“Okay, good.” Rosemary smiles as they approach the playground. Once they arrive, both of the children are put down and they take off. “Thanks for coming with me. It’s hard to keep up with them on my own because of the belly and all…”
Seeing the children take off at the playground brings a smile to Saima’s face. “You’re very welcome. It was the least I could really do to help you and the kids get out of the house for a little while.”
he’s surprised by Saima’s admission; the NERVOUS part, if not the rest. “ yeah, but that makes sense. you never know how people are gonna react to it. especially people who have no idea what’s going on in the world… I mean, really going on. magic and all that… ” there was a time in his life where he might’ve thought Saima was nuts. when you spend your whole life being told the supernatural is just in stories, it’s hard to process that kind of information…
and as much as he’d like to say to that ‘appearance doesn’t matter’, anybody who had lived in this world as long as Saima would know that, unfortunately, that platitude is kinda bullshit. but he could at least tell his personal truth: “ but anybody important– anybody actually worth going out with– isn’t gonna care about that, though; what you are, or what you look like. it’s nothing to be nervous about! ”
They give a slight nod. “Heh, you never know is right. Imagine being a paganish influence during the height of Christian conversion – and although your people held out for a long time, a lot of them did still turn. Made things real complicated, real fast.” Some of those memories are still a little exhausting to even think about. “But yeah even afterwards, people who aren’t inclined to suspect there’s anything more to this world will probably just say you’re mad.” Which.. isn’t all the way wrong in many ways.
“True. But when you’ve had an underlying discomfort with yourself that you didn’t recognize until relatively recently, it’s a lot. And frankly changing has been the best thing I’ve done for myself lately.“
“Ah, do you think it’s a being lurking below the surface – or something has changed the water itself?” Maybe even both, nothing was outside the realm of possibility these days.
fair enough! making love potions was a pretty innocuous way to make money. he could do much worse… “ ‘guess so. it’s not like I’m making curses. ” some witches weren’t opposed to the practice in exchange for money. and truthfully, he wasn’t either, but only under the right circumstances. and those were rare. “ I mean, I would, but only if I knew they really deserved it. most people just wanna curse their ex because they broke up or something. it’s like, go key their car, listen to some sad music, and let it go, like a normal person! what do they need MAGIC for? ” at least he was entertaining Saima. he didn’t find the work particularly exciting, but he supposed basic potions like this were so rudimentary to him that it became unnoteworthy. for one who doesn’t make them often, it might be relatively interesting. maybe he should explain what he’s doing a little more, for Saima– ?
but he gets distracted by their words, looking at them in disbelief. “ YOU get nervous, too? but you’re like, an immortal being! what do you have to be nervous about– ?! you’re cool! ”
“Hah, right. You don’t need magic to get over a breakup – even if it might be tempting.” They couldn’t help but laugh a little bit about the idea of keying someone’s car – now that was a way to make your mark, really and truly. It was still interesting to watch the process, they had seen people create little portions for others.
“Oh yeah, I definitely get nervous. Ahah – glad that you think I’m cool. But I’ve actually had a long period where I was hiding a lot of my true nature from people and was nervous about not really able to live in my divinity truly. I’m coming out of it but..it’s a process. And also I’ve changed my appearance a lot in the last few years – so I had some nerves about the way I previously presented being inadequate to the point where I just..needed to change.“
“ yeah… I’m kinda broke right now. desperate times… ” very desperate, apparently. there’s something very juvenile about making a love potion, like a fourteen year old girl who found her very first spellbook. although, to be fair, he probably would’ve done this when he was that age, too. thankfully, he hadn’t discovered magic until a few years later; ‘saved himself the embarrassment… “this is ‘Babies First Potion’ stuff right here.
‘bottom of the barrel witchcraft… ‘sorry you have to see me like this, Saima. I swear I can do magic
way cooler
than this! ” he’s half-joking. but at least his apartment smells nice and rosy now. “ anyway, I felt kinda bad for the girl who asked me to make it. she’s never been on a date before and she’s super nervous about messing it up. I mean, we’ve all been there, right? I couldn’t say no, so… here we are.
