12 [hologram]; Czeslaw Meyer Schemes, Enterprises, And Seeks To Change Locations

[czes]

[Oh, how cute is little 'Benjamin' in a little labcoat and a bow tie? He's looking very smiley with a clipboard that seems oversized in his hands.]

So, Valentine's Day is coming up. And I've noticed kind of a trend around holidays. I'm sure some of you have been in that situation - you go out on Valentine's Day, or around Christmas, or Canada Day or whatever, and suddenly you meet a total stranger and just think he's the cat's pajamas. Or worse, you find your honey pitching woo to the milkman! It's not your fault, right? There's always spells, and potions, and strange airborne substances manipulating your heart... and everything else. If you've lived very long in Siren's Port, chances are you might feel powerless to the effects of the occasional mischeivous love spell.

I've come up with a solution.

[He shows off a small glass vial.]

This is an elixir that will ward off all enchantments, airborne aphrodiacs, drugged-up free food samples, the projections of empaths and everything in between. One dose lasts about 30 hours and has no long-term side effects. If you'd like a vial to ingest in preperation of what will likely the toxic mindfield of Valentine's Day, I'll sell you one for a special Newcomer discount of $225. That's $25 off retail price.

I know that this whole thing might not seem credible, coming from a kid and all, but I'm a trained alchemist and I've been doing this kinda thing basically since I learned how to read. I've done extensive testing and I guarantee this elixir will work.

That being said - serious inquiries only, please. And if you've got a reputation as a psycho or a crook, I'm not giving you anything. So keep that in mind.

[pause]

While I've got your attention, who's in charge of the boarding house I used to live at? It used to belong to Minako, and then it moved to Rin... I'm not sure who's in charge of it now. [slight frown]

I wanted to know if I could have my old room back.


[OOC: So here's the deal! The anti-love potion will indeed do what's on the tin - it will protect you from any kind of love spells, mind or emotion altering effects of drugs or psychic abilities, and other such thing. The thing is that it does this by elimating emotion entirely for 30 hours. So yeah, you'll be guaranteed being protected from any unwanted feelings of love or lust... or anything else.

Keep an eye out, because there could be some problem when he releases this elixir to the general public!]

Comments

[magnetic_magpie]

[He's irritated because he does know what he's doing, thank you.]

I'm aware he'll turn on me once I outlive my usefulness Czeslaw, this is hardly the first time I've been in this situation. Lucifer and I have an agreement. He's not going to harm my children.

As for isolating me...he can try. It won't work. He's not trying to hurt me. But he will try to push others - like you - if they react to him.

[czes]

Oh, so it's my fault for reacting to him? You invited someone who deliberately went out of his way to mock and hurt me into our condo, Erik, and I should not be pushed by this? I should accept your friendship and smile and adjust?

You cannot truly be that obtuse, but the only other conclusion I can come to is that you're bored of me and wish me gone as much as he does. It's clear he's of more use to you than I ever was anyway, so I guess that's just how it goes.

Do not think for a moment that my decision to leave has nothing to do with you. It is all you. To be safe from the Rail Tracer I would have to remain in the house at all times, and I could not bear to with things as they are. I'd rather take my chances with him than be made a joke of by you.

[magnetic_magpie]

I didn't invite him in Czeslaw. The Sigils baring him from entering were broken by someone who really out ranks me. I'm not picking that fight. I'm not.

And yes, that was enough to push. You reacted. And are now overreacting before I have a chance to do anything about it.

[Crossly]

I'm not making a joke out of you. What do you think is going on between him and I?

[czes]

So basically we don't have any control over whether he's going to be in our condo, [yes it's still 'our' condo even as he plans to leave] fawning all over you like some kind of dog, and you're not picking that fight? You're enamored with him, I can tell! The night the snowglobes came, you were out with him, and I-- [He breaks off, his voice going low.]

I have to go, Erik.

[magnetic_magpie]

As long as he's not hurting anyone? No I'm not picking that fight.

Enamoured? Czeslaw he's...you don't - can't - understand what he is, in terms of my senses. If he is anywhere close he's almost blinding.

The snowglobes? I was...yes I was with him. He was repairing damage from my seeing something I wasn't supposed to see. I could barely crawl, he was taking care of me.

[His tone bounced between confused and incredulous.]

Fine, if you want to go, go.

[czes]

[bitterly] First you say he's harmless, then you say he's almost blinding. I don't know what to believe. I don't know why you wouldn't find someone who could have that much power over you inherently suspicious.

I guess I shouldn't ask you what happened that night. [It would make a hypocrite of him to be angry Erik hadn't told him, after all.] I'm sorry I wasn't there for you.

[magnetic_magpie]

I said he wouldn't hurt anyone in the house. I never said he was harmless. He isn't.

And I do find him suspicious. Or did you miss the charm I wore for a while to hide myself from him?

Nothing to be sorry for. There wasn't anything you could have done.

[czes]

I could have been there for you when you were suffering. But I suppose there would be no point if I am not useful.

[magnetic_magpie]

I'm rather like a cat - if you can't fix it and I'm ill or injured, I want to be left alone. I simply get worse around people, because I hide that I need help. That doesn't work with him, because he calls me on it if I lie.

[czes]

...I see. [His voice shakes at that.]

I don't want to talk on here anymore. I have work to do. You know where to find me if you need me for anything.

[magnetic_magpie]

As you do I.