#chat:gaston

[attaant]

who: atta & @bigdaddieg where: rose's books

There was a cruel kind of irony about having to continue to work and live just a few blocks away from someone's ex, and, unluckily for Atta, she felt the extreme of both. On top of it all, Gaston was not the kind of person to be particularly quiet about his presence, so when she heard his laugh come through the doors of the book store she'd been browsing, all she could do was ache to hide behind the stacks and be unseen. She'd been standing dead in the middle of the new arrivals, book in hand, when she'd locked eyes with him. Instead of a book, though, Gaston came sauntering into the place with a bouquet of flowers, and all Atta could do was wonder for who, and if they had been desired by whoever they were meant for. And although every interaction with her only ex-boyfriend was an unpleasant one, she figured the pain of having to speak to him was worth watching whatever was about to unfold.

Before he could give away the flowers, though, he pivoted, taking a turn straight for Atta herself. "I didn't think you liked reading," she said plainly, not even bothering to greet him as she set the book in her hand down on the stack before selecting another. If this wedding was going to happen as planned, she figured it was smart to start stocking up on honeymoon reading material. "Or flowers." Atta looked up at him for the first time, narrowing her eyes before turning her back to another table.

[swordoutofstone]

who: arthur & @bigdaddieg where: arthur's office

The concept of hunting season was one that Arthur still didn’t particularly like, even a decade after coming into his position at The Order. Most of his job now involved thinking of ways to abolish it, since it had been a longstanding tradition, an agreement that had been made even before he was born. Every year, around this time, he held a meeting to discuss how to move forward with an amended agreement between themselves and the hunters, but there never seemed to be a different outcome. In Arthur’s eyes, there really was no better way to ensure the safety of everyone magical for the rest of the year. Closing the borders was a start, he thought, as at least there couldn’t be any people coming from the outside to come and hunt. Though the tourism that came with it was part of the island’s economy, Arthur had taken an oath to protect the magical beings of Echo Isle, and that was what he had to focus on.

“I know we have this conversation every year,” he started after exchanging niceties with one of the most prominent hunters, who he had invited to his office annually to discuss the rules of the hunting season and try to find a different agreement, a compromise. “With the borders closed, though, I hoped that we might be able to negotiate. I’m willing to pay whatever sum to at least pause for this year, and, in the future, maybe we can come to an agreement that involves can annual payment. I’ll even open the borders for enough time for you and your people to get off the island, so that you might seek … whatever hobby pleasures you elsewhere.” A last ditch effort, and one that would likely be turned down, knowing the man sitting across from him, but it was worth a shot.

[attaant]

His pointed question of the reasoning for her marriage wasn't one Atta could easily deny--he had hit the nail on the head, unfortunately, but things were far more complicated than that now. She had fallen in love, and admitting that aloud to Gaston would arm him with more information than she necessarily wanted to give. "It doesn't matter why, I'm married. So, no, I can't go on a date with you, because that would be cheating on my husband," she reminded him, though she figured Gaston had little regard for both the institutions of marriage and fidelity.

Atta took a step back, releasing herself from his grip as she folded her arms over her chest. There had been a time when she would've taken him up on his offer, when she'd been lovesick over the man who had left her. He had no right to go back on his word now, when it was convenient for him. "Please don't do this. You were the one to call this off, as I remind you every time I see you, and, the last time we were together, you practically kidnapped me. Actually--no, you did. I had to get Myles to come get me. So, please, go back to whoever you came here with, or I'll have to tell my husband that you're trying to get me to cheat on him with you."

Gaston's booming chuckle filled the room, resonating with a carefree confidence that paid little mind to anyone else's opinion. To him, her marriage seemed unimportant. Gaston only thought it made the game easier for him, like how a tied prey was easier to capture than a free one. Such was his straightforward logic. "Sure," he replied, still amused by her attempt to dissuade him. "Wasn't marriage your escape from Hopper?" he quipped, his tone feigned a hint of empathy. "Marrying for mere business reasons must be quite the ordeal, I can imagine."

Gaston pressed on, trying to make his case and sway her perspective. He knew well the allure that a bachelor like him presented to married women, and he speculated that perhaps Atta might find their clandestine encounters enticing. He subtly suggested that she deserved a break, a taste of something more exhilarating. "You deserve some time off, some excitement," he added, his gaze smoldering with suggestion, hinting at his desire for a more intimate kind of fun… with her.

