|
|
Post by Grace Hatter on Dec 11, 2015 23:51:09 GMT
 Paige shouldn’t be here. She should have headed home a long time ago. Today, she didn’t have gymnastics lessons or a girl scout meeting. And it wasn’t a Tuesday so no hospital volunteer work. But the fact was...She couldn’t stand the thought of coming home to her parents and forcing a smile, pretending that everything was fine as her world fell apart.
This wasn’t anything new. Her concerns were ever present, her anxiety constant. She only looked like an optimistic little girl without a care in the world. Her mind...Was it in shambles? Was she the one going mad? Night after night, the same questions churning over and over in her head. There were no answers just more queries. There were two possible conclusions. Either she was distorted or the town was.
Everything in Stroybrooke often seemed off kilter! There was the clock that never worked for one thing! Well not until all of a sudden it had! For all ten years of her life, the hands had never moved! And then one morning, Paige had heard the chime and looked out her window to see the impossible, the clock moving!
What was wrong with her, fixating on such tiny little insignificant details?! So a clock had broken down. Yes, it was big and prominent. And sure it was odd that no one had ever bothered to fix it; but, that didn’t mean anything! The mayor was the one in charge of the town budget (the one everyone seemed scared witless of); and, she probably just hadn’t felt like spending the funds to repair it.
Miss Mills most likely thought it was more prudent to devote the town’s money to education or construction. It wasn’t like people didn’t have their own personal watches and cell phones to let them know the time. But then...The construction....That was another odd thing! Paige couldn’t ever remember Storybrooke being anything but what it was now. No businesses shut down. No new ones opened up. Yes, they were a small town; but, wasn’t that weird?! And everyone was familiar. Paige couldn’t recall any strangers besides Miss Swan wandering into Storybrooke. It was just the same old faces day after day.
Really...She had to be losing it, over thinking things to obsessive degrees. Miss Swan was proof that new people could cross the town border just fine! Most people probably just didn’t bother with what they would consider a boring town. She was being silly! She really needed to stop giving credence to her peculiar feelings, her terrible notions of wrongness. But still...Miss Swan was only a really recent edition to the town! Before then....there’d been no one!
In 10 years not a single tourist had stopped in Storybrooke?! No one had just passed through to get somewhere else? No one had gotten lost and needed gas?! Wasn’t that strange?! It was like Storybrooke was completely disconnected from the rest of the world! No! That there was crazy talk! The lack of tourists and outsiders was odd yes but ...It didn’t mean anything! But come to think of it....There was someone or rather two someones a long while back who passed through Storybrooke wasn’t there? They hadn’t stayed in town very long but....It was hazy, hard to recall like so many things. It drove her mad!
She longed to talk about these irregularities with someone, anyone. But she couldn’t. Even mentioning subtle things had made her ‘friends’ stare at her like she’d grown a third head. Well Paige said friends but...They were more like friendly acquaintances than anything. She couldn’t confide in them, couldn’t tell them anything of significance. The Paige she showed them was a mask, a farce. The Paige they thought they knew so well didn’t actually exist. She projected this cheerful little girl, excited by all the world had to offer. She was sweet. She was kind; but, most of all, she was happy. She had dreams and ambitions and was ready to conquer the world.
Paige supposed she could be considered kind and sweet. She tried to be. And she did want to be a doctor. But everything else was a lie. She was miserable and depressed and often felt that she belonged in Storybrooke as much as the boy Owen who stayed so briefly, meaning not at all. (Yes! That was his name! Owen Flynn! The little boy! He'd come..It felt so long ago...But it couldn't be...It..Time just felt so wrong here! She couldn't explain it, couldn't make sense of it; but, she felt it so strongly! Time was distorted!)
She couldn’t be honest. They didn’t understand her questions or her pain. So all she could do was talk about fair weather topics, little things that didn’t matter like merit badges and such.
And her parents...No, she certainly couldn’t be honest with them! She was terrified of worrying them when they did so much for her! And...What if they really would think she needed anti-depressants or therapy?! She was a minor! They could force her! What..What if she really ended up like those poor pitiful souls down in the psyche ward?! No! She didn’t want that!
She’d seen those awful stares the doctors and nurses reserved just for the patients down in the psyche ward. Normally when she volunteered at the hospital, they kept her away from the basement level. It was not a bright or lively place. But sometimes they would send her down to bring food or just some decorations that could potentially cheer the patients. But...she really hated the way the staff looked at those unfortunate souls.
Didn’t they understand they had a hard enough time being locked away, hidden from sight, trapped in some basement level, tucked away from their friends and family, all but forgotten by the world? Going down there always made Paige want to cry. Dejected, miserable. You could see it in their eyes. Most had given up hope on anything ever getting better. There was something...almost inhuman about the way the patients down there were treated. They weren’t physically abused at least not when Paige was around. But all the same, the staff looked at them like they were...She didn’t even know what!
Henry...Maybe she could talk to him. He was different. He noticed things too. Only..everyone thought he was crazy because of it. So..What if she told him about her observations and word got back to her parents and then...She didn’t even want to think about it!
But things couldn’t stay like this! She was getting worse! Her heart felt empty, like she was missing something, like there was this giant hole, a void that couldn’t be completely filled by anything not even her stuffed animals or her tea parties or the lovely little books in her room or her parents or her friends or anything.
She should be happy. She told herself that over and over again. She thought if she said it enough she’d believe it. But she didn’t. She could hear the strain in her voice every time she whispered it and see the despair in her eyes when she gazed critically at herself in the mirror. She should have a perfect life. She was a good student, had loving parents, kind friends, enjoyed her time at Girl Scouts and gymnastics practice and was well on her way to becoming a doctor with her hospital work and CPR certification but...Somehow it wasn’t enough. It was silly but...sometimes she felt like the world around her was scripted and people were less real and more reciting lines. She felt like...She’d done this before, a thousand times perhaps.
In the midst of despondency and confusion, a voice called out to her, pulling her back. It was Miss Swan herself!
“Yes! Hello there Miss Swan! I’m in Henry’s class!” She only hoped she didn’t sound as desperate and lost as she felt. “Um..Is there something I can help you with?” Paige asked anxiously.
|
TEMPLATE BY ELIZA
|
|
|
|
Post by Grace Hatter on Dec 11, 2015 5:21:18 GMT
 Grace hadn’t learned much of anything from the queen. She felt the queen was keeping secrets from her; but, she couldn’t be sure. And Grace really wanted to believe in the best of everyone. But..Papa was still missing! She couldn’t give up! No matter what, she had to find him! They’d promised! They’d always find each other! It was the two of them against the world! With Mama dead, they were all each other had left!
She was too young to really have contacts. But..She heard things. As a child people tended not to pay attention to her. And she’d get to listen to all sorts of things that way. It also helped that she was quiet. If she didn’t want to be found, she wouldn’t be. She was small and could squeeze into nooks and crannies to eavesdrop. Although normally she didn’t have to. Children might as well be invisible to most adults. If you weren’t throwing a fit, making some fuss, you were like a wallflower. People might comment on how cute you were for a minute. But then they’d forget you ever existed as soon as something else caught their eye.
If she had a lot of gold or even a little gold..She could gather information much more quickly! But as it was, Papa and her were poor. She had nothing to entice people with. A warm smile could only get her so far. She’d asked some question and learned a little that way. But most of it boiled down to waiting and listening to whispers. (It was a good thing Grace was patient even though she was desperate to find her papa!)
Eventually she’d learned that the reason Papa could move so quietly was that he used to be a thief and not just any thief! He worked for the Dark One himself! Grace didn’t know all that much about the Dark One. But she knew people were afraid of him. There were terrible stories about deals gone wrong. But if Papa used to work for him, Rumplestiltskin might know how to find him! And he had strong magic! So..Who knew what he could do?! And there was no question that since the queen had been disappointingly elusive, he was her best chance at finding answers.
No one was willing to escort her to the Dark Castle; but, almost everyone knew where it was. She’d been directed there by some friendly people who did do everything in their power to dissuade her from paying the man a visit. But she was not to be deterred! There was nothing she wouldn’t do to be reunited with Papa!
Of course the neighbors wouldn’t approve. She hadn’t told them. She’d been keeping a lot of secrets recently. But this was important! They’d already given up on Papa! They didn’t think he was ever coming back! It hurt that they believed that. But..Grace knew better! No one knew Papa like her! And nothing would keep them apart! But even in a world with magic..Things didn’t get done with the snap of your fingers! Nothing would happen if she just prayed for miracles! No..She had to use her head!
Grace thought she might have magic...She’d done some strange things..recently. She'd woken up screaming from nightmares to find herself not where the neighbors had left her but..On the roof or outside in the forest. Maybe..She had something like Papa. But it wasn’t reliable. And it wasn’t going to really help her with this.
No! She had to talk to the Dark One, Rumplestiltskin! The castle loomed before her, large and impressive. Like with the queen, Grace had taken pains to make herself look as presentable as possible. She couldn’t do much about the poor clothes as although the neighbors were financially better off than Papa, they still weren’t rich. And they were feeding her, giving her a place to sleep. She couldn’t possibly ask for anything more!
She’d made sure her dress was clean. And she’d scrubbed her face until it was grime free. She’d even been careful to catch every last tangle. (Again, she’d been neglecting her hair. She still wouldn’t let Marcelle touch it. Only Papa brushed it! But here..She needed to look nice.)
Grace thought it would be good if she brought a present! She didn’t have much to give; but, Papa had taught her which mushrooms were edible! And she was very good at finding them! He always teased her, saying she must be part blood-hound.
