh that had threatened to bubble up at Mr. Gold's audacity.
"... Fine fine. But if you should see anything unusual, please let me know, will you?"
"Of course, Detective."
She heard the door close then footsteps coming toward her. Charlie remained seated with her back against the counter, arms lightly draped around her updrawn legs. She had a smile of appreciation and relief aimed up at Mr. Gold when he pushed passed the curtain.
"You've fallen in with the bad cop instead of the good."
Taking his statement seriously, Charlie's smile faded and she paled. 'Bad cop'? She thought those only existed in stories and maybe in big cities. Not here in their quaint little Storybrooke.
"I hope you're not in trouble, Miss Briar."
"Oh no," she said in all seriousness, eyes innocently wide while refuting the slightest notion that she'd break any law, no matter how small. Feeling enough time had passed, Charlie got to her feet, reconsidering her answer. "Well, considering that was a detective I'd been running from, I might be now." There was concern in her tone and on her expression but she still tried to ease any concern he might have over harboring trouble. "But I promise you, I didn't do anything. He was at the diner when I was dropping off some pastries and he just... came after me."
Charlie puzzled over that feeling. Though it seemed he's simply followed and had politely asked to have a word with her, she'd somehow felt pursued and strangely, as if she had a real reason beyond keeping her existence unknown to be pursued.
"Is he really a bad cop?" she asked, wondering now if he'd only been teasing her.
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Post by DarkSideCookie on Mar 28, 2020 15:28:07 GMT -8
"Oh no,"Mr. Gold smiled. He had expected as much, as this certainly was the most innocent and naive person he had ever met. And he had met a lot of people. Yah, not even Snow White was as pure as she was, far away from it actually. "Well, considering that was a detective I'd been running from, I might be now.", Charlotte added quickly, while Mr. Gold put some stuff away from the counter. Not that he feared she could even guess the use of any of it, but just in case. As she spoke, the smile remained on his face, silently listening.
"But I promise you, I didn't do anything. He was at the diner when I was dropping off some pastries and he just... came after me." At that, he turned his gaze towards her after all, his features more serious now while inwardly he was actually still amused. So, after all, the knight had found his princess. Wasn't it refreshing to see everyone somehow finding back to their own self, in some form or another? Eventually, Mr. Gold couldn't suppress another smile any longer, pretending it to have arisen from some kind of a calming nature rather than from amusement. "Is he really a bad cop?", she suddenly asked before he could have answered what she'd said before. "Well, bad is such an extensive term, but he's surely known for performing his job in a rather... rigorous way", he said as he leaned on his cane. When he saw Charlotte growing with even more worries, he quickly added: "You have nothing to worry about, dear. Like you said, you did nothing wrong. I'm sure he'll leave to his office soon. But," Mr. Gold gave her a friendly smile. "you may stay here for a while if you want. Just in case." And to have a little chat with her. Couldn't do any harm to have, at least, one friend in Storybrooke. Maybe there will come a day that he can make use of that...
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Post by DarkSideCookie on Mar 28, 2020 16:49:35 GMT -8
This Mr. Gold had got some nerve, talking to him like that. Oh, how he'd love to find something to piss this forenameless man off. If Walter hadn't been too proud to work together with mayoress Mills, he probably would have come across something already, but no, not him. Since the year one he had been a lone wolf, fine with him to be gridlocked as for that.
Once the shop's owner had shut his door right in front of him, Walter crept around the building, in the hopes to catch a glimpse of more than only one person inside. Usually he would have been more careful as for keeping up his proprieties, but, for some reason, he didn't mind that ever since the moment he had seen that girl with her face hiding under a hood.
His efforts were to no avail though. And so, at some point, Walter gave up. For now. But he would make it his task to find out anything about the Diner's delivery person. Maybe he should turn back to just there and try to press either Gail or Ruby for some information. Also, he still didn't have breakfast yet. Don't break a habit, or as the saying goes. No, probably that was not a saying at all, but, at least, it was his lifestyle.
With a quick look to his surroundings and a quiet harrumph, Walter turned about to head back towards the Diner.
