Yea! Lois and Clark meet!
She cursed herself for being so stubborn, and began to look around the woods a tad fearfully, wondering what creatures night might bring. Lois decided it was time to turn back, and hoped she would not get lost or worse in the dark.
Does Lois know how her mother was killed? I'm surprised that Sam isn't a tad more overprotective of her especailly with her beauty and what happened to Ellen (and men like Lex about).
Hoping that it was a sign of friendliness, Lois entered the castle grounds. Upon entering, she gasped at the lovely garden she found herself in. Roses of every type, including several she had never seen before, bloomed everywhere she looked, including the one her father had brought.
I love the juxaposition of Lois' view of Clark's castle and her father's. Sam saw it as abandoned and run down on the outside. Lois saw friendly and beautiful (because of the roses).
Peering inside, she asked "Hello? Is anybody home?"
Her voice echoed loudly in the silence and Lois cringed. After a few moments without a reply, she let herself in.
For someone who gets annoyed easily of unannounced visitors, he sure doesn't lock up his castle (as Lois later mentions) nor does he spend much time at home.
As the sun began to rise, he went to the top of a nearby mountain. He loved watching the sunrise, it was always so beautiful and invigorating. He always felt better when the first rays of the sun hit him, stronger somehow. The world was so beautiful from here, he felt so peaceful.
Awwww. There's our Clark.
He woke early the next morning and immediately realized something was out of place with his castle. At first he could not place the feeling, but then he realized he was hearing a soft, steady thumping noise.
Wow, how sad; he really doesn't spend much time with others when the sound of another heartbeat is noticable in his house.
"How dare you invade my castle?" Clark growled loudly. "What gives you the right to...?" He trailed off as the woman turned on him quickly, startled. She started backing away and tripped back onto the couch. As he looked into her terrified doe eyes, sudden recognition flooded him. It was the woman he had rescued the other day.
Open mouth, insert paw.
There was a horrible looking monster growling at her.
Oh, dear, Clark let her see his beast self.
The creature just stared at her. She was not sure what it was doing, but suddenly it seemed less threatening than before. Emboldened by this behavior, Lois jumped up and started yelling back.
See, Clark, you let your defenses down and she knows she can defeat you. Lunkhead.
"How dare *you* come storming in here, yelling at me, after you left the gate and door open. If you really don't want anyone entering, why don't you keep it locked up tight? Really, you think you'd at least find out *why* before you jump down my throat about it. Did it ever occur to you I might have a good reason? I didn't want to be trapped out in the forest after dark. I just wanted shelter for the night. Honestly, it's not like I was going to cause any harm." Lois said quickly, hardly pausing to breathe.
Yea, Lois, for standing up for herself!
"You're right. I don't know what I was thinking. I... I let my temper take control of me and I shouldn't. It was wrong. Please, go, leave before my control slips again."
Oh, Clark, <<shakes head>> that's not the way into a young woman's heart.
"Hi, I'm Lois. I was out in the woods and night was coming, so I sought refuge in your castle. The gate was open so I hoped you wouldn't mind."
The beast faints.
"Are you the Beast that killed the prince?" She asked hesitantly, hoping not to anger him again.
No, his name was Tempus and he was burned alive by the villagers. I'm the other beast, now living in Clark's castle.
"You're from the nearby village aren't you?"
Lois nodded and he continued, "I can show you the path, it's a bit overgrown but you should be able to follow it. It's a several hours walk..."
How exactly is that "nearby"? Well, yes, nearby for those who can fly, but several hours walk? Wow, his castle really was out in the middle of nowhere.
He trailed off and appeared to be pondering something. "Before you go, let me show you something. Follow me."
See, here, I thought he was going to offer her food, but since he really doesn't need it, I guess he forgets that his guests do.
"These horses are some of my few companions. I feed them, treat them well, show them a little attention, and they don't judge me by my appearance. I wish more people were like that," the Beast said, a tad wistfully.
What a great reporter Lois is. She says one nice thing to him and he's opening up like a sunflower.
"Well, you seem to have made a friend," the Beast said, brightening. "She seems to have taken quite a shying to you. Why don't you take her?"
And not just the horse.
"I have plenty of horses, besides it's not like I ride them. This way you will be able to get home much faster. And I want to give you something, because you're the first person who..." he paused for a moment, "hasn't seen me as just a monster."
<<cough, cough>> Star <<cough>>... oh, wait, he meant, the "first person whom I've ever loved," but he couldn't say that. Okay, I get it.
"Alright, but I really should give you something in return."
"That's not necessary," he protested.
That's Clark, all right. He's such a giver. Awwwwwwwwww.
"I'd love that," the Beast replied, grinning. "You're welcome here any time."
Oh, Lois, now you've done it. You've befriended the Beast. You'll have a friend for life now. Hey, maybe he could get rid of the pesky Lex problem you have.
Ever since he had been changed into his present form, he seemed to have a hard time keeping it under control. And of all the times for it to happen, it had to be with Lois.
Present palm, insert face. Like this:
![[Linked Image]](http://cosgan.de/images/midi/konfus/a050.gif)
Not that anything could ever come of it, she was too beautiful to be with a monster like him. She probably had someone back home anyway. Women like that did *not* stay single for long.
Great, Clark. You don't want her to judge you by
your appearance but here you are judging
her!
Then the most amazing thing had happened. He had not thought anything could be better than what had already occurred, but she had actually asked if she could visit him again. It was all Clark could do to keep his composure and not break out in tears.
Instead he broke into his happy dance, from which she ran in terror.
He had never imagined she would want to see him again. He agreed, and wondered when she would return. He hoped it would not be too long.
How about tomorrow? That sounds good to me.
Lots of fun!
So glad he now has her visits to look forward to!