"A date?" Honestly, he had forgotten. Perhaps he was too preoccupied with a pregame of shots to remember who he had come with, and honestly, he didn't care much. Atta was a much more challenging prize, and she had him engaged in the game. "How about we go on a date instead, princess?"

[lucifcr]

@gastonnlegume​

Lucifer knew he was always welcomed at Gaston’s Tavern, no matter the circumstances. For a while the two seemed to be at odds but after some space things seemed to have settled down again. He’d just finished his drink and was waiting for the inattentive bartender to give him a refill when Gaston noticed and came to Lucifer. “I’m telling you, that bartender of yours does not care for their job. It’s still early and there’s not many people here yet for the night. Surely they have the time to come and get me another drink.” Shaking his head, he sighed. “Oh well. I suppose I’ll survive.” He scrunched up his nose. “Still, you should talk to them about their lack of attention to your patrons. It’s not a good look on them. Or yourself.” Lucifer offered the man a smile. “I know the truth though. This is a fine establishment you have.”

[bossbitchclaudette]

@gastonnlegume​

It wasn’t uncommon for Claudette or one of her sisters to pester Gaston with flirty eyes and a sultry voice. Today was strictly business though. She’d just emerged from the downstairs of the tavern to go and find him when she saw him behind the bar. It wasn’t a busy time of day so not too many people were around which was perfect. She approached him with a sweet smile on her face. “Gaston,” she purred. “I have excellent news for you. And it’s not the fact that I’m here.” She flipped her hair over her shoulder. “Business is thriving. I think you’d love to take a look at the numbers. I think it’s celebratory enough to have a drink together.

[neverthedamselindistress-blog]

my-what-a-guy liked your photo:

You get expelled and still manage to stalk people to no end. How?!

[sleeplessrose]

Aurora hadn’t meant to cause it stir at the bookshop. There had been few places her fairies had told her were safe to be at, and this had been one of them. It was quite nice, to wander around the aisles anonymously, like she hadn’t a care in the world while she scanned the spines. Asking them to go search for titles had been irritating in the past, but now, she could at least handle herself to stop in the one shop and come back home. That was what they’d expected of her, and what she'd planned for herself until now. Nothing had happened before on a simple stop at Rose's that was notable as this. But, when she heard her future title, Aurora couldn’t help but spin around and hope the man was wrong.

“I’m sorry?” Aurora asked, praying this wasn’t truly him. She’d hoped for someone more kind looking, perhaps like Phillip. Someone who could take care of her through the years, and wouldn’t approach her out of the blue to ruin her parents’ plan. “No, you—I’m sorry, you can’t be. Did my parents send you? Nor that … if you’re telling the truth, I’m so sorry, but I just have to verify, that you know who I am, and you're telling the truth."

//closed starter @sleeplessrose

Gaston had his usual flowers at hand, ones LeFou had picked because he couldn't be bothered to drop by a flower shop to buy such delicate items of waste anyway. He didn't understand why flowers had to be something women considered romantic, but perhaps he'd play the game as long as Belle found it charming. Despite his antics with many women, he was still set on marrying Belle, and he didn't care how long it took. After all, he was also taking his time enjoying his experience as a bachelor anyway.

Upon opening the door, the front desk was empty, so he looked around for the brunette beauty until he stumbled upon someone familiar instead. With his flower in hand, he figured he'd mess with her. She was too gullible for her own good, and he wanted to have some fun.

"Hey, fiancée," he teased, offering the flowers to Aurora. Though she wasn't the one he was going to marry, Gaston assumed she would believe it if he said she was. Was it a sick prank? Definitely. Did he enjoy it? More than ever. "What's that look on your face? Aren't you happy to see me?" he chuckled slightly.

[lucifcr]

@gastonnlegume​

Lucifer sat at his friend’s tavern as he had a few drinks. It was a relaxing night and no one was really bothering him, but his friend seemed busy. Gaston and Lucifer always got along and he didn’t have a real reason to be at the tavern other than to just relax and throw back some drinks. Hell, maybe he’d even find someone pretty and interesting enough to get laid. He had been people watching, observing anyone that seemed of interest to him, but grew bored fairly quick. When Gaston seemed to finally not be busy he motioned for him to take a seat with him. Once Gaston was seated next to him he said, ‘your bartender said she would get me a drink over twenty minutes ago. I think she forgot about me. She’s rather pretty too. Shame she’s inattentive.”

