A Listless Slumber, A Terrible Nightmare (closed)

[Deleted]

So there the creature laid, sprawled out in the middle of the ballroom after an exhausting battle, the liquid that sustained his life slowly spilling out. Yes, the floor was being painted a shade of crimson, steadily at that as the creature slipped quickly into unconsciousness from the intense agony. He had had daggers run through his wrists, a sword impaled through his chest, his ribs cracked by a giant hammer, and so much more. The fact that the creature was still alive was shocking to say the least, surely any other monster would have quickly died from such severe wounds. Perhaps it was because he wasn’t all creature, perhaps it was because deep down there was still a part of him that was human. A human with the drive to survive, a human with the drive to triumph, and a human with the drive to protect those he cared for. Yes, certainly that had to be what was keeping him alive, surely that iron will of his to survive and protect those he care for is what did it. At least for the time being for his current state showed that he had failed in his goal, it showed quite clearly that he had fought and lost. Mayhaps that was why the creature cared not for the lacerations on his body bleeding heavily, perhaps the pain of failure was greater. For all his bravado, for all his strength, and for all his rage had not served him well enough when attempting to defeat the strangers that had invaded his castle.
 
Yet even if said pain we’re greater than that of his physical injures, soon enough his mind would go blank as he fell into a listless slumber. His eyes would shut, the last sight they took in being that of his own hand attempting to reach toward a figure before falling limp, his struggle to stand once more ending in failure. There was nothing this creature could do to stop those that had broken in his castle, he was powerless despite having a frame that boasted unbelievable power. No, he would simply have to lay there sleeping as the intruders had their way with the allies that had come to his aid and his castle. They would destroy it on a whim, perhaps even demolishing it completely and making it the final resting place for the creature, his tombstone if you will. Yet did his own possible death truly concern the creature? Would the destruction of his castle really be what tore him up inside? Would the hastily gathered group of allies’ well-being really be a pressing issue for the monster? Surely they would all factor into the crippling pain that shot through his heart but the largest factor would have to be his servants, the Rose, and lastly… Belle. He cherished the woman greatly, her existence was as important to him as the sun was to mankind, she was everything to him and yet… he had failed to protect her. If only he had a second chance, if only he were able to go back and try once more to save her and everyone else… and that chance he would get.
 
For as he fell into the welcoming darkness of unconsciousness that would give him a temporary reprieve from the excruciating pain, his mind would conjure a dream. Yes, in this dream the creature would be in front of his castle, the entire complex having been set ablaze and much of the architecture in shambles. Perhaps what would be more surprising to him than the state of his castles was that of his body, the injures he had sustained having vanished. Whether it would occur to him that such rapid healing could only happen in a dream was a mystery but it mattered little whether he deduced it or not. For within a moment of being taken to this dream, a woman would appear behind him, a small pipe in her hand as she examined him for a moment. Her clothing fit the environment they were in, a rather elegant dress being worn and her hair being tied up in a fashion that befitted a world of this time period. Her hair was a mix between ginger and blonde and she owned a pair of cerulean optics that seemed to radiate a startling and eerie calmness. Yet her appearance was of little concern, her very presence here was far more pressing and while it was unlikely he would recognize her immediately, surely what she said next would clue him in as to whom she was.
 
”Long time no see Prince Adam… or perhaps I should call you Beast?” she started, fiddling with the pipe she held in between her slender fingers, ”It certainly is a much more fitting name for one who would turn away an old haggard woman who seeks shelter from the bitter cold of winter. I can see you have made no progress in returning to your original form, tell me, has finding one who can love you for the cold and selfish brat you are proved troublesome? It has been quite some time since we’ve last met, I would have imagined that with such a long passage of time you would have found someone to love you,” she spieled, a smile curving against her lips as she taunted the man formally known as Prince Adam. Or rather the BOY known as Prince Adam for he was far from a man, he had been nothing but a brat when they had last met. He was a selfish, self-centered, and abrasive boy who cared little for others and was never satisfied with what he had been given. The woman wondered just how much of that rotten personality had remained within the passage of time that had transpired from when she had cursed him. Perhaps a test of sorts was in order, to see how far he had come along. And with just a single whim, a sequence of events would be prepared to occur in Beast’s castle, the witch curious as to how well he would fare.
 
