inside of you, in spite of you [scrooge x magica]

[blackmagicduck]

[Another long day had passed, but in Magica's frank opinion, being with Scrooge made time fly far too fast. Not that age had ruined him any - no, he grew into muscle, the whiskers were cute - but there was always the fear that one day she'd blink, and she'd be onto the next McDuck. There was little she could do about it - little she could do about anything - so she learned to enjoy what she could.

Like, oogling him when he came out of the bathroom, freshly steamed and freshly cleaned. She gave him his privacy - eh, usually - but what harm was there watching him slip on a new robe? She'd been there when he (was forced to) bought it, and she let out a rhythmic purr, grateful that (as far as she knew) he couldn't hear a thing.]

Mmmm... I knew it would look good on you. Though that top button doesn't need to be there....

Comments

[blackmagicduck]

[Silence still. She's torn. On the one hand, this would be suitable revenge, tormenting with quiet suffering, letting him know that even his own shadow despises him.

But on the other hand... this sword cuts two ways. She knows a thing or two about being alone.

Finally, there's an indignant snort.]

What do you know?

[Her shadow slithers back into view.]

You think I'm doing this for amusement? I've been trapped in your blood for centuries! I can't taste, I can't feel, all of it is guesswork and memories! Even if I swore off vengeance, I still can't be free! I can't even get away enough to try and find a spell to break us both out.

At least you get the mercy of death, someday.

[richestduck]

There has to be an exit clause, right? I mean, even spells that are supposed to last forever have some sort of termination written into them. Like "no man can break this chain" so you get a woman to do it. Or in stories like Sleeping Beauty, eternal sleep was broken by true love's kiss.

[He doesn't know much about magic overall. He's been fumbling and relying on old tales. He'd never shown aptitude for it...or at least not obvious aptitude until one of the "people" he'd talked to had told him point-blank that they were already dead.]

Though if you get loose, there is the problem of you going after my family.

[And even if he resents them too often to feel comfortable, he's not going to unleash Hell on them.]

Not to mention all the other stuff the old stories used to say about you.

[blackmagicduck]

If there is one, your ancestor died with the knowledge. Figures a McDuck would rather let everyone suffer than to admit possible defeat anywhere.

[She huffs, crossing her arms.]

What do you care? You have no incentive to help me, or even get rid of me.

[richestduck]

Well, I'd be able to get a full night's sleep without you talking non-stop.

[He gives a brief grin before his face sobers.]

Not sure, really. I think...I think it's because I know what it's like to be constantly alone and mad at the people who forced it on you. I'd go insane if I couldn't even feel the breeze or enjoy a crust of bread to help offset it somewhat. Least those things prove to me that I exist.

So I guess I feel a little sorry for you. You're not the Shadow Queen, the nightmare that haunts Clan McDuck. Not like this at least.

[blackmagicduck]

[There's a feral growl in the darkness. She loathes pity, especially from him, of all people. But she has no choice but to receive it. If she had blood, it'd be boiling.]

I don't wanted your damned sympathy. It doesn't do any of us any good. You think you're so different. I'm your enemy, and you're mine... it's the roles we were born to play.

... I gave up a few generations ago.

[richestduck]

[And annoyed.]

Well, I, for one, am tired of being by myself! Maybe the status quo works for you, but not me!

[He knows he's being selfish, but...he's sick of being alone. But he's trapped because he's the heir to Clan McDuck. He can't walk away from his responsibilities, as easy as it would be to physically do so. He'd be haunted by the decision.]

[blackmagicduck]

[Now that surprises her. She 'blinks', befuddled.]

... You want to defy the family curse just because you're lonely?

[That's the silliest reason she's ever heard.]

Even if it's just a bitter old woman who's only remaining joy is ogling her mortal enemy?

[richestduck]

Yes. That about sums it up.

Besides, I'm the oldest male child. I'm already cursed. Might as well find something that makes me a little less miserable.

[blackmagicduck]

[There's a beat of silence.

Before she starts laughing. It's a mixture of cackling and disbelief.]

You are... the strangest one, out of the entire clan! And that's saying something!

[richestduck]

I choose to take that as a complement.

[A bit huffy. Her cheeks can't turn red, but his certainly can. And he's embarrassed by having to admit all this.]

