Tiana, the Beauty of France-1

Tiana soaked up the sun as she headed out into the village square.  It was another peaceful day in this simplistic town she had grown to love.  As she headed into the square, the world started to come awake.  The baker started coming out of his bakery with hot, fresh loaves while the local farmer was heading to his stand to sell his newest crop of pumpkins.  She waved to both of them but she didn't have time to chat.  She had to get to Délices du Ciel before the breakfast rush started or Monsieur Leveque would be fretting up a storm.

Tiana opened the door to the old French bakery, taking in the scent of freshly baked croissants and crepes.  She quickly set down her basket and headed into the back to slip on her apron. She picked up the coffee pot and headed out to feed the masses.

Tiana loved France.  She really did.  Everything around her was beautiful from the landscape to the buildings.  While she wasn't in New Orleans anymore, she still felt like she was at home.  The food, the people, the structure: it was all so familiar to her.  Everything seemed much simpler in this little town.  There was no traffic, no exhaust from cars.  Yes, she missed her friends back home but she had to be in France.

Eudora had suggested the idea to Tiana months ago.  Working at Cal's and Duke's wasn't helping Tiana get closer to her dream.  After thinking it over a bit, Eudora sat down with Tiana and told her about the idea she had.  In a small French villa, Eudora's mother had owned a nice comfy cottage.  The village was filled with business opportunities for a young girl like her.  Eudora thought that a new change of scenery would do Tiana some good and she could still work towards her goal of getting enough money for the old sugar mill.  Tiana was somewhat skeptical but the more she thought about it, the more excited she became.  France wasn't just beautiful; it had also housed some of the best chefs in the world.  There was so much for her to learn and take in.

Before she knew it, she was living in a warm, little cottage nestled in one of the lush valleys of France.  At first, it was strange not knowing anybody but everyone was kind to her and Eudora.  After meeting with Monsieur Leveque, she managed to land her first job.

"Bonjour Tiana!" Monsieur Leveque appeared carrying a tray of freshly baked éclairs.

"Bonjour Monsieur Leveque," She smiled.  "Those éclairs look mighty fine."

" I sure hope they taste 'fine,'" He smiled.  "Did you get home well last night?"

"I did," Tiana smiled back at him.  "I didn't run into any wild wolves like you said."

"Still, you should be more careful.  Why not let Gaston walk you home?"

Tiana shivered and gagged at the thought. During her first weeks here, she had heard all about the wonderful and talented Gaston.  When she finally met him, she wasn't impressed.  For some odd reason, people seemed to utterly adore him.  He even had his own little fan club that swooned whenever they saw him.  Everyone thought he was all that and bag of chips. Tiana, however thought differently.  Now she knew what everyone else would say.  Oh but Gaston is so handsome and strong.  Yes, he sure was strong and handsome and egotistical and rude and dumber than a bunch of rocks.  Sadly, Gaston enjoyed following her around like an annoying cat that always wanted food.

"I don't think he's interested in me," Tiana lied.  "Besides, I'm way to busy."

"Oh that's right, you have another job," Leveque sighed.  "My chérie, why do you work so hard?  You're just a girl.  It's too much for you."

"You are sweet to worry about me but I can handle it.  Besides, it's the only way I can save up for my restaurant."

"Oh right! I almost forget about your dream," He gave her a warm smile. "Well, I guess if you're mind is set up I really can't stop you."

"Well at least you tried," Tiana winked.  "That's all we can ask for."

The chef merely chuckled before heading back towards the kitchen.  Tiana gathered a few menus as the morning crowd started to roll in.  As she worked, outside someone was keeping an eye on her.  Yes, it was the ever so handsome but rather uncouth Gaston.  Ever since Tiana had come to their little village, she had interested him.  It wasn't just that she was new and exciting; it was the fact that she was the most beautiful girl in town.  Therefore, they belonged together.

"Just look at her Le Fou," Gaston said.  "Isn't she something?"

"She sure is Gaston," His greasy little henchmen agreed.  "She sure is pretty."

"She's more than pretty, she's the most beautiful girl in all of France," Gaston stared at his reflection in the window.  "That's why I'm planning on making her my bride."

"Do you think she'll do it?  Besides, all she does is talk about that silly restaurant she wants to open," Le Fou said.  "Oh and didn't she call you a self-centered, hypocritical, pig hearted, lily livered blow hard?"

Gaston raised his hand, ready to smack Le Fou senseless when the object of his affection walked out.  Not wanting to come off as a brute, he merely patted Le Fou on the head.  Fixing his coat and slicking back his hair, the muscular lug head sauntered over towards the dark skinned beauty.

"Good morning Tiana."

"Hello Gaston," Tiana sighed.  "Anything I can do for you this morning?"

"As a matter of fact, there is," Gaston placed himself in front of her.  "Why don't you quit this dull job of yours?  Then the two of us could head down to the tavern, take a look at my trophies, discuss wedding arraignments?"

"Oh, you getting married?" Tiana feigned ignorance.

"I'd like to get married.  Doesn't everyone?"

"Maybe but I don't have time for wedding planning," Tiana placed all the dirty cups on her serving tray.  "I'm much to bus saving up for my restaurant."

"Oh Tiana, Tiana!" Gaston took her tray and placed it on a nearby table.  "Forget about that silly little dream!  A woman shouldn't be working.  It's the man's job to do the work! The woman needs to be at home, raising the children.  That's the way the world works."

"Well it's said that well behaved women seldom make history."

"It's also said that the man is the head of the household," Gaston wrapped one burly arm around Tiana.  "I know over in those United States of yours, it's 'funny' for a women to work but you're not there anymore.  Just give in and let Gaston take care of you."

"Thank you but I don't need a man to take care of me," Tiana pushed him away.  "Now if you'll excuse me, I have some beignets to bake."

"Beignets?" Le Fou perked up.  "With honey and powdered sugar?"

"Stop encouraging her." Gaston kicked his lackey in the side.

"I'll save one for you Le Fou," Tiana smiled.  "Adieu Gaston."

Le Fou returned the smile was she headed back into the café.  He went to follow her but Gaston grabbed him by the collar.  Gaston watched as Tiana went back to serving her customers, trying her hardest to deny him.  He loved it when she played hard to get.  Still, his patience was wearing thin.  In his tiny, little brain he began to plan out a surprise for Tiana.  A surprise so big it would probably make her speechless for a year!

"Le Fou, you go get the parson," He slung Le Fou over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes.  "I'm heading down to the jeweler."

"What for?" Le Fou asked.

"Why for the wedding rings of course!" Gaston said as he walked away from the bakery.  "Tiana doesn't know it but I'm about to make her the happiest woman in the world."

"Are you going to buy her a restaurant?"

"No, it's much better than that!" Gaston dropped Le Fou once they were far away from the café.  "I'm going to make her my wife!"

During this whole time, Le Fou never noticed the strange shape of his shadow.  Being a short man, his shadow wasn't supposed to be incredibly long but today it looked like he had grown at least ten feet.  However, as the Le Fou headed for the parson's, his new shadow slipped away, gliding across the street.  Sly and slippery, it managed to go unnoticed.  It headed out towards the outskirts of town.  Once there, it made a strange guttural sound.  From the darkness appeared a tall, thin figure.

"What took you so long?" Asked the figure.  
The shadow joined back with its owner and rose to whisper in his ear.  As his master listen, his lips curved into a smile.

"A wedding eh?" The shadow nodded.  "I wonder if we should bring a present."