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In the weeks following the attack on the flower shop, Howl has been called away on a great many matters of official business, much to the wizard’s well-known chagrin. He complains at least thrice daily before he leaves on his missions to either Kingsbury or Porthaven, only managing to leave with haste once Sophie threatens him with either a swift kick to the backside or with the looming possibility of rearranging the bathroom and his hair products as potential punishments for slithering out on his duties. After all, as one of the few top wizards remaining, Howl’s insight into the irreparable damage being caused by the war and destructive magic has proven to be of great, irreplaceable value amongst the warring communities while trying to broker a peace treaty. This leaves Sophie and Markl with much more free time on their hands, particularly now that Calcifer is able to roam the land as he pleases.
The pair thus finds itself on an excursion in the middle of Howl’s meadows of flowers today, a billowing blanket clasped under Sophie’s arm and a wicker basket clutched tightly in Markl’s hands as they try to find a spot to settle at for a picnic lunch. Sophie had prepared an array of finger sandwiches and fresh fruit for them, while also buying some small pastries from Martha at the shop. It had been so gloomy and wet the past few days, that both Sophie and Markl were practically chomping at the bit to enjoy a bit of sunshine.
“What about here, Sophie?” Markl’s voice suddenly booms, breaking Sophie out of a spiral of thoughts she didn’t realize she had fallen into. “I found us a nice rock we could put the blanket on!”
“It looks perfect, Markl,” Sophie beams at the young boy, her silver hair whipping in the wind. “We’ll have a splendid lunch amongst the dandelions,” she smiles.
With being in the care of Howl nearly his entire life, Markl had never heard of the tradition of wishing on dandelion fluff, something Sophie rectified immediately following their lunch.
“I wished for Master Howl to come home soon because I need his help with my latest spell!” Markl shouts with all the naïveté of a child, unaware of the turmoil currently roiling inside Sophie. “What did you wish for, Sophie?”
Sophie can only hope for all the world that the crimson flush she feels heating her cheeks is not too noticeable to the excitable apprentice! Or, maybe, she can blame it on the sweltering summer heat….
“Sophie?”
Well, she couldn’t quite tell Markl that she had wished for Howl to fall in love with her now that his heart has returned, could she?
“I simply wished for continued safety for all of us where we can continue being a family,” she admits, chocolate eyes softening at the thought of her, Howl, and Markl together forever.
“Ah, what a glorious wish! I must agree,” Howl tenderly says as he appears suddenly.
Sophie blushes furiously.