Vixen: Part Two
Ivy had originally thought that going with Howl would be a good course of action. . . Now, she wasn't so sure. They had been walking for several minutes now through the crowds, and the young woman was a nervous wreck. After hiding from humans for so long, she felt out of place in the midst of them. Even with the sorcerer carrying her. . . Her uncertainty grew even worse, with all the stares that were coming her way. Though she suspected that a lot of the attention was going to her good looking companion as well.
Howl, who sensed her unease, squeezed her reassuringly. "Not used to being scrutinized, are you, dear?"
Ivy snuffled in agreement as they passed into the main square. She looked around warily, before focusing on several women who were eyeing them as they walked by. Howl followed her line of sight before chuckling.
"I'm not sure who they're admiring between the two of us . . . But I can't blame them for staring." At the strange look the fox shot his way, Howl shrugged as if his assumption was obvious. "Well, I do have the Belle of the Ball on my arm."
Though his words were in fact literal, Ivy felt her stomach clench at his evident flirtation. Even as a human, she had never had a man pay her so many compliments. But he gave them by the minute and seemed genuine. Making the woman fear that her head would explode from the stimulation and flattery.
As they neared the edge of the square, Howl's grip on Ivy tightened slightly. When he passed by the last of the dancing couples, she looked at him questioningly. But he gave nothing away, as he stalked out onto a deserted lane.
The lithe wizard glanced about, making sure they were in fact alone, before he nodded to himself. "This should do it." Then he added. "You aren't afraid of heights, are you Vixen?"
Ivy yipped at him in frustration at the nickname and to answer his inquiry. The young woman wasn't exactly 'scared' of heights, but she wasn't overly fond of them either. Though if it was a question of how high this man could jump or climb, the woman was sure she could manage.
Howl's encouraging sapphire eyes regarded the fox, as he cradled her closer. Ivy would have blushed at the proximity, if her fur had allowed it. But since she was an animal, the only thing that showed her bashful nature, was the slight glint in her golden eyes as she quickly looked away.
"Hang on," Howl cautioned, as his fingers encased her completely.
Ivy wondered how she was supposed to hang on. But she didn't have time to ponder it for long. For not several seconds after warning her, Howl had leapt up into the air. But instead of coming back down to the ground, as was normal, he continuously rose higher. Until they were far above Market Chipping and the lively crowds.
Ivy whined pitifully as they ascended, and fought to burrow deeper into Howl's coat. He immediately comforted her with kind words, as he strolled carelessly through the wispy cloud cover.
"Don't worry, dear. I've got you," he reassured her easily, as he let his thumb stroke against her side, where he held her. "Now, whatever you do . . . don't look down."
In that moment, Ivy would have bitten him, if he hadn't been the one keeping her from falling. But he was. So she settled for hiding her muzzle in the folds of his shirt, and pretended that he was walking on the ground instead of the air. Howl chuckled softly as he continued along his way, but never loosened his hold on the fox.
"Try to relax, sweetheart," he bid her, as they passed the last houses of Market Chipping. "We'll be there soon."
Ivy whined in quiet agreement, hoping that he was telling her the truth.
It was nearly thirty minutes later that they touched down to the ground again. Ivy's body had visibly slumped when Howl had landed. Which had caused him great amusement.
"Was it really so bad, Vixen? I thought you'd have enjoyed feeling the wind in your fur."
Ivy growled at him, though it was a halfhearted sound on her part. The trip hadn't been terrible per say, but she had been anxious for most of the time they were traveling. Not to mention what the wind had done to her.
The young woman had never thought of herself as poofy before. . . But now that she'd been airborne, Ivy had learned that foxes could be fluffy when provoked.
Howl pushed the untamable fluff on her head down with a ringed forefinger, as he regarded her carefully. He smoothed her fur for several minutes before he seemed pleased with his work.
"There. . . Just as beautiful as before," he murmured with a smile.
Ivy returned his intent sapphire gaze for a long moment, before she looked away. It was too much for her to take. So she took the time to glance around them instead.
With the apprehension of flying, she had completely forgotten to pay attention to her surroundings. A shortcoming that she now rectified. Long gone was the quaint countryside village and May Day celebrations. Now all that remained was the wild green foliage and the majestic mountains that helped form the tranquil Valley.
