toss a coin to your witcher (dumb duck trio)

[lifesa_witch]

"She used her dark magics on my husband, and now he sees her shadow in the mirror every night!"
"He killed an entire farm-hands livestock, all for his own twisted amusement."
"They have a garden full of statues that were once children, now frozen in time forever..."

As Scrooge McDuck - world's richest duck, famed adventurer, and also expert monster hunter - continued his research into the "mages of the mountain", he found each new rumor was more outlandish than the last. Sure, there were a few things that were consistent - the two were twins, beautiful in their own way, and fiercely loyal to one another - but after that, each new round of gossip could make them sound like petulant children or gods themselves. Whatever troubles the villagers were having, be it bad weather or failing crops, it was surely the fault of the De Spell family.

And yes, perhaps the manor of the twins - lofted right into the side of the highest hill, with decaying greenery entwined all around the massive stone steps - was a little something out of a gothic horror novel. Dark colors, eerie structure, and maybe a cracked gargoyle or two. The cry of a raven could be found in the distance. But if these twins were as powerful as so whispered, why couldn't they afford to fix the twisted rafters from the windows, or cover the drafts from moldy holes? The land itself was probably pricey property, and many would pay handsomely for it... if some particular vermin was exterminated.

Comments

[richestduck]

"Didn't mean to make that mistake," Scrooge said with a half-bow in his chair. "I just know how to work with what I have. When you lack magic, you need to get creative."

Though money certainly helped as Magica probably suspected.

[nevermore_a_duck]

"Which is a shame," Poe suddenly finished, re-entering the room with a small satchel and a large glass container, holding the ingredients Scrooge needed. "Because when it comes to magic, no one is more creative than Magica."

She, however, rolled her eyes. "That's not exactly what he needs to know to help our reputation..."

[richestduck]

Scrooge reached out to take the items. "Thank you. How much do I -- or rather the village -- owe you?"

He was prepared to do financial battle if necessary but...honestly he hoped they didn't have to haggle too much. The longer that noonwraith was around, the worse things would become.

[lifesa_witch]

The twins shared another look, then mutually nodded.

"You can pay us after the damn thing is dead." Poe answered first.

"Because for all we know, you're bluffing a huge ton of smoke, and you'll be dead by dinner." Magica said bluntly. "Taking the money from a future corpse is cursed no matter how you spin it."

[richestduck]

Scrooge frowned. "I can't do that. If I do bite it, that's stealing from you two. And I'm not a thief."

[lifesa_witch]

"Supplies can be restored." Magica said flippantly. "Lives, however, cannot."

"Quite true." Poe sat beside his sister. "For now, all we have is your word. You want to pay us? Then get the villagers off our back by getting rid of that creature."

[richestduck]

"Done. And if I want to uphold my end of the bargain, I'd best be off sooner rather than later."

He got up from his seat and tipped his top hat to the pair.

"Thank you for all your help."

[lifesa_witch]

Don't go thinking they were any sort of noble or kind, sir! This was just being practical!

"If you die, we'd prefer you didn't haunt us." Poe couldn't help but quip.

Magica shrugged one shoulder. "Actually, it'd be a nice reprieve from all the boredom..."

[richestduck]

Scrooge tossed a wave over his shoulder. "Don't worry! I have a whole list of enemies to haunt first should that happen!"

He left the house, pleased as punch. Hopefully, he wouldn't need to use the oils on the noonwraith. Perhaps he could calm her wrath, help her move on.

He was still planning to charge an arm and a leg to the village, of course. Finding out the girl's sad story, he was debating charging two legs instead of just the one.

----------

Silver bullets and silver dagger coated in the oil from the De Spells? Check. The name of the poor girl in question? Check...though that question had been met with many a villager looking away as they demanded to know why he'd wanted to know. (In the end, it was a child that had told him the girl's actual name. He'd made sure to tip the little boy well for that, making sure that the child knew that he'd helped the "nice lady" go to a better place all while fervently wishing for that outcome.)

Now for the hard part.

He entered into the area, checking his pocket watch. Five minutes to spare. He'd already taken in the lay of the land on a previous visit. He hoped it wouldn't come to a fight. The poor lass had been through enough.

Each second was its own eternity. He reviewed and re-reviewed the information in his mind, focusing on where the girl was supposed to appear.

Right on schedule, the noonwraith manifested, drifting sorrowfully for a moment before opening her mouth.

"Marzia Biancardi!" he called to her, mentally crossing his fingers. If she was so far gone that she didn't recognize her own name --

The noonwraith paused, looking towards him. She hovered there, clearly surprised.

His heart leaped with hope. She still knew her name.

He smiled at her, placing a hand over his heart as he gave her a little bow. "Hello, lass. My name is Scrooge McDuck. I heard about what happened to you. It was a monstrous thing he did. He deserved what he got. And it's a damn shame his brother-in-law got away from you, but he'll get his sooner or later."

The noonwraith quietly wept in front of him, wringing her hands.

He extended his hand to her. "I know you're trapped here. You don't deserve this, but I can Send you on."

She drifted backwards, afraid.

"Oh, lassie, I doubt what's waiting for you is one of the bad ones," he soothed. "I've seen many a specter like you on and I've yet to run into one who didn't have a Paradise of some sort waiting for them.

"But will you let me?"

[lifesa_witch]

Scrooge and the spirit weren't alone, but this third party wasn't planning on interfering anytime soon. Even if he wasn't a coward by nature, his mistress had ordered him only to watch and report back.

Ratface made himself small and scrawny in the shadows, only wanting Scrooge to succeed so that these pesky villagers left his family alone. Still, he was much like the twins in that he wasn't entirely sure the man would make it. He held his breath as he waited, wondering if the creature would go into the here-after with just a few pleas.

