Test-Drive Meme!

[rubycitymods]

TEST-DRIVE MEME

Maybe you've considered appping a new character but you're not sure how well they would adjust to the in-game scenario? Well, here's a chance to give it a try!

• Post with a character journal you'd like to voicetest or you've considered apping to Ruby City. Feel free to play them as newcomers or as if they've been here for a while - the setting is your own choice.

•Respond to other threads with new characters or with characters who are already in the game.

• Explore different interactions, find castmates, develop possible CR - anything you want, as long as you have fun!

Comments

[fairdeal]

[He puts his arms around her automatically, although her cracking voice worries him. He leans his head back just enough to glance at her, running his fingers through her hair in an attempt to calm her.]

Belle, what's wrong? I just saw you.

[And an afterthought, his tone slightly lower, more threatening.] Who did this?

[bien_aimee]

I haven't seen you in weeks!

[ She does her best to fight back any tears and swallow the painful lump in her throat - she's strong, she can't afford to worry him erroneously. But it would be a lie if she said she didn't need this comfort and so, she holds onto him.

It takes her a few deep breaths to calm down and answer his second question: ]

Our... Captors, I- I've never seen them. They bring people in here a-and I don't know why but they won't let us leave. Nothing seems to work.

[fairdeal]

[Gold glances around confusedly. Weeks? That makes no sense to him. He furrows his eyebrows at her.] I am quite sure you were asleep in bed when I got up, my dear.

[He purses his lips at that, then adds in a tentative tone.] Has anyone... tried magic?

[bien_aimee]

In bed? [ This is Belle's turn to frown. ] No... No, we were standing by the wishing well. I hadn't seen you since... Since before the curse. I'd only just remembered who you are.

[ It dawns on her that it's a long time. ]

Magic, brute force, everything from what I've heard. Their magic is... stronger, somehow. [ She can't explain it accurately. ]

[fairdeal]

The wishing well? [Ah. So whoever - or whatever - brought them here is messing with time as well.] It has been a few weeks since then. For me it has, at least.

[A small smile tugs at the corner of his lips.] No magic is stronger than mine. Surely I can break this spell, or curse, whichever it is.

[bien_aimee]

I've been told it works that way. [ She nods, thinking back on what some of the other residents have said. ] There's a man here, that I remember. From... A very long time ago. But somehow he looks different too.

... Would you? [ And of course, she can't help but smile. ] I don't know what this is, but you'd take us back home?

[fairdeal]

Really? [There's a number of people he can think of; most would be alright, but a few wouldn't. So he offers her his most puzzling expression.] And what is this man's name?

[Gold smiles reassuringly - or as reassuring as he can get, considering right now he's having his own doubts about breaking out.] Of course, my dear. Wherever you want.

[bien_aimee]

... Killian. [ They've had time to get to know each other in the city, but Belle can't exactly pretend their first meeting was uneventful. Now it's a matter of hoping Rumpel doesn't know him too. ] His name is Killian Jones.

[ She bites her lip, going over their words. ] Just home. Eventually.

[fairdeal]

Killian?! [His face contorts into a sneer, his arms clinging tighter to her sides.] Did he try to hurt you? Are you alright?

[bien_aimee]

[ ... She shouldn't have expected any less of a reaction. But this confirms that they know each other and from the looks of it, much better than Belle had anticipated. ]

No, n-no I'm fine, really. He hasn't tried to hurt me here. [ She shakes her head, doing her best to sound assertive. ] Trust me. He didn't even know who I was.

[fairdeal]

Good. [He runs a hand through her hair, then cups her cheek, looking at her in the eye.] He is not to be trusted. You must stay away from him.

[bien_aimee]

But.. Why? [ But Belle knows why and it prompts her to shake her head almost as if she were discarding the question. ] He's not dangerous. [ Well, he most certainly could be. ] We've been getting along lately. We- we've shared the same house for a couple of weeks and...

[ A frown. Alright, maybe this is going a little too far in proving her point. ]

[fairdeal]

[Excuse him for a moment there, because he thinks he just heard her say she's staying under the same roof as that man. His eyebrows knit closer together, and he's not really smiling anymore.]

You're living with him?!

[bien_aimee]

[ Oh.
Oh, no she really did go too far with that. ]

W-well... [ Is there any way to explain it that won't make it all ten times worse. Look at her, she looks apologetic in the least. ] I didn't think it would be a problem. Would you rather I spent my time alone, holed up somewhere?

[fairdeal]

[He pulls away a little now, just one hand barely resting on her arm. He shakes his head slightly, still frowning.]

Of course not, Belle. But how did you not see how dangerous this could be? You don't even know him... [Gold cuts himself short because... well she did go with him back when they made their deal, and Rumpelstiltskin, The Dark One, puts the very definition of 'dangerous' to shame.]

This man-- once he realizes who you are, he's going to try to kill you.

[bien_aimee]

He- he won't! [ She shakes her head. This isn't an attempt to argue with him, as much as it's a feeble attempt to reason with him... Somehow. ] I know it doesn't make sense, but last I saw him, I was... [ In a tower. ] He had a hook for a hand. But, but not this time.

You have nothing to worry about. [ She offers a smile and, meek as it may be at this very moment, it should be worth something. ] I promise.

[fairdeal]

[He doesn't look as angry as he does confused now, as he processes her words.] You mean to tell me he's from before we... he still has his hand?

[bien_aimee]

Yes, exactly. [ A nod. But then, Belle realises his question and gives him a puzzled look. ] How do you know about his hand? Is that why he wanted to kill you?

[fairdeal]

Not because of that. [His expression changes a little, and he purses his lip as he now regrets saying that.] Well, not just because of that.

[bien_aimee]

Why, then? [ Does she even want to know. ]

[fairdeal]

It's complicated. [That sounds even worse, and she's already staring at him with that look on her face.] It was a long time ago.

[bien_aimee]

A deal gone wrong? [ It sounds unlikely, but it's best to hope for that than something worse. Belle isn't pressing for an answer, but she's undoubtedly curious. ] You don't have to worry about that here.

[fairdeal]

I do not make deals with that man. [He smiles a little at her, glad she's not pressing further into it.]

Worry about deals, or about him? [Because he doesn't worry about deals; he thrives thanks to them.]

[bien_aimee]

I hardly think you'd worry about deals. [ He is, after all, Rumpelstiltskin; she smiles, offering a breathy little laugh. ] I meant him. He's not-- he won't cause you any trouble.

[fairdeal]

I sincerely hope not.

[He still has one problem with this situation, though.] However, I am still not comfortable with him spending his nights so near.