#And; do not forget - the world round has had some form of court jester. All with their unique garb and impacts

[julie-su]

i dont get how matur-an is a jester when she doesnt look like one.

A-ha! See, that's the beautiful thing! Jesters through the ages have come in many shapes and sizes. We traditionally think of a jester as your typical cap'n'bells (the horned floppy hat with the jingly bells) with a motley-pattern outfit (that is, any article of clothing with two or more colours sewn to it), and their marotte of choice, or perhaps a wooden sword or a sceptre. But that's only one snapshot of a variety of costumes and outfits your Jester would be seen in.

Matur-An is based on Mathurine De Vallois, who was well-known for wearing a full outfit of an Amazonian warrior, complete with armour (some sources state it was a helmet, others a chestplate, so on) and a wooden sword and shield. I decided to get silly with it, and draw instead from the Knuckles Clan, who I thought would have similar lore-based impact and myth to the echidnas of Echidnaopolis, when designing Matur-an.

That's a lot of words, to say a simple thing: "She does look like a jester!"

[swanqueeneverafter]

37. White Out, Pt.4

Storybrooke. The Next Morning. (Robin, Marian and Roland are walking down Main Street. Robin and Roland have been showing Marian around down.) Robin Hood: “I know this town might seem strange at first, but you do get used to it. And Roland loves it here. He loves watching the boats at the harbour and eating at granny's...” Roland: (Interrupts:) “And ice cream.” Robin Hood: “Yes. How could we forget about ice cream?” Roland: “Can we get some now, please?” Robin Hood: (Glances at Marian and can tell that she is overwhelmed:) “Well, I think your mother's seen enough strange things for one day. We should get back to the camp.” Roland: (Looks at Marian and puts on a pleading face:) “Please, mom?” Marian: “Sure.” Any Given Sundae. Interior. (Roland, Robin and Marian enter and we see the Snow Queen come out from behind the counter, holding two Rocky Road ice creams. One for Robin and the other for Roland.) Snow Queen: “Rocky road for the little man.” (Hands Roland his ice cream.) Roland: (Looks happy:) “Thank you.” Snow Queen: (Chuckles:) “You're welcome. (Hands Robin his:) And his dashing father. (Turns to Marian:) And I don't believe that I've met the beautiful mother.” Robin Hood: “Uh, this is Marian.” Snow Queen: “It is lovely to finally meet you, Marian. (Walks back behind the counter:) Well, since you've been through such an ordeal, the least I can do is... is get you something on the house. What flavour would you like?” Marian: (Looks taken by surprise and conflicted:) “I... Don't know.” Robin Hood: “Uh, in our world, the, uh, flavour choices of ice were dirt and mud.” Snow Queen: (Smiles and chuckles:) “In this world, we've made some improvements. Trust me, there is no problem that can't be solved with a bit of ice cream.” (Goes to the back counter top and sprinkles some topping on the ice cream, before waving her hand and discreetly casting a spell on it.) Robin Hood: “Thank you. That's very kind.” Snow Queen: (Smiles and peers over the counter, looking at Roland:) “No, thank you. Seeing a happy family like yours in here really warms my heart.” Marian: (Tries some of her ice cream:) “Mhm.” (Smiles, and follows Robin and Roland out of the shop.) Mr. Gold’s Shop. Present. (Hook and Elsa are standing in Mr Gold’s shop, with Mr Gold and Belle standing in front of them. They have come in the hope that Mr Gold might have answers as to why Elsa was in the urn in his vault.) Mr. Gold: “I'm sorry to disappoint you, but I've never seen her before in my life.” Hook: “So how'd she end up inside your urn inside your secret vault of terror?” Mr. Gold: “Look, if you really want to know how she wound up there, she's standing right beside you, Captain. Why don't you simply ask her?” Elsa: “He did. But I can't remember. Something happened to my memories.” Mr. Gold: “Well, an all-too-common affliction 'round these parts. Pity. But as you can see, many objects fall into my possession... urns, necklaces, all manner of things. I can't know the history behind all of them.” Hook: (Doesn’t look like he is buying Mr. Gold’s story and interrupts:) “Only if there's something in it for you. Right, mate?” Mr. Gold: “Yeah, well, that may have been true once. But recently my life has been... Turned upside down. I've lost a son. (Looks to Belle:) I've gained a wife. So you might say... I've decided to turn over a new leaf. Much like you, it seems.” Hook: “I’m here as a favor to David. With Emma out recuperating, the Sheriff’s station is a little depleted.” Mr Gold: “Deputy for a day? How adorable. Just as long as you don’t overstep your authority.” Hook: “You know more than you let on, out with it, crocodile.” Mr. Gold: “Hm. How about I do you one better? Let's simply have Belle use the dagger on me.”

