#𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒆. » beware the apple

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❛ listen , i'm just here to help.   ❜ emma's lips purse as she eyes @havenforged. ❛   i know regina &* i haven't always been on good terms , but ---- you've never done anything to me. so i'm here to help. ❜

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❛   can i help you ? ❜ there's a mix of hesitation , concern , &* confusion there on the sheriff's face as emma eyes the newcomer from the safety of her desk. there's just something about the way @floripire looks at her now that gives her the inkling something is off. ❛   i'm , uhm ━━━━ i'm emma. is there a reason you're here , or . . . ? ❜

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❛ so , are we talking about it , or . . . ? ❜ emma's not one for heart-to-heart's. it's not something she has much experience with , &* frankly , she's not good at it. she's never been able to talk freely about her own issues , much less buckle down &* listen to someone else. BUT RUBY'S SLEEPING ON HER SOFA ! well , mary margaret's sofa. it wasn't like she could just avoid her being here. or at work , it seemed. thankfully , she likes @ashesrebirthed. reminds her vaguely of lily , if she's honest. ❛ YOU DON'T HAVE TO. i just figured ---- you know. you had a . . . cozy setup at granny's. why slum it on a sofa ? ❜

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@spllcat ▐ ❛ can you help him ? ❜ there's pure concern in the sherrif's face as she stands beside the exam table , hands holding on to the metal edge until her knuckles are white. THE DOG HAD COME OUT OF NO WHERE ; she had time to react , much less swerve. the only thing she could think to do was bring him to the shelter where david worked -- see if the vet could help. she's never taken care of an animal before ; never had time or stability or even the chance to have a pet , so it's her first time in a shelter all together -------- the whining animals were really unnerving. ❛ please say you can. it doesn't matter what it costs --- ❜

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❛ i bounced around foster homes for most of my childhood. sometimes found something more substantial , but then that would fall through. i'd get to sent to a new orphanage , or i'd run away -- try a different state. NEW PEOPLE. none of them stuck around. then when i grew up , i fell for a guy. we were on the streets -- had to move around to avoid getting arrested since we stole everything we had. i wound up in jail , so i guess that was actually my longest stay anywhere. ❜ a sigh escapes the blonde as she smoothes her hands on her thighs , palms clammy from talking about her past.

as she listens &* notes ruby's glossy eyes , that uncomfortable feeling rises up in her stomach. she can empathize with her -- share her story like some cautionary tale against being alone. BUT GENUINE , RAW EMOTION ? that was not her field. so she clears her throat &* looks away , mouth opening , then closing as she fails to think of anything particularly poignant to say. ❛ ----------- you know what we need ? something to drink. wait , are you old enough to drink ? ❜

"Only two years?" Easily distracted from heavier matters at hand, Ruby's interest - as well as her demeanor - perks up at that. "I can't imagine that. I've never even been out of town." Which was half of the cause of this rift to begin with. Every time she'd tried, something always seemed to get into the way. Granny's fault or not, it had Ruby nearly clawing at the walls to get out on her worst days.

Unfortunately, she's just as quick to deflate again. "I didn't start it." The answer is a petulant one, she knows - but she's so tired. Of being labeled a troublemaker, irresponsible, a slut; whatever else everyone thinks of her, Granny included. Of always being the one in the wrong, no matter what she tries. Still...

"Maybe you're right. Maybe she doesn't mean anything by it, not really. But, living with her - it's different than just knowing her, Emma. I've never had parents, only Granny, and she's harder on me than she is with anyone else. And I don't - I don't know what to do with that." Her voice trembles as she chances a glance back up, blinking back tears threatening to spill out. At least if they fall, she's already washed her makeup away - not that the thought is really all that much of a comfort. "I don't know what I ever did so wrong to make her like that."

