What was staring at her was frightening yet intriguing. The legs resembled a wolf, the arms and chest of a bear, its head reminded her of a buffalo, but not quite, the horns and teeth made it hard to think it was a buffalo. It was wearing a cloak, and something that resembled pants, altogether it was something not even her books could make up. Though it spoke, it seemed to be afraid to move, and instead stayed in the doorway.
"Are you alright?" The voice it had was low, and had a grumble that reminded her of thunder, it didn't seem threatening, not like how it spoke to Gaston. He took a step closer, and when she didn't flinch, he took another.
"Y..yes…" She looked back at the elderly lady that was holding her hand and sitting beside her on the bed.
"Good." He gave a short bow of his head. "Should you need anything, ask Mrs. Potts." He gestured to the woman beside her. "Everyone here will do what they can to make you more… comfortable." For the first time since he arrived in the room, he made eye contact with her, she was startled as to how bright his eyes were, like watching the water at the river, clear and crystal blue. He turned to leave and she found her voice.
"Wait…" When he turned back she gave a sad smile. "Thank you." She slowly stood, with the help of Mrs. Potts. "I won't stay long, as soon as I'm able, I will leave." She gave a small bow.
"You need not rush yourself. With that… creature… still out there, you are welcome to stay as long as you wish." Before she could reply he had left the room, startled she sat back down on the bed, just as the little boy ran back into the room with a cup of tea.
"Thank you." She smiled and stared down at her tea, her brows coming together in confusion, was she still on the floor back home? Was this her dreaming of a better life? How was a beast a better life? She felt a hand on her wrist, gentle and warm.
"Are you alright? This is a lot to take in." Mrs. Potts smiled at her. "The master means no ill will if that is your concern."
"What is he? In all my years of reading…." She looked back up at the door half expecting him to walk back in. Even despite everything, she was still curious, it was the downside she hated the most in herself, her curiosity always got her in trouble.
"He is… troubled my dear. He is the master of the castle, and has been since his parents passed away. Though you are our first guest in many years, so maybe that has him in good spirits." She patted her arm and stood. "Should you need anything, anything at all, there is a bell by the door, just ring it and someone will come to you." Mrs. Potts walked over to a wardrobe and pulled out something similar to her dress, but instead of white it was a pale blue. "We thought you might like to change into something."
"Master? Was he always like that?" She stood and took the offered dress. "Was he human once? You said castle, surly I would have heard about a castle this close to my village. Is there a ball room? Library? Oh, I do hope there is a library. I-" She stopped talking and looked down at the dress she was holding, she had gone a rant, not expecting any answers. Instead the woman chuckled and lightly touched her arm.
"Curious one you are. As much as I would love to answer all your questions, I think you should ask him." She placed a finger on her chin. "He is a little…. Harsh when he talks, but he has only had us these past years, so be patient with him. Just as he will wait for you to talk about your troubles, it will take time for him." She went to leave the room before abruptly turning back to her. "Oh, and he does have quite the temper, though he means nothing by it." With that, Mrs. Potts, and the boy Chip, left the room, closing the doors behind them as they went.
She changed slowly, her mind racing to so many questions and possibilities for the castle, did she say castle right? She laid in her bed for a little while before the curiosity won against the fear of being somewhere unfamiliar. Slowly she made her way to the door, her ear pressing against to see if anyone was waiting. She opened the door, as she silently closed it behind her, she was startled by a sudden Mrs. Potts standing there a worried expression on her face.
"Are you in need of something my dear?"
"How… I… could've sworn…" She stared at the woman who only gave her a sad smile.
"There is a lot for you to learn if you wish."
"Would it be possible… to be shown around? It's my first time being away from home, let alone in a castle." Startled, Mrs. Potts took her hand and began walking down the hallway.
"Of course! Everyone would be happy to greet you, even chip, my grandson. I suppose you would be hungry as well, so we could stop by the kitchen and get you a warm meal."