Belle: (Shocked at the suggestion, she steps forward, taking a hold of his hand:) “No. No. Rumple, you don't... you don't have to do that.” Mr. Gold: (Insistent:) “No, no, no. The Captain wants proof, And I'm happy to co-operate.” Belle: (Sighs:) “Fine. (Opens her bag and pulls out the dagger. The others watch as she turns to face Mr Gold and raises it:) I command you, Dark One...To tell them the truth.” Mr Gold: “The truth is... (He pauses momentarily:) Just as I said. I had no idea there was someone inside there. I know nothing about Elsa. Or her sister. But I wish you best of luck finding her.” The Mayor’s Office. (Mary Margaret is getting ready to host her first town meeting as Mayor, and people are slowly arriving. Mary Margaret is still holding baby Neal, and greeting people as they walk in.) Mary Margaret: “Hi.” (Smiles and hands a woman a small piece of paper.) David: “Come on inside. (Walks out of the meeting room into the foyer where Mary Margaret is standing:) Need a hand?” (Reaches out to take Neal from her.) Mary Margaret: (Holds Neal closer to her:) “Oh, no. I got it.” David: “You're planning to run your first fireside chat holding a newborn?” Mary Margaret: “Yeah, I'm fine. Mothers are natural multi-taskers.” David: (Touches Neal’s head:) “That may be, but you're juggling a lot right now.” Mary Margaret: “Well, that's true. I have to say, I'm starting to have more and more respect for our court Jester every day.” David: “Yeah. Rupert was special. But you're sure you can...” Mary Margaret: “We took back a kingdom, remember? I can handle this. (Mary Margaret and David make their way into the meeting room. Mary Margaret walks to the front of the room, standing at the end and turning to face everyone. David takes a seat next to her. Familiar faces such as; Robin Hood, Marian, Roland, Leroy, Archie and Granny are present.) Hi, everyone. And welcome to the very first mayor's fireside chat. For too long, this office was a place to be feared. Well, I want every citizen to feel welcome and included here. So, if you could just refer to the meeting agenda I've printed, there are...” Archie: (Interrupts and holds up his piece of paper:) “Uh, what's this about an ice wall?” Mary Margaret: (Slightly surprised:) “Oh, that's, uh, item four. We'll get to that in a minute.” Leroy: “I vote we skip items one, two, and three. Show of hands.” (The crowd murmurs in agreement with his statement and all raise their hands.) Mary Margaret: (Smiles:) “Yeah, that's... oh, fine. No, I can... (Sighs:) I can be flexible. The ice wall is nothing to worry about. For the time being, it does surround the entire town...” Woman: (Interrupts and sounds angry at Mary Margaret’s last statement:) “What?” Archie: “The entire town?” Leroy: (Stands up angrily:) “Are you serious?” Mary Margaret: (Becomes a bit flustered, and looks as though she is struggling balancing Neal and handling the crowd:) “So, no. (Looks down at Neal as he begins to cry:) Oh. Everyone calm down. The wall isn't hurting anyone.” Leroy: (Still standing and not looking impressed:) “We've been through all this before. I ain't worried about the wall. I'm worried about who made it.” Mary Margaret: (Looks back down at her own piece of paper:) “Item five. Her name is Elsa. She's a friend.” Leroy: “Is she the one that froze my truck?” Granny: (Knitting in the corner of the room:) “And made that snow monster that almost killed Marian?” Marian: (Jumps in to defend:) “Bu... I-I'm fine. Really.” David: (Stands up:) “I've spoken to Elsa, and I promise you we will have all of this under control very soon. (His voice becomes distorted as we focus on Marian, who is starting to look a little dizzy and a white streak is forming through her hair:) And there will be no more danger of any kind.” Mary Margaret: (Her voice is distorted too:) “So, if we could all just circle back around to item one, we can all discuss...” (Marian’s eyes close and she suddenly passes out in Robin’s arms.) Robin Hood: (Lowers her to the ground gently, and in a panic, tries to wake her up:) “Marian! Marian!” Mills House. (Henry sits alone at the kitchen counter doing his algebra homework, as Regina places a cup of hot chocolate in front of him.) Henry: “Thanks, Mom.” Regina: (Takes a seat beside him, sliding a stack of comic books towards him:) “I didn't know which ones you were reading these days.” Henry: (Smiles:) “These are awesome. Much better than algebra. Thanks. (Chuckles:) But you didn't have to do this.” Regina: “Well, I wanted to. (Mock seriously:) But don't get used to it. (She chuckles again. Reaches out to pick one up, Henry doing the same:) Isn't it funny how these are just ink and paper but everything in your storybook is real? Makes you wonder who wrote it, doesn't it?” Henry: (Turns to look at her:) “The storybook?” Regina: “Mm-hmm.” Henry: “No one knows.” Regina: (Places the comic she is holding back on the counter:) “Oh, come on. You're such an expert on all this. You've read it cover to cover. There's nothing in the book that gives... Even a clue?” Henry: (Senses that Regina is genuinely interested:) “What are you up to?” Regina: (She scoffs momentarily, before sighing:) “These stories about me in the book, I was written as a villain. And things never work out for the villain, so I... Want to find who wrote this book and make them... Ask them... To write me a new chapter. One where there’s a happy ending. Is that crazy?” Henry: (Enthusiastic:) “This is the best idea you've ever had. We have to change the book because it's wrong about you. We just have to find the clues.” Regina: “We? What? You'll help me?” Henry: “Of course I’ll help you. It'll be our own secret mission.” Regina: (Chuckles:) “Like that ‘Operation Viper’ you had with Emma?” Henry: (Corrects her:) “Cobra, but yeah. This one we'll call operation..." (Henry looks down at the counter deep in thought.) Regina: “Mongoose.” Henry: “Perfect. ‘Operation Mongoose’ it is. Have you told Mom about this?” Regina: (Chuckles:) “We’ve talked about it, yes.” (The doorbell rings and Regina goes to answer it. Opening the door, we see Robin Hood, standing outside, still clearly looking distressed.) Robin Hood: “Oh, Regina. Can we talk?” Regina: “Robin, what are you doing here?” Robin Hood: “It's Marian. Something's happened to her. I'm sorry. I didn't know who else to turn to. I need your help.”

