Everyone Needs a Broom!

[cantwalkwithoutit]

WHO: Rumpelstiltskin/Mr. Gold, and you!
WHERE: The one place you're most likely to find Mr. Gold is in his shop in Heropa, where he sells handmade brooms -- as assigned to him by the government on arrival.
WHEN: Anytime late June/Early July before the Independence Day celebrations. Hours in the shop are from 9 am to 6 pm.
WHAT: Anyone is free to tag in and start their own thread! Threads may move to other locations as the scene requires.
WARNINGS: None as yet, will update when necessary.

The store space is modest in comparison to his establishment back in Storybrooke, admitted, but the inventory is much more focused. In the large window in the front, various pieces are displayed, brooms with unique handles, some hand-carved, with bristles of many colors, some even that appear to have strands of gold in them. All hand-woven, even braided in some instances. Inside, it smells faintly of cinnamon, and still more examples hang on the walls. A counter with a small cash register stands at about the center of the room, and behind that counter is a worktable where Mr. Gold works on new projects with meticulous care, his cane set aside but within reach. There is a door leading to a back room that is always closed and locked. There's an aura of comfort in the place, of home and hearth.

Comments

Locked to Pan

[cantwalkwithoutit]

[ On this particular day, as with any other day, Gold had no real expectation for anyone in particular to waltz into his workspace. Lacking the gift of sight since his death, he's come to resent being surprised perhaps a little less, but it's no less jarring to see that face in particular darken his doorstep. ]

[dreamshades]

Hello, laddie.

[ The voice is cool but sounding impish as Pan just materializes in the room. He sits on one of the work tables, looking over one of the brooms that lay unfinished. He twirls it in his fingertips, appraising it. Rather dull, in his mind but he wonders why Rumple hasn't just set up a magical shop to do deals.

Questions for later. ]

You plan on running off on me again? Or do we have to play a forced game of hide and seek? You were never good at it or even feigning interest if I recall.

[cantwalkwithoutit]

Shop stays open for some hours yet.

[ Almost resigned, that sigh. And no use of his name yet. He'll only do it if he calls him Rumple. ]

So not much chance for a game right this moment. If there was something else you needed, however?

[dreamshades]

Actually there is.

[ A smile drifts towards Rumple, still twirling the broom in his fingers. ]

I wanted to discuss, Baelfire.

[cantwalkwithoutit]

Not interested. [ He finishes jotting a note in a ledger at the counter before closing and locking it, turning at last to face him. ] And set that down, if you please, unless you want varnish all over your hands.

[dreamshades]

Hm. No. [ Clearly he didn't care if his hands got a little dirty. The Stilskins or Golds, whatever they go by don't ever seem to care about that.

Pan's smile still remains cool. ]

But, I am so very interested. I mean, after all you gave up...

What's it like knowing he died?

[cantwalkwithoutit]

[ He knew it was coming, carrying with it the same nauseous quality that hearing the manchild talk of his true love's fertility brought with it, but something more. He hasn't given himself time to address it, and never having to see that gave or walk past it every day -- it helps to stuff it down. The work helps.

It doesn't sting any less to hear it now. ]

The same as knowing anything else that's incontrovertible.

[4thdimensional]

Doc was quite grateful to Max for the introduction. This Mr. Gold was quite the interesting character...and, perhaps, a new ally. For a week, he considered stopping by again. It would be nice to socialize with someone not so entwined in the sciences. There was the chance to learn something new!

The opportunity finally presented itself one late afternoon. Doc strode up to the shop with a purpose and leaned in the doorway.

"Mr. Gold! Excellent, I was hoping to find you here."

[cantwalkwithoutit]

Gold glanced up from his work, holding his fingers down on the latest pass in his weaving to keep it in place. His face lit with a slow smile. Doctor Brown was familiar in that unsettling way that so many people were, for him: as 'characters' in one world and quite real in others, and it was strange to meet one after becoming aware of their fictional selves.

"Mondays through Saturdays," he quipped. "How can I help you?"

[4thdimensional]

"Not that kind of help," Doc shook his head. "I'm not in the market for a broom, but I wondered if you'd be amenable to a cup of coffee? My treat."

It was a silly thing, an attempted bribe for the opportunity to get to know him a little...but it was the only plan he had at the moment. If this failed, he'd have to resort to broom shopping, and his room was hurting for space as it was.

[cantwalkwithoutit]

"Coffee?"

There were several dimensions of alien in that one invitation. Beyond dates with Belle, he was not the least bit accustomed to anything like this -- people who wanted to make deals tended to stink of their motives early on and didn't bother trying to butter him up. And when the people of Storybrooke needed an expert -- well, they tended to get right to the point and assume his cooperation without even asking.

Since he'd been careful to keep his magic concealed, he couldn't imagine Doctor Brown was here looking for the sorts of favors he was used to selling, but it had to be some sort of business. Perhaps it had to do with Max -- more had happened to the boy before his arrival than he realized, and the doctor's concern did not go unnoticed.

