Prettyinpinkgal: Hello! Here's Chapter Ten! Thanks for the reviews and support, everyone! I hope this chapter is satisfactory as well. I threw in a visit with Howl's frightening tutor because I thought that it was a brilliant part of the original novel, and it would be fun to see Mrs. Penstemmon (that's going to be a pain to spell) interacting with a young Sophie. I don't recall if I have included Howl calling Sophie "Mrs. Nose" yet, but I'm changing it to "Miss Nose" since, to me, it feels like it fits better, considering her age.
By the way, I've finally read "House of Many Ways". I was surprised by how much I liked it, considering my slight disappointment with "Castle in the Air". I felt like Howl and Sophie (and Calcifer, but the aforementioned took priority for me) were more like main characters in "Many Ways", while in "CitA" no one even realizes they were in the story until the end. So that's my opinion on it. And Charmain and Peter has become a new favorite couple of mine~
Disclaimer: I don't own HMC, nor any film mentioned. Any quotes used are the sole property of DWJ. The visit with Mrs. Penstemmon was also slightly influenced by The S's "A Woman True and Fair". I'm sorry for that. I normally avoid borrowing ideas from other fanfictions like the plague, but it happened. Still, to make up for it, I shall endeavor to encourage anyone who has yet to do so to read The S's story. It is amazing, far better than anything I have read. I strongly, highly, fervently recommend it.
DESTINY
CHAPTER TEN: WHICH CONTAINS THE FIRST OF TWO FRIGHTENING VISITS
Howl proceeded to give Sophie a thorough, meticulously detailed description on who she was supposed to be (saying she was merely a cleaning lady for Howl just wouldn't do) and what she was supposed to say. After a while, however, Sophie's head began to whirl and she found it extremely difficult to listen to a single word he was saying. Overloaded with details, she became alarmed when Howl dismissed himself to bed with a yawn and she found she could not remember a single thing.
Ah, well, she thought when she had bidden Calcifer a good night. I'll just ask him in the morning.
Most unfortunately, Howl was not available in the morning. Calcifer told her that he had gone to see an old tutor of his. Sophie sighed and shrugged and proceeded cleaning, because, as much as she wanted to watch more of those play-movie things, this was all she was here for, anyway.
Or so she told herself. She refused to think that it was because she was growing increasingly fond of the inhabitants of the moving castle.
Howl was not seen for the rest of the day, and it was not until everyone had given up expecting him that night and gone to bed when he returned.
Awakened by sound of a door shutting and the sound of shoes against the floor, Sophie yawned and turned over on her side, planning to go back to the land of dreams.
"Better late than never," Calcifer said in his crackly voice.
Oh, so Howl's back, the young lady thought sleepily, drifting off again.
Howl's voice replied back, in a more hushed tone, "Yes, well, I've been busy."
"Let me guess. You went to the palace to tell whoever it is that works for the king that Sophie was coming after you went to your old tutor, and then you went out and got drunk and didn't wake up sober until just minutes ago."
Howl laughed softly. "You know me well."
Calcifer snorted. "That makes sense. We share the same heart, after all."
The creaking of a chair could be heard. Sophie found herself following the conversation despite her wish to get back to sleep. There was something about the last comment which was intriguing, although her tired mind was much too exhausted to consider it very long.
"In any case, keep your voice down. You might wake up Sophie," Howl replied.
She considered letting him know he was already awake and it was all his fault, but she felt a bit sneaky by eavesdropping, and she was still not quite in her right mind, so she childishly smiled and continued listening intently despite her drooping eyelids.
"That's fine. I've been dropping hints like mad about the contract, but she never notices."
"You've been telling her about the contract?"
Calcifer's flames crackled, and Sophie could imagine that this was due to his wincing. "No, I have not," he replied.
"Yes, you have." Howl sighed. "I suppose that it's alright, though. I don't want to end up like the Witch."
"Neither do I."
There was a moment of silence. Sophie decided to stop listening and just go to sleep.
"Don't you feel a bit of guilt for bullying Sophie into going to the king?" Calcifer then asked.
