-- SHELTER FROM THE STORM -- [[OPEN]]

[rafael]

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SHELTER FROM THE STORM

The rain that fell outside the bar that Puss was sitting inside of was barely audible, even to his sensitive ears. A large storm had rumbled in no time flat and made the weather outside positively unbearable. It was warm enough so that the rain was rain, but the large piles of snow outside hadn't melted away yet. A sludge of snow and water was the result, and Puss couldn't stand to walk through such a mixture. He hated the cold, but he hated water more.

As soon as he'd seen the rain catching up with him, he dove into the bar for shelter. It was relatively lively but, then again, when was it not? There were already more than 20 people there despite the fact that it wasn't even close to nightfall yet. The air smelt like ale and sweat, but it didn't bother Puss as he sat down at the bar. He was given a bit of a strange look from the nearest patrons when he asked for a glass of milk. The bartender was already familiar with Puss and didn't give it a second thought. That bar used to be one of Puss's favorite hang-outs before he started his more nomadic life style.

It had actually been a pretty long time since Puss had come home to the fifth kingdom. The walk in had been nice. Cold but nice.
He'd missed the sight of the rolling mountains in the distance, even when they were covered in snow. He didn't really have any reasons for coming home. He just felt like it was about time.

"Thanks.", he said when his drink was finally given to him and was delightfully surprised to find that it had been warmed for him. He gave the bartender a grin before stretching and popping just about every bone in his hands. "Lovely weather we're having, eh?" he said relatively sarcastically to whoever he was sitting by. The weather was always a safe topic and he felt like chattering.

[style=width: 350; background-color: black; padding-top: 1px; padding-bottom: 1px; text-align; center; text-transform: lowercase; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 8px; letter-spacing: 3px; color: dddddd; text-align:center;]Music: Pon Pon ver. Dirk || Tagged: Open || Notes: None :3

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[belle]

Belle had been feeling a little nostalgic lately. She was worried sick about everything that was going on with the third kingdom and the mere fact that well it was highly possible that there would be another war and a potential for her to loose Adam. That was not something that sat well with the Queen in the fifth Kingdom especially with what else was on her mind. Going out on her own to where she lived once was probably not the best idea she'd ever had. At least not now with the rain coming down as hard as it was. She has looked in her own home and had smiled at the little trinkets that were still around. She had come apparently when no one else was home which wasn't all that odd as everyone had married and her father was always out getting his inventions looked at.

She sighed as she road back into town and found a place to put her horse up for the moment. She had on a midnight blue cloak and the hood was up on it. She walked walked into the bar. Sure it probably wasn't the best place but it wasn't like she was trying to make it known tat she was Queen or anything. No she had come into this bar many a times before she had become Queen and after. She just hoped that she would not run into Gaston. The man still drove her crazy.

She walked over and was almost instantly brought water. She didn't drink when she was in this bar she just watched and sipped on water from a corner. She looked over to see someone she had seen a few times before. When she heard the words came out of his mouth she giggled. "If you like the rain my dear sir." Belle couldn't help but put a smile on her face and then continue sipped on her water.

[rafael]

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SHELTER FROM THE STORM

A female voice? A giggle? Oh, he hadn't been expecting that. He turned to look at his neighbor, a beautiful woman wearing a dark blue cloak. "Ah... yes, rain. I fear that I'm actually not a big fan of rain. I quite detest it." he said, a childlike pout creeping into the tone of his voice before he offered her a sly grin.

Puss winced a bit when someone else walked through the door and the wind howled loudly enough to be heard over the conversations of others. The hinges of the door creaked in protest as the man struggled to get it closed. Puss shook his head and looked back to the woman. "Sounds like the conditions out there are getting worse." he said with a bit of a sigh and looked back at his milk. Now he was really glad he'd decided to come inside. "But let's not think about that, eh? Where are you from, Doña?" he asked, a bit of his Hispanic habits sneaking out before he could stop them.

He was surprised that he didn't know whoever this person was. Not a lot of people outside of Pittoresque often bothered to come to this bar, or even the village. He knew just about everybody around. Then again, the fact that the woman had her hood up wasn't helping him identify her in the least. Perhaps she was uncomfortable with pulling it down... or, perhaps, she just didn't want to let people know who she was. It didn't matter that much to him. She'd been gracious enough to chat with him; the least he could do was not be too nosy.

[style=width: 350; background-color: black; padding-top: 1px; padding-bottom: 1px; text-align; center; text-transform: lowercase; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 8px; letter-spacing: 3px; color: dddddd; text-align:center;]Music: Angels and Airwaves -- Breathe|| Tagged: Queen Belle~ || Notes: Is it hard to read the text with the background? I can change it if need be. ^^

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[belle]

Belle smiled as the man started to talk again. He did not like the rain as it seemed. Belle liked it to an extant but at the moment she was not very happy about it. She couldn't make it back to the castle and that would likely worry Adam and the others a bit. After all she had left without really saying much all they knew was that she had left. She had told Adam she was going to her old house. She just hoped that everyone would stay out of his weather. It was bound to get worse because as everyone here knew things always got worse before thing lightened up a bit.