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❛ i could have sworn granny said you were working a double today.   ❜ an amused , pointed look is given towards the other from over the rim of emma's drink. this bar was the only place outside of granny's diner that felt sort of normal in this little town. but , at least she's started to feel like she has some friends here. @redsfur was definitely on the top of that short list. ❛ how'd you get outta that one ?   ❜

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' hey ! what’d you do that for ? ' / @covertegotism

❛   TALK SHIT , GET HIT.   oldest rule in the book. ❜ annoyance is plain on emma's face as she cuts a glare towards the off-duty bartender. she hadn't really hit him -- more of a smack to the arm. ❛   seriously , why are you being a prick ?   ❜

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❛ you know , whenever you enter a room , I GET A PANG OF A HEADACHE. right behind my temple. it's like h.arry p.otter's fucking scar ----- ❜ a scowl curves the blonde's lips as she closes her eyes &* presses a few fingers to the temple in question. the other hand raises her coffee cup to her lips , allowing her to sip at the hot chocolate masquerading as a normal morning beverage for adults. once she's sure @thenightmareofyourdrems is sitting across the booth from her , jade eyes open &* bore holes into her. ❛ so , vol.demort , what can i do for you this morning ? ❜

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❛ BIG CITIES ? i guess. they're full of people skipping on bail , so that helps. but they're also expensive &* never quiet -------- ❜ she takes another sip of her hot chocolate , tongue brushing the sweet liquid away from her lips. ❛ i was a bailbonds-woman. you know --- you skip bail , i come find you so you can get arrested. DIDN'T MAKE MANY FRIENDS THAT WAY , but --- ❜ she's never had good experiences with friends or lovers or family ; whatever paid , paid. who knows , maybe one day it would lead her back to neal so she could give him an earful. ❛ a job's a job. ❜

               ˜”*°•.     It  was  impressive  in  its  own  frustrating  way  -  how  miss  Swann  would  rejoice  in  ruining  her  mood  every  single  day.  Her  presence  no  different  from  a  pest’s ;  useless ,  harming ,  impossible  to  do  away  with .  So ,  when  that  comment  escaped  her  lips ,  an  eyebrow  was   firmly  arched  in  response .  ❝Well  ,  as  a  mayor,  it’s  my  duty  to  make  you  feel  welcome  . ❞    Sarcasm  answered  sarcasm .   ❝But  I  can  imagine  that  you  miss  the  life  in  a  big  city . ❞    

Mary  Margaret .  The  name  itself  triggering  the  worst  of  furies .  Funny  how  one way  or  another,  Snowhite never  failed  to  bring  her  life  upside  down.  Emma  couldn’t  stay  in  this  town  any  longer ;  not  when  Henry  was  set  on  sticking  with  her .   ❝ Mary  Margaret  is  known  for  her  kindness  indeed . ❞  Oh  she  wanted  to  vomit  at  her  own  words .    ❝ Really  ,  hat  kind  of  job  did  you  have  back  in  your  city  ? ❞ 

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❤︎ , @mendinggashes

❛ GRAHAM MENTIONED YOU NEEDED SOME HELP. ❜ what , exactly , emma was supposed to do for her was beyond emma's current comprehension. the sheriff had just sounded so ... desperate. ❛ something about clearing your name ? i assume it relates back to regina , right ? ❜ the mayor had a knack for blackmail &* frame jobs -- plenty of time for that , but none for doing her actual job. ❛ can you explain what's going on ? graham just sounded ... well. frazzled. ❜

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❛ thank god. i hated being seventeen.   ❜ a tired little laugh leaves her as her hands smooth against his shoulders. she offers a little smile at his appreciation , hands squeezing the upper part of his biceps. it's strange to her , how someone could grow up with everything she'd ever wanted &* still feel so out of place. family. a home. food. the money would have just been an added bonus.

❛   that tracks. you're really bad at being a snobby rich person. ❜ there's the wit. she hums &* raises a hand , index finger gently tracing the curve of one dimple. ❛   i was going to say i wish you'd been where i was , but . . . i don't wish that on anyone. i didn't really go to school , but i did get really good at shoplifting pop-tarts. i could show you , if you want ? probably be the first shoplifters in this town. ------------- also , we should definitely implement trivia night at the bar here. pretend we're really bad at trivia , then bam , you come in with jellyfish &* starfish facts &* suddenly we're rich. well , i'd be rich. you're just . . . richer. ❜

eric's eyes soften. her response so vulnerable and honest. this wasn't the push heavy feelings away with a dry, witty remark emma. no, this was the emma that eric knew tried to stay as hidden and protected as she could keep her. the emma that few people got to see or even knew existed. he was privileged to be one of the few who did. of course, he could tell her it's honest, his feelings for her but she would still have those doubts. understandable. "you don't have to worry about what happened last time, you're not seventeen anymore." unhelpful, but true. 