Storybrooke. Mayor’s Office. (Mary Margaret and David are still in the Mayor’s office watching over Marian, who is unconscious on the couch, ice now starting to cover her body. David is by the fire and stoking it, with hopes of making Marian warm again. Everyone else who was at the meeting is gone. Robin and Regina and Henry enter.) Robin Hood: “How is she?” David: “Not good. She's getting colder.” Mary Margaret: (Sighs:) “Regina, thanks for coming.” Regina: “Don't thank me till I've done something. (Notices the bird painting on the wall and stops in her tracks:) Who's idea was that?” Mary Margaret: “Oh, I thought I would put my own personal touch on the office.” Regina: “Well, you've succeeded. Hideously.” (Walks to where Robin is kneeling by Marian.) Robin Hood: (Looks up at her:) “Is there anything you can do?” Regina: (Exhales sharply:) “This is strong magic. I-I can't stop it, but maybe I can slow it down.” (Footsteps echo in the foyer, and a moment later, Hook and Elsa enter the room.) Elsa: “What happened?” Regina: (Looks up:) “Perhaps we should be asking you. After all, it was your monster that attacked Marian.” Hook: “Well, to be fair, we did provoke the beast.” Elsa: “But this isn't my magic. Someone else did this.” Regina: “Oh, and we're supposed to trust you?” Emma: (Entering the room:) “You can trust me. If she says it was someone else, it was.” Henry: “Mom, you should be resting.” Emma: “I’m fine, kid. (To Elsa:) So, how do we break the spell?” Elsa: “The only way to cure a freezing spell is an act of true love.” Regina: (Considers, thinks it worth a shot:) “True love's kiss.”

