Tale of Two Swans

Bad Ideas

The next morning I was roused by the chiming of bells. I groaned at the noise, sluggishly propping myself up onto my arms. I huffed, attempting to blow my frizzy hair from my eyes but only succeeding in getting more in my face. Grunting in frustration, I turned and sat up. I attempted to run a hand through my hair but winced as they hit the tangled curls.

When I finally managed to see I glanced towards the partially open window, the bells tolling an eighth time before stopping. I heard Emma shift next to me and looked over, cursing under my breath. When we had booked the room, we had only had enough money to get a room with one bed. We were practically sisters so it didn't matter, but I had at least expected both of us to look bedraggled upon waking up. 

"Bloody hell woman, is this how you normally look when you've just woken up?"

Emma stretched her arms over her head before sitting up leisurely, her own blonde curls falling around her shoulders prettily. She rose a brow at my disgruntled expression, "Uh, yeah? Why?"

"... Nothing in my life is fair." I huffed, stumbling out of bed. "Are you a princess or something? Bloody hell... I thought you always got ready before coming out for breakfast... Never would've guessed you just woke up that way." I grumbled, stumbling my way into the bathroom as if the ground was unsteady beneath me.

Her snickers were more than enough of a reason for me to take my time getting ready.

Just as I finished up I heard a knock at the door, causing me to peer out of the bathroom when Emma opened the door.

"Did you know the honeycrisp tree is the most vigorous and hardy of all apple trees?" I rolled my eyes, doesn't this border on stalking at this point? "It can survive temperatures as low as forty below and keep growing. It can weather any storm. I have one that I've tended to since I was a little girl. And to this day, I have yet to taste anything more delicious than the fruit it offers."

I threw my hair up into a claw clip and walked over right as Emma accepted an apple. "Thanks..."

"I'm sure you two'll enjoy them on your drive home." The mayor said, passing me an apple as well. I snorted, "Actually, we're gonna stay for a while."

She frowned at me, her pleasant expression dropping instantly. "I'm not sure that's such a good idea. Henry has enough issues, he doesn't need you two confusing him."

Emma crossed her arms, "All due respect, Madame Mayor, the fact that you have now threatened us twice in the last twelve hours makes me wanna stay more."

"Since when were apples a threat?"

"I can read between the lines. Sorry, I just wanna make sure Henry's okay." Emma explained.

"He's fine, dear. Any problems he has are being taken care of."

I frowned, copying Emmas stance. "What does that mean?"

"It means I have him in therapy." She told me curtly, turning back to Emma. "It's all under control. Take my advice, Miss Swan, only one of us knows what's best for Henry."

"Yeah, I'm starting to think you're right about that." Emma said, a half grin forming on her face.

"It's time for you to go." She scowled.

"Or what?" I taunted. She suddenly looked enraged, stepping towards me threateningly. "Don't underestimate me, Miss Swann. You have no idea what I'm capable of."

~~

I left Turners store with a sense of worry clouding over any sense of victory I felt over getting the tattoo.