Beauty and the Beast (Moonbe version)

Chapter 3: Home

(Still Phoebe's POV)

I made my way into the house and smelled the air. It smelled like paints and a dragonblood incense. I went upstairs to our rooms. I don't live alone, oddly enough. When I first moved here this was the only house with a vacant spot, so I thought it was empty. I was, of course, incorrect. It turned out I would be living with another person, a girl luckily, who was an artist. Her name? Lydia Dreamer. She's a really kind and funny gal. I can't recall one interaction where she hasn't made me smile. Her room is at the farthest end of the hallway (as shown above), as I entered with the bread and strawberries. And there she was, sitting at her desk:

Lydia, my very best friend. She was working on another art piece as I smiled softly. I walked over and noticed the dark circles under her eyes had gotten worse. I sighed and set the food down as she turned to me. Her focused face turning into one of joy as she put the brush down and got up, nearly hugging me before she noticed how much paint was on her hands and clothes. She giggled awkwardly before grabbing a towel and wiping her hands and face, taking off her coat so she wasn't as paint covered. She then finally hugged me as I chuckled and hugged back, my face then turning serious,

"Lydia, how long have you been working?"

"Uhhhhhhhhhhh..." Lydia just looked frozen as she continued to say "uh". In all honesty I did find it adorable. Just a smidge. I rolled my eyes,

"You didn't sleep, did you?" Lydia then became frantic,

"W-What?? Noooooo I totally slept!"

"For how long?"

"F-For uh..." she pulled and looked away from me as she twiddled her thumbs. I watched her incredulously before she sighed,

"Half an hour..." I sighed disappointed before picking Lydia up and laying her in bed,

"You need to sleep." She then immediately sat up,

"No! I'm already so close to finishing this next piece!" She pouted. I glared at her,

"Lydia you are heading out tomorrow to go sell your things. You won't be able to get there if you're tired. Stop being an insomniac and rest." She whined and started shaking me,

"Pleeeeaaaaaaase let me finish this piece!! I promise I'll go to sleep right after!" I grabbed her hands and sighed,

"Fine. But I'm going to be watching you." She nodded excitedly before putting her jacket back on and returning to work, stealing some bites of the strawberries and roll, as I did the same.

After a while of waiting she had finally finished her painting, and honestly? It was beautiful. She and I smiled, proud of her work, before I took her jacket off and made her go back to bed like she promised. Of course she continued to be difficult so I used my magic to make her finally fall asleep. I tucked her in and smiled,

"Nighty night sis." I whispered before leaving the room. She and I aren't blood related but we're close enough to call each other sisters and not mind. I went downstairs and set down my basket, picking up the apple again. Despite being in the same basket as warm bread, it still felt nice and cool. I stared at it as its glossy sheen reflected myself. It was such a beautiful apple. Even though I had it for so many years, it never rot or anything; it was magical. I never once even dared to take a bite out of it, it was that special. As I admired the apple, however, a knock came from the door. To my ignorance I placed the apple down on the table before looking through the peephole. Fajr, once again. I sighed,

"Why am I not surprised?" I wondered in my head, before opening the door, Fajr happily walking in. He seemed much more... cheerful. He turned to me and gave me a hug, extremely suddenly, out of the blue. I flinched and tried to push him away, but his hug was restricting my arms. He then cheerfully declared,

"I love you so much Phoebe! You're the best lover I could ever ask for!" My eyes went wide as uncontrollable rage fueled me, causing me to kick Fajr away,

"I am not your lover!!" I snapped at him, possibly a bit too harshly, but my rage was immense. Tears filled Fajr's eyes,

"But... y-you always talk to me, and are so nice to me... a-aren't we lovers?" I shakily took a breath and looked at him,

"That isn't what lovers are. That's what friends are." Fajr tilted his head before noticing the apple on the desk and getting up,

"Woah...! What a cool apple!" My voice became stuck in my throat as I turned to the apple, Fajr already walking over and picking it up,

"Whats it taste like? Where did you get it? Can I eat it? Pretty please??" My heart sank as I quickly snatched his wrists,

"Fajr no!! Don't eat it!!" He looked at me confused, like a child,

"Why not? Is it scary...?" He whined confused as I sighed shakily,

"I-I don't know... but it—"

"Then it's safe to eat!!" Fajr beamed and was about to take a bite off the apple. My fear shot through the roof as I quickly snatched the apple and, without warning, blasted him out of the house with magic. I then slammed the door shut and tried to calm myself down, holding the apple close and protectively.

(???'s POV)

I felt my chest warm up again. It was like someone was holding me close... but I don't understand why. No one is around. I've been feeling this way ever since... since he... no no... it's probably just me... it's nothing. Besides it's not like I can try to investigate anyway. They won't let me.