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.

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[richestduck]

He'd only been asking for the evening, but a whole day sounded great. He wasn't about to look a gift horse in the mouth.

"Thank you. To make up for the time, I'll work a little extra on the days leading up to it."

[lifesa_witch]

Hm! Not a bad exchange. "In that case... on those days, you'll stay here after dinner. Once you've finished eating, you can return to work."

She still wouldn't eat with him - the way her body was, she had to be fed by her servants, and that was far too humiliating to be seen.

[richestduck]

"Very well," he said. "We have a bargain."

It made him a bit giddy with pleasure. True, he'd have to put in a little extra time, but she'd be more willing in the future to let him do it again if she saw he was willing to make up for lost time.

[lifesa_witch]

"Family," she muttered, shaking her head. She couldn't understand that kind of connection. "I know you're smart enough not to speak of what happens here."

[richestduck]

"I didn't say a word before and I certainly won't now."

[lifesa_witch]

"Then we will speak of it no more." Another wave of her arm. "It bores me. Such connections just turn out to be burdens."

[richestduck]

"Oh I wouldn't say that. If it weren't for them, you wouldn't have me around to do this job for you. And not simply because Mummy laid my egg."

He picked up the next book in the stack, opening it up to the appropriate page.

[lifesa_witch]

... Damn. He knew how to leave a good opening.

With a huff and roll of her eyes... "Fine, why do I 'owe' them?"

[richestduck]

"Because they had the good sense to know that if I couldn't make my living in the mills like Daddy, making sure I was educated enough to get an apprenticeship with Mr. Swanson was the next best thing to make ends meet. Turned out after the fact that access to all those books meant I could start learning the languages you'd need most."

[lifesa_witch]

"Hmph. I would have found someone eventually." It was easy to think of 'ifs' when you didn't need them.

[richestduck]

"I'm sure you would have," he said dryly.

After all, it wasn't as if he knew at least a dozen spoken languages and even more dead ones...Oh wait.

[lifesa_witch]

A hard snort. "Get to work already, you've wasted more than enough time babbling about your little 'family time'."

[richestduck]

"Yes, ma'am."

And without another word on the subject of family, he began to read.

[lifesa_witch]

Days passed, and before Scrooge knew it, it was time for him to see his family. He was allowed to leave in the night, so by the time he arrived he could spend the entire day with the family, and the morning after return.

Clara had gotten the carriage ready, happy to escort Scrooge to and from. "All set?"

[richestduck]

"Very," Scrooge said, practically bouncing. "It'll be good to see everyone."

[lifesa_witch]

Clara chuckled, amused, opening the door for him. "My my, it's rare to see a happy face leaving this place that knows it's coming back."

[richestduck]

"As challenging as the job and company can be, I'm being very well-compensated. The castle should be done in another couple of months so my family can move back in. It'll be the first time a McDuck's lived there in centuries."

[lifesa_witch]

Once he was in the carriage, she couldn't help but smile along with him. "May you and yours own it happily for many centuries to come."

[richestduck]

"Well, we do own it. We just have to pay taxes on it. And castle upkeep's expensive. Being able to move into it will save some money at least. Renting's just throwing money down a hole."

He sat down, leaning on his cane.

[lifesa_witch]

She closed the door for him. "Perhaps if the mistress is up to it, she can take care of all that as well."

[richestduck]

Scrooge clicked his tongue. "Tempting to ask but I'd rather not press my luck. Besides, I didn't factor in her paying the taxes on the castle or its upkeep."

[lifesa_witch]

Clara chuckled, understanding. "Yes, perhaps not now... for all we know, the cure could be found in a day or a week. Or maybe she's already found it as she thinks over your latest reading."

[richestduck]

"Perhaps, perhaps not," Scrooge agreed, looking out the window. "Almost a shame. Those books are actually quite interesting. Ah well. We press on regardless and deal with the consequences as they come."

[lifesa_witch]

"A good plan and a good outlook on life."

Idle chat-chat came and went, and it seemed like time flew by very quickly. When they arrived at their destination, Clara was instantly a servant again, opening the door and fetching what little he brought along. "Shall I bring this inside, sir?"

[richestduck]

"No need. I imagine they'll be out -- "

"Well, look who finally decided to came down to spend time with the peasants."

Hortense was attempting to look stern but, really, she was excited to see her brother.