storybroken | [ event: Flashback ]

Entry tags:

!flashback

[ event: Flashback ]

Once upon a time, the people of Storybrooke were once the characters from the fairy tales we all grew up with. Then the curse hit and everyone was trapped without their memories in the town we know quite well already.

We all know that story, of course, but what about before the curse? Well, that's where this post comes in. There are untold stories from before the curse that we would like to investigate and these flashbacks posts are where you tell them. Post with your character (with a location or plot idea if you wish) and tag others, as long as they are in their fairy tale forms (sorry Henry and Emma players). We ask that you warn for spoilers in your subject line if you intend to use knowledge gained from tonight's episode in your scenario. Thank you!

Remember, everyone, play nice and have fun.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Robin ducks his head to hide the smile. That sounds like the perfect sort of road for his men to target, which means they may end up waiting for him there, yet he knows they wouldn't go after a foreign ruler so foolishly. Still, it may prove useful. ]

That seems to be the way with most royalty.

Most, but not all. [ Against her will, her thoughts immediately stray to a particular Prince, his almost-smug smile haunting her thoughts.

She gives the flames a particularly hard stab. ]

I take it that you've had some unpleasant experiences with royals?

You could say that. [ Similarly, his thought stray the same direction, toward James and their memorable first meeting. ]

My kingdom is currently at war. Our king is out there fighting, while his brother reigns in his stead. [ He shakes his head. ] Though 'reign' may be giving him entirely far too much credit.

I'm sorry to hear that.

[ And she genuinely is. It's shameful, but sometimes she is so wrapped up in her own problems that she forgets that there is a world out there with people scourging to live each day, as well. ]

Don't be. We manage. It's just that... as you may imagine, we do so without help of our leaders.

[ Snow nods, because she knows exactly what he means. ] It's ridiculous how the most unqualified individuals are bestowed the power of reign. It seems like the times of kind and capable leaders are but a distant memory.

The King isn't nearly so bad. [ He glances up, the firelight framing his face as he smiles. Hopefully the casting shadows are enough to keep his features indistinguishable. ] He's a great man. His brother, on the other hand...

[ Snow takes a moment to gather herself, as she had let her anger slip through and take control of her tongue. She exhales before giving the stranger a small, apologetic smile. ]

Forgive me, I'm sure your King is a great man. I've just been rather... jaded, I'm afraid.

[ He grins. ]

Trust me, our king is the exception, not the rule. I'm fully aware of that.

[ She pokes at the fire with the twig still in hand, causing the flames to flicker brighter. ]

I hope that your kingdom's war soon draws to a close and that your King return safe and sound.

That's my hope, as well.

And... you? Do you believe the rulers of this realm to match with so many others? [ He's heard things from James himself, but he would much rather hear the opinions from a resident than the royalty. ]

[ Oh, if only Robin knew with whom he was speaking to. The topic of royals and rulers is a sore subject for more than one reason, and she tosses the twig she had been using into the fire before drawing her cloak closer to her body. ]

I have already shared my opinions on rulers, I don't have much else to say. [ It's a lie, of course. But she hopes that her nonchalant tone is enough to steer them away from the topic. ]

It sure looks like you have more.

[ Robin's not quite the fool he pretends to be. If he were, why would his men follow him so loyally? No, he notices the way she closes herself off and feels the need to poke further. This is a topic Robin Hood knows all too well — his own distaste of royalty is no secret to anyone who knows his name. ]

[ Snow sets her jaw and considers her options. Seeing how they're both stuck in this cave until at least the morning, she had a feeling he won't let up on the prying until he received an answer he was satisfied with. So she lets out a sigh as she hugs her legs to her body, her chest resting on her knees. ]

I do not believe all rulers to be tyrannical and evil. The kingdom I hail from once had a great King. But when he passed away, his wife acquired reign over the kingdom and now there is nothing but fear throughout the lands. It is difficult to remember a time before such darkness.

... sounds similar to my own kingdom. In a way. [ He gathers easily enough that she doesn't speak of Lakesee, yet that does little to encourage him. ] Is that why you're no longer there?

[ She nods from beneath her hood. ]

I refuse to pledge my allegiance to such a Queen.

[ That, and she doesn't fancy the idea of the Queen literally carving her heart out. ]

A noble stand to take. If only more people were willing to do as such, huh?

I don't blame the kingdom's fear of starting a revolution. She is a cruel woman, and has magic on her side.

[ Snow so wishes that she can do something to save her kingdom, to free the people of such an evil Queen-- but the weapon she had saved for such a task has been used, and again she is defenseless. ]

Magic and royalty... a dangerous combination. ... Even without that, however, I wouldn't blame the people for being scared.

[ The sigh she gives is one of defeated frustration. ]

I just wish that there was something I could do. Do live in fear every day is not the way to live life.

No, it isn't. I'm sure you'll think of something, though. Those desperate enough to look usually find what they need.

[ Snow can only give a half-hearted hum of agreement. There are many thoughts filling her head now, ones which are always present. Even if she is no longer a princess, she feels the duty to protect her people. But there's also the hopelessness of such a task, and not to mention the Queen's relentless pursuit of her heart. It's much weight for Snow to bear on her shoulders, something she knows she will always hold even if she does manage to escape to another realm. ]

One can only hope.

[ He watches her, silent, as the fire continues to warm them, then spares a quick glance outside the cave. Night has yet to fall, although it looms ever closer. It's probably a good idea to get the important things sorted before it will be too dark to fix them. ]

I don't suppose you have any food?

I have some dried berries and nuts, but nothing more. It's been difficult to hunt since it started to snow.

[ That, and Snow has always been reluctant to hunt the animals in the forest. Though she's aware that it's vital for her own survival, it's always a last resort. ]

[ Robin is conservative about taking too much, but he has little qualms over the actual hunting. He looks back to Snow, expression offering his own skills up. ]

I bet I could find something.

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