Chapter Two: Foe and Friend

For the most part, the castle was rather silent that morning. There was hardly any time for chatter and gossip as the preparations for the celebration unfurled in every room. Even the mischievous cat, Stitches, who normally found fun in squabbling with Sultan the dog simply took her lazy time sulking about the halls, avoiding everyone's feet as they ran by, missing her by meager inches. Seeking safety, however, she jumped at the first open door she could find, the ballroom.

Inside, many were gathered cleaning and putting up decorations simultaneously to save time, and that is where something caught the cat's hazel eyes...something fluttery...birdlike...feathery...

Slowly, she crept without a sound towards it as it glided across the fireplace mantle. The closer she came the faster she went until she finally took two flying leaps from a nearby chair to the mantle itself to pounce. Babette shrieked at the unexpected attack and as Stitches did not back down from her trying to shake her from the duster, she reached down to grab her shoe and took aim. Thankfully, that was enough to ward off the frightened cat, who fled with a hiss.

As the shoe was returned to her foot, Babette growled frustrated, absent-mindedly holding the duster close as if to comfort it. She could not stand cats, not since the spell. Even as a pillow, Stitches found some way or another to bother her, and having been a feather duster herself, she knew the frightening results. No one could convince her otherwise that although Stitches had no claws or teeth at the time, she still managed to give her a few bruises.

"A cat running away in fear; I knew it had to be you."

Babette turned back to the fireplace immediately to find Angelique, the castle's decorator for events hosted by the master and mistress. "Well, well, look who has finally returned home, the devil in disguise; took you long enough after trying to make such a reputation for yourself all over France."

"Such names already, oh maid of dishonor, rephrasing the title you held at the wedding last year?"

"Oh go hang on a tree."

"Cleaning lady."

"Harlot!"

"Wench!"

Babette's eyes instantly scorched right into her, ready to kill if need be...until they both laughed and embraced like old friends. "Mon Dieu, I missed you; it wasn't nearly as much fun around here."

Angelique sneered lightheartedly. "Says she who can get any man she needs even though she has the one she wants."

"One of the few intelligent things I have heard you say," the maid laughed.

Angelique pouted, almost genuinely upset. "Well I thought we had finished the hellos."

"Je suis désolé, mon amie; that was the last one I promise."

"Très bien," Angelique teasingly dangled a folded piece of paper in front of her face. "I would not want to keep this for myself out of spite...well that is not true, but you know what I mean."

Babette reached for it quickly. "Merci le Dieu, I've been waiting for this...give it to me!" By the third reach, she had grabbed it, turning to read as privately as she could, surprisingly having to shove Angelique away only once. The bottom right corner was burned slightly, she noticed with a grin. There was no need to sign his notes anymore; that was all Lumière had to do for her to know it was from him.

Ma plumette, I have just received glorious news. For one celebration, we shall not be servants, but guests. The very moment when dinner ends, the master has ordered that we enjoy ourselves for once. (I almost feel horrible for Cogsworth, as he seems very lost at the thought.) While I cannot speak for you, I certainly intend to obey the master's orders, and highly doubt you would disagree. Until tonight, I suffer each hour in such torturous agony thinking of that kiss you still owe me, and how much sweeter it will be this evening under the stars. My one, my only, I shall see you then.

With a distant, unconscious smile, Babette folded the letter again, putting it into her apron pocket, and not noticing as Angelique smirked teasingly.

"You seem intent on enjoying yourself tonight..."

"Indeed, I do."

"Anything...particularly special?"

Babette grinned coyly. "You know I never kiss and tell." Lowering her voice the slightest bit more, she added, "Please just relay the reply that I will meet him, will you?"

Angelique heaved a highly sarcastic sigh. "That is it! I am going to begin charging for messenger services if this continues!"

She did not hesitate to run, however, as Babette chased her from the room just as she had done to Stitches, with the almighty lethal shoe.