Author's Note: Greetings everyone! I'm back and it seems like I owe someone a special happy birthday. I'm looking at you, bub. And yet...I'm terribly, terribly sorry about the absence of mine that I have yet to make up to all of you. Truth is, senior year of high school has been slowly killing me, and well, I'm almost done with it! Phew! I've also been reading each and every one of your reviews and have been taking them to heart. So as promised, I will respond.
So without further ado, let us commence ze responses!
Lumiworth Trash: Ah, I'm dreadfully sorry that you got into a fight with a Lumielle shipper. That can be tough, and to be quite honest, when it comes to Internet fights: nobody wins. But that aside, I'm glad that you gave the story a chance, regardless of the ship I've chosen said story to center around. Please, keep reading! I really hope you review again and stick with it at least till the end. Thank you again and have a wonderful day!
Cheeky D'Monkey: Aw, stop it! You're making me blush… Yeah, I always try my best to put myself in the minds of my readers and ask questions like, "Is this enough imagery?" "Does this part drag?" "Is this too corny?" And try to incorporate the answers into my writing (as much as I can anyway). I'm so happy that you've enjoyed the story up to this point and I sincerely hope to hear from you again. Best of luck to you, dude!
Mentor: Thank you ever so for the constructive criticism. Lord knows that I need it more than anything at this point, haha! I've taken your advice to heart, and I've made bullet points after bullet points to try and pinpoint a direction as to where this story should go. And guess what? IT WORKED! It actually flipping worked! Man oh man, I've always written my stories as I went along, but this—this was nice for a change. Thank you ever so, once again, and have a fantastic day! I have the finale all planned out! Now, all I have to do is write what comes in between…
Nonimouse: Hi there! Very interesting take on your part, to have Mrs. Potts and Maurice have a little romance on the side. However, it's hard enough trying to bring a ship like Lumielle to life already… But hey! I'm up for a challenge! Maybe I could write a one-shot, just for you.
Belle: I know, and I am so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so sorry about the wait. School has been driving me absolutely bonkers, coupled with work and an internship and a sorta-boyfriend, haha. But I promise that as busy as I have become, I've worked and put my heart and soul into this story. HAVEN'T I SUFFERED ENOUGH?! XD Haha, no worries, bro. I hope you enjoy the rest of the story. I got a sick finale coming up, so stay tuned! (I hope you had fun on your trip)
Guests: Oh, you guys are so sweet…
Singertobe: J-J-Jesus, BURN Gaston to death?! What kind of sick person-? (Looks at own fanfics) …Oh. Well, hypocrisy aside, that sounds like the most fricking awesome way to end a story! I mean, the main villain burning in a pit of flames that Lumiere created JESUS THAT'S BRUTAL! I do have a big finale coming up, so stay tuned.
Nards: Bro, I can't get over your name… It's beautiful. Yes, I believe that Lumiere will get his wicks back. We just have to believe. Believe in ourselves, believe in the story, and believe mostly in ME.
Bailey Noelle: Oh YOU! ^^ You little minx, you! You're so sweet! Thanks for coming back to the story when you can, and I'm so happy that I managed to post it on your birthday. I planned that, obviously. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
xXChaoticOrderXx: Hey man! Yeah, Gaston really is a piece of utter garbage that shall burn a fiery death if or when he perishes. But hey, thanks for the spell check! I just now realized that I had been spelling that wrong all along. XD Have a fantastic day, dude!
...
Chapter Six
"Miss Belle, daughter of Maurice," said the Pastor, an old man who looked as animated as a cadaver in the ground. His wizened old hands gesticulated to her, and she couldn't help but look down. She could have gasped but didn't. She was in her beautiful yellow gown, as radiant as the sun in this dark, cloudy atmosphere of mists. What was this?
Ah, of course. This was her wedding day.
Wedding day…
"…"
Wedding day?! Wait-!
"Do you take Gaston, son of Archard, to be your lawfully wedded husband?"
