once upon a time } { of amnesia and lost princesses

[arbalete]

Allison: [and one rainy night, there's a girl standing in the middle of the road, looking dazed and confused. She's soaking wet, wearing a beautiful white dress that is slowly getting ruined and a book clutched to her chest. She's walking along the road, with no real direction or any idea where she's going but standing still doesn't feel like a good idea]

Sheriff: [and he will be on duty, patrolling the streets of angel grove. In the back seat of his squad car, Stiles is fast asleep in the footwell, curled up impossibly into a ball with a Star Wars blanket over him and cuddling a Spiderman doll. He sees the girl in the road and puts on his lights but keeps the siren off as he pulls off to the side of the road and gets out] Miss, are you lost?

Allison: [strange man. not that everyone isn't strange to Allison right now, including herself. She doesn't recognize the markings on the car, or even recognizing what a car is, so she feels pretty safe in answering this honestly] I think so?

Sheriff: Well, you shouldn't be walking in the middle of the road, miss. What's your name?

Allison: [oh. she's not sure of the answer to that one. so she dodges it by asking what she thinks is the better question] Aren't roads meant to be walked on?

Sheriff: This one is meant to be driven on. [okay, now he's worried] Where are your parents?

Allison: [and that one she can't really dodge] I don't know.

Sheriff: [and he will go to her] Come on, let's get out of the rain and we can go to the station and see if we can figure it out, ok?

Allison: [she eyes him cautiously, but he seems nice enough that she just nods, still clutching her book to her chest as she moves closer] Okay.

Sheriff: [and he will show her into the back seat of the car] Stiles, buddy wake up. You have to move into the front seat for awhile.

Stiles: [and that's a eight year old whining] Too sleepy daddy.

Allison: [oh it's a child. Allison gathers up the ends of her dress to step in and she shakes her head] It's fine. He can stay there. [she doesn't consider the fact that the sheriff might be worried about her doing something to his son]

Sheriff: You might regret that. [it's said with a smile. He loves his hyperactive runt of a son, he really does]

Allison: [she shakes her head with a small smile in return] I am the one who is going to get him all wet. He may regret it first.

Stiles: [and he hears another voice and blinks awake, looking up] She doesn't look like a criminal.

Allison: [and at that, her brow furrows] I don't think I am one?

Sheriff: She isn't one. We're just going to help get her home, that's all.

Stiles: Probably a good idea since she doesn't have a rain jacket. [and nope, he's going to pull himself up into the seat and then buckle in and grab his toy.] You have a book. What's the book about?

Allison: I don't know. [she doesn't even remember how she got it. she goes and settles into the seat next to him, but focuses more on arranging her skirts so that they don't catch in the door. She very gently hands the book off to him while she does it] Perhaps you can tell me? [if Stiles opens it, inside is an inscription from Deaton, addressed to Allison, and all it says is "I'm sorry. I had no other choice."]

Stiles: [and he will take it, the huge book opening on his tiny lap. He will open it, but miss that page because he's going to look at pictures and not the words] It's pretty

Allison: [she nods and definitely does not buckle herself in because what are seat belts] It is. The artwork is very beautiful.

Sheriff: [and he will not notice and start to drive]

Stiles: Daddy, she's not buckled in! Stop!

Allison: [blinks, confused] Buckled in?

Stiles: [and once the car is stopped he will unbuckle himself and climb over to show her how to buckle up] You've never buckled up in a car before? That's dangerous.

Allison: I don't think I've ever been in a car before.

Stiles: Did you grow up Amish? They use horses.

Allison: Maybe? Horses sound familiar. [she can at least picture them in her mind, which is more than she can say for anything else. And because Stiles is a child, she feels slightly more comfortable admitting this to him] I honestly don't remember very much.

Stiles: Maybe she hit her head. Does your head hurt?

Allison: [she pauses, considering, before shaking her head] I don't think so.

Stiles: But you don't remember who you are?

Allison: [and there's more hesitation, but lying to a child is rude, really, so] ... No.

Sheriff: Stiles.

Stiles: But she's like Anastasia, daddy! She could be a lost princess of Russia and she doesn't know it.

Allison: I don't know where Russia is.

Stiles: It's another country. Far far away.

Sheriff: Stiles, Anastasia is a movie. it's not real.

Allison: What's a movie?

Stiles: You're totally a lost princess.

Sheriff: Stiles.

