Megan
By Min Farshaw
Chapter 5: In which Megan and Sophie agree
SHORT A/N: this has not been heavily edited, but I'm leaving on a trip today, and I'd rather have this out to you before I go. I appologise most sincerely for any of the many and probable mistakes I made, especaily towards the end. Sorry again
-Min
They put Howl in his room, which was already starting to look a tad grubby. Dust had not yet had time to accumulate, but the coverlet was half off the bed, there were a few sets of dirty footprints across the floor and three or four articles of clothing scattered about. Luckily, the curtains were closed, so that Megan didn't see the view his window really displayed
" His room is cleaner than I thought it would be. Your doing?" Megan asked as she helped Sophie heave the unconscious wizard onto his bed.
" Hardly. Howl wouldn't let me touch it. My stepmother and her friend came for a visit while Howl was out and set at cleaning it." Sophie told her as she took off Howl's shoes and set them neatly underneath the bed. She laid her head to his chest " He seems to be breathing alright, and his heart is steady," She raised her head, " Probably just exhausted then. Stupid man." She added without much ire.
" He did it on purpose. I know it." Megan said, with a sour twist to her mouth.
" Howl collapsed on purpose?" Sophie asked, looking at Howl's face. It managed to pull off a near perfect look of affronted innocence at the mere accusation that he had fainted on purpose.
" The little cad did it so he wouldn't have to talk to me. Probably burnt himself out with all that running and..." She waved her hand in a mystical- looking manner to indicate working magic.
" That sounds just like something he would do," Sophie agreed, " He was also probably trying to avoid giving me an explanation for some of the... things he said earlier." Sophie added crossly, suddenly realizing that Howl really hadn't said much of anything regarding their 'happily ever after', besides begging her to stay, and asking her if she would have him. Have him for dinner is more like it, Sophie thought, trying to remain annoyed with him. It was just so difficult when he wore that sweet, unguarded expression.
She turned to Megan and sighed, her hands on her hips. Megan had a similar expression on her face. Her stomach gave a growl, and Sophie realized that, in the excitement, they had skipped lunch and any sort of real breakfast.
" Would you like to stay for dinner? I'm not sure what we have, but I can send Micheal out to get a pie or some mince. Unless your family is expecting you back or something."
" I'm sure that Gareth and the kids can survive without me for one night." Megan said politely.
They trooped back down the stairs to find the apprentice trying quite unsuccessfully to heave the heavy workbench up and back into place.
" Sophie, could you give me a hand with this please?" Micheal said despairingly. Sophie rushed over to one side, and surprisingly, Megan to the other. Together, they lifted the thing up and pushed it against the wall.
Sophie sent Micheal out with some money, with stern instructions to come back with something other than cake, and to be back soon. He smiled sheepishly at her before turning the knob above the door yellow down and stepping out into Market Chipping. Megan peered out the door after him, and looked in amazement at the cobbled street and the little shops that lined the way. Sophie immediately went over to her and shut the door before Megan ventured out into the streets.
" What happened to all the flowers?" She asked, incredulous.
" It's a magic door, see?" Sophie said, reaching up and turning the knob purple down and opening it up once more. There, the castle had begun to drift slowly and cautiously through the flowers. Before Megan could jump out again, Sophie shut the door and changed the knob to orange down and opened the door again on the mansion drive. She noticed that the grass was starting to grow back around the edges, something that caused her no small amount of relief. She shut the door once more and turned to Megan, who had such a strange look in her eyes. " Understand?"
" Not really, no. Where is this room really?"
" Market Chipping, the town out the door Micheal left too."
"Oh."
" I didn't think to ask that until I was here for weeks." Sophie added, looking at the older woman oddly.
They stood there in an awkward silence. Calcifer seemed strangely quiet and subdued, crackling low in his grate and eyeing Megan suspiciously. Sophie looked around the room, looking at the scattered debris.
