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]

[ 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. ]

[internationalrelations]

...then tell me what you meant by losing a year. What is going on here?

[Alex was a stubborn man. Clearly, or he wouldn't have decided to go explore the woods because he was told not to. He wasn't planning on backing down from this either. He had so many questions.

None of this seemed... real. There was something strange and eerie here, something that Alex could feel in the air even with the rage that was nearly vibrating off the beast in front of him.]

[lordfuckleroy]

[ A curse was a curse was a curse was a curse. And in this case, the Beast was not even sure he should say as much. He let out a rumbled growl, this was clearly a sore spot with him, the subject that Alex was attempting to broach.

And thus he ran, he ran because he did not want to face the question, and suddenly an overwhelming sadness engulfed him. He ran because there was nothing else to do. He could be exceedingly moody and it was perhaps the beast hormones which were a mix of everything, but he stalked off leaving Alex standing their in the courtyard, and then the Finch to perch on Alex's shoulder.

A mournful sound came from the bird, but no communication. ]

[internationalrelations]

I think I really fucked up, Feathers.

[Alex murmured as he watched the Beast go and storm off. What an asshole. But there something about him, some deep and abiding sadness, a wound that he might be trying to hide but that was entirely obvious nevertheless.

He should leave right now, should flee even if the storm had not yet abated.

Something about that felt wrong. Frowning, Alex crouched to pick up the remnants of the pomegranate. He'd already decided he was going to see about planting it. Maybe that would make this strange creature feel better?]

[lordfuckleroy]

[ Alex would be able to feel the softest little brush of wings against cheek, perhaps that was meant as comfort. But also she knew why her brother was upset and understandably so, but there was also hope there, perhaps he had to lose that one year in order to get this guy to fall in love with him? But clearly there would need a bit of work.

That was the key operative word.

She saw how he picked up the pomegranate and she took flight and did a little bit of chirping, in encouragement.

Yes, yes yes! Plant it, that may help! At least it may help her brother see that this man's intentions were alright.

She started to fly toward a little shed where all the gardening tools were kept. ]

[internationalrelations]

[By now following the little bird was becoming second nature. She hadn't let him wrong yet, after all. So Alex, cradling the pomegranate in his hands, walked along where the finch was leading him, though he couldn't help casting a glance over his shoulder in the direction that the Beast had headed.

Why did he have such a heavy, painful feeling in his chest?

A shake of his head and he looked around the shed he'd been led to.]

You read my mind, Feathers. [He looked around for a pot and some soil and carefully set about putting what was left of the pomegranate into it to hopefully take root. A pause then and he looked up.] ...did he say your name was Bea?

[lordfuckleroy]

[ 'Feathers', aka Bea knew that her brother was stubborn and that he would come around. But it probably was not the best sort of precedent; ah what she would not give for opposable thumbs and a pen. Sadly though, she was not given that option and likely she would not even know what to do if transformed back.

She could perhaps lead him to places that may help him solve everything?

But it was true that Bea had thought that the wanderer was very handsome and perhaps her brother may fall in love with him. But ultimately that part didn't matter, what mattered was that Alex fall in love with him. And considering the behavior of her brother, that may not be likely to happen.

A pleasant chirp sounded at the name, it sounded like perhaps an affirmation? Even as she was not sure this would work, perhaps it would be the thought that counted, and it meant he was truly sorry. Surely Henry would see that and not be an bloody idiot about the whole thing?

She decided to help and pecked at some pomegranate seeds fallen and started to deposite them in there, as if being a pal. ]

[internationalrelations]

[He would take that as an affirmative.] Bea the bird. The puns write themselves, you know.

[It was a gentle tease, really as he made sure the pomegranate and seeds were carefully tucked into their nice, cozy little soil bed.]

I'm Alex. I mean... not like you can talk, but hey, still better to be polite I guess. It's good to meet you. At least something in this castle doesn't completely hate me. That's nice.

[Once the potted seeds were settled, he cast about for a source of water -- conveniently finding it for the sake of advancing the action in the story -- and carefully picked up the pot in his hands. This would be staying on the window sill in the bedroom he'd been provided for as long as Alex was here. He certainly didn't plan on staying a year, thanks, because his family would go insane with his unexplained absence, but he did think it might be all right if he stayed long enough to try to suss out what was really going on here.

And maybe smooth things over with the angry dramatic Beast who had stormed off to do whatever it was that angry, dramatic Beasts did when no one was watching.

Pot in hand Alex began his walk back towards the bedroom he'd been shown to earlier.]

[lordfuckleroy]

[ He was doing very angry things thank you very much. Which probably involved brooding, and perhaps kicking rocks around a little bit, however he managed to get rocks into his room. But he would come to his senses once that same anger wore off and perhaps tender an apology based on his ego.

