All right, here we go!

Ladivina, next chapter we'll see Gaston.

Banzi, thanks.

Mustard Lady, I think you'll like Maurice's supportiveness in this chapter too.

This was...an interesting chapter to write. Meaning it got long and kind of complicated. I hope it doesn't make anyone feel bogged down, and I do realize there are a few bits of fairly long dialogue. Basically a lot of deliberation happens in this chapter. Next chapter though, we will actually start seeing some action.

In keeping with my chapter naming theme, the Gordon Lightfoot song that gives us this chapter's title is actually the same song that gave us our story title. Called The House You Live In. I was actually going to use lyrics from a different song but the more I got into this chapter, the more appropriate the lyrics I'm actually using seemed.

As promised, Agathe returned the next morning. In fact she was waiting in the parlor when the three went there after breakfast.

"Hello, friends," she said. "I've returned as we agreed upon. But before we get to the curse situation I do need to advise you of a problem that's come up."

"Problem?" Belle asked, voice laced with concern.

"Yes," Agathe said. "Trouble on the way."

"On the way here?" Beast asked. "What is it?"

"Gaston," Agathe said disdainfully. "Seems LeFou snuck off last night, unable to sleep knowing they'd left Maurice tied to a tree. Gaston of course slept like a log. LeFou went to see if he could rescue Maurice. Of course he just found the chewed rope and tracks left by Beast's hind paws and Philippe's hooves and Belle's feet. He told Gaston this morning just before I came here. Gaston is on his way now to the tree and intends to see where the trail leads. Which of course is here."

"He's a hunter," Belle said. "He will surely harm or even kill Beast!"

"He may find that hard if I have anything to say about it," Agathe said. "I put a small spell on his bullets and arrows. It will only last twenty-four hours, but basically what happens is any bullet or arrow fired while enchanted will just fall harmlessly to the ground and then disappear. Of course since I enchanted his ammunition which is on his person but did not enchant him, he will have disorientation like I talked about yesterday. But it's a fairly weak magic compared to that of a curse, so the level of disorientation will be mild and harmless. Also my wolves will be giving him some grief, though they won't cause him serious harm. Basically Gaston is not going to have a very fun time getting here."

"Couldn't you prevent him getting here?" Beast asked, a slight edge to his voice.

"I could," Agathe said. "And I will, if you three don't approve of what I have in mind. But this brings us to the issue of the curse. My mind has been rather full of thoughts and ideas, and the issue Gaston presents has given me an idea that just might be plausible. I have to caution that it is highly experimental, however. To my knowledge I would be the first to attempt it. I cannot guarantee it would work, but it's the best I've come up with so far."

"What is it?" Beast asked, not sure if he really wanted to hear the answer.

"I can test him just as I did you," Agathe said. "If he manages to pass it won't work but I can't go around cursing people without giving them every chance to prove themselves undeserving of a curse. Knowing Gaston, however, I'm sure he will fail. I've been wanting to curse him for some time, but at my level I can only have one major 'case' open at once. What I'm thinking is pushing that, but the way I'm thinking it would become, technically, one case."

"Are you thinking of cursing Gaston at the castle?" Belle asked. "And somehow connecting his course to the original?"

"That is what I'm thinking, yes," Agathe said. "Theoretically, Gaston breaking his curse would break the original. I don't know for sure but that would be the hope. Like I say it's very experimental, not something attempted before to my knowledge. And of course there's the possibility Gaston would not succeed in lifting his curse, which means we still have the consequences of the first, with the second added to it. Consequences I would make much less severe, but there is that chance. If you agree to it, it would be a gamble." She paused, looking at the expressions of all three gathered with her, noting the worry evident. "As I said, any person or animal on site has to be cursed as well for their own protection. I would even have to place Beast under the new curse. Even though you're already enchanted Beast, it's possible, likely even, that the new magic would cause you to be dangerously disoriented. While you of course would have to stay, since your form doesn't exactly allow you to travel, I would give Belle and Maurice the option to stay or leave."

"This seems like a bad idea," Beast said. "I'm not even sure I want to contemplate what curse you'd give me on top of this." He gestured to himself. "I don't think we should."