Belle's eyes would have widened in shock, her mouth would have opened and shouted, and her arms would have pushed the cold-hearted snake beside her away, but she was rooted to the spot. When her mouth DID open, however, it was only to exert a very eloquent, "I do," which she never thought would leave her lips until today.
"No, no, no!" Her mind screamed, desperate to articulate the words into proper speech and force them past her lips. "No, I can't—I shan't! I shall not marry him! I will not marry him! I won't! I won't! I won't! I-!"
"Oh, Belle," sighed the voice of her adversary, her husband-to-be. Belle couldn't help but lock eyes with him, something that her frozen body actually allowed her to do. He was dressed in his best, puffing his chest out in that arrogant way he had, his sapphire eyes gleaming like a predator's. "You look absolutely ravishing in that," he smirked. "It was rather clever of you to take that from the castle."
"I-I didn't!" Belle choked out, surprised and relieved that she could now speak, but horrified by the prospect. She struggled as he took her hand in his own and kissed it. She let out a cry, bile rising in her throat. This couldn't be happening. This couldn't be happening. This couldn't be happening. "Gaston, wha—?"
"And even cleverer of you to suggest that we take the enchanted beings as well!" Gaston gushed. "Now everyone in this fine village can live like kings!" He puffed out his chest in pride, while somewhere in the smoke, Chip was crying.
Belle paled and nearly choked once again. "No," she whispered. "I would never do that…" She could hear them…crying, wailing, screaming, sounding as if they were being tortured, and they probably were! She needed to get to them but her feet were rooted to the ground. She needed to call to them, but her throat wouldn't allow the words to be spoken.
"Oh, but you would!" Gaston snickered, the smirk disappearing and letting something far more sinister take its place. "Of course you would. You want what's best for your family, don't you?"
Belle tried to wretch her hand away, but couldn't. "They ARE my family, Gaston! Besides my father, they were the only ones who treated me like I was an equal, not some lapdog!"
Gaston smiled at her with too many teeth, "You mean the candlestick and the clock and those ridiculous teacups? The Beast? Who, may I need to remind you, is dead? They're no family of yours, Belle. Remember that. The only family you'll ever need is the family you've got right here!"
Before she could retort, the Pastor chimed in. "It is time to say your vows," he croaked, looking like death itself.
Gaston smiled arrogantly, smoothed back his raven hair, and spoke loudly and clearly, "I, Gaston, take you, Belle, to be my wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; till death do us part."
Belle stood stiffly as he spoke, her lips pursed shut, refusing to say a word, refusing to say a word, refusing to say a—!
"I, Belle, take you, Gaston, to be my husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; till death do us part," she whispered, sweat trailing down her forehead. Wait…why had she done that? What just happened?!
"You may now kiss the bride."
She was suffocating. She was going to die…
…
Belle awoke with a start, from the sound of something crashing and breaking to pieces. Instantly, her thoughts turned to Chip, Mrs. Potts, her dear friends meeting a harsh demise. Her eyes snapped open and she shot up, realizing that she had fallen asleep against the wall on the floor, Lumiere at her side. Her sudden movements caused him to awaken as well, and to shriek like a bloodless coward before zipping under the workbench in shock.
"What happened?!" Belle cried, looking about her frantically, expecting to see one of the children shattered, but only found a sheepish looking Chip on top of a shelf and a broken vase on the floor. Belle paled. "I-Is that-?"
"Not alive, Mademoiselle, all is well," Cogsworth groaned sleepily, having been jolted awake as well.
"B-But, that vase…oh…has always been there," Belle finished for herself, sighing in relief as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Pardon my outburst," she mumbled, wrapping her arms around her stomach, which was churning most unpleasantly.
That was too close… Too close…
"Are you alright my de-? CHIP! Get down from there at once!" Mrs. Potts shouted at her son, who grinned sheepishly and hopped down from the shelf onto the table. The teapot sighed, rolled her eyes, and looked back at Belle. "My apologies, dear. Are you alright?"
The young woman shook her head, but put on a half-hearted smile. "It's nothing to be concerned over," she insisted. "Just a bad dream."
"What was it about?" Chip asked curiously, hopping down from the table onto the floor.