Gold pulled out his pocket watch to check the time. A decent hour to take a lunch break.

"I suppose there's no harm in it."

[4thdimensional]

"I know the perfect place. Come on, then." Doc was still feeling strangely nervous---this wasn't the way he tended to attempt befriending people---but he kept going. The chance was worth it.

"There's also tea, if you'd prefer that. It's a quiet place, as scenic as anything can be in this town. The Dragonfly, have you ever been?"

[cantwalkwithoutit]

"I don't believe I have." He hadn't dined out much at all since coming here, just takeaway when it was convenient (and available).

Gold grabbed his jacket off its nearby hook, replacing it with the work apron he had been wearing. Yes, it was warm out, but magic had its advantages, even the unseen kinds.

He came to the door and held it open.

"After you."

[4thdimensional]

Doc stepped out with a smile, briefly turning his head to ensure that Gold was following. What a classic gentleman he was. The world could certainly use a little more of that.

Gold insisted on that appearance: neatly pressed, not a hair out of place, carrying himself with a...was it a noble aura? Whatever it was, it stood in stark contrast to Doc's barely-contained chaotic energy. And that simply intrigued him more.

"Have you always had a passion for craftsmanship, or did you grow into the role thrust on you?"

[hostage]

[Jesse's wandering. More specifically, Jesse's wandering in search of a gift for his lover's birthday. Of course, Daisy's not really into artisanal brooms - not as far as he knows - but the shop is so strangely specialized that it's at least caught his attention as a (former) artist. He takes a detour from his shopping to peek inside, and he's not disappointed by what he finds. It's all so weird. Not in a bad way, either. It's actually very impressive to him. He pauses to admire one particularly flashy weave, running his fingers over the texture.]

Halloween every day up in here.

[Said more to himself than anyone who might be near him.]

Sorry for the delay!

[cantwalkwithoutit]

I haven't heard that one before!

[ Gold stands at his worktable; the smell of lacquer fills the air. His sleeves are rolled up to the elbows, work apron over his usual garb. He didn't speak up immediately when he heard the bell at the door ring; many would come in, browse, and then wander out. ]

Can I help you?

[hostage]

Just looking.

[He doesn't intend to buy anything, so he doesn't want to waste the guy's time. But Jesse turns toward him, his interest moving to the worktable, and he steps closer.]

You make all this stuff yourself? Right here?

[cantwalkwithoutit]

[ At present the table is lined not with finished or even near-finished brooms, but several handles from reclaimed branches that he's priming and finishing. ]

Right here. Materials come in from all over, some on special order.

[hostage]

[Jesse has a particular eye for woodworking. He's examining those branches a little closer than the casual viewer.]

Wax finish? I was just noticing they kept their smell pretty strong. You don't usually get that with lacquer.

[cantwalkwithoutit]

[ Gold taps the side of his nose. ]

Very observant, but...not wax. Family secret. You were familiar with woodworking at home, I take it?

[hostage]

[Jesse breathes a self-conscious, mildly embarrassed laugh.]

Just a little bit. I took a class a long time ago.

[crapbearer]

It's another day of practicing woodworking, but upon entry Max was distracted by a piece he hadn't seen before. The handle of the broom was expertly carved, smooth and shining in the warm light, shaped into a delicate yet powerful looking bird. Its wings are open, wrapped around the broom handle, and the piece was accentuated by weaving work along the handle in gold and red.

Max ran his fingers over the carving, already thinking of a few quips calling it a chicken broom.

Fowl, actually, he could imagine Virgil droning n response. Max gave a soft laugh at that, a sad, nostalgic smile crossing his face.

[cantwalkwithoutit]

"You're early."

Gold emerged from the back room, locking it behind him. He'd been spinning -- not a particular favorite, in fact somewhat harrowing to do now. But he could use the financial windfall. The bell was an easy indicator of a guest, so he stopped where he was, tied off the strand, and investigated.

"See something you like?"

[crapbearer]

Max jumped when Gold's voice interrupted his thoughts, and he looked up in surprise, grinning sheepishly at being caught looking so sentimental at one of the brooms. "Ha... sorry, this one just reminded me of someone, that's all."

He gently rested the broom back on his display, taking care not to make it too uncomfortable - and wow, he needed to get out more, is he seriously anthropomorphizing a broom now?

"I can't stay too long today. That Gala's coming up and I need to drag myself to the mall to look for something to wear. My job wants me to represent them and I gotta look presentable." The last word was emphasized with air quotes as he said it.

[cantwalkwithoutit]

Gold had to wander close to get a good look at the one Max examined. He couldn't immediately connect who it may have been, but he'd let that go for now. Still, he appreciated the obvious care Max showed in handling it.

"What is their definition of presentable?"