paixaorpg | [Completed!]

Entry tags:

[Completed!]

Character(s): Belle and Beast. (Closed for awkward turtle reunion times for now.)
Content: Belle has come back. Once again, her memories differ from Beast's.
Setting: By the Niflheim Gate.
Time: Evening
Warnings: None.

What was she doing? She should have come up with some excuse not to see him. Yet, something stopped her when he said he didn't remember anything about her time at the castle. Maybe she could get through this without collapsing. A tumult of emotions were washing over her, making it harder and harder to think logically.

He might not...be the same. Or feel the same. That last realization made her feel cold and alone. Belle didn't like feeling helpless - yet, what could she do? If she told him too much, he might feel overwhelmed and confused. Which left only one option: give information sparingly.

Closing her eyes tightly, the girl found a comfortable spot to kneel down. Laying her hands on her lap, she willed herself to calm down. He was probably worried enough as it was - all things considered. Seeing her in a panic wouldn't help matters.

Papa, hang on. I haven't forgotten about you. Far from it, in fact. Maurice was in terrible danger and she had no way to reach him. All she could do was hope that somehow someone found him. Focusing on the thought of Maurice healing in some cozy cottage, Belle exhaled quietly.

Somehow, the thought of doing all she could wasn't comforting enough.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Beast strode toward the Niflheim gate with purpose. He couldn't describe how he felt, but relieved, at least, would be true. The crowd still parted for his massive figure, but instead of fear, some watched with interest. His usually angry gait and stomping footsteps were calmer, lighter...happier.

It had been a long time since he had felt so happy, but...now Belle was from somewhere in his future, just like Cogsworth had been. It had been only a few days for him, but...she had forgotten about Beast entirely, only to meet him again in the castle. What Cogsworth had told him must have been true...that they would have met in their own world even if they hadn't met in Paixao. Belle...she didn't remember anything of what had happened here. And...Beast knew nothing of what had happened with her in his castle. From the way it sounded...he had taken her father prisoner. He couldn't imagine doing that to anyone now, but...back then...before he'd met her...he couldn't argue with her. There was every chance he would have taken an innocent man prisoner, just for walking into the castle unannounced. He was still ashamed of how he looked, and of everything that it meant, but back then...it had been far, far worse. He was only just now starting to realize he didn't have to act like a monster just because that was the way he looked. And even though he realized it now...that only made it feel worse when he lashed out at those trying to help him.

All those people on the journals...he hadn't...he hadn't meant to push them away like that. There was nothing he could do now, it was too late to apologize for being so selfish. Belle...she would be disappointed...wouldn't she? They'd told him that...that she wouldn't have liked to see him that way, no matter what happened.

As his footsteps slowed with the somber thought, and his tail ceased wagging, he looked up at the form of the imposing gate. Belle's beautiful locks would stand out in an instant from this crowd, and he was looking for them as hard as he could. Finally he saw her kneeling, and his face fell. She looked so...worried. That...wasn't his fault, was it?

He approached her slowly, stopping once and swallowing a lump in his throat. "...Belle...?"

Belle was lost in her own thoughts when he approached her. In fact, the sound of his voice startled her so much that she gasped and struggled to her feet. Brushing a few stray strands out of her eyes, she composed herself and gave him a tentative smile.

"Beast..." she tilted her head and observed him. He looked...uneasy. Had she caused that? She hadn't meant to.

"Thank you for...coming to get me." she stepped closer, clasping her hands to stop them from shaking, "It's...strange to talk to all of these people who know me."

Yet there was something comforting about not being alone. Then again, nothing could put her more at ease than seeing him. Yes, she cared about him deeply. She couldn't deny it any longer.

Tipping her head back, Belle managed a warm smile. It wasn't fair to burden him with her problems. He was kind enough to come all this way, after all. She would make this as easy on him as possible.

Seeing Belle uneasy did nothing to calm Beast's worrying. But...her father was in danger. Of course she would be anxious. He rubbed at the fur on his collar, and looked at the pavement next to her.

"I...only had one person say that to me." That was as close as he could come to expressing sympathy. He just...didn't know what it was like. Nervous hesitation took hold, just briefly, but he went on. "If there's anything I can do to help, please...just tell me."

