funnygirl | 005 | Action/Voice

[On Saturday night Belle had been mallynapped on her walk home from the library. One moment everything had been completely normal, she'd been walking along the outskirts of the village with a book her hand. She hadn't noticed the figure following her until it was too late.

After that everything became fuzzy and nonsensical. She woke up once and couldn't move any of her limbs. Blurry, people shaped figures moved in and out of her line of sight, murmuring in soft voices she didn't understand. She didn't know how long it lasted, that state of zoning in and out of consciousness, for the next thing she gains sense she's lying on the ground.

She lays there for a long time, trying to remember what happened to her and how she came to be so far from the village. Had she wandered off path and fallen? Had the memories of cold hands touching her and low voices talking been a think of dreams? Her mind playing a cruel trick on her?

But no, she's heard about these occurrences happening around the village. Of people being kidnapped and disappearing for days-sometimes weeks. Her heart thumps loudly in her chest. How long has she been gone?

Very slowly, she pushes herself into a sitting position and smooths the creases out of her New Feather dress. Looking around, she finally spots her journal laying a few feet away and grabs it up. She has a message to send.]

Private to Beast

I'm afraid my absence must have frightened you a great deal. For that I apologize, it wasn't my doing. I believe the Malnosso have held me for...I don't even know how long. But the important thing is I am here still. And I will be home soon.

/End

[Done with that, Belle closes the journal without looking at any of the other entries. Once she's home and can relax she will take the time to catch up on what she has missed.

You may find her wandering through the forest, going in the direction of the village. Or perhaps you may spot her walking through the village, heading towards home. Anyone likely to remember her from the library might notice that she has not been there for the past few days and is only making a reappearance in the village now.]

((ooc: So Belle has been mallynapped for the past few days. Upon returning she has lost the ability to read. Any words she sees will turn to blurry spots that she can't make out.))

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Beast was distraught to return to House 17 Saturday to find Belle gone, only to discover very quickly that it was because of those droids. It was Beast who wrecked the house, venting out his anger for not being there to stop them, not being able to save her. Ever since, he had been remaining in the house, running on what little food that was left waiting for a signal from his journal.

And on finding that signal today, he reacts immediately at lightning speed, as if he had been saving his energy that whole time. She sounds alright... but can he ever be sure? Not wasting any more time, he leaves and stops at the edge of the forest near their house, judging from the message that she will likely come from there. Her arrival cannot come sooner.]

[It takes her some time to navigate through the forest and find the proper path. She follows it for what feels like miles, but it really a much shorter distance.

Finally she sees an opening at the end of the path and rushes forward and out of the forest. Finally she's back, with home only a short distance away. Turning towards their house, she spots Beast standing at the edge of the forest.]

...Beast. Were you waiting for me?

[As soon as he hears her steps he quickly turns in her direction, hurrying to meet with her.]

Belle...

[He pauses as his eyes frantically look over her. She appears fine, but is she...?]

[She watches him look her over and sighs softly.]

I'm alright. I'm sorry for worrying you.

[His eyes meet hers.] It wasn't your fault. [He stiffens a little, it truly registering why she was gone. And he instinctively moves closer, and speaks again in a low voice.]

What did they do?

[She looks down, avoiding his gaze. It was true, what she'd told Ai about not wanting to concern him more. Belle squeezes the journal firmly to her chest and shakes her head.]

I'm not...sure. I was asleep for most of it I think.

[He... does not like the movement her eyes are making. It only furthers his concern and causes the hair on his back to raise defensively, as if there is something nearby that he would need to protect her from. Even though his body resembles this hostility, his gaze remains soft, revealing the true reason behind his actions.]

Belle... do you remember... anything?

[She considers it for a moment before slowly shaking her head.]

I remember walking home when the droid grabbed me. I tried to get away but then...everything goes black. I...[She shrugs.]

I don't remember anything else.

[His breath catches and he clenches his fangs as she recalls the events of the kidnapping. He feels the urge to inch even closer, but he manages to stop himself - he can't change what has happened. Even if... even if he wasn't there... and couldn't... couldn't prevent it...]

Did... d-did they... h-hurt you...?

[Again she shakes her head.]

I don't believe so. I...feel fine.

[He looks her in the eyes again, as if looking to make sure she means what she says, before letting out a long, deep sigh of relief. He then shifts to her side and offers his paw.]

Let's go... home.

[Belle hesitates only a second before take his paw in her hand. She feels slighting guilty for keeping the effects of the experiment from him, but there isn't anything he can do about it in any case. It's better if she doesn't worry him.]

...Yes. I would like that.

[The wonder of what exactly the Malnosso did to Belle is still resting in the back of his mind, but seeing her relax more helps ease his worries as he gently walks with her back to House 17. At least her walking seems fine...]

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