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Post by DarkSideCookie on Apr 10, 2021 11:40:10 GMT -8
(tempplay by DarkSideCookie) Regina was on the way towards her office, unaware that soon something would once again damp her spirits, same as not yet aware of Emma Swan still lurking around her town, when suddenly a whole different view made her inwardly growl first. She paused her steps as she watched an annoyingly happy Mary Margaret with inner wrath. Why on earth was that damn girl so happy? Even if the reason for that came from trivial facts, Regina would still hate it. Snow White shall not be happy, especially not here. This was solely her happy ending, hers alone. Maybe she should make sure that Mary Margaret would be more stretched with her job, Regina thought as she put that on her to-do for later, bringing at least a spark of satisfaction back to her features. She surely wasn't paying the school fees for teachers walking around like they had some free hours. If there was one person who didn't deserve any free time at all, then that was Mary Margaret. Yes, Regina would have to take care of that. She smiled again, a complacent one. The only smile that anyone except for Henry would ever get to see around here. Before Regina turned her gaze away from Mary Margaret, she saw another young woman that she, Mary Margaret, had almost run down in her silly happiness. How that figured. That girl stood always in the way of somebody. With an inner hiss, Regina diverted her gaze from them, after all. And just as she was going to continue her way, another view set her on pause. What in the hell? As if a happy Mary Margaret hadn't been enough already to ruin her day, Regina's eyes fell upon the nearby open doors of the demolished toy shop, spotting another unfortunately familiar face whereupon her features hardened even more. What was Emma Swan still doing here? Shouldn't she be on her way back to wherever she'd come from after Regina had taken care of her chuck out of Granny's? While she stared daggers at her from afar, Regina was already having a guess since she was able to put one and one together. Her displeasure openly worn upon her face, Regina walked closer and, finally, inside that makeshift building lot. Meeting Emma Swan and this other woman Mary Margaret had run over only a minute ago by the entry area, she didn't even let her eyes wander around to wonder about the reasoning of this get-together, not yet at least, but instead headed straight towards Emma Swan who appeared to be in the middle of her own conversation. Regina had never bothered interrupting anybody. That even was giving her a feeling of empowerment. At this very moment though, it was only her wrath taking matters in hand. "Miss Swan," Regina spoke up with her obvious mask of faking to be nice, at least by her standards. "What a surprise to see you still around. I heard there had been some problems with your room." She made no secret of the hidden message in her words, namely her invitation that she shall leave for good. And as much as she was still faking friendliness, they had reached a point where Regina felt no need to fake a smile any longer. That would only be a waste.
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on May 7, 2021 22:12:30 GMT -8
"Hey, Gabriella, right?"
"Yes?" she said distractedly with a quick look up, assuming one of the townsfolk volunteers had a question or request for supplies. The unfamiliar face had her immediately looking back up and lowering her phone. She put on a friendly yet guarded smile. This must be--
"I'm Emma. Transferring her phone to her left hand, Gabriella reached out her right one to shake Emma's offered hand. "I hope you don't mind me being here. One of the waitresses at the diner told me about it."
Why there might be a reason she'd mind gave Gabriella pause. Emma was new to town, but Gabriella got the impression from the way Emma had said it that she'd missed something that had happened. Not surprising considering her anti-social nature. "No, of course not," she said after a short pause, maintaining her smile in hopes of avoiding Emma thinking her pause meant she did mind.
"And I just want you to know everything you may have heard or read about me -- well, it's mostly true," "You have some very thorough journalists in this town."
Maintaining her smile hadn't seemed to do the trick. Emma did not know her, so she had no reason to know that Gabriella's guarded demeanor was habitual and toward everyone. Gabriella eased up, trying to be more open in order to avoid Emma taking it personally. "Oh, I avoid that gossip rag." Gabriella gave a dismissive wave and wrinkled her nose. "Most trolls don't make it beyond their bridges or the internet. Ours managed to get a proper paying job at a town paper."
The Daily Mirror was almost always airing out unpleasant, embarrassing or personal information that was nobody's business. And now that she thought on it, with the trouble-stirring Elle starting to emerge more, Gabriella found herself a new worry to tuck toward the back of her mind.
A bit more serious, she confessed, "I'm afraid my busy schedule keeps me in the dark. I picked up on whispers of someone new in town who's gotten on the Mayor's bad side, but seeing as that's where most people seem to find themselves, it's hardly newsworthy. As far as I'm concerned, you're more than welcome here."
"Miss Swan,"
The very devil they'd spoken of and one of the few people Gabriella would rather not have here invited herself into the conversation, talking over the end of her sentence. Gabriella hadn't had many interactions with Regina outside of the few times her rambunctious and imaginative son had been brought in to be checked over by Gabriella's expert care after he'd taken a tumble. She'd always felt as if she and the Mayor lived in two different worlds, though admittedly, Gabriella felt that way around most of the residence. She simply put the blame of that on herself, chalking it up to her own decision to distance herself from the world around her.
"What a surprise to see you still around. I heard there had been some problems with your room."
The smug way Regina made the statement left no room for doubt that whatever problems Emma had had with room and board were Regina's doing. Gabriella was getting tired of being bullied and after the morning she'd had, she found her hackles rising toward this one even though the bullying was not aimed at her.
Gabriella turned toward the intruder, putting on a pleasant smile and did some interjecting of her own. "Madam Mayor, what a pleasant surprise. I never expected to see you show up for any kind of volunteer work." Gabriella purposefully paused before lightly offering, "What with your busy schedule and all." Of course Gabriella knew Regina wasn't here to volunteer. She'd voiced the assumption to put Regina in the uncomfortable position of talking her way out of volunteering.
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Post by Kristi Lynne on May 11, 2021 15:47:47 GMT -8
"Oh, I avoid that gossip rag. ... I picked up on whispers of someone new in town who's gotten on the Mayor's bad side, but seeing as that's where most people seem to find themselves, it's hardly newsworthy. As far as I'm concerned, you're more than welcome here."
