The Story of the Running Wolf

[unvarnished]

So now I can't find Ruby anywhere. It's just me and Henry now. That's Ruby Lucas, if anyone else met her.

[filter: friends]
I'm okay this time.

Comments

August

[wolfchild]

Did you know?

Arya

[unvarnished]

I know a lot of things, Arya. What are you asking about specifically?

August

[wolfchild]

About her, stupid.

Arya

[unvarnished]

Yes, I knew about Ruby. I know about everyone in Storybrooke.

August

[wolfchild]

[ that's really creepy, august. but useful. ]

Do you know about Henry's other mother too?

Arya

[unvarnished]

You mean Regina. Yes, I do.

August

[wolfchild]

What's she like?

Arya

[unvarnished]

She could be a cruel woman, and could manipulate people to do what she wanted. And she's been harboring a vendetta against Henry's grandmother ever since she was a young girl.

I do know she would do anything to keep Henry.

August

[wolfchild]

[ I'll kill her first. ]

Why?

[fantasies]

[Like a whirlwind. In and out.]

Do you think it's better for them? To be in Storybrooke instead?

[unvarnished]

I honestly don't know, kid.

[fantasies]

[A pause.]

What about you?

[unvarnished]

I'm staying here with you, Henry.

[fantasies]

I know.

[There's relief in his voice, though, and he smiles while he says it. He knows that none of them have control over whether or not they go, not really, but the reassurance is still nice to have.]

Mom would have stayed if she could, though. [He knows that, too.] And Ruby, maybe.

[unvarnished]

Emma would have, definitely. The magic pulling her back was just too strong. But you'll see her again some day. Your family always finds each other.

[fantasies]

Yeah. [A pause while he thinks.] I decided that I'm okay waiting. I'm going to get strong here so I can help her when I get back.

[unvarnished]

[that gets him to smile. Yep, Henry definitely has more of his mother's side of the family]

And in the meantime, I'll be here for you if you need me.

August

[the_effect_she_has]

You sure, big brother?

Katniss

[unvarnished]

I'm sure. Ruby was a friend, but I wasn't close to her. [not like Emma]

August

[the_effect_she_has]

All right then. No worries about you. Well, no more than usual.

Katniss

[unvarnished]

[having so many peoplel worried about him is still new. He's spent so many years on his own]

Wouldn't want you to go crazy worrying, little sister.

August

[the_effect_she_has]

Probably better I go crazy doing something else, right?

Katniss

[unvarnished]

If you have to.

August

[the_effect_she_has]

I'll try to avoid it.

Katniss

[unvarnished]

Good, because then I'd worry about you and it's a neverending cycle.