Bonjour
It was another day in Storybrooke. The sun was shining, the sky the very bluest of blues, and the birds were singing their happiest songs.
Belle French walked down the sidewalk of Main Street. She just barely avoided colliding with a light pole and looked up from her book.
Archie Hopper hid a grin, “Hello Belle.”
Belle held her place with her finger, “Hello Archie,” she leaned down and petted Pongo with her free hand, “Hello Pongo.”
Archie gestured to the book in Belle’s hand, “Any good?”
Belle smiled, “This one has both beautiful dresses and zombies in it. It’s a blast, but then again, every book is perfect. If you stop by the library this afternoon your book should be ready too. I’m expecting the delivery of new books this morning.”
“Oh, How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk. Thank you, thank you.” He paused and looked uncomfortable, “You won’t tell anyone that I’ve taken it out?”
Belle put a hand on his arm, “Priests, Doctors, Lawyers and Librarians right?”
Archie smiled again, the worry falling from his face, “Right. Have a good day Belle. I’ll be by later.”
They both continued on their usual journeys. Belle gave every person a smile and a hello. She even gave a wave to Ingrid, the mostly grumpy owner of Any Given Sundae, “What’s chilling Ingrid?”
Ingrid rolled her eyes and retreated into her shoppe.
Belle smiled, although it faded a little as she passed by the luxury car that was Mayor Mary Margaret Blanchard’s.
Usually Belle was by Granny’s before Mary Margaret arrived for her morning tea, but talking with Archie had delayed her. She inclined her head as she passed the Mayor, “Good morning Madam Mayor.”
Mary Margaret looked Belle up and down, “Apparently it is for you. Will you have your budget suggestions in by five o’clock tonight?”
It wasn’t really a question, although it was pretending to be one. Belle answered it anyway, “I will Madam Mayor, and have an amazing day.”
Mary Margaret shook her head as she continued into Granny’s mumbling, “Not unless I get my tea.”
Belle chuckled to herself and raised her book again, nearly colliding with Regina Mills. “Regina. I apologize. I’m running a little late today. It’s throwing everything off.”
Regina shook her head. She never smiled, but she was still one of the nicest people in town. Always willing to lend a helping hand or even give someone the coat off her back. Most people wouldn’t accept the help or generosity though, because they were wary of her. She had a mightily intense visage. The right side of her face was mottled with scars that carved from above her eye to the top of her lips.
There were a few souls in town who looked deeper than her skin though, and Belle was the first among them.
“Belle— Good Day. On your way to the library?”
Belle smiled, “I am. Unless you want to play hooky with me. A couple of public servants on the lamb for the day?”
Regina shook her head, “I can’t. I’m sorry. I need to get to school.”
Belle smiled again and stepped to one side, “One day I’ll convince you to take a day off. But I guess today’s not that day. Have fun expanding ten year old minds.”
Regina inclined her head and continued on. Belle did too, her face back in her book, whistling to herself.
oOOOOo
“He’s watching her again.”
Granny glanced over at Ursula, then at Mr. Gold. He was standing in an alley at the corner of a building and watching Belle as she walked down the street. “Are you going to do something about it?”
Ursula shrugged and took another drink of coffee, “I’m just a lobsterwoman. What the ‘upper crust’ of our little town does is their problem.”
“Good morning today?”
Ursula shook her head and sighed, “No.. It’s like… it’s like I can catch enough to eat, live, but the world won’t let me get ahead.”
Granny didn’t look convinced, “That’s just what’s called life Ursula. Breakfast to go with that coffee?”
Ursula shook her head and stood, “Not today— some of my traps got—” Ursula shook her head, “Repairing them is high on my to do list. You’ll keep an eye on Creepy Gold?”
Granny wiped down her counter, “I always do.”
oOOOOo
“That’s not safe.”
Belle looked up from her book, “Hmm… oh, hello Sheriff Lucas.”
“Will you ever call me Ruby?”
Belle studied Ruby, “Perhaps one day. Is there something I can do for you Sheriff?”
Ruby gestured towards the building they were standing in front of, the library. “Will you allow me to hold open the door for you?”
Bell furrowed her eyebrows, “I’m pretty sure that I can do that myself.”
Ruby smiled, “Not if you don’t notice it there in the first place.”
Belle studied Ruby’s face for the mocking that she usually saw when people joked about how she sometimes got lost in her books. She didn’t find it on the Sheriff’s face though. Belle inclined her head, “Thank you.”
Ruby opened the door and followed Belle in, “I— ah— also wondered if you had the second volume of Gotham Central. I think it’s called Half a Life?”
“Of course, would you like it in a nondescript paper bag?” Belle smiled as Ruby blushed, “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t make fun.”
Ruby shrugged as she took the book and the due date receipt. “S’okay.” She smirked, “Have a good day Belle.”
“You too Sheriff.”
Belle watched as Ruby left. She wasn’t sure how long she’d been standing there when Graham Humbert cleared his throat. Belle shook her head, “Ah— Graham— you have my orders.”
Graham looked down, “Looks like it. Sign here.” Graham handed over the clipboard and unloaded the boxes. Belle signed and handed it back. “Thanks.” And with that he was gone.
Belle stared out the front door, Ruby was talking to Graham. She shook her head again and focused on the boxes. “Back to work.”