That actually makes him laugh, although it's just as humorless as his threatening smile. Howl leans over and curls his arm around Misa's mid-back, planting his hand on her waist and pulling up slightly, to bring her face level.

"Oh? Is that what you think of me? I can be quite a monster when I want to be. And when I don't."

Howl narrows his marble-like blue eyes at Misa and presses his fingertips into her side. He seems to be signaling that he isn't going to drop her just yet — the fact that the petrification has stopped certainly helps Misa's case.

The wizard jabs a pointed finger at his fossilized leg and abdomen. "Undo this and I'll put you back down."