Love Is Sacrifice

Your best chance is me. //Mulan from OUAT RP account associated with onceuponat-rp

[asktheprincessofdawn]

We Got Our Own Sense of Time || Aurora and Mulan

[asktheprincessofdawn]

Aurora furrowed her brow.

What was the purpose of the fire at all if she could abandon it so suddenly? Was it just so Mulan had something to do? Was she restless? Perhaps traveling with Robin Hood kept her busy. Yes, that was it. She was used to being on the move now, and with so many to the group, they could cover more ground more quickly to travel where they pleased.

It was a far cry from when it was just the two of them in the Enchanted Forest, that was for sure. Aurora was more a liability than anything back then. She slowed Mulan down more than she realized.

"Oh?" she breathed, "Really?" As soon as she liked, or as soon as they could? she wanted to ask.

Aurora stared at the warrior for some time, trying to see past the little smile offered to her in order to understand; it was a soft, imploring look she tried not to use often. She grabbed at Mulan’s arm impulsively, keeping her grip loose so the other woman (hopefully) would pass it off as a need for touch.

The princess shot a quick glance to see what Roland was up to, and was pleased to find he was playing quietly by himself in the chair she sat in earlier. She turned back to Mulan.

"And Roland?" she whispered, "Is he to come too? We can’t leave him by himself, Mulan. He might get hurt. When are his parents returning? Where have they gone?"

[yaoguaihunter-blog]

 Mulan smiled at the gentle hand Aurora placed on her arm. Storybrooke didn't require her to wear much of the armor she wore so constantly when she roamed the Enchanted Forest with Aurora, so she was able to feel the coolness of her friend's touch through her sleeve. The warrior placed a hand lightly over Aurora's and nodded, looking back up at her. "I'd love nothing more than to meet your son."

 Her gaze roamed to Roland and laughed at Aurora's insistent questions. "It may not seem as such, but I havek become rather adept with caring for Roland. Robin frequently leaves one of the Merry Men in charge of him when he is out hunting." Mulan paused. "I like to think the boy has formed a... liking... for me." She looked back to Aurora and nodded. "He can join us. Perhaps your smallish creature would enjoy the company of someone much closer to his age." Familiarity set in. Mulan was talking openly as she became unafraid of the woman in front of her.

 "Come, Roland. We are going on a trip to meet a Prince." With the hand she'd placed on Aurora's own, she waved him near and smoothed his dirty hair with her fingers. The young boy perked up excitedly and asked of the authenticity of the child's princely-ness. 

[asktheprincessofdawn]

We Got Our Own Sense of Time || Aurora and Mulan

[asktheprincessofdawn]

Taking a shaky breath as she accepted the embrace, Aurora savored the warrior’s touch should she not be able to again later on. There was no resisting another smile on the princess’s part, this time into Mulan’s shoulder, which did not fade when the women separated. How relieved and grateful she was this hug was not one of departure or sad feelings like their last so long ago.

Amused, Aurora shook her head and cocked it slightly. “I’ve relearned some lessons originally taught by you from him, with almost an exact phrasing of your words. Your methods have not wavered.” Such familiarity was a comfort.

She listened with interest at Mulan’s summary as to her well-being and appropriately shuddered at the mention of the flying monkeys. The reminder of those creatures brought back memories that made her restless, and she began to take cautious steps around the little area of the campsite where she stood. The princess hadn’t heard much of the Queen as of late, but she nodded at the news nonetheless.

"That’s good to hear," she said softly, not sure if Mulan heard her while starting to make a fire in the midst of day. Furrowing her brow at the sight — Mulan always had a reason for everything, even if Aurora knew not what it was — she reached her arm towards the woodpile, about to offer her assistance when…

Of course this was the first thing Mulan would inquire, her dear friend. Always for her safety, as well as for Phillip’s. Hesitatingly, Aurora retracted her arm, and cleared her throat before speaking. “Aside from a few troubles adjusting to this new land, Phillip and I have been safe…” she began carefully, hoping Mulan would let the half-truth slip by, “We hoped we would see you soon after we arrived, as we saw many more from our world here as well. I wish for you to meet my son— if you would like, of course.”

