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]

She slowly nodded, but couldn't help but eye him a little. "I hate to admit this, but... you've got an impressive patience." She'd yelled at him, offered her body, and sobbed openly - and not once had he tried to flee.

[richestduck]

"When you've got a bum leg that won't let you quickly leave uncomfortable situations, you learn patience or explode from frustration," he said with a little shrug. "Some days are easier than others though. We McDucks have infamous tempers though my baby sister inherited the bulk of it for this generation, I think."

[lifesa_witch]

So he would have fled for it if he could have - she was never paying him another compliment again. "Hmph. I suppose that really does mean you were meant for my job."

[richestduck]

Scrooge chuckled. Some part of him probably would've wanted to flee, but he was a bit of a softie and would've stuck around regardless. Not that she was likely to believe him if he told her that.

"Perhaps it's like the preacher used to tell Mummy: When the gods close a door, somewhere they open a window."

[lifesa_witch]

"And they'll never warn you either way." Another huff.

"Very well. You're dismissed for the evening." Pause... "Leave the scone."

[richestduck]

"Until tomorrow then."

On impulse, he lifted her hand (wing?) and kissed the sleeve covering it. He then rose from his seat, setting down the scone within easy reach for her and limped his way out of the room.

[lifesa_witch]

Magica blinked rapidly at the gesture - it was certainly the last thing she expected after all she'd thrown at him that evening. She was grateful he quickly left so he wouldn't see her blushing again.

She ate the scone (which was one of the tastiest treats she'd ever had, even compared to all the expensive sweets she used to gorge on) and went to bed. However, sleep didn't come easy to her, as that simple little gesture had her wondering what it would have been like if Scrooge had decided to take her up on her "offer"...

[richestduck]

Scrooge himself was grateful for not just the warm brick in his bed to warm it to just the right temperature but also the hot bath that had been waiting for him. Dear gods, this place was spoiling him rotten.

As he curled up beneath the covers, he couldn't help imagining that the bed was warm from someone else's presence. It was a nice little dream even if it was impractical. He'd learned a long time ago that he'd never be seen as anything a young lady would find interesting. Perhaps that was one reason why he had felt a distant sort of hurt when Magica had proposed him sleeping with her: The only reason she'd made the offer was because of her limited options.

[lifesa_witch]

The morning came, and the servants were nervous, afraid that Magica's bad mood would continue. They walked on eggshells as they served her breakfast, and Clara stuck her head in Scrooge's room with his morning meal. "Good morning...?"

[richestduck]

"Morning," he said from where he was already dressed and stretching his leg. He was cautious not to overwork it. The brick had kept things nice and toasty for quite a while, but it had eventually cooled and his leg was stiff as a result. "Everything all right?"

[lifesa_witch]

"Well, I haven't heard her screaming or destroying anything so far..." A little shrug. The day was still young, after all.

"Did she tell you anything?"

[richestduck]

"She did, but I think it'd be best if I didn't spread it around. The last thing we need is to cause a misunderstanding where she throws me out and destroys the house," Scrooge said apologetically. "Still at least I now have some direction in what she's looking for.

"Did the staff enjoy the scones?"

[lifesa_witch]

Fair enough - but the fact that Scrooge was still here said a lot. She smiled, relieved. "Oh, they were delicious! Some of the cooks are trying to decipher the recipe for themselves!"

[richestduck]

"Good luck to them. That recipe's been handed down in the O'Drake clan for generations."

[lifesa_witch]

"They might pester you for it, in that case." A little giggle.

[richestduck]

"Let them try. I know it, but I'll carry it to my grave. Or pass it on to my children. Whichever comes first."

Probably the former if he wanted to be honest.

He sat down to take a deep whiff of his breakfast. "Gods, when my job's finally done for real this time, I'm going to have a hard time transitioning back to normal life."

[lifesa_witch]

"Aye, and you'll be missed." Clara admitted, turning to leave. "Cruel as it may sound, I hope you don't find a cure for a while... if only to keep the mistress sensible."

[richestduck]

"Keep her sensible? What do you mean?"

[lifesa_witch]

Clara glanced back. She wasn't foolish enough to say the words that could get her fired, and instead made an empty gesture with her hand.

"... Do you really need to ask?"

[richestduck]

"...Ah. Right."

Scrooge had almost forgotten who exactly had hired him.

[lifesa_witch]

She shook her head, and headed out. "Good luck today, sir."

[richestduck]

"You, too," Scrooge told her.

Re-reading a book wasn't something he was looking forward to but if it helped the situation, then so be it.

[lifesa_witch]

When Scrooge came to the library for his duties, things seemed the same as ever. Magica was ready to pretend the more embarrassing parts of last night's conversation ever happened. But as he entered and searched for the book they last left on, she kept rolling her shoulders with a grumble.

"Ugh..."

[richestduck]

He didn't say anything for several minutes before he asked her, "Shoulders giving you trouble?"

[lifesa_witch]

A sigh. "As you can very well imagine, my body wasn't exactly equipped to have these gigantic, heavy wings... my shoulders and back sometimes get into awful aches. Nothing to be done about it." Best to get to business.