"Nothing is useless. And we no longer care what you want Leto. We have let you wallow in pity for far too long. Your parents would be ashamed. You will come down. If not tonight it will be tomorrow. And they can't leave. The path is gone and you know it is unsafe for people in the woods. Most don't have any weapons or any way to use them.

He sighed but returned the small smile his Prince gave him. "Every form has a happy face. There have even been a few times you have graced me with it." He looked away and back out the window. "Even if you do not break the curse we wish for you to at least be more happy. Talk to people, go outside of this room. You might not think we care because the curse will leave us in a year but that isn't true. I will not leave you and having my old form back will mean nothing stuck in this woods."

----------

Levi smiled as both the women ran off. He would have liked to change but he hadn't brought any clothes. He was wearing his best clothes though. They didn't even have any flour on them.

When Lily and Risette came back out he walked over to them. "It is amazing you both could get even more beautiful.

Lily smiled at Risette. The dress she wore was beautiful but Risette's dress put it to shame. And she walked like she was used to it. She is a lady after all. I couldn't compare.

She blushed when Levi walked over to them. "You are a flatterer." She brightened and pointed at her dress. "Did you guys look in the wardrobes? Mine had clothes in them. They even fight me perfectly. I wonder how they knew my size?"

Ethan was right: his parents would be ashamed, but he couldn't bring himself to care. The lords and ladies had raised him when his parents left; their mark had been left dominate above his parents, so any ties he had to them were gone. He knew he was supposed to feel guilt, but he just couldn't bring himself past an empty feeling of what was supposed to be there.

"Then, not tonight." Leto replied softly, not ready to face the villagers and their judgments carried upon the shoulders, given by the society they left. "I will leave this room, as you wish, 'your majesty,'" he answered mockingly, the closest thing to a joke that would ever be able to muster. "I will head into the garden. I'd advise you keep our...guests...away from there, otherwise I can't promise you I won't eat them. Or drop them off the tower. Or both."

He paused to listen to the rest of Ethan's kind words. Really, how was it that he was so good at speaking? How was it that he knew exactly what to say to settle down Leto's fears? Sometimes, he thought Ethan was a mind-reader, and he even thought of asking, though he knew it was a stupid notion and refused to voice it. When he was done, the Prince said nothing in reply, knowing that if he tried, it would end horribly and he'd end up saying something stupid.

"Have a good dinner." Stepping out into the balcony, he flapped his wings and took flight, heading for the garden in search of a beautiful, lone rose. He could only pray to whatever god out there, ignoring him, would remember to look down and make sure none of the guests entered the flowery yard.

Jayson got bored of waiting, so he adventured down the path. He didn't care if it got dark on the way or if he heard any odd noises. The place looked huge. He couldn't imagine how many rooms were inside of the castle. "This is amazing." He held his invitation by his side as he advanced toward the front door. Knocking on the door, he waited for someone to answer.

Akira looked up at the woman. She was glad that fish would suffice for the night. "I got them fresh for tonight. I didn't think the guests would want something that was just beginning to rot. Maybe I'll feed those to the wolves." She refused to feed the animals anything but the best, but that didn't mean the wolves that roamed the forest couldn't have what wasn't suitable for the rest. "Were the horse put in the stables, or do I need to go and do that?" She was glad that they had extra stalls even though no one ever came for a visit. They weren't too fond of the Prince from the stories they had heard of him.

Snow looked at the door. Should I answer that? Finally she walked to the door and opened it. "Hello Sir. Welcome to the castle." She waved him into the castle. "We were just sitting down to dinner. If you would follow me."

Ethan sighed. "Fine my lord." He knew this was hard for Leto so he accepted it. He laughed at Leto's small joke. "Fine then sir. I will advise the guests.

Ethan knew that Leto was worried, not about being stuck in his new form since he had gotten used to it, but that he would be alone. Ethan really cared for Leto and would not leave him alone.

"Thank you sir. He watched as the Prince took off and smiled."

He walked back down to see the guests. "I'm sorry everyone. We will be a bit late to dinner. I am going to show you to the Rose Garden first. We are going to go see the Prince. Everyone must stay calm. If you do not one of the lovely staff will carry you back inside." He waited to see the response.