" Er, I should get to cleaning up then, if you don't mind. If you like, you can just sit down or... something." Sophie said, still quite unsure as what to do with Megan now that it was apparent that she wasn't going to leave, especially after accepting the awkward I'm-inviting-you-to-dinner-because-it's-only-polite-but-I-really-meant-shouldn't-you-be-going-home-now invitation.
" Nonsense, I'll help you clear up," Megan insisted, rolling up her sleeves, " House probably needs a good once over anyway." Sophie had to resist the urge to do something drastic to Megan then, letting her eye twitch slightly.
" I'm not a completely incompetent as a housekeeper you know. But it isn't everyday that Howl decides to crash the castle into a hillside." Sophie said, trying to keep her voice calm, " You should have seen it before I moved in." She added in her defence as she lifted up a shelf that had fallen from its supports. The bottles and books on the shelf were still affixed firmly on, even as it twisted nearly sideways when it's heft slipped from her grasp. Quickly, Megan grabbed hold of the other end, and together they put the shelf in its place.
" I can only imagine. I doubt that Howell ever cleaned the place on his own initiative." Megan replied, moving over to the pile of things that had fallen off the workbench when it tipped, " And if there is one thing I have learned about teenage boys, it is that they never clean unless threatened." Megan added as Sophie handed her an apron, and Megan began to pick up some of the larger pieces of glass, and placed them on the apron.
" Neither of them did. The place was drowning in filth. It took me three whole days before I could tell what colour the walls really were."
" Were there spiders? When we were children, Howell's room was always covered in spiders" Megan asked, carefully gathering up the glass and dumping it in the waste bin. " Have you got a broom?" Sophie handed her one, and Megan began to sweep up the remaining glass, and the silver sparks, which had turned into tiny pieces of something smoky grey and translucent that Sophie could not identify
" There are still spiders. Howl loves them, and he won't let me touch them. I probably wouldn't anyway ; It's not worth the tantrum or the pouting" Sophie replied, grabbing a rag from a basket that she kept for such things. She looked with dismay at the purple liquid that had come from one of the smashed doors. It was creeping towards her and sinking between the floorboards in a slowly spreading stain. She dabbed at it gingerly with her rag, unsure what the magical liquid would do. It hissed and set the corner of her rag on fire. Sophie quickly blew the tiny flame out and glared at the purple mess. Large whitish chunks had started to form in it. " You stop that right now." She told the muck. It stopped advancing. She grabbed an empty jar from the shelf under the workbench and held it menacingly towards the mess. " Into the jar you go, or I will mop you up and throw you out, flaming rags or no. Or I will dump water on you." She added, seeing the mess recoil, and then, amazingly, begin to flow in a delicate stream into the jar, the whitish chunks dissolving in mid-air.
" That's true," Megan said distractedly as she watched the mess clean itself up magically, " So it really is magic." Sophie couldn't think of anything to say in response to that, so she didn't say anything at all.
They went on cleaning for a bit in a silence that was half way between being companionable and awkward. Sophie noticed then, that her cubby under the stairs had gained a wall, and a solid looking oak door. She hadn't looked inside though, because Megan would always come up with some question to distract her, or she would see another magical mess that required her attention. It was no matter. She would have time later to see what Howl did to it. In between questions and requests for more supplies, the two women kept to an uneasy silence, filled only with the sound of scrubbing and cloths being dipped in water. Much to their mutual dismay, they had found that the only thing they could agree upon was Howl. Both cleaned with the uncomfortable knowledge that there was a woman on the other side of the room who loved Howl in her own way, who would secretly do almost anything for the man, even if it meant complaining and pretending what a horrible hardship it was.