Emma was relieved to be speaking to someone who hadn't already formed an opinion, positive or negative, about her. And to find someone who seemed neither awestruck nor terrified of the town's leader. Emma's list of local allies seemed to be growing by the hour, which could only serve to annoy Regina even more. And speaking of....
"What a surprise to see you still around. I heard there had been some problems with your room."
"Madam Mayor, what a pleasant surprise. I never expected to see you show up for any kind of volunteer work. What with your busy schedule and all."
See, not all your loyal subjects are afraid of you, Emma boasted as she observed Gabriella's polite defiance. And since Regina was about as subtle as a sledgehammer, she had to know that Emma knew she was the cause of her shortened stay at Granny's. "Actually, I found some alternate accommodations," Emma informed her, "which means I'll be staying in town a little longer than I'd planned. Hopefully I can be of even more help around here. But we should let you get back to work, Madam Mayor. I heard there were some fallen trees near your neighborhood," she remarked, reminding Regina of the damage she'd already done to her precious apple tree and how that was only the beginning if she continued to antagonize her.
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Post by DarkSideCookie on Jun 2, 2021 8:56:21 GMT -8
(tempplay by DarkSideCookie)
"Madam Mayor, what a pleasant surprise. I never expected to see you show up for any kind of volunteer work." Regina turned around to the woman next to them, giving her a look like she'd been the one who broke into her conversation with Emma Swan instead of the other way round. Also, it was only then that she recognized her face as the nurse who was taking care of her son's ailments every now and then. As much as she was thankful for that - she sincerely was when it came to her son's wellbeing -, as much was she not appreciating that this woman was talking to her like that. Regina could easily get her fired if she wanted. "What with your busy schedule and all."How dared she? Regina gave her a look as if she was some kind of nasty bug that had to be brought out or even squished, but then checked herself, realizing that her reaction was over the top, probably because of all this stress with this Swan person. Still, this was none of her business. And just as Regina was going to vent her displeasure, Emma Swan suddenly spoke up. Regina turned her gaze back at the blonde unbid visitor. "Actually, I found some alternate accommodations,""Is that so?" Regina was able to quickly interpose with a fake smile before Emma would just go on. Oh, she could already guess what kind of accommodation that must be. There was only one other person in this town that Regina hated even more than Henry's birth mother. She gnashed her teeth in silence as she allowed Emma to continue. "Which means I'll be staying in town a little longer than I'd planned. Hopefully, I can be of even more help around here. But we should let you get back to work, Madam Mayor. I heard there were some fallen trees near your neighborhood,"With each of her words, Regina's eyes darkened bit by bit until, eventually, that gnashing of her teeth was almost visible on the outside. "You think this is some kind of resort, Miss Swan? You wanna tell me that you're here for Henry?" She let only a very short pause following her question so that Emma would get no choice to get a word in as well. "Oh please. We both know that you're not a person who stays anywhere for long." At that, a slight smirk came to her face, after all, a malicious one, of course. She'd already started to do her homework. And yet again wasn't she permitting her conversational partner to react right away, but instead turned her head back towards Miss whatever-her-name-was-again. "And besides, what's exactly here going on? I hope you have the authorization to be here, otherwise, Mr. Robinson might not be too pleased to hear about people walking into his store while he's staying sick at the hospital. I'm even curious to learn about how you might have gotten the keys. Other people's business, no matter if you find fault with it, has never been an invitation to step in." With her last words, Regina's head turned back towards Emma, the look in her eyes making no secret of the hatred within.
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on Jun 12, 2021 22:23:15 GMT -8
Why was Henry being mentioned in this conversation? Was it possible that this rare visitor to Storybrooke was... Henry's birthmother? That would explain why someone would show up in their small little uneventful town and why Regina had taken an instant, and seemingly vengeful, dislike to her. Perhaps she should pick up one of those awful Daily Mirror every now and again so she wasn't so completely in the dark with the goings on around her.
Gabriella inwardly cringed at the very personal and very deep jibes Regina was taking at Emma. She was suddenly feeling like an intruder in something she had no right overhearing. She was about to back her way out, make herself busy with anything elsewhere, but Regina dragged her back in.
"And besides, what's exactly here going on? I hope you have the authorization to be here, otherwise, Mr. Robinson might not be too pleased to hear about people walking into his store while he's staying sick at the hospital. I'm even curious to learn about how you might have gotten the keys. Other people's business, no matter if you find fault with it, has never been an invitation to step in."
Now Regina was raising Gabriella's hackles. For a mayor, she really had no bloody idea what the people of her town needed. "As a matter of fact, Mr. Robinson has no idea what is going on here. It's a surprise and he will be happy," she stressed the word as if Regina did not know the true meaning of it, "to be released from hospital to find that his business and home have been restored and all evidence of the fire gone." It suddenly registered that Regina's last statement sounded as if she was suggesting this was some random renovation project they'd started on a whim. "You... do know there was a fire here, don't you?" Gabriella asked but didn't wait for an answer. The Mayor was usually so absorbed in her own self that Gabriella wouldn't be surprised if Regina hadn't known about the fire in her own town. And Gabriella thought she herself was out of touch.
There was also the chance Regina did know but still viewed it as nobody's business or responsibility to step in and help. Gabriella wasn't sure which scenario was worse and it was not worth getting worked up and risking Elle making a second appearance within the same day and in front of all these people, no less. "We have a lot of work to finish up here. Stay and help if you wish, but if you plan to antagonize everyone, perhaps it's best you don't."
With hands thrown in the air, Gabriella turned and walked away, heading for the furthest part of the store where a couple of Scarlet's gang was attaching a new bookcase to a wall. As far as she was concerned, Regina could bugger off. In fact, this entire bloody day could bugger off.
The room having partially been observing, one of the ladies knew exactly what Gabriella needed. She tossed the hammer in her hand, catching it with handle toward Gabriella then stepped aside to let Gabriella take over, finding a different project for herself. As Gabriella vigorously hammered in nails, she mumbled to herself about the Mayor and her reign of terror, funneling and projecting all the troubles of her day on the hateful woman.