[yaoguaihunter-blog]

Her son. 

So many conflicting feelings the warrior had struggled so fiercely to let go of seemed to come to the surface in just the small time she was reminded what Aurora's bright voice sounded like. Small and soft, but strong, and never speaking of things she did not firmly believe. 

This place with Robin and his men, the home she has made here, was one of comfort. It was, for the most part, peaceful, and her companions were friendly and let her be as reserved or involved as she pleased.

And here is Aurora, placing on her shoulders a large weight of cloudy, ambiguous, fearsome feelings, making her speak of things Mulan gladly would like to forget, talking of people she once had a different life with. But when she looked up and saw the princess' eager eyes, the warrior had to clench her jaw to keep from falling into guilty pieces.

"I suppose this fire can wait," she told Aurora, with a small, reserved smile. "I would like nothing more than to meet your small prince. We can leave as soon as you like."

What else could she say? What else was there to do? In a sense, she was speaking the truth. Mulan was eager to see Philip and to meet his son. And of course she was happy to see Aurora here too. Excited, even, if not a little bit confused. But so much of her felt as if she mustn't tread to harshly, to be quick, and always cautious. 

[yaoguaihunter-blog]

Meet & Greet || Regina & Mulan

[i-prefer-regina]

Regina could literally see the warrior think, as relief, fear and realisation at the Queen’s three words sank in. Regina was dreading herself, trying her best to prepare for the woman’s reaction, which surely wouldn’t be too kind.

But when she spoke, her voice was soft, the tone taking her by surprise. Mulan’s gaze, however, showed everything but softness and Regina swallowed before she let the other woman continue. She shouldn’t have been surprised that her motives were being questioned, and yet Regina found it hard to control herself.

"My intentions are no one’s business but Robin’s,” Regina snarled out. She knew what people thought and saw in her. She was nothing more than the Evil Queen and she couldn’t blame Mulan for suspecting her motives. But it still hurt, more than she cared to admit.

She thought Robin’s acceptance was all she needed, but it dawned on her then that it wasn’t enough. The Merry Men were practically Robin’s family, his closest friends and the people he cared about the most. Regina desperately wanted them to accept her; for her to be able to accept Robin’s invitation the next time he offered her dinner at his camp- but now it seemed that she certainly messed up and just kept going head to head against his friends.

[yaoguaihunter-blog]

"Robin is my business," she spat. "He's family. And given your reputation..." Mulan shook her head slightly before continuing. "I don't trust you."  The statement was simple and unclouded with ambiguity. She knew Regina would know why, as well she knew Regina would not soon apologize. There was a moment, however, in which Mulan struggled to realize the gravity of the situation. Neither her nor the Queen would soon swallow their impulses and make an effort to find sense in the situation. And soon after the warrior made it clear where she stood on the situation, she almost began to regret speaking so harshly to the woman in front of her, not out of pity, but simply out of level-headedness.

Mulan's moral code was firm and unmoving, but so was her inherently staunch sense of honor. She was right, Robin was family. But family was there to protect you, but not control you.

[sisterto-thesnowqueen]

Anna & Mulan- Just What We Needed

Elsa would thank her later. Although her sister had tried to stop her, Anna had successfully made it back to the Merry Men’s camp. Robin Hood, the first friend the princess had made in this strange land, had told her about this group’s newest member: a warrior named Mulan. She was tough. She was fearless. She was exactly what the sisters of Arendelle needed in order to defeat their wicked aunt. Upon entering the camp, Anna noted that it was empty save for a woman with long, jet black hair, wearing suited armor. This had to be Mulan. In her increasingly-hoarse voice, Anna called out, “Excuse me? You’re Mulan, right? Because I could use your help.”

