Gretel

What She Got

~~Enchanted Forest~~

After breakfast that morning the children's father told them that he had a business trip to attend to, and that he would need them to stay behind and care for the house. While Hansel complained at the inevitable work and chores he knew he'd have to pick up, Gretel eyed her father with a frown. "And what exactly is this business that you're doing, father?" She questioned  suspiciously, crossing her arms firmly. 

Michael gulped, rubbing a hand over his chest as a hollow pang echoed within. She looked just like her mother standing there, the same reprimanding look that she got when he suggested something reckless. He supposed she got both, his recklessness and her mother's intelligence. A dangerous mixture, he thought fleetingly. 

"Nothing of importance right now." He lied through his teeth, avoiding her gaze as she raised a brow. She knew that he knew that she knew he was lying. Still, she said nothing. She recognized that he wanted to keep this supposed business to himself and, for once, she wan't going to push him on it. This would be the perfect time to teach Hansel to do more of the chores anyways. And she said as much, chuckling when Hansel looked at her, aghast. 

He nodded, "She's right Hansel, this is a great time for you to start taking on more work around here! I won't be here forever you know." He said, kissing his head with a chuckle as he continued to pout. He thanked Gretel and kissed her head as well when she passed him a small bag, walking over to his bed to put a few essentials within it. "I shouldn't be gone long, half a day at most. Gretel, don't worry about chopping any wood as I'll be back to do it later."

She agreed, passing him his coin purse as she told Hansel what they'd be doing while he was gone. Hansel rolled his eyes but agreed, knowing she wouldn't let him get out of it. He only hopped his father would hurry back quickly so he wouldn't have to do so much all day. 

When Michael was done he said goodbye to his children, kissing each of them on the head once more before making his way through the woods. He knew Gretel would never agree with what he was doing, but he was sure that if anyone could get his children the life they deserved, it was the Dark One. All he'd have to do is make a deal.

~~Storybrooke~~

Ava's good day was just that— a good day. The next day came with a vengeance, and Ava was sure that life was determined to make up for the lost time of the day previous. It started with her waking up rather violently from a nightmare, falling onto the cold hard concrete face first. The impact made her eyes water, holding her nose carefully to make sure she hadn't broken it. 

She winced and swore as her fingers ghosted it, stumbling up and over to her little mirror. She unhooked it from the wall, walking dazedly to her small window for some light. It wasn't totally broken, thankfully, but with how painful it was she was sure that it was cracked. She sighed audibly; nothing she could really do for a cracked nose, was there?

Then as she walked to school, a car that looked suspiciously like the mayors drove by and splashed her as they drove through a muddy puddle. She gasped and sputtered, wiping at her face frustratedly. Of course, this was the one day that she woke up late enough to not have time for the gym, and so she had worn her uniform for her walk to school. And the only other clothes she had with her was a worn out sports bra and leggings.

She hurried along to school and attempted to ask her teacher if there was a place to clean and change her clothes, maybe they had some extra uniforms lying around? But instead landed herself in detention when she revealed that she only had workout clothes in her bag to change into. Apparently, she was supposed to have been prepared for something like this and have a spare uniform in her bag at all times. Ava thought the teacher was just mad that she only wore a sports bra and leggings to the gym and decided to make her life hell for it. And so she continued on in her wet, muddy clothes.