Allison: I don't think I'm a princess. [which is true! The Argents were not a royal family. but she was about to be one and she totally doesn't remember]

Stiles: [thinks a moment, then nods to himself as he goes to buckle himself back in] You look like one though. I'm going to call you Anastasia until you remember your name.

Sheriff: Stiles, please.

Allison: [she laughs, before reaching for her book gently] It's okay. I like it.

Stiles: Can we keep her?

Sheriff: Stiles, she is not a puppy.

Stiles: But she's alone and doesn't have anyone. And she can watch me while you're at work.

Allison: I think someone is looking for me somewhere. [she knows that much. she can feel it in her gut that she had something, that someone was missing her] I believe as the sheriff, your father has protocols for things like this, and I'm sure he will locate them very soon. But I wouldn't mind if you waited with me until he did. [probably won't take long at all. probably]

Stiles: I tend to be everywhere he is, unless I'm in school.

Sheriff: [and look, they have arrived at the sheriff's station] Alright, let's all go inside. Stiles, can you go to my locker and get my gym clothes? We can give the young lady something dry to wear.

Stiles: I can do that!

Allison: [what a strange place. she'll just keep hold of her book and be confused by things like computers and telephones]

Sheriff: [and he will lead her back to his office and let her settle on the couch] Don't worry, you're going to be safe here, I promise.

Allison: [she nods, settling herself like a proper lady again because that's more muscle memory than anything else, and actually opens the book, but unlike Stiles she looks at the cover inscription, and she does know how to read] Allison.

Sheriff: [looks up from his desk] Is that in the book?

Allison: [she nods] There's an inscription addressed to Allison from someone named "Deaton." [she doesn't remember who that is but maybe it will help!]

Sheriff: No last name?

Allison: [she shakes her head] I'm sorry.

Sheriff: Well, let's see what we can find. I think it's safe to assume that your name is Allison, so I'm going to see if there are any missing person alerts for someone matching your description. But let's see if I can find someone locally named Deaton.

Allison: [she nods, and lets her fingers run over the pictures, trying to see if it triggers anything, but she doesn't get to the end of the book where her story is]

Stiles: [and he bursts in with the duffle bag] I got the gym clothes!

Sheriff: Good. Why don't you show Allison to the ladies' room where she can change?

Stiles: Allison?

Allison: [holds up the book] It was in the inscription.

Stiles: Oh. I must have missed that page.

Allison: I can see why. The pictures are beautiful.

Stiles: So you want dry clothes?

Allison: Yes, please. [and she'll get up to follow him]

Stiles: [and he will show her where the bathroom is and sits outside] I can't go in there.

Allison: Oh. [it does say women only so she doesn't question that much] Alright. [and she takes the clothes and goes inside and is ... very confused by everything that's there, but she changes and looks in the mirror and shrieks with surprise when one of the automatic hand driers goes off]

Stiles: [from the other side of the door] Are you okay?

Allison: I'm fine. [she pauses for a moment] There's a very strange fixture on the wall that makes a lot of noise and blows hot air.

Stiles: It dries your hands after you wash them. I don't like them. They're very loud.

Allison: Yes they are. [and she gathers up her dress again, and makes her way out into the lobby again. The unfamiliar clothes are not comforting, but they're warm, so she's grateful for that much] I don't think I like them either.

Stiles: [smiles] I like you, princess.

Allison: [a small look] I'm not a princess.

Stiles: I think you are. [bright kid smile] You just don't remember.

Allison: [awww that's endearing, even if he is just a child] Well, if I do remember, and you are right, I will be sure to let you know.

Stiles: Cool. [and he will take one of her hands and go to pull her] I can show you around. There's not a lot of people here right now so you don't have to talk to people.

Allison: Alright. Is there somewhere I can put my dress to dry properly?

Stiles: Not here. But we can when we go home. there's a dryer there.

Allison: [she nods, before looking down at it] Can I hang it somewhere?

Stiles: Maybe over my dad's chair?

Allison: [she nods and waits for him to lead her] Alright.

Stiles: [and she is going to get the whirlwind tour because she obviously needs to know where everything is including the vending machine]

Allison: [.......] That is food?

Stiles: Uh huh. The best kind of food - junk food!

Allison: Junk food?

