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 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."

[richestduck]

He stared at her. Was she honestly suggesting...?

"You want me to continue working for you?"

[lifesa_witch]

She turned away, embarrassed. "Your rinky-dink castle still needs repairs, doesn't it? And you've got a whole family to take care of, so you'd better be grateful." Huffhuff. She was doing him a favor, that's all!

"I thought I would have the Midas Amulet for the rest of my life, so I never gave much thought to paperwork and bills and such. But since you made me get rid of it, it's your responsibility to make up for it with work."

[richestduck]

She did realize that it was giving up the Midas Amulet that freed her from her half-animal form, didn't she?

He decided not to press his luck. Instead, he said dryly, "I'll do what I can to make up for costing you so much."

[lifesa_witch]

Bah, details. "Obviously I'll no longer need you to read to me... but... but you have to keep me updated about my finances! As much as possible."

They'd need time apart to do their tasks - him with his job, her with her spells - so an excuse needed to be made to spend any time together. Not that it was an excuse.

[richestduck]

"Absolutely. I'll make sure you're kept up-to-date on everything regarding your investments. That way you're well-informed should you ever decide to take a more direct role in them."

[lifesa_witch]

"That may not be for a while... you might wind up working for me for a long time."

Not forever, no, that'd be insane. But how long was long enough? She wasn't comfortable giving anything definite.