7.01.2008

Trials and Tribulations part II

here's the second half of this chapter. look to the post below this for the first half.

***

At that moment, Howl trudged in. He looked slightly more disheveled and considerably more miserable than when he left as he shooed Michael from the chair and slumped in it dejectedly, his face a study in tragedy.

“I love her dearly, more’s the pity. No matter how she rages and raves I can’t help but be captivated by her – but love is a cruel mistress! Why did the arrow have to strike when I was looking upon that ill-tempered witch?” Howl moaned, gesturing limply with one hand.

“This witch is only ill-tempered when you try to slither out of things, Howell Jenkins!” Sophie spat as she prowled back into the castle, an armful of groceries in tow.

Howl cringed – she only used his full real name when she was very angry at him. “You sound so much like Megan, Sophie.”

“Well maybe you should go back to listening to your sister and I’ll just keep up the flower shop here.” Sophie remarked, her voice cold.

Howl’s face fell, the color draining out of it. He leaped from his chair in a flurry of whatever garb he’d worn to bed and went to the red-haired witch, wrapping his arms soothingly around her. “Now now, you don’t mean that, do you love?” He said, desperation tingeing his words. “If you do that I’ll end up covering the whole of Market Chipping with green slime!” He buried his face in her mane of reddish hair, making pitiful mewling noises.

Sophie left off slicing bacon and put the knife down, staring forward with her jaw set belligerently. Michael looked on with wide eyes – he feared Sophie would follow through with her threat and they’d all drown in slime.

She sighed heavily and folded her own arms over Howl’s, leaning against the taller wizard resignedly. “You’re pathetic, Howl. Why do I keep falling for your charms?” She grumbled.

He immediately brightened up and planted a fond kiss on her cheek, beaming as if he hadn’t just been in green-slime-mode. “It’s because you love me, of course. And I love you too, my dear Sophie. Despite all your faults.”

Sophie turned around and shoved him playfully away, a smile threatening to curve her lips. “Oh, geroff, you great fraud. You’ve twice as many faults as I!”

“Isn’t it the sad truth!” Howl said, splaying a hand on his chest nobly. “It’s a wonder anyone bothers to stay around, really!”

Sophie rolled her eyes, shoving Howl away again. “Go on then, spend your two hours in the bathroom to go see the King. And if I find you eyeing any ladies on the side…” She trailed off menacingly.

“I wouldn’t think of it, Sophie dear!” Howl protested with an air of injured innocence, fleeing from Sophie’s stick into the bathroom, calling at Calcifer for hot water.

4 comments:

Blaze said...

I'm happy to know I made your week with that book. ^_^

You write very well, and although it sounds different (of course it will, you're not the author of the original story), it does sound like something that would happen. Its a cute fanfic, too. Sounds like its not quite done yet though, like there's more to come. Is there? Anyway, its still great.

Desert said...

nah, there's probably a few chapters to go. not sure as yet.

but it's actually rather impressive how in-character they managed to stay. i'd expected to butcher their personalities. XD oh wells.

Licensed Poet said...

Awesome!

And happy birthday. :D

KDC said...

Howl's FTW.

FTFW.

Sorry it's been so long since I commented, baby sister. It's been a fun week. And when I say fun I mean *starts to run around in tiny circles and gibbers incoherently*