entranceway | 002 | [ video/action (?) ]

[ Robin doesn't use his device too terribly often; not because he doesn't understand how to use it - he's caught on well by now - but he'd still much prefer to speak with someone in person, unless of course they really only need to ask something briefly of each other. It serves a purpose, he won't deny that.

And today, he's decided to step outside of his comfort zone and deviate from how he normally conducts himself, posing a few questions and observations to anyone who might be listening.

He's in the dining room at the moment, giving some thought as to what he wants to eat, and his face is rather perfectly centered as he speaks. ]

Before my arrival here in Wonderland, I had a brief stay in a small village by the name of Storybrooke. Everyone frequented Granny's diner, so I presume the food was extraordinary there, but I regretfully didn't have much time to sample it all.

[ He thinks for a moment, trying to remember some of the menu items: ]

I enjoyed the burger I was able to try, and the grilled cheese.

I was curious about something called buffalo wings. Does anyone know much about the buffalo? It must be rather small, based on its wing structure.

[ He's familiar with chickens, and the meat that comprises burgers, but buffalo is something new to him. ]

I've come to understand there's a particular type of food unique to diners, and while this place isn't a diner in the strictest sense, we can certainly acquire any of the food normally found there. I'm not sure what I should try. Any suggestions?

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Well, I would aim to make a few things rather unique to where I come from, something a bit out of the ordinary.

[ He imagines it must have been hard for Henry to leave those people behind, and it just proves how strong he is. ]

I believe we'd enjoy that.

What kind of stuff would you make where you're from?

[He doesn't imagine food in the Enchanted Forest was all that great. But maybe he would be surprised.]

Well, to start off, a bit of pork pie and some fried crackers. I like food with a bit of crunch to it.

And then something called an apple muse for dessert, it's like a pudding, with apples and almonds.

Fried crackers? What...even is that?

[Pork pie sounds good he guesses.]

And I don't eat apples. But maybe I'd try it.

Just some flour, eggs, water mixed together in a certain shape. Small and round. Then we would fry it all in some lard, quite good.

Sometimes we'd eat them for dessert, with cinnamon and sugar, if we had it about.

That sounds like a chip, kind of. Maybe a tortilla chip? Like what the nachos are made with.

[He lifts some of the cheesy chip up to inspect it.]

I don't know about the lard part. They fry these in hot oil.

[He's curious now though, munching on his chip.]

Is it hard living outside all the time? Like...when it's really cold and stuff. And when you have to find your own food?

I suppose it is, a bit.

[ At the mention of the nacho, Robin takes a large bite of one now. ]

When we were being chased by various people in Sherwood Forest, it could be a bit unpleasant, but I find the woods to be largely peaceful. After the dark curse, it was inhospitable, and not safe for Roland, so we took refuge in the Dark One's castle.

So, were you in Sherwood when my mom cast the curse, and then you went to the Enchanted Forest?

What was it like living in Rumplestiltskin's castle? There must have been a lot of stuff that got left behind.

I was, yes, which is why I remained in the Enchanted Forest while others ended up in Storybrooke.

It was...quite different from what I've been used to, and there were a lot of trinkets and potions that hardly made sense to me. It suited us well, and kept my son safe.

And then...that's where you met my dad, right?

[Neal's not someone Henry had thought to bring up during this food expedition, but the realization that Robin had known him, at least a little, presented itself.]

He was trying to get to me. In Neverland.

Our paths crossed there, and he devised a plan that would take him to Neverland, so he could rescue you. I did my best to help him in that endeavor.

He was a good man, your father. A true hero, Henry.

I just wish...I could have talked to him again. I didn't even know him when he died.

[ He's trying not to go down a road that's depressing, even though it would be easy, and he takes a deep breath. ]

So, what do you think about the different foods?

It's been delicious so far, thank you, Henry.

[ He takes a deep breath, and smiles softly. ]

If you want to speak about your father, it's alright, you know.

[ Looking down for a second, Henry realizes he doesn't even know what to say, really. ]

I didn't even know him very well. i know he liked pizza, like me. I think he liked taking pictures. But I don't know. And I haven't asked Emma because...I don't wanna make her sad.

[ He doesn't mind it, he can handle it, but he doesn't want anyone else to be. So, he tries to be as positive as he can. ]

That's understandable.

Though, my son never knew his mother, and when he asks me about her, I actually find comfort in talking about her. I'm glad he has the chance to know about her. You might find that Emma feels similarly.

[ He pauses, just thinking through things. ]

It's also alright to make up our own memories, to deal with our grief. There are things you'll never know, Henry, and I wish that weren't true, but I've found sometimes it helps to imagine things, to fill in the blanks with things we hoped to do one day.

[Henry thinks about that for a few minutes quietly, not really eating anymore, just playing with his food. Maybe that was why Emma told him that Neal was a firefighter; he got that now. To protect him, but also, maybe that's how she dealt with it. She pretended Neal was dead.]

[Henry also knows about Marian, that Robin will see her again, and he looks down, knowing that he can't ever be mad or upset about him wanting to see his wife again, even though it really, really sucks that it's going to happen the way it does.]

What kind of things do you imagine?

[He asks his question quietly, finally looking up again.]

For a time, I thought about what it would have been like to raise our son together. I imagined all the things we would do together. And though at first I was angry and grief-stricken with the knowledge that such thoughts would never become a reality, it later comforted me. Because I knew I was living the life she wanted for me.

I guess I can do that, maybe. I'll try.

[He gives Robin a little smile, realizing that he really likes him. Not that he didn't before, just...he doesn't treat him like a kid or make him feel like how he's feeling doesn't matter.]

Thanks, Robin.

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