Introducing the kitchen staff to a dragon goes about as well as Belle expects.
A trembling Mrs. Potts steps forward and with a wavering voice asks Belle for an introduction, while the other staff not so subtlety cower in the farthest kitchen corner.
"Do not worry," Belle soothes, "The Fire Temple and the Mountain Dragons have a close working relationship." She nods at the dragon beside her. "Marchak is here as my friend and Tom's guest." She watches the maid's face flicker through several expressions before settling on polite (if wary) acceptance.
"Is there something we can help you with?" Mrs. Potts asks tentatively.
"Yes, thank you." Belle replies with a small apologetic smile. "Is there perhaps a spare cow or something of the sort? Marchak has had a long trip here and wishes for some refreshment." At the other woman's worried expression, she continues quickly. "I can of course pay for anything, or if there is a butcher you could recommend?"
"Well, um, we don't have any spare cows, but we have the portions of the animals we don't eat, um, if that would be acceptable?" Mrs. Potts stutters, paling slightly at Belle's eyebrow raise. Realizing that her poorly concealed amusement most likely added to the other woman's terror, Belle turns to her dragon friend.
"Good enough for a snack? Or would you prefer we dropped by the butchers?"
"It will be fine for now." He responds in a deep rumbling voice. "I can stop by The Forest on my return to the mountains if I feel hungry." Turning to the still pale maid he bows closer to her level. "Thank you for the hospitality, whatever you have available will be acceptable."
Mrs. Potts nods and orders several people to gather the supplies. Belle and Marchak are apprehensibly handed a few baskets of food and Belle smiles kindly at the servants before indicating to the dragon they should leave.
She's a little saddened that Chip was not in the kitchen, she'll have to find him later. Any boy comfortable befriending a fire mage would most certainly love to meet a dragon.
!
Tom discovers the dragon and girl settled by the lakeside discussing Mountain politics (which somehow involve wizards and soapy lemon water, and are infinitely more interesting than the grasping social climbers of their own kingdom). He joins them and the conversation continues for several additional minutes with Tom's added critiques before he reminds the other two of their actual purpose.
"We really do need to discuss the improvements to the fireproofing spell before Marchak must leave."
"Good point." Belle agrees.
"Has Kazul explained our difficulty with the duration of the spell?"
"Yes." The dragon replies. "The problem seems to be the foundation for the spell. By tying it directly to Belle the spell is forced to utilize only it's own magic. If we were to bind the spell to Belle as well as a magical object the protection should last longer. I have brought a few amulets with me for you to look through." He offers Belle a small bag which she empties on the sand and searches through the jewelry.
"What about this one?" Tom inquires with fake excitement, waving one of the necklaces in front of her.
"Bit ostentatious don't you think?" She eyes the ornate gold chain and large diamond, eyebrows raised and lips curved in a small grin at the mage's expression. "Maybe this one instead?" Holds up a thin chain with a small flower made of silver and gold filigree.
He laughs, "Your choice fits your personality much better."
"Shall we bind the spell to that amulet?" The dragon asks.
Belle gives the other jewelry a once over. "Yes, I think this will do nicely."
"It is a good choice." Marchak admits. "This amulet also has some healing abilities for the wearer."
"Really? How does that work?" She runs a finger gently over the flower charm.
"Wearing the amulet will increase the speed of any healing, as well as increasing the likelihood of surviving a more serious injury."
"So it doesn't involve any effort on my part?"
"No. Not unless you wish to use the healing on someone else."
"And how do I do that?"
"I do not know how it is used. It is dangerous as it uses your own energy, enacting a similar, though less severe wound on the amulet wielder. Because of the risk, I have never met anyone who has attempted it."
"Hmm." She considers, turning to Tom. "We could test it out on some smaller injuries until we discover how it works."
"No Belle, I'm not comfortable purposely hurting you."
"We would have to hurt you first." She offers, voice bright in false compromise. Tom responds with an eye roll. "As long as we keep it small, maybe paper-cuts or something, it shouldn't cause me any real harm." She continues, thinking out loud. "And it would be good to know how it works, in case it ever is actually needed."
"I'll think about it, but I won't guarantee I'll agree."
"Best I can ask for." She smiles at him. "Thanks."
!
Belle makes sure to introduce Chip to the dragon before he leaves, much to Mrs. Potts despair. The little boy is ecstatic at the opportunity to meet a dragon, and Marchak is quite skilled at dealing with the child.
"I never expected a dragon to be so capable with a human child." Mrs. Potts admits.
