Beauty & the Beast AU - Firstprince

[internationalrelations]

[The woods beyond the village were cursed. That was simple, clear fact. It had been true for as far back as anyone could remember -- which was strange in and of itself, really, the way that memory seemed to blur and fuzz at the edges when one tried to concentrate too closely on it. But that strangeness did not make the curse any less real, at least as far as the villagers were concerned. Alex had been raised on the stories and the warnings, that venturing too deeply into the woods would surely end in some horrible fate.

Even now, now that he was a grown man, venturing into the forest was entirely forbidden. His mother, who incidentally happened to be the mayor of their charming little village, had emphasized just how forbidden it was. Alex was well aware.

But god he was so fucking curious. What the hell was even out there in those dark shadowy woods? What was beyond that? He needed to get out of this town someday or he'd lose his mind. Maybe that was dramatic. He had his family. His mother and step-father. His actual father. And his sister. Really, June was his entire sanity, along with Nora. But he was still restless, made even more so by a particularly aggressive suitor who Alex was trying to diplomatically dodge.

Oh there were excuses and reasons, but the day that he finally said fuck it and headed into the woods, it was because something was calling to him. He didn't know what or who. He couldn't even really put words to the feeling, only that something out there needed him. Besides, he was only going to explore a little bit. Barely out of sight of the village outskirts.

That had been the plan at least. But plans did not always come to fruition, and in remarkably short space, Alex found himself turned around. No, no that wasn't right. Turned around was not a strong enough word. He was lost. Totally fucking lost. It felt like the paths were shifting beneath his feet, steering him towards a destination that it had in mind rather than him. Then the storm swept in, drenching, pouring, punishing rain soaking through every inch of him. The wind whipped through the trees, sending branches scraping against his skin. Lightning flashed through the sky, illuminating the silhouette of a castle looming ahead, breaking through the dense forest trees.

What the fuck. Was there supposed to be a castle out here? But whatever, Alex needed shelter, and it had presented itself. So he ran the rest of the way, eventually coming to the large doors of the dark and foreboding castle, run down like it was little more than ruins. How could Alex have known that this place was the source of the curse that had spread across the land? How could Alex know that inside was a handsome prince who had paid the price for his family's pride and offense to a sorcerer, transformed and cursed himself.

And like okay, the sorcerer was probably just trying to prove a point about how terrible it was to try to make someone stay in the closet and defy their heart. The sorcerer was definitely a yaoi shipper. So, the key to breaking the curse? Of course it was true love. That was how these things worked, after all.

But Alex, drenched, bedraggled, scratched and bleeding and looking much worse for the wear, stumbled his way into the seemingly abandoned castle.]

Hello? Is anyone here? I just... kind of need a place to ride out the storm? So I don't get fried by lightning?

Comments

[lordfuckleroy]

[ Perhaps it was a little bit extreme to be turned into a beast for the crime of being in the closet, but in all honesty you cannot stop the thirsty yaoi shipper sorcerers that are currently roaming the land in search of a happy-ending. Honestly, he got off a little bit better then the majority of his family did who were all frozen solid with the exception of a little finch who was the Prince's sister, who would fly through the lands searching for someone who could break the curse on her brother.

The castle was magic, the commands spoken was hers and her brothers.

She had heard the voice of the person who called out for shelter, and by acknowledgement the door opened with a creak, the lamps in the foyer started to light up and the bird flew in to swirl around Alex with flap flap flap of her wings then she made a beeline for the room to the right, with her a magic wind of warmth.

Follower her, Alex. Surely nothing could possibly go wrong.

As she entered, the hearth lit to rumble with flames and fire, and a cart wheeled out filled with the fragrant smells of food freshly prepared. ]

[internationalrelations]

[Alex startled as the door opened, but was not going to let the good fortune pass by. He ducked inside with a relieved breath as thunder rolled loudly outside. He looked around as light slowly illuminated the foyer, startled again when a bird suddenly appeared. He blinked at the small, fluttering thing, tilting his head.]

I... hi there. [Cute.] Do you know-- oh hey wait!

[He would indeed follow the little bird wherever it was that she was leading, and the warmth that seemed to beckon. Oh... this place was definitely some sort of magic fuckery. Alex was sure of that. But he was drenched and cold and exhausted, so he gravitated towards the hearth with its warm glow, looking over in surprise as food wheeled itself out.]

