A Week & A Half Later:
After over a week of being sick, Kari was finally feeling better and could start cleaning and taking care of the castle.
"Kari, Dear… Could you please come here?" Howl asked once Kari finished cleaning the castle; it took her pretty much all day. It was now roughly seven at night.
"Ye-yes, what is it?" Kari nervously asked.
"Don't be nervous; I just have something I want to show you." Howl calmly informed her.
"Ok." Kari softly replied, following Howl.
Howl led her to the door and turned it purple down.
"Purple? I don't remember seeing that color before." Kari softly asked.
"Do you like flowers?" Howl asked, looking from the door to Kari.
"Some; I really like blue roses. Why?" Kari answered and then asked, confused. And then Howl opened the door; she stared at all the flowers she was seeing.
The sun was setting, but the outside lamps were turning on, so they could navigate where they were walking.
"What do you think?" Howl asked with a smile; he could see it on her face.
"It's beautiful." Kari responded, looking around.
"Follow me." Howl instructed, leading her out of the castle and into the fields of flowers.
"Where are we going?" Kari asked as he led her down a small pathway, passed several rows of flowers.
"You'll see." Howl stated, being secretive, turning into a separate area—with more rows of flowers.
Howl led her past row by row of flowers until they stopped an area filled with nothing but roses.
They were in the heart of the field of flowers.
"Roses…" Kari was so amazed that she couldn't speak except to say what she was seeing.
Just then, Howl picked a bunch of white roses.
"For you." Howl told Kari, handing her the roses.
Howl figured he knew that white roses were probably her least favorite; still, she took them.
As soon as Kari took the roses, they turned from white to blue. After that, Kari became emotional as her eyes became huge, and she started crying before hugging Howl.
"You're going to destroy the flowers like this." Howl stated, hugging Kari back.
"My mom used to conjure up blue roses for me." Kari softly told Howl, pulling away.
"I know you can't use magic now, but what about before when you could? Couldn't you conjure blue roses?" Howl asked, confused.
"No… For some reason when I'd try, they'd turn black or purple." Kari explained, embarrassed.
"Ahh… You were thinking too hard. When changing a flower's color, all you have to think of is the spell and the color you want." Howl explained with a smile.
"Simple magic was always hard for me. Whereas complicated magic was easy. Did I understand it? No. Did my mom or anyone understand it? I don't know." Kari softly explained.
"You must've been a powerful witch or something." Howl noted, looking at her. But he knew that already. However, he wouldn't tell her until he thought she was ready for that.
Right now, Kari was still so fragile. Telling her something like what he learned back in Wales might send her into shock, and she could shut down.
"I don't think I was ever that strong." Kari replied, blushing.
"You're really cute when you blush." Howl stated, making her blush even more.
"Hahaha!" Howl laughed at how cute she looked right now.
Just then, it started raining.
"We'd better get you inside before you get sick again. You just started feeling better a few days ago." Howl noted, fixing her roses, and then picked her up.
Howl carried a very light and very red Kari back to the castle.
If Howl had to guess, he would guess that Kari, at 5'0", weighed maybe 105lbs—maybe less.
"You two are soaking wet! Go get changed before you get sick—the both of you." Calcifer demanded, sounding like a parent.
"Yes, dad…" Howl mocked, walking to his room while Kari went to hers.
Once Howl was upstairs and Kari's door shut, Calcifer and Connor conversed in the kitchen.
"Blue roses? I didn't think we had blue roses out there." Connor quietly spoke, looking at Calcifer.
"Kari must like blue roses—and Howl likes her. You do the math. He most likely conjured some up for her." Calcifer stated, staring at Connor.
"I suppose so." Connor agreed, looking between the two rooms—well, the stairs; Howl's room was upstairs, and Kari's room was downstairs.
"So how do we get them together?" Connor asked Calcifer.
"We don't do anything; Howl's working on it. They told each other that they were going to give it a chance. It's clear they both want each other. I know she wants him because she begged him to give her a chance. And Howl—well, he desperately wants her; I hear him at night talking to himself—or in his sleep. We'll just have to wait and see how it all pans out." Calcifer explained, shivering a little.
