#1920s rumbelle

[gwenore]

Imp Mansion

So... 30th October 3 years ago I uploaded the first chapter of Beneath the Skin. So this is a story where the imps make their return. I adore the buggers. I also will make this story my November writing project by uploading a chapter each day (short chapters, but chapter none the less). We will see how many days I make it :P

Story synopsis: 1923, Belle French’s car breaks down outside of the small town of Storybrooke. She comes across a strange mansion belonging to an enigmatic man who calls himself Mr. Gold who harbors a dark secret and there are forces which does not wish for Belle to ever leave the dark mansion. 

Belle was wandering down the street with the rain beating off the cobblestones. Her car had broken down… and of course it was in the middle of nowhere. Of course it couldn’t have happen in the middle of a town… still she doubted that anyone out here would have much knowledge of cars… farm equipment perhaps, but even then this were a place where the horse and plow were still very much in use.

This really was a place where the world which hadn’t gotten into the modern world yet.

Wasn’t that why she had travelled out here? To get away from it all? … or just escape from the judgmental looks. Seemed like she had a scarlet letter above her head because of what she had done.

But with her coat and dress soaked with the rain and her shoes drenched… she regretted her choice. She really was not dressed for this sort of weather…

Soon she saw a sign which gave her hope, mentioning towards a mansion, Caisteal Dorcha… she did not know what that meant… or if there were even people living there still. Anyway… it might give her some shelter until the rain passed.

But… there were a hope that there was a possibility for someone to live there, and if it was a large mansion they must have a phone right?

Turning onto the gravel path she hurried along up towards the mansion where she swallowed nervously. She could only hope that she would be able to get some help.

It didn’t take long until an absolutely massive mansion came into view. It looked like it was more like a castle than a mansion.

While it looked like it had come into disrepair, what made Belle’s heart fill with hope that she could get some help was the fact that she was able see some light flickering behind the thick glass of the windows.

Already she was absolutely freezing, so in hopes of perhaps getting some warmth in her she hurried along the path until she stood before the great door. Reaching out a hesitant hand she reached over and knocked on the door.

Unsure if she was being heard she reached over and knocked again.

Leaning in and listening she could hear movements on the other side… but it wasn’t the sound of humans moving about… more like… animals? She supposed… though the sound didn’t match with any animals that she was familiar with.

Deciding that she should knock again, her knuckles almost touched the wood door when it slowly creaked open.

Feeling rather nervous she took a uncertain step inside.

“Hello?” she asked, looking for the one who had opened the door, but it seemed to have done so by itself.

“Is anyone there?” she took further steps inside. The mansion was a lot warmer than she had expected, as she had always imagined that a large place such as this and made of stone would have to be cold. That was how the books described them anyway.

Belle almost jumped out of her skin when she heard the door slam shut behind her follow by the sound of the lock snapping shut.

“Oh… no! No… no, no, no! NO!” Belle said with fear in her voice as she ran over and tried to open the door, but it was indeed locked.

“Great…” she sighed to herself scratching the side of her head. Now she had to also explain to whoever lived in this place that she had managed to lock herself inside their house. She could only hope that they wouldn’t arrest her for trespassing or something.

That would have to be a problem for when it came up… after all… she was already locked inside so…

“Also… if they are able to call the police… that means they have a phone… I suppose that is good,” Belle said to herself… trying not to think about if that if they decided to kill her no one would ever find out what happened to her.

“At least it is warm…” she thought, delighting in feeling how the warmth spread through her body.

“Um… hello?” she asked as she looked around. “Hello. My name is Belle French! I do not mean to intrude, but… well I got locked inside!”

She continued to walk further into the mansion, trying to catch a view of the people living there. In such a big mansion there should be people everywhere, shouldn’t there?

Belle swallowed. This place… despite not looking the part… almost seemed abandoned. But still… how come she couldn’t shake the feeling that she was being watched?

Shaking her head she wandered down the hallway.

“Um… hello?” she was starting to doubt that she would find anyone else… what if this was haunted? With the door opening by itself and everything else…

The young woman felt the hairs on her back stand up. No… there wasn’t such a thing as ghosts were there?

Swallowing she continued on.

“At least I can warm up…” she kept speaking to herself, trying desperately to ignore the fact that she was utterly alone.

She found herself in a large living room, glancing around. It had a lot of stuff in it… mostly things that were antiques… and rather valuable.

Did someone leave all this stuff? That wasn’t possible. This place couldn’t be abandoned, she reminded herself when she looked at the myriads of candles placed all around. If this place abandoned they would surely have burned out long ago and it didn’t look like someone had left in a hurry.