Oh... uh... thank you? [He called out to the room. To the bird? To no one in particular? In any case, he would take a look at what was for offer on the cart. Something to eat would be welcome.]

[lordfuckleroy]

[ There was food, food and wine. A spread of meats, cheeses and warm bread baquettes with honey butter and also soup-- soup for someone who was cold to the bone. The bird however was flying over to a little stand where there was a large oversized blue robe hanging up.

The finch was a helpful thing, it was warm and it was dry. And it's fragrance carried some undefined quality to it; like forget-me-nots, earl grey tea as well as a hint of musk.

Get out of your clothes, Alex. Put on something warm, else you catch your chill and death of cold.

Clearly this bird was being very helpful and obliging. And it would be a shame to ruin the fine brocaded seats with a rainy ass. ]

[internationalrelations]

[...holy shit the food looked delicious. Alex snagged a piece of cheese and popped it into his mouth and was about to dig into the soup when he noticed the little bird trying to catch his attention to something else.

Oh. Actually, being not soaked through sounded kind of amazing.]

It's okay if I wear this?

[Hopefully the answer was yes because he was already stripping out of his sodden clothes and would eagerly wrap himself in something warm and dry. Something that smelled amazing actually, and that did make him wonder about whose robe this was.

He settled himself close to the food and the fire, wrapped in the soft, warm robe. He looked up towards the bird though and gestured.]

You'll join me, right? There's a lot of food here... we can definitely share.

[lordfuckleroy]

[ The robes were as soft as one could possibly allow, far richer than anything that Alex had access to, and it was likely that Alex did have a few luxuries that others in the village did not, though likely the Clairmont-Diaz's were not overly fussy people by nature. This was soft and plush, and would wick away the water-logged condition without causing the robe to become sodden.

Fucking magic.

The bird danced and skittered around before alighting on the tray and pecking at some of the bread, you will have to break some off for her Alex, her beak is not too talented and the exterior is very very crusty.

The food would be a welcome change of course, the soup was warm and delicious, heightened with cream and spiced with herbs, with little braised mushrooms floating through it as if they were on a delicious swimming trip. The bird chirped almost as if she was carrying on a conversation with her dinner companion-- bright and lively. ]

[internationalrelations]

[Fucking magic indeed. Alex would not question it because he had been starting to physically shake with shivers as the damp set in, and now he was dry and warm and there was food. He probably ought to be warier about food offered by seemingly no one -- except a delightful little bird -- but Alex leapt then looked, and he was hungry and relieved and so fucking curious he could die. What the hell was going on here?

He reached over to break apart some bread for his avian companion before he would help himself to the soup.]

You're a very clever little bird. Are you the one I have to thank for the hospitality? Or is there some... master or mistress of the house I should say thank you to?

[He'd help himself to some wine too to chase off any lingering chill.]

[lordfuckleroy]

[ That was it right there, the soft fragrant bread was now easier for the little Finch to consume and so peak she did and in between chattering happily though at Alex's own question she fluttered off the tray and then moved over to where the hearth was and then just over it.. where there was a portrait of a man.

It was a beautifully ornate picture, of a man in formal wear. Blonde hair that was styled immaculately and solemn blue eyes that seemed to look piercingly into one's soul. He was leaning against a sword in a posture that perhaps could be called particularly gayish if one was actually looking for it. There were other portraits of course, of a stately elderly woman wearing a crown, another man who looked quite a bit like the younger man, a redhaired man with a rather nasty smirk, and then a woman that smiled enigmatically, her own red hair caught up in a coiling bun and wearing a tiara that was far less showy than a crown but still denoted royalty.

This was the family Alex.. the owners of this house. ]

[internationalrelations]

Oh?

[Alex stood, done with his meal for the time being in favor of indulging his curiosity. He looked up at the portrait the bird had settled in front of. He spent a long moment studying the young blond man. There was something in those eyes that he couldn't quite name, but it echoed through him, a flutter like the finch's feathered wings in his stomach. ]

That's the master of the house, huh? [And then a look around at the other portraits.]

