Beauty and the Beast (closed for Yeishia)

[Ladythunder]

So. Everybody who is anybody knows the story of beauty and the beast don’t they? The handsome prince cursed to the form of a beast when he spurned the advance of the ugly crone who was a princess in disguise. Cursed to the form of a beast until a maiden falls in love with the beast, who sees beneath the rough exterior.

Fallacy no?

What if I were to tell you that the story is nearly true? That the age and taboo nature of what Really happened caused the details of what occurred to be blurred, twisted to the tale that is told to children these days.

Gather close dear ones. Listen as we spin the tale of what Really happened, between Beauty and the Beast.

She had been a spoiled brat for years. Her parents indulged her whims because they loved and doted on her. She was born special, one in a thousand born with a rare gift that had manifested early, though it nearly scared the young mother to an early grave. The girl was one of the few who could shape shift on a whim, and who as an infant, often took her naps in her animal form, as it was a comfort to her.

She grew to be a radiant beauty whom all the village lads adored and begged to woo, but she would have none of it. She was an ice queen when it came to those youths, and would receive them, all prettily, but when they pressed for more she would have none of it, and soon would end their association. Eventually the boys stopped calling, but one of them was not satisfied with being spurned, and so visited an old crone. He paid a handsome price, for a most dastardly curse and flung it on the maid as she travelled the square one afternoon. She thought he had tossed dust over her and she was angry, but thought nothing of it.

Not until the sun set and a horrible change came over her. When the suns last rays passed from the horizon her body contorted. As she was at the dinner table, her parents cried out and begged her to stop but it was no use. In moments there was a great white, black striped cat on the bench at the table which sprang down with a catlike screech of dismay. Though the maid tried her best to change back as she always could before, nothing happened. Not until daybreak the next morning.

Frantic, the parents searched a cure, but found nothing. Not for a long, long time until a note was slipped beneath their door one night that directed them to the witch. Visiting there they were told this horrific news;

One born neither woman nor beast, doomed to be both by night and day until the value of love is learned. Woman by day, beast by night, so the cycle will follow until there is one who loves her and her beast equally, though she must love the lover in return. Only then will this lesson be learned.

Broken hearted the parents returned to their daughter and told their daughter the truth, agreeing that she needed to set up in a town where the men knew her not. She moved in and bid her parents a tearful goodbye, knowing she could burden them no longer.

By day she would flirt with the men, trying to find one who sparked her interest. It was at night though she was truly free as the cat paced the paths and rocky ridges, but it was lonely too. The townspeople called her Beauty, but she called herself Melina, and she wanted a friend

 

[yeishia]

The other character of this story had been born in the town to which the young girl fled; she was daughter of the local healer. You were perhaps expecting a male a handsome prince, have patience for our story has an unexpected twist!

This girls mother had always been eccentric and at the birth of her lovely daughter had become more so, sinking into despondency, spending more time with her herbs and potions than her devoted family. She had been tolerated while her husband had lived to cherish and protect her, but banished to the forest soon after his death; banished, with her young daughter to survive alone. Banished, but not forgotten by those who in the shadows of the evening still came to her for help. The wicked, seeking vengeance, the vain seeking beauty and love potions, and on occasion the pure of soul merely seeking help for a sick friend. A witch had been bred, one whose skills became proficient and darker as the years went on.

Her daughter had picked up many of her mothers healing skills, but would prove to have a very different talent, one which she discovered in early months following their banishment. Alone, she would often wander the forest gathering herbs and berries for her mother enjoying the company of the various animals she met alone the way. They never ran from her in fear but joined her on her walks, and when she stopped to rest at a brook or stream they would gather around her as she sang, her voice pure and melodic. This became the girls almost daily routine until one day she spoke directly to a lovely doe “What a beautiful day,” she said, her beautiful green eyes sparkling with happiness. To her amazement the doe had spoken back, “I agree with you , but really you should be returning home, darkness comes and there is a predator new to the forest who hunts at night.” The lovely girl had stared at her in amazement, the doe could talk, no, she could hear its’ thoughts, as clearly as if she had spoken! On that fateful day her world had changed, she had found her gift. From that day forth she was no longer alone, for she had many friends.

In a fairly tale this would have been enough perhaps, and it was for many years until she became a young woman and her world was turned upside down again by two events;

Her mother died, and she met that which would impact her life forever!

The young healer who could communicate with animals’ better than she could with humans was a wise girl; she hid her mother’s death taking over her trickle of clients, pretending that she was ill inside their hut. She knew instinctively that is was in her best interests that the towns’ men didn’t realize that she now lived unprotected and alone. The boys of the town looked down upon her, her homespun skirts her peasant top, her long unruly cascade of midnight hair; but she had seen the looks the men had given her, their hot glances at her breast, the occasional hand squeezing her buttocks as she passed. She didn’t know how long she could keep up this pretense, but was determined. She avoided going to the town unless she absolutely had to for supplies, covering her hair and keeping her head down when she did, trying to blend in, avoiding their salacious stares.

A grown woman needs companionship, she needs love, she needs more than the small animals of the forest. This girl had watched the arrival of Beauty, our Melina......watching wistfully as she took up residence in the town.

A friendship was not to be. This spoiled girl had not yet understood the lesson she was to learn. She still flirted with the men, a different one each night, before she changed and ran off into the forest in her other form. Had she met the young healer with the long unruly locks at that time, she would have spurned her, not for her lack of beauty, the girl was lovely, but because she wasn’t of her social world, she was beneath her!

