A/N: This story has become sort of parody-ish. LOL. But then, we all need a good laugh, right? ^^
Review
"W-what compensation?" Mai swallowed hard.
Just the thought of being made into a slug and then whip-lashed by the magical lad―
Enchanter Shibuya broke into an insolent smile and voiced coolly, "I'll have your most expensive tea. Served by you. Now."
End of Review
XDXDXDXDXDXD~nya~
II. In which Mai is damned .II
XDXDXDXD~nya~
"Wha―?"
Mai couldn't believe the audacity of the man before her, but she soon nipped her lip. After all, the mirror she broke, accidentally or not, looked really made of gold. In addition, just the air of the young man before her exuded royalty. And if there's one thing Mai disliked the most, it would be the feeling of indebtedness to a rather condescending person.
So, just to end everything with the 'enchanter' in front of her and so that she wouldn't turn into a slug, Mai lodged down her broomstick, clipped up her fringe, and assented, "F-fine. But after having tea, please do leave. I can't have curses thrown at me because a wi―"
"Enchanter," he corrected once more.
"Enchanter whatever," she repeated, exhausted. "I can't have a cursed tea shop, you know? Whoever those ghosts were, they're following you and only you; is that clear?"
She pointed at him with the spout of a sky blue kettle.
He just shrugged. "Only I am begrudged by the Maou of the Waste, so I doubt she will be after you. You can fare by yourself anyway."
She scowled. "She should better be following you, or your mirror won't be the only thing I'll break but also your handsome face!"
Enchanter Shibuya raised his eyebrow. "You think I'm handsome?"
"So what if I do?" she shot. "Now I know how you bewitched a lot of beautiful women and ate their hearts!"
He shrugged and then lifted a corner of his mouth afresh. "You have a very good perception of beauty, then."
She was open-mouthed in disbelief. T-the arrogance of this jerk!
"You―! You're Naru from now on!" she proclaimed.
He stared at her. "What did you say?"
"What, are you deaf?" Mai huffed, but Enchanter Shibuya was just silently eyeing her as though in disbelief too.
"W-what?" Mai crossed her arms over her chest in defensive stance. "Don't look at me like a pervert!"
He shrugged again and arched an eyebrow. "You think so?"
She glowered. "You―"
He made a small smile of fascination, and Mai was dazzled for a bit. She immediately faced her back to him and muttered to herself, "Sly jerk!"
His smile made her heart race and arrive at the finish line in seconds.
Unfair...Beautiful people are so manipulative!
She didn't even once think that she's a part of her so-called beautiful people.
XDXDXDXDXDXDXDXD~nya~
Mai woke up at the sound of the grandfather clock behind her. She was slumbering on her couch, and she couldn't even remember flopping on it...
Alarmed, she sat upright.
"Wha―how―where?" She scanned her tea shop and found no one in sight.
Was it all a dream after all?
She couldn't tell. There were no teapot and teacups on the table before the couch. There was no 'enchanter' sitting obnoxiously on the other couch across where she had lain. Lastly, there were no slits on the sides of her kimono...
Frowning, Mai rubbed her eyes. What a strange dream...
Miraculously, she didn't dream about her customers for the day at all. Somehow, it deemed to be an exciting day then. Her dreams usually spoiled the fun since it would already give her the answer to her customers' needs without the chance of investigation, exploration, and discovery.
I guess, the 'enchanter' can be a good luck charm in dreams huh...But...could the real Wizard Shibuya really look like the one in my dream? Or is it just my clandestine girlish fantasy...
Mai blushed and slapped her cheeks. "Ow!"
She scrunched her eyes in pain. Erase, erase! What am I thinking?
She gazed at the clock and discovered that it was already 2 o' clock...She whipped her head to the window. It's still dark...Twilight?
She'd never roused so early. Also, she didn't feel drowsy any longer, as though the effects of weeks of bad sleep just vanished.
That enchanter must have been an arrogant guardian angel of good sleep...
Mai sighed and stood up, slightly unbalanced at first, but she leaned on the couch's arm rest to steady herself. Just then, the chime of her shop's door tinkled, and she flinched. Perplexed, she rubbernecked at the ajar turquoise-painted door. In the doorway was a tall young woman in her 20s. A white wide-brimmed hat with an ivory bow trimming sat on her shoulder-length wavy light ginger-hued locks, which accentuated her ecru eyes. She was garbed in a snowy kimono with sunflower and lotus blossoms that were...moving?
Mai rubbed her eyes to make sure she wasn't dreaming again...
She wasn't. Gulping instinctively, she sensed the foreboding atmosphere...
Is she━? Mai goggled at the woman in dread, but she soon shook her head. No! Don't even think about it! She's a customer!
