ma bête

[beheld_beauty]

Beast seems to be sleeping in a bit this morning. Perhaps he has had a good dream. Belle can study on her own, anyway.

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[beheld_beauty]

Belle doesn't know a spell for this, she's been so focused on disenchantment that she knows nothing about managing the elements, she is certainly not yet advanced enough to invent something on the fly -

"Beast," she murmurs when the fire is close enough that she feels sunburnt and he's only halfway through the bushes.

[deslandes]

He growls.

[beheld_beauty]

"Maybe if you tossed me over them - I might break something but I might not -"

[deslandes]

He shakes his head.

"Climb on my back," he says, "and hold on."

[beheld_beauty]

She holds on and scrunches her eyes shut.

[deslandes]

The Beast takes the distance to the castle door in a series of jarring leaps.

[beheld_beauty]

Belle's ability to hold on is sorely taxed. He may be missing a few tufts of fur at the end of this.

Outside, the fire swirls through the garden, but is stymied - both its temperature and its actual burning - by the walls of the building.

Belle doesn't let go even after it's clear they're safe.

[deslandes]

The roses did far worse; his arms and hands are scratched bloody.

Softly: "Belle?"

[beheld_beauty]

"I'm okay," she murmurs. "Just - just a few scratches."

[deslandes]

"The same," he says, turning his head to nuzzle her hand where it is still clenched in his fur.

[beheld_beauty]

She holds tight. "Thank you," she murmurs.

[deslandes]

Laughing, he licks the back of her hand.

[beheld_beauty]

"Ee! What was that for?" laughs Belle.

[deslandes]

"To make you laugh," he says triumphantly.

[beheld_beauty]

"Well, you succeeded there, I suppose," giggles Belle.

[deslandes]

"I love you," he says happily, and starts to purr.

[beheld_beauty]

She scratches behind his ears.

[deslandes]

He purrs louder.

[beheld_beauty]

"We should probably clean these cuts - or I should look up a healing spell," Belle murmurs after a moment. "At least mine - I don't know exactly how thoroughly the curse protects you from injury."

[deslandes]

"The curse will not let me come to harm and stay there. I will be fine."

[beheld_beauty]

"Mm. I should at least rinse my cuts." She slides off his back with care.

[deslandes]

He turns around and hugs her carefully.

[beheld_beauty]

Hugs are nice.

"Thank you again. I was - so afraid."

[deslandes]

He closes his eyes and presses his beastly nose into her hair.

"I, too."

[beheld_beauty]

She doesn't know if he means for her or for himself, for surely it would not be pleasant to roast even if he could not die of it - maybe especially - but she suspects for her. She doesn't know how to ask. So she only hugs him, and then slips away to wash, and comes down in a less torn dress.

To resume studying.