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Post by Grace Hatter on Mar 8, 2015 5:19:19 GMT
 Grace didn’t have to wait all that long for someone to come and answer the door. The man who greeted her was well dressed. She couldn’t say she was terribly surprised by that. Why shouldn’t he have nice clothes? If his house or rather mansion was any indication, he could afford the very best. Admittedly his attire was the first thing she noticed. But he didn’t panic right away. Her brain had time to process the face. Light blue eyes. Brown hair. Skin that looked like it hadn’t seen the sun in quite some time but not deathly or sickly pale. By the time the man’s sapphire orbs watered, her eyes were widened in the shock of recognition. She’d never met this man but... “I know you!” she said stunned, entirely ignoring his comment. Somehow selling Girl Scout cookies didn’t seem important anymore. Not right now. How...How could the man in the mirror be real?! 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 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. 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 11 years, she could never find one, never so much as hear one. Not until very, very recently. See? Silly! After Henry and Dr. Hopper had been rescued, she’d heard them. They must have been there all along and she just...missed them somehow. 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 11. 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. But now here the face was out of the mirror! Was she losing it?! No it was probably more simple than that. Maybe the mirror originally belonged to him or someone he loved or something and so it had his picture locked behind glass. Although it seemed less locked behind glass and more just...It was the mirror. For someone who loved to read...Her vocabulary was really failing her. But the mirror was just...really odd. .She wanted to make sure anyways! She...Was probably paranoid; but, the mirror was a precious treasure. If she lost it, it wouldn’t just be like she’d misplaced a shoe or something. He was her confidant. He was her support network. She couldn’t bare the thought of being separated. It was horribly irrational she knew. She had her other stuffed animals. And she never brought any of them to school. But the mirror, the mirror never left her side. It wasn’t pocket size; but, she always carefully packed it away in her backpack. It was a handheld mirror, one that could easily fit inside her backpack even being on the longer end of the spectrum. She tenderly extracted her bluish silver gem and gazed into it. Like always it was not her own face that stared back at her but a man’s who was maybe...She was bad with aging. Her best bet would be late twenties, early thirties. Those eyes, that hair..He was even wearing a scarf like that very wealthy man! No, there was no mistaking it! That was definitely him! She held the mirror up to the door in any case, turning it around so the image was pointed his way. “This is you, isn’t it, the man in the mirror?” Her voice was more hesitant than she would have liked. But...This was crazy! She’d never thought this man in the mirror was anyone real! It was just a funny picture. But now...Here he was in a mansion she’d never even seen before. Was this a result of her imagination acting up or something? Things like that...normally didn’t happen. But...She couldn’t even guess how many hours she’d spent staring at the mirror, talking to the man like he was someone real, someone beloved and special. That was him! That was definitely him! She shouldn’t second guess herself like this! But it was...There was no denying that this was really unusual!
“Did the mirror used to be yours?” Why did it have his face?! She didn’t even know how she got the mirror. It was one of the many things she just couldn’t remember, another thing that just didn’t add up and made her question her sanity. “Please, please look at it!” He had to confirm that she wasn’t crazy! The desperation was evident in her tone. She just needed him to say yes that was him that she wasn’t completely off her rocker. He had to see it too! He was the man in her mirror made flesh and blood! It wasn’t in her head! It was odd but this was real! He could prove that this one strange thing at least wasn’t a figment of her imagination! She was so worked into a frenzy that it took her a moment to realize he’d called her something different. Not Paige, the name that so tormented her but...Grace? It...Why hadn’t she corrected him?! Hadn’t..hadn’t he confused her with someone else?! But the name was soothing and felt so right that she hadn’t thought to comment. Hers?...Yes...It just...made so much more sense than Paige! This was madness! Paige! Paige had always been her name! But... “Grace, is that who I am?” she said softly. The words tumbled off her tongue without a thought. What was she saying?! She knew who she was! She might hate the name for some irrational reason but she was a Paige not a Grace! Tears brimmed in her eyes. Why...Why did all of this hurt so much?! She couldn’t understand it! |
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Post by Grace Hatter on Mar 8, 2015 4:54:58 GMT
