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 turned away as well, cheeks burning. A moment of silence.

"... So. Without the wings, am I still a goddess?" There a Little bit of embarrassment to pay him back.

[richestduck]

Scrooge made a strangled noise deep in his throat. She really was never going to let him live it down.

"...I've not seen much magic in my life, but...you were quite magnificent."

[lifesa_witch]

She expected him to get mad and make a snarky comeback - not make it worse. Or better. Honestly, what was with him?

Maybe restoring her body had restored some other good parts of her as well.

"... Do you want to know why I was surprised you were still a virgin?"

[richestduck]

"It'd be enlightening." He started to turn his head to glance at her but stopped before he could fully do so. "It's typically expected that I wouldn't find anyone, after all."

[lifesa_witch]

"First, if you tell anyone this, do remember I have magic now and can curse you up to your eyeballs."

With that out of the way...

"Your leg can't be the first thing people notice about you. I refuse to believe it. You are..." A sigh, but it was easier to say this since she wasn't looking at him. "... Incredibly good-looking. I'm not really good at describing this sort of thing, but you have a very appealing face, and your eyes have a sort of rich color... plus you dress well, despite you social status, and the way you care about your family is something... other people... might find endearing."

Funny, once she got started, it was hard to stop.

"You're clearly intelligent, not just in retaining memory but using a quick wit, you can be stupidly kind even when it doesn't benefit you, and obviously you've got know-how with money. If a woman wanted to find a good husband but gave all of those qualities up in favor of one leg, she's got to be the most foolish creature alive."

[richestduck]

"Not entirely, lass," Scrooge countered. "This isn't some childhood accident coming back to bite me years later: I was born like this and any children I have might have the same issue or worse. While others may or may not see the same virtues in me that you do..." Here she would see a full-body blush at the admittance. "...but that hanging concern is likely to turn someone away. It's expensive to raise a child with a deformity and it puts a strain on everyone."

He'd seen that first-hand.

[lifesa_witch]

She glanced at him every now and then, trying to act as if she wasn't.

"Bah, children. What's so great about children? Why can't anyone just marry for the sake of enjoying the person they're with? A marriage without..." She couldn't make herself say 'love', hell no. "... affection... is doomed to fail."

[richestduck]

"Who says those things are mutually exclusive?" he asked with amusement. "My parents adore one another and love their three children just as much. Mummy would say that children simply means more love in the home overall."

[lifesa_witch]

"Then if someone really feels... affection... for you... then they'll want your children, defects and all. The world's a big place. Surely there must be at least one person in the world like that."

What was even happening in this conversation?! She began to play with her hair, an old habit that came back with her body.

[richestduck]

Scrooge chuckled. "If they're out there, they've never spoken to me about it."

He glanced towards the door. "Where's Clara? You've got to be getting cold right now."

[lifesa_witch]

Now that he was looking at the door, he'd see the maid poking her head in. How long had she been there?!

Clara cleared her throat, quickly walking inside, pretending she hadn't been spying. "Here you are, mistress."

"It's about time!"

[richestduck]

Scrooge began walking. "I'll leave you to get changed and then settled in for the night. Goodnight, Magica."

[lifesa_witch]

"... Goodnight, Scrooge." She caught one more look at him before he was gone for the night.

[richestduck]

Scrooge headed to his room and sat down on his bed, not bothering to begin his nightly routine just yet.

So. Magica was back to normal.

Financially, he and his family were quite well off, particularly since the repairs to Castle McDuck had been completed. The family could once more dwell in their ancestral home. Meanwhile Magica had her magic and her old form back with no Midas Amulet to further disturb the economic landscape. Plus his hard work meant that her financials would be stable for ages to come.

So why wasn't he happy with a job well done?

He looked around his bedroom. Then he paused. "His" bedroom. It wasn't his, not permanently. After today, it would be just another private suite for guests in this monstrous house.

'But maybe...'

He pushed the half-formed thought from his mind. No. No, he likely wouldn't be allowed to stay here. She didn't require him any longer, and any affection their previous conversation might have suggested was likely due to misplaced gratitude.

He sighed. In the morning he would show up for work as usual, but very likely it would be to collect a severance package before being told to pack his things and go.

[lifesa_witch]

In the morning, all seemed quiet but pleasant. Clara knocked on the door, ready with Scrooge's breakfast. "Good morning! And congratulations, about last night!"

[richestduck]

Scrooge was already awake, sitting at the table with his hands propping up his chin, lost in thought. It took him a minute or two to acknowledge Clara's presence and words.

"Oh. Good morning. And thank you."

[lifesa_witch]

She blinked, surprised at his attitude. "Is everything all right? Is your leg bothering you?"

[richestduck]

Scrooge gave her a somewhat sad smile. "No, it's fine. Everything's fine. Just...mentally preparing myself for today."

He focused immediately on the food. "It's looks grand. Thank you."

[lifesa_witch]

"Ah, oh..." She finally 'got it', turning her head away. "I think... we'll all be sorry to see you go." Then, with a bit of hope, "Maybe you could visit?"

[richestduck]

"I wouldn't be opposed if she let me do so," he said. "You've all been very kind to me."

[lifesa_witch]

"And you've been very kind to us." She said with a smile. "I've no doubt you've aided the mistress in many ways."

[richestduck]

"Thank you, lass. I did my best."

The breakfast was as delicious as always, but he took his time today. He would still arrive on time but...well...he should enjoy the meal.

Finally, he got up to head to the library, knocking at the precise time he was supposed to begin.

[lifesa_witch]

"Enter."

Inside, Magica stood to attention. Now that she had her body back, she could dress 'normally'. Perhaps in celebration of her restored limbs, this dress exposed plenty of her arms and legs while still remaining mostly conservative otherwise, blackness that hugged her hips quite firmly.

Wile her face was serious, her fingers exposed her nervousness as they anxiously ran up and down her arms.

[richestduck]

"Good morning," Scrooge greeted as he entered. He didn't move towards a bookshelf, instead standing before Magica, hands on his cane.

He said nothing else, waiting for her to give the order.

[lifesa_witch]

"Good morning."

Magica looked away, biting her lower lip as she reworked what she'd planning to say since last night.

"... My magic has returned to me fully. I can now fully throw myself into finding Ratface. It shouldn't be too difficult, as when it comes to magic and spellcraft, I am a genius. But... unfortunately... when it comes to other things... my genius is a bit... lacking. Such as... finances."