AN: I've never written for Howl's Moving Castle before, so please be gentle. I'm not entirely certain if this is going to have more points from the Anime or from the Book, but who knows. It's AU, but have pity on me. Once again, this is a first time thing, and if it goes well, I'll continue it. If it doesn't...well, I'll probably just leave well enough alone.
Disclaimer: I dun own Howl, Sophie, or their castle. Please don't sue me, I have mouths to feed.
Mist and Mysteries
By: Chibi-no-Oneesan
Chapter Eight
"It's called Song." The woman said, and Sophie couldn't help but feel a twinge of jealousy as the slender, smooth skinned, stunning creature took a seat and poured tea with a grace and confidence that Sophie had never possessed. It didn't take a genius to notice that Howl's eyes were too busy watching her every move to even take notice of her discomfort. She wanted to hit him fiercely. She didn't.
When they'd come in, Howl and Miss Angorian had introduced themselves and Howl introduced herself and Michael as well. Sophie had attempted to control the flinch she felt in her heart when she was introduced as his mother. Well, all things considered, she looked old enough to be just that.
In addition, her beloved hat shop had been turned into a tea house, and that dreadful woman was sitting in what had once been HER apartment.
It wasn't fair. Now, she'd lost everything.
Howl smiled in that irritating way of his, half-listening to the woman as she spoke. He could feel the tension in the woman at his side, and her anger was almost palpable. A glance now and then told him that she was, in fact, still wearing her old face and was giving Miss Angorian a look that could singe the hairs off a man's balls. He smiled nodding politely when said woman asked if he'd like to hear the whole poem. "Yes, that would be enjoyable. You have a lovely voice."
That glare turned towards him.
Alas, but she couldn't feel the magic coming off this woman.
He'd have to fix that later. When the time was right to let Sophie know that he knew.
Suddenly, it felt like something wrapped around his chest and began exerting an extreme force. Oh, he'd not been expecting this. Damn. It took several deep, controlled breaths not to jump up and leave the room running. He raised a hand, standing. "That's enough. I remember." He said, with a calm he didn't feel. "In the end, even the good woman is unfaithful..." He gave a forced smile and helped Sophie stand. "Come along, we shouldn't dally any longer. Work and all that. Thank you, Miss Angorian..." Fire demon. He realized. She was the witches fire demon. And she was strong.
Dammit.
He'd waltzed right into the spider's web, and brought Sophie with him.
"Let's make dinner next Tuesday." He said in as jovial a manner as he could, then took his apprentice and cleaning lady outside, and closed the door.
Sophie looked at Howl's face, noting it was a great deal paler than normal. "Howl? Are you alright?"
Michael echoed her concern.
Howl wasn't certain how to answer them, so he didn't, instead, heading rapidly towards his not-so-private bolt hole. Damn and blast. He began brainstorming, trying to think of how to avoid the curse further, but knew it was useless. Midsummer's eve. That wasn't long from now. And his Sophie was going to get caught in the middle of it. Perhaps he could use her envy of Miss Angorian to his advantage. She shouldn't want the woman on her turf, and that should keep her out of the castle and away from his heart. When he reached the yellow door, he wavered the spell that changed their clothing and walked into the castle, finding Calcifer in the fireplace. "She's caught up, old Blue-face." He said softly, walking towards the fireplace.
"I know, I felt it take." Calcifer said, his face serious. Howl did not look well. He glanced towards Sophie and Michael and saw both of them wearing expressions of concern. That's right, they didn't really know everything. A further glance at Sophie showed that she was torn between anger and worry. Ah, but the heart really was a cruel device. Idly, he wondered what Howl would think of the tricks and tumbles his heart tried to do when she was nearby.
Sophie expected Howl to go upstairs and get into the bath, and was surprised when he sat in the chair she usually took by the fire, staring through the fire, his face pale and drawn. He seemed to be in no hurry to speak or move, so she walked towards the cold box, pulling out some leftover beef stew. Calcifer evidentially saw her coming and lowered his head without needing to be asked.
