"Amelia, what I'm about to ask you, is something only you can do." Howl cave me a 'Don't shit this up' kinda look, so I straightened my back and prepared myself.

"I need you to pretend to be my sister."

"WHAT!?!" Michael covered his ears as I screamed. He had this look of discontent before mumbling about forgetting something to buy at the market. DONT LEAVE MEEEEEEE.......

"Why would I pretend to be your sister?"

"Because I need you to convince a king to leave me out of a very big debate. About the upcoming war." Howl explained. "I can't take sides if I want to protect this place. I can't be on the front lines." Oh. That's why; because if a family member talks to this King, perhaps he'll be more persuasive.

"Alright. I guess that's a pretty good reason." I looked down at my feet awkwardly. There was a tap on the window, and Howl looked towards the glass before opening it with a wave of his hand. In came a paper airplane; soaring gently onto the table. I stood up and walked towards the table and picked it up.

Over the last couple weeks, this house has become spotless thanks to me, and everyone took every chance to remind me of my great job. Okay, back to the paper, because it said something I didn't expect.

HAVE YOU SEEN HER?

My sister Amelia Violet Starr has red hair that is either in a braid or down. Went missing somewhere in Japan, but who knows where she is now. She wears weird clothing, and trust me when I say she'll stick out.

If anybody knows anything about her- or where the hell I am, call the number below:

Oh my gosh. It's Will. MY BROTHER IS HERE?!? Oh god what if something bad happens to him!?!?! He probably is thinking about all those times he called to the Goblin King like Sarah did in Labyrinth and it actually worked finally and here I am stuck with David Bowie and his puppet goblins!!!! I hadn't noticed I was pacing until Howl tried to trip me.

"Well, it's not like my brother wouldn't have had the wrong idea..." I mumbled, because Howl's outfit today makes him really look like David Bowie. Finally, he sighed impatiently and snatched the flyer from my hands and looked at it.

"Who is this?" He asked, and I scrolled through my photos to one of my brother. He had red hair like me, but was taller and more slender. God, this guy gets a new love letter every week from a new lovestruck whore I swear. His eyes widened in war seemed like horror, raven locks falling into his face. "Oh Dear Lord of Dark Magic!!!" Howl cursed as well as he threw a hand to his face. What?!? What?!!??? TELL ME!!!!

"There's two of her!" He gasped as if his entire world was falling down.

"Drama queen..my brother isn't anything like me!" I defended; crossing my arms and stomping the floor in anger. Calcifer chuckled at our..does this count as fighting or an acting lesson? Cause all I SEE HERE IS DRAMA!!~

Howl soon joined in on the laugh, placing his hands on his waist and letting it bellow out. That one moment, he seemed....I don't know, happy. I felt a smile find its way onto my face as I watched Howl smile carelessly. It actually looked quite good on him.

"Do not worry, I'll find your brother later, but for now, I'll direct you to the king." Howl let his smile fall a little as he bounded up the stairs two at a time. Soon, he came back down with a royal blue cloak and a black umbrella. "When you arrive to the palace, simply state that your name is Amelia Pendragon, and they should direct you to the King."

"Aren't you coming-"

"No, you see, he may be more persuasive if you came alone with intentions of changing his mind yourself. Like a concerned family member." Howl cut me off as he shoved the umbrella into my hands and threw the cloak gracefully around my shoulders. Clipping the fabric just below my neck, I swear he paused for a minute, and I swear there was tinge of pink on his cheeks.

"Okay." I said; though honestly trying to take in all he said. He led me to the door and turned the knob to the red one before throwing open the door. The two of us walked out into the sidewalk. Because, you know, PHYSICS. "Well then, I guess I'm off."

"One more thing; to keep you safe." Howl rummaged his pockets tooling for that one "thing". He then pulled out a barrette shining bronze in the early afternoon light. "It can create a barrier strong enough to keep out most things, as well as always lead you back to my castle." I took a better look at the clip and saw that it's shape was that of a dragon; small emeralds encrusted in it. I looked up to thank him, but then the barrette came alive and hopped out of Howl's hand and int my hair.

"Seems like it likes you." He smiled gently.

"Does that dragon have a name?" I asked as the barrette nibbled on my finger I had held closer to it.

"It's an enchanted clip! Of course not!"

"Then I'll name it...Smaug!" I laughed. GENIUS!!!

~*~

Howl watched as Amelia's red hair blew in the soft wind from under her sun hat. That color, that smile, she was so vivid in his mind. The way she walked with a skip in each step underneath the rows of planted trees on the sidewalk.

Howl frowned at the thought. Sophie. What about her? At this, he scowled and turned to the door once more.

"Is Amelia gone?" Michael asked as he set down a basket of fresh vegetables and fruits in the center of the monogyny table. Howl nodded. "I sure hope she doesn't run into trouble."

Michael felt like he owed the strange woman so much. Her smile made the moving castle a bit brighter. Fresher.

And the change she brought to Howl. The poor mentor, who gave his heart away to any girl, who lost it to a demon, only to have it restored by Sophie who won it over in the end.

Howl must be tired.

Tired of love.

And after all of the fights, the bickering, Michael realized how kindhearted Howl was. He let people in, and they only seemed to hurt him. All of these thoughts come to him from time to time, but no truer thoughts seemed to cross his mind.

"She'll be fine." He heard Howl mutter from his place at the table. "Now then, I'll teach you a few new spells."

~*~

I hummed a melody quietly to myself as I walked along. Greeting the few people that passed. One had a top hat! Heh. I always found those funny. Half an hour later, I could see guards outside a gate.

"Um, is this the palace?" I asked half-sarcastically as I cautiously approached the two guards.

Just have confidence. No one will suspect a thing! Hehehehehe.

"Hello?" I came up to one of the guards dressed up all snazzy like a fairytale guard. His face was one of total disgust towards me as he looked down. "I am here to see the King. My name is Amelia Pendragon." I said; making sure to leave a rebel tone to it. That look of disgust vanished as quick as my hands play the guitar and it changed to one of fear.

"Oh! Apologies! I'll take you to the king Madame Pendragon!" No matter what I said, he insisted on that. I don't want no Madame shit.

"Your brother, has he given his answer yet?" I looked up at him in confusion; OH! He means about that war!

"Um- that's what I came to see to. You see, my brother is in conflict with himself; family problems. And seeing as I am the only one actually CARING that he is going to war, I've come to pull him out of this mess." I clutched the umbrella handle harder than I'd like to. What if something bad happens?

OH GOD WHAT IF I MAKE THE KING MAD ENOUGH FOR HIM TO WANNA CHOP OFF MY HEAD!!

"Understandable. Family hates to see one of their own go off to the battlefield." He hummed to himself.

"Do you have family?" I asked.

"Yes, two daughters and a son. I miss them every day, but they always sent letters." He sounded so hopeful and happy. Those kids must be really proud of him. I smiled slightly at the thought.

"The king is this way; step carefully." Then, the man pushed me into the dark room and I was alone again.