"Wait a minute," Belle said. "We do want our friends back, right? We want them to be freed from the objects they're imprisoned in. Agathe says this might be the best way to go about it. Let's hear her out fully before dismissing the idea. Agathe, what would be Gaston's curse, and what would you do to those of us who remain?"

"I haven't completely decided upon Gaston's curse," Agathe said. "I'm trying to come up with a disability that would make him reliant on the undeserved kindness of those he's harmed for his basic needs, without making it so severe that he ends up being too much of a burden if the curse becomes permanent."

Beast shifted uncomfortably. So Gaston would be in their care, very disabled, potentially forever? He wasn't liking where this was going, but he knew Belle was right. For the sake of their friends, they needed to hear Agathe out completely, and not be too quick to reject the idea.

"As for the rest of you," Agathe continued, "I will make your part of it pretty mild. Basically you'll be stuck on the castle grounds for the duration of the curse. As would Philippe. There will be an invisible wall of sorts about an inch inside the actual wall surrounding the grounds, and the wall will of course block the gate. Try to leave, you run into the wall, and get knocked back on your...um...derriere, and are dazed for a couple minutes or so. As I say, Belle and Maurice you may leave before the curse is placed if you wish. I must advise that should you leave, you won't remember the castle or anyone in it, since I'll have to clear anyone under the curse from all outside memory for the duration of the curse." Agathe paused to let this sink in. "Because you have been wronged by Gaston and I wish to include those he's wronged in the curse, I hope you'll choose to stay. Though of course he will end up doing wrong against the Beast if he makes an attempt on his life. But I think it's only fair that I give you the opportunity to leave. I would suggest though that you use the portal book instead of taking Philippe through the woods, as you do not want to run into Gaston before he arrives."

"I will not leave Beast," Belle said.

"I will not leave Belle or Beast," the fatherly Maurice decided. "If all that happens to us is we can't leave, that's not so bad. The idea of forgetting my own daughter existed, potentially forever, is far worse. Plus I've taken it upon myself to be the sort of father figure that Beast's own father failed to be, telling him I was here if he needed advice or support. So I will not leave for those reasons."

"If we do this," Beast said, "you both do realize your choice will condemn yourselves to be trapped here, potentially for eternity, with someone as unsavory as Gaston?"

"I would consider it a far worse condemnation to be without you, to even forget you existed, for eternity," Belle said, taking his paw.

"Same here," Maurice said.

The struggle going on inside Beast's mind and heart was clearly evident on his face. He wanted to do whatever was needed to free his servants, his friends, but to take on another curse, being literally trapped on the grounds, having to care for a man such as Gaston? And if it was a sure thing, that might make it an easier task to accept. But not only might Gaston fail, causing his curse to become permanent, but that would also mean failure to help their friends. It didn't make Beast feel any better about the situation to know that Belle and Maurice, who would have the choice to leave, made it clear that they would stay and willingly become part of the curse. Then there was the issue of not being sure he himself wanted to return to human form. Oh yes, that's right, Agathe had hoped he might elaborate on that one didn't she?

"I...don't know..." Beast said. "This doesn't sound like a wise thing to do. But then doing nothing but waiting for the magic to drain on my curse, meaning the staff is condemned to remain as they are for so long...that doesn't seem wise either. Not when there's something we can try. But if we try and it fails..." He trailed off.

"How likely do you think Gaston is to succeed, Agathe?" Belle asked.

"It's hard to say," Agathe said. "He has such a big ego, and can be so stubborn and dense, and in his mind he can do no wrong, a notion which the other villagers are all too happy to bolster...Beast had a lot of hurt and anger from his past that had to be dealt with, but there was always some good deep within his soul. Does Gaston have good in him? I could tell Beast had the potential...but with Gaston that potential is harder to spot. Is it there? I'd like to think so, but it may be harder to get to it than it was for Beast. I think there's so much more that has to be cleared away. That's why whatever I do to him would have to really knock his ego down a few pegs. Or a few hundred pegs."

"Is there no other way to reverse my curse without connecting it to another?" Beast asked. "Could you not just restore the last petal and we confess our love?"

"Easier said than done," Agathe said. "Oh restoring a petal is easy enough. Problem is it has already fallen. The deadline has already passed. I had thought of that actually. The only way it would work is if we went back in time. Which means you and Belle would be rescuing Maurice. The second to last petal fell about when you reached his tree. You wouldn't know this though, since technically it wouldn't have happened yet. Or would be just happening rather."