[yaoguaihunter-blog]

 The atmosphere was a dull orange, almost pink, as the warrior approached the camp with a bundle of wood in her arms. Daylight was just beginning to descend as Mulan prepared the evening fire alone It was almost therapeutic for her. While the men she shared the camp with were welcoming and vivacious, she could not deny her quiet tendencies, and preference for peace. Yes, it was true, Mulan had found a home amongst Robin Hood and his fraternity, but as the time went on, it seemed more and more evident how different she was from them. She did not drink, or play card games; nor did she enjoy telling dramatized stories about her adventures in distant lands. It was these activities that -- while her companions welcomed her to do so -- she simply didn't have any interest in doing. It was the same feeling that drove to into quitting the general's army.

 Lost in this reflection, Mulan almost didn't notice when the other woman approached. Her voice and footsteps were so quiet, she almost continued preparing the fire if she hadn't caught sight of the girl approaching, hunched over and shivering. Throwing the rest of the wood in her arms down, Mulan turned to face her.

 "Who are you?"

[yaoguaihunter-blog]

Send me a sentence for my muse's reaction

"Are you even listening to me?"

"Are you even listening to yourself?"

"Are you sure they won’t find out?”

"Are you sure this is legal?”

"Are you sure you know what you’re doing?”

"Are you threatening me?"

"Be mine."

"Can you be anymore obvious?"

"Do I know you?"

"Do you love me?"

"Do you remember this?"

"Do you trust me?"

"Don’t go."

"Don’t let me die"

"Don’t look at me like that."

"Don’t make me beg.”

"Don’t you dare come near me!"

"Don’t you dare."

"Explain yourself."

"For you, I would _____"

"Give it back."

"Give me another chance."

"Have you ever even done this before?"

"How drunk are you right now?"

"I already regret this."

"I am not wearing that.”

"I can’t believe you missed that."

"I can’t do this anymore."

"I can’t even look at you."

"I could kill you!"

"I dare you." or "I dare you to _____."

"I didn’t do it.""

"I didn’t know you could do that."

"I don’t want to look at you right now.”

"I guess this is goodbye.”

"I hate you."

"I have to go."

"I just want to cuddle."

"I know your secret.”

"I love you, but I really wish I didn’t.”

"I love you."

"I miss you so very much."

"I missed you."

"I need a drink."

"I need a hug."

"I never really loved you."

"I owe you."

"I think I broke it."

"I think I’m falling in love with you. "

"I think I’m forgetting something."

"I think it’s broken.”

"I trust you."

"I want to be yours."

"I want to try this thing I read in a book.”

"I want you. Naked. In my bed. Now."

"I’ll be there in five minutes.”



”This is really inappropriate.”

"I’m all for spicing thing’s up, but isn’t this a bit much?”

"I’m bad for you.”

"I’m dying."

"I’m going to be sick."

"I’m not speaking to you anymore."

"I’m pregnant and it’s yours."

"I’ve never heard that one before."

"If you stay quiet, no one will know.”

"Is that my shirt?"

"It was me"

"It’s so beautiful.”

"It’s time to choose.”

"Just five more minutes."

"Just go."

"Just leave me alone."

"Just let me die."

"Just relax."

"Just what did we do last night?"

"Kiss me you idiot."

"Kiss me."

"Like you even care."

"Little too late, don't you think?"

"Make me."

"Marry me?"

"My Parents don’t know"

"My parents know.""

"Never again."

"Nh, don’t be so rough!"

"No, that can’t be my baby."

"No! You can’t die on me now!"

"Obviously there is something between us."

"Of all the things i've heard, that hurt the most."

"Put it away.”

"Put your trousers on!"

"Put. The. Weapon. Down."

"Quiet, I am trying to think."

"Relax, I have a plan."

"Really?"

"Shut up and listen."

"Take responsibility."

"That isn’t mine."

"That looked easier on TV."

"That sounds painful."

"That was a bad plan."

"That’s mine!”

"That’s the cheesiest pickup line I’ve ever heard."

"They’re coming.”

"This seems familiar."

"This stays between us."

"Truth hurts, don’t it?"

"Unbelievable. I can't believe you right now."

"Very good, you had me fooled."

"Want to hear a secret?"

"We need to talk."

"We’re moving too fast.”

"Well that was unexpected."

"What are we doing here?"

