Neal Cassidy

Member of Beyond Storybrooke. Private blog.

[yellowbugsavior-blog]

She’d made him blush. Oh, that was unexpected. So was his next statement. Annoyed, she flicked her wrist. Instead of the black and shiny silver gown, Emma wore combat boots, a plaid dress, and pleather jacket as well as glasses and bright red lipstick. “Better?” she asked with a cock of her head. “As for my feelings…did I say they weren’t there? No, Neal. I said they made me stronger.”

Oh, she’d made him angry. What fun. It seemed this Dark One power allowed her to know what buttons to push; that could be very usable. While she liked that bit of information, it still made her queasy. Emma decided not to use it if she didn’t have to. “Your use of hero is quite ironic,” she pointed out. “Your father is a hero now, Neal. He’s the Savior with a heart that’s a blank slate. Didn’t you know? We switched places when the darkness left his very core.”

“I will do what I must to protect my family. I can’t promise anything but that, Neal,” she told him. “Don’t you make me.”

[adreamcatcherandakeychain]

Neal looked at her. “You know I love this look, but it’s not who you are anymore. We both know that. This girl...I hurt her.” He said, softly. “Stronger, huh? You think power is strength. You’re wrong. Love...Emma. Love is strength.”

“My father is not a hero. Don’t you get it. You can’t just snap your fingers and erase centuries of bad deeds, thousands of screams from people he slaughtered.

“There are other ways, Emma.”

[unworthysavior-deactivated20160]

Names. Names were always the hardest part. “There were three fairies. A mother fairy, a father fairy, and a little boy fairy.” And now he had to think of a name for the little boy fairy, though he was fairly sure he could get away without naming the parent fairies. “And the little fairy was named Oak,” he stated, the first think that slipped into his mind.

[adreamcatcherandakeychain]

“I like that name, Papa. What did Oak do? Was he a happy fairy?” Baelfire asked, bright eyed. He was so curious about things and always asking questions.

[unworthysavior-deactivated20160]

He smiled himself, happy about his lad’s enthusiasm. He loved the magical creatures really, the thought of something fantastic and bigger than him that he could be a part of, even if only by telling stores about it. “Well then let’s see,” he stated, mostly to give himself a moment to think. “Once there was a fairy family,” he started, smiling as bits and pieces of a story started to weave together in his mind.

[adreamcatcherandakeychain]

Baelfire listened intently as his father began the story. “What were their names?” Fairies had names, didn’t they? “And Papa, how many fairies were there?” He asked, curiously.

[writerofstorybrooke-deactivated]

“Yeah, and they might be able to calm Emma down just by being her parents,” Henry added. After all, he knew Neal or Emma trying to calm him down would be pretty effective. “Emma needs everyone to be there to support her.”

Henry paused, listening to his father’s warning. Be careful. “Okay, I can do that.” Of course, he’d do everything he could to help his mother, but he wouldn’t take any unnecessary risks. “Don’t worry Dad, I’ll be careful.”

A name, yes! They needed a name for this Operation. “What about Operation Swan? Too obvious?” he asked. It might be, but it seemed to fit. It was the mission that revolved around saving his mother. Though, he would be open to other suggestions.

[adreamcatcherandakeychain]

Neal nodded. “I hope so.” He replied. “Good. Thank you. I don’t want anything to happen to you, kid. You’re the most important person in the world to me.” Henry’s safety and well being was definitely Neal’s top priority.

“Maybe but it works.” He said, nodding. “Henry...we are going to save her. I promise. Even if I have to give up my life again to do it.”

[yellowbugsavior-blog]

She rolled her eyes at his daftness (at least to Emma he seemed so very dense right then). “My outfit, silly,” replied the Dark One as she stopped in front of the man. Placing a hand on her hips, she awaited Neal’s response. A smile curled over her lips, although she did not reveal her teeth in doing so, and her eyes glinted with playful passion.

She shrugged. The Darkness made her indifferent towards the struggles of her past and Emma preferred it that way. “It is what it is, I suppose. It has made me stronger and more determined. It has given me a focus that I did not know I possessed,” Emma replied. “I feel as if my senses have come alive and I like that very, very much.”

A laugh escaped her now parted lips. “You sound like Henry, you know that?” Emma asked. “And perhaps bad things happen so that good can conquer. Your own father broke his leg, did he not? He did it so you would not be fatherless, correct? And he took on this Darkness to stop a war and save the children. Is that a bad thing?”

