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]

"Can't say I've seen one." She answered with a shrug. "I believe it was... a bird cage?"

[richestduck]

"Can't really picture her with any songbirds."

Something else? And where was the bird now?

[lifesa_witch]

"I know better than to ask her about it... but she insists to keep it all cleaned and free of dust." Stranger and stranger still.

[richestduck]

"Maybe the bird's shy?"

The mansion drew nearer. Well, perhaps one day Magica might mention the bird.

[lifesa_witch]

"Even so... wouldn't food have come up in the finances you've looked through?" And there hadn't been anything related to birds or pets in there.

[richestduck]

"...It would've."

Unless she was feeding it something that people also ate.

Add one more mystery to the pile.

[lifesa_witch]

They returned to the mansion, with Clara carrying Scrooge's things. For the first couple of minutes, all seemed well...

... Until they could hear Magica all the way from her room.

"YOU CALL THIS SWILL DINNER?! GET OUT AND DON'T COME BACK UNTIL YOU'VE GROWN ACTUAL TASTE BUDS!"

[richestduck]

"...I'll go see what the problem is."

Clara had been dealing with Magica all day. His vacation was over.

[lifesa_witch]

Clara grimaced. "Are you sure? You don't have to resume work until your usual time..."

[richestduck]

"You all need a break from her. At least once she's done screaming herself hoarse, I can go to bed."

[lifesa_witch]

"You're far too kind, sir." Despite that, she led Scrooge to Magica's bedroom, where the "dinner" servant passed them by, wearing a soup bowl for a hat.

[richestduck]

"...Give me two of those scones. Maybe I can appease her with them."

[lifesa_witch]

She fetched two scones out of the basket, then lightly rapped on the door.

"What do you want?!" Magica snapped from within.

[richestduck]

"It's me. I brought you a treat from my mother. She sends her regards."

[lifesa_witch]

Silence, contemplating.

"Enter."

Clara made a sign of the cross before opening the door.

[richestduck]

"Thanks for the vote of confidence," Scrooge muttered.

He entered into the room, scones in hand. He wasn't sure if Magica had any particular favorite flavors but hopefully the pastries would still be to her liking.

"Good evening, Magica."

[lifesa_witch]

"What's so good about it? I've had to waste an entire day of possible spellwork thanks to you and your little 'vacation'... and you!" She barked at Clara. "What are you doing just standing there?! Do I pay you to gawk? GET TO WORK!"

Clara quickly put the basket down and fled for her life.

[richestduck]

"I worked overtime so that you weren't missing any time overall, remember?" Scrooge retorted.

He placed the scones in front of her.

"Here. Mummy always makes too much food, and she felt you should have some."

[lifesa_witch]

Magica was pacing all over the place, the talons on her feet scraping the floor.

"A day is still a day, and no amount of sweets from any old woman will make up for it!" She turned around, seemingly ready to go into another rant when she... stopped. Seeming to observe him for the first time. Thinking. Contemplating.

She looked him up and down, her cheeks starting to flush. She made an uncomfortable sound in her throat, looking away and then moving to slowly sit on her bed.

Of all the things to follow up with, it was... "Those things you said in your letter to me. Do you still mean them?" She asked quietly, almost mumbling, not looking at him.

[richestduck]

Scrooge grimaced but admitted, "Aye. You do strongly resemble the winged Egyptian goddesses. Why?"

[lifesa_witch]

She began to shift around, one leg crossing the other before deciding otherwise, shoulders moving back and forth. Fidgeting without limbs was difficult.

"And that's something you find..." She swallowed, her voice going even quieter. "Attractive?"

[richestduck]

"To an extent, aye. Where are you going with this?"

[lifesa_witch]

A low grumble in her throat.

"... The last book you read... combining it with some other texts offered a... possible solution. A ceremony of sacrifice to the gods of magic - that if I give up something of my body permanently... there may be a chance to return to normal. It's... no guarantee, but..."

It was apparently worth a short, and worth killing her dignity, as she still wouldn't look at him.

[richestduck]

"...And?"

He wasn't sure what she was planning on being rid of and how this related to how attractive he found her.

[lifesa_witch]

Oh, gods - how could he be brilliant when it came to books and money, but clueless to everything else? She clenched up as best she could, drawing into herself. How was she supposed to be sexy? It wasn't something she ever cared about before, so she knew nothing about it. Not to mention this body of hers wasn't exactly built to be provocative.

Another hard swallow, her voice dropping down to a whisper. "Sacrificing... my... virginity."