"Chip," his mother warned, but Belle held out her hand.
"Oh, it's alright Mrs. Potts. I just…I just need some air." Mrs. Potts was unmoved, but she allowed the subject to slide as Belle got to her feet. "Where's Papa?"
"Oh, I believe he was getting himself some breakfast," Cogsworth sniffed pompously. "Offered us some, but as you can see, we aren't the digesting type."
Lumiere, who came out from under the workbench, scoffed at his friend. "Oh, don't mind him, Mademoiselle. He just gets grumpy in the dawn of day."
"HEY!" Cogsworth shouted indignantly, putting his brass hands on his "hips". "I most certainly do not!"
Belle managed a smile. "Understandable," she dismissed, and then an idea came to mind. "Lumiere, remember that tour you and Cogsworth gave me?"
"Ah yes, I do recall!" Lumiere remembered. Oh, he remembered alright. How she deliberately went against he and Cogsworth's orders and traveled into the west wing. How the Master frightened her enough for her to leave. How she came back…and…everyone really thought that once she and the Master got through…the spell would be broken.
"Well, I think it's high time I give you the tour of the village!"
This gave him pause. "Are you sure that's a good idea mademoiselle?" he queried dubiously. "The villagers-"
"Are kind people. They really are," she insisted. "The ones that didn't attack you."
"And the ones that did?" Cogsworth demanded.
Belle said nothing, but a certain part of her deep down wanted to defend the people she'd grown up with, despite their crimes. "They were led under the assumption that you were all under the power of the Beast, and that the Beast himself was...well...you know...a monster."
"I don't know..." Lumiere murmured, rubbing the back of his head.
"I was also going to visit the candle-maker in the plaza," Belle added, "to get you new wicks."
Lumiere brightened, and was out the door before she could blink. "Well, what are we waiting for?" He laughed, and then heartily called out, "Cogsworth!"
His friend jumped upon hearing his name, causing Chip to giggle. "Ahem, yes?"
"Watch over the children. I'm going to get fixed!"
The doorman snorted at Lumiere's choice of words, but the candelabra hardly noticed it. He was too excited as it was to finally regain his fire control back.
Belle shook her head and followed him out the door, where he was waiting, hardly even able to contain himself as he hopped up and down.
"You're sure excited, aren't you?" The young woman asked with amusement.
Lumiere could only beam as he turned to her mid-jump. "Well, how would you feel of you could regain missing fingers?" He pointed out. "Or toes?"
"Alright, true enough," she laughed, something she rarely did these days, thanks to Gaston. "Let's go!" With that said and done, she scooped up the candelabra into her arms and made her way to the dirt path that led into town, pausing just on the outskirts of the area.
"Lumiere—" she started, the enchanted object was way ahead of her.
"Should I pretend to be inert?" He inquired. "Or...?"
This gave Belle pause, but not for long. It'd be better if he stayed still in her hand than scaring villagers by freely hopping about, obviously.
"Yes, I'm sorry, Monsieur, but-" she bit her lip. "I'm not sure how the villagers will react to seeing a talking candelabra. It might be bad, since they can be very superstitious."
"Ah, I figured that as much. Lead the way then!" He froze like a statue and allowed Belle to tenderly grasp his unmoving form.
"Will you be alright?" She asked him, concerned, and he paused his charade for a brief moment to smile.
"You worry too much, mademoiselle."
...
"Belle? Maurice?" Gaston invaded the premises of Maurice's basement, causing the enchanted objects to gasp and group together, and the footman whimpered a dog-like whimper. The children all huddled behind their mother, and Cogsworth froze. LeFou followed close behind his friend, looking quite pleased with himself.
Gaston stood over a shocked Maurice (who had returned from his breakfast), wasted no time, and demanded the whereabouts of Belle, "Where is she?" He scoured around the room and his nostrils flared. Something was missing. Something important. Something detrimental to his future. "And just where is that candlestick, old man?"
Maurice bristled, but then shrugged it off. "I-I'm not certain," he lied, more for his daughter's sake than anything. "He must have gone off to explore. It's very cramped down here, after all."