"you're going to regret those words when jellyfish organs save you during bar trivia night someday." a dimpled grin taking over his expression, warmth rising in his cheeks. "you never once made me feel like an annoyance for talking about stuff like that, i really appreciate that." his nose scrunches, head giving a little shake. memories he never wanted to relive resurfacing. "i tried that, hated it— i didn't fit in with those people and it was very obvious. didn't matter that i had money, i was not one of them."

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a soft , breathy laugh bubbles up as hands give the sides of his neck a gentle squeeze. ❛   it's not bad. just . . . scary. i don't know how to accept it. to . . . TRUST IT'S HONEST. the last time someone liked me , i ended up giving a kid away at seventeen. ❜ his little shrug is mimicked. she had gone so long (mostly) not thinking of neal ------ having eric &* henry exist at the same is just springing up those feelings of . . . well , none of them are good feelings. confusing road to walk. everything with neal had been so easy &* perfect until it was the worst mistake of her life. it's hard to not look at how simple &* effortless things with eric are &* worry it's doomed for the same fate.

❛   for the record --------- i love hearing you talk about things you're passionate about. you always get so . . . ANIMATED. plus , you're kind of fun to learn from. you don't make me feel stupid. you're a good teacher. even if i literally never need to know how few organs a jellyfish has. ❜ wry grin , then she's kissed him once more with a soft hum. ❛   where were you ten years ago ? rich boy private school ? ❜

eric can't help but let out a little laugh too. even if it is at his own expense. "you love my weird jellyfish facts— pretty sure you told me." playful smile taking a place upon his lips. "and by the end of this, this whole weird town will love my weird facts. about jellyfish and everything else." 

as she pulls away from his lips, a soft, smitten smile settles onto them. "me, like you? is that the impression i'm giving off?" his nose scrunching up playfully. "though you might be right, maybe i shouldn't stay? but then who would i share all my useless but interesting facts with? max has heard them all, he's tired of them. hmm. . ." shoulders give a little shrug. "i guess i can live with you thinking i like you. i mean, it can't be that bad. right?" 

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emma swallows nervously as she feels her chest constrict the longer he talks. eric always looks at her like there's something in her worth looking at -- worth knowing &* sticking around for. it is terrifying for someone so built on abandonment. every part of her personality practically hinges on feeling temporary in someone's life. but he wants to stick around. actually makes it sound preferable to going back home to his stable , upperclass life. how could he prefer staying here with all of this chaos ? how could he think she is worth getting involved in this ?

he cups her face , so emma gladly presses into that hand , cheek squishing up with the motion. you won't be alone in this ; i'm not leaving you. his words are so gentle &* kind , yet they flare up the part of her that wants to tuck tail. he could change his mind ; leave her like everyone else has. she'd have a hard time recovering from him.

she swallows , gaze flickering away from him momentarily. his words do bring a little laugh , distracting her from the crushing weight of her thoughts that swarm at even the risk of abandonment. ❛   strange that you're the normalest thing around here , huh ? you &* your weird jellyfish facts. ❜ a faint smile is earned , a bit of that familiar sparkle coming back to her gaze. she leans up , catching his lips in a gentle , lingering kiss. ❛ you know if you stick around much longer , i'm gonna start thinking you like me or something , right ? we wouldn't want that.   ❜

"i didn't sign up to date a princess either but this is getting interesting now." amusement dances on his expression; lips curving upward and corners of his eyes crinkle. "and i'm not going anywhere. it doesn't bother me or scare me or whatever that you have a kid, and you have no reason to feel bad for not telling me, you didn't owe me that information when he wasn't in your life. now he's someone else i can bore with my useless knowledge of the ocean." he holds his gaze on emma, blue eyes soften, taking on a more serious tone. "do you remember what you told me after our first date? about looking at me and feeling less alone?" he pauses momentarily, moving a hand to cup her face gently. "you won't be alone in this, i'm not leaving you to go through any of this alone. i'm going to be here for you to vent to or lean on or just look at." hint of a smile returning to his lips. "besides, you're going to need someone normal around, right?" 

