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]

The small bag was weighed down with several immediately necessary things. The carpetbag contained the bulk of what he owned including things that wouldn't be usable until springtime.

Scrooge gratefully climbed inside the carriage, glad to be off his feet.

[lifesa_witch]

Without breaking a sweat and no complaints, she headed into the carriage and put down the bag. The door closed, and they were off.

"Hot bricks will be waiting at your bed tonight, that's a guarantee."

[richestduck]

"Bless you."

He would sleep well tonight then without taking a dose of laudanum. He hated taking the opiate even if it was what the doctor recommended for his leg.

[lifesa_witch]

"Oh, don't bless me. It was the mistress' idea in the first place, even before you left."

Here she thought Scrooge knew that, but perhaps Magica liked to keep some things hidden.

[richestduck]

Scrooge's brows rose. "Was it now? I'd always assumed that was your doing or one of the others."

[lifesa_witch]

She shook her head. "She took notice of your leg right away." No doubt because of her own condition.

[richestduck]

"And here I'd thought she didn't notice. Now I feel a bit bad."

[lifesa_witch]

Clara chuckled quietly. "Well, considering all the abuse she still heaps on you... I think the score is still in your favor?"

[richestduck]

"If we were keeping score, probably," Scrooge said. He chuckled. "Though it is nice to know that she cares on some level. To keep me healthy enough to be useful at least."

[lifesa_witch]

"I wouldn't ask her about it, though." She pointed out. "She'll deny it, and then need to prove her denial..."

[richestduck]

"Oh, I'm not stupid enough to bring it up. I don't want her to prove how tough and uncaring she is."

[lifesa_witch]

"Then I think this time around will go much smoother." Clara replied with a bright smile, genuinely believing this.

[richestduck]

"And I learned that if a door was previously closed but now is open, don't go inside without express permission."

[lifesa_witch]

Clara shrugged a little. "Curiosity killed the cat, but satisfaction brought it back."

[richestduck]

"In this case, that's true, but I believe it'd be a bad idea to put it to the test a second time."

[lifesa_witch]

"Of course, of course."

Eventually, they returned to the mansion, haunted looks and all. This time, Clara insisted on carrying absolutely everything - one wondered that if she had a spare arm she might try carrying Scrooge.

[richestduck]

Scrooge was grateful for Clara's help. Honestly, the way his leg felt, if she'd offered to carry him, too, he probably would've taken it.

"I'll go pay my respects to the mistress of the house."

[lifesa_witch]

"At this time, she'd probably be in her bedroom chambers, getting ready for bed. I'll put your things in your room right away."

[richestduck]

"In that case, I'll send a note."

It would be better than making that mistake a second time.

[lifesa_witch]

Clara chuckled again, heading for Scrooge's room. "Maybe so. You do have such lovely penmanship."

[richestduck]

Scrooge snorted. "I doubt it was the penmanship that convinced her to have me come back."

[lifesa_witch]

"The goddess lines might have helped."

She might have peeked at the contents of the letter.

[richestduck]

"Please tell me that not everybody knows about that."

[lifesa_witch]

"I should hope not." Although there were a lot of servants listening in on that door for the last argument...

"It's just surprising she reacted to it," Clara added quickly. "When her body was normal, she always dismissed her suitors and rolled her eyes at their compliments."

[richestduck]

"Of course she would. She took those compliments for granted."

After all, when you had plenty of something, you didn't think too much about it.