Azami quickly realized she did not know her way around the castle like the others and found herself lost. Silently she cursed her stupidity and spun uselessly in circles in an attempt to find her bearings. It was on her third spin that someone came to her rescue.
"I take it you are with that odd group who were running after the mademoiselle?" a voice spoke up. Startled by the voice, Azami jumped in surprise and looked around wildly. An amused chuckle rang out at her actions.
"I am right beside you mademoiselle," the voice spoke again. Cautiously, Azami looked over her shoulder to find only a tin solider standing erect with an intimidating spear clutched in his armored hand.
"Are you…talking to me?" the girl asked warily. She bit back a yelp of surprise as the suit of armor nodded its head.
"If you are looking for your friend mademoiselle they are just a little further down the hall, last door on your right." Unsure of whether to thank the armor or continue on like it had never spoken to her the stunned Azami settled for a small nod of the head before scrambling down the hall in the direction the suit of armor suggested. From behind her Azami could have sworn she heard an amused chuckle.
Following the armor's instructions, Azami found herself standing outside the door that presumably led to Belle's room .With some hesitation, she knocked on the door. A muffled "come in" ushered her inside the room.
This room was just like the rest of the castle, grand and beautiful, however the beauty in this room wasn't as exaggerated, it was quaint, like it's occupier. Simple, calming tones of blues and pinks made up the room with a large patio leading outside nestled at the other end of the room. The room held the typical objects any other would: a bed (a grand, four poster one that looked comfortable beyond words) where Belle was currently sitting, a bedside table (stacked high with various books) and a large, breathing wardrobe….breathing!
"Don't worry dear," the wardrobe spoke up in a chipper voice, "I'm not going to harm you!" Azami reluctantly took it's word but still kept up her guard.
"How can he say things like that? I thought he understood!"
"Please do not take the Master's words to heart, mademoiselle," Lumiere spoke up from his position on the maiden's leg, "he was simply speaking out of anger."
"Yeah Belle, you know the Beast didn't mean what he said!" Sora tried to reassure. He offered her a small smile but the gesture was not returned.
"I would like to be left alone for a while," Belle admitted quietly. "I am a bit tired and would like to get some sleep."
"Of course, dear," Mrs. Potts said. Hopping down from her place on the bedside table she ushered the others towards the door. "We'll settle our guests in for the night; please call us if you have any needs, dear!" There was no response from the brown haired female whose back was facing the group. Reluctantly, Mrs. Potts ushered the others from the room.
"Poor Belle," Sora muttered. He stared forlornly at the door, upset that he could not bring a smile to his friends face, "She was only trying to help." Mrs. Potts shook her head sadly.
"Please forgive the Master's temper, this season is a hard one for him."
"That's no excuse!" Donald quacked. "He should learn to control his temper!" The stout teacup opened her mouth to further defend her master but was stopped short by a rather funny cough. The group's attention was brought to the small clock stationed further down the hall, away from Belle's door.
"Dinner has been prepared for our guests if they wish to eat. However, if your appetites have already been satisfied you may have your pick of any room in the east wing."
Hearing the prospect of food made the brunette temporarily forget about his depressed friend and focus on his crying stomach. When was the last time they had eaten anything? To him it seemed like a millennia.
"Oh boy, food!" Donald quacked. He seemed just as eager as his Keyblade wielding friend.
"The dining hall is this way," Cogsworth informed, pointing behind him, "I'd be happy to show you the way." With that the small clock turned and started for the dining hall, an eager Sora and Donald following close behind.
"Maybe Belle would like something to eat?" Goofy asked, sparing a worried glance at the closed door before him.
"Don't worry about the mademoiselle," Lumiere reassured, "When she is hungry she will come out. For now, you must focus on filling your stomach. To the grand hall, if you please." Azami watched as the golden candelabra led Goofy away.
"No food for you dearies?" Mrs. Pots spoke up, eyeing the blue haired girl and Riku. "It is a grand feast in your honor."
"I don't have much of an appetite," Azami admitted. "If you wouldn't mind, could you show me to my room?" It had been a long day and with very little sleep the young Incomplete found herself feeling weary.
"Of course dear," the teapot said sympathetically. "What about you, young master?"
"I'm going to join the others in the dining hall. Don't worry, I can find my own way, I'll just follow the sound of Sora stuffing his face." Nodding a farewell to the teapot, her son, and Azami, the white haired male followed the path his comrades had left in earlier.
"Well, if you'd follow me dear, your room is just down the hall." With Mrs. Potts and Chip leading the way Azami came upon her room just a few feet down the hall from Belle's. Wit the prospect of sleep on her mind, Azami eagerly pushed open the grand door.
"Do you like it?" Chip squeaked.
The room was simple in décor. A neutral eggshell color covered the walls with a few dusty portraits of wealthy looking people here and there. The carpet was a dull, off brown color but felt good under the girl's feet. At the far end of the room stood a large, intricate window leading out to a balcony with a view of the far away village over the treetops of the dark forest. Beside the window on the left stood a large, oak armoire (this one with no face) presumable filled with impressive clothing. The bed, situated in the middle of the room with its headboard pressed against the adjacent wall of the balcony window, was impressively large, easily the biggest bed Azami and ever seen with its white and cream blankets and pillow. The room may not have been as quaint and as homey as Belle's but Azami would have no problem sleeping in the room.