LeFou snorted, crossing his arms, and Gaston also picked up on the fib. "On its own? Don't lie to me."
"Well, they're not here, as you can see. Why don't you-?" He paused, about to suggest that they stay here for a while, but upon observing a tensed Cogsworth and terrified Chip, he decided against it. Then again, he didn't want the man looking for his little girl.
"Never mind," Gaston dismissed with a careless wave of his hand. "I'll find them myself."
Maurice felt his heart drop. "No!" He cried, "I-I mean, there's no need to be hasty. Why don't you stay awhile?"
Gaston shook his head and smoothed back his raven hair. "Thank you for the offer, but I'll have to decline, because I have to track my fiancé, if you can believe it." He rolled his eyes. "LeFou, watch them."
"Whoa, whoa!" The little man cried. "By myself?"
"Yes," his best friend confirmed, climbing his way out of the basement and back into the open air. "I'll be back with news for you all to hear, so don't get too comfortable."
...
Belle felt memories flood back as she strolled down the dirt path that led to the town, listening to the birds chirp and wind whistle through the emerald leaves. It was just as it had been the last time she had traveled down this path, just like last time...and yet, it would never be the same.
Still, Belle held her head high, pushed away the sick feeling brewing within her, and put on her best smile. "Welcome, Lumiere, to Conques," she declared, holding him by the base and high so that he could capture the gorgeous view.
Lumiere dared to open his eyes, to drop the act of the inanimate object for just a moment to witness the beauty of this town. Simple as it was, it had a pleasantly comfortable and cozy air about it.
"Belle, it's simply amazing," he whispered.
The woman raised an eyebrow skeptically. "You haven't been out much, haven't you?" She chuckled, and Lumiere shrugged good-naturedly.
"Not recently," he admitted truthfully, and the woman laughed, because it was evident that he had been living in a castle for most of his life. And voyaging was very arduous for the people of an era who only had a horse and wagon to travel by.
"Oh, Fifi would have loved this," he sighed dreamily, "she was quite the sap for beauty, believe it or not."
"Was?" Belle questioned in confusion. "Isn't she with-? Oh…" She covered her mouth upon realizing the truth, and her hate for Gaston couldn't augment any further for what he had done to her friends. "Lumiere…"
"It's alright, Mademoiselle," he sighed.
"Alright?!" Belle stopped right in her tracks, astounded by his words and Lumiere cowered under her glare (which wasn't truly meant for him). "No, of course it isn't alright, Monsieur," she snapped. "Nothing about what happened is alright. Nothing."
"That's why I try not to dwell on it too much!" Lumiere exclaimed. "Fifi…she was…She meant so much to me, and to lose her…" He swallowed hard and rested his arms on Belle's fingers, which were wrapped around his base, "…to lose her was like losing a part of myself."
There was a long silence. "You really loved her, didn't you?" Belle sighed sadly, more a statement than a question.
"More than anything," Lumiere admitted, and smiled a lopsided smile at her. "You can understand, I presume."
Belle caught his gaze, and hers was surprised (much to his own surprise). "What do you mean? Me? In love?"
Lumiere blinked. "But of course! You and the Master! Right…?" He lowered his gaze sheepishly when she gave a start. "Am I wrong?"
"The Beast? I and the-?" She stopped, closing her eyes with a despondent chuckle. "Yes… I suppose I could have learned to love him… After all, he was such a dear friend to me when nobody else would be, and despite his…temper, he was far better to me than Gaston would ever be. Yes," she said again, more confidently this time. "I do think I could have learned to love him, but…"
"It can't be helped now," Lumiere finished with a sigh. "But have no fear, Mademoiselle," he assured Belle upon soaking in her melancholy, "a fine young woman like you should have no trouble finding love. Just you wait; one day you will find a man who will completely fall for you for just the right reasons."
Belle allowed her a smile. "And what reasons would they be, Monsieur?"
Lumiere shook his eyes. "I would count them off my fingers if I had them handy," he joked, waving his wax "hands" around erratically.