What Calcifer really meant was that he could hear Howl masturbating up there after Kari and Connor were both asleep. He didn't care if Calcifer heard him or not.
"Right." Connor agreed just as Howl came downstairs.
"What are you two talking about?" Howl asked, narrowing his eyes at the two, suspicious.
"Nothing!" Calcifer and Connor loudly replied, trying not to look guilty but innocent.
"Mmmhmm." Howl hummed, suspecting them of something.
But before he could say anything else, they heard Kari scream, followed by a loud crash and rapid knocking at the main door.
With Kari:
Kari just closed her door and just removed her clothes.
Seeing as her bra and panties were still dry, Kari left them on.
She had a full-length mirror in her room and was currently standing in front of it, staring at her almost naked body.
She sighed, unsure of herself.
She always remembers her mother telling her to love herself for who she was. Don't change for anyone because she was perfect, just how she was.
But how could Kari do that when half the time, she couldn't remember most of her past and hated herself; she was always putting herself down.
God, how Howl hated that? He hated it when Kari put herself down so severely and always scolded her when she did.
He often wondered why she did that. Who hurt her so bad that she does that? He knew that her being beat and raped probably didn't help. But with how bad Kari's self-confidence was, someone had to be putting her down before either of those happened.
Inside Kari's Head:
Would Howl be satisfied with me?
If he ever was, how long would it last?
Would he want to leave and kick me out after so long?
I've never had sex that I wanted.
Howl's been alive longer than I have; he knows a lot about sex—and I don't even know how—other than the penis goes inside the vagina. And that's how babies are made.
I know he says so, but I'm not beautiful; I'm not even pretty—especially with this scar that goes from my stomach to the center of my back.
I don't even know how I got that. I don't remember.
I can't die. If I could, whatever happened to me should've killed me.
Once Howl sees that—he'll think it's hideous and make me leave.
Daddy and Tristan are right:
-I'm too thin.
-My eyes aren't ordinary; they're too emerald-colored.
-My hair isn't long enough—but I don't like it this long; it's too heavy.
-My hair is an ugly color. Who has brownish-orange hair like this?
-My hair is too weird; it looks like waves. Is it curly or straight? But I can't help that.
-I don't wear makeup—but it irritates my face.
-My boobs are only a high B cup; they're too small.
Howl probably likes girls with normal-colored eyes, longer hair, bigger breasts, and wears makeup.
He probably has no real interest in me and is just pitying me.
But—even if it is just pity, I want to stay here. I want to stay here with Howl, Connor, and Calcifer—but mainly Howl.
I want to stay with Howl.
I want to be with Howl—even if it is just pity.
Even if he's just using me, I want to be and stay with Howl.
Howl…
I love Howl…
Kari couldn't control her emotions any longer and collapsed to her knees, crying in front of her mirror.
After a few minutes, Kari got up, found a dry pair of socks, and put those on; she then found a pair of pajamas and threw them on her bed.
She was about to remove her bra when Kari suddenly felt like she was being watched.
"Hello? Howl? Calcifer? Connor?" Kari softly called, looking at the door and around her room. None of them answered; they weren't there.
"Maybe it's just my imagination…" Kari sighed, reaching behind to unclip her bra—and then she looked towards her window and turned pale.
Tristan was looking in her window, watching her undress; he was glaring at her.
"What do you think you're doing here? Why aren't you at home with me, getting married and having my babies?!" Tristan yelled at her through the window; his guards and whoever else behind him were also shouting.
"Ahhhh!" Kari screamed, falling backward into her mirror.
Somehow, Kari managed not to fall to the floor, keeping steady against the mirror, which fell against the wall behind it.
At the moment, she didn't care; Kari ran out of her room half-naked, in only thigh-high socks, panties, and her unclipped bra.
"What's wrong?" Howl asked right away, very concerned.
"He's found me! Tristan's found me! Outside Window!" Kari hysterically cried.
"That must be who is at the door… Calcifer, up in the air. NOW, please." Howl demanded of Calcifer.