Still… she could not shake the feeling that she were being watched… by several eyes digging into her skin.

“Um… is anyone here?”

She glanced around, her fingers playing with the tip of her hair, swallowing nervously.

“What are you doing here?”

Belle almost felt herself jump out of her skin at the sound of the voice. Spinning around she saw a man standing in the door opening.

She hadn’t even heard his steps! Her hand over her chest she attempted to catch her breath.

“I am terribly sorry. My name is Belle French… my car… it broke down not far from this mansion,” Belle spoke quickly to make herself calm down so that she did not seem like an utter lunatic.

“Bad luck…” the man cocked his head towards her.

“Very… but I found this mansion and… I was knocking… and the door opened and… locked behind me,” Belle said with a nervous tone. The man practically rolled his eyes at this.

“Of course they did…” he said in a low tone.

“They?” she asked nervously.

“It,” the man seemed to correct himself. “However… it doesn’t seem like your luck has grown any better sadly.

“Oh…” Belle said with a shiver go down her back. Was she in danger? Was this some madman? Unknown for her she started to back away nervously.

“Yes…” the man made an exaggerating movement with his hand. “No electricity I am afraid. No phone… so I am afraid that I cannot call anyone to come assist you with your car.”

“OH!” Belle exclaimed… well that certainly explained all the candles around… “I am sorry for the intrusion…”

“It is getting late… I should perhaps head out… do you have a map or something to the nearest town?” she asked.

“Yes, I should, I will…” the man’s voice faded out, glancing behind himself.

“Uh… excuse me for a moment,” he excused himself before he walked away. Belle was left standing there and furrowing her brows. She certainly hadn’t heard anything.

“Odd…” she whispered to herself. The man looked to be in his fifties, dressed head to toes in heavy robes which seemed to be out of date in the last centuries. It must have been absolutely sweltering to wear however. Belle was certain that she would be able to wear her summer dress in here and still feel nice and warm.

The man was even wearing gloves.

The wait seemed to be long however, before the man came back.

“Uh… it seems that it might be unwise for you to go out in this weather. If you want… you could stay. It might be better weather in the morning, and… well light. For a woman to walk alone… something could happen. It will also get easier to help with your car,” he hardly met her eyes.

While Belle was very happy at the prospect of not having to go out again and be able to stay in a warm place for the night. But… what had changed his mind.

“Thank you. I really do appreciate your generousness Mr… uh… I do not have your name,” she said, wondering if staying there was a good thing as she knew nothing of this man. However… it certainly wasn’t better freezing to death in this weather… no matter who she could encounter in the middle of the night.

“Gold… you may call me Mr. Gold.”

[jonismitchell]

Rumbelle 1920 AU ( i have no idea what I’m doinggggg )

The circus had come to town, so it was bound to be a good day. Rumple and Bae had gotten their tickets months in advance. Bae was bouncing on his heels as they waited for the performers to come out, and Rumple merely chuckled at his son’s antics. 

It wouldn’t be proper for a man his age to be excited about the circus, after all. He wondered if the circus cast was new: the last time they were there, half the stunts were performed by people older than him. It had left Bae wondering whether his papa could do the same magic, and Rumple had staunchly refused.

“Welcome one and all to the magical Cirque de Lune,” began the presenter.

That was all Rumple heard, because the presenter was not at all older than him. She was a young woman with brilliant blue eyes, brown hair, and an accent he didn’t think he’d ever forget. She was beautiful.

“Papa?” nudged Bae. “Papa, your mouth is open. You’ll catch flies.”

send me an ouat ship & a prompt and i’ll write a drabble!

[ao3feed-rumbelle]

Murder at the Moonlight Inn

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/2Mjxj02

by Maplesyrup

A Rumbelle Secret Santa 2019 gift for Joylee. Prompt: "buddy cops, mistletoe"

As Belle French arrives in Storyrbooke, Maine to enjoy her first white Christmas at the lovely old Moonlight Inn, a horrid crime is committed and a murderer is on the loose.

Words: 13586, Chapters: 1/1, Language: English

Fandoms: Once Upon a Time (TV)

Rating: Explicit

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Categories: F/M

Characters: Belle (Once Upon a Time), Rumplestiltskin | Mr. Gold, Red Riding Hood | Ruby, Widow Lucas | Granny, Dorothy Gale (Once Upon a Time)

Relationships: Belle/Rumplestiltskin | Mr. Gold

Additional Tags: Murder Mystery, 1920s, Prohibition, Rumbelle Secret Santa (Once Upon a Time), Rumbelle Secret Santa 2019 (Once Upon a Time)

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/2Mjxj02

[sieben9]

“sympathy for the de vil” impressions

{Quick request to anyone reading: I'm watching OUaT for the first time, and I want to avoid spoilers. So, if you want to discuss something spoilery, I'd be grateful if you could start a new post for that. Thank you!}

Yeah, I see what you did there, title. Go stand in the corner and think about what you did.

