The Dark One's Lady and the Pirate

[marymargaret]

Belle had not been this happy and content with her life since Colette had passed.  She was in love and, best of all, the man she had such feelings for returned them. No longer was she a servant of Rumpelstiltskin but his wife.  She supposed some might find it surprising.  Had she heard of such a woman existing before she met Rumple she might have thought the poor lady daft for being with such a man.  But Rumple was so much more than others were led to believe.  

She wished dearly that he would give up the power that he retained yet knew such a thing might be impossible.  For the current moment she was content to simply love and be loved by him in return.

She found herself in the market, bartering with the locals with gold coins given to her by her husband.  Belle was used to having the finer things in life due to her noble status, though she'd never allowed such a thing to inflate her ego or change her behavior.  Her parents had not spoiled her but simply outfitted her befitting her station.  Her husband, on the other hand, seemed to shower gifts upon her.  She'd reminded him more than once that she didn't need flashy gifts or expensive presents.  She was happy to simply have him.

She stepped out of the bookseller's shop, clutching a fresh leather bound book.  She smiled as she drifted her fingertips over the purchase before setting it in the basket on her arm.

[Killian Jones]

I hurt his heart

BELLE'S JUST WHERE HE KEEPS IT

Hook and his crew had made land for the day, needing to replenish and make whatever reparations were necessary. Though his ship did not often require the need to be fixed. It was the Jolly Roger after all; strong, able to withstand just about anything. A few of the crewmen were guarding the ship right now, while Killian ventured into the marketplace, seeing what he could find before heading to the tavern for the night. There was still a bit of time, and while it was never too early to start drinking . . . it was more enjoyable when there was a decent crowd inside.

As he walked through the streets, his eye caught quite a sight -- the only other thing that made coming on land bearable apart from taverns. A woman. He seemed to have caught her eye as well for the two locked gazes for a moment during their passing as they were going opposite directions. As they crossed each other, Hook turned around so that he was facing her as she kept walking, causing her to turn her head back as she walked, making him walk backwards as his eyes looked her over, a slightly playful smile on his lips. It certainly wasn't a good thing that he wasn't watching where he was walking for soon enough, he collided into someone else, causing the woman of interest to giggle as she turned her head and hurried away. Damn. Lost opportunity, but it would not be the last woman he saw tonight, that was for certain.

He turned his head, about the snap at the imbecile who had bumped into him -- because yes, he saw it that way. However when he saw who it was, his mood slightly shifted from annoyance to, well, appreciating the fact that it was yet another woman. Quite an exquisite one at that. A smirk formed on his face as he began to address her. "Don't tell me a lass such as yourself is wandering out on these streets all by her lonesome," he began to say, noticing that no one else seemed to be around. His eyes looked her over, a lewd smile forming on his lips as they lingered over her nicely formed figure -- a gaze meant to make any woman feel uncomfortable. He then slightly leaned forward, closer to her, ensuring to keep standing in front of her to block her path. "You never know what sinister dangers may be lurking about," he added with a wink.

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[marymargaret]

Belle looked up as someone walked into her, nearly tripping backward. She thankfully caught her footing lest she fall upon her backside before the entire town.  She blushed at the very thought of such embarrassment as she brushed out the front of her cloak.  "I'm sorry, sir," she began, figuring she was in the wrong as her eyes had been on her book rather than where she was going.  "I-"

She cut off her words, taking in the stranger before her.  It was clear by his appearance that he was something of a rogue.  Her eyes fell upon his hook before quickly moving back upward to meet his gaze.  She placed a polite smile upon her lips, figuring that acting courteous was the best way to get out of the potential situation that might arise.  

"I must not have been looking where I was going," she said, a little sheepish.  She moved to get out of his way but was dismayed to realize that he was practically looming over her.  A slight crease formed in her brow as she regarded the stranger.   Belle couldn't help but feel dirty under his gaze.  The way he was looking at her reminded her faintly of her previous betrothed.  

"I'm heading back to my husband," she explained, hoping that he would back off at the mention of her spouse.  She was rather surprised that he hadn't noted the presence of the ring upon her left hand.  The gleam of the gold and precious stones often caught her own attention as she was so unused to wearing the ring.   