She paid little attention as Michael excused himself and disappeared up the stairs.
It took him quite awhile to regain control of himself. When he finally refocused on the present, he found the old woman had given way to young lady, and she was humming quietly as she stirred the stew. As if she felt his gaze, she glanced back at him. "Are you alright?"
"Well enough." He lied, knowing from how her eyes clouded over she knew he was lying. If only she knew how honest she made him long to be.
She turned her back, frowning. "Michael said something about going to visit Martha again." She bit out between clenched teeth.
"Ah, young love." He murmured, not taking his eyes off her stiff back. He heard Calcifer snicker and his eyes flicked towards his friend, who was eying him entirely too knowingly.
Sophie snorted, but she didn't sound amused. From the deeply concerned look on Calcifer's face, it was probably lucky for him that she wasn't looking towards him. Howl watched her leave the fireside abruptly and she began setting the table.
Calcifer leaned towards him. "Voice of experience?" the demon taunted lightly. There was a look of understanding in those orange eyes. Ah, but he would know how he felt. The demon might not feel the strange quivering in his chest, but he held Howl's heart still. Until perhaps Sophie was able to sever the contract. "Seriously, though, what do you plan to do about the curse?"
Howl smiled grimly. "I'll escape it, yet. It's caught up, but I have years of experience slipping out of nasty situations. This will be no different." Or at least not entirely different. He wondered if she realized how crucial a role she would play? He closed his eyes tilting his head back.
So many things could go wrong with this plan. If things didn't happen just so, then everything would be for nothing. He followed Sophie with his eyes, feeling Calcifer watching him. It didn't matter. Calcifer knew well enough anyways.
Sophie moved back towards them, testing the heat and taste of the soup. A little trailed down the corner of her mouth and Howl forced his gaze away before his actions betrayed him. She lifted the pot off Calcifer, relieving the smug demon of his burden and turned her back, moving to put it on the table. "It's on it's last night." She said idly, serving soup into the two bowls. "After this, it should really be gotten rid of..."
Howl stood, trying to ignore the knowing gaze on the demon's face. As he passed her, he gently patted her shoulder. God, he was weary...He sat down across from her usual spot and saw the shell shocked expression on her face. He smiled a bit. "There's soup on your face." He leaned towards her, covering annoyance at her abrupt backing with amusement.
She wiped the corner of her mouth, leaning far away from him.
There were times when she really wasn't certain if he was merely messing with her or not. He was a wizard. You'd think he'd notice the curse on her and try to do something about it! She heard Michael announce that he was leaving and wondered how long her eyes had been locked with Howl's pair. Blushing, she ripped her gaze away, beginning to eat her soup.
"You and Michael should be ready by noon tomorrow." Howl said, smiling that irritatingly calm smile.
How she wanted to hit him. She ate another bite to keep herself from saying something she'd ultimately regret. When she'd sufficiently calmed herself, she asked. "For what?"
"To go blacken my name, of course. You'll probably be able to get away with just speaking to Mrs. Penstemmon..." He noticed the look on her face and trailed off. She was furious. And old. He didn't like the mix, but he couldn't tell her the truth, not yet.
Her appetite was gone. Slowly, she stood with her bowl. She dumped the remains into Calcifer's mouth, and then set her bowl in the sink. Dishes could wait till tomorrow. Right now, she wanted some privacy. Some time to press her face into her pillow and cry silently. She ignored Howl's gaze on her. She ignored Calcifer's concerned questions. Without a word, she walked to her cubby and disappeared inside. Before another question could be asked, she shut the curtain and shoved the boxes off her small bed.
Howl winced at the crash.
"Nice move, Casanova..." Calcifer said in a disapproving way.
The wizard sighed softly, shaking his head. "I'm afraid I must cling to my dishonesty awhile longer, old friend, until the witch is gone, at least."
"You'll lose her. You know that, right? If you keep lying and mistreating her, you'll lose her."
Howl smiled bitterly. "I deserve to, wouldn't you say. Isn't ironic? The first woman I actually want to keep is the one I'm most likely to lose."
