Still having a hard time with Generous Tip. It's like the right words do not want to come out. Boooo! I started thinking of what to do with Watching Distance. It's been a good while since it was updated and really, I have no end in sight for that poor fic, which scares me because I'm tempted to not work at it at all. BUT I promised myself I would not do that with the fics I've started this year and I need to keep reminding myself to work on the ones that sit on the back shelf of my mind.
Summary: At an annual royal ball, Rumpelstiltskin meets a very peculiar young girl who catches his interest.
Chapter 10: In which Belle wishes to be a helper
Sleep eluded Belle on her first night at Dark Castle. Never had she slept so far from home, or been all alone before. Every tiny creak roused her, making her stomach leap in her throat. She was tempted a time or two to call upon Rumpelstiltskin, but felt childish at the thought. He desired an independent companion, not a frightened little girl.
Belle lay in her new bed, under unfamiliar covers, hugging her nearly flat goose feather pillow she’d retrieved from the magical trunk. As soon as faint sunlight peeked through the slits on either side of the draperies, Belle plotted her way to her private bath chamber to get ready for the day. Her body held tired joints and a heavy head, but she wasn’t going to let exhaustion ruin her first full day in her new home.
She was pleased to find a crate of fresh eggs in the pantry, and wondered if Rumpelstiltskin kept chickens somewhere in his land. It would be a treat to mind a flock of chickens, as she had when she was a child and her mother was alive. When they moved to Little Town, the chickens were left behind and they always had eggs brought to them by servants after that.
With breakfast made and eaten and no sign of her companion, Belle ventured to the tower that held Rumpelstiltskin’s laboratory in search of him. She got turned around a couple times, but finally found the right stairwell that led to his tower. It was utterly silent, and for a moment she assumed he wasn’t there, but as she ascended the last step, she caught a glimpse of his wavy-covered head by the overflowing bookcase. His back was turned to her.
“Good morning” Belle whispered, barely audible. Sneaking up behind a sorcerer was not a smart thing to do, though she doubted Rumpelstiltskin could scare that easily.
“How did you sleep?” he asked, spinning around gracefully and slamming the book he held closed in a puff of dust. The dust floated in a cloud through the air, making Belle cough. It seemed to not bother him at all.
“Well” she croaked, and coughed a couple more times before the dust settled.
Rumpelstiltskin stopped at his work table, eyeing her sharply. “Is that why you tossed and turned most of the night?”
Belle looked taken aback then her expression turned mortified. “Were you watching me?”
“No” he replied nonchalantly with a one shouldered shrug. He tapped his ear. “I could hear you.”
Belle wasn’t sure at all how she felt about Rumpelstiltskin being able to hear her every move. Her cheeks reddened at the thought of him hearing her private matters with the chamber pot.
A trill of laughter escaped him. “Don’t worry, dearie. I will not invade your privacy just for my own pleasure. I was simply checking on you.” Belle fidgeted as his gaze pierced her. “The truth – how did you sleep?”
“Hardly” Belle answered surrendering. She gave a heavy sigh as she moved closer to him. “Every time I was away from home, I always had a nurse or my maid sleep with me so I would not feel alone or scared of being in a foreign place. This was the first time I ever had a go at it by myself.” She stopped next to him, smiling confidently. “I’m sure it’ll pass, as all things do.”
“Indeed.” Rumpelstiltskin returned an unsure smile. He immediately went back to busying himself at the work table, setting the dusty book aside and grabbing a part of tiny tweezers.
“May I help?” Belle asked, biting her lip with anticipation. Since she was 12-years of age, not long after their first encounter, she imagined how it would be to watch the wild sorcerer at his work conjuring spells and weaving magic through the air. It never occurred to her until he gave her “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” that he might need a helper. “I would be more than obliged to.”
