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

[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?"

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

Samantha. "No," he growled.

[bookyeve.livejournal.com]

Nefertiri didn't believe him. Not the way he sang before. But there seemed no point in forcing the issue. "Had I someone to sing for, I should buy musicians and magicians and jugglers to sing it to the world." She thought of Tyler, and paused. "But I have no surety. Yet." She leapt down from the balustrade, and turned to look back at the Beast. "It is a thing to celebrate, is it not?"

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

"No." It wasn't quite a growl this time, more of a grumble. "It is not."

[bookyeve.livejournal.com]

"I hope that time proves you wrong, enchanted one." Nefertiri strode away and called back, "There is more than one type of magic."

[anextimeagent.livejournal.com]

He watched her go, tail twitching, the counter to his curse looming large in his mind.