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.))

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[From her body language and just looking at her features, Ai was not particularly convinced of Belle's words, her face falling slightly. She wouldn't be insisting that she help a stranger this much back home, but from what she had experienced in Luceti so far, people's shared predicament already made their group more tightly knit alone.]

...Are you sure, Belle-san?... Is there somebody else back wherever you live? A roommate, or a friend?

[If Ai herself couldn't help, then she wouldn't mind some reassurance that someone else could. Belle might've desired to be alone now, but in the long run having a person by her side, especially someone she knew already, could do wonders to help her.]

[After a moment she nods slowly. She had almost forgotten about Beast. How he's most likely pacing around the house, waiting for her return. But how can she meet him like this? It would only worry him more.]

Yes...there is someone. But I don't wish to concern him with this either.

[Ai's eyes blinked once or twice at Belle's response. Not trying to sound urgent or anything of the sort, the girl put her hands in her pockets and spoke softly.]

...He will probably find out eventually anyway, Belle-san. I think you might want to let him know early... he could help you with the problem, and maybe figure out a way to work around the experiment...

[Maybe whoever her friend was, he wouldn't be able to find a way for the girl to regain her sight, but he could comfort still her if Ai herself couldn't. As for the nature of the experiment - specifically the length of the phenomenon - she was not yet knowledgeable enough to say when exactly it would wear off, but she was curious about it nonetheless. She figured it would only distress the girl more if she talk to her about it, though.]

He would try to help...I know it. But he will also worry and fret and I cannot ease his mind if I myself am close to hysterical. I simply need some time alone. To...come to terms.

[She crosses her arms, pulling her journal in tightly to her chest.]

[Belle was clearly insistent on the matter as to how she felt about the prospect of having lost her ability to read - perhaps it would be for the best if she first calmed down first. The person the girl was describing seemed like a close friend of hers; so the fact that he'd fret was to be expected.]

I think you should not push him away if he does, Belle-san... But perhaps it would be a good idea to clear your head first.

[Ai looked around them, nodding towards a path down the village and then glancing back at the girl.]

You can take a walk by the river, or visit the hot spring to soothe yourself. You might want to pick something from the clothes shop so you will not have to move in this white sundress, too.

[At least that would be one of the methods Ai would use to calm herself down - along with swimming in the lakes if she were even able to at this time.]

Yes. Good, lets go then.

[She'll just lead you off, Belle.]

♪ー

[it lets out a quiet peal of music and turns, running in the direction of the village. it stops every few feet to turn back and look at her, waiting for her to follow.]

Sorry? Don't be; you were concerned for me when it was my turn.

[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 finally looks up and meets Ai's eyes with a mixture of surprise and relief.]

Yes. That sounds like just what I need right now. Thank you, Ai.

[Belle glances down at her dress once again with a frown. She does tend to stand out while wearing it.]

I suppose you are correct about that as well.

[She lets out a startled laugh as it begins running ahead of her and she hurries to keep up.]

You are very quick, aren't you?

[Belle hurries after her.]

Saori, what day is it?

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

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

[She smiles slightly.]

That was a coincidence. I didn't know it was you first. Not that I wouldn't have helped anyways had I know...

The 26th of March. Why?

♬♬～

[it stops every few yards, looking back to make sure she's following and then trudges onward toward the village. it doesn't take long and soon they're on the edge of the plaza. the traveler turns to look at Belle, triumphant.

this is what she wanted, yes?]

♫♪!

You're quite kind, then, offering to help a bird of all things.

[He doesn't realize it's the Disney Princess in her.]

[She smiles when she sees the form of the Plaza come into view and picks up her pace. It's a relief to be back in the village again.]

Thank you for leading me back. You are a very good guide.

[The 26th. So she's been away for only a few days.]

I just wanted to know how long I was gone for. I don't remember much and had no way of keeping track of the days.

Well I simply think if someone is in trouble, it's only polite to offer help. Even if that someone is a bird.

I suppose it sounds silly but that's just how I feel.

Oh, yes, just a few days.

[She looks at Belle curiously a moment]

Are you sure you're alright?

[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?

[it twirls its cloak, happy to see her smile and runs in the shape of a heart for her. there is no longer snow so it can't draw in it for her, but it hopes she can understand the shape. it used to guide people all the time before! back home, but not here. here it has not earned the white cloth yet, but maybe one day!]

♬～

Silly? I doubt it. It's an admirable mindset to have.

[She follows the pattern it makes curiously, delighted to see that it makes one she's familiar with. She giggles.]

Oh, how sweet.

[Bending down she tries to place a kiss on its cheek.]

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