The Beast
Ruby raced out of the house at the sound of a horse's whinny. The door clanging with enough force for the lock to fall, Philippe shoved his nose at her belly. "Where is Papa?" Ruby asked and Philippe shook his head and turned it back to the road. The young woman hiked her shirts and mounted the horse, she had learned to ride bareback when she was very young. "Take me too him." Ruby said to her loyal steed, squeezing her legs around his middle.
Philippe set off at a trot for he was winded from the gallop back. He decided his route without Ruby's input for he was a very intelligent horse. Together they made quick time through the forest till they heard growling as the road grew smaller and the trees denser.
Ruby glanced over her shoulder, seeing red eyes and white teeth. "Grimm." Fear set Ruby's heart pounding. "Run Philippe!" She tightened her legs around her horse's sides as Philippe ran. She barely took in the courtyard of the castle as the Grimm were hot on their trail. There snarling growls and heavy steps growing closer and closer.
The Beast watched Ruby and Philippe, race into his courtyard the Grimm hot on her heels. He glanced over his shoulder and stretched his wings. When he had first been curse he had tried to learn how to use them, but after several failures he'd given up. Not like he could leave the castle, giving him wings had been a cruel trick a mockery of freedom. He blamed his name and Semblance, Misfortune, oh how he hated it. It was probably it that gave the idea to the Fairy to give him wings. His eyes roamed over Ruby, with her dress hiked up he could see her legs, he could see the strength in them as they gripped Philippe. Her hair streamed out behind her, but it was in how she rode that drew him in, she had a wildness to her that he had never seen in a woman before. It was fascinating, his mind made up he jumped down from the battlements. His claws scoring the stone as he used them to slow himself.
Ruby hoped the stables would be able to keep the Grimm out as they raced into them as soon as they were clear a huge beast jumped down onto a Grimm. Its taloned hands wrapping around the creature's neck, breaking it with a sharp twist. He made quick work of the following Grimm, his stature near as great as theirs. Ruby clinged to Philippe as the Beast fought, its wings wrapped around its shoulders like a cloak. He was massive at least eight feet tall, but lean he wore no shirt showing thick corded muscles of his abdomen and arms. She would have admired them if they had not been covered in black feathers or fur.
With the Grimm turning to dust the Beast turned to the pair, Ruby still holding tight to Philippe. She swallowed stifling her fear. "I'm here to see my father!"
The Beast frowned, his mind already turning to the curse. Wondering if she could break it, he was running out of time with a growl he spoke. "Your horse will be tended to here. Come with me and I will take you to your father."
Ruby shivered with fear at the thought of leaving with such a monster but she dismounted and gave Philippe's flank a pet. She saw a brown ribbon embroidered with a horse head float through the air toward Philippe.
"This way." The Beast growled and gestured for Ruby to walk before him.
The young woman brushed her hair down and had to force herself calm. He was just so huge, having him follow her was unsettling. Though she did not notice that this way when the wind blew she was shielded from it. Up and up they went into the castle, neither party tried to make conversation. Ruby was worried about her father and the Beast was trying to think of a way to keep her here. He liked her hair and her eyes, he'd never seen such a wonderous silver before.
"Papa!" Ruby exclaimed and raced forward when they reached Tai's cell. Her hands reaching through to grasp his. "You're as cold as ice."
"Ruby what are you doing here?" Tai asked happy to see his little girl again but afraid for her all the same.
"I came to find you." Ruby said, she could hear the soft steps of the Beast behind her, she turned and looked to him. "Please let my Papa go! He'll catch a death of cold in here."
The beast was silent as he thought it over, the man had tried to steal one of his roses. "A rose for a rose, you take his place and I will let him go."
In any other circumstance Ruby would have blushed at being called a rose. So worried for her father she agreed instantly. "I will. May I at least say goodbye?"
The Beast nodded and pulled the switch to unlock the cage and stepped down the hall to give the pair some privacy.
Ruby threw herself into her father's arms and hugged him tight. Tai however was no fool, so he spoke quickly and softly. "The people of this castle are cursed, he must want you to break the curse. I can see of no other reason he would wish to keep you."
The young woman's heart leaped, she had read about curses. "I'll be fine, if he wants me to help him then he won't hurt me." She kissed her Papa's cheek, she helped Tai to his feet. "Stay safe Papa."
"I will." Tai said and they walked out of the ceil.