”I hope you’ve changed since then, otherwise I don’t believe you’ll be prepared to save your loved ones from the intruder still present in your castle,” she noted, her smile only curving wider as she awaited Beast’s response.

Enchantress Face Claim

[beast]

The Beast opened his eyes from the blink and still could not believe what was before him. His grand castle, once owned by his parents. The Great Duke and Duchess who pertained over this region, their son had failed in taking the mantle and protecting the castle. What he had done was instead to let the castle burn and get destroyed. What would they think if they could see it? What would they say? Even worse, what would they say and do if they could see what he had become?! Beast had not seen them since that fateful day. They had said they would be home late for Christmas, yet they never came. Had they too forgotten about the castle and it’s denizens, like the townsfolk they once ruled over? Knowing the enchantress’s spell, it was all the more likely. She had cursed him so much for his insolence.

The voice sparking up behind the Beast had caused him to whip around, eyes wider than they were if possible. Speak of the devil and he shall come, and in this case, the devil was dressed, well, rather elegantly. Looking to wear the latest fashions from paris itself, Beast growled before the woman who was the Enchantress, but found himself unable to attack. As if there was an aura that kept him there, he listened. She berated him, claimed him to be too slow in finding one to love him. But what of Belle? Was what they felt not love? They had never confessed it, but surely it had to be! He felt great feelings for her, but was it love? And did she not feel the same?

The Beast had wished to say something more, but he couldn’t find the words to bring to them. There was just… nothing to say. He couldn’t think of what to say, and he didn’t say anything much to begin with. What could be said when this woman was more than likely true? But her next words to come were perhaps far from ideal. In fact, they seemed to spring one of the deepest fears that actually existed within the Beast. His subjects? His servants? His… Friends…?

“Belle…!” Beast sai, softly with a gasp, nearly forgetting that the enchantress was there before turning to snarl at her. “If you have done anything to harm them or put them in danger I swear upon all my heart…”[/b] Beast could nto even finish his sentence with the amount of rage that filled him. Even though moments earlier he had been so

weak and injured

Stunned, the woman here presented a threat beyond all threats if his friends came into it.

[Deleted]

Not very surprisingly, the last sentence the enchantress allowed to roll off her tongue sent the creature into a rage that might startle most people. For her though all it did was bring a twisted smile to her face as she began to laugh, a disturbing laugh that seemed to pierce one’s heart. It was a terrifying chuckle to hear, one that would unnerve even the most battle-hardened of warriors or brave souls alike. It took a moment for her to finish laughing but when she had finally ceased the laughing; wiping a tear from her right eye she parted her lips to speak.

”You swear upon all your heart that you shall what?” she questioned, circling around him as she trailed a finger around the mantle that was tied around his neck, ”Will you grow angry? Will your heart fill with rage? Will your actions be dictated by nothing but fury? That certainly does seem to be oft the case with you; it seems you’re more a beast than when we first met. Tell me, has there ever been a moment since your transformation where you haven’t resorted to primal fury when things didn’t go your way, is destruction your only answer to hardship?” she questioned as she ended up back in front of him, fiddling with the pipe in her right hand. As she did so, her left hand would point toward the castle as the smile on her face never faded, taunting Beast without any end in sight.