Stiles: Yeah. Here, let me show you. [and he is going to reach into his pocket for some coins] I'm really not supposed to have sugar after diner, but you haven't eaten I bet and no one should eat alone. [and he will get up on his tippy toes and put the coins in]

Allison: [and she will watch him curiously as he does this] So it is like a cake then? Or cookies? [because she knows those include sugar]

Stiles: Yeah! But some of them are in bars. [and he will look and get them Kit Kats]

Allison: [okay, she'll take his word for it, and wait patiently for him to give her something to try]

Stiles: [and he will give her a break and hold it out for her] It's crunchy.

Allison: [she takes it from him and takes a bite, and while she's sure it tastes good, she still makes a face] That is very sweet. [someone is not used to processed sugar]

Stiles: You get used to it. [and yup, he's going to eat half the bar and then hold out the other stick to her]

Allison: [she shakes her head] No, thank you. I think it's too sweet for me.

Stiles: [and he will down that last one and nope, Sheriff is not going to be happy with him later]

Allison: [sorry Sheriff, she didn't know]

Stiles: [but they will eventually wander back to Sheriff's office to drape the dress over a chair and Stiles will try and look at his dad's computer.]

Sheriff: Well, there's no one matching your description in the amber alert files, and no Deaton in town. I put a lost person report up for you, but until then... we just need to find you a safe place to stay until someone recognizes you or you get your memories back.

Allison: [she nods, before moving to sit in the chairs again with her perfect lady posture] I trust your judgement.

Sheriff: Do you know how old you are? Because if you're under eighteen, I need to call child services. If you're older, I need to call adult services.

Allison: [she pauses, before shaking her head] I'm not sure, no. [she glances over to the white dress] Perhaps old enough to get married?

Sheriff: That would put you into adult.

Stiles: Dad, can't she stay with us for a day or two? She should be with people she trusts. Do you trust us, Allison?

Allison: [she nods. clearly she should trust the sheriff! yay law enforcement!]

Stiles: Please Dad? [puppy eyes]

Sheriff: [looks at his son, then Allison and sighs] I've got a guest room. If we don't hear anything tomorrow, we can see what options are.

Allison: [she smiles] That is very generous of you, thank you.

Stiles: [jumps up and fist pumps] Yay!

Allison: If there's anything I can do to help, please let me know.

Stiles: Do you think you know how to cook? Because Dad can't cook at all.

Allison: I'll never know until I try. Though I don't think I'll be particularly adept at Kit-Kats.

Sheriff: Kit-Kats? [raising an eyebrow and looking at Stiles]

Stiles: I didn't know when she ate last!

Allison: They were very sweet.

Sheriff: [looking at his son and seeing the chocolate in the corner of his lips] I see.

Allison: [frowns] Did we do something wrong?

Sheriff: Not you, Allison. But my son seems to forget to wipe his face when he sneaks snacks after dinner.

Stiles: What? [wipes his mouth and sees chocolate] Oh how did that get there?

Allison: [.....] Oh.

Sheriff: You're okay, Allison. He's a manipulative little bugger.

Allison: I see.

Sheriff: You'll have to learn how to handle him if you're going to stay with us.

Stiles: Dad, I'm right here and I can hear you.

Allison: I think I can manage. I just have to learn the rules.

Sheriff: I'll help you figure them out.

Allison: Thank you. [there's a small smile] I'm happy to help. Really.

Sheriff: Well, I've got this all in and my shift is over. Let's go home and get Allison settled in.

Allison: [and she will nod, before gathering her dress and following them home! Where she will be very confused by appliances but appreciates a comfortable bed! She will hang her dress in the closet to dry and test out the bed, leaving her book on her dresser]

Sheriff: [and he will come in, carrying a box] I figured you might want some clothing more your size. Here, you can use whatever is in here.

Allison: [glances up with a small smile and nods] Thank you. I'll look through it tomorrow.

Sheriff: [nods] Just... let me know if you need anything and I can pick it up at the store. [girly things, you know] There's a closet in the bathroom with towels and some non-man smelling cleaning stuff too.

Allison: [she nods and looks a bit relieved. towels she knows how to use] Do you still wish for me to cook? I'm not familiar with many of the implements you have in your kitchen, but a stove is still a stove.

Stiles: If you can figure it out, and know how to read, Stiles can help you with the rest

Allison: Perfect. Thank you again, for giving me a place to stay.

Sheriff: You're welcome, Allison. And please, call me Noah.

