Into darkness

[katalynn]

(A spin off to beauty and the beast, perfer for this to be a one on one thread. PM me if interested.)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sashya always dreamed of adventure and excitement outside of her trapped, made simple life. Since her father had passed on there was no one there Sashya to relate to. Sure she talked to people, yet they had their own lives, always to busy for any real conversations. Others thought her to be a little strange as she read her books to escape reality. Then there was this one popular and most arrogant of them all type of guys. Could have any girl he so desired, instead he had his eyes set on Sashya. She hated it to. Her heart was and spirit was to free to be some maiden and little wife to a fool such as him.

For as much as Sashya hated him, at one point she had to thank him though. If it wasn’t for him she would have never found means to escape this plain and far too simple place. Among one of his many petty gifts he gave her, was a mirror. When she was about to throw into the closet to meet his other gifts, it began to glow. This caught her attention as she held it that night when he was long gone. In the mirror began to make an image that wasn’t her own, showing a path that Sashya knew of but never went down before. It was dark and was told to be a very dangerous path; many have gone down it to never return from it. Eaten by wolves was the most common excuse to their disappearance. But the mirror was showing something more among this path was a dark, mysterious castle. One that clearly no one knew existed for there were never any stories about such a place; probably because no one ever returned from down that path to tell about it.

Sashyas’ eyes began to dance around with fresh excitement and the thrill of a possible adventure. If she was able to seek and find this castle, it would become her hiding place, her means of escape whenever she wished it. The fear of the wolves was her least concerns as she got dressed in a simple traveling dress, draping a heavy black cloak over her slender shoulders, pulling the hood up hiding her deep blood colored hair. Within moments Sashya was riding off into the darkness of the night to seek out this castle; using the mirror as her guide.

It was a long path and it seemed like it took forever to find, especially with a spooked horse that she had to calm down at every sound. Finally Sashya came upon the gates to the enormous and very intimidating castle. Sashyas’ delicate hand reached out to the gates, barely touching them as her fear was starting to sink in; the gates opened at the sudden touch on their own. Her other hand held the reins to her horse as she walked slowly and cautiously inside the gates, turned quickly as they shut once was past them. Took a look around what would have been the courtyard, finding what seemed like a safe enough place to leave her horse. Seeing how the gate was now closed, the wolves had no chance of getting inside to attack.

After making sure that the horse would be safe, uncertain of her own safety, Sashya began to merge towards the double doors that lead into the castle. Feeling eyes on her every move from everywhere, it even felt as if the gargoyle statues were watching and following her steps as she entered into the first room. The inside was far more inviting than the outside was; there was even a fire in the fireplace burning brightly in the next room. This drove her curiosity even more and soon she found herself exploring her way through the main rooms on the first floor.

 

[Bengal52]

The Beast

He was sitting in his chair, before the fire when he smelled something different. His dog like snout shot into the air. A deep growl came from within his throat. Someone was here. Someone who was carrying something he lost a long time ago. He leaps to his feet, his fur bouncing as he lands gently. A soft scutter is heard as his servants run for hidding places. They know better than to mess with the Master when he is angry.

As he begins to walk out of the room, the paws that are his feet spread out with ever heavy step. His very large hands, strangely human and lacking fun on this creature so full of fur, pull open the large double door from his study to the rest of the first floor. He uses his huge arms to throw his cape over his shoulders.

He starts to walk down the hall, his nose high in the air, sniffing every things. He gets a better smell of her and his lips pull back, showing a mouth full of teeth, both rows of them. A flex of his fingers, slides out two inch claws from every finger. His tall pointed ears lay flat on his head and he walks towards the closed door she is behind. the last servant, unseen by normal eyes, hears his master say, "The Mirror of Catalira. She has the Mirror of Catalira. How did it end up in her hands?" He uses his clawed hands to pull the door open, almost pulling it off its hinges.

 

[katalynn]

Sashya found herself in a room that appeared to be a study. Paintings all over the walls, an uniquely decorated and carved desk made of redwood. Books neatly put away on dusty shelves, looked to have been not read for sometime.

