She spent the next three days cleaning the downstairs, every dish, counter, floor board, ceiling rafter and yes, fire pit too. She even used the magic door exiting the castle to go into town and by sandpaper to smooth out the splinters and snags. The room looked brand new, that's when he came down. Howl floated down the stairs in a dark pair of jeans and no shirt, his golden locks flowed around him like feathers. Sophie however hand her back to him while she scrubbed at the dirt lining the windows.

She had since changed from their first meeting, She still wore pale wash out shirts but this time she had own a loose faded blue Hanes V-neck, her silver hair was pushed back with a bandanna.

"Sophie?" the voice tore her from her thoughts; she turned to face the voice.

"Howl" she said trying not to stare, he was godly when he was ill, but now….she could hardly contain herself. "How are you feeling?"

"Much better thank you" he glanced around questionably. "How can I ever thank you for your kindness?" His voice seemed sincere but something about his eyes made Sophie wary.

"For starters, tell me you won't eat my heart for some stupid reason."

"Eat your heart?" His nose crinkled in disgust. "My god is that what they're saying about me these days? That's absolutely vile!" He pinched his nose and sighed. "No, my dear Sophie I have no intention on eating anyone's 'heart' for that matter."

"Well good." She said wiping her hands on her shirt. "I guess, I'll be off" she said looking around for her shoes.

"Oh no you don't" Howl swept her belongings into his arms and dashed across the room. "I still have to make up the time you spent here. I will give you, three wishes." He said smiling triumphantly.

"Are you a genie now?" she asked laughing to herself

"I'm a wizard, now what would you like." He tilted his head up in a rather proud stance.

"A trade" she said seriously after a moment.

"A trade?" the wizard was truly interested now, usually a mortal would ramble off something about wealth, beauty and love.

"Three wishes for three promises that you will follow without question." She crossed her arms. "It won't be anything unpleasant I assure you."

"Very well, let's hear them." He leaned against the fire place, his eyes and Calcifer's watching her slowly.

"Does that mean you're agreeing to them? I won't speak them unless you agree."

"Well aren't you the smart one." Calcifer said grinning; usually Howel was the one snaking his way through agreements.

"Fine, what are they."

"1, you will never let your house get any filthier than it is at this exact moment." She said watching him carefully.

He squinted his eyes groaning. "Yes fine, very well I suppose I could hire a cleaning lady."

"2, you Howel will start cooking meals for Markel under regular bases, that's three nutritious meals a day."

He furrowed his eyes in confusion but nodded still crossing his arms.

"And finally, I want your word that in the future if I should call upon you in need of your help you will come to me without question and help me with all the extent of your ability and knowledge."

His eyes ran wild, she was asking for an unconditional promise from a wizard that could take place at any time. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a rabbit's foot and rubbed it between his palms and pushed his hands against his lips blowing air. A white firelight glow shone through his fingertips and died down like a breathing fire and handed it to her.

"When you decide upon that third favor, throw this into a fire and wait. I will know you've done it, and I will come as you've requested."

Sophie inspected the object for a moment before putting it into her bag securely.

"May I ask you something?" Howel asked coming behind her. "The first two requests, why?"

"Think of Markel, you are his life support, his only family he has to rely on everything from you. The least you could do is keep a clean living space and provide regular meals." She turned to face him with gentle eyes. "It's a shame I had to make a wish for you to do those things." She grabbed her bag and slid it over her shoulder.

"You surprise me Sophie Hatter."

She smiled slightly and stepped around him, pausing at the door on the green dial. "I told Markel that he could come over for dinner tonight, you're welcome to join him. This being the one exception to promise number 2." Without another word she was out of the castle and into the wastes. She stood outside in the vast fields of the Wastes for a moment and smiled, Howl was certainly a character.

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