Leora studied the buildings towering over them with endless windows and skylights. The city seemed to be powered strictly by machines. The Bustle of the city included car horns, steam whistling, and cogs turning. The streets were crawling with many fashionable people. Since it the sun was up the only ones about included wizards, witches, humans, and sires. But nevertheless the city thrived and was full of life as well as cars. 'There isn't a coach or carriage in sight.' Leora thought. The roads were just as smooth as the mansions. Leora was taken away with the sight.
"Now, about that spell." Ollie reminded her. "Our first stop is to see a lovely witch named Celeste. She is long dear friend of mine and I trust she'll fix us right up." Leoras brow furrowed and her eyes narrowed a bit annoyed. She simply acknowledge the words and went back to gazing out the window. She admired the people and architecture. Reaching a narrowing path. They approached apart of the city that seemed like a ghost town. Ollie made a turn down a dark ally that made Leora a bit nervous. He stopped in front of a shop with a large purple door and brick steps at the front. He parked the car then walked around to assist Leora. She looked out the window up at the shops creaking sign. It read "Witches and Wenches Potion Emporium." Ollie opened her side, scooping her in his arms walking up the steps.
On the door was a large painted eye. "If you would ring, darling." Tilting his head at the doorbell. Leora nodded grabbing the pull chain. The door opened instantly. Ollie looked around before ushering the two inside. He carried her thought then let her down on the maroon carpeted floor. Leora turned to remove her hood to inspect the shop. A brass candle lit chandelier stood in the center of the room. Black oak shelves filled with potions wrapped around the building. With a matching desk at it's center.
Taking in her surroundings Leora heard a woman's humming coming from a back room. Ollie approached the desk leaning up against it with his elbow. He removed his hat. And rubbed his index finger against the wooden inspecting it for dust. 'A butlers habit?' Leora thought. Hearing the same tune. He smiled slyly and began to whistle it back in sync. Once the woman realized she had customers, she stopped. But Ollie kept going. Finally she emerged from two swinging doors. Grabbing her desk edge to guide towards the whistling man stopping in front of him. Ollie faced her finishing the tune. She smiled. "Oliver McKenzie." She said. "Celestine." He cooed.
Leora determined by the woman's movements she was blind. She wore a purple lace wrap around her eyes. Was decorated in golden jewelry. And her hair was black, in two lush pigtails. Leora got closer when she stopped in just behind Oliver. Taking in more detail the woman had two tattoos on the top of her hands. One to match the eye on the front door and the other was a witches star.
The woman sensed Leora approaching "You've brought company." She commented "And some good honest work. We require your immediate assistance Madame Celestine." He continued "I'm afraid miss Leora is in need of a slight makeover and a concealing spell." He said leaning back off the desk placing his hat back on. "In hiding are we?" Remarked Celeste with a smile. Turning in the Leoras direct "Come child." She Beckoned. Ollie gave a reassuring nod. The girl approached closer. Celeste extended the hand with the eye tattoo to her. Taking the woman's hand in return the witch made a slight gasp "My, my." She paused "Oliver darling what have you gotten yourself into." She sighed releasing the girls hand. He ignored the question. "Can you do it?" He asked. The woman scoffed "Of course I can! What do you take me for? Some carnival gypsy?!" Giving a slight chuckle she continued "It's going to cost you." She turned serious. "I expected nothing less." Oliver replied.
"Ten sapphires and 50 golden cogs." She quoted. Nearly fainting at the price "Bloody hell woman!" He scoffed. Gaining his composure once more. He sighed, looking back at Leora "Fine." He agreed. "Wonderful! Come with me." She signaled the girl gleefully. Using the edge of her desk to make her way through to the back room. Ollie and Leora followed close behind. Before entering Celeste stopped "Only her. I'm afraid we need quality girl to girl time darling." Oliver paused his eyes turned dark stepping forward. Leora felt his intent become murderous. His tone turned cold. "Bugger your tricks witch! Listen here. I am not to let that girl out of my sight under any circumstance. Now is not the time to play games with me." He growled.
Celeste let out a laugh. "Dear me, Oliver. You have changed since the last we spoke. Fine. Follow her like a dog if you must. But stay out of my way." She warned motioning them both to come along.
Oliver relaxed a bit fighting his fangs from elongating. He turned towards Leora who seemed shaken by the scene. Pausing "I won't apologize." Oliver remarked. Leora blinked standing still. He walked towards her and held his arm out for her to take it. "My lady." He cooed. Putting her a bit more at ease. She took his arm as they walked through the doubles doors.
The back room was set up similar to the front of the shop. There was a spiral stair case to the right near a fireplace. A glass dome crowned the ceiling letting in the daylight. A round table a the centered the room aligned with the dome. Celeste had already begun pulling some potions from the shelves and had set them on the counter. She rummaged through a drawer pulling out a small jar. She seemed to let the hand with the eye tattoo hover around to find her ingredients.