"Right." Calcifer did as he was told, changing the dynamics of the castle, and up they went.
With Kari's door open how it was, Howl could hear Tristan and his men yelling and throwing random objects at them. He also saw her mirror; it had a large spiderweb crack in the center.
Using magic, Howl easily fixed Kari's mirror before speaking with a sigh.
"Guess it's time to move again. Until then, we stay in the sky where they can't find us." Howl stated, looking around; he spotted Kari hyperventilating in a corner, holding her arms over her breasts.
"Kari, it's ok; he can't get you up here. We will keep you protected; I promise." Howl promised, kneeling in front of Kari; he was surprised when Kari threw herself at him and sobbed into his chest.
After a few seconds of shock, Howl wrapped his arms around Kari and started rubbing her back, just letting her sob.
Another few seconds, Howl realized her bra was unsnapped. Carefully, he grabbed the two sides and clipped them back together.
"Kari?" Howl gently spoke, pushing her away a little.
"Hmm?" Kari softly hummed, looking up with puffy, red eyes.
"Why don't you get dressed? Then you can get whatever you need and sleep with me tonight—if you want." Howl suggested, looking at the distressed girl in front of him; he wasn't sure if she'd take him up on his offer. That was when he noticed the scar on her stomach.
'He—wants me—to sleep with him? Oh, no; he sees my scar.' Kari thought to herself, stunned before becoming apprehensive.
"Kari?" Howl asked, looking at her; she looked petrified. It took him a minute or two, but he figured it out; she got that look because she must've noticed he saw the scar.
"How'd it happen?" Howl asked, looking Kari in the eyes.
"Hmmm?" Kari hummed, confused.
"The scar—how'd you get it?" Howl asked again.
"It's really not that bad." Howl tried again after she sat there, not speaking.
"It goes all the way to the center of my back." Kari softy spoke up.
"What happened?" Howl asked again.
"I don't know; I can't remember. I've had it since I was six or seven. It's ugly, I know." Kari answered, turning red out of embarrassment; she couldn't take it much more and was about to get up and run.
Howl saw this and stopped her before she could even get off her knees.
"Connor, Calcifer—out of the room. I don't care where but go elsewhere in the castle. Now!" Howl instructed, snapping a little, holding Kari.
"R-r-right." Connor and Calcifer replied: Connor ran upstairs to his room and Calcifer went to his hearth.
"And Calcifer…" Howl calmly called for Calcifer before he went up the chimney.
"Yes?" Calcifer asked, looking over.
"No eavesdropping." Howl warned.
"No, of course, not." Calcifer nervously obliged, heading up the chimney.
"I'm sorry. I'm soo sorry. I don't belong here; I know this. I know I'm not pretty or anything like that. I know my eyes and hair aren't normal colors and that my hair isn't long enough, but it's already too heavy. And what is my hair? It's caught between straight and curly and looks like water waves on fire. And I know my boobs aren't big enou—" Kari apologized, going on and on, putting herself down until Howl placed his finger to her lips to silence her.
"Kari—stop that. You're perfect. I think you're perfect. And you do belong here. One hundred percent. I wish you'd understand that and let it run through your head. We all want you here. I want you here. I love you; I really do. I love your hair just the way it is. I love the waviness and the color. Yes, it looks like fiery waves, but that's what I love about it. Your hair is just as beautiful and unique as you. If you want to cut your hair a little, fine; it's your hair, and I'm sure I'll love it no matter how long or short it is. Same with your beautiful emerald-green eyes. I love the way they shine when you're happy and smiling but hate why they shine when you're crying because you either upset or hurt. Whether you believe it or not, you are beautiful. But you're also adorable and cute. That scar, however it happened means nothing to me. It doesn't define you; so, don't let it. Don't let your fears and insecurities control you. Because everything I am telling you now, is one hundred percent true. Don't listen to others; they don't matter. Only you matter." Howl sincerely but sternly told Kari, forcing her to look him in the eyes as he spoke to her.
"You and the others matter." Kari softly protested.
"Me, Calcifer, and Connor?" Howl asked.
"Yes." Kari answered, tears running down her cheeks.