The rose wasn't going to last forever. And Beast wasn't going to waste his second chance. She had taught him so many things...and he was going to make sure that she could see just how he'd learned from her. Even if...she couldn't even remember how it had all happened.

"You're here." Belle gently reached up and squeezed his hand, "I will be fine." she shook her head, "I've been worrying about things I can't change. What matters most is...right in front of me."

And she truly believed that. Her father was in a place that even she couldn't reach. She would keep praying for his well-being, but that was all she could do. Belle saw no reason to worry Beast when he was in the same position.

"May I stay with you?" the question wasn't easy to phrase and she felt herself blushing, "I would be...more comfortable."

Never would Beast have expected Belle to ask that. His jaw hung open in surprise, until he finally had the reason that he would have to tell her no. Not that he wanted to. "I...wouldn't have a room for you to stay in, where I am now."

"But...maybe we could find somewhere new to live...together."

She hadn't even thought of that as a possibility. Belle took a step back, raising her hands to discourage him from feeling any guilt whatsoever.

"Only...if you want to. I can find another home." she bit the inside of her lip, "Beast, I didn't mean to...make you uncomfortable." she bowed her head, trying to find something steady to hold onto, "Its been a long day." and night, "I'm not thinking clearly."

A steady arm held Belle up as Beast bit his lip. He curled the arm around her waist gently, and looked down into her beautiful eyes. The thought of brushing a wisp of hair from her forehead occurred to him, but he didn't act on it. Just...being so close to her was enough already. This was...this was the nearest he'd ever been to Belle. It felt...nice.

"Belle...for you...I would go anywhere." Before she left, he might not have been certain of that. But he couldn't bear the thought of losing her again. No matter what happened now, he would stay with her.

Belle tipped her head back, tentatively resting her hands on Beast's chest. This wasn't the first time that she had noticed how intense his eyes were, yet she was entranced by them now.

"B-Beast..." she smiled tremulously and returned the embrace, sliding her arms around his neck. Happy tears rolled down her cheeks as she simply held him.

"Th-Thank you. For everything." she couldn't say that enough, "I don't know what I would do without you."

Beast's eyes went wide as she hugged him, then the corners of his lips turned up into a smile. "You're welcome." He was surprised...and happy.

"For now, I should take you back to where I'm staying. A friend who knew you here before might let you use your old bed for now." He was thinking of Yuna, since she only lived a few floors below him. He didn't think that she would have any problem with letting Belle use her old bedroom, and...maybe Yuna knew more about the way this place worked than he did. She might be able to help Belle get used to everything again. And that would give Beast a chance to find them somewhere new...with furniture that hadn't been ruined.

Belle pulled back, looking relieved. She rested her hand briefly against his cheek before drawing her cloak tighter around her. Everything was still overwhelming and strange, but, for the first time, she felt like, maybe, she could handle it.

"I would appreciate that." she smiled to herself, pleased at how thoughtful he was being, "What's their name?" she stepped up to his side and took his arm gently.

"Her name is Yuna. You spoke with her...briefly." Beast normally would have ignored the other posts, but he knew that Yuna had cared a lot for Belle. That was why he hadn't been able to yell at her, even though he'd been angrier than he had ever been in his life. "She lives only a few floors down from me, with her...boyfriend." The way he spoke that last word suggested that he didn't quite like the sound of it.

"I did!" Belle brightened, recalling how kind Yuna had been, "...her...what?" she gasped a little, her eyes widening, "I...won't be intruding, will I?"

Not that Beast would know. Oh boy, this was going to be...interesting. Yes. Interesting.

"I never knew anyone who..." lived together with their boyfriend/girlfriend, "Is that normal here?"

"I...don't know. I...haven't met many people." Beast didn't know how to answer either of Belle's questions, really. Neither of them were things that he had much experience with. While he'd met Yuna before, it had been brief, and the same went for Tidus. He didn't know at all whether they would mind Belle rejoining them in their apartment, even though she...the other Belle...had only been gone for a few days now. They might not have even done anything with her belongings.

