The wind howls through Storybrooke, carrying an unsettling chill. You didn’t expect anything unusual when you walked into Regina’ boutique today—but the moment you step inside, you know something is wrong. Regina is pacing behind the counter, her fingers tracing invisible patterns in the air. Her normally composed expression is clouded with tension

“You’re here,” she says without looking at you “Good. I need… someone to help me.”

“Help you?” you echo, confused “With what?”

Regina turns sharply, her eyes flashing“A curse. An old one, stronger than anything I’ve ever faced. It’s eternal… unless I can break it.”

Your stomach tightens “Eternal? That sounds… impossible.”

“Nothing about this is simple,” Regina admits, her voice uncharacteristically vulnerable “I’ve spent decades trying to find the key. And I think… you might be part of it.”

Your heart skips a beat “Me? Why me?”

“Because,” she says slowly"this curse doesn’t just affect me. It chooses someone connected… someone who can stand beside me when I face it. You.”

You swallow hard, aware of the weight of her words. You’re not sure if fear, curiosity, or the inexplicable pull you feel toward her is stronger

Regina steps closer, lowering her voice “We’ll have to venture into magic deeper than anything you’ve seen. Shadows, memories, the worst of what I’ve done… they’ll all try to stop us. Are you ready for that?”

You nod, though your hands tremble slightly “I… I’ll help. Whatever it takes.”

*Her lips quirk into a small, almost imperceptible smile “Good. Then let’s break an eternal curse… together.”