She bit her trembling lip.
But...
Glimpsing apprehensively at her clock once more, she gawked at the woman.
A customer this early?
Thinking it barbaric to not greet a possible (she hoped) customer, Mai bolted from her seat and neared the stranger cannily. "Ano...the shop's still close, so if you can just go back la―"
The woman's pale heart-shaped face turned to her.
"Who are you?" the woman asked, taking Mai aback.
Muddled at the reverse of roles, Mai uttered, "Um...I'm―"
"Not your name, dear." The woman's tone was sickly sweet and eerie. "What's your relation to Wizard Shibuya?"
Mai gaped at her. She━! The Maou? Holy━!
It wasn't a dream after all.
"Tha-that's━" Looking for her broomstick, Mai swished her head everywhere. If the enchanter was rather unmindful of her temper, the Maou appeared the opposite. It scared her to observe the difference.
Why am I getting involved?
"No response huh..." the Maou said and scrutinized the tea shop before covering her nose. "It stinks here."
Inevitably and immediately fuming, Mai yelled, "It doesn't!"
The Maou nictated at the tea-maker before narrowing her eyes and smiling triumphantly. "You are short-tempered, I see."
Mai realized her mistake and stammered, "I mean, I━"
The Maou smoothly glided towards her, now face-to-face, and Mai swore that she was going to get cross-eyed with how near the woman's face was.
"An incapable brat like you can never grow into a beautiful lady like me," the Maou hissed.
Insulted and defensive, Mai shot vehemently, "Oh really? Well, I don't care because my sisters are more beautiful than you, old hag!"
The Maou glared, sneered, and snapped her fingers in front of Mai's face. "I see...Then, you shall remain as immature as you are."
"Wha━You━!"
Within seconds again, the Maou had glided away from her and to the door. With a last look, the Maou jeered at Mai, "You'll meet your demise if you divulge your hex to anyone. On another note, tell Shibuya-kun that Ubusuna sends her regards, and I will make a feast of his heart soon~~"
Mai stared at her wake. Heart? What's with sorcerers and hearts? Do they need some heart replacement or something?
The tea shop's door slammed shut, and Mai was left utterly speechless. It was as though a swift small yet strong breeze passed by and went. Addled, Mai ran her hands through her hair.
And, w-what hex?
"What is she━?" Mai squeaked and halted. She placed her hands to her throat. My voice! How did it become so soft and squea━
Mai gasped at her hands, arms, and feet. Her hair had come loose from the plait and crimson rubber grip...and became short!
My body━!
Mai darted to the mirror beside the grandfather clock and goggled at her reflection in horror. Her hair was disheveled, and her kimono threatened to fall off of her arms (she hurriedly fixed it tighter to her body). Her obi had fallen, and the hem of her kimono had bunched up on the floor.
This can't be!
Mai placed her hands on her cheeks and screeched.
XDXDXDXDXDXDXDXDXDXD~nya~
How can this occur?
Mai paced her bedroom problematically. It was 12 noon, and she didn't have a plan to open the tea shop for the day.
With her appearance, who would believe her? Who would buy her goods? She would probably be the talk of the town if anybody discovered! And it would be as though she was in a freak show, and she would be scorned at and...
She stomped, kicked, and punched in the air in frustration. "That old hag! Curse her that she won't live long with her beauty!"
Hearing her mouse-like voice rankled her more, so she yelled, making the birds that perched on the windowsill bolt away.
Truthfully, she was more worried about her sisters. What if the others would treat them horribly? What if Ayako (as Madoka) would lose her job because people would think her sister might pass on the curse to her?
"Grrrrrrrrrrrr!"
She was very angry indeed. Who would take her now? Who would look past her appearance and save her from the hellfire she was thrown into?
"Aaaaaaaaahhh!" she shrieked.
Think. Think. Think!
She swore under her breath. Why were magical people involving and tormenting her with their conflicts? Why did they have to use a human as a show of their power?
Why, why, why?
Mai shook her head. No! Stop lashing and cursing!
She glared at her reflection from her vanity table's mirror. Then, she suspired. It's not like I look bad...but...
Everything just did not feel right. Mai somehow realized how much she appreciated her real-time look at that instance.
You'll never feel more rueful than when you lost something you should have been very thankful of...
Mai suspired once more. How can I break this curse━?
She gasped.
Madoka!
She remembered then what Ayako (in Madoka's guise) had told her.
Madoka is being taught by a good witch!