[adreamcatcherandakeychain]

Neal couldn’t help but blush. “Emma...I always think you’re beautiful. But, I have to admit, I like the old look better.” He said, shrugging. “The pain, the heartache. It’s still there, Emma. You may not allow yourself to feel it anymore, but it doesn’t  make it go away.”

“Well, Henry is very wise.” He said. So far, Neal had been able to control his temper but Emma’s words made him snap. “Don’t make him out to be some kind of hero! He killed people, tortured them! Why? Because he fucking could! That is a bad thing! And ironically, he left me fatherless anyway, didn’t he? You know what they say, the road to hell is paved with good intentions.”

“You’re lying to yourself if you think you can be both.”

[unworthysavior-deactivated20160]

“Anything particular in mind?” he asked. He liked to make up new stories on the go so it always helped to have some background things to start with. “Should we have dragons or fairies or troll?” He’d used to tell pirate stories too, but that had been an avoided topic ever since… well for a very long time.

[adreamcatcherandakeychain]

“Fairies! And dragons!” He said, excitedly. They seemed so incredible. Things he would never see, adventures he’d never go on. But, he could dream about them. In his dreams, he went on the most wonderful adventures and saw amazing things.

[yellowbugsavior-blog]

Stony Choices (Emma and Neal)

[yellowbugsavior-blog]

This wasn’t how things were supposed to be. Everyone needed to be in Storybrooke, safe and sound. They didn’t need to be back in the Enchanted Forest running from danger - running from her. She needed to be Savior, even if Emma didn’t like that role or title and still did not understand what it exactly was. Now, the world she knew was in shambles.

She knew in her heart that she was no longer Henry’s mother. She couldn’t be - it was too dangerous. Her parents probably wanted nothing to do with her. She had no home and surely no one cared about her. No one cared about Dark Ones; no one should.  She’d lost everything close to her heart.

“All the more reason to embrace who you are. You can earn respect,” whispered a man in her ear. She didn’t know him. She didn’t know how or when he showed up, although Emma vaguely recalled seeing his form when she’d turned the man into a mouse. His form hadn’t been clear then, but she could now make out his eyes, nose, and mouth.

“NO! I don’t know who you are, but no,” she shouted, looking at her scraped and muddy hands as if they were foreign objects. The power within her fingertips made her sick. She wrapped her arms around her waist in attempts to control the nausea and the grief. It didn’t help. She didn’t know if anything would help.

“You deserve respect after all you’ve been through. You’re not the Savior anymore, but you’re still a survivor,” continued the man. In attempts to drown out this person (who Emma had a feeling was not actually present) she banged again on the door. She pressed harder and louder. Why wouldn’t the door open up? Emma was about to kick the door in with her foot when someone finally answered.

However, her hand was still in motion. Before the new Dark One could stop her hand, it pressed against  Neal’s shoulder. When she pulled away a bloody and muddy handprint was left upon his shoulder. “Neal, you’re here. I…I…needed you and didn’t know where you were. And I…I ran and I found you,” she sobbed shaking her head. “No. No. What am I? What have I become? I turned a man into a mouse and I…I turned your old village into stone.”

[adreamcatcherandakeychain]

Neal was surprised to see Emma at his door, but he was even more surprised that the Emma in front of him was in fact the Emma he’d always known. He wasn’t even phased by the bloody, muddy handprint that she’d left on his shoulder. He knew he should be. He knew he should ask. But, the vulnerable woman in front of him was not the cold hearted Dark One. 

“Hey...it’s gonna be okay.” He reached out and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into his chest. “You’re gonna be okay, because you’re not alone. I’m not letting you do this alone. I promised you once that I’d never stop fighting for you and I meant it. I love you. And I’m here for you, no matter what happens.”

“Come inside. We’ll get you cleaned up and then we’ll sit by the fire.”

[yellowbugsavior-blog]

Emma watched the man as he watched her. Ooo…she liked this attention. It made her feel bold and vivacious. It made her feel powerful. A disarming smile curled her lips upwards into a larger grin. This adoration was something she could get used to very easily. “You like?” Emma asked in fake innocence.