Her basket was filled to the brim with mushrooms to offer the wizard should he agree to see her! Grace had heard he didn’t like his time being wasted! So she’d try to be quick and to the point! And a peace offering was always good!
She hustled over to the giant doors and attempted to make her knock firm yet polite. Grace wasn’t sure if she pulled it off but...Just how did one make a knock polite?! She paused between knocks but tried to make them loud enough to be heard. But not obnoxiously boisterous!
“Mr. Rumplestitskin, please let me in! My name is Grace Hatter! I’m Jefferson Hatter’s daughter! Papa used to work for you! It’s very important that we talk!”
|
TEMPLATE BY ELIZA
|
|
|
|
Post by Grace Hatter on Dec 10, 2015 19:36:00 GMT
 The stress was getting to her. All the questions and fears she kept bottled up inside needed some release. And that release came in the form of nightmares. Her small frame tossed and turned under not her own covers but the covers in the neighbors’ home. She wasn’t in her own adorable tipsy little house anymore. Papa still hadn’t come back! Why?! Why hadn’t he made it back?! Where was he?!
Six days..Six days it had been since she’d last seen his face, since he’s smoothed back her hood so tenderly and kissed her head. Soon..It would be seven. But in her dream, the clocks were turned back. That moment..That horrible moment were everything fell apart only she hadn’t realized it..She was back there.
“I’m sorry baby but I have to go.”
This time she wasn’t so composed. She broke down crying. “No! Don’t go! Please don’t go! Don’t leave me all alone!”
“I’ll be back in time for tea.”
“No! You won’t! Please! Please listen! I’m sorry about the rabbit! All I need is you! Don’t go!”
“It will just be for a little while.”
“It won’t! Don’t go!”
“Go stay with the neighbors.”
“No! I want to be with you!”
“I’ll be back in time for tea.”
And then the room fell away from her and she was somewhere else. There was a table, a long table with all the makings for a great feast, the perfect tea party. But she was all alone. It was just her. “Papa?” she called out. But there was no answer. She waited and waited. The tea was growing cold. “Papa!” she sobbed. But no one was there to answer. And in the remarkable way that time can in dreams, it sped up and yet felt slowed somehow. Decades passed. Her hair grew long and tangled. Eventually it turned grey. And there she stood at the table waiting for the papa whom by now she was certain was dead. But it was just her. Just her against the world. What could she do but wait? Wait for him or wait for her time to run out. She didn’t know which. She wasn’t certain it mattered.
And then suddenly there was a mirror, a giant mirror. She touched the cool glass and her papa appeared just like she remembered him. But she was withered and old while he was still young. “Get it to work! Get it to work! Get it to work!” Hats. Hats. Hats. So many hats in the mirror. A mountain of them. No, several mountains. And still he made more. “Papa!” she screamed. But he couldn’t hear her. She pounded her fist against the glass. She could see him! It wasn’t fair! She had to get to him! The hour glass was running out! She had to see him before it was too late! “Papa!” The glass shattered and then it was just her, all alone again. She woke up screaming.
The neighbors ran in and tried to soothe her; but, Grace was inconsolable. She needed her papa! Only papa could make the bad dreams go away, him back with her safe and sound! The neighbors were nice; but, they weren’t family! Papa was all she had! Him and her against the world! That was the way it had always been!
She’d decided...She could no longer sit back and wait for him. It was her turn to find him! It would just be like one of their games of hide-and-seek. She always won! This time would be no different! It might take a little longer but..She’d find him for sure! Nothing would stand in her way!
Grace knew the neighbors would never give her permission to wander off and see the queen. They lived in the middle of no where. Papa and her only had the two neighbors. And..No, she wasn’t exactly sure where the castle was but..It was big and impressive! (At least she imagined it was, having never actually seen it for herself. But it was a castle! Naturally it would be grand and the biggest thing in the entire village!) And she wouldn’t let something small like having no idea where the castle was located stop her! She’d ask people for directions and make it there somehow!
There was no fear in her heart as she ran a comb through her hair at dawn’s first light, trying her best to get out all the tangles. Admittedly...She’d let her hair..go a little recently. But..she couldn’t let Marcella touch it! Only Papa brushed her hair! But..Now she had to do something. If she was to see the queen, she needed to look presentable!
Well...She was poor (no denying it) so there was only so much she could do. Grace didn’t own any fancy clothes. But that never bothered her. So long as she could play with Papa she was happy. Grace hoped the queen would understand. She must! The queen had come to visit Papa after all! So she’d know how they lived. Her dress was clean at least; and, Grace scrubbed her face until she was certain every last smudge of dirt had been eradicated. Really, this was the best she could do. And all anyone could ask for was her best, right?!
She had to hurry! The neighbors would get up soon! Silent as the grave, she took off. Grace was an expert at sneaking around. She’d been watching Papa ever since she was small. And she was convinced that no one moved so quietly as him. Well, she might be as good as him now! Sometimes she’d startle Papa, suddenly coming up behind him!
Eventually, thanks to a few talks with helpful and friendly people, she was pointed in the right direction and made her way to the castle! Now she just had to find some way to convince the guards to let her see the queen!
Her dress flared up in front of her as she coaxed every last once of speed out of her muscles. She was completely out of breath, panting slightly when she reached the guards. But she smiled warmly up at them all the same. “Please! I need you to ask if the queen will see me! It’s very important! Tell her I’m Jefferson Hatter’s daughter, Grace Hatter! I think she might know where Papa is! I have to find him! He’s already late for tea!”
|
TEMPLATE BY ELIZA
|
|
|
|
Post by Grace Hatter on Dec 6, 2015 21:11:15 GMT
 | ~ • ~ | Character Basics | ~ • ~ |
.:Name:. Grace Hatter
.:Nick Name:. N/A
.:Affiliation:. Hero
.:Status:. Peasant
| ~ • ~ | Appearance | ~ • ~ |
.:Physical Appearance:. Pale skin. Brown Eyes. Long wavy, brownish blond hair.
.:Height:. 4ft 5in.
.:Portrayed by:. Alissa Skovbye
| ~ • ~ | Personality | ~ • ~ |
.:Personality:. Grace is a very sweet and affectionate girl. She’s the sort of person who puts others' needs before her own. She has a compassionate and forgiving nature. She wishes to believe in the best of everyone and tries her hardest to understand people’s pain and alleviate it. She’s thoughtful and considerate, striving to be polite. She’s surprisingly perceptive for a teenager, drawing sound conclusions from subtle cues. She’s a rational thinker who is also creative. She loved to hear stories in the Enchanted Forest and read them in Storybrooke where she’s literate.
More than anything, Grace fears being alone so she appears vivacious and outgoing, delighting in the company of others. However, she is quite introverted, tending to bottle up her concerns and any odd theories not wishing to worry the people around her or push anyone away. While believing in the best of people with her sweet nature, deep down she still fears rejection and abandonment. She is aware that neither her mama or papa left her on purpose; but, she was inevitably separated from both. She doesn’t blame them for this parting instead blaming herself. She’s still scared to death that even after her reunion something will come to rip her family away from her once more. So it’s very important she has some people to speak with. Even if she can’t confide in them completely, their presence is comforting. She doesn’t wish to jeopardize any attachments.
Grace tries to be grateful for all the good things in her life, never wishing to be spoiled or unappreciative. Before Storybrooke she knew poverty as much as the adults in her life tried to keep the severity of the situation secret. She always tried to help out wherever she could. Even though her papa was gone and she was very sad and lonely, she always believed in him. She knew that he was alive and would one day return to her. She tried to be grateful for that and for the fact that she had a roof over her head and food in her stomach. Now that she’s living in a mansion with her papa she has so much to be grateful for. However, it has been years (plus the 28 cursed ones) since she lived with her papa so she fears that maybe he won’t like the person she grew into. All she wants to do is make him feel happy and make him feel loved. She wishes to show him that she doesn’t blame him for leaving and is just so happy to have him back in her life. But at the back of her mind she is afraid that after so much time apart that maybe now her neighbors understand her better than her own father.
.:Strengths:. can teleport (mostly by accident at this stage, not frequently, not between realms), logical thinker, can move silently, unbeatable composure
.:Weaknesses:. incredibly insecure, has superficial relationships, can't use any sort of weapon, puts her needs last
| ~ • ~ | History | ~ • ~ |
.:Birthplace:. Enchanted Forest
.:Family:. Jefferson Hatter-father
.:Occupation:. Mushroom Picker in Enchanted Forest and Hospital Volunteer and Girl Scout in Storybrooke.
.:History:.
Grace’s mama disappeared when she was very little so she had no memories of her. The only parent she remembers is her papa. Since it was just the two of them, they grew exceptionally close. Yes, Grace had the neighbors to look after her when Papa was busy; but, it wasn’t the same. It felt as though it were Papa and her against the world. She didn’t mind though. She loved her papa to death. So long as he was beside her she was happy. She was sweet and intuitive even as a child. She took care to help out however she could, understanding that Papa had a tough time. Although she would have loved to spend more time playing hide-and-seek and having tea parties, there were mushrooms to pick and chores to do. She never complained when the games had to end even if she’d look a bit pained. She had sharp eyes and became quite skilled at determining which mushrooms were poisonous and which safe. She was quite good at hunting the desirable ones down. Spending time with her papa in the forest was something she adored.
