Prompt from Guest: Could you also do short story Ariel and Belle meeting each other and becoming friends who takes place in same universe than chapter 44 and is independent sequel to that.

Prompts are CLOSED

…

Ariel was alarmed to see the girl skating on the ice, hiding behind a nearby tree as the other women glided gracefully across the surface.

After all of her previous experiences with ice, she couldn't help but dart forwards, mouth opening to warn her, only for nothing to come out.

Thankfully, the woman seemed to notice movement out of the corner of her eye, turning and skating over with a concerned look on her face, "Hey, are you- "

"ARIEL!"

Ariel turned, hearing Gaston call out for her. She glanced back at the other woman and waved, rushing over to where she heard Gaston calling out from, not noticing how the woman reached out to try and stop her.

….

She didn't see the mystery women again, until almost a week later, as Ariel trudged through the snow.

"Hey! Hello!"

Ariel turned, eyes widening as the woman she'd seen earlier in the week rushing towards her.

"Ariel, right?" The woman beamed at her, "I don't remember you. How long have you lived here?"

Ariel opened her mouth uselessly, before holding up one finger. It had only been a month since she decided to stay here, with Gaston.

"1 month?" The woman guessed correctly, "You definitely weren't here when I left in spring."

Nod, before emphasising the one finger, to confirm that the one-month thing was true.

"Ah." The woman held out a hand, "My name is Belle. I heard Gaston call you… Ariel?"

Ariel nodded again, a smile on her face at the thought of Gaston. Belle, however, didn't look as happy.

"You certainly seem to be Gaston's type." She muttered, before a smile appeared on her face again, "I guess I'll see you around then?"

Ariel didn't want her to leave just yet, frantically waving for her to stop until she did. Then she mimed eating until Belle's eyes widened in realisation.

"You're… inviting me to dinner? With you and Gaston?"

Ariel nodded, the smile fading into a frown when she realised that the other woman didn't seem as excited.

"… Alright." Belle finally answered, "If you insist."

….….

"- And so, that's why she's mute and why I'm teaching her how to read and write!" Gaston didn't seem to notice the tension at the table, too busy gesturing wildly with his hands, food splattering across the table.

"I wasn't aware you knew how to read and write." Bella muttered, wincing as Ariel shot her a hurt look across the table.

"Well…" Gaston looked a little hurt as well, "… I admit it's slow going but- "He stopped, a beam spreading across his face, "- maybe you can teach her? You like books and things like that, right?"

"I- I- "Happening to catch the look on Ariel's face, Belle sighed, "- Fine. But you need to help as well."

"Duh!" Gaston turned to Ariel, a besotted look on his face, "I did promise to help."

….….

Ariel was… unique.

Belle knew that Gaston didn't have the imagination to make up the mermaid story, but it was becoming more obvious by the day.

The way she danced so freely, not even bothering to put shoes on…. Girls from this village would never do that.

Her confusion over puppet shows.

It was all so… naïve.

"Focus Ariel." She gently scolded the other woman, who was too busy staring at Gaston to pay attention, "We're nearly at the end now."

Ariel turned back to her and beamed, picking up the quill once again and eagerly leaning forwards.

"Write out all the words I taught you." Belle pointed at the paper, "And then we can move onto some harder words."

"Surely we can do that tomorrow though?" Gaston whined, "I'm bored."

"Go and hunt then."

Ariel seemed to notice the tension between them, biting at her lower lip nervously, until Gaston pushed himself away from the table and stormed out. In the silence, Ariel scratched something out on the paper, before pushing it over to Belle.

'Why are you mad at G-A-S-T-O-N?'

Belle winced at the question, "It's- Gaston and I have had our troubles in the past. He was a big bully who wouldn't take no for an answer, and I- didn't like that about him."

'But he is better now.'

Belle couldn't deny that. Gaston had been nothing but kind and courteous to Ariel, not even paying any mind to Belle despite his ruthless pursuing of her only a few months ago.

"Yes…" She finally answered, "… Yes, I suppose he is."

Ariel seemed pleased with the answer, scribbling something on the paper.

'Are we friends?'

Belle couldn't help but smile at the question, "Yes, we're friends."