This close, Belle could full see every aspect of the creature's appearance. The monstrous teeth jutting from his lower jaw, his canine-like nose...the piercing blue eyes?

She blinked, momentarily struck by how out of place those eyes seemed in that face, so expressive and seemingly human. "I'm sorry," she said softly, relieved that the quaver of fear she felt in her chest didn't translate to her voice. "I was...I was rude. I've never seen anyone like you before."