Fiona Black

A Night to Regret - Killian, Fiona, Regina (and more?)

#a night to regret #regalxmills #hatterxtrick #the rabbit hole #FINALLY WE GET GOING WOOOO

hatterxtrick:

regalxmills:

Having Paige was truly a blessing, Regina thought more often than not, and tonight was one of those many times. The girl didn’t say those words just to try and appease her boss, Regina knew she meant it—it really was Paige’s home away from home, even more than that at times. And even though her heart ached knowing she felt the need to escape her own home, Regina was more than happy to provide it to her.

And she didn’t seem to take her night out the wrong way, thankfully.

“Thank you, you are a life-saver,” she replied, walking towards Paige to give her a quick hug before her attention was brought back to her friend.

Well, someone was keen to get going and Fiona certainly didn’t want to waste another minute before making her grand exist, leaving Regina and Paige alone.

She gave the teenager a sheepish and apologetic smile. “Yes, she is always that dramatic,” she whispered. “Call me if you need anything, alright?” she added as Fiona called out to announce she’d be the one to drive.

With an eyeroll she could no longer contain and one last apologetic glance at Paige, Regina headed out to join her friend.

Life-saver? Hardly. Paige is entirely indebted to Regina more than the Mayor knew. She had become one of the first friends and still one of Paige’s closest. Spending time with Robbie made Paige feel like a doting big sister never being able to have that role, it was better than she imagined. If anyone deserved a night on the town to just blow off some steam, it was the Mayor and most people probably didn’t realize just how stressful that job could be.

“Don’t we all know someone like that,” the girl says under her breath. So with wave of the hand Paige shoo’s Regina to the door, “I will. Now go have fun.”

Once the ladies were out the door, Paige makes sure to lock up. The sleepy town of Storybrooke was anything but threatening it was only as a precaution and out of habit. Since it was just her and Robbie, Paige slips out of her boots leaving them at the bottom of the stairs. Then one by one soft steps up to the second floor and into Robin’s room finding her favorite spot in the rocker by the baby’s crib.

Once Regina was seated in the car, Fiona pulled out onto the road, bee-lining straight for the Rabbit Hole. Hopefully they hadn’t wasted too much time, and her plan could still be acted out with the desired results.

She pulled her car into the best parking spot she could find, forgetting that the parking was tight and on gravel here. Well, she’d walked through worse in heels. It would do. Fiona gave her hair a good flip, getting the volume pumped up. She wasn’t the one who needed to look appealing, but if she was doing it then perhaps Regina would feel inclined to do the same.

However, if for whatever reason her plans required a little... assistance, then she was prepared for that as well. She pulled a pocket book from her purse, just enough money to pay for the evening, and that little something extra stowed away, just in case. Fiona doubted she would need it, but it was best to be prepared for anything.

“I think an appletini would be wonderful right about now, just to get the night started with something sweet. What do you think, Regina?” she asked as she walked through the doors and into the bar. There was a crowd now, as Fiona had expected. But she didn’t care for the burly men and surly looking women about the billiard tables. Fiona was more interested in whether or not a certain someone still remained at the bar. And noticing the familiar plaid still in the same seat, she was satisfied. The mission was a go.

A Night to Regret - Killian, Fiona, Regina (and more?)

#a night to regret #pickyourpoisonflorist #regalxmills #hatterxtrick

hatterxtrick:

regalxmills:

Regina slowly reached the bottom of the stairs, attempting to hide a small satisfied smirk at Fiona’s reaction. She had to admit, it felt good to be out of these professional pantsuits and into a dress that made her feel sexy. She hasn’t done that in a very long time, and it wasn’t all just because of her child. She’d let work take over her long before that.

But she didn’t want to seem too satisfied, so her hidden smirk was quickly followed by a roll of her eyes just as there was a knock on the door.

“Well, if anyone dies tonight, I’m certainly pinning the blame on you,” Regina teased as she headed to answer it.

Killing anyone with that look–literally or figuratively–was the last thing on her mind. It was just a few drinks with a friend, and then she’d head home. If Fiona chose to prolong the evening, she’d have to do that on her own, even at the cost of being called old again.