Elated of the hope she found she still possessed, Mai stared at her teak wood wardrobe and soon climbed on her bed and then her bedside table and then her dresser. At the top of her dresser and now taller than her wardrobe, she hugged a large purple box on the latter's surface. Slowly, she slid it off from where it had lain for many years (somehow, her original strength was still there), and (staggering and nearly toppling) she dropped it brusquely on the floor with a loud thud. After hopping down at the same places she ascended upon, she took the lid and scavenged for a week's worth of kimono, Western dresses, and undergarments. She then chucked her find in the fleshy and succulent knapsack, which she found under her bed.
Subsequently opening the drawer of her bedside table, she grabbed her sisters' letters and skimmed the addresses. Before the magical switch, Ayako had written to Mai and given her the address...
"Upper Straightening Valley..." Mai nictated at the envelope.
Upper Straightening Valley was three hills behind Market Nippon's hills, and on the hills of Market Nippon was...
Mai cussed under her breath once more. Bloody wizards in the sky! She would have to get past Enchanter Shibuya's castle, which was an inevitable barricade to her plan. She face-palmed.
Like the Maou, the arrogant enchanter might put a hex on her once he would magically know her meeting with the so-called 'Ubusuna.' Mai plopped face first on her bed in defeat. Why was luck evading her seemingly purposively?
Why, why, why?
She perked her head up, blew on her fringe, and punched and kicked the mattress. Dang, dang, dang, dang, dang!
"Aaaaaaaarrrgggghhh!" She rolled on her bed from left to right; she was venting in the most harmless fashion she could think of.
When she got really dizzy and finally halted rolling and resolved to stare at her room's lime-colored ceiling, Mai's stomach churned. Involuntarily, something dripped down her cheeks, and she blinked and wiped the tears that suddenly started pouring down her eyes.
Behind the obvious frustration and anger at her misfortune, Mai was infinitely lonely and afraid. She'd never felt very isolated from the world than at that very moment. Her parents dead and her sisters living their heart's desires, Mai was the only one who continued to stray.
What was she supposed to do now? What should she do now?
Every action she could think of would just lead to worse situations. Perhaps, I'll stay here and lock myself...I'll write a letter to Madoka...
But what if her letter would be intercepted? What if the Maou's minions had continued to lurk around outside the house and tea shop?
She sniffed morosely. There's no choice...I'd have to stay here, imprison myself, and starve myself if I must...at most, avoid involvement with magical people, and at least approach a stalemate...
She soughed. Thinking was tormenting her. What if Ayako would visit her? She would have to explain...and she would have to be tongue-tied because of it...
Perhaps, I still should try to write a letter explaining my situation...and then go to Ayako and tell her I'm a messenger and that there's a letter she had to send to Madoka...
Groggily, Mai bolted out of her bed and proceeded to her desk, which was just across. Sliding a drawer open, she fumbled out a fresh set of rice paper, ink bottle, and swan feather quill. Snuffling, she clambered up the chair and dipped the quill's tip in the opened ink bottle.
She then began to write...
Madoka-nee-san, this might sound weird, but in the wee hours of the morning of May XXXI, the Maou had cast a curs━
Before Mai could even add the last letter, the paper she'd scrawled on instantaneously lit up in flames. Yawping, Mai leapt off the chair she'd been sitting on and gazed in terror at the ashen and blackened fragments of her unfinished letter; as fast as the start of ignition, the small fire ended just as briskly.
As Mai regarded the pieces, she felt her heart clench at the thought of herself being consumed by fire. Would water even save her? Somehow, she knew it wouldn't work at all.
And even before her tongue would slip, Mai was already suffocated by the magical smoke.
Indeed, there was no escape from the curse of the Maou, so Mai snuffled and, to no avail, wept hard for the great tragedy that had befallen her.
XDXDXDXDXD~nya~
There was no use being depressed for a very long time, so Mai had listlessly let her body mobilize on its own. Soon enough, she involuntarily guided herself to the kitchen and chucked any food she saw and found on her way in her knapsack. She lifelessly drank tea and ate rice with yesternoon's leftover mackerel, and then she tossed her dishes on the sink with a crash.
She was very unmotivated with her life then. Just staring blankly ahead and heading wherever her feet compelled her, Mai strode out of her house without making sure that everything was locked and secured. Her feet traversed the train's overpass, followed the cobblestone road towards the hills, and trekked the withering grassy pathway of one of Market Nippon's hills.
Screw everything, Wizard Shibuya, and the Maou, she thought unhappily.
She was still the same, walking without any anticipated destination. In the end, who could be really at fault? She thought then that her current state was probably retribution for her passivity. She'd never ventured out like her sisters. She was always...
Mai shook her head. Stop thinking of pessimistic things!
