The Cat's Adviser
By BlissWise
Characters (c) Disney (Beauty and the Beast), BlissWise (Flamier the Cat, Meera "Star" Prower, Ruby the Squirrel)
Chapter I: A Promise to a Friend
The star-lit sky was definitely a sight to see, especially on this night. Tonight was the mistresses' birthday parties, and Belle and Meera expected to celebrate them together. They had only heard of each other a few months ago, but they became good friends. Belle was invited to the party at Shadow and Meera's castle. She was allowed to bring all of her servants, so that's what she did. Almost instantly, the castle became crowded with cooks and maids and servants of all kinds.
But for Flamier, a young servant of 25, it was the night he would finally admit his love to a young maid named Ruby. She was quite a fetching squirrel; at only 20, she seemed ageless. Whenever Flamier glanced at her, he would instantly lose his senses and melt away. He couldn't say anything to her without making a fool of himself.
Not tonight, the cat thought to himself. I've kept my feelings from her throughout the spell and a few more years. After 12 years...
A quiet, feminine voice interrupted his thoughts. "Hi Flamier."
The cat turned around on the railing he sat on. He froze in place and blushed softly. Ruby was standing in the lit doorway, wearing a beautiful red ballgown. The squirrel's curly, light-brown hair was hanging down around her uncovered shoulders. Her bangs hung down in a side-sweep that barely covered her beautiful blue eyes.
"H-hi Ruby," Flamier stammered. He could only stare. "Y-you look... amazing."
Ruby blushed and giggled. "Why thank you. What are you doing out here?"
"Oh, you know. Just watching the sky." His accent failed to hide the nervous tremor in his voice.
The maid was about to say something, but another voice interrupted her.
"Bonjour, mademoiselle."
Flamier peeked over Ruby's shoulder as she turned around. A human – one of Princess Belle's servants – stood in the doorway, smiling at her. He was tall and slender. Judging by the blush on Ruby's face, he was also quite charming.
The man walked over to Ruby and took her hand. "I am Lumiere. Enchanté," he said, kissing her hand.
Ruby giggled. "My name is Ruby. Pleased to meet you, Lumiere." She curtsied.
Flamier glared at Lumiere. How dare he romance his secret love!
The two servants talked for a few minutes. Lumiere tried to romance her a few times, and Ruby played along, but they both knew that it was all just a public display. "It was nice meeting you," she finally said, "but if you'll excuse me, I need to resume my duties." Ruby walked away, leaving Lumiere and Flamier standing on the balcony.
"What kind of display was that?" Flamier asked, gesturing toward Lumiere.
The servant laughed. He too had an accent, but it was heavier than Flamier's. "That, mon ami, is what is called 'making a move'. Why do you ask?"
The cat blushed and turned around on the railing, keeping silent. Lumiere came over and sat beside him. Laughing, he said, "Ah, L'Amour. It's lovely isn't it?"
"How would you know if I'm in love?"
"Ha, your face says it all. Nobody with a blush as red as yours isn't hiding anything!"
Flamier sighed. "What can I do? Every time she comes up to me and says, 'Hi Flamier,' I freeze up and make a fool of myself. Even when I was a stupid candelabraum-"
The frenchman laughed. "Seems as though you, too, have been through the Enchantress's spell. I, too, have been in your shoes. Well, not relationship-wise, but spell-wise."
Ignoring this comment, Flamier looked at Lumiere and asked, "Voulez-vous m'aider s'il vous plaît?"
"Help you what?" Lumiere asked.
"You're good with talking to girls," the cat pointed at him. "Will you help me win Ruby's heart?"
The servant thought it over for a minute. "What's in it for me?"
Flamier raised a fist. "I won't punch you in the face for flirting with her."
"Fine," Lumiere shook hands with the cat. "I will help you, Flamier. Just don't question my methods."
Flamier shook hands with him back. "Je promets que je ne."