Her challenged emotions settled as things clicked in her head. The more she spoke, the more clear it became. Although it did bring more questions to mind. Did Henry’s defiance bring all of Neal back? The man hadn’t spoken. What if Neal was left mute? Well, that wouldn’t be fun although Emma assumed she could restore it - for a price of course.  Even if she was the Dark One, Emma still had a soft-spot for certain people and things. Neal with his gravelly voice was one such item on that very short list.

So Neal could talk. Good. “Well, it is true. I’ve seen you die twice haven’t I? You were fatally shot at the portal. Then…back in the woods when I pulled you from your dear papa. And that separation was a pretty bold move, too,” Emma pointed out as she circled him. Man, he was fine looking. When he pointed out that all magic had a price, she had to laugh. “Oh, I am sure of it. It’s going to be wonderful to see it unfold. I wonder what will happen next. I wonder what I ought to do with these powers. I can’t waste them, can I?”

[adreamcatcherandakeychain]

Neal could sense the difference in her, even if he hadn’t known. This Emma was more confident, more open. Everything about the way she walked, talked, moved. It was all different. “Depends on what you’re asking.” He said, simply. If she was referring to the power, the darkness, then his answer was obvious. But, her? Yes. He always liked her.

“Yes, you have. And I’m sorry you had to go through that.” He said, softly. As Emma circled him, he found himself feeling slightly uncomfortable and self-conscious. The Emma he knew would never be so blatant about checking him out. He wasn’t sure how he felt about that. 

“You could use them to do good things.” He suggested. “Just because you’re the Dark One, it doesn’t mean you have to do bad things.”

[writerofstorybrooke-deactivated]

Emma was now the Dark One. Neal couldn’t say it, and Henry didn’t know if he could, either. Not out loud. Emma, his mom, the savior, was now the Dark One. It didn’t seem right, but it was the terrible truth. That’s why they had to break the curse, and as soon as possible. He didn’t want his mom to loose herself to the darkness.

“Well, Grandpa Gold was … dying,” Henry admitted. “The darkness was killing him. So, the apprentice had to get it out of him, and grandpa’s alive, but the darkness attacked the town. Mom had to take on the curse. To protect the town; to protect my other mom,” he explained. Emma had done it to protect everyone, and Henry didn’t really blame anyone for that. It was just something they had to figure out how to fix. Surely they could help her break the curse somehow.

“Yeah, we could get them to help! I bet Grampa Gold will be a great help; he knows better than anyone else what the curse is like. And maybe Mom can help too.” Henry wasn’t quite so sure, though. Emma and Regina didn’t always get along, and he was worried Regina would say something that would set Emma off. But, that didn’t mean she couldn’t help, did it? “We should find my grandparents too. I bet they can help. I mean, they are Emma’s parents,” he pointed out.

[adreamcatcherandakeychain]

Neal nodded. “My father is probably our best chance, at least for finding out about Dark One mythology. If anyone knows how to destroy the darkness, it’s gonna be him.” He said. “Regina has magic and that could be useful. Snow and Charming might know who has the dagger.”

“Henry, listen. I want you to be careful, okay? I know Emma won’t hurt you but that doesn’t mean there aren’t other dangers or that you can’t get hurt some other way. You’re stubborn and impulsive like your mom and I are and that can sometimes lead to trouble. So, just be careful, okay?”

“Now, first and foremost, I think we need a name for this operation, don’t you?”

[itsmylifemyfate-blog]

“Of course, just be sure to some time.” She smiled reassuringly. “Perhaps speak to Rumple about it… I know it may be hard for him to talk about, but he does have insight that no one else really has. He knows how it works.” She knew Neal knew this but she also knew knowledge is power and that it may be unlikely that Rumple told him everything about how it works. She didn’t even know entirely and she’d seen the absolute worst of the take over.

She couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride at Baelfire’s words. “I’m glad, I know we can but it’s… reassuring to hear it from you… You know him best of all.” She knew him quite well, but Bae was his son, Bae had been there before the darkness, when it was just Rumple. He’d seen more than she had. “I know, and I appreciate it. And I should hope you know the same as well?” A coy little smile tugged at her lips. “I am your step mother after all.” She couldn’t help the giggle from escaping. It was true, but it was still something she’d have to adjust to.

[adreamcatcherandakeychain]

“I will.” He promised. “And yeah, I know. It’s just...I don’t like talking about that either, you know? It wasn’t the best time for me.” But, if it would help Emma, he would do it. “I’m not so sure about that. About knowing him the best. But, thank you.”

