Porcelain Doll (Howl X Reader)

Chapter 4

Before the sun rose the next day (Y/N) was wide awake. She shoved her feet into her boots as she grabbed her bag.

Quietly she crept down the stairs, writing a note on a paper informing the shop of her absence for the next few weeks.

Walking through the town she weaved her way through people, heading outside of the place she grew up. The buildings grew smaller the farther she trudged, adding an invisible weight of dread to her shoulders.

The buildings which blocked the breeze, left (Y/N) to be out in the open. Thankful for her youth, (Y/N) had no problem in the slightly colder weather nor with walking along the uneven terrain. Though the beautiful scenery didn't help calm her mood.

"Out of all the people to anger, it had to be the Witch of the Waste" She scowls to herself, hugging her bag closer to her side.

"Good job, who knows if there is anyone who can reverse this, probably not!" She continues speaking to herself. 

The wind carried her voice away as any stray passerbyers, who were probably lost if they were that far from the town, could not hear her voice.

"What was that?"

She halted in her ranting at the sound of a whimper. It wasn't a human sound. At least she didn't know of a human who could make that sound.

She turned around observing the area around her as the whimper was heard again, this time closer to her as the wind had stopped.

Her gaze landed on a small ball of fur which was curled up on the grass a few meters from where she was. Lifting the hem of her dress she ran over to the small creature.

"You poor thing" She coos, turning and pulling a shawl from her bag, she gently places a hand on top of the fur.

The creature turned its head to stare at her, watching her movements with curiosity.

"Well aren't you a pretty kitty?" (Y/N) smiles leaning slightly as the cat stands up, avoiding putting pressure on its leg. It mewls at the girl as if responding to her.

"You seem cold, would you like my shawl?" She holds out the shawl for the cat to see.

"I'm supposed to use it when I get cold but it's quite warm out to me" She hums wrapping the shawl around the cat like it were a cozy blanket "So go ahead and use it"

The cat tilts its head at the girl blinking up at her. She grins down at it and stands up, patting down her dress.

"I hope that helps you stay warm until you return home" She turns back to the direction she was heading, continuing her journey.

Humming a small tune she continues onwards, trudging through the terrain, admiring the flowers growing in the grass and even in some unusual places.

She shrieks as something rubs against her leg. Looking down she spots the cat rubbing its head against her leg.

Placing a hand on her chest she releases a sigh.

"Please don't do that again," She huffs as she crouches down patting it's head "You scared me"

The cat leans into her touch as it purrs. (Y/N) smiles, rubbing it's head, letting her fingers run through its soft fur.

"For a cat who's been outside you seem to be very well groomed" She hums to herself as she once again stands.

"I assume you wish to follow me" (Y/N) begins to walk once more, glancing back to see the little ball of fur following her.

Feeling a sudden chill, (Y/N) brings up her hands to rub them against her arms. Her eyebrows furrow as she looks around. The grass stood perfectly still, except for when she stepped on it.

"Well I guess the temperature has changed" She spares a glance to the cat who was cozy in her shawl.

"Whatever," She huffs looking forward "You seem to need it more"

Disregarding her own health she allows the cat to keep the shawl.

"Why is it so cold suddenly" She mutters, the cat mewls back in response "Yeah your right, maybe it's cause we are higher up"

She pauses in her steps, blinking slowly.

"Oh my gosh I'm losing it" She rubs her eyes glancing at the cat "I'm starting to give you a voice and responses"

The cat once more mewls, tilting its head to the side. (Y/N) shakes her head and continues walking, the cat following behind.

"Whatever, I need to find somewhere to rest" She rubs her hands along her arms once more "It really is kind of chilly."

She takes a look around, staring at the setting sun illuminating over the town which was now a far distance from where (Y/N) stood. She adjusted her posture standing taller, her lips turning upward.

"I'd say I've made it quite a ways away from home" She smiles, turning around to continue where she was going. 

Her gaze landed on a structure which was standing still. Smoke arose from a chimney, which was somewhere. From afar it looked like a castle.

(Y/N) cheers, jumping up before running forward "There is a place! Maybe I can ask to stay the night!"

The cat kept up behind her, catching up to her side as (Y/N) ran, slightly slowed down by the bag she carried.

Getting closer to the structure, (Y/N) begins to slow down, her eyes widening, stumbling over her feet. The cat stopped and stood beside her.

"Maybe there is somewhere else…"

She turns around in a circle trying to catch any other place where she could stay, another chill slipping through her body.

"I guess there is no other choice" She turns her gaze upward at the castle, which is now closer.

"Howl's Castle it is" Her shoulders slump over, tilting her head upward to look at the approaching structure.

She walks closer to the castle looking around for any entrance, spotting a door which seemed to lead inside the castle.

Walking towards the door she pauses, noticing it was too silent. She turns to the cat to see it sitting still keeping its distance from the castle.

"Come on, it's not that scary" She gives it a tight smile muttering "I hope"

The cat stands up staring at the girl as if warning her to not do so. It mewls at her before turning around and running off.

"Well...there goes my companion"

Reaching the door handle, (Y/N) twists it, opening the door.

The room it opened into was dark, the only light brightening the room was a small fire.

Before the fire sat a chair, which (Y/N) cautiously approached scouting the area before moving to it. She sits down staring at the flames before her, feeding it some wood.

"Finally, a bit of warmth" She hums, leaning back into the chair.

"Now once I wake up I'll leave and hopefully find someone who can break this sp-" She is cut off as her lips tighten, stopping her from speaking. 

She tries to speak once more, her mouth staying shut. Her eyebrows furrow, as a fire ignites in her eyes, slamming her hand down on her legs.

"This is complete nonsense!" She cries, halting once she hears her voice once more.

"I can't get worked up," She runs a hand through her hair, melting into the seat. 

"Just rest and wake up to continue on tomorrow" She mutters, her words sounding quieter the more she spoke to herself.

She gazed at the fire watching it flicker, her eyelids starting to grow heavy, with her lips silencing in its words.

Right before she was fully asleep one thought went through her mind, before her eyelids shut completely.

'Did the fire look back at me?'