She greeted the girl with a smile as she opened the door for Paige. “Hi sweetheart, sorry for the last minute call,” she apologized, stepping aside to let her in. “Robin is asleep, should be for at least a few more hours.”

God. She just realized what it must look like for the teenager. Regina really hoped Paige wouldn’t think badly of her for asking to babysit while she went out all dressed up like that.

“I–we’re just heading out for a few drinks,” she simply explained. “I will be back by then, I promise.”

The door opens and Paige immediately notices the particular difference in the way Regina is dressed. The girl had always witnessed her business attire and nothing quite this sassy… Sassy was a better way to describe her friend than sexy because that was all kinds of weird to the teen.

She steps inside to realize Regina wasn’t alone, “Hey,” the teen offers a weak wave of her gloved hand, then turns her attention back to Gina. “Yeah, sure. You should have fun,” she says with a shrug. That’s what adults didn’t I mingle and socialize. Something she herself was looking forward to when she was old enough.

“Robbie is never any trouble anyway, so don’t rush back on my account. This is practically my home away from home.”

Eh, who was she kidding, this was by far more of a home and Paige just didn’t want to seem so desperate to escape her parents while there was another unfamiliar adult present.

@blackheartedfay @regalxmills

Fiona watched Paige briefly, curious if there were any signs of her father having affected her at all. Home away from home, she said? She would need to get Paige alone to have a little chat with her once her spell was finally enacted. Until then, however... She would simply have to keep an eye on her. From a distance.

“All settled then?” she asked with a smile. “Well then let’s not dawdle. Drinks await us!”

Fiona didn’t wait for Regina, moving her way past the teen and through the door. If she hurried, perhaps Regina would as well. The sooner they arrived at the bar, the sooner her plan could be enacted. And oh, it would be a wonderful little scheme, she knew it.

“I’ll drive!” she announced as she made her way towards her car. Best she do that anyway, for she fully intended on returning alone after the evening’s events.

Going Down the Rabbit Hole - Fiona, Lena

#going down the rabbit hole #wickedwithatwist #Event: Truth Serum

wickedwithatwist:

“Consider it a compliment. As in you look above the dregs of this joint. Not that we don’t accept money from all walks of life that stride through our doors,” Lena replied with a smirk. “Bit refreshing actually…. Unless you intend to prove me wrong and start a fight with another fine patron.”

The redhead moved about the bar with ease, fixing the woman her dry martini. Though she was tired, Lena was also on edge and had been all night. She really should have just gone ahead and requested an officer to stick around just in case. Maybe they should hire some muscle, she mused before placing the glass in front of the woman with a smile.

“Starting a tab then, love?”

Fiona raised a brow at the wording. Start a fight? No, not physically. But this whole curse was a bit of a battle of sorts, wasn’t it? “Not tonight,” was her reply as she waited for her drink.

Zelena made the drink with an ease that was amusing to see, truly into the bartender character Fiona had created for it. It pleased her, seeing the practiced movements as if this had been the woman’s career for quite some time. “Perhaps.” Fiona doubted she would have more than just the one drink. She was here to make sure Lena was still well under her curse, and if she wasn’t... see how ‘awake’ she was.

Fiona took her drink and sipped, happy with the way it was made. “Thank you,” she said as she set the glass back down on the table. “So, you don’t get many patrons like me? Shocking, as I’m simply here to drown my sorrows.” A perfectly painted nail traced the lip of the glass as she looked Lena up and down. “Surely you get that sort from time to time.”

Going Down the Rabbit Hole - Fiona, Lena

#going down the rabbit hole #wickedwithatwist #event: truth serum

wickedwithatwist:

Lena was exhausted. She wanted nothing more than to simply go home, curl up, and stop being forced to babysit and referee grown adults every night. And things were even more tiresome than usual. The redhead was convinced there must be a full moon or something that was making everyone crazy. There had been at least five brawls so far this week, and it was only Thursday.

