A Rose for the Beast

Initiating The Plan

The festivities developed rapidly with the bears cooking, the gorillas and chimps decorating, and Mr. Dubois directing the setup in the dining room.

Once the animals finished their work, they set the table and gathered around it to make a toast. Rosalie noticed Michel's absence, but at least he hadn't expressly forbid the party from happening. Mr. Carotte hopped through the room, pouring champagne as he went. When their glasses were full, they raised them high.

Rosalie paused, pondering the words she should say in honor of this special occassion. Unfortunately, she was at a total loss.

"To Rosalie LaFleur, the most beautiful and kindest lady in all the land!"

Everyone's head turned toward the open doorway where Michel stood. All at once they toasted her and her face burned. Adoration wasn't something she was accustomed to.

They drank together and conversation ensued while she continued gazing at Michel from the corner of her eye. He wore a pair of dark blue trousers with a matching embroidered velvet dress coat over a cream white shirt. A single rose in his breast pocket drew her attention.

He caught her staring and sent her a weak smile. Then, he strode around the table to his seat at the other end. The chatter of staff and clanking of dishes filled the room. She talked with Mr. Dubois for a bit, thanking him for all of his hard work, though he hadn't done anything besides order people around. None of the other animals ever complained. She supposed having a leader and middle man to the master had its perks.

Rosalie poured some more bubbly liquid into a couple of empty glasses and migrated to sit next to Michel. He didn't acknowledge her, simply continuing to survey the room. He seemed to be out of place, as if he hadn't been in this kind of social setting in a very long time.

She almost felt bad about undermining him.

Almost.

Carefully sliding the glass across the table to offer it to Michel, she smiled when he finally looked at her.

"It is a party," she said while tapping the base of the glass.

Michel glanced down at it, then shook his head.

"I prefer to have a clear mind."

Rosalie bit her lip, attempting to come up with a different strategy. Then, she smirked.

"I didn't realize the great Master of BelleMontagne was such a bore. And here I was, thinking he had a wild side."

A hush fell over the room, her challenge cutting into everyone's discussions. They murmured quietly amongst themselves, no doubt calling her crazy for daring their master. It didn't matter to her.

Michel's lips formed a thin line as he raised on brow.

"I don't think you understand just how volatile my wild side is," he warned.

Narrowing her gaze, she swiped a full bottle from the table and popped it open. With her eyes still on Michel, she turned the bottle up and started chugging the contents. If she wanted to make progress, she'd have to get her hands dirty.

As she finished a third of the bottle, she plopped it back on the table in the space between them. Rosalie grinned at the astonishment pasted on every face in the room, then she looked pointedly at Michel.

"Try me," she said.

She took some enjoyment out of the collective gasp from the crowd. Rosalie noticed that the animals had gathered closer, even Mr. Dubois was interested in the tense exchange.

Michel's eyes were glued to hers. A battle of wills ensued as he waited for her to retract the challenge and she waited for him to follow through.

"Monseuir Carrote," the master summoned his Maître'd.

"Yes, Master?"

"Bring me the imported whisky from the cellar," he said with a strange gleam in his eye.

Rosalie's forehead wrinkled in confusion as she watched the rabbit hop out of the room. She turned back to Michel, who smirked mischeviously.

The rabbit came back with a large bottle filled with honey colored whisky and two short glasses. She'd never tasted it before, but it didn't intimidate her. She read the label and gaped at the year, slowly moving her eyes back to Michel's amused face.

He filled the cups to the top and passed one to her. Then, he downed his entire glass full of whisky.

Tipping his head toward her, he lifted his empty cup and said, "Bottoms up."