"What are you afraid of?"

"What are you touching?"

"What are you?"

"What do you need?"

"What happened to you?"

"What have I done this time?"

"What if someone catches us?”

"What sort of noise was that?”

"What the hell do you think you’re doing?"

"What were you thinking?"

"Where are my clothes?"

"Where did you find this?"

"Where do you even find this sort of thing?”

"Where were you?"

"Who’d have guessed you could pull such a face?”

"Why are you wearing that?"

"Why yes, I am as think as you drunk I am."

"You could have died!”

"You could have killed someone!"

"You coward."

"You don’t need to be so gentle.”

"You drive me crazy!"

"You have ten minutes, so make it quick.”

"You lied to me!"

"You mean everything to me."

"You owe me."

"You. Come. Snuggle. NOW!"

"You’re all out of ____."

"You’re an idiot.”

"You’re bad for me.”

"You’re dead to me."

"You’re pregnant and It’s mine"

"You’re really good at this…”

"You’re so weird.""

"You’re under arrest."

[asktheprincessofdawn]

We Got Our Own Sense of Time || Aurora and Mulan

[asktheprincessofdawn]

"I’m… quite impressed," Aurora breathed when Roland paused in his lecture, it if could be called such, for a reaction, "If I knew half the things you do when I stayed out in the forest, I would have saved my best friend so much trouble."

As Roland’s lesson came to a close, Aurora heard someone approaching with somewhat heavy, quick steps. They were too light to be a man’s… but quite possibly that woman she heard calling earlier. Roland’s mother, of course it was! It had to be!

The princess stood when the woman came around, averting gaze for the time being as they were more concerned with giving Roland a little scolding, not that Aurora minded much. There was so many things she wanted to say to the boy’s mother, starting with: You’re doing a wonderful job.

But when she looked up, finally, into the eyes of the stranger who only just as well began to converse with her… who did she see instead?

"Mulan…!" Aurora gasped, cupping her mouth in shock. She felt tears welling in her eyes. Living in the woods, little Roland… this camp must’ve belonged to Robin Hood. As true as the light in the sky when the sun is awake, she should have known! “This land is full of surprises, and… here you are!”

If it weren’t for the fact that it might as well have been considered guilt-tripping, the princess would not have hesitated to add quickly how much she missed the warrior since her departure. Wiping away a tear that almost fell, Aurora managed a smile to compensate. “Have you been taking care of yourself?” she indicated toward the young child between them, “As well as this little prince?”

[yaoguaihunter-blog]

 The emotion in her old friend's eyes filled Mulan with a lost emotion, something she hadn't felt -- or wanted to feel -- since she joined Robin Hood and his Men. She smiled brightly and strode forward to pull Aurora into a hug, but there was something detached about it. Not too close, she thought to herself.

 "Roland is far from a prince," she told her in amusement, ruffling the boy's dirty hair. "As for me, I've been faring quite well in these lands. No trolls, no flying monkeys," No Aurora, "Even the evil queen seems to have turned a new leaf."

 Mulan turned to begin making a fire at the centre of the camp. She didn't know why. She wasn't hungry. It wasn't cold. It wasn't even chilly, and the sun still hung high in the sky. Something about having Aurora there made her feel like she needed to do something, to be busy.

 "And you, princess? Have you and Phillip been safe?" she asked, piling wood into her arms from a stack near them.

[asktheprincessofdawn]

We Got Our Own Sense of Time || Aurora and Mulan

[asktheprincessofdawn]

Nostalgia threatened to steal Aurora away from the child — whose name was Roland, she learned — upon seeing the campsite he insisted was his place of residence. How long ago has it been since she made camp? It was all so surreal. The smell of the trees and dirt and the occasional snapping of a twig somewhere to keep her on her toes — she hadn’t realized how much she missed it until she tasted it a second time.

No one greeted them upon entering the grounds, a telling sign to the princess as to why the little boy went wandering off on his own. She certainly couldn’t leave now, and took a seat on one of the chairs she hoped its owner wouldn’t mind.