The Beast looked between the pair and huffed. "This way." They headed back to the entrance hall before he spoke again. "Tell no one of what you have seen here. I only wish to be left alone, I want your oath and I will know if you break it."
Taiyang did not like the idea of silence but then who would believe him? He would have to hope Ruby broke the curse and was set free in turn. "I will speak to no one of this. You have my word."
"My stable hand will have a horse made ready for you and your paintings. Your's will remain here." The Beast said, gesturing for Tai to leave.
Tai gave Ruby one last hug and kiss, then headed out the doors. The Beast closed them behind him and looked over to Ruby, she was hugging herself and biting her lip. He found her very cute, where was the wild spirit from before? "This way." He started walking up the stairs to the east wing.
"We aren't going back to the cell?" Ruby asked follow him up the stairs, he was going slow enough that she managed to keep up without to much trouble.
"No." The Beast said flatly, keeping an eye out for his servants. They would have set out to make a room ready for her the moment her father was captured, Lumière still had hope. Sure enough they came upon a room quickly. Many ribbons could be seen within it, the bed was aired the room dusted. Clothes were being taken out to be laundered.
Ruby watched in awe as the room was finished in minutes, a fire stoked in the hearth. Bed turned over and fresh sheets put upon it. She looked up at the Beast he looked almost solemn. "What is your name?" She asked, if she was going to break this curse she would at least need to know his name.
He looked over to her almost startled, what people he had come into contact with over the last near century just called him 'Beast' and never bothered to ask his name. "Qrow." He said softly, the word sounded foreign on his tongue.
Ruby bit her lip to keep from giggling at his stunned expression. Feeling bold she offered her hand like a lady and said. "I'm Ruby Xiao Long."
Qrow was stunned again, it hadn't been five minutes of conversing yet and he liked her. Mindful of his talons and height, he took her hand and stepped back bending to press a kiss to the back of it. "A pleasure to make your acquaintance."
The silver eyed maiden had to fight to keep from giggling again, his lips were soft and she could feel the soft fur on his chin. Now that he was lowered a bit she found that his eyes were a pale red, she'd never seen red eyes before. She found she liked them greatly, the black feathers making up his mane accented the fine features of his face. Minus the cat nose he really looked very human. "Likewise." She said with an honest smile.
Qrow let go of her hand and straightened back up blushing lightly, not that anyone would be able to tell under the fine black fur. It was not yet lunch, he wracked his brain trying to think of something to do. "Would you like a tour of the castle?"
"Yes please." Ruby said then rubbed her arm remembering the cold. As she did a red cloak swept around her shoulders, she glanced back to see a yellow ribbon with a candelabra. "Thank you." She said softly and wrapped herself up in the cloak.
Qrow thought the red of the cloak suited her well, bringing out the red in her hair. "This way." Again they set off, Qrow was mindful to keep his steps short so she wouldn't strain to keep up with him. He expected her to enjoy the ballroom and gardens, but it was the library that captured her attention. He watched she gazed around in awe and found himself smiling for the first time in a very long time. Then the gryphon man sighed, it would be very easy to fulfill one half of the curse but the other . . .
Ruby raced over to a book shelf and ran her hand along the spines. "I've never seen so many books!"
"You like to read?" Qrow asked stepping over to stand a little ways away from her, reaching out to touch one of his favourites.
"Very much so! Were it not for books, I would have gone mad in my town long ago. Do you as well?" Ruby looked up to him, watching him pet the spine of a book.
He nodded and pulled the book from the shelf. "I love the freedom of a book. They can take a person all over Remnant and to worlds beyond. With how long I've been in this castle they have been my only saving grace."
"How long have you been here?" Ruby asked reaching out to look at the book's title. 'The Hero and the Crown'. She had read that one, it was a beautiful story dealing in many topics.
Qrow looked down to her. "Nearly a hundred years." She was just so delicate, tiny compared to him.
Ruby paused a hundred years was a very Traditional curse, usually only given to those who had earned it. They would be frozen in time till the curse was fulfilled so not even death could rescue them from it. "Why were you cursed?" She asked softly.
Qrow growled and jerked away from her, taking the book with him. "Damn you Lumière."
Who was Lumière? Ruby wondered but decided to draw his attention away from that. "It's not hard to figure out, I've read about curses. A hundred years is a Traditional curse, you just have angered some higher power to get it." Ruby had even read about the Tradition, it had thankfully grown weaker over time but sometimes where great magics were concerned it was still very strong.