“There’s hardly anything you could help with, dearie” he replied, squatting down to eye level with the table. Belle watched fascinated as he plucked a tiny bit of dust from the book he had set aside and dropped it in a beaker filled with clear fluid close by. Everything seemed to freeze for a long, drawn out beat until Rumpelstiltskin straightened his legs and groused, “Wrong book. I thought for sure I’d found the right one this time.”
He tossed the tweezers haphazardly on the table surface and strode back to the bookcase, boots clanking harder on the scuffed wooden floor than before. Belle followed. “What book are you looking for? I could help you search.”
Rumpelstiltskin ignored her question, absolutely ignored her existence for almost a full minute until glancing sidelong at her. She was the picture of youthful hopefulness. “Belle,” he addressed, though her name sounded uncouth on his tongue. “May I be honest with you?”
“Of course.”
He faced his whole body towards her, hands casually behind his back. “When I wished to bring you here, I never anticipated what I would do with you. I’ve been alone for a very long time.”
How long had he wished to bring her to Dark Castle and keep her as a companion? Belle wondered and tucked it away with the many other unanswered questions she had stored. “Then it is something we’ll have to work on” Belle offered reassuringly. “It is only day one. Now let’s find that book you are in need of.”
He accepted her help, slightly begrudged. He seemed to not wish the heavy task upon her, but Belle loved books and was up for the challenge. Their search was mostly in silence, save for a few times they’d share small talk, mostly Belle initiating the conversation. It wasn’t until they met in the middle, Belle on the lower shelves as Rumpelstiltskin poked through the high shelves with the use of a ladder, that Belle tried for more serious conversation, diving into her mental question box.
“If you don’t mind me asking,” she began, sliding another book from the cramped row, “could you tell me about your family.”
Rumpelstiltskin halted his hand as he returned a skinny leather bound book to the row he was currently on. “There’s not much to tell” he replied, his voice somber.
“Did you have a wife? Some children?” Belle suggested, curiosity of his personal state getting the best of her. She had wondered for years whether he had a wife, whether his true love was lost someone in the world awaiting his rescue. It was only natural that a grown man, even as untamed as Rumpelstiltskin seemed, would have love in his life.
He hopped lightly down from the ladder, shifting it to the next set of books. “A wife, yes” he finally answered in a swift tone. Belle could feel a tightness in her chest at those words. “But she has been gone for a very long time. She is not who I seek.”
Belle waited for more, but the rigidness of Rumpelstiltskin’s shoulders told her he did not wish to go on. “I’m sorry. If you do not desire to-“
“My son,” his tone nearly cut through glass, making Belle snap her head up to meet his barbed gaze digging into the top of her head, “is who I seek.”
The pained expression on his face and the jagged grimace upon his lips, made Belle shrink and she barely nodded her head, not daring to ask any more on the subject. It was apparent that it troubled him to the core, this search for his family that consisted of just one member it seemed.
Any conversation after that eschewed, the only sound in the tower was of books being opened and closed and drawn in and out of rows. Belle could feel her eyes becoming cross when Rumpelstiltskin yelped in a high pitch. He jumped down from the ladder, landing on nimble legs, his brooding mood forgotten.
“You found it?” Belle asked, joining him at the work table once more.
“I do believe this is the right one” he replied, already in the process of tweaking a piece of dust from its cover. When it dropped in the clear liquid, it fizzled and turned the liquid to a milky color. Rumpelstiltskin grinned madly. “This is it.”
Belle couldn’t help but smile at his excitement. “What’s it for?” she wondered aloud, hardly containing her own excitement at whatever this simple experiment was going to accomplish.
“It’s a sealer for a special parchment, dearie” Rumpelstiltskin responded, corking the beaker. He strode over to a cupboard, opening it to reveal several rows of bottles all containing brightly lit potions and other materials. Belle stared with wide eyed fascination at all the beautiful bottles, her imagination suddenly running wild at what they could all be for.
She barely noticed Rumpelstiltskin retrieve an empty bottle, and pouring the milky liquid sealer inside. He corked it as well, placing it carefully into the cupboard, and closing the door with a sharp click. Belle frowned, wishing to watch the colorful bottles for a bit longer.