”My inquiries aside, it would be prudent if you exercise some haste, I believe your servant Cogsworth is fated to perish by means of flaming debris,” she noted, her smile growing wider as the words left her mouth, ”If you hurry now perhaps you can save him before he’s crushed under the weight of a burning slab of stone,” she added and assuming Beast took off would burst into a swarm of orange butterflies. Where she would go next no one knew but if Beast did make haste as instructed, he would come upon the unfolding of a dire situation. Yes, for as he would enter the castle, flames running amok and spreading slowly but surely, Cogsworth could be seen trapped under a small piece of debris. He would call for Beast’s help, shouting as loud as a cursed being such as he could muster, hoping that Beast would hear him over the destruction. Yes, for if Beast did not hear him over the crackling fire and the castle falling apart with each passing moment, Cogsworth life would soon end. For as he shouted out to Beast, a piece of the ceiling would fall toward Cogsworth already set aflame despite being made of stone. It was rather peculiar but whether Beast would question the nature of such things in the midst of the pending crisis was unlikely. Regardless, the giant slab of stone would plummet toward Cogsworth, surely ending his life instantly were it to fall on top of him.

Thus the question become, would Beast hear the cries of his faithful servant over the destruction that was taking place all about his castle? If he heard Cogsworth’s plea for help would he arrive in time to catch the slab of stone before it fell and crushed his faithful servant? And if so, how long would he be able to hold up said slab while it burned hotter than any flame Beast would have ever touched? Who knew, it was unlikely but perhaps the creature formally known as Prince Adam would pull through in the face of such adversity. Perhaps he would manage to make it in time and allow Cogsworth enough time to try and dig himself out of the rubble he was stuck in. It was certainly possible… although the appearance of one more enchantress, or perhaps sorcerer would be more apt would certainly put a damper in making such whims a reality.

[beast]

The woman was belittling him. She knew how to best get the Beast’s attention, and knew best how to taunt him. Any other person, anyone else in this world, and the beast would have been ripping into their forms and tearing them to shreds. To hell with it, anyone who came to his castle, be them from this world or no, would have been torn asunder by the Beast’s very claws at such taunting and words. He easily would have destroyed this woman if she weren’t who she was. It was only because of who she was that he let her trace that thin finger along his mane, standing still and tense, every fur on his body bristling with goosebumps and anger. He would follow the animal tactic, bulk up to seem bigger and more threatening. And yet, deep down, Beast knew that was exactly what she wanted. Even Prince Adam realized it.

That did not stop him though. As much as he wished to bury the animal deep inside, it was a part of him now, always had been, always will be. Now that things were so much more… unique, he could only force the animal to be let out, instead of doing what the woman no doubt really wanted: To keep the animal in check, and release it only in moments where needed. Beast watched her as she came back around, refusing to answer and growling only. However, her next words startled the Beast in full, and the growl was stopped in time for him to let her words sink in and their meaning. Turning to the castle, he did not even think to listen to her second half, already dropping to all fours and bounding up to the doors to blast inside. The heat was intense, but he had to listen. For amongst the crackling destruction of flames that engulfed the walls, Beast had to find his wooden servant, at more risk than most.

Beast heard a laoud crack and noticed a piece of ceiling about to fall, and then he heard Cogsworth setting off his alarm to try and sound louder. The faithful timepiece servant, who had kept himself and the other servants in a rhythm and schedule, was trabbed beneath some small rubble. The larger chunk, as Big as the beast himself, would fall. “COGSWORTH!”[/I][/b] He yelled, bounding over the flames and not caring about what flames licked at him to cause burns, only caring for his servant now. His one track mind was focused, and as the slab finally fell and threatened to hit the clock, Beast stepped in, grabbing the burning slab and holding it up despite the flames threatening to cook him and his fur.One end had struck the debris locked beneath him, but Beast held the other up, too far to reach cogs worth, but able to keep him from burning, for now. “Someone! ANYONE! HELP!” Beast cried, hoping his roar would echo past the flames and reach ears able to help.

For where was Belle?