Everyone seemed to be letting out all of their dirty laundry, and all civility was going right out the window alongside it. It would appear no one was capable of keeping their opinions to themselves, and that was never a wise thing around glass bottles…

After delivering another round to the fellas at the pool table, Lena came back round behind the bar, noticing a well-dressed woman waiting. She took a deep breath and walked over.

“My someone’s overdressed for a place like this. What can I get you?”

Fiona raised a brow at the comment, wondering if that was simply the personality she had bestowed upon ‘Lena’, or if that was her serum doing its work. The woman looked exhausted, and Fiona couldn’t help but feel smug. Whether it was simply just the life she had given the witch or if it was the truth serum, that exhaustion was her doing. And an exhausted witch was one that could hardly meddle in her curse.

“Is that any way to speak to a customer?” she asked slyly. “I’ll take a martini. Dry.”

And while she waited for her drink, she’d come up with a way to interrogate the woman. There was a list of questions she needed to ask to make sure her curse didn’t have any other hitches in it, of course, but one had to be clever with them. Or she could be blunt, she supposed. The truth would come out either way, wouldn’t it?

Going Down the Rabbit Hole - Fiona, Lena

Someone Fiona hadn’t seen and had absolutely no tabs on was Zelena. The Wicked Witch could be incredibly clever, which made her potentially dangerous if she was even close to waking. And powerful, too. Easily manipulated however, but manipulations took time and attention, both things she hadn’t given any of to Zelena. She had been far more interested in tracking down Jefferson and trying to kill off the pirate. And keeping the Charmings separated. Ahh, but the quiet ones were the ones to look out for, weren’t they?

Fiona marched on in to the Rabbit Hole, stepping up the the bar far away from the other patrons. She knew Zelena would be in today, after all it was her curse and she’d created the woman’s schedule for her. If she wasn’t, then Fiona had a problem. But she’d see, and she would test out that truth serum of hers. First stop, Zelena, and once she was satisfied with the results, she would move on to others she was concerned about.

Fiona tapped her perfectly painted nails impatiently along the table top, waiting for the barkeep to appear and take her order.

#going down the rabbit hole #wickedwithatwist #event: truth serum

A Night to Regret - Killian, Fiona, Regina (and more?)

#a night to regret #hatterxtrick #regalxmills

hatterxtrick:

regalxmills:

She should have been offended at her friend’s suggestion to change into something nice. As if she owned anything that wasn’t. It wasn’t like she was wearing her nightgown right now, for God’s sake! And yet, her eyes instinctively glanced down to take a look at herself.

Well… maybe Fiona did have a point, after all.

Regina was still wearing her white button up and black pantsuit–her personal favorite which completely highlighted and brought out the regal Mayor in her. But as much as she enjoyed the immediate power that such look had granted her, maybe Fiona was right. This wasn’t exactly a fit for a night out, even for the mayor.

She really should change.

Fiona was back in the house not even a minute later with a dress in her hand. She had to admit, if she didn’t know her that well, Regina might have thought Fiona had planned this whole act. But it wasn’t a surprise to find out the woman had kept a nice dress in her car. Just in case.

Checking up her daughter while her friend changed, she saw the infant was still fast asleep. She hated to admit it but part of her wished Robin would wake up squirming any second now and prevented her from going out. She loved hanging with Fiona, but tonight something still felt off.

When Fiona stepped out of the bathroom, Regina raised an eyebrow with a sly smile. She looked very good, not to mention hot, and Regina knew she’d expected her to dress accordingly. “Emergencies, huh?” she laughed. Well, her friend was certainly a very well equipped woman. She could only assume that dress wasn’t the only one stored in her car. “I’ll be right back,” she said before walking upstairs.

Regina returned a few minutes later wearing a look that wasn’t any less worthy of her friend’s: A black sleeveless sheath dress that hugged her body nicely, with a low cut at the back and another one at the skirt to match Fiona’s.

Always up for a reason to leave home the house, receiving a text from Regina was like a miracle. Bogged down with homework and this was just the night her parents decides to start bickering from the time they got back from work and hadn’t stopped since. Paige had timed it at three hours, it wasn’t close to beating their record, but not shabby. One of her ways to tune them out was to slip in her ear buds and sort through her vast music library stored on her phone. This time it was ACDC. Then she got the alert from a text (she assumes it must be from either Harry or Gina - maybe Brie) and was delighted to see Regina’s number come up.

