My Princess Tutu version of Disney's "Beauty and the Beast", which I don't own. I own my OC Tora. I thank Brightfire15 for helping me.
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Once upon a time, in a far away land, a young knight lived in a shining castle. The castle was a beautiful gift to the knight as payment for his courage and valor. All was good, until one day, a dark crow beast invaded the castle. The knight was overwhelmed, and barley made it out alive. However, the King and Queen perished. From that day forward, the knight was grief-stricken, and this grief turned his heart bitter to all.
One day, an old lady came to the door of the castle begging him to let her stay and offered him a crystal swan, but the knight turned her away. But she warned him not to be deceived by her appearance for beauty is found within. The knight refused to hear any of it as he threatened the old woman with death should she not leave.
The old woman waved her hand as a bright light surrounded her. And before the knight's eyes, stood a fairy. The knight trembled with fear hoping not to incure her rath and tried to make amends. But the fairy did not except them, for she had already seen that there was no love in his heart.
Then as retribution, the fairy sealed the knight in his armored prison and placed a powerful spell on the castle and all who lived in it. Ashamed of his monstrous form, the knight sealed himself inside his castle, with a magic book as his only window to the outside world. The swan she had offered was truly an enchanted statue, which would hold its shape until his 18th year. The only way for the knight to be freed of the curse was if he were to find a girl that could love him and he could love back before the crystal swan was to lose its feathers and crack. If he could not, he would be doomed to remain horrorfying for all time. But who could ever learn to love a beast?
In a small village on the countryside of Germany, the sun began to side over the sleepy town. Birds chirped and fluttered to the ground. Shop owners opened their doors and prepared for work. Villagers emerged from their homes and began their daily chores.
A young girl by the name of Tora emerged from a small cottage on the outskirts of the town.
She was quite beautiful with her fair skin, long auburn hair, and teal-colored eyes. She was dressed in simple clothes, blue overalls atop a brown shirt, faded brown shoes with long white socks, and a round pendant the color of a sapphire glistened on her neck. But though Tora's attire was simple, she was not and nor did it diminish her beauty.
Tora smiled a rather beautiful smile as she departed from the house and went about her business. The fifteen-year-old couldn't help how the winds were just right, the air almost as if filled with music.
Gold Crown Town
It's a quiet village
Every day, like the one before.
Gold Crown Town
Full of friendly people
Waking up to say…
Hallo!
Hallo!
Hallo!
Hallo!
Hallo!
Several smiling villagers popped their heads out of their doors and windows and waved as Tora walked by.
Tora waved and smiled back as she greeted her neighbors.
There goes the baker with his tray like always
The same old bread and rolls to sell
Every morning just the same
Every morning that we came
To this poor provincial town
"Good morning, Tora!" The girl was snapped out of her thoughts by the gruff, yet kind voice of the middle aged man who ran the bakery.
"Morning, Herr!" Tora called back, following the man.
"Where are you off to this fine morning?" the baker asked.
"Oh, the bookshop!" Tora pulled out her book and opened it. "I've just finished the most wonderful story about a magic beanstalk and an ogre and a-"
"That's nice," said the baker. It was clear from his tone that the baker had only asked to be polite and Tora's book was of little interest to him. The next thing Tora knew, he was barking into the bakery. "Marie! The brötchen! Hurry up!"
Instead of becoming offended, Tora just shrugged and went on her way.
As she walked to the bookstore, the villagers whispered and gossiped to one another about Tora and her "odd" behavior.
Look there she goes, that girl is strange
No question!
That girl's distracted, can't you tell?
Never part of any crowd
Cause her heads up in the clouds
No denying she's a funny girl that Tora.
Tora like her town well enough. It was a beautiful little village and the villagers were like a second family to her. But nothing ever changed. Everyday it was same old routine and the same faces. There was never anything new. She longed for some of the excitement she read about in her books. Other times she wanted to explore life beyond that of her village and find a new friend. Just a break from the same old life she'd always known, that was all she really wanted.
A horse and wagon rode past Tora. She grabbed onto the back and jumped on. She rode on the back of the carriage through town. The townspeople rushed and scurried through town. As the townspeople were going about there daily lives, Tora got off at the bookstore.
The bookstore owner smile "Why hello, Tora! How are you this fine morning?"
"Fine, thank you. I came to return the book." Tora handed him the book from her basket.
"Really, that was fast!" the bookstore owner said in a stunned fashion.
