Chapter 2

"Marceline?" Bonnie said as she looked up from the floor at her captor. The beast did not turn around, nor said anything back. "That's a really beautiful name…" she said still staring at the beasts back.

The beast stopped in its tracks, grip tightening against the little candle stick. With a small grunt of pain and a quick tap on her mistress' head she snapped Marceline out of her shock and reminded her at the same time that the small object could still feel pain. She quickly untightened her grip. Taking a quick glance behind her. "T-Thank you…" she said with a hint of uncertainty. "Is she showing me kindness? Why…" she thought momentarily before dismissing it as a ruse. "The castle is your home now, so you can go anywhere you wish, except the West Wing."

"What's in the West Wing?" Bonnie asks, now intrigued.

"It's forbidden!" The beast quickly turns around, scaring Bonnie as its red eyes looked at her. They filled her with fear and covered her body in a cold sweat. She steps back. Noticing its sudden outburst the beast retreats, calming its voice. "As long as you keep your promise to stay and don't go in the left wing. You won't be punished." Marceline then turns around and continues walking. Bonnibel reluctantly follows. With no words spoken for the rest of the journey. They finally arrive at what Bonnie assumed to be her new room." Now, if there's anything you need, my servants will attend to you." Marceline said tenderly as she opened the door prompting Bonnie with a flick of the wrist to enter.

Bonnibel enters the large room, amazed at how grand it is. From top to bottom the large room was decorated with the finest fabrics, furniture and other types of beautiful decor. She was speechless. From what she had seen of the castle so far, this room was definitely the most clean and pristine room. Why would such a horrid creature give her such a room, she wondered as she skimmed her fingers on the fine wood of the round tea table right in the center.

The beast watched, amused at how Bonnie was acting. She felt a nudge at her feet. "Since she's going to be staying with us you should try to at least befriend her. Ask her to dinner." T.T said looking up at Marceline, pleading.

"Will you… You...will join me for dinner tomorrow… Let me reward you for your kindness and courage…. You didn't have to take his place… but you did. This is the least I could do to repay you. You were not the one I wished to punish and for that I am truly sorry." Marceline said as she quickly turned around. "I won't take no for an answer. So be there!" and with that she closed the door leaving Bonnibel alone in her new room.

Bonnie stood there, alone in the large foreign room staring at the large wooden door that was just closed. All the events that led up to this moment now weighing her down. Her legs buckle and she collapsed on the floor, becoming an uncontrollable mess. She lost her family, her friends… everything she once had was completely and utterly gone. Her life would never be the same again. And she knew this with all her heart. She sat there for who knows how long. Crying her heart out. Only getting up when she heard the panicked neighing of her horse.

"Timmy?!"Bonnie shot up, running to the balcony. She swung open the stain glass doors, running to the balcony's edge. As she looked over the railing she saw the beast slowly approaching her horse with its hands forward attempting to calm the horse down with this gesture.

"Shhh, shhh. There, there. Don't worry, I won't hurt you" Marceline slowly and calmly walked over to Timmy. She repeated herself several more times, eventually calming the horse. Once she felt the horse wouldn't buck she walked over. Petting its muzzle in order to help it calm down. "There, there. See I won't hurt you. Why don't we put you somewhere more comfortable and put some food in your belly. You must be starving." She said as she untied the horse and led it into the stable stalls. Coming out for a moment to grab a fresh bucket of water, hay and roughage before going back in. once the horse was fed and comfortable Marceline went back inside the castle , and no longer in view of Bonnibel.

Bonnie watched from the balcony amazed at what she had just watched. She was speechless once again.

Knock, knock, knock.

Bonnie jumped at the sudden sound behind her coming from the door. She turned around, clenching the railing with her hands as she stood there, frozen.

"May I come in?" a sweet elderly voice came from behind the door.

"Please?" a child's voice said right after.

"Hush" the women whispered.

They sounded innocent enough she thought. Just as she was about to open her mouth and allow them in she had a realization. She was in a cursed castle, a castle with a monstrous master. Wouldn't the staff be the same? Wouldn't they also be monstrous creatures, ready to rip her limb from limb like a pack of hungry wolves? Clenching the railing with all her might, knuckles turning white, she took a deep breath. She thought for a moment. This is her life now, she had nothing left to lose, and knowing this, she should try her hardest to be kind to the residences of the castle. It might just save her life. "C-come in…"

The door cracked open slightly , allowing a tea pot and a cup hop in. "Hello , dear" said T.T as she hopped on several pieces of furniture to make her way up to the tea table , followed by the little cup , who had a little difficulty following the pot up the furniture.

