i'm your venus, i'm your fire (magica x scrooge)

[lifesa_witch]

 Immortality tended to get boring. Whether she was booted out of the divine halls or voluntarily left depended on who you asked. As far as Magica De Spell was concerned, the mortals deserved to be in her presence every so often to entertain her. She flitted from village to village, trying to find someone worthy of her time, but alas, her standards were very high.

Then she learned to hear the whispers, the rumors, about a clan that rose from the depths of defeat and refused to stay down. The next head was a strong, determined lad who worked to the bone every day to bring glory to the family name. Curious about such a man, Magica walked along the dirt and the stones to where the man supposedly traveled for his wares. For now, she disguised her presence, allowing herself to be ignored by all living things so she could observe without being seen.

After all, when it came down to it, she wasn't going to hit it if this McDuck wasn't a looker.

Comments

[richestduck]

Well, Matilda really wanted to invite Ludwig to stay, but her father was right: They couldn't afford anyone who couldn't work. Or pay for their stay.

...Honestly, they probably should've made Magica pay.

Downy tried to answer Ludwig's questions about the food. Periodically Matilda jumped in to further explain something or other.

Scrooge internally worried. His sister was smitten. This...this was doomed.

[lifesa_witch]

Supper was finished, and Ludwig stood up to depart. "I suppose this means I must take my leave. I thank you all for having me..."

Magica leaned back, relieved.

"... And I look forward to my next visit!"

Magica almost fell out of her chair. "NO! NO VISITS!"

[richestduck]

"Lad," Fergus began, "we cannae afford fer ye to keep coming over for a full meal."

They gave their offerings to the gods, of course, but there was only so much.

[lifesa_witch]

"NO, DON'T SAY THAT!" Magica protested, flailing her arms.

But it was too late. "Oh, is that a problem? I do forget how often mortal currency runs out. Here, I hope this makes up for how much I've taken." He moved to get something of his robes, and then tossed a satchel onto the table...

... that was overflowing with gold coins. Ludwig had a tendency to hoard anything he found interesting... such as money.

[richestduck]

Scrooge gave a strangled noise of utter shock.

Fergus's glasses fell off his beak.

Downy covered her mouth with her hands, stunned.

Matilda opened and closed her beak several times.

Hortense was the only one who found her voice: "If all you gods are loaded, we should've charged Magica to stay!"

[lifesa_witch]

Ludwig raised his eyebrows, wondering what the issue was. "Magica? Oh no, she never keeps any offerings she has. As soon as she has them, she spends them. One of her many terrible habits, I'm afraid."

"Nobody asked you your opinion, Ludwig!"

"Those were facts, Magica."

"WILL YOU LEAVE ALREADY?!"

[richestduck]

Fergus cleared his throat, struggling to regain his composure as he picked his glasses back up. "Mr. Von Drake, this is too much fer one meal. We cannae accept it all."

Scrooge took the pouch and started counting out the appropriate amount.

"Maybe he could stay for a while?" Matilda asked, as innocent a smile as she could muster. "That's plenty for food and lodging for quite some time. Besides, he might like to see the family's library."

[lifesa_witch]

Just as Matilda had anticipated, Ludwig was easily distracted. "You have a family library? I'd love to see it! Mortal readings are fascinating!"

"You think everything is fascinating." Magica growled, sinking her face into her hands at the inevitability of what was happening.

[richestduck]

"It's not as large as some," Fergus warned.

"If he's in the library, he'll be out of our hair," Scrooge muttered.

[lifesa_witch]

"Please lead the way, Ms. McDuck!" Ludwig insisted to Matilda, cheerful. "Now I feel I owe you twice!"

Magica thudded her head to the table. "I should have dragged him fifty feet."

[richestduck]

"Of course!" she said cheerfully, pausing for only a moment to stick her tongue out at Hortense.

Scrooge shook his head as he swept the coins into the bag, handing it over to his father.

"Ah'll work out how long this'll let him stay." Fergus shook his head. "Two gods under the same roof..."

[lifesa_witch]

Ludwig followed Matilda, already starting to ask her questions about the library.

"Hey, it's his fault I'm not leaving." Magica growled, sticking her thumb at Scrooge. "You might never get rid of Ludwig. He's a genius and an idiot wrapped in one."

[richestduck]

"That's because all you want is to have sex with me and leave," Scrooge said sourly. "And I for one don't want to have a one night stand."

He picked up his dishes and stormed off into the kitchen.

[lifesa_witch]

"As opposed to what? Having sex with me and staying?" Magica grabbed her own dishes to go into the kitchen - yes, she was going to wash her share.

"You don't want me around anyway!"

[richestduck]

"You're right, but I've got more dignity than what you want," Scrooge retorted.

[lifesa_witch]

"Bah! Dignity!" Magica went to the water, furiously cleaning. "What does dignity get you? It won't get you a roof over your heard, food in your belly, or keep you from danger!"

Strangely enough, that seemed to anger her more than the actual rejection.

[richestduck]

That was...a surprising outburst.

"You're right. That alone doesn't do that. But mortals value respectability. I'm not likely to sell horses to people who think I'm sketchy. Besides, I don't need to debase myself for a roof or food or safety. If I had none of those things, then I might consider it."

[lifesa_witch]

Magica continued to scrub so hard, the dish was close to breaking in her hand. "And that security can be wiped away in an instant! A smiling friend will eagerly stab you in the back if it does them a favor... and see where dignity gets you then!"

Finished - and having almost scrubbed down to the bone - she began to storm off. "I'm going to bed!"

[richestduck]

Hortense blinked as she watched Magica storm off. "...Did we miss something?"

"I have no idea..." Scrooge murmured, musing to himself.

[lifesa_witch]

Magica tried to sleep, but couldn't. To be quite honest, she wasn't sure herself why she was so upset. It was like there was something in the back of her mind nagging her, but she couldn't grasp what it was.

She shook her head, struggling to put it behind. Any good effort she made today was possibly erased due to that argument. At this rate, she'd have Scrooge when he was old and gray! What else could she do? ... Perhaps it was time to ask for help.

... Hm. Maybe that fool Ludwig could be of use after all.

If she could get Matilda alone, she might be able to swap tips about the god of wisdom in exchange for Matilda helping her win over Scrooge.

[richestduck]

Just like the rest of her family, Matilda was up bright and early the next morning. She was gathering up dirty clothes and bedclothes to do the wash.

She smiled cautiously at Magica when she saw the goddess. "Good morning."

[lifesa_witch]

"Yes, yes, good morning." Magica strutted right up to Matilda, looking her up and down as she decided her tactics.

"You were practically fawning over Ludwig over dinner. Are you that friendly with every man, or do you fancy him?" Why beat around the bush?

[richestduck]

"I like Mr. Von Drake," she squeaked, turning bright red. "He's interesting."

She fancied him.

[lifesa_witch]

"That's a... word for him." Not the word she'd use.

"I've known Ludwig for a long time. We're not... friends, but aside from being annoying, he's been of no harm to me, and so he has been of use occasionally. As a result, I know him fairly well. And I can use that knowledge to your advantage, if you can do something similar for me."

[richestduck]

"You want me to help get Scroogey to sleep with you," Matilda said bluntly.