Sophie's ears perked up again, naturally.
"No heart, remember?"
Honestly, Sophie thought, how often are they going to use that joke? She didn't even consider the possibility that they might not be joking.
Calcifer snorted. "It's a miracle enough that she came back. Don't you think she will definitely leave if you keep exploiting her?"
Howl muttered something which Sophie, despite all her straining to hear, could not decipher.
Calcifer spoke again, just barely raising his voice louder. "Oh, Sophiiiiiie. Howl won't answer my questioooon," he softly called.
"Shut it!" Howl then proceeded to say something which Sophie suspected was a curse in Welsh.
"Oh ho, touchy, aren't we?" Calcifer cackled, quieter this time. "You can be honest with me, you know."
"I know that," Howl snapped. "Forget it. I'm tired and I feel the beginning of a hangover coming on and I am not discussing this any further. Good night, Calcifer."
After Sophie heard his feet pound above her, evidently forgetting his warnings to Calcifer to be quiet, she decided that there was nothing of interest for her to listen to and fell asleep.
She was going to kill him, if the Witch's curse didn't get to him first.
Sophie stood the next morning trembling with anger, as Howl rudely insulted her clothing. "You can't possibly see Mrs. Penstemmon and the king in that." He pointed to her gray attire. "It would be embarrassing for you and me."
He was saying this after he had rejected the way she had her hair pinned up, her lack of makeup, and so on.
Sophie had initially obliged him, feeling that he knew more about how one should look on visits with stately people. But this was ridiculous!
"I don't see why we have to visit your tutor anyway," she said sourly.
"Because," he replied with constant glances at his watch (which was apparently another item from his world), "besides giving you practice for appearing in front of the king, I want to see if she can make out what the curse on me is supposed to be."
She snorted. "Some wizard you are," she sneered, "not even able to figure out what your own curse is."
Howl was starting to lose patience as well. "Well," he struggled to say in a calm voice. "It is difficult to look at yourself and analyze your own curse. Besides, this spell is very well constructed. Mrs. Penstemmon is my best bet for being able to examine the terms of the curse."
"Excuses, excuses," Sophie replied dismissively, waving her hand as if waving away his words.
Now he was really angry. "I'll have you know, Miss Nose, that I'm actually being honest right now!"
" 'Actually'? Why, this is a surprise!" Sophie was a bit surprised by how she was acting. She was actually having a bit of fun picking on him! She was infuriated, of course, and yet it was very fun to rile him up.
Michael decided to jump in. "Howl, I think Sophie looks fine," he said timidly.
"She does, but not in that."
Sophie flushed, both annoyed and embarrassed. Did he just compliment her and insult her at the same time?
"I'll be right back." With a huff, she decided that it was probably better if she just wore one of the expensive dresses Howl had purchased for her.
Minutes later, they headed out. Michael accompanied Howl and Sophie so they wouldn't murder each other, and Calcifer bid them farewell mournfully, wondering what it would be like at Mrs. Penstemmon's.
It was dreadfully hot. As the trio walked, they felt themselves become more and more uncomfortable. And it's even worse for me! Sophie thought. Howl and Michael don't have to wear these dratted petticoats!
The sour mood increased tenfold in the heat, at least on Sophie's side. Howl must have cast a spell on himself, the selfish ingrate, because instead of becoming ruder, he became more amiable. Soon, not a trickle of sweat could be found on him. This contrast was sharpened by sweet Michael's irritated retorts to every lighthearted comment Howl made.
They went past several gorgeous houses, remarkable in every way. Sophie thought she had never seen such luxurious homes in her life. She now understood why Howl had been so adamant she wear something better than her regular attire.
"We're almost there!" Howl told them cheerfully, pointing towards two houses ahead. He glanced at his companions and clicked his tongue. "I can't have you two appear in Mrs. Penstemmon's home in such shape," he informed them. With a few gestures, all sweat beads had vanished. Sophie's few strands of hair, which had been left out of the bun to frame her face, no longer stuck annoyingly to her cheeks. The day now felt no hotter than an early spring morning.
