Pentimento: a dystopian Beauty and the Beast

by Jace, Cameron

The sheets were as smooth as a baby’s skin. Warm as a lover's embrace. They smelled of too many kinds of flowers. She doubted someone could stain them. How do you stain such beauty?

  The dress she wore was beyond imaginable. Its texture reminded her of doves. It flowed, following the curves of her body religiously. It seemed designed for her specifically, made for her to wear at this very moment, respecting her exact weight and curves. It was a wedding dress.

  But it was unlike any dress she had seen the Brides wear before. This one was designed by the Beasts.

  Although this wasn't the place she'd imagined, Iris resisted the temptation. She wasn't impressed by it. All of this was to cover the Beasts’ ugliness, maybe their weaknesses.

  Iris crawled out of bed and continued inspecting the room. The drawers were filled with all kinds of perfumes with unearthly scents--just like the one that sedated her, she thought.

  The wardrobes were filled with dresses, shoes, and jewelry. They weren't really wardrobes. They were long rooms. She couldn't help but check the cloth, touch it, and feel it on her cheeks. Everything was perfectly her size. All White. Things that she might have enjoyed on Earth. She snapped out of her stupor, and abandoned the wardrobes back to the chamber. The temptations were high, but was the price even higher?

  Focusing, she saw there was no way out of the chamber. There were no doors. Only that window behind the pool. It looked locked. She wasn't going to open a window overlooking the stars. Would she be able to even breathe if she did? Where do you escape to when you're locked in space?

  She looked around one last time and understood what this beautiful chamber was. Her prison. She wondered if she was part of the Beasts' harem, called whenever they desired her.

  "Hello?" she called to the nothingness. She made sure her voice wasn't smeared with the slightest intimidation. Although afraid, she had to pose as an opponent. She was unlike other Brides, and was going to demand not to be treated like one. She asked to be here. That should count.

  Still, when a secret door opened from the walls, she winced and took a step back.

  41

  Someone, covered in a white veil from head to toe, entered the room. The veil was made from an unearthly cloth, but wasn't transparent. It made the intruder look like a ghost, except that Iris could see the bare feet and hands of a girl, probably her age.

  "Did you sleep well?" the ghost girl asked. She sounded friendly and surprisingly caring.

  Iris nodded, wishing the girl wouldn't come any closer. She watched her do so though, handing her a warm towel she'd been holding.

  "Rub this on your face," the girl offered. "It will refresh you, and remove any trace of the poison you drank."

  "Poison?"

  "Don't worry. It's not as scary as it sounds. We call all sedatives poison here. Most girls need them in the beginning, until they stop resisting."

  "Resisting what?"

  "That this is your fate and that it isn't a bad thing," the girl stretched her arms further, offering the steaming towel.

  Iris took the towel and rubbed her face. It smelled of lilies and it made her actually feel good.

  "Rub it on your eyes too." The girl suggested. "It will help you see better."

  Reluctantly, Iris did. She actually felt her irises relax. Something strange was happening to her eyes. Things were blurry at first, but then she saw again. This time she noticed everything around her looked a bit sharper, and even more beautiful.

  "What kind of fate are we talking about?" Iris had to ask, forgetting about all these temptations. "If only one's fate was that predictable, it wouldn't have been called 'fate,'" the girl said.

  Iris thought she sounded as if she were smiling. If only she'd remove the veil, so Iris could see her face.

  "I'm not sure I understand what this means." Iris said.

  "Fate isn't an open book. It's a mystery, and I'd hate to spoil it for you," the girl said politely.

  "I don't mind if you spoil mine, believe me."

  "No. You do mind. You just don't know it," the girl insisted.

  Iris didn't know how to argue with such nonsense. "Are you a Bride?" she wondered.

  "I'm your servant," the girl said. "I am here to take care of you, until you meet your Master."

  "My Master?"

  "Each girl is chosen by one of the honorable Masters here," the girl explained.

  "You mean the Beasts." Iris wasn't asking. Of course, the Beasts thought of themselves as Masters. She wouldn't be surprised if they thought of themselves as beautiful too.

