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]

Knock-knock on the door. It was time for dinner.

"I'm not asking for them." She said quickly on the defensive.

[richestduck]

"OF course not. I'd just hate for you to go without."

She wasn't fooling him in the least.

[lifesa_witch]

She turned her head away, snooty. "Go and have your supper before I change my mind."

[richestduck]

"Of course," he said, fighting down the urge to chuckle at her expense.

Honestly, one of these days he was probably going to push too far but...well, he couldn't resist sometimes.

[lifesa_witch]

The night ended, and the day of the ritual began. While the other servants were quick to set up the room for the ceremony, Clara was chosen to stay near Scrooge's room and at his side, should he want or need anything.

There was a bit of excitement in the air. Would this really be it? Even if not, an actual magical ceremony, in front of so many mortals - it was unheard of!

[richestduck]

Scrooge visited his family and had brought back another large basket of scones and other sweets. As he returned home a few hours before the ritual, he handed over the basket to Clara and asked her to wake him an hour before the ritual.

The weather turning cold had made his leg ache especially fiercely. A nap would help alleviate some of it.

[lifesa_witch]

An hour before, knock-knock-knock.

"Sir Scrooge! Is it okay to wake you now?"

[richestduck]

Sir Scrooge?

Scrooge opened his eyes and sat up, knuckling one eye. "I'm up..."

[lifesa_witch]

"Oh good!" Except that didn't sound like Clara - oddly, it almost sounded like Magica. With a little giggle, the person opened the door, sliding inside and closing it quickly before she could be spotted.

No, it definitely wasn't Clara. It was a blonde version of Magica, decked all in blue - although even then, her having normal arms and legs would've given her away. "Well well well, let's get a good look at you!"

[richestduck]

"Huh?" he asked, fumbling for his spectacles.

Who was this person? Why did she sound so much like Magica?

The moment he put on his glasses, he added another question to the list: Why did she look so much like Magica?

[lifesa_witch]

She flitted over to his bed, looking him up and down and nodding in approval. "I see, I see, handsome one, are you? Maybe she's finally gotten some good taste."

She then lightly booped his beak. "Let's not be too loud, I'm not exactly supposed to be here. Come on, up up, the day is wasting!"

[richestduck]

"Wha? What is? Who are you?"

[lifesa_witch]

"Are you going to lay in bed all day? That's no good." She grabbed his hand and tried to yank him forward.

"As for me? I am Adelia De Spell." A quaint curtsy. "I am Magica's cousin!"

[richestduck]

He yelped as she pulled him out of bed, hissing as he put too much weight on his bad leg before shifting to his good one.

"I've never heard of you."

[lifesa_witch]

"Somehow, I'm not surprised." She let him go, oblivious or ignoring his pain as she clicked her tongue. "Far as I see it, Magica's still the tiniest bit wary about her family. I thought I'd come in and check on her, but goodness, she's made it so difficult... she told all of the servants not to let me in or near."

She then booped his beak again. "But I figured she wouldn't have told you anything! So I just made dear little Clara take a nap, so I could come say hi."

[richestduck]

The throbbing in his leg told him that this was probably the reason Magica had tried to banish her family.

Suddenly, he wished she'd succeeded.

"So you've seen me. Now what?"

[lifesa_witch]

"Now, you get to tell me what's been going on with her!" She slapped her hands together. "How is she doing? Why hasn't she left this mansion in so long? What's with all the secrecy?"

[richestduck]

"Why should I tell you?" he demanded.

Under ordinary circumstances, he would've told her since she was family, but he had a feeling that that would be a terrible move in this case. If only because Magica would likely fire him in a heartbeat.

[lifesa_witch]

"Because... I want to know?" Why deny her? What an odd thing for him to say.

"Magica's my family, why wouldn't I want to know how she's doing? Ever since she broke off her engagement, it's been ever so difficult to us to get in contact with her."

[richestduck]

Well, now he felt a little bad for being hostile to her.

He checked the clock. He still had time before the ritual.

"I'm one of her servants. It's not my place to share information about my mistress behind her back," he told her, voice slightly apologetic.

[lifesa_witch]

"Oh, I'm sure she wouldn't mind!" She chirped, hands clasped together.

"Can't you tell me anything? Granny's ever so worried, and Rosolio is wasting away! ... Well, not literally, he's still quite large, he's always had such a huge appetite, but in the heart he's wasting away!"

[richestduck]

"I'm sorry, ma'am, but I really don't think I can do so."

He then motioned to his door.

"If you don't mind, I need to get changed."

[lifesa_witch]

"... For what?" She tilted her head, curious. "And why were you taking a nap so late in the day anyway?"

[richestduck]

"She needed me this evening," he said. "And I need to get ready. Please excuse me."

[lifesa_witch]

"She needs you for the evening?" She tilted her head. "Oh my... a man and a woman alone for the evening, something that needed you to be well-rested for...?"

She giggled quietly. "Yes, yes, I think I understand completely now! Do take care of her, will you?"