MLP Beauty and the Beast

Chapter 5-Be Our Guest

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The little teacup that had startled Moon's father hopped up and down excitedly in the palace kitchen. "Mama! There's a mare in the castle!"she squealed enthusiastically. "Yes, Scootaloo, we know!"smiled a powder blue teapot with pink and white painted patterns. "What kind of tea does she like?"Scootaloo piped looking along a shelf of tea boxes,"Herbal, oolong…chamomile? I'm just too excited!" "Slow down before you break your handle!"her mother laughed. "Heads up, Mrs Cake!"cried Cheese the candlestick as he spun into the kitchen. "Oh! Cheese!"laughed Mrs Cake in surprise. Suddenly Discord appeared and looked far from happy when he saw what was happening. "Oh!"the teapot gasped nervously. "Be calm. Let me do the talking,"the candlestick whispered assuringly. "You're making her dinner!"Discord growled. "We thought you might appreciate the company,"Cheese tried and grinned hopefully. "Master, I just want to assure you…,"Hoity Toity huffed hopping onto the table,"I had no part in this hopeless plan. Preparing her dinner, designing a gown for her, giving her…a suite in the East Wing!" "You have her a bedroom?!"the draconequus roared. "No, no, no,"Cheese lied backing away. "He gave her a bedroom. This is true,"the clock said sternly, then his expression softened,"But if this mare is the one who can break the spell…then maybe you could start by using dinner to charm her." "Good thinking, Hoity,"the candlestick agreed. "What?! That is the most ridiculous idea I've ever heard. Charm the prisoner!"Discord humphed. "But you must try Master,"Hoity Toity insisted,"With every passing day we become less pony-like." "She's the daughter of a common theif. What kind of pony do you think that makes her?,"the draconequus snorted contemptuously. "Oh, but you can't judge ponies by who their father is, now can you?"the clock said gently.

With a sigh of resignation Discord snapped his claw and they appeared outside the door to Moon Dancer's bedchamber. The draconequus banged loudly upon it. "You'll join me for dinner,"he growled,"That's not a request." "Gently Master,"Mrs Cake chided,"The mare lost her father…and her freedom in one day." "Yes,"Cheese nodded,"The poor thing is probably in there scared to death." In actual fact Moon was actually trying to figure out the best possible escape plan. When she had tried to teleport she would only get out for half a second before appearing right back in the room. Moon had realised that the beast she had seen must have extremely powerful magic, far greater than her own and trying to escape using magic would be futile. So the unicorn had tied her bedsheets and blankets together to make a long strip of fabric to act as a rope. Now she was just calculating how high her window was from the ground. Discord's knocking made her stop cold. "Just a minute!"she called and hastily stuffed the makeshift rope under the bed. "You see? There she is!"Cheese smiled in relief for their had been a rather ominous pause and they had all begun to wonder if the mare had escaped or died or something like that. "Now remember be gentle,"said Hoity. "Kind!"added Cheese. "Sweet!"beamed the teapot. "And when she opens the door. Give her a dashing, debonair smile! Come, come. Show me that smile!"the candlestick encouraged. Discord gave a hideous grimace making Cheese and the other servants recoil in horror. "Ah mon dieu!"he exclaimed. "Oh no,"Hoity sighed. "Will you join me for dinner?"Discord asked somewhat awkwardly through the pale blue door. "You've taken me as your prisoner and now you want to have dinner with me? Are you insane?!"the pale yellow unicorn demanded. Discord's face grew red with anger and he swelled up like a furious tick. "Uh-oh, he's losing it,"Cheese gulped. "Oh dear!"Mrs Cake moaned. "I told you to join me for dinner,"the draconequus snapped, his eyes glinting dangerously. "And I told you no!"Moon fired back. Just then Scootaloo came hopping up. "Oooh! What time is it? What's happening?"she queried. "I'd starve before I ate dinner with you,"the unicorn hissed furiously. "Go ahead and starve!"he shouted equally angry. Then he stormed off down the corridor muttering,"If she doesn't eat with me…then she doesn't eat at all! Idiots!" "You can't talk to us like that! I forbid it!"Hoity fumed after his master's retreating figure as he came out from behind a table leg. The draconequus stormed into the West Wing. There stood Luna's enchanted rose in a glass covering. Most of the petals had already fallen to the table on which it stood. Discord watched helplessly as yet another petal fell…time was running out. The draconequus picked up a small mirror. "Show me the mare,"he growled at it. Instantly a picture of Moon Dancer lying on her bed swirled into view, for this was no ordinary mirror. Discord simply watched her, his expression unreadable.