She sighed, glancing out the wide window, realizing it must be time for afternoon tea. “Would you join me for tea and a bit of lunch?” She looked hopeful at him.
“I suppose, dearie” the answer was as unsure as the smile he bestowed her earlier.
Belle nodded, preparing to be off, but she stopped and turned. “Where’s your chicken coop?”
“My what?” And she seemed to have grown a second head to him.
“Fresh eggs were in the pantry this morning. I assumed you had chickens.”
Rumpelstiltskin snorted. “No, my dear, no chickens. I have my eggs delivered from a local farmer.”
Belle’s shoulders slumped. She was looking forward to taking care of a flock. An idea struck her, and she figured it would not hurt to ask. “May I have a few chickens to keep?”
Rumpelstilskin lip curled in disgust. “Why would you want to keep such filthy creatures? We receive eggs without the mess.”
“But I truly don’t mind. I like chickens. They may be messy, but it’d be something for me to do around here that will be just mine.”
He shook his head in disbelief, but he seemed to not wish to refuse her. “Have your chickens, dearie.”
Well, I was going to try and finish the next chapter of Watching Distance while my daughter is taking nap, but I happen to see Nym posted the next chapter of Bed of Thorns. Finishing my next chapter of Watching... just flew out the window! Off to read BoT!
Working on the next chapter of Watching Distance, but it most likely won't be finished today or tomorrow. Does anyone else put things in their fanfics that relate to their real life? I've done it more times than I can remember, but not sure how many people actually use RL experiences or interest in their work. Like I really want Belle to have a flock of chickens ever since I got my own flock several months ago. It'd make for some cute scenes probably having Belle treat the chickens like they were her babies (like i do lol) and Rum looking at her like she's lost her mind.
I have no clue when I'm going to get back to writing for Collide. Haven't had any inspiration to write the next chapter, but guess I'll just make myself brain storm soon until something seeps out! Maybe watching The Return will get me back in the mood...
Summary: At an annual royal ball, Rumpelstiltskin meets a very peculiar young girl who catches his interest.
Chapters 1-8 here.
Chapter 9: In which Belle learns something new and frightening
The castle was true to its name. The walk seemed arduous as they wound through corridors with only lamplight to guide the way. From what Belle could see there were windows cut in the stone walls, but thick drapery curtains covered every one they passed. She reasoned it was for keeping the cold out with it being the winter season and all. Come spring, she would make an effort to take the curtains down. Sunlight would bring warmth into this damp dwelling.
Belle attempted to stay close to Rumpelstiltskin, her imagination running a tad wild. What if there were suits of armor ready to attack any strangers in the castle? But no, Rumpelstilskin informed her there were no such enchantments as that. Her books made magic seem fanciful and free spirited. She had much to learn about magic and her wild sorcerer.
Rumpeltilskin’s strides were longer and faster and sometimes she had to jog several steps to catch up. They finally came to a stairwell that curled around as if leading to a tower. The stairs grew narrower and swallower the more they climbed until they ascended the top that opened into a circular chamber. So, it was a tower.
Rumpelstilskin turned sharply on his heel, sweeping a hand about the tower. “You wished to know where a sorcerer works” he stated, smiling smugly.
“It’s grand!” Belle exclaimed, spinning around to take it in. A long work table housed beakers and flasks, along with several crude, mysterious instruments. A very high bookshelf crammed with thick, dusty books sat in the farthest right corner. A monstrous bay window faced the castle’s front gate. What piqued her interest far more was the spinning wheel near the window. She spotting another downstairs in the great room as well, and wondered now if the legends of The Spinner were true. Another question to tuck away.
“It resembles a laboratory” she commented, raising a finger to touch a glass beaker filled with a purple liquid.
