I own no rights to any character or any bit of original story Disney presented of 'Beauty and the Beast'. yada yada yada I own nothin but this excerpt, tell me what you think -

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"Beast". That's what she calls me. My real name has been lost to the catacombs of the ages. Was it really so long ago that I was imprisoned in this monstrous flesh? No. Only a decade has passed since then. In those several years, everyone and every thing has deserted the lands surrounding the castle. Only ravenous predators remain to pick off any fools. Even my own chilling howls seem to render the wolves silent. I've no doubt that Belle hears my animalistic pleas to the moon, even from across the castle. I howl to please the sorceress that seemed to vanish into the very earth from whence she came. She did this to torture me until I "changed". I sense no change, but perhaps I will have an epiphany as that last petal falls.

Looking up from the stone banister, slicked with rain, I cast my gaze to the barren forrest outside my home. Even the life of the trees seems to have left this place. It is still winter and hope for the slightest bit of color in the woods, lies several months away. Everything is so far away.

"Beast," I hear her whisper my name from across the room and over the light sound of the rain,"come inside." The direction is uttered with the pure, confident strength that makes up all of who Belle is.

Turning away from the balcony, I trudge my way back into my devastated quarters. With each footstep I grow colder and regret the decision to linger in the rain more and more. Even as I stop and stand before her, sopping wet, she still smiles her knowing smile. How on Earth does such a delicate beauty stand being in the presence of a furry..creature such as myself?

Reaching out with intent, she traces the damp ridge of my brow, and runs her nails through the water-matted fur of my mane. It is as if she's trying to memorize every detail. I'm not going to attempt to ask "why". Her gentle touch salvages me from the dark and foreboding thoughts of a few moments prior. Induldging myself, I close my eyes, and just feel. Feel her delicate fingers working their way through my tangle mane. Feel her eyes watching my every reaction with interest. Nothing can match this simple peace she offers. Briefly my eyes open and shift to the dead trees in the distance. As if sensing my thoughts-

"It will be Spring before you know it. Things will get better, you'll see."

In that brief moment I almost remembered my name, the 'Beast' almost left me.