*** Walter exits to Granny's Diner ***
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on Apr 5, 2020 13:22:31 GMT -8
Charlie began to feel at ease with Mr. Gold's reassurances. "It might be best if I wait it out for a bit," she said in agreement. Charlie glanced at her watch, relieved to see that she had a good amount of time still until her aunts arrived and the bakery opened.
She glanced around from her spot, wondering at so very many treasures. "I've always wanted to see your shop," she began, having to forcefully pull her eyes away from the room in order to look back toward Mr. Gold to properly make her request. "Would you mind if I had a look around? I don't know if I'll ever have the opportunity to again." It was a crazy random happenstance that had landed her here when the place was still closed. Possibly her only chance to wander the place freely and completely absorb herself without worrying about being seen.
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Post by DarkSideCookie on Apr 5, 2020 16:50:25 GMT -8
"It might be best if I wait it out for a bit,"
A satisfied smile was playing around Mr. Gold's lips in a moment that his back was turned towards her. Yet, he was sure that even if it hadn't, Charlotte would have been the last person in Storybrooke who would ascribe any kind of badness to it. There might be a chance that was not even a word in her vocabulary. The smile widened for a moment, but then lowered back to just the friendly-shop-owner-smile before he drew his full attention back at his special guest.
"I've always wanted to see your shop,""Would you mind if I had a look around? I don't know if I'll ever have the opportunity to again."
"Oh, not at all. Please go ahead. Be my guest, as they say.", he said with a humorous smirk and an inviting gesture around the valuables in his shop. Mr. Gold was always curious when he had a first time visitor. It was neat, to say the least, to watch someone either targeting just the right object or missing it by a hair's breadth. He wondered though what it was that would catch her attention first.
As Mr. Gold was pretending to be fully observed with something else, still looking like someone who would take his time to provide advice if needed though, he threw unobtrusive glances over at her every now and then.
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on Apr 25, 2020 19:35:26 GMT -8
"Oh, thank you!" she said enthusiastically. Charlie felt like a kid with free reign in a candy store. She clamped down on her excitement enough to stop herself from a little bounce and clapping.
Charlie slowly made her way from around the counter, glancing at all the items within. So very many things to see! Jewelry of all sorts, all so beautiful. Most of it appearing to have an ancient look and yet in such amazing condition that they didn't seem old at all. Only out of place and time. She continued, eyes scanning and taking it in. Knowing this might be her only chance to see it all, she wanted to savor it.
She kept moving at a slow yet steady pace. A pair of gold wrist cuffs gave her a little pause. They strangely seemed familiar, but knowing it wasn't possible she'd seen them before, she kept moving. The items in the cases eventually melded from jewelry to things that didn't appear to have a commonality. Normal items such as an old chess set and an old Mickey Mouse handset phone. Then more unusual items. Carved creations, small trinkets, even wands. They gave her a sense of magical items one might have read about in storybooks. How odd to see wands in an antique shop. Surely they were items used by children who were playing games that involved imagination. Why the need to lock them in the glass display case? Three wands aligned neatly beside each other had her pausing again. Each a little different, yet with enough of a connection to give her the sense they'd belonged to three people connected. Siblings, perhaps?
Rose's eyes scanned upward to the wall out of reach behind the counter. Passed the cluster of paintings were various items displayed in little shelving coves. The adjoining wall displayed weapons of all sorts. Several swords, a bow and quiver of arrows that all looked handmade, spears, old, intricately designed guns, old rifles. My goodness, she'd only barely begun exploring and she was already in awe.
The smaller display case to the side of the main counter came to an end and she found various items of clothing and accessories hanging on hooks. She felt a pull toward a rather plain cape half tucked under a luxurious velvet one and pushed the finer material cape away in order to get a better look at the plain one. She ran her fingers along it, feeling an odd sense of nostalgia which doubled when she caught sight of the satchel hanging on a hook beside it.