"So we'd be in the same situation we were in the other night," Belle said.

"Correct," Agathe said. "Not to mention time travel is...complicated. I could get your current selves back in time to that tree, but you'd be seeing your former selves. It would have to be your former selves breaking the curse. I'm not sure I'm skilled enough yet to actually get you back inside your former selves and make it so your current selves didn't yet exist."

It was odd listening to Agathe speak of former selves and current selves, when it had not been quite 36 hours between the two. But clearly, that plan was out.

Then Beast thought of something.

"Agathe...if we do this, can we only use the new curse to hopefully free the staff? I've given some thought and I think, as much as I've loathed being a beast for so long, I'd prefer to remain this way. It is how Belle and I fell in love. If the whole curse reverses, I'll be restored to my status as Prince of this land. I'll have all kinds of royal duties and won't have the time to just be with Belle anymore. Not as much as now. And it may be too much of a reminder of how I was before the curse. Maybe being back in that lifestyle would cause me to slip back into my old ways. That's a road I do not wish to travel again."

"That would be tricky," Agathe said. "But before we get too far into the feasibility of it, you need to have a full understanding of just what it is you are asking. You are very human in mind and heart, but your body is that of an animal. Therefore, while you and Belle are in love, you can never marry, not in any official capacity. And certain...activities...would be out of the question. Which of course means you could not have children if you wished, unless you were to take in an orphan. Which means one would have to present itself, since a beast walking into an orphanage would be ill-received. Have you considered such issues, and whether or not Belle would be all right to keep the relationship within certain boundaries?"

Beast hung his head. He hadn't considered those issues. After a moment he looked up at Belle.

"I'm sorry," he said. "I should have thought of what remaining a beast would mean for you. If the curse cannot be lifted this is how it is but I'm sorry I ever thought to willingly put you in a position to be stuck in a relationship with a creature like me. One where there are such boundaries."

Belle reached up and ran her fingers through his mane.

"I love you for who you are inside," she said. "I love the man within the creature. And, if truth be told, I love the creature too...the fur and fangs, claws and horns, the tail...it's all part of your charm. I would...miss it if it all went away." She smiled lovingly at him. "But I want you to be how you would be happier. If you'd be more comfortable in the body of a man, I hope you can achieve that. If the body of a beast is what you wish, that is my wish too. If you're all right with the boundaries that would require, then I am too. All my life I've wanted adventure in the great wide somewhere. But now I just want to be at your side, even if it means living in a secluded castle in the permanently wintery woods."

Beast cupped a paw around Belle's cheek, allowing his fingers to mingle with her hair. His deep blue eyes gazed softly into her brown ones.

"This is one reason why I love you Belle," he said softly. "But I don't want you giving up your dreams on my account. If remaining a Beast would hinder your quest for adventure-"

"I'm not giving up my dreams," Belle interrupted. "They've simply changed...matured. I've realized I don't need to gallop across the great wide somewhere for adventure. Not that I wouldn't mind travelling if the opportunity presented itself, but I've found plenty of adventure here. With you."

"If I remain a Beast," he said. "I won't be returned to my status as a Prince. While that's fine with me, like I said I'd rather not go back to it...it does mean you'd never be the princess you could be if my title were restored."

"Oh please," Belle said. "You think that's a dealbreaker for me? When I first met Madame de Garderobe, she insisted upon dressing me like a princess, even when I said I wasn't one. The very idea of me being a princess was awkward. If you were restored to your status I'd take on the role to be with you, because being with you is the most important thing to me, but it's really not the lifestyle I'd prefer."

Well, Beast knew now that Belle would be all right with him remaining a Beast. But would her father approve?

"Maurice," Beast began awkwardly, "what about you? I know it's proper to ask a girl's father for his blessing to have her hand in marriage...which wouldn't really happen if I remain a beast for...obvious reasons. But if I do remain as I am...would you grant your blessing...your approval...for us to be...well...as close to married as the situation we're in could ever allow?"

"You're the second person to seek my daughter's hand," Maurice said. "Though the first sought official marriage and being human could have done so. He would seem the ideal man to give my daughter's hand to. Good looking, war veteran, skilled hunter. But he only wanted her because of her looks and the challenge she presented by rebuffing his advances. I got a very good view of his true colors and denied him my blessing. Which as you know from watching in the mirror, he did not take it well. I've also seen your true colors Beast."