Finally creeping out of her reverie, it was only then that Mai became cognizant of where her feet had taken her; she was on the peak of a hill, and one more step and she would drop...Mai immediately stepped back and tripped backwards with a cheep.
Moaning in pain, she blinked at the thing that stumbled her. It was a besom...
My broomstick!
She gasped as she confirmed it. Her broomstick was the most peculiar thing she'd ever bought. She had picked it up from a nearby shop and was told that it could clean anything and leave anything spotless. So far, the claim had not been disproved. What was very strange, though, was that wire-rimmed oval spectacles clumped the twigs together. With frequent use, the glasses didn't come loose also. Somehow, she'd thought of it as a blessing from a magician who probably realized he didn't need to make a guaranteed cleaning instrument when he could have just snapped his fingers and presto━everything's clean.
"You were probably abandoned before I bought you, weren't you?" Mai questioned and smiled sympathetically. She could understand why it had thaumaturgically stalked her..."Well, worry no more! I would really need some company, even if you can't talk..."
Now, what was she doing talking to a broomstick? And making it her traveling companion?
Ahhh, who cares?
She sighed. "I wish you can fly. Then, you can take me to a place where I'll feel that I truly belong..."
It was absolutely ridiculous to even consider depending on a broomstick to lead her to her fortune.
What am I doing? She sighed again and started to stand.
But suddenly the broomstick erected on its own and flew, and consequently Mai fell on her bottom in shock again. The...thing hurtled behind her and slid its slender pole in the area between her knapsack and back. Then, she was levitating and dangling by the straps of her bag, which she'd slung over her shoulders. Yelping in fright and swinging her legs in surprise, she cried, "Wha━! Let me down! Let me down!"
The broomstick didn't listen to her, and she wondered if it even could...
Don't worry! I won't let you go! a voice was heard inside her head, and she nictated.
"Wa-was that you?" Mai gasped, and the broomstick bobbed her and consequently made her shriek in fright.
Don't worry! I'll take you to a safe place!
It was a male's voice...a teenage-sounding one...Could he be...cursed too?
There was no reply, and Mai thought that maybe it could only invade her mind but not read her thoughts.
She was going to change her mind about finding a place where she would belong...But she was intrigued if the broomstick could really do that, and since it flew her very far above the hill already, she decided to extend her arms upwards and grasped the broomstick's pole.
"Fine! Lead me then!" she conceded bravely.
The broomstick, then, dived towards the ravine she'd almost fallen into. Screaming and regretting her agreement, she wagged her legs hysterically. "Wha━what are you doing? We're going to crash, you idiot!"
The bottom of the ravine was very dark...or was that black water?
When they'd zoomed closer, Mai noticed that it wasn't black water at all; it was an enormous moving black blob with...tentacles?
Mai screamed and swung her legs away from the extending, jiggling, and wiggling jelly-flexible things. But, to no avail, one of the appendages coiled around her left shin and pulled her down.
Mai shrieked...
And whimpered again.
XDXDXDXDXD~nya~
When Mai seemingly woke up, everything was white.
Hea...ven?
In the whiteness, four lined up and wide-enough-to-go-through holes showed a view of a slightly cloudy tangerine sky.
Heaven...huh...
She stretched her arms upwards and palms forward. How peaceful...
"You're awake!" a chirpy voice sounded, and Mai heard the crackling of fire.
Bewildered, Mai sat upright and swiveled around, but there was nobody else in there. If it was really heaven, it was a very sumptuous place she'd been placed in. The floor was covered with extremely polished white tiles. On one side, a semi-cylindrical block of marble was stuck to the bleached wall, and on top of it was a glowing and sizzling fire with seemingly fresh logs before the grate. A larger hole was above the fireplace, and Mai concluded that the holes were actually protruding flues. On the right side of the hearth were neatly stacked and chopped logs, and on the further right was a staircase (also bleached). Meanwhile, on the left side was an alabaster sink with same-colored cabinets above and below it. On the further left of the fireplace was a pantry, as fair as the other things in the room (except the fire, grate, and wood, of course), that stretched longer than what Mai could see and filled with excessive food supply (she couldn't help thinking if food was needed in heaven or if it was just for show of bounty). It had a door made of teardrop crystal bead curtains, a welcoming sight. On the farthest left of the fireplace was a cupboard, as achromatic as everything else, filled with costly-looking china in pulchritudinous artistic designs.