Charlie's fingers lightly played over the framing of the flap opening before her hand disappeared beneath the flap, her fingers automatically seeking out a small cluster of raised stitching. Fingers coming into contact with the design near the lip of the opening, Charlie quickly pulled her hand back and stared hard at the satchel. She didn't have to lift the flap to see that the raised stitching was a decorative little rose with pink petals. How in the world had she known there was a stitching there at all? Something stopped her from wanting to know and pushed her to move away from the items, each step fading the thoughts away.
"Where did all this come from?" she asked in awe as she moved into the first aisle.
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Post by DarkSideCookie on Apr 26, 2020 13:49:31 GMT -8
Mr. Gold couldn't help but furtively peer around the counter while a first-time customer was getting a good look around his shop, every now and then inwardly shaking his head over her childish mannerism. No, not actually childish, but rather - he actually didn't have a word for that in his vocabulary -, he just remembered to always have found it kind of... odd.
"Where did all this come from?", she eventually asked, receiving first a feigned look of surprise, as Mr. Gold was pretending to have been occupied in his own business, and then a friendly smile.
"Oh, many different places. Some of them from far far away." Mr. Gold had to lightly chuckle because of his own wording, as he had to think of this place that literally had this name. "Please take your time. And do not hesitate to have a closer look at things." Because that was when this kind of magical glimmer - he still wasn't sure about it himself - used to happen. There was still no magic in this land, yet it seemed the objects were choosing their owners and not vice versa. He wondered what it will be that would choose Charlie...
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on May 2, 2020 18:24:23 GMT -8
Charlie continued to peruse, distractedly listening to Mr. Gold. "Far, far away," she repeated to herself dreamily. All these trinkets and treasures had probably seen more places and known more people than she had. 'Is it possible to be envious of inanimate objects?' she mused, using humorous thought to distract herself from the pang of feeling trapped and lonely that sometimes hit her.
Charlie was gazing up at the items hanging from the ceiling. A good sized rowboat hanging upside down--how in the world had they managed to get that up there?--some windchimes, decorate mobiles, marionettes less creepy than the two she'd seen resting against a box on the counter, a chandelier, and speaking of feeling caged, literal cages. A birdcage in particular peeked her interest and Charlie was reaching up to give it a turn when a green gleam caught the corner of her eye.
Cage completely forgotten, Charlie looked down and to the right, trying to seek out what she'd seen, but no green gleam was in site. She shifted from left to right, trying to catch the same angle where the light had hit something just right to reflect the surface of something green, as she assumed that had been the case, having no idea that what had caught her eye had actually given one glowing green pulse. Residual magic within it had activated upon its first contact with its original owner in this new land. But with the curse only having a fracture, magic was still very weak.
She'd sworn it had come from the general area of a large jewelry box sitting open on one of the shelves, pieces of jewelry haphazardly piled in, waiting to be sorted and displayed in cases. Or perhaps these were the lower end ones unworthy of being categorized or displayed. Part of a small silver box pendant protruded from a clutter of other pendants, charms, and tangled chains. It wasn't green but it captured her intruge and her curiosity transferred to it. Charlie tilted her head to the same angle of the cube, studying what looked to be vines curling on its sides.
Taking care no matter the worth of the items in the box, she delicately shifted aside other items until she could free the little cube. Untangling its chain from another necklace, she'd finally freed it and placed the cube pendant in her palm with chain hanging between her fingers, getting her first good look. It was beautiful. Silver shaped the outlines of the frosted cube within, silver designs curling on each of its sides. It very much reminding her of nature and the forest that she so loved. She turned it upward, studying the top loops the chain ran through and the bottom, the loops there almost looking like hinges. It looked as if it opened. How neat would it be if it did in order to store a little treasure inside? Indeed it would have to be little as the cube wasn't very large. She placed her fingernail between the top loops and gently applied pressure, but it didn't budge. Perhaps it was only the design. She didn't care. She'd become completely enthralled with the little trinket.
