The Space Between: Beginnings

21. Be Our Guest

Rain, Mal, Evie and the rest of the gang had gathered on the roof. Rain went a little pale when she saw the huge crowd that had gathered at the gates for Family Day. As the singing and dancing began, she surreptitiously glanced at Liir. He had started swaying to the music. Naturally. When he had been younger, he would always say that he wanted to be a dancer. Though Rain had to admit, she herself couldn't exactly resist the song- it was cheesy, alright, just like everything else- but also kind of catchy. She whispered to her brother, "I guess you should've gone ahead and asked if you could join in. This is totally up your alleyway."

"Yours too," Liir whispered back.

"Are you kidding? I don't dance," Rain hissed, leaning on the balustrade.

"Well, I still need someone to sing for me, right?" Liir deadpanned, narrowing his eyes.

"Oh no you don't. I'm not your pet songbird," Rain huffed, brushing her bangs out of her eyes. "Besides, I don't sing in public."

"Hades will be so disappointed to learn that his dearest pupil doesn't play or sing unless she knows she's alone. And what happened to 'I don't sing in public' on my sixteenth birthday, huh?"

"That was a special occasion, okay?"

"Come on, let's head down," Evie said, waving to them. "Oh, and Rain, did I tell you that you look totally adorable today?"

"Okay...wait, what?" Rain asked, mildly surprised at Evie's sudden compliment.

"Yeah. That skirt it so delicate, and it sets off your hair so well. And that eye makeup really brings out your eyes," Evie explained.

"Well, thank Audrey. This entire outfit was her idea," Rain said, with a roll of her eyes.

"Just let your hair down, girl. Show off your beauty," Evie said, taking off the hair tie holding back Rain's hair.

Rain sighed as she tossed her hair over her shoulder. She whispered to Evie, "You know, I never realised how short Tip is for someone our age."

"What do you mean?" Evie asked her in a curious tone of voice.

"Just something I noticed. He's definitely shorter than Ben or Doug," Rain explained as they walked through the crowd. Mal quietly picked up a strawberry and ate it, prompting a giggle from Rain. Carlos handed Dude over to Rain as he took a strawberry in a toothpick and stuck it in a chocolate fountain before eating it. While he and Jay  were entertaining each other using the fountain, Tip came up to them and took Rain's hand, saying, "May we have a moment, my lady?"

"Please. I'm not a lady. But yes, we can have a moment," Rain answered, curtseying awkwardly before handing Dude over to Evie.

As Belle and the Beast watched, Belle sighed and said, "I feel good for Master Tip. He's been through such a huge change, I was honestly worried he would never get used to it."

"Seems like he has, for he's found his girl," Beast replied, patting Belle's hand.

"That's the Witch's daughter, isn't it?"

"And they aren't awkward together. Aren't you the one who gives second chances?"

"Well, looks like someone learnt from me," Belle replied, smiling.

Ben joined them as they posed for a family photograph and informed them, "Dad, I have a new girlfriend now!"

"That's great!" Belle said, a smile on her face. "No offense, I never liked your friend Audrey that much. Too snobbish and full of herself."

"Do we know her?" Beast asked, curious.

"I'll introduce you. Mal!" Ben called out.

Belle was stunned. How could her son date Maleficent's daughter?

"Come, I'll introduce you to my parents," Ben said, hugging her. "Mom, Dad, this is Mal. From the Isle of the Lost. And my new girlfriend."

"Hi," Belle greeted her, with an obviously fake smile on her face.

"Hello," Beast added, but with a more genuine smile.

"Dad, why don't we all have lunch together?" Ben asked.

"Why not? Ben's friends are always welcome!" Beast replied.

"Uh, I have more friends here too," Mal said, gesturing towards where the others were standing. "Is it alright if they join us too?"

"Of course! The more, the merrier!" Belle replied, still grinning.

"Why don't we have a game of croquet before lunch?" Beast asked.

"Sure, bring it on!" Ben replied, and then asked Mal in a whisper, "Can you play?"

"No," Mal replied.

"Don't you worry, I'll teach you," Bam reassured her, as Belle almost fainted into her husband's arms.
***
"So, do you play any instruments?" Tip asked Rain, as they sat in each others' arms underneath a tree.

"I...why would you ask that?" Rain replied, narrowing her eyes.

"Your left hand. There are calluses on your fingers that could only come from playing a stringed instrument. Don't you worry, though, they don't detract from your beauty in any way," Tip replied.

"Well, you're right," Rain sighed. "I've been playing the guitar since I was around seven or eight. And I sing a little."

"That's a long time," Tip said, awed. "Aren't music teachers hard to come by in a place like the Isle?"

"I was lucky to find one," Rain replied, smiling. "Have you heard of Hades?"

"As in the God of the Underworld?" Tip asked her.

"Yes, that Hades. He was depowered when he was sent to the Isle. Since then, he's developed something of a taste for rock music. I went to meet him with my mom and Liir, and he developed a weird liking to me. Said I was a lot like the daughter he had lost," Rain answered. "Anyhow, he taught me how to play, and together with Carlos, we retooled one of the stolen instruments from Jafar's shop so that it would be easier for me to play it as a leftie. And to carry it around as well. It's one of my few talents," Rain explained, looking down at her lap.

Tip cupped her face in his hands and looked into her eyes as he planted a soft kiss on her lips. He whispered, "Don't hate yourself so much, love. You're the most perfect girl I could ever hope for. You're my little fairy."

"Please. We're the same height," Rain replied, blushing slightly. "And besides, I'm not as perfect or beautiful as you think."

"I meant on the inside, darling," Tip said, making her smile. All at once, the smile faded from her face as she narrowed her eyes and asked him," Who's that, talking to Mal?"

"Queen Leah. You know, Audrey's grandmother," Tip replied.

Rain paled and gasped as she said, "Sleeping Beauty's mother and Maleficent's daughter. Ozdamn it, Tip, things will go downhill if we don't do something!"

"I don't see what-"

"Shh. Quiet. Let it sink in. Think of the implications," Rain hissed.

"Okay, I admit it, it's kind of awkward," Tip said, taking a deep breath.

"It's more than awkward. Wait here. I'll handle this," Rain said, abruptly disengaging from Tip as she hurried towards Mal and Queen Leah.