happilyeverbeginning | And I’ll face all the evils that our love will surely bring [scrooge x magica]

Experimental spells were called that for good reason - they weren't things one did without fully knowing and understand its powers. But Magica was many things when she had screamed that incantation - narcissistic and desperate, to start with. It turned out being all-powerful meant nothing when you weren't all-knowing, and the spell had backfired spectacularly. It was a sheer miracle she'd come out of unharmed... for the most part.

The injuries to her body looked worse than they really were, and given her magic, they'd heal quickly. The real issue was her head, as she hadn't woken up in days. Finally, mercifully, she began to wake up, though that in of itself felt like a long, painful process. It hurt just to open her eyes, and thus took her several attempts, the light in the room giving her a headache. She struggled, keeping at it, moaning quietly, her vision initially blurry.

When she could finally make her surroundings - or at least the ceiling, as she still didn't have the strength to move her head just yet - she didn't recognize it. This wasn't where she was supposed to be. She was supposed to be...

... Ah. Hm. Uh.

"Where... am I?"

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Magica raised an eyebrow, perhaps the same gears beginning to turn in her mind. "And sampling the cheap but traditional cooking in small restaurants," like the one they just went to, "and indulge themselves in spending less in little clothing stores while stocking up on a lot." Again, as they had done earlier. "They still got the satisfaction of feeling rich without spending too much coin."

She chuckled, amused at how she had, accidentally, helped him out. This partnership was already showing some advantages. "And if someone as rich as yourself enjoyed themselves here... wouldn't that tell the rest of the world's billionaires that this is the place to be? It'd be like the McDuck seal of approval."

"In this case, them pushing me to the presidential suite further works in this city's favor. I've got quite a reputation as a cheapskate, so typically most people take my travel recommendations with a full shaker of salt, but me staying at a luxury hotel in their finest accommodations and offering some praise would have some effect. Particularly if I make a few comments here and there about how blasted over-the-top it is in places. Not every wealthy man is as thrifty as me, so they'd want to see what I was fussing about because they know it'd be somewhere far too posh for my tastes."

Scrooge rubbed his hands together as he got up from his chair and began pacing the floor.

"Invest in the local shops so some of them can offer a few more expensive items, have a specialty boutique or two as well mixed in for those who absolutely want a wealthier experience rather than purely 'slumming it' as well.

"Depending on how things go, new construction could begin on things like an Ancient Rome-themed spa retreat. Pompeii might have an ancient one you can look at, but people will pay good money for the novelty of experiencing something similar to what was typical in the ancient world. Possibly add in a vineyard..."

He paused and smacked his forehead. "The Palazzo de Felice! I completely forgot about it with that blowhard's droning on and on about that bloody villa! It's already got a vineyard! And a massive garden! It might be possible to talk the de Felice family to allow tours of both along with potential day trip packages for working in both or either. Nothing strenuous on that front and nothing that could potentially spoil either's grounds or products, but something to amuse the tourists. With the vineyard cleaned up and in proper working order, Somma Vesuviana could sell local wine as well to the tourists."

He spun on the balls of his feet. "Need a pen and paper to scratch all this down!"

Now he was talking so much and so fast it became difficult to keep up. Magica watched him, head in her hand, impressed. All it had taken was one idle comment and he was able to brainstorm idea after idea. He really was a genius, at least when it came to understanding money and appeal. It was rather impressive, and explained where his wealth came from, aside from adventures. Even rooming with his enemy and dealing with her antics hadn't really slowed him down.

She couldn't help but smile. Working with him was going to be interesting.

"What am I, your secretary?" Sass always present, she swung her feet around to meet the floor. "I'm sure this place has some in the desks somewhere. Ad you're welcome, by the way." It was her question that got this rolling, after all.

"Job's open if you want it!" Scrooge called back with a laugh as he went into the master bedroom to dig a notepad and pen out of his luggage.

Hours passed as the idea blossomed into fruition, gaining more traction the more they talked. The floor became covered in notepad papers with good and bad ideas, there were petty squabbles followed up by brilliant deductions, dinner was ordered and nearly forgotten. Through it all, they talked, talked, talked, as the sun sat and the stars glittered in the night sky.

In fact, Magica only realized how late it was when she went to close a window, the chilly air distracting her from their latest tangent. She blinked dumbly at the blackness of the sky, wondering when and how it had gotten this way. "Sheesh... what time is it?"

Scrooge pulled his pocket watch out of his pocket, the faceplate opening with a quiet click as he pressed the button.

"Just after midnight apparently," he noted. "Time flies when you're having fun."

Something he'd never thought he'd have with Magica de Spell of all people. Honestly, if someone had told him he'd be plotting an economic revolution for an Italian city with Magica, he would've first laughed in their faces before calling the local psych ward.

Just like Cinderella's carriage returning to its original pumpkin form, knowing what time it was suddenly slammed Magica with exhaustion. She blinked rapidly, wiping down her face, trying to understand how fast everything had gone. She pulled herself away from the window, also now aware of how messy the room was.

"No wonder I feel like I'm carrying dead weight on my shoulders. I guess even sorceresses need sleep." Amazing, she hadn't thought about her magic, and apparent lack of it, in hours. It was something she dreaded to get back, but now it wasn't a constant fear in the back of her mind. "I'm surprised you're still standing."

"Bah, it wouldn't be the first time I worked through the night," Scrooge said, waving a hand to shoo her off towards her bedroom. "I can work for several days at a time."

Of course, the crash was always spectacular when that happened, but she didn't need to know that.

"Get some sleep, Magica."

Magica stretched, nodding in agreement before heading to her bedroom. But as she stood in the doorway, hand on the knob, she glanced back at him.

The flicker she had when she "met" him was still there, but stronger. There was no denying she knew him "before", and she had felt strong emotions toward him. It was possible all those emotions were hate.

It was possible they were other things too.

"Scrooge?"

"Hmm?" He looked up at her from where he was trying to put all their notes into some semblance of order.

His own thoughts were a bit of a jumble at the moment, still somewhat reeling from the fact that he and Magica had spent literally an entire day together without her trying to murder him...and that he'd actually enjoyed himself.

The sad part was that...well...other than Goldie, Magica was the only person who stayed for longer than a few scant decades. It really was a shame that they weren't friends on a regular basis. It'd be nice to have another friend he wouldn't have to bury long before he passed on.

Magica met his eyes, there was no coy look of teasing, no seductive winking, just gratitude and warmth. It almost made her look like someone else entirely. Perhaps without her need for revenge and power, she was a different person.

"... Thank you." For taking care of her? For giving her a chance? For talking to her? It could have been anything and everything. She smiled a real smile, before closing the door behind her.

Scrooge gave a soft smile in return. "You're welcome, lass. See you in the morning."

And I’ll face all the evils that our love will surely bring [scrooge x magica]

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