[altima]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=style,width: 450px; padding: 10px;,bTable][style=margin-right: 5px; height: 100px; width: 100px; -moz-border-radius: 200px; border-radius: 100px; overflow: auto; float: left; overflow: hidden; background-image: url(http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i231/Lunar_photos/Altima%20Gear/ICON2-1.jpg);][cs=2][/style] [style=margin-bottom: -5px; font-weight: bold; font-family: century gothic; font-size: 35px; letter-spacing: -3px;]The High Seraph[/style] [style=border-top: 1px dotted #b3b3b3; font-family: helvetica; letter-spacing: 2px; font-size: 10px; color: #680000; padding-top: 3px;]De mortuis • nil nisi • bonum [/style]
[atrb=vAlign,top][style=margin-top:5px; width: 90px; font-family: georgia; font-size: 10px; text-align: center; font-weight: bold; background-color: #680000; color: #f9f9f9; text-transform: uppercase; padding: 3px;]ACTIONS:[/style][style= color: b3b3b3; font-size: 8px; font-family: century gothic;]	[atrb=vAlign,top][style=width: 305px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify; font-family: helvetica; font-size: 10px; padding-left: 5px; border-left: 1px dotted #b3b3b3;]"Even from one, such as I?" an ominous voice softly responded, with a pitch that resonated to the crackling of the flames. Emerging from the waves of heat that the flames emitted was the angel of destruction; whose recent actions still bleed from the open wounds of Beast's memories. The angel's sneer was unmistakable, even while hazed under the hate driven flames of the castle's inferno. Her pale features did change, nor the look of her crimson red eyes under the light of the elements. Everything was just as one could possibly remember, down to the swords she was currently armed with. Altima moved closer, as the magical force of her presence blew back any flames that stood in her way. It did not smother them, but simply appeared as if the fire moved out of her pathway. Her excellency had a very clear view of the immobilized Beast, and she enjoyed seeing him perform a task that befitted his enslaved nature. "Refresh my memory, for ages has passed since I've come across the need to use this phrase." Altima carelessly teased, letting the tip of her left sword lightly tap the bottom of her chin. "Is it not fitting to compare what you said to the saying, "Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer?" [/style]
[atrb=vAlign,top][style=margin-top:5px; width: 90px; font-family: georgia; font-size: 10px; text-align: center; font-weight: bold; background-color: #680000; color: #f9f9f9; text-transform: uppercase; padding: 3px;]ACTIVE EFFECTS:[/style][style= color: b3b3b3; font-size: 8px; font-family: century gothic;] Cooldowns:	[atrb=vAlign,top][style=width: 305px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify; font-family: helvetica; font-size: 10px; padding-left: 5px; border-left: 1px dotted #b3b3b3;]She could not hold back the smirk Beast would remember. One that never betrayed her level of confidence. The look of a winner. A gaze of a champion, and one who knew how to play the cards to always get the upper hand on the dealer. Although not everybody in the audience usually followed the tempo of what would be going on during key plays. This is why the commentators and players who truly had an understanding for what was going were so very different. They could execute a game-changer at will, and do so to maintain the hype that was built over the course of the presentation. For they were never removed from the pack, knocked out of their groove, nor left behind. Altima was in that position, and Beast would be forced to watch. Watch as the angel came within the reaches of his claws. Open to a clawed attempt, and never giving the creature the satisfaction of respect. She did not respect his options. For what could he do? He would surely realize that with each step she took, to where Beast could even attempt to bite at her slim throat. How easy it would be! The satisfaction of death could grace his mouth, as he rips out the throat from the very one who crushed him and his abode! The first option was there. He simply needed to come down upon her, and the victory was his. However, life was never that easy, nor that generous. Cursed Prince Adam may yet understand this if he took the time to notice what else the angel brought to this deal. She had come within the jaws of the Beast fearlessly, because in her hand...held the wager that the damned always offered. One's life. Forever caressed in the palm of their hands.[/style]
[atrb=vAlign,top][style=margin-top:5px; width: 90px; font-family: georgia; font-size: 10px; text-align: center; font-weight: bold; background-color: #680000; color: #f9f9f9; text-transform: uppercase; padding: 3px;]OTHERS[/style] [style= color: FFEAF2; font-size: 8px; font-family: century gothic;]Song- あかいくつ偽	[atrb=vAlign,top][style=width: 305px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify; font-family: helvetica; font-size: 10px; padding-left: 5px; border-left: 1px dotted #b3b3b3;]Altima did not wish to hide anything from the Beast, so the honor of revelations was given. The angel raised the silver blade that was held by a thread of two fingers. Secured poorly with only her thumb and middle, the blade dangled overhead; the tip aligned with where Cogsworth's face rested. A cruel sentence, for even those who were sent to the guillotine never had to see the blade come down upon them. How the poor servant's confidence must've felt upon seeing such a fate awaiting him! She sneered, rather un-lady like, towards the creature. Lucavi never needed to hesitate in their decisions, and as their leader, Altima was skilled in making sure others would never succumb to that weakness. Even if they weren't within her ranks. "Now then mongrel, allow me to aid you like you have requested of me. For I am bound, as a celestial being, to guide the young into action within the torrential currents of life." Altima sweetly said, adding a slight laugh to the end of that sentence. The weak clasp on her sword was released, and down the blade fell. Altima smiled, for that was what she would do. Beast, on the other hand, needed to decide what he would do now. "Allow me to aid you in your forever incurable disease of indecisiveness." [/style]

