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

[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.

[richestduck]

"Nothing less than that given it's Mummy's cooking," Scrooge said. A fond smile crossed his face as he watched her enjoy the treat.

[lifesa_witch]

She sighed happily, the scone entirely devoured. "Eating solid food again has been fantastic... feeling textures, using forks and cups..."

[richestduck]

"There's another scone in there if you want it."

Hearing her enjoy such simple pleasures was actually quite nice. It was good to see her smiling.

[lifesa_witch]

"Of course I want it!" She made another dig through the basket.

"Maybe I can hire her on as another chef, if she keeps this up."

[richestduck]

"Make her an offer. She just might take you up on it if she gets paid to indulge in her hobby," Scrooge said with a laugh. "Though get ready to lose your figure in the process."

[lifesa_witch]

"I would hate to lose my goddess-like-qualities." She chirped after finding the scone and nibbling again.

[richestduck]

Scrooge groaned. "And you'd likely tell my mother about that if she worked for you, wouldn't you?"