04 ☄ Video ☄

[waterformybath]

[Howl finally feels brave enough to show his face (and his lovely dark hair) on the communicators. You may catch a glimpse of a mirror in the background, floating behind his head.]

While I quite enjoy looking at myself in the mirror, I think having one follow me around is a bit much. Is this the sort of punishment the Rulers typically deliver?

Comments

[eldestdaughter]

Don't look at it!

[Sophie's voice is sharp and startled.]

They have strange people in them!

[They remind her of the Witch of the Waste, as if those mirror people were going to take over somehow. Especially with how they move.]

[waterformybath]

[He looks at her quickly, startled by the yell.]

Blood and bloody ashes, Sophie! He seems friendly enough. Why...?

[eldestdaughter]

[His reply seems to make her even more upset. Her beautiful brows furrow with worry.]

Just don't ... look at it. I'll be over in a minute.

[She's already running over to your house. You're going to give her premature grey hairs Howl!]

[waterformybath]

All right...

[He doesn't realise anything is wrong. To him, saying that phrase is completely normal! When he hears rapid footsteps approaching, he starts to get up and meet her at the door.

(She'll notice that his hair isn't completely black any more though it's dark enough to pass for it. And his eyes are tinged slightly hazel.]

[eldestdaughter]

[When he opens the door she stares deep into his eyes, her own blue eyes seeming bigger and more inviting then they normally are. Her hair windswept and loose over her shoulders. She wraps her arms around his shoulders and hugs him tightly.]

Don't you dare look in that mirror again.

[waterformybath]

[And he can't help...staring. At them. Those eyes. There's a pang of regret when they disappear as she hugs him.]

I'll try not to. But it follows me everywhere so I can't really help it.

[eldestdaughter]

They're following all of us everywhere.

[She really doesn't realize how tightly she's clinging to Howl. The thought of losing him is terrifying to her.]

Just keep looking away. I'll help.

[waterformybath]

[For a girl he doesn't know, the concern she's displaying for him is a bit unnerving but not unpleasant. None of the others he pursued were this caring. They fawned more.]

I'll try. [He never commits to anything if he can help it.]

[eldestdaughter]

[Well, that was probably the best she was going to get from him. The nasty slither outter he was.]

Michael and Calcifer would be horribly worried if you disappeared you know.

[Her eyes are squeezed tightly as she's trying not to cry. In truth, Sophie was terribly scared of everything that was happening. She didn't understand what was going on and she didn't want to lose herself or Howl. But someone had to keep their head, and clearly that someone was going to have to be her.]

[waterformybath]

They can manage. They always have.

[He may sound a bit dismissive but it's true. Calcifer is quite capable of looking after his apprentice and the castle while he's gone, and has done very well all the times he's disappeared.]

[eldestdaughter]

They worry more then you know.

[The words were hushed but still true. She knew they worried, especially Michael. All the same she took the back of her sleeve and wiped her eyes. They were still watery, and the effect was that they flickered like deep clean rivers in the light. She pulled back to look at him carefully, but even her quivering frown was lovely.]

I'm getting you out of this room.

[She looked behind him and frowned.]

Away from that thing.

[And she turns right into her own mirror, running into it and managing a good long stare before closing her eyes and shoving it away. The effects were almost instant as her hair lengthened and seemed to beg to be caressed, her body becoming more desirable. Sophie, didn't even notice.]

[waterformybath]

They'll just follow us, you realise?

[Thankfully, he's not one of those kinds of men who let their hands wander, so he gives himself a shake and bites back an urge to shower her with flowery compliments. Those don't work on her, he's come to realise.

His own eyes flick to his mirror again and the hue of his hair changes subtly in the time before he looks away. He also remembers...odd things.]

[eldestdaughter]

[No they don't. She notices his glance because of the changes and he's rewarded with a very sound swat.]

Stop that!

[waterformybath]

[Yeowch! He recoils and rubs his cheek.]

Why do you keep slapping me?!

[eldestdaughter]

Because you keep doing stupid things.

[Yes Howl, she's glaring at you.]

[waterformybath]

I only looked into it for a second!

[Why is he backing away from this terrifying woman-- oh right, because she's Sophie. D8]

[eldestdaughter]

A second is all it takes.

[She's actually being pretty patient with him for what's going on.]

Just look at you, you're hair's gone all brown.

[waterformybath]

[And of course, his first reaction is to look back at the mirror to see this change--]

[eldestdaughter]

STOP!

[She physically turned his head away from it.]

Any mirror but that one.

[waterformybath]

Yours, then...?

[Though he'd rather stare at Sophie herself now that he thinks about it...]

[eldestdaughter]

[She frowns, thinking about it before nodding.]

Alright.

[waterformybath]

[Well, that's easy enough then. But it will only work when they're together otherwise he won't have any other mirror to look at besides his compact--

Oh hey, they could use those!]

[eldestdaughter]

[She's not planning on going anywhere without you. Clearly she can't trust you to keep from being turned into something else. Which is worrying.]

Just be more careful.

[waterformybath]

[If she can't even stop herself from changing, then it's unlikely she'll be able to stop Howl's own transformation.]

As I said, I'll try.

[Oh, it's going to be a tough few days not being able to look into a mirror...]

[eldestdaughter]

[She squeezes his hand tightly.]

Thank you.