The teen’s eyes light up the instant she sees the request and quickly replying “def, c u soon” then it was all a rush to gather her textbooks of unfinished homework and hurriedly throws them and her notebooks into her messenger bag. That and she quickly grabs her phone’s charger because even during her babysitting jobs she was able to sometimes sit with Robbie in her room, do her own work and sometimes music. Not this time. The hour she’s called upon means Miss Robbie is sleeping soundly in her crib. She may want to sit in with her just because the sweet child is a comfort - well, so is Gina.

Books in her bag, phone in her back pocket, Paige rushes down the stairs, grabbing her coat on the way out the door and slips it on down the walkway as the girl runs in the direction of the Mayor’s home. She knows the route well, not exactly a smart move to go out on her own at night, but when did anything happen in Storybooke anyway?

Paige arrives in a timely manner and also a little out of breath, but she made it to the front porch didn’t let Regina down. Her fingers loop in the door knocker to knock a couple times waiting for Regina to answer.

Fiona smirked at Regina knowingly, making sure she stepped with exaggerated movements, just to further show what she expected Regina to wear as well. “You never know when you need to kill a man with a look, Regina.” And then she winked.

While Regina was upstairs changing, Fiona waved her hand across a mirror in the hallway, out of sight of the stairs, just in case. This was taking longer than she thought, and she had to make sure everything was still in place. An image of the bar shimmered across the mirror, showing her that yes everything was still exactly where they needed to be. Excellent.

She heard footsteps on the stairs, and Fiona quickly waved her hand across the mirror once more to banish the image away. Her heels clacked against the marble of the floor as she met Regina at the foot of the stairs.

Regina was wearing a pretty little number, exactly what Fiona had hoped for. Whistling her approval, she smiled up at her ‘friend’. “Now that is going to kill someone.” And just then, there was a knock on the door. Was that the sitter? Someone was awfully eager. Fiona moved to grab her jacket and waited for Regina to get the door and do whatever she needed to feel comfortable leaving her child behind. It would do Fiona no good if Regina left the party early out of fear of having forgot something.

A Night to Regret - Killian, Fiona, Regina (and more?)

#a night to regret #regalxmills #GO GET PRETTY WOMAN

regalxmills:

Fiona was right. What mother, especially a single, working mother, didn’t deserve a night off to unwind? And, as Fiona said, she had a sitter for her child but it didn’t mean she didn’t have concerns. Paige was just a child herself; what if she needed something while Regina was out and possibly halfway to oblivion? (And dear God, why did she have a feeling she’d drink one too many tonight if Fiona was in the picture?)

Honestly, a night in sounded so much more appealing right now, and Regina was about to argue just that.

Until her friend basically just called her ‘old’.

As if! Fiona was even older than her, how dare she call—

Well, damn. This thought in fact did the complete opposite of supporting her argument, she just realized. What did it say about herself if she had to be dragged for a night out by her older friend?

Paige would be fine. Robin was fast asleep last she checked, and she didn’t even take her daily afternoon nap today. She’d possibly sleep through the whole night.

Yes. Paige would be fine but just in case, Regina promised herself she’d be sensible with her drinks tonight.

As if it was the final push she needed, Regina pulled out her phone, still gaping at Fiona after that comment. “I’ll show you who’s old. Get your coat, oldie,” she declared as she shot Paige a quick message, asking the girl if she was free and apologizing for the last-minute call.

Regina smirked as her phone buzzed not even several seconds later.

“It’s all sorted,” she excitedly raised her eyebrows. “We’re leaving as soon as Paige arrives.”

Just as predicted, the age comment had Regina eating out of her hand. She didn’t bother hiding the smug look on her face as she crossed her arms and watched Regina message her babysitter.

“Good, then you can get into something nice. And I’ll be just a tick...”

