checking out games for beast, maybe.

[delaisse]

Who would want me around when I'm like this? I — I don't understand how you expect me to show my face!

Comments

[cursedtosleep]

[She smiles and shakes her head.]

You are kind to say so. But even if I were beautiful on the outside, being mean and cruel would make me ugly both inside and out. People don't fall in love or befriend you because of how you look, they befriend you for what's inside.

[delaisse]

That doesn't happen very often in the real world.

[ Or in 18th Century France, anyhow. ]

[cursedtosleep]

I am very real, as are you. You can make it happen, if you believe in it.

[delaisse]

You have a very positive outlook, mademoiselle.

[cursedtosleep]

My dearest and closest friends are animals. They are kind and sweet but many would disregard them as vermin or nuisances. [Well, that and love tends to make 16 year-old's giddy.] Being beautiful is not as important as the beauty of your dreams and heart.

[delaisse]

[ Evidently, that's not the right thing to say and his hackles rise. Even a loose comparison, casually tossed in like that ... ]

I'm not an animal. Don't pair me with the small-minded creatures you know!

[cursedtosleep]

Do not call my friends simple minded. You don't like being judged so do not do the same.

[delaisse]

I'm no mere animal, that's my point. I don't care if you know a whole forest of the things, they aren't one and the same with me!

[cursedtosleep]

I did not say you were an animal. I said nothing of the sort. What I was said was that my friends are animals and people will call them simple minded. But that isn't the truth because they are smart and kind.

[delaisse]

I'm not a smart animal, in that case. I'm nothing at all like them and I don't need to be compared to your friends.

[cursedtosleep]

You needn't yell, I hear you fine. But I apologize, as well, if you felt insulted.

[delaisse]

I was!

[cursedtosleep]

I'm sorry for that then.

[delaisse]

Hmph.

[cursedtosleep]

But I'm not wrong, you are not a horrible monster or ugly.

[delaisse]

Thank you.

[cursedtosleep]

You're welcome.

[delaisse]

[ Pouting at the silence. How does he girl??? ]

[cursedtosleep]

[She's not so bothered by silence, but you could ask for her name, Beast.]

[delaisse]

[ But she's so pretty! He'll ruin this somehow. ]

Are you ... Do you often talk to strangers?

[cursedtosleep]

I must admit, my aunts said I shouldn't speak to strangers. But if I hadn't, then I wouldn't have met Philip, or you.

[delaisse]

Who's Philip?

[cursedtosleep]

Philip is my husband.

[delaisse]

[ Oh, of course she's married. Why wouldn't she be? ]

You must be very happy together.

[cursedtosleep]

[Hey now, you get your own true love Beast, don't try to take Philip's.]

Oh yes! He's showing me all around our kingdoms.