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[Sends over Cottage Location]

I should be. I don't..exactly go out much these days.

This afternoon, then.

[That Afternoon]

Whatever Gold's association as the Guest in folklore, he was not very good at being anything other than the Provider when it was a wanted, friendly meeting. So while he was not hosting, he still showed up bearing cookies. Acorn flour instead of birch this time, with juniper berry icing, but it didn't take him long to prepare since he already had the batter prepared. They would still be warm by the time he arrived, though, possibly enough to still be aromatic, too.

He looked a touch uncertain. This wasn't really something he had a lot of experience doing, and that fear of rejection always bubbled somewhere close to the surface no matter how benign the social situation.

True to his words, Stolas was home..and perhaps he should have spent a little time organizing the various books and drawings scattered about his cottage. He was just considering doing just that when he answers the door and smiles faintly when he sees his guest has arrived. "Welcome. Please, do ignore the mess I haven't been..."

He hesitates for a moment. What should he say? Motivated, too depressed to do more than curl up in bed and maybe draw one of his current obsessions? Stolas sighs. "...I've been too preoccupied to truly organize much the last few days." He steps aside to allow Gold to enter and blinks when he catches the scent of fresh baked cookies. Well, that...helps actually.

"I have a small selections of tea and a few sandwiches to add to our little gathering along with your cookies. Nothing very fancy. Just..jam sandwiches." Simple and something he can put together thanks to Red Son's insistence that he eat more than just cereal.

If the mess bothered Gold, then he was certainly would not have shown it. He had known that kind of mood before -- seen the aftermath of his own anger and despair when he'd slaked it with as much destruction as his hands could manage before the pain finally brought him to his senses. He'd seen the state of a former colleague's home after the sudden death of a spouse -- the squalor of a man given up and the din of a screaming baby his pain no longer allowed him to hear.

This wasn't anywhere near so dire. But he understood. So rather than draw attention to it, he kept the subject light and maintained focus on the plans to have tea.

"Provided you are not saving it for a special occasion, then, I would love to know your favorites."

The cottage definitely has the air of depression about it, there's no way of denying that. Even if Stolas is actively trying to act like there is nothing wrong right now as he leads the way towards the kitchen area. Of course, with how tall he is, he does have to duck through doorways as he passes through.

"There's hardly any reason for me to be saving for special occasions." He motions for Gold to sit as he goes to the cabinets to get a few glass jars of loose leaf teas. "I'm fond of most herbal teas. Jasmine is a particular favorite and so is a nice Roobios tea." He sets down the jars in search of a few tea cups before setting a kettle on the stove to boil.

"Of course, if I need a real 'pick-me-up' in the morning, one can hardly go wrong with a good coffee or black tea."

A small, wistful sigh. Gold sits down, shifting the handle of his cane between palms.

"Admitted, I probably have not had coffee since I arrived here. I'm sure someone sells it in town, but I have been sticking largely to what I can make myself." But he had come to like it in the right company, back in Storybrooke. "So I just settle for something warm to wake up in the mornings. A bit of a slower opener, but it gets the job done."

Now that sleeping is something he has to worry about regularly again.

"I'm rather sure they have coffee own at the pub along with a decent selection of alcohol." As for why Stolas knows about the alcohol selection, he may..have gotten drunk once or twice since being here. It's strange to have mortal drinks affect him when it usually takes something a lot stronger.

So that's been nice on the nights he really doesn't want to think about things. "I can understand sticking to things you can make yourself. I've been trying to do a little of the same, though sadly without my magic, that means gardening and drawing for the most part. But, I've been careful with my shards so, hopefully I can get my powers back at some point."

He moves to set the tea cups on the table along with sugar. When he goes to open his fridge for the cream though, it's not hard to see that there really isn't much in there. The cream, some milk and eggs and a few containers of leftovers from his cooking classes, and a small thing of jam. That's it.

Gold doesn't volunteer that he doesn't drink alcohol; that might be a little too personal and would make it feel like a more confrontational thing than it really is. "Admirable that you've chosen to learn a little more. I find study is an excellent way to fill spare time. I...have been diving a great deal into work, really. To save shards and maintain focus. My magic is coming back but not all at once."

He makes a mental note of the contents of the fridge, but he's not about to remark on it.

"I made use of the potion that was given me at the start; it was a new magic for me, and I think what came back first was the most similar to it. Magic is magic but it will behave differently in new worlds. Takes a while to acclimate and answer you again."

