She looked at the mug before her. Did she really want to put that displeasing liquid near her mouth again? Everything in her was saying no, of course not. But…perhaps she would attempt another go…for him. What harm could it do? Besides leaving a disagreeable taste on her tongue. She picked up the mug against her better judgement and looked to Flynn one last time. He downed some of his as if it were simply water! Her face began to twist, but she stopped it. Straightened it right into a smile. As she peered down at the mug of beer, it stared back. It dared her to take a sip, almost calling out to her as Flynn did. The glass lifted to her lips once more and she allowed just a bit to slide down her throat. Nothing about this was appealing. Two sips was enough. The beer was firmly placed on the counter.
“I-I’m sorry, Mr. Rider. I…really can’t do it,” her words were small. Even she had shrunk back a bit. She hated to have wasted his money as well as disappoint him with inability to drink a simple beverage. Even if it was one of the most putrid things she ever had the displeasure to drink. Snow White couldn’t look at him, afraid of whatever face he was obviously making at her. Couldn’t bring herself to look at anyone. She just stared down at her beer, hands in her lap.
That was it, no ifs ands or buts, she had tried it twice now and obviously did not care for it at all, there was no need to push a rock uphill in this case. Flynn finished the rest of his own beer before placing the empty mug on the counter and leading her out of the Snuggly Duckling. The mass of amused faces behind them watched their backs until they receded into the forest, now well on their way towards other ventures. “So the thug life is not at all appealing to you? I mean as charming as those men were back there, I guess I can see why you wouldn’t find that kind of life right for you. Not even able to down a beer, oh well with time I’m sure it’ll come to you.”
He continued leading her down the forest path towards the island Kingdom of Corona, the bridge that joined the forested region of the land and the castle was humming with life. People walked about with their carts and wares, they paid little attention to the once highly wanted thief and fair girl, and continued on their way. Flynn led Snow to the center of town where all the merchants sold their wares. “Now tell me a little about yourself Snowy, other than that you’re some kind of princess and all that jazz. Are you hungry?”
He had paused before one of the many fruit stands in the center and when the vendor wasn’t looking he snatched two apples, tossing one to snow and taking one for himself. In between bites he asked “So what’s it like being in that big castle of yours eh?”
She shrugged a little, not feeling too hungry when Flynn tossed an object her way. Snow didn’t have a clue as to what Flynn had tossed to her. Her hands automatically caught the object, but she didn’t stop to look. Her mind went straight to the conversation he brought forth.
“That all depends on what you would like to know, I suppose”
She began to play with the round object in her hands. Some kind of fruit maybe?
“The castle is very nice, of course. No different from where I have always lived. Being a princess, I suppose it’s a bit of a birth right to live in something so large…and vacant”
She looked towards her hands, the feeling she felt whenever she had to be on her own coming back. Her prince always tried to be home for her, tried to keep her company, but of course he couldn’t be. He had his own duties to uphold, and she hers. Sometimes she wondered, was she even meant to be a princess at all? Sometimes she wondered if she would be happier, not that she wasn’t happy, but simply better off living the life of a simple girl. Not having to roam a building so giant compared to the small girl on a daily basis. Having to only worry about cooking and cleaning and caring for those around her rather than an entire kingdom. Or two if her and her prince’s kingdoms would become one upon marriage. It felt like so much to her. She wasn’t raised to be a princess. Her step-mother had raised her to be a servant while her father tried his best to teach her about politics. It would have been better if he’d had a son. Someone to better take over his role. Not little Snow White. Delicate little flower Snow White, who was never meant to be a queen. Her gaze was on the rounded object in hand when her mind finally cleared enough to see what it was.
Her eyes grew wide once she fully realized just what she was holding in her hands. Deep inside her tender heart lay a fear that only seemed justifiable to her. Ever since her time with her step-mother, Snow White felt very uncomfortable around apples. The thought that each and every one of them contained the dreadful poison which sent her into a deep sleep always clung to her frightened brain. Her hands shook around the apple, her eyes unable to take themselves away from it.
“F-Flynn…” she choked out, pushing the apple towards him.
“I-I..c-can’t eat this…please…take it..”
It took everything in her to note throw down the apple and allow the fear to consume her.
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