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Post by Belle on Feb 9, 2011 16:45:58 GMT -5
Although Christmas was now over, the harsh, bitter cold of December had not yet surpassed the Beast's Castle. Belle was wrapped up warm in her scarlet robe with white, soft fluff around the edges as she strolled among the enchanted flowers and bushes. The snow was beginning to melt off the petals and the new bulbs were slowly beginning to emerge.
With Phillipe by her side, Belle fell in to a daydream of her father and the many wonders that she had dreamed were out there, never realising how this very wonder she was experiencing had always been so close to her home village. She gave Phillipe an affectionate pat on the nozzle as they came to her favourite spot. It was rather secluded but had an truly spectacular view of the rest of the Castle, and beyond.
It was so very magical that Belle would spend hours staring in to the distance, and letting the emotions and thoughts it brought to overflow her. It often led her to thoughts of the Beast, who was a lot sweeter and kinder now that they had got to know each other. She often wondered what had happened to him to make him the way he was, but had never plucked up the courage to ask. If only I could help him somehow she thought.
She looked again at Phillipe and gave him another pat and a faint smile. "What's going to happen to us, Phillipe?" She asked gently.
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Post by The Beast on Feb 9, 2011 17:37:32 GMT -5
The Beast in question stood in the shadows of the castle, not wishing to move forward while Belle was with her horse. Something he had learned long ago that aside from the small dog that had transformed into a footstool, no animals were willing to be around him. Being a Beast did not make him immediately trustworthy to other animals.
Still, the Beast wanted to spend time with Belle. If he attempted to move towards the horse, then Philippe would probably bolt and try to run, trampling Belle in the process. Sighing heavily, the Beast shifted in the shadows, hoping that would at least bring Belle's attention to him.
He said nothing as she walked on, hoping that his presence would be enough to alert her to the fact that Philippe might not want to be around him.
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Post by Belle on Feb 9, 2011 17:48:34 GMT -5
Belle's attention had suddenly got diverted to a place in the shadows as she heard a faint rustle behind the old Oak Tree. She looked at Philipe inquisitively who gave a slight grunt and a snort to show he was just was perplexed as she was.
Hesitating for a moment, Belle stood up and began to make her way towards the noise. The sound didn't come again but she was till curious to what had made it. Perhaps a rabbit or some kind of bird?
Now that she was nearer however, the anticipation was beginning to get the better of her. What if it was something dangerous? Belle glanced back at Phillipe who was looking after her anxiously. At least if it was something harmful, Phillipe would be here to help her escape.
As she came up to the old Oak Tree, she noticed the end of a blood red robe trailing along the mossy ground. Her eyes following up from the robe they soon met with two big blue ones gazing intently back at her.
"Beast!" She breathed, letting out a sigh of relief and giving him a smile. "It's you!" It was then that she realised that he was alone hiding amongst the bushes and the trees. "What are you doing?" She asked, raising a curious eyebrow up at him and a slight smirk on her face.
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Post by The Beast on Feb 9, 2011 20:56:57 GMT -5
The Beast fought the urge to wince at Belle's cry, as he was far from used to being announced so loudly. Instead, he shifted again, moving his long cloak so that it covered his large back paws. Bowing his head respectfully, he grunted a little in response.
"Good day, Belle," he said quietly, though even then his voice rumbled deeply. "I was hoping to avoid making your horse nervous," he explained, glancing warily at Philippe, who was already starting to paw the ground nervously. All animals became like that eventually in his presence. Even birds. "I hope you are enjoying your walk?"
He winced a little at how that sounded, but he did his best to not look like he had just winced.
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Post by Belle on Feb 10, 2011 14:45:39 GMT -5
Belle's playful expression soon turned in to one of concern as she noticed The Beast's slight wince.
"Is everything okay?" She asked at once, extending a considerate hand. "What's wrong?" She searched his eyes, when his own went beyond hers to Phillipe, looking wary. As he explained, Belle relaxed and shook her head with a smile.
"Oh no, don't be silly, Phillipe knows you now!" She kept her extended hand open for him to take, hoping this would be enough to try and get him to come out from behind the shadows. "He won't be startled, we'll just take it slow."
With a smile, she gave him a slight shake of the head to encourage him. She looked back at Phillipe who was still looking rather apprehensive. "Yes, the walk has been lovely," Belle replied after a moment. "This is my favourite spot in the whole of the Gardens. Do you have a favourite place?"
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Post by The Beast on Feb 10, 2011 14:53:19 GMT -5
Her horse wouldn't be startled? Of course it would. Shaking his head a little at that, the Beast couldn't help but move a little closer to Belle. No matter what, he knew that he could never tell her no. It was a little foolish, but that was the way he was at this point.
Moving carefully and slowly so that he wouldn't spook the horse, the Beast froze a few feet away from Belle and Philippe. "I'm pleased that you enjoy the gardens so much," he said, his voice still low and rumbling. The horse didn't look too pleased to see him, and for a moment the Beast was tempted to step back again. "Maybe I should go back inside...I don't think he likes me much."