Aurora giggled when a plush monkey was shoved in her face eagerly. “He’s very cute, just like you!” she said gaily, “Does he have a name?”

They began to play with the monkey for a few moments, and not long after that, Aurora found herself relearning lessons taught to her by Mulan long ago, now with the vocabulary, methods and patience of a four-year-old playing Teacher. In the midst of a quiz on the names of the items found on the premises, the princess could’ve sworn she heard someone shouting. Not too far off, but very faintly still, she caught the tail end of someone shouting Roland’s name. Presumably, it was his mother.

[yaoguaihunter-blog]

 With heavy feet stomping reluctantly through the thick dirt, a disheartened Mulan made her way back to camp, calling Roland's name the whole time. Her shoulders felt weighted as she struggled to think of some sort of explanation or apology, simultaneously praying the boy would have found the good sense to return to some realm of safety, for she knew there was no excuse that could justify her mistake.

 As she trudged her way back into the more familiar part of the forest, Mulan listened closely for Roland's voice, because while he was not the most talkative child, his voice was unmistakable. Listening closer now, the solemn warrior struggled to make out a small voice, and more importantly, tried to determine it wasn't just wishful thinking. As she picked up her pace, Mulan began to distinguish two voices, a conversation, both high pitched. Rounding a tree finally to step onto the camp's soil, a great sigh of relief left her lips as her eyes met the figure of the small creature she'd been desperately searching for. The identity of the person he'd returned with did not yet greet her consciousness as she strode over to Roland and knelt down to give him a hefty embrace -- and a stern lecture.

 "Roland, listen to me," she began. The seriousness of her tone was masked by unbelievable relief as she remained knelt to the ground, her hands gently on his shoulder. "You mustn't ever ever leave like that again. My job is to protect you. I was so..." She sighed, and smiled gently. "It matters not." Turning from Roland now, Mulan began to thank the stranger who had so dutifully brought him back to safety.

 "My eternal thanks to--"

Ten thousand memories hit her hard as Mulan got to her feet breathlessly.

 "Aurora."

[asktheprincessofdawn]

We Got Our Own Sense of Time || Aurora and Mulan

Another day, another new sight to see. Storybrooke was certainly an interesting place to behold: from the carriages the people owned, their food, their source of lights. Aurora was getting used to their strange customs quickly enough… maybe she’d even learn to wield their technology-magic properly. All in due time, she supposed.

Alongside others on their way to Granny’s, the princess found herself momentarily distracted by a lone boy standing across another street, staring at no one, but sending a smile to her once they locked eyes. She returned it in earnest and quietly broke away from the other people to join him, almost forgetting to look both ways before darting across the concrete road. When she reached him, Aurora took a quick second to catch her breath.

"What are you doing by yourself? Where are your parents, little one?" she asked, stooping down to meet his eye.

Perhaps it was maternal instinct kicking in that made her move at all, or maybe it was the fact the little boy could charm anyone regardless. One way or another, Aurora found herself following the child away from the streets, pulled by a hand clutching her right little finger, and into the woods of the magical little town. She had no idea what to expect.

[yaoguaihunter-blog]

 Over-protective is not the term Mulan would use to describe herself, but upon searching the far reaches of the forest for the small boy who had been left in her trust, over-protective is certainly what she became. Roland never supposed to leave the camp without an adult. Period. His father's instructions were very clear, the camp was very safe, and the Merry Men were very trustworthy. But as the boy began to grow older, coming into his fifth year, he grew a certain curiosity that could not be settled by the familiarity of the forest. Storybrooke, without the accompaniment of his father's hand, seemed vast in comparison to the tents he grew up in, and Roland, inevitably, wandered away from this sanctuary in search of something less familiar. Mulan had been foolish -- stupid, even -- to believe she could've trusted him to sit still while they gathered wood for the fire. How could she have been so thoughtless?

 The warrior grew antsy, worried, impatient. The forest was vast, he could've gone far, and it would be so easy for him to slip past the town line. Robin had grown to trust her, but with this small, random act of mindlessness, Mulan had destroyed it. Her own imprudence was unbelievable.