In the kitchen the palace staff/objects were growing more desperate by the minute. "I grew three more feathers. And I just plucked yesterday!"Pinkie the feather duster wailed. "I know, darling,"Cheese soothed,"I'm getting more metallic every day!" He twisted his hoof/candle holder and it squeaked loudly. "Oh, no. It's happening again!"Hoity groaned as he clock hands began to spin uncontrollably around his pony/clock face. "Pardon me,"the clock excused himself. All the objects were also getting rather scared. "Oh, everypony, calm yourselves,"Mrs Cake the teapot ordered from atop a tea tray,"We still have time." "Mama…am I ever going to be a filly again?"Scootaloo asked. "Oh, yes Scootaloo. You'll have your days in the sun again,"her mother promised,"You just leave it to me." With a determined look in her eyes Mrs Cake ordered the enchanted tea tray out of the kitchen and up the stairs.

Moon Dancer huddled against the back of her enormous bed. Her latest exchange with Discord had drained her completely and she felt in no state to climb out a window goodness knows how many metres from the ground. A knock at the door sent her curling up even tighter. "Go away!"she shouted thinking it was Discord. "Don't worry dear,"a friendly voice called,"It's only Mrs Cake." The door opened and the enchanted tea tray rolled inside. The unicorn sighed in relief when she saw the teapot. "Oh!"Mrs Cake exclaimed looking at Moon for the first time,"Aren't you a vision. How lovely to make your acquaintance. It's a very long journey. Let me fix you up before you go." The teapot smiled. "I find…that most troubles seem less troubling…after a bracing cup off tea,"Mrs Cake said as she poured some tea into Scootaloo who dashed forward eagerly. "Slowly now Scootaloo,"her mother reminded. "Pleased to meet you,"the teacup grinned up at Moon,"Wanna see me do a trick?" Scootaloo flipped some sugar into the air with her handle, it landed with a soft plop into the tea. "Scootaloo!"Mrs Cake admonished then turned back to the unicorn,"That was a very brave thing you did for your father, dearie." Moon Dancer blushed slightly. "Yes, we all think so,"Cheese said hopping into the room. "I'm worried about him. He's never been on his own,"the unicorn admitted anxiously. "Cheer up poppet. Things will turn out in the end. You'll feel a lot better…after dinner,"the teapot smiled. Moon was once again very surprised. "But he said,'If she doesn't eat with me, she doesn't eat at all',"the unicorn said in confusion. "Mmmm, creatures say a lot of things in anger,"Mrs Cake sighed then smiled,"It is our choice whether to listen or not." The tea tray began to wheel out of the room. "You coming, poppet?"the teapot called back to the startled Moon Dancer.

Cheese Sandwich dashed into the kitchen. "Go! They are coming! Final checks everypony! Tout de suite!"he ordered the formerly pony now inanimate object kitchen staff who speeded up their efforts in preparing Moon's dinner."Oh no you don't!"cried Hoity Toity huffing after the nimble candlestick,"If the master finds out you violated his orders and fed her he will blame me!" "Yes, I will make sure of it!"Cheese laughed, then just as the clock looked as though he might spontaneously combust the candlestick hurriedly said,"I am telling you. This mare is the one. They must fall in love if we are ever to become ponies again. And how can they fall in love if she stays in her room?" The

candlestick jumped up onto a table where a pony cloth was wiping it down. "Hey chapeau, you missed a spot,"Cheese pointed to smudge of dirt which was immediately wiped away. "You know she'll never love him,"Hoity reminded him. "A broken clock is right two times a day, mon ami…but this is not one of those times. So stand up straight! It's time to sparkle!,"the candlestick grinned at the clock then vaulted onto the large pony oven/stove. He began to taste the various soups and other delicacies inside the alive, clanging pots and pans. "Mmm! I have no taste buds but I can tell this is exquisite,"Cheese exclaimed in delight then went back to ordering the objects around. "Pepper, get crackling! Salt, shake a leg! Not so loud, keep it down!"he cried. The candlestick hopped into the huge dining room. "But what is dinner…without a little music?"Cheese grinned, bouncing up to a snowy white grand piano with cream and blue keys that stood in the corner. "Maestro Fancy Pants, are you ready?"he asked. "It has been so long since I've performed. I can barely even remember how,"the piano sighed then played a couple of flat notes several of his keys falling of in the process. "Oh! Aah! Another cavity!"Fancy groaned. "Maestro, your wife is upstairs…finding it harder and harder to stay awake. She's counting on you to help us break the curse,"Cheese said earnestly. "Then I shall play my through my dental pain!"the Maestro declared and burst out into a loud rendition of Mozartingale's Moonlight Sonata. "Maestro play quietly, please,"the candlestick said. "Oh, quietly,"Fancy Pants muttered grumpily,"Sotto voice! Of course!" The piano began to play a soft, light tune. "Are there any other tasteless demands you wish to make upon my artistry?"he asked the candlestick sarcastically. "No that's it,"Cheese assured him. Just then the dining room doors swung upon and in rolled the tea tray with Mrs Cake and Scootaloo, they were closely followed by Moon Dancer. "There you are dear,"the teapot smiled as the unicorn approached the head of the gigantic varnished oaken table. The dining room was shrouded in darkness and silence. There was no sign of any food, or cutlery for that matter. Then Cheese Sandwich hopped out of the darkness. "Ma chere mademoiselle. It is with deepest pride and greatest pleasure…that we welcome you tonight. Here! And now…we invite you to relax,"the candlestick bowed and smiled. A castle object pulled out a chair and Moon Dancer sat in it as Cheese continued,"Let us pull up a chair…as the dining room proudly presents…your dinner!" Instantly the dining hall was lit up with hundreds of pony candlesticks that looked exactly like Cheese. Live bowls, cups, dishes, cutlery and plates hopped onto the table, dancing and singing,