Rumpelstiltskin caught her by the wrist as fast as a crane would catch a toad. Belle jumped, snapping her surprised gaze to him “I wouldn’t touch if I were you, dearie” he warned, moving her away from the work table, releasing her wrist with a dramatic sweep of the hand.
“Oh” was all Belle could muster in response. She kept her hands clasped together in front of her, not wishing to disobey Rumpelstilskin’s order. She may live at Dark Castle now, but he was still the master and she wished not to upset him. She hoped her curiosity would not bring her too much trouble.
Belle strolled around the tower, steps slow and halting, and he watched her intensely, reptilian eyes boring into her. Something he mentioned earlier came back to her that made her quite curious. “When you talked of the lamps and fireplaces being a simple spell, you also said it came at a small price.” She turned to him, skirts swishing around her legs as she did. “What did you mean by that?”
“All magic comes at a price” he replied, low and slightly malicious.
Oh, she had so much to learn! “What’s the price for lighting the castle?”
Rumpelstilskin stepped towards her, brushing fingertips along the edge of the work table. “The magic guarding the front gate is weakened when I light the castle,” he came to a stop before her, “but I only use the spell when I am here. When I depart, the gates are well secured. Nothing comes in, nothing goes out.”
“What will happen if someone tries to break through the gates?”
He leaned into her face, a gruesome smile widening his lips, and Belle felt the need to shrink back. “Let’s say there wouldn’t be many bones left unbroken.”
Belle sucked in a breath. She knew magic could be treacherous, but never had she thought of Rumpelstilskin in that way. She reasoned that he had enemies as anyone and needed to protect himself and his possessions – and now her. “May I see the rest of the castle?” she asked in such a small voice.
“Of course, my lady.” Rumpelstilskin bowed slightly, a sharp edge to his tone. At any time before their arrival Belle would have played along and curtsied and slid her arm around his, but this man hardly resembled her wild sorcerer who gave her a book and bantered with her as they danced.
Rumpelstilskin informed her there were only four important rooms of the castle besides her bed chambers that she should know of. The first three she already had seen: the great room, kitchen, and his tower. The last was the bathing chamber located several doors passed her bedroom. He told her if she were ever lost for more than an hour’s time in the labyrinth of corridors all she needed to do was knock on a wall and he would be there to in the blink of an eye.
He left her again after showing her the bathing chamber, and Belle trudge back to her bedroom to retrieve her necessities from the trunk. She hung her dresses with care in the wardrobe, smoothing each one out and fluffy the skirts. She arranged them from comfortable, every day wear to elaborate party gowns. Caressing the satin forest green gown she wore at the last winter ball, she wondered if Rumpelstiltskin would take her a ball. She imagined they’d sweep across the dance floor and whisper of the newest royal gossip and be able to leave together instead of saying farewell for another two years. It was all wishful thinking, and Belle hoped deep in her heart that her wild sorcerer would take her desire to see the world seriously.
The sunset came and went as she arranged her room to feel more comfortable in her new home. She wasn’t very hungry, but did not wish to venture to the kitchen passed midnight, even if the lamps glowed brightly to guide her way. Rumpelstilskin had not mentioned supper, and she wondered if he truly needed food to survive. She’d never seen him eat a single thing before, and only took meager sips of his tea earlier.
Belle remembered where the cheeses were stored and retrieved a few different kinds for variety’s sake. She also sliced some bread to go with it. She resolved to explore the kitchen more thoroughly the next day. Without servants, she had to know how to cook and was thankful she had spent a fair amount of time in the kitchens back home. Baking was her forte, though she knew the basic of how to use pots and fire for cooking. Couldn’t be that hard, could it? she reasoned.
She had sat down; munching on a white brie when footfalls caught her attention and Rumpelstilskin appeared in the kitchen’s doorway. Belle sighed, relieved he had notsurprised her this time.
“Hungry again, are we?” he inquired, stepping lightly to the table.
“I must eat, or I’d be starved to death by morning” she replied matter-of-factly, bring a piece of cheese to her lips.
