Author's Notes: This is what happens when I find myself on cough medicine and between classes. Without beta supervision, you are warned. However, thanks to EbonyDesire there are hopefully less mistakes now than in the earlier version. : )

Disclaimer: I do not own Howl's Moving Castle, but I kidnap the characters every now and then.


Dirt, it was everywhere. It covered what must have at one point been called a room. There was a fine film tinting the windows, blackening the floor, and creeping up the walls. It was… disgustingly unorganized and unkempt. Whatever else this wizard turned out to be, his affinity with dirt and grime bordered on the frightful.

She chanced a second look around the room, softly glowing dingy pots and haphazardly stacked dishes in the sink seemed to be the best the room had to offer in the way of cleanliness. It was then, with that one glance she knew what her story would be. Old Sophie, the new cleaning lady. It had a certain ring, she thought and wondered if she should let her new friend in on the plain.

Shifting in her small wooden chair before the warm hearth she let out a long and tried sigh. Sixteen years of being the older, responsible sister was going to pay off… just not in a grandiose way found in the fairy tales she had been forced to read Lattie in the past. She had years of experience; in cooking, cleaning, and doing the wash. Self-taught in matters of house keeping as she was, it would be slightly more chaotic and take twice as long, but it would get done. If she happened to find anything tucked in a corner, something that might help her keep her bargain… who was she to truly complain?

Old bones creaked as she settled in the chair, hands folded in her lap and head lolling down. Tonight she had struck a deal with a demon and with tomorrow's dawn came the task of out-witting a wicked wizard. Giving a soft chuckle she closed her eyes and let her mind drift as sleep finally claimed her.

At least I'm out of the cold wind.