Robin Hood: (Nods:) “Well, then there's no time to lose. (Turns back towards Marian, before leaning down and kissing her. After a few moments, he pulls back when realizes it wasn’t working:) What's wrong? Why isn't it working?” David: “I've seen this once before, when Frederick was turned to gold.” Emma: “Who the hell's Frederick?” Henry: “Long story.” Robin Hood: (Frustrated:) “So, the cold is acting as a barrier? Is there nothing we can do?” Regina: “Well, every curse is different. I need more time to study this one.” Emma: “I'm going to go find who did this before it happens again.” (Turns to leave.) Regina: “Just be sure to take backup.” Emma: (Turns back around:) “What’s that supposed to mean?” Regina: “Well, between the snow monster and the cave-in... seems like the Savior needs saving these days.” Emma: (Snappish:) “You just worry about saving Marian. I'll be fine.” (Turns to leave again.) Hook: (Goes to follow her:) “Well, I like that battle plan, so I'm with you, Swan.” Emma: (Stops him:) “No. Take Elsa to the sheriff's station. Keep her out of sight. Once people get word of this, they're going to be calling for her head.” Hook: "Regina’s not wrong, love. There's someone dangerous out there.” Emma: (Her tone sharp:) “I don't have time to argue about this. I am the Sheriff of this town, got it? (She looks around the room, daring anyone to challenge her:) Good. Now I’m going to find the real culprit. (To Hook:) Take Elsa to the station and that can be your last act as deputy.”  (Leaves the room, not seeing Hook’s surprised look.) Storybrooke. Main Street. (Leroy, Archie and Granny are stood with the same group of people from the meeting at the front of Granny’s diner, and they are having their own meeting, and Leroy is annoyed still.) Leroy: “Elsa's the problem. Today it's Marian. Tomorrow she could freeze the whole town.” Granny: “Much as I like to move the hot cocoa, somebody's got to stop her.” (Leroy begins to walk out of Granny’s grounds, and the others follow.) Archie: (Protests and tries to stop him:) “Wait. You can't just condemn her without all the facts.” Leroy: “Look around. Who else can turn people into popsicles? It's Elsa, and we all know it, so she's got to be stopped before she hurts someone else.” (The group continues to walk down Main Street, walking past ‘Any Given Sundae’ and the Snow Queen, who watches them walk past, with an amused smile on her face.) Storybrooke. Elsewhere. (Hook and Elsa are in an alley on Storybrooke’s Main Street, waiting until Leroy and his angry mob pass.) Hook: “Wait. All right. Coast is clear. (Steps out onto the pavement. Elsa follows him onto the pavement, but doesn’t follow him:) That means go, love.” Elsa: “I'm not coming with you. There's someone out there with powers like mine. I need to find out who. I... I can't just hide out in some sheriff's station.” Hook: “Oh. Well, that works out quite nicely, then. 'Cause that's not where we're going.” Elsa: (Surprised:) “It's not?” Hook: "Not a chance in hell. And the sheriff's station's that way.” Elsa: (Curiously:) “And what's that way?” Hook: (Smirks:) “With any luck, danger.” (Begins walking and Elsa follows.) 