The casual observer would also note that, no matter how much the two woman pretended to be irritated with Howl's many character failings, neither would want to change a thing about him really ; Megan knew, deep down that her Howell could never be the respectable person she had always hoped to have for a brother. Sophie kept trying to imagine him without any of the supposed weaknesses of character that Howl was prey to, and found that the man she came up with was simply not the same, not her Howl. The most important thing of note here, is that each woman was utterly convinced that the other was really going to try and change him, or at least change him too much, and it secretly terrified them both. This made the other woman The Enemy, to be wary of at all costs. With the label of The Enemy firmly affixed to the other woman came the adding of silent and irrational blame. Megan found herself wanting to attach to Sophie the blame for Howell's disappearance and his infrequent and random re – appearances. Meanwhile, Sophie's mind became occupied with blaming Megan for the reason Howl felt he couldn't go home to Wales any more, and the reason he ran away in the first place
Thus, Michael returned to a very awkward scene, cheerfully carrying a large pie and, unsurprisingly, a sumptuous looking cream cake from Cesari's. Megan and Sophie had been, unknowingly, watching each other out of the corner of their eyes for ten minutes without speaking. Five minutes before he had arrived in the door, they had finished their cleaning, leaving them nothing to do but stand there and stare. Neither was quite willing enough to let the other out of her sights for long enough to move on to other rooms, such as the bathroom, or to venture up the stairs to check on Howl. After that, the situation had rapidly dissolved into a staring match in deathly silence.
As Michael entered the room, he could almost feel the energy crackling around the silent room between the two women. Such waves of unspoken accusation rolled over him that he wondered what he had done wrong for two days before the feeling would subside. However, his cheerful entrance had broken the steely glares of the pair somewhat, though the tension did not subside.
" Michael," Sophie said, not removing her gaze more than an inch from Megan's face, "Set the pie to heating in the oven. Calcifer, don't argue with Michael and just heat it up for me." Then she paused, and adjusted her gaze somewhat to look at Megan. " I hope that a pork pie is alright with you."
" Oh, that's fine dear." Megan replied in a polite and pleasant tone, never removing her gaze.
"Micheal, why don't you go check and see how Howl is doing." Sophie said pleasantly. The young apprentice quickly scrambled up the stairs, eager to be far away from this strange battle.
But, just as they heard the door click shut to Howl's room, the battle ended. Megan sort of nodded at Sophie, and giving way to age, Sophie blinked back before doing the same kind of half nod that Megan did. In that tiny guesture, they seemed to say: " I don't really like you, and I don't think that you like me. However, Howl/Howell needs you, so I'll tolerate you for now." Of course, the agreement was far more complex than that, as complex as an agreement sealed with a head gesture and ten minutes of silence could be.
When Michael returned, anxiously, down stairs, certain to find a scene of utter carnage, or worse, more deadly silence, he instead found the two woman chatting amicably about window cleaner. This was obviously too much for Michael to take, and he looked at Calcifer, who shrugged at him with a little blue flare, explaining that he didn't understand what was going on either. Megan had seemed disinclined to notice him thus far, and he wasn't going to ruin it by opening his big trap.
" So the fight is over then?" He asked cautiously from the stairs, in case his hasty retreat was necessary.
" Fight? Whatever made you think we were fighting Michael?" Sophie asked, a strange tint to her voice.
" Yes, young man, Sophie and I are just having a chat ." Megan said, a different but similar strain on her voice, "Sophie dear, is the pie warm enough yet?" She asked.
Sophie tested the center temperature and informed her that it would be a few more minutes. " Oh, and I guess we should make some soup or something in case Howl wakes up." She added. Calcifer sunk lower beneath his logs, burning a sullen green colour.
" Don't sulk you silly fire demon, I'm not going to pour it on you." Sophie added crossly, poking at the logs with an iron poker. Megan studiously ignored the fact that Sophie was talking to her fire.
" I can make some soup for him." Megan volunteered, picking up a medium sided black stewpot that Sophie kept beside the hearth
" No, no, you're a guest, let me make the soup" Sophie insisted, taking the pot from Megan.
" But I insist. I'm very experienced at preparing meals. A little thing like soup would be no problem. You concentrate on the rest of your house." Megan replied, taking hold of the pot. This time, Sophie was quite unwilling to let go. Michael could sense another deathly staring match, so he chose this opportunity to shout out:
" I think the Pie is done!"