Fiona was wearing her business attire, having come from the office while she tracked down Mr. Jones to make sure he was exactly where she needed him to be. It was hardly appropriate for a night out, but that was fine. Winking at Regina, she grabbed her coat and threw it over her shoulders as she headed out to her car. Fiona was gone perhaps a minute before she returned with a dress bag over her arm. “Just something I keep in the trunk for emergencies,” she announced as she walked into the bathroom to change.

Actually, she magicked the dress into existence while she was out at her car, but that wasn’t a detail Regina need know. If tonight was going to work the way she wanted it to, Regina needed to be presentable. And the best way to make sure Regina wore what Fiona needed her to was for Fiona to dress accordingly as well. That’s why she stepped out of the bathroom in a dress that hugged her every curve in a very intentional matter, and the skirt cut off in a very non-business appropriate way. And it was black, of course.

“There we are. Perfect.”

A Night to Regret - Killian, Fiona, Regina (and more?)

#a night to regret #regalxmills #pickyourpoisonflorist

regalxmills:

Well, Fiona wasn’t wrong to assume there was more. Regina wasn’t about to spill it out, though, her friend had enough on her mind without her own troubles. Which were actually completely ridiculous, she knew that. Between her mayoral and motherhood engagements lately, things have been very… off… and Regina could try to ignore and pretend there was nothing wrong but the truth was… she really couldn’t.

But she’d be lying if she said a drink didn’t sound like a decent offer. And if she ended up talking about things such visions of a small child, fantasy stories and curses that haunted her even when she was awake, she could always blame it on the alcohol, right? She didn’t have many friends, but wasn’t it what friends did when they got a drink together? Acting foolish and blame the alcohol in their system?

Regina smiled. She was about to tell Fiona her idea wasn’t bad at all and join her as her friend headed towards the kitchen when another idea was brought up.

An idea that Regina wasn’t as thrilled about, if she was being honest. A spontaneous night out, now, after she just put Robin to in bed… she hated to admit it, but she felt like she’d turned into an old lady who’d rather spent the night in than go out and have fun with her friends. Perhaps it was just motherhood that affected her.

Not to mention the twist in her gut that was telling her this was a bad idea.

“Fiona,” she sighed, trying to find the right words to reject her friend gently. “Not that I don’t want to, and I do appreciate the offer, but I can’t just head off to the bar and unwind with such a young child waiting for me at home. Surely you understand. We can have that drink here instead,” she added, bringing up Fiona’s original suggestion as a compromising offer.

Fiona raised an eyebrow. Oh no, no no. Regina was going out. She was going to that bar, and Fiona’s plan would be realized. Until her spell was complete, there was little Fiona could do to keep the citizens of Storybrooke in line. But this idea would surely correct some developments that had taken place, and it needed to happen. There was no getting out of this, and if Fiona needed to resort to magic she would. But, surely she could convince Regina without it.

She waved a hand in front of her face, brushing off Regina’s excuse. “That’s what a sitter is for, dear. Come now, the babe’s already asleep, it’s the easiest sitter job that could be.”

Fiona took a step towards Regina, putting on her best smile and allowing a wicked grin to slip across her face. “Although... if someone’s feeling a bit too tired to go out... Well I suppose that makes sense given her age.” Her tone was teasing, hoping calling Regina old would make the women relent. If not, well, she could always use a little persuasion magic to get Regina to see things her way. But she would see things her way, there was simply no escaping that.

Truth Serum - One Shot

Finally, her spell was complete. The ingredients took time, as well as combining them. She couldn’t create it just anywhere, either. With David also living in the farm house, that was certainly out. And her office as well, since technically it was public when she was open, and anyone could simply walk in. The clock tower was fitting, almost poetic since that had been where she’d stored her Dark Curse in the first place, but that too wasn’t secure enough.

This spell needed time to cure, to become as potent as possible. And that meant Fiona had to use a place no one in town had any reason to go: the mines. So for days, she checked her mixture, added magic to it for potency, and waited. But finally the spell was complete, and she would be able to find out just who exactly had managed to avoid her curse. And how.

Fiona had already worked out the best way to distribute the serum. She could just create another storm to make sure it blanketed the town, but there was another way. A faster way. A method where no one in town could avoid her concoction, after all every living person required water.

So she poured her truth serum into the water tower.