 It could've been days for what it felt like, searching everywhere in the endless sea of dirt and foliage, calling Roland's name. For some reason, helplessness seems to work in double time. Roland was only gone for twenty minutes, but to her, it felt like so much more. When he returned, safe and happy with his sprightly companion, Mulan was still buried deep in the forest in search of a sign of his whereabouts. 

[morrisondallas-deactivated20150]

[yaoguaihunter-blog]

Meet & Greet || Regina & Mulan

[i-prefer-regina]

Something in the way Mulan quickly stood up into a stance made the Queen startle. The warrior’s eyes were fierce and her struggle to remain calm didn’t go unnoticed by Regina.

She glanced around the camp one more time before catching the other woman’s eyes again, frowning as she started to speak, confused by her words for a moment. But she wasn’t left confused for too long. Mulan didn’t waste any time and continued straight to the point; not at all what she expected when she arrived there.

Regina’s throat was dry, she suddenly realised. Her suspicious were correct, Robin hasn’t told them, but the Merry Men did suspect their relationship. And with the way Mulan was fiercely looking at Regina dead in the eyes, it wasn’t hard to figure the woman was not too happy with Robin’s choice, and she probably wasn’t the only one among the camp who felt that way. The truth was that Regina couldn’t blame them for this.

Swallowing the lump in her throat, Regina took a moment to calm herself before she replied, offering her the truth straight away. “Yes, I have.” Her voice held more confidence than she currently showed, but if there was one thing she was currently certain of, it was her relationship with Robin. Admitting it out loud gave her voice all the confidence it needed.

[yaoguaihunter-blog]

 First, there was relief. Clarity was Mulan's most ardent passion. Clarity and comprehensibility. It was something she strove towards. Something she looked to in everything. Perhaps this is what made her so dedicated a warrior. She set goals and saw them through with precision.

 But then, there was dread. She hadn't thought far ahead enough to designate her actions in the event Regina said yes. Unfortunately, not only did she say yes, but there was unwavering strength in the way she said it, as if the Queen's voice was water tumbling over sturdy rock. Mulan looked away from the woman.

 There was a long moment of silence in which the warrior attempted to grasp the situation. It felt as though sand was slipping through her fingers. Suddenly, the clarity wasn't there anymore.

 "May I ask..." she began. The softness of her voice startled her, and hauled her eyelids up, seizing her senses so as to look at the woman with the intensity of before. Mulan began again. "May I ask your intentions?" 

[amebuschaos]

[yaoguaihunter-blog]

Meet & Greet || Regina & Mulan

[i-prefer-regina]

After another long day of failed attempts to find something useful in her vault that could help against her sister, the Queen returned home empty handed. She was ready to settle in the living room with coffee, trying to ease her mind from everything.

Something tapped against the kitchen’s window as she poured herself a steaming cup of coffee, and Regina frowned when she saw a dove. She opened the window and freed a note from the dove’s leg before it flew away quickly. The mayor let out a sigh, expecting it to be a message from her step-daughter, but a quick glance at the piece in her hand made her stomach flip. It was Mulan, and she wanted to meet. Regina’s mind immediately trailed to the worst possible scenario- that something might have happened at the camp, something involving her sister. Regina left the kitchen right away, grabbing her coat and heading straight to the Merry Men’s camp. 

The two women never met before; Regina didn’t have a proper interaction with any of Robin’s Merry Men, she wasn’t even sure if they knew the two of them were together again (they must have at least suspected, even if Robin didn’t say a word, they weren’t stupid and the outlaw spent many nights with her, away from his camp) but none of this mattered now as she headed towards the woods.

When she arrived, Regina found the camp quite and peaceful, with Mulan sitting over next to the campfire. “Mulan?” She approached the dark haired woman, waiting for her to acknowledge her presence before she spoke again. “Is everything alright?”

[yaoguaihunter-blog]

 Waiting for Regina was agonizing. Mulan thought over a million and a million and a half times what she might say if she learned the rumors were true. So much of her was certain an affair between Robin and the Queen would never be possible, and so much of her feared such was the case, that Mulan began to wonder where the two parts of her consciousness met, because it was in this small crevice that the warrior was forced to exist. What would he say to Robin? What would she say to the other men? Or would she be forced to secrecy by the two lovers?

