Part 2 of the Cu Beauty and the Beast AU discussion with rigamaroo
…Mr. Ree as the Enchantress….
*cracks up laughing*
Ok, but that actually kind of makes sense (though I’m now thinking of the whole ‘Tim the Enchanter’ thing from Monty Python). You make good points and given how he’s like with Krupp as well as being an ‘only sane man’ it in of makes sense. Now I can see his ‘real form’ included a nice green suit and that toilet plunger is secretly his wand.
I don’t think he’d do the ‘offering the rose’ trick, but I think he’d try to give fair warning to Krupp about separating the boys and making so many students suffer in the process as a test to see if there’s a bit of compassion left in him. And he’d probably try to subtly remind him that ‘not all parents would be supportive if they deemed their child as failures, like if if they couldn’t pass a grade’ so see if that could awaken SOMETHING in Krupp. And of course, Krupp doesn’t listen.
Itwould be pretty nice if Mr. Ree hung around and did little things to keep the school running. He’d repair a few things, nothing enough for Krupp to realize it but just so that the place isn’t falling apart and over run with vermin. But still, he’d pop in on occasion, do some magic, see that Krupp hasn’t changed one bit and pop back out. But wouldn’t he be surprised to find Edith and the boys there, then get excited to see the small changes taking place to Krupp’s character. A sigh of relief and, “ok wise guy, don’t screw this up.” Muttered barely loud enough for anyone to hear.
Oh, and that could be why Krupp and Edith share their dreams, since Ree sees that maybe the big lummox needs some help coming out of his shell, aware of how self conscious he was before the transformation and even more so as a beast. After all, I don’t see Mr. Ree as being a spiteful person. He just wants to see people being taken care of.
Ya know, it’d be super sweet if, say, during the dream, Edith starts to feel more comfortable in practicing her dance steps with her midnight visitor. She just feels so warm and content with him, he’s all kinds of silly and encouraging aging, and says as much when she sleepily places her head on his shoulder, whispering about how she wishes they could stay like this forever. Krupp could be fighting the blush and goofy smile on his face, leaning his cheek against her hair and praying the sun never rises. But sooner rather than later they feel the warmth slip away and they know the dawn approaches.
Then to mirror a little of that into Edith dancing with Krupp in the theater, and the wheels in her head begin to turn, she can’t help but start to piece together the similarities, especially when she looks into his eyes.
It’d be interesting to have the boys witness Mr. Ree in all his magical vengeance, and then theyd get some satisfaction seeing Krupp getting his well deserved come uppance, but they’d probably flip out when he started to change (screaming and thrashing from the transformation)that Ree would find it more of a mercy if everyone forgot Benny and most especially what he turned into.
What if that fateful night came back to them in bits and pieces in the shape of nightmares, and Edith was the first to come rushing in to comfort them? They’d tell her all about how terrifying the monster in their dream was, saying it was almost like they were there and it all really happened! Then look confused when they both admit to having the same dream.
Krupp would inevitably come charging in to see what all the commotion is about, having heard them aclear across the hall to his office. But instead of being mad at them for disturbing his sleep, he’s more defensive thinking someone broke in. That area of town isn’t the safest any more and it wouldn’t be the first time some delinquent attempted to cause trouble.
Edith would explain it was only nightmares, not mentioning it was about him (since she does NOT want to deal with any more drama tonight). Krupp hmfs at that, still going around checking the windows to be sure. He eventually grumbles that unless the place was on fire, don’t make a peep, but theyd already seen the worry in his eyes and Edith can’t help but think it rather sweet he came in to protect them.
The big softy.
@rigamaroo Aw, Ree cares about Krupp. Yeah, I guess he wouldn’t want Krupp to be too miserable. He’d also be the reason why almost everything stays stocked, and how the boys and Edith could get proper bedrooms in the school, because I highly doubt there’d be much. I’m still going with the magic bedrooms, unless you want to say that the school had stuff on hand in case of an air raid.
I’m thinking that either he got the boys and eventually Edith to go to the school Ant-Man style where he dropped a word about it to Erica, who told the boys about out. Man, it’s tempting to have Yewh in this AU too, and then she could be his veela girlfriend in disguise (sorry, but it was tempting to make a Harry Potter reference). Too bad for her that the ‘oui oui’ jokes won’t stop.