When Ivy had traveled to Market Chipping and Upper Folding, she had come from further inland. But now, she was able to fully enjoy the beauty of the Wastes. It was nothing at all like the name insinuated. There was no filth or decay. Only nature that lay virtually untouched and secluded from the rest of the world. It was a pleasant enough environment, and Ivy found herself utterly soothed by it.
Howl had watched her as she'd taken in the hills about them. A knowing expression had grown, overtaking his face completely, before his attention was drawn to a specific hill several feet away. At first, it appeared as though he was merely enjoying the scenery too. But after a time, the ground began to shake and a metallic clinking could be heard from across the dells.
Ivy pawed at Howl in terror as the clinking grew closer, but the Wizard shushed her gently.
"Right on time," he commented lightly.
Then, the strange construct that was making the ground shake came into view, and the fox drew in a strangled breath.
It was gigantic. Layer upon layer of metal and stone; stacked almost precariously to form an unidentifiable fortress. And at the bottom of each of the four corners, long chicken-like legs moved in synchronized steps. Ivy gaped up at the Castle in awe, as it came to stop right before them. She had seen some abnormal things in her short span of years, but never had she encountered something quite like this. It defied explanation or reason. . . and for that alone, she loved it.
When the Castle had come to a complete halt, Howl approached the door at the back of the structure. Though before his hand reached out to open it, he addressed Ivy.
"Here we are, sweetheart." He beamed down at her, making her heart hammer dangerously in her chest. "Now before we head inside, I should warn you about Calcifer."
The name held no meaning or recognition with the fox, until he went on to explain. "Calcifer is a demon. I doubt you could handle another surprise, so I thought you'd appreciate knowing in advance what to expect."
He was staring at her, as he tried to gauge her reaction, though he seemed to have trouble. Having a furry face and muzzle aided the woman in having an amazing poker face. Something that she was becoming exceedingly grateful for. Though in this instance, the strange wizard had assumed correctly. The warning was appreciated, and Ivy dipped her fuzzy head to show him that she understood. She was thankful for the heads up.
"Alright. Now that that's out of the way. . ."
As he tapered off, Howl opened the door and entered.
The inside of the Castle wasn't overly impressive. Other than the clutter and cobwebs, it never would have passed for remarkable. It was rather misleading, Ivy thought to herself. Considering how incredible the outside of the castle was.
Howl unhurriedly shut the door behind them, before he climbed the steps that led into the main room from the entryway. His shoes clacked quietly on the hard wood floor, as he drew further into the chamber.
"Calcifer," he called in greeting, stopping in the center of the room.
"What," an annoyed voice returned. "No hello, or nice to see you? Just my name, with demands to move the Castle, or make you hot water for your baths!"
Ivy waited for a demon to pop out from the stacks of books and clutter. But to her relief, nothing in the piles moved. It was in fact, flickering from the fireplace that caught her attention. The young woman turned to look into the stone hearth, and was shocked to see a face peeking out from the flames. Two eyes, a mouth, and little arms made from the dancing embers- if the details were to be known.
It took the woman a moment to realize that the foreign voice had come from the fire. And in that time, 'Calcifer' was more than able to study her in return.
"Geez! You've got one heck of a curse on ya, kid. I don't envy ya that one, one bit!"
"Calcifer," Howl began peacefully. "This is Vixen, our new house guest. Sweetheart, this is Calcifer."
Ivy's golden eyes were glued to the fire demon, before her ears flattened respectfully. She tipped her head in a bow, before snuffling quietly. The action surprised both the demon and the wizard.
"Finally," Calcifer crowed. "Somebody who has manners! You could take lessons from her, Howl!"
Howl shook his head with a laugh, before he placed Ivy down gently at the edge of the hearth. Her little paws met with the lukewarm stone compliantly, though she immediately sat down when his hands let go. She doubted that her legs could have held her up in that moment.
"Why'd you drop her in my space," the demon grumbled as Howl stalked over to the table in the corner. "Take her with you!"
"I will," Howl said easily. "But first, I want you to take a look at her. I'd like a second opinion on her condition."
Calcifer snorted, "Ya make it sound like a disease!"
Ivy believed that comparing her curse to a disease was accurate. Though she doubted her thoughts counted for much, when it came to the subject of magic.
The fire demon stared at her, making her squirm. It was almost as if he could see into her very soul, and if she hadn't been so tired she might have tried to run away.
"None of that, kid," Calcifer said. "I don't bite animals or women. Ya got nothing ta worry about."