Addison sighed and shook his head as he retrieved his toolbox from the garden,looking up overhead to see the prince flying into it. He frowned at this, having hoped that, maybe just this once, his master would sit down and enjoy a dinner with his guests. A silly fantasy, he knew, but he had hoped for it. Nevertheless a stir coming from inside caught his attention. Why... did Ethan just say that they were coming to see the prince in the rose garden? Excitement, as well as nervousness, ran through him, and happily, he ran back inside, putting his toolbox away.

Risette let out a small laugh at Levi's comment, nodding in agreement with Lily, "Yes, you are quite the flatterer, Levi." As she pointed to her dress, Risette turned her attention to Lily, smiling. her eyes going a bit wide in surprise. "They knew your size?" she asked, now curious as to how. Then smiling and letting out another small laugh, she made a simple guess, "Magic?" she shrugged and at this point, she wouldn't be too surprised if that guess was right. Then, actually taking a moment to look over Lily's dress, she smiled, "That's a beautiful green, Lily. It suits you." When Ethan entered the room, she again became curious, why wouldn't the prince meet them at dinner? What was going on here? She had an odd feeling about this, but decided she would go into the rose garden after Ethan's lead, if that's what was wanted of the guests.

Sarita paused her preparation as she heard Ethan's announcement, peeking her head out of the dining room in awe. Is he serious? Isn't that... dangerous? What if the master reacts badly to this? She began to fret, but went back to work, a little appreciative of the extra time she had, but worried for the sake of their guests.

Jayson looked up at the woman. She reminded him of a snake. What are these people? He didn't believe in the legend, but this woman was a snake! He saw nothing like it. "Uh, hello." He followed the girl, but then heard another say that they would be heading out into the garden. He wondered what the others looked like. This was all weird to him.

Snow sighed. I guess the prince didn't like the idea of meeting the guests. I wonder if he will be upset? "I'm sorry sir. It looks like plans have changed. If you would mind waiting with the other guests." She moved her long tail out of the way and went to Ethan. She would go out with them.

Ethan smiled at Snow. He knew she would go with them. Maybe with her around the Prince would hold his anger. Other then himself Snow did have the most difficult transformation. At least the rest of them still had legs.

He watched as Addison ran back inside. He thought of going to speak to him but instead addressed the group again. "We will be going outside in a moment. Please do not speak and do not touch the roses."

Lily nodded at Risette. "I know, it is very weird. It must be magic. I want to know if everyone has new clothes." She blushed again. "Oh, thank you." She turned and listend to Ethan and nodded. This is very interesting.

Levi smiled at the women. I wonder if I have new clothes too? He listened to Ethan. That is weird. Why not meet him here? And why can't we talk?

Leto landed on the grass, keeping a few yards away from the petite flowers in case the strong wind from the powerful beat of his wings uprooted them, and that would be a waste. Folding his wings against him, he had thought about calling Addison back; he had scurried inside carrying his tools, and to properly cut out a fine rose specimen, he would need someone with hands and decent knowledge about flowers. After all, he wouldn't want to damage them.

Before calling back the servant with a touch of nature flowing through his veins, Leto decided to observe the rose bushes first. They were growing well, especially the one in the middle. He always felt absolutely horrid when he desired to cut a rose, but alas, it would brighten up his rather dreary room. Deciding on the rose in the center, he stared at the other flowers. Addison had done a magnificent job in keeping them alive and beautiful. They reached for the skies, as if they too were trapped under the curse's oppressive air.

"Addison," he called, without the impatient tone his voice usually held. Something about the garden was peaceful, calming, keeping his anger in check. Something about the flowers seemed to bring out the humanity in him, one that he thought had been lost long ago. "Addison, bring your equipment. I desire a rose from your garden."

"Addison do not speak of my plans. We will be out shortly. If he tries to leave stall him."

Addison had just scurried inside to give the prince some peace in the garden when, alas, he was called back outside once more. Smiling, not taking his master's tone to heart, he grabbed his tool box once more only to be stopped be Ethan's words. Grinning, he let out a small laugh, "What plans, sir?" he winked playfully, before making his way outside quickly, not wishing to try the prince's patience any more so than stopping for Ethan already would have.

A few minutes later, Addison would stand before the prince, bowing his ears up and bouncy once more. "Yes, Your Majesty? Which rose is it that you desire?" He looked over his work fondly, proud of the sweet blooms that arose over his hard labor, and how beautiful they were. swaying gently in the breeze, this particular evening. He inhaled slowly, savoring the smell, before turning to look over the best bush of roses this season: one rose in the center looking particularly perfect. Slipping out his small floral knife from his tool box, he'd wait for the prince's confirmation of his choice before actually going to cut one.