One day when they were hunting for mushrooms a carriage came to their little cottage. Grace was stunned since Papa and her never had visitors besides their neighbors. She asked who it was, not really expecting an answer and grew even more surprised to hear it was the queen’s carriage. “In our house?!” Grace quickly asked if Papa knew her which he assured Grace he didn’t. But she knew her papa well and wasn’t quite convinced he was telling the truth. Besides, why would the queen come all the way out here if she didn’t know her papa? Papa told her to hide in the woods. She was reluctant to leave him being scared for him. He smiled back warmly at her; but, she still wasn’t relaxed. For reasons she couldn’t understand, she felt the queen brought trouble. Still, not wishing to displease her papa, she ran into the woods and hid after a moment.
Before too long Papa came to find her. The two resumed mushroom hunting; but, Grace could tell her papa wasn’t into it. He seemed distracted about something, perhaps worried even. But no matter how many questions Grace asked, he refused to explain what happened, what the queen had wanted with him. She let the matter drop and hoped nothing more would come of it.
After Papa and her were done selling mushrooms at market Grace was allowed to look around. She eagerly wandered over to the toy cart, a white rabbit stuffed animal having caught her eye. She picked it up, impressed with just how cute and soft it was. She thought it would make the perfect guest for their tea parties. The tortoise could sure use some more company! “Can I have him, please?!” she begged, hugging him to her chest. She kept stroking the soft rabbit’s ears while Papa talked to the saleswoman. But the rabbit was too expensive. It cost one silver while Papa only had eight coppers. Grace was touched that Papa would spend all their earnings on a toy for her; but, the saleswoman wouldn’t accept it. She quickly snatched away the rabbit saying she could not take any less than one silver. Grace was sad to loose the rabbit; but, she was more worried about how depressed her papa looked. She told him it was okay. She tried to pull him away, saying that people were waiting. She didn’t want to look at the stuffed animal she couldn’t have and hoped that her papa would quickly recover if they went somewhere else. He told the saleswoman he wouldn’t take no for an answer. “Papa please! I don’t need it!” she assured him, not wishing to cause trouble. Thankfully Papa listened and they left.
Later, Papa made her a stuffed rabbit all by himself. He was worried Grace wouldn’t like it; but, she loved it. To her it was much more precious than the rabbit in the toy cart because Papa had made it just for her. It might look more awkward and feel less soft; but, it was proof of her papa’s love for her. She thanked Papa for it and eagerly set the rabbit down for tea. Then all of a sudden Papa told her she needed to go to the neighbors for the rest of the day because there was work he had to do. She asked if she could come with him because she liked being with him in the forest. He explained he wasn’t going into the forest. She asked if this had to do with the queen’s visit. Papa refused to answer which told her everything she needed to know. The queen was involved. Grace begged Papa not to do whatever the queen wanted. He told her that he had to because he wanted Grace to have everything she needed. Grace assured him that all she needed was him. She pleaded with him to stay; but, in the end he didn’t listen. He picked her up, gave her hug, and apologized but said he had to go. “Promise me you’ll come back. You have to promise!” If Papa had to leave she needed to hear that he was coming back. He told her he would without hesitation. “For our tea party. Promise?” He promised he wouldn’t miss it for the world. He kissed her forehead and sent her off. Grace was greatly saddened; but, she was sure that with his promise he would make it back in time for tea.
Papa didn’t make it back in time for tea. Originally Grace thought he was just running late but soon night fell; and, he still didn’t come. The neighbors who had always been kind to her of course let her spend the night. They told her stories and tried to soothe her fears. They assured her that her father had just been delayed somehow. She believed them. She was sure Papa would come for her tomorrow. Only he didn’t. Or the next day. Or the next day. Soon a week had passed and there was still no sign of him. Now Grace was really worried. The only clue she had as to what had happened was the queen. She’d been the one who’d come to visit. She’d been the one who asked Papa for something. When the neighbors weren’t looking she sneaked away. She eventually managed to make her way to the queen’s castle. She wasn’t certain the queen would see her, a mere little girl; but, she had to try! She had to find out what happened to her papa. After her adventure, Grace left with no further insight as to what had happened with her papa. She dejectedly returned to the neighbors, apologizing for running away.
More time passed and still her papa didn’t come. She didn’t stop believing in him; but, she missed him sorely and was afraid for him. She decided she needed to do some investigating on her own. She spoke to the townspeople, asking everyone for anything they knew about her papa. The littlest thing might help. Now all she had were her memories and the stuffed animals Papa had made for her. The white rabbit was her treasure. She hugged it every day, praying that somehow Papa would make his way back to her quickly. It was the last present Papa had ever given her, proof of his love for her. He would come back!
Grace was kind to the neighbors. They were always so good to her. She tried to act happy; but, she really missed her papa. She just wanted him back. Neighbors weren’t the same as a papa at least not the same as her papa. Eventually she heard rumors of Papa’s old work. He’d assisted some powerful sorcerer known as Rumplestiltskin. There was talk that Jefferson could travel to different worlds even. She tried to figure out more about Rumplestiltskin. If he was a powerful sorcerer then it was possible he knew what happened to her papa. Maybe he could even help bring him back!
Eventually she found a sorcerer who could help her. He told her he’d share what he knew about her papa in exchange for her favorite stuffed rabbit. She hated to give him up, him being the greatest reminder of her papa; but, she had to know the truth. She handed him over and the man explained that he was now trapped in Wonderland, that he’d tried to return to Grace just as he promised but a certain evil queen had manipulated him. He was stranded in Wonderland without his portal, the hat the queen had taken. Grace couldn’t help but break down sobbing at the news. Her papa was stuck in an entirely different world?! She was having a difficult time processing the information. Did that mean she’d never see him again?!
The sorcerer offered to give her something that might help if she was willing to part with the coat her papa had given her. She’d kept it as a reminder of him and their adventures in the forest. Depressed, wishing for anything that would help, she handed over her jacket. The sorcerer gave her a magic mirror that was tuned to her papa. She just needed to pick it up and think of him and she could see him. She wouldn’t be able to hear him. She wouldn’t be able to interact with him at all; but, she could see him and know that he was alive. She thanked the sorcerer and hugged him in thanks and hurried back to the neighbors.
She didn’t want to ever forget her papa. She’d been replaying their goodbye again and again in her mind. She frequently thought of all the things they did together. And now she had a way to remember his face. She gazed into the mirror daily; but, it made her terribly sad. Papa was unhappy. She watched as he made tons and tons of hats. She assumed he was trying to make another portal. “You can do it, Papa!” she would whisper to him, knowing he’d never hear her. But she still believed in him. He would come back for her! He had to! She tried to be a good girl. She tried to grow into a helpful young woman, one Papa would love and be proud of. She wanted to please him when they were reunited. That was all she could think about.
But Papa was working his hardest to get back to her! She couldn't let matters rest. She had to do her part too! So while he tried to make a portal, she scavenged the land, searching for portals, even going so far as smuggling herself onto ships to go to new areas and look. The strain of staring into the mirror daily and being met with failure after failure in terms of locating portals broke her down. At times she would suffer a psychotic break which wound up being labeled as Milliner Mode. When it was triggered she'd be convinced that Papa had only just left a few minutes ago and would return in time for tea. Her time line was entirely wrong and she'd be obsessed with making the perfect tea for him. She had a dire compulsion to make tea and would become violent should anyone try to stop her from preparing tea. She would say incredibly odd things making people wonder if she was delusional or playing some game only she could understand. But in this mode, she genuinely expressed her emotions. She didn't have to fake a smile for anyone. She didn't concern herself with worrying anyone. If she was happy she'd giggle and if she was sad she'd burst into tears.
The curse hit and Grace forgot all she’d been before. She forgot her name and her papa. She knew herself only as Paige Matthews. She believed her parents to be her neighbors and her an ordinary Storybrooke student. She loved stories and running around in the woods. She wasn’t sure why but the woods always relaxed her. She felt drawn to them. She was an enthusiastic girl scout who was very adept at survival badges. People were stunned with how effortlessly she could decipher poisonous from non-poisonous plants and find edible food. She wasn’t sure herself why she was so good at it. She didn’t question it, though. She merely assumed it was an innate skill.
Although reading and English were her best subjects in school and she loved them to death, she was determined to be a physician. She wanted to help save people one day. So she studied hard in all her classes. She volunteered at the hospital. At the tender age of 11 she wasn’t allowed to do much. But she could decorate the walls to make them more cheery for the patients and do basic clean up. She learned through observing and people often took heart from her warm smile. She knew first aid thanks to her girl scout troop and actually got certified in CPR.
Paige couldn’t understand why; but, she often felt that something was missing. There was this hole in her heart she couldn’t explain or understand. She should be happy. She had kind parents and nice friends. She was doing well in school and the people loved her in the hospital. But still, she’d be plagued by spells of depression. She hid them well. She didn’t wish to worry her parents or her friends. But sometimes she just felt that she didn’t belong. There were times where she would just lock herself in her room and sob into her pillow to muffle the sound. Something was missing. Rationally she knew that couldn’t be right. But...She just felt it. Everything was wrong.
She never talked about these feelings with anyone. Not only did she not wish to worry people; but, she didn’t want to be considered crazy. Dr. Hopper was nice; but, she didn’t want to be forced into therapy. She didn’t want everyone to look at her strangely. So she continued to act cheerful and vivacious no matter how terrible she felt. Besides, she needed to stay focused so she could be a great doctor one day.