"I couldn't put it down," said Tora. No matter the length, if Tora was hooked onto a book, she'd read it from cover to cover in a matter of hours. Tora climbed up the book shop ladder and began skimming through the books. "Have you got anything new?"
The bookshop owner laughed. "Not since yesterday."
"That's all right. I'll borrow..." Tora looked through the books until she found an old favorite and then she handed it to the bookshop owner. "This one!"
"That one?" said the bookshop owner, in surprise. "But Tora, you've read it three times already!"
"It's my favorite!" Tora explained. She slid in the ladder around. "Places of adventures, sword fights to the death, a prince in disguise…"
"Well if you like it all that much, its yours." The owner said.
"But sir..." Tora blinked.
"I insist! Anything for my best customer."
"Well thank you. Thank you very, very much," Tora graciously accepted the gift and left back into town.
Look there she goes, that girl is so peculiar
I wonder if she's feeling well…
With a dreamy far off look
And a nose stuck in a book
A puzzle to the rest of us is Tora.
Tora stopped at the towns' fountain and sat down. It was simply amazing. She was at her favorite part and it was her favorite because it was where the protagonist met her Prince Charming. But as any good story went, she wouldn't discover Prince Charming's identity until chapter three.
She was so entranced in her book, not caring what was going on around her. Sheep roamed near her, some looked up and sat next to her. The sheepherder hurried behind his runaway flock, scurrying them away.
It was no wonder that Tora was regarded as the most beautiful girl in the village, for there was nobody who could hold a candle to her looks. But behind Tora's fair façade, she was regarded as rather odd for she was very different from the other villagers. Indeed, she was nothing like the others and that caused her to be the stuff of gossip and the center of attention, whether she liked it or not or knew it or not.
A shot rang out and a goose that was flying with its flock fell into a sack belonging to a dwarf by the name of Sato.
Sato was small in height and was also quite skinny. He was from a well-to-do family but wasn't considered very handsome with his dirty blond hair and green eyes and nor was he considered very intelligent or even highly regarded. But none of that mattered to Sato. All he cared about was pleasing his idol, Karasu, the hunter who'd shot the goose.
"Wow, you didn't miss a shot, Karasu!" gushed Sato. "You're the greatest hunter in the whole world!" Sato had been Karasu's friend and loyal follower since childhood when Karasu had defended Sato against bullies.
Karasu grinned smugly as he stepped out from under the awning and into the sunlight. Karasu was the most admired and sought-after man in the village and it was no wonder. Besides his good looks which including six feet in height, bronze hair, black eyes and triangular jawline, he was also from an extremely wealthy and respected family. He was also very strong and his skills were unmatched.
"I know," said Karasu, as he shoved his hunter's rifle into his hostler.
"No beast alive stands a chance against you! And no girl for that matter!" said Sato.
Unlike Sato and certain other men in the village, Karasu had no trouble whatsoever with women. He had plenty of admirers for every young lady desired to be his wife.
"It's true, Sato. And I've got my sights set on that one!" said Karasu, as he pointed to Tora, who was buying some apples.
"Tora?" Sato blinked. "Sir, I know she's beautiful, but she's strange to say the least. Even her family is strange."
"She's the most beautiful girl in town!" Karasu declared.
"I know but-!"
"That makes her the best!" A menacing gleam flashed in Karasu's eyes as he demanded of Sato. "And don't I deserve the best?"
"You do, but what about a normal girl? One who's sibling isn't a dancer?"
"She is the only one who as beautiful as me. Hence my plans are to woo and marry Tora." Karasu stared into a mirror with admiration.
When Karasu noticed that Tora was disappearing from his line of sight, Karasu leapt into action and began to follow her. But it seemed the world was out to get him because no matter what Karasu did or how polite he attempted to be, Karasu's pathway to Tora was blocked by people going about their business and it was quite annoying.
"Karasu, my old friend, maybe this is a wild goose chase," said Sato, as he struggled to keep up with Karasu. He had to take three steps for every one of Karasu's. "If you can't even get close to her now, how're you going to woo and marry Tora?"
But Karasu was stubborn and he refused to admit defeat.
Completely oblivious to the crowd behind her, Tora looked up at the sky, leaning against a store sign, slightly envious of the exciting lives the characters of her book led.
There must be more than this provincial life!
Just watch I'm going to make Tora my wife!
Look there she goes
The girl is strange but special
A most peculiar verpassen
It's a pity and a sin
She doesn't quite fit in
'Cause she really is a funny girl
A beauty but a funny girl
She really is a funny girl
That's Tora!