“Oh yes,” Rumpelstilskin leaned his bottom against the table beside her and sighed dramatically, “You’ll need more food in the pantry.”
Belle threw him a look of contempt. “That would be most helpful, sir. I cannot live off bread and cheese the rest of my life.” And suddenly she was grateful their banter returned, but it reminded her of the time in his tower, how a cruel aura had come over him and it had frightened her. Belle cleared her throat, hand stilled beside her plate. “Rumpelstilskin?”
“Yes, dearie” he answered, staring wide, curious eyes at her.
“In your tower earlier-“ Belle paused, glancing away from his piercing gaze, courage threatening to abandon her. “For the first time I saw you differently.” She breathed in deep and met his gaze once more. “It frightened me, really. Your voice, mannerism, everything changed.”
A moment of silence fell upon them. Rumpelstilskin pushed off the table to face her directly, his expression smug. “Well, maybe I’m not who you assumed I was.”
Belle’s shoulder’s fell. That was not the answer she had hoped. “But I’m to be your companion for the rest of my life. I truly do not wish to fear you.”
He bent to one knee, firmly grasping her chin between his index finger and thumb as if she were a disobedient child. “Now you are aware that there are other sides to me, dearie. I will not always be your playful sorcerer, as I know you will not always be the inquisitive girl I met many years ago. We’ll find a way to make it work, shall we?
Belle nodded her agreement, though the intensity of his voice made her tremble.
“Will you sleep tonight?” Rumpelstilskin asked, as he straightened to stand.
“I will.”
He smiled, a true smile, not crude or devilish, and Belle wondered how he could change so rapidly right in front of her eyes. “Good night, my dear.” He turned heel and was gone again.
Writer's note: Just wanted to say thanks to everyone following this story! I didn't realize it's been a month since I updated. It takes far too long to write, edit, and re-read chapters.
Chapter 8: In which there is tea for two
The trunk did as Rumpelstilskin said it would. The first object Belle wished to retrieve was the book he gave her six years prior. She’d read The Sorcerer’s Apprentice at least a dozen time. The chapter containing the dancing brooms and mops was still her very favorite part of the entire book, and she could recite it solely from memory. The book was truly her only connection to Rumpelstiltskin in those years. She treasured it as if it were made of fine gold and encrusted with diamonds.
Belle sat on her knees, dress tucked under her shaky legs, in front of the trunk. She touched the perfectly polished oak lid with only the tips of her fingers, closing her eyes as if to make a wish, concentrating solely on her beloved book. She breathed in deep then lifted the heavy lid with the heel of her hand, eyes opening slowly. She gasped in delight at the sight of the thick book sitting neatly at the bottom of the trunk. She grabbed the worn, leather bound book, clutching it to her chest.
The whole day caught up with her finally, tears springing from her eyes and streaking her flushed cheeks. The morning had seen her a fiancé of a daring knight, but by evening she had been whisked away by her wild sorcerer to an unknown magical place she’d call home one day.
Time escaped her. What felt like evening was actually early morning now, and Belle felt instantly drained as her emotions flowed in waves in her. She promised to be Rumpelstilskin’s companion forever. No more midnight conversations with her father or frolicking through the marketplace with her childhood friends or sitting quietly in the Council Room observing matters of Little Town. No, she was to live here in Dark Castle for the rest of her life. Though untamed adventures seemed only an arm’s reach away, the exciting notion didn’t lighten her feel of loss of who she was and who she would have become.
All her other possessions would have to wait. Belle crawled onto the bed, the down pillow and soft mattress inviting her. She laid her head down, snuggling the goose feather pillow with her wet cheek. Her beloved book lay next to her, her hand resting on the cover, the smooth leather comforting.
The vague promise of Rumpelstilskin returning crossed her mind, but she did not know when that would be and he’d have to forgive her for resting her tired eyes if he returned before she awoke. She didn’t bother changing from her golden gown. All she wished for was rest.
