Alright since I'm having writers block AGAIN I'll keep you guys busy with this. Time to meet all the magical servants of the castle!
And FYI, I'm hopefully going to be updating Ara Waterlily soon so you can look forward to that as well!
And yes Reba G, USUK is my OTP, but Romerica is my second cause it's adorable and I wanted to give it a shot! I'm not sure if I'll be writing any USUK at the moment, but my one-shots in 'Tales of America or Alfred f Jones' will have a couple soon!
Chapter 5
Amelia slept well into the morning, smiling as she dreamed. She was back at home in the village. Her father was smiling and doing outside chores and Minty was grazing in the grassy fields. But that dream was too good to last; the chirping of birds caused her to yawn and slowly open her eyes. She was sore from sleeping in a curled up position for so long and her cloak and outfit were wrinkled. Her eyes widened and she sat up as she recalled last night's events and a lump formed in her throat. She looked around the large room while trying to keep her emotions in check, and she had to admit, it was really nice.
The walls were sky blue which matched the blue comforter covering the white silk sheets on the bed. A canopy hung over the bed with blue curtains and many fluffy pillows lay at the head of the bed. There was a large wardrobe next to her bed and a dresser with a vanity across the room against the wall that was clean and holding necessary objects like brushes and makeup (which Amelia never really bothered with).
She got up and hung her cloak on the coat hanger that was next to the door and walked over to the vanity, looking herself over in the mirror. With nothing else to do, she took out her star barrette, picked up the tomato red hairbrush lying on the dresser and began to brush her tangled hair. As she brushed a gentle Hispanic voice spoke from nowhere, "Ah, you have very soft hair chica,"
Amelia's eyes widened as she stopped brushing, her eyes darting around to find the source of the voice; had someone snuck in without her noticing? "Down here Senorita!" the voice called. Amelia froze and slowly looked at the hairbrush as she turned it around; on the flat surface of the hairbrush were a pair of green eyes and a tuft of brown hair in the top.
Amelia let out a squeak and dropped the brush on the dresser as she backed away. To her horror, the brush stood upright on its handle and smiled, freaking smiled at her! "Holá! Don't be afraid, I'm harmless I swear," the brush said calmly. "Y-You can talk…" Amelia exclaimed quietly.
"That I can," the brush said completely oblivious to her shocked state, "My name is Antonio." Amelia, unfortunately, was still losing it, "B-But…h-how," she stuttered when there was a knock at the door causing her to jump, "W-Who is it?" she called cautiously, hoping it wasn't that…creature again. "It's Elizaveta dear!" A gentle female voice called.
Feeling a bit more at ease (and forgetting about the talking brush for a moment) Amelia went over and opened the door to find nobody there. "I thought you would like a cup of tea," the voice said again, but from at Amelia's feet. Amelia looked down in shock to see the talking teapot hopping in followed by the small teacup Peter and the milk and sugar holders, Tino and Berwald. Amelia backed up in fright, "Y-you…y-you're-" Amelia was cut off as she bumped into the wardrobe which sprung to life as well with a small cry of alarm from the impact, "Careful little one!" she said with a Russian sounding accent.
Amelia backed away again and fell onto the bed, "H-how is this possible?" she asked. The brush (Antonio) hopped off the dresser and came towards her, "If I were you after seeing this, I'd say lots of things are possible," he said. "I told you she was pretty," the teacup said shyly to Elizaveta.
"How much sugar do you want?" Tino asked as he poured a bit of milk into the teacup, "Uh…one please," Amelia answered. Berwald wordlessly placed one spoonful of sugar into the teacup and stirred it, and Peter slowly hopped towards Amelia. Amelia sat on the floor as the cup neared her and picked it up, "Thanks," she said quietly and took a sip from the small cup. It reminded her so much of her father that it was taking all her strength to not start crying again.
"That was a very brave thing you did for your father," Elizaveta said, breaking the silence. Tino nodded, "We all think so; you must love him very much," he said kindly. Amelia looked down sadly as she held Peter in her hand, "I do, but I'll never see him again; I've lost all my dreams just like that," she said. "Don't worry amiga, it will turn out right in the end," Antonio said with a smile. Amelia smiled back feeling very comforted by their words; how could such nice people- er…objects work for such a cruel beast?
"Ve~! Is she awake?" A new voice asked from outside the door. "Yes she is Feli!" Peter answered. Amelia nearly dropped the poor cup when the Italian wolf entered the room happily. Talking wolves? Now she had seen everything. The wolf came up to her and sat down, "My name's Feliciano, but you can call me Feli if you want!" he introduced himself excitedly.
