So stay away from me / the beast is ugly (scrooge x magica)

[lifesa_witch]

 The carriage ride was so long that by the time the horses stopped, night had already settled in. It was a full moon, allowing the stone pathway to be illuminated. The rider said nothing, simply taking Scrooge's bags and walking on ahead. With any luck, this wouldn't be a return trip - but luck had died long ago in this place.

In the distance, one could hear the caws of several ravens, far away in the dark forests. It was difficult to see the house in the darkness, but it was certainly large and grand. Definitely belonging to someone of high class and lots of money. After all, it was part of the reason Scrooge was here.

Another servant was at the door, waiting for them.

"Either look her in the eyes," he warned, "or have them stay on the floor. Never anywhere else. Just keep your introduction and qualifications short. it is..." He hesitated, glancing backwards. "Often too easy to stoke her anger. And lastly... never ask questions."

Some of these things had probably been told to Scrooge before - he'd been recommended the job, after all. Granted, the recommendation came with the mysterious woman buying up his shop like it was nothing. Still, it seemed at least the servants wanted this to go well.

Whatever "this" was... it was about to begin, if he was ready to enter.

Comments

[richestduck]

Scrooge returned on time, having taken the time to refresh himself. He glanced at the pitcher of water and glass with some relief. That would help significantly.

He poured himself a glass but didn't drink from it just yet. Instead, he sat down to look at Magica.

"Since you're also having me work on your finances, I had a suggestion to start off: You need to save as much as you can right now, so it'd be best to have local cuisine rather than the decadent things you typically serve. Locally-sourced food will be cheaper than having to import special ingredients from the continent, so you'll have more for less."

[lifesa_witch]

One look at her face could tell she was irritated - but she couldn't really argue. After all, he was doing exactly what he was hired to do. A bit of grousing a bit of grumbling, but eventually there was a nod.

"Don't make a big show of it." She huffed. "I don't need the locals knowing I'm having issues with money." Power, respect, fear - those were important forces of the world, and in her condition she could rapidly lose all three.

[richestduck]

"Of course," he said, biting down on the sarcastic response he'd wanted to say. The last thing he needed to do was to ruffle her feathers further.

He picked up the book and opened it up to where he'd stopped, waiting for her to tell him when to begin.

[lifesa_witch]

Seeing that he was ready to get back to work, she nodded once and ease into the pillows. "Resume."

[richestduck]

Scrooge began reading, only pausing to take sips of water or taking very brief restroom breaks. At least the water helped keep his voice from completely drying out.

[lifesa_witch]

Again, hours and books passed, the only sound with Scrooge's own voice.

Knock-knock. "It's six o-clock." Time for dinner, and he'd be done for the day.

[richestduck]

Scrooge had nearly finished the book. It had been an interesting read if a bit confusing. Well, he'd likely learn more through osmosis as time wore on.

He got to his feet and held out a hand to offer to help her up.

[lifesa_witch]

But she didn't take it - and even seemed to glare him for the offer. Clara cleared her throat as she stood in the doorway, trying to get Scrooge to leave before things got worse.

[richestduck]

Scrooge retracted the offer. He'd pushed enough of her buttons today.

Instead he nodded his head in farewell and headed over to Clara.

Once they'd left the library, he told her, "I got her to agree to local food. We should use up what's left of the fancy stuff first. Just don't advertise it to the rest of Glasgow."

[lifesa_witch]

She blinked, surprised, but smiled. "Thank you, sir. Maybe you'll be the first person she actually listens to."

[richestduck]

"She hired me to tell her things she didn't want to hear," Scrooge pointed out.

[lifesa_witch]

"True," she glanced back at the closed doors. "But that was no guarantee she'd listen. It's only been one day, but you must already know how stubborn she can be."

[richestduck]

"Oh, aye," Scrooge said. "She reminds me of my sister Hortense to be honest."

[lifesa_witch]

Clara merely nodded. "We are allowed to write to our families... but she has to see the letters first."

[richestduck]

Scrooge was quiet for a long minute. "...High turnover rate?"

[lifesa_witch]

A long, long sigh. "Unfortunately. She doesn't trust anyone, and constantly expects betrayal."

[richestduck]

Scrooge sighed, rubbing his temple. "I'll see if I can't do something about that, but it'll take time."

[lifesa_witch]

She watched him, surprised. "You don't have to tax yourself so deeply."

[richestduck]

"I'll admit it's not pure selflessness. I'm very close to my family, and I want to at least write to them, but my letters are my business, not hers."

[lifesa_witch]

A nod. "... Mostly she's making sure we don't write about her, at all."

[richestduck]

"That is a level of paranoid I feel like I should've expected from her."

[lifesa_witch]

Another sigh, smaller this time. "A place this big, yet she chooses to shut herself off from the world... She was like this before 'it' happened, but 'it' made that part of her far worse."

[richestduck]

"If she was going to shut herself away, this would be the place to do it."

Scrooge glanced sideways at Clara.

"You don't have to tell me specifically, but were only her hands and feet affected by...whatever happened?"

[lifesa_witch]

Clara hesitated again. This time, she took extra long to make sure they were far away from the library, and any other servants.

"...All of her arms, and all of her legs. But I beg you, never ask any more of this."

[richestduck]

"I won't."

That actually explained a lot. It made sense that she'd want to cover her hands and feet, but the way her arms and legs moved at times didn't look right.