funnygirl | 006 | Action/Voice

[Belle woke up early in the morning feeling a sudden wave of home sickness she hadn't felt in months. But it wasn't Beast's castle that she longed for, but the small cottage she had lived in with her father and their small assortment of animals.

It's this feeling that brings her to the stables. She's only been here a handful of times since arriving to accustom herself with the horses and to take one out for the occasional ride. Things have been so busy she hadn't been able to come by recently.

She spends most of the morning feeding the horses treats and keeping them company. Eventually she gets one saddled and goes for a ride through the forest, though she's careful not to ride out too far from the village. People may catch her during her ride, or they may come upon her while she's at the stables before or after her ride.]

[After she finishes brushing down the horse she took out for a ride, she decides to sit down and pull out her journal. She has a question she would like to ask the village.]

Good afternoon, Luceti. I should also welcome all of the New Feathers who have arrived. My name is Belle. I have a question I would like to ask everyone, out of mere curiosity, nothing more. So no one should feel pressured to answer. But how many of you had animals you cared for back home? Or do you have any here in Luceti? And if neither of these, what kind of animals are your favorite?

As for myself, I grew up caring for my horse, Philippe. I suppose that's why I feel so comfortable around horses. I miss him every day...[She pauses for a moment before continuing, sounding more upbeat.]

Well, I'm curious to hear everyone's answers.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[He only faintly remembers Belle telling him she was going to the stables. At the time, Sultan was being extra noisy and expelling energy all around the house so he missed the word a little among his pet's movements. On top of that, his head felt a bit groggy. He didn't have the best sleep that night.

So it was only natural that by the time afternoon comes, he makes himself a small sandwich, takes out the bags of tea Belle just got that week and - wait. She didn't go to the library. Where did she go?

The question leads to him pulling his journal to look at the map, trying hard to refresh himself on what that word she used was. It started with an s... she wouldn't go to the smithy, was it the SOS...? No. Too long. Stah-bless...? Stableh... Stables. That was it. ... Why did she go to the stables...?

At first he second guesses himself on coming to her, thinking he's not ready yet. But then again, Aang assured him that they can just be together, have some fun, and it would still be enough. Nonetheless, he finds his throat getting dry as he locates the stables and heads out. For once he feels empty-handed and feels compelled to pick up stray flowers he finds on the way there - Mrs. Potts said that's romantic, right? He'll have several of them in paw by the time he reaches his housemate's spot.]

[Belle had just returned from her ride around the forest and is busy brushing down the mare she'd taken out. She sets the horses' saddle aside and picks up the brush. Softly, she moves the brush along the mare's coat.

She's just about finished when she notices Beast's entrance to the stables. She notices the flowers right away and smiles as she puts the brush down and walks out of the mare's enclosure.]

Hello Beast.

Belle. Uh, h-hello. [Awkward. He is already doing this wrong, isn't he. But he does stretch out his arm to hand her the flowers, then lowers them a little after a few seconds once he realises the height difference.]

Th-these are... f-for y-you.

[His awkward display doesn't seem to bother her, it never does. She just smiles and reaches out to accept the flowers.]

Thank you. These are lovely. [Hopefully they'll last long enough for her to get home and put them in water.]

[Actually, now that she's holding them, one might look nice in her hair... b-but what if she doesn't...?

No. Focus. Calm down. It's just Belle. Just... beautiful... caring... understanding Belle...] Y-you're... y-you're welc-come.

[... Silence. Too much silence. D'ohh, he had something to ask, but now he can't remember. Oh, right! Right.]

I-I... did... n-not know Lu... ceti had a... s-stables.

[She patiently hears him out while admiring her flowers and giving them a smell. She discovers they have a lovely aroma. As most flowers do, of course. But these ones seem special.]

Oh, yes. I hadn't known about them myself until someone mentioned it in passing. There are a fair number of horses, all in good shape.

... Is... is that... wh-why you came?

[D'oh, that was a stupid thing to say - of course she came to the stables to see the horses.]

I suppose it is. I found myself feeling nostalgic and thinking of Philippe. You remember him, don't you? My horse.

Philippe...? [A horse... well he supposes she had to get to the castle somehow. But he doesn't remember her having any horse. He must've been in their stables while she was-

Wait. Wait a minute. When he saved her from the wolves... how did they...? How did she... did she...?

... Oh. That's how. He very... very vaguely remembers that. ~~How did he manage that again?~~]

Yes. I do.

[She nods, seeming to know his exact though process. That day she had gotten them back to the castle by dragging Beast's lip body onto Philippe's back. They wouldn't have made it any other way.]

I miss him terribly. He was always a constant companion for me.

[If that is the case, then he owes that horse more than he'd ever thought. He has always owed Belle, but to be indebted to an animal? In Luceti it doesn't seem quite as strange.]

Is... is there any way he can be brought here?

Well, Rapunzel told me about a man I could ask. He's one of the Malnosso. But she said that it's possible Philippe could be brought here if I make a request.

[The mention of Rapunzel assures him of a solution... but then as soon as the word "Malnosso" comes out his face slowly changes to a far more serious expression. It is clear how hardened his reaction is to this suggestion, and his tone when he speaks reflects this.]

Who from the Malnosso?

[She looks thoughtful as she searches her memory for his name.]

I believe she called him...Mr. Bil? She said he was very kind.

Hm. [He remembers the name "Bil". He had never taken the time to learn the Malnosso's names, but Bil was the one hiding in Luceti last year. He helped to protect him from the droids and shift hunters, just before Belle came.

He can maybe trust Bil... but he is still part of the Malnosso.]

Are you sure you... only need to ask?

That's what she said. Why? Do you think he will expect something more?

I don't know. But, I don't trust them.

... Bil is... different, though.

What makes you say that?

Be, fore you arrived... we had to save him from the Malnosso. ... Th-the rest of the Malnoso.

Whatever for?

It's a... l-long story. But he once... was in hiding, from the Malnosso. He wound up with us, when they wanted him back, and some... protected him.

I... was one of them... because, I had been told that he saved our lives in the past. I... had a chance to speak with him before he died, then... and I... I believe it's true.

So he's a friend then.

[...]

... Yes. He is a... friend.

Just... be sure he's working alone. When you ask.

Alright. I will.

006 | Action/Voice

[Action] Hooray for awkward introspective thread-starters!

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