She took comfort from a few things. Alice and Wonderland became a near obsession for her. She’d read the book so often she could repeat it verbatim. But only one chapter really resonated with her, the one where Alice had tea with the mad hatter. That chapter was read more often than any other. It didn’t matter that she knew it by heart. Whenever she was depressed she would return to those pages and read them out loud. Likewise, she watched the animated film again and again, always coming back to the scene with the mad hatter. She wasn’t sure why but she dreamed of being Alice. She wanted to go to Wonderland and meet the mad hatter. Of course she knew it was silly. Although she was more open minded than most, thinking that perhaps ghosts were real...She wasn’t quite convinced magic was possible. But she wondered and she dreamed.
She also took comfort form her stuffed animals and her tea set. Her friends chided her for being too childish; but, she adored having tea parties with her stuffed animals. She supposed that was why she liked the story of Alice and Wonderland. Alice was someone who hadn’t quite grown up and enjoyed tea parties. But Paige didn’t think there was anything wrong with liking stuffed animals, Alice & Wonderland, and tea parties. She could still be mature and responsible with those hobbies. She was working hard in the hospital after all.
There was another comfort object, a very strange mirror. Inside the mirror was a picture of a man she'd never met before. But it was familiar somehow. The person comforted her even though she figured he wasn’t real. She talked to him and in a way he became like her stuffed animals. He was someone with which she could share her secrets. He would never be upset. And he’d never tattle because he couldn’t hear her. She came to think of him as a mentor, a dear friend. She would tell him her troubles and imagine the advice he would give if only he could.
The curse broke and Grace remembered everything. She wanted nothing more than to find her papa who she was certain was here. She wasn’t the best artist in the world; but, she wouldn’t be content with relaying such an important message trough the computer. She didn’t type it up but made posters with her own artistic skill, plastering the Storybrooke boards with them, hoping someone would have heard of her papa. She tried to draw pictures of her papa; but, she realized it didn’t turn out all that great. But she was still confident he would find her. One day after school she heard her name. It sounded so familiar. Her heat caught in her throat and when she turned around there was her papa. She ran straight to him and hugged him tight. “Papa you found me! I knew you would!” He picked her up and took her to her new home. Now she’s living with him. Recovering lost time isn’t possible; but, at least she finally got her reunion. They’ve been separated for many years; but, he means the world to her; and, she’d do anything to see him smile.
| ~ • ~ | Sample Post | ~ • ~ |
Grace had been reunited with her papa very recently. But that didn’t mean she was perfectly at peace. People’s deep seeded emotions and fears didn’t evaporate in a day. For so long she’d been waiting for Papa to find her. Now they were together again! Of course she was happy. But...They’d lost so much time. She was so afraid. What if Papa hated the girl she’d grown into? What if he thought she’d been much sweeter and kinder as a little girl? What if he blamed her for the separation? She’d never quite forgiven herself for letting him go. It was her fault in some sense, wasn’t it? If she hadn’t made such a big deal about the white rabbit would he have stayed, would he have realized he was the only thing that really mattered in her life? If she had clung to his leg weeping, could she have convinced him to ignore the queen? What if she had simply refused to go with the neighbors? What if she had been stubborn and followed him? Would that have been enough to stop him? For a terrible, lonely several years she’d replayed their goodbye over and over again. After all this time, she could still remember that day perfectly. The way he’d scooped her up in his arms and carried her to the door. The way he’d smoothed back her hair so he could kiss her forehead. How tenderly he’d buttoned up her jacket so she wouldn’t get cold. How sweetly he promised he’d come back, make it in time for tea. And then how he gently pushed her towards the neighbors. And she’d left! She’d just walked away even though she’d known things were weird and the queen was involved! She should have never left him! But she had and both of them had paid the price for that. Paid it in full every single day. So many sleepless nights and dreary mornings. The neighbors had been so kind to her. And Grace loved them dearly. She tried to help and seem happy for their sake; but, they weren’t her papa. No one could replace him or the deep bond they shared. Time...Time hadn’t broken it, had it? She was afraid of that, that she would look in her papa’s eyes and see a stranger reflected back at her. She’d watched him day after day through the magic mirror when he was in Wonderland. But he hadn’t seen her grow. What if he didn’t even think of her as his daughter anymore? She was being silly, she knew, paranoid. Papa loved her! He’d spent all this time trying to make his way back to her! She just needed to relax! But she couldn’t. The stress was getting to her. All the questions and fears she kept bottled up inside needed some release. And that release came in the form of nightmares. Her small frame tossed and turned under her lavish covers. She wasn’t 11 anymore. She was eight and it was that horrible day, the worst day of her life. “I’m sorry baby but I have to go.” This time she wasn’t so composed. She broke down crying. “No! Don’t go! Please don’t go! Don’t leave me all alone!” “I’ll be back in time for tea.” “No! You won’t! Please! Please listen! I’m sorry about the rabbit! All I need is you! Don’t go!” “It will just be for a little while.” “It won’t! Don’t go!” “Go stay with the neighbors.” “No! I want to be with you!” “I’ll be back in time for tea.” And then the room fell away from her and she was somewhere else. There was a table, a long table with all the makings for a great feast, the perfect tea party. But she was all alone. It was just her. “Papa?” she called out. But there was no answer. She waited and waited. The tea was growing cold. “Papa!” she sobbed. But no one was there to answer. And in the remarkable way that time can in dreams, it sped up and yet felt slowed somehow. Decades passed. Her hair grew long and tangled. Eventually it turned grey. And there she stood at the table waiting for the papa whom by now she was certain was dead. But it was just her. Just her against the world. What could she do but wait? Wait for him or wait for her time to run out. She didn’t know which. She wasn’t certain it mattered. And then suddenly there was a mirror, a giant mirror. She touched the cool glass and her papa appeared just like she remembered him. But she was withered and old while he was still young. “Get it to work! Get it to work! Get it to work!” Hats. Hats. Hats. So many hats in the mirror. A mountain of them. No, several mountains. And still he made more. “Papa!” she screamed. But he couldn’t hear her. She pounded her fist against the glass. She could see him! It wasn’t fair! She had to get to him! The hour glass was running out! She had to see him before it was too late! “Papa!” The glass shattered and then it was just her, all alone again. She woke up screaming. But...She wasn’t in her bed! She wasn’t in her bed! She came to her senses and suddenly she was standing on the roof! She scrambled to get her balance! How?! How had she wound up here?! What should she do?! What if she fell?! She could die! No! She couldn’t die! She’d just met her papa again! There was so much they had to talk about, so much to catch up on! She couldn’t die! She tried to take deep cleansing breaths and pull her head together. She’d...done something similar before. It hadn’t landed her on the roof; but, she’d moved on her own like magic. She...she just...oh she had no idea what to do! “Get a hold of yourself, Grace!” she, berated herself. She was a Girl Scout! And if Girl Scouts had taught her anything, it was not to panic during a crisis. That wouldn’t help. She could...sort this out. She just needed to be careful. She...didn’t think she could come back the way she’d gotten here. She didn’t quite understand how she’d...teleported? That was the word wasn’t it? So...yeah...That was out. As much as she’d hate to upset Papa...She should probably call him. He likely had a ladder or something he could use to get to her. There was no way she was climbing down the roof! They lived by themselves. She probably wouldn’t bother anyone else. “Papa!” she hollered. “Papa please help me!” She couldn’t fall! She couldn’t fall! Could he even hear her?! What if she fell before he could get to her?! No! It...It would be fine! Deep breaths! Deep breaths! “Papa!” | ~ • ~ | Member Info | ~ • ~ | .:Name or Online Alias:. Hatter.:How Did You Find Us:. I was here before. |
|
|
|
Post by Grace Hatter on Apr 1, 2015 3:08:41 GMT
No! Not again! She knew! She just knew...Before Miss Blanchard had written down the pages, the problems they’d need to complete for tomorrow’s homework...The answer had already been there right in her head. Deja vu. It felt like she’d been here before, done this perhaps a thousand times prior. It was so clear!
Was she going crazy?! She’d often wondered that. She didn’t think she was mentally unstable; but, she couldn’t deny there was something...if not wrong about her...Odd. There wasn’t really a pattern to what would set her off but just little things...The tiniest thing could send her into a downward spiral of depression. She didn’t wish to worry Mama or Papa. And she didn’t want to explain what was going on, not when she didn’t understand herself. And certainly not when she could possibly be interpreted as mad. What if they tried to force her on anti-depressants? Or they might shove her into Dr. Hoper’s office! And then she’d have all these cold, pitiful glances directed at her.
No! She didn’t want that! She’d seen those awful stares the doctors and nurses reserved just for the patients down in the psyche ward. Normally when she volunteered at the hospital, they kept her away from the basement level. It was not a bright or lively place. But sometimes they would send her down to bring food or just some decorations that could potentially cheer the patients. But...she really hated the way the staff looked at those unfortunate souls. Didn’t they understand they had a hard enough time being locked away, hidden from sight, trapped in some basement level, tucked away from their friends and family, all but forgotten by the world? Going down there always made Paige want to cry. Dejected, miserable. You could see it in their eyes. Most had given up hope on anything ever getting better. There was something...almost inhuman about the way the patients down there were treated. They weren’t physically abused at least not when Paige was around. But all the same, the staff looked at them like they were...She didn’t even know what!
