storypaint | Stupid Magician (Clow/Yuuko)

Comm: 31_days theme exchange
Words: 380
Title: Stupid Magician
Day/Theme: 1 // youth and the folly thereof
Series: xxxHOLiC
Character/Pairing: Clow Reed/Yuuko Ichihara
Rating: G
Disclaimer: xxxHOLiC belongs to CLAMP.

Summary: "I've seen billions of stupid young people, in my time, Clow Reed, but you are the absolute STUPIDEST."

We've gotta be fast, we were born out of time
Born out of time and alone
And we'll never be as young as we are right now
Runnin away and runnin for home
--Lost Boys and Golden Girls, Meatloaf

Young people are stupid, and I can say that without any qualifiers because I am the oldest woman alive in the world. I saw the first wishes scratched on firelit cave walls, wishes for food, and later wishes in language, when the food was found. I have seen dozens of civilizations rise and fall for the want of a woman, a ruler, a god.

So I've seen billions of stupid young people, in my time, Clow Reed, but you are the absolute STUPIDEST. If you think I am going to give you the secrets to creating life, you're not only stupid, you're crazy.

--What do you mean, I talk like a grouchy old granny? Shut up and listen.

I don't care if you want to create something to guard your magical cards-- creating those was bad enough, they do have personalities that will persist after you are gone-- or if you're lonely, or if you want children.

--No, that doesn't mean I'm going to give you children. In fact, you're sleeping on the floor tonight, you creep. I'm serious.

You don't mess with these kind of forces, Clow. I've seen what they do to people. If you create life, life will consume you. Equivalent exchange, remember? That's how this shop works. You can't give enough to justify creation.

--What did I give for Maru and Moro? That is my own business. And they can never leave the shop, anyway. They're pretty far from being the creatures you want to create.

I won't do it, Clow. I can't do it. But since you've asked so nicely, bring me a bottle of your best wine-- I know you have some left over from our last big argument, that will be nice-- and I'll start drawing you the sigils.

Young people are stupid, because they don't give up when a reasonable person asks them to. You're just going to hurt yourself, Clow. You're just going to hurt them.

--Yes, you're going to hurt me too, fool. That's a stupid question. For some reason I care about you.

--Right, that's why, I'd forgotten. Love or some other strong emotion. Now, go get me some wine. Maybe I can justify this later if I'm stinking drunk.

You owe me, Reed.