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Post by Hollywood Heidi on Jan 10, 2021 14:50:17 GMT -8
Etta frowned as the Dark One spun a riddle. She'd tried being the bigger person, attempting to finish this quickly and peacefully, but he just couldn't resist setting one more trap. This one to make her question who she was putting her trust into. How did he have the gal to stand there and spin a riddle that cast shadows upon another? After all the things he'd done and considering who he was and what he lived for.
..."Ah, that was fun. Shame we won't be doing this again. Anyways, are you done playing, Darkest One, or shall we return what belongs to my Captain? Starts with an 'H' and ends with 'art'?"
While she appreciated Dracula coming to her aid, she still frowned with annoyance over the creature they both used as a symbolism for her. Etta held up a hand to pause the proceedings and get in her own say with these ridiculous riddles. "I am no mouse," she said haughtily. "And you," she looked at the Dark One pointedly, "are no human. Nor are you the inanimate mousetrap sitting in wait. You, sir," the condescending tone to the world clearly stating she used the term loosely, "are a crocodile." It was what she remembered Killian referring to him as, though she thought it due to the physical scaly look to him. She thought it fitting personality wise as well. "You find a poor soul drowning in the water and float on by, pretending to be a harmless log onto which the poor soul can cling to life. Once the poor soul has been tricked into the sense of preservation and attempts to leave your waters, you attack, dragging them under the surface to near drowning."
Etta let out a weary sign. "I am tired of being dragged down and I am tired of these riddles and games." She raised up the little chest expectantly. "Let's get this over with." She didn't just mean the deal and her involvement with the Dark One. She may feel empty now, lacking the strong emotions the heart evoked, but the memory of the feeling was burned into her mind. She'd been in agony over what she'd done when the Dark One had removed her heart and knew having it returned was going to be, to put it mildly, a difficult and jarring transition.
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Post by DarkSideCookie on Feb 6, 2021 17:30:55 GMT -8
"I would be more offended by the first one, in all honesty,"An audible grunt left the Dark One's throat as he, yet again, had to listen to the puffed-up words of someone who hadn't gotten asked anything. This time his eyes were rolling so heavy that it was a wonder he didn't see the inside of his head. By the time he turned around towards the owner of the voice, Rumple had managed to cover up most of his annoyance with a faked mischievous smile. Since when was there a necessity to fake mischievousness? That was even new for him. "Sure, free will given by both parties," Rumple let him talk. Although, that was only because nothing he could say would stop Dracula anyway. Still the fake smile on his face, Rumple kept watching him as he came closer. "Yet one simply co-existed in the same world as the mouse, leaving it to fend for itself with no resources or means to grow. But the other challenged the mouse and allowed the creature to evolve into the mighty animal it was meant to be to one day slay the beast that lay at it's doorstep,""Though, the human and the cat simply cannot take the credit. The mouse always had been destined for greatness, they simply help it bloom into whom it was meant to become.", Dracula eventually, and finally, finished with a sleazy chuckle. Rumplestiltskin felt his teeth clenching in his jaw while he tried to resist the urge to just tear open that damn box right now, throw Henrietta's heart back into her chest, and, as the most important part, replace it with a completely different heart. "Ah, that was fun. Shame we won't be doing this again. Anyways, are you done playing, Darkest One, or shall we return what belongs to my Captain? Starts with an 'H' and ends with 'art'?"Did he say something about Dracula having finished? Obviously, that had been wishful thinking only. However, before Rumple could have said anything, Henrietta preempted him. That was probably for the best. "I am no mouse,""And you,""are no human. Nor are you the inanimate mousetrap sitting in wait. You, sir," ... are a monster, he finished in his thoughts, wondering if she thought this would be shocking for him to hear while that probably was the most listened-to line of his lifetime. "are a crocodile." Interesting. Henrietta decided for the one word only one other person had ever used to describe him, the person she was leaving behind, at that. The mischievous smile on his features grew into a