She wasn’t stupid. She knew that talking about her...issues? Was that the right word? Talking about...wherever this irrational deep seeded sorrow came from wouldn’t land her in the psyche ward right away but...She would certainly get strange looks. People would never see her the same way again. Everyone would wonder what was wrong with her and worry. It...No...She just didn’t want that! And...how could she hope to explain that sometimes her name was enough to make her run to her room, lock the door, and burry her head in a pillow sobbing. This...This whole town...Storybrooke...all the people in it...It...Just sometimes it didn’t make sense. Everything seemed so hollow, so wrong. And Paige...Why did that name pain her so some days? Not all the time but...Paige was pretty sounding. And Paige loved to read fictional stories like Alice in Wonderland (especially the one chapter with the mad hatter) and all sorts of things. Reading and English were her favorite subjects! Paige sounded like the page from a book even if it was spelled differently. And yet often times the name sounded foreign on her tongue, alien like it didn’t belong to her at all. Some days...Just after a whole day of everyone calling her Paige, Paige, Paige, Paige...She couldn’t take it anymore! And so she barricaded herself in her room.
No one real would understand. She couldn’t talk to Mama or Papa or any of her friends. She couldn’t ask them if their hearts felt...empty, like they were missing something, like there was this giant hole, a void that couldn’t be completely filled by anything not even her stuffed animals or her tea parties or the lovely little books in her room or her parents or her friends or anything. She should be happy. She told herself that over and over again. She thought if she said it enough she’d believe it. But she didn’t. She could hear the strain in her voice every time she whispered it and see the despair in her eyes when she gazed critically at herself in the mirror. She should have a perfect life. She was a good student, had loving parents, kind friends, enjoyed her time at Girl Scouts and was well on her way to becoming a doctor with her hospital work and CPR certification but...Somehow it wasn’t enough. It was silly but...sometimes she felt like the world around her was scripted and people were less real and more reciting lines. It wasn’t just the homework assignment. For so many things she felt like...She’d done this before, a thousand times perhaps.
She wasn’t depressed now so this part was less clear; but, when she was in the midst of despondency....certain things wouldn’t add up. Like crickets. She’d wanted to catch one before not to hurt it or anything! But she’d been learning about wildlife and thought it would be neat to see one up close. She’d read some books and even though she was certain she was poking around at the right time in all her life, she could never find one, never so much as hear one.
And then there were her friends. She...She couldn’t tell them what she was really feeling, not without them staring at her like she’d grown a third head or something. Yes, that was...a bit sad; but, that’s not what troubled her during her bouts of grief. She’d try to think of how they met, how they became friends. And...It was just so hazy. She couldn’t focus. Was her memory really so poor? But again she was being silly. Likely she’d just known them for so long things sort of blurred together. But when gloom struck...Each and every odd little thing plagued her until all of a sudden all of Stroybrooke felt wrong and she was sure she couldn’t stay here another second. All she wanted to do was run away, go somewhere else, anywhere else. But of course that was irrational.
She couldn’t leave. Where would she go? Her only family was here. Her life was here. She was a kid. She had no funds saved up. She was very thoroughly trapped. Although it shouldn’t feel that way! Storybrooke was a nice little town! And whose fault was it she couldn’t confide in her friends? Wasn’t it hers? But it didn’t matter. Feelings weren’t so easily rationalized away. She found...She couldn’t really connect with anyone. It was a very lonely feeling. Isolated even when she was surrounded by people. They couldn’t make the ache in her heart go away. Something must be really wrong with her. And because of it she could only have superficial relationships, talk about books and Girl Scouts and volunteer work, nothing important, nothing real, not all those odd questions and feelings that were quite possibly slowly driving her insane.
It got to the point where it just was too much bottled up, holed up inside. She needed some form of release. But people couldn’t be trusted. They’d never understand. So she talked to her stuffed animals and the man in the mirror. She'd had this very strange mirror for as long as she could remember. The mirror didn’t reflect her face but someone else’s. And...Although she’d never met the person...He seemed familiar. He was someone she could rely on, share her secrets with. He would never grow upset with her, never try and seek out Dr. Hopper, betraying her confidence due to concern. He couldn’t because he didn’t really exist, couldn’t hear a single word she so desperately uttered in a rush under her breath lest Mama or Papa hear. He was her dear friend and mentor. It was....probably silly but since she couldn’t talk to anyone real, she’d imagine the advise he would give her if only he could speak. She was certain he would support her! He just had...That face she supposed.
There were better days and worse days. Although recently...It seemed like there were more and more bad days and it was all getting to be too much!
The final bell rang and everyone was eager to leave. Everyone that was but Henry and her. She didn’t want to go home, fake that smile, act like she was this cheerful, optimistic girl who delighted in everything. She projected this happy-go-lucky girl, one who could never be brought low by anything. The world was her oyster. But it was all an illusion. The real Paige was miserable. But she couldn’t show it lest others worry or worse act upon their concerns.
But with Henry...There was something about him that she just wanted to trust. With him she could be a little more open. And at least he seemed to notice things weren’t quite right. She wasn’t entirely certain as to whether she believed his theory, that they were all cursed and had lives before this one in Storybrooke. But she desperately wanted to believe it! Because that would mean she wasn’t crazy! If he was right, then everything she noticed would make sense!
Finally, she worked up the nerve to approach Henry’s desk. She didn’t want to go home. But neither did she want to be alone when she felt like this, scared, depressed, mind feeling like it was unraveling at the seams.
“Hi Henry,” she said softly. “Do you mind if I have a seat?” she asked, gesturing to the desk next to him. His presence was always soothing. She couldn't explain what it was; but, there was just something about his smile that...She didn't really know. But when he smiled she felt like smiling too. With him, she didn't have to force it. He was someone she really liked being around.
|
TEMPLATE BY ELIZA
|
|
|
|
Post by Grace Hatter on Mar 23, 2015 7:27:26 GMT
 Grace simply sighed when Hook said it was a race of who would get to it first. “Is it really?” she asked, concerned. “Let’s say Snow White and Prince Charming get to it first. Then what?” she questioned. “I seriously doubt someone as determined and powerful as Cora will simply call it a day. She has impressive magic. Not to be rude but...Snow has a bow and arrow and Charming a sword...They’re great fighters for sure. But..I’m not convinced Cora is someone they can handle. Even Rumplestiltskin looked nervous when Regina said she was coming! Regina said Cora was the one thing that could possibly unite them. And...That’s really saying a lot given she locked up Belle in the psyche ward for the entire curse.”
Rumplestiltskin loved Belle. Apparently Regina had lied to him, told him she was dead. But really, all this time she’d had her locked her away. So no Rumple and Regina weren’t on the best of terms right now. For one small town...There certainly were a great number of people with intense grudges. As far as Grace knew no one held a grudge against her. She’d really like to keep it that way.
And well...Apparently Cora hadn't united Regina and Rumplestiltskin. Regina was actually working with Cora! Now that was a terrifying thought. With their magic combined, Grace didn't even want to think about what they could do. And Rumplestiltskin was away in New York! If he was here, Grace would feel a little safer. He had impressive magic too. But he couldn't do anything outside of Storybrooke. But she couldn't say she wanted him to return quickly. That would mean Herny was coming back too. And he'd be much safer never meeting Cora! She didn't want anything bad to happen to him!
“I think if Snow or Charming get it, Cora will just take it from them by force.” Thanks to her magic mirror, Grace had witnessed the many terrors of Cora. When she wanted something...Nothing stood in her way! She was cruel and vicious, merciless! Grace had no doubt she’d rip apart the town searching for the dagger if she had to.
Hook glanced down at the water but stubbornly refused to reach for it. Grace knew he had to be disoriented and in pain! Why couldn’t he just drink the water like a good patient?! It would help! He should listen to the doctor in training!
And then he had to go and do the worst possible thing! Okay..Not the worse possible thing. He wasn’t shoving his sword through his scalp after all. But for all the damage the liquor would do...He might as well have! “That’s not going to help your pounding head!” she exclaimed, glaring at him. She thought it was safe to assume his head was pounding. He’d been knocked out; and, she was willing to bet he’d hit his head.
“Captain, you should just drink some water!” Of course she knew he wasn’t going to listen. He always thought Rum was this magical solution to all his problems.
Well since he wasn’t doing the intelligent thing..No reason to play nice! And honestly...She just wanted to know. Grace took a deep breath. “Captain, please tell me why would you work with someone like Cora? Do you have any idea how horrible she is?”
tag: --- notes: --- |
TEMPLATE BY ELIZA
|
|
|
|
Post by Grace Hatter on Mar 22, 2015 7:37:07 GMT
 What made the captain speak so confidently about the Dark One? Clearly they shared a history and not a pleasant one. Hook was loathe to say one good thing about him. Grace knew bias when she saw it. So she wasn’t content to take Hook’s word not for this. But she knew better than to call him out on it as well. If he was that determined to see the Dark One as a monster, nothing she could say would change his mind. And someone like her knew so little about him to begin with. But Rumplestiltskin had seemed lonely in her eyes. And for whatever reason, he had helped her. So she was grateful to him as saddened as she’d been by the news. Well, at least she knew Papa wasn’t dead. And she would fight her hardest to get back to him always! She wasn’t giving up! One day, the two of them would be reunited! She’d do whatever was necessary to see that day come.
“Who did he kill? Who did he abandon?” There was nothing wrong with asking questions. She was curious and hopefully he’d answer. Then she could hazard a guess as to why there seemed to be such tension between him and the Dark One.
