The Roof: Sunday night, well after dark

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

The Beast was crouched on the corner of the roof, looking out over Fandom.

Half hidden in the shadows and the night, he was brooding - dramatically - and also for some reason humming under his breath.

Two days, and his life had changed dramatically -- because of Samantha.

It was unexpected. It was inexplicable.

Without really noticing, his humming segued into song. (Because the power of Disney narrative can not be denied.)

She glanced this way, I thought I saw
And when we touched
She didn't shudder at my paw
No it can't be, I'll just ignore
But no one's ever looked at me that way before.

If he'd realised what he was singing, he'd likely be horrified.

[ooc: open, as roofs are, but you'll probably need to get his attention. Lyrics twisted slightly. ]

Comments

[bookyeve.livejournal.com]

Nefertiri froze, fascinated. "What are you?" she whispered, ready to leap aside.

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

He calmed as he looked her over, judging her to be not a threat, and turned back to looking out at the night. "I am a beast."

[bookyeve.livejournal.com]

"A child of the gods? Bast, or Sekhmet?" Nefertiri crept closer, watching him, waiting to see if he'd pounce. Staying out of reach, although he seemed no threat at the moment. "What do you want with mortals in this place?"

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"Not a child of the gods. I think the gods would turn their face from me." He held out his hands, looking at their size, the fur, the curved claws. "As do the mortals of this place." Except for one, the thought of which made his shoulders slump.

[bookyeve.livejournal.com]

"I am a daughter of the gods and kings," Nefertiri said proudly. "I do not turn away. You look like a Sphinx, almost. Or one of Bast's people, as they are drawn in the temples." She curled her legs under her, still staring. "You sang."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"I did?" He blinked at her, and let loose a low rumble of confusion. "I didn't mean to. And what do you mean you are a daughter of gods and kings? Can you lift enchantments?"

[bookyeve.livejournal.com]

"You did," Nefertiri said calmly. "It was what drew my attention. I can not yet lift enchantments. Perhaps when I have studied more in the temple of Amonet, and Hathor. I am a daughter of Seti, descendant of the sun god Amon-Ra. We are the gods on Earth."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

He may have been a Beast, transformed by an enchanter, but even to him that sounded...unlikely. But he'd learned his lesson about doubting when he'd been changed into this. "Perhaps when you have learned more you might be able to lift my enchantment."

[bookyeve.livejournal.com]

"You are enchanted? In what wise?" She crept a little closer, watching him. "There is a book, that they say can break enchantments. And raise the dead. The book of Amon-Ra."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"I was once as human as y-- as the mortals here." She was getting closer, and it was making him twitchy. His tail jerked, and he wrapped it around his feet. "Then I offended a great enchanter and was turned into this."

[bookyeve.livejournal.com]

That set her back on her heels, blinking. "Cruel. How did you offend him?" Nefertiri asked, curious. "What could merit transformation against one's will?"

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"I pretended to be what I was not, and he took offence. In revenge for my actions, he made me into what I was not." He twisted his head to look directly at he, so she could see him clearly, the fangs, the fur (the bandage over his left eye). "Though he said the monstrous exterior was more suited to me than the beautiful one I once possessed."

[bookyeve.livejournal.com]

"It is not so very monstrous." She examined him critically. "Not a man. But not ugly. Crocodiles, scarabs, a jackal-- all have less appeal. And you sang." Nefertiri circled back to this point, stubborn. "Of love. He did not take everything from you. Sing again," she demanded imperiously.

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

The imperious tone raised his hackles - literally. "I am neither servant nor toy, nor am I a pet. I will not sing."

[bookyeve.livejournal.com]

Nefertiri glared, not used to being refused. "Why not? You sang before. Of a woman. Why not sing again?"

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"How do you know I sang of a woman?" he asked, finger curling so his claws scraped across the brick. The tone was starting to annoy him, but he held to his temper. "And I am not here to amuse you, nor to be ordered about. You are neither my queen nor my god."

[bookyeve.livejournal.com]

Nefertiri tilted her head, and sang back at him, "She glanced this way, I thought I saw
And when we touched
She didn't shudder at my paw ...." And then settled again, blinking at him. "If I sing, will you?" she coaxed. "You have a lovely voice. I merely wish to hear it again."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

Despite himself, he was captivated by her voice. And appalled at what he had been singing. "Is that what I was singing?" It was a good thing beasts couldn't blush, or he would be bright red with mortification. "I will sing with you, if you select another song."

[bookyeve.livejournal.com]

"If you insist." Somewhere deeeeep inside Nefertiri, something bounced. "Do you know -- hmm. 'Prince of Egypt'?" She sang a C, then:

"Gleaming in the moonlight
Cool and clean and all I've ever known
All I ever wanted..."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

He did not know the words, but he could mimic the ones she'd sung well enough. "I do not, but-- " And he sang the words back to her, though in a far far deeper tone.

[bookyeve.livejournal.com]

Nefertiri smiled wide, delighted. "Perfect."

"Sweet perfumes of incense
Graceful rooms of alabaster stone
All I ever wanted

This is my home
With my father, mother, brother
Oh so noble, oh so strong
Now I am home..."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

Heaving a huge internal sigh, he continued his mimicry, repeating her words tune and letter perfect, if a bit rumbly.

It was better than what he'd been singing when she'd arrived.

[bookyeve.livejournal.com]

Nefertiri continued singing for some time, content, until the song was over, then clapped her hands, very suddenly. "Wonderful. You should sing for your lady."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

He closed down, scowling, and moved away. "I don't have a lady."

[bookyeve.livejournal.com]

"No?" She cocked her head. "None at all. I am surprised." She dangled her legs over the edge of the roof, looking down, down, down. "Is there one you wish for?"