[neverthedamselindistress-blog]

my-what-a-guy replied to your post: How you doing today babe?

my-what-a-guy : 

Aw. I’m sorry babe.

Unless you had anything to do with it, and out of good faith I'll believe you didn't, you have no reason to be sorry, Gaston. As difficult as it is for me to say, you've been somewhat... comforting.

[neverthedamselindistress-blog]

my-what-a-guy

Gaston to the rescue!!! I’ll help you look for her!

Oh, all for being hero today huh? I think I'm too much of a bitch to accept your help. Sorry babe.

[attaant]

He was making absolutely no sense to her, his logic incredibly flawed. Though, she could respect finding something self-serving out of being on the wrong side of Hopper. Atta had been in that very position more times than she wanted to count, trying to do the same for herself while she struggled to find a solution. Rolling her eyes at him, Atta scoffed as she let out a sigh. "I do see the good in people. I find it hard to find the positives in someone who I know to their core, who is not a good person," she replied simply. No matter how much he wanted to change, Atta simply didn't believe that someone who was that thick-headed and selfish ever could.

"We're not friends," she shot back immediately, cutting off the possibility that he could ever think so. Atta never intended to be friendly with Gaston; she'd been taken against her will for him to somehow try and do just that, though. "I never said I'm handling it alone. I have help. I don't need yours." As nervous as she'd once been around him, Atta now felt an air of confidence: he couldn't control her anymore--she wouldn't even let him try to. "What is it you're trying to do here? Can you just be honest, for once?"

Gaston stood upright, crossing his hand over his chest before responding with a simple and concise, "Yes." She understood it, and it really was that straightforward. In all honesty, Gaston's willingness to help stemmed from his desire to have Atta back. Was there a deeper reason behind it? Not really. He could have easily gone about his day, unconcerned with her problems. However, it all boiled down to one thing: his ego. Gaston wanted to win her back just so he could boast about it, and that's exactly what he intended to do. There was something about the pursuit, the thrill of victory that fueled his obsession with putting on this act. Of course, he would never admit any of this out loud. Now that it was socially acceptable to have her back, he was willing to take the risk for the high of success. Nobody ever said "no" to Gaston, and he was convinced that even Belle would eventually come around. This was just one of those cases.

"Some people change, Atta. I hope you can see the good in people sometimes," he added in such a casual manner, with soothing words that made it seem like he believed every word. "So, tell me, do you want to trust me, or do you want to be selfish and handle this alone? In the end, I'm already on Hopper's bad side, so I might as well make some friends over it, don't you think?" Gaston had a knack for getting what he wanted, and truth be told, at this moment, his argument did make sense.

[attaant]

All he would ever get out of helping her was a cushion to his own ego--Atta knew him better than she wanted to admit. She didn't need his help, though he somehow felt the need to make it known that now that it was convenient for him, he was there for her. Gaston hadn't been there when she needed him most, when Hopper started to tighten his grip of control on her and her family, but he was here now, when he could get away with the so-called consequences that would have been put on him had he truly cared back then. "I don't need your help," she repeated, firmer in her words this time. Giving him any idea that he had a chance at redemption would just make things increasingly difficult for her in the long run.

Atta wasn't above losing her temper with him a little bit, though. This wasn't Hopper who she was speaking to; he didn't have some sort of legal means to punish her, and she surely didn't think he would go violent with her. Gaston was an aggressive person by nature, but never once in the past had he hurt her like that. "So, let me get this straight: you left me to preserve your reputation, but now, you expect me to believe that you're just going to come out of the blue, back into my life, and help me with the most delicate matter I've ever had to deal with? You want me to trust that you're not going to take the selfish route again?" It was more of a demand of answer than entertaining his idea, but Atta couldn't stand to leave this house without resolutions to the questions she'd been asking herself for years.

"Fine," Gaston huffed, his pride held tightly against his chest. He was resolute, not willing to relinquish his pride no matter what. To him, the act of taking Atta away from her guards and initiating this conversation was his way of showing that he cared, even if he couldn't express it in words. Gaston had always been more about actions than words, often impulsive but always driven by underlying meaning.