He fell silent at her question but then she hadn’t really expected an answer. She imagined such a thing would be a touchy subject. You couldn’t hate someone that much without a painful story. She hoped she’d never grow to loathe someone that much. She didn’t want to hate anyone! Grace was forever that person trying to see the best in everyone no matter how much she suffered as a result. She understood now that she’d been naive and that the world was not as kind a place as she believed. She’d had to adapt and grow more wary, suspicious of others. But still..She wanted to believe in people’s kind hearts. Surely deep down everyone was good just unfortunate circumstances twisted people’s pure intentions, making monsters out of men. As people grew depressed and dejected faced with the world’s many hardships, they’d steel their hearts and take rather than be taken from, lashing out preemptively to protect themselves.
“Will you tell me one day then?!” she asked hopefully. Grace wanted to understand him. She was sure there was a reason for his fierce hatred.
She beamed when Hook teased her for being curious. She was quite proud of that characteristic. Without a thirst for knowledge, well you wouldn’t learn nearly as much!
“You’re going to let me eat with you?! Really?!” she exclaimed. She hadn’t had a proper meal in days. It was all she could do to keep her mouth from salivating at the thought of a decent supper. She had no idea what sort of food that captain ate but surely it was better than stale bread!
“Any story I want?! Everyday?!” she breathed, eyes widening in pure delight and wonder. There were few things in this world she enjoyed more than a good story.
She eagerly followed Hook down below. “Where are we going?”
tag: --- notes: --- |
TEMPLATE BY ELIZA
|
|
|
|
Post by Grace Hatter on Mar 19, 2015 15:48:04 GMT
 Acting. Playing a role. Being an actor meant giving yourself over to your character, body and soul. Your old identity melted away and you took on a new existence, a new self. Everything you were, everything you loved, everything you hated, everything you feared, everything you wished for was given up, exchanged for the fervent dreams and whims, affections and terrors, detestations and revulsions of your character. You breathed life into them. What was once words on paper, you took and twisted them into a real person, one everyone could see but only you could truly understand. Because you were the one inside their head. You were the one they’d been waiting for all this time. Without you, they were just lines in a book, intangible, unfeeling. You were the one who could channel those raw emotions, express their very being, their nature! But to do that, to let them live and play their part, fulfill their role, the you as you knew yourself had to die. Not permanently. But you had to forget who you were, all your strengths and weaknesses pushed aside until they were buried so far beneath your character’s persona you couldn’t feel them, couldn’t get at them, didn’t even realize they were there.
In the end, it wasn’t the lines that were important but the emotions woven deep within. Words weren’t even necessary. A single gesture could convey a person’s heart. Memorization was good. But in the end if you understood your character, you didn’t need it. Because then you knew what this new life would say, how she’d respond. Connecting with her heart was what mattered. Understand what she cared about, understand what she was terrified of, understand what she yearned for and the rest would follow. For Grace, lines were the last step. What an actor needed was to bound her own heart to her character’s. Before you could become, you had to sympathize, you had to appreciate, you had to recognize their faults and flaws and still think you’re someone I love, you’re someone I want to do justice to. Let me be you. Let me show everyone who you really are.
Grace wasn’t sure why she loved acting so much. Was it because deep down she was an insecure person who longed to forget who she was even for an instant, throw away her sins and mistakes and take on someone else’s? Was it because acting fed into her love of stories and nurtured her imagination? Or was it because it was a good exercise in empathy and getting inside someone else’s head fictional or otherwise, helped her understand the secret pains others could carry deep inside them everyday, the ones that could tear apart their hearts even as they waved and smiled so cheerfully?
She didn’t know. But it was a compulsion. She was drawn to it; and, it was something she had to do. Papa thought joining the theater club was a choice. Technically it was. But all the same, it wasn’t. It cried out to her trembling soul. And now...She was worried. The play they’d chosen was Alice in Wonderland. She hadn’t said anything to Papa yet. She thought there would be no point if she didn’t get a part. But in the end, she’d been selected as Alice. So now she had to talk to him.
She was thrilled not simply because Alice was the main role but because being her for a moment..Well that would be fulfilling Paige’s deepest wish. Paige had been drawn to the hatter in Alice in Wonderland without understanding why. And everyday Paige had thought..Oh if only I could be Alice and meet him. And as much pain as Grace had endured as Paige, she was still grateful to her. The Paige sleeping inside her had taught her much. And sometimes...Grace could manage to tug on that strength, pull it out for her to use. There were things Paige had that Grace didn’t. But she tried to remember and borrow them when they were necessary. So..This was for her. In some way, she could grant her wish. She wanted to do that for her, for all she’d suffered because she'd noticed and she'd felt as much as it didn’t make sense. She’d feared she was losing her mind and still she held herself together somehow, clutching at straws, trying to discover the truth of things. She hadn’t shied away from the questions that ripped her brain apart and caused her heart to ache. She had to know. Grace admired her for that. She wondered if she herself was so brave when she had things she was scared to ask Papa. Paige had struggled the whole 28 cursed years. She deserved some reward, some peace for all her efforts. And this was the answer. Grace would give her Alice.
Grace didn’t know if Papa would understand. But she wanted him to! More than anything, she wanted him to come and see her be Alice! But she didn’t want to hurt him. So...Now it was time to talk.
“Papa,” she called out as she slipped inside the house they shared, their home. “Papa are you here? There’s something I want to tell you. Do you have a minute?”
tag: --- notes: --- |
TEMPLATE BY ELIZA
|
|
|
|
Post by Grace Hatter on Mar 18, 2015 7:00:39 GMT
Well her captain could hardly fail to notice the differences. And she’d wager one particular experience had been a bit too up close and personal for his liking, the one involving a car running him over. She imagined adjusting would be difficult without the cursed memories. Holding the cursed memories came with its own set of problems, the conflicting realities. The curse had been broken and now Grace remembered everything. She no longer thought she was losing her mind because of all the strange things she noticed while everyone else remained oblivious. But it wasn’t like there were no issues after the curse broke. Two lives, one body. Grace had been sleeping inside Paige during the curse. Now, although Grace was the dominating presence, there were still all the Paige memories. And yes, some Paige mannerisms had stuck. And..Charming had said they were both. She didn’t disagree. But...Sometimes it felt like she was neither, lost somewhere between Grace and Paige. So maybe it was better that Hook wasn’t cursed even if it meant he didn’t know the first thing about computers and cell phones.
“Once a pirate always a pirate!” she assured him proudly. Grace very much liked the title and never planned on giving it up. Besides, she was one in her heart of hearts. Being on the Jolly Roger had changed her, permanently. She’d learned so many things. And she who’d been homeless had been reminded of what it was like to have a family, to have a place where she belonged however briefly.
Grace chuckled when he said pirates weren’t well received. “You have no idea. I’ll have to show you the disney movie Peter Pan.” She paused, realizing he had no idea what a movie was. “A movie’s kind of like a book. But instead of words you have pictures. And these pictures aren’t like the pictures in books at all. See they move and talk and things. It’s hard to explain.” That was the best way she could describe it. But he probably still had no idea what she was talking about. “I’ll have to show you when you aren’t a fugitive,” she teased. Although that actually would be a really interesting experience.
Her smile widened at Hook’s nod. She really was glad she could help him out!
Grace nodded her head enthusiastically when her captain said pirates should know many things. “I’m learning more and more all the time!” she assured him.
She frowned at the way he leaned over, figuring he was attempting to ease the pain. He wasn’t on his deathbed or anything. But she knew he’d broken some ribs and had to be hurting. “There are some pain killers that could help. Do you want me to bring them to you?” She knew where the medicine was kept and had easy access to it. After all, she was one of the people in charge of restocking supplies. Explaining why a few bottles had gone missing wouldn’t be fun. But it wouldn’t be that strange considering they had a pirate resident. Hook clearly had the skills to pick simple cabinet locks. And she would do whatever she could to help her captain! Always!
“You taught me well captain! And I’ve been practicing on my own!” She’d been borrowing books about maps from the library. And really, she’d learned a great deal during her time aboard the Jolly Roger.
Grace beamed when Hook said he knew she could take care of herself, pleased with the compliment even though his tone was teasing. She could tell he actually thought that. But he was still worried about her. Hook was a good person! She knew it! Pirates didn’t have to be immoral!
“Oh don’t worry Captain! I learned a neat trick while you were away! Crocodile tears!” That was something she’d picked up as Paige. When patients were being difficult, sometimes she’d need to resort to crying like that to make sure they took their medicine or otherwise followed hospital regulations. Of course she could just call the paid staff; but, she’d much rather handle things on her own if she could!
tag: --- notes: --- |
TEMPLATE BY ELIZA
|
|
|
|
Post by Grace Hatter on Mar 18, 2015 5:53:27 GMT
Grace smiled, relieved when Hook parted his lips to drink. But the smile quickly vanished as he sputtered on the liquid and jerked his head up far too quickly. Then he continued to make matters worse by moving into an upright position. “You shouldn’t move yet!” she reprimanded, concern evident in her voice. Not like she expected her captain to listen. He was a stubborn one. And clearly someone had knocked him out. And as he was working with Cora...It didn’t take a genius to figure out who. And that being the case, he’d been betrayed and would likely be in a temper. Pirates held no love for those who crossed them. So if she knew her captain, and she’d wager she did, he’d be hell bent on chasing after Cora immediately which was a dreadful idea all the way around!
What did he honestly think he could do to Cora?! The Queen of Hearts had crazy magic! Grace had been in the diner, sipping some tea in a corner, reading a book when Regina barged in on Rumplestiltskin’s and Belle’s date. Granny had tried to close up early and force everyone out, fearing a confrontation; but, Regina assured Granny it was okay, that they were civil. And then Regina told Rumplesttiltskin Cora was coming from their land! Even the Dark One had looked nervous! So yes...She was not an opponent her captain could handle, certainly not on his own and certainly not in this condition! Grace had witnessed some of her terrifying magic through the mirror. If Hook was smart, he’d stay far away. But well...She knew how he got when vengeance was involved. So yes, she was very worried!