genuine mischievous smile. He wondered about something else, but, by this point, he was actually tired of any more of this. Dracula had screwed that up for him. He shall just have her, doing with her whatever he wanted. Rumple rather not wanted to know. "You find a poor soul drowning in the water and float on by, pretending to be a harmless log onto which the poor soul can cling to life. Once the poor soul has been tricked into the sense of preservation and attempts to leave your waters, you attack, dragging them under the surface to near drowning."So, nowadays, she was seeing herself to be a poor soul? Again, interesting. But as mentioned before, Rumplestiltskin was done. With both of them. "I am tired of being dragged down and I am tired of these riddles and games." He looked down at the little chest with her heart inside, while the smile on his face vanished, after all. "Let's get this over with.""Yes, dearie... as you wish," the Dark One stated with an implied bow, although his facial expression had been changing to even seriousness by this point. To be totally honest, he was glad when this would be finally done, and they all could turn back to where they had come from. Without any further words, Rumple opened the chest with just a casual wave of his hand, inside that throbbing little thing she longed for. He was not going to give any more riddle, wisdom, or even advice, but he was able to tell from a first-hand knowledge that the replacement of a heart that once had experienced true love was not as easy to absorb as she might wish. Especially not with the person it had loved being out of reach forever. For a little moment, an almost sad expression appeared on the Dark One's features, but he soon had himself back under control. "Ready?" he asked with a slight smirk before, without even waiting for an answer, taking the heart out of the chest and putting it back into Henrietta's chest.
She had only just received it, when Rumplestiltskin walked past her and over at the place where they had left his reward, the one box that was more to his liking. "Allow me to help myself...," he said rather to himself as he reached out to it and letting it disappear under his cloak, knowing that Henrietta had other worries right now, as much as she seemed to fight them.
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Ariel
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Post by Ariel on Mar 5, 2021 22:59:19 GMT -8
Dracula almost felt slightly scolded as Henrietta finally spoke up and gave her two cents. Dipping his gaze lightly as if he was ashamed, he only allowed himself to exude that energy for a brief moment before flickering his sneering gaze over at the dark imp as she jabbed into his scales a few rounds. He couldn't blame her, but then again, how else would one woman simply react being surrounded by two powerful creatures? Possibly the two most powerful creatures she may ever come across in her lifetime? Though, he did not ponder on this matter further as he did not dare to underestimate her and her counterpart. Henrietta was powerful too, and strong. She was far more capable of things that the Dark One couldn't fathom. He had underestimated her and if he didn't regret it now he would regret 'the one that got away' later. They would come back for the Dark One. Dracula would come back for the Dark One...and his throne.
"Let's get this over with."
"Yes, dearie... as you wish,"
Dracula's beady eyes narrowed in on Rumple as he casually waved his hand over the locked chest as if it was no big deal. The chest popped open magically, revealing the beating heart that resided within for quite some time. Watching the Dark One's hand as it retrieved the heart with his own flesh hand, Dracula was unbothered by any noise or distractions within their vicinity as his complete and full attention was locked onto the pulsating organ. He preferred to think that it was his devotion to Henrietta that kept a watchful eye over the most important part of her, to protect her from any tricks or further harm. Yet, his devotions didn't matter as it was an exposed blood pumping machine and Dracula was an animal with instincts like any other. His instincts retracted immediately once the heart disappeared inside her chest. Dracula grew from blood thirsty to level headed and concerned all within a matter of seconds.
"Captain?" Dracula took a few steps towards Henrietta, placing a careful hand on her shoulder, "How do you feel?"
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on Mar 7, 2021 17:05:29 GMT -8
"Yes, dearie... as you wish,"
After all the time and effort she and a few others had put into trying to open the bloody chest, it was maddening to see how he opened it with a simple flick of his wrist.
"Ready?"
