A/N: I'm such a slacker. I waited until nearly the last minute to write and post my entry for the monthly challenge at Live Journal's SxL community, but nevertheless, I do have a winner here! The prompt was "fairytales", and needless to say this boggled me like mad, but I finally conjured something plausible and workable. I based it off of the common fairytale of Beauty and the Beast, and just to avoid hysterical disclaimer maniacs, I do not own that story, so don't throw rocks at me just because I use some of the actual story in this fic.

Dedication: To Momoiro Usagi at LJ who has been an awesome encouragement these last few weeks. Love ya, hon!

A Beautiful Story

In the darkness of the old library in the quaint little town, Lust knew that she wouldn't find much of value here, but there was a possibility that an alchemist who used to live in these parts could have stowed away a book about the Philosopher's Stone. It was a long-shot, but she was bored anyway, and was fed up with Envy's impossible company. Fortunately for her sanity, Gluttony was off in the woods nearby getting what he called a "snack". Regardless, she was grateful for the time she had to herself, even in a dusty little library.

As she peered around at the small science and education section, she found nothing of immediate interest. Titles like u Mathematic Principles /u and u Chemical Reactions /u did not snag her attention, for she already knew everything required, she just didn't have the means to make these things happen, except through manipulation. Her beauty and feigned charm were her only true allies and strengths, and her victims would fall for it every time.

But her beauty was stolen from another and her charm was something she could easily fake. Nothing about her was genuine or complete, and she was just a puzzle with the last piece missing. Of course, this still infuriated her day after day, taunting her stolen memories that could never be her own until she became whole. And who was the only one who held that key?

Master.

How she hated having to call the wretched woman that, especially since Lust knew that the superior alchemist had been pulling on all of their helpless little strings all this time. The homunculi were nothing more than mere puppets to use at her command, and they had no choice but to do her will – even Envy followed his "mother's" orders.

Shaking the frustrating thoughts out of her head, Lust scanned the top shelf, spotting an author's peculiar name that sparked her interest, but the title of the book made her wrinkle her nose in slight disgust. However, in a sort of arrogant manner, she snatched the book and looked at the cover, the title printed in mimicking gold ink that she read aloud, "Beauty and the Beast." she scoffed lightly, admiring the author's name one more time before opening up the book to skim through it.

To her surprise, the bulk of the book was filled with beautifully illustrated pictures of a radiant young woman with long hair, pale features, and brilliant rose red lips. Lust easily assumed that this must have been the title's star character, Beauty. Drawn in by the detail in the first picture, she found an old raggedy chair to sit on and began to read with slight interest.

"Once upon a time…" , the beginning read, as did most tales of the sort, "In a very far off country, lived a merchant who had been so fortunate in all his undertakings that he was enormously wealthy."

Lust found that to be vaguely familiar – like Dante, only she wondered if this merchant was just as selfish, or if he had much better motives. Curious, she read on, "As he had six sons and six daughters, he found that his money was not too much to let them all have what they fancied." Absent-mindedly, she breathed a sigh of relief – she didn't need to hear another repeat of her master's ways.

As she read on to learn of the family's sudden misfortune by means of a house-fire, Lust began to learn more about the family itself, particularly the youngest daughter who was the maiden pictured in the illustration, fondly known as 'Beauty', for she was just as her name suggested; beautiful. The precious maiden was incredibly unselfish and was always willing to do what needed to be done, even when it was her older sisters' responsibility to do so. In a way, that reminded Lust a little bit of herself – she often had to do the dirty work when no one else would, but the sad thing was, she often enjoyed it. Amazingly, she was shocked to hear that Beauty enjoyed the extra tasks she was given, too – such irony.

But unlike Lust, Beauty was happy and joyful all the time, trying to be an encouragement to her family when all hope seemed to be gone. Her father and brothers were more than grateful for her gaiety, but her sisters resented it, almost claiming that Beauty was crazy and foolish. That struck a chord in Lust's mind, recalling the Scarred Man's misfortune for being labeled a heretic by his own usually accepting people. Steadily, this saddening fairy-tale began to intrigue her more.

Finally, some seemingly wonderful news reached the family that one of the merchant's ships he once believed to be lost had returned to port. This meant that there was hope of regaining their previous lives, and each begged for their father to set off on the journey to claim his ship – all except for Beauty.

Again, Lust had to pause, finding such unmistakable familiarity in this tale, as if she had read and lived some of it already. When she read the words it felt as if she was telling the story for a second time, or rather, the story was being retold to her.

Before the merchant's departure, he was sweet enough to ask his children if there was anything their heart's desired upon his return. Many of them wished for finer clothes and gold to purchase a better piece of land to live on, but Beauty merely requested that her father bring her back a rose, as they were rare in their part of the country. Though her humble request was easily ignored by her sisters, the father agreed to do his best and bring his favorite child back what she wanted.