  "An Earthly description that's unwelcome here," the girl said. "My Masters are no Beasts. Humans made that name up. My Masters would appreciate it if you don't call them such names," the girl said.

  "So My Master alien would like to see me? Huh?" Iris said.

  The girl was silent for a moment. Iris could sense a slight anger behind the veil. "My Masters are no aliens either," she said. Her loyalty to the Beasts was puzzling.

  "They are Masters of the New World."

  "The New World?" Iris wondered.

  The girl didn't reply. It was a useless discussion with someone Iris couldn't even see anyways. She wouldn't be surprised if the girl was a Beast herself. There was no point in debating.

  "It'd be a good idea if I leave you a couple of minutes to clear your mind, before meeting your Master," the girl said, bowing even lower now. "Your Master doesn't like Brides with unclear minds. He has a special fascination with the human mind. Women's especially."

  "That's shocking for someone who collects random Brides." Iris almost laughed.

  "Master Andre has a special liking for you," the girl added.

  "Master Andre?" Iris chewed on the words. The Beasts had names? Human names? As if this would change who they really were.

  "He is also fascinated with eyes," the girl went on. "I heard him say funny things about yours," the girl snickered from underneath the veil.

  "My eyes?"

  "He’s fascinated with them. Master Andre believes in you. He defied many of his family's rules for you. After all, you are the girl who raised the red rose in their faces. You challenged them and came willingly. For thousands of years, I haven't seen this before. Other Masters bid to have you."

  "They bid for me?" Iris felt offended. She was practically a slave for the highest price. And to worsen it, she was bid on by aliens.

  "They never tell us how they bid, but Master Andre, a young respectable prince, won you," she said.

  "Should I feel special?" Iris pursed her lips. If she didn't like this place and its logic, then it was all her fault. She was the one that asked to be here. "Did you say prince?"

  "Yes, he is."

  Iris decided she wasn't going to comment on this part. A prince of Beasts was the last thing she needed in her life…or the few days left of it.

  "Tell me. Did you hear anything about a girl named Zoe?" Iris said.

  "Of course," the girl nodded. "The last Bride taken before you."

  "Can you tell me anything about her? Do you know where she is? Is she alive?"

  "I am afraid I'm not authorized to say," the girl said. "And it'd be better if you don't ask. It could get you in trouble, My Beauty. Now, I have to leave, and will be back when your mind clears."

  "My mind is clear right now," Iris challenged her. "Take me to this Andre, now."

  "No, your mind isn't clear yet, My Beauty," the girl said. "The towel's effect takes some time."

  "This towel is supposed to clear my mind?"

  The girl nodded.

  "What do you mean by that? I'm telling you, my mind is alert and clear. How would you know me better than I know myself?"

  The girl paused. Iris sensed the girl wanted to tell her something, but couldn't bring herself to it. "Have you seen the magnificent stars outside your window, My Beauty?" the girl said irrelevantly.

  Iris blinked at the absurd question. "Yes. I saw them when I was down on Earth too. What about them?"

  "What do they look l
ike?"

  "What? They look like stars!" Iris snapped.

  "Just stars?"

  "Are you playing games with me?" Iris said. "Take me to your Master, now."

  "I can't," the girl said. "Not unless you see the stars. A sign that your mind has cleared. Now, I'd like to excuse myself and come back in a while. I'm sure the towel's effect should grow on you by then."

  The girl walked out, still paying her respects by bowing her head. The door she left from turned into a wall right after her.

  42

  Things were getting weirder for Iris. Instead of expecting to deal with a monster Beast, she was treated like some kind of princess in a kingdom in space. To top it off, she was supposed to do things like “clear her mind,” whatever that meant.

  She should have tried to catch the door in the wall while it was still open, and escape the room.

  All Iris wanted was to look for Zoe and save her like heroes do in books. Then again, she knew it was impossible. Iris challenged the Beasts to know what was going on. It was unlikely they'd just let her save Zoe. She needed to act smoothly, and see what this place was exactly.

