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Post by Sophie Jenkins on Jul 25, 2008 16:29:12 GMT -5
Finally no more worrying about armies and wars,destruction and killing.Things had been settled and things we're at peace,a young woman walked along in the market waving to a few people as she passed and saying hellos here and there.Her hair had grown back to it's long length,and as usual she had it tied back in a braid that went down her back.Her name was Sophie,after matters had been settled she had married Howl and they now live in their floating castle.
The portals of course still work,going to the two shops and the field.Sophie requested that a portal not go back to the hat shop,she had decided to let the other girls run it.Her sister had married as well,to a wizard no surprise there.
"Now what is on the list today,the same as usual".
She made her way down in the market,all the while being careful as she walked pass people.Sophie you see was four months pregnant with a child,she and Howl could never have been so much happier and she hoped it would stay peaceful for a long while.
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Markl
Junior Member
Howls Apprentice
I don?t know what?s harder. Taking life as it comes or beginning to come to life?
Posts: 62
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Post by Markl on Jul 25, 2008 23:07:08 GMT -5
“Sophie!”
A young voice shouted from down the street. Out of breath, Markl sprinted towards her. The growing boy was dressed in a clownish suit of green and orange, a large bowtie beneath his chin. They were beginning to look ridiculous on him, but it was what he liked.
His expression was one of the purest worry and panic, and by the time he had reached her he had to bend over and place his hands on his knees in an attempt to catch his breath. After a moment of this, he looked up at her, his big brown eyes concerned.
“Are you… are you sure you should be carrying this?” He reached for the small purse she held. It couldn’t weigh more than a few ounces.
Ever since Markl had learned of Sophies pregnancy, he had become her doting protector. Whenever there was a task to be done, he was there. If she so much as lifted a finger to do anything, he slipped between her and the task and insisted on doing it. There was no way he was going to let anything happen to Sophie and Howls baby.
Although, his attempts sometimes ended in him clumsily messing up the task at hand anyways, but he was sincere in his attempts to help…
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Post by Sophie Jenkins on Jul 25, 2008 23:17:05 GMT -5
"Oh Markl,don't worry i'm fine really".
Ever since he had learned she was pregnant,Markl had insisted on helping her with the daily tasks.As if Howl wasn't bad enough about doing that,always asking if she needed anything or if she felt alright.Besides she wasn't getting anything heavy,but if Markl was so persistant on helping her then she wouldn't argue.
Seeing him reaching for the small purse she held,Sophie gave it to him.Had he run all the way from the portal to come help her,as soon as she handed over the purse she then handed over the shopping list as well with the items they would need to pick up.
"Alright Markl,you get the items but a deal if it's light I carry it ok".
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Markl
Junior Member
Howls Apprentice
I don?t know what?s harder. Taking life as it comes or beginning to come to life?
Posts: 62
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Post by Markl on Jul 25, 2008 23:22:01 GMT -5
Markl eagerly took what was handed him, but frowned when she said she would hold the light things. He wasn’t too thrilled about the idea, but he nodded, making his shaggy red hair bob on his head. He was due for a hair cut.
“Alright…” He looked down at the list and arched an eyebrow, his lips thinning into a line of concentration as his mind went over exactly why they needed all these things. He was completely unaware of that fact that he looked a little silly holding a ladies purse.
Looking up once more, he gave a sudden grin and offered his arm to escort Sophie on her shopping trip…
“You aren’t really buying bustle sprouts are you? You know I hate them.” He said, making a face as they began to stroll..
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Post by Sophie Jenkins on Jul 25, 2008 23:30:13 GMT -5
Sophie accepted his arm and strolled down the market with him,at the mention of the sprouts she looked at the list.As far as she knew,she didn't write that down on the list.Of course they weren't the only ones living in the castle,there was the ex witch of the waste,the dog,Calcifer and of course them so who would want those.
"You don't like alot of things,remember such as fish and I believe potatoes".
