BEAUTY AND THE BEAST AU 1

[enigmaster]

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[agoodname]

[Oswald just stares a moment. That was....what was that? There's a strange, halting dissonance between "that is a terrifying demon-creature" and "awwww" in his brain right now, grating against each other, and he can't help but choke on an incredulous half-giggle as a result, eyes a bit wide.]

[enigmaster]

[Edward looks up at that. If he could blush, this is the part where he would. As it is, he just growls a little and turns away some more. HE'S NOT EMBARRASSED, YOU'RE EMBARRASSED!]

[agoodname]

[ashdlhkfhs that growl is enough to remind him that hey this creature has some long claws and looks pretty demonic--and he schools himself back into amused pleasantness]

Apologies. I'm afraid you've got something--[on your snout??? no, nope, too weird right now for him]--ah...just here. [and he indicates the side of his own nose, rubbing at it]

[enigmaster]

[He's just. Gonna wipe at his snout with his wing, trying to get it off.]

[agoodname]

[alskdhflskh okay yep this is still incredibly terrifying and he feels it in his bones but also that's kind of cute Which is some massive amounts of cognitive dissonance. Good thing he's used to pushing through anything happening mentally and keep up a good face. And he softens his expression slightly] Here--no, you're missing it. Come here, let me get it for you. [and he's pushing to his feet]

[enigmaster]

[Oswald stands up and, immediately, Edward presses a little further into the corner. Wary. Nervous. ...Maybe not the image of a terrifying demon like this. But he doesn't quite trust like that.]

[agoodname]

[Oswald huffs a bit] Come now--I only want to help. [and he holds out a hand, trying to beckon him] You helped me, after all.

[enigmaster]

... [He's... very wary, still. Edward doesn't much like or trust people and it's been a very long time since he's dealt with one for this long. Honestly, he's forgotten how to. But... But it seems safe enough. So, maybe a little slowly, he'll... approach.]

[agoodname]

[Oswald waits patiently as the beast approaches, keeping his hand held out. He can sniff it or whatever, if he wants. He'll just wait, keeping himself still but relaxed. It's almost like dealing with a skittish wild animal.

Just...patience and time. That's what he needs here. And to not freak out maybe at this giant beast getting very close to him.

The beast hasn't eaten him yet. It wrapped up his arm. It's fine.

Well, okay, that last part is a bit of a lie, but sometimes you have to lie to yourself to make things work. It doesn't stop his heart from hammering in his throat, though, despite how he appears]

[enigmaster]

[Skittish wild animal is right, honestly. Edward doesn't really sniff him, exactly, but he is keeping a very close eye on Oswald's movements. It's obvious to anyone right now that he's very tense. This is... really close. He doesn't like to be this close to people. But he's here, now, and he just... stays, for now, as much as instinct is telling him to get the hell out of here.]

[agoodname]

There, now, let me see--[and Oswald's pulling his sleeve down a bit over his wrist so he can wipe the gruel spots away gently with his sleeve] Ah..you'll have to bend down a bit. There's a spot I can't reach, just up there...[and he's trying to reach for it, but he really can't stand on his other foot for really any amount of time right now--and thus he wobbles slightly]

[enigmaster]

[It takes a moment, but he'll bend down. Fine, then. Which'll put them eye to eye.]

[agoodname]

[this is a lot this is very much a lot coming face to face with a beast like this. He could easily tear Oswald in two if he so chose. But he hasn't. There's an intelligence there, clearly. So Oswald's leaning in just a bit, doing his best to keep his expression mild as he gets the last of the gruel on his face] There. That's better.

[enigmaster]

[Edward's ears fold back, nervously, but. All Oswald does is wipe the food off his face. There's a beat and then he just... warily steps back again. Trying to resist the urge to drop into a crouch again.]

[agoodname]

[The beast is definitely wary. Which is...honestly incredibly puzzling, because he is in a much better position than Oswald. Oswald is heavily injured and not in the greatest shape right now--he can barely even walk. This creature? Can climb on ceilings and probably fly and has some incredibly sharp teeth. He can't help but look a bit amused because it's just so ludicrous. This beast is just as afraid of Oswald as he is of him.] That wasn't so bad, was it?

[enigmaster]

[No, he supposes it wasn't. He still doesn't much trust this, but. It's... alright, for now. Maybe.] ...I. Guess. [It's rough, again. He's still not used to speaking.]

[agoodname]

[...yep those were definitely words. So absolutely intelligent enough for conversation.] That's a start, I suppose. [his amusement only seems to grow, and he slowly lowers himself back into the chair] What's your name?

[enigmaster]

[He narrows his eyes, turning his head away slightly. Ears still very much folded back. He's not... sure if he wants to say or not.] ... What's yours?

[agoodname]

Oswald Chesterfield Cobblepot.

[he answers immediately, resting his elbow on the table, and his chin on his hand. The corner of his mouth is still quirked in amusement because what else can he do about this situation but laugh?? It's either that or scream and that won't help anything at this point. Besides he's...starting to get use to the look of this creature. "Starting" being the key word...it's still pretty terrifying.]

[enigmaster]

... [This is starting to feel almost like an actual conversation. What does he... do with this.] ...Edward.

[agoodname]

[Oswald's not sure what he expected, but it certainly wasn't that. Not something that, well...normal. It's a concession, really, and an exchange and...well. If nothing else, it's certainly a victory on his part] Edward. [there's a warmth that seeps into his voice a bit, sounding pleased. A little flattery, after all, goes a very long way. Especially if this beast is intelligent as he seems.] It's nice to know the name of my rescuer~

[enigmaster]

[He's... quiet at that. Not sure what to do with it. If he should respond or not? In what way? It's... weird. Rescuer, huh?] You were bleeding. [...] I didn't... do a lot.

[agoodname]

I was bleeding. I'm fairly certain I had a fever as well, and I'm certain I still had part of that arrow in my arm when I got here. [he gestures to his own arm] That is no longer the case. So I'm certain I would be in a much worse position without your help. [well, he's not lying??]

[enigmaster]

...You did kind of barge in. Had to do something. [Like, you were bleeding in his castle. GOSH.]

[agoodname]

[Oswald chuckles at that, trying to keep looking amused despite the sudden spark of annoyance--barge in, seriously??? As much as he would very much like to make a snide comment right now, at the moment he's still feeling out the situation. He needs to keep it friendly. It would not be good for this creature to reverse his opinion of Oswald, which already is tenuous at best] I do apologize for barging in. Had there been any other seemingly-abandoned castles in the area, I promise I would have imposed myself there rather than here. However, at the time, it was my only option.