Beast hung his head in shame. Maurice had indeed seen how ruthless he could be, and he was sure that's what Maurice meant.

"Look back up at me please," Maurice said. "Don't hang your head when I haven't said anything for you to be ashamed of. I said I've seen your true colors, but haven't said they are bad."

"You don't have to," Beast said. "Out in that rose garden..."

"That was you at your worst," Maurice said. "But it was a facade, a front, just like Gaston's good looks and offers of 'help' are the front he puts up. Once Gaston drops his facade, well you've seen the result. I'd like to tell you what happens when you drop your front and let the real you be seen. But do lift your head up, please? It's not really something I'd prefer to tell the top of your head."

Beast slowly lifted his head, nervously awaiting what Maurice might say.

"Thank you," Maurice said. "Much better. You, in contrast to Gaston, are gentle and kind, even humble. You love Belle for who she is, not how she looks or how challenging she is as 'prey'. I can tell that were she not to love you and want to be with you, you would respect that. You are well aware of the boundaries your current situation presents to your relationship with Belle and I know I can trust you to keep within those boundaries. I do not for one second trust that Gaston would have any such respect for boundaries. I can't think of someone I'd rather grant my daughter's hand to besides you. While you two may not be able to marry given your difference in species, and unless you become human never can, you both have my full blessing to live as close to it as possible."

A small smile formed on Beast's furry face. Then it grew into a grin as his heart filled with gratitude and joy at what he had heard.

"I think I'm glad I didn't make you say that to the top of my head," he said with a chuckle. He turned to Agathe. "It seems we are all fine with what my remaining a Beast would mean. So I think I can safely say that is my wish."

"One more thing I will ask you to consider," Agathe said. "I am not saying it would be wrong to choose not to go back to royal life. But I would urge you to give some thought. Are you all right with leaving your subjects without a ruler? Again I'm not saying this decision would be wrong...as long as it is not one you make lightly."

Beast thought for a moment.

"There's still a monarchy," he said. "There is, right? And I'm not a direct descendant of the King, so not a likely heir. I believe several cousins would have to die for me to be in position to inherit the throne. So if I'm correct I need only consider this part of France that is under me. Is this right or need I consider things on a national level?"

"You are right," Agathe said. "The local principality is all that may or may not be affected by your decision."

"All right," Beast said. "Were they affected by my...disappearance? And if so how? I know nobody remembers me or the castle, presumably they don't remember this area ever being under rule of a local prince. As far as they know they've only ever been under the national rule of the King, right? Has this been detrimental locally? Have the people suffered not having a local ruler?"

"I can't say we've really suffered," Maurice put in. "Though obviously I don't have memory of how things were before to know the difference. Villeneuve isn't a wealthy town, but we have enough to live comfortably."

"That," Agathe said, "is actually an improvement over how it was. Not wealthy but comfortable. Given your rather...harsh taxation practices, before the villagers were not wealthy and barely putting food in their bellies or clothes on their backs. Not exactly comfortable."

This time Beast had reason to hang his head. When he looked back up, he looked at Maurice and Belle.

"I'm sorry I ever put you and the other villagers through that," he said. "Even though you don't remember having to deal with my heavy taxes...I'm so sorry you ever did." He sighed. "They're definitely better off than they were before. But what about now that I've changed? I mean provided I don't slip back into old habits...old ways... Do they need a local ruler? I really...don't want to go back to royal life. But if they would suffer because of it...then making that choice would be selfish and I'm supposedly not like that anymore. Then again if I still have a selfish streak then they're better off without me as their Prince."

"That you're concerned about selfishness causing them suffering whether you resume your status as Prince or not is admirable," Agathe said. "It tells me that whatever you decide, even if you choose to go with your personal preference, it will not be a selfish decision because you've considered those that were under your rule. If you knew they would suffer because you chose your own preference, I believe you would set your preference aside."

"But I don't know," Beast said desperately. "If I knew, I could decide based on what the right thing to do is. I don't want to return to being a Prince but choosing what I want might be wrong for the people I should be ruling. Or if I choose to return to my royal status maybe that would be wrong for them."