"To you?" Howl asked, looking at her.
"Yes." Kari breathed.
"If we truly matter to you like you matter to us, stop putting yourself down. I don't know who hurt you so bad that you do this to yourself, but they're wrong. You are a strong, beautiful girl. You are worth something; you are worth everything to me. You're not broken or disposable." Howl told Kari, who by now could barely see because of her tears that Howl, using his thumb, slowly and carefully wiped away.
"I'm sorry." Kari apologized, ashamed.
"It's not ok, but I understand. And we'll get there—one day at a time—one way or another." Howl told her, taking Kari in his arms again.
"Howl?" Kari softly asked, pulling away.
"Yes?" Howl calmly asked, looking at her as she held her arm.
"Does it still stand?" Kari softly asked, looking at the floor.
"Hmm? What do you mean?" Howl asked, confused; he was too busy comforting her and telling her she mattered that he forgot what he said before.
"Your offer? Can I still stay with you tonight? Can the kittens come?" Kari softly asked, moving her head to look up at him.
"Oh. Of course, that still stands—if you wish. And yes, Sammy, Pumpkin, and Sparky can come with. Go change, get what you need, and meet me back here." Howl calmly told her with a small smile.
"Ok." Kari softly spoke, slowly standing up.
"Oh, and Kari." Howl called just before she got to her door.
"Yes?" Kari softly asked.
"About your breasts? I'm sure they're just fine as they are. Size don't matter to me. So long as they're real, I'm happy." Howl told Kari, making her face turn bright red.
"Th-thank you." Kari replied, head down before closing her door as she entered her room.
Even though her head was down, Howl could see the redness—and a small smile; he couldn't help but chuckle a little.
"Can we come out now?" Calcifer and Connor asked from their spots.
"Yeah, you can come out now." Howl replied.
"So…" Calcifer started, only to stop when Howl blankly stared at him.
"How much did you hear?" Howl asked, looking directly at the fire demon.
"What do you mean?" Calcifer nervously asked.
"Kari may not have heard, but I heard you hit your logs when you came crashing down." Howl stated, looking directly at Calcifer.
"I didn't intend to; I just kind of fell. And the only things I heard were the end—before you said we could come out." Calcifer quickly but honestly answered.
"Hmm… Ok. Connor?" Howl told Calcifer, seemingly leaving him alone before turning his attention to Connor.
"I had to use the bathroom; I didn't mean to hear anything. I was just going to go and then go back to my room. But when I went to leave, I couldn't open the door. I was just able to get out a minute ago. I promise." Connor answered, panicking.
Connor wasn't trying to eavesdrop; he just accidentally ended up in the wrong room.
Well, it wasn't an accident; he had to use the bathroom. So he went to the one next to his room. It wasn't until he got in there that he realized there was a vent leading to just above where Howl and Kari were.
Connor heard just about everything, starting with how Howl loved the waviness of Kari's hair. As much as he didn't want to eavesdrop, the door somehow got jammed, and he couldn't get out.
"Connor, relax. You, I believe. You say nothing to Calcifer. Do you understand me?" Howl sternly told Connor.
"Yes, of course. I'm so sorry." Connor promised, apologizing.
"As for you… Very clever, Calcifer. I was wondering what that locking noise was." Howl stated, looking at a very ashamed-looking fire demon.
"What are you going to do to me?" Calcifer asked, scared.
"Nothing. I told you not to eavesdrop. I never said anything to Connor. I also never told you not to do anything that could get you information. That's on me. However, if there's ever a next time, I swear you'll regret it." Howl explained and then severely warned Calcifer.
"How do you think they found her?" Connor asked, changing the subject.
"I'm not sure. But they did—and Kari is scared." Howl replied, annoyed—not at Connor or Calcifer, but at the fact that Tristan found them—and Kari putting herself down.
However, after that conversation, Howl believes he's finally getting through to her.
"Petrified is more like it." Calcifer stated, looking around.
"Either way—we'll make sure she's safe." Howl declared, more determined than ever.
"Right." Connor and Calcifer agreed.
