[004]

[fortune_sought]

[Sophie's small, human body succumbed to the fog very quickly, and she has just woken up very confused indeed. she's found the CAT in her pocket and is pushing buttons on it, which has resulted in an accidental transmission as she continues to fiddle with it]

What is this? Some sort of charm? Is that why I've changed back? [holds the CAT up near her face, as though asking it her questions] But why, if you changed me back, would you take my pincushion? "Good hands" indeed! [hmphs]

[sighs and stops abusing the CAT for the moment, keeping it in her hand as she turns to take a better look around the room--the living room of her own townhome]

But where am I? This certainly isn't Howl's castle! It doesn't even look like any of the locations outside. Did the door get turned black-down somehow and send me out there? Or could this be Calcifer's doing? [to the CAT again] Do you know? [frowns as she looks down, however. strands of her hair have fallen into her face, and she brushes them back in annoyance] Gracious! It's strange to have my hair back again. But...it is such a relief. [pauses for a moment, patting at her face as though she doesn't expect it to feel as it does. she smiles, sighing, relieved] Yes, very much a relief. Though I wonder what broke the spell. And why take my pincushion? That sounds more like Howl's doing than Calcifer's, but he should know that I'll have to clean if I can't sew!

Once I've found where I am... Calcifer! Calcifer, are you here?

Comments

[fortune_sought]

I don't know what you're talking about! I clean for a living.

[arthurcosgrove.livejournal.com]

It takes a very special kind of person to imagine a magical world where there's wizards and spirits and they're a cleaner.

[fortune_sought]

[gives him a look] Well, it wasn't my first choice when I set out to seek my fortune, but I am the eldest of three, so I suppose it's to be expected. [turning forward, murmuring to herself] But with the spell broken, I should be able to go back home now... As soon as I can find it.

What is it you do, Arthur? Besides accuse people you've only just met?

[arthurcosgrove.livejournal.com]

I'm paid gratuitous amounts of money to keep my head when all around me are losing theirs. So you should probably listen to me.

What's this spell you keep muttering about, anyway?

[fortune_sought]

And what sort of position does that?

I'm not sure I can--no, I did tell you I was under one, didn't I? It really must be broken. [looks down at her hands again, then glances back at him] How old would you say I look?

[arthurcosgrove.livejournal.com]

[shrugs] Early twenties?

[fortune_sought]

18. But anything less than 90 is quite a relief! I am young again.

[arthurcosgrove.livejournal.com]

[nods, and files that little nugget of information away]

Young again? So you were old before?

[fortune_sought]

I was old because of the Witch's spell. I'm myself again, now.

[arthurcosgrove.livejournal.com]

[wonders if it's worth getting in another argument, and decides it's not] Okay then. Glad that's cleared up.

So, I think that's enough small talk. How do you propose we get out of here?

[fortune_sought]

[frowns, glancing at him] You don't happen to carry a pair of seven-league boots?

[arthurcosgrove.livejournal.com]

Sorry, lady, what you see is what you get.

[fortune_sought]

Curses.

Then I suppose we'll have to walk. Unless you have another idea?

[arthurcosgrove.livejournal.com]

I'm not doing anything rash until I know more about where we are. [points down the road that leads out of the village] Let's see what's down here.

[fortune_sought]

[nods] Yes, that does seem the best idea. [heads briskly along the path. it feels good to be young again]

[arthurcosgrove.livejournal.com]

I don't suppose you could tell me a bit more about this witch?

[fortune_sought]

[gives him a sidelong glance] If you've never heard of the Witch of the Waste, you should count yourself lucky! She's probably the most wicked person in all of Ingary. Even more wicked, I think, than the Wizard Howl himself! Coming into people's hat shops and turning them old. Really, I never! [hmphs]

[arthurcosgrove.livejournal.com]

I've got to say, your world sounds more interesting than the one I live in.

[suddenly, stops and stares into the distance] Hey, looks like there's more buildings up there.

[fortune_sought]

[blinks, smiling a little to herself. he's right, really. and to think, it hasn't been very long at all since she thought she would spend the rest of her life in the hat shop, duller than a nail!] Yes, it certainly has been of late.

[follows his gaze] Yes...there are. Still, going there must be better than staying in the town to which someone has brought us.

[arthurcosgrove.livejournal.com]

Be careful. There's no reason to assume they didn't plan this, as well.

[fortune_sought]

For us to leave? Well, that might be a hard plan to keep to once we've disappeared in some other town!

[arthurcosgrove.livejournal.com]

I hope you're right.

[carries on walking forward, until his brow furrows]

Hey, do some of these buildings look familiar to you, or is it just me?

[fortune_sought]

[frowns] Yes. It's not a very diverse town, is it?

[arthurcosgrove.livejournal.com]

No, seriously. Like, these are the same buildings.

[fortune_sought]

[scoffs] That's preposterous!