Beauty and The Beast

The clock read 19:10.
Eterrai and Aurora spent the afternoon together, immersing themselves in the vibrant cultural atmosphere of the colorful and polluted sunny afternoons of the city. After visiting tourist spots and shops recommended by Aurora, they decided to end the day with a visit to a local theater, where there would be a performance of the infamous play "Beauty and the Beast."

The theater was an imposing building, with a neoclassical façade adorned with marble columns and elegant sculptures. The carved wooden doors invited visitors into a world of stories and magical performances. The interior of the theater was equally impressive, with crystal chandeliers hanging from the high ceiling and luxurious red velvet seats offering comfort.

The curtains opened to reveal a vast and opulent ballroom, decorated with crystal chandeliers hanging from the ceiling and luxurious tapestries adorning the walls. In the center of the room, a large golden mirror reflected the light of the candles, casting flickering shadows across the space.

"In a distant kingdom, long ago, lived a young and arrogant prince, whose heart was shrouded in shadows. His outer beauty concealed a cold and selfish soul, incapable of feeling compassion or love," narrated the voice.

The Prince entered the room, dressed in elegant clothes, but with a disdainful look. He ignored the subjects who bowed before his presence, walking to the mirror and admiring his own reflection.

"One winter night, an old beggar woman appeared at the castle, asking for shelter from the storm. In exchange, she offered the prince a single red rose."

The Beggar, a fragile and hunched figure, entered the room, extending the rose to the Prince. He rejected her with a brusque gesture, laughing at her appearance.

"Rejected and humiliated, the beggar revealed herself as a powerful enchantress, and cast a terrible curse upon the prince and his castle. He was transformed into a hideous creature, and all who lived there were condemned to a dark fate."

The Beggar transformed into a formidable Enchantress, with a determined look. With a wave of her hands, a blinding light enveloped the Prince, who writhed in agony. When the light dissipated, he was transformed into a grotesque Beast, with sharp claws and a fierce expression.

"The rose that the Enchantress offered to the prince became an enchanted rose, whose petals would fall over the years. If he did not learn to love and be loved in return before the last petal fell, he would remain a Beast forever."

The curtains closed and, when they opened again, revealed a quaint village. In the center, a beautiful and dreamy young woman named Belle read a book under the sunlight. Her expression was one of enchantment, lost in the pages of an adventure tale.

"In the same village lived a young woman named Belle, known for her intelligence and kindness. Despite her beauty, she was seen as an eccentric for her passion for reading and her desire for adventures beyond the village borders."

Belle stood up and began to walk through the village, greeting the villagers cheerfully. She encountered Gaston, an arrogant and vain man, who courted her insistently. Belle politely rejected him, but Gaston did not take the refusal kindly.

"Gaston, a vain and ambitious hunter, could not accept that Belle rejected his advances. Determined to win her over, he planned to force a marriage."

Gaston and his thugs whispered among themselves, plotting a sinister plan to capture Belle and coerce her into marriage.

The curtains closed again and, when they reopened, revealed the dark and oppressive interior of the Beast's castle. The walls were covered in cobwebs, and the air was cold and damp. The Beast, now a tormented being, wandered through the empty corridors, lamenting his curse.

"Meanwhile, in a distant castle, the Beast lived in solitude and despair. The hope of breaking the curse seemed more distant with each passing day."

Worried about her father's absence, Belle decided to search for him in the forest. She found her way to the Beast's castle, where she was captured by the enchanted servants of the castle.

"Belle, searching for her missing father, found her way to the Beast's castle. Upon discovering the truth about the curse, she offered to take her father's place as a prisoner."

The Beast entered the room, observing Belle with curiosity and suspicion. Belle, despite her initial fear, faced the Beast with courage and dignity.

"As time passed, Belle's presence began to bring new light to the castle. Her kindness and compassion touched the Beast's dark heart, and an unexpected friendship blossomed between them."

The Beast and Belle shared moments of closeness and understanding, reading together in the library and exploring the dark gardens of the castle. The Beast began to transform internally, learning to value kindness and love.

The curtains closed once again and, when they opened, the castle's ballroom was revealed, now decorated for a grand ball. Chandeliers shone brightly, and the atmosphere was magical. Belle and the Beast danced together, their souls connected by a deep bond.

Narrator: "That night, a sense of hope filled the castle. The Beast and Belle danced under the starlight, and the curse seemed close to being broken."