Across the fireplace was a blanched door, and a staircase downwards led to it. The door, unlike others, had other colors attached to it. On the middle of the lintel was a dial divided into four parts; each had a respective color painted on them. The green, red, blue, and black hues were like discolored pie pieces joined together to form a whole. On the bottom of the disk was a black arrow-shaped pointer, which was currently pointing on the green color that was downward. On the left side of the door was the drawing room, consisting of pasty couches, lamps, rugs, tables, and bookshelves. On the right of the door, however, was a broad workbench with five stools slipped under it. Before the table were shelves with labeled jars (like mandrake roots, belladonna, mistletoes, and a lot more Mai didn't know) and a dresser with numerous mini drawers (one was entitled CONSTIPATION and another was VENOM). Lastly, on the white walls on both sides of the door were arched windows with diagonal muntins and pale lacy curtains. In addition, the windows provided a scape of a sea port with flying sea gulls on the bright orangey horizon.
What a strange heaven...Are those in the drawers...causes of people's deaths? But...constipation?
Mai wiped sweat on her forehead. It's warm...In heaven too, huh...
Just when Mai was about to stand up and open the windows...
"Do you like it?" the same voice she'd heard resonated the room, and Mai winced, blinked, and whizzed her head around in search.
Cautiously, Mai whispered, "W-where are you?"
"In the fireplace!" the voice cheerfully answered.
Mai eyed the hearth and saw no one...
She gasped. The flames had formed into a human head...of a fair baby-faced boy! Blue blazing eyes surveyed her eagerly. Yellowish flames (like blond hair standing up and swaying) danced upwards. Finally, a pearly white conflagrant grin flashed towards her.
Anxious, Mai pointed a quivering finger. "W-w-w-what are you?"
"I move this place," the fire replied; its fiery blue eyes examined her somewhat kindly.
Hah?
Remembering that she must be in heaven, Mai bit her lip then inhaled and exhaled to relax her baffled mind...
"Are you...an angel?" Mai finally inquired, and the face of the fire smiled slightly.
"I'm a...demon, actually..."
Mai gaped. This is hell?
"Ah! This isn't what you're thinking!" the fire spat sparks; its head figure leapt on the grate. "This is Shibuya-san's castle!"
"WHAT?" Mai exclaimed. Then, absorbing what the fire had gushed and becoming cognizant of the reality she's in, Mai immediately rushed to the door.
He'll put another hex on me!
Before she could escape, though, something clicked, and the door swung open. A 20-something man stepped in the room and took a step back in puzzlement when he saw her.
"Who are you?" the tan-haired man questioned incredulously when he saw her at the top of the staircase. He'd tied his hair in a low ponytail, and he'd donned a black kimono over a longer white one and a patchwork cloth (which was draping his waist and hips and hanging by a tied thin strap, each on his left shoulder and upper arm) over the black kimono. Mai could see his white socks and the slippers which he had on.
A monk? And not a bald one?
Mai just paled and stood frozen. Ack! What should I do now that I'm found out?
Argh! Confound it!
Although monks were supposedly kind-hearted...
"John, did you let her in?" the man addressed the fire (Mai didn't notice him pass by her and approach the hearth), and the fire's head shook sideways.
"No," the fire riposted. "She came here by herself."
John? A foreign name...? Mai soon recalled hovering the sky through her broomstick... Ah! Where has it gone to?
The monk's eyes widened, and then he neared Mai and grasped her right arm. "Are you one of the Maou's lackeys? How did you get in? What do you want?"
The man looked nervous, and he trembled while holding her. But, he showed a very courageous expression.
Mai shook her head quickly and cried, "I'm not! I hate that woman! She c━"
Mai trailed off as she recalled her burnt letter. She bit her lip. That was close!
The man still stared suspiciously at her, but he was slowly relaxing. He let her go and wondered aloud, "Impossible...Takoyaki should have pitched you far away. To go against Shibuya's magick! Only the Maou can do that...!"
Takoyaki? The thing with tentacles?
Mai stomped her feet. "I'm not related to her, alright? I told you I hate her!"
"Well, little lady," the man loured, "that's what you Maou followers say..."
"I'm not her follower! I hate her!"
Pursing his lips skeptically, he turned to John the fire again. "Why didn't you shoo her, John? You could control the castle absolutely..."
John shrugged his alit shoulders as his igniting arms (Mai only saw it then) hugged a new log. "Takoyaki let her in...so maybe she's not evil. You know evil people scare me, Takigawa-san."
Mai gaped at the fire. She clearly didn't expect to hear words of fear from a demon!
"Shibuya still hadn't returned?" Takigawa sighed.
John bobbed his aflame head. "He'll be back tomorrow, I think."
Tomorrow! The gears of Mai's mind finally made its motion. I'll stay here for the night then!
"Accosting again, huh," Takigawa scowled. "He's broken more hearts than I could count."
Mai nictitated. Accosting? He's going to eat another girl's heart?
