{ 𝐎𝐔𝐓 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐈𝐌𝐄 } ☾.𖥔 ݁ ˖ 𝖮𝖴𝖠𝖳 [𝟏] On hold

˗ˏˋ･❪ 𝟏𝟎 ❫･'ˎ˗

˖ ⋆ ݁ . ˚⊹ ᗢ ⊹˚ . ݁ ⋆ ˖

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˖ ⋆ ݁ . ˚⊹ ᗢ ⊹˚ . ݁ ⋆ ˖

⊹₊‧˚𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ☾⋆࿐

—THE WEATHER IN STORYBROOKE WAS GLOOMY AND BLUSTERY. Rainwater formed puddles all around, and the roads were undeniably wet. The majority of people opted to stay indoors, either working or enjoying relaxation at home. Eva, August, and Henry gathered near a wooden corner that was close to Mr. Gold's shop. Eva, unable to find a babysitter available, kept Charlie snugly tucked in his carrier beneath her long warm coat with his blanket around him.

"It's almost 09:00." August glanced at Gold's shop in the distance before turning back to Henry, "You all set? You know what to do?"

"Operation Cobra is always ready. I just..."

"You just what?" The man's voice was filled with confusion.

"I don't understand what this has to do with getting Emma to believe." The boy said.

Eva gave a gentle smile at her nephew, then turned to August, curious about his response to the boy. He swiftly averted his gaze from the corner they were hiding in, stealing a quick last glance at the shop. Then, he turned back and responded to Henry, "Sometimes other priorities assert themselves. Can you handle a little improvisation?"

"Yeah. Can you?" His voice exuded a tranquil yet enthusiastic demeanor.

Eva let out a small chuckle as August grinned at the young boy, "We're a go." He gave a reassuring pat on his back as their plan commenced. Henry dashed across the street towards the pawnshop, with Eva swiftly trailing behind August, knowing that their route led to the shop's backdoor.

August closed the door as they quietly entered the back room of the shop. Searching for the dagger, they glanced around the room. Catching sight of a shelf, August and Eva exchanged a silent signal with their eyes before moving towards it.

Charlie was getting fussy in the carrier, but Eva quickly soothed him by giving him his pacifier. A soft sigh of relief escaped the woman.

In no time, she stumbled upon a small box resting on the table, its lid already lifted. Intrigued, she gazed at the box and noticed a cloth wrapped item inside. Carefully unwrapping it, she couldn't help but let out a gentle gasp at the sight before her.

It was a golden photo frame showcasing a realistic painting of someone she knew very very well. The name on the picture confirmed it. The woman was a young and stunning lady with flowing dark brown hair. Her smile was both warm and mysterious, while her captivating chocolate brown eyes concealed all of her secrets.

It was none other than Celeste — a stunning young woman. Eva spoke softly to the picture in shock, "Mother..."

Why would Gold have a framed painting of her mother when she was younger?...

"May I help you both?" Gold's soft stern expression caught the attention of both her and August in an instant. Eva still having the frame in her hand.

"Yeah. I'm looking for some maps. I'm a bit of a collector." August spoke calmly as Eva stood by his side, quietly gazing at the picture.

"Yes." He spoke with a hint of doubt. "Well, there's maps through in the shop. This is my office."

"I thought this was the entrance." He responded to the older man with a phony, gentle smile.

"It's not." He gestures towards the opposite way, "The shop's through there."

Mr. Gold observed that the brunette woman remained quiet next to her friend, holding onto the frame and still studying it. The man let out a small sigh of irritation, "That happens to be private property, Miss Antonovna."

As she placed the golden photograph frame back in the box, she glanced up to meet his gaze. With a gentle smile, she added softly, "Uh right, sorry. Didn't mean to rummage through personal items." Her eyes shifted between the photo and Mr. Gold, prompting her to inquire, "Was she someone important to you? Do you know her?"

With a nonchalant expression, he retorted, "Who I know doesn't really concern any of your business, now does it?"

August whispered to her, "Come on let's go." Eva agreed with a nod, before greeting Mr. Gold, and they made their way towards the back room curtain which led to the front of the store. After they left, Mr. Gold returned to the box to ensure that the portrait was unharmed, and fortunately, it was. The man let a deep sigh in relief.

He then started reflecting on the many losses he had experienced in his life. However, amidst all the hardships, there was one person who had always stood by his side — Celeste. She had been his unwavering and true friend, even before he crossed paths with Belle. It was truly unfortunate that their friendship had met a tragic end.

Nevertheless, he held onto the memories of their friendship dearly.
But why?

                      ˚₊‧𓆩꒰ა ꨄ︎ ໒꒱𓆪 ‧₊˚

Faint chatter filled the room as many guests gather at Mary Margaret's Welcome Home celebration, relieved that she was not responsible for killing Kathryn since she's alive. Emma and Eva are spotted in the kitchen with Mary Margaret, busily pouring punch into glasses for the guests.

Mary Margaret glanced at the guests while flashing a puzzled smile at her friends, "All these people... just to welcome me home?"

"You've got a lot of friends." The blonde responded.

"You're practically an Angel towards them." Eva chuckled softly.

"Didn't feel like that yesterday." The woman mentioned while carrying the tray of drinks to the guests.

Eva joined Henry and August at the table. Charlie happily bouncing on her lap while attempting to clap his tiny hands together. She caught wind of their conversation, "I agree with August. I believe we will get what we were looking for."

Henry grinned as August pointed towards Mary Margaret, "There she is. Why don't you give her your present?"

The young boy took the gift box from the table, holding a large card in his other hand as he walked over to her. Mary Margaret let out a small chuckle, feeling a bit awkward, but still smiled as Henry mentioned that the card was a group effort from the entire class, expressing their relief that Kathryn was unharmed.

Emma realized it was getting late, so she decided to drive Henry home. However, when she spotted David at the door just as she was leaving, she asked him to give Henry a ride instead, as Mary Margaret didn't want to talk to him.

Mr. Gold spoke with Emma while they discreetly observed Eva and August. Concerned about their nosiness in his shop, he couldn't help but feel suspicious of the duo, especially the way Eva eyed that particular painting of his.

No one dares to look at that painting.
His painting...