Please read:
I was born in 1987, so I did not discover "Beauty and the Beast" until just a few years ago. I adore the characters; instantly falling in love with them as I watched the series on my small little laptop. In no possible way could I ever replicate the magnificent and heart-wrenching magic of Vincent's and Catherine's journey…so I will not. What I am writing now is merely my tribute to the affection that so many fans have come to feel for these two factious lovers, but out of respect, I ask that those who read this acknowledge that it is not my intention to insult the beauty of them, but to only apply my own twists on their story.
The more I thought of Vincent and Catherine, the more my imagination began to wonder what so many fan's do: What if things had been different? Before I knew it, I was typing away random scenarios, and with what few I was happy with, created the beginnings of what I hope will be a good story. What if things had been different? This is a modern day twist of just that. My version of Catherine is, in most part, very different from the one we see in the series. I have worked hard to keep the integrity of her character in tact, and I will make sure that despite the differences, people will still be familiar with her, and love her all the same. Changing her character around is part of my idea of twists, turns, and differences.
I ask that you all keep an open mind, and remember that this is just a harmless fan fiction I wrote for fun, and I want those who read it to have fun as well. I do not own the characters…I only claim the concepts and the typing errors as my own.
Thank you.
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Careless Whispers
A modern day Beauty and the Beast
Prologue:
Her Lullaby
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The air below was so humid; it felt as if the stone walls themselves were breathing ruggedly into the darkness. Steam slowly residing against the twisted, cracked floor caressed moisten pipes, and if not for daintily lit candles - there would be no light in this world whatsoever. It did not seem possible, but there was so much more to this place than cob-webbed tunnels, that seemed to lead into nothingness. The walls that seemed so alive at times, held many secrets. The pipes that were adorned with droplets of water knew of enchantments that no one of the world above could ever dream up. The candles, so petite and aged, flickered with excited little flames. This world held so many stories…and it knew of an enigma. It knew of his secret.
Everything for a moment was so quiet, save for the occasional tottering of foot steps. There was life, yes, but those who shared it underground were not near where he waited. In the heavy silence, his mind began to wander irrationally. Was this a mistake? Would she betray him; his family?…Would his family ever accept this imprudence. Was it, in fact, foolish? In all his years, nothing like this has ever happened. No one like her as ever entered his life…he had never felt anything remotely like this before. Was this even the right time? An echo, which sounded more like a dream, suddenly interrupted his restless thoughts.
Vincent's hand suddenly pressed against the wall besides him, as if feebly grasping at it would keep his knees from caving in. The haunting voice that crept up along the walls had caught him so off guard, that he had to push the sound of his beating heart out of his mind, just so that he could continue to hear it. With a wavering breath, Vincent peered into the darkness ahead of him, and when his mind became clear - he realized who the owner of the chilling voice belonged to. He closed his eyes slowly, and felt an immediate heat fill his chest. The walls themselves seemed to groan into submission as the song enveloped the tunnels. It circled around him, engulfing him in it's divine beauty, and sucked every ounce of strength from his body. Vincent knew his legs were shaking, a sensation that he never experienced before, but despite the urge to fall at whim he walked forward.
It was a lullaby.
There were no words to her song, and perhaps it was better so, because in no possible way could anything be more soothing and hypnotic than her harmonious callings. As Vincent walked to where he knew she would be, he could not imagine anything else in the world providing the same fleeting feeling as he experienced that moment…and then he saw her. Standing underneath a majestic ray of light, he saw her. His claws dug into the wall, and he found himself dumbfounded and frozen. The moonlight, which had always provided him with splendor, bathed her in an ivory shine. Her golden hair, which hung in loose curls down her back, appeared as white as the dress she wore. Vincent watched the gauzy trails of lace flutter out of it effortlessly. The opening above her slowly shed particles of dust, which appeared almost as glitter that whirled around her. Her arms, long and slender, remained outstretched as she spun on the tip of her shoe; slowly…as if she was a precious angel, dancing inside a music box.
She continued to sing; caught in her own daydream. She had no idea she had gripped Vincent in such a shocking halt. He wanted to close his eyes, feeling unworthy to gaze upon such an angelic woman, yet he could not. She was just innocently waiting for him, singing and twirling as so many girls do, yet…A silent and more inward groan seethed through him, and he leaned against the wall as he watched, and listened, to the beautiful cherub before him. Hypnotized by her, everything other than she became a blur to him…and his mind slowly began to wander back to the night where he first met her.
Catherine…
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Now, even though it is not directly implied in this chapter, I want to point out that my version of Catherine is much younger than she was in the series…and also, as part of the "modern day twist" altered her style. I admit I was influenced by Gaston Leroux's "Chrstine Daae" from "Phantom of the Opera" when I imagined her. I want Catherine to be young, so that the lessons she learns from Vincent could be interpreted differently. I plan on making several chapters, and things will become cleared as it continues.
For those of you who wish to know the lullaby I imagined Catherine to be singing, it is "A Princess" by Javier Navarrete. It is a very haunting and heart breaking melody, and I highly recommend you listen to it! You may do so at the following link, though I believe you must sign in first:
.com/artists/javier_navarrete/music/8aHHprY1/javier-navarrete-a-princess/
Thank you so much for reading! I appreciate any and all reviews, advice, story suggestions, etc! I plan on updating once a week, so long as fate allows. I only have a basic idea in mind here, so I am more than willing to take suggestions. The next chapter will be the "unofficial" start to the story, and explain how I see these two meeting, and what will eventually lead up to this Prologue. I apologize also for how short this was, I'll do better next time. (I know, that's so twisted. I love it. SHA!)