"Hello!" the small tea cup said excitedly.

"Hello..." Bonnie said with a hint of confusion as she pushed her self-off the railing and made her way to the table slowly.

"I thought you might like a spot of tea."

"But you're … you're a…t-this is impossible..." Bonnie said as she fiddled with her fingers , making and losing eye contact with both the objects in front of her as she looked down to the floor periodically unsure if this was really happening and how to act in this situation.

"I know it is, but here we are." T.T said as she turned to the small cup and other supplies. "All right, Bmo, now that'll do." She said as the other objects helped make the tea in the tiny cup. As they finished he hopped to the other side of the table where Bonnie stood, staring fascinated at the scene in front of her. "Slowly now, don't spill."

"Here you go miss" Bmo said as he hopped in front of her.

"This will help clam you down. You had a really rough day after all." T.T said.

"T-thank you" Bonnie said as she lifted Bmo up by the handle. Inspecting the little creature before taking a sip of the hot tea. "It's delicious," she said with a warm smile, feeling more at ease already. "Thank you….um , may I ask your names? I-if that's alright."

"It's no trouble dear. I'm Tree Trunks, but everyone here just calls me T.T., and this little one here is Bmo."

"Thank you T.T, and thank you BMO." Bonnie said as she put Bmo down on the counter.

"That was a very brave thing you did, my dear." T.T said softly.

Bonnie looked down at the floor before looking at the teapot. "But I've lost my uncle, my dreams… everything."

"Cheer up, child. It'll turn out all right in the end, you'll see." This earned a small smile from Bonnie. "Oops, listen to me jabbering on. You must be exhausted from your long day. We'll leave you to rest." T.T said as she jumped off the table. "Come now, Bmo."

"Bye!" Bmo said as he followed T.T across the room.

"Good bye" Bonnie said as she waved.

"We'll be back in the morning with something to eat so don't you worry." T.T added as she closed the door, leaving Bonnie alone in her room once again.

Bonnie walked over to the balcony doors, closing them and stopping the chilled air from entering the room. Looking through the stained window at the now starry sky she was unable to see the forest, let alone the path her uncle had taken. With a deep sigh she decided to retire for the night.

As she rested her head on the feather filled pillow and pulled the huge, warm and extravagant covers over her body, she couldn't help but let a few more tears escape her sore and tired eyes as she tried to accept her new life.

With her constant tossing and turning during the night, it felt like she had not got a single second of much needed sleep. She finally forced herself out from underneath the large covers, knowing she wouldn't get any more rest as the morning wind picked up and rattled the balcony doors. She spent most of the morning scanning the decorated walls as she waited.

Just as T.T said, she arrived, bringing food and water for Bonnie. She ate and talked to T.T as well as several other staff members until the late morning when T.T had to leave. She reminded her of her dinner with the beast that evening before she left to finish her other tasks around the castle. Bonnie was left alone once again. As the hours went by, she thought to herself. Wondering if she should go to the dinner with the beast. The person that had taken everything from her. Even though the staff had shown her nothing but kindness, and assured her of the kindness of their master, she still feared it. And as the hours went by and dinner soon came she was asked down to the dining room.

"I won't go," Bonnie said to the Tea pot and the candle stick that came to ready and escort her to dinner.

"But you must!" Phoebe exclaimed.

"But I won't!" Bonnie said as she rolled over under the covers to hide her face.

"B-but..." Phoebe began to panic.

"Please… just leave me alone…" she said as she pushed her face into her pillow.

T.T and phoebe looked at each other nervously, knowing very well that this wasn't going to go over well with the master. But no matter what they had tried they couldn't get Bonnie out of bed. It had been well over an hour and they knew very well the master would already be in a horrid mood from all this waiting. So they tried one more time. But with still no success. They both sighed and went down the stairs to inform their master. Knowing very well that nothing good would come from this.

"What's taking so long?" Marcline said as she paced back and forth on all fours. "I told her to come down by 6, it's already past 7!" she quickly turned around to look at the 2 violas who sat on the fire place. "Why isn't she here yet?!" she growled.

"Try to be patient, Madam." Said the more extravagant viola.

"Lady is right. The girl has lost her uncle and her freedom all in one day." Jake said.

Marceline stopped pacing. "…You don't have to remind me…"

Suddenly the door handle began to wiggle, catching everyone's attention and causing Marceline ears to shoot straight up because she was both startled and excited. "Here she is!" said Jake as the door began to open, only to reveal T.T and Phoebe alone as they slowly slinked into the room.

"G-good evening…" Phoebe said as they entered the room, causing Marceline's ears to lower flat against her head.