"Why didn't you do that before?" Sophie demanded, her temper still in the process of cooling.
"Yeah!" Michael jumped in, although pathetically.
Howl shrugged helplessly. "I didn't realize you both were so warm! Ah, look, we're just about there! Hurry up, you two." He quickly escaped any impending argument by walking faster.
It was at that moment Sophie realized she had no idea who she was supposed to be.
She had been so wrapped up in fending off Howl's orders to adjust herself in this way or that, and she had been too preoccupied with the awful heat to recall asking Howl.
"Howl!" she squealed anxiously, hastening her steps. "Who am I supposed to be?!"
He had not heard her, as he was talking to a butler at the house. The butler let him inside, and Howl quickly waved his hand behind his back to usher the two dawdlers in.
Sophie was much too apprehensive to attend to the incredible makeup of the interior of the home. She wanted to find a moment when she could whisper to Howl her question, but no such moment arrived as he kept speaking in a familiar way with the butler.
They were led up the a grand staircase and into a large room, in which Mrs. Penstemmon sat regally. She was very old, Sophie noted. She would not have been surprised if the tutor was nearing ninety years of age. She seemed terribly frightening, although not in a Witch-of-the-Waste way
"Ah, my dear Howell," the woman greeted, regally holding out her glove-covered hand. The wizard kissed it politely. Mrs. Penstemmon's sharp and frightening eyes turned to Sophie, however, as she stood near Michael. The latter quickly abandoned her, though, as he decided to stand near the page boy.
"Traitor," she mouthed at him when she watched him retreat apologetically.
"Mrs. Penstemmon," Howl was saying, "this is my--"
The old lady cut him off. "Do come here," she told Sophie. "Have a seat." She was not impolite, but had an air which refused to be argued with. "Pardon my not standing. I'm afraid my health is rather frail at the moment."
Sophie fairly shook as she took those few steps and sat down, uncomfortably close to the teacher. Howl went to have a seat as well, but Mrs. Penstemmon waved him away. "Go outside with your pageboy. I'd like to speak with the young lady alone."
Howl glanced at Sophie and took in her horrified expression. Her eyes pleaded with him to stay, and she looked near tears. Of course, he thought dryly, Mrs. Penstemmon has that affect on people. "Why?" he said instead to his old tutor. "Are you about to speak ill of me?"
"If I wanted to speak ill of you I'd keep you in the room so you'd know how you could improve," Mrs. Penstemmon retorted. "I'll send for you later."
"But what about my curse?"
"Later," Mrs. Penstemmon replied briskly, turning her attention once again to the terrified Sophie.
He glanced at the girl, who seemed as though she was turning back into the mouse he had once seen on May Day. Then, defeated, he left, disappointed that Mrs. Penstemmon was far too good at magic and would most certainly pick out any listening-in spells.
Once the door closed, Mrs. Penstemmon began the interrogation. "Who are you, child?"
"Sophie Hatter," she said, her voice wobbly.
"A friend of Howell's?"
"I...suppose?"
Mrs. Penstemmon stared unrelentingly at the poor girl. "How do you know him?"
"I..." Sophie racked her brain for some idea. Any idea. "I've been his neighbor for some time," Sophie suddenly said. That'll do, I suppose.
"Oh really? Which do you prefer, his hair blond or black?"
Was this some type of test? Sophie had no idea. But she had always thought his blond hair looked funny, almost fake. "Black?"
"I agree," Mrs. Penstemmon concurred with a decisive nod. "He was foolish to dye his hair."
"Indeed," Sophie replied, hoping to sound more comfortable than she felt.
"Now then, Miss Hatter," Mrs. Penstemmon began, leaning slightly towards the redhead. "I think this was enough practice, don't you?"
She blinked. "Practice for what?"
"Why, for lying to the king, of course. You have your story, and this is as intimidating as it will be. I dare say, His Majesty is far less fearsome than I," the older woman said with a brief smile.
"How did you...?"
"I'm very good at magic, my dear, and I'm not saying this out of pride. I can figure out one's intentions and plans just by looking at them. You seemed deeply concerned about not recalling whatever Howl had told you."