"Calm down," Agathe said softly. "You're letting your anxiety get in the way. Take some deep breaths. Anxiety is not the best guide. You fear making a choice with limited information because it might be wrong. But sometimes you only have limited information. You can't foresee the consequences of every scenario. You have to do the best you can with the information you have. Relax. Ground yourself. Think. What do you know? What information do you have with which to decide?"

Beast did take some deep breaths. Belle placed a hand on his arm. Soon, he managed to calm his nerves.

"I know that when I ruled before, they suffered because of my heavy taxes," he said. "I know they're better off with no local Prince than they were with the one I once was. I know they live comfortably the way things are now. I can gather that if I remain like this it's likely they will continue living comfortably. I know if my status returns, it is possible they'll still live as they do, or if I fall back into my old ways they would suffer again. Or maybe I could use my status to improve their lives further." He sighed. "That last part is giving me some trouble. Without it, I think I could fairly easily choose my own preference. But if I can improve their lives as a Prince yet willingly choose to not have my title restored...what kind of a person does that make me?"

There was silence for a few seconds before Maurice spoke up.

"Remember, we know no different in the village," he said. "Even if, being restored to royalty, you could improve village life, they won't know it until it happens, and never will if you're never restored. It's not like they're going around wishing they had a ruler again since they don't know they ever had one more local than the King. If anything, if you asked them most would probably prefer to continue with the status quo."

"I can also tell you this," Agathe said. "It is not wrong to consider your own wishes and well-being. It only becomes a problem when that is all you consider and do not care about how others might suffer. But you are important. You, Belle, and Maurice are a little family now. It is all right, advisable even, to consider what the right thing to do would be for your family."

"I know Belle would prefer not to have a royal lifestyle," Beast said. "I can't imagine Maurice preferring that lifestyle either..."

He looked questioningly at Maurice, who offered a nod, affirming Beast was correct. Beast took a deep breath and looked at Agathe.

"Considering that the local folks seem not to suffer for my absence," he said slowly, "and considering not only my wishes but those of my family, and considering we are all content with the boundaries that Belle and I must keep our relationship within if I remain a Beast, I think my decision is to remain as I am, as long as the others can have their fate reversed. I have no doubt they are unhappy in their current state."

"Your decision is well thought out," Agathe said. "And I believe it is a sound one. This brings us to the feasibility. It may be tricky since their fate, while different from yours, is part of the same curse you are under. I shall consider feasibility. I don't really need to decide until I actually place the curse. But if I find it not feasible to reverse their fate without reversing yours, that is, if I find that the entire curse must be broken or they will remain as they are now, what would you wish me to do? Do you need to consider it for a bit?"

"No," Beast said without hesitation. "That one is easy. I want them restored if they can be no matter what. If that means I must resume royal status, then so be it."

Suddenly considering Belle and Maurice, Beast looked to them in silent consultation. They both nodded their agreement.

"All right," Agathe said. "This of course depends on the new curse being lifted since both curses will be connected. But I will see if I can connect only the servants to Gaston's curse, and if I must connect the entire original curse to the new one I will do that."

"Thank you," Beast said.

"So are we decided that we will in fact place a second curse?" Agathe asked. "We got on a bit of a tangent considering some issues for if we have another curse. It was a necessary tangent, but we do need to decide if there will be another curse. I do think it is the best chance at restoring the staff, but it won't be without sacrifice for the three of you."

"You mean because we'd have to stay on the grounds, right?" Belle said.

"That's part of it," Agathe said. "And even the portal book wouldn't take you anywhere outside the barrier. You would be, I am sorry to say, well and truly imprisoned on castle grounds." She looked at Beast. "I know you thought I was being cruel leaving the portal book, since it would take you anywhere, but anywhere you might go you wouldn't be welcomed. But at least you could go anywhere. At least you could walk through the gate. With this new curse your part of it would be to be trapped on the grounds. This probably seems more cruel, but I'm trying to be gentle on you all since I regret what I did to the staff, and like I explained anything alive on the grounds must be included for their own protection."

Beast nodded gravely, indicating he understood.

