5th Contract - [Video]

[conesoldstober]

What do you think, Sophie? It's not a castle, but I suppose it will just have to do. I got a rather good deal as well.

[The camera spins until Howl's beaming face fills the screen.]

Pavel, you're invited, of course. And ask your lady friend if you like. In fact, we may need to find a few boarders. There are rather more bedrooms than we can fill on our own, and I hate an empty bedroom in a house. It feels like bad luck.

[Howl isn't bothering to filter to this, despite it being directed at one person in particular. You could call it laziness or his desire to show off. More likely a combination of both. He spins it back round to show the house again.]

So how soon do you reckon until you can have us packed up to move?




[ooc: In which Howl is a fickle spendthrift and bought a house.... open video/audio/action from anyone!]

Comments

[mrsnose]

Yes, but I want to. I need to have something to do with my hands, I've realized, and I've been a cleaning lady, a florist and a hatter's apprentice before. They've all been very interesting jobs, and I learnt a lot from them, but - but it's not what I want to be. I don't want to just...make hats, and clean and sells flowers.

[This sounds like an interview for a job - and that's because it is. She's slowly building up the strength to ask, or simply to inform him. The decision's been made in her mind, so - so - all that's left is to inform him of the future path of Sophie Hatter.]

I want you to teach me. Magic.

[conesoldstober]

If it will keep you out of trouble, I suppose I can't argue with it.

[He fixes his glass marble eyes on her.]

You're sure? You know what I can be like when I'm work. It will drive you mad and I refuse to have my technique criticized.

[mrsnose]

No, you refuse to listen to having your techniques criticized, but that doesn't mean they won't be. If they ask for it.

[Since saying it - informing him - feels so much like a rock's been lifted (a heavy one), she smiles while she says that. Teases. Silly wizard, would do well to know that she only criticizes his personality, not his methods of magic. Mostly.]

Either way, it's as you said - I know I have it, now, and I've almost done a lot of damage with it to know that I need to actually know what I'm dealing with.

Besides, you'll need to produce a lot more beauty spells to maintain this house, and an assistant would benefit you.

[conesoldstober]

I've done protections as well, if you must know.

[He gives her another appraising look before he decides that she really is interested in this. Strange.]

I suppose if it's a matter of you not ruining any more suits of mine, I can take you one.

[mrsnose]

I'll try to stay away from your suits.

[Well, it seems pretty much like the right thing to do, on this occasion. She holds her hand out.]

Deal?

[conesoldstober]

[He looks down at that hand of hers. It's an innocent enough gesture, but they haven't touched since that weekend. Since that ship amd their -

He takes her smaller hand in his.]

Deal.

[mrsnose]

[Yes, now she becomes aware of it. The touch is a simple and innocent one, yet it pushes a shot of electricity from her fingertips to the nape of her neck, then down her back; she squeezes his hand in reaction.]

Thank you.

[conesoldstober]

[He can see that she noticing it too, and he can't help but use it to his advantage and pull her in a touch closer.]

I don't have most of my books here, so it won't be as comprehensive as I'd like.

[mrsnose]

[A moth to the fire, that's Sophie. Always stepping closer to dangerous things, willingly.]

It's a risk I'll take.

[conesoldstober]

Excellent.

[He stays for a moment, beaming at her, before he's away again in a flurry of blue sleeves.]

There's a room on the main floor I believe would make an excellent workspace.

[mrsnose]

[And hers go down to her sides as well.] We'll have to move here first. Is Pavel coming, too?

[conesoldstober]

I offered, of course. I am the one who took over his living space, after all.

[mrsnose]

And other people?

[conesoldstober]

I offered to Tessa as well. Did you have anyone else in mind?

[mrsnose]

Ah - no, everyone I know has a house already.

[conesoldstober]

There are six rooms in total, so we could let a few out if we feel it's absolutely necessary. Although I am keeping at least one for a workspace. That you're not allowed to tidy in.

[mrsnose]

[Crosses her arms. Howl, what about the part where she said she doesn't want to be a cleaning lady?] Is this going to be the same room you'll teach me in or another one? Because that makes for four rooms already.

[conesoldstober]

Do you need a seperate room to be taught in?

[mrsnose]

No? But maybe you need a separate room to work in than the one you're teaching me in?