This was going to be difficult. The memory of the pain she'd been in before he'd removed it was enough to make a part of her not want it back, but she wasn't whole without it. She deserved the pain that came with it. Etta appreciated that he seemed to be offering her a moment. She was getting ready to mentally prepare, center herself, but suddenly, without warning and without actually waiting for her to be ready, he plunged her heart into her chest. Her entire body stiffened in shock.
"Allow me to help myself..."
Etta stood there, stunned with the sharp stab of pain that emanated throughout her being from the newly returned organ. She hardly registered the Dark One speaking or stepping around her as her mind and every nerve in her body tried to make sense. Her vision was blurring but she couldn't comprehend the reason for it. She didn't know that tears had been gathering as her throat tightened, too much in agony to remember to breath.
"Captain?" "How do you feel?"
The words hardly reached her, but the hand on her shoulder finally brought her back to reality enough to take a gasping breath into her oxygen starved lungs. The breath came back out on a sob as Etta's knees gave way. Huddled on the ground, she clutched at her chest as uncontrollable sobs wracked her body with wave after wave of emotions hitting her, feeling more intense after being numbed for so long. All the guilt. All those lives she took. All the people who were left heartbroken over the gruesome loss of their loved ones. Her own heartache, her own losses. So many regrets. It kept slamming into her and just as she felt she was breaking the surface, another wave pulled her under.
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Post by DarkSideCookie on Apr 4, 2021 10:35:15 GMT -8
"Captain?""How do you feel?"
"Oh - just let her be," Rumple couldn't help but comment on what probably hadn't been meant for his ears whilst reapproaching out of the background. So now he was playing the concerned. Really? Yah, as if. Was Henrietta so easy to fool? He still wondered what it was that made her decide to agree to a deal with this man, the only real beast in this close area. As for their intentions, Rumple most certainly was the better choice to stay under contract with. However, not his problem anymore.
"Ah," he suddenly uttered in an almost Dracula-like tone as he reached his side, both looking down at Henrietta. "This awakes memories. The guilt of the lives one took. The many hearts one broke. The losses. The regrets. And last but not least... the ones we loved. Isn't it an irony of fate that we always want what makes us weak? That goes not so much for us, doesn't it?" He turned his gaze upon Dracula, disgust mixing up with the devilish grin on his features. "She'll be okay," Rumple then put it off as this would be nothing but a cold that she was fighting.
"So," he eventually spoke louder again, watching Henrietta as she recovered bit by bit while he made steps away from both of them and instead towards a spot that would be well visible for everyone around. Yah, the Dark One was a bit of a showman, granted. He waited for Henrietta to get back up to her feet until finally declaring this meeting closed. "I guess it's time for a farewell, dearie."
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Ariel
Lost RPG
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Post by Ariel on Apr 26, 2021 21:26:38 GMT -8
"Ah," "This awakes memories. The guilt of the lives one took. The many hearts one broke. The losses. The regrets. And last but not least... the ones we loved. Isn't it an irony of fate that we always want what makes us weak? That goes not so much for us, doesn't it?" "She'll be okay,"
Interesting, Dracula couldn't tear his eyes away from Henrietta as he watched her literally wrestle with the tidal wave of emotions that had just surged into her very being. Many years of feelings, emotions, the lives she had lived and lost appeared to be flashing right before her eyes and Dracula remained unmoved in his bewildered astonishment of what he was witnessing. Dracula had lived many lives himself, had taken some even. Yet, he simply did not experience guilt and heartbreak in the same way someone else might, and the emotion that bubbled to the surface from inside of her was entirely new to him. Though, he did not envy Henrietta one bit, as these kinds of emotions couldn't be any more than a crippling obstacle in the way of achieving greatness. Though, she had him of course, and he wouldn't allow her to be knocked down by this event. Dracula vowed to keep her stable and safe. Both of them. He had heard the murmuring of the imp running in the background - and he thought he was a monologuer. The Dark One surely gave Dracula a run for his money, and Dracula didn't care to share anything more than an annoyed, momentary flicker in Rumpelstiltskin's direction in the same moment that the Count was addressed.