Held onto the mirror for some extra light, the candles were dim in this room and the mirror was still glowing brightly. Used it to look at the old books, seeing what type of books this place had. Just as she was about to pick one off the shelf, Sashya heard noises coming from the other room. Sounded like deep growling and she went to move towards the door to see what it was.

Before she got to the door it bursted open, revealing a dark creature. The light made it hard to see any details, and the light from the mirror faded as she clutched it against her chest tightly. Wanted to scream and run but, the scream never escaped from the fear. And all her feet could do was take small, shaking steps backwards away from this thing.

"I-I-I'm sorry.. I didn't know anyone was here..."

her voice was full of fear as she apologized, not even thinking if this beast would understand her. The steps Sashya was making has been blocked by the desk, leaving her trapped in the room with this beast blocking the doorway.

 

[Bengal52]

The Beast just stands in the door, looking at the woman as she backs away. The deep growl coming from his throat is barely audible. Once she had taken several steps backward he starts slowly lifting each foot, pressing it back to the floor, showing his aggitation. He slowly followed her accross the room until her backside connected with his desk. Then he stopped, within a step of his large legs. Then he looked down and her, seeing her very beautiful face but not really caring. "WHo are you? What are you doing here?" His voice comes out with a deep growl, booming as his deep voice fills the room.

He reaches for the Mirror, roughly trying to rip it from her hands.

 

[katalynn]

Sashya cried out as he tried to snatch the mirror from her, the sudden movement made her let go of the mirror instantly. Not knowing he didn't have a good grip on it, it slipped of her hands and crashed to the floor shattering it.
Didn't care about the mirror in this moment, specially without even knowing it was his. Fear of what he could do to her was clouding her thoughts, trying to recall the questions and then find answers for them.

"I mean you no harm.... The... mirror showed me how to get here.... I am no one of importance.. Please.. Let me go, I won't return I promise..."

Was unable to keep her eyes of the monster that towered over her. The hood of her cloak slipped off showing the fear within her deep green eyes, salty tears on the verge to escaping as she tried again to move away from him.

"I'm sorry I have disturbed you.... I will go now.. I didn't mean to..."

 

[Bengal52]

He just stares as the mirror falls. Once it hits the floor and shatters, he can only look in surprise. He can't believe that thing broke. When it was still his, he had tried to break it, but nothing would scratch that surface. He hears her telling him the mirror brought her here. That's all the stops he from whipping arround and killing her. He turns and growls down at her.

The hood reveals a very beautiful face. Even as angry as the Beast is, he cannot keep from wekaening his growl seeing such a beautiful creature. He grabs her as she starts to move away. Over her scream, he says, "You aren't going anywhere. The Mirror of Catalira was too important to me. you are going in the tower, theif."

At calling her a theif, he picks her up and throws her over his shoulder, walking out of the room.

 

[katalynn]

Sashya began to kick and fight as he threw her over his shoulder with ease. Clawing at his back with failed attempts at hurting him, his fur was just to thick to reach his skin.

"I'm not thief... it was a gift to me... How can I steal something if I've never been here before?"

Speaking quickly in fear, struggling to get out of his tight grasp,

"Let me go.... I didn't know it was yours... I'm sorry... please.. let me go. I'm not a thief..."

kept kicking and clawing in hope something will hurt him and make him release her as she pleaded to be free.

 

[Bengal52]

The Beast walks out of the room, the stuggling woman not bothering his heavy form. His fur hides a very thick skin. Even with her only held over his shoulder by one arm, her struggly does nothing to loosen his grip. He walks down a long hall holding her tight. At the end of the hall, he opens a heavy oak door with one hand and starts up the stairs inside. His long legs allow him to take them three at once. Within a few minutes, he as climbed the whole way to the top.

At the top there is another oak door. He opens this one as well and steps inside. There is a very small rope bed and a small chamber pot in the round room. The Beast throws the woman onto the bed and runs out the door, slaming it behind him. "You will stay in here until I decide how to deal with you."