As they made their way through the hallways, stairs and the few rooms she did stop and tell her what it was used for, she noticed there were no candles lit, yet she could see clearly as though Mrs. Potts was holding one, focusing more on the woman, she noticed it was like she was softly emitting light, another question to ask later. She was led into a massive room where Mrs. Potts gave her back a small push. The floor was a cream color, in a definite need of washing, the walls were slightly darker with cherubs in different poses all linking up towards the ceiling, where all the eyes were facing down or what seemed to be towards the large crystal chandelier that had cobwebs and dust hanging from it, clearly not in use for many years. The more she stared at it, the more it reminded her of a bell, but one with intricate craftsmanship. Scanning the room, the only thing that was left was a small stage tucked in the back with a large black piano, and a few other instruments also covered in dust.
"There were many dances, parties and gatherings held here." She looked at Mrs. Potts who looked sadly at the piano. "One day I should see it back to its glory." She waved her hand towards the door and she followed.
Long corridors were full of paintings from artists she both knew, and never heard of. Statues from different stones, twisted and moved in a way that told her they weren't what they originally were. Every now and again a gargoyle was spotted, and she could've sworn she saw faces in the walls, watching her. She could tell they were headed towards the kitchen, because the smell of something delicious was getting stronger and her stomach only reminded her how hungry she was. Before the kitchen, there was a room off to the right with a large archway and a soft glow coming from it. Sticking her head in there was a fireplace similar to the one in her room, there were 2 velvet chairs, one red the other blue. A small rug that was a chocolate brown with white flowers was in front of the fireplace. In the corner was a small wooden table and she frowned, wouldn't it make sense to have the table closer to the chairs? On top of the fireplace was a painting of a wilting red rose, petals that had fallen off were gathered at the base, it was an odd painting, but she kind of liked it.
"This is where the Master likes to sit. It is his favorite room, all he does is sit though, starting at the fire. Troubles us.." She sighed and then smiled, as though to shake the feeling away from her.
"It is a lovely room, though it could use a little more… personality?" They both lightly laughed and moved out of the room.
"Now, before we eat, would you like to see the library?" She must have smiled because it caused Mrs. Potts to chuckle and lead away from the kitchen where voices and laughter were coming from.
They came to large, wooden double doors with golden handles. To her surprise there was nothing special about them, just that they were big, they pushed the doors open and they weren't heavy as she thought they would be. She couldn't believe her eyes, there were books literally everywhere, from floor to ceiling, there was a ladder that moved across one part, and another for the other, there was also a second floor to reach even more books. Slowly she walked around, the books were in so many colors, sizes, authors and languages. The one in her village was small and maybe had 50 if they were lucky, this, this was more than she could read in her lifetime. As she made her way to the fireplace in the center, she would stop and look at a book, it would perk her interest, but she would put it back, seeing another, then another. Closer to the fireplace there was one in particular that caught her eye. It was an emerald cover, clearly worn, the binding coming apart, glue no longer holding bits of the book together. As gentle as she could she opened it, there was no title, no page to let the reader know what it would be about. She flipped through the pages, some were missing, torn, others were barely eligible, she reached one page where she could just make out a sentence.
I have done it again. I lost control. One more human has fallen to these beastly needs… With the humanity I have left I buried them on the borders. Maybe they will get the peace I never will.
Confused, she re-read it, clearly someone had written it, was it for a book they were writing, or was this a diary. As she read it for the fourth time, it began to disappear, rubbing her eyes. She looked back and the writing that was blacker than the night sky, was gone.
"Mrs. Potts… This book, it-" she felt soft hands on hers and worried eyes watched her.
"Put it away my child, don't think of it, look for it, or read it again. Please." Together they put it in the spot she found it, and as though it was never there, it seemed to melt back in with the other books, as though it wasn't important. They made their way to the kitchen in silence, she could smell something sweet which took her mind off the awkwardness that had followed them. They reached the door and Mrs. Potts turned towards her.
"Now, I must warn you." She glanced over her shoulder and then back to her. "The others are a tad different than you and I. Though they are just as friendly, I just don't want you to think we're hiding from you…" She opened the door and ushered her through, she wasn't sure what she was thinking they would be like, but it certainly wasn't…. this….
