Once on Instagram II

Heartless

A/N: So I've changed my plot ideas around a bit because of the outcome of the election and the fact that everyone wants to flee Storybrooke. So I'm just going to deal with it and rework my ideas. We'll see what ends up happening though.

~

pixie dust never lies, but you all know that already.
just look at the outlaw and his queen.

~
Agrabah, Long Ago
~

Jasmine's bedroom window was her only clear view of life beyond the palace walls. She yearned to escape the castle and roam freely, but her father and Jafar both made sure she couldn't leave.

Jasmine stepped out onto her balcony and into the cool night air. She gazed out at the village beyond the walls as she so often did, but this night felt different for some reason. It felt almost magical.

~

"So what did you say your name was?" Aladdin turned to face the man sitting next to him. Though he was less of a man and more of an immortal magical being.

"Taj," he replied.

Aladdin nodded. "And you're going to grant me three wishes?"

Taj nodded again. "That's what I'm here to do. But there are rules," the genie reminded Aladdin. "I can't make people fall in love, I can't bring people back from the dead, and I can't kill anyone."

Aladdin brought his drink to his lips and took a sip. A tavern may not have been the best place to have a talk about genies and wishes, but it wasn't as if Aladdin had a real home.

But what did Aladdin want to wish for? That was the real question. There were things he wanted, yes, like to have enough money to buy things instead of steal. But what if there were greater things that he would realize he wanted only after he'd spent all his wishes away?

Before Aladdin could think of something to say, a trail of blue magic spilled into the tavern. No one seemed to notice apart from Aladdin.

~

"You're going to help me find my soulmate?" Jasmine almost laughed at the thought. She wasn't allowed to wed anyone less than a prince, and all the princes she'd been introduced to were far from what Jasmine thought a soulmate to be.

"Yes!" The fairy persisted. "I know you long for love, and I can help you find it."

Jasmine shook her head. "It wouldn't work out anyways. My father would never allow me to marry him if he's not a prince."

"You two will meet one way or another," the fairy assured Jasmine. "And a soulmate's love story is never easy, but you two will end up together one way or another."

Jasmine thought for a moment. This fairy - Blue - had sought Jasmine out to bring her and her soulmate together. Jasmine wasn't sure exactly why but she supposed it might be important. But what if she refused? If her soulmate wasn't a prince, refusing would make it easier on both of them. The problem was, now Jasmine was curious.

"Okay," Jasmine heard herself give in. "You can lead me to my soulmate."

~