The beast turns and starts running down the stairs.

 

[katalynn]

After a few more attempts at trying to hurt him, she gave up. Her pleading fell into silent tears as they climbed up the many stairs. Cried out from shock and pain as he threw her into the tiny room, landing on hard ropes of the bed.

Sashya stood up quickly and ran to the door just as it shut on her. Once more she began screaming and crying to be set free. Pulling and banging on the door in hopes that it will open.

After so long she gave up when relizing no one was out there anymore and the door won't open. She slowly walked towards the little bed made of ropes and curled up on it. Not knowing how much time had passed when she finally cried herself to sleep.

 

[Bengal52]

The Beast dashes down the stairs. At the bottom, he waves over a servant. "Make sure she gets what she needs. Get her a dress that fits before she awakens. I will not betray my heritage any farther. She will be treated well while she is here."

A brief growl from the Beast send the servant scurrying up the stairs. The Beast runs back to his chair. He sits down gently and begins to think.

******************************************

The servant doesn't look back the whole way to the top. He passes straight through the door. There he sees the beautiful woman on the bed. He can't help staring at her. How could the Master keep one as beautiful as her lockedup here? He was known for being ruthless but she couldn't have done anything wrong enough for the tower, could she?

The last person here was the Master's grandmother when she had slept with her personal servant. The child she had born to him was too great an evidence of her treachury to be ignored. IT was her fault the castle slept like it did. Everyone knew she had been studying witchcraft. What no one knew wast that her servant was the one teaching her. HE had escaped every attempt to catch him and then placed a curse on the castle. The night of the woman's execution, the castle had changed.

Now, the castle and the surrounding forest were always undernieth a cloudy sky. The ruling family had all died but Master. the Master was the youngest son. Unknown to his father, he had been having relations with another witch. This witch, unlike the others, liked the kingdom. When the grandmother died and the kingdom was enchanted, the MAster had ran quickly to his witch and she had saved the kingdom from total destruction. Her spell had changed the original spell to be a curse, which could be cured. No one knew how, only that the Mirror of Catalira was the key.

Six months ago, somehow the Mirror of Catalira had left its place. No one had been in the castle, except the servants, who did not dwell in the same reality. None of them could go near the mirror. The Master had been very angry and destroyed many things that day.

The servant looked closer to the woman. He had been an old man before the curse, and knew how to make dresses. He pulls a cord from his waist and reaches arround the sleeping form, taking measurements. As he finishes, he turns to leave. He whips arround hearing the form on the bed stur.

 

[katalynn]

The strangest dream came to her as she slept, it had to do with the mirror. In the dream she was looking through it and it was showing her images of the past, of things that had happened to the castle. Only through bits and peices, the story was coming out all to fast through images of the dream.

Things started to change as hands began to reach out for her and she started to run away in the dream. Within a few moments reality started to seep in, hearing rustling in the room with her. The door creaked slightly and she turned to see a man there. Closed the cloak tighter around her, unsure of what he was doing there. Something didn't feel right about him, but he showed no threat either.

"I-I need the mirror... I don't know why... Please... if you can, bring me the peices.. I beg of you.."

Sashya didn't know why she was asking for the mirror, let alone even know if this person can get it for her. What she did know is, she was worn out from crying and trying to get out of this place. Knowing that it was pointless to ask if he would release her, she just asked for the one the thing that was fresh in her thoughts.

After that she curled up tighter in the cloak as if it was protection for her. And she closed her eyes to sleep some more.

 

[Bengal52]

"I-I need the mirror... I don't know why... Please... if you can, bring me the peices.. I beg of you.."

The servant can only look at her in surprise. He quickly turns and floats through the door, heading down the stairs. He head directly to the Master.

"Master, sorry to bother you."

"What is it? Why do you bother me?"

"Master, its the woman. She's asking for the Mirror."

The beast turns and stares at the servant, looking almost through him. "Go and get the dress ready for her. That is your job. Do what you are suppose to!"

The beast takes an arm and passes it through the servant with a snarl. The servant runs in terror, heading for the guest rooms and the spare clothes closets.

