Chapter Five: In Which Howl Saves And Takes Sophie Shopping
Cat Chant stood in the shadows in Brenham & Blaine's, very annoyed. It was below his station as enchanter in the world of the Chrestomanci to be lurking about and spying on someone. But he had not a choice, his fiancée specifically ordered him to watch his soon-to-be brother-in-law that day. He dared not face the wrath of Marina Narcissa E. Jenkins especially today, a Worst Wednesday. Cat wondered why but he supposed Marina was trying to play matchmaker again. He shuddered to think what happened the last time.
Howl was in the aisle across looking very agitated. Cat was sure that he whatever he was worried about was important because the fellow was running his hand through his tinted hair and making it all messy. He had not even noticed what he was doing yet! Cat noted this strong change in Howl who was now fiddling with his shirt cuffs and glancing at his timepiece.
'Where the hell is she?' he heard the wizard mutter. She who? thought Cat, Maybe Marina was right about someone meaning more than a good shag to Howl. His question was answered when out of nowhere; in the form of a pretty girl came crashing into Howl. The basket she was holding fell to the floor. She was absolutely terrified and babbling incoherently to him. Cat saw she kept on peering behind her.
'Howl, Howl, someone's chasing me! This leering man was implying the most disgusting things! I was in this-this part of the shop, Howl! Where were you? Where did you go, Howl? Do you have a charm to turn him into something squishable?' the girl was about to burst into tears as Howl tried to calm her down. Poor girl, he was thinking when a large filthy man materialized from the corner. She shrieked and hid behind Howl, which if Cat had known, was most unlike her.
The bloke spotted them and came closer, saying mockingly, 'What've we 'ere? The miss has got a fellow! We'll see 'bout that.' Most unwisely he made a punch at Howl who just pulled the redheaded girl and himself away. The nasty bloke lunged again but this time Howl was ready. Before the man could even touch him, Howl made a sign with his palm. The filthy man was thrown into the air and smashed into the wall near the potted ferns with a sickening thud. A swarm of mosquitoes appeared and hovered around the pile; and they began to bite.
'Argh!' he hollered and dashed away never to be seen again.
Cat directed his cool eyes towards Howell Jenkins once more. The wizard was soothingly comforting the girl who was pulling on his sleeves and tearing on his shoulder. 'It's all right, Sophie. The git's gone now and I'm here. Remember me, the wizard who defeated the witch and with the biggest ego there ever was? Don't cry, cariad!'
Cat's eyes bulged, what unHowl-like behaviour indeed!
Concentrating more, Cat saw the anger ebbing away and an intense sorrowful look appear on Howl's admittedly handsome face. The girl, Sophie, was still clinging to him but trying to rub away the tears. When she had finally glanced up, both the wizard's and her countenances were calm and composed. Cat did not like at all the way they kept emotions bottled up. He saw Howl smile slightly then bend down to take the book basket. What would happen?
'Don't worry anymore, Sophie. Come on then, apprentice, let's go cheer you up.' He offered her his hand. Sophie put hers in his and for a moment, they both remained still. Cat noticed their eyes staring deeply into one another's before shooting away. The girl grinned weakly and told him to lead the way. So they disappeared around the corner.
Cat Chant stepped out of the bookshop gloom and contemplated what he had witnessed seriously. There was something going on here and he certainly hoped everything would turn out just fine. . Well, he was off to RIVENDELL to report to Marina. The things I do for her! He straightened his cravat before vanishing in a puff of smoke.
Later that day, Howl gazed at Sophie who was carefully picking out new flower seeds for Ben Sullivan's garden in the Waste. He was alarmed with what happened a few hours ago when someone tried to accost her. He never knew when he felt more agonized, when she had gone after Miss Angorian or today. But she was fine now, the seven scoop four-flavoured banana split with extra cream and nuts made her feel much better.
'How about these, Howl? Don't you think Wizard Ben would like these hyacinths? They'd look lovely by the fountain.'