Allison: [she nods] Noah. [it felt a little strange, but she could make it work]

Sheriff: Goodnight. [and he will close the door behind him, giving her some privacy]

Allison: [and she will curl up under the covers and ... actually pass out rather easily because it's been a long day]

Stiles: [and in the morning, like 7am, there will be a soft knocking on the door, and then it will just open as Stiles peeks his head in] Are you awake?

Allison: [hums softly as her eyes open and she glances over to him with a small smile] Not quite.

Stiles: Well, breakfast is ready. I have to go to school soon.

Allison: I'll be down in a minute.

Stiles: Okay. [and he will run off back towards the kitchen]

Allison: [and she will push herself up and make her way downstairs, and she is quite hungry]

Sheriff: [and he is making poptarts and coffee] Good morning, Allison.

Stiles: [is helping by watching the toaster]

Allison: Good morning. I heard there was breakfast?

Stiles: Yup. So you want chocolate or strawberry poptarts?

Sheriff: Or eggs. I can make you eggs.

Allison: Eggs, if its not too much trouble. [she knows what those are]

Sheriff: No trouble at all. [and he will go to get them out of the fridge]

Allison: Thank you.

Stiles: [and he goes to take his pop tarts and sit at the table, making a chocolate and strawberry sandwich with his] You don't know what you're missing.

Allison: I'll work up to it.

Stiles: [and he is going to get all hyped up for school, god bless those poor, poor people at Angel Grove elementary]

Sheriff: [ad he will put some eggs in front of Allison and an apple juice juice box] I figure coffee may be a bit much.

Allison: Starting small is always wise. Maybe next time.

Stiles: Do I really have to go to school, Dad? Someone needs to stay with the princess.

Sheriff: Stiles, I'm going to need to help Allison try to find her family, and it's easier to do that without you around this morning. Plus you have a spelling test.

Stiles: [pouts] But I want to help.

Allison: Lessons are important. Perhaps you can help when they're over.

Stiles: [puppy eyes]

Allison: [and it's very convincing, but she's got Disney Princess resistance] Go to school. You can tell me all about it when you get back.

Sheriff: [puts his hand on Stiles' shoulder] You ready? Billy's mom should be here any minute.

Stiles: Okay. [and he will shove the rest of his poptart sandwich in his mouth and grab his backpack and throw it on]

Allison: [and she will dig into her eggs and wait for the sheriff to come back so she can learn what the next steps are]

Sheriff: [which he will, refilling his coffee and sitting down across from her] So did anything come back last night?

Allison: [she looks up and shakes her head] Not really, no. I'm sorry I can't be more helpful.

Sheriff: Well, I was thinking we could take you to the hospital and see if they can give you a once over and see what might be causing your memory loss. I'd also like to run your fingerprints through our system and see if I get any matches there.

Allison: [she nods] Whatever you think is best.

Sheriff: [he gives her a reassuring smile] We're going to figure this out, I promise.

Allison: I have every faith you will. You wouldn't be the sheriff if you couldn't.

Sheriff: You know, you're very optimistic for someone in your position.

Allison: [she gives a small shrug] I don't see the point in panicking about the things I can't control. It's not going to resolve the situation any easier. And ... it's hard to long for things you can't remember. I'd by lying if I said I wasn't concerned that I'm in this situation, but it isn't going to help you do your job any easier.

Sheriff: Well, I do know that until we get you connected with your loved ones, there is a place for you here. My son doesn't trust a lot of people and he seems really enthralled by you.

Allison: I'm not entirely sure why, but he's sweet.

Sheriff: Normally, he's a little hyperactive terror, but the last year had been pretty hard for us both and he's closed himself off a bit.

Allison: I'm sorry to hear it.

Sheriff: It's not something anyone could have foreseen. [nods] Here, if you're done, I'll do the dishes while you get cleaned up and dressed.

Allison: [nods and she will go off to do that! Which will involve learning how the shower works and such, but eventually she will fish out one of the dresses in the box because those seem more comfortable, and will return, her long wet hair wrapped up behind her]

Sheriff: [and when he looks up from paying bills and sees her in Claudia's favorite dress, it takes him a moment to stop and keep from tensing up in grief. But he just smiled] Good?

Allison: [she nods, noticing the pause but not really thinking it's her place to question it] Yes. Ready when you are.