Amelia smiled awkwardly at the wolf's happy attitude, "Nice to meet you Feli, I'm Amelia," she responded slowly (for God sakes, she was talking to a wolf!). Feli nodded, "I thought you might be hungry, so I brought you this!" he said. He went out the door for a minute and soon came back in with a walking footstool behind him with a small plate of pasta with a fork on it on his back. "That's Hanatamago; he's our dog!" Peter said happily.
Hanatamago walked towards her with his tassel tail wagging and Amelia realized that she was a bit hungry since it was about noon now, "Thanks," she said and picked the plate off the stool. Amelia took a bite and her eyes widened; this was the best pasta she had ever tasted! "Is it good?" Feli asked and Amelia nodded causing the wolf to beam. She finished it quickly and put the plate back on the ground, "Alright, we better be one our way; there's chores to be done," Elizaveta said. "Come on Peter," Tino called. "Bye Amelia!" Peter chirruped as he hopped out of her hand and out the door with the others.
With nothing else to do, Amelia spent the next few hours talking with Antonio and the wardrobe who introduced herself as Katyusha; it turned out they were both very friendly. After a while though, Antonio left the room to visit Feli leaving Amelia with the large friendly wardrobe.
As the sun began to set, Katyusha checked the time, "Oh my, dinner is going to be soon; we better dress you up!" she said. Amelia froze as she remembered the beast's invitation… or demand was the more proper term. Her appetite suddenly went sour as she remembered how horrid and mean that thing was while Katyusha went through her drawers looking for a good outfit for Amelia to wear.
"Ah here; you'll look lovely in this one!" she exclaimed happily as she held out a nice light magenta dress that was very formal looking, but still a bit informal. Amelia hesitated before pushing the dress away kindly, "That's kind of you, but I'm not going to dinner," she stated earning a gasp from Katyusha, "But you must!" the wardrobe insisted, but before she could say anymore, the door opened and Roderich entered, clearing his throat, "Dinner is served," he announced.
The beast paced the floor in front of the set dinner table as Francis, Elizaveta, and Antonio watched from atop the mantle, "What's taking her so fucking long?" The beast growled, "I told her to come, so where the hell is she?!"
"Try to be patient sir; the poor thing lost her father and her freedom just last night," Elizaveta said. The beast only rolled his eyes, "I gave her the whole day; she should be over it by now," he muttered. Antonio decided to change the subject, "Sir, have you thought that this girl might break the spell?" he asked. "Of course I have! I'm not a fucking idiot!" The beast yelled.
Antonio smiled, "Good, it's simple then; you fall in love with her, she falls in love with you… and poof! The spell will be broken before midnight!" he said cheerfully. Francis rolled his eyes, "L'amour is not that simple mon ami; these things are delicate and take time," he explained. "But…the rose has already begun to wilt!" Antonio said worriedly.
The beast growled, "It's no use," he muttered, "She's so…so beautiful… and I'm…just look at me!" he yelled glaring at the objects. Elizaveta smiled softly, "You just have to help her see past all that," she said. "Yeah, but I don't know how," The beast growled. Elizaveta frowned and jumped off the mantle, "Well, you could start by acting more like a proper gentleman!" she said. Francis smiled and followed suite, "Oui, you must seduce her with your Italian charm!" he said. "But don't frighten her," Elizaveta added. Antonio jumped off the mantle as well, "Si, give her sincere compliments!" he said. "But above all…" Elizaveta said before the other two joined her, "You must control your temper!"
The beast nodded hesitantly, when the sound of the doorknob turning caught their attention, "Here she comes!" Francis whispered, and the door opened revealing…Roderich.
"Good evening," the clock said nervously. The beast frowned as no one else was coming through the door, "Well? Where the hell is she?" he asked dangerously. Roderich cleared his throat nervously as his eyes scanned the floor, "W-Well…uh the girl…she uh…well…the circumstances…being what they are…" Roderich finally sighed and said, "She's not coming…"
"WHAT?!" The beast burst out of the room and ran at top speed towards the girl's room with the four frantic servants chasing after him to make sure he didn't go too far. He arrived at Amelia's room and pounded on the door, "I THOUGHT I TOLD YOU TO COME DOWN TO DINNER!" he roared. "I'm not hungry!" Amelia yelled back. The beast growled loudly; no one ever stood up to him, ever, "You come down now or I'll BREAK THIS FUCKING DOOR DOWN!" he yelled.
Francis knew that now was the time to intervene, "Uh Master…I could be wrong…but I don't think that is the best way to win her affections," he said slowly. Roderich nodded, "Please, at least attempt to act like a gentleman," he pleaded. "But she's being so god damn difficult!" The beast hissed. "Gently now, gently," Elizaveta coaxed.
