LXP: Definitely not my best chapter. Just another "let's get this over with" moments. But I'm glad I got to include the song.

Enjoy! :)

CHAPTER NINE:

BE OUR GUEST

The next few days passed by in a blur.

Marinette would wake up, forget where she was, and then remember with a twinge of pain that she was now living in a castle with a beast. She would then recall the looks on Nino and Alya's faces when she said goodbye, and the embrace her mother had given her, telling her to be brave and find her own way in life. Eventually, Marinette stopped crying over such things.

She usually spent her time exploring her room, and her favourite part by far was the walk-in wardrobe. Seeing the rows of dresses and gowns, feeling the silk and saffron between her fingers… It reminded her of Madame Bustier's Dress Shop. Marinette doubted she would ever get to design anything ever again, but her new wardrobe lifted her spirits all the same.

Trying on the dresses was also uplifting. She usually had Pollen and Duusu helping her choose what to wear every day, and they weren't afraid to lend a hand with the strings and sashes. Every time Marinette looked in the mirror, she barely recognized herself. She had never worn anything so fine or splendid. If her father were here, he would say she'd look like a princess. If Chloe Bourgeois were here… well, she'd probably tear her own hair out. The thought of that made Marinette grin.

After eating and getting dressed, Marinette would cautiously exit the room and explore the castle with one or two of the fairies. They turned out to be very good tour guides, and their company eased the ache of loneliness. Moreover, Marinette got to see more sights of the castle. Wayzz showed her the library, and even allowed Marinette to take some new books into her room. Plagg's favourite spot was the kitchens, where Marinette was amazed to see all the cookware come to life and create culinary creations. There was always a study or two in each hallway, and there was a little greenhouse were Pollen spent most of her time tending to the gorgeous tropical flowers that were exponentially bigger than her. Marinette even got to meet Nooroo, who was extremely bashful but friendly… and had great taste in artwork.

Once in a while though, Marinette would spot Cat Noir walking down the halls or lounging in one of the lavish chairs with a book ensnared in his clawed hands. Every time he noticed her, he would casually ask how she was, and she would always answer with a "Fine, thank you", or "I'm all right". He would nod with a small smile, look like he would say something else, but then think twice and get back to whatever he was doing. This always earned him sad or scornful looks from the fairies.

Marinette still refused to join Cat Noir for meals – politely, of course. Thankfully, he wasn't brave enough to argue. In fact, he seemed almost as miserable as Marinette these days, though he hid it fairly well. Occasionally, she would think about talking to him – About what? What a beautiful day it is? – but then she would remind herself that he was the beast who threatened her father, and he didn't deserve her pity.

There was also the mystery of the western courtyard. No matter how hard she budged, Marinette couldn't get the fairies to speak of what made that place so forbidden. Judging from their forlorn expressions, Marinette could tell it was nothing good. A couple times, she thought about sneaking down the stairs to the courtyard, but Tikki and Plagg always kept a good eye on her… and made sure she steered clear of "certain areas".

It made Marinette all the more afraid – yet all the more determined – to know what exactly Cat Noir was hiding. Maybe it has something to do with the curse, she thought at one point. It made her head buzz with ideas as she lay in bed at night: the courtyard was a menagerie for other dark creatures like Cat Noir. Or it was the sight of a pagan ritual that brought magic from the netherworld into the mortal world. Or it was a deadly garden filled with poisonous plants. Or it was a graveyard teeming with Cat Noir's other victims.

Marinette growled in frustration each time those thoughts came to her head. I read too many fantasy books.

But if it wasn't any of those things… what could it be? And why was it worth keeping a secret? The inconspicuousness of all it reminded her of a tapestry, full of little stitches that went off in too many directions. You had to step back several paces in order to see the bigger picture.

Marinette just hoped she would be able to stomach what she would see once she found out.

On the fifth evening, Wayzz called the rest of the fairies for a group meeting in the first-level study.

