UPDATE: I have inserted character pictures, and pictures of the dresses on the profile. For the dress Madi wore to Market Chipping, look to 'Ghastly in Green'. The dress of this chapter is titled 'Gunmetal Gray'.

Comment, and I will give you love and cookies.

*it's not edited, I need a beta*

~ THEMESONGS ~

Good Life ~ One Republic

.M.I.W.

11. In Which a Maid is Hired

Okay, so, yes, I'm aware that was a pretty-not-so-good way to leave things off with Sophie and Calcifer. But, in my defense, I was exhausted, my mind was working in a million different ways, and I had no clue how to go on about it.

I now sat on the terrace of the moving castle, my legs dangling off the edge, hunched over so my shoulders took my weight as I leaned against the bars of the (yet again) rusty railing. I flipped the next page of City of Fallen Angels to continue reading in the dim morning light, slowly finding myself becoming absorbed in the work of Cassandra Clare again. I was wondering how things were currently going.

So far, it had been nothing good.

"Jace, what have you been doing?" I murmured as I flipped another page.

Suddenly, I heard a low growl come from the castle. I looked up to see steam rising from one of the pipes, and frowned. That must've meant Howl was wake. I pulled myself up, my back popping at the strain I'd put on it being hunched over for so long. I put in my current bookmark (a strange neon green, sparkly feather I'd found in Howl's room that had clung to his bathrobe) and shut the book, then entered the moving castle once more.

I took a detour, though, to the closet, opening the door. Inside, in typical Howl fashion, were my dresses aligned neatly by color. I pulled out a simple dark gray dress. It reminded me almost of the medieval times, but this one was somehow, more current.

After I changed in Howl's deserted room, I walked out of the bedroom, buttoning up the top coat of the dress, I heard noises downstairs, pots clanging, et cetera. Calcifer was saying something, but I wasn't paying attention.

I'd just finished buttoning the top button when I saw Michael stumbling up the stairs. I cocked my head to the side and frowned.

"Madi! Madi!" Michael yelped as soon as he saw me. "There's a strange woman in the house!"

I raised an eyebrow. "And?"

"And? And?" Michael's face was already turning red in what seemed to be exasperation. "And she's – she's making breakfast!"

"Well, you have me there, sir." I nodded scientifically. "She seems crazy."

"She is!" Michael said determinedly, obviously growing more perturbed when I strolled past him and walked down the stairs. He quickly ran after me. "Crazy old bat keeps muttering stuff about cleaning and hearts and the Witch of the Waste! She needs to be kicked out! Madi! Kick her out!"

"We aren't kicking anyone out." I said as I walked into the living room-slash-kitchen. I smiled when I saw Sophie bustling about the hearth, trying to make breakfast. "Good morning, Sophie."

"Ah, the concubine says good morning." The woman muttered.

"The concubine can hear you and also says that she's not a concubine." I replied as I walked towards my rucksack. I put my book in the bag, and turned around to face the old woman cooking bacon on Calcifer's head. "I told you last night, Sophie, I'm Howl's body guard. Nothing more."

"Hmph!" Sophie retorted. "Women are not body guards. Unless that's some sort of code for something –"

"No, no, it's not." I informed her. "It's simply what it means, nothing more."

I helped Michael move books off of the table to clear a space while Sophie began to set it with dishes and silverware. How she found it, I had no idea. I had thought all of the dishes were dirty. She then put out two glasses of orange juice for probably Michael and I.

Two large plates were set in the middle of the table. Sophie piled one high with scrambled and sunny-side-up eggs, and the other with bacon. Michael pulled out Sophie's chair for her as I sat down at the table, Michael then sitting across from me. Sophie then grasped one of the large serving spoons, and filled each of our plates with eggs, leaving us to take our own bacon. The food smelled heavenly, making my mouth water. Michael had started digging in, his eyes almost rolling into the back of his head at the taste.

"This is really good… Sophie." Michael said.

I slowly took a bite of my own, watching Sophie simply drinking coffee. The food was good, but I decided not to say anything about it.

We all paused when we heard footsteps from upstairs. Sophie and I jumped up almost simultaneously (but I was the faster one, ha!), our attention focused on that small staircase.