Belle laughed, blushing lightly. "You probably wouldn't need very many fingers," she quipped flippantly, but to Lumiere, it was like a blow to the chest.
"Oh-ho!" He raised his eyebrows. "I see! You don't think you're worth it, don't you?"
Belle gave him a look and her blush went crimson. "Remember who's carrying you, Monsieur," she warned, giving him a little shake and Lumiere put on an innocent face of wax, causing her to roll her eyes.
"Let's just go," she griped good-naturedly.
The duo didn't easily blend within the village, even when she had disguised herself with an old frock and headdress and had her friend play the part of an inanimate object. There were glares, scoffs, and even a small bout of name-calling that Belle tried her best to ignore while Lumiere seethed on behalf of his friend. But nothing, nothing came close as to when the entirety of the town came together to sing about the madness of their own citizen.
"There goes that girl-in truth: there is no question," a man sighed, nudging his spectacles in place to get a better look at said young woman.
"She's gone quite barmy in the head!" A woman sneered, putting her hands on her voluptuous hips.
"Now don't you pay no mind," the man replied, "It's not her fault-her kind..."
"There's no denying that she's moonstruck," the rest of the town chorused, and Belle hung her head upon hearing them, blushing heavily with a bout of intense embarrassment, and Lumiere tried hard not to glare at them.
"Quite the bout lackluster of luck, admittedly have gone nuts," the town folk all sucked in a breath to prepare for the grand finale.
"Mad as a batty hatter, that poor girl!"
The baker didn't mind putting his own two cents in as Belle trudged past. "A beauty, but by the Lord, a loony girl."
"A beauty, but a funny girl..."
"She really is a funny giiiiirl!" A hefty woman sang out of her window as she hung up her clothes on a line.
"That Beeeeeeelle!"
The young woman disguised in an old frock let out a sad smile, and brushed her dark hair behind her ear. "Well...its wonderful to know that nothing has changed," she sung quietly. "People aren't as fickle as they come."
"...They should not be one to judge, and hold that silly grudge," Lumiere chimed in with a tune of his own. "It wouldn't hurt-yes it's true-If they only knew the you that I know too."
Belle smiled at his kind words and for the first time in a while, felt her heart begin to mend in crooked ways. "Don't fret, Monsieur," she sung back, "I promise that I won't let them get me down."
...
Gaston wasted no time. He rushed down the dirt path that led into the town and entered accordingly, but he could not see his fiancé anywhere. He grunted. "Oh, come now. There's only so many places she could be," he muttered under his breath.
...
Belle was a patient girl. She waited until the last of the chorus had died out, and only then she walked out into the open plaza-granted, her head covered by a headdress-, and scanned the area. In her hand, Lumiere sucked in a large breath, taking in the hustle and bustle of the village. "Ah, I haven't been out of the castle since-" Lumiere paused, although Belle did not know why, "-since, since forever!"
"You never left?" She whispered.
"Where would I go?" He asked out of the corner o his mouth, surprised. "Paris? To be a part of a freak show? No, I was very comfortable in the castle. But..."
"You wanted something more?"
"After ten years of being cooped up, of cour-" he slipped, and Belle caught on in an instant.
"Ten years? What happened ten ye-?"
"—S-So tell me about this town, Mademoiselle," Lumiere interrupted with a slight cough, causing her to frown suspiciously. "Is there anyplace special you like to go?"
At that, her frown disappeared. There was only one place in town she could feel at peace besides her father's. "Come to think of it..."
…
"No, you can't leave yet! Gaston will bring her back, he's not gonna hurt her or anything!" LeFou yelled at Maurice, who was trying to shove him out of the way.
…
Minuets later Belle and Lumiere were off and inside the town library. The owner, a wise old man with a twinkle in his eye, was waiting for her.
"Belle!" He greeted happily, holding out his arms. "My oh my, it's great to see you again my dear!" She dove into his embrace, squeezing him tightly.
"Likewise, Monsieur," she returned politely. She was equally happy to see the owner of the store just as much as he was to see her. Gently setting Lumiere down on a nearby shelf, she asked the bookseller if he had gotten anything new, but before he could answer, he caught the gleam of gold.
