Because everyone needs a Thneed... | Oncie, Regina

[innerbeauty]

Belle's return to Storybrooke along with Baelfire had been surprisingly uneventful. She had been sure Rumpelstiltskin would be impatiently waiting for her to return safely. However, with the whole town on edge, nothing actually really happened. So, Belle had returned to Granny's Bed & Breakfast without incident. She'd been staying at the small inn ever since being reunited with Rumpelstiltskin. Naturally, she wanted to spend as much time with her true love as possible. However, that dusty shop he owned wasn't the most hospitable place to live. Just walking down the isle, Belle had tripped and caught herself on various knick-knacks and do-dads. The worst part for her was how terrible she felt for the incidents. So, until she had a modest living space of her own, she'd be staying at Granny's Bed & Breakfast. Given who she was in love with, Granny had given Belle one of their best rooms; what she had called the two-bedroom suite (though, it wasn't exactly large enough to be called a 'suite'). And, naturally, Belle couldn't help feeling like she was taking advantage of the poor woman, but there wasn't much she could do.

With only Rumpelstiltskin for company a majority of the time, the second bedroom had gone untouched. So, Belle had thought no qualms about letting Baelfire stay there until he found who he was looking for. They had only just returned yesterday and it was still the early morning. Belle would've loved to visit Rumpelstiltskin in his shop, but figured he would be busy. She had noticed the most quaint little bookshop while strolling through the streets of Storybrooke one day and decided that it wouldn't hurt to stop by. So, she'd woken early, gotten cleaned up, and was just finishing getting dressed to head out. Not wanting to stand out too much, she'd opted for her old blue dress with its white apron front.

"Bae, what do you say I make us some tea and then we c--" Stepping out of her bedroom, Belle's gaze swept the suite only to realize that Bae had already left. After a moment of disappointment, Belle shook the feeling of and breezed into the makeshift kitchen in the corner. Of course, he'd want to wander about on his own. He was looking for someone, after all. Reminding herself, she was too. If only Rumpelstiltskin had given her the boy's name; then maybe she might be able to, at least, attempt to get somewhere. Frowning in thought, the girl prepared her tea quickly and sipped it, sitting on the edge of her bed. Feeling that she'd have enough time to sulk about their predicament, Belle set her tea cup down, grabbed her coat, and strode out the door.

The streets of Storybrooke weren't deserted, per say, but there weren't as many people walking down them. Most were too wary to go out as much as they used to; and, even still, those on the streets always gave cautious glances to others outside, quick to see whether they be friend or foe. However, Belle tried not to hold such fears in her heart. She loved adventure wherever she could find it and she was she she would be able to pull herself out of any danger she might happen upon.

It was about then that something caught her eye. It was a brand new store, one she was certain hadn't been there before she'd left for Argentina... Giving it a peculiar stare, Belle scrutinized the new storefront. Whoever owned the building certainly liked the color green, that much was evident to her. And it was advertising a curious invention called a "Thneed." Steeling herself, Belle grasped the brand-new adventure before her and stepped into the shop. Looking around, she got the feeling whoever owned this place had to be new to Storybrooke. It didn't have the look or feel that the other stores had; it wasn't really... suburban-esque. She walked farther into the store, not really paying much attention to what was in the place, her mind too busy racing to notice.

Her voice echoed faintly through the shop, timid yet bold. "E-excuse me...?"

[Once-ler]

The shop had the appearance of still in the works of being fully set up. Boxes were piled in the corner, and some still scattered about the room. The floors were wooden, with a small welcome mat that looked like it was hastily put there. Some rugs covered "important" areas, such as near the counter and other places where it looked like display cases would go.

The walls were a dull off-white color, most of them covered in notes of what was supposed to go where, and around the counter area were posters advertising the Thneed. They weren't as detailed as the old billboard ads Greed once had the liberty of owning. All of them were almost the same, each showing a different aspect of what the Thneed could be, and describing the microfibers of the material.