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Post by Kristi Lynne on Jun 20, 2021 9:23:07 GMT -8
"You think this is some kind of resort, Miss Swan? You wanna tell me that you're here for Henry? Oh please. We both know that you're not a person who stays anywhere for long."
Emma was still smarting from that sting as the mayor then turned her venom on Gabriella. Sure, she already knew Regina was doing her homework, gathering as much ammunition against her as possible. She had made plenty of mistakes in her past but that wasn't the person she was now. Or at least, the one she was trying to be for the sake of her son.
"And besides, what's exactly here going on? I hope you have the authorization to be here...."
"We have a lot of work to finish up here. Stay and help if you wish, but if you plan to antagonize everyone, perhaps it's best you don't."
Emma watched with a suppressed smirk as Gabriella basically told Regina to take a hike, in a polite English way of course, and then went off to repeatedly hit the wall with a hammer. "Looks like you make friends everywhere you go, Madame Mayor," Emma noted. "And given all the enthusiasm that I've seen among your constituents, I'm guessing you ran unopposed every time. Am I right?"
She stepped closer to the woman and lowered her voice. "Question my motives all you want. Hell, throw whatever's left of my dirty laundry on the front page of your paper," she prompted, "but you're still not gonna' scare me away. I am here for Henry, no matter what you think. And he sought me out, he asked me to stay. Why don't you ask yourself why that is?"
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Post by DarkSideCookie on Jul 11, 2021 6:49:28 GMT -8
(tempplay by DarkSideCookie)
"As a matter of fact, Mr. Robinson has no idea what is going on here. It's a surprise and he will be happy," Regina was close to writhing with disgust at these words, not so much because she was having a problem with happiness in general, but because she had with the fact that it seemed she was still prohibited from experiencing it for herself, even after she had cast this curse so that everyone had to do her bidding. There had been days long before this Emma person had arrived that Regina had felt this way, but ever since that woman had stepped inside their life, her well deserved happiness started to fall apart completely. No, she would not allow that to happen. Not again. Enough of everyone but her getting their happy ending. "to be released from hospital to find that his business and home have been restored and all evidence of the fire gone.""You... do know there was a fire here, don't you?""Oh, please..." was all Regina replied to that, not giving away if she had or had not known. It didn't even matter to her. "We have a lot of work to finish up here. Stay and help if you wish, but if you plan to antagonize everyone, perhaps it's best you don't."Regina let out a quiet snorting sound as she watched the nurse walking away. This was not even worth her time. Then she turned her head back at Emma, who might not be worth it as well, yet was too much of a danger to get ignored as well. "Looks like you make friends everywhere you go, Madame Mayor,""And given all the enthusiasm that I've seen among your constituents, I'm guessing you ran unopposed every time. Am I right?"Regina gave her no more than a sarcastic very funny expression while actually thinking bitch. "Question my motives all you want. Hell, throw whatever's left of my dirty laundry on the front page of your paper,""but you're still not gonna' scare me away. I am here for Henry, no matter what you think. And he sought me out, he asked me to stay. Why don't you ask yourself why that is?""That I can answer you, Miss Swan," she suddenly went back into fight mode, raising her pointer finger in front of Emma while she spoke. "Because being a mother means more than sticking around for a while and have fun times. I might not be mother-of-the-year, but at least I would never ditch my son just because it makes my own life easier. You had your chance, and you gave him away so that he could get raised on a mother's side who truly loves him. We all have to live with our decisions, and I surely won't allow you to come and go as you please, not giving a damn about his feelings. So, your presence here is neither required nor needed. But you do enjoy your stay at your new accommodation, of course. Good day, Miss Swan." Having no intention to get anything she had thrown into Emma's face answered, Regina just turned to leave this place. She would be making sure that this person and her son didn't spend any more time together, even if that meant to deepen the divide between herself and Henry. One day, he would understand and see that everything she did was only for him; And for the little voice deep inside of her that just for once wanted some happiness for herself, without other people permanently taking it from her. *** Regina exits ***
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on Jul 24, 2021 11:57:54 GMT -8
Letting Regina get to her had only allowed her mind to spiral into all of the other issues she was dealing with. Figuring out a way to break the embarrassing news to Dr. Lee about Dr. Hopper's misunderstanding. Would it be worth it to try to pull Hopper aside and dissuade him of his assumptions? Then there was Elle, increasingly interrupting her life, gaining the strength to pop in every now and again to taunt her with little mental chats. And let's not forget about Mr. Gold and his fun little blackmail scheme. She had to get back to digging through the caves. The sooner she found what he wanted, the sooner she could get him off her back. It'd be easier if the damned man would tell her what he was looking for, but Mr. Gold didn't do 'easy'. It was all about mind games and manipulation with him. For all she knew, there might not be something specific. Maybe he'd keep making her toil away until he had no room left in his bloody shop to display the things. Maybe he just liked pulling everyone's strings and wouldn't stop until hers broke.
The thoughts of all she was dealing with swirling in her mind had pulled Gabriella into deep distracted thought as she tackled her task. She started reaching for another nail but the box was pulled out of her reach, pulling her from her thoughts.
"Don't think a tornado could take this one down," Terri said with a good-natured smirk. She and the rest of Scarlet's crew were discreetly eying her with curiosity.
"Right you are," Gabriella said sheepishly, relinquishing the hammer back to Terri.
"So what should we tackle next, Boss?"
"I'm not--" She broke off. No point arguing the unnecessary. It was just a friendly nickname. She didn't think of herself as 'boss' here and hadn't exactly announced that she'd been the one who'd organized and funded this. But she had gone into the diner to ask permission to put a sign on their board and once the hub of town gossip knew something, the message would transmit in short time.
Gabriella looked around. So much progress had been made. Save for a hint of the smell of smoke that had permeated the building, you couldn't tell there'd been a fire here. Even that would fade in a day or two. She turned back toward Terri and the rest of Scarlet's crew, waiting for instructions. "Perhaps some of you can start hauling out the bigger equipment we won't be needing any longer. And any remaining lumber. The rest can start bringing the merchandise back in for shelving."
