Fancake

Fandom: Beauty and the Beast
Characters: Beast, original characters
Rating: Gen
Length: 5K words
Author Links: at AO3

Theme: small fandoms, female character

Summary: The story begins at the Beast’s castle, where the curse has been going on for close to a hundred years. Over that time, a procession of women has graced the Beast’s table; though none have been able to break the spell. It doesn’t look hopeful for the latest candidate, Vivian. She hates everything about her situation: the loneliness, the invisible servants, and the Beast himself.

All of this is told through the eyes of Emma, one of those invisible servants. Not only do we learn the back story of the curse, but what has happened since. Sadly, she and the other servants were collateral damage; everyone in the castle was caught up in the magic and the sorrow that was directed at her master.

But Emma has learned to cope and to continue to hope that, one day, the right person will come along to break the spell. Because in the case of magic, anything is possible.

Reccer's Notes: This is chock-full of world-building and very atmospheric. The focus isn’t on the Beast, although he definitely plays his part. It’s about the fall-out from a piece of angry magic and the long, cruel situation that affects everyone who touched him; spreading out like ripples in a lake where a heavy rock has been dropped. Yet it’s also a story of humanity; how people, even those with incredible burdens, still live their lives. Written for Yuletide 2011, this revisionist look at the oft-told fairy tale is definitely worth a read. Enjoy.

Story Link: Invisible