Risette shrugged a little at Lily's questions. Of course, she herself hadn't looked in her wardrobe, but now she was curious, thinking about it carefully. "I'll have to look later tonight after dinner." She then quieted as Ethan spoke, wondering quite a few things about the prince at this time.

Hearing one of the servants say that dinner was almost ready Aireandend felt out of place. Her bag of clothes was still attached to her horses saddle and even then they weren't that nice and they were old. Looking down at her tattered dress she let out a sigh and walked down the stairs. Her old dress was going to have to do. When she got to the bottom she saw everyone standing around. Walking over to the girl she had met before she stopped by her. "What's going on?" She asked softly.

Whirling around the kitchen Dashna was working on may tasks at one time. "I thank you very much for the fish. Just set them there on that table." Pointing behind her she showed her the right one. "As to the horses I think they're just running around. Though one should be waiting by the barn. I heard one of the girls tell her horse to wait by the barn." Turning around she dropped something into a pot of boiling water.

Frustrated with waiting for instructions Max went into the dining room to help the others with the preparations for dinner. Finding Sarita she walked grumpily over. "Do you need me to do anything?" It would keep her busy at least, and stop her from worrying about one of the guests harming Leto in some way. She had heard Ethan's words, and maybe felt a little satisfaction that many of the guests would feel horror when faced with the Prince.

Blythe's eyes brightened when she heard they were going into the gardens to meet the Prince. She wondered what he was like, and she guessed that he must have had at least some animal features like his servants. It was an assumption she made based on observation. "I wonder what animal he is, " wondered the young woman aloud.

A sneer flickered across Alastaire's face. The master of such a domain couldn't be very impressive, with such horrible servants. The man couldn't even keep them in check! There was also the matter of that animal he kept upon his grounds, roaring, it sounded like it would gobble them all up given the chance.

Lily looked over at the at the girl she had met earlier. "I'm not sure. We were going to eat but I think something happened when Ethan left earlier. He sad we're going to the garden now." She shrugged. This day just gets weirder and weirder.

Ethan looked around at the guests. "Everyone ready? Please follow behind me." He turned and started walking to the Rose Garden. He knew Leto would be mad but he needed this. When he saw Addison and Leto he stopped. "Hello Prince. I thought a walk would be nice. Oh, but I'm being rude. Let me introduce the guests." He turned and waved at the guests. I hope they come forward and nothing goes wrong.

Eyes wide Blythe stared, her mind was racing. Then she wondered what it must be like to have wings, to be able to fly high in the skies above everything else. She stepped forward and curtsied. "Hello Prince, my name is Blythe. You have a beautiful rose garden, and the surrounding forests are captivating to say the least," she paused not sure if she should say what was on her mind. The prince might not actually have found anything positive with his form. Ever adventurous in everything the young woman forged ahead. "I wonder what it must be like to fly, is it as wonderful as my mind has led me to believe?"

Alastaire stood frozen in place. The...Beast before him was no prince, it was a monster! Quietly he backed away, only to trip and fall into a rosebush when the Beast was answering the Blythe person. They pricked him and cut him, whilst Alastaire crushed the flowers with his struggles. Panting and heaving, he managed to free himself with tremendous effort. Looking at the roses and remembering the words of the servant he felt as if he had become a block of ice. He was certain the consequences would be disastrous.

Ethan sighed as the rude man from before fell into the rose bush. He waved Snow over to him. "Please help the gentleman out Snow."

Snow nodded and slithered over to him. "Addison can fix the roses sir. Just try to be more careful." She looked the man over. "Are you alright sir? Do you need help with the cuts?" She knew the Prince's appearance had frightened the man and her's probably would too but there wasn't much to do about it now.

The young man suppressed a shiver when the snake woman approached him, slithering all the way. Then she surprised him, by being kind when he had only expected rudeness and insubordination. That was all he got from the servants in his own manor, so he never expected to be treated kindly by anyone. "Yes, if you would be so kind." Averting his eyes from anyone else, Alastaire extended a hand to the gray haired woman to take hers. Bending over he brushed his lips on the small hand he held. "Pray tell, what is your name?"Releasing her, he waited a slightly petulant look on his face. The situation was confusing him.