Mai shook her head. No, no! I don't care! I'll be gone from here before he sees me anyway! Even if he can lift my spell, what if he'll eat my heart after?
Ah! No...I'm not his type anyway!
Mai then tugged Takigawa's shirt. Getting his attention, Mai steepled and slapped her hands together. "Um...I really have no place to stay for the night...so can't I stay here?"
Dusk was nearing, and it was going to be chilly that night. She couldn't imagine herself sleeping anywhere on the hills and the ravine.
Besides, an enchanter's house is safer...when the enchanter isn't there!
Takigawa ogled, pondered, and returned, "No, little lady. This place isn't━"
"Just one night! I'll be going to my sister in Upper Straightening Valley, so please let me stay just one night!" Mai clung to the man's kimono unabashedly. Somehow, children could get away from embarrassment with persistence.
"Little lady―"
"Can't I stay here?" Mai flashed her pleading kitten-like eyes, and Takigawa pressed his lips together, as though resisting some urge, then hesitated before soughing.
He pinched her cheek gently and frowned. "As much as I would want you to stay...it's not really in my power to decide, little lady..."
"I can cook and make tea!" Mai persisted eagerly. "It's only for tonight. Please!"
The monk shrugged and smiled. "Um...as much as I want to taste your cooking and tea-making...I have no intention to be persecuted by the Emperor for permitting child labor..."
Mai pouted and said, "I'm not a child!"
She clearly forgot the current transformation she's in; she appeared like her six or seven year old self at the moment, after all.
Bou-san blinked and laughed. Then, he ruffled her hair and made her yelp.
"Hai, hai. Aren't we all like that? Wanting to be older when we're young and wanting to be younger when we're old...Such paradox we all are..."
"It's not like that! I'm really ol―mature!" Mai told him, but he just jounced his head with an understanding smile.
Nobody would ever believe me, huh?
Mai continued to pout, but Takigawa just shrugged and cogitated while giving her a candy. "He won't be coming 'til tomorrow, so...Alright, alright. Just tonight, okay?"
Mai nodded swiftly. "Yeah!"
Beaming, Takigawa bobbed his head. "Marvelous! Good, good."
He suspired. Then, he excused himself and went upstairs to change his clothes.
When the monk vanished in sight, John remarked softly, "Your curse refrains you from speaking..."
Mai's eyelids fluttered, and she eyed the fire inquisitively. "You can tell?"
John inclined his head. "I know magick and can do it myself."
It was like a rainbow came after her rain, and a silver lining streaked her path. With shining eyes brimmed with shimmering hope, Mai inched closer to the fireplace and queried, "Can you lift my curse then? Can you return me to my―myself?"
John shrugged again. "There are too many...layers in yours, and it's hard to lift. But..."
"But what?" Mai coaxed, "Whatever you want in return, I'll give it to you!"
John's blazing eyes shone more fervently, and he fizzed. "Would you find out who I am and who I'm searching for then?"
"Isn't your name John?" Mai wondered. "That means you're a foreign...demon? And how do you know you're searching for someone if you don't know who that is?"
"It is. Maybe...I don't know," John breathed out sparks (probably his rendition of a sigh). "But those are the only things I know..."
Mai stared. A demon amnesiac? In the land of Wo, everything had become more ludicrous one after another.
"Who you are and who you're searching for...?" Mai thought pensively and commented, "Those are two things! I just meant one."
"There are many layers to your curse," John pointed out. "But I'm only asking for two conditions."
Mai analyzed and shrugged. Indeed, she was asking too much for less. As long as he can lift my curse though...
"Okay. Deal." Mai bobbed her head. "First thing's first, any memory you have about your past or something? At least as a clue? Do demons even have memories?"
"We have, but...I can't remember anything..."John furrowed his ablaze xanthic brows, and Mai soughed.
"I can't tell you anything about my curse either..." Mai muttered, and the both of them suspired gloomily in unison.
"By the way," Mai began, changing topic, "if you're a demon...why are you working for a wizard?"
"I have a contract with him."
"What about?"
"I'm sorry," John said apologetically. "I can't tell you that."
"That's okay..." Mai blinked. For a demon...he's quite soft-hearted...What in the world...
"Have you thought of an excuse?" John asked.
"Excuse for what?" She tilted her head.
"For staying here," John responded. "I can't help you if you won't stay. Anyway, Shibuya-san is quite...heartless, you know. So, I'm afraid he might kick you out..."
Ack! I forgot! If John will lift my curse...I will have to stay longer here! What should I do if I meet that enchanter again? What if he recognized me? What if he abuses me?
That arrogant jerk!
Mai gulped. "W-what can you suggest?"
"You fell over a hill?"