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❛   harder question to answer than you might think.   ❜ emma sighs softly as she reaches up to brush some of his hair from his forehead. ❛   i don't want you to leave , but that doesn't mean i think staying is the best idea either.   i don't want you to have to be involved in any of this -------- i feel bad enough that i didn't tell you i'd even had a kid to begin with. ❜ she frowns , her hand moving to cup his neck so her thumb can brush against the stubble on his jawline. ❛   didn't seem important. never thought he'd show up at my apartment ten years later , much less trying to convince me his mom is some evil queen &* i'm some princess destined to save the world.   ❜ she hesitates , brows knitting just a bit. ❛   you have the chance to walk away before i get any more involved in this , you know. i wouldn't blame you. you didn't sign up for dating a girl with a kid.   ❜

"obviously that's how i know you'd look great in them." a playful little smirk tugging at his lips. then a laugh bubbles from him. "i don't think granny would appreciate me driving all her customers away like that." a smile remains, encouraged by the suggestion to stick around, find a job himself here; that she wanted him to stay— because he wanted to stay too, but didn't want to get in the way. "do you think he would? his shop looks pretty eccentric, in a good way, and i only saw what i could see peering through the window." he pauses for a beat. "you sure you want me to stay?" 

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his joke does earn a wry smile &* a little scoff. ❛ you're so funny. you should go into stand-up comedy.   ❜ she gently squeezes his side , then sighs. ❛   you're not wrong , though. you're the first thing in my life that i've not run away from ---- &* even then , i still tried. ❜ she shakes her head a bit , frown persistent. ❛   isn't that worse ? him getting to know me just for me to leave ? it's not like i can stay here. i have a job &* an apartment &* a ---- well , you. ❜

eric's arms instantly reciprocate, wrapping around emma when she moves in front of him. his mouth falling into a small frown. the apology she offered out of place; she had nothing to apologize for. "i would have come anyway. even if i can't do anything, just be here with you. and you're not getting rid of me, so don't even try." a hand sliding over her back, rubbing it gently. lips press together thoughtfully, his mind running through everything she's told him about the situation. "you could just spend some time with henry, that could be all he wants— time to get to know you. this whole elaborate curse story could just be a ploy to get you to stay here with him long enough for him to get that chance." he leans back just enough to look at her. "he is your kid, he probably knows how quick you are to run." soft smile appearing, an attempt to add just a touch of levity to an otherwise heavy situation. 

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she pauses in her spot , arm half stuck into her jacket. wide emerald eyes blink dumbly at the brunette. ❛ -------- i thought ... you know what ? i'm gonna just run down the street to the gas station. grab some -- do you drink beer ? four loko ? cheap wine ? ❜ she furrows her brow as she waves a hand in a 'so-so' motion. ❛ i'll figure it out. you just ... hang here ? uh , there's some hot pockets in the freezer that are mine. ❜

"Yeah, it's not exactly her specialty," Ruby agrees, letting out an amused breath. She is, after all, intimately familiar with the diner's entire stock herself. What it is, however, is cheap - which is exactly what most people come to a place like Granny's looking for.

"You mean The Rabbit Hole?" Brows raising, Ruby follows after Emma, motions far more hesitant. Resting her hands on the kitchen counter, she starts to fiddle with one of her rings as she speaks again. "They let just about anyone in. Ashley goes with me sometimes, and she actually is nineteen." Under normal circumstances, Ruby would be the first one chomping at the bit for a night out on the town, but tonight...

Tonight, she's just about anything but ready for a party. "You want to go now?"