Aesthetic and the Animals

Episode 8 Lay Me Down on a Bed of Roses

Episode 8 Lay Me Down on a Bed of Roses

Prince Tweed

"We've locked him up in the West Wing. He's even more unstable than he was before!"

Mrs. Potts had brought us to the dining room where she had sunk into the chair at the head of the table to deliver the news. She had a handkerchief, and she was using it to dab at her face. She was very upset. Aesthetic and I were with her, sitting on either side of her chair and across from each other.

"It'll be okay, Mrs. Potts. We're here to help," Aesthetic consoled her.

"Thank you Princess, but I'm not entirely sure how you can help when not even I know what to do. And the rose! Oh, it's frightening."

I leaned forward, my interest caught. "What about the rose?"

Mrs. Potts leaned in her seat too, toward me, and her voice went very low, "The rose has sprung back into bloom. None of us know what to make of it."

"Where is the rose now?" I asked her.

"Well, we couldn't keep it in the West Wing now, not when the Beast himself is too unable to contain himself around it now. He's lost all rational thought it seems. No, I and Cogsworth have opted to keep it in the Library." Mrs. Potts informed me in heavy tones. She set the handkerchief down, patting it gingerly.

"May you take us there? To see the rose I mean." I was eager.

"Oh, of course! Who am I to stop you?" she stood from her seat, "Right this way, sir." she bustled off, her dainty hands holding up her skirts slightly so she could walk. The outfit she wore was to be expected, white and gray with hints of blue. She also had a bonnet covering her gray hair, a cute bun poking out from underneath in the back.

It was unfortunate we were here on such heavy times. I wish I had thought to ever pay them a visit under better conditions. These people were supposed to be my friends, but I had thought nothing of it in so long because they were only really more connected with Animals than to me. But I felt guilty nonetheless.

We hurried to the library, where we found Chip and Sultan sitting by the fireplace. The dog was laying lazily over the boy's lap, and Chip stroked the dog's fur unconsciously as he stared into the crackling flames. He looked so forlorn sitting there all alone. His mother put a hand over her heart, "Oh," she sighed, "it hurts to see him like this. He looks up to Prince Animals so much, almost like the father he never had. But now the man is a ravaging animal in its truest form."

Aesthetic put a hand on the head housekeeper's shoulder. "You go to him, we can handle the rose by ourselves."

"Thank you, madam, you are too kind." Mrs. Potts bowed her head with the tiniest of smiles. Then she went to her son. It was the simple moments like this that could shine light through even the darkest of clouds. Mrs. Potts leaned down, putting a small hand on her son's shoulder, speaking in kind and gentle whispers. She smiled to him, and reached down to pet Sultan's head. The dog yipped happily, sticking his tongue out and panting at the housekeeper.

I smiled at the scene. Mrs. Potts may be stern, and you didn't want to get on her bad side, especially when it came to the fine china, but she was also kind and gentle. It warmed my heart to see her comfort her son so easily and swiftly. She knew exactly what she was doing, and what she needed to do.

Aesthetic and I went to the other end of the Library, where the rose awaited our scrutiny. It was in its fine glass case as ever, floating with that peculiar magic familiar from the first Threadland curse. Now there was a new curse on it.