008 | Video/Action - Backdated to morning of 10/22

[funnygirl]

[Belle doesn't know what it is that wakes her up so suddenly. Her dreams had been peaceful and vibrant until she was suddenly yanked back into the waking world. For a moment she wonders if she heard a noise; wind against her window, birds or...perhaps Beast is back? Her heart beat speeds up with joy as she thinks it. That must be it. He's already been away so long...

Before she can think she's out of bed and throwing on a robe over her nightgown. She nearly races down the hall to Beast's room. She's not sure why, but she believes wholeheartedly that he'll be there when she opens the door. But he's not.

Belle moves slowly into the room, flicking on the light. It brightens up an empty room. Of course it's not exactly empty-all the furniture is in the proper place. But all of Beast's things, all the things that lended a personal feel to the room, a feeling of ownership, are gone. His journal, which she'd last seen laying on top of the nightstand, is gone as well.

She stomach drops as she stands in the middle of the abandoned room feeling lost. Silence echoes throughout the large house, making her feel sad and more alone than ever.]

[She spends the next couple of hours calming herself down. After all, Beast has other friends in the village that need to be notified. Finally she feels well enough to open her journal and speak her message.

Her eyes are red rimmed and her expression sad when she appears.]

Good morning, Luceti. I hope you are all well. I have some...unfortunate news to give. My dear friend Beast, whom some of you may know, has been sent back home. I only realized it this morning when I checked his room and found that his things have vanished during the night.

I am not acquainted with everyone he met during his stay here or I would tried to give the news in person. I would just like to say thank you for being his good friends, and ask you not to be too sad. I don't believe he would have wished that. [Belle attempts a weak grin before slowly closing her journal.]

[Later that day Belle can easily be found in the library, like usual. She's shelving books, working at the counter, or helping people find what they're looking for. Except there is now an air of sadness around her, and her ever present smile will start to fade as soon as she believes no one is looking.]

Comments

[savedtheworld]

[Her tone is the first then Aang notices - which gives him concern over the girl who was his sister even before she gets to the truly bad news.]

Beast...

[Beast, who was troubled but was always so kind to him. Whose heart Aang tried to heal after he'd lost so many friends. Whom he hoped was getting closer to the true love that would not just break his curse but help him be happy. Just like that... he's gone.]

I'm sorry to hear that, Belle. Are... are you... How are you holding up?

[funnygirl]

[When she smiles this time is comes a little easier. More sincere. The last thing she wants is to make Aang sad. It hurts her to see and know that she's at least part of the reason why.]

I am just fine, Aang. Thank you for asking. I did not mean to worry anyone. [Her voice cracks at the end, but she keeps smiling, hoping he won't notice.]

[savedtheworld]

It's okay, Belle. [Knowing Katara for so long makes it easier to spot it in others, when they're putting on a brave face.] I... Is it okay if I come to see you?

[funnygirl]

[She looks surprised briefly before nodding with enthusiasm.]

Yes, of course you can. I would appreciate the company. Would you like a snack? I believe I have some left over bake goods from the bakery. Or I could make some cookies.

[savedtheworld]

Thank you, Belle. I think that coming over... will help. [He tries to sound like he's mostly seeking help himself, but he's really intent on trying to help her.] You don't have to worry about making anything. The leftovers will do good enough! And I can even pick up some fresher bakery goodies on my way over.

[funnygirl]

Help? Is something the matter, Aang? [Her expression shifts to one of concern.] Ah, yes that will do just fine. Thank you.

[She'd hoped that maybe baking would help take her minds off things. Yet she can't think of a reason to refuse his idea.]

[Video]

[spohkh]

[Beast was a good friend, though sometimes they had difficulty communicating. He would be greatly missed.]

I... grieve with thee.

[Video]

[funnygirl]

[She smiles sadly.]

I thank you for that, Spock. But do not grieve for him. Instead...wish him the best. I'm sure he is quite happy to be back in his home.

Re: [Video]

[spohkh]

Be that as it may, I find that I am more concerned about you. Are you faring well?

[Video]

[funnygirl]

[She nods, trying to put as much energy into it as she can.]

I'm quite well. Please don't worry about me.

[Video]

[of_sablier]

Ah... I'm sorry to hear that. It's always a shame when a good friend goes home.

Will you be all right, Belle?

[Video]

[funnygirl]

Yes, Jack. I will be alright. He will be extremely missed, but it is for the better I believe. He'd been here for so long...I'm sure he's happy to be home again.

But thank you for your concern.

[Video]

[of_sablier]

You're a very strong girl, you know, to be happy for him like that. But that doesn't mean you can't feel sad too.

[Video]

[funnygirl]

[She's not sure how to rely at first. What he says is true...however she feels like it would be a betrayal to be sad he's gone. It would mean that she would rather he was stuck here than free.]

...I am sad. But I don't believe dwelling on it will be of much help. I made my heart feel more settled ton think of this in a positive light.

[Video]

[of_sablier]

No, you're probably right. You'll see him when you return to your world, after all. This is more of a temporary goodbye than anything else.

But even so, you shouldn't feel bad about missing him.

[Video]

[windandrain]

Earth and Stars. Belle, are you...alright? Do you need anything? Anything at all?

[Video]

[funnygirl]

Oh...Saori. [Her smile slips just a bit but she manages to hold onto it. The last thing she wants is to worry her dear friend. She just needs some time to adjust...it's all so raw still.]

I'm fine. Please don't worry yourself.

[Video]

[windandrain]

It's alright, Belle. You're my friend, and I think I'm allowed to worry about my friends.

[She smiles as encouragingly as she can.]

Beast...Adam...he was a wonderful man. I will miss him greatly.

[Video]

[funnygirl]

Yes. He was a wonderful frie...[What had she called him? Adam? That wasn't a name she had heard since...

You now have a very wide-eyed and confused Belle slowly putting things together before you, Saori.]

[Video]

[windandrain]

...It was him during the invasion, I thought. That's...what he said anyway. Adam?

[She is very, very confused. Did she say something wrong?]

[ action ]

[allbloodyhail]

[ spike hadn't yet seen the library in this place -- and as loathe as he was to admit it, he missed his books. they were the only true escape he had in hell, and so he's flinging himself indoors before he can catch on fire, spilling into the library's main entrance with a blanket pooling at his feet.

he picked up the blanket and brought it up around his shoulders as his eyes darted around nervously. no one saw that, right? he's just going to make a beeline for english poetry... nothing to see here... ]

[ action ]

[funnygirl]

[Belle happens to look up from the book cart when she hears the door open. The man that enters isn't someone she's seen before, at least not in the library. And he has...is that a blanket? Strange.

Still, she has a job to do, so she pastes a smile on her face and approaches.]

Hello, monsieur. Are you looking for anything in particular?

[ action ]

[allbloodyhail]

[ he hiked his blanket up a little, eyes raking over the tennyson section with vague interest. ]

...I think I can handle it. [ and yet he looks uncertain; uneasy. and not just because she probably saw his display of utter foolishness. ]

[ action ]

[funnygirl]

[She notices his uneasy look, but doesn't push. The only thing she can do is offer her assistance. It's up to the person whether they accept or not.]

Alright. But if you need anything at all, I'll be at the desk. Don't hesitate to ask.

[ action ]

[allbloodyhail]

Yeah, alright, I have a question. [ he's peering at the shelves. ] What kind of order are these in?