So many similarities to herself… She didn't want money or material things anymore – all she wanted was her soul so that she could love like he knew her former self had done. She wanted to know if this strange feeling where her heart was supposed to be was directed genuinely at the Scarred Man…

Eventually, she learned that the goods of the ship had already been divided amongst the merchant's former partners, having believed him to be dead, and when he set off on the journey back home, discouraged and still as poor as when he started, he found himself lost in the woods, bringing his trip away from home to be six month's time. He finally stumbled upon a seemingly abandoned castle, and though he was wary of the place, he found the cold to be far too unbearable. So he invited himself in to sit by the fire, rest and woke up to discover a delicious meal prepared at the table. Afterwards, he took his horse to the stable, and on the way back, he walked along a path lined with exquisite flowers of nearly every fathomable bloom, including the most beautiful roses he had ever seen. Recalling that Beauty had requested the rose, he plucked one, only to soon be horrified by the most terrible sound.

It was then that a ferocious beast towered over him, demanding to know why the old man was stealing his precious roses. Frightened, the merchant meekly replied that it was only for his precious daughter. The Beast bellowed out harsh words of the thieving merchant who had been given so much, and had come to take more from a poor creature such as himself, but when the old man cried out that what trouble his daughter's wish had brought him, the Beast offered mercy, but at the expense of one of his daughters that would have to live with him at his castle, or else the merchant would die.

Lust saw another analogy of the daughter's request to her own dream – there was much sacrifice in obtaining what you wished. For the merchant's life, he would have to give up one of his beloved daughters, and for Lust, many, many lives would have to be taken so that she could gain her soul. Equivalent exchange applied even in simple folklore.

Though deeply saddened that the price would be so heavy, the merchant thanked the Beast for his mercy and began the journey home, but not before the rose he had plucked was offered to him once again. Grateful, he hurried home to his eager children who were all discouraged to hear of the terrible tale, while Beauty was only happy to see her father safe and sound. However, once she was told of the Beast and of the sacrifice one the daughters would have to make, she bravely stepped forward and volunteered to be the one. Her brothers and father pleaded that she not force herself to do such, but she had admitted that it was her own "foolish request for a rose" that had gotten her father into this predicament, so she insisted that she go for the sake of the family.

And so the beautiful maiden returned to the castle with her father for a brief few nights, accepting to stay with the Beast, though rather frightened of him. After her father had departed with goods graciously given by the Beast himself, Beauty found herself alone in this dark castle with the creature, but she somehow didn't find him to be as cruel as his appearance boasted. Each night at dinner, they would talk of small and simple things, and at the end of the meal, he would always ask her to marry him. But each time, Beauty would politely refuse, so he would thus bid her goodnight until the next day.

However, amidst all this redundancy, each night in her dreams Beauty would see a charming and handsome prince, who would talk with her so sweetly she found herself to be falling in love. Night after night she would dream of him, but just like her conversations with the Beast, the prince would plead with her as to why she continued to hurt him so. It was a matter of pure repetition in this castle, it seemed, but Lust was struck by something that almost made her feel hopeful.

"Ah, Beauty! You are not so unfortunate as you suppose. Here you will be rewarded for all you have suffered elsewhere. Your every wish shall be gratified. Only try to find me out, no matter how I may be disguised, as I love you dearly, and in making me happy you will find your own happiness. Be as true-hearted as you are beautiful, and we shall have nothing left to wish for."

Reminded of her hopes and dreams for a future that had meaning, Lust couldn't help but gingerly touch the drawing on the opposite page, illustrating the sweet scene of the prince begging for Beauty to look deeper than what her eyes could see. Lust already saw deeper into the Scarred Man, not viewing him as a monster like he was labeled, and easily called himself, but she saw something genuine, too. Like her, he wanted something better than what he had, but unlike her, he knew he would never be able to obtain it. He was too much of a pessimist for his own good.

The story went on in the same manner, but at one point, Beauty requested of the Beast that she be allowed to return home for a two month period to be with her family. Dejected and heart-broken, the Beast cried out, "Ah! Beauty, have you the heart to desert an unhappy Beast like this? What more do you want to make you happy? Is it because you hate me that you want to escape?"

"No, dear Beast," answered Beauty softly, "I do not hate you, and I should be very sorry never to see you any more, but I long to see my father again. Only let me go for two months, and I promise to come back to you and stay for the rest of my life."

The Beast, who had been sighing dolefully while she spoke, now replied:

"I cannot refuse you anything you ask, even though it should cost me my life. Take the four boxes you will find in the room next to your own, and fill them with everything you wish to take with you. But remember your promise and come back when the two months are over, or you may have cause to repent it, for if you do not come in good time you will find your faithful Beast dead. You will not need any chariot to bring you back. Only say good-by to all your brothers and sisters the night before you come away, and when you have gone to bed turn this ring round upon your finger and say firmly: 'I wish to go back to my palace and see my Beast again.' Good-night, Beauty. Fear nothing, sleep peacefully, and before long you shall see your father once more."

