"Close your eyes," Markl commanded; Sophie humored him. They had been deliberating about what to for Sophie's party in the living room for the past half hour or so; Sophie was becoming restless. Not even Calcifer had some snarky comments to offer. Uncharacteristically, Howl wasn't anywhere in sight, and Sophie was suspicious yet curious; Howl was a strange combination of show-off and private, so cracking his mind was a puzzle.

"Where are you taking me?" Sophie asked, but she knew the answer.

"It's a surprise!"

"Markl, if I need a doctor…" She warned

"You won't." Sophie heard Markl's dastardly grin.