[style=font-size: 10px; font-family: georiga; text-align: center; letter-spacing: 3px;]MADE BY EMBLEM OF KHCMv4 [/style]

[beast]

Though the Beast had cried out in what he perceived to be vain for help, it seemed his cry would not go unheard. Though he could have hoped for help from perhaps one of his larger servants, it seemed he would not be getting much in the way of help from any of them. For instead of a voice he remembered or recognized, he got one that was ominous. And worse, because this one he too recognized, and it sent his fur bristling across his frame. With each strand that stood, the Beast was filled with hate, anger, rage, and fear. That cold voice was in opposition to the flames that surrounded him, and yet it had been the very spark to cause this inferno within. He grew in nearly two feet as his fur rose, the adrenaline flowing. “You…!”[/b] The Beast let out as a growl, watching the image of the fallen angel come from the flames.

Her “Gracious” figure did nothing to hold back the hate and malice in her heart, something beast could see and sense with his keen animal sensations. Such was the way of Beast, an animal through and through. What was left of him that was a man? Did Prince Adam still live within? He could not focus on this. The woman came closer, and that made the Beast;’s eyes widen and narrow. Pupils shrunk as teeth became barred. She was within range of him, so easy to practically reach out and bite her, but this stone slab was being propped up. He had to keep it up, even as the flames danced near his hand.

Her sword, however, was what caught his attention, seeing it go towards cogs worth, seeing it reflected in his clock face, Beast held his breath, drawn to a decision. The slab had to remain up to keep him from perishing beneath it’s weight, but this woman offered to make him perish by other means, and Beast had to make a decision. Adam, the long dead human within, might have once had a reaction to break the two birds in one stone, but the Beast could not think rationally, and not in this quick a time. So, as the blade Fell, beast reacted, dropping to all fours and shouldering the blade out of the way of Cogsworth and his potential demise. The bigger threat as Beast saw it, and by shouldering it out of the path of his servent’s neck, he would save the clock servant.

It would only occur moments after that he had shouldered it so fast and so far, that he had stepped out from beneath the slab.

[Deleted]

And with but a single action, just a single movement, the man formally known as Prince Adam had sealed the fate of his faithful servant. Indeed, while he had prevented the blade from falling upon Cogsworth, he had stepped out from underneath the slab of rock he had been holding. It was a foolish mistake, one made without pause for thought, one made without thinking of the consequences, and one made with only one purpose in mind. For while Beast seemed to show concern for Cogsworth by preventing the blade from piercing him, the slab of rock would now fall upon him and end his life. Yes, the immense weight of the slab of rock would smash the clock into several tiny pieces and were that not enough; the fire would turn that life-form into nothing but ash. Nothing would remain of the servant that had attended to Prince Adam for so long, devoting his life to serve the selfish and insolent youth. Well that wasn’t entirely true; surely the memory of being the one to end his fragile existence would stick with the man now known as Beast. The enchantress would make sure of that as she made her appearance once more, a flock of orange butterflies suddenly appearing by Beast’s side. Stopping time for but a moment, the enchantress’ lips would curve into a wicked smile as she allowed Beast to hear her words although not act in any way, shape, or form.