Sheriff: [and off they will go to the Sheriff's station first so that he can check into work, and one of the deputies will do her fingerprinting, and then off to the hospital where he will get one of the nurses to help run the needed tests on Allison]

Allison: [and she will be patient and curious through all of it, only really getting hesitant around the large medical machines rather than anything else, but once it's all over, the doctors come out to be like WE GOT NOTHING. Thanks, magic.]

Sheriff: [fuck you, magic. Frustrated, he's running out of options, and was talking to Adult Protective Services about what he can do. He decides that he's willing to take care of her as an almost foster home, but he will need to get her into the system.]

Allison: [which is sure to be fun since she doesn't remember what her last name is]

Sheriff: Well, it's going to be a temporary name for now. But we need to give you some kind of ID.

Allison: [she pauses for a moment, before thinking back to her book] Deaton?

Sheriff: That's more of a first name. We can make it something very generic. Like a kind of tree, or a color...

Allison: [she ruminates on it some more before something pops into her head] Silver?

Sheriff: [nods] That works. Allison Silver

Allison: [it feels familiar enough, so at least that's comforting for now]

Sheriff: Alright. [and puts his address at the temporary address, and fills in the information]

Allison: [and she'll sit there patiently, looking around as she does. This place still feels so strange, but she at least has somewhere she knows she'll be safe] Thank you, again. I know this is likely an imposition.

Sheriff: Well, if you're willing to help me around the house while you're staying with us, I don't think it'll be an imposition at all. We all pull our weight.

Allison: I can do that!

Sheriff: Good. Give it a few days more. If not, we can start trying to make a plan for more long term solutions.

Allison: [she nods] At least it doesn't seem like Stiles will mind.

Sheriff: No, probably not. just don't let him drive you crazy.

Allison: I doubt that he will.

Sheriff: You've only been around us for less than a day.

Allison: I also have a lot of patience.

Sheriff: I hope so.

Allison: Hopefully this will work out for the best.

Sheriff: I'm sure it will. Come on, let's go get lunch and then I'll drop you off at the house.

Allison: [she nods and off they go! And Allison will be left alone while the Sheriff goes back to work and she can try to figure out the magic of television.]

Stiles: [and when the latchkey child returns he will literally bounce into the house and go straight to pounding up the stairs to his bedroom first]

Allison: [glances over, surprised, when the door opens and watches him go, before going to make sure the door was closed and then heading back to the couch]

Stiles: [and once everything is in it's place he will run back down the stairs and into the living room] Hi! You're still here.

Allison: I am. There's been no news about where I may have come from.

Stiles: Maybe you're from a kingdom far, far away. [grins]

Allison: [she laughs] You're not going to give up on that, are you?

Stiles: Dude, you appeared out of nowhere, wearing a fancy dress and carrying a book of fairy tales. Never.

Allison: [she sighs] I just hope you're not disappointed if you're wrong.

Stiles: I won't be. But I'm never wrong.

Allison: Oh really?

Stiles: Yup. I'm a genius.

Allison: That is an impressive claim.

Stiles: That's what my mom always said. And she had someone test me. It was a weird test.

Allison: Tell me about it.

Stiles: Well, they had a lot of puzzles. And word puzzles. Like the guy would be like if Blue equals sky, what does green equal.

Allison: Grass?

Stiles: Right! But I was four when I did that test. - before I even went to school!

Allison: Wow. You must be very smart.

Stiles: Totally am. Too smart for my own good, dad says.

Allison: That I believe.

Stiles: [grins, and then looks around the room] Whatcha doing?

Allison: [she shrugs] I was watching some of the television? It's very strange.

Stiles: Yeah, afternoon shows are weird. All this drama and kissing. [wrinkles his nose]

Allison: [she wrinkles her nose in return] Not a fan of the kissing, are you?

Stiles: It's gross.

Allison: I think those opinions will change.

Stiles: [wrinkles his nose] I hope not.

Allison: You don't think you'll ever fall in love?

Stiles: Not for a long time. I've got too much to do first.

Allison: Well, when you do, I think you'll change your mind about kissing.

Stiles: [still wrinkles his nose] whatever. But you figured out the television. That's good. We could watch some cartoons or a movie?

Allison: Sure. Whatever you like. I don't think I've watched TV much before.