Yeah, I was kind of going for something similar to that: Edith seeing Krupp’s human form. Ree wants to make sure that Edith will be prepared to know that Krupp isn’t physically attractive as a human (including the fact that he doesn’t actually have hair), but I could see how that could help Krupp out a bit and him feeling more comfortable as a human in the dream world and being seen as such could help his confidence (even though I don’t WANT him to be aware of the fact that his human form is that of CU’s, because it’s funny).
Oh god, that image of them practicing with dancing and her making that wish while he’s all happy about it…. *squeals in delight* I’d love it if they were being all awkward with working out the dance moves while music is playing on a jukebox that appeared out of nowhere. And ‘CU’ is just so happy because it’s one of many new moments where he’s beginning to have genuine fun and doesn’t have to feel so out of place. But yeah, the sun is approaching and he wants SO much to stay like this and be able to be human for a little longer–be actually able to feel her without any fur in the way, or hold her without worrying about crushing her–but alas, the dream must end.
But yeah, I could see them dancing like you said, and she shyly looks up at him. Then realizes that she’s seen those eyes before–they hold that same excitable warmth and adoration that CU has and they seem to be the exact same color, now that she thinks of it. She’s already comfortable with Krupp, but now something about those eyes is making her feel something a bit more and she ends up repeating the resting his head on his shoulder thing. And of course Krupp is internally screaming with excited joy.
YES! The boys are THERE when Ree punishes Krupp. I think you’re right, they would find it awesome, but then they see WHAT the curse is doing to Krupp (and it’s not a pretty sight, considering just how agonizing the transformation actually was for him, not to mention just how much it was like out of a horror movie, with his screams going from human to animalistic).
So the boys remembering would be like in the 2014 version of Beauty and the Beast, where the past is revealed though dreams? That would be one way to go. And I think that’s sweet that Krupp would slowly get protective of the boys (yeah, the school and the surrounding neighborhood is in complete ruins). Daw, that’s a nice way to show his softer side to Edith. I’m guessing this would be a few days after he saved them.
I don’t know if the boys would get all the details of the past right away. Like maybe they can remember the transformation and know that it was Krupp, but I think they wouldn’t know how that happened as well as their involvement until much later.
Oh by the way, I’ve been doing drawings for this AU. It’ll take me awhile before they are ready, but… well, I guess I’m doing some drawings for this.
Holy snap there’s pictures! I must see them when you finish! Seriously, your style and all these scenes would be the cutest thing in the god dang world. Just…. -grabby hands-
I like the idea of Mr. Ree enchanting the place in helping to take care of itself, and mostly to cater to good peoples needs. Like, let’s say Krupp’s spent how many years living like an animal and grumbling about plaster falling on his head or getting tripped up on the stairs, then to find out the building/magic was doing that stuff because he was being disrespectful and mean while Edith, George and Harold were finding snacks by their bed, clean clothes and what not all because they were being nice. He’d be so p.o.ed to find that out.
And also with that neighborhood being unsafe, it’s no wonder Krupp was on edge when the boys broke in. He probably imagined someone with a gun had come to kill him, but seeing it’s nothing but two snot nosed brats with a camera and flashlight makes him more mad at himself for getting so worked up.
They’d get a sense of dejavu looking at him, but the fear would be palpable when he lets lose a roar and their legs turn to rubber.
Oh, a funny idea that leads into one of yours would be how Krupp notices Edith’s aversion to standing so close to him. She sort of gasps every now and then, making his hopes sink when ever she starts to scoot away. He snidly comments about how she’s to delicate to stomach being around him, only to have Harold and George sort of slide up next to him with clothes pins on their noses, “actually, it’s because you smell like a fart trapped inside a shag rug.”
He gets so embarrassed and flustered, then self aware that there are worse things than his appearance alone. All that leads up into the boys forcing him to take a bath.
Aw shucks! *blushes* It’ll take awhile, but hopefully some time this moth. I’m still doing the pencil drawings.