”To think that such a fitting servant meets his demise at his own master… it’s quite depressing I must admit,” she started, as she made her way towards Altima who was now frozen in time, cupping her chin in her free hand, ”And all it took for you to make the decision that would lead to the death of your servant was a sorceress flaunting a blade above his head. A pity really, he was an excellent retainer wouldn’t you agree my furry acquaintance?” she would taunt as she moved back to Beast, a wicked grin plastered on her face as she looked directly into his eyes and placed her hands on his cheeks,

“It seems you have little faith in those who serve you if you didn’t believe that such an injury couldn’t be dealt with, that Cogsworth life could not be saved. As you know quite well, the curse I cast upon you and your servants is quite literal in how it has changed you all. You have become a dreadful beast appropriately enough and they have become simple furniture to represent what you think of them. That being the case, surely such an injury would not be debilitating, in fact it would be rather trivial to repair. Yet instead you allowed your rage to get the best of you and now his years of servitude have been repaid with his death. Smashed to pieces and then burned to ashes, even I with all my power could not hope to revive the man even if I wished to,” she spieled, turning around as she fiddled with the pipe in her hand and allowed Beast a moment to let her words soak in. When an ample amount of time had passed, she would turn back to the beast a sweet smile on her face that could melt even the hardest of glares. Well that was assuming one believed that smile for a second, if Prince Adam was thinking things through a bit more carefully now he would know what it foretold. Indeed, that sweet and seemingly innocent smile had a far more sinister reason for existing than to provide Prince Adam a pleasant sight to see.

”Well perhaps you can redeem yourself yet, there are others in this castle that could still be saved if you move quickly,” she started, walking over to a nearby vase, the taunting smile still present on her face, as she fancied to speak in riddles for this next bit. Taking the vase in her free hand, she would lift it off the stand it was placed on and examine it closely, seemingly very smitten by it. Well that was until she decided to drop it, the noise of it shattering against the floor filling the void between the two as the pieces scattered across the floor. Narrowing her eyes at the pieces before lifting them slowly toward Prince Adam once more, she would let out a small “hmph” before speaking once more.

”Such an exquisite looking vase, it’s a shame that it was so fragile,” she started, her smile growing wider as she tilted her head “cutely” although for Prince Adam she was certain it was only infuriating, ”I wonder if the fine china you have around here is just as delicate, it would be a shame to see such fine pieces destroyed so easily,” she added before dispersing into a flock of orange butterflies once more and going off to observe Prince Adam from up above. It would be interesting to see if the prince could decipher such a simple riddle as to whom the next to perish would be. How he would proceed to do so would also be an interesting feat as the castle crumbled to pieces with each second. Whatever the case, it was at this point that the enchantress would unfreeze time, allowing the pieces of this twisted play to move once more and allowed Altima a ten second head-start.

Thus the question became… what would Prince Adam do? Would he allow his rage to dictate his actions once again and be the reason why another of his servants would die? Would he instead of rushing to find the next victim instead search for Altima and attempt to tear her limb from limb? Or would he regain his thoughts long enough to perhaps rush over to where the next “scene” would take place and prevent it? Who knew and who could say, either way the enchantress would watch from the “rafters” and see how the pieces she laid out moved.

No matter how they move I am sure they shall not disappoint,

[beast]

There is truly no way to describe the horror one suffers upon witnessing one of their more beloved servants--and dare it be said, friends--die by no other hands but your own. Witnessing such an act is barbaric and horrendous in such a degree, that there is just truly no way to express feeling in any form. For Beast, watching in what seemed to be a slow motion crawl as the rock slab he had forced up and pushed off him in time to stop the blade from falling came down upon his Steward Cogsworth, it was unbearable. The heavy burning slab came down, the thud of stone upon stone unable to mask the horrible crunch and unmistakable TWANG of mechanical clock piece parts breaking, snaping, unwiding, and coming undone. Cogsworth face shattered behind that glass, and Beast had to close his eyes, unable to bear the horror of what he was seeing. He wasn’t able to reopen them though for quite a while, feeling frozen in time as a voice entered his brain and taunted him. It wasn’t the voice of the fallen angel… but that of the enchantress.

