Ocean of Thoughts

Beauty and the Beast

He was beast-like. Hairy, scarred, different. And I was his servant. I waited everyday. Waiting for him to let me leave. But he never did, it had been a year. He had loosened up a lot. We had played a couple games. Like jenga. But he snapped the blocks after losing. The game of life, but we never finished. And scrabble. He had never been to school, but was quite smart. He beat me, so that's the game we played a lot. He had a huge library, and had said he'd read all the books, so he had no use for it anymore. He gave it to me. So most days I try to get him tell me the ends of the books. Of course he never tells, but I'm still persistent.

Today was different though. I fell asleep on him, I was reading while leaning on him. He's usually there when I wake up, but wasn't there. So I ran around trying to find him, finding him in a storage type room. He was holding this glass with a rose inside. But the rose was sort of fading, looking as if it was dying. I knocked something off, and he spotted me. He had this shocked face that turned to anger. He roared at me, telling me to go to my room. So here I'm sat waiting for him to come explain. I heard the objects talking to him, but couldn't make out what they were saying.

Minutes later, I was sat on my window ledge looking at the snow fall. I heard the door open followed by it closing. I didn't turn around. I was hurt by his actions. Sorry. He simply said. Voice laced with sadness. I still didn't turn. If he thought that'd do it, then he could go away. I expected him to leave, but I felt his paw on my face. He was trying to turn me toward him, and it was so subtle I didn't believe it was happening. I turned my head slightly towards him. He gave me a teary smile. Then he dropped his head and said. It was uncalled for, would you like to know about it. I knew exactly what he was talking about. I nodded. He led me over to my bed and let me sit. He paced the floor for a bit before stopping in front on me. He turned and said. I wasn't always a beast you know. I was in war, which explains each of my scars. A witch said if I didn't win the war, she'd turn me into a beast. I lost and was ridiculed. I built up this palace. The witch felt a bit bad. So she made the objects talk. So I didn't have to be alone. The rose represents my life time. And I'm dying. Slowly, to reverse the curse I have to find true love. I didn't want to kick you out like I do everyone else because you didn't fear me. And I think. Never mind. He said storming out. I didn't go after him, for he didn't say I could leave yet. Only moments later. I heard, you can come and go as you please. I came out, and didn't expect to see him. He would be in his room. And I wanted to know more. I didn't usually push, but I wanted to this time.

I went up the grand staircase, trying to find the words to say. I know what I'd say, I thought. I knocked and simply said, dress nice, ballroom at 8. I heard nothing, but knew he heard me. I put a big yellow gown on. I liked it. I did my hair in a bun. And made my way to the ballroom. He wasn't there yet, and wasn't sure if he'd show, but I'd wait. I waited for 15 minutes before he came in a royal blue. Pulling at tightness. I giggled. He smiled. The instruments played a soft melody. And we danced. It had been 3 hours of constant dancing and laughter. He picked me up and twirled me around, and in that moment I just kissed him. And he kissed back. I didn't feel the hair disappearing or his paws turning to hands.  But when I looked at him again. He was covered head to toe in scars. He put me down. He said, I knew you were my love but I'm still a beast. I smiled and said, then I guess we'll just be beauty and the beast.