"Thank you," the slender teen said, turning to the teapot and cup. "It's wonderful."
Mrs. Potts nodded her head approvingly. "Well if you need anything, just give one of us a ring and we'll be glad to help. Good night, Madame Azami." And with that the mother and son hopped down the hall, their china bodies clinking softly against the marble floor.
Once Azami was sure the hallway was empty, she slipped outside her room and headed in the direction opposite Belle's room. The castle was so big and grand; Azami couldn't pass up an opportunity to explore it due to her own fatigue. For now, sleep would have to wait.
She explored the many rooms of the east wing, finding the majority of them to be bedrooms for guests and the remainder of them to be sun rooms in which guests would pass the days away. Although the rooms were grander than any she had ever come across, Azami could help but feel disappointed at the lack of wonder that the east wing provided.
"Just a bunch of dusty, unused rooms," she muttered as she traveled down the steps into the entrance hall. "I wonder…." The teen's words feel short as her eyes traveled up the stairs leading to the West wing. She had an inkling that whatever lay beyond those steps was a lot more interesting than dusty guest rooms. Eager to explore, she halfheartedly look around to see if anyone was around before scurrying up the stairs and disappearing down the halls.
Whereas the East wing was brightly filled with light and decorated in shades of reds the West wing was dark and covered in shadows. Azami suppressed a shudder as she passed by many rooms, all of which were blocked by overturned statues or broken furniture. Many of the pictures that hung pitifully from the walls were slashed by the large claw of some animal or faded beyond recognition; the only paintings that were not harmed were the ones depicting war and misery. Hugging her arms to her chest, Azami began to get the feeling that maybe exploring this part of the castle wasn't such a good idea. It was as she was working up the nerve to turn around and return to her room that she came upon a set of stairs leading off into another hallway.
Her curiosity put her fear on the backburner and she found herself taking the steps two at a time to follow the new hallway into the unknown. The new hallway was even darker than the previous one and a cold draft was blowing from somewhere. Grotesque statues seemed to leap at the girl with each step and just as her fears were rising once more she found herself before a grand door.
Excited to see what she had stumbled upon, Azami pushed the door open. It screeched loudly on its hinges as it flew open slowly but soon enough the blue-haired female stood in the door way to the largest room in the castle. Cautiously, she stepped inside.
The room itself was easily the size of two or three of the guests room in the East wing combined complete with a massive window and balcony over looking the front of the castle. However, everything within the room was broken and tossed against the dark walls carelessly. Pieces of magnificent furniture were mere remnants of what they used to be, the tall walls were etched with claw marks along with the lone picture of what appeared to be a handsome, blonde-haired man, and the impressive four poster bed was cracked in half with the sheets torn to smithereens. How anyone inhabited this room was a wonder.
It was as Azami turned to leave that she saw it, the faintest of glow by the balcony window. Curious as to what the glow may belong to, the teen approached the other end of the room. When she came upon the glowing object she was taken by surprise to find it to be a beautiful wilting rose floating with a glass case, shining a brilliant pink color. Beside herself with awe, Azami reached out a hand to touch the magical object when something even more curious caught her attention.
From her position by the magical flower, Azami was able to see down into the courtyard at a familiar maiden wrapped in a brown cloak heading for the castle gates with a large, brown steed at her side. Azami moved forward to further watch the proceedings when her ears picked up on the lowest of growls. Spinning on her feet, the girl met the furious eyes of the Beast.
Out of pure instinct the girl reached for her weapon, an action not missed by the eyes of the snarling Beast. Faintly she remembered her brown haired companion's words that the growling creature before her was an ally and, ignoring all survival instincts, dropped her hands to her sides harmlessly.
"Didn't they tell you that the west wing was off limits? Why are you here girl?" The brilliant set of razor sharp teeth made Azami second guess her first instinct of staying armed. Just because the Beast was Sora's friend didn't mean he viewed her as one that he trusted; she wouldn't have been surprised if he viewed her as anything other than lunch.
The Beast growled at the girl's silence, a deep menacing growl that further conformed that there was no view of companionship between the two. "It would be best if you answered me girl."
"I got lost." A lame lie that the Beast easily saw through, however it was the only thing the girl could come up with. Another deep throated growl alerts Azami to his seething anger.
"Get. Out," he ground out through clenched teeth. "NOW!" The roar shook the entire room, bringing some of the pictures hanging pathetically to the wall to the ground with a loud crash.
Azami, wishing not to further infuriate the Beast, quickly walked to the door, choosing not to turn her back on the fuming creature before her; you never turn your back on an angry adversary. When she was safely to the door she cast a sideways glance at the Beast whose furious eyes were still trained on her petite frame. "You know," she started softly but she was confident the Beast could hear every word. "I can see why Belle feels like a prisoner here, you don't give her much room to think else wise." And with that she excused herself from the room.
Preview:
"We gotta hurry!" the girl exclaimed, picking up speed. "It seems that wolves have caught onto their scent!"
"Wolves!" Donald quacked, stumbling to a halt. His sudden stop brought his long time friend Goofy to a halt as well.
"C'mon Donald, Belle needs our help!" the Captain of the Guards shouted. Without further prompting, the dog left the quaking duck to catch up.