Beauty and the Beast (Moonbe version)

Chapter 15: Ne Ne!

(Lydia's POV)

I opened my eyes with a soft, raspy whine. I felt so exhausted... I tried to yawn but my throat felt sore. I hummed confused before trying to get up, only to realize I was tied to a tree. My eyes widened scared. Fajr must've done this! He knocked me out and tied me to a tree! I tried shouting for help but my throat was so sore I could barely make a whisper. I must've been out for so long... I was completely parched and starving. Am I... a-am I gonna d-die here...?! I whimpered scared before a voice called out to me,

"Ne Ne! Daijoubu desuka?" My eyes sparkled when I realized the person was speaking in Japanese. I looked around trying to find whoever was speaking before they giggled,

"Up here!" I looked up and saw a nekojin.

His clothes were torn and dirty as he smiled at me from atop the trees. I stared at him amazed as he hopped down to me and crouched down,

"Daijoubu desuka?" I tried to speak but again I was just so parched. The nekojin hummed softly before grabbing a water bottle and opening the lid, holding it up to me,

"Here, this'll help." I quickly drank a ton of the water as he watched. I finished after a few seconds and panted, relieved to have had such cold, refreshing water. The nekojin smiled at me,

"Watashi wa Mischief King!" I smiled at Mischief adoringly,

"Watashi wa Lydia Dreamer desu!" I replied happily. He giggled and ruffled my hair,

"You're adorable!" He then began to loosen the knots in the rope, "so why are you tied up?" My panic set in once again as I remembered what happened. I then explained to Mischief as he finished untying,

"M-My friend was kidnapped by a beast... I tried getting help to rescue her but the help I got was the real monster! He wanted to kill the beast and have my friend all to himself! He tied me up so I wouldn't talk about his... evil persona... and now he's probably gathering the villagers to storm the castle and kill the beast! I have to save my friend!" Before I could get moving though Mischief grabbed my arm and hugged me. I blushed uncontrollably,

"Relax, it'll take them a while to find the castle! In the meantime you should get to eating!" I nodded shyly before noticing something in the bushes. I walked over and noticed the gun Fajr had given me. Looks like I must've dropped it when neither of us were paying attention. I grabbed the gun and put it in my jacket as Mischief then picked me up. I squeaked and blushed hard as he leapt to the trees and carried me off.

We ended up in a treehouse as Mischief entered, putting me down and smiling,

"Welcome to my home sweet home! Well... not really but you get the idea." He giggled, "Do you like McDonald's?" I tilted my head confused,

"Whats McDonald's?" Mischief's jaw dropped,

"You've never tried McDonald's!?" I nodded confused as he rushed off. I sat there dumbfounded before he returned with a bag,

"You HAVE to try some!!" He declared as he gave the bag to me. I opened it and inside was the mouth watering smell of fries. I grabbed a container of nuggets and the fries as Mischief watched excitedly. I then cautiously took a bite out of a nugget.

Oh... my... god...! It was amazing!!! I happily dig into the rest of the food, the fries being much more tasty than the nuggets as Mischief giggled,

"It's great right??" I nodded as I finished. I then sighed and looked out into the forest,

"What am I gonna do... I have to save Phoebe... a-and that beast... but I'm alone...!" I whined before Mischief placed a hand on my head and smiled,

"You aren't alone! You have me!" I looked at him confused before blushing and smiling,

"Yeah!" He giggled,

"Besides, I've been to that castle multiple times. I've been sneaking in and stealing bites of their food for a while, so I know where to go!" He explained. I giggled and nodded with a warm smile. He seemed competent, eager, and all around an awesome person!

"Now let's figure out our game plan, okay?" He explained, laying out a map of the castle and getting started.