The Dark One's Lady and the Pirate

[Killian Jones]

It's Always Nice

TO MAKE AN IMPRESSION

His words had indeed been enough to capture her attention. But when she questioned about Rumple's former wife and his son he couldn't quite tell if she knew everything about them or not. Her tone seemed to be casual enough, as if there were no secrets between her and her husband. Hook was about to discover how true that was. "You know what became of them then?" He both questioned and stated at the same time.

He didn't need to feign the tone he spoke in now. He loved Milah and would have loved Balefire as his son, had they not parted ways. Perhaps that added to Rumple's resentment. The former certainly did. "And you're with him still," Hook continued to say, presuming she knew -- or perhaps just saying words that assumed she did. Either way, he would surely find out the extent of her knowledge regarding The Dark One's former family. "You must be an incredibly forgiving woman,," he added on, hoping his words continued to peak her interest.

[marymargaret]

Belle faltered as he questioned whether he knew the fates of both Milah and Baelfire.  She was aware of what happened to his son; her husband had reluctantly told her.  She didn't approve of his actions though she was aware that he lamented his actions in losing his son.  He was actively seeking a way to find him which Belle hoped he succeeded in.  His former wife was a bit of a mystery to her.  All she knew was that the woman had died.

"He lost his son due to a mistake on his part," she responded, a bit indignant that the man was questioning her about her husband's past.  She didn't want to appear to know as little about  her husband's past as she did.  It would undoubtedly make her look bad before this man.  "A mistake that he wishes to reverse if at all possible."  She straightened up slightly, feeling encouraged by this bit of knowledge.  "And his wife passed."

She wondered briefly if there was more to the story than what Rumple had told her.  

[Killian Jones]

It's Always Nice

TO MAKE AN IMPRESSION

The woman answered his question by first explaining that the Dark One lost his son because of his own mistake. Well, that was putting it kindly. She added on, most likely as justification for Rumple, that it was a mistake he wanted to reverse. Killian hardly believed that, for the Crocodile had been very aware of what he was doing. But alas, he remained silent for the time being.

It was her vaguely put answer about Milah, that caused a smile on Hook's lips, though it was far from jovial. "Passed?" He repeated, with a bit of bitter sarcasm. "Is that all he said?" Did he conveniently fail to mention how Milah died? That her heart was ripped from her chest and crushed in his hand? "He didn't tell you how she passed eh," he both questioned and presumed. Maybe Rumple did, and Belle was quite alright with it. Would explain how she could possibly be with such a monster as the Dark One. But if he didn't . . . well, then Killian was more than happy to fill in those missing details.

[marymargaret]

Belle's eyes narrowed slightly as Killian baited her.  She felt that it was disrespectful to pry Rumple for details about the death of his first wife.  She was aware that he'd loved her, as they'd produced Baelfire.  He'd given her few details about Milah when she'd inquired about his deceased wife during their courtship.  All he shared with her was that his wife changed one day during their marriage, though he loved her despite the change.  

"I didn't wish to disrespect her memory by asking," she countered.  "He loved her; I imagine the wound must still ache."  Part of her also feared that he would always compare her to his first wife.  She knew he'd loved his wife, but she was afraid that he'd hold Milah up on a pedestal.  She couldn't be further from the truth.

"I suppose from a sickness. Like I explained to you, I didn't press him."

[Killian Jones]

It's Always Nice

TO MAKE AN IMPRESSION

Hook couldn't refrain from chuckling at her response. She believed he loved Milah, that his heart ached over her death? That she passed from a sickness? She really did not know that it was Rumple who had killed her. And for what? Jealousy? The need to get even? Revenge? If he wasn't happy, then she could not be either? Killian felt his anger for the Crocodile grow, not that it had ever diminished. He had practically dedicated his life to avenging Milah's death. And he would not stop until The Dark One was dead.