...right, it's a castle. Royalty makes sense. Well. I hope I'll get a chance to say my thanks in person.

[lordfuckleroy]

[ The bird started to lead Alex in a little follow-me dance; there would be a set of rooms prepared. The castle would seem to light with each step that Alex too. Sconces in the distance bursting forth into life as they walked up the stairs. There were expensive objects of art seemingly untouched by dust or time as they glimmered, there were paintings and tapestries. Doors behind which who knew what was there.

Down halls the bird flew, wings taking flight while scions of the past were held, it was difficult though to put a particular age to this castle, but there had been stories of a royal family that had once ruled over the land before the castle had become shrouded in myth. Only stories and legends now, that had been passed down upon the villagers and then the villagers descendants until landing in this day and age.

And finally to a grand room patterned in colours of purple and red, where Alex could rest down for the evening, though the bird did alight upon Alex's own shoulder and a little peck like a goodnight kiss on the cheek. ]

[internationalrelations]

[Alex followed. Of course he did. Whoever this little bird belonged to, she was incredibly well trained. And charming. Could birds be charming? Well, apparently so because this one was.

Whiskey-dark eyes were wide as they looked around, the hallways and all the various art and decorations that they passed. He managed to stop himself from trying to open the closed doors, wanting to be polite at least while he was a guest. There was a timelessness to it all, almost eerie, but undeniably beautiful.

He hadn't expected to be led to a bedroom, never mind one this lavish. But really, even if he'd only intended to wait out the storm, perhaps it was best to spend the night here. Trying to navigate through the woods alone after dark would only end with him more lost, or much much worse.

Then he had a little bird on his shoulder. The tiny peck at his cheek undid his heart entirely. He lifted a hand to very carefully pet at feathers with a finger.]

Goodnight, feathers. Thanks again. ...wow I wish you could talk though. I have so many questions.

[lordfuckleroy]

[ This man was a guest, and royalty should always treat their guests nicely. Or so the little Finch thought, though now it would appear that Bea would have herself an unexpected nickname once the curse wore off. The room would function as it should, and there would be the entirety of the Palace to explore for someone who was naturally curious.

The Finch though thought that the other man was probably tired so she did not think to warn him off of the Palace garden in the central courtyard, the one enclosed from the elements and housing the Pomegranate Tree of which held the relics of the curse in their hands.

However a little magic castle touch, was a plate of cookies and a glass of milk on a little table by the window. A before bedtime snack, the scent of warm butterscotch snickerdoodles in the air, like a siren's call.

There was the flap of wings as the Finch made her goodnight known, and then she flew off, leaving Alex to himself and his betime (and possibly explorations, because let's be real-- it was Alex. ]

[internationalrelations]

[Yeah, sleep would be an eventually thing. Alex was, at the moment, entirely too wound up to sleep. He'd ventured into the cursed woods (and was going to be murdered upon his return by several members of his family in consecutive slayings) and gotten lost in a storm and found a clearly magical castle. So while he wandered around the room -- and set his wet clothes down and out to dry, pulling the robe closer around himself -- he was mostly getting a good look at it.

He snagged a cookie, nibbling as he considered his options.

Yeah it was time to go exploring. What could possibly go wrong?

Cookie set back on the plate, Alex peeked out into the corridor, empty but glowing with a not uninviting light. He stepped out and began his exploration. He took in all the various tapestries and artwork, trying to work out in his head where in the history books this castle should have been represented, even if it clearly had been left out for some reason or another. But for all the exploring aimlessly, there was something that was pulling his steps, guiding his path like he was caught in its current, surely and inescapably, towards the central courtyard.

It was beautiful, if a bit eerie, a strange stillness that lay over it like the held breath before a prayer concluded.

And the tree in the center. How could he not be drawn directly to that? What other option was there? Things had been set in motion by a magical fujoshi and Alex Claremont-Diaz might be the type to rail against fate, but even he couldn't overcome the pull of destiny entirely.]

[lordfuckleroy]

[ Nothing could possibly go wrong with that option, whatsoever. One could wander the majority of the castle and be delighted upon every single step especially since there were rooms that provided amusement, there was a large library (the likes of which made the Beauty and the Beast Library in the Disney Movie look like it was a mobile library), there was a room full of fancy dresses and suits, most of them passed down from a long lineage, in case Alex fancied a bit of dress-up.