With the added potency, Fiona would have enough time to ‘interview’ everyone, and not a soul would escape this time. Not. A. Soul.

#event: truth serum

A Night to Regret - Killian, Fiona, Regina (and more?)

#a night to regret #reginaxmills #pickyourpoisonflorist

regalxmills:

Before she even had a moment to realize what was going on with her, Fiona had already allowed herself inside the house. Her friend didn’t need an invitation, of course, but Regina still rolled her eyes at the over-dramatic entrance before she closed the door behind them.

It was actually a relief to hear Fiona raving about her family and client. By the look on her face, Regina had expected to hear something far worse than that. Well, it was serious enough for Fiona though, so Regina simply stood there and listened, offering her a safe place where she could speak freely.

She had to admit, the part about David hadn’t affected her much; Fiona could definitely handle it, but she let out a scornful laugh at her brother-in-law’s ridiculous request. The mayor took a mental note to see if there was anything she could do about it in case Fiona needed the extra help.

But then her heart ached to hear about the client. A mother who couldn’t get a job… it wasn’t too hard to understand exactly where her case was heading…

Thank God for the financial stability she’d been able to provide for her daughter, she thought.

“Oh,” Regina distractedly replied when the conversation had suddenly taken a different direction. Noticing the jacket Fiona was holding over her arm, she offered her hand and wordlessly asked for permission to take it and hang it by the door.

“I’m–I’m fine. Busy. Can’t say there’s been a dull moment around here lately, you know,” she sighed. Between the fuss over falling lamp posts, missing persons, crazy persons, a damned storm and a young infant—yes. Life had been anything but dull. Truth was, in the midst of it all, she didn’t even realize it’s been so long since she’d last seen her friend.

Fiona handed over her coat without a word, just a simple nod of thanks. Regina’s stutter and sigh told her there was quite a bit more going on than Fiona had perhaps thought; she should have paid a visit much sooner... “Like that storm? Oh, it was dreadful. Knocked the power out everywhere. But that sigh tells me there’s more.” She smirked good-naturedly at her ‘friend’.

With a tilt of her head towards Regina’s kitchen, she added, “Why don’t we have a drink, and you can tell me all about it?” Fiona took a step towards the kitchen, and then gasped as if she’d just discovered gravity. “Or, we could go out and have a drink.” She pulled a bright smile across her face as she turned instead towards Regina and took a quick step over to her. “Just you and me, a girl’s night out. You can tell me all about everything that’s been happening, and we can both just unwind.”

Getting Regina to the bar was crucial for her quickly forming plan to work. And it would work, it would just be so much easier to have Regina there for it. If Fiona needed to use a little magic in her persuasion, she wasn’t against it, but considering how she had written their friendship to be for the curse, surely she could convince Regina without the aid of it.

“It’s been so long since we’ve had a girl’s night, hasn’t it? You look like you need it. I know I need it.”

A Night to Regret - Killian, Fiona, Regina (and more?)

#a night to regret #pickyourpoisonflorist #reginaxmills

regalxmills:

Regina didn’t expect any company tonight. It was very seldom that someone had payed her an unnoticed house visit.

If she was lucky enough to have a night off and not being stuck in the office or overwhelmed with a pile of paperwork in her own home, the mayor enjoyed some quality time with her daughter and dinner before it was the child’s bedtime, and ended her night with a glass of good wine. A perfect, quiet, child-free evening away from the chaos that seemed to be taking over town lately.

So when the bell rang just as Regina took out her favorite bottle of red wine, she let out a frustrated groan.

Regina couldn’t say she was disappointed to find the unexpected visitor on her doorstep though, as she walked down the hallway and caught a glimpse of Fiona out of the window—one of her very few friends in town and the woman who had done so much for her since the adoption that she could never be thankful enough.

Opening the door, Regina frowned. Something clearly wasn’t right.

“Fiona?” She asked, real concern in her voice when she saw her friend standing there, distraught and irritated like she’d never seen before. “What happened?”