OK, alright. First things first: Farewell, Cruella, you beautiful disaster. You shall be missed. I guess in your very own, very special way, you were just too good for this world.

Frankly, I wouldn't mind having her around indefinitely. Just... hanging out in the background, drinking too much gin and snarking at everything and everyone that happens to be passing.

As for the rest of the episode... well, let me go into weird metaphor territory, because I don't do that nearly often enough. Sometimes I feel about certain characters like you do about a generally well-behaved pet. Nice to have around, very rewarding relationship, and they rarely make trouble... until they get possessed by some kind of hunger-demon, open the door to the kitchen, upend the baking ingredients and eat all the eggs. And you can't even really be mad, because you kind of have to admire the criminal energy that went into the operation, so you just sigh and grab the dustpan?

::sighs and grabs the dustpan::

Going back to Cruella for a moment... I really liked her backstory. There were some issues with it, too, which I'm going into in a moment, but this was definitely a tale you look at and go "yup, this is the kind of person who would want make a fur coat out of puppies". The problem I had with it at first was that it seems to conflict with the whole "evil isn't born, it's made" theme that the show has been following for so long, but I like to think that Cruella's chilling little "why not splash in" speech addressed that. She knows that what she does is evil. She just doesn't care, because it's also fun.

most of the time at least

Also, aside from character details, this backstory also gave me a pretty good bit of worldbuilding--namely how the different "realms" work on a broader scale. Cruella lives in an approximation of our world's 1920s, but she doesn't actually know what year it is. It will always be the 1920s, no matter how much time passes, just as the Enchanted Forest will always be the anachronistic-but-slightly-medieval-oriented fairytale mess it is now. ...yes, I am a complete nerd for worldbuilding. Why do you ask?

Apart from that, I also wonder if we're going to see the Author's "Start of Darkness", as it were. Because at this point, it seems like he was already using his powers to influence stories rather than just record them. Meaning the diamond necklace and all that. Not the much more self-defensy "no killing people" thing.

though i will say that everyone should thank their lucky stars cruella is not a more inventive person. "don't take lives" still leaves room for quite a lot of damage...

Honestly, the whole Author-involvement was a bit of a puzzler. This could have worked very well as a "these two people dragged each other down" story, or maybe even as a sympathetic backstory for either, but Isaac being here was just... odd. Not bad, just weird. I will say, though, the flashbacks were definitely the most sympathetic this guy was throughout the episode.

This also gave a good look at the Author's powers in action with no need for subterfuge. Seems like he can really influence the stories he writes in just about any way he wants. (As a writer, I say unto thee: unrealistic! ...but that's neither here nor there) And this brings me to another thing, which is... look, I'm actually a fan of shorter seasons for serialised shows. I don't think 22 episodes is a reasonable arc length for anything short of X-Files myth arcs. But I really don't think the half-season format is working for OUaT. Things like Cruella's relationship needed significantly more build-up to really "hit" when the full reveal came. As it is, I was interested, but not really invested that much.

Anyway. Present day plot! Yes, there was one.

someone knock this woman out because she's obviously not going to get some sleep by herself...

Yeah. Uh... Emma killed someone. Though, quite honestly: no judgment. She couldn't know that Cruella couldn't take a life, and if someone had a gun to the head of a child in my care... yeah. Obviously, it's still a "dark" deed according to the established rules of the show, so that's going to be... interesting. The episode ends quite abruptly, so I guess we don't know if her heart has been darkened, but, uhm, I'd say that face speaks for itself. Also I sound like a broken record, but get some sleep, woman.

And then... ::sigh:: then there's that other thing.

Regina, why. I mean, I know why. I can perfectly follow the logical chain of events that led you to this monumentally stupid decision, but I still feel like I have to ask.

She wanted to help you! She was happy to see you, she trusted you, and she wanted to help with whatever Rumple had done to you. Why in the name of all that is good didn't you just tell her?

Again, I know why. I'm just frustrated.

And that scene at the well? Dear god, that was painful. Because for a moment, I could forget that Regina must have done something to Belle. I could just enjoy the moment, and get teary-eyed about that "chipped teacup" comment and just ignore that this was going to be another August-moment.