"On it, Boss," Terri said with a grin and a salute.
Gabriella grinned in turn, looking back in time to see Madame Mayor disappearing through the door. What a relief. She started back toward Emma, pausing to call Terri to her. "Oh, Terri?" she began, suddenly remembering something else she'd forgotten. She walked with Terri back toward the table. "Would you mind picking up some breakfast for everyone from the new bakery?" Reaching into her purse, Gabriella pulled out a generous sum of bills and handed it out to Terri. "Just a variety of whatever they've got. As much as you can carry." Scarlet's league of bikers had a healthy appetite and there were several other townsfolk happily pitching in with worked up appetites.
With another salute, Terri was out the door and Gabriella turned back toward Emma. "Right, so let's get you to work. We're on the final leg of things, mostly cosmetic and shelving the merchandise." Gabriella eyed the wider, somewhat shorter shelving units in the middle of the store that did not need to be secured. However, they needed to be aligned and spaced out correctly. "How are you at furniture arranging?"
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Post by Kristi Lynne on Jul 25, 2021 16:07:25 GMT -8
"That I can answer you, Miss Swan. Because being a mother means more than sticking around for a while and have fun times. ... So, your presence here is neither required nor needed. But you do enjoy your stay at your new accommodation, of course. Good day, Miss Swan."
Due to Regina's abrupt departure, Emma had to swallow her indignant reply. But what good would it do, anyway? Losing Henry hadn't exactly been her choice. More of a series of incorrect choices, including placing her heart and her future in the hands of the wrong man. Regina had been there for Henry all this time, she couldn't deny that. But she was for damn sure not going to let Madame Mayor get her way like everyone else in this town and deny Emma her second chance at knowing her son.
"Right, so let's get you to work. We're on the final leg of things, mostly cosmetic and shelving the merchandise. How are you at furniture arranging?"
"Uh, probably better than my public relations," Emma answered, assuming that Gabriella had seen or heard at least some of that exchange but was too polite and British to mention it. "Sorry about that," she added, pointing toward the door. "Didn't mean to bring my personal business here." Even though it had already been made public in the paper.
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on Aug 6, 2021 20:01:26 GMT -8
"Uh, probably better than my public relations,"
Gabriella smirked, not really convinced that there was anything wrong with Emma's 'public relations', as she'd put it. Was it possible for anyone to have good 'public relations' with Madame Mayor? Emma had a dry, snarky sense of humor and as a Brit, Gabriella fully appreciated that quality.
"Sorry about that," "Didn't mean to bring my personal business here."
"Oh posh," Gabriella mumbled with a dismissive wave as she headed to one side of the first cabinet. She felt there was absolutely nothing Emma had to apologize for. Gabriella gestured to the door in turn as she settled on one side of the shelving unit. "That woman makes everything personal."
Gabriella took hold of her side and waited for Emma to do the same. Speaking of personal, as they sideways-walked it into place, Gabriella mentally went back and forth about appeasing her curiosity. She finally gave in, though the evidence of hesitancy in her tone over broaching something so personal also unspokenly stated that Emma did not have to go into detail or even answer. "So you're Henry's birthmother?"
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Post by Kristi Lynne on Aug 10, 2021 15:27:43 GMT -8
"Oh posh. That woman makes everything personal. ... So you're Henry's birthmother?"
"Yep," Emma answered as she helped the other woman move the cabinet into place. No use in side-stepping a fact that pretty much everyone in town knew by now, or would soon enough. And at least Gabriella had shown that she was also in the anti-Regina camp and thus less likely to pick up a pitchfork and run Emma out of town.
Once it seemed like the cabinet was in its designated position, she paused and rested her arms on top of it. "I wasn't really in a position to take care of Henry when he was born," Emma explained. "I didn't think I'd ever see him again, to be honest. But then he showed up out of the blue at my door, told me that I needed to come to Storybrooke with him. I brought him home and fully intended to drive right back to Boston. Then there was this big wolf and some damage to town property, alleged larceny and alleged assault of a doctor, oh and more damage to town property," she recalled, counting off the incidents on her fingers. "It's been a weird week. I'm kinda' curious to see what happens next."
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on Sept 7, 2021 18:29:36 GMT -8
Once Gabriella finished settling her side into the correct spot, she found herself quickly drawn into the craziness Emma had been through in a mere few days. There was absolutely no judging regarding her giving up Henry for adoption. It was obvious she'd done what she thought was best for Henry, and it couldn't have been easy to let go. By the time Emma finished recounting everything she'd been through, Gabriella mirrored Emma's stance, arms resting atop her side of the unit, only Gabriella had her eyebrows raised.
"It's been a weird week. I'm kinda' curious to see what happens next."
"Curious!" she repeated on a baffled chuckle. "Good lord, I'd lock myself in the house for a month after all that," Gabriella joked as they headed over to grab the next unit. She suddenly pieced something together that had her pausing before reaching to lift her side of the unit. "Hang on, are you saying that Henry traveled all the way to Boston? By himself?" There was a hint of concern in Gabriella's features but mostly, she was impressed.
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Post by Kristi Lynne on Sept 11, 2021 17:02:36 GMT -8
"Curious! Good lord, I'd lock myself in the house for a month after all that."
Emma shrugged at what might have been perceived as a compliment. "Eh, in my line of work, you have to learn to adapt," she replied casually, as she took hold of the opposite end of the shelving unit. "That said, this week still rates pretty high on the weirdness scale." Her innate calm in the midst of the storm could also be attributed to a life growing up in the foster system, constantly moving and never knowing a stable home. But that was a detail that her fellow furniture mover didn't need right now. And at least, Henry hadn't had to go through that consequence of growing up without his parents.
"Hang on, are you saying that Henry traveled all the way to Boston? By himself?"
