New Beginnings

[beautysleep4.livejournal.com]

~She knows she should not be so flattered by Hal's attention and compliments. She is a betrothed princess all but wed if not for this evil spell. And yet, after centuries of wandering alone and friendless it is impossible for her to dismiss it as her due though she would have done so without a thought in her own time and place. But it is not her time and place, nor does she have her prince while her new champion is handsome and articulate and chivalrous to a fault. He is good company, lifting her spirits when they threaten to sink like hapless creatures in the surrounding mire or listening to her stories of a world he knows nothing about and surely has no interest in save that she does.

They are picking their way through the swamp. Both have had more than enough of the damp and the chill not to mention the myriad of nasty little creatures which threaten to make a banquet of any shade they might catch. Beauty is waving away a swarm of giant hairy gnat-like things when she feels the first strange sensation. A quick searing pain as if she has strained the muscles. Perhaps she has she thinks for the mud is constantly pulling against them as they trek through it. She begs Hal for a bit of a rest. They are at the bottom of a dip with yet another pool stretching out before them. As she gazes across the dull grey landscape she spots figures on the top of the next rise. They are not close enough for recognizable features and yet there is something naggingly familiar about one of them.

Harold~she has not yet become so informal that she uses the diminutive of his name~do you see those people up there? They seem to be coming this way, do you think it is quite safe to stay?

Comments

[severus-snape1.livejournal.com]

*Snape nods deeply and solemnly. He decides that he does not wish to give too much information about his wizarding background, as he is not certain whether Beauty is the sort of princess to cringe and wail and point accusatory fingers at wizards and witches, or if she is the sort of princess who honors and respects them, or if she is somewhere in between. He knows he has no powers here, but that might not make a witch-burner any more tolerant.*

I am Severus Snape from Spinner's End, a scholar of many things.

[deadwesley1.livejournal.com]

*Wesley takes in Beauty's composure and bearing and immediately marks her as genuinely titled. She appears to be medieval, French from the cut of her gown, and not terribly crazy. He really isn't certain how to behave around a princess, contemporary or medieval, so he averts his gaze and diverts the conversation.*

Neither of you are native to this level. You've escaped your levels, just as we have. How?

*He's instantly suspicious. It seems an awful lot of shades they've encountered have done just that. It doesn't seem likely that it should be all that easy to accomplish. Is it possible that they're being allowed to wander the levels for some reason?*

[halleyscomet1.livejournal.com]

*Hal answers him out of habit for assuming a dominant role in groups.*

I believe I just wandered out- as difficult as that was- but I didn't realise it was something noteworthy. Though now that you mention it, Hell does seem a bit too organised to allow that sort of thing to go on a lot.

*He stands straighter and pulls his shoulders back just imperceptibly. He's around much older men, so he's quick to try and prove that his youth isn't a hindrance.*

How did you escape?

[deadwesley1.livejournal.com]

I needed to move on.

*He gives no more of an explanation than that before gesturing for them to follow and saying "It's possible there's safety in numbers. You are more than free to join the two of us *notably excluding Lilah* if you like.

[halleyscomet1.livejournal.com]

*He looks to Beauty before answering tentatively.*

That sounds good. What do you think, Princess?

*He gives the word 'Princess' with as much politeness and dignity as he can, so it doesn't come off as sarcasm.*