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]

Scrooge picked up his fork. Honestly, what did you say to a woman you were sleeping with? It wasn't something generally discussed in this modern day and age.

"So have you found anything interesting in your tomes?"

[lifesa_witch]

Oh thank god, an easy topic.

"Well, I might have found something that could narrow the field." She began to explain. "It's a sort of spell that can at least tell me if Ratface is dead or alive. It's about trying to imbue life, and if it fails, that means something is already living."

So the translation said.

[richestduck]

"Well, that would take a load off your mind," Scrooge noted. The uncertainty of not knowing if someone he loved was dead or alive would drive him mad.

[lifesa_witch]

"It'll take about a week to get all the ingredients together, for a spell that only takes a minute to cast." One of the annoyances of magic.

[richestduck]

"At least you'd have an answer more or less right away," Scrooge pointed out. "That's more than you had to go on before."

[lifesa_witch]

"True enough..." She glanced over at him.

"... It won't be as showy as before, but if you want..." He could show up again.

[richestduck]

"I'd love to watch," he told her.

First of all, the magic itself fascinated him. Second, it would be seeing her in her element.

[lifesa_witch]

She played with her hair a bit, pleased that he was so eager to come along.

"All right... I'll let you know when it's all ready." Then, onto the 'defensive'. "Though I won't guarantee you getting another good look at me naked outside of the bath."

[richestduck]

He flushed red. "I didn't...! I wasn't...!"

[lifesa_witch]

She flashed him a grin and resumed eating. He really was too fun to tease. "Another fine meal..."

[richestduck]

She was so cruel.

"Aye. It's good." He took a bite of his meal to hopefully get her to stop teasing him.

[lifesa_witch]

Like he didn't love it.

Thankfully the meal progressed normally, with idle chatter of peaceful things. Once in a while their hands would brush together, and despite having slept together, this was the thing that would make her blush and look away.

[richestduck]

"You know," he said idly, looking away and blushing, "I do miss one thing about my old job: It was nice reading to you."

[lifesa_witch]

"... It was nice," She agreed, playing with her hair again. "You have a good reading voice."

[richestduck]

Now the blush was with pleasure. "I did my best, lass."

[lifesa_witch]

"It's been a long time since I've read for pleasure." She said without looking at him. "... Maybe once Ratface has returned..."

[richestduck]

"I'd be honored."

It would be a nice little activity for them.

[lifesa_witch]

"Mmm... b-but that's still some time ahead." She said quickly, reluctant to show 'weakness'. "Even if this spell proves Ratface is alive, there's still the matter of finding him, and seeing if there's a way to bring him here, if I can't go to him."

[richestduck]

"Of course."

He finished his meal and rose from the table.

"I'll see you at dinner?"

[lifesa_witch]

She rose as well, feeling silly at how a simple conversation made her heart flutter. "Of course. Same time as your usual dinner breaks."

[richestduck]

"I'll see you then."

She already knew the timing, after all. His schedule hadn't changed much since he was working directly for her.

He took her hand in his and raised it to kiss the back of it.

[lifesa_witch]

Now her whole face flushed as deeply as he did whenever she played her dirty tricks - perhaps it was the same effect. She struggled not to stammer. "Honestly...!"

[richestduck]

He gave a silly little smile before limping off. If it weren't for the feel of the cane in his hand and the awkwardness of his step, he could've believed he was walking on air.

[lifesa_witch]

Time passed slowly in their new set schedule. Their conversations weren't great masterpieces, but little by little they got to know more about one another, and open up themselves.

It turned out the ingredients of the spell weren't as difficult to find as she first believed. Everything would be neatly arranged in one week, with the spell taking place the exact day that Magica took her... usual bath.

That day - rather, that night - a bemused Clara came to Scrooge's door, knocking twice. "Mister Scrooge? The mistress is ready to perform her spell, if'fn you'd like to come take a look." Her expression, however, said she already knew the answer. And probably a lot more.

[richestduck]

"Absolutely."

True, his leg was giving him a bit of trouble, but he wouldn't miss this for the world. It would be the first time he'd see her cast a spell as, well, herself.