Maybe the ex witch had wrote that down,so perhaps they would just skip it.There we're other things to get,and having a baby meant there would also be a few strange things on the list to pick up.Who knew being a new mother would mean strange cravings for things,she stopped and looked at the list.
"This is our first stop".
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Markl
Junior Member
Howls Apprentice
I don?t know what?s harder. Taking life as it comes or beginning to come to life?
Posts: 62
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Post by Markl on Jul 25, 2008 23:35:45 GMT -5
Markl gave a small scoff at the mention of his other most hated foods. Actually he was quite picky about a lot of things.
He handed the list back over and they moved into the shop. Hanging out by the door, he felt a bit awkward, as he always did, being out of their little home and among strangers. He was a bit of a misanthrope like that.
He simply waited for Sophie to do what she had to do, and shoved his hands into his pockets. His face was almost a scowl, although he wasn’t grumpy or upset, just uncomfortable.
He gave a loud sigh, breathing out deeply through his nose, his dark eyes looking around and judging the others that were there, even though he was the one who looked “different.”
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Post by Sophie Jenkins on Jul 25, 2008 23:53:33 GMT -5
Going into the shop she pointed out the items to buy,looking at the list making sure she didn't miss anything.Tapping her chin lightly,she only glanced once over to Markl and gave a small smile.Sophie knew she didn't like leaving the castle,and especially didn't like coming to the market because of strangers.
"Markl can you pay the man,and thank you".
She nodded to the man in the shop,letting Markl take care of the paying part.So now it was onto the next few items,then they could head back to the castle.When they got back,she could put on a pot of tea and then wait for Howl to come home or if he wasn't already there that is.
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Markl
Junior Member
Howls Apprentice
I don?t know what?s harder. Taking life as it comes or beginning to come to life?
Posts: 62
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Post by Markl on Jul 26, 2008 0:02:53 GMT -5
Markl nodded and quickly paid the man, then followed Sophie from the store. As they continued on, he looked around wearily and his eyes fell upon a small gathering of young girls, all dressed in pale colors and all quite pretty.
They were all looking at him and one of them whispered softly to another before giggling.
Markl instantly felt his ears turn red as he lowered his head and hunched his shoulders slightly. They were his age, and it would have been normal for him to go talk to the girls. However, he couldn’t do it…
His obvious shyness just made the girls giggle louder and one of them waved. “Look at that redhead!” One of them chimed.
Markl couldn’t help but smile a little as his face turned even redder. He couldn’t bring himself to look back at them as they walked on however…
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Post by Sophie Jenkins on Jul 26, 2008 0:13:54 GMT -5
"Seems your getting the girl's attention,you shouldn't be shy".
It was kind of cute though,the way he was shy and how he lowered his head and hunched his shoulders.He would of course need to overcome that fear of being shy,what if one day he did find a girl perhaps a witch or something and he was still like that.What kind of conversation would they have,Sophie could just picture it now.
"This is the last stop,could you go get the items this time since they might be abit heavy".
Sophie handed him the list and sent him inside while she waited,it was such a beautiful day out and then a idea struck her.How bout if she and Markl go down near the seaside for abit,maybe buy something to eat and have a picnic it would be a shame to just waste the day going back to the castle.
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Markl
Junior Member
Howls Apprentice
I don?t know what?s harder. Taking life as it comes or beginning to come to life?
Posts: 62
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Post by Markl on Jul 26, 2008 0:23:33 GMT -5
Markl didn’t respond to Sophies reference to the girls. Their laughter very quickly faded away behind them, and Markl was left feeling silly and awkward all over again. Keeping his shoulders hunched, he wished the obvious blushing would leave his face as he nodded and took the list from her and went inside.
He tried to be quick about gathering the items, but it was true they were heavier than the others. As he carried the parcels to the counter, he wasn’t looking where he was going and almost bumped into a few people.
“Oh sorry…” He muttered, shuffling past them.
