Poor Unfortunate Souls (3 and 4/6)

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Poor Unfortunate Souls

Note: I do not own “Once Upon A Time” and I do not make a profit from writing this story. I’m just amusing myself.
Authors Note: Please read the warnings carefully and the timeline I’m following goes as follows. Jiminy was nearly 30 when he became “The Cricket”. His parents had been working for Rumpelstiltskin all his life. This takes place about 5 years after Pinocchio became a real boy, given Geppetto’s age which is about 55; this makes Jiminy about 85 at this point.
Setting: Enchanted Forest
Rating: R
Warnings: language, sensuality, adult concepts and interaction
Genre: Angst/Drama/Bittersweet Romance
Word Count: 1,870
Cast: (in order of appearance/mention) Jiminy Cricket, Rumpelstiltskin, Red Riding Hood, Geppetto, Blue Fairy
Summary: Jiminy Cricket felt the term "poor unfortunate soul" was a term created for him, all he wanted to do was love, but fate had other plans.


PART THREE

Jiminy was once again alone in Red Riding Hood’s home, preparing dinner. He enjoyed doing it for her, given how happily she always devoured his meals. As he checked on the simmering pot, he heard a whooshing noise and realized he was not alone. Turning quickly he found Rumpelstiltskin standing behind him, looking amused.

“Hello Cricket. Fairing well?” he asked, a wicked smile upon his features.

That is none of your business, Jiminy replied, which made the Imp laugh, hard.

His giggling scarcely ceased as he chuckled out, “Yes it is. You do realize you only have four more days to gain your love or you will revert to your form with no voice and no hope on becoming human again, correct?” The Imp asked.

Jiminy felt his stomach drop, That was not the deal. I would regain my voice no matter if I reverted to my Cricket body. Read the contract again.

To his surprised Rumpelstiltskin did as he suggested and from the frown Rumpelstiltskin’s face, he was indeed correct. “Well then, you’re right about that. Hmm, I really should read my own deals before we both sign them. Anyways, you still need to have her commit to you the sunsets on day five. Given how you do not have your voice, you haven’t even kissed her yet. Tick tock Cricket.”

Jiminy felt himself blush at the memories of how they had spent their night, Rumpelstiltskin let out a giggle. “Oh Jiminy, you’re such a naughty little Cricket aren’t you? Lips everywhere but hers? I must say I am impressed. I didn’t think you had it in you.” When Jiminy looked at the Imp in shock, Rumpelstiltskin tapped his head. “Foresight, dearie, sometimes it is fun.”

You’re disgusting, Jiminy insisted, turning back to the fire.

Rumpelstiltskin merely shrugged, “As that may be, you’re going to have to tell her what I’m doing here,” he said, Jiminy’s brows knitted together and he was about to ask what the Imp was going on about when the door banged open. Red burst in, weapons ready.

“Out of my home Imp. I’ve told you that you are not welcome here,” she hissed, Jiminy frowned; he should have known that Rumpelstiltskin would be interested in the woman as well.

Rumpelstiltskin laughed, “I know I’m not dear but I had to speak to my good friend,” he said mildly, faking innocence.

“What business do you have with him?” she demanded, weapons still pointed, ready to strike.

Jiminy hung his head as the Imp careless blurted out, “Why, his humanity of course. It’s all I could do to help an old friend.”

Red’s attention swung to Jiminy, blades still pointed at the Imp. “What?”

We’re not friends, ignore him, Jiminy informed her, Red just glared.

“And I turned him human. He naturally can’t tell you, so I figured I’d break the news,” Rumpelstiltskin said with a grin.

Do you really have nothing better to do with your time than this? Jiminy asked, glaring as the Imp’s shook his head.

“No, not for a few more years,” he cackled, “I have to do something ease my boredom, interfering in your relationship seemed the best way to go.”

Red Riding Hood holstered one dagger, “Is that true Jiminy, you made a deal with the Imp to become human?”

Yes, I did, he was the only one who could help me. He told her, his attention focused purely on her.

