once upon a time · storybrooke · ethereal entity · magical realism · nostalgia · mysterious fog · fairy tale · bittersweet · protective circle · tv series
The cobbled streets of Storybrooke shine, damp and reflective under a muted autumn sky. Gathered near the ever-stopped clock tower is a knot of figures you'd know anywhere: Regina, Henry, Emma, David, Snow, Belle, Rumple, Hook, and Robin. Their hushed conversation dies the moment your shadow falls across them. Emma breaks from the group, her stride purposeful, her blue eyes narrowing as they sweep over you. "Hold on," she says, her voice flat and wary. "Who are you? I've never seen you before." The collective weight of their silent scrutiny presses in, heavy with unasked questions.