in which howl is jealous

Howl was never fond of early rising. In the past, he'd occasionally lean on the top balcony's railing and draw in the fresh nightly air. A cool breeze accompanied with the sky's impressive display of the outer world's wonders couldn't be beat. Nothing was as therapeutic as this. Yet his mind became easily swayed. Perhaps it was the recovery of his heart that showed him just how wonderful the brink of dawn can be because for every rising sun, it was another chance to amend. And Sophie Hatter is an essential element in continuing that cycle.

The day was barely getting started if the sun's sheepish state was anything to go by. The absence of radiant rays made the bathroom less appealing and it finally came to him that the sunlight concealed how awfully disheveled it was. After his long, warm bath, only the sounds of clinking glass can be heard as he rushed his facial potion intake. Thank goodness Sophie left his bathroom alone. For now, at least.

An odd thrilling sensation surged through his body as he walked back to his own quarters. He was free. No one, not even the king or Wizard Suliman, can bother him. He finally had a day off. Though, to Calcifer, Sophie, and Michael, everyday was a day off for Wizard Howl.

What they know or think they know less had to do with what really piqued his interest. He finally had the opportunity to enjoy Sophie's company and bringing her to Wales again was very tempting. Despite the towel still wrapped around his slim waist, he slid down the staircase's banister to catch Sophie before she lost herself in the realm of flowers. Luckily, the flowers wasn't her first priority of the day. "Sophie!" he exclaimed, "Let Michael run the shop for today."

Sophie had her hair loosely tied up as she cracked a few eggs into a pan that sat on top of Calcifer. The flame stared at Howl and, with mouth full of bacon and chips of wood, mumbled a 'good morning'. "What a great idea," she replied with less enthusiasm as Howl hoped.

"Wonderful! Then I expect you to wear that lovely dress I bought just across the street and-" His eyes wandered to the attire concealed under the white apron she wore. "Good thinking, Sophie! To think you'd know of my plans from the start."

With a kitchen glove, Sophie held the pan's handle and flipped it just so that the eggs and bacon fell carefully onto the plate. She removed the spell books Michael busied himself with last night to offer Howl a seat but he waited for her reply before doing so. "Howl, I don't know what you're up to but I can't entertain you today."

He frowned. "You're busy?"

"Yes." Sophie huffed. "And why do you look so surprised?!"

"I can't think of any other reason to be busy apart from this shop of ours." If he was right, Jenkins Fresh Flowers Daily had already opened. He leaned his damp figure against their wooden dining table and tapped a curious finger on it. "Since when is a lady like you never cleaning the house or sewing ridiculous patterns on my suits?"

"You childish man." Her glowering eyes pierced his own and her scoff ringed in his ears. Each feeling mixed together to form an ugly pit in his already grumbling stomach. It was only at that moment when he realized the dress had its differences since the purchase. Matching with the vibrant shop before her, she was the essence of color itself. This dress, coming from the most chic boutique Market Chipping was fortunate to have, couldn't look more beautiful. Time-and-time again, Sophie proved her remarkability. She surely beat some sense into that thing.

The eggs were burning yet Sophie paid no heed. In fact, she shifted her gaze in the direction of where her hat and purse lay. "Can I make a proposal, Wizard Howl? How about instead of Michael watching shop, you do it? Or will you be too busy wooing the ladies to do a proper job?" Before he knew it, she was already at the door, flinging it wide open, and glancing back at his befuddled countenance. Before her foot was out the door, she added, "Don't underestimate a housekeeper. There are many things I do outside the shop. Letting a man court me is one of them. Goodbye to you, Wizard Howl!"