Stiles: [and that is all he needed to hear and off he wil go to get the controller and Stiles will be teaching Allison how to use Netflix]

Allison: [and she will listen attentively as he shows her as Netflix seems more favorable than television at the moment]

Stiles: [and they can watch all the lego star wars movies ever]

Allison: [which she will likely have a lot of questions about]

Stiles: [and he will rattle off all the answers]

Allison: [Star Wars is confusing]

Stiles: [don't worry, in the next few years, you will become an expert. But then Sheriff will be home with pizza and then there will be dinner and homework and catching up about the day and then bedtime]

Allison: [and she will have gone through the clothing left for her at this point and found a nightgown that's comfortable for pjs and will curl up to go to sleep]

Stiles: [and maybe around 11 the little boy in the room down the hall is going to be whimpering and crying softly in his sleep]

Allison: [is a light sleeper and will push herself up at the sound, before making her way over and knocking on the door lightly] Stiles?

Stiles: [nope, he's still sleeping up until the moment where he's sitting up in bed shouting for his mom]

Allison: [and she'll lunge forward and sit next to him - she's not his mother, but she can try and comfort him] It's alright. It's alright.

Stiles: [and he will cling to her, crying hard]

Allison: [and she will slide her arms around him, brushing a hand against the top of his head lightly]

Stiles: [and he's trying not to spiral into a panic attack but he can feel his chest tightening] Inhaler...

Allison: Where is it?

Stiles: By the... the lamp. [curling up in a ball and trying to breathe]

Allison: [she keeps rubbing his back gently as she looks for it, but not really sure what she's looking for. she eventually picks up an L-shaped device and holds it up for him to see] This?

Stiles: [nods and reaches for it, taking a puff, and then another]

Allison: [and she'll stay close, waiting for him to calm down and stop shaking]

Stiles: [shaky breath] I get a lot of bad dreams.

Allison: [she frowns] I'm sorry to hear that.

Stiles: ... My mom died.

Allison: I'm sorry to hear that too. Was she sick?

Stiles: Yeah. It was in her head. Made her see things that weren't there.

Allison: That must have been hard for you to watch.

Stiles: [nods, curling up a bit more into a ball]

Allison: You also must miss her.

Stiles: [sniffs and rubs at his eyes] I do. All the time.

Allison: You probably always will. But it will get easier with time.

Stiles: I don't want to forget her.

Allison: No, no, no. You won't forget her. But that doesn't mean you will be mourning forever either.

Stiles: I guess so. Maybe.

Allison: Is there anything I can do to help?

Stiles: Do you... can we read a... a story? Mom used to read to me... when I had nightmares.

Allison: [she nods] Do you have a story you preferred to read?

Stiles: [shakes his head] Can we read one of yours?

Allison: [she nods again] Let me go get it. I'll be right back. [and with that she will head off to her room to grab the book of fairy tales from the dresser]

Stiles: [nods, and he is going to curl back up in bed, holding his spiderman stuffie tightly]

Allison: [and she will return with her book in hand, before going to sit at the head of the bed next to him so he can see the pictures] So. Shall we start at the beginning?

Stiles: Yeah. [and he will shift to put his head in her lap to he can see better]

Allison: [opens the cover and nods at the title] The Wailing Woman. Once upon a time there was a small town in the Enchanted forest that was plagued by a witch. Every time the witch would wail from her cottage a member of the village would die. Convinced that she was the cause of the misfortune, the villagers became angry and tried to gather together to find a way to end her and save their people.

Gaston: [leading the torch bearing masses with pitchforks]

Lydia: [the only problem with trying to take the witch head on, they learned, is that she is very practiced in the "dark arts" and when her home was threatened, she was able to summon fire to her aid, scorching the ground in front of her home and burning all who would do her harm]

Parrish: [yup, he's totally going to punch Gaston in the face and make it so that no one can get at Lydia] You need to go back to your homes. She is not hurting anyone

Lydia: [the cranky villagers retreat, unable to get their prize. Lydia sighs as she watches them go, shaking her head] You don't need to keep protecting me. I can take care of myself.

Parrish: [and he will flame off] They won't stop, you know. But it's not that I don't think you can protect yourself... it's something inside of me that wants to make sure you are always safe

Lydia: [sighs] Can I make you a cup of tea then?

Parrish: How hot do you want it?

Lydia: I was planning on using my stove.

Parrish: Of course. [smiles] I would like a cup.

