( colligo ¬ get collected ) → network.

So, I'm pretty sure I'm planning a wedding. I mean, there are bride magazines on the kitchen table and I have a gorgeous ring. I only wish I knew who I was marrying. I'm fairly certain we live together, because there are men's clothes here too, but no one else has come home. I'm getting worried and I don't even know if I should be.

I forgot how weird these "updates from home" can be. Good news, Mary Margaret and I got back to Storybrooke. Bad news, Regina's batshit crazy evil mother Cora and Captain Hook followed us. And are now trying to take over and kill us all. Wonderful.

[Fail!Filter to Nathan Wuornos]

You remember how I told you about Neal, Henry's father, right? Apparently, back home, I found him again. He's Gold's son, Nate. Gold called in the favor I owed him back home, and hired me to track down his long-lost son for him. I found him in New York City.

I never thought I'd see him again. I never wanted to see him again. Not after what he did to me. Which, he apparently did because August (Pinocchio, who was supposed to be my "guardian" and help set me on the right path to break the curse, remember?) told him I needed to find my own path and he was only holding me back or something along those lines. So really, Neal leaving and me getting arrested was a good thing, since I did break the curse, right? It doesn't feel that way. I still felt betrayed and lied to. I still felt like he didn't loved me, that he just used me. I still have problems trusting people. Even though I've learned to trust people since I came to Storybrooke, and during my time here.

And the worst part? Henry now thinks I'm just as bad as Regina, because I lied to him about who his father was. I was just trying to protect him. I didn't think I'd ever see Neal again. I thought that was a part of my life I had left behind for good. I worked so hard to be a good mother to Henry, and just like that he thinks I'm just as bad as Regina. I wanted Henry to trust me, and now I'm not sure if I can never have that back again.

Dean was nice and all, but I'm glad to be back with my real husband and I'm sure Dean is happier with his real wife.

Emma, Ruby, Belle, what do you say to a girl's night out? I think it's been far too long.

While this isn't how I planned on getting married at all, Sam's a really nice guy. This is sort of awkward, but at least I'm not with someone who's a complete asshole.

Belle, how are you doing? Emma, Snow, Charming, you guys holding up okay?

Last time this happened, I ended up with Duke. And while this guy I'm currently with probably has the same amount of facial hair as Duke, it's definitely not Duke. Not a bad guy, though. Also, last time this happened, we didn't have a kid. Not that Jack isn't a great kid, because he is. Even though he looks exactly like Henry, which is a little strange, but still.

Luckily, these things aren't permanent.

As nice as this place is when things aren't trying to kill us, it's more than a little overwhelming for people to just expect us, well, me to know how to adapt. Rapunzel's only just left her room. This will probably be as easy to fall into for her as anything back home would have been.

Isn't there a crash course in... is there even a word for the stuff that you have here? All of the metal and the beeping and the mirrors that apparently respond to commands and transmit voices yet don't seem to utilize magic of any sort?

I nearly forgot about my own birthday. I can't believe I did that. I tell you, this baby stuff tuns your brain to mush.

[Fail!Filter to self]
This baby stuff is driving me crazy. Am I going to be a good Mom as a slayer? I don't even know any slayer parents. What if Spike - I know he isn't going to bite the baby or anything - but he knows even less about this parenting thing than I do. I could have a full panic attack, but then we would be right back here. Oh and while I'm at it, I'm bored. I'm not feeling sick at all, and there is no kicking going on. I also want to know why some people play soothing tunes to their stomach. The baby is in water. Can anyone hear underwater? I'm just saying. I think some of these books are all wrong.

I believe I have finally wrapped my head around this being real. I've had some pretty realistic nightmares, so you can never be too sure. I'm Aurora. I was from a beautiful kingdom, but that went to shit. Pardon my language. I don't really say such things, but I couldn't think of a better description.

Now that, that's all over with, I think it's about time I get a job. I've been trying to decide exactly what I wanted to do, but I think that I'm going to stick with teaching. I mean, there aren't exactly job openings for Warrior Princesses in the real world and I enjoyed teaching. I think I'll go over to the Elementary school tomorrow to see if there are any openings. For now though, I'll continue enjoying time with my husband.

( Emma's answers )

I went back to work today. Surprisingly, the diner managed to survive all of this. I'm just lucky I still have a job. ...Though I'd never thought I'd have to use "I'm locking me and my friend inside our apartment, because last time I went out I kidnapped by cybermen and alomst converted into a robot", as a reason for calling out of work. That was something I never thought I'd worry about. Almost getting turned into a robot. I'm very fortunate that Emma, Damien, and Rumplestilskin managed to find me in time. And I'm thankful to Molly, too, since they wouldn't have been able to find me without her help. I still can't thank you all enough.

[OOC: As I stated in my earlier ooc post today, please just feel free to assume that Ruby contacted people to let them know that she was fine and been saved. Because she would do that. And again, sorry on my part for dropping the ball there.]

What the bl--

How am I- (a pause) Oh honestly- (a pause) Hello?

( Charming sounds confused )

Excuse me...what...where am I?

( a pause )

Dear god...what sort of place is this? It can't be another...

Hello? Excuse me? Hello?

( a sigh )

Well...this is somewhat awful... ( a pause ) Times like this...I wish I had my sword.

Finding David's sword under the Christmas tree this morning was a nice surprise.

I miss him. And Henry. This place is crazy, and right now definitely isn't the best time for new people to show up, seeing as we have an invasion going on, but it'd be nice for Mary Margaret to have David around. I miss him and my son, but I wouldn't really want them showing up during all of this.

Well, this is certainly an interesting turn of events. Would someone be so kind as to tell me what I'm doing here? And where exactly here is?

Well...that isn't what happened at all.

I just wanted to announce that Molly and I will be opening the bookshop up this week. It's called The Bookshop, which I find rather nice and to the point.

We'll have how should I put this holiday prices in place, to help people with gift-shopping.

Hopefully you'll all stop in. I promise that it will be a very nice experience.

There's a fuzzy green guy downtime dressed up as Santa trying to steal Christmas decorations from the stores, with his dog, who he's got dressed like a reindeer. I tried to arrest him, but he got away.

Is it just me or has anyone else seen the snowman in the park, telling stories to kids? I think he was telling them about Rudolph. Is this a normal occurrence around here? Talking snowmen and Christmas trees appearing overnight?

I don't know what's going on, but someone had better tell me where I am, how I got here and where my daughter is. I don't have time for a detour.

Davi....Charming? This doesn't feel right. I thought for sure that purple cloud would take us... [The sound of the Knights waking up is heard and they begin walking towards Mary Margaret]

Who're you and where am I? Where's Charming?

[As they get closer a sound is heard as if Mary Margaret is searching for something on herself before remembering what has recently happened] Don't come any closer or you'll regret it.

Hey!! [The sound of struggling is heard as the Knight's grab Mary Margaret, then a door opening and early morning, Sunday traffic is audible in the background]

Where are you taking me? Let me go rig... [The door slams behind her and besides the traffic there is silence for a moment or two] .....what is going on?