'Wonderful. Let's add these Devil's Tongue bulbs for the castle, eh?' When Sophie protested because of their vile stench, he only exclaimed, 'Why not? I might need them for spells! Not to mention they'll keep away living scarecrows!' He made her laugh.
After Howl took Sophie to Covent Garden and the Great Tower of London, he brought her to a little market place near Piccadilly. They wandered about while he explained the magical properties of certain objects in a low whisper. Somehow, their hands remained fast together and Howl didn't mind at all. It felt right somehow though he did not wish to dwell further on the subject. As the sun made its journey though the heavens, Howl finished up his interactive lecture on dust from carved Chinese trunks and successfully collected everything he needed for the war spells.
'So don't forget Amazonian dart poison may be used for healing charms if heated correctly. Oh, falafel for half a pound!'
'Right, right, falafel makes great hunger treatment. Sarawak eggs preserve herbs and silk of the Sumatran Sweat Bee may be used in a philtre or infatuation draft etc etc! Botheration, am I tired!' Sophie exclaimed and Howl decided that the ingredient buying was over and they could take a break. They went to the car, which was parked by the banks of the river Thames. He and she sat on the hood sipping the cold water that he had conjured up. The breeze picked up and blew their hair every which way, annoying Howl greatly. As he tried to stop the wind, Sophie giggled and fixed her eyes on the waves and light shining on the river's surface. Howl asked what she was pondering about. 'I've never seen you so unoccupied!'
'Oh nothing, just about how modern this whole city looks, how different from Kingsbury or Porthaven. It bothers me though that there are hardly any trees. Without the green, it seems rather lacking.' She replied solemnly.
'How true, then you shall love it in Canada. They have many marvellous forests.' Sophie only said she did not mean it that way.
'Oh. Well, I think you shall lose that bet. Michael will to propose to your sister perhaps even before Tuesday next week.'
'Maybe.' she told him then paused, thinking. 'Howl, did you really have a flutter with Calcifer? About me?'
He turned away, gazing at the couple nearby on a bench. 'No- no, I didn't. Sophie, look, I'm sorry about awhile ago-' She interrupted, saying she did not hold it against him at all. He was like that to everyone, she told him. 'That's what bothers me, cariad.' he replied. They were silent again. The tunes of an organ grinder floated from afar and tinkles of chimes filled the air. It was long before anyone spoke again. Dusk had already begun to creep at the edges of the horizon.
'Will you ever find that woman from the poem? At least, do you ever wonder about what she would be like?' Sophie asked suddenly.
Howl tilted his head in meditation, she knew it was a habit of his. 'No, I never did. But I am sure I would know when we meet.' His voice sounded strained but Sophie did not really notice. She hummed in a sort of agreement, which he knew was a habit of hers. 'And you- do you wonder about your dream chap? I suppose he shall be tall, dark and handsome, preferably ordinary and very sweet. To compensate for past experiences, of course.'
'That would be nice though I haven't really thought about it. All I know is that he shall- he shall have flowers in his windows.'
'Flowers?' he said chuckled weakly, confused. 'But flowers are very boring, horribly generic.'
'Yes, lovely flowers in the windows. To brighten up the lives of those who pass by. And flowers aren't common, Howl.'
With that she dropped down and made her glass fade away into sand, receiving a nod from Howl for her rapidly increasing magical skills. Soon they entered the car and drove off. Sophie began to feel queasy once more. Howl stepped on the gas pedal just as the sun sank beneath the buildings. The eddying mists rose up and iridescent dust shimmered again. In a moment, gone were the great towers and bustling crowds, and back where the peat bogs and speeding hills. Howl turned to Sophie when she asked if they were going back to Ingary. He nodded with a grin.
'Yeah, almost there.' Suddenly he screeched the car to a halting stop. Sophie moved forward but was prevented from going through the glass by the seat belt. She glared at Howl and remarked that he almost killed them. He smirked and got out, opening her car door quickly. They stood across a large edifice, Harrods the large letters proclaimed.
'Wait, I think we need to go shopping a bit more. New clothes are on the list, Sophie!' smiling widely, he yanked her inside.