It wasn’t my fault![/I] the Prince within wanted to scream, but he could not bring the words from his mouth. And deeper inside still, he knew the truth. It was his fault. There were plenty of other ways he could have handled that. He could have swung down to all fours, swiping the sword away while keeping the slab upon his back. He could have kicked at the sword and begun pulling Cogsworth free. So many options, and he had chosen the wrong one. It sent a jo;t through his being that shattered his heart and put the first cracks of spider webs within. How would he go on indeed, knowing that he was the cause of Cogsworth’s death? And the Enchantresses words… she flaunted how that sword would have barley left a scratch, pointing out the obvious he had not thought of. It pained him greatly to hear this truth.

Her next words caught his ears, and he chose now to listen with direct care. Though his eyes were closed, he heard the vase and wanted to wince greatly. Who was to say that hadn’t been a servent also frozen in time, and then her next words, combined with such noise, hit him clearer. Time began to return as he opened his eyes and moved without thinking, his legs taking him away from this Angel on Nigh and towards the kitchen. Fine china meant one thing: Mrs. Potts and her Children. No way would he let them come to harm or the others. He couldn’t let the same fate befall them! Yet as he ran the halls seemed to be longer than before, spread out. Dare it be said, even trippy. Something seemed off, yet the unknowingly sleepy mind of the Beast could not catch such a thing now or ever. All he focused on as he ran down the seemingly endless hall for the Kitchen was how to better save them as opposed to how he had done for Cogsworth, might his soul rest in peace.

