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]

"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?"

[richestduck]

Scrooge blinked in confusion. Still, she was leaving. Hopefully. He could try and work out what she was talking about later.

"I will. Now if you don't mind..." He motioned to the door again.

[lifesa_witch]

"Yes, of course! Wait, really quick!" She scooted up to Scrooge's side, tugging on his sleeve. "Okay, her favorite flowers are violets, she loves pasta, her left foot is her most ticklish area, and she thinks her hair is her prettiest asset, so really go there for the compliments. Good luck!"

With a spin and a giggle, she flounced away for the door.

[richestduck]

...He really doubted that the left foot was that ticklish nowadays.

However, Adelia's words made him blush, finally realizing what she'd thought was going on. Well, that wasn't too far off, he supposed. Or at least not too far off from what Magica had attempted to propose a few weeks ago.

...Unfortunately, he was still slightly red when he went to the room the ritual was to take place in.

[lifesa_witch]

Thankfully, he wouldn't be noticed right away...

The large room had been emptied, and the whole floor was covered in written and painted symbols. It was dark, save for a few carefully placed candles, with one window's curtains parted to allow the moonlight to shine over a black cauldron that was bubbling away.

Quietly, Magica began to arise. She was in a different set of robes now - violet and crimson, with the patterns of red spider lilies. Her hair had been braided up, allowing it to flow over her shoulder. As she passed a candle, it was clear that hints of make-up had been applied - eye-shadow, blush - and Clara was at her side holding two items, the amulet and a small knife.

Magica took one glance at Scrooge, then away.

[richestduck]

'Oh wow.'

She looked incredible. Scrooge felt significantly under dressed as he looked upon her. She certainly looked the part of the goddess of magic.

Who would've known that Magica could be drop-dead gorgeous?

[lifesa_witch]

She'd only caught a glimpse of his expression, but it was worth it.

At the cauldron, Magica spread out of her arms. "Gods and goddess, I bring you an offering, to reverse this curse and undo the mistakes I have made. I ask thee to return my mortal form and my magic with which you blessed me... and in exchange, I offer you the Midas Amulet."

Pause, before she mumbled something under her breath.

"... I mean, I could have used it for charity, you don't know. So if you wanna send me a sign that you changed your minds?"

Nothing. "... Fiiine. Clara."

Clara stepped forward, and dropped the amulet into the cauldron. But when she held up the knife, her hand began to shake. "... D-Do I really have to cut you? I'm not so good with blood..."

[richestduck]

Scrooge carefully got to his feet and headed over to her, careful not to smudge the lines and symbols on the floor.

"I can do it," he offered, holding out his hand.

If Clara was too nervous to cut Magica, she might accidentally cut something important.

[lifesa_witch]

Magica and Clara looked at each other - but Magica nodded. "Very well. The blood needs to put into the cauldron, as proof this was my sacrifice."

He'd done this once before, after all.

[richestduck]

He took the knife from Clara before taking Magica's arm (wing). He held both over the cauldron before delivering a swift cut without warning. That way she wouldn't have time to tense up and make the cut hurt even more.

[lifesa_witch]

Here she thought it'd be the face, like the first time - so she was startled to see him go after the wing, exposing her feathers. Clara backed up and covered her face, expecting Magica to yell and shriek after "exposing" her... but that didn't happen.

Magica swallowed, but looked away as the blood dripped down into the cauldron. The water turned crimson, and the amulet began to dissolve. The water began to bubble more intensely, faster, hotter, and then spilled over the cauldron, flowing into the floor...

Magica's eyes took on a dark, blood-red color, and she cried out, arching her back as her whole body took on the same color. Her "arms" began to shrink back, her "legs" wobbled, and then she fell to the floor, the light emitting from her body temporarily blinding.

When it faded... she was on her knees - actual knees - as her robes fell off, as they no longer fit her.

[richestduck]

Scrooge recoiled in horror as her entire form turned that dark red. Oh gods. They should've waited. Tried something else first.

But then she had arms instead of wings and proper webbed feet. It took him a moment to realize that the robes had fallen off. He hastily whirled about, keeping his back to her.

[lifesa_witch]

"Mistress!" Clara grabbed the robe, trying to hastily cover Magica with the remains of the robe. "Are you all right?"

"I..." Magica said softly, holding out her... hand...? Her eyes widened as she stared at her fingers, eyes filling up with tears. "It worked...?"

[richestduck]

"Glad to hear it, lass," Scrooge said, very deliberately not turning to face her. Should he leave? He should leave, right?

[lifesa_witch]

Magica stared at her hands... and began to sob, openly. It was finally back. All of it was finally back. She could earnestly try to find her beloved Ratface again.

Clara fidgeted, unsure what to do. "Oh, dear, um... oh! You need your old robes! I'll go fetch it!" She fled for the door, not thinking clearly.

[richestduck]

Scrooge internally panicked. Clara couldn't just leave him here to deal with Magica alone!

However, her sobs made him slowly walk backwards. He still wasn't looking at her to keep from invading her privacy, but he could still offer some level of comfort.

He placed his hand on top of her head, the only safe zone he currently knew about.

"It's all right. It's okay."

[lifesa_witch]

Magica continued to cry, but then slowly reached out and took the hand that was touching her hair.

It took a few tries, but she managed to choke out - "Thank you. Thank you so much."

It came out so soft and gentle, like maybe the woman she could have been before her family and her wealth ingrained bitterness in her.