 She had no idea if Papa could hear her or not. Okay...What if he couldn’t? Should she keep shouting? Probably not. She’d used that trick they’d taught her in Girl Scouts if you were in trouble. Don’t just yell. Use your diaphragm. Project your voice. If Papa hadn’t heard her yet it was unlikely that he ever would. It would be a waste of breath. Either the walls were too thick, her voice too soft, or Papa too deep in slumber or some combination of the three. Although she seriously doubted it was the last one. Grace had been observant as a child and as she’d grown so had her power of observation. Papa was not a sound sleeper. Sleeping in general was difficult for him. When she’d been little and woke up screaming or crying because of some nightmare, Papa had instantly been at her side. Yes, she knew voices tended to carry in a one room home. But the response time was too good. He could come to her aid that fast because he’d been awake or only lightly sleeping. And the lack of sleep hadn’t seemed to change over the years. She’d watched him with the magic mirror. In Wonderland...Sleep seemed like a very foreign concept to him indeed. Day after day, hour after endless hour, he made hats. The mirror could only show. It didn’t allow her to hear or communicate. But she knew enough. The sorcerer had told Grace about the magic hat the queen had stolen, the one that allowed Papa to travel to different worlds. It didn’t take a genius to figure out what he was up to. He was trying to make another one. Papa was fighting to get back to her! How her hopes had risen with each new hat, praying that this was the one, that this time he’d done it. And how quickly they fell, were bitterly crushed time and time again when each hat proved to be just one more failure, an unwelcome reminder of the time that continued to slip away from the two of them. Grace could admit she’d become obsessed. She didn’t want to forget Papa’s face. She didn’t want to forget anything about him! She didn’t wish to worry the neighbors so she’d never mentioned her visit to the sorcerer. They would have skinned her alive if they knew who she’d gone to see totry and figure out what had happened to Papa after the queen hadn’t given her the answers she sought. But things had ended well enough. Sort of...She’d been depressed to learn that Papa was trapped in a whole different world without his portal. And it had certainly been difficult to give up the stuffed animal Papa had made for her right before he left. That had been her most cherished possession in all the world. But that was the deal. Give him the stuffed animal in exchange for information. (Although she couldn’t understand for the life of her what someone as powerful as him would want with some stitched toy!) And she had to know the truth! This was her only hope! And then she’d given up that dear jacket she adored with the little colored leaf pattern, the one Papa had buttoned up for her before he left. It was too small to fit by that point; but, it didn’t matter. It was a fervent reminder of Papa, as precious as it was painful. It made the memory of their parting ever more poignant. But like the rabbit it was proof of the bond they shared, of just how much Papa had loved her to make such things for her in their poverty. She’d given it up anyways because the sorcerer had said he could give her something that might help, the magic mirror. She gazed in the mirror daily. She couldn’t say wether the mirror was a blessing or a curse; but, it was all she had of Papa. At least she could see him and know he was alive. But he was not well. He was...She hadn’t liked that deranged look in his eyes or his obsessive behavior. But whenever she could get away with it, she’d watch him. She supposed the neighbors would say she wasted away her days. But they were none the wiser. Grace wanted to be good for Papa and show her gratitude for the kindhearted neighbors who cared for her. She helped them as much as she could. She just devoted her spare time to the mirror, silently encouraging Papa with words she knew he’d never hear. Perhaps the mirror was a cruelty rather than a gift. All she could do was watch helplessly, see her papa drift further and further into the realm of madness. She didn’t think he’d quite...lost it. But neither did he seem..entirely there. But then if Papa could see her...Perhaps he’d say the same. Weary eyes. Distant heart. Dreams she’d so carefully tended and built up just to see them mercilessly destroyed. Just another hat. Nothing magical. Nothing special. Not a portal Papa could use. So much grief. It pained her to see just how unhappy Papa was. She wanted to be with him, hug him, comfort him, let him know she was there and she cared and that she loved him! But she could do none of these things. Watch not touch. They were trapped in two different worlds, longing for the other, cursed to live separately. But she could never give up the hope of a reunion, however brittle and frail it was. Papa tried to make his hat; and, she tried to find a portal. One of them would make it to the other one. Papa would come for her! And he had. He’d found her. That’s what mattered. It had taken an exhausting number of years and then another 28 cursed ones on top of those; but, here they were. And his sleep still seemed troubled. She wasn’t certain if Papa was aware of the nightmares she’d been having. She didn’t want to worry him so she tried to hide them. But she’d wandered down the stairs to get herself a glass of milk, hoping that would ease her back to sleep when she woke. And sometimes when she did so she’d spy a light that shouldn’t be on. But she said nothing about it and only tried to sneak back to her room, silent as a mouse. Because she seriously doubted that Papa worried about her any less than he had when she was a little kid. He’d want to know what was wrong. But it wasn’t so simple anymore. When she was little she’d share each and every nightmare. Of course she would! Papa could make everything better! But now...Grace’s fears would hurt him. And the last thing she wanted was for him to feel any more guilty. She didn’t blame him for their cruel separation. Nor did she blame the queen. It was just...an unfortunate occurrence. Things had ended badly. If she blamed anyone it was