"Fascinating!" He exclaimed, removing his spectacles to wipe them on his shirt before putting them back on. He then asked the candelabra. "Are there more of you?"
Lumiere couldn't stop himself from biting his lip and sharing a shocked look with Belle, who stiffened and stuttered. "Uh-how-how did you know?"
"Oh, so it's true! They really ARE enchanted!" He was beaming, which took some of the stress off of Belle. "Oh, what am I saying?" The old man chuckled. "I saw everyone come into town in covered wagons." His gaze softened into one of sympathy. "Don't worry dears; your secret is safe with me. But, I heard...a lot of people heard."
"Heard what?" Belle gasped. "About the enchanted-?"
"Oh, no! About the auction," the man revealed, and Belle bit her lip.
"Well…" she trailed, "I suppose they were going to find out eventually. We're now...currently in the process of eradicating that issue."
"We are?" Asked Lumiere, surprised, and Belle stared at him. "I mean, we are!"
"I could always help," the bookkeeper offered. "Buy a few of your little friends...keep them safe in my shop."
"If you could, wonderful, but we're actually looking to stop the auction," Belle reminded him.
The bookseller gave her a long look. "How DO you plan to do that, my child?"
"I don't know..."
"Well...if you ever think of something, and you need some help, just let me know."
"Thank you, Monsieur Meursault."
There was a small silence.
"You know, there's library in the castle," Lumiere jumped in.
"Oh, I can only imagine it's majesty," the bookkeeper laughed dreamily. "To own that many books-I'm sure it's a big library-must be quite the privilege indeed!"
"Big? Big?! Monsieur, if you could see the sheer size and scale-" Lumiere stopped. "Perhaps one day, we could show you. Once this mess is over and out of the way."
"It would be an honor."
...
Belle and Lumiere couldn't stay in one place for too long. They left the library soon after their hearty discussion with the bookkeeper.
"To the candle-maker!" The candelabra announced, only to be shushed by his female friend when a few onlookers stared at her curiously. Belle coughed into her hand and tried to imitate Lumiere's low, smooth voice.
"Ahem. Sorry," she cracked, causing the candelabra to stiffen in an attempt to hold in his laughter. "Cough…can't help it."
One of the onlookers shrugged. "No worries, Miss," and then to his friend, he whispered, "Strange, that girl. Heard she gets it from her father…"
"Thank you!" Belle coughed into her hand, her ears picking up on Lumiere's struggles to keep from bursting out laughing, and she rolled her eyes as she turned away to leave. "You owe me for that one," she griped in amusement as they passed the fountain.
"I don't know what you're talking about," the candelabra snickered.
…
On the other side of the fountain, Gaston stepped onto a nearby pillar sticking from the ground and surveyed the crowd. It was getting busy now that rush hour was in hand, and random women were coming up to him to thank him for his valiant leadership that guaranteed their safety.
…
"This should help," Belle declared confidently as she trekked to the entrance of the candlestick maker's shop. "I don't know this man very well, but from what I've heard, he's quite good at what he does."
"Does he have a gentle temperament?" Asked Lumiere with curiosity, and a loud bang followed by yelling erupted from within the abode.
Belle sucked in a breath through her teeth.
"Let's hope so," the candelabra sighed.
They entered, or Belle entered, rather, by quietly opening the door to the building and poking her head inside.
"Hello-? Oh, hello sir!" She greeted a hefty man with an apron and the beard a Viking would be proud of. He was currently patting at said beard to brush away the last of the sparks that had landed there by mistake. Belle's hazel eyes widened.
"Are you-?"
"Not to worry, Miss Belle," he assured the young woman with a cheerful grin. "Ah'm just fine!" He clasped his hands together. "Now, daughter o' Maurice, what shall Ah do for ye?"
Lumiere stiffened and closed his eyes, playing the inanimate object as Belle passed him over to the grubby fingers of the candlestick maker, who's eyes widened in astonishment.