"I'm sorry." Kari softly apologized, looking down, walking out.
"Oh, no. Don't be sorry; it's all perfectly ok. Besides, it's not your fault." Howl calmly told Kari, walking to her.
"Those guys are creeps." Calcifer simply noted.
"I'm still sorry." Kari sadly apologized.
"It's ok; we forgive you." Howl told her; he figured that was the only way to get Kari to stop apologizing.
Although it seemed he was getting through to her, she was still struggling, and it would still be a while before Howl gets through to her entirely.
"So, now what?" Connor asked, confused.
"Do you have everything you need?" Howl asked, looking at Kari, ignoring Connor.
"Yes. My pillows, blanket, and the kittens." Kari answered before wiping her nose with her arm.
"Fantastic. Follow me then. We'll talk when I get back down." Howl instructed before telling Connor and Calcifer; he then led Kari to his room.
"She's so lucky; I've never seen the inside of Howl's room." Connor whispered to Calcifer.
"Neither have I. The only one to ever see his room, was Sophie." Calcifer whispered back.
"This way." Howl politely told Kari as she looked around and around.
Once they made it to Howl's room, Kari couldn't believe just how much of a mess it was: there were things everywhere, including cobwebs and spiders.
"This is—lovely." Kari lied.
"I'm sorry about the mess…" Howl kind of sadly apologized; his room hasn't been cleaned since Sophie last cleaned it—over a hundred years ago.
"It's ok; I'm only a visitor in your room." Kari softly spoke, looking around.
"Not tonight." Howl told Kari, noticing a look on her face.
"Huh?" Kari asked, confused.
"I know that look of determination; Sophie had the same look. If it pleases you—and you wish, you may clean my room tomorrow. But for tonight, you sleep." Howl stated, helping her over his things, to his bed.
"Only if you want me to." Kari insisted.
"Kari, stop. This is your home as well; you needn't tiptoe around anyone here. And yes, this is my room, but you may use it whenever you please or feel unsafe. If you ask Calcifer, Connor, or anyone who knows me; they'll tell you I'm useless at cleaning. And the truth of the matter is, I am pretty useless when it comes to cleaning—especially since Sophie passed away. I just let things go. So please; just be yourself." Howl insisted right back, taking Kari's hands in his.
"Ok." Kari softly replied, defeated but with a smile.
"Let's get you to bed." Howl instructed with a smile, taking her things and placed them in his bed.
"Ok." Kari obliged, climbing into the bed.
"Ok… I'll be up after a few hours; you just get comfy and go to sleep." Howl said as Sammy, Pumpkin, and Sparky jumped up onto her.
"Ok." Kari softly replied with a small smile, laying there for a little bit before she slowly fell asleep.
She didn't know it, but Howl stood by his door, watching until she fell asleep.
"Sleep well, my little kitten." Howl spoke before disappearing back downstairs, leaving the door cracked.
"How is she?" Connor asked right away.
"She's sleeping right now." Howl answered, sitting in a chair.
"Is your room a disaster?" Calcifer asked, remembering how Sophie used to talk about it.
"I guess you could say that; Kari will be cleaning it if she so wishes." Howl answered, leaning back in his chair.
"So, what's the plan now?" Calcifer asked, looking at Howl.
"We find a safe place for the castle that Tristan, his guards, or whoever they are can't find her. We also disguise the castle." Howl answered, putting his feet up.
"Are you sleeping down here tonight?" Connor asked, looking at Howl.
"No. I'll sleep up with Kari when I'm ready for bed." Howl calmly replied.
"So—are you two a thing?" Calcifer asked, looking at Howl.
"I'm not sure; we haven't discussed that. We've told each other we would like to work on something, but at this point in time, we're just really close friends—until she says otherwise. I know how she feels, but I'll wait for her to say she's ready for anything further than friendship—no matter how long it takes." Howl replied.
"Why are you sleeping in the same bed then?" Calcifer asked, looking at Howl with a bored look.
"Because it's my bed, and I'm just offering to keep her safe. I'm not offering cuddle or anything like that—though that would be nice. But that's not any of your business. Besides, we won't be sharing a blanket; we each have our own blankets." Howl calmly explained, becoming annoyed.
