nulli secunda

[witch_perfect]

Alli's out of Lethe's Bramble again. She found a reference to a potion- almost like a memory purge but backwards, it's a memory aid. But she keeps getting it wrong, and all she has to show for it is a lack of potion ingredients and distinct difficulty remembering the last three books she read.

She planned for that, at least; they're not school books or anything. But she wants to get this potion right,and more importantly, she wants to have it done before exams. So today she can be found in the Magic Box, digging through the herb selections.

"Ugh, least organized spices ever," she mutters to herself.

Comments

[keyed_up]

"What, really? No wonder I can't find rose quartz. Thanks."

[witch_perfect]

"No problem, been there." She pricks her finger on something-or-another's thorns, swears violently in surprise, and is promptly distracted by the sight of her goal. "Yes! Finally, Lethe's Bramble." She snatches it, standing victoriously, and promptly smacking her head on the edge of the counter. "...ow."

[keyed_up]

"Are you okay?" asks the girl. "...What's the Lethe's Bramble for?"

[witch_perfect]

"What do I want it for, or what will it wind up doing?" Alli asks sourly. "Because let me tell you, this is batch number five this week."

She isn't about to go into much detail. Most of the teenage girls who come to the Magic Box are here to giggle and buy 'healing crystals' and feel edgy, and Alli has no desire to explain the memory aid potion to some random Wicca wannabe with no magical abilities whatsoever. If the girl sounds like she knows what she's talking about- maybe. Alli could use some new ideas at this point. But 'rose quartz' isn't much to go on either way.

She rubs her head gingerly. "Think I'm good, but thanks. Just surprised me."

[keyed_up]

"I mostly meant what you want it for, although I'm curious about the other thing too. I need rose quartz for like ten things, none of which I want to do this week, but if I don't spend my allowance on magic stuff now I'll wind up with none left when I do get around to the spells."

[witch_perfect]

Huh. Alli can't even come up with ten ways to use rose quartz. "What kind of spells take rose quartz?"

[keyed_up]

"I have this whole book of stuff to do with various crystals. It's with all different other ingredients, of course, there's nothing for using it alone, that would be too budget-friendly."

[witch_perfect]

"Yeeeah, if you wanted a budget-friendly hobby, you might wanna rethink the 'magic' part."

[keyed_up]

"Ugh, it's not even really fun, it's just - you know? My sister would do it herself but she can't make anything behave."

[witch_perfect]

Alli shrugs. "Not everyone can do it. Magic's funny like that."

It usually runs in families, but magic is hardly known for its stellar consistency (see: Alli's current potion-making struggles). And although both Alli and her sister have the knack for it, their mother does not, for which Alli emphatically thanks her daily deity regularly.

"Have you come here before? I don't think I've seen you."

[keyed_up]

"I've been here like one time before, Sunday before last? I think I might have seen you at school."

[witch_perfect]

"Yeah, probably. Hooky's not my style. You a freshman?"

It's a reasonable assumption, the girl's not familiar.

[keyed_up]

"Sophomore. You?"

[witch_perfect]

"Junior. Sophomore? I didn't think I was that bad with the frosh last year. Is one of your spells invisibility? Cause damn, that would be awesome and I want to see your spell book."

[keyed_up]

"Oh, no, no, I wasn't here last year. Or even last semester."

[witch_perfect]

"Well. Welcome to Sunnydale, then! Damn, now I'm torn. 'Hooray, I'm not that oblivious' against 'damn it, invisibility sounded wicked.'"

[keyed_up]

"I found something that purports to do it, but it was vague and complicated and needs four full-length mirrors."

[witch_perfect]

"Pfff. Cause what witch doesn't have four full length mirrors just lying around the house?"

[keyed_up]

"I have six! In the attic. Collecting dust. Just in case I needed them for something, you know?"

[witch_perfect]

"Man, you know what would really be nice to have in the house? Plants." She sighs. "Except that I cannot keep things alive worth shit. So, digging through unsorted spice boxes every three days for more Lethe's Bramble. It's my new hobby all by itself."

[keyed_up]

"What is it that you want it for, though?"

[witch_perfect]

Alli considers her, and gives her a tentative 'probably not just screwing around' pass. "Memory potion. Want to take a look at the recipe? I keep messing the damn thing up, and forgetting things is getting reeeeeeally old. I could use more eyes."

[keyed_up]

"Well, I can, but I haven't really gone into potions. A memory-helping potion? Or did you have a really bad day?"

[witch_perfect]

Alli smiles rather dryly. "Well, I would like it to be a memory aid potion. So far, no luck. Negative luck? Whatever winds up with me missing half the damn plot of the last book I read." She winks. "Planned ahead on that, though. I can live with forgetting how Countess Mountvale helps her family- um- her husband? Sister? Whatever, there's a jewelry heist."

Or possibly a painting heist. She thinks.

"You see what I mean, though?"

[keyed_up]

"It sounds like you had to read it for English class and there were no potions involved."