She glanced at Rumpelstiltskin before looking at Jiminy, “Why?”

Jiminy inhaled, he stepped closer to her and seized her hand, Because, Lady Red, I love you, I watched you grow from a small naïve child to a powerful woman. I’ve waited to feel this way about someone all my years. I could not take being alone anymore. I have lived for so long without knowing what it was like to love and be loved in return. Even if you turn me away now, I will at least have the memories of how it felt to hold you, to wake beside you-

“Amongst other things!” Rumpelstiltskin hooted, which caused Red to heave a blade at him. He disappeared in a puff of smoke, his giggles echoing in the silence.

“I don’t know why you love me, but I can promise you I am unworthy of your affection. A man such as yourself deserves someone so much better than me. I am a hunter, a killer-“

When he lifted his hand, she fell silent. I am as well. You know my dear Geppetto? She nodded and he felt tears well into his eyes as he continued his tale. Long ago, long before you were born, I was trapped by my parents into a life of thievery and deception. We robbed innocent people and drifted from town to town. I could not take it any long when I sought Rumpelstiltskin’s help to end my parents. They conned me instead and…Geppetto was only ten when he lost his parents because a spell meant for my own. I wanted to give my life to take them back, I wished with all my might when Azura came to me. She could not grant me my true wish of saving his parents but instead I changed into a form I felt held the most freedom for me.

“A Cricket?”

Yes. I have been that way ever since, I have known many people in the lands and I have never felt this way about anyone but you. He confessed, tears poured down his face, he did not feel liberated as his secret was finally revealed but shamed as he had always been.

She rushed into his arms, holding on tight, he wept into her neck, “Oh, my dear Jiminy…you’re alright. I had no idea you felt so strongly about me,” she whispered, her voice was still soft, still reeling from his story. “You are a good man. You made a mistake long ago; you have long since made up for it. You have guided Geppetto into a fine man and you’ve helped his son. You’ve saved their family more than once.”

I do not deserve your praise. I am a horrible human; I killed due to my own greed and have given my voice the selfish reason of being able to be with you. How can you be so forgiving? He asked, pulling away, she pulled him back, eyes locking with his.

She captured his face, holding it so he was unable to move, “Jiminy…” she whispered again, then leaned up and forward, gently capturing his lips with hers. It was soft, urging…he felt power wash through him and with a cry, it released, pushing her away. “What was that?” she asked, confused.

“That would be my voice returning…thanks to true loves kiss,” he said, she threw herself at him again, kissing him harder, enthralled with his words.

Slowly she broke it, not wanting to part herself from him, “Had I not witnessed that with my own eyes, I would doubt I had true love…but…it’s you…Jiminy.” He smiled shyly.

“I love you,” he said, wanting her to hear it with his own voice, “I would not have made a deal with the Imp otherwise, but I could no longer bare being without you.”

She caressed his face, then paused, “What is the rest of the deal you made?” It drew a long sigh from his lips.

“I have until the sunset of the fifth day as human, to…well…commit our relationship or I return to my Cricket state with no hopes on change to this form again.”

Red Riding Hood looked into his eyes, “Commit? In which sense? Physically?” she asked, he smiled at her hopeful tone.

“Marriage,” He replied, her eyes grew wide.

“Oh,” She said in surprise, “Jiminy…I believe in true love now that I seem to have brought your voice back but I’m sure you knew by now that I don’t believe in marriage.” He felt his heart sink.

“Oh. Well then, if you’d like to enjoy this body like you seem to want to you only have 4 days left to do it in,” he advised her, she sighed, pulling him to her.

She placed a feather light kiss to his lips, placing her hand over his heart, she broke her lips from his, looking into his eyes. “Jiminy, my dear, sweet Jiminy.” Her voice was soft, “Come to bed with me.”

