happilyeverbeginning | toss a coin to your witcher (dumb duck trio)

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toss a coin to your witcher (dumb duck trio)

"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.

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"Of course," Poe said with a nod, still stroking his sister's hair.

Magica, through her tears, did manage to say something in her normal voice. "... Thank you." It was quiet, almost whispered, but definitely sincere and heartfelt.

"It's my pleasure, lass."

He turned and started heading down after the mayor, pausing to scoop up the discarded shoe.

Though the twins would probably notice him chucking the expensive loafer into an open hot spring somewhere farther down the mountain if they kept watching.

Poe stifled a chuckle, leading his sister back into the manor.

The mayor was forced to, quite reluctantly, keep his word. The bones had been placed in a wooden coffin-like box, and thankfully for everyone involved not a single one was broken or defaced. No doubt the idea had been tempting, but fear of retaliation from the twins or ghosts had stopped anything from happening. And as always, Scrooge was right on the money when it came to money - the mayor's family had plenty to hide when it came to illegal fixes, from shortchanging the town to embezzlement to just plain old greed instead of improving the town itself.

The biggest surprise of all was who owned the land. The mayor's family did have a legitimate claim... but only to half of it.

Scrooge had taken great pleasure in turning the man's financial world upside-down. And given all that delicious evidence, there was no need for the local police to keep the De Spell bones for further evidence.

Which meant that Scrooge had caught a ride back up the mountain with one of his workers who owned a station wagon, the box in the back. He knocked on the door of the house early Sunday morning, tired but accomplished.

His employee waited for him. After all, as strong as Scrooge was, he couldn't carry the box alone without potentially dropping the bones.

This time, Ratface didn't need to play guard and inform the twins about what was going on. They quickly came to the door, able to sense bits and pieces of their parents spirit from whatever was waiting for them outside. When it opened, Magica was on the verge of tears again, but neither one said a thing. Instead, they silently stepped aside to allow Scrooge and his employee to carry the box inside.

Even Ratface, who sat on his perch nearby, was bowing his head in respect - due to the dead, and possibly even due to newfound respect for Scrooge.

Scrooge and his man followed the twins' directions, keeping reverently silent. This was a solemn occasion, after all. The bones of the De Spells were finally being laid to rest.

He kept his senses open, allowing his medium abilities to pick up any hint of the pair's spirits that remained on the bones. He typically saw spirits as clearly as most people saw normal people, but he was afraid in this case the elder De Spells might have faded. He hoped they'd managed to cross through the Door on their own.

Now that they were home, there were faint images of the elder Spells, but only Scrooge could see them - yet they weren't malevolent or even sad. They seemed to be at ease, finally ready to pass through onto the other side now that their remains were in their rightful place - and that their children were alive and well.

The walk to the crypt in the basement remained quiet as they made their way to the final hanging portrait of their parents. Poe silently signaled for Scrooge and the employee to place the box down, and once it was, he and Magica opened it up, taking the bones bit by bit and placing them inside where they were destined to be. Once the process was finished, they pulled the top on, and lightly kissed it.

"Welcome home, mother."
"Welcome home, father."

At last, the Manor De Spell felt at ease.

Scrooge stood off to one side as the De Spells placed the bones in their final resting place. He looked to the two spirits.

He nodded respectfully to them, silent so as not to disturb the twins.

The spirits smiled at him in thanks, pleased beyond words at all he'd done for their family. Each one ran a hand through their child's hair, and then, hand-in-hand, walked off to where the spirits in peace had their rest.

After a few more minutes of quiet solitude, the twins rose up, and lead Scrooge and his employee back up the stairs. Once the doors were closed, Poe was the one to break the silence.

"Is anyone else hungry? I feel famished."
"Really, Poe? I feel like I've aged twenty years. Probably look it, too."

'It was my pleasure,' he thought in their direction, hoping they heard.

"Thank you but I need to get going," the employee said.

"Thank you, lad." He then looked to the twins, the awful box now carried on his back. "I'll be back in in a moment. I'm going to burn this thing."

"Please, allow us." Poe said, trying to take the box from Scrooge.