"I can make it so you three have requirements separate from Gaston," Agathe continued. "I would probably stipulate something like you having to forgive Gaston for what he's done to you and those you care about. Do that and you'd be able to leave the grounds either via the book or the gate. This would mean you do not have to rely on Gaston breaking his curse to be free. I would prefer that one of Gaston's requirements be to earn your forgiveness for past deeds in return for showing remorse and changing his ways, much like how Beast had to learn to love and receive it in return. But it wouldn't be separate then and you'd be permanently trapped if he cannot meet all requirements to break his curse. So I would give you the option of making forgiveness separate for each of you so as not to depend upon him for your freedom. Either way, you would spend some time imprisoned."

"If we do this," Belle said, "if you think it is best that we not have it as a separate requirement, I would be all right taking the risk of being stuck here forever. I cannot speak for Papa or Beast but it would be a risk I would be willing to take. Naturally I'd prefer if I could eventually step off grounds if I wanted to but if it's best not to make it separate I'll accept the possible permanence of entrapment."

Beast looked at her, surprised.

"You would give up your happiness, potentially forever?" he asked. "Remember you once rhetorically asked if being happy was possible when not free. Just a couple nights ago as a matter of fact."

"I know Beast," Belle said. "But if that's the best way I'm willing to risk it. Besides with you and Papa here I'll be happy enough."

"I...would be willing as well if it's the best way to handle the new curse," Maurice said. "I trust your judgement Agathe."

"For my part it doesn't much matter," Beast said. "Since I'm asking to remain a beast provided I can do so and still allow the servants to have their part of the curse lifted, I'm looking at permanent entrapment anyway, seeing how I'm not exactly...presentable...as far as being in public is concerned."

"So everyone would be all right with me not giving separate requirements, knowing it could potentially be permanent?" Agathe asked.

All three nodded.

"The next thing...the next sacrifice you would have to make is to be willing to give Gaston a lot of help with, well, living. I haven't decided exactly what I would do, other than it would be some significant disability that would force him to be dependent upon others. He'd probably be an invalid or at least a near invalid. I think the most likely way to reform his character is to really make him hit rock bottom. He's so used to being able to do things like walk where he wants to go, put his own clothes on, basic things, not to mention swooping in for his little 'hero time' thing. I think it would really get his attention if he suddenly couldn't do those things without help. You're not obligated to help him, though I won't do it if you're not willing to do so. Of course, it is best not to help him if he's acting like you owe it to him. He should see that if he's going to have an entitlement complex, people are less inclined to help. He's so used to everyone pandering to his every whim he feels slighted when someone doesn't. You need to know, though, that he will be...high maintenance."

Before anyone could reply, Agathe suddenly got a faraway look in her eyes, as if she no longer looked at those assembled, but rather through them or past them. She had in fact entered a trance-like state. Upon returning to her present surroundings, she spoke once more.

"We need to decide soon. Gaston is at the border of the enchanted part of the forest. My wolves are running interference, and he's used one bullet which of course never reached its intended target because of the spell I placed on his ammunition. We can still deliberate a few moments, but soon I'll need to either prepare for the curse or have the wolves drive him back out of the cursed land."

Beast looked at Belle, then at Maurice.

"I don't like the idea of another curse," he said slowly. "Especially if the chance for success is questionable. But it may be our best shot at getting our friends back. Since you've both stated you'll stay, allowing yourselves to be trapped, potentially forever, what do you think we should do?"

"My opinion," Belle said, "is that as much hardship as it will entail, we should. For the sake of helping our friends, and even for the sake of trying to help Gaston, even though I inwardly cringe at that motivation. Beast, soon before I met you, Gaston was trying to get me on board with the idea of marrying him, I said we could never make each other happy, that no one can change that much. When I met you I might have said the exact same thing about you if you'd posed the idea of us being an item. But then you showed me just how much a person can change. It took something drastic for you to make the change. Maybe...if Gaston experiences something drastic...maybe he can change too. I'll still never want to marry him, because you're the one I love. But if he can change like you have, then it can only be a good thing for anyone around him."

"Do you know how proud I am of you Belle?" Maurice asked. "You have the strength to willingly be cursed, possibly for life, for not only your friends but you have the wisdom and compassion to do it in part to help someone you really don't like." He smiled. "I can't imagine not having the honor of having you as my daughter. Your thinking on the matter is sound. I can't say being under a curse is an idea I'm particularly happy about, but I'm...not opposed. Hopefully it will be worth it in the end."