As they walked into the bedroom, he watched her disrobe again, this time every piece of clothing fell. He inhale softly as she began to remove his clothes, when they were bare he took her into his arms, holding her close. He savored the feeling of her flesh on his, knowing that in a few days time, he would never feel it again. They fell back onto the bed, lips meeting, limbs entwining. He knew he would never forget the feeling of her warm skin, her lips on him, the way it felt to finally be inside her. She cried his name and when he finally released, he called out hers, the true name many had forgotten. Adelina…

She collapsed against him, draping her form across his, though he could tell she was exhausted, she couldn’t seem to stop touching his skin. She softly sighed, contented, and he swallowed hard. He trembled beneath her touch, trying to fight the sorrow that welled up within him. He knew she had no idea that she had broken his heart at her admission. But if this is how it had to be for him, he would never regret being able to lay with her, to hold her, to know what it was like to be one with her.

When he was sure she was asleep, he found himself redressing, and then he headed out into the night, needing to have some time alone. The moonlight lit his way as he journeyed to the set path; the forest itself was uncharacteristically silent. He closed his eyes, concentrating, willing any crickets around to fill the air with their song to ease his mind. He smiled as soon they filled the night; it brought some comfort, but not much.

“Hello?” came a sudden voice, “Is someone there?”

He turned to the footsteps that came crashing through the woods, a woman with dark hair came stumbling out of the underbrush. She regained her footing when she got on the trail, and looked over to him.

“Hello?” she asked again, stepping closer.

“Are you lost?” he asked, she nodded.

She looked around, frowning, “Yeah, I’m new to these parts and I got turned around,” she said.

“Well leaving the path is a bad idea.” He said, “Are you alright?” annoyance gave way to concern at the helpless look on her face.

Helpless turned to hopeful as he grew closer, “I just feel like a fool,” she said, tears filling her eyes.

“There is no need to cry, you are alright,” he said, as he reached out to touch her arm, hopeful turned to wicked. She seized his wrist quicker than he could blink.

“But you won’t be, you poor unfortunate soul,” she grinned, from where her flesh touched his, pain radiated through his veins and darkness consumed him.

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TO BE CONTINUED
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Poor Unfortunate Souls

Note: I do not own “Once Upon A Time” and I do not make a profit from writing this story. I’m just amusing myself.
Authors Note: Please read the warnings carefully and the timeline I’m following goes as follows. Jiminy was nearly 30 when he became “The Cricket”. His parents had been working for Rumpelstiltskin all his life. This takes place about 5 years after Pinocchio became a real boy, given Geppetto’s age which is about 55; this makes Jiminy about 85 at this point.
Setting: Enchanted Forest
Rating: PG13
Warnings: language, violence, sensuality, adult concepts and interaction
Genre: Angst/Drama/Bittersweet Romance
Word Count: 2,774
Cast: (in order of appearance/mention) Rumpelstiltskin, Red Riding Hood, Sea Witch, Blind Witch, Wolves, Prince James, Grumpy
Summary: Jiminy Cricket felt the term "poor unfortunate soul" was a name created for him, all he wanted to do was love, but fate had other plans.



PART FOUR

When Red awoke, she was nose to nose with Rumpelstiltskin. She immediately tried to plunge her dagger into his side but he vanished. From the giggles, he was standing right behind her, the dagger flung but from the sounds that followed, he vanished once more and her dagger plunged into a nearby jar.

He seemed too amused for her taste, “Now now dearie, that’s not very hospitable of you,” he teased.

“What do you want?” she groaned, then immediately sat up, as she realized she was alone. She couldn’t sense Jiminy within her home or even outside. Then she realized she was now baring her body to Rumpelstiltskin and immediately seized the covers and held them to her collar.

“Well I was enjoying the show,” he said with a wink, making her flush, “but I’ve come to see how you were. Seems Jiminy got what he wanted from you and left. Didn’t think he’d do that,” his voice was full of admiration and amusement.

She felt her stomach roll, “He would not leave me,” she insisted, wrapping her blanket around her, she scurried out of bed.

“Don’t be too sure dear, you did break his heart after all,” Rumpelstiltskin said, his gold eyes shining at her.

She winced at his words, “I know but he still would not leave with any note or warning.”

“No? He’s a bit distraught dear, I can only hope he went off to die alone,” the Imp said idly, studying his fingernails.

