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Howl opened the door, having expected a visit from either Kali or Lance. He found himself looking down at the red headed mage and smiled in relief. Surely she would be more merciful than her ever-angry boyfriend. "Hey Kali," he said cheerfully, seeing that she wasn't holding some kind of flowerpot or other weapon she could have used to murder him. "Come on in."

He paused when he noticed the hair dye. "What's that for?" he asked. Why would she have brought hair dye to his house? Did she plan on making her already beautifully red hair a darker shade? If so, why hadn't she done it at her own house? Realization seemed to strike suddenly, and the black haired wizard frowned.

"Oh no," he said. "I'm sure the letter didn't--Kali, I'd rather die than--" He led her inside. He was positive the letter hadn't caused enough damage for him to deserve absolute torture. "Dad's got a cold," he said. "I hope he doesn't give it to me."

"I always do get it," Howl said. Knowing his immune system, he would eventually catch it. He looked at her doubtfully. This wasn't the fiery red-headed mage he'd expected after the letter he'd written. There was no doubt in his mind that the box that contained what Kali said was hair dye actually held something vile.

"Temporary?" He mused aloud. He supposed temporary dye wouldn't be so bad, if it didn't last long. "I suppose..." He still doubted the hair dye was actually dye--what if Kali had done something to it? What if it was poison that would seep in through his skull, drive him insane and eventually kill him?

"Alright," he agreed reluctantly. If only to avoid the promised noogie. "I'm sure matching is agreeable." Besides, Sophie had once said he was handsome with ginger colored hair.

Even in the bathroom, Howl didn't seem to have very much faith in his friend. He narrowed his eyes suspiciously and shook his head. Did she really think he'd fall for that? If he allowed her to use magic, who knew what kind of evil spell she could place on him? He pointed to the hairdryer that sat on the edge of the sink. "No magic," he said.

He had experience with witches and hairdye. He was absolutely sure Kali would somehow mess this up; if she wasn't planning on intentionally doing so. "Are you sure you know how to do this?" he asked. "I could just bespell my hair so it was red, and we'd still match. We needn't go through all the trouble of dying it."

That and he wanted to get away from the red headed teenager as soon as possible.

Howl stared at his reflection for a long moment. "I look like Prince Justin," he marveled. "Weird." He wasn't sure if he liked the color or not; it was a suitable, natural color, and yet--it didn't seem to suit him. "I prefer blonde," he informed the mage. He frowned as she pinched his cheek. He was taller than she was, after all!

"No noogies," he said. If there was one thing Howl hated more than having a hair out of place, it was the torture that noogies were. "And I think I prefer my way to yours," he added. "Yours is much...messier," he eyed the counter with some distaste. "Would you like something to eat?" he asked. "My older sister Almie came by and stocked the shelves with all kinds of sweets." He beamed; he clearly approved of this sister. "There might be some cake left."

After Howl's cake had become crumbs and bits of extra frosting, he chanced a glance at the dining room's mirror above the table. It was an old fashioned mirror, the sides were plated with gold with an ornate design. That wasn't what made Howl stop and stare; nor was it what caused him to drop his fork, and, with one remaining bite of cake upon it, sent it clattering to the floor.

His eyes widened in horror as he stood, as if to check if the mirror was correct in it's current accessment. He took a strand of his hair and moved it so he could look at it. All at once, the confused expression fell from his face, and for a brief, horrible moment, the wizard seemed to be about to cry. His face crumpled and eyes narrowed into despairing slits.

His hair was pink. Pink. His life was over. Absolutely over. If anyone saw him like this... He slumped into his chair, and without saying anything, buried his face into his arms. Kali hated him, then? Was this some form of revenge? He couldn't see what he could have done... He had only ever shown kindness to his favorite apprentice, after all. He had provided her with spells, cake, taken her out to ice-cream... He simply could not see what he had done to deserve such torture.

Howl looked up briefly. His glass-like eyes were narrowed, and an accusing frown had taken place of the expression of pure sorrow that had marred his features only moments before. "I know you did it," he growled. There was no doubt in his tone, no sign that he recognized her as a friend. "You don't have to act," he added, flashing the mage a glare.

He uncrossed his arms and banged his hands down on the table before using them to hold him up as he leaned towards her. "I know it was you," he repeated. "The dye must have had some kind of spell in it, and you're the only witch," he used the term he knew she disliked, "who would do this to me. Certainly your Zak wouldn't target me and have you play it out." He paused, and frowned at her. She couldn't fool him, pretending she couldn't see the horror that his hair had become. "It's pink!" He jabbed an accusing finger at the offending strands.

The irritation quickly turned into hurt. The teenage wizard felt betrayed. "Why?" he asked.

"I--" Howl began hotly before frowning in confusion. "What?" All this because of the other he had sent? "Kali, is this really what this is about?" The anger seemed to fade, and in its place, confusion took reign over Howl's features. "You're really this upset about the letter?" He rose an eyebrow. Hadn't he explained that he loved her as a sister in the last few sentences?

"Believe it or not, I wasn't trying to anger you," he defended himself as he regained composure. "I figured you would appreciate the humor. Certainly I expected Lance to become angry...but the initial gesture...My intent was..." The wizard sighed and turned away. Whatever his intentions had been, it certainly hadn't been for this to happen. "I apologize for calling you a witch. A mage, I know."

He hung his head, pink strands of hair falling into his eyes for a brief moment. Then he looked up, his eyes filled with renewed flame. "Quit bitching," he snapped suddenly. "If you're going to insult me, do it properly. The old round of 'You're a vain, selfish, wicked, cowardly, stupid wizard' is always available. What's wrong with you, Kali? Did Lance break up with you?" Amid his anger was a not so cleverly hidden show of concern. Kali'd never done this kind of thing before.