Ok, I'm afraid I won't be responding to reviews this time, sorry. It's almost 1AM here and I need my sleep ;n; but anyway, hope you enjoy this chapter and I will catch up on reviews next time.
On a side note, if anyone is having trouble imagining what Marcy's face looks like, watch the episode Sky Witch, there's a scene where she turns into a large bat to fight the Crabbit if that helps.
The beast's mane and cloak blew in the wind as she stood in the snow watching the carriage leave her sight over the bridge and into the forest. This was it, there was no way to call the carriage back. The deed was done. But as she stared off into the night sky, the beast was suddenly hit with a wave of regret. That girl will never see her father again… She'll never be free again… Because of her. Rubbing the back of her neck, she turned to look up at the tower where the pink haired girl was trapped. Guilt tied itself in a knot within the beast's chest. The first time she encountered people in a decade and this is what she does? The beast let out an upset whimper but refused to let tears fall from her strangely human eyes. She had to be stoic. Beasts don't cry. Beasts don't show their weaknesses. She was the master of this castle and she had to act like one. Her father never showed any mercy. But… She didn't want to be her father…
Shutting her eyes, the beast's thoughts travelled far back into the past. She could remember the last decade like yesterday. How she spent her first week under the curse sitting in front of the rose in a catatonic stupor, her young brain desperately trying to comprehend that this was happening, desperately hoping that any second she would wake up from this nightmare and she would be her original self again. Or how, in a desperate attempt to see any good in the situation she would venture into the Black Forest scaring the living daylights out of any hiker or traveller that came her way by jumping out a tree and roaring in their face. But it wasn't so fun when people started carrying guns. The beast gulped and gripped her right shoulder, remembering how she had been shot there once before. If she hadn't gotten back got the castle when she did she surely would have bled to death. But that was six years ago… Now, when she thought about it, if she came across hikers with guns she'd willingly charge at them in the hope that they'd get some lucky shots and put her out of her misery.
The beast was snapped out of her depressed thoughts by a worried and rather angry whinny. Her ears flicked around as she heard hoof beats charging in her direction. The beast yowled and dived into the snow as she found herself almost being ran over by a tall and very angry mare.
Shaking the snow from her fur, the beast jumped up and wrapped her cloak around her frame as a windbreaker. Turning to face the horse, she was surprised to find it to have… A rainbow mane? The beast's eyes widened, she had seen some strange things in the castle but this was a first. The tall, slim palomino spun around and glared at the beast with her ears pinned back.
The beast raises her paws and took a step forward, not wanting to be charged again but the white claws on her fingertips only seemed to annoy the horse more.
"Easy! I'm not going to hurt you!" The beast said, trying to keep her voice calm.
"Where's my rider!?" The beast stopped moving as she stared in disbelief at the mare who didn't move and continues to glare angrily.
"You can talk?" The beast blinked, confused.
"You are made up of about for different animals, I'm not surprised! Now where's my rider?!" The mare snorted angrily.
"She's fine." She answered bluntly as she slowly face palmed herself in annoyance.
"What did you do to her, brute?"
The beast pinched the bridge of her bat like nose and growled lowly.
"I'd appreciate it if you didn't call me that."
"Well that is what you are! I saw what you did to my master, beast!"
"Shut up! And don't call me that either!" The beast growled, waving a paw angrily, "Maybe you can tell me what the hell is going on and why that old coot was here in the first place- Ow!" The beast snarled as the mare's teeth made contact with her shoulder, ripping a clump of bluish black fur from her skin.
"Don't insult them again…" The horse threatened while spitting the fur out. The beast growled and slowly face palmed again.
"Ok… Can you please tell me what is going on…?"
High up in the tower, Bonnibel had also watched the carriage containing her father disappear into the forest. She sighed miserably and put her chin against the stone window ledge as the cold wind sliced her cheek. Looking down she could just see the figure of the beast standing at the bridge. The girl felt herself grind her teeth in anger. She hated that thing. What made it think that it could just treat people like that? But what could she do about it? She was trapped up here with no way out… The girl then heard an echoed whinny as she spotted Lady charging and later biting the beast on the shoulder.
"Good girl…" Bonnibel smirked, feeling that the creature deserved it. It was never in her nature to wish harm on anyone, but after what the beast had done to both her and her father, she was willing to make a big exception in this situation.
Right after being bitten, Bonnibel then noticed both the beast and Lady just… standing there. Bonnibel blinked with confusion. Every now and again either the beast or the horse would nod, as if they were speaking to each other. But right now the pink haired girl just couldn't care… it didn't matter what they were talking about. She would never get out of here… Bonnibel sighed and curled up in one of the piles of hay that was in the tower in an attempt to warm herself. If this was going to be her home, she might as well get comfortable.
The beast slowly ran a hand down her face, groaning in frustration at the horse's words.
"See what you've caused? So what are you going to do about it, beast?" the horse snapped, her ears pinned against her golden head, both eyes aimed squarely on the beast.