"So," "I guess it's time for a farewell, dearie."
Both creatures gave Henrietta enough space as she slowly recovered herself to her senses and climbed back onto her feet. The mission was now complete, and Henrietta had her heart beating back in it's rightful place. Dracula was confident that they would now be on their way and no other complications or monsters would get in their way. He knew he'd be seeing the Dark One again someday, but now was simply not the time for the plan of action he would put into motion.
"I believe this place is growing a little stale for my liking," An underlying layer of disgust spouted out from behind Dracula's fangs and in the direction of the imp before addressing Henrietta once more, "Shall we set sail from this place?" As much time as he had spent in this world, there was still so much that he did not know. Such as the reality of conflicting emotions one might have when their heart is suddenly placed back into their body.
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on May 8, 2021 22:51:09 GMT -8
"Oh - just let her be,"
For once, she found appreciation for his unfeeling words. Though she seemed to be in a state that one would need support, Etta felt she deserved to take on the full burden of it. The prideful part of her also wanted to show that she could handle having emotions, the onslaught of them hitting her in such a way far more painful than anything she'd ever experienced. But she would overcome this and she would conquer it. She was stronger than those who thought emotions a weakness. They were not. It was the creature who rid themselves of emotions that was weak.
"Ah," "This awakes memories. The guilt of the lives one took. The many hearts one broke. The losses. The regrets. And last but not least... the ones we loved. Isn't it an irony of fate that we always want what makes us weak? That goes not so much for us, doesn't it?"
In this moment of overwhelming layers of painful emotions, she envied the empty shell of a creature the Dark One was. She felt as if she'd do anything to not have to feel this. But then the good feelings began to blossom and spread their petals, slowly overlaying the darkness until it dispersed from a complete sheet of darkness into scattered black clouds, reminding her that she was too strong to relegate herself to becoming an empty shell.
"She'll be okay,"
The wracking sobs melted away as Etta concentrated on and took hold of the good emotions. Her labored breathing began to settled. The Dark One's proclamation had been delivered in an emotionless, flippant way that Etta wasn't sure if he actually believed it or not. One thing was for certain; he did not care either way. But Etta was determined to be okay and to show that she would be, whether he gave a fig about it or now.
Head still down, she swiped the tears away, not wanting either to see them upon her face, then pulled herself to her feet. Her hair still had that fallen forward look, partially obscuring her face, but she was too drained to push it aside.
"So," "I guess it's time for a farewell, dearie."
Finally, she would be rid of the crocodile. He'd saved her life, trained her to have some semblance of control over her Hyde problem, even had brought her to this place where she'd met Killian and found love again. The last had been unintentional on the Dark One's part. Had he not unforgivably exploited her curse, she might have thanked him. Instead, she only lifted her chin with proud defiance in reply.
"I believe this place is growing a little stale for my liking," "Shall we set sail from this place?"
Without taking her eyes from the Dark One, Etta gave a single nod to acknowledge Dracula's words. She wanted to discuss their plans further, but not until it was just the two of them.
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Post by DarkSideCookie on May 25, 2021 12:24:59 GMT -8
"I believe this place is growing a little stale for my liking,""Shall we set sail from this place?"
Rumple didn't even deign to look at Dracula but instead focused only on Henrietta, who did the same. Oh, was she really too proud to address him with some words of farewell? He grinned. Why was nobody seeing the good points of the associations with him? So unthankful. The grin widened some more when Rumple decided to address her personally once again. "You look a tiny bit out of sorts, dearie." Yet before she could have reacted to his mocking, he turned his attention towards her new companion, after all, speaking of her like she was just some kind of pet getting passed over to another master. In some way, she was, more than she would think. "She has her whims at times, but you'll get used to it."
Then the Dark One bowed to both of them, of course not without a mischievous grin around his lips. This time, though, he dispensed with any more words. There was nothing else to say. So, with one wave of his hand and in his usual theatrical way, the Dark One cleared out, leaving nothing behind but a purple haze of magic. One last chance of giving Henrietta a taunt. Magic, not science.