[richestduck]

Scrooge smiled at her. "Please. Let me lead you home."

She slowly extended her hand, looking like she was going to take his. Then fury filled her face as she saw something behind him. She started screeching, knocking Scrooge aside.

He rolled with the blow, ending back on his feet. He saw the brother-in-law with a preacher who was shakily attempting some sort of exorcism.

"No, no, goddammit! You need to get out of here!"

He was so close! She wanted to let go and move on -- he could see that -- but these absolute morons...!

[lifesa_witch]

Ratface clicked his tongue, not terribly surprised. Of course the villagers wanted to take credit for "saving" the village, and probably not wanting the pay the outsider if he couldn't get rid of the Spells.

He had been instructed to leave things be... but... well. If this man could well and truly keep his mistress safe? Familiars and loyalty went hand in hand.

With a nervous and shaky breath, he took to the sky, flying faster than the creature could shamble. He intended to merely give the priest a good scare - flap wings in his face, maybe rip up a bible with his talons - and see how much time that could buy.

[richestduck]

The preacher was completely unprepared for the assault. He threw up his hands and shouted in fear, interrupting his prayers.

Scrooge ran past the noonwraith, coming to a stop between her and the idiotic duo. He turned his head slightly. "Run as fast as you can back to the village!"

"It needs to die!" the brother-in-law shouted.

"She's already dead!" Scrooge snarled, keeping one eye on the noonwraith as she considered her options. He stepped this way and that to keep between the two factions. "If you don't leave now, not only will I let her have you but I'll make sure you won't be able to get away!"

"You wouldn't -- !"

BANG! Fast as lightning, Scrooge had drawn his revolver and fired at the dirt less than an inch away from the shrieking man's foot. He hated wasting a good bullet (particularly one of the silvers), but right now he had no other options. The situation was spiraling out of control.

The brother-in-law backpedaled as fast as he could.

"For the last time, get out of here!" Scrooge snarled.

The brother-in-law fled, leaving the preacher with Ratface.

[lifesa_witch]

Ratface didn't like the sound of gunfire - the speed of a spell versus a bullet was often unfair - so he dove to the ground, covering his head. He was no brave hero, he just wanted to get this over with! When a second shot didn't follow, he sighed with relief, lifting his head.

"... Well, what are you waiting for?" He couldn't help but snark. "A pretty please?"

[richestduck]

"DEMON BIRD!" the preacher shrieked before racing after his companion.

Scrooge holstered the weapon. "Finally!" He cast a quick glance at Ratface. "You'd best fly off, too. If I can't settle her back down, it's going to get messy."

[lifesa_witch]

Eh, he'd heard worse. With that, Ratface made to duck behind whatever shelter he could find.

"No can do. I was ordered to observe. Get on with it, 'expert'."

[richestduck]

"Then give me space."

Scrooge turned back to the noonwraith. He held up his empty hands to her.

"He's not worth it," Scrooge told her.

The noonwraith seethed, its torn clothing roiling about her.

"Marzia!" he called. "Marzia Biancardi, listen to me!"

There was no hint of recognition, no spark.

The last shreds of Marzia Biancardi were gone.

His heart broke as the noonwraith focused its efforts on him. He drew his revolver again, aiming for the center of its forehead.

"I'm sorry, lass. I really am."

BANG! BANG BANG BANG BANG!

[lifesa_witch]

Ugh, that sound again! Ratface winced, ducking his head under his wings again. But he couldn't hide forever, and so he forced himself to look through his feathers and through the noise, to see if the mortal man had made it - or been massacred.

[richestduck]

The last wisps of the noonwraith's essence swirled past Scrooge. His head was bowed, the revolver lowered and at his side.

"Well then. That's a result for your masters, eh?"

There was nothing left save some ectoplasm and mystical dust. Valuable potion ingredients, true, but the cost to obtain them...that was too high.

[nevermore_a_duck]

Ratface raised his eyebrows, genuinely surprised. He walked out slowly to observe the area and make sure all was safe. The girl's loss was a pity to be sure, but ultimately, he could only care about himself and his mistress.

"So it is. I'd think a man at your age would be used to these sort of things." But with a shrug, he opened his wings, ready to take to the skies.

[richestduck]

Scrooge's head snapped to Ratface, glaring. "I am used to it, but that doesn't mean I like it!" His beak curled in disgust. "If I ever perform a job like that and it doesn't affect me, that's when I need to pack it in. Otherwise it might be innocent people like your masters who end up gone!"

He pointed towards the last remnants of the noonwraith.

"If your masters want that, they can have it. Call it part of their fee. Should fetch them a pretty penny if nothing else." He spun on a heel and started to walk.

[lifesa_witch]

Ratface blinked rapidly, but again, shrugged it off as he walked to the remains to pick what his mistress would like. Yelling and anger was quite normal for him, and he only ever really feared it from the twins.

"Innocent people end up gone all the time. What do you think happened to the elder Spells?"

Magica had said they died. She didn't say how.

[richestduck]

"Then why do you care if your current masters die if the death of innocents means nothing to you?" Scrooge snapped, still walking. "They'll be dead sooner or later anyway. Then you'll find new masters and move on."

[lifesa_witch]

"A master and a familiar's bond isn't so simple." He tried picking up one of the items in his claws. "If she dies, I'm out too. Innocence and guilt are things beyond birds. We just know who we like. You mortal ones get hung up on so much when time is so short."

With a flap of his wings, he was above the ground. "But I suppose they will be happy you aren't dead yet."

[richestduck]

Scrooge snorted. "Doesn't matter. I'm just another mortal to you and them. If they don't want me to come by to find out their fee, they can just send a note through you, I suppose."