The only thing that was really cleared in the store was the counter where a register sat next to two holders. One was a wig head, with a pink Thneed wrapped around it like a scarf. Another wig head sat next to it, with the Thneed placed on top of it like a hat. Lastly, two poles sat behind the counter, stretching the Thneed out to look like a tightrope.

Greed-ler continually cursed himself for only saving three Thneeds after the fall of the company; if he had saved more he could have filled up the entire store showing off their unending uses.

The price tags on all of them were still the same as when Innocent created the first one: $3.98.

Now he faced a bigger problem than just setting up a shop and finding a place to stay like Maleficent asked him to. How would he make more Thneeds when the last Truffula seed still wouldn't grow for him?

If Belle would look to the small window near the counter, she would notice a small pot sitting there with something planted inside. A small green watering can sat beside it, showing that the plant had been recently watered. Upon further investigation, Belle would find a long sheet of paper thumbtacked into the wood near the window.

It was covered in scribbles and crossed out words, all of Greed's failed attempts at making the plant grow. "Half shade, half sun, watered every day. Full shade, watered every day. Full shade, watered every other day....other week....other hour. Full sun, watered daily...weekly...hourly..." And the note ended with an angry scratching of a green pen.

After a few minutes, Greed appeared through the back room door. His hair was disheveled, his hat and coat missing--both hung on a coatrack near the front of the shop. His tie was loosened a bit, and his dress shirt's sleeves rolled up, and with his coat missing, green suspenders could be seen. His eyes even had a tired look to them, as if he'd been working on this place overnight.

He wasn't expecting to see someone when he appeared, it actually took him by surprise. He quickly ran a hand through his hair as he tightened his tie, trying to look as professional as possible. "Can I help you, Ma'am?"

[innerbeauty]

As she walked through the new store, Belle couldn't help but notice its current... cluttered state. She even had some difficulty getting around the ones scattered around the floor. When she reached the counter, she did, in fact, notice the window and its potted plant. However, not wishing to intrude, she left the matter alone. It wasn't like she should be suspicious of a plant growing on a window sill; though, in this town, one could never be too careful. As Greed-ler exited the recesses of the building, Belle gave him a quick once-over. The poor young man looked absolutely ragged. Belle hadn't contemplated the chance that the shop may not actually be open, yet. She hadn't seen anything proclaiming the place to be closed; but, neither had she seen any sign that it was open.

Blinking sheepishly at her mistake, Belle quickly tried to backtrack. "I-I'm sorry! I saw your shop and... I hadn't seen it before." Belle momentarily frowned at the green-clad boy. Y'know, it really did look like he might very well be in over his had just a tad. She glanced back around the store, finding boxes upon boxes and just nowhere to put them besides haphazardly anywhere. "Do you... need some help? My ward's out exploring Storybrooke and Rumpelst--Mr. Gold will be in his shop for quite some time." She looked to Greed-ler hopefully. Se really did have nothing to do for the entire time Rumpelstiltskin was in his shop besides going to the local library. In fact, now that she thought about it, she might try and aim for employment there.

However, right now, it looked like this young man needed some help. Who knows, if he got set up relatively quickly, she might even buy something of his. Those pink... fabrics did look really intriguing. She didn't have any use for a hat or a tight rope. But, then again, maybe it had other uses, something she could find handy...

[Once-ler]

Greed stared at Belle for a good minute or so. His tired mind trying to take in her words. No one had...really every asked to help him before. He was either paying them, or they were putting him down. A small, warm, smile crept over his face as he looked over Belle. She reminded him of Red, but she was a lot different from Red. He couldn't place his finger on why, but she reminded him of someone he once knew.

"I-I wouldn't mind the help, actually." His voice now sounded a bit tired, softer, than it had been a minute ago. He dropped the "serious businessman" act, feeling a bit...safe around her. What was it about her that made him feel...nicer? Wait, nicer that didn't sound like him. Greed-ler wasn't "nice." Oh no, he wasn't...was...was Oncie waking up?