And then...

Why. I mean, yes, he threatened the man you love. I'm not surprised you're trying to get a little revenge, because that's how you work. But this was still cruel. To both of them, really, even if Belle won't remember.

And as for Rumple’s confession... well, that puts a new and horrifying spin on his “heart troubles”, doesn’t it? Though the implication is that he wouldn’t die--at least not while there’s magic around. So what’s the alternative? No, don’t tell me, I’d prefer to horrify myself with speculation...

So, now that they both have knives at each other's throats, it looks like Regina is going to go to New York to find Robin. That's... definitely not going to be a horrible conversation. Nope.

Also, again. Emma is going off the deep end. Someone throw a rope after her so she can climb out again.

Rumbelle-y addendum: Also, did you see the speed with which he backed down when Regina moved to squeeze Belle’s heart? Guh. And that despite all the negative consequences it could have for him to let Regina do as she wishes here. I think at this point it’s clear that Belle is the only thing that’s still important to Rumple, even if they aren’t together anymore. (Also was it just me or did Belle’s “I may have given up on us too soon” sound way too genuine to have been made up by Regina? The text doesn’t say either way, but I like to think that those were things she was already thinking; the situation just made her say them when she wouldn’t have otherwise.)

did I mention “starved for content”?

[bookwormchocaholic]

Tag Thingy!

I was tagged by @ssimsass   Thank you, darling dearie!

Rule: tag 10 followers you want to get to know better

Name: Veronica

Gender: Female

Star Sign: No idea.

Height: 5"7

Sexuality: Asexual/Demisexual

What images do you have set as your desktop/cellphone wallpaper? I have a Rumbelle manip on my desktop, and a Judy Garland photo on my phone wallpaper.

Have you ever had a crush on a teacher? Nope.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years? Gosh, I have no idea.

If you could be anywhere else right now, where would you be? England...or Krakow.

What was your coolest Halloween costume? Last year for the Trunk or Treat for our church, I was a 1920s flapper.

What’s your favourite 90s show? Boy Meets World.

Who was your last kiss? Believe it or not, I've never been kissed.

Have you ever been stood up? Nope.

Have you ever been to Las Vegas? No and I don't plan on it.

Favourite pair of shoes: A pair of sparkly ruby ballet flats. They remind you of Dorothy Gale's ruby slippers.

Favourite fruit: Apple.

Favourite book: Pride and Prejudice.

Stupidest thing you’ve ever done: Trying to evangelize everyone when I was a teenager. I alienated so many people...I really hurt them.

@mariequitecontrarie, @onceuponanovel, @evilsnowswan, @findingtallahassee, @jackabelle73, @leni-ba, @barpurplewrites, @ifishouldvanish, @imgilmoregirl, @moonlight91, @madasateacup, @victoria-tonks

[galactic-pirates]

Rumbelle 46

46. “Shut up, I am a delight!”

Gold was inhell. Actually he was starting to consider that hell might be the betteroption. He couldn’t fathom what he’d been thinking when he’d agreed to this.Mentally he paged back through the last couple of days, trying in vain to workout how he’d wound up here, wedged in the corner of a booth at a retroburlesque club. To make matters worse they were doing a special show, a mixedevening, so there were topless men with chiseled jaws and well-definedsix-packs carrying drinks trays everywhere in sight. Even worse than that, hewas pinned in by Ella DeVille, an old friend of his business partner, and anobvious exhibitionist.

He’d workedwith Mallory Finch for over ten years. She was as sharp a lawyer as he wasruthless, and woe-betide any opposing counsel that had to face them both. Theydidn’t usually socialize outside of the office, not unless they had to schmoozea client for some reason. He didn’t hold with greetings cards, viewing them asa ridiculous waste of expensive paper, and they’d agreed not to bother withgifts. Instead every Christmas they both donated a set amount to the firmscharity fund, it worked well for them.

So how had hegot here? Oh yes, his son had called, not a pleasant conversation. Mal had overheardthe yelling, and he’d had a brief moment of weakness and confessed the least ofNeal’s insults - that he was a workaholic. Mal had promptly invited him on a‘night out with an old friend’ telling him ‘there’s this retro bar sherecommends. It’s set up like a 1920’s speakeasy’ and like the fool he was he’dagreed. Truthfully Gold didn’t think Mal had known it was anything more than abar, but that hadn’t stopped her amusement at his expense.

“Oh young man,refills,” Ella shouted, waving her empty gin glass.

