Lunch Hour [Open]

Everything was going according to plan, and yet Gold was miserable. Why? Because his plan didn’t include a girl who he thought was dead actually being alive and falling in love with someone else during the curse and keeping him at arm’s length even though he loved her dearly and could finally admit to that and be with her. She loved him too, but she was engaged to this other man. It was more than a little frustrating seeing as he had two months to win her back over while still searching for the way out of this town without memory loss, so he could find his son. After all, that was what this curse was for, so he could find his son. And he wasn’t going to stop until he found his son. For now, however, he was trapped here, with the problem of his Belle, and the problem of the town line.

Despite this, he was still getting used to the magic in this land and therefore, didn’t quite have the magic he needed yet to do what he needed. And while as his immortality had returned to him, it had become a habit to actually eat every day. He rather like the food at Granny’s even if he didn’t admit it. He’d come here most days for lunch, especially since it wasn’t that far from his shop, so it was convenient. After the curse, it was always interesting to see how people were reacting and coping with the double lives. Some fretted more, others just returned to just living their life they always had, and Gold, well he lived as he had before while also working with the ulterior motive of to leave.

Gold took a seat at a table in the corner of the diner so he could see everything. He ordered his food and looked around, spotting a very interesting person. Someone who could most definitely help with at least one of his problems. Grinning, Rumple stood up and walked over to where Scar sat, sitting across from the man. “Prince Arno,” Gold began, “Or it's Scar now isn’t it? Or rather here, it's Johnathan Pride. Whatever the case, I hate to bother you,” he indicated the sandwich in front of Scar, “However, I would like to ask how you are doing, adjusting to this world.” And he’d leave the whole, I have a job for you thing until after the man replied at least. For now, he’d play small talk.

Rumple frowned as Scar denied his request even before he heard it. His eyes followed the man as he set down the money and made his way out of the diner. No, no, he wasn’t going to get away that easily. Rumple stood up, utilizing his cane as he hadn’t quite gained control over magic in this realm yet. It was so different here, not even he the Dark One had fully conjured his power from the other world, and so physical skills, like those that Scar had, were an even more valuable asset than they had been before… at least until he got a hang of magic in this world. Gold placed his own money on the table for the food he didn’t even get yet, and walked after the man.

“Hold on, you didn’t even hear my request, dearie,” Gold said quickly, making his way as fast as possible after the man, his limp becoming more pronounced the faster he walked. “Do I have to remind you the only reason you’re alive is because of me? Just hear me out. Then decide.” He knew that Scar had assumed he came here for a contract killing. And yes, that was exactly what Gold had been here for. However, with such an attitude, Gold knew that was not going to happen.

The art of a deal meant he had to read others, figure out what they would do and for what price. And while in the past this man would indeed do killings for him, that, well that he would have to ease the man back into. Dip his toes back into the business. Start off small and ease him back. A terrible and boring process, but at least he would get this asset back, eventually.

It wasn’t like Gold was afraid of the man, even if at the time he could really cause some pain to Rumple. The fact of the matter was Rumple was immortal, and his dagger was with him, and therefore, he was just fine. When he went to leave to find his son, he would leave it behind, but knowing Scar was here, he would have to be extra sneaky about where he hid the dagger, as to not let it fall into the wrong hands. He couldn’t be weak to anyone, especially not this man. However, the fact of the matter was, he was not an idiot and wouldn’t want to pick a fight with Scar regardless of the circumstances.

When he stopped, Gold grinned from ear to ear, hearing Scar’s response. A simple and to the point response, something he expected from such a man. “There is someone I want you to make sure no harm comes to. There are some who… may want to hurt this person.” At least then he could make sure she was not in Regina’s way. The instant he had walked up to Scar, he knew that killing wasn’t in the books. Plus, in the end, Belle would find out and probably hate him for it… even though he wasn’t discounting the idea of using the whole ‘killer’ side of this man later, when he was… in the right state.

“Her name is Belle. She lives in the library. I’ve, ah, not made many friends, as you can imagine, and my enemies would like to… well, hurt her. I’m sure you can… imagine why I would be worried about her safety. Especially since I might not be around shortly to watch over her myself.” Gold looked at Scar with a relaxed look on his face to show that the intimidating look on his face wasn’t scaring him (even if he was a little bit worried given their history). “I just want to make sure she’s alright and stays alright.”

Gold smiled when he agreed to the job that he had set for the man to do. Of course, if he had been more inclined to his previous line of work, he wouldn't have to worry about the fiance's mysterious possible disappearance in the near future being tied to him. However, while he thought about it, he much rahter deal with Regina himself. A slow torture, as her son slipped through her fingers forever, a look of hatred from everyone, as she struggled to reclaim any bit of power she still had left. But no, that wouldn't be enough. He wanted to see her suffer even more than just that. He wanted her to lose everything, everything she ever loved, she ever cared about and -

Well that line of thinking wasn't going to get his son back, Gold reminded himself. But it wasn't like Bae was here to see any of it. However, Bae was his primary concern right now. He wouldn't let Regina off the hook, no, no. He could make her suffer while he was working on his way to find Bae in that world out there, who was all alone for so long, and he knew he had a lot of work to do to even be able to apologize to him, to maybe, just maybe start over like he had wished for years and years.

He looked at John's hand and grinned, but he did not take it. "Ah, I'm not. My only concern is your price. Now I'm a fair man," and he didn't like to be indebted to anyone, "So, what do you want? Gold? You have plenty of money in this world. Information? Magic? A favor?" If there was one thing Rumplestiltskin and thus, Mr. Gold, would never do is not bang out at least all of his parts in a deal. The art of the deal was to have something the other wanted, and while he hadn't known Scar long in this world, he knew a great deal about the man in their world, and he was sure that… they could find something as payment for his job.