Belle brushed her fingers over his arm, telling him silently that she understood. It would take time for him to be comfortable around others. But she had faith in him. She had seen how gentle he could be and how generous.

"I will talk to them."

As long as Tidus wasn't like Gaston, she would be just fine.

"I'm sure Tidus is just as kind as Yuna." and if he wasn't, Belle could certainly take care of herself, "No one can be as bad as..." she trailed off, shaking her head with a small grimace, "Never mind."

"As bad as who?" Beast was asking more to make sure that she wasn't talking about him. He wanted to make up for any time she'd spent in the castle and been mistreated by him, because he knew all too well how he used to be--and, after seeing her vanish, how easily he could fall back into old habits.

"Someone from the village." Belle wrinkled her nose, recalling their last meeting, "He decided that I should be his wife. He even ambushed me in the cottage I shared with Papa." she rolled her eyes, "If he comes here... His name is Gaston."

It seemed possible that he might show up at some point. Anything was possible, actually - except for her falling for his "charm" (or lack thereof).

"...I'll keep that in mind." Beast seemed a bit grumpy at the idea of ever meeting him, but why shouldn't he be? He was the one who loved Belle, and this Gaston she didn't even like. Beast wasn't going to let him get anywhere near her unless he had her permission.

"I don't want to see him." Belle closed her eyes, letting Beast guide the way, "I can't imagine he's in a good mood after what I did to him."

Not that she was sorry for it.

After what she did to him? The thought of Belle doing anything mean to anyone was a difficult one for Beast to imagine, though he knew she wasn't one to take an insult sitting down.

"What...was that?"

She sighed, though the sound wasn't woeful or remorseful.

"When he forced his way into the cottage, I..." she bit her lip, looking a little mischievous, "...led him to the back-door. He leaned against it to...kiss me...and I...opened it." she reluctantly smiled, "He landed in the pig pen."

Beast...wasn't sure how to respond to that. If it had been him, someone so forward might have found themselves facing a far worse fate than just the embarrassment of being thrown into a pig pen. He had never had the patience for that, not even with Lumiere. The servant had learned to keep himself under control around Beast for fear of an angry outburst.

He rubbed at the ruff of his collar, not sure what to say.

His reaction made her a tad self-conscious. Did he think she had been cruel? Or maybe he was upset by Gaston's actions? Whatever the reason for his silence, she knew she wouldn't feel right pretending his discomfort didn't exist. Thus, she stepped in front of him, gazing at him worriedly.

"Beast...what is it? Did I upset you?" she looked pained at the mere thought, "Perhaps I was childish with him, but I..." she brushed her hair back, "I want to make my own decisions. Having my life decided for me just..." she frowned, "I wanted an adventure before I met you. Then...I met you and I was happy and content."

Maybe not at first, but she was eventually - especially right before she left the castle to save Maurice.

"You...gave me that adventure and you taught me a lot about myself. I think...I'm a better person because of you."

Upset? Beast wasn't upset, it was just hard for him to think of what to say. But everything else...he had never heard Belle say something like that to him before. Did she really mean that? And...that look she gave him. Was Belle...closer to him now, than before she disappeared?

"You do?" The simple statement did nothing to capture Beast's thoughts, but even now he was terrible at putting his thoughts into words. He knew that he was better now than before he'd met her, but to hear her say it back...it was a great surprise.

She hadn't voiced any of these feelings before yet they existed nonetheless. Through the time she had spent with Beast, she had learned that first impressions weren't always accurate and that, if given a chance, even an initially cruel person could become kind and giving. Perhaps she had been too quick to judge when she had arrived at his castle, but she had learned better.

"Y-Yes." she blushed, shifting her weight from foot to foot, "I never told you."

"Belle..." Beast pushed a small piece of hair away from her face, and lightly caressed her cheek, smiling gently down at her. Seeing her blush made him feel so self-conscious, he wanted to do something so she would feel better. He had never seen her look so embarrassed before...

A tremulous smile touched Belle's lips and she leaned into his touch. Closing her eyes, she released a small sigh of relief.

"I trust you." she covered his hand with her own, squeezing gently.