"So you really are falling for her. I suspected as much."
"Falling?" Howl asked, standing and dumping the remains into the trash. "Don't be ridiculous..." He set the pot in the sink and jotted a note for Michael, which he used magic to pin to the beam beside the stairs. He walked up the stairs, feeling rather melancholy. It was ridiculous. He wasn't falling for her. It wasn't possible to be falling for someone when you were still trying to figure up how to stand after hitting bottom.
Yes, he'd already fallen for her. No matter her near constant anger with him. No matter the old face, nothing. It really was ironic. He'd had a warm affection for the sweet, cute little mouse he'd left in Wales. He didn't fall in love with the mouse, or the sweet face.
Nope.
He'd fallen for his proud, temperamental, cranky, cantankerous, nosy, meddling cleaning lady. His Dragon-Lady. Wonders never ceased. But Calcifer was right. Horribly, terribly right. He gave a slight wave as he headed up the stair, hearing the ragged breaths that told him Sophie was crying. He forced himself to blot out the sound, walking up the stairs to his own room.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
"I know Sophie's younger sister."
Howl glanced towards Michael, who was wearing a faint smile on his face. The young man was staring into the glass of lemonade that one of Mrs. Pentstemmon's servants had brought them. "You know Lettie?"
"No. I know Martha."
Howl frowned faintly. "Is she who you've been going to see all the time in Wales?"
Michael glanced towards him, seeing the faint look of disapproval on the wizard's face. He snorted. "Oh, come off it, Howl. If I could see her flitting back and forth between young and old, I know you, too. And you're to enamored of a pretty face to just leave her alone. What are you planning?"
Howl arched an eyebrow. "Since when, young Michael, do I explain myself to you?" He asked, smiling amicably. A glance towards the stairs, where a very old, very tired looking Sophie was coming down, he hurried up to assist her. He gave Michael a concerned glance. "Perhaps it would be best if we returned home." He said gently. Her lovely eyes met his and he saw that fire in them and knew before she spoke she disagreed. Stubborn woman, he thought, with just a hint of admiration tinging his exasperation.
"Don't be ridiculous..." She said crossly. "After her, meeting with the king will probably be more like a picnic on a spring day." She saw the mild concern on his face and scowled at him. "So let's go see him." She, meanwhile, marched down the stairs, her mind offering her phrases like yellow-bellied, and coward.
Seeing her face set into that expression, he knew he could sooner convince her the sky was purple than get her to listen to reason. "Alright, then." He strapped on some false-cheer, and headed up the street. He checked his stride, trying to make the trip easy on Sophie, while distracting them with the sights around the capitol city of Kingsbury. He pretended not to notice the confused, if slightly vindictive look she was giving his suit. Hmm? What had his former teacher told the woman that she'd give this suit a look as though she'd happily take her scissors to it and hack it to pieces?
Once they reached the palace, she was whisked off to the kings presence, leaving him alone once again. He leaned against a wall, pondering the situation regarding Sophie Hatter. She'd been showing her old face with increasing frequency. In fact, since that evening he'd impulsively set his lips against her cheek, he hadn't seen her young face scarcely at all. It troubled him that she was pulling farther into that mask she wore, and wondered what he must do to tear that mask away.
What came back with startling clarity was that if she'd made a deal with Calcifer, which he suspected she had, despite the fire demons evasion, then she could possibly be clinging to that ancient shell until she would be able to fulfill whatever condition had been set before her. And there was only one thing Calcifer would attempt to have anyone with Sophie's power do.
The fire demon was going to have her break their contract.
The thought saddened him ever so slightly. After all, Calcifer had been his friend for ages. He was also, however, Howl's weakest flank. Should the witches fire demon manage to get into the castle, Howl would never tell him. He would have to count on Sophie's jealousy of the woman, which would undoubtedly sharpen her feelings of hatred he knew she must already feel.
How he longed to tell her the truth, how he desperately wished he could. The very real feelings of love he held for her, feelings that would come to nothing, because Sophie was too good a woman to tolerate a man like him.
"Sophie!"