"Yeah, he did," Emma confirmed. "Kid's got a knack for finding people who don't want to be found. Maybe he gets that from me." Again, she followed Gabriella's lead in the final placement of the bookcase. "Get this, he stole a credit card from his teacher, Miss Blanchard. Found out my name and address from some website, and then bought a bus ticket to Boston. Thankfully, Mary Margaret didn't make a big deal out of it."
Emma was genuinely grateful for the teacher's forgiving nature, unsure if she would have been so welcoming in the same situation. No, she definitely wouldn't have been, yet Henry was persistent in his belief that this kind stranger was really her mother. As she and Gabriella approached the next bookcase to be moved, she continued, "Mary Margaret's even letting me crash in her spare room now that the Mayor got me blacklisted from Granny's inn. Oh, that reminds me -- I need to find an ATM so I can pay her the rent and pay back Dr. Lee. I'd still be a guest at the town jail if he hadn't bailed me out yesterday."
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on Sept 18, 2021 17:26:26 GMT -8
"Get this, he stole a credit card from his teacher, Miss Blanchard. Found out my name and address from some website, and then bought a bus ticket to Boston. Thankfully, Mary Margaret didn't make a big deal out of it."
Gabriella cringed despite the fact Mary Margaret had taken it well. Of course she had. The saintly-hearted woman regularly came to the hospital using her free time to read to a comatose man she didn't even know.
"Mary Margaret's even letting me crash in her spare room now that the Mayor got me blacklisted from Granny's inn.
Her grin and mental 'Of course she did' regarding Mary Margaret quickly were replaced with a look of shock and a mental 'She did what?' in regards to Regina's blacklisting Emma from the inn. Where did she come off acting as if she had the right to make blacklisting decisions, especially in an establishment she held no ownership over?
Gabriella was still seething on the behalf of Emma and probably Granny at losing that business, grabbing her side of the next cabinet and starting to move with Emma while she continued to recount her visit so far. No wonder they never got tourists.
"Oh, that reminds me -- I need to find an ATM so I can pay her the rent and pay back Dr. Lee. I'd still be a guest at the town jail if he hadn't bailed me out yesterday."
The unexpected mention of Dr. Lee brought the events of this morning startlingly shooting back into her mind causing Gabriella's grip to slip, the corner catching just the wrong spot on her bandaged hand. "Gah," she grimaced. "Just need a minute or two," she said, giving her hand a couple shakes before gripping it, putting pressure near the wound while she waited for the throbbing to melt away.
When Emma previously mentioned a doctor, her mind had automatically gone to her own place of work and the assumption she was speaking of one of her coworkers. She hadn't taken into mind doctors of a different practice. "Dr. Lee, you say? That was nice of him. Is, uh, is he the doctor you 'allegedly assaulted'?" Her slight hesitation along with her breaking eye contact to glance over her undisturbed bandage perhaps signifying that there was more than just passing curiosity to the question.
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Post by Kristi Lynne on Sept 21, 2021 16:42:28 GMT -8
"Gah, just need a minute or two."
"Oh, of course," Emma said, reacting to a show of pain from the other woman. "Looks like a pretty gnarly injury. You sure you should be doing all this heavy lifting?" It was a question that was half serious, half sarcastic, as she'd already gotten the feeling that she and Gabriella were cut from the same cloth of not wanting to be told what to do. Even when the request came from a place of real concern.
"Dr. Lee, you say? That was nice of him. Is, uh, is he the doctor you 'allegedly assaulted'?"
“Oh, no, that was Dr. Hopper," Emma answered. "Henry is apparently a patient of his, and there was a…misunderstanding about me having access to his medical records." The most diplomatic way of saying that the doctor had freely given her the file and then turned around and lied about it to the sheriff, all at the behest of Regina.
"Anyway, Dr. Lee's office is right there across the hall and he told the sheriff that there was no assault or theft. And yes, that was very nice of him," she mused. As was the dinner that followed. No, Emma, do not go down that twisting, quicksand-covered road, she scolded herself. "I just want to be sure I pay him back. Dangerous to be in debt to a man that charming.”
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on Oct 2, 2021 16:55:48 GMT -8
“Oh, no, that was Dr. Hopper,"
Dr. Hopper! What were the odds that both of them had just recently had an entanglement with the same two men? It was a good thing Gabriella was still resting, else she might have lost her grip on the cabinet again.
"Henry is apparently a patient of his, and there was a…misunderstanding about me having access to his medical records."
Gabriella frowned at that as they took up their sides of the cabinet and started to move again. That was definitely not Dr. Hopper acting on his own. He would never do anything remotely wrong unless strong armed by a very imposing person.
"Anyway, Dr. Lee's office is right there across the hall and he told the sheriff that there was no assault or theft. And yes, that was very nice of him," "I just want to be sure I pay him back. Dangerous to be in debt to a man that charming.”
Gabriella sent Emma a knowing smile. "And just as nice to look at," she said in agreement as they placed the cabinet into position, continuing to make small little nudges of adjustment here and there to align them perfectly. Their town guest seemed to be developing a crush. "He's a good man," she said encouragingly. "There are far worse one could find themselves indebted to." She'd added that as an additional flirty remark as if they were girlfriends talking about cute boys, but as soon as the words were out of her mouth, she was struck by how true those words were.
'Well, not exactly indebted,' like some other people seemed to be to Mr. Gold, she thought in sudden distracted contemplation. Hers was more of a blackmail situation.
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Post by Kristi Lynne on Oct 10, 2021 13:10:56 GMT -8
"And just as nice to look at. He's a good man. There are far worse one could find themselves indebted to."
"Oh, I'm sure," Emma agreed with a laugh, somewhat relieved to find herself in a mutual appreciation society for the handsome hypnotherapist. Though she was tempted to press Gabriella for more information about Dr. Lee, weighing her assertion that he was a good man against the sheriff's warning about him, Emma had to focus on the person she was actually in town to get to know.
"And in a past life, I probably would have made a beeline for the town's most smooth-talking deadbeat," she admitted. "But I'm trying to be smarter about such things. My focus is on Henry right now. Have you ever treated him?" she asked, unsure if Gabriella's work would have brought her into contact with him. "Anything more serious than the usual childhood injuries and illnesses? That is, if I'm legally allowed to be told such things."