The beast turns back to the fire. He wathes it with interest for a long time, before rising and heading back towards the tower. He silently climbes back tot he top and listens outside the door. He listens to her mumbling as she continues to mumble about the mirror in her dreams.

He turns and goes back to the first floor. There he corners the slave cleanig the broken mess of the mirror. "Take those to the Woman when you get it picked up."

The servant stares at her master as he leaves, unsure what he is doing. When she finishes making her duty, she silent climbes back into the air and flies to the tower, entering through a wall, holding the mirror in a window. She sets in on the floor, looking at the sleeping women on the bed.

 

[katalynn]

It was as if the mirror was haunting her now, she didn't even fully realize that it had broken till she saw it happen in the dream. Part of her didn't care because of who gave it to her, but being in this castle it was like the mirror had more power. She couldn't understand what was happening.

Woke quickly, startled by something, when she looked around she saw nothing. Sat up and pulled her knees to her chest, resting her head on her knees as she tried to calm down. Visions of the beast seeped into her thoughts at random, he was so upset with her. The anger in his eyes when the mirror broke lingered in her mind.

Sashya didn't know what he was going to do with her, if he was going to kill her. Turn her into some servant.... Anything was possible and she wasn't ready for any of it. Begining to miss her home and almost wishing she didn't leave it.

Thought she heard a noise at the door, looked up and saw nothing again. Just when she was about to put her head back down, the glimmer of the broken mirror caught her eye. Last of its light was slowly fading out.

Slowly and cautiously got up and went towards it, picking it up carefully and moved back to the bed. Soon she started to put it back together. Each peice that went together glowed brightly for a moment before the crack disappeared, making the peices whole once more. At one point she cut herself, but that didn't stop her. Had hope that if she replaced the mirror, he would let her go. And seeing how it was magic, with the books she read, it was a shot in the dark to put it back together, and it was working. Just as she hoped it would.

 

[Bengal52]

The servant with the dress floated his way up the stairs. At the door, he looks in, seeing the woman awake. "Excuse me, Madam. The Master has sent an appropriate dress for you to wear. He asks you to join him for breakfast."

The servant holds the large dress high, looking through the door.

 

[katalynn]

Sashya just finished the mirror as a voice startled her. Quickly held the mirror close to her chest again for a moment while listening to ..... whatever it was. It was the same person as before, but there was something strange about him.

"Do I not get a bath, or something to clean myself up more? That is such a lovely dress and I have been.... Have been in this fithly room all night."

her voice was timid and it quavered slightly with confusion. She was expecting some kind of punishment, or something from how that beast acted last night.

Heart was pounding as she stood up, reluctantly walking towards the door. Even if a bath was provided, she wasn't sure if she would accept it or not. Not trusting this place in the least. Wasn't even hungry for breakfast, let alone eat with that monster. In the end, she complied to the request for it was far better than being in here.

Took the dress slowly and replaced with the mirror.

"Give that to.... to.. I guess your Master.... It means nothing to me and if it was his.... I give it back to him."

confusion was clear in her voice, she had no idea how on earth something like that would get stolen. Especially by the person that gave it to her. Quickly turned her back towards the door, waiting for a moments for the servant to leave before she changed.

 

[Bengal52]

The servant took the Mirror of Catalira very carefully, knowing the Master's rath. He took off quickly down the stairs, heading for the field outside. This was the master's hunting time. At the edge of the forest the servant stopped. A moment later, the Master came out, very agitated.

"Why are you intruding on my hunt?"

The servant bowed his head, looking at the ground and offered the mirror to his Master. "Master, the woman sent this to you. She seems to have fixed it."

The beast gently takes the mirror and begins to examine it. "It is as flawless as it was before it was stolen. How did she do this?"

"I know not, Master. She passed it to me in exchange for the dress. She also accepted your invitation for breakfast."