Yes, loving the idea for Ree having the school cater to those who are good while giving Krupp a hard time. Krupp WOULD be SO ticked off if he found out. But I think that the more he softens up, the less he has to suffer from his own school turning on him. Also, I think Ree would let him have access to newer clothing. I mean, there’s got to be another reason for him to start wearing clothes again when he doesn’t seem to have access to them, other than it’s because he’s trying to make an effort to act more like a person again. Heck, that might even be how he gets the outfit for the dance.
Ooooh oh my oh dear -clutches heart- I’m loving every new bit added to the ballroom scene. Yes she would be so excited and you can just feel how much these two care for each other, especially when the song starts to wind down and they’re both flushed from all the Adrenalin. They can’t tear their eyes away from each, even when the boys are stealing all the dessert in the background. The world just fades away like it does in their dreams. Then slowly, they lean forward, ready to kiss, only to get pulled out of the moment when the record skips.
If the mirror scene would follow, there’d have to be a set up for it first so people know it exists. Such as both Harold, George and Edith exploring the principals office together and the boys discover it laying on the ground - while Edith is busy trying to figure out why the beast has a closet full of wigs.
They could activate the mirror by commenting on how they were wanting to see a new B-movie and it starts playing. They all get so distracted by it they don’t realize Krupp is behind them until it’s to late. Calamity ensues.
You said you were also wanting for Edith to give him a present too, sort of in exchange for the mirror. How about she gives him the hypno ring? Maybe in the beginning of the story, she had bought some crackerjack boxes for the boys, though they shared one with her to be nice. At the bottom could’ve been the ring.
Or maybe Mr. Ree could own the ring and it’s what he used to curse Krupp. So maybe then you could use the hair clip and a kiss on the cheek as the gift instead cus, ya know, home girl belle could’ve kissed the beast and I would’ve been down with that.
You make some good points with Krupp’s reaction to the boys breaking and entering. Man, that’d be all kinds of confusing on why he’s so butt hurt around them, especially if they’re all, “who even are you, old man?!”
“I’m the guy you helped ccccuurrr-cu-cuuuurrrssss-!!!! Dagnabbit!” He slams his fists into a table and splits it in half, frustrated that he can’t talk about the curse to anyone.
As for the remedy to how they handle Krupp after the wolf scene…. hmmmm. Maybe they could put some air fresheners around his neck, or spray him down with febrez before approaching. Or maybe Edith figures she’ll just have to bite the bullet and take charge whether he likes it or not. He could snarl and snap that she should stay away since he “doesn’t want to offend her with his stench.” Which could devolve into the “you need to control your temper!” bit.
“Maybe if you washed every now and then you wouldn’t smell so bad.”
“Maybe if you minded your own darn business you wouldn’t have to get close enough to smell me. What were you doing in my room?!”
“Why do you have a closet full of wigs?”
“How is that even important right now?!”
Etc etc
He’d flinch when she dabbed just a little to hard at his wounds, reminding her to be careful. She could huff, apologe for hurting him and dab more gently. He’d still clench his teeth when it stung to badly, but for the most part he’d keep his trap shut. She’d feel somewhat bad and pull her hair back, then blow on the wound to help. And badabing badaboom, Krupp finds his eyes growing in size taking her in. Even in the dreams she’s kept her face partially hidden, so this is all new and my god is she pretty!
The scene could end with the boys kind of noticing the shift between the two adults, like in the movie where they kept going on about how they like like each other.
I’m not really sure how Edith would accidentally reveal Krupp to the town, or if it would be the boys, or the mirror got misplaced or confiscated by the authorities. She couldve gotten her alibi called out for being false and turns to toilet paper salesman to whisper, “you wouldn’t believe me even if a told you.”
“You’re not a commi are you?”
“Seriously!?”
She might even be at home after dropping the boys off and, feeling alone for the first time in weeks, used the mirror to see how Krupp is doing. When she realizes how much pain he’s in, she races back outside to run face first into the cops and the toilet paper salesman (who maybe spread the rumor she was a communist in hopes of looking like a hero to her when he clears her name). They could interpret her attempts to leave as fleeing the country and, through all the confusion and tension, Harold and George let spill they’ve been at the old school.
Ok, so here’s my attempt at trying to figure out how we lead up to the mob.