“Yeah, that’s still weird.” He said, chuckling. The whole stepmother and stepson thing was still weird and would take some getting used to. “You know, you’re not just my stepmom. Technically, this makes you Henry’s step grandmother.” He teased.

[tribesprincess-deactivated20160]

“I have heard.” She said softly as she looked at him. “You are not the first I have come across.” She added. “But I do not know where she is.” She then added.

Once again, her hand touched his arm “But I will help. I will do what I can, and I am sure there is something I can do. Picanninny magic can be powerful too, I am sure you remember. We will find a way to help her.”

[adreamcatcherandakeychain]

“Thank you.” He said. “Tiger Lily...I...I don’t know what she might do, or who she might hurt. But, she’s...it’s the darkness. The Emma that I know and love isn’t like that. So, if you do come across her and she hurts you please remember, it’s not really her.”

He hated the whole situation, but he didn’t know what to do. Emma was already the Dark One. All they could do now was fine a way to save her.

[yellowbugsavior-blog]

Stony Choices (Emma and Neal)

She turned a whole village to stone. With a flick of the wrist she just did it and didn’t bat an eye. At the time, Emma walked away thinking that was a brilliant move and those people deserved it. After all, this village had mocked Rumplestiltskin when he was a mere peasant. She hated those people who still whispered stories of the town coward and his son Baelfire. No one mocked her family.

Emma passed through this goat-filled, dilapidated village, minding her own business all the while trying to find herself a suitable place to lay down roots in this kingdom, when the stories filled her ears. She’d even begged several townsfolk to stop it. But, the drunkards Emma faced didn’t listen and the Dark One reared its ugly head.

Now, as the full moon rose over the Eastern horizon while the sun settled into the western landscape, she doubted her decision. Soon that doubt turned to dismay, which sent a lump of lead into her stomach. Why had she done that? Why couldn’t she leave well enough alone? Wanting to throw up, Emma stared (revolted) at her hands and then she ran.

She ran so fast her shoes fell from her feet. Bare feet sliding through mud, Emma fell forward and caught herself with her hands before she went face-first into the dirt. The Dark One did not slow down - not even as her dress snagged and ripped on branches - until she reached a cabin.

It was nondescript, really and reminded her of the little house in the animated Snow White and the Seven Dwarves. However, something told her this place was special and that she needed to be there. Slowing, Emma went to the door and banged on it with her palm. Then standing there, Emma wept.

[adreamcatcherandakeychain]

Things had settled a bit. They were still looking for a way to save Emma, but they knew it would take time. Everyone had settled places. Regina had her castle, Snow and Charming had theirs. Rumple and Belle were at the Dark Castle. Neal, however, didn’t have a place to call home. He hadn’t felt like he belonged at any of those placed.

Henry was with Regina and Neal knew his son was okay. He needed to find a place that he felt comfortable in. After a bit of searching he’d found a cabin. It was perfect and no one lived there. So, he claimed it for himself.

He prepared his meal for the night: stew. It wasn’t much but he was used to that. Neal made a mental note to introduce this land to pizza. It’s not like it would be hard to make, so long as you had an oven and the ingredients.

Once the food was done, he ate. After that, he decided to sketch for a bit. He missed the times when he could just sit and draw. It helped him express his feelings and de-stress. And he definitely needed that now.

Finally, Neal was preparing for bed when he heard frantic knocking on the cabin door. He was slightly alarmed. He hadn’t yet given anyone his location. Cautiously, Neal went to the door and opened it. There, standing at his doorstep was Emma. As he looked at her, she appeared to be crying, and in the moonlight, he was sure he saw the woman he had fallen in love with so long ago. This was Emma.

“Emma...what are you doing here? Are you okay?”

[tinkermethis-blog]

Tink nodded. “Finding Blue shouldn’t be hard, us fairies have a sixth sense about knowing where each others are, sort of like fairy GPS.” Tink stood still and looked around and then..”There, this way.” She walked on ahead and gestured for Neal to follow. “We are going to save your girl Bae, I promise.”

A little while later they happened on a village. Tink smiled. “She is in town, it won’t be too hard to find her.” She took a crystal from her bag and gave it to him. “In case you need me. Not as advanced as a phone but it works.”