herself. Why had she ever picked up the rabbit? She should never have touched it, never given Papa reason to doubt that he was all she needed. More than anything she wanted to ask Papa if he was upset with her for it, if he blamed her. And she wanted to know if...she’d turned out alright. Was she someone he could love and be proud of? But she couldn’t ask, terrified both of the answer and the strain it would put on her papa. So the nightmares...There was no helping them. Don’t ask don’t tell was the name of the game. She didn’t ask Papa about his sleepless nights; and, she prayed he would do the same. It would be best if he didn’t even notice. She pretended she didn’t notice with him. It was a mercy. She was very good at the game. She just tried to be this supportive force to Papa. She hoped she could still be that for him. But maybe she couldn’t be! Maybe she was just this stranger! What if Papa looked at her and just wanted his little girl back, the one he’d left all those years ago in the Enchanted Forest?! What if he really hated who she was now?! What if her hugs just upset him?! Calm down! Calm down! She really didn’t need this right now! She had to stay focused! If she got distracted and her foot slipped...She did NOT want this to be the end of her story, to die without ever asking Papa those difficult questions! She was jarred from her painful thoughts by Papa’s voice, comforting as ever. There was no fear in his voice. He promised her he was coming! Right! Right! Calm down. She should be like Papa and try to relax. She nodded her head to show Papa she understood. Deep breaths. Deep breaths. In and out. It would be fine. It would be fine. Then Papa disappeared! He just left! What if she never saw him again?! It wouldn’t be the first time he’d disappeared! But at least last time........Get a grip! This wasn’t like that! Papa wouldn’t abandon her! He was just...getting a ladder or something! It would be fine. Just don’t move and wait for help. Remember the training. Do not panic. Fear made people irrational. She couldn’t afford to do anything stupid right now. Just focus on breathing and wait. Wait like a good little girl, Papa’s girl. She always waited for him. She jumped, startled by the noise when Papa came out with a ladder in tow. She flailed and nearly lost her balance but...She got a hold of herself in time. “Papa!” Tears brimmed in her eyes; but, she quickly brushed them away. Stupid. Of course he came back for her! Papa always came back. She really needed to get this fear under control. She wasn’t going to be separated from him again! She wasn’t! The nightmares and fears were all just stress talking! Grace smiled a bit at the “baby”. Papa still saw her as his! She really was still his little girl, wasn’t she? It was okay. She just needed to come to him. She again nodded her head to show she understood, as he held his arms out towards her. But...Could she make it there without falling?! She wasn’t clumsy or anything; but, she’d never walked on a roof before! Don’t look down! Don’t look down! Move! Papa told her to come! She always listened! She didn’t want to disappoint him! But there she stood, rooted to the spot, terror holding her prisoner. No! She could do this! She could do this! She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Papa was waiting for her. This time it was her turn to come to him. If she didn’t move...Papa would come for her and then he might lose his balance and get hurt or worse killed! She didn’t want that! Heart pounding like mad she opened her eyes and tried to just pretend she was on flat ground. This wasn’t a roof. It was the floor. And there was Papa. She timidly moved forward, one baby step at a time. When she was within reach, she grabbed his hand, a bit too tightly, betraying her nerves. She stared at Papa with panic stricken eyes, silently asking what she should do next. She was going to fall! She was going to fall! She was going to fall! |
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Post by Grace Hatter on Mar 8, 2015 4:36:39 GMT
 Grace had been scared. Of course she believed in her Papa! He was her papa! He’d been working so hard to get back to her. She’d seen it, gazing in the mirror day after day, trying to make a new portal. He’d been trying to build one and she’d been trying to find one. But...both of them had failed and years had passed. A curse was the only reason they were in the same realm. Paige had been working in the hospital when it broke, when all the memories came flooding back. She knew Papa was in Storybrooke! Her first thought was that she should run to him, embrace him, apologize for their separation and beg and plead for him to forgive her. But...First there was something she had to do. There had been no hesitation in her mind. She knew Papa was here because she’d spoken with him after Emma came to town. Although the neighbors had been raising her for a while, all she could think about was a proper reunion with Papa. But..She still owed them an explanation, a proper goodbye.That had been...a painful conversation. They’d been so kind and good to her for all those years. They had looked after her as though she were their own daughter. But she was not their daughter. She had Papa. And more than anything she wanted to get back to him. She’d tried to adequately express her gratitude for all they’d done; but, with tears in her eyes she’d explained that if he would have her, she wished to live with Papa. She told them she knew he was in Storybrooke and she begged for them to understand that as much as she loved and cared for them, Papa was still her family. You didn’t abandon family EVER! The neighbors had been so sweet and understanding. They really were very nice people. Marcella