A/N: I have been so damn busy that I haven't had the time to write! I promise, I will try much harder to update more. My laptop is a piece of crap that does not want to work, as well as that lovely reader who decided to anonymously teach me how to spell Rumplestilzkin. My story, my spelling. Don't like my story, don't read it. Simple as that. But to my lovely readers who have missed me, I have missed you guys too! Enjoy! Love, Joanne.
I watched the Windex cut through the grimy glass, breaking down the dirt particles into several brown dribbles. I scrubbed with my paper towel, smiling to myself in relief that we were almost done cleaning. I was an unfortunate mess, but I did not focus on that; my job was to clean, not to look like a beauty queen.
I smiled to myself as I looked out of the clean window to the passing people on the sidewalk. I saw Ruby walking down the street in her bright red hoodie and waved. She waved back with a smile, then, her face changed, and I saw her make a run towards the shop entrance.
The little bell jingled violently. "What are you doing here?!"
"I'm helping him clean up the shop," I said as I wiped my filthy hands on the paper towel that I was holding. "Look around, it's beautiful!"
Ruby's jaw dropped. What was once dusty and dirty antiques were now shiny, bright, beautiful treasures. She took in the view of the various knickknacks in awe. It made me feel so accomplished that I wasn't the only one amazed and happy with the change.
"Ah, Miss Ruby," said Mr. Gold as he walked out from behind the counter. "As much as I love to see a beautiful woman with her mouth open like a wanton, I must ask you to leave if you have no intention of buying anything."
"Gold," I said with a warning tone in my voice. "Threatening people get you nowhere. Let her peruse, and maybe she will find something she likes."
Mr. Gold let out a sigh, and made a gesture that said have it your way then.
Ruby peered into the now clear jewelry case near the register, and I walked behind the counter, wondering what she was looking at. I smiled to myself as soon as I realized it. She was looking at the wolf necklace encrusted in tiny black diamonds and rubies.
"How much for the wolf necklace?" asked Ruby, her eyes widening in awe. "It's gorgeous."
"And also out of your price range," said Mr. Gold coldly. "I would advise you to steer clear of this case. The prices on these items are more than you pay in rent for almost a year."
"She can put it on layaway if she really wants it," I said coolly. "Pay it off bit by bit-"
"I don't do layaways, Miss French," growled Mr. Gold.
Ruby's hand slid from the perfectly clean glass sadly. She started for the door, and I walked to block the exit. "I want the necklace. That's our bargain that we've agreed to. I helped you clean and tidy up the shop, and I get one treasure. I want the wolf necklace."
His face was unreadable as he reached into the case and pulled the necklace out. "As you wish…"
"Here," I said with a smile. "You deserve this necklace, Ruby. I know it will look beautiful on you."
"Thanks, Belle," said Ruby as she fastened the necklace around her neck. She gave me a warm hug. "Come by the diner sometime soon okay?"
"I will," I nodded, and watched as my best friend left the shop.
"Come, it's closing time," said Mr. Gold harshly. I watched as he flipped the sign from OPEN to CLOSED quickly, and ushered me out the door as he locked up for the day. Gold shot me a look that said wait until we get home, and I shivered as we walked back towards the house.
Belle thanked the gods quietly as she entered the warm pub gratefully. She had heard howling in the dark, and as frightened as she was, she continued to walk as far away from the Dark Castle as she could. Belle was weary and tired as she entered the pub, and a rather large bartender began to fill up a goblet full of mead for her. She took it gratefully, and gave him what little she had to pay, and slunk off towards a quiet table in the corner.
As she sipped, she read her favorite book, The Canterbury Tales. She was, after all, no different than the group going on a pilgrimage to Canterbury, saving for the fact that she was not going somewhere specific. But Belle was in fact on a journey of her own self-discovery. She was about to find herself, and she was about to realize many things on that journey.
She rested her head against the wall, and drifted off to sleep, wrapping her cloak around herself to keep warm.
"Someone has to kill it! This beast has been terrorizing our lands for far too long!"
The angry men in the pub shouted and roared, waking the beauty that was sleeping quietly in the corner. Belle slunk deeper into the corner, listening to one of the townspeople rally the men in the pub. "Yaoguai has burned our crops, slaughtered our people, and cannot be controlled. Will one of you men come and destroy it?"
There was a hush that fell across the once boisterous pub. "Come now!" cried the man loudly. "None of you are brave and true? Where have the true men of this town gone?"
"I-I could-" stammered Belle as she started to stand up.
"You?" asked another man, this one with a gray beard and a weathered look about him. "What could a mere woman do? You cannot take on this beast!"
The men around her jeered and laughed at her, and Belle turned red in embarrassment. Of all people in the room, she had been the one to take on the Dark One, and lived to tell the tale, but she wasn't about to reveal her true connection with Rumplestilzkin. She walked up to the man who questioned her abilities, and looked into his angry eyes. "I know all about the beast you are hunting for. I have read all about yaoguai, and I know where it sleeps. I can take you to it."
The man smirked evilly. "Then take us to it, girly."