Scene: As the Beast and Belle danced, a shadow approached. Gaston and his henchmen invaded the castle, determined to destroy the Beast and take Belle back to the village.

Narrator: "But darkness had not yet been defeated. Gaston, consumed by arrogance and envy, led an attack on the castle, intent on killing the Beast and claiming Belle as his own."

Scene: A fierce battle unfolded in the castle. Gaston and the Beast fought intensely, while Belle desperately tried to intervene. During the fight, the Beast was gravely wounded by Gaston, who fell from the castle roof to his death.

Narrator: "The battle was brutal and relentless. The Beast, mortally wounded, fell at Belle's feet. The last petal of the enchanted rose was about to fall, and time was running out."

Tears streaming down her face, Belle knelt beside the Beast and embraced him tenderly.

"Please, don't leave me... I love you," Belle whispered, her voice breaking with sorrow.

Narrator: "Belle's words of love brought a glimmer of hope to the Beast's heart, but the curse was unforgiving. The last petal fell, and with it, the Beast's life ebbed away."

In his final moments, the Beast transformed back into the Prince, now redeemed but unable to escape his tragic fate. With one last breath, he died in Belle's arms.

The curtains closed, and when they opened again, they revealed the empty and somber ballroom. Belle's solitary figure was kneeling beside the Prince's body, her face marked by suffering.

Narrator: "The final tragedy befell the castle. The Beast, transformed into the Prince for a brief moment, found redemption but not salvation. Belle, now alone, carried the weight of love and loss."

Scene: Belle, in deep mourning, slowly rose and walked to the golden mirror. She saw the reflection of the Prince and the Beast there, a perpetual reminder of their sacrifice and love.

Narrator: "The castle remained silent, its walls echoing the pain of an impossible love. Belle, though devastated, decided to preserve the Beast's memory, transforming the castle into a sanctuary of remembrance."

Scene: Belle was seen caring for the castle, keeping the gardens and corridors clean and well-maintained. She often sat in front of the golden mirror, speaking to the image of the Beast and the Prince, finding solace in her memories.

Narrator: "And so, the story of Beauty and the Beast became a tragic legend, a tale of love, redemption, and loss. Light and darkness danced together, eternally intertwined in Belle's heart."

The curtains closed.

Eterrai and Aurora had watched a captivating play that transported them to another time and place. However, while Aurora was enchanted by the production, Eterrai was less impressed. He thought the play was a bit silly but didn't want to ruin Aurora's experience.

As they left the theater, they were greeted by the fresh night air, which brought a sense of renewal. The city lights shimmered like artificial stars, reflecting on the streets wet from the recent rain. Eterrai and Aurora walked together, chatting animatedly about the play they had just watched.

"It was amazing, wasn't it?" Aurora said with a radiant smile. "I loved the Beast's performance, even if that costume was pretty awful."

Eterrai shrugged, trying not to sound too critical.

"It was alright," he replied.

Aurora laughed, excited.

"And that final scene? (T o T)," she said, making a crying face.

Eterrai smiled, appreciating her enthusiasm.

"Aurora, I forgot to ask you earlier... I saw some people looking at you, and I'm almost sure I saw your picture on some poster. What do you do, anyway?" he asked.

"Oh, I thought you had recognized me and just didn't want to mention it. I forgot you're new in town," Aurora said, her eyes shining. "I'm the co-director of the research, genetics, and engineering lab at Wonder City. I was one of the people responsible for creating those guys over there," she said, pointing to a poster of the three guardians.

Eterrai looked at the poster, impressed.

"Wow, really?" he said, clearly in awe.

Aurora smiled, proud of her work. But as she glanced at her watch, her expression changed to one of mild regret.

"Oh, it's getting late. I have to work early tomorrow," she said apologetically. "It was a wonderful day, Eterrai. Let's see each other again; the city is too big for you to be wandering around without your number one guide."

Eterrai smiled and raised an eyebrow.

"Sure, Aurora. It was great spending the day with you. Until next time."

Aurora beamed, waving as she walked away.

"See you soon! Good night!"

Eterrai stood there for a moment, watching Aurora walk away, feeling a special connection forming between them. As he walked into the illuminated night, a sense of anticipation grew in his chest.

"Research, genetics, and engineering, huh?" he thought.

The clock read 22:22.