had warmly taken Grace’s hand in her own and said that they were only supposed to watch Grace until Papa came back. If he was back she should go to him. Marcel patted Grace’s shoulder and told her that of course she should find Papa and be with him that they’d been separated for too long already. Marcella assured Grace that they didn’t find her ungrateful or spoiled. No child should live apart from a parent who wanted them. Both promised Grace that she could visit whenever she liked and that they would always be there to support her. She might not be their little girl; but, they cared about her. Although Marcel, always more reserved, merely nodded his head at the last part. Marcella wept and even Marcel’s eyes grew misty like he was close to tears. Grace could only remember him looking that way a handful of times. They promised to keep an eye out for Papa. Grace had made her posters even though really no one but Papa could possibly recognize his face from her....rather horrible drawing. She poured all her love and affection into it but...That really hadn’t made the picture any better. Drawing had never been her strength. But Papa was in Storybrooke. She was confident he would find her! She...She could have come right to his house but...She wanted Papa to seek her out. She...She was scared of forcing herself on him. She thought...maybe...He’d be upset about the rabbit, her selfish wish. And she was terrified that...He might not feel the same way about her after all those years apart, that time might have broken their bond. She’d planned on being a good girl and waiting, leaving her posters to show her feelings. But...The day went on. And he wasn’t there. Finally, she’d worked up the nerve to come to his home and ring the doorbell one million times late at night but..he never answered. She wasn’t sure if that was because he was elsewhere or because...He didn’t want to see her. She’d sobbed for a while before drying her tears, composing herself enough to return to the neighbors and smile like always. But now the very next day, he’d come for her! She’d gone to school after the curse broke and the wraith attacked like everything was normal because she was a good student! She wasn’t the type to ever skip class. She even had cursed memories of the neighbors forcing her to stay home when she was sick because she wanted to learn. Grace certainly didn’t want to get into bad habits! And then there was the fact that Papa knew she was a student. The most likely place for him to look for her was school. And he’d come to get her when classes were over right before she caught the bus. He’d called out her name; and, she immediately knew it was him! She’d run to him and he’d scooped her up like he always had. He didn’t say a word; but, he didn’t have to. He was here! Whatever reasons he had for waiting..He was here now! And she could tell by the way he sniffed..He was happy! He was...Papa was like her, fighting back tears. It had been so long since he’d touched her, since he’d held her like this, kissed her. But here..Here he was! So many emotions swirled around inside her, she could hardly make sense of them. But Papa..Papa was here! She was so happy she thought her heart might burst for joy. She wanted to say something but..couldn’t find the words. How could she begin to express what she was feeling?! “Welcome home, Papa!” It was the first thing she could think of. No, they weren’t home. They were still out in the open by the school. But...Really, Papa was her home. Wherever he was, that was home. She’d been homeless for so long, without even realizing it. But now...She had her family back! In Papa’s arms, she had her safe haven. She had her light, her world, her heart. Maybe now she could fix what was broken. |
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Post by Grace Hatter on Mar 8, 2015 4:10:23 GMT
 Grace didn’t like Papa being gone. She never said as much because she knew it would make Papa sad. But...She couldn’t help but be afraid. She wanted to be brave and strong like Papa! But...Mama had disappeared so long ago Grace couldn’t even remember her face. Sometimes she’d squeeze her eyes shut and try really hard, see if she could summon anything. Sometimes...she thought she could recall something...part of a lullaby. But...She wasn’t sure that just wasn’t her imagination. She’d been so little. Papa...Papa was all she had, her only family in all the land. Some people had really big families, grandparents and things. Not Grace. Papa was her world. But that was okay! Papa took the best care of her! And she tried to help him out however she could, be the best little girl! She knew Papa had a hard time of things. She might young; but, she was an extremely perceptive child. She understood Papa and her were poor. Papa had to worry about all sorts of things to feed them, keep them clothed, and keep the house too. She didn’t really understand everything about it but...There were these things called taxes. It had something to do with paying money. Papa grew really concerned around that time. He tried to hide it from Grace. But she’d talked to the neighbors and people at market to try and understand. So...At a certain time a year people had to pay for things. It really confused her. There was this thing called a mortgage too. It had something to do with paying for the house again. So...When you paid for things once...That wasn’t necessarily the end of it. She wasn’t sure how many times Papa had to pay for the house before it was really his. She considered it her home. And...she thought it was so long as Papa paid the bills. But she understood he worried more during that time. There wasn’t all that much she could do being a child. But she did what she could! She always