Once Upon A Time in 2016

The Beast: Chapter 4

"Where are you guys going?" Raef asked as he walked down the stairs. It had been a few weeks since the gym incident, and his relationship with Ana had almost become non-existent. She was still mad at his tactless questioning of Lucas, and seemed to be adamant about not forgiving him. Not that he had actually apologised, after all, apologising was something he just did not do. No, instead he chose to be sweet with her, although this surprised him. He could not explain why he was seeking acceptance from the Walrus.

"Down to the village", Lucas explained, "The festival is in a week. We're meant to take part in it, as owners of Pendlebury Hall. Dad takes it very seriously, he'll be down in two days, and Ana is just going to make sure that everything is running smoothly."

"I thought the people of the village didn't like the Hall. When I went to the pub and said I was going to come up here they looked at me like I'd just said that I was going to eat all their babies", Raef said looking at Ana for an answer. She ignored him.

"The villagers find Ana and myself somewhat unnerving. And their relationship with the Duke has deteriorated in the last 7 years ever since the death of my lady", Judas wiped a tear away from his eye.

"Why do they find you unnerving?"

"Well, I prefer the company of men, and those country bumpkins seem to be afraid that I lurk around corners waiting to attack their "Hollywood Hunks". And Ana...well they just don't like the look of her."

"Why not?"

"Well, well, well. Look whose coming to her defence. Yet I think you're forgetting that you don't particularly like her as well." "You two do realise that just because I'm ignoring you, doesn't mean I can't hear you, right?" Ana said through gritted teeth. "Oh I know you can hear me, though I'm not too sure he's taken that in to account", Judas replied gesturing at Raef. "Are you still mad at me?" Raef asked her, ignoring Judas. Ana ignored Raef. "Judas are you coming with us or not? We need to hurry if we want everything to be done."

"I'm coming! Perfection takes time to complete!" Judas said as Ana went out, and then turned and said to Raef, "And I would tag along if I were you, because in girl speak, her ignoring you means she's still mad."

Glor'floran was its usual miserable self, although it did not seem to be as grey as the last time Raef was down. The village definitely seemed to be in better spirits with the festival coming up. There once empty streets were bustling with people, farmers with their prized pigs, young women were streaming into Giselle's, a designer shop Raef was unfamiliar with, but seemed to specialise in occasion dresses, and teenage boys were assisting older men to put the stage together. "Very different from when you were here last, isn't it?" Judas asked as the crowd's joyful shouts quietened to murmuring and parted for them, not that it seemed to bother him at all. "Yeah...very different...still grey though..." "I wouldn't be so sure."

Ana went into a grocery store that read Mrs Bunion's Bunions. It was red, with white accents. Raef smiled, "Maybe not as grey any more..." Mrs Bunion was a lovely plump older woman who did not seem not mind Judas' choice in partners or Ana's stench. In fact she seemed to be the only one in the village who welcomed the pair with open arms. "Oh Ana, it is lovely to see you dear! Judas too! How are you my boy! Have you been dieting again? Oh, you must stop! Look at you, all bones and skin! And little Lucas, you've certainly grown! Looking more like your ma every time I see you! Who's this? Oh you must be new fella, yes I remember, sent the village into a buzz when you went to the pub. How are you? The name's Mrs Bunion." Raef smiled as he shook her hand. The woman spoke very fast, but he could feel a sort of friendly warmth coming from her that he felt from no one else in the village. It turned out that Mrs Bunion was very important in running the festival. She had been on the Festival Committee for years, and was seen as the unofficial head. "So Ana, we decided that this year we'd go for an Enchanted Forest theme, here I have a mood board here..."