There was a room filled with art supplies, paints, charcoals and easels set up, along with several objects that could be used as a reference.

Everything that you could theoretically expect in a castle.

Then there was the courtyard; a strange magical phenomena seemed to wrap around this courtyard. It was enclosed but sunlight seemed to pour through even though logistically it was storming outside. At the center there was a pomegranate tree. The fruit was sparse, with only seven now hanging, but they looked particularly plump and gorgeous, these fruits.

And one hanging particularly low, as if calling out to Alex. ]

[internationalrelations]

[Alex tried not to nerd out too much at everything. After all, he was only hear for as long as it took for the storm to pass and the morning to come so he had the best chance at making it to the village without dark catching him in the forest. But the library was, genuinely, amazing, and he had lingered there a good while before wending his way onward.

But now he was in the courtyard, looking at what might be the most enticingly beautiful tree that he'd ever seen in his life. He had never seen a pomegranate look so perfectly red and ripe. There was an allegory here, surely, between mythologies and symbolism, but Alex wasn't thinking that closely on it.

After all, it never occurred to him that picking and eating fruit could possibly cause any sort of trouble. So he did not hesitate to reach out for that low hanging fruit, so to speak, plucking it from the branch. He brought it to his nose to inhale the sweet scent, obvious even before he'd made any attempt to open the rind.

That came next, a careful but perhaps not entirely graceful separating of the fruit into halves, the seeds blood red and begging to be tasted. So he did.]

[lordfuckleroy]

[ That was fine, great change did not come by just stopping to think about things but rather seizing it with both your hands and plucking it. The fruit gave almost like butter in Alex's hands, the pomegranate polished and smooth as it beckoned to the wayward wanderer who had found his way to a Castle lost within the mists of time.

The fruit scented of candy, an aroma that was almost as beguiling as the one that surrounded Alex with the robe. It fell apart baring it's fleshy bounty for Alex to partake of, glimmering like jewels underneath the light and glow of the courtyard.

The fruit tasted like heaven, far better than any fruit that could have possibly been served to anyone, and the seeds melted upon Alex's tongue. There was a single second where Alex was given the luxury of enjoying it.. until there was almost a defeaning howl in the distance... and the light faded as soon as it had begun. ]

[internationalrelations]

[Alex had thought he'd tasted fruit before, but clearly he never had. The way that sweet seeds seemed to melt against his tongue, juice and sugar and a strange flare of something else, a frizzling at the back of his mind.

And then that howl that shook him to his bones.

Alex went still, a deer frozen in the sights of a predator. Slowly though he turned, eyes casting about to try to pinpoint where it had come from.]

Uh... Feathers? Was that you?

[Finches did not make that sort of noise at all, and he knew that.]

[lordfuckleroy]

[ Nope, definitely not Feathers.

An eerie stillness descended, almost like the calm before a storm. First there was a howl and then there was nothing whatsoever, a strange chill descended upon the enclosed courtyard though nothing as of right now. Little did Alex know, there was someone on their way down the parapets, the steps breaking out in a run as something had burst into his subconscious. Each Pomegranate a year. Once upon a time, the tree had been full to bursting and now there had been only 7 left..

If Alex looked down, he would see a sea of broken pomegranates scattered against the ground. Shells and husks, seeds not remaining.

The seventh lay cradled in Alex's palm, a strange pulse of magic surrounding him. ]

[internationalrelations]

[The silence was worse somehow, and Alex did not know what to make of it at all. He looked at the pomegranate in his hands, to the tree and then around at the other fruits that looked like they had fallen long since.

Was it a wolf? Some other dangerous beast? Was he in danger?

No he was in a castle and not out in the woods. It should be fine, right? Still he couldn't shake the foreboding feeling that he'd done something that he shouldn't. Here he was, quite literally red-handed.]

[lordfuckleroy]

[ There came a snarl from somewhere behind Alex, the padding of footsteps and then a wolf stood there. Except it was not precisely a wolf, but a strange hybrid wolf and man that seemed to be standing up on something sort of bipedal. Golden fur, no animal had fur that gold that seemed to sparkle under sunlight, and then there was the maw and the teeth bared.

