In Which Howl Meets a Little Gray Mouse

I hope this does not disappoint. Enjoy!

(Forgive the beginning paragraph. It's lame, yes, but I couldn't bring myself to edit it out ^^; )

Disclaimer: It is very sadly that I repine for Howell Jenkins is not mine.

Chapter 4

You must picture to yourself silence; utter silence. Well perhaps not complete silence but enough silence to quiet two people in the midst of a noisy, bustling square. These two silent people strode through this square, quite enraptured with each other, but with nothing at all to remark about.

Howl was having particular difficultly forming words. He and Sophia were strolling arm and arm – and the magic coursing off of her was immense. So immense and unfamiliar that Howl believed it was messing with his brainwaves. Howl cursed silently, utterly frustrated. He had experienced this sensation before, but not for some time. Yes, Howl was out of practice conversing with witches and their mysterious pull. Why it wasn't since the Witch of the Waste…

Howl shook his head vigorously, as if to rid a particularly nasty wasp. When he looked up, Sophie was gazing at his hair, completely absorbed. Pleased by the fact that wizards could enthrall others just as well as witches could, Howl cleared his throat, preparing to strike conversation.

" Ah…Sophia, what, erm…brings you to…to Cesari's?" Howl forced out. He had never been so tongue tied in his life. Where had the suave gentleman gone?

"Why, my sister works there," Sophia answered fluidly.

"And…and what is your sister's name?" Howl was not being much better than those annoying officers, but he could honestly think of nothing else to say. He had been so focused on learning the witch-girl's name that what they were to talk about had not occurred to him.

"Lottie."

"Ah. Do you have any other sisters?" Howl decided to get the common questions out of the way first.

"Yes, my sister Marella. But Frannie sent her away to seek her fortune as a witch's apprentice. I trust she will do well."

Howl thought it rather ironic that this Marella was sent away when Sophia was clearly the one with magical powers. "Who is this Frannie?"

"My late Father's second wife."

"Oh I am deeply sorry about your father." Howl knew what it was like to be alone. The two walked on in silence, each in his/her own reverie.

Howl broke it first.

"If Lottie is at Cesari's and Marella is an apprentice, what marvelous work do you do, Sophia?"

"Oh. Nothing too marvelous I'd say. I just make hats. It comes with being the eldest of three."

"You shouldn't say that you know," Howl told her, coming to a halt. He knew the superstition, yes, but that was just something families made up to account for disappointing first-borns. He should know. No one truly believed it, though he did not think Sophia was lying. Perhaps the reason she seemed so afraid all the time was because she had resigned herself to mediocrity.

But Sophia gave no intimation that she had heard Howl's comment.

"And what about you, Howell? Do you have a family?"

Howl had no inclination or motivation to answer that question. "Tell me more about the hats, Sophia."

"Well I don't sell the hats, of course, I just trim them. A little ribbon here, some flowers there…" Sophia became more animated. "But the thing most people don't realize is that the thing the hats need most is confidence. A word of encouragement does wonders. Why, just the other day…" Sophia paused abruptly, thinking she was speaking nonsense. She turned away from Howl quickly, but not before he glimpsed her rosy cheeks.

"I would buy any hat you made, Sophia," Howl whispered, temporarily forgetting that hats were not compatible with his bone structure. "I'm sure they are lovely."

Howl's thoughtful yet embarrassing statement would have robbed the two of any further conversation before they reached Cesari's if it were not for a curious gust of wind that suddenly whipped down the street. When it reached the two of them it ruffled at their clothes and hair. Howl drew Sophia closer to him, as a precaution (for she did look like she might blow away and if Howl did not hide behind something quick his hair would be utterly ruined for the day).

It was then that Howl became aware of it: the smell. Something positively reeked. It was not Sophia, she smelled wonderfully of wildflowers. Howl craned his neck in search of trash bins. None in sight. If that was the case the only logical thing Howl could conclude was the source of the smell was none other than…himself.

Tentatively, Howl sniffed his shirt. The scent was ghastly, like some peculiar aged garbage. The perfume he had hastily applied must have reacted with the garbage's smell, leaving behind this odor. He had to act swiftly, lest Sophia notice the stench.

"Howell, do you smell something?"

Too late.

He had to do something, fast. Howl's mind was in a panic. Magic would not work for this kind of emergency. That is to say it would work, but not without damaging his favorite suit. Unexpectedly, Howl remembered something.

"This way, Sophia, we're taking a slight detour."

He set off at a brisk pace, dragging Sophia along behind him.

"Do you remember what I told you earlier about my name?"

"That it's Howell?" Sophia seemed confused.

"No – before that."

"Oh! That you are Wizard Howl."

