Before Dawn (tag: Cindy)

It was early in the morning when Gaston entered the castle, tiptoing through the halls. He hadn't seen or talked to Cindy in a few days, which made him really uncomfortable. He couldn't stand the thought of her with that tool of a prince.

Gaston knocked softly on Cindy's door and waited.

Cinderella had just woken up and sat on her bed when she heard someone knock on the door- and quickly brushed her hair and put on a dressing-gown over her small dress she had slept in.
"Gaston?!" She asked suprised as she opened the door and looked around to see if someone was with him.
"Goodmorning.. What-- What are you doing here?" She whispered, even though they were all alone - she and Philip wasn't allowed to share bedrooms yet, and there wasn't really any more bedrooms beside hers..

Gaston instantly relaxed after seeing her face, looking the same, if not more wonderful, than it always has.

"We havent talked in ages, I figured I'd catch you before you got busy doing something else," he said, stepping into her room without being asked.

"Oh, okay.." Cindy said softly and closed the door after him.
"So, how-- are you?" She asked and studied him for a moment. He looked fine, and she hoped that he was fine too.

Gaston sat in a lounge chair and smiled.

"Good. Bored. Drunk," he said absentmindedly, like it didn't matter. "How about you?"

"Are you drunk?" Cindy asked a little shocked -and worried as she walked over to the chair he sat in.
"I'm good.. Tired maybe, and a little sad - but good.." She said with a little nod as she studied him.
"Why are you drunk?"

Gaston laughed, "Calm down Cindy, not right now. Last night I went out for a drink or two, don't worry yourself," he told her gently. He ran his hand through his hair and sighed.

"Why are you sad?" he asked, suddenly realizing what she'd said.

"Oh, okay.. Good.." CIndy said and and smiled softly- but it faded slightly by his question, and she sat down on her bed.
"It's just-- .. " She started with a sigh and looked down.
"Eric, he's not the person we thought he was.." Cindy said quietly without looking up. She shouldn't talk about him, but she needed it- and she hoped that Gaston wouldn't tell someone else.
"He has done something bad, and will not be around any longer.."

"Did he rape someone again? That bastards gonna be beaten to death by a good part of the town if he goes for any more innocent girlies.." Gaston mumbled, he'd heard the gossip about Eric hundreds of times already.

"You knew?" Cindy asked and looked up at him a little shocked.
"Why didn't you tell me, Gaston? How long have you known this?"

Gaston's eyes widened, "I assumed you knew," he met her eyes. "He slept with half the women back home, and only half of those were willing..." he trailed off, looking away to give her a moment. He knew she'd get emotional.

"Really?" Cindy asked, even more shocked than before and couldn't believe it. And no one had told her, what kind of friends did she have?
"Well, then I guess it's just something good that he's gone.." She said quietly with her gaze down.
"I don't know what to do, Gaston.. I need him.. And you- but you're never here.."

Gaston looked at her sadly, he then stood up at her words. "What do you mean i'm never here? I'm always here for you, I just figured you'd rather be with your prince charming than with me," Gaston said, saying prince charming sarcastically, looking like he'd smelled something bad.

Cindy just looked up at him and shook her head slowly.
"Of course not.. I love to have you around, but you're always at those-- bars.." She said and frowned a little to herself by the last part.
"And why would I want to be with him? He doesn't even like me.." She said quietly and looked down again.

Gaston tensed, "What do you mean he doesn't like you?" Gaston demanded.

"Well, he never wants to be around me - and we have barely anything in common.." Cindy sighed as she thought about Philip. The only thing they both know that they liked were to ride..
"I thought that maybe he could "learn" to love once we are married, but I don't think he can.. I will marry a man that doesn't love me-- my life is so amazing.." She said sarcastically and burried her face in her hands

Gaston clenched his fist angrily, "you deserve better than that Cindy," he told her sincerely, pulling her hand away from her face and holding for a second before letting it go.

Cindy smiled sadly up at him before she moved over to him and laid her head against his chest and wrapped her arms around him.
"Thank you.." She said quietly
"But anyways.. What have you been up to?"

Gaston got uncomfortable when she hugged him, not because it was awkward or anything, but because it felt so natural. Because even though it was just a hug for her it was different for him. It was uncomfortable because she meant so much more t him than he did to her.


"Nothing really, meeting people, exploring the town. Are you going to the masquerade tonight?" he asked suddenly remembering the ball.

"I think so.." She said shortly as she thought about it. She wasn't really in a mood for it, but it could be fun.
"Will you?" Cindy asked and looked up at him before she pulled away slightly from him.
"I would love to dance with you.."

Gaston tried not to show any emotion, "Maybe, I've been to enough parties to last me a lifetime..." he trailed off,and disconnected their embrace completely.

"So.. You wont come?" She asked a little disappointed and glanced up at him.
".. Is something wrong, Gaston?" Cindy suddenly asked as she studied him.
"Please don't tell me that you're in trouble too.. I can't believe that all my friends are like this.." She groaned and buried her face in her hands once again.