Charlie immediately returned to the counter where Mr. Gold stood. "How much for this?" she asked eagerly, delicately placing the necklace on the counter as if it were priceless. It didn't occur to her to bargain, as people usually did in a pawn shop. It wasn't just that she'd never been to one, or any shop for that matter, it was the fact that she had so much trust in people. To further make any bargain hunter cringe, Charlie took out the money from the diner's big daily order that she'd stuffed into her pocket when fleeing from the detective and placed it out on the counter. "I have this with me, but if it's not enough, I could return with the rest." Charlie watched him expectantly, the trust and excitement over the little treasure so clear in her innocent face.
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Post by DarkSideCookie on May 9, 2020 12:03:24 GMT -8
Mr. Gold resumed the furtive peeking around the counter, still pretending to polish the same object over and over again, as Charlie continued her walk through his shop. A slight smile appeared on his lips every now and then when something caught the young woman's attention; and, every time, he knew that those wouldn't cause anything to happen, for there was no connection between them and his inquisitive customer.
Mr. Gold's hands slightly stopped in his action, when suddenly something seemed to draw her interest more than anything before. He smiled again, silently watching her shifting from left to right to... What exactly was she doing? He shook his head inwardly while, on the outside, the friendly-shopkeeper-smile remained in its place.
Bingo!, he thought, his smile growing wider, when it seemed that Charlie had found... no, that another object had found its owner. Wasn't it just stunning how magic always found a way - even in a place like this? Once Charlie turned around to return to him, he resumed his business on the counter once again.
"How much for this?"
He looked up to her with a smile. It was obvious that the girl didn't go out very often, not only because of her blind trust in a prize a pawnshop keeper would charge, but especially because of her blind trust in him. This was hardly different from their little encounters in the Enchanted Forest.
"I have this with me, but if it's not enough, I could return with the rest.", she continued when Mr. Gold hadn't reacted with more than a smile.
"You know what?", Mr. Gold suddenly announced as he reached out for her hands to place them among the necklace on the counter, obviously not even intending to take the money she had been offering him just now. "It's yours. It's been here untouched for so many years. I'm actually glad to see someone is taking an interest in it."
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on May 23, 2020 18:58:20 GMT -8
"You know what?"
He took hold of her hands and Charlie looked down inquisitively, watching as he placed her hands on the necklace.
"It's yours.
She quickly looked up at him with wide-eyed surprise. "Really? Are you sure?"
It's been here untouched for so many years. I'm actually glad to see someone is taking an interest in it."
Charlie beamed at him, truly touched at his generosity. "Oh, thank you!" she said with a little bounce in place. She carefully picked up the necklace and gazed at the pendant lying in the palm of her hand, feeling the incredible tug it gave her all the way to her soul. "I could just hug you if this counter wasn't in the way!" she said on a happy giggle.
She busied herself with putting it on straight away. Charlie unhinged the clasp and drew the chain around her neck, tilting her head slightly so that her hair fell to the side. The clasp quickly and easily secured its place in the loop almost as if it was just as eager to be worn as she was to be wearing it. Charlie lightly placed a hand over the pendant that now lay near her heart, the top of her hand blocking her own view of the single glow of magic that pulsated from beneath her fingers as it had finally come to rest in its rightful place.
There was a little mirror resting on the counter. Charlie picked it up to see how it looked on her. "It just feels like it was made for me," she said dreamily, but hearing herself say that out loud and seeing her expression reflected back at herself, she looked a little embarrassed as she gingerly placed the mirror back down. "Sorry, now I'm being silly."
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Post by DarkSideCookie on Jun 7, 2020 15:31:14 GMT -8
Oh dear, she is so naive, Mr. Gold thought with a smirk and seriously had to check himself to not allow an eye-roll to surface.
"I could just hug you if this counter wasn't in the way!"
Well, thank goodness then it was... He replied to her giggle with one of his friendly shopkeepers' smiles. And when she busied herself with putting the necklace on straight away, an almost expectant look appeared on his features. Sometimes Mr. Gold just couldn't hide his anticipation, although with Charlie it probably wouldn't cause any suspicion anyway. This girl would thank Hades himself for inviting her into the underworld before happily asking for her room.
