foolishmortals | This is fine. It's fine. We're fine.

This is fine. It's fine. We're fine.

[Well that was.

Something.

Underneath everyone’s door they’ll find a slip of paper, in shaky calligraphy, that reads:

INVITATION

Meet in the Dining Room.

Do not bring alcohol of any sort.

Upon arrival into the Dining Room it’s clear that this is very much...not a party.

The center of the room is cleared of all tables, and instead has all the chairs arranged in a circle, facing inwards. On the tables pushed to the side are jugs of water, cups, plates of saltines, and several hastily-made pamplets that read on the front ”How to cope with Child homicide” that contains an advisory list:

Try not to think about it.
Do not get hysterical.
Crying is permitted, but keep it within a reasonable volume. (For the consideration of fellow mourners)
Maintain civility
Do not plunder the belongings of the deceased.
No drinking or gambling your sorrows away. Set an example.

Standing in front of one of the chairs already is Mr.Arrow. He clears his throat as people start to slowly come in.]

I gathered you all here because I believed it would be conductive to group morale if we all worked through our feelings regarding recent events. Talk about your feelings with one another, but not with me.

[He steps back a little, out of the circle of chairs, in what seems to be an invitation for people to sit down and discuss with one another.]

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[And here it is, the moment she's been dreading. She'd hoped that maybe Gaston would be self-absorbed enough to forget to check in on her...but of course not.

She looks...distinctly unhappy. She's also wearing jeans and a blouse. Scandalous!]

I don't want to speak with you, Gaston. After what you did—!

[ Protesting away, just like always. She'll get over it. Gaston hardly hears what she says. ]

Belle?

[ He stares, openly shocked. ]

...What are you wearing?

[She just stares at him. Crossly. You can almost see her hackles rising.]

Surely the war didn't leave you so brain-damaged that you can't recognize a pair of pants.

Yes, yes. Of course.

[ Lighten up Belle!! He pauses, looking her over. ]

Awfully...modern of you, isn't it?

I'm not sure if I approve.

[UGH she wants to leave, but there's no point in leaving when the mirror will follow her every move. She scowls at him.]

As if I care one bit about your approval.

Now Belle.

[ women amirite??? She gets his most charming smile. ]

Surely we can let bygones be bygones? Don't tell me you're still upset over that whole...thing.

"That whole thing."

[She's giving him the most deadpan, done look she can manage.]

Did you mean the part where you tried to murder the person I loved, and nearly destroyed his entire castle in the process? Or the part where you tried to send my father and me to a madhouse?

[ Is this a trick question? ]

...Both?

[ Why isn't the charming smile working? It always works.

Time for a sweetly patronizing look instead. ]

You know that was all for your own good, Belle.

"My own good?"

[Oh, that's it. She stands up so violently her chair is nearly knocked over.]

Gaston, you nearly ruined my life. And after that happened, it was ruined again! And ended! I am so tired of men thinking they know what's best for me. And—and I promise you, you will never hurt me, or anyone I love, ever again.

Belle -

[ He's actually startled by that. Somewhere deep down, he's starting to get the idea that this won't be so easily smoothed over. ]

Belle, calm down. You're overreacting!

I would never hurt you.

Am I overreacting?

[God, it...feels so good to finally just. Stop being polite to Gaston. To stop gently pushing him away and demurring all his advances. It feels so good to tell him off.]

You see, I think I'm perfectly justified in feeling the way I do. You've been nothing but demeaning, and condescending, and presumptuous since the day we met!

[She's shaking her head, now, slowly.]

You've hurt me too much already, Gaston. More than you'll ever know.

[ THIS IS NOT HOW GOOD PEOPLE BEHAVE ]

I've been nothing but kind to you, Belle.

[ He lowers his voice. Thoughtfully, for her sake. ]

You know the entire village thought you were...odd. It was my favor that lent you what acceptance you did get!

I could care less what any of you thought of me.

[She's, like. Actively pacing, now.]

Nobody in Villeneuve could comprehend a girl who loved to learn, who wanted more. And I...I found more. I found it, and you tried to take it away from me. You...You called him a monster, Gaston. But now...I know it was you who was the monster.

Belle.

[ He laughs pityingly, shaking his head. ]

I know you don't see it right now, but you will thank me someday. This...this Beast...he is a monster. An animal.

He couldn't give you what I can.

He is not an animal. He's kind, and wonderful, and—

[The words die in her throat, because she's suddenly aware that Beast is likely watching. And...well, it shouldn't be said like this. Gaston doesn't deserve to be a part of that moment.]

You're right, Gaston. He can give me more. He already has. More than you ever could.

He's a savage!

[ If he hasn't snapped yet, he's very close, practically yelling that last word. ]

You should have seen him last week. He couldn't even stand! He couldn't speak! He wouldn't have known his own name if he'd had one.

He would have killed you, as soon as look at you. Is that the - thing you want to spend the rest of your life with?

No, Gaston. You're the savage. You know nothing about him, only what you've decided you know.

[She looks positively fierce, by now; she doesn't quail or shy away from Gaston's words.]

...Yes. Yes, he is.

[Her cheeks are burning bright fucking red, but there. She said it.]

[ He just stares, still unable to really believe all that she says.

What does she know about it, anyway. ]

I will find you, Belle.

[ It's a promise, not a threat. ]

And I will help you see reason.

[Where Gaston is concerned, Belle no longer distinguishes between promises and threats. They're one and the same, as far as she's concerned.]

I don't want you anywhere near me. I'd rather stay in Hell forever.

[haha hey we should. probably talk.]

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darthfanboy - 2018-01-31 14:50 (UTC) - Expand

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greatwidesomewhere - 2018-01-31 14:55 (UTC) - Expand

[ From somewhere echoing down a hall, a rowdy teenager starts yelling, in a spaced out voice: ]

YOU TELL HIM, BELLE! GIVE HIM THE FIFTH DEGREE, YOU DO YOU!

[ ...so there we are ]

[ And from the same place, in a less spaced out voice: ]

WHAT THALIA SAID! DESTROY HIM!

[SHE LOVES YOU GUYS SO MUCH????]

[ FIGHT BRAVELY AND WITH HONOR, GIRL, LIKE A TRUE ROMAN ]

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