Rumple sat at his spinning wheel, carding some wool that he would soon be turning into thread, as his boy woke. He’d already set out his son’s breakfast, just some bread and cheese. And the last of the jam that woman staying with Morgan and Lucien had given them. He smiled softly at the thought. Normally he’d refuse such a gift, but it had been given to his son, not him. And he knew the woman had been around long enough to know of his reputation, so he couldn’t imagine she’d regret him benefitting from it. It warmed his heart to see someone treating his son so nicely.
Of course, he still tried to make sure that his son was the one who had most of the jam. Bae had insisted that Rumple have some as well, but he was able to make sure the majority of it went to his growing boy. Along with the majority of the rest of their food.
Which was another problem. They had run out, or they would be out once Bae finished breakfast, and market day wasn’t until tomorrow. He’d have to go scavenging in the forest to see if he couldn’t find some berries or nuts for his boy to have for dinner, until they could get paid tomorrow and buy food. At least he was almost done paying back the bar the debt he owed. Or… well he hadn’t caused the debt but the person who had must be dead by now, and as her husband it was his responsibility.
He shook his head slightly, unwilling to think of that. “Bae,” he said as his son finished eating, coming over to talk to him. “I’m going to need you to go play with Morraine today, okay?” He hadn’t done this in awhile, too afraid to let Bae out of his sight after Milah had been taken. But he thought Morgan’s offer of watching Bae while he helped distract her daughter still stood, and he didn’t want his son going into the forest with him. “I have to go somewhere.”
“You’ll be back, right?” Bae asked. His poor boy had been just as anxious as he had, worrying about losing his father like he’d lost his mother.
“I’ll be back in time for dinner,” he assured his son, snagging some spools of thread from his market day basket, which was already half prepared. “And here, you can give these to Morgan,” he said, handing some of them to his son. It was his way of thanking her for watching Bae. “And these,” he said, holding the rest out to his boy “are for her guest. A thank you for the jam.”
Bae grinned at that, taking the spools and stuffing the groups into separate pockets. “Okay Papa. I love you.” And then he was up and hugging him before Rumple could even blink. He chuckled slightly, returning the hug.
“Alright, time to go,” he said after a moment. If he had his way he’d stay here hugging his boy all day, but he had to feed the lad too. “Off you go.” He walked his boy to the door, parting ways with him almost immediately, but only after seeing Morgan give him a nod, signaling that she didn’t mind watching Bae.
Soon he was walking through the forest, looking for mushrooms and roots and anything edible. The woods weren’t that dangerous per se. Most people in town supplemented their diet with food found here, but that was what worried him. Some of the people in town weren’t exactly friendly with him. So when he nearly tripped over someone who was half buried in a bush, he might have panicked just a bit.
“I’m so sorry ma’am,” he was quick to apologize. He couldn’t see just who it was but he knew it was one of the woman because she was wearing a dress. Wait, that color blue…. Was that Morgan and Lucien’s guest? “I didn’t see there I swear. I’ll just… keep moving. If you’re not hurt?” He didn’t think he’d hurt her. It had been a rather small bump actually, and it had been with his bad leg so he’d be feeling it if it had been worse. But he wanted to make sure before he walked away, the state of her health being more important than his desire to go away so he wouldn’t bother her.
It hadn't been hard for Belle to find a bush full of berries and she quickly set to work on picking some of the succulent looking fruit. They were sure to make a delicious jam once it was done. Maybe she could even make a mixed berry jam one of these days if she ever dared venture outside of routine.
If there was one thing she had learned about life in the Frontlands though, it was that nothing was promised in day to day life. Times were hard on everyone in the little village and could get harder by the day.
That was why when she wandered into the woods she tried to only take as much as she'd need for jams and no more than that. She knew the other villagers relied on what they found out here for food too. Normally she was the only one who came out here at this time of day though. So she wasn't worried when she went for the berries more toward the back of the bush.
Until she felt the light tap against her that is, causing a jump and gasp of surprise to leave her. Surprise that grew when she heard the voice that quickly apologized to her.
Oh Gods she could have tripped someone! And the banks out here could be steep. One mis-step could send someone tumbling if they weren't careful. She couldn't remember now how close to the embankment she was either.
"No, no need to apologize," she quickly answered as she crawled out from the bush and started brushing the dirt off herself. A lifetime of manners and being presentable to others still made her somewhat self conscious around others. "If anything I should be the one t-"
Her words cut off when she finally looked up at who she could have tripped and came face to face with the man she wanted so badly to approach and talk to. It seemed that the Gods heard her secret wishes and made it happen. Now if she could just unglue her tongue from the top of her mouth..
Say something, Belle! Anything! Quickly too before he thinks you're judging him!
"Oh hi.." she finally managed, internally wincing from how awkward she sounded. So she cleared her throat, glanced back at the bush and got inspiration. "Sorry I almost tripped you.. I'm usually the only one out here at this time of day. Oh n-not that you have to explain..! I just.."
Keep digging Belle! You're digging your grave nicely..
A sigh and attempts to gather her dignity around herself later and she tried again. But was she blushing? Because it felt like her face was on fire!
"Anyway, hi, I'm Belle. Did you and your son like the jam?"
She only hoped that she hadn't managed to make him think she was judging him like the rest of the village did.. Aside from Morgan and Lucien that is.