Michael's call stirred him and he looked up, seeing a tired, almost frightened looking Sophie walking towards them. Her limp seemed more exaggerated than usual. He straightened, moving towards her, before checking his stride, trying to hide his very real concern. "How did it go with the King?" Michael shot him a dirty look, but the cutting look Sophie gave him lashed him more effectively.
"The witch is here." Sophie managed, wheezing through her anger. "In Kingsbury. I got lost and ran into her."
He swore viciously. If the witch was here-"Mrs. Pentstemmon..." He realized, and with much more force than was necessary, he swore, causing them to jump, startled. Kingsbury was compromised. That was two out of three entrances she knew of. He hustled his small family down the stairs, towards the castle entrance. Glances found her goons waiting here and there, looking rather gooey. Yes, definitely compromised. He was going to have to move the whole castle.
He winced at the thought. To do so would consume massive amounts of energy, both his own and Calcifer's. Moving also petrified the demon, as there was always a possibility that one of them might not come out of it whole and hearty.
As they passed his old tutors home, he saw several people coming in and out, shouting. He looked away, belying none of his thoughts with his expression. That witch certainly knew how to rip out a man's guts. And now she undoubtedly knew of Sophie, meaning his little dragon-mouse was in trouble.
Alas, why didn't things in his life ever go according to plan?
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
Sophie had nightmares involving the Witch of the Waste and Miss Angorian that night. She tossed and turned uncomfortably, waking repeatedly. She could hear pacing overhead and knew it was Howl awake trying to figure out how to slither out of the situation. She decided to give up on her attempts at sleep, despite her acute exhaustion. She was simply too unsettled, too frightened.
The sun had barely caressed the horizon when the pacing stopped and she heard Howl come down the stairs and the front door opened and shut quietly. She peeked out through her curtains, unable to understand the hurt inside her when she noticed that the door was black dot up.
Wales. He'd gone to Wales.
No, he'd gone to Miss Angorian.
Sophie bit back the pain, finally raising from the bed. Just concern for Lettie, she told herself, while trying to ignore it. Really, it was Lettie's own fault for falling for the philandering phony. A man like that was more enamored with the chase than with the victory. She headed from her cubby, getting a pot and filling it with water. When Calcifer woke, she'd make tea, then start on breakfast.
She didn't have to wait long. The fire demon stirred among his embers and peeked up, looking at her ancient face, noting the look of deep pain on her face. "Are you okay?"
Sophie gently rubbed her chest, turning towards the tiny flame, giving it a minimal smile. "Yes. I'm fine." She gestured towards the pot on the stove. "Would you mind? I had a rough night."
Obviously, the demon thought, but didn't say so. "It's fine," he agreed, lowering his head, seeing the look of naked relief on her face. A glance around and he saw the door black blob down and wanted to swear viciously. He knew Howl didn't have interest in Lily Angorian. No. The man was simply going through that door to keep an eye on the woman they both knew to be the Witch's fire demon.
But Sophie couldn't know that. Howl wouldn't tell her and it was not Calcifer's place to expose the secret of another fire demon. Oh, but he wished he could. It didn't suit Sophie's face to wear such unhappiness. Her face was better suited to happiness, her smile brighter than the sun. Even aged as she usually appeared, she wore happiness better than the sad emotions.
The only thing she was equally suited to was anger, although he was certain Howl would not like the unhappy irritation that covered Sophie's face currently. No, while that guy didn't mind Sophie angry, he definitely didn't like her to be both old and angry. There was an almost masochistic glee in his eyes every time they argued and she wore her young face.
Calcifer found it highly entertaining when they would argue, especially knowing that Howl had a deep affection and, no doubt, attraction for the woman. Their highly vocal games of mental chess were amusing, but they left the little fire demon to wonder. He'd grown so comfortable here, and when the contract broke, Howl could ask him to leave, and there was no reason he could stay. No reason except that this rag-tag little bunch was the closest thing he had to a family.