Tora turned around and the talking stopped. She shrugged and continued walking with her book.
"Hallo, Tora. Looking lovely as usual." said Karasu.
"Hallo, Karasu." Karasu took the book from Tora hands and began flipping through it. "Karasu, may I have my book please?"
Karasu looked revolted. "How can you read this? There's no pictures!"
Tora couldn't help but roll her eyes while looking amused. "There are a good many wonderful books without pictures, Karasu."
Karasu shook his head. He disagreed and he had more important things to talk about with Tora besides silly books. "Tora, it's high time you stopped reading these ridiculous novels and start considering more important things in life."
Karasu tossed the book over his shoulder and Tora caught it just before it could hit the mud puddle.
"More important things?" she echoed. "Such as?"
Karasu grinned and flexed his muscles. "Me."
Tora scoffed. She hated it when someone showed off their arms. "Honestly, Karasu. You're the most conceited man I've ever met."
Karasu, being a complete dunce and also quite arrogant, took Tora's words as a compliment. "Why, thank you, Tora!" He wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "Say, why don't I take you into town for lunch and I can show off my trophies to you?"
Tora cringed as she pulled away from Karasu. "That's very...generous of you, but maybe some other time. I have to get home to my brother."
"That wimpy freak?" laughed Sato. "He needs all the help he can get!"
Karasu laughed alongside Sato.
"Don't you dare talk about my brother that way!" Tora snapped.
Seeing Tora's anger, Karasu quickly changed his tune.
"Yeah, don't talk about her brother that way!" snapped Karasu, as he boxed Sato's ears.
"My brother isn't a wimp or a freak! He's kind and talented and a thousand times the man than either of you could ever hope to be!" snarled Tora.
She gave them both a furious look of disgust and ran home.
As soon as Tora was far enough away from Karasu, she groaned in frustration. "I swear, that guy gives me a headache. He can never take 'no' for an answer."
As she headed back to her little cottage in the town, she could hear music playing in the house. "Sounds like he's practicing again," Tora smiled.
When Tora entered the house, she saw Leo twirling and prancing around with astounding grace and strength. Then he heard the door slam shut. "Oh Tora, you're home!"
"Hi, Leo." Tora smiled. "So, how's the performance coming?"
"Horrible! I just don't feel good about the up coming performance," the young man grumbled.
"You're getting yourself worked up over nothing. Just relax," said Tora, as she rubbed Leo's shoulders. "When it's your cue, don't think. Just close your eyes and follow your instincts. You'll have everyone applauding and cheering and even crying before the curtain falls. Then every theater owner will be fighting amongst themselves like wolves just to have you as their star."
Leo looked hopeful. "You really believe that?"
Tora nodded as she kissed Leo's cheek. "You're my brother. I've always believed in you."
Leo looked significantly cheered up. "The next part of the performance requires me to have a partner. Want to practice with me?"
Tora's face lit up as she nodded. "I'd love to."
"Ok now, Tora, in this choreography we need to be close, this dance is suppose to have passion and me throwing you in the air a lot," the elder brother instructed.
"Right," Tora nodded and started to dance.
"So Tora, anything new in town?" Leo asked his sister as he lifted her gracefully.
"I got a new book," the redhead replied. She paused for a moment. "Leo, do you think I'm odd?"
"No. Not at all, sis. Why?"
"Oh, I don't know. But, I don't really fit in here anymore. There's no one I can really talk to," Tora explained.
"You've got me," said Leo. "And there's always Karasu. I think he wants you to marry him. Mrs. Karasu has a nice ring to it."
Leo laughed as Tora playfully smacked his shoulder.
"I'm kidding. I'm kidding," said Leo. He placed his hands on Tora's shoulders. "Look, Tora, you're different than everyone else here, I will admit it. But that's not a bad thing. It just means you're special. And I have no doubt that someday, you'll find someone who will not only see just how special you are but also love you for it and he'll be the luckiest man of all."
Tora held her brother in a tight embrace. "You're the best. I love you."
"I love you too," said Leo. "Now, let's start again."
So, they resumed practice and when they came to a particularly difficult step that Leo had been struggling with, it was like a wish had been granted for he performed the step perfectly.
Tora cried out in delight as she wrapped her arms around her brother. "You did it! You really did it!"
Leo looked thrilled as he lifted Tora up. "Just you wait, Tora, your life, our lives will change for the better after this performance."
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"Goodbye Leo! Good luck!"
"Take care while I'm gone, Tora!"