With fascination in his eyes, Mr. Gold watched the single glow of magic that pulsated from beneath her fingers, just where the pendant lay. "It looks beautiful on you.", he pretended that being the reason for the glare of fascination in his eyes.
"It just feels like it was made for me,", she said dreamily as she looked at herself in the mirror. "Sorry, now I'm being silly."
"Oh, not a bit.", Mr. Gold reassured with a toneless chuckle. "Every once in a while I have the privilege of watching somebody finding something in my shop that was indeed like made for them. It's a pleasure for me every time I see that." The smile widened. A pleasure indeed. "Please," he suddenly added with a gesturing of his hand. "Why don't you have a look over in whatever corner of my shop? Take your time. Maybe there is something else that was made for you." Of course, it hadn't been a coincidence that his gesturing led towards the corner he wanted her to have a look at first.
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on Jul 4, 2020 11:27:27 GMT -8
"Oh, not a bit." "Every once in a while I have the privilege of watching somebody finding something in my shop that was indeed like made for them. It's a pleasure for me every time I see that."
Charlie returned her money to her pocket, smiling at the insight into an aspect of his job that brought him joy. Though she was mistaken in assuming it was seeing someone happy over an item that brought him joy.
"Please," "Why don't you have a look over in whatever corner of my shop? Take your time. Maybe there is something else that was made for you."
She glanced at her watch. Time. She didn't have much of it left and there was still so much to see in the shop. "Oh yes, of course!" Though she would try to temper her excitement if she did see something else she liked. He'd already gifted her the necklace and she did not wish to take advantage of his generosity.
Charlie wandered back toward the shelves of merchandise, subconsciously having moved toward the section he'd gestured toward. She kept her hands clasped behind her back in an effort to stop herself from touching everything but that did not last long with the draw of the treasures. So much history and mystery to their past. How could one not pick them up, turn them in their hands, look for hints of their stories. Maker markings, initials or names of who'd they once belonged to, scratches or dings that spoke of what they'd been through, wondering whose else's hands it had been in throughout its life.
It must be a lovely feeling, she thought, returning to his previous comment, to see that you've brought a bit of happiness to someone. Charlie had had compliments in regards to her baking passed onto her, but it wasn't the same as actually seeing someone's face light up. She'd only ever seen it once or twice when daring to peek through the little window on the door to the backroom. It was a muted experience that way. She wanted to stand before them, watching them take that first bite, asking questions, finding out what they liked or learning about treats that brought back childhood memories. Rich information that would allow her to tweak or create new recipes that would touch the hearts of returning customers who'd given her the insight to create them.
"I wish I could interact with my customers," she began, carrying on a conversation as she browsed, not really sure where Mr. Gold was but the place was compact enough for him to hear her, maybe not from the backroom but she figured he'd have remained nearby in case she did find something she liked. "Maybe..." something up ahead beyond the aisle caught her attention amongst some bigger items all piled close together along the wall perpendicular to the rows. A sharp point of metal protruding upward. She felt an odd chill go through her, attributing it to imagining someone accidentally hurting themselves and tried to force her eyes away, but it pulled at her attention. As if out of her control, Charlie's mind wouldn't stop trying to piece together what it was. Her voice became very distracted. "Maybe someday... I'll...be able to--"
What the object was amongst the clutter suddenly clicked and it was as if a switch had been flicked, taking over control of her mind. Charlie's eyes glazed as her body slowly turned toward it. She began automatically walking forward in a slow, hypnotized state. A soft green glow began to pulsate from the necklace, its brightness intensifying with each step she took toward the end of the aisle. With only a few steps between herself and the spinning wheel, her arm began to slowly raise toward the spindle.
By the time she came to a stop, the necklace was pulsating a bright, otherworldly beacon of light. Everything before her was tinted in green. Bright green light pulsed through the slivers of the closed blinds to the relatively deserted streets of the early morning, creating an odd sight from the outside of the shop. The warning beacon was useless when there was no one at the controls but it continued to pulse its warning, sending out its signal to its creator as Charlie's finger began a slow descent toward the sharp point of the spindle.