"Would you like something to eat?" Connor asked, changing the subject as he pulled out some bread and honey.
"I'm not hungry, but what would you like?" Howl asked, looking at Connor.
"I'm good with just some bread and honey. Thank you, anyway." Connor replied.
"Ok." Howl replied, looking at the ceiling, thinking.
'One way or another, I will help her. And I will keep her safe.' Howl thought to himself.
"Have you found anything about her powers and abilities? Anything on the orb they turned into?" Calcifer asked, getting Howl's attention.
"No. The only thing I found out is what I knew before: lost or stolen magic float along until claimed. Lost magic or magic given up can be claimed by anyone. Depending on the strength of the magic and it's person, determines who can take it. The stronger the magic, the more impossible it gets for someone who isn't the owner. Stolen magic can only be taken if it's weak or small amounts—not all at once." Howl replied with a sigh.
Howl was becoming frustrated. Since he found out about who Kari is, he's been searching and researching about stolen magic—hoping to figure out something he didn't know.
In simpler words: it's driving him crazy.
"Well—I guess keep looking. I'm sure you'll find an answer eventually." Calcifer told Howl.
"Yeah, I'm sure…" Howl sighed, standing up.
"What are you doing?" Connor asked when Howl picked up the pictures of Sophie.
"It's time to move on." Howl answered, grabbing anything and everything that was of or from Sophie and Morgan—except for a few things Morgan had made him. He placed everything in a chest and locked it in a place he never goes.
"I'm proud of you, Howl." Calcifer told Howl when he came back.
"Yeah? So am I. It's just time to live in the here and now." Howl replied, walking over a window, and looked outside.
"Connor, go to bed." Calcifer told Connor.
"Right. Goodnight, Calcifer, Howl." Connor did as he was told and started walking to the stairs.
"Goodnight, Connor." Howl spoke, looking back for a second.
"Night, Connor." Calcifer told Connor.
"Are you leaving again?" Calcifer asked, looking at Howl.
"No. I will not leave Kari, Connor, or you." Howl sincerely answered, looking out the window.
"I kind of figured that. I meant are you leaving for a few hours." Calcifer stated, looking at Howl.
"Oh. No, not tonight. Probably not until we land somewhere safe." Howl answered, turning to face Calcifer.
"You should just ask her out already. It's clear you love her. It's painfully obvious she loves you. What are you waiting for?" Calcifer stated, before asking, annoyed.
"For her to say it back. For her to tell me her feelings. For her to tell me she loves me. I don't think she's ready to say it; she's not ready to give her heart away. And until she's ready, I'll wait. I'll wait for as long as she needs." Howl replied, answering Calcifer in detail.
"You? Just hold on a second. You, Howl are going to be patient and wait? Howl, you're not exactly a patient type of guy." Calcifer told Howl, stating facts.
"It's for Kari. She's already had so many choices taken away from her; I'm not going to take away anymore—or force her to decided right away. So, as hard as it may be, I'll be patient and wait." Howl explained.
"Ok. I hope it all works out for you. You do deserve happiness." Calcifer sincerely told Howl.
"Thank you." Howl replied before getting something to drink.
An Hour & A Half Later:
Howl drank with Calcifer and had two cups of rum; he was finally heading up to go to bed.
When Howl got to his room, he heard Kari mumbling in her sleep. It wasn't until he opened his door all the way and stepped inside that he could understand what she was saying.
"Howl… Howl… Howl…" Kari mumbled over and over, tossing from side to side.
"Hey, I'm right here." Howl gently cooed, getting into bed; he was shocked when she grabbed his hand and clung to him.
He was even more shocked when he laid down, and she cuddled right up to him.
Howl, not knowing what to do, slowly wrapped his arms around her shoulders and began rubbing her back until he fell asleep. He was unaware that they were being watched.
The Next Morning:
Howl woke up first and saw that he and Kari were lying in bed together—cuddling. She was lying with her head on his shoulder, drooling a little as he held onto her tightly.