Tora waved goodbye to Leo, who was riding with a horse named Arik. The young man set off through the countryside. On the worn dirt path past the golden wheat fields, over a little river and past the farmlands. The sun was beginning to set, signaling that night wasn't too far away.
When nightfall came, Leo was no closer to his intended destination then when he'd begun. Instead, Leo found himself deep in the woods and it was clear that he was lost for he didn't recognize any landmarks or have the slightest clue as to where he was.
"Where are we? This doesn't look like the right path, Arik, we better turn around." The horse seemed to agree. Arik began backing up, his ears were folded back and his eyes were wide with fear.
"Easy, boy, easy," soothed Leo, as he gave the reins a gentle tug. "It's okay. Calm down."
But Leo was just as scared as Arik and the horse could hear it in his master's voice. At a fork in the road, the signs were unreadable. Two ways to go; the normal-looking path or the one filled with darkness and scary stuff.
"Let's go down this one." Leo said, directing to the creepy path.
Arik was hesitant, but Leo pushed it. "Come on, boy. It's a shortcut."
Arik disagreed but nevertheless, he obeyed his master's wishes and took the creepy path.
They hadn't gone far down the path when Arik heard the faint but nevertheless, distinctive sound of a predator prowling through the woods.
"This can't be right," muttered Leo, as he looked over the map. "Where on earth are we?"
Then suddenly, Leo's head shot up as wolves began to howl quite loudly and clearly. Frightened, the horse began backing up.
Leo looked equally scared. Wolves were dangerous and as Leo was unarmed, both he and his horse were easy prey for the beasts.
"C'mon on, Arik. Let's get out of here," said Leo, as he tugged on the reins. The horse broke into a dangerously fast gallop and nearly went over a cliff in the process.
"Whoa!" cried Leo, as he pulled the reins back. His heart was pounding with fear as Arik began backing away from the cliff's edge. "Back up back up, good boy, that's good."
They'd just gotten a safe distance away from the cliff's edge when suddenly there was a small rustle. Arik bucked, knocking Leo to the ground. The horse broke into a gallop, leaving a stranded Leo in the forest. The young man stood up quickly and quietly.
"Arik!" he called. "Arik!"
But Arik was long gone. There was, however, a pack of wolves.
The wolves came out from behind trees and bushes. Their black fur had grown thick for winter, causing them to blend in perfectly with the shadows. Their yellow eyes glowed in the moonlight, their sharp teeth were showing and they growled fiercely as they quickly surrounded Leo.
Leo broke into a run but the wolves were fast and followed close behind him. He ran as fast as he could, trying to find any place to hide but found none. He stumbled on a root and fell into front of tall iron gates. Leo stood and grabbed the bars. He shook them vigorously. The wolves stood at the top of the hill and charged again.
"Let me in, please let me in!" he begged.
No one came, but then as if by magic the gates opened by themselves and Leo entered. He shut the gates just as the first wolf pounced into it. The wolves growled and barked at him.
Leo was breathing hard and shaking as he stood up. His heart was pounding and he felt rather nauseous at knowing just how close he'd come to losing his life. It wasn't something he liked to think about.
But he had no time to dwell on it as it began to rain without warning. Within moments, Leo found himself chilled to the bone and soaked.
Quickly, he glanced around for any kind of shelter and it was then that he saw a rather dark and ominous castle. Something about it unsettled Leo and he wanted to leave and never come back but he didn't have that choice. If he stayed in the rain, he'd get sick and if he left, he'd be easy prey for the wolves again. The castle was his only means of shelter and protection until morning.
Leo swallowed painfully and tried to ignore the fear he felt as he climbed up the front steps and knocked on the front door. When it opened, Leo took a deep breath and went inside.
Inside the castle looked dark and gloomy, It was medieval to say the least. Dispite its clean look, it look deserted. There was large armor, pictures of knights and kings all over the place.
"Hello?" Leo announced, hoping to find someone. "Hello?"
"Poor guy must of got lost in the woods."
"Keep quiet. Maybe he'll go away."
"Is someone there?" called Leo.
"Not a word, Mytho. Not one word," a purple cat whispered to a white Egret.
"I don't mean to intrude, but, I've lost my horse. And I need a place to stay. Just for one night." Leo called. As he continued to look around, he saw something out of the corner of his eye. "Hello?"
"Of course, sir. You're welcome here," a voice greeted.
"Who said that?" Leo asked frantically.
"Over here."
"Where?" something pecked at his leg. He looked down and saw an egret.