So, again, it’s the 1950’s where fear of communism is a huge deal, meaning that people can be taken advantage of. I’d imagine the TP salesman wants to find reasons to make himself look good because… you know… he got made fun of as a kid.
Edith is seen as odd by most of Piqua because she’s not yet married at her age and has a job that can barely pay the bills. George and Harold’s families are looked at as odd because Grace is a single mom trying to raise two kids on her own, and people find it odd that Barbara is the one whose getting more money than her husband, in addition to being a rare African American teacher.
And I’m sure the salesman (I think his first name was Ted) might have hit on Edith a few times during a visit or two to the school, but she doesn’t want a creep like him. It’s bad enough she has to deal with the staff talking about her behind her back (“So pretty, but so shy. No wonder she hasn’t got a guy.”… damnit that rhymed).
So when the boys and later Edith vanish, George and Harold’s families are the only ones trying to find them. The adults of Piqua don’t hold them in the highest esteem to help out, and they ignore the kids who know where the boys must have likely gone to and won’t let them go near the abandoned school. Of course, this could allow those like the TP salesman to spin a yarn that either ties to ‘communists among us’ or ‘maybe the parents are hiding something.’
Also, when Edith and the boys return, he could try to maintain the lie and make it so that Edith was trying to kidnap the boys for herself or else sell the boys off to the Russians (which the boys’ parents and the kids don’t buy) especially if it was due to the way Edith brushed him off. And of course neither Edith or the boys can give the honest answer.
So when Edith is getting carted off towards the police car to jail, that’s when the boys are forced to reveal the existence of Krupp to the town. And of course, there’s more accusations of communism and that the Russians are about ready to unleash their monsters upon American cities. So yeah, it’s all due to complete BS, and when the curse finally lifts, and people remember the truth about the school’s existence, they try to come up with the dumbest reasons as to why they forgot.
And of course, the only sane ones besides our trio are the boy’s families as well as the kids, who have no clue why the adults are making a big deal out of accusing good people of being something they aren’t and shunning them in the process (also, it just so happens that the mob mentality and ‘not liking what we understand’ in Beauty and the Beast was from a film that came slightly after the AIDS epidemic, if you want to further the parallel).
I find it hilarious that which ever boy gets stuck in the girls bathroom is probably horrified there aren’t any urinals. He can lament that he has no way of going number 1 (which he probably has to go after tangling with Krupp) while the other one reminds him they have bigger issues to consider. And when Edith arrives she can be equally confused and angry that someone could be so cruel as to lock these kids up in the dark by themselves.
You know, it would be pretty neat if the hairpin she used to free the boys was also the one she gave to Krupp at the end of the ballroom scene. Just sort of a really good symbol of freedom since it sets the boys free in the beginning, holds her hair back from her face when she gets more comfortable with Krupp, then it’s a parting gift as she and the boys leave the school once they’re released.
Oh! I was also thinking that during that release scene, perhaps the clip comes loose when she gets anxious seeing the parents searching tirelessly for their sons. She doesn’t even realize her hair is in her face now as she paces, worry eating her up that they must think the worst. Krupp bends down to retrieve it, looking down at the tiny thing in his paw, then up at the rose with only one petal left. He clenches his hand, already making the biggest decision of his life.
Placing his hands on her shoulders, that’s when he reassures her everything will be alright and, fighting the words chocking him up, tells her she’s free to go, as are George and Harold. He gives her the mirror to keep, since it’ll be useless for him once the curse is complete. Pushing the bangs from her face, he goes to fix the hair clip back in place but she stops him, curling his fingers around it and pushing his hand in front of them. She then kisses his knuckles, thanking him for being so kind and, with reluctance, leaves.
Ok, now I’ve made myself sad.
As for the door scene, Krupp would be all kinds of not taking anyone’s gruff. He’s been disturbed once already with the two who (he considers) ruined his life. Now there’s a woman here sneaking about, “vandalizing” his school and aiding those troublemakers. Oh I can see him practically blocking the entire hallway (being much bigger than he was in his human form) with eyes flickering due to the flashlights. It’d be even more menacing if he sneered, “didn’t you know there’s no running in the halls.”
