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]

The staff were more than happy to hand over everything they had - if it meant keeping Magica nice, or, well, nicer than usual, then they'd do whatever he asked!

Out of everyone, Clara was grinning the most, though it was mostly because she had her own guesses as to why he was still around.

[richestduck]

When Clara came in with his lunch, he looked up brightly, eyes shining.

"Good afternoon."

[lifesa_witch]

"Good afternoon indeed!" She chirped as she walked in with his lunch. "And congrats again!"

[richestduck]

"Thank you." He started clearing an area so she could set the food down. "Honestly, I thought she was going to tell me that she'd been joking when she'd said she was hiring me on to take care of her financials."

[lifesa_witch]

"Oh, the mistress hates jokes." It didn't mean she was always honest, though. "Besides, for all we know, with you gone, maybe she'd make an amulet to turn everything into silver instead."

[richestduck]

Scrooge shuddered at the thought. "That'd be slightly less of a disaster but only slightly."

[lifesa_witch]

"But now that you're here, it won't happen!" She chirped. "Someone with common sense and the will to talk back at her!"

[richestduck]

He chuckled. "Well, I'll certainly do my best. I had some leverage last time, after all."

[lifesa_witch]

"Just be yourself, and everything will work out perfectly!" The food was set and she stepped back. "That's what she likes best about you, that you're... well, you."

[richestduck]

"I'm afraid I don't quite understand what you're getting at, lass."

[lifesa_witch]

Unlike Adelia, who would push and push and push, Clara knew when to let things drop."Oh, nothing... just enjoy your lunch, and let me know if I can help with anything."

[richestduck]

Scrooge nodded his head. "Thank you again, Miss Clara."

Something niggled at the back of his mind as something he wanted to ask her. After all, she'd known Magica for longer and she was a woman.

However, he wasn't even sure what he was feeling so he kept quiet on the matter. Either it would go away on its own or it would give him a clear indicator of what he was actually feeling at some point in the future.

[lifesa_witch]

"Have a good day!" She curtsied and let herself out.

As Magica predicted, there wasn't much occasion for her and Scrooge to meet anymore. Now she had to wait until she had news from him... she doubted he'd want to see her for simple conversation. She couldn't blame him.

So while Scrooge's schedule mostly changed, hers didn't, as she stayed in the library to study.

[richestduck]

Scrooge wasn't sure how to find ways to see her more often without being annoying. As much as he'd like to stick his head in and say "hello", he just wasn't good at that sort of thing.

Except for when he managed to get more scones on his day off. After giving the bulk of the basket to the servants to share, he knocked on the library with his "offering".

[lifesa_witch]

"Enter."

Magica looked up as Scrooge entered, pleased to see him after "so long" - especially when she spotted that familiar basket. "I can finally eat those with hands!"

[richestduck]

"And Mummy sent along a special treat for everyone: Not just scones but also some of her jam and clotted cream," he told her. "I asked the staff if it'd be possible to have some tea to go with them."

[lifesa_witch]

That did sound very yummy. "What did she do that for? Is it some sort of special occasion?"

[richestduck]

"I've been telling Mummy how much you all enjoy her scones, and her hobby is feeding people," he told her. "The jam and clotted cream are her way of saying 'thank you' for keeping me on."

[lifesa_witch]

Magica closed the book she was reading to come over, intending to fetch scones for herself. "How much do you tell her and your family about me, anyway?" Thankfully the tone was curious instead of accusatory.

[richestduck]

"That you needed my translation skills for a project that I couldn't give specifics on," he told her. "I told them that once it was completed, you kept me on to manage your finances so you wouldn't have to rely on the Midas Touch."

[lifesa_witch]

She flipped the basket open, ready to rifle for herself. "And no mentions of sneaking peeks at the naked goddess twice over?"

For the record, she was never going to let those things go.

[richestduck]

Scrooge buried his face in his hands. "No."

[lifesa_witch]

Found one! She pulled out a scone and began to nibble.

"If you didn't react that way, it wouldn't be as fun to tease you."

[richestduck]

He wordlessly grumbled. "How's the scone?"

[lifesa_witch]

"Delicious, what else would it be?" She said in-between chews.