**
The lack of air awoke Belle with a start. She sat bolt up, alert, blinking blurrily about the room. Rubbing the sleep from her eyes, she remembered where she was and relaxed, drawing her attention to the crushing feeling in her ribs. The tight bodice around her middle seemed to have shifted and became smothering as she slept. Sleeping in it, she remembered was not the greatest of ideas, but before she had lain to rest, it truly hadn’t occurred to her to undress. Now her ribs ached, and she regretted not mentally asking the trunk for her nightdress.
Rumpelstiltskin had not made an appearance, or if he had, she unwittingly slept through it. Belle climbed off the bed with great effort then started the near impossible task of unfastening the hidden side hooks of her gown. With some uncomfortable contortion work, she dragged the bodice off her torso, almost literally peeling it off her damp skin that she hadn’t realize had perspired so much. She folded the golden bodice in half and laid it on the bed, taking a moment to breathe in a wonderfully deep breath.
The rest of her dress removed in a matter of minutes, leaving only her chemise and lacy drawers to cover her. Belle’s cheeks blushed as a silly thought of Rumpelstilskin traipsing in unannounced to see her in such a bare state. But no, mischievous as he was, would never let himself in unannounced or uninvited into a lady’s chambers. At least, she hoped she had pegged him right. He acted nothing short of a gentleman toward her, after all.
In an unfamiliar place, Belle felt strangely exposed, even in her underthings. She quickly knelt before the trunk, closing her eyes once more as if to make a wish. Fingers atop the lid and palm under the lip, she thought of a specific dress from her wardrobe. She lifted the lid to find her most comfortable dress she owned. A pale pink, cotton dress that was loose at the top, but snug at the waist then bellowed out with a straight but flowing skirt. She hurriedly made a stop at the chamberpot before slipping the dress on, thankful the ties for the bodice were located in front.
The cool stone floor felt comfortable on her stockinged feet, but if she was to wander about an unknown castle, she knew better than to go without slippers. The next item in her wardrobe she wished for was the cream slippers she always wore in her bedchambers at home.
Brushing her skirt out, she made her way to the door and opened the knob carefully. Her broad imagination nearly scared her back into the room as the thought of Rumpelstilskin standing just outside her door to surprise her floated into her head. She peeked either way down the corridor, lamp-light flickering off the walls. Both ways empty, Belle slipped out recalling which way she had come from.
The castle was quiet as Belle tiptoed along, wandering passed stone walls and shut doors until she spotted an archway where bright firelight lit everything. The main room greeted her with its stillness, the crackle of the hearth the only sound. A shiver of uncertainty crawled up Belle’s spine. She longed for her eternal companion to materialize, even if it would frighten the living daylights out of her, at least she wouldn’t be alone anymore.
But as she carefully stepped across the elegant room, no one appeared and Belle’s own imagined fears kept her voice from working. She breathed in deep as she wandered into another room and down a short corridor to find the kitchen. It was incredibly spacious with every kind of cooking tool you could think of and some you would have to figure out. She smiled, proud that she found a normal room that she could make herself at home in.
It was morning, even if Belle hadn’t realized it yet, and her stomach was protesting. She checked the cupboard, finding a variety of teas and chose a black-leaf kind that she was familiar with. A heavy, iron kettle sat plain-as-day on the marble counter, and finding the waterpump close by, Belle filled it and hooked it above the warm hearth. She nodded, resuming her search, now for food.
In the larder, there was flour and sugar and every ingredient needed to bake. There were cans of sardines and oysters and canned fruits. She decided spiced canned apples would be the easiest to eat until she could talk of a full meal with Rumpelstilskin, if the imp ever returned!
Belle found the teacups in the second cabinet she searched in. She grasped a pretty white one with a simple blue design-
“Finding everything you need, dearie.”
Belle squeaked a silly, childish sound of surprise, the teacup falling from her hand. She spun around. She knew, she truly did, that Rumpelstilskin would scare the living daylights out of her and here he was smirking at her, all teeth and mischief.