The beast sighed heavily. So… this was all a big misunderstanding. She looked towards the forest. She couldn't call the carriage back… she couldn't change what had happened. Looking back at the horse, she put her arms akimbo and huffed through her nose. Her breath was visible in the cold air.
"Well… I…" she sighed, "She will be staying here until I say otherwise."
"Why?" Lady challenged, stomping a hoof in frustration.
"Because I'm the mistress here! It's my castle so I'll decides what happens to her! And you!" The beast snarled angrily, her hackles rising on the back of her neck. At this the horse lowered her head, but still glared at her.
"Roaring won't intimidate her. And I'm not afraid of you either."
"So you crapped yourself when a bunch of bats flew from a tree but when you see this…" The beast pointed at her batty face, "This doesn't scare you!?"
"That's irrelevant…" Lady glanced away, which made the beast grin darkly.
"Sure it isn't. Come on, the stable is back here. My stable-hand will deal with you." The beast hissed as she trudged around to the stables, the palomino mare following at a distance.
Entering the large barn, the beast glared around.
"Monochrome!" she yelled, "Are you in here?!"
As if on cue, she heard a collection of stomps and scrapes on the cobblestone as a small equine –the height of a Hackney horse- turned on the lights and approached the pair. The beast didn't react but the sight of the horse was pretty unusual. He was slim with sleek black fur and an ash coloured mane and tail with a tall white horn in the center of his forehead and white eyes.
"You mind settling uhh…" the beast glanced at the mare, who rolled her eyes.
"Lady Rainbow, but Lady is fine."
"Ok, whatever. Monochrome, you mind getting Lady settled here?" she asked.
The small black horse responded with another series of stamps and scraping his hoof against the cobble. The beast growled and facepalmed.
"Where's Cake when I need her…?" she snarled under her breath. Monochrome shook his mane in frustration and gave a nicker in Lady's direction. The beast could only assume the pair would be able to understand each other so she decided it'd be best for her to return to the castle.
As she turned around, the beast heard Lady stamp her hoof.
"Before you go, promise me something!" the mare demanded. The beast rolled her eyes and turned to face the mare.
"If you are going to keep my mistress a prisoner, at least give her a proper room or something! And don't hurt her!" the pinned ears and the way she was snaking her head made it clear to the beast that Lady was serious in this. Not wanting to make any more enemies, the beast sighed and put a paw on the left side of her chest.
"Fine, I promise." She grunted before turning back out of the stable doors to return to the castle. Despite the bitter feelings she felt towards her servants, she could trust Monochrome to tend to Lady. The beast sighed as she thought about him. The Magic Man had been cruel to him too. Not that he had been much of a talker before, but the curse had rendered him completely mute and unable to communicate. Cake, the maid of the castle had taken time to teach him Morse code, but as far as the beast knew she was the only one who could understand him. The beast hated what had been done to her, but at least she could speak.
As the beast climbed the stairs to the tower, she suddenly felt quite… excited! This could be her chance to finally break the curse! It took almost ten years but this could be it!
"Uh… Mistress?"
"Hm?!" The beast snarled at the voice that had just broken her good mood. She turned to face Jake, who had come up behind her, holding a torch. He looked rather startled and like he really didn't want to be there. The beast sighed and lowered her tone.
"What is it, Jake?" she asked him in a softer tone.
"Um… I was just thinking, if the girl is going to stay with us shouldn't you maybe-?"
"Put her in a more comfortable room?" The beast interrupted, "Thanks for giving me information for something I already know, Jake!"
The yellow bulldog flinched again and the beast continued up the stairs, though she could hear Jake following her with the torch.
As the beast opened the door to Bonnibel's chamber, she noticed the pink haired girl sitting in the hay, covering herself with it in a desperate attempt to stay warm. As she heard the door creak she looked towards it. Her eyes narrows as she spotted the beast's sillouete.
"Oh… what do you want?" she growled, before the beast could answer she continued, "Laugh at me? Mock me? Say I deserved it? Gloat at my suffering?"
"Alright, that's enough out of you!" the beast snapped, every question she had just asked caused more and more of her heartstrings to twang with guilt.
"Why were you so violent? I gave you my word!" Bonnibel shrieked, jumping to her feet. She wasn't going to let herself be walked all over by this thing!
"I said that's enough!" the beast snapped.
"You could at least have let me say goodbye!" Bonnibel continued her verbal attack, "I'll never see him again! I never got to say goodbye…" at the last few words the girl's voice faltered into a depressed tone.
The beast's green eyes widened as she felt a stabbing pain of guilt in the pit of her stomach. She rubbed the back of her neck regrettably as she watched the girl who was trying desperately not to cry.
What was she supposed to do? Apologise? What would that do? It wouldn't bring back her father. What was done was done. The beast sighed quietly and took a step forward.
"If you follow me I'll show you to your room." She said with her hands behind her back, trying to make herself look harmless. This earned her a confused look from the girl.
"My room?" she asked slowly, unsure if she heard right.
"Yes."
"If this was good enough for my father…"
The beast growled and pointed out the door then back to Bonnibel, this gesture was repeated several times.
