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

[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.

[lifesa_witch]

Clara blinked at the attitude, but was quick to curtsy. "Madam? We'll be out of your hair shortly."

[richestduck]

Hortense clicked her tongue. "And Mummy would have my head if I didn't at least offer for you lot to come inside for some tea before you go."

Scrooge hopped down and limped over to his sister. "Admit it: You missed me."

"Like a bad frost."

And yet the two siblings tightly embraced.

[lifesa_witch]

Awww. Clara smiled, chuckling quietly. "As much as the rider and I would enjoy that, madam, we must return right away. Our mistress is... very insistent about our time."

[richestduck]

"Your loss," Hortense said cheerfully.

Scrooge chuckled. "I'll see you this evening then, Miss Clara."

[lifesa_witch]

"Good day to you both." Another curtsy, and she was off.

Scrooge had better enjoy his time away... because it seemed that when Clara returned, she'd gotten a lot more stress-wrinkles.

[richestduck]

Oh he certainly did...though his parents had decided to be embarrassing. His mother in particular had suspected he'd gone back for some bizarre "budding romance".

He couldn't say why precisely he'd left for two weeks much less why he'd returned, so he'd had to sit there and take it.

He wanted at the curb with a large basket filled with goodies from his mother which he fully intended to share with the staff and Magica. It seemed only fair to bring back something nice.

Though that expression..."What happened?"

[lifesa_witch]

Clara sighed, helping him back in. "I'm not sure myself," she explained. "Only... it seems whatever the last thing you read to the mistress? It seemed to put her in an awful mood once she gave it some thought. She's been an outright terror."

[richestduck]

"How in the--" He shook his head. "Never mind. Let's get back and keep her from tearing someone apart."

He passed the heavy basket up into the carriage.

[lifesa_witch]

Clara helped pushed it in and closed the door once Scrooge was inside. "She won't talk to anyone about it. But... she might tell you, if it's related to a cure."