Furrowing his brows as he looked back at her, Gaston's mind briefly drifted to the past. He remembered a time when he found Atta endearing and enjoyable to be around. She made him feel special, truly attentive to his words. But Gaston's life was complicated by the need to be perfect in front of his peers, to maintain his reputation. Though he and Atta had a relationship in the past that he didn't deny, still he somehow kept it hidden. He refused to speak of it because he knew it would lead to questions he wasn't prepared to answer.

"I'm just looking out for you, and if you already know it, I'm offering you an escape," he suggested. A part of him yearned for her to comprehend him on a deeper level, but Gaston struggled with expressing himself in that way. His expertise lay in manipulation, making it hard for genuine sentiments to find their way from his mouth. Thus, he gazed at her, a hint of disappointment in his eyes. "I didn't leave because I didn't care about you. I left because I chose my own needs over what we shared, and I've witnessed what regret can do to people's lives. I don't want to see the same fate across your face," he added, before pivoting away, shielding his emotions from view.

[attaant]

After finally being let out, Atta had been sat down in the cabin to have this apparently long-awaited talk that Gaston had gone so far as to take her from the pub and drag her to the middle of nowhere to have. She knew that he was going to give her the pitch to be with him instead, which was exactly what she would have wanted back when they were together years ago. Now, though, she had been able to see him for who he really was, someone who had manipulated her into a relationship perhaps more toxic than the one she had with Colin right now. Atta was snapped back to reality as his voice rose, flinching at the sound of her name being shouted at her. He had never been violent with her, bu, for the first time, she found herself scared for her safety here: in the middle of the woods, where no one would ever be able to find her. "Gaston, please, you don't need to yell." She had the feeling that she might want to be seated for this conversation he was desperate to have, and Atta took a step back before taking a seat on one of the wooden chairs in his kitchen.

Atta felt herself gawk at him as he spoke, the explanation she had been longing for once when she was younger. All he could come up with was that she was too young as the reason why he'd broken her heart--something he admitted to liking once, and something she could never change. "You knew how old I was when we started dating. I'm sorry I aged out of being young and delicate for you," she scoffed, folding her arms over her chest. If that was the best he could do, then he was going to be sitting here speaking to a brick wall until he let her go. An incredulous laugh came to her lips, and she didn't even try to repress it. Was he really that thickheaded that he didn't think she already was caught up in it? "I can handle myself. I'm not tying myself up, and I don't need your protection. I don't need your help. There's nothing you can do, anyway--he's blacklisted you. I'm not even supposed to be speaking to you, much less in your house right now. You had your chance, years ago, to protect me from him, and it's too late, Gaston. I'm already in it, and you're right, there is no getting out. This is my life now, and I'm sorry you don't like it, but there's nothing you can suggest to me that I haven't already tried."

- timeskip - 

"Listen, listen," Atta continued to talk over him, and Gaston couldn't seem to get any of his points across. As someone who wasn't skilled at communication, being talked over by anyone frustrated him deeply. Atta used to be a sweet girl he met years ago, someone who saw him in a positive light, considering him the best thing to ever happen in her life. Now, her eyes reflected storms, and she seemed unwilling to even hear a word from him. "Atta, listen to me!" he growled, his voice thundering through the room, causing her to take a step back as fear flashed across her face. Gaston didn't mean to yell at her, but he needed some space, a moment to speak. "I brought you here so we could talk, even if only for a moment, and you're not giving me a chance. It's fucking annoying," he argued, shaking his head in frustration. Gaston wanted her to understand that he wasn't going to hurt her and that he had no intentions of making her life more difficult. He knew he had to address the elephant in the room—the conversation he had abruptly left, which had led her to think of him this way.

"I know I haven't been the kindest to you, and I left without giving you much of an explanation, but I didn't know what else to tell you or how to explain it," he confessed, meeting her gaze as he tried to make himself understood. "But you were young, and I liked you for that, but as time passed, I started getting strange looks, and I didn't know how to handle it with everyone else." Gaston had tried to hide their relationship because of the age difference and the judgmental looks he received because of it. Although he thought it wouldn't matter as long as her bright eyes looked up to him, he realized he wasn't as strong as he had thought. Like any other man, he left a good girl, thinking only of himself and searching elsewhere for the same brightness he once found in her. He failed and now found himself seeking it again from the same person. "I—" He stumbled over his words, unsure of what he wanted to say, but he knew he had to try. "Don't marry Hopper. He sells guns and is involved in all kinds of illegal activities. If you do, you'll be caught up in it, and it will be impossible to get out," he confessed, not entirely sure if that was what he wanted to say, but it was something. "I'm a hunter; I can protect you. Just... get out of it. Don't tie yourself up, and if you ever feel trapped, I—" He realized the irony of offering help after taking his hideout without her consent, but he blurted it out anyway, "I can help, and I want to help. That's all I want to say.”