She immediately charged him, her hand capturing his throat before he could vanish out of reach. “What did you do?”

“Me?” he asked, holding up his hands, “I’ve done nothing…besides grant him his wish. But he’s always been such a sentimental fool; your refusal could have broken him.”

She wanted to fight against his accusation but she could not. She had such issues with trust and relationships that she never thought twice of how cold and cruel she sounded. And she never realized how empty she would feel without him around. She didn’t know how to feel, except lost. She released her grip on Rumpelstiltskin and sank to the floor, feeling overwhelmed. She never spoke to anyone about her own thoughts and feelings, and now she couldn’t stop the breakdown that consumed her.

Rumpelstiltskin squatted beside her, his hand gently stroking her hair. “Adelina, my poor girl,” he said, “How long have I known you?”

“Too long.”

He shot her a look, “Don’t be mean,” he said with a sniff, “I have known you all your life, but you’ve become so cold. Not even witnessing what true love can do could make you think twice about commitment. When did you stop believing in love?” his hand continued to stroke her hair, trying to ease her.

“Why do you care?” she asked.

He heaved a sigh, sitting down, back against the wall. He pulled her over, moving her so that she could rest her cheek on his thighs. “Because if I could have any woman in the land, it would be you, my dear, I’ve always made that very clear.”

She couldn’t figure out why she was even lying there, listening to him but she couldn’t bring herself to move just yet. She had held in her emotions for far too long. “There is a difference between lust and love.”

“I know that, child, and I know the difference. What I feel is love, sure, lust is there but it is not the driving force. I want to see you smile again; I want you to be happy. Is that so hard to believe?”

“For you? Yes.”

He sighed again, he wove his hand into her hair, lifting her head to meet her eyes, “Adelina, I’m trying to be helpful. You do not want to try my patience or make me your enemy.”

“I’m sorry, Rumpelstiltskin.” She swallowed hard, “I just feel so lost. These last few days have not been so easy on me. I did not realize that I could have a true love and what it would feel like to lose that so quickly. I did not think that having a male in my life would affect me so much. Now I understand why Snow did what she did. But I don’t like it,”

He released his strong grip of her hair and cradled her face, “I don’t like it either. Especially because it’s that damn Cricket.”

“Why do you hate him so?” she asked, she was surprised at how serious and humbled he had become. She was not used to having such a strong impact on the lives of others. She mostly kept to herself, so she couldn’t be hurt again.

“It’s not so much hate as it is jealousy, because though you’re afraid to admit it to yourself, you do love him. Love does not make you weak; it’s just as powerful as rage and magic. He’s a good man, I’ve known him since he was a boy, as much as it pains me to admit, he reminds me of someone I lost long ago…” then he stood abruptly, causing her to bang her head on the floor and in retaliation she sank and dagger through his foot. “You bitch.” She frowned at the fact he had no malice in his voice, just boredom.

“Had enough talking?” she asked dryly, climbing to her feet, he reached out for her and she arched her brows. “What are yo-“ He grabbed the blanket and ripped it away, she shrieked but then looked down to see that she was dressed. “Oh.”

He shrugged, “I’ve come back to my senses.”

“What senses? You do realize you’re mad,” she informed him with a small smile, which he returned.

“That is true but unfortunately if I do not help you, the outcome of the future shifts,” he said begrudgingly, “So come dear, we’re off to find the Cricket.”

Red immediately spied his footprints and followed each one as they headed into the woods, then up to the path. That’s where her heart stopped as his footsteps stopped; she walked up and down the path to see that they did not continue anywhere else.

“There’s another set of footprints here,” Rumpelstiltskin said, pointing right off the path, “Delicate and light. Female.”

She crossed to him, sure enough he was right, “Do you think a woman would be strong enough to abduct a man his stature alone?” she asked.

Rumpelstiltskin bobbed his head back, “Depending on whom, dear. There are plenty of women that cross these woods who have that strength. Besides you, the Blind Witch has ventured out here, then we have those prattling fairies and even the evil Queen has been seen in these parts.”