I half believe Edith would chuck her purse at him in fright, or maybe she came prepared with a rolling pin to defend herself, but either way it’s easy to believe he’d be backing them up down the hallway and no matter which way they ran, he’d know exactly how to cut them off until they were completely cornered. The boys could even try to hide in some lockers, but he would smell them out quickly and yank them back out.
Edith would plead for him to release them, promising they won’t tell a soul about him if he does, but Krupp isn’t buying it and like heck he’s gonna let George and Harold go after everything they’ve put him through. If he has to stay a beast, he figures he might as well get SOME justice.
That’s when Edith makes an offer to take there place, startling him at first. He wonders what her relationship with them is, then snorts at how amusing it is she thinks she can barter with him. “Take their place? Heh, how ‘heroic’ of you.”
“D-does that mean you’ll… let them go?”
He towers over her, then leans down to flash his teeth, “not a chance.”
“But their families! You can’t just-!”
“I CAN DO WHAT EVER I WANT!” Then yanks her up and shoves her in another room, commenting that since she’s so inclined to stay here he’ll be more than happy to let her.
He really isn’t a very nice person to be around in the beginning parts of this story. I bet Mr. Ree is face palming the entire time, maybe even considering popping in there to help the three escape since it seems Krupp’s isolation has made him even more of a loose cannon. But seeing as how he hasn’t hurt them, and seems content to keep them locked up, gives the enchanter just a little hope.
On a lighter note, I was wondering what all they could do to start patching up the relationships? I’m not sure if we ever decided on if it was winter or not in this au, but would he trust them enough to go out into the courtyard to play, and wouldn’t he worry passerby’s might see them? Or maybe there’s a huge brick fence instead of a chain length one surrounding the playground. If it is set in winter, it would be cute if the boys managed to get outside (with Edith watching over them) and they went about building a snow fort called Fort Buttcheeks (since they accidentally made the top part round and lopsided like a butt).
Krupp could be watching from a window, shaking his head at their antics as they pretended to fight off the snow people Edith made surrounding them. He gets annoyed with all the laughter, sticking his head out to yell at them to keep it down, only to get pelted in the face with a snowball by Edith. “Stop encouraging them!”
“Oh, lighten up you fuddy duddy. It’s just a little snow.”
“It’s messy and wet and I… don’t even think about it, bubs!” He glares down at the boys taking aim, then is hit once more by all three, who proceed to taunt him until he jumps down and glowers at the lot. At first he just wants to get them to stop having fun, but then he throws his own snowball to stop their laughing and finds it satisfying when Edith squeals, covered in mush.
They all start a huge snowball war that lasts until Edith sneaks up behind Krupp, ready to toss one of the snowmen heads on him, until she loses her footing and slips. Her yelp causes him to spin around, reflexively catching her before she falls down. She’s red faced from the cold and embarrassment, not to mention he has her squished against his belly and she can feel how soft he is against her cheek.
She whispers a soft “thank you” just when he asks if she’s alright. They both keep talking at the same time, then nervously laugh as he sets her back on her feet, keeping his hands close in case she slips again.
Edith tries to calm the butterflies in her stomach by distracting herself with the boys, telling them it’s time to get warmed up inside with coco. Krupp lingers a little, not sure if he should follow them in since she wasn’t talking to him, but when she realizes he’s still standing outside, she waves her hand, “you too, mister. Even with fur, you have to be a little cold. I did just kick your butt in a snowball fight.”
“Hardly, I had you all beat.”
Judging by your interpretation, Harold was probably the one to get locked up in the girl’s bathroom. And he’s annoyed to the point he starts doodling on the stall walls. Also, the bathrooms had windows in the film, so they aren’t completely in the dark until nighttime rolls around. Also, they probably have to sleep on toilet seat covers to avoid germs.... and use TP for pillows... oh, actually, that sounds like something that could be in the show! But anyway, I bet their attempts to talk back and forth would be amusing.
I originally imagined that the hairpin she gives to Krupp was a fancy one that went with the outfit (and the makeshift lock pick would get lost) but I like that idea. Especially if that symbol of freedom can get extended to Krupp, seeing as she’s a metaphorical key to freeing him from his misery/awful ways.