He wasn't about to keep any secrets for the Dark One. Especially when his current wife had no idea what happened to his first one. If anything, this should serve as a warning to her, that he was a monster. "Trust me, love, The Dark One's hardly has an aching wound over her death." It was Killian who was suffering from her death more than the damn Crocodile. "Considering that it was the Dark One himself who killed her." His words had no room for sarcasm or jest. They were serious; more serious than anything Killian had said to her thus far. She should know the truth, and he would not let Rumple get away with lying about his violent and cruel actions.

[marymargaret]

Belle wondered for a moment if he was lying to her when he questioned her answer.  She pondered the idea of him knowing Rumpelstiltskin at all, though he did seem to have some correct knowledge about him.  She resisted the urge to cross her arms across her chest, finding it rather condescending.  Perhaps condescending was the best way to treat this stranger.  

Her face paled as Killian admitted that Rumple was the cause of his wife's death.  Her lips parted to counter his claim yet the words died in her throat.  Was it possible?   Her husband had done many a terrible thing during his time as the Dark One.  Hot shame slipped over her at her lack of faith in her husband.  She frowned, annoyed that this man had caused her to doubt Rumple.  "I hardly believe that," she responded.  She took note of his serious tone.  

He seemed quite convinced of the fact though Belle had a hard time believing it.  "I don't know what history you and Rumple have, but it doesn't justify the slanders against him you are making."

[Killian Jones]

It's Always Nice

TO MAKE AN IMPRESSION

She believed him to be lying. Which, he knew shouldn't come as a huge surprise considering she apparently loved the Dark One and Hook was a stranger she had just met. Still, he was not about to give up in trying to convince her. "I have no reason to lie," he began to say. "Whereas your husband has all the reason in the world to." If he loved her as she claimed he did.

"It happened in front of my eyes. The Dark One ripped out her heart and crushed it in the palm of his hand." He blamed Milah for leaving Bae, when Rumple had done the same thing and left the boy truly motherless. Such hypocrisy. "But alas, this is the man you love. One capable of killing the mother of his son." He recalled every detail of it. The feeling of her dying in his arms, the way she looked as her life escaped her body . . . it was not an image Hook would soon forget, as it fueled his need for vengeance against Rumple.

[marymargaret]

Belle couldn't help but notice the conviction in his words as he related the tale. He seemed to truly believe what he was telling her.  A niggling thought at the back of her mind wondered if he was telling the truth.  She knew Rumple was capable of taking out one's heart.  Crushing it would be only too easy for him.  "Why would he do such a thing, if what you say is true?" she questioned, still holding onto hope that the man was wrong.

"It makes no sense for him to do that to his wife."  Had the woman angered him?  She knew her husband had a hard time controlling his temper.  For a second she feared for herself if she was ever to anger Rumple.  Then again, she'd gotten him mad plenty a time when she'd been his maid and he hadn't harmed her.  The reminder strengthened her resolve. 

[Killian Jones]

It's Always Nice

TO MAKE AN IMPRESSION

Hook knew that her question now brought in his own personal involvement in the past. He wasn't ashamed of what he had done. Rumple had been a coward, and Milah had been trapped in a life she hated. She deserved her own happiness, and not to be with a husband who couldn't take of her. Still, recalling the events of the passed weren't exactly easy, and Hook knew that this was where he often became less like Hook and more like Killian: when he spoke of Milah.

"She and I were in love," he began to explain. "She left with me, when her husband was but a man, a coward." He still was really. He would forever be a coward, despite how much power he now possessed. "He crossed us when he became the Dark One, and unable to let his bitterness go, he killed her." To get back at them. Killian wished that Milah had not found him that night; that Rumple had just killed him rather than her.

[marymargaret]

Belle couldn't help but take notice of the solemnity of his words.  That alone was enough to cast doubt upon her belief that he was lying.  "No...." she murmured, unable to fathom the idea.  "He....he loved her."  Her protests sounded weak as she knew they were.  She blinked, looking down at the dirt path beneath her feet.  She felt pained, wondering why he'd never told her about his wife's demise.  She figured he didn't want her fearing the same fate.  Though this Rumpelstiltskin was different than the one of Killian's tale she couldn't help but feel a bit of fear.

"Why....why would you taunt me with this?" she questioned, feeling herself stutter over her words.  Anger replaced her apprehension and fear, finding it easy to focus her frustration on the man before her rather than her elusive husband.  