"BE OUR GUEST, BE OUR GUEST

PUT OUR SERVICE TO THE TEST

TIE YOUR NAPKIN ROUND YOUR NECK, CHERIE

AND WE'LL PROVIDE THE REST

SOUP DU JOUR, HOT HORS D'OEUVRES

WHY WE ONLY LIVE TO SERVE!

TRY THE GREY STUFF, IT'S DELICIOUS

DON'T BELIEVE ME? ASK THE DISHES

THEY CAN SING, THEY CAN DANCE

AFTER ALL MISS, THIS IS PRANCE!

AND THE DINNER HERE IS NEVER SECOND BEST

GO ON, UNFOLD YOUR MENU

TAKE A GLANCE, AND THEN YOU'LL

BE OUR GUEST, BE OUR GUEST

OUI, BE OUR GUEST

OOH!

BEEF RAGOUT, CHEESE SOUFFLÉ

PIE AND PUDDING EN FLAMB

WE'LL PREPARE AND SERVE WITH FLAIR

A CULINARY CABARET

YOU'RE ALONE AND YOU'RE SCARED

BUT THE BANQUET'S ALL PREPARED

NO ONE'S GLOOMY OR COMPLAINING

WHILE THE FLATWARE'S ENTERTAINING.

WE TELL JOKES"

Cheese,

"I DO TRICKS

ASK MY FELLOW CANDLESTICKS"

All,

"AND IT'S ALL IN PERFECT TASTE, THAT YOU CAN BET

COME ON A LIFT YOUR GLASS

YOU'VE WON YOUR OWN FREE PASS

TO BE OUR GUEST, IF YOU'RE STRESSED

IT'S FINE DINING WE SUGGEST

BE OUR GUEST, BE OUR GUEST

BE OUR GUEST, BE OUR GUEST

LIFE IS SO UNNERVING

FOR A SERVANT WHO'S NOT SERVING

HE'S NOT WHOLE WITHOUT A SOUL TO WAIT UPON.

SUDDENLY THOSE GOOD OLD DAYS ARE GONE

TOO LONG WE'VE BEEN RUSTING

NEEDING SO MUCH MORE THAN DUSTING

NEEDING EXERCISE, A CHANCE TO USE OUR SKILLS

MORE DAYS WE JUST LAY AROUND THE CASTLE

FLABBY, FAT AND LAZY

YOU WALKED IN AND WHOOPS-A-DAISY

IT'S A GUEST, IT'S A GUEST

SAKES ALIVE, WELL, I'LL BE BLESSED

WINE'S BEEN POURED

AND THANK THE LORD."

Cheese,"I'VE HAD THE NAPKINS FRESHLY PRESSED"

All,"WITH DESSERT."

Mrs Cake,

"SHE'LL WANT TEA!

AND MY DEAR THAT'S FINE BY ME

WHILE THE CUP S DO THEIR SOFT-SHOEING

I'LL BE BUBBLING, I'LL BE BREWING

I'LL GET IT WARM, PIPING HOT

CELESTIA'S SAKE, WHERE'S THE SPOT?"

All,

"CLEAN IT UP, WE WANT THE COMPANY IMPRESSED."

Mrs Cake,"WILL THAT BE ONE LUMP OR TWO?"

All,

"FOR YOU, OUR GUEST

SHE'S OUR GUEST

BE OUR GUEST, BE OUR GUEST

OUR COMMAND, IS YOUR REQUEST

IT'S BEEN YEARS SINCE WE'VE HAD ANYPONY HERE

AND WE'RE OBSESSED

WITH YOUR MEAL, WITH YOUR EASE

YES INDEED, WE'RE HERE TO PLEASE

WHILE THE CANDLELIGHT'S STILL GLOWING

LET US HELP YOU, KEEP YOU GOING

COURSE BY COURSE!

ONE BY ONE!

'TIL YOU SHOUT 'ENOUGH I'M DONE!'

THEN WE'LL SING YOU OFF TO SLEEP

AS YOU DIGEST

TONIGHT YOU'LL PROP YOUR HOOVES UP

BUT FOR KNOW LET'S EAT UP!

BE OUR GUEST

BE OUR GUEST

PLEASE BE OUR GUEST!"