Lydia: Good. [and she will go to fix him some. Meanwhile, in town, the angry villagers come to a terrible conclusion. Perhaps, if they draw her to the fight, rather than taking the fight to her, they'll have a better chance of beating her protector to the punch. They put together a hunting party and took one of the prisoners intended to be executed and dragged him to the woods]

Aiden: [who's only crime, really, was that he looked exactly like the prince of the region. He was just a farmer's son!] You can't do this to me.

Mob Leader: Should have thought of that before you impersonated the prince.

Aiden: I didn't impersonate him! It's not my fault we look like each other.

Mob: [doesn't care just continues to drag him into the woods] We rid ourselves of you, we rid ourselves of the witch ... [they stop in the middle of the clearing and draw a knife over their heads] ... two birds, one stone.

Aiden: [holds up his hands] You guys are crazy! You can't just kill me like this!

Mob: Watch us.

Lydia: [but before they can, a powerful wail echoes through the clearing. the men are violently blown back by the power of her voice, leaving them scattered across the plain]

Aiden: [and he will slap his hands on his ears to protect them, and then one of the mob comes at him and he will let his anger at being almost killed fuel him into a fistfight]

Lydia: [and she will continue to blow them all down until there's no one left conscious and hold her hand out to him] Come with me.

Aiden: [and he will look at her, but he's never been afriad of her. So he will nod and take her hand]

Lydia: [and in a puff of smoke they will return to her cabin and she will bar the door once they get there] Would you like a cup of tea?

Aiden: [........] Whoa, how did you... [oh, hey he's dizzy because you know, adrenaline rush fading and he was not taken care of well in prison so he may just pass out on your floor for a bit, Lydia.]

Lydia: [and she's neither fast or big enough to catch him so she ... let’s him drop, sorry. But once that's done, she'll get him a pillow and a blanket and let him sleep it off where he fell. and then go make some tea]

Aiden: [and he will stay there for a few hours until his brain wakes back up and he groans, tired and hungry]

Lydia: [makes her way over and holds out a mug to him] Here. Drink it slow.

Aiden: [and he will nod and take a sip] What is it?

Lydia: Tea.

Aiden: Oh. [takes another sip] It's good.

Lydia: Thank you.

Aiden: You know, if they haven't destroyed my farm, I had a tree that was a bee colony and got fresh honey from it. I could give you some as thanks.

Lydia: [she waves her hand] I don't like honey much. But thank you.

Aiden: Thank you, you saved my life.

Lydia: It was nothing. I don't enjoy having people die, contrary to popular belief.

Aiden: I wouldn't think anyone would, but the world is a crazy place sometimes.

Lydia: I suppose it is. Are you hungry?

Aiden: Yes, mostly because I haven't eaten anything in weeks that wasn't moldy or rotten.

Lydia: [she nods] Then I will make you some soup.

Aiden: I don't know how I will ever be able to repay your kindness.

Lydia: There isn't anything to repay. Mostly because you're trapped here until things come down.

Aiden: I don't think things will ever calm down when it comes to me.

Lydia: Why is that?

Aiden: I look like the prince of my region. Because of that, people believe that I pretend to be him to get favors. Which I don't.

Lydia: Do they have any evidence?

Aiden: Not from me. But the prince has pretended to be a common folk a few times. Trying to get out of the palace.

Lydia: [sighs] Nobility are foolish that way.

Aiden: He came to see me once. He had heard about me and wanted to meet me. That's how the town found out just how similar we look.

Lydia: Did you team up to get into your own mischief?

Aiden: I told him no. I didn't want to cause problems. But he had already been causing them on his own, and he pinned it all on me.

Lydia: How rude of him.

Aiden: It was very rude. Before I knew it, I was in chains in the prison.

Lydia: I'm sorry to hear it.

Aiden: What about you? Why did the villagers start to hate you?

Lydia: Circumstance.

Aiden: You don't seem like a bad person.

Lydia: I'm not. When I scream, someone usually dies. They've come to believe that I am responsible for those deaths.

Aiden: Well, you screamed and I didn't die.

Lydia: That's because it wasn't that kind of scream. But you could have, had I not have as much control of my power as I do.

Aiden: Well, my ears are still ringing a bit. [small smile]

Lydia: [she shakes her head] I don't kill anyone when I scream. But when I was new to this, I would go into trances when I was in the vicinity of a death. I'm past that now.

Aiden: They were going to kill me to lure you out.

Lydia: And I averted it. But when I was younger, they would have succeeded.

Aiden: Then I am grateful you are not your younger self. [chuckles]

Lydia: [nods] You and me both.