[Killian Jones]

It's Always Nice

TO MAKE AN IMPRESSION

The woman seemed to be slowly accepting Killian's words to be true. As she should. She claimed that he loved his wife . . . but even her words held reluctance as they were stuttered. Her question of what he was taunting her with this, was what he chose to immediately respond to. "I don't say it to taunt you. I say it to warn you. That you married a monster; one capable of killing the mother of his child because of his jealousy and bitterness." An unforgivable act.

They had been defenseless against the Dark One; hell, he even made Hook watched the entire thing. never, had Killian been more helpless in his entire life. "This," he said, pulling up his sleeve, and moving back the cloth wrapped around his wrist to reveal the tattoo of Milah he had gotten. "And this," he added, holding up his hook. "Is what your husband took away from me. A husband that you apparently don't even know." Surely she had her doubts now, thinking of what else he could be hiding. If Hook could convince her to leave Rumple, then perhaps that was partial revenge on the man as well.

[marymargaret]

Belle felt her stomach twist and turn as she considered his tale.  There was no reason for him to lie to her, though she supposed there was no reason for him to tell the truth either.  He did seem to know her husband; he hadn't lied about that.  She looked down as he revealed a tattoo on his arm. Though she'd never seen a drawing of Milah before she knew in her gut that the woman depicted on his arm was her husband's first wife.  She swallowed back bile, feeling sick at the realization.

"I....I have to go," she muttered, panic threatening to overcome her.  She wished to give Rumpel a chance to explain yet she didn't want to hear his response, knowing that he couldn't explain his reasoning behind the murder of Milah and the maiming of Hook.  She turned to run, needing to put distance between herself and the man. 

[marymargaret]

Belle felt her stomach twist and turn as she considered his tale.  There was no reason for him to lie to her, though she supposed there was no reason for him to tell the truth either.  He did seem to know her husband; he hadn't lied about that.  She looked down as he revealed a tattoo on his arm. Though she'd never seen a drawing of Milah before she knew in her gut that the woman depicted on his arm was her husband's first wife.  She swallowed back bile, feeling sick at the realization.

"I....I have to go," she muttered, panic threatening to overcome her.  She wished to give Rumpel a chance to explain yet she didn't want to hear his response, knowing that he couldn't explain his reasoning behind the murder of Milah and the maiming of Hook.  She turned to run, needing to put distance between herself and the man. 

[Killian Jones]

It's Always Nice

TO MAKE AN IMPRESSION

She seemed to be at a loss of what to say which was indeed a good sign. For it meant that she believed him. As she should. Killian may be a pirate, and they had a reputation for being untrustworthy and deceitful but in this particular instance . . . Hook was telling the truth. Being completely honest about his past encounters with The Dark One. A past that his new wife clearly had no idea about.

"Back to your husband?" He questioned when she spoke of how she had to go. "Good luck with that, love. I've seen him kill his wife before. I doubt he'll make an exception for you once he senses your distrust for him. And you don't even have a child with him." The last part was an assumption. He was merely pointing out that the Dark One had so easily killed the mother of his son . . . what was stopping him from doing the same with her, taking out the factor of a child, presumably.

[marymargaret]

Belle froze despite the urge to flee.  She couldn't go back until she figured out what to do.  She raked a hand through her hair as she took a deep breath.  His comment about her lack of child with Rumpelstiltskin gave her pause.  Could she be with child?  She wasn't sure.  They hadn't been married for very long though there was the possibility.  Would he kill her, even if there was the chance that she was carrying a child?  She inwardly cursed herself for thinking so far ahead.

"He's changed," she admitted, turning to look at him.  She felt disgusted with herself for thinking the worst of her husband.  A few deep, cleansing breaths had helped her gather her wits.  "Who you speak of was the old Rumpelstiltskin.  You'd be surprised to meet him now."  She was feeling rather disgruntled as he'd made her think badly of the man, though she supposed the fault was with her for allowing herself to think the worst of him.  She stood a little taller, feeling considerably better.