The waiterdutifully came over and Gold turned his head in disgust, Ella’s expression waspractically feral, it was like she was about to pounce on the man and eat him.

“Thank youdarling,” Ella purred. “Here, I have a tip for you.” She held up a bill, thewaiter smiled politely and reached for it, and Ella pulled it back out ofreach. “No, no, naughty boy.” Ella laughed and trailed her fingers down hischest, tucking the bill into his belt.

Gold swallowedback bile. “Did you have to molest that poor man?”

“Oh darlingdon’t worry, I love you the most.” Ella winked at him.

Mal smirked andGold’s terrified expression turned into a fierce glare. Unfortunately Mal hadbeen immune to his best scowls for years and just rolled her eyes. “Leave Goldalone L, he hasn’t been laid in years and you’d scar him for life.”

Ella roaredwith laughter, playfully bashing Gold on the shoulder. He winced, her ‘playfulswat’ had a fair bit of force behind it. He glared at Mal again out of theprinciple of the thing and sniffed disdainfully. As far as Mal knew he couldhave been getting laid every night for the past month, they didn’t discuss suchpersonal matters. The fact that she was right was immaterial. It wasn’t that hecouldn’t have had companionship if he’d wanted, he was just choosy, that wasall.

“Shut up, I am a delight,” Ella announced loudly,winking at another muscled waiter.

“Ladies andgentleman, it’s time for the show to begin,” the announcer boomed, and a lot ofthe chatter died off. The club was eerily quiet for a moment before the loudswing music started. “I give you, the one, the only - Lacey!”

Out from behindthe curtain a shapely leg was extended. Gold watched with disinterest, this hadnever been his scene. Then the rest of the woman followed and Gold’s mouthdried. She wasn’t what he’d been expecting. Lacey was petite, with brilliantblue eyes, a mess of dark curls framing her beautiful face. She was morecovered than most women were at the beach, her outfit was more suggestive andshe wore it well. She strutted along the stage, every inch of her screamingthat they might be looking at her, but she owned this situation. Then shestarted to dance, her movements were in turn sensual and seductive, and Goldwas entranced.

When Laceydisappeared back behind the curtain, her show over, Gold had no entire how muchtime had passed. He sat back and knocked back half of his whiskey tumbler,which had been untouched during Lacey’s performance as she’d captured hisattention so thoroughly. He felt bereft because he knew that was the only timehe would ever see her. It hadn’t been the suggestive moves, or the hints ofskin, which had captivated him; it had been Lacey’s eyes.

Gold didn’tthink he’d ever seen someone that was so alive, it was like there was a lightinside her and it made him wonder who Lacey was. What were her hopes anddreams? Was she more of a dog or a cat person? Was she a morning person or anight owl? Tea or coffee? What was her favorite color even? It was ridiculousto be mooning over what amounted to a glorified stripper, but Gold reasonedthat so long as he kept his thoughts to himself then it was probably alright.He wasn’t going to be one of ‘those men’, this wasn’t his scene so he wouldnever return to this club and that would be that.

Mal’s commentabout it ‘having been a while’ flashed across his mind. Perhaps it was time heactually started looking for a ‘friend’, if he was getting captivated by somepoor girl who put on a show for her job, then he was clearly more desperatethan he’d thought. Gold nodded decisively, tomorrow night he’d head for one ofthe wine bars by the docks. He’d heard one of the junior partners talking aboutthat being a good place to meet single women. He ignored the little voice inthe back of his head that told him he’d be lucky if anyone so much as saidhello. He’d never really been very good at the dating scene, but at least hehad a plan and somewhere to start.

Lacey would beout of his mind, and forgotten, by this time tomorrow.

[ao3feed-rumbelle]

Behind the Eight Ball

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/2uTJDdL

by ishtarelisheba

Out doing a bit of upkeep on his moonshine operation, Ezra Gold happens across a familiar car and decides to pursue, figuring he might be able to use what he finds for his own ends. It never hurts to know a politician's dirty little secrets, after all. The fellow bootlegger he finds isn't exactly the one he expected, however, and his discovery manages to turn all manner of things on their heads.

Words: 5896, Chapters: 1/1, Language: English

Fandoms: Once Upon a Time (TV)

Rating: Teen And Up Audiences

Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply

Categories: F/M

Characters: Rumplestiltskin | Mr. Gold, Belle (Once Upon a Time)

Relationships: RumBelle, Belle/Rumplestiltskin | Mr. Gold

Additional Tags: Rumbelle Christmas in July, Rumbelle Christmas in July 2018, 1920s, Bootlegging AU

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/2uTJDdL