Beauty and the Beast (Moonbe version)

Chapter 2: The Village

Later, in the morning...

(Once again, Phoebe's POV)

I reentered the village as people were walking around and talking with each other. I went to the library; a small building. Not too heavily decorated, and a half-assed sign on it that was about to fall off. I sighed and entered,

"Ah, good morning Phoebe." The librarian said calmly. I nodded in reply as I returned the book I had been reading. I then grabbed another book off the sparse shelves, one of my favorites. The librarian didn't exactly care, considering he and I were the only two bookworms in the village. The only books we got were the ones given via trading, but even then the librarian was the only one interested in trading for books.

This village wasn't the most modern. It was quite rustic, but the aesthetic was one to appreciate. I looked around at the people talking as they sat down at some tables, some eating, some not. The trees around us swayed in the breeze as their leaves fell and drifted away. I sighed as I stared at the ground, focusing on my feet as I made my way to my first stop, the bakery,

"Good morning." I softly said to the baker. Out of all the shops, his is the most popular, since bread was easy to come by. Though he did forbid people from eating inside; he was quite fickle about ants, you see. Rather than having an entire shop, he simply opened a window and left breads out to be bought. I bought a roll as the baker said something to me, but I tuned him out. The roll was nice and warm, fresh from the oven. I put it in my basket before I continued walking. Next stop was the fruit vendor,

"Good morning!" She cheerfully chimed. I shrugged and looked at the array of fruits she had; baskets of blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries scattered on the cart,

"Still nothing?"

"No... nothing on that apple of yours..." the vendor sighed sadly. I've asked her before about the black apple in my basket, but she's had no clue about it. There doesn't even seem to be any records of black apples. I shrugged and grabbed a small container of strawberries, purchasing them before making my way to the center of town. In the center was a beautiful fountain, intricately designed and well kept. Lots of clotheslines hung around nearby as wet clothes were pinned, slowly drying. The villagers use the fountain for doing laundry, since, for whatever stupid reason, they're adamant on staying in the past and not getting washing machines or anything. I sighed and stared at the fountain for a moment, before someone sat down on it in the corner of my eye,

"Hello weirdo."

"Hello Maria." I replied calmly as Maria and her sister Rebecca walked over and sat on the fountain,

Now, don't get me wrong. They're good. It's just that they can be rather... sassy at times. They were bullies back in high school and they're still figuring themselves and their behavior out. Maria gave me a strained grin,

"Hows it going, being such an outcast?" I shrugged,

"It's peaceful." Rebecca chuckled,

"Come on she's not totally alone, what about that shut in who's always tinkering away at night?" I rolled my eyes at them,

"Lydia."

"Riiiiight Lydia!" Rebecca chimed sarcastically. I grumbled softly becoming annoyed. Maria punched Rebecca in the shoulder as the two laughed. I walked away annoyed before being approached by someone else,

"My my... do they ever shut up?" I looked up and saw Fajr again, who was staring at the girls in disdain. I sighed and shrugged. I've got nothing better to do, so I guess I'll strike up a conversation with him. At least he isn't being... wild,

"Nope, they just love tormenting me. I don't know why."

"Maybe it's cause they think you're an easy target...?" Fajr questioned as he crossed his arms, "I mean you're a nekojin with an eyepatch and... yeah..." he looked away trying to find a nicer way of putting his words together. I shrugged once again,

"Doesn't matter. I'll be at home now, please do not bother me, okay?" Fajr nodded as he called over his horse, Asteroid, and rode off. Dude's always going off on missions, collecting supplies for the town. I sighed with a roll of my shoulder before heading back home.