The turtle fairy stood on the fireplace mantle like a general addressing his soldiers. His friends loitered throughout the room as they watched and listened. "All right, everyone," Wayzz announced in his elderly voice. "I'm sure you all know why we are here. It has come to my attention that our esteemed guest isn't quite feeling at home in the castle."

"I'll say," Plagg snarled from the top of the chair. "All she wants to do is hide up in her room all day. Not to mention she avoids Cat Noir like the plague. Honestly, she's the most impossible girl I've ever met!"

Pollen giggled as she took a seat beside Wayzz. "She's the only girl you've ever met, silly," she said.

"I stand by my statement."

"Oh, stop your grousing, chaton," Duusu said from her spot on the footstool, where she was busy plucking her tail feathers. "Remember, Marinette lost her family and her freedom all in one day."

"I like her," Trixx chimed in positively. She was playing with the globe on top of the desk, pretending she was running all the way across the world. "I mean, did you see the way she stood up to Cat Noir that first day when he talked down about her father? She's got spunk, I'll give her that."

Tikki nodded eagerly and hovered in the air. "All the more reason we should bring them together! I'm telling you, guys – she's the one!"

Nooroo sighed from the desk. "Try telling the Master that," he said, his wings bending down with melancholy. "He's convinced she'll never love him. And with the rose already wilting…"

Everyone winced. Trixx stopped playing with the globe and slithered down onto the desk beside her butterfly friend.

Plagg let out a meow-like groan. "Awwrrrr… cheese-whiz! There's gotta be something we can do!" He scratched the back of his large head. "Couldn't we just… stick them both in a room together? Add a little music and candlelight to the scenery?"

Wayzz shook his head. "We can't force them to fall in love, Plagg. They need time –"

"We don't have time!" Now Plagg was rising up in the air, and his fur was standing on end. "That girl is the kid's only chance of becoming human again! And if he would stop moping around and actually try talking to her –"

"He does try!" Tikki argued as she flew over to him. "But every time he asks her to join him for dinner, she always refuses!"

"Well, maybe it's time he stopped asking." Plagg paused to let those words sink in before continuing. "Maybe it's time he went back to giving orders. It's within his rights, after all."

Tikki's red face seemed to turn a shade darker. "You know full well he won't order her around," she snapped lowly.

"Well, what should he do then – beg?!"

"Enough!" Wayzz's voice boomed from the mantle, causing the fireplace to flicker from the slight burst of magic.

Tikki and Plagg froze and then stared down at the ground shamefully.

Now that they were calm, the turtle fairy hovered down to meet them, his yellow eyes now etched with sincerity. "You're both in the right, but arguing about it isn't going to help anyone. We have to handle this situation delicately. It's like watching a potted plant grow." He created a swirl of magical green dust in the shape of a flower. "You water it, you make sure it gets enough sunlight and fresh air… but in the end, you let nature run its course."

"Yawn," Plagg said with exaggeration. "Get real, Wise One. They're humans, not succulents."

Duusu fluffed her feathers one last time before leaping off the footstool. "Wayzz does present a valid point, mes amies," she said. "And I believe the first course should be to make Marinette's stay here a bit more comfortable. That might make things easier, non?"

"Birdbrain's right," Trixx stated as she joined the group. "What that girl needs is a good pick-me-up. She's a guest in our castle, ain't she? She needs to feel at home here."

Wayzz nodded with intrigue. "For once, Trixx, your idea is most ingenious." He eyed the rest of the fairies with a mischievous gleam worthy of Plagg. "Perhaps its high-time we give the lady a welcome worthy of our magical skills."

Pollen beamed and shot into the air. "Ooh! Like a cabaret!" she said excitedly.

"With glowing lights!" Nooroo added, throwing several purple fairy-lights into the air.

"And wine," Duusu suggested.

"And music," Tikki added, pretending to string a violin (and making music while she was at it).

"And fireworks!" Trixx proclaimed, making orange sparks fly.

"And camembert!" Plagg cheered.

Everyone looked at him blankly.

The cat fairy shrugged. "What?"