"You wan- you wanna stay in the tower?" she growled at the girl, making her flinch. She was about to snap at her captor that she will stay in the tower but she was aware that her body was shivering and the tips of her fingers and her nose were ice cold, at this rate she knew she would most likely have hypothermia by morning.
"Well… No, not really." She answered finally.
"Then follow me." The beast responded bluntly before swiftly leaving the tower with a dejected Bonnibel following her. As they left, the beast felt something land on her shoulder and when she looked she saw a tiny Jake perched there. Although she didn't always want her servants to interfere with anything, she was thankful to have Jake close by. Maybe he could help her. Though then again, Jake wasn't well known for his cleverness…
The walk from the tower and into the hall was silent with the exception of footsteps. Bonnibel trailed behind the beast, carefully avoiding stepping on its cloak or its mane which almost touched the floor. As the pair walked she allowed her eyes to glide around the hall's décor. The walls were covered with carvings of gargoyles and mythical beings. They passed several suits of armour, the darkness of the hall made her almost believe that something was going to jump out of these empty metal husks and attack her. Above her on either side of the walls were statues of dragons, snakes and lions, all baring down at her and their eyes appeared to follow her as she moved. It made the hairs on the back of her neck stand up but she tried to ignore them and continue following the beast. Not that she wanted to.
The beast had kept her view squarely ahead for most of the walk. But after about twenty minutes of silence she couldn't stop herself from turning around and looking at the girl following her. While she was distracted by the castle's décor she couldn't help but stare. Despite her depressed expression the girl was very beautiful. She had a pale complexity with her hot pink hair flowing past her shoulders with some of it resting on them. Her fringe had fallen forward and partially covered her deep blue eyes. She had a very slim figure and seemed to be just under a foot shorter than the beast. She was perfection. As Bonnibel's eyes snapped back onto the beast, she whipped her head back around, her cheeks burning with embarrassment as she flattened the ears on the top of her head, burying them into her mane. Jake seemed to notice and decided to try and assist the beast.
"Psst!" he hissed towards the beast's ear.
"Hm?" she grunted, flicking an ear towards him.
"Say something to her!" Jake whispered. The beast darted her eyes a little before glancing back at Bonnibel.
"I... hope you'll like it here." She said, but this only to get a glare from Bonnibel. The beast bit her lip and glanced back to Jake, who moved his "hand" in a circular manner, encouraging her to keep going. The beast sighed and stopped, as she did she turned around to face Bonnibel who jumped back a little. The beast shuddered, there was something about the way the girl looked and acted around her that just made her feel completely uncomfortable but she decided to continue anyway.
"Ok… now I'm not much of a rules gal but there are a few that I need you to listen to." She said, but didn't get a response from the girl, just a cold look.
"So, the castle is your home now so you can go anywhere you want, except for the West Wing." She explained, this caused the girl to look up at her.
"What's in the West-?"
"It's private!" The beast growled, sweeping her cloak around her frame. Bonnibel lowered her head, giving the beast a glare.
"Secondly, if you need anything call on my servants and they will attend you."
No response.
"You can go onto the castle grounds and ride your horse at any point, but don't leave…" the beast growled the last part, something in her told her that the girl wouldn't take heed to this but if she were to do this at least she could say that the girl had been fairly warned.
At the lack of response from Bonnibel, the beast sighed and continued their walk.
The three of them finally reached the room at the far end of the East Wing. The beast grabbed the handle and pushed the door open. As Bonnibel walked past, all she got was a blunt "thanks." as the pink haired girl walked into the room.
"Oi!" Jake whispered, grabbing one of the beast's ears and pulling it towards him, "Try inviting her to dinner!"
The beast blinked and then glared at Bonnibel.
"I want you downstairs in the dining room in a hour." She demanded, causing Jake to facepalm himself.
Bonnibel spun around, glaring daggers at the beast.
"Why?" she hissed, as if daring the beast to answer.
"You will join me for dinner!" the beast snapped back.
"You cannot be serious!" Bonnibel shouted, her back to the beast, "I will not dine with you!"
"I DIDN'T GIVE YOU AN OPTION!" The beast suddenly roars, "YOU WILL JOIN ME FOR DINNER! THAT IS NOT A REQUEST!" and with that the beast slammed the door shut with such force that Bonnibel was shocked that the door didn't fall off its hinges. The girl froze as her mind suddenly revisited all the events that had taken place in only mere hours.
Bonnibel sat on the edge of the bed and stared mournfully out of the window as she shuddered at the memory of the beast. Its sharp claws and its deadly looking teeth stuck out in particular. How could it be that she was now under the control of that thing?
Staring out at the snowstorm, Bonnibel felt a tear of remorse travel from her eye and down her face.
This morning she woke up a free woman. Now she was a prisoner.
This was a difficult one to write but I'm glad it's done. Ok, I need your opinion here. In the next chapter I don't know if I'm going to have the story go back to Ricardio and have the whole "Gaston" sequence happen or if I'm going to keep it with Bonnie and Marcy so I'm gonna let you guys decide. Poll is on my profile.
And again, reviews are welcome ;)