[attaant]

This was a clear act of desperation, and Atta was hardly amused. All she’d wanted to do was get home, but the roads Gaston had decided to take only took her further away. They were the words that nearly everyone had told her shoved back in her face, only this time, even harder. “Don’t call him that,” she warned, taking the armrest next to her with white knuckles. As she looked back at him, all Atta could remember were the words that he’d given her when they’d broke up: she was too young for him, and he needed to focus on the future. Now that her future had arrived, he wanted to take control of it. She let out a scoff, rolling her eyes at the thought that he could take Hopper on when they both knew that nothing could be further from the truth. No one could take her boss, especially not when they were that confident. “Good luck with that,” was all she had to say, shaking her head to herself as he kept driving aggressively on the road. Atta didn’t want to give him any more than that—any more show of emotion and he might think he had a chance at redemption. Now, with her ice cold remarks, at least Gaston had little to work with. There was nothing to talk about, because even if she’d decided not to get married to Myles, it certainly wouldn’t be Gaston who won her over in the end. 

“No, Gaston, I need to go home,” Atta pressed, feeling a sudden rush of anxiety as they headed toward the very woods he’d mentioned. “I told you that. I have—there are going to be people following us, you know. Hopper’s people, and they’re not going to be happy when they see that we’re together.” It was true: her boss had made it completely clear that he was up for protecting her now, a luxury that she hadn’t been afforded before. And thanks to him, Atta had paid attention to the self-defense classes. It was for that reason alone that she hadn’t buckled her seatbelt, since she could technically still get out if it was free. Before she could protest, it was around her waist, but Atta kept a hand on it, in case she needed to hop out. “We’re not going to the woods. Turn around and take me home, please.”

"I don't know, something!" Gaston felt like he was losing his mind. He was reckless, his chest itching for action to drown out the buzzing in his head. He needed to talk to her, to clarify things he couldn't put into words. "It's all so sudden, you know?" His words came out caveman-like, wishing he could express himself better, but lacking the vocabulary. "All I know is that you shouldn't be marrying that dimwit, Atta. You can do better. I mean, sure, no one can beat me, but come on, keep up!" Gaston believed no one could surpass him, not even a Hopper, but he thought Atta could at least find someone remotely comparable or someone with a fraction of his good looks. Gaston had many thoughts and arguments swirling in his head, but he knew he would reveal them in due time. If he still had the time, that is. Gaston continued driving recklessly as she pressed him about the letter. They argued like a married couple in a truck, shouting to make their points while he swerved and screeched to evade Hopper's men tailing them. "What am I supposed to say? 'Hey buddy, I don't want to, best of luck next time'?" he mused, realizing the absurdity of that statement. No, Gaston had to find another way, and this was one of his methods. "I'll get him, Hopper, one day. Just not today." He still had unfinished business with Hopper, but sooner or later, out of sheer annoyance, he would personally go after that man simply because he could.

"In the woods," he answered nonchalantly. It was a place where common folk rarely ventured, as it posed a constant threat to their lives. In the enchanted woods, all sorts of inexplicable creatures dwelled. They were heading straight into danger because Gaston was a hunter and he knew he could handle it. Away from people, it would be easier to talk, easier to be understood. As he drove, Gaston glanced back at her and noticed she hadn't fastened her seatbelt. He slowed down momentarily to reach over and secure it for her. "You never learn, do you?" He shook his head, hearing the click of the seatbelt before returning his focus to the road.

[attaant]

Atta had been instructed to keep her social time to the pub that Hopper owned to keep herself safe. She didn't feel any more secure there, with all of his little henchmen walking around like she was a ghost in the corner, but at least they mostly kept to themselves. Only a few had come over and said hello, one of them being Lilah's son, but many ignored her. Still, she needed to get out of the house every so often, feeling like she was trapped when there were people surrounding her at most hours of the day, which she was. She hated being watched in her own house, but thanks to Tristan Tramp, things had to change. On the weekends, she found herself in a booth on her own, either attempting to read a book or work on her laptop while she sipped on her wine.

