Hunger Pangs - Hollow Bastion [complete]
Monster or not, this was getting ridiculous.
Beast had spent endless days here, in his room, plagued with thoughts of worry, shame, and regret. His wife being his only interruption as she paused to rest between her duties, his days had grown tiresome and altogether bleak. Granted, he was usually used to waiting until early morning or late at night to wander the castle, since most of the hallways would be empty. But right now he was getting vaguely claustrophobic and if he didn't leave soon, he was going to have to redecorate this bedroom. He couldn't let a few frightened faces scare him off, could he?
Beast paced the floor, hunger stinging his stomach. For some unknown reason, he hadn't felt like eating the previous night. The hot soup, bread, and wine had been altogether unappealing when the dutiful servants placed it before him. Instead of at least sampling enough to tide him over, he stubbornly refused to eat any of it. And at his size, it wasn't wise or practical to go long without eating at least something. Now, later in the day, he felt remotely starved.
He glared at the door to the exit. This was stupid. All he had to do was walk to the kitchens and request food. They knew who he was - one way or another. With more determination than one would think necessary for getting a meal, he placed his cloak around his shoulders and prepared to leave. On his way out, he passed by a number of mirrors, all face down on a desk. At least he had taken enough care not to break them.
Out in the hall, he stayed close to the wall, not wanting to cross paths with anyone if he could help it. As usual, the five hundred pounds of fur covered flesh was a conspicuous sight amongst the relatively normal looking crowd. Even that duck and dog that followed Sora around didn't get half the looks he did. Then again, they weren't very scary. Beast avoided eye contact as much as possible. He wasn't here to be on display for the public. He just wanted some food.
On his way, Beast idly wondered what had become of Kefka and the "studying" that he had seemed so eager to perform. Not that Beast had much intention of complying, but it had been nice to have someone to talk to that seemed to relate to his plight. Beast shook his head, realizing, for the billionth time, that he was dwelling again. Maybe a stop by the library might be a good idea later on.
The crowd parted and gave him plenty of room as he crossed the hall and approached the kitchen doors. He entered and after a general hushed silence from the people seated at the tables, he was approached by one of the servants who frequently served him and Belle. He placed an order, too hungry to really care what it was, and then took a seat in a far corner of the room, away from the handful of people who were hurriedly eating their own meals, perhaps rushed to get out of the creature's sight.
Beast had spent endless days here, in his room, plagued with thoughts of worry, shame, and regret. His wife being his only interruption as she paused to rest between her duties, his days had grown tiresome and altogether bleak. Granted, he was usually used to waiting until early morning or late at night to wander the castle, since most of the hallways would be empty. But right now he was getting vaguely claustrophobic and if he didn't leave soon, he was going to have to redecorate this bedroom. He couldn't let a few frightened faces scare him off, could he?
Beast paced the floor, hunger stinging his stomach. For some unknown reason, he hadn't felt like eating the previous night. The hot soup, bread, and wine had been altogether unappealing when the dutiful servants placed it before him. Instead of at least sampling enough to tide him over, he stubbornly refused to eat any of it. And at his size, it wasn't wise or practical to go long without eating at least something. Now, later in the day, he felt remotely starved.
He glared at the door to the exit. This was stupid. All he had to do was walk to the kitchens and request food. They knew who he was - one way or another. With more determination than one would think necessary for getting a meal, he placed his cloak around his shoulders and prepared to leave. On his way out, he passed by a number of mirrors, all face down on a desk. At least he had taken enough care not to break them.
Out in the hall, he stayed close to the wall, not wanting to cross paths with anyone if he could help it. As usual, the five hundred pounds of fur covered flesh was a conspicuous sight amongst the relatively normal looking crowd. Even that duck and dog that followed Sora around didn't get half the looks he did. Then again, they weren't very scary. Beast avoided eye contact as much as possible. He wasn't here to be on display for the public. He just wanted some food.
On his way, Beast idly wondered what had become of Kefka and the "studying" that he had seemed so eager to perform. Not that Beast had much intention of complying, but it had been nice to have someone to talk to that seemed to relate to his plight. Beast shook his head, realizing, for the billionth time, that he was dwelling again. Maybe a stop by the library might be a good idea later on.
The crowd parted and gave him plenty of room as he crossed the hall and approached the kitchen doors. He entered and after a general hushed silence from the people seated at the tables, he was approached by one of the servants who frequently served him and Belle. He placed an order, too hungry to really care what it was, and then took a seat in a far corner of the room, away from the handful of people who were hurriedly eating their own meals, perhaps rushed to get out of the creature's sight.