Cherry and Atticus's Enchanted Christmas

chapter 4

Forte played a soft tune on his pipes as the Beast was stumbling into the West Wing.

The Beast glared down to the enchanted rose. "I... Hate... Christmas..." he grumbled to himself.

"Why's that?" Ash asked, curious.

"It's none of your business..." the Beast snarled, not caring who he was talking to, but he could had sworn he had not seen Ash before.

"Does it have something to do with an unfortunate past?" Akito asked.

"Leave me alone...." the Beast did not want their company or attention.

"We just want to understand." Atticus and Akito said.

"No one asked you..." the Beast snarled.

"No, but it would help us understand why you hate Christmas." Atticus said.

"It's none of your business." the Beast growled.

"We just wanna know..." Akito tried.

"I said it's none of your BUSINESS!" The Beast roared.

"Fine, but I'll be back later." Atticus glared back at the Beast.

The Beast growled as he turned away from them and went to see Forte as he played a gentle tune on his keyboard. Akito firmly pouted, but he left with his friend and future father. Atticus, Akito, and Ash all went back to the others. The Beast went into the music room.

Forte smirked as he watched his master go by the fireplace. "The music helps?"

"Your music is the only thing that helps me forget..." the Beast scoffed.

"Don't worry, old friend, I'm here for you," Forte said in a hypnotic tone. "Just as I always have, just as I always will be."

Meanwhile, back with Belle and the others as Atticus, Akito, and Ash all got back to them.

"Why is the Beast such a grump?" Belle nearly scowled in disgust.

"I dunno," Chip followed her. "He's always like that."

"Even at Christmas?" Mo asked.

"Yep!" Chip replied as they came into the castle study which was also a room where Cherry was given to write her own stories or poetry whenever she would want to. "Guys... What's Christmas?"

"Oh, Chip, you must know about Christmas..." Belle looked down to the teacup.

Chip shook his head to show he knew absolutely nothing about the holiday.

"Decorations on a Christmas tree?" Estelle asked him.

"Stockings in front of the fire..." Belle added in as she let Chip jump into the palm of her hand.

"Standing under the mistletoe?" Misty suggested.

"Tinsel?" Vincent tried.

"Presents?" Jenny then suggested.

"Presents?!" Chip grew excited. "Do I get one?!"

"Of course you do, little guy, everyone gets a present." Brock smiled.

"Aw, even the Master?" Chip asked.

Felicity smiled to her secret crush's excitement.

"Yes, even the Master." Belle nodded once.

"What're you gonna get him?" Chip asked.

"I don't really know him well enough to know what he would want..." Belle admitted softly.