Authors Note: Yes, Beauty and the Beast switched. It has most definitely been done before but hopefully I can break off and make this more original!

Also here are the meanings of the names I picked for the characters.

-- Viril "manly" in French. Picked because Belle's name meant 'pretty'.

-- Fiore "flower" in Italian. Picked because originally the beast had a flower (rose) that showed how long he had to live.

-- Penni short for "pénible" which can mean "disturbing" or "displeasing". Picked because of Penni's personality.

THIS CHAPTER WAS MOSTLY REWRITTEN.

Disclaimer: I do not own the idea of beauty and the beast. I do own my own characters and my own story line depicted here.

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The sun struggled past the clouds that day in the ocean called the sky. The flowers gratefully gobbled up the sunlight, feeding themselves, sustaining their lives. Viril unfortunate could not sustain himself. He had been living on the outskirts of this old village for quite some time now and he was over his head in debt. The only way to forget was to go into his weedy backyard, where the grass reached his knees, and fall into the cushiony earth, just to watch the world go by.

Today was a particularly perfect day for said sport. The sun wasn't too overbearing and the grass didn't tickle or itch as much as it usually did. The clouds floating above seemed to be as lazy as Viril, just drifting past, slowly but surely.

"Oh Viril!" he heard a girl coo from the front of his house.

Mumbling curses under his breath, he stood up and brushed himself off.

He entered his shabby house, reluctant to wave the sweet caress of nature goodbye. He stood at the door for a few minutes, not really wanting to answer but finally grabbed the handle. When the door swung open a seemingly perfect looking girl with smiled broadly and flung herself onto Viril. Aka, the reason he still had his house. This was Penni, the tax collectors daughter. Every time her father would threaten to throw Viril out she would beg, sob, and moan, anything to let Viril stay. And it worked every single time. But this didn't come free. And Viril was well aware how much Penni 'loved' him.

"Oh Viril! It seems like forever since I've seen you" she rambled, not noticing he was wincing under her crushing embrace.

"Um…it wasn't that long ago. I did see you yesterday, at the town square, remember?" Viril told her, cocking his head.

She loosened her grip upon him, but still kept her arms around him.

"Well, that's true. But for me it's seemed like forever!" she squealed.

She leaned in to try to kiss him, like she tried to do every time they met, but he pulled away and slightly blushed. He couldn't bring himself to kiss her. It would be too fake. He just couldn't bring himself to it.

"It's just…I had planned a busy day today and…I didn't expect your company so…" he stuttered, hinting that she should leave.

"Well, I came all the way over to your horrible, shabby hut, for you to reject me by telling me you're busy?! The only business you should have is with me. I mean, if we just decided to never see each other anymore, our relationship would start to dwindle and, you know, I would just let daddy take you away to jail for your debts. I mean, I just could stop caring, it certainly seems you have stopped caring about me" Penni threatened, thrusting her lower lip outward into a pout.

"Oh...well…it's not that I don't WANT to see you…it's just…I really had to get some work done..and…" Viril replied, not wanting to completely turn her away

"Fine. But if I come tomorrow, will you spend the day with me and only me?" Penni demanded, tapping her toe against the ground.

"Of course" Viril stated, a tinge of annoyance edging his voice.

Thankfully, Penni didn't take note of his tone and walked outside, turning around before she was out of earshot to confirm, "Tomorrow, right?"

"Tomorrow" Viril stated.

As Viril shut the door, he sighed with relief. She was no doubt beautiful but her personality ruined it. Once she opened her mouth, all Viril could think of was how to get away. And once he had made it clear he didn't want her around, she threatened him. And he needed this house. He couldn't move and he definitely would not live on the streets. But the only way to keep is house was to become her…and then it struck him. If he were to keep this up…he would have to court her and then marry her, and maybe even have children with her! And he didn't even love her. Not many people married for love but…Viril wanted that to happen to him. He wanted to feel love. And Penni definitely didn't bring love to his heart. What he needed right now was a walk Maybe the forest by the town could help out. A walk in there can cure any stress he had. He knew from experience; that forest could work wonders on Viril's troubled head. I was almost a little too scary how calming it could be. But Viril never really thought about it too much.

On the walk there, he tried to think of the sweet footsteps he would take through the damp, spongy forest floor. The whistle of the winds through the trees and the rustle of leaves would help clear any head. He would just let himself go once he got there. Let his body wander, not set any destination or goal, just be.

He opened his eyes and suddenly the trail into the forest was before him. Pines, oaks, thousands of trees towered before him, beckoning him in. He took his first step and closed his eyes once more and he was gone, lost in the forest of forgetfulness.

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Fiore awoke with a fierce slap on the cheek.

A forest spirit. Again. Those annoying pests always hung around her domain. They were always bugging her about everything. And it seemed to be impossible for them to leave her alone.

'Damn demons always sneaking around. I swear one day, they will be the death of me' her mind growled, speaking out as her angry side.

She blinked as she rose from her perch and rubbed the sleep from her eyes. She closed her eyes softly and automatically became one with the forest. She could feel and hear everything that happened beneath those silky leaves…but now…someone was wandering in it, disturbing the peace. And they were awfully close to her house. But how? It was supposed to be impossible to find for those trying to find it. That was what the old witch had promised when they had placed their deal. So…either the hag had lied or…maybe the person wasn't trying to find anything.

'Whatever the reason, I must find a way to stop this person. Disaster could follow them like a shadow. I must protect my domain and do something before they have found us' Fiore thought like the protector she could be, as she tied her brown cloak about her body, making sure that the hood covered the face, for no one could see her face. She would never keep mirrors in her house for fear of being frightened by herself. She didn't want to be humiliated like she had been before. She hated the fearful look normal people got as the looked at her. She wanted so badly to please but, with a face like hers, it would never be possible.

She stormed out the doors and off her grounds running behind trees, stealthily, recalling all the times this had happened. But every time had brought a bad ending. She prayed this time it would be different.

'Oh Great Forest. Help me make something of myself. Share with me your beauty so that I can join you in harmony' her hopeful side sung in her mind.