Sophie tried to relax, telling herself it was a good thing she did not have to worry about lying anymore to such an intimidating woman. "I'm sorry. I don't really want to lie to the king. But Howl insisted..."
Mrs. Penstemmon waved her hand dismissively, although the action was stiff and slow. "Believe me, my dear, I understand. He used to attempt to slither out of assignments I gave him all the time. But try and be smoother at fibbing, if you must lie at all."
Sophie nodded, thanking her for her help. If the king truly was less intimidating, then she would be just fine. "Thank you for allowing me to practice, but why didn't you allow Howl to stay in the room?"
"I wanted to get to know you without his commentary."
Sophie, needless to say, was surprised by this. "Really?" Why on earth did Mrs. Penstemmon want to get to know her for?
"Indeed. You are his housekeeper, correct?"
She nodded.
"I cannot agree with this arrangement," Mrs. Penstemmon declared. "A lovely young lady such as yourself cannot stay with a young man. Now, I know Howl is not the type of person to really take advantage of a situation like that. But my concern is that feelings may arise between the two of you and it would make your living situation awkward. Not to mention, the situation itself, no matter the feelings which may appear, is highly improper. You should take my advice, Miss Hatter, and leave immediately."
Sophie started. Mrs. Penstemmon had shut her eyes, and she felt able to speak a bit more freely at the moment. "Believe me, Mrs. Penstemmon," Sophie began, "I wouldn't be living in the moving castle if I could help it. I have nowhere else to go, and it's free board at the castle, save for my cleaning. Besides, I know Howl's character enough to not fall in love with him. I'd never do such a thing. And I highly doubt Howl would fall for me, despite all his talk."
Mrs. Penstemmon raised a brow without opening her eyes, but made no other move to reply on that particular subject. "Where did you live before moving into his castle? Why did you agree to live there in the first place?"
Sophie proceeded to briefly explain her situation.
"I see," replied the elderly woman when the younger ended her explanation. "I wish you luck. Make sure to avoid that Mr. Collins. I believe he could be dangerous."
Sophie stared. Had she been speaking to anyone else, she surely would have laughed. "Dangerous? Mr. Collins..." Her protests died on her lips, however, when Mrs. Penstemmon opened her eyes again, their piercing stare not merely interrupting Sophie, but severing the sentence altogether.
"I should also mention that, besides being able to decipher people's intentions, I am also prone to having suspicions which often come true."
Sophie nodded, believing Mrs. Penstemmon to be a reliable source, but still completely inept at imagining Mr. Collins as dangerous, unless one counts being out to squash any personality in his future wife as 'dangerous'.
Mrs. Penstemmon continued to stare at Sophie, which caused the latter to barely refrain from squirming in discomfort. After a few moments, the tutor nodded and leaned back, closing her eyes once again. "You may send Howl in now, Miss Hatter. It has been a pleasure conversing with you. Remember--avoid Mr. Collins. By the by, your magical ability is stupendous. Work on controlling it; you may need to easily conjure it someday. Good day, Miss Hatter."
"G-Good day." With that, Sophie shot up and stiffly walked to the door, which seemed very far away. When she was safely out of the room, she closed the door and slumped against it. I feel exhausted, mentally and physically.
A pageboy rushed to her side, asking if she needed assistance.
"I'm fine," Sophie replied wearily. She followed the boy slowly down the steps. When they arrived at the ground floor, Howl, who had been deep in conversation with the butler still, whipped his head round to face Sophie. His expression briefly seemed to hint at a feeling of guilt.
"Perhaps we should wait until tomorrow to see the king," he said, struggling to hide any appearance of feeling sorry for putting Sophie through such a hair-raising experience as meeting with his tutor...for the first time...alone. The full impact of what he had done, albeit unintentionally (how was he to know Mrs. Penstemmon would ask to speak to Sophie in private?), sunk in. He could recall how intimidated he, the cocky college student, had been upon their first meeting. He could scarcely imagine how mousy Sophie could have felt in such a scenario.