The beast rolled his eyes and spoke softly, "Will you come down to dinner?" he asked plainly. "No!" Amelia replied sharply. The beast frowned and pointed at the door to prove his point and Roderich shook his head, "Come now; suave and gentile," he said. The beast gritted his teeth, "It would give me great pleasure…if you would join me for dinner," he ground out, and looked at Antonio who mouthed the word 'please,' and the beast got the message, "Please," he added, but Amelia wasn't backing down, "No thank you!" she retorted hotly and the beast finally snapped, "You can't stay in there forever bastard!" he yelled.
"Yes I can!" Amelia responded. "No you can't!" the beast shot back. "Watch me!" Amelia challenged, but the beast had had enough, "Fine, then fucking STARVE for all I care!" he exploded causing the servants to flinch before he turned to them, "If the brat doesn't eat with me then she doesn't at all!" he said harshly before storming away and slamming the door behind him.
"Well, that went well," Elizaveta sighed. "I'll see if I can do anything," Antonio said calmly before going up to the door, "Senorita, it's Antonio, could you let me in?" he called. After a moment, the door opened a crack and the brush slipped inside. One the door shut again Roderich turned to Francis, "Francis, keep watch at the door and alert me at once if there is any change!" he ordered. Francis nodded and stepped in front of the door and Elizaveta sighed, "Well, we better go clean up," she said and hopped off with Roderich.
Meanwhile, the beast was not in a very happy mood (as usual). He burst into the West Wing startling poor Feli, who was sitting in front of a tall mirror, and began knocking things around the already destroyed room, "I ask nicely and she refuses; that little bitch!" he snarled, "What does she want me to do; fucking beg?!"
He went over to a small table and picked up a green hand mirror, "Show me the girl!" he ordered. The mirror glowed green as an image of Amelia sitting in her bedroom appeared. Antonio and Katyusha were on either side of her, talking to her, "He may seem mean, but he's a real nice guy once you get to know him," Antonio was saying. Katyusha nodded, "Why don't you give him a chance?" she suggested. Amelia only shook her head, "I don't want to give him a chance and don't want to get to know him! I don't anything to do with that jerk!" she yelled.
The beast ignored the pang in his heart and placed the mirror back on the table, "I'm a fucking idiot, she'll never see me as anything but a monster…just like anyone with a brain would," he grumbled before his eyes fell on the glass cover in the middle of the table that covered a hovering, wilting rose that glowed a dim pink color. A single petal fell from the flower and lost its glow as it joined the few other dead petals below the rose. "It's hopeless…" the beast said sadly and Feli took this opportunity to sneak out of the room.
Amelia slowly peeked out of her room into the dark hallway. It had been a few hours since she stood up to that monster. She felt proud for having stood up to something as horrifying as that beast, but that didn't change the fact that she hadn't eaten dinner. Maybe if she found the kitchen she could get a little snack; something to help her last the night.
She wandered through the halls and went downstairs looking for any sign of a kitchen when she spotted a light coming from a doorway. She heard the sound of clanking metal…like pots and pans; jackpot!
She opened the door and spotted Elizaveta on top of a counter talking to a talking clock, but at this point she was pretty used to it. The teapot spotted her and smiled, "Oh, good evening my dear!" she said. The clock whirled around and smiled, "Splendid to see you out and about," he said, "I am Roderich, head of the household," he introduced himself.
Amelia nodded and knelt down to shake his hand, but Francis quickly butted in and took her hand. "This is Francis," Roderich said with disdain and the candelabra grinned, "Au chante mademoiselle," he said before kissing her hand; Amelia smiled nervously and made a mental note to keep an eye on this one. "So, is there anything we can do for you?" Roderich asked.
"Well, I'm a little hungry," Amelia said. Elizaveta's face and the other talking kitchen appliances visibly brightened at her words, "Well, then we'll have something whipped up for you in no time!" the teapot said happily. "Remember what the master said!" Roderich hissed, but Elizaveta scoffed, "Come now, I'm about to let the poor girl go hungry!"
Roderich rolled his eyes, "Very well, a small bite to eat and then-" he started to say but Francis cut him off, "Roderich, I'm surprised at you!" he said in shock, "She is not a prisoner, she's our guest; we must make her feel welcome here!" he said happily, "Right this way mon cher," he said and led the girl to the dining hall.
"Very well, just keep it down; you know what will happen if the master finds out!" Roderich said worriedly. "Do not worry mon ami;" Francis reassured before giving the clock a cocky smirk, "But what is dinner without a little music?" he asked before slamming the door in a stunned Roderich's face causing to fly against the wall. Amelia followed Francis into a large hall where an enormous table sat in the middle of the room with a single chair at the head.