At first Lust was appalled to read that Beauty had the nerve to leave the Beast after all he had done for her, but the deeper in thought she became, she realized that Beauty's intentions were sincere, and that she would gladly come back to the Beast to keep him from unquestionable misery. However, this didn't seem to strike any familiar notes with Lust, as if this was all completely foreign to her. The Beast's actions, and not even Beauty's seemed recognizable to her mind's eye, so with a slightly confused demeanor, she went on.

As she had said, Beauty returned to her family with many special gifts, spending time with her family that were now living in town again, enjoying a life of ease. But over time, Beauty began to miss the Beast, and especially her dreams of the prince, of whom she did not dream of once in her time away from the castle. Nor did she quote the phrase the Beast had asked her to, meaning to say it each night, but would put it off every time. Lust found herself rather disgusted by this, knowing that each moment Beauty delayed, the closer the Beast's end drew near. She knew all humans could be selfish – all of them.

But one night, Beauty finally had a dream, but a rather dismal one, featuring the Beast alone in a cave, dying of his broken heart. After he reproached the maiden, a stately lady appeared before Beauty to tell her, "Ah! Beauty, you are only just in time to save his life. See what happens when people do not keep their promises! If you had delayed one day more, you would have found him dead."

Terrified by this dream, Beauty decided to leave the very next day, and simply by declaring the words "I wish to go back to my palace and be with my Beast again" she found herself back at the castle. As usual, she waited until supper in hopes that the Beast would join her, but when he did no such thing, she hurried into the garden in which her precious rose had been found and began to search for the creature. When she did find him, she wailed loudly, for he was just as her last dream had illustrated; on the ground and dying.

"Oh he is dead, and it is all my fault!" Beauty cried bitterly.

But then, looking at him again, she fancied he still breathed, and, hastily fetching some water from the nearest fountain she sprinkled it over his face, and, to her great delight he awoke.

"Oh! Beast how you frightened me!" she cried. ""I never knew how much I loved you until just now, when I feared I was too late to save your life."

"Can you really love such an ugly creature as I am?" said the Beast faintly, "Ah! Beauty, you only came just in time. I was dying because I thought you had forgotten your promise."

Lust stared in wonder at the illustration of the maiden cradling the Beast in her arms, tears streaking down her perfect face in clear representation that she was mourning for the poor Beast's condition. It was just then that Lust noticed a peculiarity in the paper in the shape of an irregular blotch. She touched it to be surprised that it was wet, and noticing this, she also felt something cool on her cheek. She was crying over a fairytale?

Could words of folklore really have such a tremendous impact on a soulless creature such as herself? To bring her to tears that she had never before cried? It was possible, and here was the evidence, the wetness already beginning to fade into the parchment that was begging to be read, as she only had but a page more to complete. Deciding to piece it all together once finished, Lust resolved to finish the tale at once.

It went on to say that a few moments later after the Beast recovered, the two went back into the dining hall to have their supper, in which the bold, yet now simple question of marriage arose again. Beauty promptly and sincerely replied that she would, and as she spoke, blazes of light and sound shot about her, filling the room in a glorious golden and white atmosphere. Amazed but still confused, Beauty had turned to the Beast to ask what was amiss, and was surprised to see her beloved prince from her dreams. At the same moment, two women appeared in the room, one the stately woman from the dream, and the other a lady of apparent royal stature.

As it turned out, the stately lady was an enchantress who had cursed the prince to live in a beastly manner as his cold heart suggested he was, and it was only when he would learn to love and be loved in return that he would revert to his normal self. And the royal woman at the enchantress' side was none other than the prince's queen mother, who consented with all of her heart to allow her son to marry the charming Beauty.

"…And they lived happily ever after."

The last illustration was by far the most breathtaking, the astounding Beauty dressed in a gown of long, white flowing fabric, veil flowing behind her as she danced with her dashing prince of her dreams. In the foreground was a beautiful stain glass window with the apparent portrait of a blooming rose, as if to simply bring more color into the photo, but Lust knew what the artist was trying to interpret; even in evident ugliness, there is always beauty.

She finally found the courage to close the book and looked upon the title again, finding such meaning in just those four simple words. Fairytale or not, it felt significant, as she had felt ugly and plainly sinful for her very being, there was still hope that she could achieve her goal. And just as the Scarred Man found himself to be the lowest of the low, there was by far more than one chance for him to redeem himself and show his true colors.

Intruding on her pleasant thoughts came a sharp voice from the doorway, Lust peering over her shoulder to meet with the perpetual gaze of Envy who sneered, "What are you still doing in this dusty old place? Have you found anything useful for our master yet?"

"No, I didn't find anything," Lust replied, pushing the book back into its former place on the shelf, being careful to tuck it in neatly so that the librarian wouldn't notice anything different about his precious store in the morning.

"Then what did you find?" Envy demanded, hints of arrogance in his tone.

With her fingers still lingering on the binding, Lust softly replied, "A beautiful story."

A/N: So did ya like it? Cool if ya did, sorry if ya didn't. Do leave a review and not a flame for me, would you? You're so kind! Later!

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