In the Castle

"You're right, Michael: I am heartless." Flicking the trailing sleeves of his blue-and-silver suit clean and starched and into submission, Howl looks hard at his assistant. "I'm going out; please don't ask and don't follow. If the sea-captain comes by, his good-weather spell is on the end of the mantel by the skull, wrapped in a twist of parchment. Don't give him the one that helps grow flowers; it wouldn't help him a bit."

On the shelf, the skull's teeth chatter.

"Everybody's mocking me today." Howl's voice is melancholy and not just a little bit dramatic. "Sophie: stay out of my bath and leave my spiders be."

Hiding behind the two newest logs, Calcifer sinks lower and lower, knowing his turn is next. He's an intelligent fire-demon. And he's right: Howl is not quite done speaking. "And you, Calcifer: keep people out of trouble. I expect you to take care of things in my absence because, after all, who knows when I might return? The king wants to see me again, and you know that could simply be the end of me." With a pointed sigh, he reaches for the square knob above the castle's door and turns it so its red side faces down.

"Try not to miss me." Sniffing indignantly, he turns the doorknob and walks through. The door closes behind him.