*** Rumplestiltskin exits ***
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Ariel
Lost RPG
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Post by Ariel on Jun 12, 2021 9:30:21 GMT -8
Dracula scoffed inwardly as the Imp took a bow into the purple puff of smoke that quickly became whisked away by the wind. "Good riddance," Dracula remarked outwardly, yet inwardly he also thought to himself Your life shall be mine someday ,just you wait..., There wasn't many he had confided in about his true intentions in these lands if any at all. Surely he figured Etta wouldn't approve. What she didn't know now simply wouldn't hurt her. Speaking of his Captain, he turned his attention back to the woozy woman who seemed out of sorts in more aspects than few. Feeling a tinge of guilt for the strife she was battling, he spoke up once more as he supported her upright and helped her out of the barn.
"On second thought, a ship is no good to set sail unless her Captain's gotten ahold of her own barrings. Now that the Imp is gone, we no longer need to worry about a prolonged stay becoming compromised. Only until you're rested," Dracula suggested, yet was not inclined to accept any objections as he had a feeling that not only did Etta need some time to rest but that the discussion of the next step was unfinished. The rest of the crew were on a need to know basis, and this posed as a perfect time to talk about the plan ahead, "Where do you propose to take temporary rest, Captain, seeking refreshment in the Tavern or solace in one of the rooms in this establishment?" Dracula asked with concern, as his number one priority was transparent to Etta that he was intending to only take care of her well being.
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on Jun 13, 2021 11:56:45 GMT -8
"You look a tiny bit out of sorts, dearie."
Etta narrowed her eyes and stared daggers at him, but it was wasted. His attention had gone immediately to Dracula.
"She has her whims at times, but you'll get used to it."
And with those parting words, he disappeared into a purple fog. Of course he used his farewell to belittle both her and her field of science. Fine. She did not care. It was worth the price of never having to lay eyes upon him again.
Etta waited a few seconds to be sure he didn't pop back for another taunt before dropping her façade of strength and gave in to the exhaustion. Her ramrod spine relaxed and she hunched like a ragdoll barely standing on its own. She felt quite literally drained of energy, having expelled it battling the typhoon of emotions, and felt as if she could fall asleep right there on her feet.
"Good riddance,"
Etta agreed wholeheartedly but was too tired to speak it. He took note of the change in her posture and came to her aid, placing a supporting arm around her waist and allowing her to lean on him for support. She was very much happy with her choice. How could the Dark One ever suggest she'd made a mistake? That Dracula, or anyone for that matter, could possibly be worse than him? Unlike the Dark One, Dracula respected her. He took notice of what she needed and how she felt, even without her having to say a word. And without request, he always stepped in to aid her, always seeming to have her best interests at heart.
Now that the Dark One was gone, Etta wanted to discuss their plans for sailing. It wouldn't be wise for her to be aboard the ship right now in her state. Weakness should never be seen in a captain. It would lose respect. Worse, it could start the notion of mutiny in the heads of some of the men. She was also far more volatile to a Hyde episode. The last two would be an explosive mixture that would lead to something she never wished to repeat.
And seemingly to prove her earlier assessment, Dracula had taken notice of what she wanted and needed without Etta having the chance to utter one word of her thoughts.
"On second thought, a ship is no good to set sail unless her Captain's gotten ahold of her own barrings. Now that the Imp is gone, we no longer need to worry about a prolonged stay becoming compromised. Only until you're rested,"
His tone was resolute but Etta would not be objecting. "And it is almost daylight," she added, taking the time and care to worry about one of the few things that were a weakness to him.
She momentarily rested her head on his shoulder, a show of appreciation and trust, even affection toward someone who'd become more than simply a business partner. He was the closest thing to family or friend she had, save for Killian and Genie who were the dearest things to her, but seeing as she was returning to their land of origin to live out her days in Dracula's castle, she imagined he would remain her only close connection. And perhaps the other residence of the castle. She would see Gerhardt again, though she could hardly call him her Gerhardt anymore. Not much of him had remained within the shell that held his likeness since last she saw him, and more and more of him had slipped away with each day. Would there be any of him left in there after all this time?