"Right this way, Marinette," Tikki said later that night as she guided her human friend down the hall.

Marinette followed cautiously, knowing the ladybug fairy was up to something.

For one thing, she had only mentioned that she was taking Marinette out for a "special occasion", and that she should wear something "nice". At first, Marinette was afraid that the fairies were planning a surprise dinner for her and Cat Noir (who was no doubt involved in the plan). But Tikki assured it was solely for her.

So, Marinette decided to try her luck. She had chosen one of her simpler new outfits: a periwinkle dress that fell down to her ankles and had a matching bodice hand-stitched with silver threads. The white, airy sleeves ended in cuffs on her wrists. Her black shoes tapped lightly against the floor as she walked, as comfortable as they were fancy.

When they reached the main floor of the castle and turned down the hall to the dining area, Marinette's nerves started to get the better of her again. And when they approached the long wooden table and found the entire place vacated and devoid of light, Marinette couldn't help but glance at the shadows.

"What exactly is this all about?" she finally asked.

Tikki turned to her with a friendly smile. "We know it's been hard for you adjusting to this place," she said, "so we decided to do prepare something to cheer you up."

"We?"

Tikki winked at her. Then, she gave a whistle.

At once, an invisible orchestra sounded from the darkness, startling Marinette. But she relaxed when she saw Wayzz flying through the air holding a silver dish. He rose up to the ceiling, where the high windows let in beautiful streaks of moonlight. Holding the dish at angle, he made one of the streaks bounce off its reflective surface and shoot down onto the table.

In the center of the beam stood Duusu, her body concealed by a fan of blue-and-pink feathers. "Ma cher mademoiselle," she announced graciously in accordance with the music. "It is with deepest pride and greatest pleasure that we welcome you tonight."

Marinette smiled… but then gasped when a nearby chair magically swept her off her feet and scooted her closer to the table. She looked up and saw Tikki smirking.

"And now," Duusu continued, sweeping her feathers away, "we invite you to relax, let us pull up a chair… as the Fairies of the Enchanted Castle proudly present –!"

"Need a better name than that!" yowled a voice from behind one of the doors. Marinette recognized it as Plagg's.

Duusu shot the door an irritated glare. "Silence!" she said in French. Then, she turned back to Marinette with a polite smile. "Where was I? Ah, oui – your dinner!"

She clapped her hands, and an entire line-up of large dishes covered with lids flew into the room like leaves on the wind. Marinette watched open-mouthed as each dish settled itself neatly onto the table.

Then, as napkins floated down from the ceiling like miniature ghosts, Duusu started to sing:

"Be our guest, be our guest,

Put our service to the test.

Tie your napkin 'round your neck, cherie

And we'll provide the rest."

Marinette then watched as the lids of the dishes were removed one by one, each displaying an artful platter of food she had never seen before.

"Soup du jour, hot hors d'oeuvres!

Why, we only live to serve.

Try the grey stuff, it's delicious!

Don't believe me? Ask the dishes!"

Duusu pirouetted down the table like a ballerina.

At that moment, Pollen appeared in a puff of golden smoke… along with an assortment of plates and cutlery that lifted at her command to form a sculpture of the Eiffel Tower.

Marinette beamed. She had only seen that monument in books!

Then, Pollen took it away, dancing and spinning while she sang:

"They can sing, they can dance!

After all, Miss, this is France!

And a dinner here is never second best!

Go on, unfold your menu,

Take a glance and then you'll

Be our guest – Oui, our guest!

Be our guest!"

Pollen clapped her tiny hands and beckoned to the three large doors leading to the kitchens.

One by one, three carts carrying more food emerged into the dining hall… carrying Wayzz, Plagg and Trixx with them.

The turtle fairy went first:

"Beef ragout, cheese souffle,

Pie and pudding "en flambe"!

We'll prepare and serve with flair

A culinary cabaret!"

Then, Plagg and Trixx hovered into the air, juggling spoons, forks and… burning candles?