"That's partly true, but..." Mai cogitated. "Ah! What about 'I'm here as a cleaning lady'?"
"Well...this place doesn't really need more cleaning..."
Indeed, the place was sparkling and squeaky clean wherever Mai looked. In defeat, Mai decided, "I'll risk it and say I'm a tea-maker. Surely he'll know I'm under a spell...and that I'm supposed to be sixt―that I'm not myself!"
Mai's throat had gone dry, so she looked around for a kettle. Tea! I can prove my worth by tea! He was definitely satisfied with my tea last night!
Just you wait, you narcissist...I'll pin you down with my tea!
Mai glared determinedly at the cabinets above the sink.
"What are you looking for?" John questioned. "I can get it for you."
Mai bobbed her head, and she chirped, "A kettle!"
A cabinet opened. Subsequently, a chalky kettle whooshed out of it and sat on a fire by itself. John's conflagrant arms hugged it as though lovingly.
Mai was very inveigled with John's trick. "I haven't put water in it yet!"
"I already got it in." John smiled, and Mai was enthralled. "It's from a spring."
"You're amazing!"
Mai observed the corners, where John's cheeks should be, of the afire head became pink.
"T-thank you..." John said rather coyly. "Is there anything else you'd like to put in it?"
Mai nodded. "Can you put some chamomile blossoms in it? And a little cinnamon?"
John breathed sparks, "Done!"
"Wow! Thank you!" She was indeed being brazen and invasive, but if she could persuade the 'enchanter' to let her stay there for her tea-making expertise, she would have to be more assertive.
"Port Nihon!" she heard John proclaim.
Takigawa got out of his room from the second story in haste and ran down the stairs noisily; his footsteps thudded, and the wooden rung creaked under his weight. He, now wearing an olive shirt, brown trousers, and red sneakers, headed to the workbench and then grabbed a marble handle (which Mai had only noted at that instance) on the floor and pulled to his left. Mai discovered that it was a broom cupboard and that the door of it was actually made of wood.
An illusion? Wow...
A wizard's house worked differently indeed.
The monk took a sable pointed and wide-brimmed hat and settled it on his head. The effect was instantaneous; Takigawa's physique was soon replaced by a tall white-haired and long-bearded old man in glittering floor-length silver robes and with half-moon spectacles sitting on the bridge of a slightly crooked nose. The sable hat had also been modified into a lavender nightcap, somehow hinting to the customer in a way.
The transformed monk proceeded to the door, turned a colored knob (similar to the one on the lintel) on the doorknob, and swung the door open. Mai heard a click before Takigawa opened the door, and she noted how the dial on the lintel rolled counterclockwise; the arrow hand was pointing on the blue tint, which was on the bottom then.
An ebony-haired boy, in the same age as the magically transformed Mai, stood before the doorway. The child wore a white shirt tucked in brown shorts, with black suspenders fastened to it. Looking up at the tall bearded man with his own dark pools, the boy declared, "Merlin-san, I need a spell for my sister's asthma."
Takigawa nodded, clambered up the stairs, headed to the workbench, and snatched a piece of paper and quill. He then wrote something on the paper as the boy ascended the stairs and blinked at Mai by the sink. Mai smiled affably, and the boy blushed and looked away briskly.
Takigawa finished his task and gave the paper he'd scribbled on to the boy. Amiably, Takigawa bent and beamed at the boy. "Tell your sister to put this always in her pocket."
The boy nodded and then whispered to the bearded man, "I-is that your daughter, Merlin-san?"
Takigawa glanced at Mai sideways and boffed. "My daughter? No, no! I'm still too young for that!"
The boy was baffled at what he'd said and soon laughed out loud. "You don't look young at all, Merlin-san!"
"You―!" Takigawa was about to tell him off when he remembered the guise he had on. Sighing, he shooed the boy. "Whatever. Off you go now!"
The boy ran down the stairs and out the door. Mai halted snickering (the boy's comment made her do so) and approached the stairs to the door in a daze. Outside the door, after all, wasn't Market Nippon, where Shibuya's castle should have been. Ignoring Takigawa's dissent, Mai descended the stairs and got out of the door excitedly. The place she saw from the windows matched the scenery at that instance. It was a port town. Before her was the great expanse of sea.
I've never been to the sea before!
She smelled the salty breeze and fish and seaweed hanging around her. Stalls of seafood, fruit, and vegetable vendors lined the sidewalk beside the red house she came out from; the vendors were already preparing to leave though. On the other hand, the boats on the port swayed with the waves.
Amazing! I'm in someplace else! Wow!