"I should...take you somewhere nice to eat," Beast decided, placing his other paw over Belle's hand, then letting both his hands fall. But his face went taut almost as fast as he had the thought to take her somewhere. He had no idea what the nice restaurants in the city were, much less how to find them.

"...I'll have Lumiere pick a restaurant for us when we get back." He hoped that would save face, but he noticed how much more cheerful he sounded. That first dinner with Belle had gone well, he thought, and maybe another try wouldn't hurt.

As long as...he remembered that Belle didn't know anything of what had happened here. The thought wasn't one he could keep from darkening his expression, brief though it may have been.

"Hm?" Belle blinked. Well that was unexpected. Had he thought of that all on his own? A warm feeling filled her and she laid her hand over her heart.

"That sounds...lovely." she smiled gently, urging him to cheer up. Something was holding him back. She could sense it - though she had no idea what he was thinking.

Then again, there was a lot she didn't know about his time in this new world. If she had been here before, perhaps something had changed between them? But surely that change had been for the best. Otherwise, why would he be so kind?

Lost in her thoughts, Belle didn't realize that she was staring at him curiously.

Now all Beast could do was feel nervous and awkward. Her stare got to him, and since he couldn't figure out what Belle was thinking all he could do was get frustrated. He hadn't done anything wrong! ...Had he? The confusion over the matter didn't help.

"We should...get back to the apartments." His voice was more gruff than it had been just moments before, and he broke eye contact on purpose.

Immediately, she realized her mistake. Breaking free of her thoughts, Belle averted her gaze and struggled to explain herself.

"B-Beast, I..." she nodded faintly, "I'm just trying to get a handle on things."

She didn't dare say anything more, though. Pulling her bag closer, she followed him silently.

As difficult as Beast found it to stay angry when Belle was so near him, he soon found that there was something even harder to do. Try as he might, he couldn't think of anything to say now. He wanted to apologize, but he didn't know how. This left him in silence longer than he had intended, and each second of it made him feel worse. He hadn't wanted to make her feel like that, but now he didn't know how to fix it.

Luckily for him, a distraction was on its way. As Belle adjusted her bag, a very familiar mirror came into view. She tried to grab it before he saw it, but it was no use. The frame glowed an unusual green - almost like it was trying to alert Beast of its presence.

A faint light caught Beast's eye as they walked. That glow, that shape...he knew what that was! Forgetting himself, he whirled around and tensed up, a growl rumbling in his chest.

"Why do you have my mirror?!" he demanded, growling again. "Tell me!"

The thought that he may have given it to her in the castle didn't occur to him, nor did he think of how nice it would be to have the mirror with him again. He was too absorbed in how important that mirror was to him, even though Belle meant far, far more.

Frightened by the sudden outburst, Belle jerked away from him and held her bag - mirror included - to her chest.

"B-Beast, stop!" she held out a hand, her eyes filled with unease, "You g-gave it to me!"

She fumbled to release the object from her bag. Once it was in her hands, she held it out to him.

"You can h-have it back." Belle fought to keep her voice steady, "Just...stop yelling at me." her brow furrowed, silently admonishing him.

All too quickly, Beast realized his mistake. It had been a long time since Belle had spoken to him that way. He knew the mirror wasn't worth scaring her. His anger and anxiety subsided and with them so did his overbearing stance. He didn't quite relax, but he pulled back, trying to give Belle some space.

"I...didn't think of that." A silent moment passed, just a heartbeat. "...I'm sorry."

He put a paw on the mirror, as if to retrieve it, but gently pushed it back to her chest. "You can keep it. You...need it more than I do."

Belle frowned sadly, shaking her head vehemently when he pushed the mirror back towards her. She knew how much it meant to him. Giving it to her once had been hard enough on him - she wasn't about to ask for it a second time.

"Shhh..." she touched his lips, "It's yours. I was only borrowing it." she held it out, her face still a little pale, "Don't be angry, Beast. I know how much it means to you."

Bowing her head, she tried to calm her racing heart. It had been some time since he had last yelled at her like that.

Seeing that look on Belle's face made Beast doubtful. Her touch on his lips almost made him cringe, though he stayed still. "I...haven't had it for a long time." His shoulders fell with a heavy sigh. "And when you go back...you'll still need it. ...To find your father."