”
“Yeah, yeah. There is much worst you could be doing in desperate times.. so I can’t hold it against you.” Something like this felt relatively harmless at least when it was controlled and done well. “You don’t have to apologize to me. While I know you’re capable of stronger magic, even the little things is pretty chill to witness. Besides the smell is pretty pleasant.” They respond with a bit of a smile, nodding in sympathy when Tida mentions the poor girl who asked for the potion in the first place.
“I do too. I can imagine why her nerves would lead her to resort to this as a way to make things easier for her. So I get where she’s coming from definitely.“
“This is Amsterdam. All of your wildest fantasies come true, here. Even the food-based varieties.” Lilli pulled out her phone and began to search for that little restaurant she and Jan passed by the other morning. It wasn’t too far of a walk from home, thank goodness.
“You don’t mind walking, do you? Whatever the temperature is outdoors, I’m sure it is not nearly as cold as it is back home for you.”
“Oh of course, I should have known.“ The benefits of being in Amsterdam, they supposed – so much food from all over. There’s really no reason not to take in the variety of options around here.
“I don’t mind walking at all. Yeah, I’m used to much cooler weather at home so I’m sure I should be pretty comfortable regardless of the conditions.“
“Oh, I figured you would not mind. You, kleiner Baum, are endlessly selfless. It shames me every time I think upon it.” The clothes would simply be sacrificed to Helios’ whims for the time being. Lilli knew she would have to take not only an iron but also a lint roller to them all when she came back.
“Now, where would you like to eat? I know of some charming little bistros but of course there are other restaurants. We could go with something entirely different if you want. I’ve heard of this new thing…it is pho? Am I saying it right? It is supposed to be good soup.”
“Hah, it’s just that I’m good at keeping quiet about the moments where I’m not so selfless.“ Those were moments Saima preferred to keep somewhat private – although maybe they should express their needs a little more often. Maybe.
“Hm.. there’s a pho place nearby? I’d definitely be game for that. It’s certainly not new at all but – that’ll be pretty fun to have. Don’t quote me on the pronunciation, I have looked it up but it’s still not perfect.“
[Text]: Good evening. I hope this finds you well. This might sound somewhat strange, but I’ve been thinking about you a lot recently…. would you like to go for a drink?
[text] Good evening.
[text] although I have a few doubts about you actually thinking of me/
“ okay, I promise I don’t usually make these. I know it’s about as cliche as you can get, but I don’t even use this stuff.” he’s awfully defensive about it though, isn’t he? “ it’s not for me. someone offered to pay for one, and I’m kinda broke, so… ” here he is. making an actual, literal, LOVE POTION. “ I don’t get it. if you can’t make someone like you the old-fashioned way, it’s not worth it… ” he’s trying not to think about the moral implications of such a thing, although, he obviously is, since he feels the need to justify himself– “ anyway, don’t worry. it’s just temporary! like, it’ll only last long enough to get her through ONE date. . . is that still weird? I don’t know… ” he throws a few roses into the bowl, but realizes he probably should have a little more faith in the process of what he’s doing, or else he might mess up the potion. the energy you’re putting out matters with the creation of these things… “ I’m sure it’s fine, ” he assures, to himself more than anything. “ it’s like a test drive. what if the guy turns out to be a total douchebag when he’s in love? now she’ll know to run!”
Ah, the process of making some kind of love potion. Brings back a lot of memories for Saima of those trying some kind of charm or spell to try and get the attention of their beloved. Very weird ethics but at least an entertaining concept. “Can’t blame you for doing something to get paid. And it’s only for one date? That’s not too bad – at least she’ll get a picture of what he’s like and be able to tell for sure if she’s interested in pursuing him further. I mean…it’s still weird either way. But I’d strongly prefer such potions to have a very limited time limit if they’re going to be made.”
Seekesotsibteadmist 