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Post by DarkSideCookie on Jul 20, 2020 7:40:01 GMT -8
When the girl followed his gesturing right away, the satisfied smile on his lips grew even wider, yet still checked enough to still pass for a friendly shopkeeper smile. Because, although she was naive, he'd better not overuse that advantage. And so he remained quiet as he watched her moving towards the section with one specific item; one that might not be made for her, but maybe would set something else than just her feet into motion. As soon as Charlie had passed him, Mr. Gold's smile grew into a devilish grin after all. This was all part of the plan. Now, where the first part with Emma Swan had been set into motion already, it was time for the second. It was time to get something back that he was missing for already a while now - maybe not missing in the way others would, but rather was he in possession of what belonged to him than knowing it in the hands of someone who could use it against him. If he'd ever told Malefecient what really was in that chest he'd given to her shortly before the curse had hit the land, that was.
Mr. Gold was unobtrusively following the girl's steps, not like being right behind but rather to make sure he'd be as soon as she was close enough to that specific item - namely Rumplestiltskin's spinning wheel.
"I wish I could interact with my customers," Mr. Gold stopped his steps, although he was sure that the girl wouldn't mind him staying close. After all, he was just the friendly shopkeeper who liked to be there to help if needed, wasn't he?
"Maybe..." He noticed a sudden change in her voice. The last thing he wanted was putting a stop to it just now. And so he said nothing in return, but instead continued his steps. "Maybe someday... I'll...be able to--"
It worked. He knew it would work. Yet, of course, he wouldn't let it get to the point where it actually would work. Once he saw that green glow pulsating from the necklace, Mr. Gold hurried his steps. Being there right in time before Charlie's finger made contact with the sharp point of the spindle, he suddenly grabbed her hand. And even though it seemed last minute, he was acting as composed as before.
"Dearie.", he started in a rather Rumplestiltskin-like tone first but quickly changed back into his role, almost like the released magic would not only have affected her but also himself. "We wouldn't want you to accidentally hurt yourself, or would we?" With a friendly smile, he let off from her hand. "So, did you see anything else?" he then asked like nothing would have happened.
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on Aug 15, 2020 11:11:39 GMT -8
"Dearie.",
Something pulled at her to continue the incline but her arm wouldn't move and she couldn't register why. The tinny sound of a voice in the distance started to pull at her consciousness and Charlie followed it back to reality. She was finally able to take her eyes from the spindle and the feel of a grasp on her arm had her eyes moving toward her wrist to see what had hold of it.
"We wouldn't want you to accidentally hurt yourself, or would we?"
His voice, clear now to her ears, wiped away the remaining fog but left her in complete confusion. What was he talking about? She pushed her gaze forward from her wrist and saw that her finger hovered dangerously close to the sharp spindle of the spinning wheel. He'd been very right to step in and stop her. "No, I... I wouldn't." He released her arm and she lowered it while taking a step away from the spinning wheel, looking sheepish and trying to figure out how she ended up standing here in the first place. "Thank you. I don't know what I was thinking." She couldn't for the life of her piece together why in the world she would do something so foolish.
Charlie felt the draw of the spinning wheel pulling at her again but Mr. Gold spoke, breaking the connection.
"So, did you see anything else?"
Charlie turned her back to the unsettling object. "No," she said, wrapping her arms around herself and rubbing away the chill that had gone through her. Mind still rattled, she spoke distractedly. "I should... I should get back to the bakery. Do you mind if I use the back entrance?" she asked, already moving toward it with a need to put some distance between herself and the spinning wheel.
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Post by DarkSideCookie on Sept 5, 2020 12:13:58 GMT -8
"No, I... I wouldn't." A knowing grin lurked beneath the surface. Mr. Gold wouldn't risk to let it show, even though she already had accomplished her little task. But you never know when you would need a friend, especially with the majority of the townspeople not exactly on your side. "Thank you. I don't know what I was thinking." He just smiled at that.
And when the girl replied to his question, she suddenly seemed to be in a hurry. "No,""I should... I should get back to the bakery. Do you mind if I use the back entrance?"