worried it wasn’t enough; but, she tried to make Papa feel better! She’d hug him more often and remind him of just how much she loved him. She’d try to be an extra good girl! She always helped with the dishes and the sweeping and basic chores. And of course Papa and her were mushroom hunting partners! But she tried to be more mindful during that time. She’d do the chores sooner and smile lots! She’d draw Papa tons of pictures to try and cheer him up. And somehow they always got through it. Papa never lost the house. Grace and him never starved. Although she imagined it would be difficult for them to starve with their occupation! No one was better than them when it came to digging up mushrooms! Fortunately now wasn’t tax time! So when Papa came home he shouldn’t be too worried! And Grace could surprise him! She’d been out gathering mushrooms to help! She’d collected a whole basketful! She was getting better at finding them all the time! Surely it would make Papa happy! She couldn’t wait for him to come home. She knew she shouldn’t worry. So far, he’d always come back, always made it in time for tea. But...Mama wasn’t there. And sometimes...It seemed like Papa was afraid of something. And...Grace had to wonder why they lived out in the middle of nowhere. She loved her home dearly. There was nothing she enjoyed more than spending time with Papa in the forest. He was all she needed. But..she couldn’t help but feel he was hiding from something and maybe one day..It would catch up to him. One day...Maybe he wouldn’t come back. Silly, silly thoughts! Papa had never let her down! And she’d never let him down either! She really shouldn’t be so scared! The door opened and Grace bounded towards Papa to greet him, a cheerful smile on her lips. See?! Silly! Here he was! “You’re never late Papa!” she assured him as he scooped her up in his arms and kissed her cheek. Grace wrapped her arms around his neck and clung to him. “ Papa! I have something to show you! I picked a ton of mushrooms to sell at market!”
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Post by Grace Hatter on Mar 7, 2015 5:56:24 GMT
 Alright! Time to get down to business! Paige had her game face on. School was over and done with and she didn’t volunteer at the hospital on Tuesdays so the time to strike was now! She was a girl on a mission. It was that time of year again, cookie selling season! She’d brought her green junior vest. Digging into her backpack, she pulled it out and quickly donned it so she could look the Girl Scout part! It wouldn’t do for people to think she was impersonating! Her vest was littered with so many badges it was difficult to see the green between the spaces. Yes, she was an avid scout! But now...She had to sell 150 boxes! She absolutely had to! She would suffer nothing less! Because the prize for selling that many was a rather large sea turtle stuffed animal! It was absolutely adorable and needed to join her tea parties soon! The tortoise would be thrilled to get a close relative! Well...She didn’t know he was related just because he was a turtle! That was like saying she would be thrilled if a random stranger popped into her bedroom because he was a neanderthal! But...She was certain her tortoise would be happy anyways! More company was good! Less empty seats! Had she ever managed to sell 150 boxes?...No. But she wasn’t going to let such negative thoughts bring her down! This time the large stuffed animal prize would be hers for sure! No, she didn’t even know if there were 150 people in their very tiny town; but, if there was 75 she would just need to sell two boxes to each person! That was maybe doable! And there were probably more people than that! That sea turtle had her name on it! And it wasn’t like she hadn’t started! She’s sold two boxes already. Yeah...Maybe it didn’t really count since it was just to her parents, Mama and Papa but still...You had to start somewhere! Two down, 148 to go! Nothing would get in her way! The door to door approach was best! Hit on the home front! She would ring absolutely every bell in Storybrooke! Okay...This was stupid. She could admit that. It was starting to get dark. She should really head home; but, she was dissatisfied with her progress. Her numbers were now up to 14; but, that was no where near good enough! She was getting that stuffed sea turtle! She’d hit up most of the main streets so now she was wandering around somewhere much more isolated. Odd...In all her time in Storybrooke, all her 11 years, she wasn’t certain she’d ever come this way before. There was a house. No, house was not the word for what she was seeing. This was a mansion! It felt like a queen or king could live in there! Who in the world did this belong to?! She just stood in awe of the large mansion for a moment before shaking her head, bringing herself to her senses. Well, even rich people could like cookies! Maybe he or she was a big fan of Tagalongs! (That was Paige’s favorite. She’d convinced Mama to buy a box of those for her.) Before she could lose her nerve, she rushed to the front door and rang the bell, sweet girl scout smile fixed firmly in place. |
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Post by Grace Hatter on Mar 7, 2015 5:50:46 GMT
 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!” |
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Post by Grace Hatter on Mar 6, 2015 3:26:28 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. To her great astonishment, the queen agreed to see her. But Grace left with no further insight as to what had happened with her papa. (I play Regina so I have authority to say this.) 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!” |
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