  The bed's sheets felt fine as she sat on them again, staring at the window with the stars. What was she supposed to do now, stare at the stars and see?

  Crap.

  The Beasts still liked games. They loved mocking her, and messing with her mind. She was sure these were stars outside her window, the same beautiful stars she'd tried to catch when standing atop of the Sinai tower.

  She didn't know why, but she gave it a try. She rubbed her eyes and looked again. The stars looked a little blurry, that's all, until her eyes cleared again. Her mind didn't “clear,” though. The girl was talking nonsense.

  Iris stepped down into the pool of faint green and sparkling blue and plodded forward. The water was warm, relaxing, as if to hypnotize her before reaching the window. She let the sparkling gold feathers gather on her dress and face. They felt like sunrise on her skin. The fish weren't harmful, as they tickled her feet below. Things were too beautiful in this pool, it almost seemed unreal.

  What did you expect, Iris? The Beasts are the Gods of our world. They have everything; power and money, and they live in the clouds. They are magicians. They can create worlds, destroy worlds, and control humans. Things had to be this beautiful up here, because it all compensates for the one thing they lack: Beauty.

  Iris reached the window and stuck her nose to it. What she was looking at were still stars.

  She pressed her hands against the glass, remembering Colton all of a sudden. Maybe it was the sense that Colton was down there somewhere on Earth, just beyond the stars. Did she sacrifice his love for her best friend? Since no Bride ever returned, it seemed unlikely that she'd see him again. She hadn't even consulted him or her father about it. But they'd have stopped her. It was an impulsive move in many ways, but she had acted out of anger and passion for her friend. Hell, she was afraid she'd be taken sooner or later. She had to do something about it and the price was breaking Colton's heart, which was in many ways, hers too.

  Iris turned away from the window, wondering if being here had been her fate from the beginning, like the girl in white said. From the first day she wished Eva would be taken by the Beasts, then Eva asking her to avenge her, and then the Beasts taking Zoe. Ending up here felt like the natural process of events. If there was a wisdom behind this fate, she couldn't tell what it was.

  The door opened behind her again.

  "I see you enjoyed your bath, My Beauty," the girl said, offering her a robe as Iris stepped out of the water. "Did your mind clear?"

  Iris let the girl cover her with the robe. "I don't think so," she pursed her lips. "I still see stars outside my window."

  "Don't worry," the girl said. "It happens. Sooner or later, your mind will clear. Master Andre decided to see you, even if your mind hasn't cleared yet. He is eager to meet you," she snickered again.

  "So, shall we?" Iris said, all wet and clumsy.

  "Right after I wash you, and dress you properly for your Master, My Beauty," the girl said.

  43

  The hallway behind the door was all white with faint lights. The floor beneath her feet was made of glass, overlooking the stars. She let out a shattered sigh for a moment. Part of it was fearing she'd fall into the oblivion of space underneath; she was practically staring at the universe from above. Another part was that she was enchanted by the beauty of what she saw.

  The ugly Beasts were enjoying this magnificent view of the world from above every day. Far away, beyond the stars beneath her feet, Iris could see the Earth. Although she couldn't make out the details, it was a fabulous scene. Where she came from was the most beautiful and enchanting painting she had ever seen. It was just like she'd always imagined it would be. Almost the same way she pictured it in school, and how everyone thought the Earth looked from above.

  The ghost girl stopped Iris before a white wall. Iris watched her hum indecipherable words from underneath the veil, until the wall turned into another door. The girl bowed, showing her the way into another large chamber.

  It was as beautiful as her room. The same vaulted ceiling, a pool, and windows to the stars. But it was a bit more majestic, like a prince's suite. Iris felt bewilderment, smelling the red rose's scent filling the room. The very same forbidden flower. How could it be?

  "Please sit, My Beauty," the girl ushered her to the long dining table with one chair at each end. Her chair looked like a throne. She noticed another semi-transparent veil draped down onto the middle of the table, separating her from whomever was going to sit on the other side. Master Andre, she supposed.

