The Alchemist And The Beast

Chapter 8

"Uhh, who's the kid?"

"Kiera, he's seven years older, I don't think you can call him a kid," Catalina pointed out.

"Yeah, yeah, I know.  Want tea?"  She turned to Varian.

"Oh, thank you.  What is it?"

"Chamomile.  I hope you don't mind," Cat said as she poured the tea from her spout into Kiera."

"That sounds good.  My father used to make it for my mother quite often... well... until she died that was..."

"Oh, I'm so sorry to hear that," Rapunzel said sadly.

Varian shrugged as he sipped on the tea.  "She died years ago.  I was pretty little.  I barely remember her.  If it wasn't for that family portrait, I probably would have forgotten what she looked like..."

"If it makes you feel any better, Kiera and I don't have a mom either," Catalina spoke up.

He chuckled.  "Don't worry about it.  I'm sorry about your loss."

Kiera would have shrugged had she not been a cup.  "We never knew our parents."

"But we have Lance instead," Catalina added.

"Oh?  Who's Lance?" Varian inquired.

◇◇◇◇◇◇

Cassandra was pacing when she heard the tinking sound echoing off the walls.  Knowing exactly who it was, she turned to him with annoyance.  "What is it, Eugene?"

It was more than the Candlestick.  The clock had come along too. Lance leaned closer to Eugene and whispered,  "No worries.  Let me do the talking."

"The table's ready ice lady," Eugene said.  Lance gasped dramatically.

"Whatever," she muttered and walked into the dining hall.  Immediately, the beast noticed the difference.  "Why are there two placings?"

"Well, you've been eating all alone since we fail to digest food anymore. We thought you'd enjoy dinner company," Lance exclaimed.

"You made him dinner?  I don't suppose you took it upon yourselves to go ahead and give him a room."

"We did.  The east wing, in fact.  Rapunzel oversaw the cleaning herself," Eugene answered.

Cassandra growled, but Lance spoke up. "But if he is the one who can break the spell... then maybe you could start by using dinner to charm him?"

"Good thinking you two," Cassandra huffed.

"Wait, really?"  Lance's eyes brightened up.

"That’s the most ridiculous idea I’ve ever heard! Charm the prisoner?"  Cassandra snarled.

"Listen, you can set your pride aside to at least try."  Eugene crossed his arms.

"He’s the son of a common thief.  What kind of person do you think that makes him?" Cassandra pointed out.

"Oh, you can’t judge people by who their parents are," Eugene retorted.

"Yeah, that's just rude," Lance agreed.

"Fine," she muttered.

"Amazing!  Now you just have to invite him!" Lance said.

"What!"

How Cassandra ended up in front of the east wing door was beyond her.  Why she was actually doing it was not a question she could answer.  It felt stupid and ridiculous.  She knocked. "You’ll join me for dinner." It came out meaner than she had intended.

Lance mouthed the word "gently" to her.  She rolled her eyes.  "Please."

"Thank you, but I'm not hungry right now," Varian said through the door.

"I'm not requesting," Cassarian snapped.

"You said please."

"Get out here!" She demanded.

"Cass, please.  He just lost his father and his freedom in one day. He's probably frightened out of his wits!" Rapunzel pointed out.

"Yes, yes.  Be gentle, kind, charming, sweet, and when he opens the door, give him a dashing smile!" Lance instructed. "Come, come. Show me the smile."

Cassandra frowned.

"Oh, now that won't do," Lance said. "You look like you're gonna eat his head."

The door never opened.  Cassandra glared before pounding on it.  "Will you join me for dinner?"

"You’ve taken me as your prisoner," Varian's muffled voice began, "And now you want to have dinner with me? Are you insane?"

She was seething.  Rapunzel tried to calm her.  "Cass, deep breaths.  You know, like we've practiced.  In.  Out.  In. Out."

"I told you to join me for dinner," Cassandra growled.

"And I told you no," Varian retorted. "I’d starve before I ever ate with you."

"Well, then be my guest," she stormed. 'Go ahead and starve!" The beast turned to the others. "If he doesn’t eat with me, then he doesn’t eat at all!"  She brushed past them angrily.

They all stood there deflated.  That had not gone well at all.