"Of course. Studying new things is interesting to me and does occupy my time most days. I feel that one should never stop learning, especially when it comes to fields of magic which are almost always constantly changing." He finally sits down. Now it's just waiting for the water to be ready.

"I would consider yourself lucky yours is coming back little by little. Mine has not and it worries me a little." He frowns slightly. "Of course, being a demon prince does mean that my powers are a bit.. much. And without my Grimoire, I'm not exactly sure how focused my magic will be at first. It could be quite dangerous."

Actually, he's expecting it to be absolute chaos and it worries him.

"Hm...My potion was a healing one though, I'm not sure how helpful that is to me. I usually cannot get hurt unless it's with Angelic Steel which I doubt anyone has around here."

That makes a lot more sense than he would like. Of course if his connection to the dagger were not so limited right now, he might say much the same, but he cannot claim he couldn't be hurt. He just cannot be hurt permanently under most circumstances.

And he supposes that suits the magic just fine. Injury, even temporary, means retribution. The Dark One would be a rather boring vessel if he or she were untouchable and had no fury to unleash.

"...No, that would be surprising if someone did. ...To put it plainly, this world does not feel like it skews very near to worlds where even mythology surrounding you and your realm is common. If such a thing were to appear here it would come from the outside and be with quite deliberate intent, I'm sure."

Which also in a way means he has no idea just how much of his magic he can even buy back. And if the full range is returned to him, does that mean the dagger, and therefore the means to kill or even enslave him, comes with it?

"Have you done much to exercise your healing abilities since? There are people of many different species here, and healing magic is going to work differently with different anatomy, I'd imagine. In my own experience, it needs a hand to guide what it is mending or it may do too little or go too far."

Edited 2024-03-12 15:48 (UTC)

"I have noticed that. It's curious that our gracious host is reluctant to mess with the inhabitants of Hell. Though, when he does..he seems to be very selective." At least, from his observations anyway. "And if Angelic Steel weaponry were to appear, it would most definitely be deliberate. It's difficult enough to get ahold of in Hell, I can't imagine just how hard it would be to get here."

But, there was still a possibility. "No, not really. I don't exactly put myself in dangerous situations to begin with so.." he shrugs a little. "At least, none that I would consider dangerous since my arrival anyway. "

"I meant in applying it to others. I understand there are quite a few who received the same potion, and dedicated healers among the native population aside from that."

In fairness there is some discomfort in his voice when he offers this as a possibility. It is not his first instinct to offer in service to others, so it feels rather disingenuous to do that for someone else as well. But it is a way for him to practice and learn the different ways that magic feels when used.

"...I have not personally looked into such services myself, but old injuries do not typically get taken care of in the kindest of ways, if at all. And once my magic has fully returned to me, it will no longer be an issue."

Stolas pauses and it's pretty obvious that he hasn't even considered that possibility before Gold brought it up. Which, might say something about his slightly self-centered point of view. "I didn't realize that was an option. I may need to consider it for future practice and exploration of these abilities."

It would give him yet another project to distract himself with. But, at least this one involves some form of magic to study closer than he initially considered doing. "I cannot say I can relate to old injuries acting up. I don't exactly have any experience in getting hurt if I'm being honest. At least, not physically."

Emotionally though? Stolas is all to familiar and is trying his hardest not to let the most recent argument with Blitzo darken this get together with Gold. Soon enough, the kettle is whistling and Stolas is getting up to remove the kettle from the heat and bring it over.

Along with it are two small jars of black tea and jasmine tea with strainers to fill for use. He pours the hot water carefully into the tea cups before setting the kettle aside and settling back down. "Then again, there are more than one way to get hurt, even for a demon."

"And it is always surprising to learn what you can live through."

Gold places the parcel holding the cookies on the table and gently unwraps them. The icing has not been intricately piped and merely serves as a glaze -- he did not have time to even try to do something special with it and he regrets that some. But his baked goods were never particularly fancy.

"I would be lying if I did not say I envied you that. But it also never hurts to be prepared, yes?"

"Apparently, a lot." Stolas could live through a lot of things. At least, he thought he could. This most recent bout of heart-ache might be a little too much even for him if it goes on long enough.

Stolas turns his attention to the cookies once they are unwrapped. They may not be fancy, but, he does appreciate the effort and it does make him smile just a little. "You do have a point. Being prepared never hurts."

He pulls over the jasmine tea to add to a small tea strainer before dunking it in his water to steep. Then Stolas remember there are jam sandwiches which he gets up to collect from the counter. They aren't very fancy, just simple things cut into triangles with what bread he had left and some strawberry jam. Over all, it's not a bad little selection for their tea time.