Belle looked up as someone came through the door. The howl of the wind did not sound to friendly and she watched as the man struggled to close the door. She wanted to go help but it was closed before she moved to do so. Belle nodded her head when Puss spoke once again. "It has indeed." Then he was asking her where she was from and the last word that came out of her mouth instantly made her smile. She knew who this man was now. As long as no one else was looking she could show herself to him. She slowly slide her hood back a little bit. "I was from around here you know." A soft giggle escaping her delicate lips. "Its a pleasure to see you again Puss." She only let her hood come back enough for him to see who she was but it was instantly back up the moment someone looked her way.

She didn't want to be spotted here at the moment. After all she had seen who was here and she knew a number of things could happen if she was not careful. Still she felt she was at least a little bit safe in this bar even with the shady characters that could grace it. There were not nearly as bad as the witches.

[rafael]

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SHELTER FROM THE STORM

Puss's grin grew larger as he saw just who this woman was. Belle. Ah, now that face brought make many memories of days long passed. Of course, back then, things were pretty different. Puss was just beginning to become less and less predictable and dream of more adventure to go on. But he'd made a friend in Belle while he was stuck in Pittoresque for a while. Well. Okay. He wasn't exactly stuck. He had the chance to leave whenever he wanted to, but he decided to stick around for Belle. Yeah, so maybe Puss had had a relatively large crush on Belle back in the day. Hey, he just barely an adult cat back then! What can you expect? She was gorgeous, smart, and independent. Those were all qualities that Puss admired in a woman, even now.

"Yes, forgive me. I know exactly where you're from, Doña" he replied, bowing his head a tiny bit as a slight sign of respect before downing the rest of his milk. "It's a pleasure to see you again too. It has been far, far too long since the last time we spoke. How are things going for you?"

He noticed the way that she was quick to pull her hood back up and slowly looked around. He understood why she'd be uncomfortable in this place. After all, this used to be Gaston's favorite hang out. But he didn't see the man on the way in, nor did he see him amongst the faces of the current patrons. He remembered that Gaston had annoyed the whiskers off of him even before he'd laid eyes on Belle. He'd been nothing but an arrogant fool. So, what did it matter that he was supposedly attractive? He was no where near as attractive as Puss, but Puss never bothered much with his human form back then so it didn't really matter. Still, parading around the place like he was cooler that sliced bread made Puss want to chop his big head off.

Puss was a little surprised to find that he was holding onto his glass a tiny bit too tightly and it cracked in his hands, making him let out a tiny cat-like hiss and he shook his hand before sighing. "Oh, look at me! Brooding like some old woman." he said, trying to laugh it off.

[style=width: 350; background-color: black; padding-top: 1px; padding-bottom: 1px; text-align; center; text-transform: lowercase; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 8px; letter-spacing: 3px; color: dddddd; text-align:center;]Music: Seven Devils - Florence + The Machine|| Tagged: Belle~~ || Notes: Am I getting jealous vibes?... -le gasp!-

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[belle]

It had been probably a few years now since Belle had seen Puss at all. She always kept an eye out for the man and the tabby cat. After all he wasn't hard to spot in either form that he could take. He had year ago flirted with her to no end. Puss had been a lot more gentlemanly about how he went about flirting too. He was nothing like the man who tried to woe her in all the wrong ways. Gaston had been the cause of the bar keep having to rebuild a few tables and chairs here or there. Though it also wasn't uncommon for Puss to be involved in a few two. He had been becoming a little less predictable as the years went by but that didn't matter to Belle at all. She could still remember the times where she sat reading in the square with Puss sitting next to her either listening or just being in her company.

Belle at times like these missed the comfort of petting the tabby's bright orange fur. Of course that would probably not be something that Adam would like her to do these days but still she couldn't help but want too. Adam was no longer Beast so even his fur she could not stroke. His hair was a completely different story. Adam's face flashed into her head and she couldn't help my smile even outwardly at his face. However, she frowned a moment later as she heard a voice that she knew very well. She tried to hide herself a little more under her cloak. Lefou has just made some joke or something and she hadn't a clue when he got into the damn place either. If he saw her here he would find a way to tell Gaston or get the man here. She knew however that she was safe with Puss. He would protect her like he had tried to do years ago.

She was pulled from her thoughts moments later by words from Puss. "It has been too long." She said in a whisper. She didn't want someone noticing her voice. "Things could be better." She figured he had the right to know another things. She had already told Adam, but Puss was a long time friend and should be one of the first to know and from her own mouth just in case it got out some other way. "You must not tell anyone Puss. And I mean no one but I am with child." That was the only thing that was new with her. She giggled at his comment about brooding like an old woman. "You silly kitty, you are by no means old my dear friend."

[rafael]

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SHELTER FROM THE STORM

Puss took a mental note of Lefou's arrival, but it was soon put to the back of his mind when Belle told him that she was pregnant. For a little while, Puss was unable to speak. Sure, it was only logical but he hadn't been expecting something like that right then. Just... the way she'd told him as if it were some life threatening secret. Would she not be happy or proud to be a mother? He had no doubt in her abilities whatsoever though and he decided not to question it. "That's wonderful news! Truly wonderful!" he said fairly quietly, a smile coming to his lips. He watched as the bartender took the glass from Puss before he could damage it any further and he gave him an apologetic smile before turning back to Belle. He hated how tense she was. She should be happy with him! Lefou had to be the cause of her discomfort... he'd fix that right up.