"Well," Beast said after a moment, "I suppose if Belle and Maurice are all right with it, so am I. I think. Belle has a point. I never thought I would say this, but perhaps the curse you gave me was actually a blessing. A very well-disguised blessing, but I doubt I'd be the person I am today without it. I'd still be the cold, unkind, selfish Prince. That I suppose was the real curse. Perhaps Gaston can change too with something drastic enough. I really hope we don't end up regretting this..." Beast took a deep breath. "Let's do this."

"All right," Agathe said. "I'll have the wolves keep him busy for a bit longer so I can figure out what I'm going to do and if I can set it up so that the servants are restored if he breaks the curse while allowing you Beast to remain as you are as you've requested."

"Agathe," Belle said. "I know the staff won't turn human again unless Gaston lifts his curse. But can you reanimate them at least? Being inanimate, especially while still sentient, has got to be incredibly boring."

"That is...easier said than done," Agathe said. "I'd like to, but remember they're in the condition stipulated by the original curse. Changing that independent of the second curse may be just as difficult as lifting the original independent the second curse. Meaning I don't think what you're asking is doable."

"But what if it's not independent the second curse?" Belle asked. "They're alive, right? And you have to make the curse affect everything alive on the grounds to prevent disorientation, correct? Obviously being inanimate they're safe even if they'll be confused, but do we want them confused and disoriented on top of what they're experiencing now? Suppose for their part of the curse, to protect them from a confused mental state, you cast a reanimation spell on them?"

"I like what you're thinking Belle," Agathe said. "It is sound in theory. But in practice I fear it could be a disaster. If I use a reanimation spell as their protection from confusion, I am worried that may cancel out the part where they become human again if the curse is broken. I don't know for sure that it would but remember, magic is fickle, and I doubt the wolves can keep Gaston occupied long enough for me to figure that out. Now, suppose it does cancel out the part where they are restored to human form. Now consider the fact that any part of the new curse lifts when the new curse is broken. For instance the barrier holding you on the grounds would be part of the second curse, and you will be free of said barrier if and when the curse is lifted. Now suppose for their part of the second curse I reanimate them, and suppose it does prevent them becoming human again when the new curse breaks. What do you think will happen when the second curse is lifted?"

"Oh..." Belle said, realizing the implication.

"The reanimation spell would break and they would return to their current state," Beast said gravely.

"Right," Agathe said. "Becoming inanimate was part of the original curse. I need to tie the staff being restored to humanity with the new curse being lifted, but not try to change anything of the original curse as their protection part of the second. Any reanimation needs to strictly remain part of the original curse. But I do have an idea. I just might be able to do this."

"What are you thinking?" Beast asked.

"Well I was going to return the rose to full bloom and let its wilt keep time like with the original," Agathe said. "But I think I can reverse that. Allow its gradual return to bloom to keep the time. This should let me reverse the progression of the original curse. As petals fell, the castle crumbled and the staff progressed toward their inanimate state. So it stands to reason that I can reverse that progression. As petals return to the stem, the castle will rebuild and the staff will get closer and closer to humanity. If the second curse becomes permanent, that is, the last petal returns to the stem before the conditions are met, the castle and staff would remain just as they were when first transformed originally."

"That would be great," Belle said.

"I do believe I can stipulate that that is the only part of the original curse to reverse and hopefully eventually lift, while leaving the rest of the curse intact," Agathe said. "But Beast, are you sure you want to remain a Beast? I should be able to have you restored with the staff when the second curse is lifted while still keeping all memory of you lost to the world. If you want to stay a Beast that is fine, but that may not be necessary."

"Well Belle said that she'd miss the fur and things," Beast said. "And truth be told I would too. The claws and fangs came in pretty handy rescuing Maurice. Human nails and teeth just wouldn't have been able to tear and chew through that rope."

"Fair enough," Agathe said. "I do have an idea though that I'd like to run by you."

"What's that?" Beast asked.

"Well they say that you can't have your cake and eat it too," Agathe said. "But what if you can? What if I told you there might be a way to remain a Beast, but also not have to keep your relationship within previously discussed boundaries...at least not all the time?"

Agathe offered Belle and Beast a conspiratorial smirk.