[Killian Jones]

I hurt his heart

BELLE'S JUST WHERE HE KEEPS IT

Hook didn't fail to notice the way her sentence abruptly ceased upon eying his hook. Nor did he feel remorse for it. He often found amusement in other people's reactions to his replacement of a hand. Besides, there was a reason he had selected this particular item in the place of his hand. The woman seemed to grow awkward under his gaze. How delightfully innocent of her. He quite liked that. Seeing such innocence in a young, pretty little thing.

She threw in mention of returning to her husband and this only caused Killian's smirk to remain, his smile ever so slightly growing. Husbands never phased him. In fact, he took it as a challenge and he bloody loved a good challenge. Besides, she was not the first wife that he had ever wooed . . . often granting him success. He would have to see if she met this commonality, or if she proved to be the exception. "A husband eh," he acknowledged, still smirking. Still keeping a close distance between them.

"He's indeed a foolish man then, for allowing a beauty such as yourself out of his sight." He raised his hook, using the curved part -- so to ensure he did not pierce her skin -- to brush away a loose stand of her hair, before letting the cool metal gently caress her fair cheek. "Perhaps you should teach him a lesson." His words were clearly suggestive and clear on what this lesson could entail. Leaning forward even more, he spoke in a low voice. "And I would be happy to offer my assistance in this," he added on.

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[marymargaret]

Belle watched the stranger warily, knowing that his intentions were not pure in the slightest.  She flinched when he ran the smooth edge of his hook along the tender skin of her cheek.  She turned her face slightly to get away from it's touch.  How dare he!  An honorable man would not have accosted her so, nor would he continue to bother her knowing that she was married.  A frown of annoyance formed on her lips.  

"I believe you have mistaken me for a different sort of woman," she said, tone cold.  Her grip on her book tightened slightly, a mixture of fear and anger causing the change in her hold on it.  "I am not the type to dishonor my marriage by consorting with....."  She looked him over, tagging him for a rogue.  "With those like you, or anyone for that matter," she finished.  She took a step to the side, hoping the man got the hint.

She lamented the fact that she hadn't a weapon on her.  She would hardly attack the man but perhaps if he knew she was armed he wouldn't treat her as such.  Belle figured that he would still act the same way, figuring she didn't know how to wield it.

[Killian Jones]

It's Always Nice

TO MAKE AN IMPRESSION

Hook wasn't daft; he noticed the way her demeanor was slightly changing upon his words of proposition as well as his actions. But he took it as further encouragement since a reaction of some emotion -- whatever it may be -- is better than one of no emotion. She told him that he was mistaking her for the type of woman who would dishonor her marriage, and this only caused his smirk to remain in place, continuing to tease her with his response.

"Tell me, do you love your husband?" He questioned, the inquiry only partially rhetorical as he began to elaborate. "Because it doesn't seem so if your primary concern is dishonoring your marriage, rather than betraying a loved one." He knew he was just provoking her, and was enjoying every second of it. He then felt the need to comment on her vaguely generalizing him.

While about to respond to her, he too stepped to the side, continuing to hinder her from moving past him. "And what exactly are those like me?" He began to say before answering his own question. "Devilishly handsome admirers of your beauty?" He asked in his attempt to be charming and flashed a smile to match the nature of his words.

[marymargaret]

Belle scoffed at his nerve to question her love for her husband.  Never had she loved another like Rumpelstiltskin.  She nearly protested to him that what she and her spouse had was 'true love', though it seemed that such information would hardly deter the man.  She frowned as he twisted her words.  Despite herself she was growing flustered by him and his attempts to unnerve her.  "I hardly need to explain myself to you," she replied, voice indignant.

The brunette's frustration grew as he stepped to the side, blocking her way once more.  She wondered what would occur if she simply shoved him out of the way.  Logically such a move would be unwise, as that would cause her to be within grabbing distance of him.  She was not sure of his intentions; she was concerned whether he would leave her alone or ignore her refusals.  