"Ah, but that's where you're wrong, Doña. I never did tell you how old I was." He gave her a quick wink before pulling out a few coins and setting them down on the countertop real quickly before leaning close to Belle's ear. "I'll take care of the flea before his dog shows." He then walked over to Lefou and his group of friends, a perfectly friendly smile on his face. He wrapped his arm tightly around the little man's shoulders. "Hey, chicos! Long time, no see!" he said with a laugh. The drunker ones laughed while the others eyed him relatively suspiciously. He'd never been one to actually be friendly towards them... His presence usually meant a tavern brawl that would result with black eyes and broken bones. "Oye, bartender! Get these men another round of drinks!" some cheered, but the more intelligent ones glowered at him, knowing it was best to keep their mouths shut. "Whaaaat? No thank you's? Why is it that you must be so rude, my friends, while we're around such wonderful company?" he gestured around them, particularly to some beautiful women sitting a little ways away. "Surely you can act better than that!" he laughed and they nervously laughed along with him.

It didn't take long for the drinks to be brought over to them and Puss settled down amongst the other men with a sigh, though he didn't go for the tankard set down in front of him. "You know, Lefou. It's rare that I don't see you with that... oh... what was it... Asston?" That was a horrible insult. Ah, he was rusty about poking fun at Gaston. Lefou glowered at him and quietly corrected him. "Aww, thank you, Lefou. Gaston. That was the bastard's name. It's nice to not have his stench stinking this place up." he said with a long sigh and Lefou, tired of the abuse, was quick to start talking about how wonderful Gaston was but Puss held up his hand to tell him to shut up lest he wanted to get punched. He then leaned in real close to Lefouand --

"Puss..." came a voice. He turned his head and looked at the bartender who was giving him a 'you'd better watch yourself' look. He sighed. "Ay, Señor. I can settle this peacefully! Just. You. Watch." as he spoke, his fingernail changed into a claw and he jabbed it underneath the short man's chin. "Now listen here, Lefou. You reek of that Gaston. It's disgusting. Fix it. Immediately. You're making it hard for me to breathe." he pulled away and smiled brightly at him.

[/b]"I trust you know the way out!"[/b] he said, laughing as Lefou scurried right out of there along with some of the friends. Other stayed behind for the free booze though but Puss didn't mind that much. What he did mind was not getting to fight with them... though, admittedly, it wouldn't have been much of a fight. They were frightened far too easily. It wouldn't have been worth the cost of the damage caused to the tavern either though. Puss only had travelling money on him. Paying for the extra drinks was already gonna hurt him pretty bad... he'd need to pull from one of his stashes pretty soon.

He sighed and went back to his place beside Belle and the bartender gave him a relatively thankful look but said nothing as he went back to work. "Muuuuuch better." he said as he stretched again. His back ached. He needed a comfy nap... in front of a fire place... with a nice... soft... purple... pillow...
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[belle]

Lefou always set Belle on edge. His arrival was not at all welcomed. She tried to push past that though and looked back at Puss when he told her that her news was wonderful. A smile came upon her lips for a moment. "It is, as Adam and I have been trying its just that, that i'm afraid of the witches finding out." Belle put her head down. She was a strong and independent woman, there was very little that usually scared her. However, no knowing if Puss was alright worried her and this whole up coming war worried her. She was female with a family and friends she cared deeply for, there was no way she wouldn't be worried about every single one of them. She did wondered if Puss had found himself a lady yet. Or at least one that he didn't just get bored of very quickly and run off from. She slightly knew his track record there.

She shook her head and laughed again when he made mention of his age. She hadn't exactly told him hers either. She gave a nod as her smile faded a bit when he mentioned taking care of Lefou. It would make her feels loads better of the little man was out of the bar and she could breath in without smelling scents of Gaston around even if he wasn't there. The scent of him still lingered on those that he was close too. Belle watched as Puss went over to the group. She did hope that he would not cause of a fight. She really didn't want to be rushed out of the place because of it. It seemed that the storm outside might have died down a little bit but that wasn't exactly likely and she didn't want to be standing in it. She watched them out of the corner of her eye as she played off looking like she didn't rightly care about what was going on. The bartender gave her another water before going of and getting the men their drinks.

She would give Puss money to cover that later. After all it was the least she could do. On top of that she could offer him shelter at the castle too. That talk she was sure would come later. She turned when she heard scurrying and then turned back to look right at Puss as he returned. She smiled at him. "Thank you. Yes much better. What have you been doing since you left Puss?" She was curious really. As the door opened for the scurrying men she realized that the road might actually be safe to travel again. That would be good as she did not want the others worrying about her for too long. Still she wasn't ready to leave yet. Puss looked tired though and she would do anything to give him a place to rest his head for a bit.