He was a Prince and he did have a smidge of an ego.

The bedroom was exactly where Alex left it, and the bird followed after cheerfully but also perhaps if needed to do a bit of damage control. The bed was still comfortable and there were still milk and cookies on the table though Bea did run circles around it, as if to denote that it was safe for Alex to eat.

The bird was clearly fretting in a way easily conveyed by a bird. What was she going to do with these two men? ]

[internationalrelations]

[Alex meanwhile, was doing his best not to have a very unhelpful sort of panic attack the more he thought about how furious his parents and June were going to be. Murder was the least of his worries. They'd probably kill him at least three or four times, and he'd wish for each and every death. But there was no help for it. He'd ventured out. He'd gotten lost, and now he was here. He may as well figure things out before he just mad rushed to try to undo it and pretend it never happened. Clearly it had. He set the pot of dirt and seeds and hope down on the window sill gently, glancing out at the scenery beyond, the foreboding woods that was still out there, waiting and watching.

He noticed the fretting finch, and that did something to ease his thoughts for just a moment. So okay he wasn't the only one stressed out.]

Thanks, Bea. Gonna be honest, birds freak me out sometimes, but you're pretty cool.

[Small birds were fine. Alex just had a history with the village turkeys and geese, okay? He did not like them and the feeling was apparently super fucking mutual.]

[lordfuckleroy]

[ Thankfully Bea was the sort who was not offended by much of anything, except for house cats of which there were a few prowls straying around outside who eyed her with keen interest. But she chirped gratefully to that, decidedly she could still understand Alex even though she could not precisely communicate with him vocally.

She perched on his shoulder than with another chirping and she eyed the potted pomegranate plant with satisfaction. It was a magic thing and she was not sure if it would work but the thought would count perhaps?

And this guy seemed very lovely and perhaps if her brother got to know him, it would work out alright? She had noted of course how he had seemed particularly drawn to the library which was her brother's favorite spot. ]

[internationalrelations]

[Alex knew it might not work, might not grow, and even if it did might mean nothing, but well. It felt wrong not to try something. He was bad at doing nothing, and it was the only thing he could think of.

He sighed and ran a hand through his hair, careful not to dislodge the bird from his shoulder, making a disarray of already messy curls.]

I guess I should try to sleep. I'm going to try to apologize again in the morning, at least. It probably won't help but... I dunno.

[lordfuckleroy]

[ Bea wished sorely that she could communicate with this guy in some fashion, to let him know the situation but she simply did not have a way, she was merely a bird and had been one for many long years. There had been a few run-ins with cats but because of the magic surrounding her, the condition had never lasted for the magic was stronger than threats.

Though no one knew what would happen as the last pomegranate fell, and she was afraid to contemplate.

Bea though would carefully help him back to his room as much as a purple breasted finch could do, her own regalia stood out. There was so much to tell and she had no words for it, but perhaps he would draw his own conclusions, or maybe Henry would make nice with him.

AH yes, that is what she could do, she could convince Henry to meet him for breakfast. At the very least she could do that for her brother did understand her. ]

[internationalrelations]

[Bea wasn't the only one wishing that. He had nothing but questions, and no one to give him any answers. Maybe the Beast if he weren't busy being angry and yelling and hating him. Alex sighed.

But he was happy to follow the finch back to his room, moving to start turning the bed down.

He lifted a hand to gently pet at the little finch's feathers.]

Thanks again, for your help.

[lordfuckleroy]

[ There was a tiny coo of happiness, and perhaps then the little hint of a bird-like sigh though she flittered on the pillow once, though she was in control of herself that she did not leave any unwelcome surprises. Once he was settled down, she would peck him lightly on the cheek with her tiny little beak and then she would flutter off to wherever she went.

Probably to have a firm talking to with her brother about how to treat quests.

Perhaps even a pep talk to boot.

Though, when Alex closed his eyes, he would dream of this place.. this castle. Not as it is now but as it once ones, and the Prince in the portrait with those blue eyes. He was not a spectator but he could tell that once upon a time this castle had been happy... for the most part and sans a few rogue sour notes. ]

[internationalrelations]

[Oh. Okay so as Alex settled into bed and got a literal peck on the cheek, he couldn't help the smile. Look that was adorable. Entirely adorable. What a sweet little bird, and it made him feel at least a little less unsettled about all of this.

But despite the unsettled uncertainty, it had been a very long and stressful day, and sleep found him quickly. Sleep and the dreams of this castle, warmer and brighter. It was a different place, and there was that portrait prince.