The Forest. (David and Emma are in the woods, approaching Robin Hood’s tent.) David: “Robin and Marian's tent's up ahead. So, what exactly are we looking for?” Emma: “If whoever cursed Marian has the same powers as Elsa, maybe they left a trail.” David: “So we split up and we look for anything... Cold.” Emma: (Scoffs:) “Yeah.” David: “Well, shout if you need help, and I'll...” Emma: (Interrupts him:) “Okay. Yeah. I got it. (Leaves David and walks towards Robin’s tent. She hears clattering coming from inside and draws her gun, knowing it’s not Robin:) Whoever's in there, come out.” (A young man steps out of the tent slowly and puts his hands up in a surrender motion.) Emma: “Who the hell are you? What are you doing in that tent?” Will: (He has a strong, cocky British accent:) “It depends who's asking.” Emma: “The Sheriff's asking.” Will: “I never did like sheriffs very much. Though you do seem like the decent sort, so I'm guessing you're not gonna shoot a man in the back.” (Emma looks at him confusion, and her eyes widen when he suddenly bolts.) Emma: “Hey, stop!” (Emma chases after him through the woods. As she is about to catch him, she trips over a log, falling on her face. Up ahead, Will begins to relax when suddenly David appears from behind a tree and tackles Will to the ground, before quickly making him stand, still holding onto him tightly.) David: “Where were you going?” Emma: (Finally catches up, panting:) “I almost had him, but I... Fell.” David: “Don't worry about it. That's why we have two sheriffs.” Will: “Two sheriffs? Bloody hell. That's not even fair, is it?” David: “Who are you?” Will: “All right. My name's Will Scarlet. I used to be a merry man until me and Robin Hood had a bit of a falling out.” Emma: “So what are you doing in his tent?” Will: “Well, I heard what happened to Marian. Terrible thing. But I kind of know something that might help.” Emma: “Well, he's not here right now, so tell us.” Will: “Look, I'm a thief. Always been a thief, always gonna be a thief. And when there's a blackout like the other night, do you know what a thief does?” Emma: “He goes to work.” Will: “Exactly. So, I'm working me way down Main Street when I break into the ice-cream parlor and see the strangest thing. There'd been no electricity for hours, but still all the ice cream was frozen solid. How... how does something like that happen?” 

Storybrooke. Mayor’s Office. (Regina and Robin are still in the Mayor’s office, and Marian is lying on the couch, still freezing to death, and looking colder by the moment.) Regina: “The curse is working its way towards her heart. Once it touches... that's it.” Robin Hood: “Is there nothing you can do?” Regina: (Sighs:) “There might be something. But only if you trust me completely.” Robin Hood: “I do.” Regina: “Then I'll send Henry to my vault to get what I need.” Robin Hood: “Of course. What are you going to do?” Regina: “Something drastic.” Mr. Gold’s Shop. (Mr. Gold is working on a trinket in his shop, when the door opens, and Hook and Elsa enter. Elsa is curious with the shop and what’s in it.) Mr. Gold: (Stops tinkering:) “I must apologize, but I'm really rather busy today.” Hook: (Walks to the counter and his tone isn’t one of friendliness:) “And here I was hoping for a warm hello from the newly-reformed Mr. Gold.” Mr Gold: “This is still a place of business. So unless you have something to offer me, I'm afraid I can be of no further help.” Hook: “Well, as it turns out, I do have something to offer you... my silence. See... I know that that dagger you gave Belle was a fake.” Mr. Gold: “Is that right?” Hook: “Mm. I've hunted you a long time, my old crocodile, and I know you better than most. I know that you would never let anyone have power over you. Not even Belle.” Mr. Gold: “And you expect her to believe you without a shred of proof?” Hook: “Well, I could ask her to summon you with the dagger. And then, when it doesn't work... Proof.” Mr. Gold: “That's a very dangerous insinuation.” Hook: “So we have a deal?” Mr. Gold: “I do hope what you require is worth it.” Hook: (He smiles and turns his attention to Elsa:) “Good news! He's agreed to help.” Elsa: (Walks towards Mr Gold, holding out her hand:) “This hair is from Marian. Someone cast a freezing curse on her. We need to know who it is.” Mr. Gold: (Takes the hair and places it in his open palm:) “Well... you're in luck. Magic can change forms, but never be destroyed. We'll simply return it to its natural state.” (Waves his other hand and changes the hair back into its original state.) Elsa: (Scoffs:) “Snowflakes.” Mr. Gold: “Magic similar to yours, dearie, though not quite the same. Much like a snowflake, each person's magic is unique.” Hook: “Poetic. How does that help us?” Mr. Gold: “Well, magic seeks out like-magic. So if I set this free... (He blows the snowflakes into the air:) It should find its way home, back to the person who cast it.” (The snowflakes begin to head for the shop door.) Storybrooke. (Mary Margaret is by her car, and is trying to put down Neal’s pram with one hand, as she holds Neal in the other.) Mary Margaret: “Come on. Ah!” (Sees Archie and chuckles.) Archie: “Got your hands full.” Mary Margaret: “No, I'm fine. It's just a little trouble with the stroller. You know, they... they make these contraptions so complicated. Oh! (She drops the stroller on the ground:) See?” Archie: “Oh. (Laughs:) I can't imagine how complicated things must be with all your new responsibilities as a mother and Storybrooke and this whole ice problem. It's a lot to take on, even for Snow White.” Mary Margaret: (Stops struggling with the stroller and looks down at Neal:) “Oh, I can handle it. You know, 'cause... I mean, I want to. They say that they grow up so fast. And I don't want to miss a second.” Archie: “Yeah. Because you missed it with Emma.” Mary Margaret: “I don't remember scheduling a session.” Archie: “I'm sorry. Um... I-I just can't help myself. But, you know, it... it's really okay. It's actually healthy to not be joined at the hip. And I can tell you, if you let it go, even just a little, the baby will be just fine. And you'll be even better. I promise.” (Smiles and leaves Mary Margaret, just as Neal begins to cry.)