[adreamcatcherandakeychain]

Neal smiled and took the crystal. “Thank you. I’ll be in touch.” He pocked the crystal and pulled Tink in for a hug. “Hey, really...thank you. Be careful, okay?” When he pulled back he looked at her. “I’ll see you soon. Promise.”

[itsmylifemyfate-blog]

“Just visiting us sometime would be nice…. I know Rumple would be happy to see you again.” She smiled softly, she didn’t need any gifts… just seeing Rumple smile because Baelfire was around would be enough. She gave a little laugh and nodded. “I think I’m okay with Belle, for now.” She did like Neal though, and she could only hope if she had any children they end up as good of a person as he is.

“It’s been… Less than ideal.” She found it hard to lie, even to make Rumple seem like a better person… especially to someone like Neal, who knew full well that Rumple had his downfalls now and again. It certainly hadn’t been your typical marriage. “We had a bit of a… hiccup but I think we’ll be okay. We’ll work it out. I believe the darkness was weighing very heavily on him after all these years… I can’t truly blame him for his actions.” She admitted, though it had been rough… and it hurt her to feel as she did…. she loved him more than anything in the world and she was already forgiving him. She had too. You didn’t just give up on True Love.

[adreamcatcherandakeychain]

“Once everything is settled, definitely. But I gotta save Emma first, and I gotta find my son.” He knew Belle would understand. They were his family too. “I’m really worried about Emma. She doesn’t know how to deal with this kind of power, this darkness.”

“I’m sorry to hear that, but I know you two can work it out. I’ve never seen two people more in love.” He told her with a smile. “Hey, if you ever need to talk, you know you can. I’m always here for you, Belle.”

[unworthysavior-deactivated20160]

He didn’t know whether to be overjoyed that his son wanted to spend time him, or worried that the lad would prefer to do that. Judging from others, it didn’t seem normal for young lads to want to spend free time with their fathers instead of playing. But he supposed he and Bae had never really been normal. 

“Alright son,” he stated, turning to give him a smile. After all, he didn’t have to keep an eye on the stew the whole time. Watching it cook would be like watching grass grow. “I’d like that. And while we wait, I could tell you a story,” he suggested. He always had been good at telling stories, with voices and everything. It was one of his favorite things to do with his boy, since he could do it while working. 

[adreamcatcherandakeychain]

“I like your stories, Papa.” And he did. His papa always told the best stories. Baelfire would listen intently, usually drawn in by the story, unable to stop his imagination from running wild. He could practically see each of the stories play out in his mind.

[tribesprincess-deactivated20160]

Tigerlily looked up at him. “What is it Baelfire? What can I help you with?” She asked him. She touched his arm “Whatever you need, I will do whatever I can to help.” She breathed. She could see something was bothering him, and she would do what she could to help her old friend.

[adreamcatcherandakeychain]

“I need to find my son. And Emma.” He sighed. “Emma’s....well, she became the Dark One, and...I need to find her so I can find a way to save her.” He explained. “Henry sent me here. I assume, he sent everyone from Storybrooke here, which means Emma must be here and this is where we need to look.”

[itsmylifemyfate-blog]

“It always seems to be lately.” She said softly, though she required nothing more in response. It just seems like things were progressively getting more and more complicated and convoluted. They’d all make it through though. They had to. They would. Rumple would be okay- she was okay. Baelfire was okay. It would be alright in the end. She did have faith in it all.

“Yes!” She laughed. Wondering if Rumple had actually been trying to get the nerve for any amount of time. She hugged Baelfire back happily. “Me too- we’ll have to celebrate. Now that you’re back…” She offered. Hoping he’d like the idea. It wouldn’t be the same as the wedding but the wedding had been quite private anyway. It wasn’t something they could remedy now. She chuckled - “I believe you’re exempt from that… Unless you want to?” It was strange to imagine anyone calling her mom. Especially someone that looked roughly her age.

[adreamcatcherandakeychain]

He smiled. “Being that we’re in the Enchanted Forest, it’s not gonna be easy to get you two a wedding present, but I have an idea or two. I’ll come up with something.” He said. “Well, I’ll stick with Belle for now, but we’ll see how it goes.” If anything Mama Belle would be her moniker. Still, it would be a bit strange.

“So, how has married life been treating you both? Is Papa behaving? Because I know better than to think he’s been a saint.” He said, rolling his eyes slightly. Saint and Rumplestiltskin would never exist in the same category.