Plagg flashed a grin as he sang along and played at the same time:

"You're alone and you're scared,

But the banquet's all prepared!

No one's gloomy or complaining

While the flatware's entertaining!"

Trixx then started spinning along the great chandelier hanging from the ceiling, which lit up at her touch.

"We tell jokes, I do tricks

With my magic candlesticks!

And it's all in perfect taste that you can bet!"

Marinette giggled as the rest of the fairies came together on the table, surrounded by an army of cutlery that marched to the beat of the song. A few of them leapt into the air like acrobats.

"Come on and lift your glass!

You've won your own free pass

To be our guest!

If you're stressed, it's fine dining we suggest!

Be our guest, be our guest, be our guest!"

Then, the music and the lighting died down into a softer, sadder tune, and Nooroo fluttered down from the ceiling with a hand on his heart.

"Life is so unnerving

For a servant who's not serving.

He's not whole without a soul to wait upon.

Ah, those good old days when we were useful.

Suddenly those good old days are gone!"

Duusu used a salt shaker to make it look like it was snowing, and Nooroo got down on his knees before Marinette while she dug into her food and watched.

"Too long we've been waiting!

Always lounging and debating!

Needing exercise, a chance to use our skills!"

Plagg came over, sniffling like a baby, and pulled his butterfly friend into a hug.

"Most days we just lay around the castle…"

Then, they both instantly cheered up and twirled through the air:

"Flabby, fat and lazy

You walked in and oops-a-daisy!"

The kitchen doors swept open, revealing an ecstatic Tikki followed by an assortment of cakes, teapots with matching cups, and – of course – more napkins.

"It's a guest, it's a guest!

Sakes alive, well I'll be blessed!

Wine's been poured and thank the Lord,

I've had the napkins freshly pressed.

With dessert, she'll want tea

And my dear, that's fine with me.

While the cups do their soft shoeing,

I'll get bubbling, I'll get brewing!"

All the teapots on their little heaters blew out columns of steam, and Tikki flew through them before letting out a small sneeze. Then, she doubled checked that Marinette's tea was ready.

"Make it warm, piping hot...

Heaven's sakes! Is that a spot?

Clean it up! We want the company impressed!

We've got a lot to do

Is it one lump or two?

For you, our guest!"

"She's our guest?" Trixx called.

"She's our guest!" Tikki confirmed.

"She's our guest!" Plagg cheered.

Then, Duusu, Pollen and Trixx appeared adorned with feathers and flowers. As the three of them sang, they then swan-dived into a giant punch bowl, splashing pink juice as they did a synchronized dance.

"Be our guest, be our guest!

Our command is your request!

It's been months since we had anybody here

And we're obsessed!

With your meal, with your ease!

Yes, indeed, we aim to please!

While the candlelight's still glowing…

Let us help you…

We'll keep going…!"

Marinette gasped as the room lit up with little fireworks, and all seven fairies started dancing on and around the tall cakes, waving magical sparkles everywhere. Wayzz also used the silver dish to redirect the moonlight to a cluster of pink wine glasses, which made beautiful pink lights dance around the room. Marinette clapped her hands to the music throughout the finale.

"Course by course!

One by one!

'Til you shout, "Enough, I'm done!"

Then we'll sing you off to sleep as you digest!

Tonight you'll prop your feet up,

But for now, let's eat up

Be our guest…

Be our guest…

Be our guest!

Please, be… our… guest!"

One last whirlwind of magic, and then rows of champagne bottles burst open in great gushes while the fairies struck their final poses and the phantom music came to an end.

Marinette was on the edge of her seat, and she applauded proudly. "Bravo!" she called breathlessly. "That was amazing!"

"Thank you, thank you… thank you very much," Plagg said, bowing at the waist. Then, he straightened and turned to his friends. "Now, who wants some pudding?"

Several of the fairies eagerly cast their votes, and Marinette giggled.

These little critters sure knew how to throw a big, magical party.

And for the first time since she arrived at the castle, Marinette was glad she was here to see it.