Amelia sat down the chair as the lights dimmed and Francis stood a few yards away from her with a spotlight on him, "Mademoiselle Amelia, it is with deepest pride and greatest pleasure that we welcome you tonight!" he announced as he picked up a candle hood to use as a cap, "Now, sit back and relax as the dining room proudly presents…your dinner!" he said as a few covered plates appeared in another spotlight. Amelia smiled in interest at what was going on as Francis began to sing:
Be our guest, be our guest, put our service to the test!
Tie your napkin 'round your neck cheri, and we provide the rest!
Soup du jour, hot hor d'oeurve,
Why we only live to serve!
A plate full of small d'oeurves were brought up to Amelia for her to taste:
Try the gray stuff it's delicious!
Don't believe me? Ask the dishes!
A number of china plates and silverware rolled out onto the table as a chorus began to harmonize with Francis:
They can sing, they can dance, after all Miss, this is France!
And the dinner here is never second best!
Go on, unfold your menu, take a glance and then you'll
Be our guest,
Oui, or guest,
Be our guest!
Different dishes full of different foods began to parade in front of Amelia who picked up a fork to taste each dish that tasted amazing:
Beef ragout, cheese soufflé, pie and pudding en flambé!
We'll prepare and serve with flair,
A culinary cabaret!
You're alone and you're scared,
But the banquet's all prepared!
No one's gloomy or complaining while the flatware's entertaining!
We tell jokes, I do tricks with my fellow candlesticks!
Francis was then joined on the table with a few other little candlesticks who began to hop around the table while more appliances began to join in harmony:
And it's all in perfect taste that you can bet!
Go on and lift your glass, you've won your own free pass,
To be our guest!
Francis took over:
If you're stressed, it's fine dining we suggest!
Everyone else joined in:
Be our guest! Be our guest! Be our guest!
The music suddenly took a melancholy turn as a sad tune began to play while Francis sang:
Life is so unnerving for a servant who's not serving,
He's not whole without a soul to wait upon.
Francis looked out as if he was gazing into a past memory:
Ah, those good old days when we were useful,
Suddenly those good old days are gone.
The other appliances all bowed their heads in sadness as they remembered the good days when they were humans, before the curse stole away their happiness:
Ten years, we've been rusting, needing so much more than dusting.
Needing exercise, a chance to use our skills.
Most days we just lay around the castle.
The music suddenly turned upbeat again as everyone smiled at Amelia:
Flabby, fat and lazy,
You walked in and oopsy-daisy!
Elizaveta then took over from the kitchen as things were being washed:
It's a guest, it's a guest!
Sakes alive well I'll be blessed!
Wines's been poured and thank the lord, I've had the napkins freshly pressed!
With dessert she'll want tea,
And my dear, that's fine with me!
While the cups do their soft-shoeing, I'll be bubbling, I'll be brewing!
Elizaveta jumped onto the hot stove to heat the tea:
I'll get warm, piping hot!
Heaven sakes, is that a spot?
Clean it up, we want the company impressed!
A napkin quickly wiped down Elizaveta before jumping onto the tea cart with Peter, Tino and Berwald:
We've got a lot to do!
Is it one lump or two?
Elizaveta poured the warm tea into Peter and Amelia took it gratefully as more and more appliances (even Roderich) joined in to the song:
For you, our guest!
She's our guest!
She's our guest!
Be our guest!
The song began to get even more energy and bounciness as it continued:
Be our guest! Be our guest!
Our command is your request!
It's been years since we've had anybody here, and we're obsessed!
With your meal, with your ease,
Yes indeed, we aim to please!
While the candlelight's still glowing,
Let us help you, we'll keep going!
Francis and all the other appliances appeared at the very end of the table in huge arrangement of dishes, food, and silverware as Francis put on his candle hood as a hat:
Course by course! One by one!
'Till you shout, 'Enough I'm done!'
Then we'll sing you off to sleep as you digest!
Tonight you'll prop your feet,
But for now let's eat up
Be our guest! Be our guest!
Be our guest!
Please be~! Our~! Guest~
This song ALWAYS makes you want to dance! If I had to include one song from the movie it would definitely be this one and if the Hetalia cast was singing it to me I'd be grinning like an idiot!
Lovino, watch your language around your guests! Why am I even trying? When the curse is broken he'll STILL be cursing his head off.
*head desk* Oh God...did I really make Spain a hairbrush? Seriously, I couldn't think of ANYTHING to turn him into! At first I thought a sword, but that was too...well...weird and not household appliance-y enough (did I really just say that...?)
Next chappie will be the always scary, sneaking into the one place the beast told you not to go just because your nosy and curious! But trust me, this chapter will be ten times different than the movie; you'll know what I mean when we get there.
Review everyone! It makes me happy! :D