“I am aware, that Blind Bitch tried to take a bite out of me,” Red growled at the memory.

The Imp laughed, “That’s because though you were not a child, you were still pure. She likes that. Don’t worry she won’t bother you anymore,” he said with a wink, causing her to blush.

“You’re horrible,” she insisted, which caused more laughter to fall from his lips.

“No, no, dear, I’m just honest. But the trail does end, it could be anywhere in the woods, I’m good but I’m not that good,” he said.

She heaved a sigh and fought the urge to smack him, “You can’t sense if there’s magic?”

He shook his head, “Sorry love, the trail would be too far gone at this point. Guess little Cricket won’t be found today,” he informed her.

She growled and he arched his brow at the animalistic nature of the sound, “He WILL be found,” she snarled. He watched, mesmerized as she threw her head back and howled. Despite everything he was, the sound made him shiver.

“What are you doing dear?” he asked, as soon rustling filled the woods around them.

She smiled at him, her eyes flashing between human and wolf, “Getting help.” He groaned at he saw her teeth slide into fangs.

“Look at you,” he breathed, “A gift from the wolf I take it,” she nodded as they began to gather around her.

“Yes, I don’t like to use it but I’m desperate. Since you are little help, I know they will,” she informed him, she saw in slow motion as he threw himself at her, pinning her to a large tree.

His breath caressed her neck, “That’s because right now all I can focus on is trying not to bend you over…”

She gripped his throat, hard, “Keep yourself in control, as I said, your feelings for me are based in lust. Something you will never sate,”

“Don’t be too sure, dear. I said I would help you, as I am, but I do have a price. You know better than anyone…” his lips went to hers before she could protest. When he finally tore his lips from hers, she was gasping for air. “We will do that again…soon…I want to see what your dear Cricket does when he sees us in an embrace.”

She blinked at him, “Why? Are you testing him?” He grinned.

“Yes. I want to see how he reacts; it will tell me if he deserves you.” He cupped her face, “Now let’s go find the poor bastard.”

She looked at him as he pulled away, “You are a very strange and complicated man.”

He looked at her with a sad look, “I am, dear. I want you happy, he will make you happy, but he needs to understand my affections for you. That one moment, any moment I can have of you I will take,” his whisper made her shiver, but finding her strength she shoved him away and turned her attention to the animals that gathered.

She bent down to the large black wolf that she had been feeding; it was looking up at her wearily. “Please, the man…the one who was once The Cricket, I was with the night before, catch his scent and lead me to him,” she begged, she watched as it looked to the other wolves that had gathered. They all began to snuffle the ground and one further into the woods let out a noise, and then the pack followed it as it began to race away. She beamed at Rumpelstiltskin then raced off after them.

By the time they finally stopped, she understood why they stopped. It was a vast body of water, as Rumpelstiltskin curse, Red’s heart dropped. The wolves looked to her, and then took off, retreating back into the woods. When the Imp swore loudly, the woman looked at him.

“What?” she demanded, he just gestured to the lake.

“Sorry, lovely, we’re a bit in over our heads now,” he told her, gazing out across the water in seeming indifference.

She ground her teeth in frustration at his lack of interest, “Why?” she demanded.

“Look where we’re standing, a large body of water. The Sea Witch had to have taken him,” he said, she blinked at him.

“First of all, didn’t she reside in the sea on the other side of the kingdom? What does she have to do with any of this?” she demanded.

He just giggled, “She used to live there, she lost her battle for the sea and has come here in exile. She’s never short of victims,” His giggling stopped as she dropped her cloak; he swallowed hard as he watched the lovely crimson cape pool at her feet, “What are you doing?”

“I’m going in,” she stated simply, beginning to unlacing her gown, which seemed a project on its own.

“As much as I don’t want to ask you to stop, since I am enjoying this sight, you should,” he advised.

She didn’t look up or pause, “Why?”

“Dear, it’s truly simple-“

Suddenly there was immense crashing from nearby as Prince James made his way towards them, Grumpy right behind him.

