Never judge a Beast by it's Cover (RevDipcifica)

Be our Guest

Fuming, the Beast returns to his lair--a chamber of shredded furniture and walls ruined in rage. He paces, muttering. He then grabs a decaying blue amulet. "Show me the girl." He says and clouds start to swirl in the amulet.

The amulet lights up and gives him a view of Pacifica at the bedroom door. She turns, slides down the wall, and curls her knees up to herself. A look of dread on her face. Her fear crushes his heart, as the amulet fades to where he couldn't see her any longer. He was now left with his reflection and self-loathing. He lowers the amulet to reveal the glass jar by the open window.

In the jar, the enchanted rose hangs in mid-air. It was now wilting, most of its petals have fallen. The Beast can see his reflection in the glass as he leans down, rage evaporating, replaced by shame. . .as another petal falls. Peering in at the petal as it reaches the bottom and shrivels. As it does, he hears a far off rumble, as if the foundation of the mansion is trembling.

Outside the mansion, the wood and bricks crack and some tremble down from the mansion walls. While in the living room, the staff is gathered; the beginning of their evening. Mabel lights the fireplace. She hears the crash of falling wood and cinder. Mabel sighs sadly and looks down. "Another petal fell."

Scarlett groans in annoyance and looks down at herself sadly. "Mabel, I grew three more feathers! and I just plucked yesterday."

Mabel starts to move toward her to help, but her legs stiffen. She holds her flame to her knee like a heating pad. "I know, Scarlett--ouch! I'm getting more metallic every day." She moves her left leg back and forth as it makes a creaking sound.

Suddenly, Gideon starts making clock noises. "Oh, no! It's--tick tock!--happening again!--cuckoo!--pardon me. . ."

"Everyone calm yourselves, we still have time." Rufina says with confidence.

Flynn hops over to his mother. "Mother, am I ever going to be a boy again?"

Rufina smiles at him. "Yes, Flynn. You'll have you're days in the sun once again. You just leave it to me."

Back with Pacifica, she throws her makeshift rope out the bedroom window. Pacifica looks down--the rope is about twenty feet off ground. Almost there. She then hears a knock at the door. "I told. you to go away."

"Don't worry, miss. It's only Ruffy." Rufina bustles in on her cart with Flynn. "Oh, aren't you a vision! How lovely to make you're acquaintance."

Pacifica nods and tries to block her view of her escape route, but Rufina is too sharp. She smiles sadly. "It's a very long journey. Let me fix you up before you go. I have found that most troubles seem less troubling after a bracing cup o' tea." She pours the tea into Flynn who wheels over to her.

Pacifica picks Flynn up and brings him to her face. Little Flynn, finds himself face-to-face with the most beautiful girl he's ever seen. She takes a sip. "Pleased to meet you! Want to see me do a trick?" Flynn blows a huge bubble in his teacup and it makes a loud pop, making Pacifica giggle.

Rufina smiles. "That was a very brave thing you did for you're father."

Lady Susan's doors swing open. "Yes. We all think so."

Pacifica sighs and sets Flynn back on the tray. "I'm so worried about him. He's never really been on his own."

"Cheer up. Things will turn out in the end. It is our choice whether or not to listen. Coming?" She says and turns the tray around and leaves the room.

Pacifica turns and looks at Susan. "Go." Susan says with a smile. Pacifica smiles back and walks out of the room.

In the kitchen, the door busts open and Mabel races in to the excited staff. "They're coming! final checks, everyone, tout de suite!"