[altima]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=style,width: 450px; padding: 10px;,bTable][style=margin-right: 5px; height: 100px; width: 100px; -moz-border-radius: 200px; border-radius: 100px; overflow: auto; float: left; overflow: hidden; background-image: url(http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i231/Lunar_photos/Altima%20Gear/ICON2-1.jpg);][cs=2][/style] [style=margin-bottom: -5px; font-weight: bold; font-family: century gothic; font-size: 35px; letter-spacing: -3px;]The High Seraph[/style] [style=border-top: 1px dotted #b3b3b3; font-family: helvetica; letter-spacing: 2px; font-size: 10px; color: #680000; padding-top: 3px;]De mortuis • nil nisi • bonum [/style]
[atrb=vAlign,top][style=margin-top:5px; width: 90px; font-family: georgia; font-size: 10px; text-align: center; font-weight: bold; background-color: #680000; color: #f9f9f9; text-transform: uppercase; padding: 3px;]ACTIONS:[/style][style= color: b3b3b3; font-size: 8px; font-family: century gothic;]	[atrb=vAlign,top][style=width: 305px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify; font-family: helvetica; font-size: 10px; padding-left: 5px; border-left: 1px dotted #b3b3b3;]A nightmare that never could be awaken from. That was what the former prince must have thought he was suffering through. Just a cycling spiral from whatever fantasy he once called reality, and reawakening to the depths of what really went on outside the walls of his keep. Someplace that he had placed far too much pride into as of late, despite the various intrusions from outsiders. One could not blame him though. Shelter. Peace. Relief. Sanctuary. So many different ways to convey the same message to those who walked the path of darkness. Time and time again, it was these very same places that were glaring targets for those who dare not bask in the delusions justice provided. The same old excuses to that would be their crutch in explaining what they did. Murder was simply persecution. Discrimination was a purge. Taking a step back to look at the bliss that social bias provided to those gallant crusaders really did bring a sense of hypocrisy that was nothing short of hilarious. [/style]
[atrb=vAlign,top][style=margin-top:5px; width: 90px; font-family: georgia; font-size: 10px; text-align: center; font-weight: bold; background-color: #680000; color: #f9f9f9; text-transform: uppercase; padding: 3px;]ACTIVE EFFECTS:[/style][style= color: b3b3b3; font-size: 8px; font-family: century gothic;] Cooldowns:	[atrb=vAlign,top][style=width: 305px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify; font-family: helvetica; font-size: 10px; padding-left: 5px; border-left: 1px dotted #b3b3b3;]That was what the angel was hoping to see within the feral creature. What would be his justification for the cold blooded murder of his own servant? Would he blame her, a scion of pure darkness? Or did the creature have the galls that many men did not? To take responsibility for the fratricide? The whole situation just heightened the diabolical high she was reveling in, as a thundering presence charged into the kitchen. It was who she expected, but was it what he thought? No doubt, it would confuse him momentarily as to how she managed to arrive at the designated location without so much as a hint of passing along the way...but the angel had hoped he would place such trivial questions on the side for the time being. Once again, the angel stood between the master of the keep and his loyal subjects. A family of subjects even! "Do you not tire of being a constant sham to the world? To thine self even? Does the situation not call for you to simply sink into the pit of madness...? It has long since past the point where fooling anybody was a viable choice mongrel." She slowly revealed what was hidden behind her angelic wings. A crystalline tea pot that slowly was being filled with water, not unlike the role of a servant dear to a master's heart. For inside was the Potts family and all her children! How the angel acquired such a gigantic teapot, let alone how boiling water was appearing from within, was simply baffling; yet would their savior be sobered by the cries of the children teacups suffocating under the steam inside? Altima's deadly tea ceremony was JUST underway too; with the kettle beginning to whistle in almost a sinister way. As if it were counting down the precious seconds till a new pot of tea was prepared! One made of a delicacy that few could ever enjoy. A tea crafted not from leaves, but the very life of another![/style]
[atrb=vAlign,top][style=margin-top:5px; width: 90px; font-family: georgia; font-size: 10px; text-align: center; font-weight: bold; background-color: #680000; color: #f9f9f9; text-transform: uppercase; padding: 3px;]OTHERS[/style] [style= color: FFEAF2; font-size: 8px; font-family: century gothic;]Song- 7-Weights	[atrb=vAlign,top][style=width: 305px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: justify; font-family: helvetica; font-size: 10px; padding-left: 5px; border-left: 1px dotted #b3b3b3;]Though the clear walls of Altima's ethereal pot, the Beast would see the faces of terror and pain that Mrs. Potts was suffering through with her family. She was rapidly pleading something to the creature, which Altima stepped aside and allowed the monstrosity to approach her item. In attempts to break them free of course! The ancient terror even smiled and let her slender arm guide him to the destination. While the other extended outward, with a lone teacup held cleanly within her slender fingers. With a crack in his rim and a shivering china body, Chip was presented like the party favor to a banquet. Tangled between her frightening iron grip, the blatant look of fear and tear laced eyes that he shot towards Beast tickled her sadistical taste buds. Like the warm sweetness of freshly crafted chocolate, another choice was given to her mongrel. "You dared to defy the sword, and a single soul fell for it. Dare you condemn yet another for the sake of the masses? Mind you, why do you even bother with them mongrel? Do you think you, alone, hold the secrets to their deepest trust?" Her fingers slid ever so slowly against the sobbing Chip. Raising him upward so that her own, pale skin, met with the child's porcelain-like skin, the angel seductively gazed over to the Beast. She knew he would never break that teapot in time. Not without a bit of magical force to boot, but that was all part of the plan. As was this. "You see my ever-misguided creature friend..." Altima slowly murmured, tightening her grip around Chip, "...in their final moment, is when you mortals really show us your true self. In that aspect...I knew your subjects better than you ever did." Silence fell in the kitchen for that moment when Altima locked her crimson eyes with the prideful pair of the Beast. Smirking, Altima asks, "Would you like to know which of your subjects were traitors?" [/style]

[style=font-size: 10px; font-family: georiga; text-align: center; letter-spacing: 3px;]MADE BY EMBLEM OF KHCMv4 [/style]