“Why are you disrobing in front of Rumpelstiltskin?” he demanded as Red look confused.

She pointed to the lake, “I’m not undressing for him, I’m going in. The Sea Witch took something of mine and I want it back,” she said, her voice was low.

“Stop that!” James snapped as she continued to try to get out of her gown, “I order you?” he trailed off as she dropped one layer of her dress.

Rumpelstiltskin just whistled as Grumpy spoke up, “How many layers are you wearing lady?” the dwarf asked.

“Too many apparently,” she said, she looked back from them to the lake, then back again, “Then what am I going to do?”

Rumpelstiltskin shrugged, “Give up. There’s nothing more I can do.”

“For free, you mean, you always have a price,” she said, her face fell as he shook his head.

“Not this time, my dear. I cannot-“

“You could drain the lake, you could transform me-“

Rumpelstiltskin glared, “Into what? A mermaid? Trust me dear, you do not want that. Besides last time I tried to transform someone…things got beastly…” he said, examining his hands. “Even if I could change you into a mermaid, you’ll crave the sea forever. Have you not observed our former mermaid?”

“Who? No one in these parts.” Grumpy interjected.

“No, she is in a castle by the sea. She watches the sea for hours, body hungry for the waves. She dreams of it, she is consumed by the urge to sink into the deep. But she cannot, sometimes she cries, yearning for what she once was. It is not that she does not love her human life, but she was part of the sea,” he explained, he crossed to Red, gathering her face in his hands. “You do not have anything now or in years that would make me do this to you.”

The Prince was frowning at his actions, “Imp, who is she after?”

“The sea witch.”

“Not that, I figured that much.”

Rumpelstiltskin released Red and turned to the Prince, “My my, brains and beauty, aren’t you lucky.”

“Red, who do you seek? Who does she have?” James asked, as their gaze me, he knew that expression well. She was breaking, and he knew what it had to be. “Is it someone you love?”

“Yes,” she then charged into the water, taking a deep breath, she dove before any of them could stop her.

From the shore, Rumpelstiltskin sighed, “Foolish girl.”

“Who is he?” James asked, glaring at the creature before him.

“You won’t recognize his human form, but his annoying self-righteous would give it away. Excuse me, I have to go stop my dear Riding Hood from killing herself,” he said, wading into the water.

Grumpy and James exchanged looks as a few moments passed before Rumpelstiltskin resurfaced. He and Red were struggling and fighting. The amount of cursing that followed even left Grumpy impressed as they continued to fight as they hit the shore. James hurried over, looping his arm between them, prying Red off of Rumpelstiltskin. The Prince was glad to have quick reflexes as Red’s fist came directly at his face. James was dismayed at how strong she was, he could barely hold on.

“Red! Red! Stop this! It won’t help!” he said, finally able to pin her arms behind her back.

“But it will make me feel better!” she insisted, still struggling to break his grip.

The Dwarf chuckled from behind them, “Let her go, it was pretty fun to watch.”

“Grumpy, not now,” James said, once Red stopped struggling, he let her go.

She was glaring at Rumpelstiltskin who had taken out his flask and was taking a nice long drink, “You said you’d help me!”

“I know dear, I know. If he were dead, I’d know by now, it’s giving me time to think,” he said, throwing her his flask. Under normal circumstances she would not imbibe but the current events were not normal and she drained the rest of his flask. She threw it back at him, narrowly missing his head.

“You have 10 minutes before I go back in,” she warned, causing Rumpelstiltskin to roll his eyes.

He sighed, a heavy, defeated sound, “You’re impossible,” he told her.

She shrugged, shooting him haughty look, “No, just determined,” she informed him with a sniff.

“Very well, we’ll find a way, just don’t do that again,” he said, eyeing the lake.

She looked back at the water, “I’m not going to make any promises.”

“What did we just stumble into?” Grumpy asked James, who was staring at the lake and the pair, who were silently watching the lake.

“I don’t think I want to know,” was all he could say.
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TO BE CONTINUED
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