"Howl?" I called, walking away from the table. "Howl, I need to talk to you."

"I do as well!" Sophie chimed in, coming to my side. I shied away slightly, arching an eyebrow at her earnest, hopeful expression.

Ech, old people.

Suddenly, the wizard sprang down the stairs, an easy smile on his face as he wore a terribly elaborate pink suit. I frowned at his attire, wondering how someone could be that confident to be comfortable looking like a royal court's joker.

Apparently, according to this book, the over-flamboyant confidence was an attractive quality to women.

Let me tell you the truer facts. Ladies, in our world, this would not pass our gaydars and, in addition, they would be roaring off the scale.

"Good morning, Miss Verdantia." Howl greeted politely, then looked at the older woman. He regarded her for a short moment, before cocking his head to the side. "Who is this?"

"Howl, this Sophie Hatter." I answered. "Sophie Hatter, this is Master Wizard Howl Pendragon. I call him Howl, or sometimes Womanizer when he isn't looking."

"How vulgar." Sophie muttered.

"Indubitably." I agreed sarcastically.

"I find it rather amusing, myself." Howl admitted.

"Of course you would." I retorted.

"'Twas only a matter of opinion, Miss Verdantia. Your rather unfortunate addiction to quarrels and constant need to use any sort of jab towards the world is pleasant. Almost attractive."

I took a step forward, making the wizard and I standing merely a foot apart. "Then I'll say your rather unfortunate addiction to entertaining the people of this world with our otherworldly charms is crafty. Almost ingenious."

He strode forward next, only inches from me, easily towering over me. "Darling, crafty implies that I resort to sinister methods."

"Don't you?" I smiled.

"Would you care to find out?" He grinned a devilishly handsome grin in return.

My smile dropped. "Not on your life, or mine."

He kept his. "You'll ask. Sooner or later, you will. The laws of human nature in our world demands this."

"I've been one to defy the laws of human nature in our world. As have you."

Howl pulled back with a low breath of approval. "Touché, Mademoiselle Verdantia, touché. Your argument is superb. I withdraw."

"Thank you, Howl." I smiled again.

"Could we please get to the point of this?" Calcifer demanded from the fireplace. "I'm not getting any younger."

"Yes, as charming as this was, there should be a point." Howl agreed.

"Wizard Howl," Sophie stepped towards him after I moved out of the way, "I need a job, and I need one terribly."

"Oh?"

"Yes, sir." The woman replied.

The great wizard suddenly looked very uncomfortable, and very fidgety. I smirked. He checked his pocket watch quickly, and shut the case immediately.

"Well…" Howl said, slowly inching towards the front door. "I haven't any jobs for aged ladies at the moment. You see, I've recently hired a guard, money is quite tight –"

"You don't even pay me anything." I muttered.

"And, thus I cannot, per say, afford such… luxuries." Howl quickly turned the dial on the door to some color. "So glad we discussed this –"

And with that, he practically jumped out of the door. It slammed shut, and the color changed back on its own.

Sophie looked absolutely distraught, clinging to her porcelain cup that held her coffee.

"Relax." I said. "He likes you. You're hired."

.M.I.W.

All right, yes, it was short, but there really isn't much more to say for this chapter. Trust me, everything is going to speed up after this.

Okay, you caught me. I really love the flirty/constant-cut-down relationship Madi and Howl have. And I'm adoring Sophie and Madi's growing relationship. It's developing into something really fun.

Might be a long break between this chapter and the next because I'm resorting back to the book, just so I can go accordingly to the plot, and not just wing it. Currently waiting for it to come in from the library now.

ShoutOuts ~

Nyx's Pinky Girl: Lol, yes, he is a helpful antagonist! You will see in the very, VERY, VERY near future.

AnimeVamp1997: Duct tape and watermelons? That actually does sound pretty awesome. And yes, torch the cheetah!

BookNinja15: Yes, she does. This is why you should never take bottled water from any wild parties that you go to. Life lesson! Hmm, I looked them up, and yes, I kind of feel that vibe.

SexyVampire14: Thank you! And here's that next chapter lol.