mes études

[beheld_beauty]

Belle studies magic.

It's tricky. Getting into and out of her rose-sphere is routine after a few days, but she still hasn't uncovered an explanation of how channeling works, though she's been informed that there are three options for how to do it (by herself, through a willing helper, or through an unwilling helper). Unlike the fourfold options for reaching the Dreamworld, this does not tell her how to begin fumbling towards a practical understanding, even though she can rule out the last one just on the basis of its description.

Beast can only do so a tiny bit of reading per day, and her pile of books that she can read shrinks much faster than his. She combs the library for multilingual dictionaries, so she can pick her way through the titles of the foreign-language books and at least prioritize them before handing them over.

Finally something in an obscure language that even Beast can barely read - Belle has to look up a lot of words - explains the channeling in a way she can understand.

Comments

[beheld_beauty]

"...You're fairly sure we can manage this without me getting clawed?"

[deslandes]

"Of course," he says, blinking.

[beheld_beauty]

"I'm not all that much more durable than a book," she points out defensively, and she starts scoping out library furniture.

[deslandes]

"I promise not to try to turn your pages," he says, flopping into his usual chair. It is quite large and comfortable, and there is plenty of room for her in his lap.

[beheld_beauty]

She sits sideways across his thighs. When this doesn't instantly warm the air, she sighs and leans on him, head on his shoulder.

[deslandes]

He wraps his arms around her. His arms come with an extra helping of blanket in addition to their natural fluff.

Regardless of what the room is doing, Belle is quite cozy.

[beheld_beauty]

Mmm warmth.

Belle didn't bring a book; she still doesn't want to stick her hands out into the air the way she'd have to in order to hold one. She closes her eyes.

[deslandes]

With her curled up on top of him like this, the vibrations of his purring permeate both of them. It's an oddly soothing effect.

[beheld_beauty]

Warmth and purring and warmth and purring and -

Zzzz.

Belle talks in her sleep. "Fruit. Sky. Winter."

[deslandes]

...The Beast laughs.

[beheld_beauty]

That jolts her awake. "What? What happened?"

[deslandes]

"You talk in your sleep," he says affectionately.

[beheld_beauty]

"...I do? What did I say?"

[deslandes]

"'Fruit sky winter'," he quotes.

[beheld_beauty]

"...That doesn't even make sense," she complains.

[deslandes]

"No," he agrees. "It does not."

[beheld_beauty]

"Weird," she mutters. And she breathes in air and breathes it out as visible fog. "Well. It's still frigid in here but at least you're warm." She snuggles up comfortably.

[deslandes]

He starts purring again.

[beheld_beauty]

"You're liable to send me right back to sleep," she yawns. "You sure purr a lot."

[deslandes]

"Food tastes better when you're starving," he says.

[beheld_beauty]

"...That's a common saying, yes, do you just mean it's been a long time since you got to hug anybody and now it's a big deal?"

[deslandes]

He nods his large fluffy head.

[beheld_beauty]

"Aww." Snuggle.

[deslandes]

Purrrrrrrrrrrrrrrsnugglesnugglepurr.

[beheld_beauty]

Zzzzzz.

("Mirror. Vulture. Shoes. Ivory.")