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.

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You sent out an invite. It would be silly to assume nobody would attend. [ Robin tilts his head, considering James for quite a long moment, almost too long. ] Gamwell is right. You seem nervous.

[ This would be funny were it not painful in its irony. ]

Nervous?

[He blinks at them, half startled, half worried.]

Why--why would I be nervous?

[He needs a drink. He beckons to one of the servants and automatically picks up a glass for each of his companions, handing them over, before taking one himself--this instead of merely waving the servant on to offer the tray to them herself.]

[Will takes the glass given to him and studies James calmly in his way that he does when he's gathering information. Be very afraid, James. Thankfully, he doesn't speak until the servant's left, and when he does he's speaking softly so no one besides James and Robin can here.]

There could be any number of reasons why you're nervous, but I believe it may have something to do with either the party or possibly you hiding something.

Surely nothing to do with the reason for our invitations. [ Robin sips at the offered wine, his eyes narrowed in consideration. His voice remains as low as his nephew's, lips beginning to quirk sarcastically. ] Right?

[Now James is focussing on them, looking a bit like a deer in the torchlight. Then he shakes his head, draws in a breath and seems to gather his composure somewhat.]

I'm just not ... quite used to parties such as this. That's all, truly.

[He manages a smile, but it's a weak one, a guarded one.]

[There isn't much of a response from Will at first, who had decided to drink some of the wine from his glass, glancing around calmly as he doesn't.]

Do remember that we're on your side if you ever need to share something, princeling. We are your friends and allies, after all.

You're not used to grand balls.

[ Robin snorts, hiding it in the wineglass. He says nothing to contradict Will's statement, however, and even smiles and nods along in agreement. Their completely-unlikely friendship is just all the more reason for him to tease James. ]

I--

[James blinks, at first startled by the assertion, but then finding it necessary to swallow a bit to keep his composure. Will wasn't exactly the type for sentimentalities; a statement like that meant a lot from him. The prince takes a deep breath and manages a smile, this one strangely sincere and free compared to the others.]

I heard you enjoy artwork, Lord Gamwell. There are some magnificent tapestries in the antechamber; would you like to see them? Your uncle is welcome to join us, of course.

[The antechamber, not far enough from the ballroom for the king to claim James is neglecting his other guests, but private enough for a ... chat. This is probably an awful idea, but Will's remark had hit home. James had kept this secret for what already felt like forever. He doesn't want to keep it from friends.]

[Will knows what James is getting at and glances at Robin to have him play along, knowing his uncle is smart enough to pick up on it. He takes a sip from his drink before he responds with a slight smile.]

Why I would love to see these tapestries, Your Highness. If my esteemed uncle does not have important business to attend to, I am sure he would love to join us. Isn't that right, Uncle?

[ No signal is even necessary. Robin's own curiosity lends quite well to the hints James is dropping; if Will hadn't started it, Robin would have. ]

Why, I've been known to appreciate a few good tapestries in my day. Let's take the prince up on his offer, Nephew.

[James's smile is just a tad too relieved and he sets his wine-glass down, raising his arm toward the door as if gesturing for them to precede him.]

This way.

[Then he realises what he did and lets his arm drop, moving to lead them instead. The antechamber really is that--just off the ballroom, out of the way enough that it's private. The room is round with a couple of windows looking outward, some comfortable chairs, and some beautiful tapestries on the walls. James strides right in to the opposite wall and stops at the farthest tapestry, taking a deep breath. His skin was buzzing with adrenaline; his fingers even tremble with it, and he closed them in a fist. They can't close the door because that would be suspicious, but they should still keep an eye on it.]

Someone should stay by the door to make sure no one comes close enough to overhear.

[The mixups are making Will somewhat confused, but he follows James to the antechamber, wearing an expression of vague interest as they move to the tapestry. Once they're there though, he seems to ignore it all together for paranoia mode activating and Will looks very much on his guard.]

I will stay by the door. I'm sure you wish for my uncle to hear what you say more than I.

[ It's all rather strange, and a lesser man would have been outright disoriented by the misconduct. Robin simply sees it as a challenge, a curiosity (an unknown factor, something to be secretly suspicious and wary over) and keeps pace with the prince. What are you hiding, James?

There's no hesitation in his movements when Will volunteers to stay by the door. Robin expects it; his nephew is far too cautious (and, dare he say, paranoid) to not be the one to keep an eye out. This is how their team works. Will keeps overt watch, Robin focuses on the problems at hand, and Little John often acts as the barrier in between. None of them let their guard down, it's just in differing places and to varying degrees. ]

Gamwell must have seen copies of these somewhere back home. [ He shakes his head, allowing for the charade to drop a few notches. ] Why don't you tell me what's on your mind, Your Majesty?

I'd rather if you didn't call me that.

[James says it a bit curtly, but then turns and gives Robin an apologetic, if tight smile. Part of him is screaming that he's insane, that if the king finds out his mother's life would surely be forfeit. Another part, the part that dams the truth, has already broken.]

I'm not a prince. Not really. I was born and raised a sheepherder--up until some months ago that's all I was. And then ...

[He stops, takes a deep breath, looking away to study the tapestry. His hands are still shaking; he presses them close to his thighs as if that will prevent either Will or Robin from seeing it.]

Our farm was ailing; my mother and I were on the verge of losing it. Rumpelstiltskin came to us with an offer. As if turns out, my parents had another son--my twin. They were poor and without any means to feed us both, and when Rumpelstiltskin made them a deal for him they accepted. My brother went to a barren couple ... the king and queen. He was raised a prince. From what I've heard, he didn't even know he wasn't of their blood.

[Now he looks back, his gaze rivetted on Robin's face, half as an anchor and half searching it for reactions.]

He was killed. He was supposed to kill a dragon for King Midas, but he was killed before he could. King George and his knights managed to keep it secret and the king sent Rumpelstiltskin to me to offer us providence in exchange for my taking my brother's place. All I had to do was pretend to be him, to let the knights kill the dragon and present the head to Midas in exchange for enough gold to save the kingdom, and then I could return home.

[He smiles, a fleeting, semi-incredulous and half-resigned smile.]

Only Midas changed the bargain. Instead of offering gold he offered me his daughter's hand in marriage and a merging of the two kingdoms. I didn't want to accept it, but the king, he--he told me he'd kill my mother if I didn't. That I couldn't see her anymore. That I had to become his son.

[The final words come out shaky, a bit strangled, and he takes a deep breath, blinking rapidly to clear his eyes before forcing a laugh.]

So there you have it. I'm no prince by blood, no prince by learning--I was more at home in your camp of outlaws than I am in this castle.

[Sharp-eared as he is, Will can hear everything that James is saying, though he doesn't say anything in reply to it just yet. He is their lookout, after all, but he does want to say something about it. Later will have to work for his needs. It's not as if it's important.]

[ Robin is silent. He keeps his attention on the tapestries, eyes tilted toward James as he speaks while only occasionally glancing away to gather his thoughts. ]

... I suppose that would explain your reticence with grand gatherings.

[Whatever response James was expecting, that isn't it. He glances at Robin, startled, before letting out a huffing chuckle despite himself, glancing down.]

Yes, it would, wouldn't it?

[His gaze strayed to the door, looking through it past Will.]

All these people here ... it's my brother they know. My brother they want. Not me. And none of them even know he's gone.

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[ event: Flashback ]

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