Cat Chant stood in the shadows in Brenham & Blaine's, very annoyed. It was below his station as enchanter in the world of the Chrestomanci to be lurking about and spying on someone. But he had not a choice, his fiancée specifically ordered him to watch his soon-to-be brother-in-law that day. He dared not face the wrath of Marina Narcissa E. Jenkins especially today, a Worst Wednesday. Cat wondered why but he supposed Marina was trying to play matchmaker again. He shuddered to think what happened the last time.
Howl was in the aisle across looking very agitated. Cat was sure that he whatever he was worried about was important because the fellow was running his hand through his tinted hair and making it all messy. He had not even noticed what he was doing yet! Cat noted this strong change in Howl who was now fiddling with his shirt cuffs and glancing at his timepiece.
'Where the hell is she?' he heard the wizard mutter. She who? thought Cat, Maybe Marina was right about someone meaning more than a good shag to Howl. His question was answered when out of nowhere; in the form of a pretty girl came crashing into Howl. The basket she was holding fell to the floor. She was absolutely terrified and babbling incoherently to him. Cat saw she kept on peering behind her.
'Howl, Howl, someone's chasing me! This leering man was implying the most disgusting things! I was in this-this part of the shop, Howl! Where were you? Where did you go, Howl? Do you have a charm to turn him into something squishable?' the girl was about to burst into tears as Howl tried to calm her down. Poor girl, he was thinking when a large filthy man materialized from the corner. She shrieked and hid behind Howl, which if Cat had known, was most unlike her.
The bloke spotted them and came closer, saying mockingly, 'What've we 'ere? The miss has got a fellow! We'll see 'bout that.' Most unwisely he made a punch at Howl who just pulled the redheaded girl and himself away. The nasty bloke lunged again but this time Howl was ready. Before the man could even touch him, Howl made a sign with his palm. The filthy man was thrown into the air and smashed into the wall near the potted ferns with a sickening thud. A swarm of mosquitoes appeared and hovered around the pile; and they began to bite.
'Argh!' he hollered and dashed away never to be seen again.
Cat directed his cool eyes towards Howell Jenkins once more. The wizard was soothingly comforting the girl who was pulling on his sleeves and tearing on his shoulder. 'It's all right, Sophie. The git's gone now and I'm here. Remember me, the wizard who defeated the witch and with the biggest ego there ever was? Don't cry, cariad!'
Cat's eyes bulged, what unHowl-like behaviour indeed!
Concentrating more, Cat saw the anger ebbing away and an intense sorrowful look appear on Howl's admittedly handsome face. The girl, Sophie, was still clinging to him but trying to rub away the tears. When she had finally glanced up, both the wizard's and her countenances were calm and composed. Cat did not like at all the way they kept emotions bottled up. He saw Howl smile slightly then bend down to take the book basket. What would happen?
'Don't worry anymore, Sophie. Come on then, apprentice, let's go cheer you up.' He offered her his hand. Sophie put hers in his and for a moment, they both remained still. Cat noticed their eyes staring deeply into one another's before shooting away. The girl grinned weakly and told him to lead the way. So they disappeared around the corner.
Cat Chant stepped out of the bookshop gloom and contemplated what he had witnessed seriously. There was something going on here and he certainly hoped everything would turn out just fine. . Well, he was off to RIVENDELL to report to Marina. The things I do for her! He straightened his cravat before vanishing in a puff of smoke.
Later that day, Howl gazed at Sophie who was carefully picking out new flower seeds for Ben Sullivan's garden in the Waste. He was alarmed with what happened a few hours ago when someone tried to accost her. He never knew when he felt more agonized, when she had gone after Miss Angorian or today. But she was fine now, the seven scoop four-flavoured banana split with extra cream and nuts made her feel much better.
'How about these, Howl? Don't you think Wizard Ben would like these hyacinths? They'd look lovely by the fountain.'
