video;

[alionsheart]

I recently departed Wonderland and then returned. [ Which has happened to many people, he knows, and it's not the first time it happened to him. ] Shortly before returning here to Wonderland, I seem to have had a few adventures I can't recall. I was curious how many others here have ever been afflicted by frequent bouts of amnesia? Outside of Wonderland, that is. [ Is this just a thing they're all fated to deal with constantly just because they live in Storybrooke? ]

It's disconcerting, to say the least.

[ And he's been separated from his son again. He's so grateful to have had the chance to see him again after so long, but it makes the ache for him that much stronger. So he switches gears.] In my return home, I had the good fortune to see my son again. I miss him terribly. I wondered as well if many of you have children you've been separated from? [ At the very least, it can help to commiserate with others sometimes. ]

Comments

[belovedson]

[Neal's all for moving on from that nightmare; he owes Robin apologies, promises that's not how he really thinks, but he can get to that. Right now, it's nice to talk to guy about their sons. Neal knows

how fiercely Robin loves Roland, and he does want to hear about the life Henry's leading back home. So much gets messed up with Emma becoming the Dark One, Neal's glad to know there's good things still happening.]

Yeah, Henry's pretty amazing. But so's Roland; not every kid could face down Pan's shadow. [Especially not one so young; Neal hasn't forgotten how brave the boy had been that night.] I'm glad they're friends.

[alionsheart]

[ He might have been terrified out of his mind that night with Pan's shadow coming to try and take his boy, and he might have questioned whether or not he was going mad for allowing a veritable stranger to use his son as bait, but it had turned out well enough in the end. He's fairly sure if the roles had been reversed that Neal would have helped him get to Roland, which is why he thinks so well of the man. ]

A lot has...happened back home. [ It's almost dizzying, but he won't trouble Neal with every detail. He's not even sure he really wants to tell Neal about Zelena's pregnancy. But the stuff with Henry is all good and positive. ] And here. Perhaps we could have a drink together and talk?

[belovedson]

That's how it always goes, isn't it? [Neal works up a half-smile, not to make light of whatever mess Robin's been through but to try and convey that he gets it. Every time one of them goes and comes back, they always seem to bring some news of disaster. Last time it had been when Emma became the Dark One. Now Neal knows there's another curse in play thanks to Henry, but only so much beyond that.]

Sounds good. You want to meet at the bar, or get the drinks somewhere to go? [If Robin wants more privacy than the bar affords Neal gets it. It just depends on how big the mess is.]

action;

[alionsheart]

[ There are benefits to both, though with where they'd left things the last time they'd spoken, and with the chance of some news from home being brought up, he's inclined to drink somewhere privately. ]

Let's...get the drinks to go. I'll stop by your room in a moment.

[ He leaves him with a parting smile, and he does show up at Neal's room just a few minutes later, holding a bottle of fancy scotch. He knocks on the door and then holds up the bottle. ] Will this do?

Re: action;

[belovedson]

Sure thing; see you in a few.

[Neal's ready when Robin knocks, having the door open in a few seconds. His eyes widen a bit when he sees the scotch--and so does his grin, once he gets over that brief moment of shock.]

I'd say so. You've got some good taste. [He steps aside to let Robin in, trying to will away the fact that this has the potential to be particularly awkward. Robin might feel pretty at home in the room; Neal's basically got the same set up as his New York apartment, maybe with some better quality pieces, but the décor is essentially the same.]

Here. [Once Robin's in and the door is closed, Neal grabs a couple of glasses from a cabinet.] So should I wait until you've poured before I ask how things are going?