Fiona looked up as Regina opened the door, sighing in relief and exhaustion once her ‘friend’ was standing before her. “Oh, Regina,” she began. “It’s just been one of those days. Mind if I come in?” Knowing the answer would be yes, for Fiona had written Regina’s part of the curse to make her Fiona’s closest friend, she stepped into the mansion. “David’s been... David, demanding money for repairs on the farm that the farm simply can’t afford. He doesn’t seem to understand that it’s a complete money sink! Oh, and then a client - can’t say who of course but there’s a certain mother who simply can’t get a job in a town ripe with helpful people. And then...”

Fiona sighed again and ran her fingers through her hair. “It’s been a day. Been a week, rather. Perhaps could even consider it a month. How about you? I feel it’s been ages, Regina, truly.”

She unbuttoned her jacket and began to slip it off, folding it over her arm. Partially her question was just to get Regina in the frame of mind she needed her in, and part of it was to actually catch up on the Mayor. Fiona had been so busy keeping a tight leash on David and Snow, as well as trying to track down that pesky hatter and getting rid of the pirate, she hadn’t had much time to check in on Regina. Hopefully the curse was still potent with her.

A Night to Regret - Killian, Fiona, Regina (and more?)

It had been a long time since Killian had been to the Rabbit Hole, partially because it had been a long time since he had really been anywhere. He was having nightmares of doors that wouldn’t open, lamp posts falling on him from nowhere, and dying, but not dying. Sleep was difficult to come by, and he found the only way to really get himself to sleep was to drink.

And he had run out of rum.

Although he could just go to the liquor store and obtain more rum, he decided to go to the bar instead. Perhaps he would drink himself to sleep this night, and the next day go to the hospital and ask for some medication. Maybe. Unlikely, but maybe.

He slid onto a bar stool and ordered his drinks, slipping off his jacket and hanging it on the back of his chair. He was going to be there a while.

#a night to regret #reginaxmills #pickyourpoisonflorist

Fiona had a plan. Well, her plan had consisted of an idea mostly, but once she saw the pirate step into the Rabbit Hole as she was driving down the street, then her plan formed. Knowing he would stay at the bar for some time - after all she had written his personality for the curse, he wouldn’t be able to help himself - she knew he would still be there later when she returned. The pirate was creating a bit of a problem for Fiona, and her previous attempts to be rid of him weren’t working. But this... this was going to be delicious. And if anything was going to work, it would be this.

And she knew just the person who would make her plan work to the fullest. It would be so easy. Fiona could see her plan unfolding perfectly already.

Fiona turned switched gears and headed towards the Mayor’s house rather than returning ‘home’. She pulled up to the large house and didn’t even bother to lock her car as she stepped out onto the side walk. Fiona took a few deep breaths as she got herself into the right frame of mind to put on a little show, and then she marched right up to the door and rang the bell, running her hand through her hair and looking distraught. Exhausted, irritated even.

Updating Social Services - Fiona & Harper

#updating social services #struggling harper royal #end of thread #muwaahhahahahaahaha

struggling-harper-royal:

Harper tried several times to come up with a reason why Neal couldn’t or shouldn’t go with her for the meeting, but each time Fiona interrupted her in that casual yet commanding voice that made it impossible for Harper to get more than a few syllables in. By the time Fiona was done, her tone made it clear that there was no arguing this. Harper was just going to have to take Neal along.

“Yes. Alright.” Harper didn’t even care if she sounded petty and ungrateful now. She was so tired of having these conversations. She was tired of all of this. The sooner she get a proper job and a proper house, the sooner she could leave Fiona and all the Social Services behind.

She looked down at Neal. He was calmer now that he was sitting on her lap, but his eyes seemed strangely transfixed on the drawing of the man with the sword, in a way that didn’t feel natural. Harper would have been concerned if she wasn’t so exhausted from talking to Fiona. She was ready to just end this conversation now so she could focus on Neal instead.

“I’ll see you then.” Harper said, as way of saying goodbye. Normally she allowed Fiona to end their chats - mind you, normally it was Fiona who started them - but for once, Harper found she genuinely didn’t care. She just wanted this call to be over.

Harper didn’t sound at all pleased with the corner Fiona had backed her into. Excellent. The point of this curse was to make sure all of them were displeased and miserable, and of course to defeat Emma. Eventually. In time.