Snow blushed when he kissed her hand. I am no lady to be treated as such. "My name is Snow. And while the name fit me well enough before," she pointed at her hair, "it fits me even better now. Don't you think?" She waved at her white tail with a grin on her face. "Would you like to go back to your room? I could care for you there? Or would you like to meet the Prince first?" She paused knowing she should leave it at that. "Could I ask your name?" As soon as she said it she looked down. I shouldn't have asked. This man is a nobleman and will think it rude of me. It isn't for the like of me to address one such as him by name.

A small smile flitted across Alastaire's usually severe face. "I would prefer to be taken care of in my room Miss Snow." With a deep breath he tried to ignore the woman's tail and focused on her face. He could deal with strange eyes more easily then with the fact that she had no legs. For a few seconds the blue eyed man debated with himself, but in the end he gave in to his improper wants for once. "My name is Alastaire Uriel Dumont, but please simply call me Alastaire. In all honesty the Prince frightens me, especially since I assume he is the one who roared so frighteningly earlier today." The young man rather hoped the prince in question wasn't paying any attention to the conversation he was having with the intriguing servant.

Addison would groan quietly as the lord fell into the nearest bush of beautiful blooms, one of his hand rising to the side of his face, rubbing his temple and trying to be considerate of the situation. And their guest. Once again, he'd turn to face the prince, awaiting his master's decision, and more importantly, his reaction to Ethan's plan. Addison was sure his master would simply fly away, if not act out in some other way.

Risette's eyes widened a bit in surprise, but to take care not to stare, she averted them for a moment while she collected her thoughts. So, the servants had animal traits, but this man was rather jumbled- still, why could she not look upon their master in the same way? Looking back up at him, now with a much more polite expression, smiling warmly as she awaited her chance to introduce herself. After the lady named Blythe gave her name, Risette finally stepped forward, introducing herself, "Hello, your majesty. My name is Risette Lowvry, it's a pleasure to meet you. Thank you very much for your invitation." she gave a little curtsy afterwards before retreating back into the group so everyone else had room to step up and make proper introductions.

Sarita's eyes widened in a bit of surprise at Max's question, thinking it over for a moment, pausing her preparation work. "Well, for now I am just carrying out the sides we have finished and setting them on the table..." she was going to tell her that she didn't need any help, but judging from the fact that she actually asked, she offered a different answer, "You may help if you'd like?" Then, continuing with her work, picking out some of the castle's best dishes to plate their food on, pausing for a moment, wondering what exactly the main dish would be. Leaning into the kitchen, Sarita called out for Dashna, "Dashna, what will be the main dish tonight?" She wished to know so she could allow for proper space for it upon the table.

Lily's eyes widened in fear. Now this is something to fear not that path. She took a step back then froze noticing the other people's reactions. The servants are nice and they said this is their prince. He can't be too bad. She gulped then stepped forward and bowed. "My name is Lily. I live in a farm not far from here. Thank you for allowing me to stay in your wonderful castle." She took a quick step back into the group.

Levi kept a smile plastered on his face. Working in the shop had helped him perfect this look. You had to polite and smile no matter how rude, mean, or weird a person was. And he had learned how to hide his fear from all those times people had thought him weird and had attacked because of it.

When Lily was done he stepped forward and bowed. "Nice to meet you Prince. I am Levi and I'm a baker. Your palace is much nicer then my floury room. Thank you." He stepped back with the same smile plastered on his face.

Snow picked her head back up and looked at him when he started talking again. She saw the small smile and smiled back at him. "This way then Alastaire." She turned to look at Ethan and hoped everything would be alright. She led the man back inside but paused at the stairs. Going up was so much harder. She turned away from the front stairs and led him to the back servant stairs. She was the only one that really used them anymore because they had been adapted. Their were planks on them now so that she could slide up them. When she reached the second floor and the rooms she turned back to him. "Which room?"

Akira set the bucket of fish down on the counter and sighed. She wished that someone had told her that two of the guests had arrived with horses, so she could properly put them in the stables. "Thank you, Dash. I'll deal with them now." She had decided to walk out through the garden since it was closer to the stables. Might as well get the horse that was already there, then find the one that was running around, but things went differently. She had found one of the horses in the garden, eating a few of the roses. "Addison's going to kill me for this."

