Goddess • Ben Beast

9

Persephone sat on her stool at her drum set, waiting for her cue.

The family day performance was mainly vocal, but she and a few other musicians were perched among the flower beds in the garden.

Ben had put together an impressive song and dance performance, taking the lead himself.

He gave her a nod, which she returned, before dropping a mild beat.

"Ma cherie Mademoiselle, It is with deepest pride and greatest pleasure That we welcome you tonight. And now, we invite you to relax,
Let us pull up a chair As the dining room proudly presents - Your dinner!"

Persephone couldn't help admiring Ben's talent, struggling to take her eyes off of him, even with the cheesy dance moves.

"Be... our... guest! Be our guest! Put our service to the test. Tie your napkin 'round your neck, cherie, and we'll provide the rest. Soup du jour, Hot hors d'oeuvres. Why, we only live to serve.
Try the grey stuff- It's delicious! Don't believe me? Ask the dishes!"

She kicked in the bass, bringing the tempo up, and show casing a bit as the rap portion started.

"They can sing! They can dance! After all, Miss, this is France! And the dinner here is never second best! Go on, unfold your menu- Take a glance and then you'll- Be our guest. Oui, our guest. Be our guest! We tell jokes, I do tricks! With my fellow candlesticks."

Persephone joined the chorus for the final lines of the song.

"And it's all in perfect taste That you can't best!Come on and lift your glass. You've won your own free pass. To be our guest- If you're stressed, It's fine dining we suggest! Be our guest! Be our guest! Be our guest!"

She spotted Mal applauding in the crowd, looking starry eyed at Ben, confirming he hadn't broken the news to her yet.

Her sister never looked at anyone that way, she wasn't acting. She hoped Ben's rejection wouldn't send Mal over the edge.

Scanning the crowd for Ben, she spotted him taking a photo with his parents.

He met her eyes and shot her a wink, and for some reason she had to fight off blushing. Who the hell was this guy to affect her like that?

When their photo was taken he called out to her.

"Persephone! Hey!"

She trotted up to them, smiling politely at Belle and the King.

"Mom, dad, this is Persephone, I told her she could spend the day with us since she's on her own."

His parents looked uncomfortable, but not angry.

"Of... course. Any friend of Ben's..."

Belle trailed off, searching for words.

Persephone fought off a smirk, not at all surprised or embarrassed by his parents reaction. She was honestly expecting worse.

"Uh, how about a game of croquet before lunch?"

Beast suggested quickly, saving his wife.

"Of course."

Persephone said, not having the slightest clue what that was.

"Game on."

Ben said cheerfully, steering her towards the croquet lawn.

Mal joined them, being Ben's girlfriend and all, and he divided his time between the two of them, teaching them the game.

Persephone was absolute shit at it. She kept striking the ball with far too much force, sending it tumbling wildly over lumps of grass, one time the small red ball even cleared an entire hedge.