[blackmagicduck]

Hm... maybe I did give up too soon.

[Cute. She can't touch him, exactly, but she can make her presence known. Like her hand 'cupping' his beak.]

Careful, Scrooge. You'll regret going down this path.

[richestduck]

[He can't feel anything from her touch, but he can see her shadow there. It's a little unnerving, to be honest: a shadow moving through space like a person rather than along a wall or floor.]

Wouldn't be the first time I looked back on a choice and regretted it. Maybe I am making a mistake, but it's mine to make.

Still, I take it this means you're at least willing to hear me out?

[blackmagicduck]

[With that, she withdraws her hand, annoyed that even for something so simple, she can't feel a thing.]

I don't have have much of a choice. I'd shake your hand, but it'd be rather useless.

[richestduck]

We can still shake on it. Sort of.

[He holds out his hand, slightly curving it as if he's gripping on to someone else's.]

[blackmagicduck]

[She rolls her eyes... but obliges, reaching out to take his hand, or at least put her shadowy darkness over it temporarily.]

I can't trust you, and you can't trust me. This should be a beautiful disaster.

[richestduck]

Well, even if it all falls through, we're no worse-off than we were before.

[And he "holds" her hand for a few more seconds before "releasing" it.]

[He rises from the floor.]

Though honestly I do have an early start in the morning. We can continue this once I can find a private place to talk on the train. Me getting locked up as a lunatic does neither of us good.

[blackmagicduck]

That is tempting. I'll think about it.

[Kidding. Mostly.

But she does it as a cue to slither back into the darkness, and return his shadow back to normal.]

Timeskip to later or a new thread a little farther down the road?

[richestduck]

[He climbs into bed and lies down, leaning over to blow out the candle.]

G'night, Magica.

hey, we're already here, why not move it along?

[blackmagicduck]

[A whisper so quiet, maybe even he doesn't hear it.]

Goodnight, Scroogie.

[richestduck]

[He doesn't hear it, having already fallen fast asleep. He works hard and travels so much that it doesn't take much.]

[The next morning and for most of the day, he's half-convinced he dreamed of Magica, but he keeps glancing at his shadow, hoping to catch a peek of her. However, it's just his shadow.]

[He's in luck as far as privacy goes. He got himself a "free" ticket as long as he makes sure the cattle in the cattle car are all right. It's a dangerous job given so many hoofed beasts in a train car. He could get trampled if they were spooked. However, he's small enough to perch on a rather amiable cow's back to keep an eye on things. Plus nobody else is in the car. Well, nobody sapient, that is.]

Okay, we're in the clear.

[This is going to be so awkward if nothing happens.]

[blackmagicduck]

[She had actually planned to give him a proper spook, but of course he'd been in the damn cattle car. Trying to give him a playful start might get him stomped to death, and then where would she be? ... Seriously, she had no idea what would happen. Best not to chance it.

So she does it the usual way, morphing out of his shadow.]

This is one of those rare times I'm grateful I can't smell.

[richestduck]

You get used to it.

[Seriously, he's pretty sure he's gone nose-blind to the scent of cow. It'll take a while before he'll be able to properly smell it again.]

Sorry it took so long. Nobody can check in on us while the train's moving. We might get someone poking their head in when we stop at a station just to make sure the cows are fine, but these Bessies won't be unloaded for quite a while.

[blackmagicduck]

[A hmph, and then she "moves" until she's "sitting" next to him.]

I suppose I should be flattered that you consider me better company than bovine.

[sarcasm so dry it's a desert.]

[richestduck]

Least when I talk to you, you talk back.

[Though he's going to reach forward to scratch the ears of the cow he's sitting on, prompting her to moo happily and for another cow to shove her head towards his free hand for a scratch.]

So I've been thinking since last night: You're a sorceress so you know about magic. I barely know anything about it but I still have it. I don't suppose you'd be willing to give lessons? At least it'd give you something to do rather than just watch me work.

[Even if the view is nice, right?]

[blackmagicduck]

[she's jealous of a cow. how low she's sunk.

Anyway, she raises an eyebrow.]

You want to learn about magic? What about making it "square"? A lot of people would consider spells and sorcery cheating.