Go and catch a falling star

[mrsnose]

When; 12th of May; Saturday evening
Rating; G?
Characters; Sophie Hatter (mrsnose) & Howl Jenkins (conesoldstober)
Summary; Sophie's dreams catch up with her.
Log;

[Sophie is tense the whole day. The whole day, she watches the network and it bustles with posts, as people everywhere in the City announce their suspicions; as the day proggresses, they only get further confirmed. And all Sophie can do is watch the network and dread the evening, and hope that her dream doesn't follow.

And then the sun sets. She's putting clothes away in her new closet, and ordering things on the desk near the window when she spies it. In the back garden, a circle of blue roses - the very same she planted in the tub, the very same that starred in her dream - make her stomach drop and her hands forget what they were doing. Careful that no-one follows, she goes downstairs, and steps into the garden, until she's standing amongst them.

The star falls, and stops in mid-air. Sophie's hands rise to hold it. She isn't even sure it's Calcifer; the star doesn't talk. But she can feel the words resonnate through her, let's make a deal, give me your heart, you don't need it either.]

I do, though. [she murmurs to the star. I'll die, sing the words in her ears.] You will. Everyone dies. [But you caught me, so I don't have to. Come on, just give me your heart, and you can have my powers. You're a witch, are you not?

One who's been taught the lesson.

Comments

[mrsnose]

[She pulls back to look at him at that, face just as stern.]

Are you going to do something careless, wizard?

[conesoldstober]

I'm never 'careless', my dear. I prefer 'impulsive' and 'dramatic'.

[mrsnose]

I prefer 'alive' and 'in one piece', although I'm well aware the latter one's three words.

[conesoldstober]

I haven't been in one piece for five years, Sophie.

[mrsnose]

You know what I mean, Howl. [She purses her lips, and finally lifts her hands to cup his face. Sternly, still.]

One day, soon, back home, I'll give it back and break the curse. And when I do, I hope you'll have the consideration to kiss me like that again.

[conesoldstober]

I hope that as well. [His cheek presses into her hand, just a fraction.]

[mrsnose]

[She presses the remaining fractions, until it's a whole, and smiles a little.]

Lingering will only get us into trouble now, won't it?

[conesoldstober]

Will it? Best carry on then. I've been out of trouble for too long.

[mrsnose]

[Yes, best carry on. She feels...horribly tired, all of a sudden. Mentally, physically, and if there were a third sense for magic exhaustion, probably even that way. Her bones feel heavy, and though there's hope, her heart feels heavy, too.

She rubs her thumb gently under his eye, and lets her hands drop at her sides at last.]

Well, then. Let's keep you out of it.

[conesoldstober]

Come on. I think we both need a stiff drink.

[He keeps his arm around her shoulder as he leads them both back inside.]

[mrsnose]

[Or sleep, or - actually. She groans a little, and lets him lead.]

I think I'm actually tempted to say yes to that.

[conesoldstober]

Careful. I believe I'm actually starting to corrupt you, my dear.

[mrsnose]

Still a slim chance of that. I'll sooner turn you incorruptible.

[conesoldstober]

My sister would buy you a medal, I think.

[Once they reach the kitchen Howl finds a bottle of whiskey stashed behind the cornflakes and pour them each a finger.]

Down the hatch and all that.

[mrsnose]

If she didn't wonder first where you found me and what happened to the raggedy old lady you last brought with you.

[She takes the glass and squints at the alcohol. Fanny never let them try. She's pretty certain Lettie and Martha both found a way to snatch some and give alcohol a go, but Sophie - well, Sophie was good and responsible.

Not so much tonight.] Especially since we have the same names. [She drinks it down, and coughs and lets the tears gather up in her eyes because they're from the alcohol and not from anything else.]

[conesoldstober]

Plenty of people are named after their grandmothers. Easy as that.

[Howl downs his like it's water and pours himself another one.]

[mrsnose]

Thisishorrible - [And more coughing. She rushes over to the sink and fills the glass with water, gulping it down and not breathing until she finishes it.]

My god, my lungs...

[conesoldstober]

It takes some getting used to.

[mrsnose]

I'll pass...[She laughs, and drinks some more water. Her body slumps forward against the sink. She washes her face, and wets the nape of her neck before turning around.]

Out of concern for your liver, I advise you don't get drunk.

[conesoldstober]

Yes thank you, Megan.

i need to stop it with this icon because now we know what it means

[mrsnose]

Very mature.

/preens

[conesoldstober]

You should probably be going to bed at any rate. I might even turn in myself.

goddamnit

[mrsnose]

Yes...[The whiskey is helping, certainly, as it continues to burn low in her belly. She leaves the glass in the sink, and watches him for a moment. Should she - no, that is quite ridiculous. She should not behave any more ridiculous tonight; they've had...enough.

She touches his shoulder as she passes by.] Goodnight, Howl.

[And lets her hand run from his shoulder to his back before pulling it back at her side and heading for the door.]