By any judge of her face, it was enough to drain her of all energy. The normally red tint (due to mad cleaning sprees or embarrassment or, more often, irritation at him) of her cheeks was gone. The pallor alarmed Howl, and he found himself wishing he had warned her ahead of time just what his old teacher was like.
Sophie sighed heavily. "No, no. My nerves are completely destroyed at this point. We may as well go today before I can get properly nervous again. Besides, if Mrs. Penstemmon is right, the king is much less stately, so I should be fine. Just hurry up and talk to her." This said, she sat down heavily in a chair next to Michael, her joints still tense.
Howl hesitated for just a moment, then quickly walked up the stairs without waiting for the butler or the pageboy.
Ducking into the room he had become so accustomed to over the years, Howl greeted Mrs. Penstemmon with his usual amiable grin. "So what did you discuss with Sophie?"
She opened her eyes and turned her piercing stare on him. "What are your intentions?" she asked immediately.
Howl's eyes widened. "Why, Mrs. Penstemmon, my intention is only to have a clean home," he informed her falsely.
He lied to her more for the sport of it than actual belief she would be fooled. His ex-tutor was most perceptive, and she now demonstrated that perceptiveness by stating, "You are lying and I don't appreciate that. Do you fancy her?"
Howl opened his mouth, ready to lie smoothly. However, a sudden memory of Sophie's fascinated face while looking at the airplanes in Wales stopped him in his tracks. He hated to think of how close he had come to losing her so shortly after that. He swallowed and finally spoke. "Not at all. Although she is quite lovely," he conceded.
"I quite like her," Mrs. Penstemmon declared. This was a shock, for she very rarely was satisfied with anything, let alone anyone. "I think she'll do you good. Make sure you steer her clear of that Mr. Collins person, though. Miss Hatter seems to be the sort of person to easily get into trouble, and may need assistance to avoid it."
Knowing how correct her judgment was, Howl did not argue. However, he did say, "Why Collins? Will he be out to propose to her again?" The very thought made him suddenly feel very possessive.
"I'm not certain, but I think it's much more serious than an unwanted marriage proposal." The ends of her mouth seemed to twitch up slightly at this. "To keep her safe from that, you have my permission to marry her."
Howl dodged this suggestion successfully. "I'll consider that. Now, about more pressing matters..."
"Yes, your curse." Mrs. Penstemmon eyed him thoughtfully. "The Witch did a very excellent job creating this. It's quite elaborate." She peered at the curse some more. "I'd say you have until Midsummer's Day. Then, it will almost certainly ensnare you."
"And then?"
"You will be brought back to the Witch, it seems."
The thought chilled him to the bone. Howl cleared his throat several times before being able to speak. "What are the terms?"
"That I cannot say. The Witch evidently wanted to guarantee that you would be caught by her curse, because it is so clouded it's scarcely decipherable. I'm afraid that's all I can say for now. Be extremely careful. Do not go gallivanting around with girls. The Witch's magic has improved since the last time I came into contact with it, so it may be very difficult to tell who she might be."
Howl sighed. "Right." He glanced at Mrs. Penstemmon's expression and became greatly alarmed. "Are you alright?" He jumped up and took several steps towards her.
She waved him off. "I'm just tired. I'll be dying soon, so I've been working to preserve as many magical objects in my house as I can. It can be rather exhausting, especially on my old, withered body."
Howl's heart, back at the castle, sank, causing Calcifer to shift uncomfortably. "How?" Too many bad things were coming too quickly, and it was aggravating that he and the people he cared about could not merely slither out of them.
Still, he did not receive a reply, for Mrs. Penstemmon had sunk into an uncomfortable sleep.
Prettyinpinkgal: I figured Mrs. Penstemmon would be a fairly easy character to throw into the story, but I feel like I haven't grasped her character enough, or I've ended up following "A Woman True and Fair" all too closely, or something. I'm sorry it was a pathetic attempt. Well, please hit the review button, and I hope you enjoyed the chapter. I did my best, and I hope it was good enough, but if not, please let me know so I know where to improve.