"I refused guest rights to a Fairy disguised as a hag." Qrow grumbled turning away from Ruby so she couldn't see his expression.
The silver eyed maiden frowned, there had to be more to it then that. You didn't get a hundred year curse for refusing guest rights, or failing the test of courtesy. A Fairy was more liking to get you lost in the woods forever or something. Ruby saw how Qrow as all but hunched in on himself, running his hands over the well worn book. She guessed he didn't want to talk about it, she walked over and looked at the book. "Is it your favourite? It's mine, I love how Aerin grows over it. She always rather remind me of me, no one understanding her or trusting her because of her mother. But she earns their respect."
Qrow smiled very slightly, barely notable. "You've her hair after Maur. I like Luthe, I like how he is there for her when she needs it. I think after Tor dies Aerin goes back to him."
"Me too. I never really got why she married Tor, her cousin but I guess it was what Damar needed. In the 'Blue Sword' Harry sees a flicker of red hair when she causes the avalanche. I think Arien was really there helping her and that she goes and hides when people visit Luthe." Ruby reached out and touched the book, it was old and worn.
"That would be very Aerin. I think it is a good study on immortality, what it is like to be incapable of aging." Qrow could sympathize a great deal with Aerin and Luthe.
"Maybe you just need a valley, lake and house to yourself." Ruby smiled. "It seems to suit Aerin and Luthe well."
Qrow chuckled softly, missing the smile from Ruby. "If this curse is ever broken I would much rather explore the world. I have not left this place since I was cursed I imagine much has changed."
"Well the town I lived in was very small, and I've never been beyond it so I am afraid I would not know. Gaston is the local huntsman so he would know better then anyone else, but he is a boorish man so I try to avoid him. I have read though in Atlas they are trying to develop a way to communicate across the continents! It was mostly a newspaper article but it went over how they wished to make towers in each Huntsman Academy that would allow for broadcasting 'radio waves' over large distances. I did not understand much of what it said, I mostly read them for the latest weapon designs." Ruby gently pulled the book from Qrow's grasp.
Qrow's heart was beating a ramping tattoo, not only was she beautiful and intelligent she liked weapons too. Was this little woman after his heart? Cause at the rate she was going she'd have it before the week was out. "Do they allow women to train as Huntsman now?"
"Oh goodness no!" Ruby's gaze snapped up to his then drifted away. "But I love reading the stories and I've always wanted to be a huntsman… huntress? I want to explore the world and help people, you know to be the hero in the stories." But no, women weren't allowed to enroll in the combat schools, it was not their place. No as far as she knew most people believe that a woman's place was in the household, managing it and popping out babies till it killed her. Ruby shook her head getting angry, no that was NOT the life for her.
The man almost said that he had once been a huntsman, but she had a wild fire to her. He had no doubt if he mentioned it she would ask him to teach her. He'd have to keep her away from the armoury and forge as well. "I'm sorry to hear that." She was just so small, he didn't like the idea of her fighting Grimm and doubted she could. Was her Aura even unlocked? He brushed her cheek gently with a flicker of his own Aura, no her own Aura was dormant.
Ruby felt warmth flicker over her cheek it was a nice feeling like the warmth of a candle. She knew it wasn't all the fur and looked up to him. "What was that?"
Ohh busted, Qrow winced. "My Aura, I was curious if yours was active."
"Oh, no." Ruby sighed sadly. "Gaston is the only one with an active Aura and there is no way I'd let him near enough me to awaken mine."
Qrow frowned, that was the second time she had mentioned this 'Gaston' and both times in a negative light. "Would you like lunch? I am sure the staff has put something together by now."
Ruby glanced around her room, the day had been that quiet type of busy you can't put your finger on. On one hand so much had changed, she had a curse to break and Qrow was a very agreeable sort so far. Even if he did seem to fall into small bouts of depression at random. Though she couldn't blame him for that, he had been here for a very long time with plenty of time to think things over. She wondered what he really did to get saddled with a hundred year curse. She combed through her hair with her fingers, she needed a bath she still had dust from her ride on her. As she pulled off her cloak the doors to her room burst open.
"Oh my word, oh my word!" A pair of invisible hands with purple ribbons embroidered with a tea pot grabbed Ruby's and spun her round and round. "Wonderful my dear simply wonderful!"
