Ultimately, Beauty decided she couldn't claim Obsidian was her friend if she wasn't willing to talk about him with her father. It took her a week to find the time and courage, but her father had gone into town to sell some of his woodwork on the day she had no school. She made herself some tea from a leaf off the branch Obsidian had given her when having a hard time concentrating on her studies and found the stimulus it provided her made her progress farther than she was supposed to.

Since she suddenly found herself with no obligations, she headed out to see Obsidian after leaving a note for her father to find if he returned before she did. She hurried to the markers and down the familiar grass path to the first clearing to find he wasn't there. "Obsidian?" She called and when there was no response, she continued down the way he'd said was safe.

By the time she reached the lake, she was getting concerned something might have happened to him. He had mentioned he wasn't impossible to kill and she was fairly certain hunters still came into the forest even though they weren't supposed to. She spotted the fawn couple whose reception they'd come across and walked over to them when they waved. "Have you seen... Beast?" The word felt like an insult on her tongue, but she doubted anyone in this place knew he'd let her give him a different name.

"No we haven't, but then again we just returned from our honeymoon so we might not be the best people to ask as to his whereabouts." The bride said with a smile. "By the way, I don't believe we were formally introduced. I'm Roana and this is Firan."

"It's nice to meet you." She replied and glanced up at the sun that was starting it's descent in the sky. Obsidian had told her this place wasn't good for her to be after dark and he'd also indicated not everyone could be trusted. "I'm Beauty and I really should be going. Good bye."

She didn't wait for a reply as she started running back down the path. She had to get back even though was worried about Obsidian, especially since this was the first time she'd come and he'd not been there to greet her. She supposed he might be deeper in the forest since she had warned him she might not be able to visit till after the exams were over. He did have to eat too and he didn't seem like the type to desire an audience when he ate, so perhaps that's where he was. She oofed as she ran into something hard and scaly. "Naga?"

"Yes, it is I." The basilisk nudged her gently with her nose. "You are here to see Beast?"

"I can't find him anywhere and I'm terribly worried and I know it's getting late..." She felt like she might cry and hadn't realized she was so distraught till just now. "Do you know where he is?"

Naga curled around her as if to comfort her. "He was hoping to be back before your next visit, he simply couldn't hold off hunting for food any more."

She let out a small sigh of relief. "I was hoping it was only that and not something else."

Naga smiled. "You are quite fond of him to be so concerned."

Beauty felt color rise to her cheeks. "He's been nothing but kind to me."

"Come, I will go with you to the edge of the path." Naga slithered beside her slowly till they reached where Beauty had entered. "I will tell him you came by."

She nodded slowly as someone drove by. "Thank you, Naga. Why can no one see us?"

Naga watched the car pass. "Most don't notice what they have no wish to. Still, I took precautions and used some of my magic to cloak us. People who have seen us in the past have tried to come after us and we have had to hide lest either side get hurt or worse."

Beauty sighed softly. "I was thinking of telling my father about all of this, but now I'm not so sure. He may or may not believe me, but he might tell others even if I say he should keep it a secret and that might put you all in danger."

"Perhaps." Naga considered her thoughtfully. "Though the decision is yours to make, past experience has taught me that those who would dare to hunt us will always find us no matter how well hidden we are. If you think your father can be trusted, then you should follow your heart."

"My heart hasn't led me anywhere lately."

Naga snorted. "If it did not, then you found your way into our realm and met Beast purely by accident and there should be no reason you would want to come back, let alone look around for him. Yet after everything is said and done, here you are with me of your own free will and the worry I saw in you was certainly not some passing fancy."

Beauty had to admit there was truth in Naga's words. "Are all basilisks so wise?"

"Only the oldest among us usually have such traits. I wish you a good night, little one."

"Good night, Naga." Beauty headed back home to find her father still wasn't there. She began to cook dinner and wondered what was keeping him so long just as he came in the door.

"Smells good in here." Her father beamed. "How's your studying going?"

"I finished early."

He chuckled. "That's my girl. I hope you took a break before starting dinner."

She nodded as she mixed a salad together. "How was your day?"

"Very productive, I sold most of what I took with me. These people out here seem starved for good quality after dealing with nothing but that cheap, useless stuff normal stores sell."

"I'm glad of your success."

He patted her shoulder. "I know having to relocate wasn't easy for you, so I am grateful for your support. Have you made any friends yet?"

Beauty smiled. "Yes. Do you believe in magic, father?"

"Magic? Well I suppose so. After all, love is a form thereof. Are you saying you've fallen in love with someone, my dear?"

"I don't know. Maybe. I just met him and he's different from anyone I've ever met." She sighed. "Only problem is if I tell you about him you might think he's imaginary or that he might harm me."

Her father raised an eyebrow. "And why would I come to such conclusions?"

She chewed her bottom lip. "Remember my favorite fairytale growing up?"

"You had several, however I seem to recall that you used to dress up every Halloween growing up as Belle. Your mother thought it was rather funny, since you were named after the original princess. Are you trying to say you have met someone like the Beast?"

"I call him Obsidian because it seemed so cruel to call him anything else." She said quietly.

"And he has never hurt you?"

She shook her head. "He said he would no sooner crush a rose."

Her father studied her for a while. "When can I meet this Obsidian? I promise to suspend any disbelief until further notice."

"I don't know, I would have to ask him what he thinks. I was hoping to see him today, but he wasn't home." She missed Obsidian afresh. "And with my finals coming up, I may not get a chance to visit him till after they're over."

"I am sure it will all work out. Come, let's eat and then I'll do the dishes so you can get to bed."