014 }{ VIDEO

[mrsnose]

Hello - is everyone doing better today? The curse from yesterday reminded me a little of how dangerous the power of words can be when you've little to no idea that your words have power. Like me, I used to talk to hats.

I mean, I used to work in a hat shop, my family's hat shop, and when I entered as the new apprentice, I'd be left by myself for many nights, so I took to talking to hats. I'd tell a bonnet she'd marry into money, or another hat that she'd be as fresh as a spring rose - compliments like those - and I thought it was just a way of passing time. Until I started to realise that my predictions would come true - as if the hats were listening to my orders. It did grand for the business, but there are consequences to letting your mouth run.

Which is why...yesterday, when I got an inkling of what the curse could be like, I decided to stay quiet. For the best.

But that's all over today, so I get to congratulate Charlie and Merlin - that's a nice name, hmm - on their bravery and love for one another, and the celebration of their wedding. May your happiness last for a very long time.

Is this the first wedding taking place in the City? Or have there been others? [SHE'S JUST CURIOUS, HOWL, NO NEED TO TAKE HINTS OR ANYTHING.]

Comments

[mrsnose]

You - [An insult? Is it? Is it??] - always are. Peacock.

[conesoldstober]

Little grey mouse.

[Another quick kiss and he's back to the sink.]

[mrsnose]

And my hair is fine! [Closes the door behind her!!

Off she goes to get dressed as well.]

[conesoldstober]

Fine is not the same as magnificent, my dear.

[Yes shouting at her through a closed door now.]

[mrsnose]

Fine is acceptable! [And shouting right back! Pavel, apologies and such...] I'm not you!

[Shouting at him from the very bedroom, while she gets dressed.]

[conesoldstober]

[Their roommates all love them. Clearly.

Despite his protests, Howl does get ready in under an hour, making it back up to his room in a towel since Sophie has his suit.]

[mrsnose]

[It's a fact that Uhura adores Howl and his bathing rituals. FACT!

Either way, Sophie's well and ready by the time he steps into the room, dressed in what she'll be wearing to the wedding. It's different than any dress she's sewn, for herself or for anyone else, because it fits under the category of 'modern'. No corset, no petticoats.

She doesn't feel naked at all.

And just to give him no excuse to comment on her hair, she's currenly pinning it up in a bun. Deal with it.] My god, I think that is a new record. We should write it down.

[conesoldstober]

As long as you don't go expecting it in the future. This was an emergency.

[He wants to tweak one of her red curls but he rightly supposes it will get him a slap.]

You look lovely, cariad.

[mrsnose]

[A correct assumption. But then, it's Howl, he's still very much free to do as he pleases.] Your suit is there. [Gestures at where it's lied down on the bed.

And, of course, there are some winks of colour in his suit that match her dress. Unconsciously done, really!]

Thank you. I tried to pull off modern, so there is not froofy layers and petticoats. [She turns around, showing the dress off with a little bit of anxiety - she does want to hear she's done well.] Is this something women in your world would wear?

[conesoldstober]

[He's in the middle of pulling on his trousers, and has to stop to be able to look closely enough to give an accurate opinion, of course.]

Not even remotely. It's far more lovely than anything I'd ever see in my world.

[mrsnose]

[She does blush, of course - it's still strange to get compliments. Yes, still.]

You - you charmer. [With a shake of her head, she turns back to the mirror and goes back to tying the belt around her waist. A thought resurfaces.]

Pavel said something just now.

[conesoldstober]

[Pulling his shirt on, being very careful not to disturb his hair of course.]

Oh yes?

[mrsnose]

That he never understood how you and I relate to each other.

[She turns around again, walking over to help him with the jacket. Because she can.] Do you think we make no sense?

[conesoldstober]

Do we need to make sense? That sounds rather subjective.

[mrsnose]

[Once the jacket is on, she walks to stand in front of him and finish buttoning his shirt carefully, making sure he looks acceptable. (She's oh too pleased the suit fits him well.)]

I don't know, not wanting to make sense sounds just as subjective, if not slithering-out of - of defining what it is we are, for instance.

[conesoldstober]

I didn't realise you were so keen on definition.

[mrsnose]

[She pauses, and keeps her eyes on one very beautiful silver button on his jacket, taking a deep breath before talking.] Howl, I - I realize that ours is a definitely strange story, what with you being an insufferable slither-outer and me being nosey and bossy and whatever else you claim I am, but...just because I barged into your home uninvited when I was under the spell does not mean I was not - not raised in a certain way, you understand?

I've been - living in your quarters for months now, and whilst I can accept that things are done differently here and where you come from, you should know that I would not mind some sort of reassurance every now and then. Even if it means having the right to call you mine. [No word attached to it. But - hers, nonetheless. She ventures a glance up.

Worries her lip between her teeth.] So - are you?

[conesoldstober]

Sophie-

[He wraps his hand around Sophie's where its resting on his chest. He can feel his heart beginning to pound up a storm, even more of a reminder of how much this one woman has wedged herself into his life. Like it was ever a question in his mind that he belongs to her, like he's never in his life belonged to anyone.]

This isn't easy for me. I've spent a most of my life avoiding anything one might call a strong feeling. But you-

[He has to close his eyes to speak again.]

I've always belonged to you, Sophie. Even if I am a cowardly bugger about expressing it.

[mrsnose]

[But he's trying. Cowardly bugger or not, he's trying. And she has to reward that, because she feels his heartbeat under her fingertips and she knows this is as new and strange and scary for him as it is for her - for different reasons, maybe - but she won't let him face it alone. Heart beating at the same pace as his is, she stands up on her toes and kisses him on the cheek, soft and tender.]

Then I don't mind if we make no sense. I don't think I've minded until now, either. Yes, it's strange and not easy and sometimes it's...very improper, but I feel like I've a place next to you. Because of who I am as Sophie, not because of my status as the older sister or the aged granny witch, or...whichever.

It's home with you. And it wasn't even home when you moved the castle back home, not the same way this is.

[conesoldstober]

I thought it a little pointless while we're stuck here, seeing ow neither of is will remember it when we back, but if it's very important to you I won't object.

[mrsnose]

If what is important to me?

[conesoldstober]

Doing something I little more declarative.

[mrsnose]

[A long pause.]

That's it? That's the Howl Jenkins seduction? If it's very important to you I won't object?

[conesoldstober]

Terribly. You know my fragile sense of self could never bear rejection from you.

[mrsnose]

How could you think I would reject you?