"Exactly. And as the only wizard of Market Chipping, I have specific duties outlined in my contract," Howl glanced over at Sophia to see if she was buying this. Her face was carefully attentive with no hint of doubt. He continued, "Of my numerous, oft neglected, duties is one similar to that of a sanitation engineer. But not quite. I, er, you see there are disgusting creatures that breed and live in the ample compost heaps around town. They are quite dangerous, I assure you, thus it is my job to take care of them." Seeing Sophia's slightly puzzled look he added, "by that of course I mean exterminate them. It is a rather sickening job, but someone has to do it. It might as well be me since my magic aids immensely. So anyway, earlier today I was finishing up my job when I came across a particularly nasty skrewt (what we called the blasted creatures). It shot towards yours truly and hurled me into the compost heap. There was no helping it. I made quick work of the skrewt, but some of its godforsaken stink must have rubbed off on my favorite suit. Not to mention the smell of week old garbage. Thus I fear I owe you an apology, Miss Sophia, my suit reeks abominably."

Quite startled by such a shocking speech, Sophia could not say much of anything, besides that she forgave him.

"Therefore our detour will take us by a lovely little dry cleaners positioned thankfully next to a perfume boutique."

"I will not have myself smelling of swine," Howl added, muttering so low as to escape Sophia's ears entirely.

They were nearly there since Howl's little speech had kept them occupied for most of the walk. The two shops were happily situated just off a main road, presumably close to the square for they could once again hear music. Howl longed to dance, but he had more important matters to attend to at the moment.

Howl decided it was best to go into Misty's Dry Cleaning first. As the two walked in a bell rang, alerting Misty – an older woman with orangish hair – that she had customers.

"Good day," Misty greeted them, "Mr. and Mrs?"

"Pendragon," Howl replied automatically. Luckily he did not think Sophia had heard.

In fact, Sophia was completely enraptured by her surroundings. The sign had been deceiving. Not only did Misty clean clothes, she made them. Hundreds of shades of fabric lined the walls. Sophia was reminded of the time she made her sister a beautiful red May Day dress. Not wishing to become lost in memories, Sophia turned back toward Howl.

Only to find that he was taking his shirt off. It made sense of course – how else was he to get his shirt cleaned? But for goodness sakes there were ladies present.

"Excuse me, Howell, I'm still here." Sophia's angry tone failed to hide her rising blush.

Howl only treated her to a wicked smile.

"Misty says it will be a few minutes so I'm heading next door. Care to join me, Sophia?"

"You don't happen to be able to magic up a spare shirt?"

"No."

"Then I'm afraid I will be staying right here." Sophia picked up her favorite piece of blue fabric and sat down.

"Suit yourself." Howl marched majestically out the door, causing a few ladies on the street to faint into their partner's ever ready arms. Sophia breathed a sigh of relief after he had gone.

In the perfume boutique Howl was busy purchasing all the needed ingredients for his magical make-Howl-smell-beautiful-again-potion. He was glad his plan had worked perfectly – he had not wanted Sophia to come watch him brew a potion reminiscent of some crazy crackpot old witch. Still, her reaction was better than he had hoped for. Howl allowed himself a small smile.

The brewing did not take much time at all – Howl was well practiced, of course. It was not long until he waltzed serenely back into Misty's shop. Howl had the satisfaction of seeing Sophia avoid looking at him. What fun!

Howl picked up his newly-cleaned favorite suit, placed a special order, and thanked Misty so courteously that she fell half in love with Howl and let him have the suit cleaned for free.

Only after Howl had put his suit back on did Sophia dare look at him again. Then Howl strode over to her, slid his arm through hers, and exited the shop.

"I'm sorry that I delayed you seeing your sister," Howl said, looking penitent. "But I believe I have a way to get you to Cesari's faster."

"How is that?"

"Like this!" Howl wrapped his arm around Sophia's slim waist and shot up into the air. Sophia emitted a sound of surprise. Flying, after all, was always preferable to mere walking, Howl reflected – it was much more dazzling.

"Now straighten your legs and start walking," Howl instructed. She did. It was as if they were both walking on air. Below them was the square, and the couples dancing blended into the most magnificent spots of color.

"See, not so hard is it? You are a natural."

Howl spotted the balcony of Cesari's and directed Sophia over there, carefully landing on the ledge.

"I'll be back to pick you up in an hour," Howl said. "Enjoy your time with Lottie."

"Yes, thank you," Sophia said, a tad surprised at Howell's forwardness, yet pleased all the same.

"That's my girl," Howl said with a grin as he let go of Sophia's hand and soared down off the balcony.

Sophia ran to the edge to look for him, but Howl was already lost amongst the numerous colorful dancers in the square.

Just a few quick things: Lottie=Lettie, Marella = Martha, and Frannie = Fanny. Sophie doesn't trust Howl with their real names.

I hope you enjoyed this installment as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Questions, comments, cantankerous statements? ^^