Happy Halloween everyone! Enjoy this holiday treat :)
DISCLAIMER: I own nothing, everything (including my soul) belong to Disney and Victor Hugo.
Eventually exhaustion seeped through every inch of Belle's body, and she bid Esmeralda farewell and followed Quasimodo silently back to the manor. Victor greeted them at the door, and informed them that Frollo had yet to show back up.
Both nodded in relief, thanked him, and then after Victor left, they turned to each other.
They both started talking at the same time, then stopped and both blushed.
Belle started again. "I'm sorry this is so awkward, we've sort of both been thrown into this mess together and we don't even really know each other."
Quasimodo chuckled softly. "Yes, I suppose so. We haven't even really introduced ourselves properly, have we?"
"No, I guess not." She smiled then, and curtsied low. "Mademoiselle Belle Lefevre, at your service. Or, well, I guess Madame now. What is your last name?"
Quasimodo scratched the back of his neck, and said "Would you believe me if I said I don't have one? At least none that I know of. But I'm Quasimodo, though you can call me Quasi."
He bowed as gallantly as he could, and stretched out his hand to her like he had seen in some of the paintings of gents and ladies in the Library. He was shocked though when Belle hesitantly placed her hand in his.
"I'm glad to meet you, Monsieur Quasimodo. Honestly, I am. I wasn't expecting to find any friends here. That is, well, I hope we can be friends."
Quasi gave her hand the slightest squeeze. "I hope so too."
They bid each other goodnight, and went off to their respective rooms, both exhausted but elated that they had found an ally.
Belle jolted awake again from the same dream, still smelling the scent of smoke, metal, and cinnamon of her papa's workshop. He had been working on a second rose, this one made of copper, and had given her the same warning as before.
She cradled her head in her hands, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. The events of the past few days were still unreal to her, and she wished they had been the dream and her papa breathing again a reality.
"Get it together, Belle. It's a new day, so live it as full as you can" She told herself fiercely.
It was the same saying she had said for many months after her Papa's death. She knew he wouldn't want to live out the rest of her life lying in bed crying her eyes out over him (though there were plenty of days of that). He would want her to enjoy every moment life had to offer, so that's what she would aim to do.
Today she decided to select one of the new gowns in her wardrobe. Most were a bit too gaudy for her taste, but she found a simple green gown that suited her nicely. It was still towards the beginning of autumn, and the slight chill in the air called for the mid length sleeves this dress offered.
After dressing and fixing up her hair up as nicely as she could, she went back to the kitchen. Laverne and Quasimodo were already there, setting places for all of them for breakfast.
"Bonjour" she said as she entered. Quasi, startled by her sudden appearance, tripped and dropped the tray of silverware.
Laverne started in on a firm scolding and joined Belle as they both got to their knees to help Quasimodo pick up the utensils. She glanced his way, and felt the corners of her mouth tug upwards at his blush. For how unique (she would not let herself think grotesque) his features were, they were extremely expressive.
Quasi stumbled out an apology, and once everything was set the trio sat down for breakfast. After Laverne said grace, Belle asked "Where are Hugo and Victor? Shouldn't we wait for them?"
"No no dearie, they grabbed a bite to eat earlier this morning. They set off a few hours ago to collect a few loads of firewood for the manor. With winter just around the corner we don't want to get caught off guard, and let me tell you, this manor can be a palace of ice when it snows!"
Quasimodo nodded. "Both Frollo and I tend to stay in Paris for longer periods of time, if anything to conserve firewood here."
Laverne gave him a look. "You shouldn't have to. It's even colder in that tower than it is here!"
"Someone has to watch over the bells, especially if a freeze sets in."
"But why must it be your job? Quasi, I just don't think…"
The argument went back and forth, and Belle got the feeling this wasn't the first time Laverne and Quasimodo had had this discussion. She sat back and sipped her tea, enjoying the show. It reminded her of arguments she used to get in with her mama, back before her papa had died.
She realized that Laverne was probably the closest thing Quasimodo had to a mother, and she felt suddenly shy to be sitting there. As quickly as they had all seemed to warm up to her, she was still a stranger in this manor. It had only been a few days since she had arrived. Granted, a very dramatic and busy few days, but still.
"…Belle? Dear?"
Her head snapped up, and she realized Laverne and Quasimodo were both looking at her.
"What? I'm so sorry, my mind must have wandered off somewhere."
"Hmph. Just like someone else I know. I was asking what you thought of Notre Dame?"
"Oh! It's absolutely stunning, I've never seen anything like it! You have no idea how lucky you are to work there," she added, turning to Quasimodo. He looked away, but smiled faintly.
There was a brief lapse in the conversation as they trio finished up their breakfast. Laverne started to fuss over Quasimodo's injuries and went about retying his bandages, and Belle got up to put her plate in the sink. Soon though, they could hear pounding feet coming down the corridor. Hugo skidded to the door frame and stopped himself, gasping "Frollo is on his way back!"
With those words, the kitchen erupted into chaos. Victor, who was right behind Hugo, joined Laverne in cleaning up the kitchen and grabbing dusters and rags. Hugo had grabbed Quasimodo's arm, and started to drag him back towards the West Wing. Quasimodo turned as they left, and looked as if he was about to say something before Hugo pulled him out of sight.
Belle stood in the midst of all this, unsure what to do and gripped by fear. The last time she had faced Frollo was…unsettling, to say the least. She rubbed her bruised wrist at the memory.
However, she was technically the lady of the manor, and the meant living up to certain expectations and duties. If she were to win both her and Quasimodo's freedom eventually, she would have to see what types of games this man played, even if the thought of being near him made her squeamish.
She clapped her hands sharply, startling both Victor and Laverne. She looked at them both resolutely, and said "Do you usually receive him at the door, as you received me and my company?"
Laverne only nodded. "Alright then," Belle said, taking in a deep breath to calm her palpitating heart. "Let's greet him then. Shall we?"
Victor and Laverne shared a look, and followed Belle as she made her way to the main doors.
The stood out in the chilly morning for a while, Laverne by her side as she anxiously tried to smooth down her skirts. Soon, from the steps she could see Frollo's black stallion making its way to the gates. Victor was there to pull the gates open, and leaped back so as not to get caught under the horse's hoofs.
He reared up before the steps, and glowered down at the women. He sneered "I see you have deigned to stay, Madame."
Belle met his gaze evenly. "Of course, monsieur. While I regret that I had to disobey your orders once more, I felt as if I must return."
She curtsied deeply then, thinking that ridiculous court manors may actually help her in this. "I apologize for my behavior earlier. It was most inconsiderate and I most humbly ask for your forgiveness."
Of course she was lying through her teeth and she had to bite back a note of sarcasm, but she figured that subservience would do her well. She had heard what Esmeralda did when confronted with this man, and she wished she had her gypsy friend's sharp tongue. She would work on that, but for now, she could strategize and beguile to figure out what this man was playing at before launching an attack. It's just a chess match, that's all, she told herself.
She did not rise until she heard Frollo dismount. When she met his eyes, she could not quite discern he look in his eyes. He stared down at her for a few seconds, and then said coldly "We have not properly welcomed you yet to the house. You will join me for dinner tonight, and that is not a request."
He swept past her and slammed the doors behind her. There was a beat of silence, and then Laverne whistled lowly. "I don't know what your game playing at dearie, but I hope you know what you're doing."
Belle sunk down to sit on the steps and rubbed her temples. "I hope so too."
So yeah, probably no wonderful "Be Our Guest" number with enchanted dishware in this story. Again, I'm still trying to play with the "who is the monster, who is the man" aspects of both of these tales. Hope it's all making sense! Review?