"Good. Go and prepare an appropriate meal for the occasion. The cook will need your help." The servant turns and goes back towards the keep. The Beast slowly walks his way back into the castle, headed in a different direction than the servant. He goes a secluded room and replaces the Mirror of Catalira beneith a painting of the witch who saved the castle from destruction. He stands and looks into the mirror, now laying on a small table, seeing nothing. It does not glow for him. He is still standing looking into the mirror when a very small servant comes up. This was once a very young girl but the curse has made her into a ghost. "Excuse me sir, but the cook says breakfast is ready."

"THank you. Take two of those who were guards and go get the woman. I will await her in the dinning hall." The servant flies off, heading for the old barracks. There two men wait for her. The three of them go to the base of the tower and float through the stairs to the door.

"Excuse me Madam, but breakfast is ready. The Lord of this place is waiting for you to join him."

 

[katalynn]

Sat in the room for a few moments before changing into the dress that was provided for her. Still felt that the dress was far to pretty for her to wear, to royality it was probably simple, but to a low class like herself it was just stunning.

Finished lacing up the front of the dress making sure it fit nicely, part of her felt embarassed of how well it snugged around her form. The dark blue silk and silver lace seemed to have been made for her.

Turned around quickly as she heard the voice calling through the door, it wasn't the male this time, it was a females voice. Sashya shuddered a second at the thought of actually going through with this, she felt like a mess and here she was in a gorgeous dress. Did what she could with her hair, combing it out with her fingers, making it look as nice as possible. Shortly after she walked up to the door and tried to open it, to her surprise it opened at her touch and she was greeted by the three ghosts. Two of which looked like guards at one point.

Sashya was silent as she followed them down the stairs.

 

[Bengal52]

The servants wait outside the door, unlocking it to be ready for the woman. When she opened it, the girl motioned for her to follow. They led her down the stairs. They passed through a long hall into a very large room, which was once the grand entrance. The few candles allong the path they are walking does not light the once huge room. THe filth on the windows show bits of the ornately painted ceiling. None of the servants look up, but head for the huge staircase. They lead her up the stairs, the carved railing shows even in the weak light. At the top, they lead her down another long hall. This one is full of portraits all along the walls.

At the end of the hall, four more ghosts stand, looking like former guardsmen. They open the heavy doors for the four persons. inside, a huge chandelier hangs over a very long table. The Beast stands beside the large chair at one end. An even larger chair sits at the other end. The Beast smiles as they enter and pulls out the chair he was standing by.

"My family lived here for a hundred years. No guest ever went hungry. Today will be no different. this seat is yours for this meal. Please sit."

 

[katalynn]

Sashya couldn't keep her eyes off the walls, or even the stair railings. It was all so beautiful and amazing. She had never been in a castle before and the curiosity inside her was rising with every step they took. Food was the last thing on her mind, she just wanted to explore every inch of this place.

It was all to sudden when they came to the room where the beast waited for her. Quickly lowered her head with a pounding heart when she saw him, ready for him to still be angry with her.

"Guest?"

Looked up for second with confusion. Just last night he was calling her a theif, a trespasser. And now she was guest? Cautiously walked to the chair that he indicated and pulled out for her, kept her head lowered while her heart pounded hard against her chest while sitting down.
Not wanting to speak or look at him in fear of upsetting him once again. Not knowing what was going on, but she wasn't about to take a chance of possibly being killed or kept here as a prisoner.

 

[Bengal52]

The Beast goes to the other end of the table moving swiftly and silently. He waves one hand and servants quickly fill the table with food. A large meal fills the table, most of it close to the Beast. by the woman, sits a bowl full of eggs and several platters with bacon and sausage. By the beast are several hams, all uncooked. "I must apologize but in light of past events, I can not stand cooked meat any longer. I hope the food is to your liking?"

The Beast waves a hand over the food. A servant approaches the woman an offers his service filling her plate.

 

[katalynn]

Having never been served like this before, Sashya was about to fill her own plate when the servant lightly stopped her. With this she nodded towards the servant to let him do his job.

"It.... Its fine... Thank you."

when she felt the plate was full enough, nodded to the servant again and he backed away. The food looked and smelled wonderful, though the fear lingered in the depths of her soul that all Sashya could do was pick at the food.