"Well, where is she!?" Marcline growled, her nose wrinkling up, fangs bared and now standing on her hind legs.

"W-who...?" Phoebe said in a panic, quickly retreating after what she had just said. "Oh! Hahaha…the girl, yes. The girl…. Well, actually, she's in the process of…" she begins to fidget as she tapped her 2 candle-hands together. "Circumstances being what they are…" She looks at T.T anxiously, not knowing what to say.

"…She's not coming…." T.T finally said as she looked down at the floor.

"WHAT!?" Marceline roared with all her might. Soon running full speed on all fours, jumping over any obstacle in her way.

"Oh, dear. Your grace! You eminence!" T.T shouted as she and the others ran behind her. Trying to catch up to her unsuccessfully as she jumped up the stairs skipping 5 steps at a time. "Let's not be hasty!" she shouted as she fell far behind the beast that charged through the castle.

Marceline soon reached the door. Taking a mighty fist she knocked with all her might. "I thought I told you to come down to dinner!" she growled.

"I'm not hungry," Bonnie said through the closed door.

Hair sticking up and ears flat on her head she yelled, "You'll come out or I'll…I'll… I'll break the down the door!" she threatened.

Bonnie hid behind her bed, wrapped around her blanket. "Go right ahead!" she yelled. Not one of the smartest things she said she thought to herself as she clenched the blanket for support expecting the door to come smashing into the room.

"Master, I-I could be wrong, but that may not be the best way to get someone down to dinner…" Jake said from down the hall as they made their way to her.

"Please attempt to be a gentlewoman…" T.T said.

"But she's being so difficult" she said in a low growl so that Bonnie couldn't hear.

"Gently, gently," T.T whispered as she reached Marceline.

Sucking in her pride and taking a deep breath, Marceline turned to the door once again and spoke in a calmer voice. Will you come down to dinner?"

"No!"

Marceline quickly looked back at the servants and pointed at the door making a grunting sound, attempting to prove her point.

"Suave, genteel" Jake whispered.

"It would give me great pleasure if you would join me for dinner…" she said in a low growl trying to maintain her temper.

"Uh, uh, and we say "please"" T.T said

"Please," Marceline added reluctantly.

"No, thank you." Bonnie shouted from behind the door.

With a monstrous growl Marceline shouted at the top of her lungs, "You can't stay in there forever!"

"Yes , I can!"

"Fine! Then go ahead and starve!" she howled, before turning to her servants. "If she doesn't eat with me, then she doesn't eat at all!" she said before running away in frustration, leaving them behind.

"Oh, dear. That didn't go very well at all, did it?" T.T said looking back at the other three.

"Jake, stand watch at the door! And inform us at once if there is the slightest change." Phoebe said.

"You can count on me, mon capitaine!" Jake said as he hopped in front of the door.

"Well, we should go downstairs and start to clean up," Phoebe said as she began to hop down the hall with T.T behind her. Jake and lady stayed by the door.

"Are you alright, Jake?" Lady said as she hopped over to Jake and stood beside him. "You look a little confused."

"It's nothing really… it's just the girls voice… it sounds familiar," he said as he took a quick glance at the door before looking back at lady. "But it doesn't really matter now, does it..."

"I try to do something nice for her and she refuses, I ask nicely and she refuses! What does she want me to do … beg!?" Marceline growls as she tosses a chair across the room, knocking down a shelf in the process. Walking over to her shredded mattress she sat down, leaning over to pick up her magic mirror on the bedside. "Show me the girl," she commanded the mirror.

The mirror glows green; its glass begins to ripple like water as if a single drop impacted the calm surface before showing the image of Bonnibel in her room, hiding and shaking in the tear stained covers. Lady, the decorated Viola sits beside her in attempt to comfort her. "The mistress really isn't so bad, once you get to know her." Lady said as she looked up at Bonnie. "Why don't you give her a chance?"

"I don't want to get to know her," Bonnie said hiding her face in the covers. "I don't want to have anything to do with her!"

Marceline shut her eyes and placed the mirror on the table. As soon as she let go of it, the image faded and the green light vanished, the surface calming. "Why am I fooling myself… she'll never see me as anything but a monster…" Marceline looked at the stuffed bear on the bed beside her, picking it up and holding it with care as she sighed. "Sh-should I just release her? I want to punish her uncle, not her…" Marceline nuzzled the doll before looking at it once again. "I guess she's like everyone here except me… Being punished for the action of others…" With a heavy sigh, she lay down with the stuffed toy still in her hands. "What do you think I should do, Hambo?" she asked, as she closed her eyes and attempted to retreat into her dreams.