Cursed Hearts

Long Road To Somewhere

After contending about where to go from their cozy single room at the Inn well into the night, everyone agreed that starting somewhere was better than nothing. Perhaps it was selfish, but Robin was still simply relieved (and stunned) that they had survived their encounter with the Ice Queen. They were one step closer to returning to Regina and Roland, and the belief that they could all be reunited soon charged each step he took. Knowing that his wife was released from the hell she was imprisoned in was more than a weight lifted off his chest- he felt like he could breathe normally again, torment no longer an ever present burden on his mind.

At the crack of dawn Robin had awoken, despite the short rest. He remained quiet as the rest of his family and Zelena continued to sleep, stuck in his own thoughts. The sun gave a soft and comforting glow to the room, the hidden terror of the darkness long since gone. It was a new day- things were going to change, for better or for worse.

"Can we get new clothes?" Caroline asked, her voice still groggy, "I'm tired of wearing this."

Robin had to chuckle as he looked down at his own tattered robes. "Use that magic of yours to give us all something new- unless Will steals more money."

A groan came out of Will's mouth, who was half asleep on the floor with a pillow clutched between his arms. If he were in Storybrooke, waking up so early would practically be a crime. But, considering there was an otherworldly witch a mere feet away from him, he found motivation to start the day.

"Can you give me one of those fancy pirate blouses? I think I can finally pull it off with this tan."

Ruby gave him a playful nudge, sitting up and beginning to run her fingers through her hair. "We're supposed to blend in, remember? Caroline, surprise us."

Having the power to make anything happen with the will of her mind was nothing short of amazing, something she knew she would ever get tired of. Soon the familiar hum of magic stirred at the base of her stomach, and a purple cloud billowed across the room. Ruby had her signature red cloak, Robin and Will a white shirt and tan pants. Zelena gave the girl a questionable look, gesturing at her pale blue dress.

"Blue? Caroline, I think you know by now that green is my color."

She stifled a smile as she headed towards the door, dressed clad in a purple cloak. The rest of them followed her outside the room and to the bright morning in the hectic village, everyone out and about.

"I think we're in the northeast part of the Enchanted Forest," Will began, "Ruby and I talked to someone who said that Hayman's Pass is not too far from here. This must be the last decently sized village before all the nothingness and mill fields."

None of them had ever been that far east. The villagers all seemed pleasant, although tired expressions were prominent in each individual Caroline smiled towards as they walked.

"Am I the only one here that's starving?" Zelena chided, "there has to be a decent tavern around here that serves breakfast."

Everyone silently agreed, the five of them walking closely together down the road. It was hard to know what the inside of each building entailed, considering each one was unmarked and exactly like the last. Even after living in the Enchanted Forest for so many years, it still left them all wondering. Finally, after countless window peeking from Ruby and Caroline, they found a small restaurant that seemed open. The tables were all in close proximity to one another, making the area seem cramped and stuffy. But hunger forced them all to sit down and look over the menu. Will managed to find a few more coins, and hoped it was enough for all the food they were about to purchase.

"Have you been pickpocketing?" Robin asked, raising an eyebrow at his brother.

Will let out a sly smile. "It's like riding a bike- once you learn, you never unlearn."