 Equal parts relief and fear boiled into Mulan's throat as the voice of the Queen forced her to jerk upright and into a stance. The eyes of the two women, equal in ferocity, met, and Mulan's dry throat swallowed hard as she struggled to remain calm.

 "That's what I'm about to find out," she said before continuing. "There is... talk amongst the men at the camp. No one is certain of it's veracity, however, that is what I'm here to discuss. Confirmation. Have you or have you not been having romantic meetings with Robin?"

[ask-belle-betterthanmagic]

A Friend Worth Fighting For || Mulan & Belle

[ask-belle-betterthanmagic]

Belle stopped and took a half step back from Mulan’s fierce expression, though her own was steeling itself as it did when she was defending someone she loved. “Yes…I married the Dark One,” she answered, barely hesitating. “B-but, it’s not that simple. Do you remember that man, Phillip? He was the yaoguai we had hunted.” It all felt like a long time ago—and yet, with Mulan here, the memories flooded back. 

"Rumple’s…Rumple’s a little like that. He—he has done a lot of horrible things. I’m not saying he hasn’t." She’d seen a few of them herself, and certainly heard enough from her father and others about what he was capable of. Still. "He’s not that man anymore. He’s changed. He’s not a monster anymore. He’s still the Dark One…but he’s also sacrificed his life to save this town. He’s turned over a new leaf. And…he loves me. More than I could ever deserve.”

A soft blush filled her cheeks as she said this; it wasn’t perfect, but being married to her true love still gave her goosebumps when she thought about it. He was overprotective of her, but she knew it came from a place of love—and in everything else, he was (quite literally if she had no choice but to use the dagger) her devoted servant. 

[yaoguaihunter-blog]

 Mulan's fondness and devotion to Phillip rose to the surface again at the mention of the memory shared with Belle. It'd been so long, she'd nearly forgotten that time of her life, hunting the Yaoguai. In a way, Belle was right. The past does not obscure room for the future. But his 'turning over a new leaf' didn't justify any of his horrendous actions, and the Dark One, Rumpelstiltskin, Mr. Gold, Silver, Bronze, any one of these monikers, will have to win Mulan's approval.

 "Alright," she said finally. "Take me to meet him." Her gut churned, but not at the thought of coming face to face with arguably the most deceitful man to have existed in these two worlds, but at the thought of that same man being wed to one of the most precious and pure creatures Mulan had ever encountered in all her life. 

[ask-belle-betterthanmagic]

A Friend Worth Fighting For || Mulan & Belle

[ask-belle-betterthanmagic]

Belle laughed lightly. “I’ve got more clothes than I know what to do with,” she said. Rumple really spoiled her sometimes—between the fact that the curse had made him wealthy in this world and his magic, the moment she expressed a desire for something it was usually fulfilled. On top of that, the man loved clothes, so anything he desired to see her in also appeared in her large closet. ”Come on. We’ll go to my house and see what we can find. I might even have something practical for camping out, if you’re staying with the Merry Men.”

She gestured back towards the pink house and started walking alongside Mulan. “And yes, I just got married.” She weighed how quickly she should tell Mulan whom her husband was; those who hadn’t seen him save all of Storybrooke tended to be a lot more confused—horrified even—that she would choose to marry the Dark One. They simply didn’t understand Rumple the way she did, and there had been a time when she would have thought the idea just as mad as they did.

"He doesn’t have the best reputation but he’s really kind when you get to know him well. He once sacrificed everything to save all our lives. His name here is…Mr. Gold, " she started, watching Mulan closely for her reaction. "He…also goes by Rumplestiltskin." She bit her lip, hoping Mulan would try to understand.