'Wonderful. Let's add these Devil's Tongue bulbs for the castle, eh?' When Sophie protested because of their vile stench, he only exclaimed, 'Why not? I might need them for spells! Not to mention they'll keep away living scarecrows!' He made her laugh.
After Howl took Sophie to Covent Garden and the Great Tower of London, he brought her to a little market place near Piccadilly. They wandered about while he explained the magical properties of certain objects in a low whisper. Somehow, their hands remained fast together and Howl didn't mind at all. It felt right somehow though he did not wish to dwell further on the subject. As the sun made its journey though the heavens, Howl finished up his interactive lecture on dust from carved Chinese trunks and successfully collected everything he needed for the war spells.
'So don't forget Amazonian dart poison may be used for healing charms if heated correctly. Oh, falafel for half a pound!'
'Right, right, falafel makes great hunger treatment. Sarawak eggs preserve herbs and silk of the Sumatran Sweat Bee may be used in a philtre or infatuation draft etc etc! Botheration, am I tired!' Sophie exclaimed and Howl decided that the ingredient buying was over and they could take a break. They went to the car, which was parked by the banks of the river Thames. He and she sat on the hood sipping the cold water that he had conjured up. The breeze picked up and blew their hair every which way, annoying Howl greatly. As he tried to stop the wind, Sophie giggled and fixed her eyes on the waves and light shining on the river's surface. Howl asked what she was pondering about. 'I've never seen you so unoccupied!'
'Oh nothing, just about how modern this whole city looks, how different from Kingsbury or Porthaven. It bothers me though that there are hardly any trees. Without the green, it seems rather lacking.' She replied solemnly.
'How true, then you shall love it in Canada. They have many marvellous forests.' Sophie only said she did not mean it that way.
'Oh. Well, I think you shall lose that bet. Michael will to propose to your sister perhaps even before Tuesday next week.'
'Maybe.' she told him then paused, thinking. 'Howl, did you really have a flutter with Calcifer? About me?'
He turned away, gazing at the couple nearby on a bench. 'No- no, I didn't. Sophie, look, I'm sorry about awhile ago-' She interrupted, saying she did not hold it against him at all. He was like that to everyone, she told him. 'That's what bothers me, cariad.' he replied. They were silent again. The tunes of an organ grinder floated from afar and tinkles of chimes filled the air. It was long before anyone spoke again. Dusk had already begun to creep at the edges of the horizon.
'Will you ever find that woman from the poem? At least, do you ever wonder about what she would be like?' Sophie asked suddenly.
Howl tilted his head in meditation, she knew it was a habit of his. 'No, I never did. But I am sure I would know when we meet.' His voice sounded strained but Sophie did not really notice. She hummed in a sort of agreement, which he knew was a habit of hers. 'And you- do you wonder about your dream chap? I suppose he shall be tall, dark and handsome, preferably ordinary and very sweet. To compensate for past experiences, of course.'
'That would be nice though I haven't really thought about it. All I know is that he shall- he shall have flowers in his windows.'
'Flowers?' he said chuckled weakly, confused. 'But flowers are very boring, horribly generic.'
'Yes, lovely flowers in the windows. To brighten up the lives of those who pass by. And flowers aren't common, Howl.'
With that she dropped down and made her glass fade away into sand, receiving a nod from Howl for her rapidly increasing magical skills. Soon they entered the car and drove off. Sophie began to feel queasy once more. Howl stepped on the gas pedal just as the sun sank beneath the buildings. The eddying mists rose up and iridescent dust shimmered again. In a moment, gone were the great towers and bustling crowds, and back where the peat bogs and speeding hills. Howl turned to Sophie when she asked if they were going back to Ingary. He nodded with a grin.
'Yeah, almost there.' Suddenly he screeched the car to a halting stop. Sophie moved forward but was prevented from going through the glass by the seat belt. She glared at Howl and remarked that he almost killed them. He smirked and got out, opening her car door quickly. They stood across a large edifice, Harrods the large letters proclaimed.
'Wait, I think we need to go shopping a bit more. New clothes are on the list, Sophie!' smiling widely, he yanked her inside.