"Degenerate rogues," she replied when asked about what sort of person he was.  "Who clearly have no respect for married women."  She sighed, resisting the urge to rake her hand through her hair.  It was a habit that she often found herself performing when flustered.  "If you'd please step aside, you can find a far more willing female to pursue."

[Killian Jones]

It's Always Nice

TO MAKE AN IMPRESSION

She was delightfully stubborn, and Hook found himself enjoying that quite a bit. Instead of feeling rejected or discouraged, he felt the opposite. "Political marriage it is then," he concluded, though of course still had no idea the nature of her relationship with her husband. He just hoped to continue to get a reaction from her, now presuming her refusal to explain herself, was because it was not a love marriage.

She then described him as a degenerate rogue, one who lacked respect for married women. "Believe me love, the amount of married women I've had . . . well, it's not so much about lacking respect for them than it is, knowing what they really want and what their husbands lack in providing them." His words were obviously suggested as he leaned toward her once again, lowering his voice but not out of any shame. "Indescribable pleasure." Ah yes. His cockiness led him to believe he was just that good. His words were complete with a suggestive, slightly lewd, gaze and a wink before her next words altered his expression . . . though it remained a smile.

"Now unlike your husband, I can't allow you to roam thee streets on your own. Who knows what unsavory men will try to take advantage of you." He knew the irony of his words, for he was the one who was doing just that. "Consider me your company until you are with your husband once more. Besides, I would quite like to meet him." If only to throw out suggestive remarks to lead him to believe that something had happened between them. How fun that would be indeed. "Besides lass, I love a good challenge," he added, in regard to her saying that he should find a more willing woman to pursue. She had captured his attention at so far, she had certainly maintained it.

[marymargaret]

Belle's brow furrowed as he tried to guess the nature of her marriage.  "It was made of true love," she said, tone taking on a matter of fact quality.  She resisted the urge to place her hands upon her hips, feeling that the action might be too childish.  "That is certainly nothing that can be dismissed so easily."  She would hardly endanger her marriage and love by engaging with this rogue.  Nor did she wish to in the slightest.  

She found her head leaning back slightly as he leaned forward.  She turned her cheek toward him as he spoke, frustration causing a red tint to bloom upon her face.  Gathering her courage she turned back to him. "I hardly believe that to be in your best interests," she commented on his plan to meet her husband.  "My husband does not take kindly to strangers, and by no means would enjoy meeting a stranger who attempted to pursue his wife."  She tried once more to sidestep him.

She didn't approve of her husband's bloodthirstiness, though it did seem to be capped thanks to her influence, yet wondered if it would be appropriate in this situation.  "If you enjoy breathing I would not suggest following me to see him."

[Killian Jones]

It's Always Nice

TO MAKE AN IMPRESSION

She claimed that it was true love, and Hook merely smirked at the suggestion. He of course believed in love -- having been in love himself before . . . but he was merely taunting her. And was enjoying seeing the results of his teases, especially when the red pigment appeared on light and fair skin. It was when she said that it wasn't in his best interest to meet her husband, claiming that he did not take too kindly to such strangers. "Most husbands don't," he said mockingly, with a bit of cocky confidence. He'd had his encounters with husbands before . . . some more intense than others.

He once again stepped in front of her as she tried to step away. "Now you've intrigued me, love," he stated, hearing such threats. Of course it could certainly be all falsified, in attempt to discourage him, but still. It was enough to made him curious to find out more. "What makes your husband so much more menacing than the rest I've encountered?" He questioned, sarcasm in his tone when he spoke of how 'menacing' her husband sounded to be.

[marymargaret]

Belle hoped that he would be deterred by her threat but instead he seemed curious.  She inwardly cringed in frustration at her failed attempts to get Killian to move away.  "My husband has magical abilities," she told him.  "He isn't one to be trifled with."  She wondered if she should tell him exactly who her husband was.  If he was smart he'd know that it wasn't in his best interests to tail her.

"You've heard of the Dark One, haven't you?"  She figured she had no choice but to drop her husband's name in an attempt to get him to stand down as he seemed intent on blocking her path.  "Few are idiotic enough to cross him.  Though you strike me as one of low intelligence I don't believe you have a death wish."  She was aware that she was not very threatening looking though she hoped her conviction would be enough to scare him off. 

