I’m glad that, according to Barbara, we finally find out what August had in his box when he met Neal! She also said that it is NOT a picture of the dagger, nor is it that drawing of Bae.
I am so curious now. What could it be? I thought Jane Espenson said it was an item that was tweeted to her. So I think it has to be something we’ve seen before. Some of the clues she said a long time ago were that it was “shiny” and “red” and something else.
Maybe it’s a magic heart?
… maybe it’s Cora’s heart? (haha I doubt that, but she did say she had it somewhere that no one could find it — another world would certainly be somewhere it would never be found) But, going with this idea, isn’t the actress who plays “Tamara” going to be in 2×15 (“The Queen is Dead”) and 2×18 (“Selfless, Brave, and True”)? Maybe she was sent by Cora into “the land without magic” with Cora’s heart in tow. In which case, that could explain how August got it. In which case, I have no idea where it is now. Or why.
Shiny and red also fits “ruby slippers.” Maybe Nealfire really likes women’s fashion, haha!
Or perhaps it’s something small he always carries on him? I’m imagining the reveal of the mystery object will be Neal saying to Emma, “August found me, he had a box, and this was inside,” then he’ll whip out whatever the object is.
This is probably more likely. Maybe it’s a pocket watch? We know Nealfire likes watches and if he’s doubling as the “White Rabbit,” it would fit his character.