(Untitled)

[wizard_howell]

There are songs and then there are songs. In Wales where he grew up, most everything's got a song written for it or about it and even Calcifer had the little Welsh saucepan song he used to sing. Tonight, though, after the latest batch's 3,450th self-healing bandage was made and wrapped -- by magic, of course -- and packaged up for the troops, there

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[talkstohats]

She might not know exactly what yet - but Sophie can always tell when Howl's got something up his sleeves. (They are in fact extremely elegant and voluminous sleeves, and Sophie should know, having sewn them herself.)

"You're looking far too pleased with yourself," she says, frowning up at him suspiciously. "You're scheming something." Though this, of course, is nearly a constant state of being with Howl.

She knows Howl thinks she's been working too hard; she's got a vague suspicion that he might have the idea of stranding her here for her own good. Ridiculous, of course, she's as well as anyone in Ingary is these days, but one never knows what notions Howl will get into his head.

[wizard_howell]

"My very own Sophie. You know me better than anyone yet you always think I'm scheming something. I don't know whether to be flattered or insulted." Tonight it's flattered; there's practically a dance in his step as he leads her to a table not quite centrally located, directing two chairs away from the table with a wave of his index finger. The chairs, needless to say, obey: they wouldn't dare do otherwise.

"Sit, my dear. What will it be? Oh, good." Extending his palm, one of the efficient and lovely rats climbs into it, wiggling its whiskers at him. He whispers to it inaudibly; said rat skitters off without a backward glance. "There. I made the command decision and ordered for us."

There's an unmistakable light of mischief playing about the green of his eyes... or maybe that's just the near white of his hair playing havoc with perception.

[talkstohats]

It possibly says something about life with Howl that Sophie hardly notices the extremely biddable chairs. All the same, she can't restrain a laugh as she takes her seat, although it's a little tired.

"Neither - because you know it's perfectly true!"

She glances after the rat, and raises an eyebrow. "So you did. Should I ask what you ordered, or do you really want to surprise me?"

If it's alcoholic, she's already decided, she won't drink it; she's agreed to a short break, but they haven't the time for her to get fuzzy-headed.

[wizard_howell]

Humming a little tune -- never a particularly non-devious sign from Howl -- he smiles at her in a benign and friendly sort of way. "I think I'd really like to surprise you tonight, my dear." Fondly, he brushes a stray hair back from the front of her face where it's fallen. "You've been working so fiercely and don't deny it: I've heard you telling every single set of bandages that it will heal, no questions asked. It's a marvel the way you work your magic, cariad. I can't do things that way. And I'm Royal Wizard... still."

Distraction techniques have always been a decidedly non-magical specialty of his. Hopefully he's not lost any of that particular set of charms since Sophie's got to know him better.

Time will tell, as it always does.

[nitro_is_ace]

Magic isn't particularly elegant. She's not particularly tired either, so she doesn't really fit in this picture.

This hasn't ever stopped her before.

The lanky doberman bounces over, looking appropriately festive in a bell-decorated collar. Her mum likes Christmas. No one is safe.

[wizard_howell]

"Hullo, Magic." Reaching down, he pets the dog from the top of her head to the tip of her tail. "Can I interest you in a glass of champagne? No? Perhaps some water, then?"

She's got a bell on her collar and sounds entirely too merry.

"Where's that mam of yours?"

[talkstohats]

"Evening, Magic," Sophie says, grinning down at the dog. She quite approves of the festive collar.

"Don't you dare give her champagne, Howl, Ace surely won't approve of her dog staggering home like a common drunk."

[nitro_is_ace]

Magic wags her tail, even if she doesn't understand a word of it. Though, since Ace is usually the one staggering when alcohol is involved in their little family, it... would make an interesting change.

The pyro in question at the fireplace (it's a thing), curled up with a good book. Well. It's a book. Goodness is debatable.