Any Given Sundae. Exterior. (Will has taken Emma and David to ‘Any Given Sundae’ where he is still trying to convince them that the power didn’t go out there during the blackout. Emma is peering through the door, and David through the window.) Emma: (Turns to look at Will:) “I don't know. Looks pretty normal to me.” Will: “It was bleeding cold in there, I'm telling you.” Emma: “Because they sell ice cream.” Will: “During the blackout.” Emma: “Says the guy who's trying to avoid jail.” Will: “I may be a thief, but I'm no liar and I can bloody well prove it.” (Moves to the door and tries to use a paperclip to unlock it.) David: “Really? You think breaking in again is gonna help your case?” Will: “Can you just be quiet a second, mate? I'm just trying to do this. Takes concentration. Bit tricky. It's all about-” Emma: (Steps forward and takes he paperclip from him:) “... Yeah, the tumblers. I got it.” David: “You do?” Emma: (Sighs:) “Neal taught me a few things.” (Unlocks the door, the bell jingles and the three of them enter, the door closing behind them.) David: “Emma, it doesn't look like...” Emma: “Wait. Shh. Listen.” Will: “I don't hear nothing.” Emma: “Exactly. No compressor hum means no cooling system. Smartass here was telling the truth. Something's not right here.” Will: “Check the back. You'll see how right I am.” Emma: (Enters the freezer and David follows her:) “Well, look at that. Looks like we owe Will an apology. (Hears the bell jingle and runs out into the main part of the shop to see Will gone:) Son of a... He's gone. (Notices the cashier is open and all the cash is gone:) And he didn't leave empty-handed.” (Goes to chase after him.) David: (Stops her:) “Emma, stop. He's not the most important thing right now.” Emma: (Frustrated:) “So I just let him go?” David: “And then you'll find him.” Emma: “Will I?” David: “What's going on? Emma, I'm your father. Talk to me.” Emma: (Sighs:) “It's Regina. What she said, she was right. It's like I can't save a cat from a tree right now. It's like I'm the anti-savior.” David: “Regina’s just worried about you. You're being a little hard on yourself. We all have bad days.” Emma: “Well, I'm having a run of them.” David: “I know. But you can't lose faith in yourself. Trust me.”