Thankyou Nimara and The Electric Phantom for your reviews! Sorry this is short, but I've been having writers block.

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Chapter 2

Babette sat in the library, facing one of the large windows, deep in thought. Sophie was only a girl, that was true, but she most certainly wasn't human. There was no possible way that she could be considering the signs she had displayed, and this worried the young woman. Creatures like Sophie were very important and had powers beyond even a Zemya, although it came with a side-effect. They had a darkness inside of them that caused them to be enraged at even the slightest thing on occasion, and very few that were as young as Sophie had the self control necessary to avoid harming someone when in that state.

Babette stood from the chair and neared the window, enabling her to look out upon the snowy garden. Sophie was there enjoying the snow with Lumiere as her supervisor, although he did always join in with her games. However, this was to be expected from Lumiere. Sophie had been introduced to the castle inhabitants once she had awoken and understood her surroundings, and everyone had instantly fell for her, and even Cogsworth's stern expression had seemed to lessen. Babette knew she needed not to worry about that, because she knew that everyone had merely had sympathy for Sophie, for she had read their auras. It had been offered to the young girl by Belle and Adam that she should stay as long as she needs, and she had not objected.

Babette kept a very close eye on Sophie, her unease and concern acting immediately. She had noticed that the teenager had looked at her guardedly when Babette seemed to be the only one who was slightly uncomfortable with her. This had clearly caused Sophie to regard the woman with more suspicion then she had before, which in turn, made Babette raise her guard. Things clearly would not go between them.

Lumiere meanwhile, was rather enjoying himself as he entertained the teenage girl. He would tell her tales (about the Enchantment no less, which he would pretend was just an amusing story), and Sophie would listen intently and comment along the way. Strangely, when mention of the Enchantress came up, Sophie grew somewhat defensive "Not all of them are evil…" she said "Some are good and lovely."

"No, no cheri, I was not saying that the Enchantress was evil, I personally believe she had a right to curse the Master" answered Lumiere hastily. Then, he added "After all, he was…"

"Spoilt, selfish and unkind" finished the girl. She quickly continued after receiving a look from Lumiere "I have heard versions of this story before, from the villagers."

The Frenchman smiled "Ah, but those stories are not the truth mademoiselle. Allow me to tell you the true story" he said. Then, he launched into the tale of the Enchantment and the eventual spell break from where he had left off, pretending that it was all a story he had made up.

Sophie listened closely, entertained by the story that she knew was anything but made-up. She had heard about it, but never in any real detail, so she was genuinely interested in what the kind man had to say.

After the story was completed, Sophie smiled at Lumiere "Thankyou Mr. Lumiere" she said.

He laughed kindly "It is alright, and you do not have to keep calling me that" he replied.

"It is a habit" answered the teenager. Suddenly, out of the corner of her eye, she saw a woman standing near the library window, watching them. She knew that woman's name. It was the same person who had first greeted her when she had awoke in the castle…Babette. Sophie knew that there was something strange about her, and could sense that she wasn't human, but in fact a Maya. However, she knew that the man, Lumiere, and everyone else in the castle was human. This puzzled her greatly. Why would a Maya be with a castle full of humans?

Later that day, Babette was in the ballroom doing her duties alone, when Sophie's voice came from behind her "Excuse me" she said.

"Oui?" asked Babette, turning to her.

The young girl asked "Why are you so worried around me?"

She hesitated at first, and then said "Well, I have never really been around…"

"A Drancina before?" finished the teenager knowingly.

"Well, I have, but not very many, and that was quite a few years ago" answered Babette.

Sophie responded with a small smile "I've never really been around a lot of Maya before, but I do know that they don't usually stay in a place this large without at least one more Maya present. Please explain why you are the exception."

The maid cringed at the question, but answered none the less. She looked into her eyes, which she soon realised was a big mistake. She saw Sophie's eyes turn silver, and then warmth overcame her, clouding her mind like a painless headache. Before she knew what she was doing, she said "I have someone here who I care very much for, and I cannot bare to be apart from him."

Sophie smiled, keeping her eyes fixed on Babette's "Who is he?" she asked in a smooth, gentle tone.

"Lumiere" she responded. After the answer was given, the teenage girl turned away from Babette, causing the maid to blink her eyes rapidly and break from her trancelike state. She growled in annoyance "You used Mind Influence on me!" she half-yelled in anger. It was a gift that only The Drancina possessed, and it enabled the 'victim' to involuntarily tell the truth when they locked eyes with the user.

Sophie shrugged "I didn't trust you" was her only answer. Babette had clearly been around humans for too long if she thought that using Mind Influence was a rare thing amongst The Drancina. Sophie had only ever been with a few humans…and a few other things. She shuddered at the thought of her recent 'stay' with them, which was the reason she had ended up at the castle. She had done what anyone would do, she had run.

Suddenly, Babette's next question broke the girl from her thoughts "Why are you here then?"

"I was trying to escape someone, a Zemya" answered the girl.

"Who?" inquired the maid.

She sighed and tried not to shudder at the mere use of her. Sophie took a deep breath and answered "She told me she was your sister."

Babette inhaled sharply "Jacqueline" she whispered in fear.

She nodded "I came to the castle to find you. Can you help me?"

The maid replied "Oui, I will help you the best I can mademoiselle Sophie. If you are the receiver of my sister's wrath, then you certainly need to be alert and safe." Then, she continued, kneeling down to Sophie's eye level "There is one thing that you must remebr though" she started.

"What?" asked Sophie.

Babette answered, her voice suddenly lower and her eyes steely "Jacqueline will do anything to get what she wants."