Disclaimer: I don't own Howl's moving castle. Someone else does..
A/n: Hiya! I found this chappie boring, cos I've tried a new approach, I'm probably going to post in the next three days in my original context, I get more done, unless you're the type that love reading novels rather then comics. However thanks for posting, shout outs next chappie!
She walked downstairs early in the morning, about half past five. Not a sound echoed through the corridor. She passed crept past Howl's study room, expecting him to be there. She stopped, her heart beat in her ears, and then without missing the beat, softly she spoke.
"Howl, I'm leaving now", after hearing no response she tensed up. "You know Howl, I think this will be good for us, we hardly even talk, and that's the problem with our relationship." She placed her hand on the doorknob and pushed forward.
She remembered when she first lived in the castle, it was dark and dirty, only Calcifer lit the room. After her hard work of cleaning, the castle was destroyed anyway. Since she permanently made a castle resident, Howl specified knew rooms. For himself a new study room, which spared the living room, Markl had a new bedroom which included a mini laboratory and for Anne, a king size bed, on it, lay over thirty pillows and a bathroom. Heene had a luxurious kennel made of tropical hardwood, but he mainly slept inside by Calcifer's fire. Last of all was their room, Howl and Sophie slept together, she smiled remembering the time they had fought over the wallpaper.
"Sophie?" a tired voice croaked in the silence. Retracting from the doorknob, she relaxed. Sounds re-entered her mind. "Where are you going Sophie?"
"Markl", she whispered. Markl was rubbing his eyes.
"I heard noises, so I came down to check." He saw the suitcase on the floor beside her.
"Markl," knowing that he had probably caught on, she walked over the dining table and scribble on a pad beside the lifeless GG's. "Here, this is my new work address, send for me if there is any trouble." She tore it from the pad and took his hand. Placing it in his palms she pulled him close. "Goodbye Markl," she whispered and smiled, "I'll be back," she kissed him on the forehead and pushed him back to his room.
The passion Sophie once shared with Howl had dissolved. Howl had changed so suddenly, not even two months ago. She could still remember the time when their love was so tremendous, they couldn't decide who should leave the front door first and spent minutes quoting "No after you." And now she stands alone.
She paced back to Howl's room and peered in without hesitation. There was no-one. She felt hollow and cold immediately. She didn't know whether to feel upset of relieved. "Howl you coward!" she wanted to scream. Instead she took out a letter and placed it on his method book. She walked out closing the door behind her.
"Goodbye Sophie", a warm crackle spoke. She smiled at the glow. "Take care of yourself."
"Goodbye Calcifer, take care of Howl for me." She put on a shawl and gloves and scanned the castle once more before leaving. She felt a breeze at her foot. "No Heene, I'm going on my own, this is a journey I need to take." Heene wheezed and ran upstairs.
The moment she opened the door, she realised how cold and dark it was outside in marshes. The wind blew against her and she shoes sank into the moist soil. It's going to be a foggy morning. She thought to herself. Heene came back with a hat in his mouth. "Oh thankyou Heene, take care of yourself and look after the shop for me."
She closed the door and marched forward into the hills, not really sure of how she was going to get to her destination. Further than her sight could manage and fainter then her ears could muster, a jingling was heard and faint lights were seen. Peering into the distance she felt vulnerable. She changed her course and sped downhill. The jingling became louder and the lights brighter.
"Go away!" she shouted. She took out a pouch that hung on her belt. She was ready to share some stun powder. "Go back, I'm not alone!" The jingling stopped, the lights showed that is was a carriage. A man hopped out and walked towards her. The sun was finally making an appearance behind the clouds.
"Lady Sophie!" A voice piped, he was waving his hands over his head.
"Prince Justin?" She ran towards him, holding her dress and hat. She had never been so relieved, she felt like laughing. They approached each other, in only silence. The wind blew her hair across her face as they basked in each others company.
"Wait right here," he said smiling. Turning around he snapped his fingers for the carriage. "You look cold," he said wanting to touch her. The carriage pulled by four magnificent white horses stopped in front of them. "Ladies first," he said lending his hand. Taking it, she climbed in. They sat opposite each other.
"Thankyou, but how did you know?" She asked removing her hat.
"I'd received an anonymous letter, it told me that you were leaving the castle, and at this time." She sighed and looked outside the window, the fog was thickening around them. "I didn't know whether to believe it or not, but I dare not miss a chance to see you." He pulled a blanket from a draw underneath his seat. "Here, this should warm you up", he leant over and wrapped it around her.
"Thankyou," she hugged herself. "I thought you were the Rattle rogues." She watched him as he poured tea into a cup. "I hate how this kingdom is controlled by rogues by night." Prince Justin smiled and handed her the cup.
"It's no ordinary tea, where would you like to go?"
"Red Brick Hotel if you don't mind?"