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on Oct 23, 2021 9:01:28 GMT -8
Gabriella dragged over a huge box of items for the shelves as she listened. She gave Emma a grin to reassure her that her question wasn't out of line and that there was a general way to answer such a question without violating any codes.
"Just the usual. He's very enthusiastic and loves to talk about what he's been up to, so I've easily gathered that he's adventurous and rambunctious, which might have led to more serious injuries, if he weren't also very clever." She grinned again, this time with admiration toward Henry. Gabriella began organizing game boards onto the shelves, part of her mind distracted with deciding if they should be alphabetical or by type as she kept placing and every now and again, rearranging. A look of amusement came over her face. "He's also got quite the imagination. Did you know that he believes we're all characters from fairytales?"
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Post by Kristi Lynne on Oct 30, 2021 18:52:00 GMT -8
"Just the usual. He's very enthusiastic and loves to talk about what he's been up to, so I've easily gathered that he's adventurous and rambunctious, which might have led to more serious injuries, if he weren't also very clever. ... He's also got quite the imagination. Did you know that he believes we're all characters from fairytales?"
"Yeah, he, uh...he might have mentioned that," Emma confirmed. She knew Henry had discussed his 'theory' with Mary Margaret but was a little surprised to find he'd mentioned it to Gabriella. Which must mean that Henry trusted her, or at least trusted her enough not to tease or mock him about it. She followed the other woman's lead in placing items on the shelves, satisfied that someone more knowledgeable would rearrange them later if need be.
"So you would just chalk it up to an active imagination?" Emma casually asked. "Not like some deep-seated psychosis or something?" Dr. Hopper's notes about his sessions with Henry had certainly caused her concern, but maybe she was overthinking it. And yet the kid seemed so certain of it.
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on Nov 13, 2021 13:24:56 GMT -8
Gabriella shrugged, hoping the boost of a visual would help assuage any worries Emma may have. "I don't think so, though mind you, I've never treated Henry in a psychological capacity. All I have to go on are a handful of short visits. Personally, I think a good imagination is healthy in children. It shows a creative soul and if a person can manage to hold on to any of their imaginative side into adulthood, it could lead to a very lucrative career in which that person's imagination brings joy to others.
"Maybe Henry will be our next Walt Disney or Spielberg," she added with a chuckle before getting to the serious bit that might eventually lead to cause for concern. "It shouldn't be an issue as long as a person eventually learns to distinguish between reality and imagination." Gabriella paused to gesture. "So while you don't want to crush an imagination," she began, holding open hands sideways to the left before sliding them to the right, "you also don't want to let it go too far." She continued placing items on the shelves. "My trick is I don't scoff or put down what they have to say. It'll only make them retreat into themselves. I encourage by listening, which gets them to open up. You get a better look at what's going on in their minds that way."
She paused again, resting an elbow on the shelf as she looked at Emma. "I usually keep it at that, but it sometimes helps to keep them grounded by asking questions. Ones that will start a conversation that will lead them to finding their own way of mixing some logic and reality into their minds."
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Post by Kristi Lynne on Nov 24, 2021 17:33:47 GMT -8
"It shouldn't be an issue as long as a person eventually learns to distinguish between reality and imagination. So while you don't want to crush an imagination, you also don't want to let it go too far. ... it sometimes helps to keep them grounded by asking questions. Ones that will start a conversation that will lead them to finding their own way of mixing some logic and reality into their minds."
Emma nodded along as she took in Gabriella's words, although she felt a bit overwhelmed. Being compassionate and understanding seemed like second nature to the woman, and no doubt a big part of being a good nurse. But it seemed a bit like learning a foreign language to Emma. She'd had to grow up too fast and too alone in a world that had no patience for imagination.
"Well, the trouble will be finding the time to talk to Henry when Regina isn't watching both of us like a hawk," she remarked. As she placed containers of marbles and dominoes, she pondered Henry's theory about how no one in town remembered their earlier life in Storybrooke or ever leaving the city limits. "Still, it seems like a nice place to grow up," Emma mused. "What was it like for you? Were you the spelling bee champ or the homecoming queen? Married your high school sweetheart and had those 2.5 kids? Or maybe you got bored and nursing school was your ticket outta' town....?"
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on Dec 4, 2021 15:12:31 GMT -8
"Well, the trouble will be finding the time to talk to Henry when Regina isn't watching both of us like a hawk,"
Gabriella pondered that, having zero resolution come immediately to mind. It was something she'd keep in the back of her mind, though she feared there was no resolution she could provide to that conundrum.
"Still, it seems like a nice place to grow up," "What was it like for you? Were you the spelling bee champ or the homecoming queen? Married your high school sweetheart and had those 2.5 kids? Or maybe you got bored and nursing school was your ticket outta' town....?"
Gabriella never thought of her past, at least not beyond the events of the past handful of days. It struck her as an odd fact that she was realizing for the first time. Even odder, now that she thought on it, she couldn't recall her life beyond those past handful of days. Eyebrows furrowed, she momentarily paused in her task but after only a second or two, memories seemed to come flooding into her mind, carried in on an invisible purple haze.
Gabriella had always gone out of her way to look frumpy so she chuckled as she said, "Homecoming queen? Good lord, no." She pushed a strand of hair that had escaped her messy bun behind her ear and was about to adjust her glasses before recalling that the only pair she'd had with her when leaving the house had broken. "I've always preferred to stay out of the spotlight," she admitted on a shrug. She looked thoughtful for a moment as she pondered Emma's last question. "You know, I never thought about leaving Storybrooke. My father and I moved here from England when I was really young and the place sort of just... stuck with me, I guess." Which was odd, now that she thought of it. Gabriella had always felt as if she was out of place with a majority of the residence.
