Innocence Of A Child

by ZabuzasGirl

Everyone already knows the tale of how a prince was transformed into a beast and a young woman broke his curse. But what if Belle wasn't the one to save the prince. What if the spell wasn't broken by a lover. Instead...what if the Beast and all others who were entrapped with him were saved by the faith and innocence of a child. And this child's name is Cosette, Belle's sister.

12. Chapter 12

Innocence of a Child Chapter 11

Belle and Cosette were led by Mrs. Potts into the dining room where Lumiere and the entire kitchen staff were eagerly waiting their arrival.

Belle and Cosette took the seats provided for them. But Cosette wasn't comfortable sitting by herself so Belle sat the little one in her lap.

Lumiere leapt onto the table with a flourish. Plumette then directed a beam of moonlight onto him to make it appear like the candelabrum were standing in the middle of a dazzling spotlight.

"Ma chere Mademoiselle's, it is with deepest pride and greatest pleasure that we welcome you tonight. And now we invite you to relax, let us pull up your chairs," two came out of nowhere for the two sisters to sit on and gently pushed them into the table, "as the dining room proudly presents…Your dinner," announced Lumiere, bowing low at the waste to the two sisters.

The Harpsicord, Maestro Cadenza, played a tune on his keys. The bulk of then winced when he hit a wrong note, but it was quickly corrected.

Belle and Cosette then bore witness to a performance that no one else would ever have a privilege of seeing in their entire lives.

.

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

.

Auderves flew out of the kitchen doors to be presented before them.

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Soup du jour, hot hors d'oeuvres

Why, we only live to serve

Try the grey stuff, it's delicious

.

They certainly did and found it delightful. Belle had to stop Cosette from making a mess of it.

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Don't believe me, ask the dishes

.

Out of nowhere dishes of lovely silver, crystal, gold, and china appeared dancing with Lumiere on the length of the table.

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They can sing, they can dance

After all, miss, this is France

And a dinner here is never second best

.

Lumiere then handed the girls a menu. They quickly scanned it over and made their selections.

The show then proceeded.

.

Go on, unfold your menu

Take a glance and then you'll

Be our guest, be our guest

Be our guest

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From out of the kitchen doors came trolley after trolley of plates, bowls, and cups filled with an assortment of food and drink lined up before them to try. They sampled each and every one all the while the theatrical show went on.

At some point Cogsworth appeared trying to stop the show, but none of his compatriots would listen as he tried to quiet them down.

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Beef ragout, cheese soufflé

Pie and pudding, on flambé

We'll prepare and serve with flair

A culinary cabaret

You're alone and you're scared

But the banquet's all prepared

No one's gloomy or complaining

While the flatware's entertaining

We tell jokes, I do tricks

With my fellow candlesticks

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

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

.

Where before the mood was happy now it turned gloomy as Lumiere got into how grim and boring their lives had been all alone in this palace without anyone to serve besides the Beast.

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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 (hey Cogsworth)

Suddenly those good old days are gone

Too long we've been rusting

Needing so much more than dusting

Needing exercise, a chance to use our skills!

Most days we just lay around the castle

Flabby, fat and lazy

You walked in and oops-a-daisy!

.

Now as the mood came back up Mrs. Potts made an appearance joining in with the rest.

It's a guest, it's a guest

Sake's alive, well I'll be blessed!

Wine's been poured and thank the Lord

I've had the napkins freshly pressed

With dessert, they'll want tea

And my dear that's fine with me

While the cups do their soft-shoein'

I'll be bubbling, I'll be brewing

.

Belle and Cosette were then served two cups of warm and refreshing tea, fresh from the pot.

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I'll get 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

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Lumiere then took over again.

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They're our guests

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At this point Cogsworth figured if you couldn't beat them, then join them.

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They're our guests!

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Heading into the final stretch Cosette was nearly filled to bursting with all this marvelous food as was Belle.

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Be our guest, be our guest!

Our command is your request

It's been years since we've 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

.

The entire kitchen staff is going all out making sure these two visitors had an experience they'll never forget.

.

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 by one every single sample of food and trace of the dinner was removed as the staff retreated back into the kitchen. The chairs that had mysteriously vanished reappeared from above as they were reset to their places at the table.

Now only Lumiere remained as he elegantly danced his way down to where the now satisfied sisters were sitting on their end.

Pulling out a concealed tray from behind his back that's carrying two samples of delicious pastry's, bowing at the waste, Lumiere asked "Pudding?"

All Belle and Cosette could do was laugh.

What an evening!

Authors Note:

Hope you guys like this one. ;D