Eyes like blue seemed to dash fire out, burning and full of repressed rage.

But he did not get closer... he circled with that same sort of growl. ] You touched my Pomegranate.. you went snooping where you were not supposed to and now I'm robbed of nine months. [ Nine months less time he had to break the curse. Oh yes, this beast was big mad. ]

[internationalrelations]

[Oh. Oh fuck. Oh shit oh fuck. The dangerous beast was inside? That was going to be a problem. Alex was not ready to defend himself against a thing that big with claws and teeth and--

What even was it? Too big for a wolf. Not a bear?

Alex froze, utterly still except for his eyes as he watched the creature begin to stalk around him in a circle.

Then it spoke. Alex startled more at that than the growling.]

You talk! [Well, okay, now he was less frightened and more curious. If this beast could talk, then he wasn't in danger of being dinner, right? Except wait no, he sounded pissed.

Alex looked down at the pomegranate still in his hands abruptly holding it out towards him. Here have it back.]

Sorry! I didn't know they were yours. Or... special? Maybe you should put up a sign...

[lordfuckleroy]

Of course I talk, you wanker.

[ The voice was clear and enunciated but also the sort of voice that could convey much with very little, another snarl at the broken apart pomegranate that was of no use, it symbolized a single year and now it was nothing, there was no magic left. ] I hope those seeds tasted very good to you, especially after I let Bea open our home to you, a stranger who was lost in the storm....

[ He darted out and snatched it back, it was quick and perhaps Alex may need to make a dexterity roll with the element of surprise. ] Do you always just wander around castles and take what you didn't ask for?

[ There was a guttural sound that came from the beasts throat, the very back of it. It sounded rather anguished. ]

Well now it was done. ]

You have taken a year of my life, and now I demand a year of yours.

[ A slow growl as he tossed the pomegranate on the ground. It splatted it's crimson viscus on the ground beside him. ]

[internationalrelations]

...did you just call me a wanker?

[What the hell. He started to ask who Bea was, but he could connect the dots. His little bird friend? Wait though our home? He thought back to the portraits, and something about the beast's eyes brought to mind the face in one of those pictures.

He gasped as the pomegranate was snatched away.]

I've never been in a castle before! And I couldn't just go to sleep. And in my defense, random food has been stuck in front of me since I got here! How was I supposed to know this was... not? Again, a sign would help.

[Except Alex could hear that note of anguish.] Look, I really am sorry. You've saved me from the storm, and I didn't mean to do something to upset you. So I--

[Wait. Hang on. And now the apology stopped, a wariness settling in.]

What does that mean? [A year of his life?]

[lordfuckleroy]

[ This stranger was awfully cheeky with his statements, and he could hear him attempt to talk over him, and unfortunately the Beast was seeing a long layer of red where it was hard to see reason, and he probably would not until he calmed down a bit. ]

You heard me, because you have destroyed one year of hope for me-- you will stay here, in this castle, with me for a single year. It is only fair.

[ At this point 'Feathers' came out and started to fly a whirlwind around the Beast however he merely tolerated it but he did not make down. ] The food was given with intent, it was placed in front of you.. these pomegranates were not.

[ He would argue with this until they grew sick of it, no matter how much Bea chirped at him in a play to calm him down. ]

[internationalrelations]

Like hell I will.

[Like seriously. And then Alex frowned, shaking his head.]

I can't stay here! My mother is going to murder me as it is when I get home. [What would his mother say? And June? And no, not an option.]

And I was supposed to tell the difference how? Look, I said I was sorry!

[Though it was nagging at him, what the beast had said, and he fell quiet for a moment, frowning, his voice softer when he spoke again.]

What do you mean destroyed one year of hope? [He looked back to the tree now and then to the beast in front of him.] I don't understand.

[lordfuckleroy]

Sorry does not work.

[ Sorry could not bring back the time nor did it rewind the sands of the hourglass. He had to live with it, he had to go forward realizing that there was days taken away from him. ]

You are staying here and there is nothing to be said about it, you should've thought about it when you waltzed yourself into my garden conservatory.


[ he was talking, thinking without reason and it was all he could do to appear reasonable when all he wanted to do was rage and start destroying things. ]