"Where do you propose to take temporary rest, Captain, seeking refreshment in the Tavern or solace in one of the rooms in this establishment?"
"Sleep," was her simple answer. "I feel as if I could sleep for days." She let a couple moments of silence go by before sleepily inquiring about her curiosity, wanting to hear all she could on their short journey to the rooms. Based on the facts she knew of the owner and the one already living there, with herself about to join, add to it the memories from what felt like another lifetime of the town gossip and fear toward the mysterious castle looming in the distance, she could easily guess all who resided there were different. Monsters in the eyes of regular people. "Tell me about the others who share our home."
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Ariel
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Post by Ariel on Jun 13, 2021 19:50:37 GMT -8
"Sleep," "I feel as if I could sleep for days."
Just as Henrietta's dire request chimed drowsily in Dracula's eardrums, his gaze peered upwards as the approached the front door to the tavern. "Rest you shall, my Captain," his arms caught Henrietta as her legs looked as if they were about to give away and scooping her up, his backside hit the door as he pushed their way through. The connection the pleading eye contact Dracula made with the bartender gave the correct signal as he found the response he was looking for. The bartender had freed his hand from his washcloth mopping a dirty pint for a mere moment to point to the staircase that escalated upwards where the rooms were kept. Nodding his head in gratitude, Dracula peered down into his arms to check on Henrietta who appeared to be fading in and out as her body prepared her for sleep as he began to climb the staircase.
"Tell me about the others who share our home."
One foot in front of the other, Dracula brought Henrietta closer and closer to the top of the stairs. Our home. Up to this moment, Dracula hadn't heard Henrietta make such a sure, verbal confirmation that she was willing to live the rest of her days in the castle with him and the others whom he held dear to his cause. A surprised grin flashed across his face. He couldn't really describe the warm feelings he felt inside, but she was his family and he couldn't wait to bring her home. Her request triggered memories of their land and home. Images and creatures crossed his mind that he hadn't thought of in a really long time. It felt as if he had left ages ago and had become so wrapped up in his adventure, that he often wondered if he would forget what home was like if he dared stay away for too long. Dracula was satisfied to realize he hadn't forgotten at all.
"As you're well aware, our home appeared rather daunting to most. Yet, little did they know that the story was different on the inside. We're all very much a family, dysfunctional perhaps but we take care of our own. Down in the basement reside the Countess Sisters. No relation to me, of course, but I took them in before they were crucified by the Nunnery. In the right wing there's Lupin. Fair warning, he get's a tad loud on nights of the Full Moon, but he surprises most who give him a chance to know the gentle fellow within. And of course you know Gerhardt. He had a difficult time when I first brought him home, so his room resides close enough to mine in case he has a nightmare," Dracula's whimsical rant of back at home became momentarily interrupted as he pushed the door to the last vacant room available. A candle dimly lit the room to reveal a single bed in the cozy room, pressed up against the window that was now being splattered with raindrops, "He had improved incredibly well since I brought him under my wing. He was happy. Not to mention his cognitive skills improved at a remarkable rate after the while we spent pondering over the books in the library in hopes of finding a way to this place. To find you, Henrietta, and to bring you home where you belong." Gently laying Etta down on the bed, Dracula made sure the blanket was secured over her body and up to her shoulders so she would remain warm from the cool draft that blew against the glass of the window, "There are more who reside with us, and you'll get to meet them. Your family. Soon, I promise." Dracula took a single claw to the stray hair that lay stickily over Etta's forehead and removed it as she sunk peacefully into her slumber. Turning his back around, Dracula walked out the door and shut it behind him. He slid down to the floor and rested his back against the wooden door that held Henrietta safely inside and guarded it for the rest of the night and morning.
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