With all of her belongings in her bag, Atta headed out of the pub, two men following behind her. She was used to it by now, despite new ones being assigned to her every few days, it seemed. As she neared her car, though, she heard a muffled scream behind her, and she spun on her heel, eyes wide in terror. Before she could yell for help, Atta noticed a painfully familiar face, and froze in the middle of the parking lot. "Did you just--" she started, cut off by explicit instructions to simply follow Gaston. "Where are we going? Gaston, I--I need to get home." The desperation in her voice was even evident to Atta, who tugged in the direction of her car. "Are they ... will they be okay?" she asked, looking back to the men on the concrete.

x timeskip x

Ever since Gaston had the opportunity to see Atta, knowing she was soon to marry a Hopper, a sense of restlessness consumed him. He could sense that Atta was being coerced into it, and despite their breakup a decade ago, Gaston had to admit there was a part of him that still cared for her. As he gazed up at his grand ceiling adorned with antler decorations, he pondered on what to do, or if he needed to do anything at all. Gaston couldn't simply confront the Black Locusts, as Hopper was the sole supplier in town for the weapons they desired. It boiled down to a choice between his dream of capturing the beast and becoming the hero of the story, or intervening in the wedding to save Atta and... eventually claiming the role of hero once more.

Considering the possibility of having another conversation with her, Gaston attempted to find Atta at the places she frequented, such as her favorite coffee shop or restaurant. However, Atta was nowhere to be found. For the first time, Gaston had to actively think and recall the things she may have mentioned. He deduced that she might be staying at Chopper's Pub, where most of Hopper's men gathered. Suddenly, he spotted her—the only woman in the midst of a crowded place filled with men. She sat at an undisturbed table, a spot people seemed to know better than to interfere with, perhaps due to her position in the company. Gaston didn't approach her immediately; he waited until she was about to leave the pub. Seizing the moment, he intercepted her before she could reach her car, swiftly incapacitating the two men who served as her guards by discreetly snapping their necks. "Follow me," he instructed, attempting to reassure her. "Stay quiet."

[attaant]

Despite his defense being spot-on, Atta wouldn't give him the satisfaction of knowing that he was right. She'd never love Myles in the way that she ever loved either Flik or Gaston, each in their own way. It was a truth she had to accept by agreeing to marry him, as it was the love for her family and their business that outweighed the adoration for the man himself. "Yes, I know that," she replied, defensive, as her wrists jerked away from his grasp and back to her side. Instead of indulging him, she chose to consciously ignore his next statement. Though he knew the risks of investing his own money into a business, Gaston had never been backed into a corner the way Atta had, and she knew that. It was how they'd met: the blonde giving him the fairest deal she could.

He knew how to get to her, which was what Atta despised most about him. His purposeful ignorance played well against her desire to keep everyone happy, which was still what she was trying to do with him. "I mean, it's wrong to take out an engaged woman, don't you think? We could go out for coffee, or something." It seemed like a compromise that she could work with. Going out during the day simply held a different expectation than at night. "You're hearing my voice right now," she reminded him, "I have a few hours before my next meeting. We could even check the coffee date off the list right now."

Gaston shrugged dismissively, unfazed by her feeble attempts to dissuade him. Being the audacious man he was, his curiosity burned within him, craving an answer to the question lingering in his mind: Did he still hold a place in her heart? "I heard you loud and clear. I'm not deaf, you know?" he reiterated, his hands gradually sliding from her shoulders to her wrists. The touch of Atta's skin felt as smooth as he remembered, and his calloused fingers grazed her delicate hand as he closed the distance between them, peering down into her eyes. "I can see it in your eyes, Atta. You're holding back. You don't look at him the way you used to look at me," he ventured, taking a shot in the dark. Gaston hoped that she would open up, maybe give him a chance for the night to see where things stood between them.

"What do you mean?" Gaston asked, tilting his head with confusion evident in his eyes. Sensing the need for clarity, he cleared his throat and continued, attempting to grasp the context of her words. "All I want is to hear your voice once more... I won't do anything, I promise. Let me take you out. Is there something so wrong with that?" Gaston exuded a manipulative charm as he offered a sweet smile, his voice carrying a soft and tender quality, akin to a gentle caress bestowed upon a wounded woman. "For old time's sake, perhaps?" Finally, his hands took hers, squeezing it gently to offer warmth.