BELLE FRENCH.

Gaston didn’t have much on his mind, well ever really, but ever since he awoke in this foreign land he’d had one thought taking up his entire mind-space, figuring out what the Dark One must’ve done to cause this drastic change in the landscape, his instincts set in mind, the second he woke up in the new world he’d begun his search for the beast. 

however, he could never have expected to meet Belle in such a place like this, presuming that she would’ve still been in the castle of Rumpelstiltskin. no emotions other than pure unfiltered shock could come to the surface. “Belle?” 

the man was sure to keep his distance, just in case this was truly a ruse from the Dark One, a trick that may lead to his downfall if not taken seriously, a light narrow of his eyes towards the woman that he was sure he’d only see again after an encounter with the foul beast Rumpelstiltskin, but, here she was - right in front of him. 

“How did you manage to escape from the beast’s castle?” He asked, not letting his guard down for even a second, almost positive this was all still a cruel trick from the Dark One. 

The image of Gaston surged on a comfort of familiarity within Belle, however she still had to be weary - refraining from reaching out to confirm his presence here in this new land. After all, it didn’t feel as though he trusted her existence in this realm either.

“I didn’t escape,” she responded. “I don’t - I don’t think so, anyway.” There was an air of confusion around her words, and her head pounded as she tried to decipher the puzzle she found herself in. If this really was the work of the Dark One, where was he? Would he not throw his handiwork in her face? Especially bringing Gaston along. Maybe it was a test, to see if she’d leave after all. 

Leaving her thoughts aside, she managed to force a smile - it would have almost seemed genuine, if not for her scepticism that this was real. Test or not, it was reassuring to see someone other than Rumple. 

“What are you doing here, Gaston? Where is here?” 

confusion was something the archer had became used to, storybrooke had become so different to what he was used to within the enchanted forest, that nothing could’ve compared him to when he had experienced his first curse, one actually cause by Snow White and Prince Charming. 

              but this, the new confusion that grew inside of him, was nothing he had experienced before, only minutes ago he was inside the diner full of other people; Regina, Marian; and his son Roland. his heart ached with a pang of pain and panic that his son was no longer by his side, in fact, there had been no one inside the diner when the smoke cleared around him. but his main concern had, as it always would be; HIS SON. 

hearing a voice outside, the male had rushed out, Robin, not sure who he was going to see out there, but he had to believe that they might’ve held some idea of what was going on. but who he saw, had left him more confused, he recognized her face; but she looked —– younger? 

“belle?” he was confused, and it was leaking into his words as he spoke. “what is going on?” his question was more to himself, but an answer, if she had one, would’ve been wonderful.

If she hadn’t been so curious as to place her surroundings, perhaps she might have ran away from the stranger that had approached her. She had silently prayed that it would be someone she recognised - Rumple, her father, even Gaston or the Evil Queen might have shed some light on the darkness of confusion that surrounded Belle. However, she did not in fact recognise the man who appeared as clueless as to the current situation, which didn’t bring much comfort.

“I’m sorry sir, do I know you?” She replied, trying to inspect his features while matching descriptions of all those she’d come across in Avonlea. No, still nothing that was familiar. “I have no idea. Although I need to return immediately, if Rum - my employer realises I’m gone, he’ll surely go after my father and...” The concern in her voice was strong, but she paused, still unaware of the stranger’s identity. 

“Please can you point me in the direction of the Dark Castle?”

Unfortunately, she had awoken from a slumber to find herself in the middle of a paved road. Unlike any she’d seen before. There were strange markings that she inspected with curious eyes, as if someone had painted lines for no apparent reason. Were they related to the mechanical contraptions that sat at the edge of the pavement? It was all to confusing to comprehend.

Belle thought she knew every land in the world, fictional or not. However, this was a complete mystery. Maybe it was one of Rumple’s games. Had he grown tired and sent her away? Was this to be her destiny?

“Hello?” she called out, hopeful that someone would answer her. “Can anyone hear me? Dark One?”

[ natalia dyer. 18/60s. female. ] BELLE FRENCH originally from THE ENCHANTED FOREST has just woken up in storybrooke, the last thing SHE remembers before the spell hit them was BEING IN THE BEAST’S LIBRARY. they say back in those times they were known to be +STUDIOUS, however also have their moments when they could be -CLUMSY, and was always best recognized by BOOKS, CHIPPED CUPS AND ROSES. 

@fycurses​