"Of course not, my dear." Mr. Gold answered with another smile. And before she went on moving towards the door, he quickly added: "It was nice to have a chat with you. I hope you know that you're always welcome here." She had rendered him a great service, so that was the least he could offer. The smile grew for a moment.
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Post by Kristi Lynne on Sept 6, 2020 17:08:26 GMT -8
*** Emma enters from Granny's Diner ***
Judging by the look on Walter's face and his dismissive nod, the detective's quest hadn't been successful. But really, how long could someone keep their identity a secret in this town? Or maybe she was just the lucky one to have all her secrets splashed across the front page of the Storybrooke paper. Fine, whatever. Regina had won that round, but Emma was far from beaten. Sure, she'd been arrested (twice), evicted from the inn, and nearly blown up her new and fragile relationship with Henry by suggesting that the curse was crazy.
But this was a new day. A chance to learn more about her son and his hometown, and what better place to start than the man who supposedly owned it. Mr. Gold's shop was easy to find. And since he owned the building in which Mary Margaret lived, it was perfectly natural for his newest tenant to stop by and discuss the terms of her accommodation. No need to be intimidated. Even though everyone else in town was.
As she passed the large shop windows and approached the entrance, she noticed a green glow coming through the blinds. Something you might expect from a neon sign in a casino or bar, certainly not a pawn shop. "Huh," Emma said, stopping in her tracks. "That's...weird." But the light seemed to fade as quickly as it had appeared. She looked around to see if maybe anyone else had noticed, but the few people walking nearby were carrying on as usual. So she shook her head and resumed her path to the door.
Emma placed her hand on the doorknob, turned it and pushed it forward, hearing a bell jingle above the entrance to announce a customer's arrival. "Mr. Gold?" she called, before stepping inside.
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on Sept 7, 2020 14:17:05 GMT -8
Charlie had been glad to have made a friend of Mr. Gold. He'd been kind and generous and respected the need for her to keep herself a secret without question and without the odd, questioning looks the few others of her acquaintance had given her. He'd offered her help before she could even ask for it and had lied on her behalf, to a person of authority, no less. It was far more than she would have ever felt comfortable asking of anyone, but he'd done so of his own volition.
He also owned this amazing shop full of wonders and had told her she was welcome any time. She looked around the backroom as she made her way to the exit. She'd overlooked most of this while hiding back here in panic, straining to listen to the conversation outside the door. It was a bit disorganized with a workbench cluttered paperwork and items she assumed were in the process of being repaired.
The sound of the front door bell jingling with the signal of an arrival immediately squashed her curiosity and Charlie swiftly made her way to the door. She opened it quietly as she could, a slight grimace as the hinges squeaked while she closed it behind her which turned to a flinch with the sound of metal popping into place when she released the latch a little short of fully aligning with its hole.
She did overly worry, knowing that should it have been heard and should the patron be curious enough to inquire about it, Mr. Gold would cover for her. Charlie hurried on her way back to the bakery, getting back before her aunts arrived being her prominent concern.
***Charlie exits to Storybrooke Country Bread***
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Post by DarkSideCookie on Sept 11, 2020 16:02:58 GMT -8
The smile on his face remained for another while after the girl had turned to head for the back entrance. Yet, it didn't last there for long, as another guest was already entering from the front. It was rather unusual to have more than one customer around his shop this early in the morning. But what was usual anyway, ever since the moment the clock had started to move? Finally, needless to say.
"Mr. Gold?"
Speaking of the unusual, what do you know! Emma Swan.
Mr. Gold checked the door being shut behind his former customer before he started hobbling through the room with the help of his cane, turning his attention towards the next. As he emerged from the backroom, he put on a surprised face.
"Miss Swan." He smiled. "To what do I owe the honor of this visit? Or are you just on a morning pint, on the search for a souvenir? In that case, feel free to have a look around. And don't hesitate to let me know if you find anything that interests you." She surely wasn't here to shop, but how shall he know? He was just a usual shop owner.
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