Argument dropped, but not forgotten, they set the table and settled down, all three to a moderately comfortable meal. The arrival of the cake also seemed to pacify the raging beasts, as it's quite had to stare someone down with a dab of Bavarian cream on your nose and a mouth full of moist and delicious cake. After the dinner was over (They left a slice for Howl ), Megan promptly and purposly scooped up the stewpot and began searching around for ingrediants. Once more, Sophie tried to tell her that she didn't need to do any more work.
Michael saw that another fight was coming, so he attempted to seat himself close to Calcifer. At least this was the verbal type of fight. He could deal with that kind.
" Betcha that if Howl wasn't faking before, he is now." Cacifer muttered to the young man under his breath.
" I won't take that bet." Michael replied, watching them
" Why not?"
" Because that bet is so heavily skewed in your favour that it isn't even worth considering." Michael replied.
This is officially the most popular story I have ever written, and I can't take credit for it. I'm afraid I'm going to have to blame all of you for it. As of such, I will now officially thank all of you by name:
Thanks a million to: (In roughly reverse chronological order)
Itasuko-chan – Wow, thanks I'm flattered. I'm not sure I've ever had someone just come up and say only that before (head swells a little bigger).
Mimea – mmm 'bad' feelings, I hope that I didn't disappoint with this, especially on the yelling.
MaidM – oh... yah, the grammar thing. I try, I really do (she says sheepishly). The story is almost over tho, but I promise to get a beta for my next venture . But Thanks a bunch for your support and for being such a loyal reviewer
Aura Rayne – Thanks! That you love it makes me really happy!
Faded Rose – I'm glad. I'll try my best to get the last bit out quickly!
Moongold – I'm glad you are glad, and I'm especially glad to have made someone glad, especially involving my girl Megan.
Platinum Wind – I hope that the movie was worth it for you! I certainly thought it was.
Shiro Ryuu – Glad you also want to see the movie! Thanks for the encouragement!
nyaaaaaauuuuuuuu – Wow, that's a lot of U's and A's . I'm glad to know that there is someone who feels the same way I do about HMC. It just kind of draws you in no? Not even just the story, which is good, but Howl, and the whole world of his castle. Anyway, thanks for the praise.
Earth Star – Thanks! I was wondering what Megan's reaction would be as well, so I slithered out in a rather Howl – like fashion :p
Rose Black – Thanks for the advice, (me forgetful and good at missing things o.o) Glad you wanted more !
Rowana S – Wow, thanks for being my first review for this fic, and thanks even more for keeping up with it! (and Thanks even more than that for catching all my moron mistakes .)
Fire Spirit - I guess you found out what made it a mistake eh? But I love it when people guess and speculate, it makes me feel the need to be evil, and when that happens, we all win. Or at least I win...
Kasuima – Wow, glad you liked it! Your note was very encouraging!
Invader Neo - I would love to be your friend (You can never have to many!). Thanks for the praise!
Anonymous Cat – For a bit I thought you really were anonymous! (love the name tho). Darn you for pointing out my plot hole! Shushy! But I'm glad you liked the phone conversation, that was one of my favorite bits too .
Sunoko – ahh, another of my many hen peckers at the grammar. Still I appreciate it, it makes me feel ashamed, then it makes me read grammar books, then forget everything, write, make fewer mistakes, get heckled again and read a grammar book... Thanks for your comment tho!
M.M – Yay! I've always wanted to write something funny . Glad you enjoyed it.
Riana 1 - I am extremely flattered! (Head inflates a thousand times bigger than it should). The image of Howl cowering in front of Megan is one I treasure every time I think of it...
And thanks to all of you who read who did not review, I hope that you enjoyed reading this little fic of mine, and I most sincerely hope that you will continue to read in the future.
Lastly, and this is Important: I'm going away for two weeks starting Friday, so I won't be able to get anything out to you during that time (Cabins in the woods don't frequently come with DSL , and though I can get there with my cell phone, such an operation is far beyond my technical capacity with such things.) But again, only a few more chapters. I intend for this to have a concrete ending so I should be done soon. Sorry once more for my screw ups. I promise a proper editorial process when I get back
Min