Pleased to Meet You [Belle]

[Peg]

Thunk! Another book fell into the basket. This one was about a princess whose unicorn was kidnapped by a mean, old witch who wanted its magical horn; the princess meets a handsome prince who helps her rescue it in the end. Beneath that was a biography on a famous rock star, and beneath that, a book on golf; one book for every member in Peg’s family. She hoped the book on golf would encourage her husband Pete to read more so she could work him up to that great self-help title, “Love Thy Neighbour.” If there was anyone Pete needed to develop a better relationship with, it was Goofy.

For her, Peg opted for a torrid romance novel involving the rough but dashing highland shepherd Malcolm, and the quiet but charming Aileen. The book was wedged between others on the crammed shelf and Peg struggled to free it. It finally came loose with a hearty tug that sent the woman stumbling back, accidentally knocking over a table display of books.

“Ohhh…”

With a heavy sigh she rolled her eyes and crouched down to clean up her mess, completely embarrassed.

[Belle]

Belle had been deep into a newly discovered aventure novel when all of a sudden a rain of books and a sound of "Ohhhh" shook her out the story. (The heroine and hero had just begun on their trek across a treacherous forest and were realizing that they were not alone!)She looked up to see a woman there and quickly noticed her many books scattered through out the floor. "Ohh dear!Let me help you with those!"Belle offered. She looked around her as she knelt down to pick some up and saw that they were of various genres. As she liked to read herself she instantly recognized some of the stories. "You've got quite a great collection there...I personally like the story book about the witch and unicorns...it has been my favorite story since i was a young girl.."
Realizing that she had started rambling about the books without even introducing herself,she shyly offered her hand and inwardly thought "My where are my manners! It seems as if living in an abandoned yet enchanted castle has blurred them!" Outwardly,she simply said "Hello! My name is Belle...nice to meet you!"

[Peg]

“Thanks,” Peg offered, her cheeks flushed from blushing. When the stranger acknowledged the unicorn story, she reached into her basket to examine it more closely. “Really? Well I hope my daughter likes it; she loves animals and what better animal than a unicorn, hm?” The book slipped through her fingers once again and she clutched her basket with both hands, quietly stepping away from the display now that it was all cleaned up.

Peg assumed that the woman was toying with her when she mentioned her unique home, considering they were discussing unicorns only a moment ago, and brought one hand to her chest as she burst out laughing. “Abandoned yet enchanted? Oh you do love your fairytales,” she noted, wagging a finger.

“It’s nice to meet you too, Belle; I’m Peg.”

She couldn’t help but notice the book in Belle’s arms and asked, “What are you reading? Now me, I love a juicy romance novel.” Peg sighed longingly, “Tropical islands, rolling highland hills, forbidden romance, torn lovers, dashing men… all the makings of a good escape from everyday life. Not that I need an escape, mind you, but it does make a nice treat every once in a while. What are you escaping from?” she pried, eager to lap up a bit of gossip.

[Belle]

Belle looked down at her novel and read the title outloud "The Tides of Time...it's abit of a guilty pleasure i suppose.....it's a combination of adventure and romance...although i have'nt seen much romance yet..." She looked up from the title and smiled at her new acquaintance's disbeleif of her current residence. She laughed along "You'd be surprised...the world is indeed filled with magic and the unexpected..." If she herself had been told that she was to live in a gloomy old catle filled with household servants...well..she would have laughed too.

"I am not...escaping.....as much as taking a secret and short vacation...from the world in which i am part of..."she simply stated. "I'm dealing with some..rather tempestuous people...or rather...one person...who can't seem to keep a lid on his temper..." Belle smiled alittle to herself... "Perhaps you might let me borrow “Love Thy Neighbour.” after you're done with it?? I could read it to said person...."Belle,with a sigh sat herself down..and reminded herself not to complain too much...everyone else in the castle had been kind to her,it was just....the master...the beast...
"It has been awhile since i've been in this library....or out and about for that matter.....do you come here often??"

[Peg]

<I'm sorry this took so long, Belle!>

“The Tides of Time, huh? Well if it’s a real romance you’re looking for, check out ‘Great Scots’ or ‘The Persian Gentleman’ by Ivy MacGuffin.”

Another brusque laugh flew from Peg, completely unintended but absolutely understanding. “He’s not related to my husband is he?” she quipped dryly when Belle mentioned her bitter beau. She glanced at ‘Love Thy Neighbour’ just itching to be read; a worn cover implied that it had been used by many neighbours needing lessons in acceptance. “I don’t see why not!”

Peg swung the basket idly as Belle sat, her thoughts clearly elsewhere but expressed only in a breath. The twitch of a frown formed on her mouth and she stole a swift glance at her watch. P.J. and Pistol wouldn’t get out of school for a couple more hours… it felt wrong to leave the woman here with her lonely musings.

“This library? Oh I come every couple of weeks. It’s important to keep the kids reading! Say, do you want to grab a cup of coffee or something? I don’t have much else going on right now and I think Malcolm can wait until later,” she finished cheekily, referring to the character in her novel.

[Belle]

Belle mentally checked the time she had left on her short escapade from the castle. She figured she could spare abit more time before the others,and especially the beast noticed her absence,(as she had suggested that a long due game of hide and seek was in order..and so engineered a way to give herself alittle bit of time outside the castle) "Coffee?? umm...sure..sounds great!" She replied. Laughingly she said "As for those books and your husband being related to...the bea-...it is to say...to the said tempestous person...well...i have no real idea...he is after all...as mysterious as the home he inhabits...so much to learn....but he won't let me know..." Belle often got caught up in the mystery of the beast.He intrigued her...and for the last couple of months his demeener seemed to change...slightly less stony,towards her. "Anyways! Sure...like i was saying..coffee sounds great...nice normal coffee in a regular provincial life...but i can't stay long..i must go back very soon. I hope you understand!"