She felt so free and blissful. It was as though the shackles of unknown left her. Somehow, she didn't mind about the curse anymore. If only when she's cursed could she feel freedom, then she wouldn't mind being stuck as a child forever.
Well...I can still grow, I guess...?
"Little lady, I'm closing the shop, so come inside or you'll get locked out!" Takigawa called.
"Shibuya-san's coming!" John shouted, and Mai hurried inside immediately before Takigawa could slam the door shut. However, Mai shirked the knowledge about the enchanter's arrival as she was wrapped up with childish ebullience.
"This is a magical house, right? This door can lead you anywhere, right?" Gaily, Mai skipped the stairs and jumped cheerfully. "Amazing!"
"Not anywhere." Takigawa shook his head and took his nightcap off; without a beat, the nightcap became a pointy hat once more, and Takigawa returned to his original appearance. "It only leads to four places Shibuya designated."
"What are the other three?" Mai said quizzically.
"Well..."
"He's here!" John declared again.
Mai blinked. "Who's―?"
There was a click, and Mai saw the disk on the lintel turn counterclockwise again. The black tint was on the bottom then.
Ack! He's here! I forgot! What should I say? Mai must have become whiter than the walls of that room.
The door opened, and the same-dressed man, who made her skitter across the sky last night, entered. Fog covered outside the door where the black hue led, and Mai couldn't make out anything before the lad closed the entrance. Soon enough, the enchanter ascended the stairs without looking at anyone and proceeded to the workbench to lodge down, from his silver-and-black blazer's inner pocket, a golden-framed mirror...
"Ah!" Mai exclaimed, pointing at the very whole mirror...
It was then that she discovered the deceit.
He tricked me! He could mend it after all! It dawned on Mai, and she was miffed. He tricked me just to get free (supposedly expensive) tea!
The enchanter whizzed his head, blinked at her, and spun to Takigawa. "There's a customer at this time?"
The monk scratched his head. "Well, actually...she's not..."
The enchanter frowned. "I believe I've made it clear that―"
"She made tea!" John informed him, and Mai just blankly nodded.
The kettle rose from the fire by itself, and a teacup zoomed out of the china cupboard. John, with his fervent arms, poured the young man a cupful of tea.
Tea! Right! I must convince him to let me stay here! Control your anger, Mai! The little girl pressed her lips together and tried to smile at the enchanter.
Taking his filled teacup from John (it didn't seem to burn him when he touched the fire), the enchanter queried, "Who are you?"
"I'm your cleaning lady from now on!" Mai riposted and added, "And cook and tea-maker!"
Again, she forgot she was currently barely a lady.
A lovely eyebrow rose. "I believe my house doesn't need such."
And yet you're drinking the tea I made...Mai breathed in and out to control her anger. Frowning, Mai thought of something else quickly.
Dang! Why is this place so clean?
Why━?
A light bulb turning on, she quipped, "I'm here to make a mess of it then!"
Shibuya smirked. "Only my relatives can botch up my life."
Mai nictated and then lied, "Well, I'm a relative!"
Enchanter Shibuya was amused. "And in what way are we related?"
For the first time, Mai smirked wickedly in sweet revenge.
"I'm your child!" she declared.
And the enchanter choked on his tea.
XDXDXDXDXDXD~nya~
A/N: Yep, yep. Naru's going to be a lolicon...
I JEST! Heehee hahee Ü This is where the big difference between Howl's Moving Castle and this story starts! ^^ How will Mai mess up his life? How will she wrap Naru around her finger? Why is Naru courting girls?
To be honest, I don't have much confidence in writing stories of fantasy genre, but it's actually the genre that enthused me to write stories. Although I may fail despicably and my works aren't diamonds, I'm very grateful to those who have read up to this chapter! ^^ It really means a lot! T.T :) And I know it's weird that the GH characters' roles in this AU seem mismatched, but, trust me, it'll all make sense soon (but I can't say how soon!). Heha hahe *grins*
I had some references in this one, like Bou-san's disguise *ahem* Dumbledore *ahem* and his hat *cough* typical witch hat *cough*
Anyway...was the twist shocking? Intriguing? Heart what-the-hell-ing? You may share your thoughts :)
P.S. I'm actually basing this from the book and movie. ^^ In the movie, Howl's apprentice was a kid named Markl. In the book, it was Michael, a 15 year old boy.
Next chap is entitled "In which Mai has reverted." Any guesses with the title? XD
P.P.S. Constipation. People can die of it. Seriously. O.o And if one is so blocked below, hell will regurgitate above...Ack! Sorry =.= I know it's a revolting fact. Eat prunes my dear readers! ^^
P.P.P.S. Takoyaki=a ball-shaped dumpling made of batter, some vegetables, and baby octopus! XD