"Why..."

closed her eyes for a moment, cutting her words off shortly. Uncertain of her own question. Couldn't understand why he was doing this. Or why he was keeping her here. He had the mirror back, to Sashya, he had no more use for her. At the same time, she feared that questioning things might upset him and she would find herself locked up again.

 

[Bengal52]

The ears of the Beast perk up at her short phrase. He sets down the ham he had been tearing a piece out of. He looks at her and speaks just loud enough for her to hear. "Why you ask? Why am I keeping you here? Do you even know what you had?"

He stares at her waiting her response, but all she can do is shake her head in the negative. "The Mirror of Catalira was extremely important to me! I planned to kill who ever had it and pull it out of their cold dead hands. That mirror hold the secret to ending this curse! Who ever slote it deserves what ever death I can create for them!"

by now the Beast is almost shouting. He stops, realizing this, takes a few deep breaths and stands up, walking towards the woman. He begins to pace back and forth, along side the table. "But for some reason, i cannot believe you are the one who stole it. Now that you have fixed it, I am grateful to you."

the woman looks relieved to the servants. She starts to get push away from the table, thinking she can rise. "Even with this gift you have given me, I must keep you prisoner here. This castle is cursed. Anyone who has left it for any reasons has returned as one of the servants. I do not even let them go out of the gates to clean the path from the town as they once did while alive. You are to remain here indefinitely. Sorry for this. You will be treated as an honored guest. Once we have completed this meal, you will be shown the guest rooms and you can pick one to remain in. Most of the servants are cleaning them now."

The Beast looks at the woman, trying to show how he feels in his eyes.

 

[katalynn]

At first she thought he was done and she was free to go when he said that he was grateful. Instead, he kept speaking and his words stunned her to sit down again.

"Prisoner? To a curse? .... I-I... but.."

Looked up to see this beast staring down at her, through all the confusion that poured into her, Sashya could see that he was being serious, and that he was sorry for such words.

Didn't want to believe him though, shaking her head no as the tears started to break free. Wasn't expecting this, it made sense to her now about why the mirror brought her here, it was trying to get back home. And now she was trapped here.

It was all to much for her to take in,
You are to remain here indefinitely.
That one sentence kept repeating itself in her thoughts. After what seemed like forever, she got up and took off running. Found herself running to the gates, only find out they wouldn't open for her no matter what. They refused to let her out.

Within a few moments of trying she gave up and slid down to her knees next to the gate and began to cry when it finally hit that he was speaking was the truth.

 

[Bengal52]

Seeing the woman cry, the beast motions for a servant to bring forth a handkerchief. The servant hands it to her. "I'm sorry I had to tell you all that but it is the truth. The only hope I can give you is that the woman who made that mirror made it plain that it would bring the cure to this evil curse. Perhaps it has something to do with you.

"I may look like a beast but I still remember what this palace once was like. Since there is now a guest here, perhaps the palace should be brought back to life. No one but me has been here in a very long time. I was once called Thomas Swanson. I know rule here since I am the last of my family. Perhaps your stay won't be so bad then?"

The Beast looks at the woman closely, strangely hoping she might change her opinion of the place. He had just changed his opinion of the filthy windows....

 

[katalynn]

"What am I to do here? I am nothing more than a peasant in the eyes of royality. Am I to be a guest here for the rest of my life? Perhaps become one of your sevants as time goes on?"

Lowered her head, not really wanting to think about it right now. It was clear she didn't know the life that lies behind castle walls and she herself has lived alone for so long that in return gave her nothing to go back home to.

"I don't know what to do. I'm scared. But even if I did leave here.... I'll just end up being alone again.... It seems no matter what path I take, I still have nothing.... Course, it appears theres only the one path now."

Sashya stood up wipeing the tears away as she gained some kind of composure for what is now her fate.

"I'm sorry... I ruined the dress you gave me."

noticing how the dirt and grass clunged to it from knees down and she made an attempt to wipe off what she could.