  Iris cupped the sides of her dress and enjoyed pretending to be in fairy tale, expect this one would be a fairy tale of lies.

  Sitting on the throne filled her with that unexplainable feeling of power. It was as if she was slowly sympathizing with those who held great power in their hands. It felt so good, and giving it up was impossible. How would you give up being a God?

  The girl excused herself and left the room. Iris sat silently, looking at the thin veil, separating her from whomever was going to share this endless amount of food and wine on the table with her.

  The Beasts must be so ugly, her Master couldn't bring himself to expose his looks to her.

  The waiting was uncomfortable for her, but she registered that life in this place was slow by default. No one seemed rushed. They took their time. And why not? They were the rulers of the world. There was no parent rushing them to wake up and go to school, no job they'd be fired from upon a late arrival, and most importantly, there was no one they feared or sought to please. It occurred to Iris that fear actually moved the world on Earth.

  Historians would say it was love that moved the world, but they were lying. Every move down there was out of fear. Fear of arriving late, fearing of not being able to perform a task, fear of being left behind, dying alone, not being loved. As a girl, the most imminent fear right now was being taken further into the unknown.

  A long breath filled her lungs with the rose-scented air. She needed it. She closed her eyes for a moment, she needed to keep pretending she was brave enough to face the Beast.

  Opening her eyes again, she caught a glimpse of the Beast’s shadow sitting on the other side of the table behind the curtain.

  44

  It was like a silhouette of a tall man. His figure was tight and athletic, but she couldn't tell more. He definitely had long hair that fluttered down his shoulders. His presence, even behind the curtain, was unavoidable. It was as if the world disappeared around her when he half-showed up. He was one of the rulers of the world, Iris thought. She wouldn't have expected a lesser impact from him.

  "Have you had a good sleep?" he inquired. His voice was young, raw, and low, as if it resonated straight from his chest. Authoritative. A voice that demanded answers without saying it.

  "I did." Iris said. All of her inquiries escaped her momentarily. Was she supposed to s
ay something like, “Yes, my prince?” His presence still baffled her. She wasn't here to become an obeying Bride. She was here to see. Yes, see right through the Beasts' Pentimento. Not see through the silly stars, like the girl asked of her. "Everyone seems overly concerned about me having slept well," she mumbled, stabbing the meat in front of her with her fork. A fake smile colored her face afterwards.

  "Sleep is crucial to the mind." He had heard her, which wasn't a big deal. She wondered if Beasts possessed otherworldly powers. Could he read her mind? Why is everyone talking about seeing and the mind since she arrived to this ship of light? Was that how the Beasts ruled, reading humans like an open book? Or was it what they needed to study?

  "Is that what you're after, the human mind?" Iris said, trying to sound more polite than she had ever been before.

  "The human mind is fascinating," the Beast said. She wasn't comfortable with thinking of him as Master Andre yet. "And yet a terrible thing," he added.

  "That didn't answer my question," Iris said. "Are you after our minds?"

  "What difference does it make if we are?" the Beast said.

  "Because if so, you got it all wrong," Iris said. "It's here that makes us unique," she pointed at her heart.

  The Beast stayed silent for a while. She wished she could see the expression on his face right now. But she was sure he didn't eat or move his head for a while. He instead kept looking towards her, she supposed. Her words must have strummed a high note. "As I said, sleep is very crucial to the human mind."

  "Sleep again, huh." Iris felt stronger for a moment. He escaped the conversation. Pressed the rewind button in his alien mind and started all over again, like a clean slate. How typical of an alien. She wondered if he was programmed through a chip in his ugly brain. Was he capable of traveling through time?

  "How could you tell reality from dreams, if you don't get a dose of healthy dreams while sleeping?" he began eating again, Iris saw from the movement of his silhouette behind the curtain or veil, or whatever that thin barrier was. He ate with bare hands and teeth, grabbing what looked like a turkey's thigh in his grip and sinking his face into it. Iris shrugged. Hunger like that was the first sign of bestiality. She lowered her head to the meat in front of her and wondered if it was human. Bridal, maybe?