He hadn’t mentioned it to anyone, but he was becoming more and more aware of how different he was, not only being a wizard himself, but also just who he was. He didn’t like people much, but chose to spend his time with magical beings. Calcifer, the witch of the waste, Howl. They were all this sort. Sophie was the only normalish one…
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Post by Sophie Jenkins on Jul 26, 2008 0:38:20 GMT -5
"Great we got everything,how bout you and I go on a picnic".
Of course they would need to bring the stuff with them,that was going to be a problem.It seemed they we're going back to the castle first,then maybe go on a picnic.Sophie started to head back towards the direction of the shop,looking over to the harbor where a few boats we're out sailing on the water then she banged into someone dropping her items.
"Oh no.....,that's not good".
The man she had banged into just went on his way,well some people hadn't changed.Sophie bent down slowly,till she was close enough to the ground and began to gather the items she dropped hopping they weren't too banged around.
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Markl
Junior Member
Howls Apprentice
I don?t know what?s harder. Taking life as it comes or beginning to come to life?
Posts: 62
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Post by Markl on Jul 26, 2008 0:47:41 GMT -5
Markl smiled and nodded when she mentioned going on a picnic. “Yeah. That would be fun.”
He continued to walk with the items in hand, unable to see where he was going and barely following Sophie.
When the man bumped into her and she dropped what she carried, Markl immediately set down his own parcels and was at her side. “Sophie! Sophie are you alright?!”
Quickly, his temper flared and he stood and turned in the direction of the rude man.
“Hey you! How dare you bump into a pregnant woman like that and just walk away! Someone ought to teach you some manners!”
When the man just went on, Markl was furious and he began to roll up his sleeves as he clenched his teeth. He wasn’t a true magician as Howl was, but he knew a thing or two. If no one stopped him, that man was very quickly going to find himself without trousers, or perhaps something worse. Markl wasn’t sure what his magic would do, but he was angry enough to try something…
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Post by Sophie Jenkins on Jul 26, 2008 0:55:40 GMT -5
"Markl don't do anything rash,it was mostly my fault".
She had stared off towards the water,and had bumped into the man.She should have been the one more cautious to her surroundings,tugging lightly on him she motioned for him to help her instead of wanting to cast a spell on a man who had just been a tad bit rude.Not only that but other's we're staring,she could feel they're eyes on her.
"Let's just gather these up,and head home alright".
Gathering everything up,and holding them with one arm she held out her hand so that the he could help her up.Sophie wasn't hurt,he should at least be greatful for that.As long as they didn't tell Howl about this,then there was no need for worry.
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Markl
Junior Member
Howls Apprentice
I don?t know what?s harder. Taking life as it comes or beginning to come to life?
Posts: 62
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Post by Markl on Jul 26, 2008 1:01:57 GMT -5
Markl glared after the man, but Sophies words kept him in check. He wouldn’t cast a spell on him if she didn’t want hi too.
Without a word, he helped her to her feet, then quickly gathered up all of the parcels, balancing them in a neat stack but still being unable to see over or around them. The frown stayed on his face though. He didn’t like letting people get away with being rude to the ones he cared about, not at all…
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Post by Sophie Jenkins on Jul 26, 2008 11:55:34 GMT -5
Once back on her feet,she brushed her dress off and regained her posture.It seemed Sophie would have to be Markl's eyes and voice,so he wouldn't cause the same accident she did just only momments ago.Walking beside him she guided him through the marketplace,pulling him lightly to the left or to the right but making sure he didn't drop anything.
"Almost there,and Markl please don't tell Howl what happened I don't need him being a worry wort".
That's all Howl would need on his mind,hearing she had bumped into a man at the marketplace and almost got knocked over.How would he react to that,she could only imagine and the result and outcome wouldn't be good.And since they had been married,Sophie has slowly learned about becoming a witch yet she has a far way to go.
"Alright we're here,remember not a word".
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