Disclaimer: I own nothing except for my OC Cosette and the alterations to the storyline plot her presence provides to the amusement of various readers everywhere across the globe.
Innocence Of A Child Chapter 18
Beast took both Belle and Cosette to the castle library. He has something magical he'd like to show them. Once inside he told them to wait together by the fireplace while he went over to a cabinet, removing a book from within.
It was a beautiful tome, the leather cover lined with gold leaf and glimmered in the firelight.
Cosette's eyes sparkled, reaching out to grave her fingers over the lovely engravings stitched in.
Chuckling at her antics, Beast said "Another little gift from the Enchantress. A book that truly allows you to escape."
Beast then opened the book to a certain section where they behold an antique world atlas after he lightly blew the dust off of the pages. Even more astonishing is that the images on the pages appear to be mobile as they move all on their own. He then sat it at a tiny pedestal that stood on a table.
Marveling at the wondrous magic and beauty, Belle said "How amazing!"
"Pretty," stated Cosette.
Out of all the books Cosette has seen, even without words, this really is the most magnificent of them all.
Softly, not at all sounding nearly as resentful as he used to, Beast said "It was her cruelest trick of all. It was just another curse. The outside world has no place for a creature like me…but it can for you. For both of you." Beast then gently placed Belle's hand flat out on the atlas. "Think of the place you've always wanted to see. Now find it in your minds eye. Then feel it in your heart. Hold onto your sister, Cosette. You don't want to be left behind in this."
Cosette complies, doing just that.
Belle closes her eyes doing as he requested of her.
One minute the three of them were there in the library and the next the trio are somewhere else.
Beast, Belle, and Cosette are now standing in a small dusty apartment as part of a Montmartre windmill with a few of glittering lights shining from a city skyline. The only sound is the Montmartre windmills blades slowly moving past the window from the wind.
"Where did you take us," inquired Beast.
"Paris," breathed Belle, eyes wide looking around the dim lit room they are standing in, a shard of recognition hitting her.
"Oh, I love Paris," exclaimed Beast, believing she had taken them to Paris to see the sights other than this rundown deserted windmill, going over to the window to glimpse outside. "What would you like to see first? Notre Dame, The Champs-Elysees?" Belle didn't respond. "Too touristy?"
"Oh please, can we, Belle? Please," said Cosette, bouncing up and down at the window beside Beast excitedly. She then turns to find that her sister wasn't paying any attention to them. Instead she finds Belle deeply absorbed in her own thoughts walking around quite absentmindedly. "Belle?"
Blinking back tears as her eyes rove everywhere in the apartment that looks like no one has lived her in years, Belle whispered "It's so much smaller than I imagined."
Tugging on her sisters dress, Cosette asked "What do you mean, Belle?"
Stroking a hand down Cosette's hair, Belle said "This is home."
"What," said Cosette.
"Father and I use to live here before you were born. Father told me story's, but this is the first time I've been here," said Belle, going over to a shabby table and chair to inspect the well done sketches left behind there.
.
This is the Paris of my childhood
These were the borders of my life
In this crumbling dusty attic
Where an artist loved his wife
Easy to remember
Harder to move on
Knowing the Paris of my childhood is gone
.
Belle then picked up a dusty rattle in the shape of a rose holding it up to her eyes. Small flashes went through her mind as she remembers this to be hers as a baby. Same as the crib lying in the apartment center.
Discerning the level of gravity in importance this place has on her, gazing at everything with new open eyes, Beast said "What happened to your mother?"
Shrugging, Belle said "It was the one story Papa could never bring himself to tell. I knew better than to ask. Taught Cosette the same as soon as she was old enough to understand on her own."
The Beasts eyes then travel over a lonely chair in the corner of the room. He picked up a black mask that resembled a bird's break lying there. He examined it recognizing the apparel for what it is and the purpose behind it. This particular doctors mask is used to prevent the person using it front contracting a patients' life threatening disease.
Expression pained, Beast said "Oh. A doctor's mask. Plague."
Belle's mother had perished from it when the plague hit this part of Paris all those many years ago. This is the reason why Maurice took Belle out of Paris, to protect them both from dying like she did. It all makes sense now.
Regretting how he treated the old man, Beast apologized "I'm sorry I ever called your father a thief."
Touched by his passion and genuine sincerity behind that confession Cosette goes over to hug Beast around the waste. Beast lifts her up and she nestles her face into his shoulder, arms wrapped tightly around his neck.
Tears brimming in her eyes, unable to bear being there any longer, Belle whispered "Let's go home."
Beast once more put their hands on the pages of the atlas. And in the blink of an eye they are all back where they belong.
Authors Note:
Wishing you all a Happy 4th of July!
Hope you all like this one! I certainly did while writing it for your vast enjoyment! ;D
I'm glad to have finally gotten back to this after such a long absence compared to some others on my profile. I've been meaning to for a while and only now I've managed to find time and inspiration for it. Still in the beginning stages, but I'm very satisfied and happy about it.
I recently put up a new story called Fish Out Of Water. It's a crossover between the movie Shape of Water and the show Siren. So far I have everything figured out except one little thing. A name for my OC. Basically, since my OC character is in fact a mermaid I want the name to be in reference to the oceans or any other body of water similar to lakes or rivers. I'm more than open to suggestions so like I usually do in situations like this I'm turning it into a contest. The reader who gives me the winning name gets a question answered about the plot of the changed storyline in question. So think long and hard guys on the name and the type of question you'd like me to answer. Because you only get the one until the next opportunity arises for the taking. ;D