Peter smiled at his reflection in the shoppe window, and pulled the green slouchy hat down more snugly over his ears. He was glad for the cold rainy weather that made his hat blend in. After all why should he waste magical energy, in creating a glamour to make his ears look more... urg... human?

He strolled down the sidewalk, and finally came upon the tavern he was looking for. The tavern nearest Belle's house. The Tavern with the person he could practically smell had been to Nodnot.

He pushed open the door, the bell above it tinkling merrily to announce his arrival.

Belle's father sat in a corner of the pub, his eyes were glazed over with grief. It had been a month since he had last seen his daughter. His only child. A month since he had lost her to the beast.

After all time moved faster out here in the real world than in Nodnot.

Peter glanced over at Gene's table, and found exactly what he was looking for.

His target.

The man himself...

Devin.

The table full of empty bottles told Peter exactly what he needed to know.

"This is almost too easy." He muttered to himself cheerfully.

Stalking over to his prey in the corner of the tavern, he pulled a chair up to the table and sat down in it backwards.

Devin looked up at him disdainfully.

"If you're here about what happened in the woods. I don't want to talk about it." he spoke gruffly.

"Fine...Then just listen." Peter replied.

Devin took a swig out of his bottle maintaining eye contact with Peter.

Peter glanced left and right, then leaned in and whispered. " I know where Belle is~"

The chair screeched against the ground as Devin stood up, grabbing Peter by the shirt collar.

"If you're lying to me..." Devin hissed.

"Belle?! BELLE?!" Gene squawked madly.

"Oi you lot, mind taking this outside?" The bartender shouted.

The other patrons of the bar looked at the scene in mild interest.

"Of course sir." Peter replied smoothly, as Devin -rather reluctantly- set him down.

"Come on." Peter gestured the men to follow him.

Devin helped Gene out of the tavern, and led him to a bench. Gene slumped onto the seat and looked up at Peter hopefully.

"You know where my daughter Belle is? Is she safe?!" He gasped, tears pricking at his eyes.

Peter had to bite back a disdainful sneer. He always did hate it when people cried.

I mean, what kind of species dripped Salt water from their faces! It certainly wasn't dignified...

Peter chewed on his bottom lip, pulling his face into a well practiced frown. "You see therein lies the problem..." He lowered his voice to a dramatic stage whisper. "She's with the beast..."

Gene stood to his feet, and looked at Devin, eyes wide. "I told you!!! I TOLD YOU!!!"he shrieked. 

Devin's face grew hot. "Gene keep it down... people are staring."

People were beginning to stare, Peter frowned, this time for real.

  Having an audience only seemed to encourage Gene. "No. NO! I'm not Crazy!! You didn't believe me but I knew it! We have to do something!!! Call the Police or-" 

With a snap of Peter's fingers, Gene went limp. He slid back onto the bench.

Devin's eyes widened. "What are you?"

"I'm the only one, who can help you kill the beast... And save your damsel..." Peter replied leaning against a nearby streetlamp.

Devin raked his fingers through his hair. "Why would you help me? What's the catch?"

Peter drummed his fingers against his chin thoughtfully.

"You have to kill him tonight..." Peter sneered. "So, do we have a deal?"

Devin shook Peter's outstretched hand, and nodded.

"We have a deal."

Peter smiled like the cat that caught the canary.

And with that Peter and Devin disappeared in a cloud of green smoke.