"The dragons deal with terrified princesses and antagonistic knights on a regular basis, a young boy who actually likes him is easy." Belle smiles as Marchak offers Chip a ride on his back. "You know," she turns back to the other lady, "I never understood why the princesses and other high ranking women found the dragons so frightening. Any captives are always treated well, and no harm comes to them."
"Unless you have experienced it, I don't think you should condemn them."
She eyes the woman considering. Mrs. Potts refuses to remove her worried gaze from her grandchild and the dragon. Belle sighs, and does her best to assuage the woman's fear, deciding that anyone who trusts her enough to allow their grandson to play with a dragon deserves an explanation, the truth. "I spent a few months as Marchak's Princess. He's a good person, err, dragon. It's how we met."
"But," Mrs. Potts finally takes her eyes from the dragon, looking less worried at the reassurance, though rather bewildered by Belle. "You're not a princess."
"Well, no. Technically, I was his Duchess." She holds up a hand to stall the other woman's confusion. "I am not a Duchess now. At the time I was the heir to my mother's position, but umm..." she stutters over the next words. "She died before I came of age, so the title passed to my Aunt. I can contest the title in about a month, when I become the proper age to manage an estate, although I don't know if I will."
"Oh." Mrs. Potts remains silent for a few minutes as she considers what to say. "I thought dragons only kept princesses?"
Belle offers her a smile of thanks. "Nope. Lower status for the human means a lower status for the dragon, but it's the same concept."
"Is he," she motions to Marchak, who is blowing smoke rings in the shapes Chip requests, "the only dragon you know?"
"No, I've met several dragons. Tom introduced me to the King of the Dragons when she first came to the title, a year or so before I ended up Marchak's Duchess. Thinking back, we should have requested I receive immunity, as Tom's friend, but at the time we didn't realize the potential hazards of my position. I have since been granted a free pass through the mountains, although I no longer have a status that requires it."
"So you can visit whenever you want?"
"Yes. But it is a very long trip by foot, and my old carpet needs repairs that I can't afford at the moment."
"Oh, um. How did you get away from Marchak, and still maintain a friendship."
"Dragon's don't hold grudges against their princesses for leaving. It's not actually difficult to escape from your dragon. Although it is a bit of a walk down the mountain, which most princesses tend to avoid.
"I escaped once." Her lips twist wryly. "Got about halfway down the mountain before I realized I didn't really want to leave. Being Marchak's Duchess was a nice change from the court intrigue and social climbers I got back home. He offered me access to his library and was willing to discuss any subject I wanted. Learned a lot about the governments of neighboring kingdoms and the politics amongst magical users and creatures while I stayed with him. Tom eventually spoke with the king and requested I be allowed to come and go as I pleased, which she accepted and I offered to stay and help Marchak find a replacement Princess before returning home."
"Uh." Mrs. Potts has the half glazed expression of someone who is unsure what to think.
"Sorry." Belle places a comforting hand on the older woman's shoulder. "I didn't mean to overload you with information. Um, but I do have one request?"
"I-yes of course dear." She smiles shakily at Belle.
"Could you not tell anyone I'm the daughter of a Duchess? I would prefer to be treated normally and I find that knowledge of my potential title can sometimes change that."
Mrs. Potts eyes her shrewdly, but her expression softens at what she sees. "I will keep it a secret."
"Thanks."
"But," the woman continues. "I think you should tell the prince."
Belle snorts. "Why?"
"Well, it would probably reduce the number of angry contestants you have to face." Mrs. Potts considers her words. "Alright probably not, but it would give the prince a better excuse for talking with you."
"But I'm not a Duchess at the moment," she argues, "besides I am really not fond of all the political schemes and backstabbing that seem to circulate our court. I was attempting to avoid them."
"Hmm." The older woman speaks slowly, choosing her words carefully. "That young man is quite fond of you. I think in return for his affection you should at least be honest with him."
Belle's hand slips from Mrs. Potts shoulder. "I haven't lied!"
"But you haven't told him the truth either."
"Well I..." Her gaze flickers to the floor. "No, I haven't."
"I'm not saying you must tell him," the woman reassures, "but you should think about it."
"I'll consider it." Belle acknowledges before remembering the woman's other claim. "And he doesn't like me," Her voice is bordering on incredulous and hinting amusement. "I'm just one of the few people he's met who won't pander to his every whim. He finds it intriguing."
"Of course, dear." Belle is exceedingly happy Mrs. Potts is looking away, because she's almost positive the woman is smirking.