Starting for the box of toys, Gabriella gestured in the air. "As for the whole marriage and children thing," she grabbed a few more game boards and headed back to the shelf, "I'm never still long enough to meet anyone or carry on a relationship that goes anywhere." That was purposeful on her part, but she was careful to not voice anything that might venture anywhere near her condition. "What about you? Taking a break from an exciting and eventful big city life?" she asked, glancing over with a grin while arranging the games by type. Gabriella had already assessed Emma's look as one of a stylish, strong, and confident woman on a big city scale.
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Post by Kristi Lynne on Dec 9, 2021 17:26:25 GMT -8
"As for the whole marriage and children thing, I'm never still long enough to meet anyone or carry on a relationship that goes anywhere. What about you? Taking a break from an exciting and eventful big city life?"
"I've had more 'eventful' here in a few days than I've had for years back in Boston," Emma answered. "I'm still trying to decide whether that's a good or a bad thing." She retrieved a stuffed horse from one of the boxes and stroked its mane as she pondered. "Actually, my last night out ended with a wine stain all over my new dress and my date in handcuffs," she informed Gabriella, hastily adding, "The guy had jumped bail so I had to bring him in. Big surprise, he didn't want to meet me for coffee after being served with a felony warrant."
Emma noted that the woman had indeed been hazy on her own past and also seemed to have never left this town. "I get what you mean, though," she confided. "I never stayed in one place long enough to really connect with anyone. I'm just glad Henry didn't have to grow up like that."
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on Dec 25, 2021 12:32:04 GMT -8
"I've had more 'eventful' here in a few days than I've had for years back in Boston," "I'm still trying to decide whether that's a good or a bad thing."
The corners of Gabriella's lips curved up in amusement but then she momentarily turned contemplative. Small town life. Perhaps hiding out in a small town wasn't ideal. Everyone knew what everyone did, if it was done anywhere in eyesight or earshot of someone. But in a big city, one could get lost amongst the crowds and the actions of an individual could be more easily overlooked and forgotten. Why had she not considered this before?
"Actually, my last night out ended with a wine stain all over my new dress and my date in handcuffs,"
Gabriella looked at Emma, eyebrows raised suggestively in a playful way as she was sure the reason for handcuffs had not been playful.
"The guy had jumped bail so I had to bring him in. Big surprise, he didn't want to meet me for coffee after being served with a felony warrant."
"What a shame. He sounded like a real prince charming," she interjected with dry sarcasm.
"I get what you mean, though," "I never stayed in one place long enough to really connect with anyone. I'm just glad Henry didn't have to grow up like that."
"He's well-liked and I'm sure most consider him a friend, despite any age differences," Gabriella reassured, herself being one such person. She began breaking down one of the boxes they'd emptied. "With all his outgoing, happy enthusiasm, I don't think it's possible to not take an instant liking to the kid. I'm sure that wherever he'd go and no matter how short his stay, he'd make friends." Tossing aside the broken down box, Gabriella mumbled under her breath. "Definitely not a quality he inherited from Regina."
Gabriella dragged another box between them to start loading the next shelf. Pausing to have a little fun playing in Henry's imaginary world, Gabriella propped an arm on the shelf, finger tracing her lower lip as she often did when in thought as she studied Emma. "So did he assign you a role in this fairytale fantasy of his?" Gabriella's attention was immediately drawn to Emma's princess-like long, luxurious blonde hair. "Cinderella? Sleeping Beauty? Hm, no. Vastly different personality traits..." she said with studied distraction. They were far too passive, as were many fairytale princesses, now that she thought on it.
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Post by Kristi Lynne on Jan 1, 2022 18:59:36 GMT -8
"He's well-liked and I'm sure most consider him a friend, despite any age differences. With all his outgoing, happy enthusiasm, I don't think it's possible to not take an instant liking to the kid. I'm sure that wherever he'd go and no matter how short his stay, he'd make friends."
Emma smiled in genuine appreciation of Gabriella's assurance. It couldn't be easy to be the Mayor's son in a small town; such a role could have made him the target of bullies or a bully himself. But she was glad to hear that Henry was well-liked by others in town and mostly well-adjusted. Apart from the whole 'fairytale' thing. Still, she had to remind herself that she couldn't take credit for any of that outgoing and happy enthusiasm.
"...So did he assign you a role in this fairytale fantasy of his? Cinderella? Sleeping Beauty? Hm, no. Vastly different personality traits..."
"Exactly. Being a damsel in distress wouldn't be good for business," Emma agreed, then added, "I... don't think I'm in the story." Gabriella had been patient and understanding so far, but telling her that she was supposedly the daughter of Snow White and Prince Charming, destined to be the savior and break the curse upon Storybrooke -- well, that might have been pushing things. Especially since Emma didn't believe it herself.
"At least, not yet. I don't think Henry's finished the whole book," Emma explained. She quickly grabbed another box in order to empty it of its contents and maybe sidetrack the other woman's line of questioning. Which brought Emma back to some questions of her own. Did some of the families in the fairy tale stay together?
Clearly, Snow White was no longer with her prince; Henry didn't even seem to know where or who Mary Margaret's true love was. "You said you moved here with your dad, is he still here in town?" Emma asked.
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on Jan 15, 2022 14:20:12 GMT -8
"Exactly. Being a damsel in distress wouldn't be good for business,"
Gabriella chuckled at the truth of that as she got back to work.
"I... don't think I'm in the story." "At least, not yet. I don't think Henry's finished the whole book,"
The first wasn't surprising. Henry only mentioned the others in the town as part of the stories, but never himself, so it would make sense that he hadn't assigned Emma a role. But then the second part of her comment had Gabriella looking up from her organizing in the assumption that there was a new twist in Henry's imagination of the story continuing beyond the book, but before Gabriella could even form the question, Emma cleared it up. Still though, the way Henry went on so 'knowledgably' about everyone's 'history', Gabriella found the idea of Henry not having memorized the book from front to back surprising.
"You said you moved here with your dad, is he still here in town?"