What have I forgotten? yes, the young healers name! Her father had named her Aimee, which means loved; he had loved her dearly, often calling her his little Angel.

Would this child of nature be destined to be loved again? Would she find a friend a Prince Charming perhaps? You will have to read on now wont you to find out how this tale ends.

I did mention a second event did I not?


And so our story begins……..


The Town's woman had departed with the promise to return just before dawns break. Aimee was missing a required herb and would have to forage the forest this night, knowing she would find the foxglove growing near the streams edge, it shouldn't take long. Ignoring the young Doe’s warning, she set off into the forest and it was while there she spied the Tiger in the distance. standing tall and proud seemingly staring at the moon. The young woman froze an unaccustomed feeling warming up her belly, she wasn’t afraid, she felt drawn as if by some invisible string. He, no she, looked so alone standing there in the moonlight, where was her mate, why was she so far from home? Tigers didn’t belong in this place. Perhaps I am dreaming, she thought slipping back into the shadows; her herb gathered, she returned home to complete her transaction.

Night after night Amiee returned to the forest in search of the now illusive Tiger, compelled not knowing why, disregarding the danger; she simply had to meet her. Where was the animal, had she conjured her out of her imagination?

Almost a week later as she slipped through the forest she stopped, a series of low growls and moans catching her attention, Oh know, it sounds like an animal in pain. Without thinking she ran to help, between a clump of trees into a small clearing coming almost face to face with the beautiful and dangerous Tiger, one in obvious pain and misery. The animal was lying low on it's belly worrying at the paw trapped in what at first glance looked like a fierce trap. It looked up at her approach and snarled, showing a horrific mouthful of razor sharp teeth

Aimee stopped dead, trying to still her heart which she thought would burst at the sound and sight of this huge predator up close.

The two locked glances, wide startled green eyes gazing into pain filled blue ones. Amiee forced herself to ignore her instinct to turn tail and run, she held her ground

”I...I can help you, p...please allow me, I can remove the trap.... tend to your wound,” she offered in what she hoped were soft calming tones, even thought she knew she was stammering a little.

Would this big cat understand her or would she be torn to shreds? Aimee hoped not, some instinct caused her to want to help, but something more, she longed to run her slender fingers through the Tigers beautiful fur, she longed to hold and comfort her…….

 

[Ladythunder]

Melina had been stupid. She had grown complacent in the path of the game trail that she normally took to the watering hole. It was always the same, unless some prey was foolish enough to be caught out when the tiger roamed. That was a few moments work, then more as she dragged the unfortunate thing to a tree for her meal. It was never malicious, she simply took a lot of energy to keep her 450 lb body going. She still ate sparingly, able to exist days at a time with nothing, but she wasn’t dumb enough to pass on food when it darted out in front of her.

That was beside the point though this time, she had been walking down the path, not paying attention when she had stepped into a leg trap. The cruel bite of the steel had thrown her animal instinct into a panic, and she had lunged, trying to free herself, without success. Finally she had collapsed, staring at the trapped leg, the pain of it making her a little irrational. She was terrified, and hurting, confused. She licked at it, trying to soothe the hurt with sweeps of her rough tongue, but it didn’t help.

She heard the approach of another and her most basic instinct kicked in. Fight or flight was paramount in her mind, but because she wasn’t able to run, she snarled, showing her teeth as her tail puffed a little and her back arched warningly. The logical part of her brain identified the girl as the healer and was happy, for she could help. The part that governed instinct though was not pleased and fully intended she should kill the girl should she come close enough.

”I...I can help you, p...please allow me, I can remove the trap.... tend to your wound,”

The great cat stilled, those impossibly blue eyes seemed to lock onto the girls soul, reading her intentions as she stepped a little closer. Unable to help it Melina hissed with displeasure, feeling a bit guilty when the other girl jumped. She remained wary, yet too, there was…something.

Melina had seen this girl in the woods on previous nights, had even lain boldly once in a patch of moonlight so the girl might see her. No reason behind it, she just was achingly lonely, and was daring, and uncaring enough to take the chance. A little voice suggested maybe the girl had set the trap, but it was quickly discounted. There was too much sincerity there.

Her brain was confused, cat instinct warred for the first time in an age with the human one, but the human was in the end more dominant that the cat and forced back the need to protect by lashing out. Her lips slowly lowered over her teeth, and she relaxed just a little. Her thoughts became a calmer pool, letting feelings of trust, and acceptance spill over.

She couldn’t help the occasional lift of her teeth as the girl came close enough to touch, but she forced herself to stillness. A random thought sprang up, what was this girls name? a more muted, guilty thought, buried deeper asked, and why had she never cared to know it before? The girl was around often enough after all!

 

[yeishia]

Dear LT this is a health update.

I have been working part time since I got sick before Xmas. I do have to go back full time as of September ready or not; consequently I have to devote more time to my health and wellness! I am working hard with my oncologist, naturopath and my personal trainer in a last ditch attempt to boast my health.

Even though my muse has currently deserted me, it is with regret that I am dropping all of my threads with the exception of my own group, one on ones and fluff threads; I ask even in these please bare with me if I am slow.

Please feel free to recast or do whatever is right for the thread I fully understand, I am hoping that you will however wait so that we can finish it a later date.

I shall be using Lit as a special place to escape too, writing a little and enjoying my friends and the lounges.

I thank you all for your support during my journey towards my recovery thus far.

 

[Ladythunder]

take your time Yeishia. your health and your family first always.

this is the thread crafted fro You. it will wait until you can/want to pick it up once more, or will slowly fade to obscurity. however it is Your thread.

take care of you.