[Killian Jones]

It's Always Nice

TO MAKE AN IMPRESSION

Hook listened as she began to explain her answer to his question. First she said that her husband had magical abilities, and he had nearly scoffed at how that was meant to be threatening. He wasn't to be trifled with? Or well that made it sound all the more tempting. It wasn't until she mentioned the Dark One, that Hook ceased all other thought.

He barely heard the words he said after, for the surprise had consumed him, though his face remained expressionless. No more was there a smirk or amused grin . . . it had transformed to a more serious expression, as her words continued to sink in. His entire demeanor changed. He stood up a little straighter and was no longer engaging in suggestive or playful comments. Not necessarily solely out of fear for the man . . . but because of his past with him. And how much he wanted to kill him.

That was when it hit him: she was his wife. How the Crocodile managed to claim another wife was beyond Hook's realm of understanding. Did this woman even know what Rumple had done to his first wife? And how the same fate would most likely befall her? For he was a monster. A sinister creature who Hook wanted to skin with the hook he had replaced his cut off hand with. "Rumplestiltskin is your husband?" He both questioned and acknowledged. Bloody hell. How the hell did he manage to trick this woman into marrying him.

"Aye. I know him. He and I go, way back." That was a simple way to put it. He forced a small smile on his lips as he continued on. "I didn't know he was married. I suppose a congratulations is in order." Now Hook had something against Rumple: leverage. He definitely wasn't going to let her out of his sight now . . . but this time, for an entirely different purpose.

[marymargaret]

Belle nearly grinned in triumph at Hook's reaction.  He was no longer smirking or appearing to be above her after she told him who her husband was.  She wasn't proud of her actions yet knew that telling him was the best course to be taken if she wanted him to leave her alone.  She expected him to back off and allow her to leave though she was mistaken.  "He is," she answered his question though she believed it to be somewhat rhetorical.  

It was her turn to falter as he mentioned knowing her husband.  "You know him?" she asked, having not thought that her husband would consort with people such as this man.  Then again, she didn't know that her husband consorted with people at all other than her and those he made deals with.  She cleared her throat, not wanting to let control of the situation slip from her fingers as she believed she was now leading the situation.

"I'll be sure to pass on your compliments.  If you'll excuse me."

She tightened her grip on her book, expecting him to move to the side. 

[Killian Jones]

It's Always Nice

TO MAKE AN IMPRESSION

She confirmed that she was indeed married to him, and then questioned his knowing Rumple. "Aye. I knew him before he was the Dark One." When he had been a pitiful coward who his wife couldn't stand to be around -- and for good reason. Things had however taken a turn for the worst after that . . . when the Dark One had come and in attempt to kill Killian, discovered that Milah was still alive.

She then went on to speak words that made it clear she was ready to depart from his company. This time, he stepped to the side, allowing her to pass. However, he was not going to use his actions to try and stop her . . . he was going to use his words. "And I knew his wife," he added. "His first wife that is." He didn't know how much the woman had been told of Rumple's previous marriage. And how much of it had been lies. And so if that wasn't enough to intrigue her . . . Hook threw on one more. "Baelfire's mother." Baelfire. A boy that Hook had been quite fond of. One that had been abandoned by Rumple. And so once again, wondered just how much The Dark One's newest wife, knew about her husband's past.

[marymargaret]

Belle couldn't help but be intrigued by his mentioning that he knew Rumpelstiltskin before he'd become the Dark One.  She wished that it were possible for her husband to revert back to the man he once was but, despite his great love for her, she knew that he loved magic nearly equally.  Perhaps in a few years time she could manage to change his mind.  She withheld a sigh of relief when Killian moved out of the way for her.  She took a step forward, pausing as he spoke again.

She knew she should just keep walking though his mentioning of Rumple's first wife and his son caught her interest.  She bit her lower lip, realizing that he might have chosen to hint at this knowledge that she did not have in order to bait her.  Taking it she planted her feet to hear him speak.

"What of them?" she asked.  She tried to appear casual though she was in truth quite interested.  Her husband never spoke of his wife and only fleetingly of his son.