A/N: Since I can't respond to your review through email:
Curse you Perry the Platypus: I'm glad you like Casey, but he's not completley mine. I forgot to mention this last time. He's based off The Luggage from Terry Pratchett's Discworld series, although my suitcase is less likely to eat people, and blue.
After being shown her room in the castle (surprisingly well endowed for a domestic servant's quarters, though she suspects that may be due to Tommy's influence) she let's Casey out in the garden to chase after the birds that he'd been eyeing (or at least she suspects he's been eyeing them, it's difficult to tell without him actually having eyes—or any facial features for that matter).
Deciding she's been cooped up in that tiny carriage for too long she meanders through the castle corridors to explore, and possibly find Tommy.
Most of the rooms on the first floor are locked, crowded with guests (It seems some of the potential spell breakers chose to bring their families along.) or really, really boring. Belle is considering whether there are any rooms worth visiting on this floor of the castle, when the walls quiver and the door two in front of her opens in invitation. "Thanks sweetheart," she murmurs, running a hand along the castle stonework in gratitude.
The room is the size of a small ballroom, with rows upon rows of floor to ceiling shelves piled with books. Several comfortable looking chairs surround large desks, and a cozy couch sits beside one of the (there are three!) fireplaces. She sighs in appreciation, running a hand over the smooth dark wood of the nearest bookshelf.
"Excuse me miss?" A portly man dressed in servant robes laced with the gold of a Head, and a large mustache that overwhelms his face is watching her with a slightly annoyed look as he eyes her simple (although well made) clothing. "All the family members of contestants are to be in the hall for introductions." Apparently, she isn't dressed fancy enough to be an actual spell breaker. She considers the irony with a carefully polite expression. He takes her arm. "If you would come this way."
She shrugs out of his grip. "Actually, I'm not here with a contestant," which is technically true, she's here with two, and a job offer. "I was hoping to speak with Tommy. Do you know if he is in here?"
"Do you by chance mean Sir Thomas, the Court Magician?"
"Yep."
"I am afraid that is impossible, the Court Magician does not visit with…" He looks her over disapprovingly, "just anyone."
"He'll meet with me." She smiles, saccharine sweet and holds out her hand for him to take. The man has a brief moment to panic at her expression before she continues. "I'm Annabelle Grace…the seamstress here on Sir Tomas's recommendation." The smile morphs into a wicked grin as the man's mouth drops open in horror. "What did you say your name was?" The question drips with sugar coated innocence.
"I-I'm, I am Cogsworth, th-the head…um. I'm so sorry…I-" His difficulty speaking seems directly proportional to his stunned expression.
She feels a bit guilty as he continues stuttering (even if he was a condescending jerk). "Don't worry about it, Cogsworth. I sort of set you up for that, it's always amusing to see people's reactions, and I really would like to find him." He looks a bit less worried, and takes her offered hand before giving it a kiss. She raises an eyebrow, amused. He's apparently a bit of a suck-up, too.
"Sir Thomas was just here, my Lady." Back to pompous (although a bit more respectful) head servant again. "Right this way." He takes her arm and leads her toward the back of the library.
"Oh, Ell there you are." Tommy calls, appearing from between two stacks, arms loaded with books that he quickly drops on a side table. "It's been way too long since I have seen you in person." He sighs, pulling her into a hug.
"Agreed." She embraces him back. "But I am here for the duration of this beauty contest thing, that's a whole year of my company." She pulls away, smiling.
"Good." He grins.
Cogsworth makes a sort of choking noise and the two turn back to him.
"Oh, thank you for your help sir." She smiles, eyes glittering in mirth.
"Of course." He observes the two of them suspiciously, but doesn't say anything else.
Tommy breaks the silence by grasping her hand and exclaiming. "Come on Ella, let me give you a tour."
"I've been here before Tommy."
"Sentient castle remember? She's remodeled."
"Yeah, but She likes me, as long as She's in a good mood I wont get lost...though judging by most of the rooms I found earlier, She's not very happy."
He nods in agreement. "She's been asked to keep everything in one place while the guests are here."
Belle hisses. Asking the castle to stay still was like asking a human to sit in a chair without moving for a year. "Definitely not very happy then."
"No, not remotely…I suspect some of the less liked contestants might still find it difficult to locate their rooms."
She laughs, "Most likely. If I was her, I would probably permanently turn the royal suites lime green or vibrant orange or something…Ooh both at the same time." A content purring rumbles through the walls. The servant watches Belle with surprise, mouth open almost as far as when she introduced herself, and sputters. (Belle wonders if start-struck horror is his default expression.)
"I think She just took my advice." The girl pats the nearest wall.
"Better hope the Royals don't find out it was you." Tommy smiles cheekily at her. "Not sure I could save you from that."
"Best not tell them then." She replies. "Although, I'm not adverse to breaking in to see." She sends him a mischievous smile and he laughs. "Anyway, onto a safer topic. Weren't you planning on giving me a tour? Besides, we should probably check on Casey. I left him outside chasing birds and there's a good chance he's ended up in the lake after stalking one of the swans."
"Let's head there first, it'll be good to see him again."