Still, he'd have no grounds to stay with them, and after the contract and Sophie's curse was broken, if Howl had managed to out run his own curse, Calcifer knew the wizard would want the place to himself for awhile. Would he be able to leave these people he'd grown to actually care for, even if it's in a rather twisted way as it was with Howl himself?
No. He couldn't. Not voluntarily. He would have to ask Howl, in the most round-about way he could what would happen after the contract was broken.
Sophie took the pot off of him before he noticed the water boiling, a testament of how distracted he really was by his own thoughts. He watched her fix up a cup of tea for herself, noticing those heavy, dark bags beneath her eyes and sighed. "Sleepless night?"
She nodded, hiding a yawn behind her hand. "Nightmares." She admitted.
"If it makes you feel better, I don't think Howl got much sleep either." Calcifer caught the bag from her tea as she tossed it towards him and munched it. Doing so kicked the scent of herbs into the air, filling the room. He saw the rather sad expression on her face.
"Poor Lettie..." She said softly. "He's found a new girl to chase. Can't he be serious with one of these women he chases?"
He chose not to answer. There was nothing he could really say to soothe her without breaking Howl's confidence, and while he did like Sophie, and knew the wizard was growing genuinely serious. Calcifer knew that Howl was laying both of their futures in Sophie's hands, not telling her, not even hinting that she was vastly important to both of them. She likely wouldn't understand, regardless.
He knew Howl was putting his life, as well as his own heart on the line. The coward had a habit of telling himself that he wasn't doing something, just so he'd have the stomach to face it later on. It kept Howl from becoming over-stressed, which would lead to mistakes. He would cling to his dishonesty, until there was no other option, then he'd go ahead and let the curse take over. "So, what kind of nightmares?"
Sophie looked relieved at the change in subject and gave him a weak smile. She didn't answer, however, because Michael came down the stairs, rubbing his eyes and inquiring about breakfast.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
Howl maintained his watch for several hours, standing in that miserable mist, trying not to shiver. He was probably a little under dressed for the weather. He'd listened to Sophie's tossing and turning all night and had wanted nothing more than to go down and offer her a sleep spell, just so she'd have a decent nights sleep. He'd be dealing with the dragon when he returned, he just knew it.
He leaned against the wall, trying to ignore the shivers working through him, until a sneeze wormed it's way from him. Well, so much for 'covert'. He heard a voice from the building call out and he headed back towards his bolt hole swiftly. Oh, he was tired, he ached, and not just because of Sophie at the moment. A brush of his fingers against his head found the flesh there to be hot. Damn. Little rest and the cold weather here seems to have given him a cold.
He sneezed several more times during his trek back to the door, and a cough crept up on him. When he reached the door, he desperately hoped that she would notice his state before attacking him with her teeth exposed. Perhaps once their curses were broken he wouldn't mind a little teeth now and then, but right now he simply wanted a warm blanket, something hot to drink, and to rest. Heaven help him.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
AN: Sorry about the long wait, all. My life has gone rather topsy turvy over the past year or so, and I'm afraid I've fallen more than a bit behind in writing this. Currently, I don't have my copy of the movie or my book (I'm in the process of moving yet again). I wont blame it on that alone, however. The fact is, I've been exposed/re-exposed to several fandoms which I've found myself needing to write for. As my DemonSaya name is a cacophony of Inuyasha, Rurouni Kenshin, and Ranma (most of which I hate), I'm planning on posting these new and fun fandoms here. Over the next week or so, I'll be planning the remainder of this and, of course 'A Tale of Two Hearts'. Once I have my books and the movie back, I'll start planning the sequel to this. Notably, my planned fics will likely be completed first, since I know where I'm going and how to get there. To eke out this chapter, I had to rely rather heavily on the Howl's Moving Castle wikipedia page (the book version, as it's got a detailed 'timeline'). Probably I'll be finished with 'Monster' (My Majin Tantei Nougami Neuro horrorish fic), and 'The Devil Does Exist' before I get into the new house and am able to re-locate my books and finish these two stories. I'm really sorry about the wait. I'll try to finish this one so that it's not sitting around for another year, however. Promise!