video @L.Mills

[thestoriesarereal]

[The video turns on to show a little girl wearing a jean jacket with some store bought brownies on a plate. She looks a little nervous, but it fades when she smiles at the camera.]

So...I was told there were other gods and demigods here. And if none of you are busy, I'd really like to talk to you? Cause...I only know of gods from history books and stories, but it would be nice to know what actually happened and what was really embellished--cause author's tend to do that.

[And then she remembers the brownies.]

I've got brownies too! So...your time's not wasted or anything.

[Hopefully Grandma Emma won't be upset about this...her granddaughter basically asking to talk to strangers...

But really, what's the harm?

...And hopefully the gods and demigods like chocolate.]

Comments

[thestoriesarereal]

Great! Just let me know and we can go after school--or you know, before school too. [And if he wants to take her out of school too that also works.]

But zombie sounds so much cooler! And you can't really say they're "undead" because that's more associated to vampires.

[jolting]

You don't really like school much, do you? [he's mostly amused by this]

I see your point. I just never really thought of Gerhardt as a zombie. [makes a face] Vampires are definitely not creatures you want to associate with.

[thestoriesarereal]

Not the school here. Back in Hyperion Heights, I made some friends but--here, it's totally different! There are gods here, Victor!

Well...if they're decomposing and not fully whole, then I think of "zombie." But if they're like..just dead..I guess they could be "revenant."

Have you met a vampire before?

[jolting]

Yes, I can see that making a difference. Promise you'll be careful, all right? And... ask Nico to walk you through the shadows if you feel like you need to get away.

[he knows better than anyone that stories aren't always true to the subjects they're about, but better safe than sorry]

Not personally. Let's just say the ones from my world have very little in common with modern interpretations.

[thestoriesarereal]

Promise I will I promised Emma I wouldn’t go off with anyone unless she’s met them. I’ve walked Nico through the shadows and it was fun! Not what I was expecting.

Oh...

[ Beat. ]

Those are better anyway. Better than what’s in the world I was in before.

[jolting]

Heh. I'm glad you enjoyed yourself.

[headtilt as a thought comes to him] Lucy, while we're camping I could tell you stories about my world. Henry said I wasn't in his book, so you can add my stories to a new book. I can even draw you pictures of my brother and Igor, if you'd like to see them.

[thestoriesarereal]

Yes! It was fun and we went to a diner.

[ Lucy is taken aback by that and she feels very honored by that. ]

I would love that. I would love that a lot! I could write down your stories and we can in add in pictures. I’m already working on writing down stories of this Viking named Ivar and that’s how I met Nico, they’re friends.

[jolting]

I guess it's too much to hope that it was anything like Granny's Diner.

[he smiles, pleased at her enthusiasm] Then that's what we'll do.

[thestoriesarereal]

I’ve never been to Storybrooke, but I have seen the pictures of it! I wish I did get to meet Granny.

It could be our own project! And it’ll be a fun project too.

[jolting]

I bet she'd like you. [there is a brief moment of sadness as his mind adds "and so would Ruby". He recovers from it quickly]

We're accumulating a lot of projects.

[thestoriesarereal]

You think so? [ She would love to hear more stories about Granny and everyone else. ] I heard she was tough too.

We are, and some are for learning...and others are for fun.

[jolting]

She was very tough. [and then, because he can't help himself] So was her granddaughter.

Hopefully you'll find some of the learning ones fun, too.

[thestoriesarereal]

Oh, Ruby. I heard a little bit about her. They were both neat and tough...and I know Henry liked them both a lot.

[ She lets out a light chuckle. ] I hope so, but I think you’ll make it fun.

[jolting]

[he smiles a bit] Henry liked just about everybody, I think.

I'll do my best. Other than Henry, I don't really interact with kids very much.

[thestoriesarereal]

He did. He made a lot of friends and he’s good with a sword too.

Why? You do well with them and I’m speaking from personal experience. [ Teasing. ]

[jolting]

Makes sense. He had a lot of great teachers.

Maybe I'm only good with you because we like each other.

[thestoriesarereal]

I guess.

Well, I’m sure other kids would like you if you were their teacher too...and their friend.

[jolting]

[aw, Lucy, you're a good kid]

I appreciate your confidence in me.

[thestoriesarereal]

[ Henry and Ella raised her right. ]

You’re welcome. But, think you should have more confidence in yourself. You’re great with kids.

[jolting]

Lucky I have you to remind me of that, then.

[thestoriesarereal]

And I’m lucky to have you as a friend.

[jolting]

[and that only makes him smile more. He can't remember the last time he's smiled so much]

Well... I'll let you get back to talking to the gods. I'll look forward to hearing all about it.

[thestoriesarereal]

[Good! He should smile more. He deserves to be happy.]

I'll do my best to write everything down. Though...think brownies will be enough?

[jolting]

From what I've read on gods, they like offerings no matter what form they take. So I'd say they'll be very grateful for the brownies.

[thestoriesarereal]

Even if they're store bought?