"Actually," Gabriella began, standing up once more and brushing a stray hair out of her face with the back of her hand, "he remarried a few years ago and the newlyweds 'left it all behind', as they say. They retired, sold off their homes, furnishings, most of their belongings, then went off in his boat to sail the world," she said wistfully, a dreamy smile on her face for what was obviously something she dreamt about doing some day. Retrieving a good-sized ship that appeared to be hand crafted and had thankfully survived the fire, Gabriella placed it on its own shelf, eyes drawn to. The ship could be any type to a child's imagination and featured a clear package with various flags and assorted attachments, but the look of it made Gabriella think it suitable as a pirate ship. Her fingers ran over the hull in appreciation of the well-crafted toy. "I miss him dearly," she said, glancing over her shoulder. Then upon contemplation, more quietly added, "I can't recall the last time I heard his voice."
Adding the hand-crafted action figures along the shelves beside the ship, her head tilted as she found herself eying the soldiers and pirates as if suddenly torn between which she liked more.
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Post by Kristi Lynne on Jan 17, 2022 7:53:30 GMT -8
"Actually, he remarried a few years ago and the newlyweds 'left it all behind', as they say. They retired, sold off their homes, furnishings, most of their belongings, then went off in his boat to sail the world. I miss him dearly. I can't recall the last time I heard his voice."
Emma nodded in sympathy, though feeling a pang of self-pity. At least Gabriella had solid memories of a father to hold onto, not just the dream of one. "Do you ever get a postcard from his latest port of call?" she inquired. Henry had been insistent that no one could leave Storybrooke, but maybe an exit out to open water was a loophole in the Evil Queen's curse. Maybe Gabriella's dad and his trophy wife had escaped and were living it up in the Bahamas or Thailand or something, with no adverse effects at all save a slight hangover. Ugh, and now she was starting to take this story a little too seriously.
One of the other workers came through the door, laden with a tower of boxes, and was greeted with a joyful chorus. The boxes were placed on the counter and opened to reveal arrangements of delicate-looking pastries, muffins, and scones. Emma's stomach reminded her that her meager breakfast of toast and coffee had been a while ago, so she tilted her head toward the buffet.
"Permission to break for a mid-morning snack?" she asked.
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Post by Lady Lee-o on Feb 4, 2022 8:13:19 GMT -8
Scarlet and the gang had worked hard while the scene played around them. Whenever one of the girls got distracted, she got them back on task. When Regina came into the shop she made sure the girls stayed silent, they were already on the mayor's list- as was everyone else in this damn town. Those who refused to kiss the ground she walked on...
When Terri came back with the goods, the gang cheered. "Ladies! Wash those hands and whatever you touch is yours." Scarlet walked over to Emma and Gabriella with a smile, "I heard you mention something about a bank, only got the one in town and I work security. It's just down the road aways, can't miss it."
Scarlet was happy with the progress they all made in a short time. Just a few more hours of work at the least and William would be able to come back home.
"Thanks for putting this all together, Gabriella. I'm glad we could be apart of something important as this. Willy will be over the moon when he sees it."
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on Feb 5, 2022 16:46:43 GMT -8
"Do you ever get a postcard from his latest port of call?"
Having been momentarily distracted by the little action figures, Gabriella's mind had been unknowingly partially preoccupied with another world, so she found herself perplexed at not immediately knowing the answer to Emma's question. It wouldn't be like him to not send them. "I'm sure I do." Suddenly, a memory seemed to find her, causing her to quickly correct her words as she turned to give her full attention as if she'd merely been distracted in other thoughts. "I mean, yes, of course," she said sheepishly, chuckling lightly at herself. "I've kept every one of them."
The sudden commotion of the arrival of snacks pulled their attention. Gabriella found herself thankful for the distraction. She'd been enjoying conversing with Emma, had missed having real conversations with people in general, but something about Emma's particular questions of the past made Gabriella's head feel scrambled and achy.
"Permission to break for a mid-morning snack?"
"Oh, yes, of course! That's the nice thing about volunteer work; no schedule, no rules," she said, following Emma over to the food.
"I heard you mention something about a bank, only got the one in town and I work security. It's just down the road aways, can't miss it."
Gabriella helped arrange the boxes out on the table, organizing them with napkins and cups for hot drinks placed neatly beside them. She was flipping the lid open on the last box when Scarlet addressed her.
"Thanks for putting this all together, Gabriella. I'm glad we could be apart of something important as this. Willy will be over the moon when he sees it."
Gabriella appreciated the compliment but was never good at taking them. "Oh, it was nothing. A tragedy that this happened. He's a sweet man. I'm sure he'll be happy to have his place back." She spoke quickly, one sentence tripping into the other as her eyes darted for something to distract her while she spoke. Seeing that the coffee pot was nearly empty, Gabriella grasped at the small escape. "Why don't I get a fresh pot going, shall I?" she said rhetorically, hurrying toward the stairs in the corner behind the register. She took them up and disappeared into his small apartment above the shop to rinse out the pot and fill it with fresh water.
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Post by Kristi Lynne on Feb 11, 2022 17:07:52 GMT -8
"I'm sure I do. ... I mean, yes, of course. I've kept every one of them."
Emma was confused by Gabriella's apparent confusion at her question. It was simple enough -- either she had a drawer full of postcards from her father, or she didn't. Or due to the curse, she had a memory of receiving postcards that had never actually arrived. And now Emma's head was starting to hurt.
"I heard you mention something about a bank, only got the one in town and I work security. It's just down the road aways, can't miss it. ... Thanks for putting this all together, Gabriella. I'm glad we could be apart of something important as this. Willy will be over the moon when he sees it."
"Oh, it was nothing. A tragedy that this happened. He's a sweet man. I'm sure he'll be happy to have his place back. Why don't I get a fresh pot going, shall I?"
While Gabriella retreated upstairs with the coffeepot, Emma selected a blueberry muffin from the box and began to pull off bites from the top. "Thanks for the info," she said, addressing the woman who'd identified herself as the bank's security guard. "My stay here is going for a bit longer than I intended. This town seems pretty safe, though. Is there much action for a security guard?" Even the Sheriff seemed like he spent more time completing crossword puzzles than fighting crime.
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