Howl had only ever experienced this protectiveness with Sophie before; he really must love Kari.
"Sophie—you were right; it's time for me to move on. Please, forgive me." Howl spoke out loud, holding Kari.
"Mmmm…" Kari moaned, waking up.
"Oh, I'm so sorry." Kari apologized, pulling away right away, blushing furiously.
"Hahaha. It's perfectly ok." Howl assured, chuckling.
Just then, Kari's eyes went blank, and her body movements changed.
"Of course, I forgive you. If you haven't forgotten, I'm the one who told you to move on." Sophie stated through Kari.
"Sophie?" Howl asked in disbelief.
"Yes, but I can't stay. I've just come to say thank you." Sophie spoke with a smile.
"For what?" Howl asked, confused.
"I can finally move on. I wasn't able to move on because you weren't able to move on. I can finally move on and be with Morgan. I'm so glad Kari came into your life. Tell her thanks for me. Goodbye Howl." Sophie told Howl before leaving one final time.
Once Sophie left Kari's body, Kari fell forwards into Howl's arms, unconscious.
"Sophie… Thank you." Howl spoke, laying Kari back on the bed and covered her back up; he then went downstairs.
"Good morning, Howl." Connor happily greeted.
"You're up earlier than usual." Calcifer noted, swaying back and forth.
"Yes, what a wonderful morning it is, indeed." Howl happily stated.
"You seem happy." Calcifer noted as Connor just stared in shock.
"Oh, I am." Howl happily replied.
"Did you and Kari have sex last night?" Calcifer cheekily asked but knew better.
"No. Boy, you're being nosy this morning. I love Kari, but I'm not going to force myself on her. I talked to Sophie for the last time." Howl answered, sitting down.
"How'd that go?" Calcifer asked as Connor got some bread and honey.
"Great. I asked her for forgiveness because I was now in love with Kari; she took over Kari's body and told me I was forgiven. Also, she was finally able to move on and be with Morgan. I'm so happy for her." Howl answered with a single teardrop sliding down his cheek.
"Well, congratulations." Connor announced with a smile.
"Howl?" Kari asked, stumbling down the stairs.
"Are you alright?" Howl asked, looking at Kari.
"Yeah, I just feel a bit dizzy is all…" Kari responded, making it down the stairs.
"Here, sit down. You don't have a fever." Howl noted, making her sit down before feeling her forehead.
"I didn't think I had. It feels like when someone possesses my body." Kari softly replied.
"Oh… That was Sophie; she just had one final thing to say to me before moving on." Howl told Kari.
"Oh, ok." Kari replied, slightly confused.
"Would you like some bread and honey?" Connor asked as Kari laid her head on the table.
"Sure." Kari softly replied as he passed her a slice.
"Would you like some bacon and eggs?" Howl asked, standing up.
"Sure." Kari softly replied, laying there, not touching her bread.
"I'd love some! If that's ok with you." Connor piped up, looking at Howl.
"That's perfectly fine. Are you sure you're going to be ok?" Howl asked, looking at Kari.
"I'll be ok once I get food in my stomach." Kari answered, leaning up a little.
"You have nothing to worry about; Sophie just wanted to say she forgives me." Howl calmly told Kari.
"For what?" Kari asked, confused.
"For falling in love with you." Howl answered, getting the food ready, causing Kari to blush like crazy while she started fiddling with her fingers.
"I really like you too." Kari bashfully muttered, placing her face in her hands.
She didn't see it because her hands were covering her eyes, Howl was gently smiling at her.
She was so close to opening up—opening her heart for Howl.
"Once we find a safe place, would you like to go out and do something—just the two of us?" Howl asked, looking directly at Kari, narrowing his eyes at Calcifer and Connor.
Connor backed away, silently telling Howl he understood.
Calcifer, on the other hand, wasn't so lucky; Howl was using him to cook the food.
"Agreed." Calcifer spoke.
"I'd love to." Kari answered with a smile.
"Then it's settled. Calcifer, move us to the furthest countryside." Howl instructed, cooking food over Calcifer.
"Yes sir!" Calcifer exclaimed just before he was fed eggshells…