Jayson followed the rest of the group out into the garden. Not talk? Why not? Once he saw the Prince, he got nervous. What is this thing? That can't be a man. He didn't believe the rumours to be true, but this thing before him couldn't be a figment of his imagination. He didn't have that great of an imagination. What the hell have I got myself into? "M-my name's J-jayson."

Max quietly set about her task of bringing out the dishes and platters of food. She concentrated on this rather then the worry that plagued her. If anyone harmed Leto in anyway, they would be faced by the rage of a very loyal lioness.

Seeing the difficulty Snow had with the stairs, sympathy welled up within the young man. He followed her silently,nursing the cuts and bruises he'd received from the roses. Alastaire was more then aware of her snake's tail, but for some reason it didn't bother him anymore after watching the young woman struggling to find stairs that would accommodate her. "Room nine, I like my privacy." It was an unneeded explanation, but one the young man offered all the same.

A brush of wind made its way toward him, carrying a group of scents and noises; the unfamiliar smells of humans and the towns. He froze, rigid with fear. Hearing the familiar footsteps of Ethan, Leto slowly turned his monstrous head, yellow eyes steady. His servant's next words sent his innards in a frenzy; only one thought was in his mind: traitor. He was a traitor. The only one who could trust betrayed him. His claws dug into the earth as if to keep him grounded, to prevent him from feasting on the guests for he could feel his hatred and anger rising.

A young woman stepped forward; his eyes hardened, the only thing that showed that he acknowledged her words. She made small talk, questions directed at him, about his garden, about his wings, but she failed to say the one thing he knew was on her mind, the topic that was on everyone's mind: the Prince was a beast. The Prince was a monster. Abruptly, as if to make things worse, a young man tripped and fell over, falling into the a rosebush. Leto's rage spiked, a low growl erupting from his throats; he crouched slightly, wings rising as if he was ready to attack; concern that he would damage the other bushes was the only thing that stopped him from doing so.

More lied to his face, ignoring the obvious. They never mentioned it -- his form, his transformation, his monstrosity. Did they think he didn't know? That he couldn't sense their fright? A low snarl erupted from his throat and he let out aloud roar before quieting, now a seething anger.

A bumbling idiot for a man stepped forward and introduced himself as J-Jayson; he was practically trembling. Leto wasn't sure if it was the animal in him, but he had a sick satisfaction from seeing someone almost piss their pants at the sight of him.

"Yes, human. Fear me. Cower at the sight of me. I hold your life in my hands; at any moment I can strike and devour you in one whole gulp, I can rip you apart. You have all made a grave mistake in coming here. I want you all gone by tomorrow. Take to the woods; if they don't take your life, I surely will." He turned to Ethan and paused, his voice darkening. "Leave with them, Tiald. Your presence is unwanted. I have no need for traitors."

This is the adventure of a lifetime, thought Blythe as she sat down right in front of the prince. It was her silent way of saying she would not leave. The young woman was shaken by the show of anger, but now she knew where that roar from earlier had come from. Leaning forward so her elbows rested on her knees the red head smiled. "I refuse to leave. One cranky prince won't force me away, not when an arranged marriage waits for me." The others probably thought her crazy, for acting in such away. It reminded her of the times she would run away from home, to live in the forest with only Crescent as her companion. The sights she saw! She'd always been entranced by the beauty of the wild cats she'd sometimes glimpsed in the trees. That was what the prince reminded her of.

Snow found herself very happy. He didn't say anything about being brought back here. She walked to room nine and walked inside. She walked to the wardrobe and opened it. There were clothes of every type inside and she knew they would fit him. On the bottom and pushed into the back there was a cloth and a medical kit. She laid the cloth on the bed. "Please sit here. I will look at your cuts."

She understood wanting to be private. After the change she had stayed by herself for a long time. She had felt like she had been punished more then the rest. She had gotten over it though. She still slept seperate from the other maids and always bathed alone though.

Ethan sighed things were not going well. He smiled at the girl when she sat down. He moved inbetween the guests and his angry prince.

"This is how you would act? After all these years in this form you decide to act like a beast? Stop acting like a fool." He stopped knowing he had hurt his friend. In a softer voice he continued, "I am sorry I have hurt you, my friend. Even with your rank you have always treated me kindly. You have been my closes friend." He looked down then back up right in the prince's eyes. "If I leave here in this form you know what will happen. I shall be hunted down and killed by the peopl. And that is if I'm lucky enough to out run the wolves. These people will all die as well. Do you really wish their death? They are after all your people."