The first word out of Hook’s mouth was Cora. She knew it! This line of thought was going nowhere good! This was promptly followed by a “where is she”. Just great. Her captain was in a temper. She knew that tone.
“I don’t know,” she said honestly. “But I overheard Snow White and Prince Charming. They’re looking for the dagger. I’m sure Cora is too.” Things were only going to escalate. Even if Snow and Charming got a hold of the dagger first...All Cora had to do was find them. How could they protect themselves without magic?!
“But no going after her now! You need to rest and get some fluid in you!” she said firmly, holding up the water bottle to him. She really wanted to question him, ask how and why he’d gotten entangled with someone as cruel and malicious as Cora. But he wasn’t feeling well. So questions could and would wait. His health was the priority.
She didn’t want to encourage him to go after Cora period. But well..She knew he wouldn’t take that well. It would be a miracle if he’d stay put long enough to recover completely. But if he insisted on being reckless, she’d pull out all the stops and point out just how foolish opposing Cora would be. If he wanted to stand any chance against her, he’d need some powerful magical artifact or weapon or something. And as far as Grace knew, he was fresh out.
tag: --- notes: --- |
TEMPLATE BY ELIZA
|
|
|
|
Post by Grace Hatter on Mar 17, 2015 4:39:47 GMT
“Do you think that’s really true?” she asked softly when Hook said the Dark One would never do anything to spare anyone’s feelings. To her...Rumplestiltskin had seemed...sad maybe even a little lonely. “Everyone cares about someone,” she asserted. The Dark One had no reason to care about her it was true. But even if he didn’t care about her at all, she was sure there was someone he loved and worried about! That’s how people worked! You couldn’t live without attachments, connections. Grace’s heart was aching because Papa was gone. She didn’t have that special person with her anymore. But she still loved him and still cared! Surely everyone had someone like that!
So Hook had no idea of why the Dark One would want a stuffed rabbit and cloak either. Hardly surprising. Hook had quite the reputation. But he wasn’t known for being magical. The way she heard it, none of his crew possessed one ounce of magic. It made what they did all the more impressive. But that being the case, he probably wouldn’t understand why Rumplestiltskin would need anything. The Dark One relied on magic.
Hook’s disdain for the Dark One was becoming more and more clear by the minute. He didn’t think he cared about anyone’s feelings. And now he wasn’t even willing to admit he had a heart?! That was ridiculous! Unless someone’s heart had been magically ripped out of their chest, everyone had one! Surely the Dark One was no exception.
“Why do you hate him so much?” she asked bluntly. She supposed it was none of her business. But it bothered her. Even if he had his own reasons, Rumplestiltskin had helped her. He showed her the truth when no one else would. And he gave her a way to check on her papa whenever she wanted! Well..It wasn’t exactly a matter of wanting...seeing him like that...It was...It was a compulsion, an obsession. She couldn’t not look.
Grace smiled at Hook’s proud tone. She thought a captain should appreciate and love his ship. And the Jolly Roger certainly looked splendid to her! She was excited to ride the vessel! And she definitely had a much nicer view up on deck!
“Can you tell me about one of your adventures?!” she asked eagerly. She really would love to hear a tale from the famous Captain Hook!
“Oh she doesn’t look ordinary at all! She’s gorgeous! Where did the name come from?!” she piped up.
tag: --- notes: --- |
TEMPLATE BY ELIZA
|
|
|
|
Post by Grace Hatter on Mar 17, 2015 4:12:16 GMT
She nodded her head in firm agreement when Hook said experience was the only way to learn. She loved books, particularly fantasy and science fiction ones. And they were undoubtedly useful when it came to research. But there was only so much you could learn from them. Experience was the best teacher. Reading about CPR wasn’t enough to fully prepare you. If Grace really wanted to be a doctor, her studies should exist outside of books. And the hospital was helping her with that. She’d seen a great deal and even helped as much as she was allowed. Now she understood things she otherwise wouldn’t. Visualization was certainly better when you had living, breathing specimens. Not to write people off as lab rats or anything! But pictures just weren’t the same!
Grace chuckled as her captain spoke of boxes with flashing images. “Storybrooke is more advanced than the Enchanted Forest. Our technology is greatly improved!” She wouldn’t consider herself a technology nut by any stretch of the imagination. But she was still grateful for it. Things like refrigerators were extremely convenient when it came to preserving food. Practical and efficient. And thanks to better medicine, more lives could be saved! Magic could do much; but, even it couldn’t handle everything. And when it came to diseases...General healing magic didn’t seem to work. Maybe the conditions were too specialized and healing magic was for generic things like broken legs and shattered ribs?
She grinned at Hook’s cheers. Grace would have offered to pick the lock herself. She knew her captain had to be hurting. But she also knew he was a prideful man and would prefer to do it himself. And she had no doubt that he could. After all, he’d already done it once. And this was the infamous Captain Hook they were talking about. She knew he was good. She’d seen him in action herself. He’d even taught her a trick or too. She smiled at the thought. She’d learned all sorts of things about navigation and the like.
Hook didn’t quite cringe; but, she saw the shift of expression and knew what it meant. Her lips curled downwards. She didn’t like seeing her captain like this. But she knew it was as he said. He’d seen worse days. She watched with interest as he opened the bobby pin with his lips.
She laughed lightly. “No, I don’t need it back. I have two others on me now.” Yes, she liked to leave with them in triplicate just to be on the safe side! One never knew when they might encounter a curious locked door!
Grace smiled softly when Hook uncuffed himself, flexing his wrist, affirming that was much better with a smile. Now, that looked more like the captain she knew and loved!
She beamed at her captain’s thanks. “A pirate’s always prepared!” Even separated from them, she still had a captain, crew, and ship. For a brief time the Jolly Roger had been her home. So it was still a part of her. No one could convince her otherwise. In her mind, the ship was part hers too.
Grace frowned as Hook’s face slightly twisted when he rose. But well..That really was to be expected given his condition. She quickly rearranged her features to hide her concern, knowing Hook didn’t appreciate that sort of attention.
She smiled again at his “most excellent”. “Glad to be of assistance Captain!” She chuckled. “Pirates should know how to make good maps, right?” She hoped he found her craftsmanship suitable. She was proud of it; but, she knew she was fairly new at the game. As a pirate, she was sure Hook had seen many more impressive maps.
She chuckled at Hook’s warning. His words were teasing; but, she could tell he genuinely was concerned for her. “Worried about me Captain?” she teased back.
tag: --- notes: --- |
TEMPLATE BY ELIZA
|
|
|
|
Post by Grace Hatter on Mar 17, 2015 2:45:39 GMT
So much had been going on recently! Grace was certainly relieved to hear that Archie wasn’t dead! She was less enthused to hear that her captain had somehow been involved in the abduction. She didn’t know the details. But Storybrooke was a small town; and, people talked. It was all about knowing where to listen and asking the right questions. It also helped that Grace was close to Herny who was involved in pretty much everything.
The good news was that Archie was alive. But one bit of bad news was someone else was dead in his place. Magic had been used to shift the corpse to look like someone else, in this case Archie. They still hadn’t figured out who yet. And determining that wasn’t the priority at the moment. A worse piece of news was that Cora, the Queen of Hearts, was here. And that could only mean terrible things. That was why Emma had taken Henry with her on her trip to New York to find Rumplestiltskin's son.
Henry had come to say goodbye to Grace first which she was grateful for. And he’d warned her to be careful since Cora was here in Storybrooke (which was really sweet of him)! Grace knew she was both powerful and dangerous thanks to her magic mirror. She’d seen what the woman had done to Papa, how she terrified all those that resided in Wonderland. So yes...This was very, very bad! And more upsetting was the fact that her captain had been working alongside Cora!
But Grace wanted to believe in him! There had to be a reason! She’d ask when she got the chance. But at the moment...Things had just been insanely hectic even by Storybrooke standards. Cora had captured some giant who’d gotten big for a time. Grace could guess how. She was willing to bet a Wonderland mushroom was involved. She’d had a bite herself when she’d used Papa’s hat to get there. It could easily make him that huge. He'd caused some destruction; and, a few people got injured. Nothing super serious; but, the General Hospital had seen some activity. And Archie had come to the hospital for a bit after his return, to make sure he was alright. And for the most part he was.
Well..At least there was one other piece of good news. Archie wasn’t dead which meant Regina hadn’t killed him. Grace was the type of person to believe in the best of others to begin with. She’d been convinced that Regina wanted to change for Henry’s sake! So she didn’t want to believe the terrible things people were saying about Archie. She wasn’t sure if it had been wrong of her but...She’d tried to give Henry hope, say he should trust his mother. Regina might have been Henry’s adoptive mother; but, she’d raised him all his life! So Grace was sure she loved him! You didn’t give people a home if you didn’t love them! Regina might have made all sorts of mistakes. As Paige she’d learned just how alienated and unloved Henry felt. But well...She still wanted to believe Henry and Regina could be a happy family. So she hadn’t been so willing to accept Regina had killed Archie. And her belief had been rewarded! Regina was innocent!
Although now there was the issue of her captain. Well hopefully her belief there would be well founded too! And although Archie had been abducted, he hadn’t been killed. Belle had been shot; but, fortunately she was recovering fine. Well...minus the memories. Grace was still hopeful there was a way to restore them! She didn’t know enough about magic to begin to guess how; but, maybe one of the books in the library would help!