"Hello," greeted the white bird.
Leo screamed, "Did that bird just talk?"
"Of course I did," said the egret. "You don't see anyone else here, do you? Besides my colleague, that is, but he's not one for polite conversation."
The white egret shot a glance at the purple cat. The feline's fur was bristling and he looked ready to spit nails. "Why you little—!"
"Allow me to introduce myself," said the egret, ignoring the cat. "I am Mytho and this is Autor. We're the head servants of our knight and master, the owner of this castle. What is your name?"
Shocked by the fact that animals were speaking, Leo was rendered completely speechless and felt as though he might faint. After a few moments, he finally said, "L-Leo. My name is Leo."
"Pleasure to meet you, Leo," said Mytho.
"No, it most certainly is not!" exclaimed Autor, angrily. "You know the rules! Do you not realize what the consequences will be if the master finds out about this?"
Mytho rolled his eyes. "Have a heart, Autor. The poor fellow needs our help. Where's your sense of compassion?"
Leo attempted to speak and intervene before a fight could begin. He wanted to say that if his presence was going to cause a problem, he'd stay outside regardless of the weather and late hour, but before he could, Leo sneezed rather loudly and began to cough rather violently, marking the beginnings of a severe cold.
"Oh, you're soaked to the bone, sir," said Mytho, kindly. "Please, follow me to the parlor. You can warm yourself by the fire and I'll have some hot tea and dry clothes sent to you. Then when you're ready, you can remain in one of the guest rooms until morning."
Leo felt too ill to refuse so he complied with Mytho's request. "Thank you. That's very kind of you."
Leo then followed Mytho into the sitting-room despite Autor's vigorous protests.
"No, you must stop! Do you know what the master would do if he saw this?!"
However, a black figure watched all the action and over heard everything and rushed off as the three entered.
Leo sat in a large red armchair near the fire.
"Oh no, no, no. Not the master's chair." Autor groaned.
A cart zoomed into the room, running over the cat. A mouse and a duck sat on it with some tea.
"How would you like a nice warm cup of tea?" the mouse asked.
"That's very kind of you." Leo took the cup.
The duck quacked, "That's great, Mommy makes the best tea!"
"Indeed she does," said Leo, as he sipped his tea. He wasn't just being the polite. The hot brew was the best tea Leo had ever had in his life. "I'm Leo. What're your names?"
"My name is Rachel and this is my daughter, Ahiru," said the mouse.
"Well, it's a pleasure to meet you both. Tell me, what—"
Suddenly there was a great gush of cold wind and the fire went out.
"Uh-oh," whimpered Ahiru.
The castle servants hid in fear and Leo felt a cold shiver go down his spine as someone or something entered the room. He curled upon himself, trying to make himself smaller and willing himself to disappear as the sound of growling hit his ears.
A great and terrible Beast entered the room. "There's a stranger here."
"Fakir, allow me to explain. The poor fellow was lost in the woods. I felt it was the right thing..." began Mytho, but he was silenced by the Beast's great roar.
Autor then attempted to deflect the blame from himself to the others. "Fakir, I was against this from the beginning. I tried to stop them, but they wouldn't listen..."
"Silence!" roared the Beast.
All fell silent at the Beast's command and then suddenly, Leo fell out of the chair and onto the floor as he came face-to-face with the Beast.
The Beast was a great deal taller than Leo. His skin was blackish-grey, he had a dark green ponytail and angry green eyes, and he wore a black suit. He had razor sharp sword claws in the places of his fingers and toes and his face was horribly scarred. The Beast was truly hideous and terrifying to look at, but Leo could not tear his eyes away.
"Who are you? What're you doing here?" demanded the Beast.
"I-I-I was lost in the w-w-woods," stammered Leo, as he quickly rose up.
"You're not welcome here!" snarled the Beast.
Leo backed away in fear. "I'm sorry. Forgive me."
The Beast's eyes narrowed. "What're you staring at?"
"Nothing!" lied Leo.
The Beast saw through Leo's lie. "So, you've come to stare at the Beast, have you?"
Leo attempted to flee but the Beast was faster and within moments, Leo was being hoisted up into the air by the scruff of his shirt.
"Please, have mercy! I meant no harm! I just needed a place to stay!" begged Leo.
"I'll give you a place to stay. In my dungeon!" snarled the Beast.
"No! Please, no!" cried Leo.
But Leo's pleas fell on deaf ears as he was carried away to the dungeons while the castle servants watched in horror.