“Confounded, Rumpestiltskin!” Belle exclaimed , staring daggers at him. “You enjoy flustering me, sir.”
“Indeed” he agreed, waving a hand and giggling.
Belle glanced down to retrieve the teacup, but sighed heavily as she straightened. “Oh, it’s chipped.” She examined the empty triangle where a piece of porcelain used to be. “You can barely see it.”
Rumpelstiltskin’s expression switched to bemusement, and he shrugged a shoulder. “It’s just a cup.”
“Breaking one of your possessions when I hadn’t even arrived here a whole day does not leave a good impression.”
He stepped into her personal space, laying a hand on her hand that held the teacup. “It’s just a cup, dearie.” And he snatched the cup from her hold and sauntered to the narrow kitchen table and lean against it. “Two for tea?”
“Of course” Belle replied quickly, her gladness restore now that he was in her presence again. When the kettle steamed, Belle poured two cups. Rumpelstilskin insisted on using the chipped one, for what reason Belle did not know. Maybe to further tease her, he seemed like the sort.
“Where were you?” Belle asked after settling in a chair at his right hand, him, of course, sitting at the head of the table. She dug a small pile of apples from the glass jar into a white porcelain bowl. “Hours have gone by since you left me alone.”
Rumpelstiltskin grasped the chipped cup delicately with his fingertips. “In my tower-“ he paused, bringing the tea to his lips, “-working. I assumed you’d appreciate some time to settle, do any womanly business you needed to attend to.”
“Oh.” Belle gazed into the depths of her tea. She hadn’t thought of that. All she wanted was to not be alone in a strange place, her mind far from arranging her new wardrobe or anything frivolous like that. “Will you show me the castle? It would be dreadful if I were to be lost in a place steeped with enchantment.”
Rumpelstiltskin flicked an apathetic gaze her way. “Who said Dark Castle was enchanted?”
“Well, this is the castle of a sorcerer” Belle replied proudly, an exciting edge to her voice. “The fires in every room I have entered stay lit without burning down. The lamps in the corridors never drip I noticed on my way here. Wouldn’t that suggest an enchantment?”
“My dear girl, your travels through books have enlarged your fanciful imagination. The hearths and candles are a simple spell and small price to pay. You will not find any candelabras singing for your entertainment at supper or footstools chasing about your heels like a pet dog.”
Belle frowned, lowering her head in disappointment. She suddenly felt like a child and hoped her companion didn’t scowl at her for it. “And no brooms or mops cleaning the floor.”
“Not likely.” Rumpelstiltskin swallowed the rest of his tea in one gulp, his fidgetiness growing. “If you’re so ardent to see what you read then I know exactly where to begin on our tour of the castle.” Belle’s interest piqued, her eyes lighting up. She was tempted to act all the part unlady-like and shoveling her meager meal in, but he added as if he knew she would, “Do not hurry, my dear. We have all the time in the world.”
I have ideas for five new Rumbelle fics. Two of them are prompts from other writer's, two are totally random ideas, and one is an idea I've had for a few months now involving Bae being in Storybrooke. I really want to write that one, but can't seem to get it started. Hopefully another chapter of Watching Distance will be posted by the weekend! It's in a notebook, just have to type it up and edit.
I made the mistake of taking a decongestant before going to bed, and stayed up for half the night just laying fitfully in bed listening to my husband snore.
On a good note, yesterday was so much better than Monday! Still haven't called the customer who is mad at me, but I'm not so afraid to call them now. I made a very random visit to a friend of mine yesterday who I hadn't seen for almost 2 years. It was funny when I knocked on the door and she peeked out the window to see who it was. Her face was so shocked. It was a good visit and really raised my spirits.
On a writing note, I'm working on the next chapter of Watching Distance. I have not forgotten about Generous Tip. Really need to just force myself to sit down and finish the next chapter.