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Post by Belle on Feb 10, 2011 15:01:59 GMT -5
Belle smiled kindly at him as she felt The Beast move closer to her. "It's okay," she whispered soothingly. "Come on."
With one last reassuring tug, she moved closer towards Phillipe, giving him an affectionate pat. He stared at The Beast, looking a little anxious, but Belle lowered her voice and whispered quietly in her horse's ear. "It's all right. He's friendly. I promise he won't hurt you."
Phillipe gave her a look of disdain but she widened her eyes to show him she was telling the truth, but became distracted when she noticed The Beast beginning to take a step back. "Maybe I should go back inside...I don't think he likes me much."
"Oh no, please don't go!" Belle began quickly, moving closer towards him and taking his paw again. "I mean-" She blushed a little before continuing, "I'd love it if you stayed and watched the view with me."
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Post by The Beast on Feb 10, 2011 15:10:28 GMT -5
Beneath all his heavy fur, the Beast felt himself blushing a little at her request for him to stay. If that was what she wanted, of course, though he really didn't know what to do about the horse. Philippe had never really been comfortable around the beast, and he didn't expect that the large horse ever would be.
Clearing his throat a little nervously, he sighed heavily and held perfectly still, hoping that would make the horse less nervous around him. It probably wouldn't work, but oh well. "I suppose...it is a rather lovely view," he said a little lamely, shifting nervously.
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Post by Belle on Feb 10, 2011 20:29:00 GMT -5
Belle beamed at The Beast's reply. Despite her embarrassment, she was glad it had made him more at ease. At least a little bit anyway. One thing confused her though, and that was why she had been so embarrassed. It was only a request for him to join her after all, what was the harm?
She shook her head quickly to banish this thought from her mind and pulled him over to sit down on her favourite bench.
As they neared, Phillipe moved away a little, eyeing The Beast dis-pleasingly but still remaining in close proximity. After a while however, he seemed to forget and pay little attention to their presence, instead starting to nuzzle down to crunch on some grass. When he was content, Belle turned to the Beast with a knowing look, incling her head slightly with a little smile.
"You see? He just needs to get used to you. He knows you're not dangerous."
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Post by The Beast on Feb 12, 2011 16:55:47 GMT -5
The Beast snorted at this idea. Of course he was dangerous. He was still a Beast, after all, despite what Belle might think of him. Still...so long as Belle was satisfied, the Beast was not about to complain or argue with her. That did not mean that he relaxed as Philippe continued to draw nearer to the two of them as he grazed. On the contrary, the closer the large horse came, the more tense the Beast grew, though he did his best to hide this fact.
"I suppose so," he said slowly, as he eyed Philippe warily. Turning his attention to the horizon as he sat down slowly, the Beast managed to relax at least a little bit. Before Belle came to the castle, he had never stopped to admire the view that his castle afforded him. On the contrary, he had avoided such things as they only served as a reminder of how hideous he was. Now, though, he could better appreciate such things. Perhaps because of the woman who had come to his castle to save her father.
"You said...this is your favorite place in the gardens?" he hazarded to ask.
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Post by Belle on Feb 17, 2011 17:45:15 GMT -5
Belle raised an eyebrow up at the Beast as he grunted: of course it was natural to assume that he was dangerous, but if only people let themselves get to know him they would find that he was really very sweet and gentle. Even more human than some of those from the village, like Gaston for instance.
She rolled her eyes at the thought of him, he was so very frustrating. Shaking him from her mind, Belle turned her attention back to the view. She would not let someone like Gaston ruin this peaceful place.
The Beast and Phillipe, both remained in silence for a while, letting nature fill their souls, or in Phillipe's case, his stomach, when The Beast spoke gently in to the solitude.
"You said...this is your favorite place in the gardens?"
"That's right," said Belle with a smile. "It's... Beautiful. It reminds me of the view from the hillside near my home."At this comment, her smile faltered slightly as the thought of her father made her bones ache; she missed him so much. It was still a strange scenario that The Beast was so kind, and yet still could not be denied - was keeping her prisoner.
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Post by The Beast on Feb 17, 2011 17:59:33 GMT -5
The Beast frowned a little and looked away. He couldn't help feeling very guilty now that she mentioned her home. She couldn't go back, because he had been so selfish as to require that she stay with him forever. And it was selfishness, he realized now. He hadn't come to that conclusion then, because he had still been too wrapped up in his own depression to care for her or her father.
"I am sorry," he said quietly, not feeling up to meeting her gaze as he spoke. "But...it is a beautiful spot, you are right. It used to be far more beautiful, though...before..."
He stopped himself there and frowned deeper. He tried not to think of that time before he had become cursed. Those were painful thoughts that led him into a rage or depression that would not go away quickly.
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