"...Please." He didn't want to think too much about this. What if...what if the mirror couldn't show him what he wanted to see? What if it couldn't show him anything? People had talked about how strange everything was here, how could he know that the mirror wouldn't be different now? "Just until we have a place we can keep it."

He had a good point. All the same, she felt guilty for keeping something so precious from him. Surely there was some compromise?

"I'm not leaving anytime soon." though she had no idea. Anything could happen. Maybe all of this was a dream? Perhaps she was still in the snowy forest, searching endlessly for Maurice...

But she didn't feel cold. Talking to Beast felt real. She had to hold onto that feeling and accept her new circumstances.

"Alright." she tucked the mirror back into her bag and closed it, "Beast, if...I go back, will you be there?"

A rumbling sigh came from Beast, and his shoulders slumped. "...I don't know," he answered. He could never lie to her, and he hadn't talked to enough of the
people here who had gone home and then returned. He didn't even know if she would be there when he went back, even though now three different people had told him she would.

"I...I want to," he added, hoping it would give her a little more confidence...and hoping maybe it would work for him too.

"I want you to too." Belle whispered, her features softening, "You were there when I left." and that was moderately reassuring, "I don't know how that works, but I'd like to learn more about it."

After settling in, she would be seeking out the nearest library. Surely they had one? She couldn't imagine a town without one.

"I'll do some research." she perked up, smiling, "Every town has a history."

"...You won't learn anything." The...other Belle...had already tried, Beast was sure, and if that could be found out just from going to the library, why did so many people ask about it using the journals? "At least...not the most important parts of it. No one can find anything about it."

He wanted Belle to realize that before she started, even though he was pretty sure she wouldn't listen to him. "But I'll have Lumiere show you where it is."

"...oh." Belle deflated a little, "Well, it should be interesting anyway." she toed the ground, "I will share whatever I learn with you and Lumiere. Maybe we can piece together an answer for ourselves."

That was the advantage to them being in Paixao longer. Belle was certain they could come to some conclusions, at least.

"I'm sure it's nothing like your library..." she mused aloud, "But I will do my best."

"I...showed you my library?" Beast couldn't believe it. Had that been his idea, or one of the servants'? Not that Belle would be able to tell him the answer to that. But it didn't matter. The library was probably the best thing he could have shown her in the whole castle.

"Do you...want me to go with you?" He knew he was likely to get frustrated quickly, but maybe Belle would want him along anyway. It was better to ask her, just in case.

"Yes, you did." she smiled softly at the memory, "I...wasn't expecting you to. Cogsworth and Lumiere had told me about it before, but I had never visited it. It was...remarkable." Belle had never seen anything like it, but that shouldn't be surprising.

"Only if you want to." she tilted her head, "I would like your company."

That was an understatement. She only felt right when he was nearby.

"I would be happy...to accompany you." A gentle smile parted Beast's lips. Though...as true as the statement was, it didn't change the fact he would probably get bored there in no time at all.

Just as Beast was about to say something about that, he noticed the sun beginning to set. "We...should go."

Belle smiled brightly, her eyes twinkling when he agreed to accompany her. She would find some way to keep him interested. They had spent a number of nights reading in front of the fire-place. Belle wouldn't spend all of her time searching for historical documents.

Just as she was contemplating what might be in the library, a chill climbed her spine. Frowning, she looked around them speculatively.

"Is it...dangerous after dark?" she stepped closer to him on instinct.

"It...can be." Beast hadn't seen any Heartless in a long time, but he didn't want Belle to run into any of them on her first night here. And they almost always came out only when it was dark.

"Follow me, it's going to take some time for us to get there." He didn't want to leave room for Belle to ask too many questions, lest they stay here too long.

"Alright." she replied quietly, nodding, "I'll follow you."

She had no desire to stay outside on her own. There may not be wolves around, but that didn't mean it was safe. Drawing her cloak around her, she kept up with him, her senses acutely aware of any sights, sounds or smells around them. It was almost like...

But no. No one could be there. She was just imagining things.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Completed!]

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject