Disney University, 1990

In the warm library of Disney University sat a dark-haired girl in native dress reading a dark green book that was rumored to have dark uses. However the dark haired girl was a firm believer in judging a book by its contents rather than its cover. In fact that was the excuse she used to spend every one of her free periods in the library reading a new book.

It was there that a young woman in a light blue frock and white undershirt found her. Her long brunette hair, mostly tied back in a low ponytail, constantly slipped loose and strands fell in front of her face. As she pushed them back Subira noticed her charming hazel eyes. Eyes that reminded her of her Grandmother.

"Pardon," she asked as Subira stood with her book in hand. "Do you know where the librarian is?" she asked with a bright smile. "I've found the most wonderful book of adventures and I would like to take it out." Subira eyed the cover curiously and gasped.

"Is that 'Jack And The Beanstalk'? It's glorious, you'll love it!"

"You've read it?" The brunette asked, her eyes wide and sparkling.

"Many times, it's a very entertaining read. And if you like it, then you will love this book," Subira said showing her a small thick read book with a black and brown spider on the cover.

"Anansi's Adventures?" the young lady's head quirked to the side as she inspected the weird looking spider on the cover, "It is about a spider?" Subira chuckled.

"Not just any spider. A magical and devious spider. He's very smart but extremely lazy and has a tendency to trick others into doing things for him," she gushed. the stranger smiled. clearly this was one of Subira's favorites.

"It does sound really exciting. Would mind if I borrowed it?" the brunette asked. Subira's responding smile could have blinded her.

"Of course! Take it," Subira said, almost shoving the book into Belle's hands before a thought occurred to her. "In fact," she said as she took the book back and put it in her own bag. the brunette's eyes widened as Subira flicked her wrist and a book fell off the shelf into her hands. The sorceress giggled at the brunette's shocked expression while handing her a copy of the book.

"What was that?" the young woman asked. Subira smirked.

"Let's just say that Anansi and I have a little bit in common," She quipped as her palms continued to produce little sparks, the way they always did when she practiced her craft.

"Magic?" the brunette asked as the two looped arms began to walk in tandem out of the library.

"Oh maybe just a pinch. Really. As in, pulling a book off of a shelf is one of the few things I can do right now." The two shared a laugh as Subira recounted the story of her first attempt at cooking with magic. "I'm just lucky that I was able to magic it away before anyone could smell the smoke. Oh, I'm Subira, by the way. Queen Subira of Tonga."

"My name is Belle and I am from France.

"Oh the land of love. I hear it is amazing there!"

"Perhaps it is in the cities but I lived in a very mundane village. Literally, everyday followed the same routine and-"

"Subi!" The sorceress and the brunette turned to see a teenaged redhead wearing a blue frock, black bodice and a large blue bow in her hair, rushing towards them hand-in-hand with non other than the dean himself, Walt Disney.

"Oh my gosh," Subira whispered. Walt Disney. Walking toward her. WALT DISNEY.

"Subi!" Ariel said, waving her hands in front of her native friend.

"Yes! I mean...yes? Hi!"

"Hello, Ms. Subira," the man greeted in his Midwestern drawl. Subira felt her breath become very shallow.

"Hello Mr. Disney," she responded bowing her head slightly only to mentally curse herself. Exactly who is Queen here?!

"Who is your lovely new friend?" the man asked his eyes fixed on Belle's captivating eyes.

"This is Belle, the princess of France. She's just arrived." Ariel nodded to Belle who hesitantly nodded back. She once again was pushing her bangs out of her face in order to hide her nervousness.

"Bonjour, Monsieur Disney," she whispered, flashing a small smile his way. apparently it was enough to brighten his day because the man felt the need to stand up straighter when her gaze was upon him.

"Bonjour, Mademoiselle Belle. Comment allez-vous aujourd'hui?" He asked with a smirk. Belle's smile grew.

"Je suis bien monsieur. Merci de demander," She answered with a chuckle. Both Ariel and Subira began to look and forth between the parties sensing the start of something they could not be a part of.

"Pardon moi," Ariel started "but uh, we're still here." Disney smiled at Ariel, much like a father would to an overactive toddler, and pressed a quick peck to her cheek. He then disentangled their arms.

"I'm sorry, Ariel. I know we had a meeting today but would you mind if I gave our newest student a tour of the University?" He said as he offered Belle an arm. One dazzling smile was all the incentive she needed to take it. Disney did not wait for Ariel's reply before beginning to lead Belle down the hallway.

"Would I mind-?"

"Thank you darlin'." He yelled over his shoulder, not even sparing his favorite princess a second glance. "We'll talk tomorrow. I promise." As they continued to walk, all that was left was a Princess, a Queen and the fragments of Belle's magical story about becoming a princess. Soon not even voices were left. Just silence. Ariel was never one for silence.

"What just happened?" Subira asked, confusion written on her face. Ariel's eyebrows furrowed. She could hear her own heart beating and it didn't feel pleasant, the way it did when Eric was around. This was an entirely new feeling for her. The only thing she could compare it to was almost losing Eric to Ursula...and even that didn't compare.

"I think...you just introduced him to my competition," Ariel responded in scathing tone. Subira could feel the bite in her friend's words. She turned to face the redhead who was quickly becoming red-faced.

"Now, don't act like that. Disney adores you. Belle is pretty amazing but you know you're his favorite princess. Don't get so worked up about nothing," said the Queen. She placed a reassuring hand on her friend's shoulder before intertwining their arms for a walk. Eventually Ariel relented and a tiny grin graced her face.

"...You may be right."

Beauty and The Beast, released 1991.