Beastly

~A Rose By Any Other Name~

We had set up some tables and chairs in the ballroom. I had helped with that, much to Violet's chagrin. The Pirates looked very out of place amongst the white table cloths and fine golden candelabras. But they seemed very much at home. Leading me to the suspicion that Everard had been friends with Hook for a very long time.

The household staff had done a lovely job of cleaning up the west ballroom. That's right. The castle had two, the west and the east. I have no idea why you would need two ballrooms, let alone two on separate sides of the castle... oh well what do I know about magical architecture.

Anyhow, Everard's hackles seemed to be up. I couldn't put my finger on it but I knew it had something to do with Hook. Hook was gathering his things from the ship, and I needed to talk to Everard. It didn't take long for me to find him. He was talking to Violet about the seating as I came up to them.

"I'll get those right away your Majesty."

"Thank you Violet." He nodded to the seemingly empty space in front of him.

"Hello handsome." I chirped.

Everard beamed, showing off his pearly white fangs,"Belle! How are you?"

"Well to be honest I'm reeling." I smirked, grabbing onto his arm. 

"Oh? Why's that?" he frowned. 

"Princes don't seem the type to socialize with pirates."

Everard's arm tensed.

Everard cleared his throat and spoke with great care."In case you have forgotten my dear, I'm not much of a prince anymore. Besides, Hook wasn't always a pirate."

"He wasn't?" I pried.

Everard nodded and pulled his arm out of my grasp.

"Well what was he then?" I tried again. 

"It's really none of your business." he snapped, stalking off to talk to one of the pirates.

"Alrighty then."

I'm not going to deny it. It really hurt to be brushed off that way. I was kind of miffed...

I took a deep breath and wrapped my arms around my middle as I watched Hook walk into the ballroom. He caught me looking and gave a cheerful wave.

I smiled and waved back at him as he walked over to greet me.

"Hello Belle." He smiled, his Irish accent lilting and charming. 

"Captain." I smirked.

"Are you alright?" he asked softly. 

"Erm."

"Is Everard being Beastly again?" he asked crossing his arms over his chest. 

"Not beastly, snippy maybe." I huffed, blowing my bangs off my face. 

He chuckled. "Ah well, he can be like that some times...But enough about him, I want to hear all about you."

"Well for starters, I'm from earth. My father and I run a small antique shop in central London. "

"Ah, hence the accent."

"Precisely." I smiled. 

"Is it just you and your father?" he asked. 

"Yes, I'm an only child. My mother died when I was very young."

"I'm sorry for your loss."

"Thank you."