Why was he dreaming about prince charming? He couldn't entirely say. Something about those eyes though. God he couldn't forget those eyes, couldn't escape the pull they had on him. Which was strange. But then what wasn't strange today?]

[lordfuckleroy]

The sun rose, and it did indeed rise as the storm made way to the snow sparkling over grounds. There was the smell of coffee to greet Alex, the castle having magicked a pot there on a table by the hearth along with some sweet rolls and breads. This was magicked indeed, but it was intended to be consumed by the guest in question.

And not a Huevos Rancheros in sight. Though the castle was not unreasonable and would be able to accommodate if Alex gave directions as to what he wanted.

There was also a bath drawn in the bathing area off to the side, a large tub sized for at least three people, and a large vanity with the cologne that Alex wore (yes the castle was smart enough to provide) clearly all Alex had to do was profess it needed something and it would fetch it. If not then it would make intuitive decisions based on what delighted Alex.

It was sentinent like that. ]

[internationalrelations]

[Joke was on the castle. Alex would commandeer the kitchen at some point and cook to work out some of his more restless energy -- once he really came to terms with the fact that he was indeed staying here for the longer term.

For now, he awoke to the alluring scent of coffee, sitting up in that bleary confusion when sleep was still trying to keep its hold on him. It came back to him quickly. The storm, the castle, the little finch, the garden, the pomegranate, the Beast.

Right. Yes. Slipping from the bed he poured himself a cup of coffee and popped a roll into his mouth. The bathtub was impossible to resist too, so he would take advantage of that, looking less bedraggled than the storm-blown thing he'd been last night.

Bathed, caffeinated and fed, he dressed and poked his head out of the room. The hallway looked... empty? So he stepped out, considering. Maybe he could find out something abut this place in the library? That seemed as good a spot to start as any.]

[lordfuckleroy]

[ As Alex wandered the halls, he would find that the halls to seemed to guide him in a certain direction. Sensing his intent to go to the library, it naturally dictated his steps toward that goal, down the stairs, the shifting of pathways within the highly magical castle that denoted that it was going to guide him exactly where he needed to go, where he wished to go.

The Beast had spent a rather restless night as well pacing back and forth in his own rooms (as well as kicking some conveniently present rocks around.. likely some fangirl with a sense of humor put them there.) but now it was morning and per the Beast's own schedule, he could be found in the library drinking his own coffee and reading.

Though he'd never been really found before, at least not since the curse.

He was hunched over a table with a large book open out in front of him, that couldn't have been good for his posture except that his back seemed to already be slightly curved over from the transformation so it was merely the most comfortable for him. But hey, Alex did find the library. ]

[internationalrelations]

[He'd taken his own coffee cup with him, and was sipping at it as he stepped into the library and stopped immediately short when he saw the other figure already present in the room. It was sort of impossible to miss the Beast after all.

For just a moment Alex froze, cup only half lowered from his lips.

Fuck. He'd wanted to find this guy, right? Apologize again? He wasn't sure how to even start.

So he panicked, and did what came naturally, started the yapping.]

Hey, uh... good morning. Sorry to disturb, I didn't expect... well I don't know what I expected or didn't, but I umm... yeah, I'll leave you to your reading. Sorry.

[He was ready to retreat. Super brave of him really.]

[lordfuckleroy]

[ the Beast was not a morning person, neither was he a evening person. He was actually an insomniac who got very little sleep and perhaps that explained all the grumpiness that was inherent in him. The gold hair glinted from the light of the sun peeking through the curtain, rather surprised to see the other man here.. still.

He'd expected him to run out of the castle, even though Bea had told him that she left him to sleep in the bed.

A huff that seemed to bounce off of fine parchment. ]

Do not bother leaving, this library is large. [ The voice was soft and only a little bit growly. Bea had cautioned him to play nice. ]

[internationalrelations]

[Alex stilled and did not flee, turning back to glance at the Beast almost curiously. That almost sounded... not entirely full of loathing? Alex turned to face him fully.]

It is. I mean, like, large kind of undersells it. I've never seen this many books in one place in my entire life. ...honestly I may never have seen this many books period, total, in my entire life. It's kind of incredible.

[More than kind of. Alex still watched the Beast a bit warily as if he was waiting for that rage to resurface.]

[lordfuckleroy]

[ Coffee was helping him to be decent, but he was still a bit terse and grumpy. That would take a little bit of work from Alex to shake it out of him. However he did not look up from his book, instead he turned the page. ] Unfortunately, I do not have the largest selection of 'current' books, [ most of them were circa two hundred years ago, many obsolete texts. ]

However, they are available for reading.

[ All 8 stories of books, of which he still had not read through them all.

No rage was forthcoming. ]