"Especially when we never know who might show up here. With my luck my ex-wife might arrive and really make my life hell once more."

"Well...not a worry I considered until just now, myself. Especially now that I know for certain that being dead does not preclude one from appearing here."

Milah appearing would be...well, likely not pleasant but also not the worst of possibilities given the list of people he had killed. There was always Cora.

Or Zelena.

"But...much as it makes me cringe to say it, let us focus on happier possibilities, yes?"

Oh good, he just barely worded it in a way that would not have made him want to go hang himself.

Just the way he worded that gave Stolas a good hint that he might have stumbled upon a mutual pain they both had the displeasure of experiencing. While he was curious, he did know better than to ask since they were just getting to know each other.

"Of course. Though, I'm afraid I don't have much in the way of happier things to talk about as of late."

Considering how preoccupied his mind was with the recent arguments, Stolas wasn't..exactly his usual ray of sunshine and magic.

And that shouldn't really come to him as a surprise. But lacking happy things to talk about himself, it's a little harder to nail down how to steer the conversation. But he'll try, at least.

"Having seen your username, I'm going to assume all to be with the best of intentions. You mentioned an ex wife. Any other family? Children?"

And please let those come with good terms. He is gambling in hoping this is a happier subject.

The moment children are brought up, Stolas brightens up immediately and smiles. "Actually, yes. I have a lovely daughter named Octavia. She's my entire world and the only good thing to come out of my marriage." He seems to swell with a little pride as he reaches for the sugar once his tea's done steeping.

"Via is seventeen right now. I'm sincerely hoping that I won't be here when she turns eighteen. Of course, if she were to end up here, I definitely wouldn't mind. I think Via could use a little break from all the drama at home just as much as I did."

The relief on his features as he sets to steeping his tea is immediate. But now that Stolas mentioned time, he had to wonder if any will have passed, for those that go back. Emma Swan came from a time well before him, and he definitely did not recall her disappearing in that time.

...ESPECIALLY that time.

"I can only theorize, but I like to imagine you'll probably pick up right where you left off."

And the idea that she might come? He knows there are dangers, but he can't help but think: what a lovely possibility.

It calls up an ache somewhere in his chest.

"Even if that's the case, I still don't want to miss her birthday." He might even do something special to mark the day even if she isn't here. Stolas is more willing to celebrate his absent daughter's birthday than his own. That's just how much he loves her more than himself.

"Is it bad that I wish my dear Via was here? Then I could continue teaching her the magic she needs to know in case something were to ever happen to me." The idea that something might happen doesn't even seem to bother him in the slightest. He just...wants his daughter.

"What about you? Any children of your own?"

"Well...even if you do return to the morning after your dream later, that just means you get to celebrate more than once, yes?" Silver linings, right?

He shakes his head.

"It's the most natural thing in the world to miss her."

You're going to spend more of your life missing your child than being with them, he thinks suddenly. It cuts him somewhere inside.

A steadying breath when the question comes. He knew it was coming, of course, and he steadies his gaze on his tea.

"My son. Baelfire...Neal, now that -- after he grew up."

"Exactly!"

That's a silver lining Stolas can definitely get behind. Especially with how much he misses her. "I know, but, it doesn't make it any easier. I haven't been this far from her since she was born." Considering he was the doting father while her mother was... Stella, He was the one to mostly raise Octavia.

Once Stolas hear's Gold's answer to his question he cocks his head to the side slightly to study the much shorter man. "Were you two not close when he was younger?" At least, that's the impression that he's sort-of getting.

Gold took a sip of his tea to distract and steel himself. "I was much the same way, and perhaps had more trouble than most stepping back when the time for it was approaching. Then I lost him for a very long time. I broke a promise, and spent the better part of my life trying to make up for it. I wish to believe I did in the end. We reconciled, and then..."

And how hard it hits him then, and all the worst ways it conjures itself up in his mind, all of the ugliest, most painful ways it could be said.

"...Then he was gone."

Stolas pauses to consider the tea in his hands as he listens and it sounds..like something that could easily happen between him and Via if he weren't careful. It's hard keeping his promises to her at times, especially with Stella being a raging bitch a lot of the time.

But, he hopes that whenever that times comes, things won't keep them apart for a long time like Gold is describing. He sighs softly and then starts toying with his tea cup. "I see...I am going to guess that your parting is more of a permanent one this time."

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