@heroicallybelieving
“Henry.” Mother Superior was on a mission today. Normally she wasn’t running errands all over Storybrooke. She had business to attend to. Today, however, there had been a small package left in one of the rooms occupied by one of the nuns who had since renounced her vows and went to join life as a regular person. She missed the girl dearly, but the item was clearly marked “For Henry Mills.” Trying to track him down was never easy, but she felt happy she had located him outside of Granny’s.
“It’s a little warm for hot chocolate with cinnamon. Let me guess... root beer floats?” She smiled and gave a wink.
She hoped he’d never change. He was a kind boy and he was always trying to hold onto that goodness. If they could all help him, then Henry could remain a good person. That good heart of his needed to be protected and nurtured.
It was that reason why she felt it important to track him down to deliver the lumpy small package wrapped in brown paper and tied with yellowed string. “I found this cleaning out her side of the dormitory. I would have given it back to her, but she addressed it to you. It looks like she meant it to be yours a long time ago.”
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Truth be told, now Evangeline was finding herself curious. What did the former sister intend to leave behind for Henry? “I remember. She was your teacher, wasn’t she? You didn’t remember her as Sister Mariah like we do. Then...how on earth was this hiding in the convent...?”
It was a strange notion. Just how long ago did the woman leave and begin her new life? How long was it that she taught Henry? What did the curse do to them? Had she taught Henry as a nun? Did she know him before? Or perhaps this was some terrible trick that had manifested within the convent.
“Do you mind if we opened it together...?” Mother Superior tugged at the string and held the item for Henry, but began to take a defensive stance. Suddenly, she wasn’t so sure this was a gift but an elaborate trap. The paper fell and she was ready to pull the object away quickly...
When it was revealed to be a soft toy horse with a soldier riding upon him. He was stitched on so he couldn’t fall off, but the old knight seemed weary and battle worn.
Mother Superior’s eyes widened at her sudden recollection. “...Oh. Sister Mariah...taught you that song, didn’t she? One Tin Soldier.”
Oskar was sitting up in his bed, trying to read a book. His arms felt heavy and moving the pages was difficult, but he was determined to keep trying. Part of him felt like if he kept moving, maybe he could slow the process of him turning to gold. He had no way to confirm his hypothesis, but it was good to feel like he was doing something to help ward off his inevitable fate.
When the door opened, Oskar looked up and smiled at the nun. He carefully closed his book and set it on the bedside table, trying not to let his arms shake too much.
“Progress is good!” He smiled brightly at her. Any progress was good progress in his mind. “Thank you for working on it for me.” Oskar sometimes felt bad that he was keeping the fairies focused on finding a cure for him. Surely Mother Superior had other people that needed aid. But both she and Sister Astrid seemed to think that he was important enough to spend so much time on.
Astrid reminded him often of just how long he’d been stuck as a statue in the Enchanted Forest. “We always wanted to help you. We had to stop the curse then, but now it’s broken. Now we can help you.” Oskar thought it was nice, but he still worried he was taking help others might need.
“How much longer do you think it’ll take?” he asked with a worried frown. At some point, wouldn’t they have to give up on him and focus on helping others? He wouldn’t mind, just so long as people got the help they needed.
Oskar shifted in his bed. He moved his legs closer. His feet were bare, and it was easy to see that his right foot was gold all the way up to his ankle. The toes on his left food looked to be solid gold as well.
“I was reading. I thought if I kept my hands moving, turning the pages? That might help slow it down. I wasn’t sure. But it feels like my body slowly going stiff and still so I thought, maybe moving would be good.” She would tell him if it wasn’t. She may not know the cure, but she did know a lot about all different types of magic. He trusted she’d know about this.
Time was the enemy. Time worked against the poor boy. Time was going to turn Oskar back into the golden statue he was once. While statues were beautiful, it seemed to be a terrible fate for such a loving child. Mother Superior reached petite hand to hold onto Oskar’s. Time... If she could save Oskar from those funny tricks of time, but who would dare step inside the convent and realize what was going on inside? Who saw the broken little souls who resided there?
They didn’t need just time or a miracle anymore. Oskar needed someone to move a mountain.
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Her eyes slipped away from Oskar’s resting form and fell to the golden foot. It squeezed at her very soul and hurt her to watch. But she couldn’t lie... Even though the terrible sight caused her to immediately grimace, she couldn’t lie. It was a grim situation and Oskar would know if anyone lied to him. Those sweet blue eyes would see right through her. Besides, fairies were unconvincing liars. Those who had the ability to do so were often terrible at the practice. There were some that simply could not.
