rococo ghost girl

She tried again as she followed him through corridors of indistinguishable shrubbery. “What is this place?” He stopped. She was getting on his nerves. “This is exactly why I don’t take you anywhere. You’re far too curious, with an entirely unreasonable amount of questions,” he hissed. Normally, her Master punctuated his words with a pointed finger, or a flourish of his hands. He would roll his ‘r’s for the theatricality of it all. She suspected it quite amused him, but today his affect was eerily flat. His normally sharp gaze seemed distant, and his jaw was tense. Belle crossed her arms. “I think they’re quite reasonable.” He had no answer for her, so she continued, arguing with his back, “Look, if you don’t like taking me with you, then why did you insist I come with you?” Rumple scoffed, “And leave you to run away again? I think not.” She was relieved to see him shake his finger at her, even if he was being unfair. “I didn’t run away. You know that.” He rolled his eyes. “Right. You chased after some mangy mutt you saw in the woods and got yourself captured.” She frowned. “I said I was sorry for that.” He had already turned away before calling back over his shoulder, “Fat lot of good that does me after they stole my THINGS.”  Eventually, he stopped his hurried pace and waited for her to catch up, pulling a gold necklace from his pocket. “Put this on,” he instructed. Belle inspected the jewelry in his hand, her head tilted quizzically. Rumple had never given her anything like this, it was remarkably pretty. Her fingers brushed against his as she took the necklace. He shifted his weight, readjusting his jacket as she turned over the jewelry in her hands. “Don’t take it off. It’s important!” he huffed, swiftly turning his gaze from her. If she took it off he would have a difficult time finding her again. “Why?” She clasped the locket around her neck. “What do you need here?” “Oh, it’s not for me, it’s for you dearie!” he announced, his impish grin returning, “No one will find you in here!” She froze. “What?” “A few things,” he continued, not bothering to explain, “Don’t wander too far. This realm is quite dangerous. And whatever ya do, DON’T eat or drink anything.” And with that, he disappeared in a cloud of smoke. Belle let out an aggravated sigh. Of course. Rumple considered the object he was after. The Vorpal Sword. It was powerful enough to kill any magical beast, himself disincluded. Powerful enough, that one being in this realm would have been certain to take it.

Cora. Disgust flickered in his coal black heart. Another monster of his own creation, although unintentionally made. He had opened his heart to her, something unnatural to a creature of darkness, and she had crushed it. Used his own loopholes and tools against him. Took the fine point of a deal and held it to his throat that he had so stupidly bared to her. It had been decades since their ill-fated love affair, but Rumplestiltskin had never forgotten, and he had never forgiven. So who better to steal from, really. Although, she was dangerous. She had learned from the best, after all. He had once found her blood lust attractive but now it was a disadvantage. Even banished to this realm, she had become Queen of it. Rumplestiltskin had no desire to alert her to his presence, and if he had his way, he wouldn’t have taken Belle with him either. He had been backed into a corner. Maleficient, Ursula and Cruella had discovered his dear little maid and used her as a bargaining chip to extract what they wanted from him. He had never felt such relief as when they relinquished Belle back into his arms.

Big problem. 

Three of the most notorious villains in his realm, as weak and stupid as they were, now knew he had a crack in his armor. What was to keep them from exploiting it again when Belle was left alone, Rumplestiltskin away in another realm? So he had taken her with him. Even in Cora’s dangerous domain, Belle was safe simply because he was there too. Cora was having her annual masquerade ball tonight. Every resident of Wonderland would be there, including all of her guards, watching over the proceedings. Therefore, none would be in her twisted little labyrinth. The perfect place to deposit Belle as he did his work. As long as Belle could keep from getting herself hurt. Which was a tall order most days, with that one’s curiosity. He approached the castle gates within the swell of the crowd. Mask on, golden suit fitted to perfection, and a glamour spell over his appearance just in case, he entered the party. As he expected, everyone was attending. Couples twirled about in lavish costumes, glitter and gold filling the packed ballroom. One dress caught his eye in particular, a radiant golden gown with rosettes. Something like that would certainly suit Belle. Although, he would change it to blue. She looked lovely in blue.He had closed many deals on the dance floor, almost a prerequisite for dealing with royals, but now he wondered if Belle would like this sort of thing. As the pairings waltzed around him, he wondered what it would be like to be one of them, but this time, with his hands around Belle’s waist. Funny. He had never had these types of thoughts about Cora, who he had spotted, seated on her throne, high above the crowd. Her face was covered by a shroud, but he knew it was her from the imperious way she held her shoulders. She had always been so proud. Rumple had expected to feel something stronger upon seeing her, but he just felt bored. Now that he had confirmed Cora and her guards were occupied here, he disappeared to where she kept the sword. 

Meanwhile, Belle had wandered. She felt she had been waiting for hours, but the sun didn’t seem to behave the same way in Wonderland, so it was hard to tell. As time crept on, she started to feel a bit queasy. Where was Rumplestiltskin? Usually, his deals were much quicker than this.  From her peripheral, she spotted small, multicolored fuzzballs lining up around the bottom of a hedge. Squatting down, she leaned in, observing them closely. “Oh! I’ve read about you!” she giggled, “You’re mome raths!” She reached out to softly stroke one of the tiny creatures with her fingertip, unaware of the large figure creeping behind her. A knight in crimson armor on an equally red horse approached, silently drawing his sword. Belle heard the soft snort of his horse and turned, now facing the knight. She shrieked, stumbling backwards into the hedge. But before her life could flash before her eyes, the knight’s helmet fell to the ground. She watched in confusion as he and his horse crumbled in front of her, until they were no more than a pile of dust. Rumplestiltskin stepped forward, a strange twisted sword in hand. “I told you not to wander,” he scolded. “Rumple! Where have you been?!” Belle demanded, picking herself up from the ground. His heart skipped a beat at her lack of formality. “That doesn’t sound like a thank you for saving your life,” he huffed, “Again,” he was sure to add, “And I was getting this!” he exclaimed gleefully as he brandished the sword and twirled it about ostentatiously. Belle, although irritated with him, was relieved to see that Rumple seemed to be in higher spirits. “Did you steal that from someone?” “Yes! And so easily too. Like candy from a baby!” he grinned, all teeth and victory. Belle rolled her eyes. “Congratulations.” Rumple frowned. His little maid seemed a bit… miffed. He supposed the Red Knight incident had scared her, but how was he to know that Cora left one of those in the maze? He pranced up beside her, “Thank you! We can go home now! Shall we?” Belle’s eyes widened. Home? She wondered. As in, theirs? Together? Rumple stuttered, “To MY home. Your….. workplace,” he added, as he twiddled his fingers together, inspecting the hedge closest to him.  Belle laughed at the awkward sorcerer and took his elbow, “Let’s go then.” Rumple smiled despite himself, resting his hand on top of hers as he opened the portal.