Ratface did a double take. Did Poe just say please to someone other than Magica?

"And we'll take care of burning it." Magica said, also trying to take the box. "You can have a seat, and once we're done, we'll make you some coffee and breakfast."

Ratface did a triple take. Who the hell was that and what had they done with Magica?!

"Well, I won't deny you the joy of burning it but I might as well carry it outside. It's not too heavy." He then gave a yawn. "And after that I'll definitely take that coffee."

"Nonsense, we won't allow it."
"You've done enough as is."
"Look at you, you're straining."
"We insist you sit, put your feet up."
"Ratface, go fetch him something sweet from the pantry."

Ratface just blinked slowly, wondering what the hell happened down in the crypt to make the twins so suddenly slavish and devoted to this old man. "Uh... okay, if you say so...?"

"If you're sure..."

He set the box down. Honestly it was a bit on the heavy side but he was used to carrying worse on his back.

Hopefully neither of the twins would break their backs doing that. Poe in particular looked like he'd snap like a twig if he tried.

Poe and Magica made identical flicking motions with their fingers, after which those fingers turned a light blue. So when they picked up the box, it was with ease - though with a closer look, it appeared the box was floating mere inches above those fingers, hence the easiness. Which is why they calmly strutted outside with ease.

Ratface watched them until they were the door, then turned to Scrooge with a befuddled expression. "... So, what do you want, new 'lord of the manor'?"

"Ha! I doubt anyone could bring those two to heel even if they wanted to. They're just being polite." He grinned at Ratface. "Awful glad they've finally warmed up to me."

He headed towards the kitchen.

"Actually, how 'bout I put the kettle on while we wait for them?"

"Sir, I've been with them since Magica was in pigtails and bows. They don't do polite." But hey, if Scrooge wasn't going to listen, what did it matter to Ratface? He shrugged it off, moving to perch onto Scrooge's shoulder.

Scrooge gave the raven a bemused look, waiting until the familiar was comfortable before he started to walk towards the kitchen.

"Suppose you'd know them better then. Still, I certainly wouldn't think I'd be becoming the laird of this manor. As pleasant as this all is, we all know eventually I've got to get back to Duckburg."

He filled the kettle with water and put it on the stove to heat up. In the meantime, he meandered back over to the table to sit down. He raised a hand to his mouth and gave another yawn.

"Might need a nap before the end of today. Or go to bed early."

Ratface had to wonder if the twins would let him go back to Duckburg... or even just let him sleep alone. But he kept that to himself.

"Well, I have my orders to feed you. What do you want?"

"Whatever's easiest. Honestly I haven't eaten since yesterday." Pause. "I think."

"Then I'll get some of Magica's sweets. Good for short energy bursts. She usually eats them when Poe isn't around so he won't nag her."

He flitted off of Scrooge's shoulder to fetch a small box from the pantry. The twins were taking a bit longer than necessary out burning the box mostly over a small, stupid argument over who "should" have Scrooge - before ultimately realizing sharing was an option.

"Much obliged."

Honestly, he hadn't even realized just how long burning the coffin-like box was taking. Probably because he was so tired.

Ratface placed the box in front of Scrooge, allowing him to open and have as many as he pleased. A few more minutes passed before the twins returned, having come to a few conclusions on their own.

"Now now, you'll never get full just eating those! I'll make you a proper meal!"
"You look so tired, have you slept? We can have a meal sent to your room for later."

Ratface chose not to look at them. As far as he was concerned, this was just plain creepy.

Edited 2022-08-10 00:15 (UTC)

Scrooge took a biscotti from inside the box, munching away on it. The kettle still hadn't gone off, so he was just trying to keep himself moving enough to stay awake.

"Couple of all-nighters won't kill me. Besides, it was worth it. I think you'd agree."

Magica wasn't even making a fuss that her secret stash was being snacked on! Instead she gently rubbed Scrooge's shoulders, in case they were stiff. "Of course, but now there's plenty of time to rest and relax."

Poe was already grabbing some meat and potatoes for a proper, hearty meal. "The knight has slayed the dragon, and now may lay down his sword within the castle."

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