Getting to Know You

[Neal Cassidy]

EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENS, HAPPENS BY DESIGN. AND THERE'S NOTHING WE CAN DO ABOUT IT.

Ever since the return from Neverland, Neal had felt strangely more at home in Storybrooke. The whole vibe, and, after everything that happened back on that island with his father had given him a new perspective of where he belonged.

Neal knew that this time around though, he would be getting more then just his papa. He would be getting his papa's girlfriend Belle as well. He didn't know that much about her, or who she was. Besides the story he knew from this world of Beauty and the Beast. But, Neal could sense there was more to her then that, and, he wanted to find out what it was. If she would be up for it, that is.

He had heard from around town that Belle could usually be found one of two places. Either in the local library, or with his father in the shop. Neal just hoped that, when he got there that Belle would actually want to see him, and, try to get to know him. Since Belle had signed up for his papa, and, not him. Would she be just like all the other foster parents he'd once had?

Neal stopped by the Diner to pick up a hot cocoa and a tea, before making his way to the Pawnshop, if Belle wasn't here, and, his papa was, well, that wouldn't exactly be the worst thing in the world. At least he didn't think so. Soon, he spotted the Pawnshop up ahead, and, he smiled softly. There was something in his heart that was dragging him there, like it was trying to tell him where he really belonged.

Reaching the door, Neal used the side of his body to open the door, hearing the bells above the door chime. “Hello? Is anyone in here?” Neal called out, waiting for one of them to answer. The door was open, so, obviously one of them was here. Now he just had to wait to find out which one.

TAGGED

Belle French

NOTES

Set season 3A

template by Margie @ Adoxography 2.0

[Belle French]

Belle had just been cleaning out the back, when she heard the front door opened, followed by a voice. Neal. She couldn't help but think back to the docks, to when they'd all been reunited. To say she was nervous was an understatement. Neal was a very important person in Rumple's life, obviously, he was his son...And well, she didn't know he would feel about her dating his father, or better yet, her being there at all. Pushing the curtains apart, she stepped out and walked over to him with a warm smile. "Baelfir-N-Neal," she stumbled over her words, letting out a nervous laugh. She didn't know to which name he preferred being called . "I'm so happy you're here, I haven't really gotten a chance to speak with you since Rumple got back." She hoped they could be friends, or get on well at least. By no means did she want him to feel as if she was replacing something, well more like someone, in his life. "I was hoping, maybe if you're available..Would you come by tonight to the manor? I'd really love it if you'd be there, I'm even trying my hand at one of this world's concoctions. Chicken parmesan, I believe? But I could make whatever you'd like!"

Was she trying too hard? She was so nervous, more nervous than she'd been in a while, with a few exceptions. "I'm actually headed to the library," she started, grabbing her keys. "Come on," she gestured for him to follow her, walking to the entrance. To be honest, in all her years now with Rumplestiltskin, she still had a difficult time maneuvering through all the shop's nooks and crannies. Some of them she wasn't even sure if she should know of. At the library she knew her way around, and she felt most comfortable. "Here we are," she unlocked the doors to the library. "Did your father tell you that he gave me this library as a gift?" She asked, opening the doors for him, letting him go in first. "He did something similar in the Enchanted Forest when I worked for him, as a maid. Your father and I had, well I guess have, a very complicated relationship." A huge understatement, but the thought made her giggle.

tag: Neal Cassidy

[Neal Cassidy]

Neal waited to see which one of them came out from the back. Seeing that it was Belle made Neal smile softly, but, also nervous at the same time. This woman Belle, was obviously important to his father, and, this made him worry. Since he hadn't felt important to his father, and, yet this woman was good enough to be in his life when he wasn't. That moment on the docks when he hugged his father for the first time in so long was something he hadn't been expecting Belle to be a part of too. “Hey Belle.” Neal said, glad that she had changed what she called him from Baelfire to Neal. That was his name now, except for when it came to a select few people. “Yeah, I realised that too.” Neal smiled softly at Belle. “Um, well I haven't really got any plans tonight. Coming by the manor sounds alright. I've heard of that yeah, but, can't say I've tried it for real. It's ok, chicken Parmesan sounds fine to me.”

Looking at Belle, Neal smiled nervously. He wasn't sure what to do right now. “Oh, ok then.” Neal said, sighing sadly before preparing to leave. “Really? I mean ok” Neal said, as he began to follow Belle to the entrance. Looking around the shop, Neal sighed silently. Ever since coming to this town, he still hadn't known who this stuff had once belonged to, and, he hadn't really cared. Neal felt more comfortable not knowing who he took this stuff from. “Woah, it's nice.” Neal said, looking at the library. Hearing her next words, Neal raised his eyebrows in slight surprise. “No, he didn't tell me that.” Neal said, watching her open the door, and, then made his way inside. Neal felt a pain on his heart as Belle spoke about what her and his father had back in the Forest. “That must be nice. Him giving you more stuff then he ever gave me. The two of us had a bit of a distant relationship by the end though, so it doesn't surprise me much. Just proves how much he cared and where his priorities were. Drops me through a portal, gives you a library. Two even” Neal said, sighing softly and sadly as he looked down at the ground, blinking back some stray tears.

Belle French

[Belle French]

The moment she'd closed the door behind her, she immediately regretted what she had just said. "Neal..I, that was a very stupid thing to say. I'm so sorry," she went to him, giving his arm a light squeeze. The last thing she wanted to do was upset him, in fact all she wanted to do was make a good impression on him, and already at that she was failing miserably. "It wasn't easy, it's never been easy. Rumple," she sighed, "Rumple's power, well it's his greatest asset and yet it's his demise. But Neal, you have to know just how important you are to him. He spent centuries upon centuries looking for you, the moment he'd lost you.." She shook her head. "I know that if he could turn back time he would. He would tear worlds apart for you, swim across vast oceans. I saw the man behind the beast, so please.." She moved closer. "Give him a chance?"