“I suppose you will. Take care, dear.”

Fiona hung up the phone, smiling to herself. This would work out better than she had hoped, if she played her cards right. And she always played her cards right.

Updating Social Services - Fiona & Harper

#updating social services #struggling harper royal

struggling-harper-royal:

“Well, Killian told me to come by within the next couple of days for all the official paperwork and such.” Harper explained. “So I could probably bring everything I needed to you within about a week. Before I actually start the work.”

She was incredibly reluctant to do any of this. Talking to Fiona on the phone was stressful enough, at least she could hide her nervous ticks and pacing and such when she was on the phone. In person she needed to sit in front of Fiona while her cold eyes seemed to glare straight into her soul… Okay, that was maybe a little dramatic but that was how it felt whenever they were in the room together!

“I’ll get Neal a babysitter.” She added quickly. For some reason she just had the urge to keep Neal far away from Fiona. To protect him from her. It was probably just because, if things did take a turn for the worst, then this would be the woman that would be taking her son from her. Yeah, that was it. Just her usual paranoia making her seem a fool. Still, despite knowing how silly she was being about it, Harper was still wholly determined to keep Neal from being anywhere near Fiona so long as she could help it.

“You could bring him here,” Fiona suggested, knowing fully well that Harper would be reluctant to do so. It was something she’d written into the curse, after all. Everyone still had some form of fear of Fiona. To be feared was to be respected, and Fiona demanded respect. But it would serve as a reminder to Harper that Fiona alone could determine the fate of her and her child. If she didn’t do as Fiona pleased, she could very easily take Neal away. And not a soul would stop her. Nor blame her, not with the way the town viewed Harper.

“I haven’t seen Neal in quite some time. I would love to see how he’s faring, and that would eliminate the cost of a baby sitter. I know money is tight for you right now.” A low blow, but something Harper surely would agree with, Fiona was sure.

“So it’s settled then. After your first day with Mr. Jones, you’ll come here with little Neal and bring the paperwork?” Fiona may have been phrasing it as a question, but her tone suggested it was anything but.

Updating Social Services - Fiona & Harper

#updating social services #struggling harper royal

struggling-harper-royal:

So, that was excitement, to nervousness, to terrified, to angry, back to terrified and now to being extremely confused. The mix of emotions Harper was going through was beginning to make her dizzy. She now sat on the floor, blinking with the phone pressed against her ear and waiting for the punchline. When it didn’t come, she still hesitated.

“Oh, right, of course. I see.” Harper said, trying not to feel too stupid. In her defence, Fiona had made it sound very much like she wanted her to turn down the job or else she would take Neal away. “Um. Well, I am sorry for my outburst and yes, I completely agree. This is just a temporary job until I can find something more suitable for myself and for Neal.”

She looked up. Neal was whimpering and staring at her with wide eyes. Her outburst had frightened him. Harper quickly rushed to his side, scooping him into her arms and settling with in her lap, one arm looped around him with the other kept the phone against the side of her face. Now she was here, she could see the picture he had been drawing quite clearly. It was pretty impressive considering his age. At the very least she could tell it was supposed to be a man with what she assumed was a sword at his side. Harper paused and looked down at Neal. He was staring at the picture hard. It was probably some cartoon character that he wished he could meet, or a version of himself that he wished he could be.

“I will do whatever I need to for my son.” Harper promised finally, hugging Neal close to her chest. “I swear, whatever it takes.”

Fiona could have laughed. Manipulating Harper was so easy, she could do it in her sleep. “As I said, dear, it’s forgiven.” For the moment. It was good to know she could get that sort of reaction out of Harper if need be. For later. “Now, when do you begin working for Mr. Jones? You will need to bring any and all paper work provided here so we can put it on file and discuss some things.”

Fiona crossed her legs as she sat back in her chair, wondering just how much she could get out of this new development. It was dangerous, though. She needed to keep that Charming family separated as much as possible for what she needed. Use Harper, get what she needed, and then get her out. That was the plan now.

Updating Social Services - Fiona & Harper