Evangeline wasn’t sure where her skills fell. She wasn’t born a trickster or hobgoblin, so she was certain she would be terrible. Sticking to the truth, even if omitting details, would be the best.
“I don’t know, Oskar. It’s a bit more powerful than just dust. I’ve got a few of the sisters collecting more items for me and I’ll start again the second they get back. Until then, I’ll keep you company.” Astrid was good for that. She was pleasant and despite her flaws and often bumbling at basic tasks around the convent, she would care for their small group of orphans. Astrid’s star shone brightest when confronted with those needing the most care... It made her very proud.
“I want you to keep moving your hands. Do you remember the exercises the doctors taught you during the curse? Keep doing them. I don’t know how much it’ll keep the goldtouch from spreading, but keep trying.”
None of these were going to comfort the child. She sat there quietly, thinking. The silence was excruciating. Then, at long last...
“Oskar... Have I ever told you the story of Margaret of Castillo? Her parents prayed for a miracle and took her to a shrine. When no miracle happened, her parents abandoned her. She was blind, couldn’t walk, and was a small girl. Do you remember Sister Mariah? She was about as tall as she was! But she was very alone... A group of women found her, cared for her, and found a family who loved her as she was. Margaret was a happy child. She was generous and kind. She never had hatred towards anyone. She only wished to give love and kindness...” Mother Superior cleared her throat, then continued.
“The girl said her pain was to help her connect with others in pain. So she would visit others and unite them... She was adored. When she died, the church could not hold everyone and the town demanded she have a tomb for all she did for the town... But some say a miracle happened that day. A little girl touched Margaret’s casket and began to walk...”
Silence came again. “...You inspire me. With your kindness and love of others. You are much like St. Margaret of Castillo. You have my word... I will create a potion to help you walk again.”
It was a lofty promise and likely one she couldn’t keep... What if Oskar died? This was a different world now...
Then she’d just have to succeed.
:: I’m so sorry. My head is spinning. This better not be a sign my trip back into rping is cursed. I’m online tonight and though I am slow, I will be checking for threads, replies, etc. ::
Hello guys. Those of you that have stuck around with me for so long, thanks! I’m back and wanting to rp again. I’m going to start all new threads since I’ve been gone so long, but I appreciate those of you who have stuck around! Also I’m sorry I never announced my disappearance. I’ll try to let people actually know next time.
@chopperpirate
The sun was unusually warm. On days like this, Mother Superior would often see the sisters headed outside to do work. Her position was a strange one these days. Not truly a fairy and not truly a nun, she lived in a place of the in between. Sometimes it boiled down to do good and find places to do good. The nice weather was even giving her a bit of spring fever. She departed her office, left a ‘The Sisters are OUT’ sign on the front door of the convent, and headed to the beach.
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Something was drawing her there. She didn’t know if it was magic or if it was the desire to see the ocean after being holed up in her office for what felt like days, but she stood near the shore and watched the sea crash into the sand. Something was particularly electrifying about the sight. A smile crossed her lips as she began a slow trudge at a snail’s pace.
Why here? Maybe it was her finer fairy sense that told her to keep investigating, but she lingered around the ivory sands as confusion began to expand on her face. Just what exactly did she want here? Maybe it wasn’t just a chance to be outside and forget being cramped inside of her office with the stress and responsibility. Or perhaps she had more work to do out here.
At the very least, the salt air was wonderful. Storybrooke’s seaside was a perfect backdrop to the start of something very interesting.
“If only I can figure what’s led me here,” She whispered to herself while still making a face. “I never come here. I’d rather bug Granny for an egg salad... and those are practically inedible.”
:: Hey so I have chronic pain and disability. I used to play a character with chronic pain and illness. My character came before my own diagnosis. My character was very slowly ostracized and then I was. If this can help promote understanding, I’d be over the moon. ::
:: Hi! I’m in the middle of a very bad flare up. I see people and I’m going to try to interact as promptly as I can! Unfortunately when I have a flare up, my hands are often in a great deal of pain. I am also forgetful. I see you. Yes you reading this. If you followed or liked my starter call, I see you. I’m working on it. I thank you for your patience! I appreciate it! ::
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