IC: CONTACT (EUDIO)

[royalpassport]

❝ I'm not here. Leave a message. ❞

[ And now, thanks to Emma: ]

❝ Send me a message, and I'll respond when I get around to it. ❞

Comments

[cantwalkwithoutit]

[ Yes, he's sure it's come easily for Jefferson. In his old line of work, being charming could do half a job for him if he played his cards right.

But rather than volunteer that he's been having a hard go of it and would like some advice, he shifts a little to keep the subject on Jefferson. ]

How long have you been here?

[royalpassport]

[ He hums in thought. ] Only two and a half months.

[ Funny, sometimes it feels longer. But perhaps that's because he has a tendency to lock himself in his apartment and wallow for days on end, the monotony making time feel as if it stretches out endlessly. ]

I don't know how long I'll be here

[cantwalkwithoutit]

That was the only thing that felt vague about making a contract with these people. It's uncertain how long it really takes.

[royalpassport]

[ Jefferson eyes Gold with interest, wondering what it could be that would have the man agreeing to terms that carried even a whiff of vagueness. ]

Mm. I suppose it depends on how much you give in return. And how quickly.

[cantwalkwithoutit]

And there's the rub, I suppose.

[ Another sip of his tea. ]

[royalpassport]

Of all the deals you've made... I have to say, this one surprises me.

[ Since the Dark One never seemed particularly, you know. Cuddly. And neither did the curmudgeonly Mr. Gold. Then again, things in Storybrooke have changed-- as people are so fond of reminding him-- so who knows. And besides, he knew there was one who held Rumpelstiltskin's heart, though Jefferson was out of the game before they ever came into each other's lives. Doesn't mean he stayed entirely out of the loop, even in the Enchanted Forest. ]

I would have thought Belle was the only--

[ Ah. Wait. She's from an even earlier point in time than Jefferson is. As in before whatever happened to make Regina see the girl as some leverage to hide away in her perfect little cursed world. Jefferson clears his throat awkwardly and leaves it at that. ]

[cantwalkwithoutit]

[ He winces. She is, but also not -- that's at least partly his fault. He did choose to come here rather than run home to her. On one hand, he needs something in front of him. Something to hope for, even if this deal fails. On the other -- how can he hate himself for being here and doing this when the last woman he kissed wasn't even her? He's already failed. The least he can do is use it to do something right for once.

the one who is here, he cannot risk approaching. Especially if she won't know him. As much as he felt so much would be better if he could talk to her right now -- but the one that knows him. The one that understands. I'm sorry I woke you up to die, but I needed you. ]

I have to try.

[royalpassport]

[ Well, the wince doesn't go unnoticed. Best not to dwell on that point. So Jefferson just nods. ]

Of course.

[cantwalkwithoutit]

I'm sure there's the odd person who comes here because they enjoy the atmosphere, but I know I'm not the only one who really needed something, the awkwardness be damned.

[royalpassport]

No, of course you're not. And I suppose it gets easier, the more you do it, anyway.

[cantwalkwithoutit]

[ Mumbled low, before he gulps down more of his drink, now cool enough for him to do more than largely fidget with. ] I certainly hope so.