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

[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?

[conesoldstober]

You have many good reasons to.

[mrsnose]

And one big reason not to, which is the only one that counts.

[conesoldstober]

[He turns her hand over to kiss the inside of her palm.]

Which is?

[mrsnose]

That I would spend the rest of my life with you either way, you peacock of a man. Because I love you.

[Duh.]

[conesoldstober]

[Okay kissing you now, talk is boring kthnx]

[mrsnose]

[Yes, kissing is nice - but wait!] We've got -- mmff -- wedding...

[conesoldstober]

Is it urgent?

[mrsnose]

It's not something I can skip altogether, I gave Charlie my word.

[conesoldstober]

In which case I shall have to be the martyr and take a rain cheque on our current trajectory.

[mrsnose]

Not that I know what cheques with rain have to do with martyrdom, but yes, you will. [But she does give his nose a kiss.]

[conesoldstober]

[But of course he sneaks his hand around the back of her neck and turns it into another proper kiss because troll.]

[mrsnose]

[Troll in the dungeons!!! He only gets one more! One more - and one more after that. And she pulls away because things get heated up, because it's for the best and yes.]

I think - hmm - well that should do.