Ivy complied though she had no idea what to think of the talking fire. He seemed a bit snappy at times, but otherwise decent enough.
After several long minutes of observing her, Calcifer looked over at Howl, who had come to stand behind Ivy with a book in hand.
"She's been hit with a doozy," the fire shook his head. "It'll take some work to break. The one who cursed her, knew their stuff. . ."
Ivy felt her hope begin to dwindle. But as she whined in discouragement, Howl came to sit on the other side of the hearth. In his hand was a large tome that he'd begun flipping through.
"All curses take work, Calcifer," he chided calmly. "Though in this case we might be a step ahead."
The fox's ears pricked up and her golden eyes swiveled to regard the handsome wizard. He smiled at her, before he went back to searching the book.
"Animal transformation spells are all different in complexity and style. But I have encountered one similar to yours. The signature is unique, so I know what to look for. . ."
So you'll be able to break it? Oh how she longed to ask him aloud, but all that came out was a strange noise in the back of her throat.
After sometime, Howl let out an 'ah ha' and began to read the text on the page. Both Calcifer and Ivy listened intently.
"On this full moon I do beseech,
the Midnight Queen to take her place.
Queen Vulpine you shall be,
O'er nature shall you rule.
The Forest yours to command,
To never walk among man.
With a thousand kisses the sun will shine,
A thousand sweet words, shall make you mine.
Each cycle repeated until the last.
Midnight to Day, Sun to Moon.
Fur and tail, to flesh and bone."
As Howl finished reading the passage, Ivy and Calcifer shared a strange look, before the demon spoke. "Pretty words, Howl. . . But what does it mean for your foxy friend here?"
Howl closed the book, his sapphire eyes shining with an unreadable expression.
"Come now Calcifer. After all these years, I thought you'd understand a simple spell."
When the demon blew a rude raspberry at him, Howl turned to regard the fox who sat waiting.
"I can break your curse, sweetheart," he said confidently. "Though it's going to cost you."
Ivy hadn't realized she was holding her breath, until she felt Howl's hand reach out to take her front paw. After searching and hoping for so long, freedom was finally within her grasp. All she had to do was be brave enough to reach out and take it! Human again! She was on the verge of tears as she nudged Howl's fingers with her nose, begging him to tell her the rest.
The handsome wizard gave her a small smile as he spoke again, though what he said had her freezing in place.
"Too break this spell on you, you'll have to submit to what the original text implies. . ." He paused for a breath before he quoted. "With a thousand kisses the sun will shine. A thousand sweet words, shall make you mine. . ."
Ivy felt her mouth go dry as his words clicked. . . It couldn't mean. . . that.
From the fireplace Calcifer began to laugh as it hit him too. "You've got to kiss her 1,000 times!? Don't tell me it's one for each day, Howl! She'll be waterlogged by all your slobber!"
Ivy scrambled to do the math, as her eyes bugged out of her head. If it was a kiss per day, Howl would have to kiss her every day for more than 2 and a half years. Surely that couldn't be right!
Howl ignored Calcifer, who was still cackling hysterically. Instead he looked directly at the fox who he'd saved not two hours prior.
"I will need to do some more research, but the key to your curse is kisses, Vixen. . . Though I will understand if you have changed your mind about wanting my help. . ."
Ivy sat motionlessly for an unknown amount of time, debating and staring into the depths of Howl's light blue eyes. Before she stood up from her sitting position and carefully climbed into the Wizard's lap. Then she leaned up cautiously and placed a quick lick to his cheek.
Howl smiled as she climbed back down to sit expectantly next to him. Her answer had been clear enough, and the sorcerer immediately stood to find another book.
And all the while, Calcifer guffawed like mad, at the ridiculous idea of Howl getting an everlasting fur ball.
A/N: The next installment of Vixen ( which I originally posted over on Deviantart). (It has been insinuated that I have plagiarized this story. Though I encourage you to go to Deviantart- my pen name is Tarnisis- shoot me a message there, or go check out my gallery to see the original posting of Vixen. I assure you all it is my story. Though I do appreciate people looking out for thieves.)
I had so much fun with the last part of this chapter! The details of our Fox's curse made me giggle like an idiot. It just seemed like a fun idea for a curse. Especially when Howl is in the picture. XD
Please let me know what ya'll are thinking! I love getting feedback and hearing peoples thoughts! ^^
Stay tuned for the next part!
~Lyn