"Do calm down Mrs. Potts!" A deep voice came from the door and as Ruby stopped spinning saw a single ribbon with a clock on it.
"Come now Cogsworth! That couldn't have gone better!" Mrs. Pott's voice was homely and Ruby found herself likely it instantly. "Lumière was brilliant in sending that horse back."
"Why thank you Madame." Lumière walked into the room and ushered a pair of other ribbons into the room, they were carrying a large brass tub and pitchers of steaming water. While they set up the tub and poured the water Lumière said. "Though I must agree with Mrs. Potts Cogsworth. That went much better than expected."
The pair of ribbons that had brought the tub in started helping Ruby out of her clothes. "You sent Philippe?" Ruby asked the yellow ribbon.
"Yes my Lady," Ruby got the impression the man was bowing to her. "I did try to get your father to leave without notifying the Master but luck was not on my side. Your father had mentioned you in our chat, I hoped sending the horse would bring you here." Lumière paused. "Though I did not expect the Master to take so well to you."
Ruby blushed as she was undressed but she went into the tub without a fuss. "Is Qrow usually much different?" She asked and let out a long happy sigh the water was perfect.
Mrs. Potts sat on a chair beside the fireplace. A new ribbon appeared as well as thread and a needle, Ruby watched her take a few stitches before she spoke up. "The Master was once a very prideful and arrogant, though time has helped him greatly in that regard. To have him be so kind to you and your father is a great leap forward for him."
Lumière spoke up. "The Master is like a fine wine, he improves upon further acquaintance."
"When he's not in his cups." Mrs. Potts groused, her stitches quickening for a moment.
"He drinks to much then?" Ruby asked turning in the tub to face Mrs. Potts or her ribbon.
"Not so much as before he was cursed but yes. Beware of him when he does Ruby, he can be very dangerous." Mrs. Potts said.
"Don't scare the girl." Cogsworth said and Ruby could hear his footsteps as he moved.
"Beyond his physical appearance why is he dangerous? I saw him kill those Grimm, was he a huntsman?" Ruby asked, she saw Lumière pick up a brush at let him work on her hair.
"Our Master was a very powerful huntsman." Lumière said, starting at the ends of Ruby's hair.
"Hff, as well as cocky and selfish." Mrs. Potts groused. "He got the attention of a Fairy who judged him wanting and she cursed all of us as a result."
"There must be more to it them that." The silver eyed maiden said, her heart did a little flutter, maybe she could get him to teach her.
"Do you really want to know who he was? He is no longer that man, he has learned his lesson through this curse and now wishes to break it. I am inclined to say he has become thoughtful over time and will never make the mistakes of his past again." Mrs. Potts said firmly she had faith in Qrow.
Ruby paused and thought that over, curses were designed to make the subject change their ways. "No I suppose not, what is the curse? The phrasing exactly?"
The three were silent as they thought about it and Mrs. Potts let out a long sigh. "The Fairy said if he could change himself and find someone that not only he loved but loved him in return the curse would be broken upon the household but if he ever wanted to be human again he had to be accepted by one of his own kind."
Ruby paled. "He wants me to fall in love with him?!" She almost stood to storm away but only her nude state kept her from leaving.
"Shh, you wished to know the wording of the curse now you do. Please understand Ruby that it is the curse, we would not wish for you to do anything against your will. Yes we hope you'll break the curse, but if the feeling is not genuine it will not work. Please do not act on this knowledge, the Master will be furious that we've told you at all." Mrs. Potts said softly.
The silver eyed maiden frowned and thought on that, she had wanted to know the wording just because she need to know the curse to break it. This however was not what she thought it would be, though she guessed it made sense. She went through the words a few more times in her head. "Wait, being able to love and be love is only half the curse. Even if we met that aspect of it, he'll still be a beast. This is two curses wrapped into one. Falling in love only frees you, not him."
"Yes he must be accepted by one of his own kind, whether that means another cursed individual. Or another blue blood, we won't know till it happens." Cogsworth said looking into the fire.
Lumière finished brushing Ruby's air and gave her a cloth to wash herself with. As she did he said. "We are simply running out of time Miss. Had we more we would just watch where the chips fall, but we have less than a year to break this curse. Yes our Master can be very disagreeable at times but he is a good man. He . . . just needs a little help to show it."
Ruby sighed and rubbed her temples with a thumb and forefinger. Well she always wanted to the be the Hero from the stories, this was a good a start as any. "Okay, I'll do my best to help."