"Why that place if you don't mind me asking?"
"I'm staying there, you see", she stopped before she let too much information loose. The prince had put his cup down and nodded his head forward insisting Sophie to continue. She however, took another sip. "This is great."
"Yes, special blend, it gives you a boost of energy." Sophie nodded, after that they sat there in silence listening to the clip clop of the horses' feet. Sophie wondered what she had gotten herself into.
"Look, outside what is that?" The fog was making it hard for them to see. "Oomph" The carriage had come to a sudden halt, Sophie fell on the prince. She felt how warm and comforting his body was. Embarrassed he stood up, hitting his head on the ceiling.
"Stay here," he said rubbing his head, "I'll see-". Suddenly, the door swung open.
"Sophie, where are you going?" He looked at Prince Justin expecting an answer. "What are you doing with him?"
"Howl I left you a note, you weren't home," she said sternly. "Now leave me alone, you've done a very good job of it so far." She saw that he was hurt, Howl stopped himself from jumping into the carriage and let go. He fell backwards onto the grass, thick moist grass. His was wearing a thin purple silk shirt, it had something that appeared to be blood stains.
"Sophie I don't know what's happening to me, I don't want us to die," Howl said mono-toned, he looked directly at the sky. "I'm fighting Soph, I'm fighting for you, she won't win." He rolled his eyes onto her, "Justin take her away from me." Prince Justin looked at Howl disappointed, he took Sophie hand and pulled her in and closed the door. Sophie was near tears.
Suddenly she leapt up, "Howl!" She scrambled to the door and tried to rattle it open. She could see through the window, creatures were climbing around Howl. "Howl, your not making sense!" she screamed.
"Leave!" he shouted, and waved his hand. The carriage pulled forward, the wheels tore from the muddy soil. The carriage rode past him, leaving him defenceless on the ground as creatures mounted his body.
"The carriage will experience some discomfort for the rest of the journey to Redbrick Hotel. I'll have to get this thing fixed now, Howl must've really used some effort to make it obey." The prince said moving uncomfortably.
"I'm sorry, I didn't think he would've gone after me." Sophie said holding onto the rail by the seat.
"Not at all Lady Sophie, any gentleman would've gone after those he cherished", he shook his head, "Lady Sophie, are you alright?"
"I'm fine thankyou, it's getting clearer isn't it?"
"No, not really, pardon me Lady Sophie, but you are the biggest most marvellous puzzle I've ever tried to solve", he chuckled as well rousing Sophie to start laughing.
"It must be the tea you gave me?" she laughed, "I feel like laughing even though there is no real cause." She pointed out the window. "I meant the sky, its clearer isn't it?"
"Oh yes, yes it is." They laughed and laughed until another bump made Sophie fell on the prince again. This time the prince did nothing and they continued laughing. They gazed into each others eyes and quieted down.
"Redbrick Hotel!" The coach driver called. He looked like a human penguin.
"Lady Sophie, I won't do anything until I know your heart is pure." He pushed her away, and opened the door. The coach driver took her suitcase and waddled it off to the concierge. The prince got out first and stretched out his hand to assist Sophie off the cart. The sun was pouring in, the streets were fully alive and people started looking in. She could here them whisper, talking about the prince and some saying her name.
Sophie blushed and felt humiliated. She could feel eyes behind her back, "Thankyou Justin." She said and hopped off, "Sorry about the carriage".
"As I said Lady Sophie, it is no matter." He said getting back on. She waved him goodbye as the carriage splattered back down the streets. Suddenly it stopped and he jumped back out. "Sophie! We're still meeting on Tuesday?" he said when he caught up. She smiled warmly, "and don't worry about those peepers, you don't get something for nothing."
"I wasn't worried", she lied.
"Okay, that's the way, I'll see you at the peer?"
"Yes."
At that he pranced to the carriage, "Aliope!" he cried and the carriage sped off. She turned around and faced the whispers, "Excuse me," she said pushing past the people and walked proudly into the hotel.
She gave her card to the receptionist. "Good morning Missssssss Sssophie." Sophie smiled and took the key card he held out to her. "My name is Ssstewie, pleassse refer to me if you have any problemssss." He said in an eerie voice. "Here are the brochuresss, manuelsss and free breakfassst vouchuresss, I do hope you enjoy your ssstay." He handed her the lot and with that an exaggerated grin.
"Thankyou Stewie", she said turning to the elevators.
"No problem Missss Sssophie, that gentleman will show you to your room." Sophie smiled again and followed the staff.
A/n: I wanted to post this chappie a.s.a.p. but it isn't finished. Sorry it took so long. This knew format takes longer than my previous chapters. I tried to put more detail into it, usually one chapter is a day, but this chapter is only the morning… I'll post soon for the rest of the chapter. Please tell me if you want me to jump around or follow a person step by step. Thanks.
B.T.