"Brandon!" Celeste called. A crow flew down from the dome landing on her arm. "Ah, sweet boy." She said lovingly while petting the crows head "Fetch me a fresh lemon leaf." She whispered. It flew out on her command to an opening of the dome. "Now then, come here Leora." She said in the girls direction. Ollie nudged her forward for reassurance. "From what I understand of your kind, you have white skin and silver hair. A very rare and distinguishable beauty. Such a shame having to conceal it." She said. Then turning towards Olivier. "You know nothing can be done about her eyes." She addressed. "I'm well aware Celeste." He replied plainly. "Right then, drink this. It will bring a little color to the skin." Celeste instructed placing a tube of potion on the desk. "As for you hair. We could just color it?" Celeste suggested. "No." Oliver interrupted. "We won't be back. Make it permanent." He said firmly. "Mhm. I did acquire a curtain magical comb as a trade recently. Wouldn't hurt to give it a try. Unfortunately I cannot see but anyone can use it. And I'm sure Oliver wouldn't mind volunteering." She teased. "Of course not." He was quick to reply. "I'll be back then." She said wondering towards the stairs. Leora saw the woman grab the railing to guide her up. When she was out of sight. Leora looked back at Ollie. His back was turned and eyes wondered the shelves. "What color were you thinking my dear. You may have any of your choosing." Ollie asked. Leora thought a moment "You choose." She Responded softly. He stopped to look back giving a devilish grin. "Are you sure love?" He questioned her.
Celeste made her way back down the stairs with a wooden box in hand. She laid it on the counter. Ollie walked towards it. His hand opening the box. He pulled out the comb inspecting it. "Hm. Very plain." he remarked "Looks can be deceiving Oliver." Celeste argued. "Indeed." He smiled looking at Leora. The girl walked forward grabbing the tubed potion. She uncorked it taking a sip. "All of it." hearing Celeste. She lifted the tube upward to finish the potion. After a few seconds she began coughing frantically. In a bit of a panic she clutched her throat. Her knees sank to the floor. Oliver bent down to her aide. "Damn blind witch!" He hissed glaring at her. "No, dear. Everyone coughs on their first potion." She corrected him annoyed. The witches remark barely soothed Oliver. She could have at least given warning. Leora caught her breath as Oliver helped her stand again. Her skin had turned to a lively pale complexion with a slight pink hue. Very human like.
The crow announced his return with an eerie caw landing on the desk. Celeste held out her hand allowing the bird to drop the herb into her palm. She brought it to her face to smell. She took a deep refreshing breath. "Aaah. Time for tea." She said walking away towards her caldron at the hearth. The bird flew to meet her perching on a post. Oliver grabbed a stray chair from the corner and placed it in front of him. "Leora." He called with his hand extended. She walked towards him taking a seat. Ollie gently lifted her hair out from her cloak revealing the untamed silver mess underneath. "Hm. Let's see." he said pondering the color. "Ah ha!" He blurted as he started the comb at the crown of her head. He brushed it downward. Noticing some knots here and there from the wind and rain. He worked them out gently all the while focusing on the color. The comb began to glow. And her hair began to change to an ash blonde. He smiled at the color "I wanted to resemble your hair color as much as humanly possible." He said admiring his handy work. Celeste came back with a single cup of tea. "I believe you forgot me as well Celestine." Oliver commented placing the comb back in its box. "Bugger off Ollie." Replied the witch. Leora reached for the tea smelling it's floral aroma. "The tea will soothe your throat and the pain of the concealing spell." Leora flinched a bit. "Pain?" She repeated. "It's a spell that requires fire sorcery. A very ancient kind at that. But ancient is what you want to conceal the presence of a rare entity such as yourself. It's guaranteed until broken." Leoras eyes widened 'Rare?' She had heard the term too many times today. She shifted her gaze towards Ollie then back to Celeste "Very well." She agreed then chugged the tea.
Celeste nodded once then called over her raven. It flew, landing on her arm. She quickly grabbed it by the neck snapping and twisting to rip the head off. Oliver took Leora's hand and pulled her close if she needed to look away. But Leora was unfazed. She felt the witches intentions and it had to be done. Celeste grabbed a small piece of parchment in the corner with a quil. And began to draw a symbol in the ravens blood. She grabbed a jar of ash. Sprinkling it's contents toping the blood etched symbol. "Ash of the Phoenix and blood of a descendant." She whispered. "It will be on the top of your foot." She said in the direction of Leora. The girl nodded. Walking forward away from Ollie she placed her right foot on top of the desk. Celeste laid the paper on top of the girls foot then grabbed a lit candle to light the paper. The paper burned hot but disintegrated when it met the Phoenix ash. Leora cried out in pain with tears gathering in her eyes. Oliver rushed to her side. She grabbed the sides of coat to pull him closer. His arm wrapped tight around her. He eyes lowered feeling sorry for what she had to go through. "It is done." Celeste confirmed. Oliver reached in his pocket tossing a satchel containing the witches payment on the desk. He gathered Leora in his arms and headed strait for the door without another word.