"Get to know each other, learn to forgive, and to love again. There is good in him Neal, there has to be. I see the best of him in you, and I know that with you by his side, oh sweetheart," she touched the side of his face. "You'll gave him the strength to be the man that he couldn't be once, but can be now." She truly believed that. "Oh, I almost forgot!" She smiled, wiping at her eyes while she ran back behind her desk. After they'd thought Baelfire had died while falling through the portal, she'd moved some of his things from the shop to the library. "Here you are," she said, carrying a big box over to him. "This is all yours. Rumple collected all he could from the Enchanted Forest." She explained.

tag: Neal Cassidy

[Neal Cassidy]

Neal looked around the library as he sighed softly keeping his fists in his pockets. "It's ok. It's not your fault" Neal said, smiling softly at Belle as she gently squeezed his arm. Neal had made a vow not to let himself get upset, but, that hadn't worked out too well, once she mentioned the gifts that his papa had given her. "It seemed pretty easy that night" Neal said, blinking back the tears. "I'm learning that now, but, what was I supposed to think for all those years when I grew up alone after being abandoned." Neal said, blinking back tears once again. "It won't do much good now though. I saw that man once too." Neal looked up at Belle. "I'm trying to I swear."

"I used to believe there was. That I was able to bring it out in him, but, when he chose that dagger over me it made it harder to believe." Neal's gaze moved to Belle's hand as she touched the side of his face. "I really want to believe that." Neal, more then anything did. "Forgot about what?" Neal asked as he watched Belle move behind her desk, looking for something. Neal moved towards the desk as he wondered what it was. "Oh, um..." Neal said confused as he took the box from Belle. "So he kept my stuff, even after he let me go that night?" Neal asked.

Belle French

[Belle French]

"Like I said darling..He never let you go, he truly never did. Now, we can all start afresh again, I hope?" She smiled, going behind her desk. "I just need to sort out some books, and then we can head home." And true to her word, she was done in no time. "Alright, let's head home. I need to get started on that dinner I promised you," she grinned, excited with herself. Sure she loved eating at the diner, they did have the best burgers after all..But, up till recently, she found out she had a love for cooking. Maybe she wasn't the best at it, but it was something that helped clear her mind, and it was a very good challenge!

Once at home, she guided Neal to the second floor. "I set up the guest room for you, just in case you'd like to stay. I don't want you to feel obligated, whatsoever, but you know this is also your home. It would be wonderful if you'd bring Henry over more often, I feel like I don't see him enough. Anyways, please make yourself at home Neal-OH, there's extra towels in the closet down there, and if you need more pillows you'll find them in the closet." Just as she headed back over to the stairs, she turned and looked towards her (hopefully,) future stepson, a proud smile painted across her face. "It's great to have you here," she insisted, finally heading down to the kitchen.

Neal Cassidy

[Ameris Smith]

Ameris continued to stare down at her sprite as the carbonation continuously fizzled upwards, popping, slowly but surely making the soda become flat. The busy hum of people's chatter around her was completely tuned out as her thoughts strayed into another place. She was remembering her time in the Enchanted Forest. Now that the curse was lifted, she remembered everything, yet couldn't find anyone here she knew or recognized except Mary-Margaret who was a friend back in the enchanted forest. She met her while she was searching for berries, aided and bedded her for a few days during the time the evil queen was hot on her trail. So much had changed since then, and she was more than busy with her new found daughter and grand son, plus being re-united with her true love. Of course the Evil queen who went as Regina, or, "Mayor" here, was a lot less vicious and she wondered internally more times than not if she was still a threat.
Ameris also wondered to herself why she couldn't find the people she grew up with, the people she came to call family. Back in the Enchanted Forest they people who raised her were called half-bloods. They were half human, half animal. She wasn't one of them, but though her past was pitch black to her, all she knew was that they took her in when she was very young and a young one named Silas rescued her from great danger that had fallen on her kingdom. No one ever mentioned to her details, maybe they didn't know she decided in her mind to try and ease herself of the questions. Only thing she had was a locket with her name written in only English letters on the front an back, last name on the back. Inside was an opal colored stone which meant nothing to Ameris, but the the trained eye it was enchanted, it would protect the one who had it. Little did she know she had come from a long line of Royalty, at least on her mothers side. Her father was once a poor black smiths son for the King of their land. The princess had escaped from kingdom life and by fate they found each other but fell in love. Her father having arranged a very beneficial marriage refused her pleas to marry the one she loved so her father made a deal with the infamous Rumpelstiltskin. If he could make him just as rich and favored in her fathers eyes enough so that he could be with his true love. In return he asked for his first born, his hidden intentions being he needed a pure heart, which Ameris had. When come time to receive payment the father had already sent her away with the half-bloods where he could not reach her because of an enchanted stone they placed in the young ones necklace. Both parents fate was not pretty.
Ameris hand reached up to her neck which was bare. All that was left of her old life was that necklace and she searched high and low, unable to find it. Talk spread fast that if anyone was in search of something Mr. Gold's pawn broker was the place to find it. She left enough money to cover the expenses at Grannys and stood up, leaving the diner and heading t Mr. Gold's shop. Once she entered the door she heard the light bell chime and she began to look around, her crystal blue eyes skimming the area which appeared empty.