She knew that the odds were slim; but, she’d never forgive herself if she didn’t at least try! Belle was suffering because she didn’t know who she was anymore! And this library was no ordinary library. Regina had made it. Grace knew there were all kind of books inside, including ones about magic. She should know. As Paige she’d...Well she’d been a bit of a delinquent which was a weird thought considering she’d had top notch grades, volunteered in the hospital, and been a girl scout. So yeah...She was the last person people would suspect for that sort of thing. And well..breaking into a library wasn’t that awful! It was shut down; and, the books were just collecting dust! She’d only wanted access to more books! The lock picking skills had stayed with her apparently. Although it wasn’t like a closed library was terribly protected.
It was better to have something to occupy her mind now anyways. Otherwise she’d go nuts worrying. Henry was safe for the moment in New York. But with Cora in town...Certainly no one else was! Grace hoped that the Queen of Hearts wouldn’t care about Papa enough to bother him. But...Cora was ambitious and cruel; and, her being here spelled the worst news for everyone!
Grace knew she had some magic given her teleportation stunts. But control...She didn’t really have it at least not that much at the moment. It was more reflexive, triggered by intense emotions. And even if she had completely mastered it, that wouldn’t really help with Cora level magic! No, she was smart enough to realize she’d only get in people’s way.
Hopefully Henry would be gone for a while so she wouldn’t need to worry about him too. And hopefully Snow and Prince Charming, the experienced heroes, would figure out some way to deal with Cora. Although..Neither one of them had any magic. Not a comforting thought. But they were used to fighting sorcerers at least! Right then..No point in getting depressed! If all Grace could do was research to try and find some way to help either Belle or the heroes with Cora...That’s what she’d do!
It was nice that the library was open; and, everyone could read books now. But if Grace was honest, she missed picking the lock a little bit. The library had once been her refuge, her secret garden of sorts. But she could always find a new place just for her, some abandoned warehouse or something. And books were meant to be read!
Grace swung open the library doors, eager to get to work when she saw a most familiar form slumped over on the ground. “Captain!” she cried out, immediately running to his side. She quickly pressed her fingers against his wrist, sighing in relief when she felt a pulse. She leaned down near his head and felt his warm breath on her ear, confirming he was in fact breathing. So it was alright. He was just knocked out. He’d come to quickly. Well, at least she suspected he would. He was Captain Hook after all. She knew for a fact this wasn’t the first time he’d been knocked out.
If this was anyone else, she’d call the hospital to get them checked out. But he’d certainly seen worse and...He wasn’t exactly an outstanding citizen. Emma wasn’t in town at the moment, being off in New York with Henry and Rumplestiltskin. But Charming or someone else could easily arrest Hook and throw him in a cell. He was wanted for a number of crimes by this point. At least she assumed he still was. (Storybrooke wasn’t entirely conventional.) Best not to risk it over something minor like this. He didn’t look too bruised. He should be fine.
Grace knew she wasn’t strong enough to drag her captain far. And there really wasn’t much point in trying to move him anyways. The library was small and lacked basic luxuries like couches. It really was best to leave him where he was. She’d just try and make him more comfortable when he woke up. Fortunately, she’d planned on staying in the library for a while with her research project. So she’d brought some bottled water and crackers for snacks. (She also had a box of girl scout cookies to sate her sweet tooth.) So she’d have something to offer her captain when he awoke.
She heard his groan and saw the way his eyes fluttered open for a moment before promptly closing them again. “Captain, can you hear me?!” she asked concerned. “You’re probably dehydrated! You should drink something!” She twisted off the cap and placed the bottle up to his lips. Even if he wasn’t ready to move, he should get something into his system, especially water! “Drink!” she ordered in a tone that brooked no argument. Yes, it was presumptuous for her to command her captain. She knew that. But she was training to be a doctor! And this was no time for stubbornness or indecision on his part! She knew the water would help him!
tag: --- notes: --- |
TEMPLATE BY ELIZA
|
|
|
|
Post by Grace Hatter on Mar 15, 2015 18:47:40 GMT
When she gave Papa’s name, Hook wore this expression as though the name was familiar but he couldn’t quite place it. But at her explanation of portal jumper, his eyes brightened in recognition. So he had heard of Papa?! Well apparently he’d had quite the reputation when Grace was a baby so much so that some circles still spoke of his work!
It still struck Grace as strange that Hook was so interested in the sorcerer she’d come to as well as Papa. What exactly did he want? There was no doubt he’d grown more curious the moment she’d mentioned Rumplestiltskin. Now why would that be? Had he worked with him before? Or was he someone Hook wished to make a deal with and so learn more about?
Yes, it was best to be cautious when it came to deals with the Dark One. Grace had heard awful stories of agreements not ending nearly as well as her own. Apparently Rumplestiltskin could be...quite cruel and vindictive if someone didn’t hold up their end. Fortunately, as difficult as it had been to part with her treasures, she had paid up. No, Grace liked to consider herself a girl of her word! Promises were important! And once made she had every intention of delivering!
Papa...Papa had always kept his promises to her up until that very last time! But it wasn’t his fault! It was an accident! He’d tried his best to fulfill it! And Grace was sure Papa would still want her to keep her word no matter what else happened!
Oh great...Now he was asking for details about her deal! She didn’t want to lie but was still wary of telling him about the mirror in her possession. “I was worried he might be lying to spare my feelings. I thought Papa might be dead.” It really wasn’t like him to break his promise and be late for tea! And he’d been gone for weeks by that point! She was scared witless!
“He showed me where Papa was with a magic mirror.” That was true. And there was no need to tell him she still had it. Hopefully..He had no intention of checking her bag. If he did he’d find the mirror ordinary looking as it was and might very well put two and two together and seize it!
“So if he wasn’t being kind, why do you think he wanted them?” she asked curiously. She still couldn’t make sense of it and would really like to know!
When they were on deck, Hook nodded at her thanks which made her feel more welcomed still. She was being treated much better than she ever would have dreamed for being a caught stowaway.
“So how did you get the Jolly Roger?!” she asked eagerly. “It’s a wonderful ship!” she breathed. Grace was going to be here for a while so she might as well learn what she could! Yes, she’d heard rumors about how the captain had acquired his vessels; but, it was one thing to listen to stories and another thing to hear a first hand account from the captain himself even as she expected he’d embellish the tale at least slightly to bolster his reputation!
tag: --- notes: --- |
TEMPLATE BY ELIZA
|
|
|
|
Post by Grace Hatter on Mar 15, 2015 17:31:58 GMT
 Papa was in the kitchen making tea. Grace couldn’t wait! To her, no one made more delicious tea than Papa! Although being young and secluded, she hadn’t tasted very many teas. There were the ones Papa made; and, the ones the neighbors made. But there was no doubt in little Grace’s mind that Papa’s was the best! He was home, done with his work for the day; and, soon she’d be sipping that very scrumptious tea!
But Grace was filled with energy and not content to sit still and wait! Papa seemed to be taking forever! Papa had told her not to run inside the house but...He was in the kitchen so she didn’t think he’d know so long as she was quiet! After running a few laps around her table with the tea set and her beloved stuff animals, giggling softy, she noticed Papa’s hat. It was soooo pretty! All of a sudden she was overwhelmed with a great desire to feel it, play with it. Papa looked so cool when he flipped it on his head! She’d try something like that!
She hustled over to where it was hung up. It was a little above her head so she had to jump to grab it; but, soon she was rewarded when her fingers closed around the smooth silk. She tugged and yanked it down, falling backwards slightly as she did so. But the prize was hers! She grinned proudly, hugging the hat to her chest. Yes! It felt very nice indeed! Now..If she could just figure out how to flip it like Papa!
Grace threw it up in the air, trying to catch it with her head. She wasn’t sure what exactly she’d done wrong. But she knew before it would land that things hadn’t gone quite right. Not enough force? The angle was wrong?
Oh well! She didn’t believe in giving up! She’d try again! But..Maybe if she got a better feel for it... Flipping was like spinning wasn’t it? Only it was spun up rather than to the side! At least that’s what she thought! But spinning was easier! Maybe if she practiced spinning first it would go better!
She grinned and nodded her head in a determined fashion. Yes! She was doing that! She tossed the hat to the side, watching it twirl! But then..Something amazing happened! Her eyes widened in delight and wonder as the hat expanded and exuded purple smoke. She rushed closer to get a better look, jumping a bit just for the joy of the surprise and then...It was like the smoke grabbed her and pulled her inside. Just like magic!
Grace was giggling when she fell into a new place, landing on her feet like a cat. There were so many colorful doors! She clapped her hands excitedly as her head tossed and turned, trying to drink them all in at once!
She saw there was a looking glass and immediately moved towards it not because she was vain but because she wasn’t sure where the hat had gone. She couldn’t see it anywhere. Maybe the looking glass could show her! It had to be somewhere in the room didn’t it?
Grace still couldn’t find the hat but as a curious child..Well she had to touch the glass! Only..It didn’t feel like glass at all and she gasped, both eager and startled when her fingers slipped right through it as though the looking glass wasn’t glass at all but some sort of liquid. The hat entirely forgotten, she stepped outside the ‘glass’ to see grass and gigantic mushrooms! She clapped her hands again, giddy! What was this place?! It looked fun! She took off running determined to explore! Maybe she could even bring Papa back a few mushrooms to sell at market!
tag: --- notes: --- |
TEMPLATE BY ELIZA
|
|