[yaoguaihunter-blog]

 A slew of stories and myths rushed through her brain as that name was released from her friend's lips. "Rumplestiltskin..." Mulan muttered initially to herself. "Rumplest--... The Dark One?" She turned fiercely to face Belle, willing passionately that there be some logical explanation. "You married... the Dark One? Are we talking about the same person? Belle, stories of his wickedness and deceit are told in far off lands. Even those who have never had the misfortune of meeting him are effected by this actions. You're telling me you are wed to... to... that monster?"

 She should've known the second Belle began to defend her husband even before she revealed his identity. Any one who's reputation you must justify is not to be trusted. But this? This was on disproportionate levels.

 However, Mulan knew Belle's judgement well. Her love of books and passion for learning fed heavily into her grand supply of knowledge, and at such a young age. Belle had the wisdom of an old soul, and the beauty of the young. Mulan would be somewhat foolish not to trust her reason.

[yaoguaihunter-blog]

Meet & Greet || Regina & Mulan

 There was rumor around the camp that Robin had a love interest. Mulan, granted, didn't know much of love, or people in love -- her own brief swim in the pool of love was more like an irritating step in an inconveniently placed puddle -- but she was, however, aware of the steps one often went to obtain it.

 Robin Hood, she knew, was a very sensible man. Logical and consistent, with a very strict moral code. Mulan would not have been worried about his sanity hadn't the person he was rumored to be dating been Regina the Queen. It was so unlike him, that for the first few weeks after the rumours began, Mulan laughed along like any of the others. There was no conceivable universe in which Robin, her strong, rational leader, could be interested in... that.

 But perhaps there was. After the third week of Robin and Regina rumors being bounced around among the men, Mulan became desperate for answers. Factual answers. Because for the amount of time Robin's men spent gossiping, the Merry Men might as well be a knitting circle.

 When it came to contacting Regina, Mulan knew no better method than the old fashioned way -- she would tie a note to the foot of a trained dove requesting Regina meet her outside the Merry Men camp.

[ask-belle-betterthanmagic]

A Friend Worth Fighting For || Mulan & Belle

[ask-belle-betterthanmagic]

Belle happily hugged Mulan again. “Oh—there’s so much to tell since I left you…” She bit her lip, considering where to start. With Regina’s capture? With the curses that had taken her back and forth? “We should go someplace we can sit down and chat. But…basically, my father is fine and…I’m married now. I’m living with my husband, of course—the house is just down the street a ways.” 

She pointed in the direction of the pink house. “So you know Robin, too? I met him a few months before we met, you know…but that’s a long story, too. Like I said, maybe we should go someplace besides the sidewalk to talk, if you have time?”

[yaoguaihunter-blog]

 "You're... married? To a... man? Who is he? Do I know him? What is he like? Oh! Yes, I'm sorry. I have lots of time. But first I'd... really appreciate if I could change out of these clothes, at least while I'm in the city."

 Mulan cast her gaze down to her maroon and gold crested armour, beginning to realize she didn't have much use to be clad with protection anymore, not while she was in Storybrooke. "You wouldn't happen to have any clothes I could borrow... would you?"

[ask-belle-betterthanmagic]

A Friend Worth Fighting For || Mulan & Belle

[ask-belle-betterthanmagic]

Belle opened her arms wide and hugged Mulan tightly, so glad to see her friend running after the injury she’d left her with all those years ago. “I’m so glad to see you,” she said as they broke the embrace. “You shouldn’t have run across the road like that, though—you might have been hit by a car.” 

She looked Mulan over carefully, feeling a bit self-conscious about not having sought her out before. Things had been busy since they’d returned to Storybrooke, however, what with her new marriage and all. “Where have you been all this time?”

[yaoguaihunter-blog]

 "Here," she said, holding Belle's shoulders firmly in her hands, elated to see someone she'd grown so fond of so long ago. "I've been here, in Storybrooke with Robin and his Merry Men." Mulan spoke quickly and fervently, as if she were trying to make up for 29 years of lost time. Her eager eyes were filled with emotion as she tugged Belle back into the embrace again.

 "I'm sorry," she muttered. "I'm sorry, I've just..." A smile graced her face as she sighed, pulling back again. "I've missed you. Please, tell me what you've been doing. Where is your home? Your family?"