"What a fine piece ye have 'ere! Solid gold," he marveled, turning the candelabra over in his large callused hands. "And this be from the castle?" He inquired, and Belle found no reason to lie. He was kind enough and had been respectful to her while most of the villagers had not.
"Indeed," she confirmed with a nod and a slight smile.
"Marvelous," he chuckled, and said nothing more about it, to both Belle and Lumiere's relief. "Now what he the issue here? Missing wicks, eh?"
Belle sucked in a breath, wondering if she had to explain exactly how it had happened, but the man merely laughed flippantly. "I'll fix it up in less than ten minuets," he promised. "Do you want to wait outside or would you rather-?"
"I'd love to look around, thank you," Belle told him quickly, glancing around the area and observing the surprisingly large amount of candles around. "Your shop is very...diverting."
"Why, thank you, Miss!"
...
Gaston unceremoniously shoved past a lanky man gathering eggs, searching high and low for his fiancé, but he could not find her in the plaza. "Where on earth could she have gone?" He thought worriedly. "Did she really run away?" No... She couldn't have left her father behind. But she took the candlestick with her...did that mean something?
He rubbed his temples and groaned. All this thinking was really giving him a headache. But no matter. He had to keep looking.
"Think, you handsome devil, think!" He scolded himself aloud; causing the man he crashed into to stare. "Where would Belle like to go? What does she like? ...Books...she likes books. Where do I find books? Um..."
"The bookstore?" The man muttered with a sigh.
"Of course!"
…
"Er, Miss?"
"Yes?" Belle gently set down the candlestick she was holding to face the candlestick maker, who looked beyond freaked out and alarmed. He was holding Lumiere by the base, but as far away as arm's length could take him, and that wasn't too far. Belle's eyes widened. No…He couldn't have found out, couldn't he? Instantly, she felt sick to her stomach.
The man swallowed hard, augmenting her pessimistic assumptions. "Ah don't mean to alarm ye, but…as soon as I put the wicks into their holders…uh…sparks emerged."
Belle stared at him carefully. "Sparks?" She repeated. "Are you certain?"
"Yeah! Colorful ones too!" The man shook his head and carefully handed her the candelabra. "Whew. Better make sure this isn't bewitched, Lassie."
"I'll…definitely take that into consideration, Monsieur," she grinned sheepishly. "Thank you kindly."
They exited the shop, and Belle was careful not to shriek. "Sparks?" She hissed. "SPARKS?"
"Sparks," Lumiere solemnly confirmed, careful not to move, as the villagers were present.
"Mind telling me how that happened?" She hissed, catching the unwanted attention of a few villagers…and her fiancé.
"…A bit."
"Lumiere!"
The culprit shrugged warily. "It was out of my control," he defended himself, so flippantly, that he in fact, let something slip. "It must have been the work of the enchantress—" He stopped fast and then whistled nonchalantly.
Belle froze. "Say that again?"
He continued to whistle, and the young woman sighed. "You couldn't look more suspicious, Lumiere."
"Belle! There you are!" The two jumped. Well, Belle did; Lumiere simply groaned.
Oh, speak of the devil.
"I've been looking all over for you—and that," Gaston seethed at the sight of Lumiere, who actually glared right back. "Hm. I see you've gotten new wicks. I wonder HOW?" He barked, looking to Belle, who glared back just as angrily.
"What do you want, Gaston?" She snapped, holding Lumiere behind her back. "Deal with me, but keep him out of it." The candelabra stiffened, gracious that she would protect him even if it weren't her duty to do so.
Gaston was especially dumbfounded. "Do you honestly care about that candlestick so much that you'll—!" He stopped suddenly, abruptly, and got a strange look in his eyes, leaving Belle to wonder what he was going to say as he straightened out and brushed back his hair.
"We need to return to your father's house," he announced. "Come with me. I have important news, and your father is waiting with LeFou."
Lumiere sighed, and patted her hand. "I'll tell you later."
…
Author's Note: UUUUUUUUUGGGGGGHHHHHH! I JUST WANNA GET TO THE FINALEEEEEEEEEEE! But first! ROMANCE! :D
