A young lady pushed open a door and stepped into a room. She had heard rumors from many of her friends about the woman who had moved in here.
From the rumors the woman was a cut above the apothecaries around, in fact from the words alone the woman might have very well been a witch herself.
The young lady took a look around the room and saw it was just as she imagined it to be, with a burgundy carpet rug centered before her. She could barely see the wallpaper on the wall due to the dim lighting from the gas lamps.
Thick incense formed what seemed to be a fog further disorienting her senses.
"Welcome, please come, have a seat".
The young lady looked ahead and before her stood a beauty. With her long black hair reaching down to her shoulders, the young lady was shocked, confused and in awe as the cloud of incense seemed to gain a mind of its own avoiding the lady.
The two sat at a table facing one another when the young lady decided to introduce herself, "my name is Eva".
"Nice to meet you Eva, I am Cleo. So, how can I help you?" Cleo's voice was a soothing one with each word drawing Eva's thoughts to a lull, strangely reminiscent of her own mother's voice. As Eva focused on the person before her she realized Cleo wore a smile that seemed too enchanting to be real.
"Uhm... well there is this gentleman. He is a handsome man and well to do and..." Eva looked up from her hands and into the golden eyes before her, Eva at this moment felt a pang of envy.
The longer she took in the woman's beauty, the more her envy grew threatening to turn to something ugly. "You would love for him to look at you the same way you do him?" Cleo flashed Eva a knowing smile that snapped Eva out of her spiral.
"Yes" Eva was quick to respond as her cheeks gained a rosy color. "Not to worry I have just what you need", Cleo stood and took a few steps towards a cupboard.
Eva noticed how the fog continued to part for Cleo as she made her way to the cupboard. Arriving before the cupboard, Cleo opened it and run her gloved fingers across the vials arranged neatly.
She murmured the names written on the vials before coming to a stop, "ah here it is". With the vial at hand she returned to her seat before Eva, who was now staring hard at the vial in Cleo's hands.
"This will help you with what you want. All you have to do is apply a little on your person, once he gains a whiff of that he won't be able to stop thinking of you".
Cleo placed the vial before Eva who immediately reached out for it. "Thank you", "Your welcome, that would be four silver pieces".
"Yes. Yes. Of course" Eva was quick to bring out her purse and pull out the four silver pieces, handing them over.
Cleo took a quick glance to be sure they were real before flashing a bright smile. Cleo parted her lips to speak when her door was burst open.
Four men marched in all holding batons with swords on the hips. They wore navy blue outfits with black armor that had their edges laced with gold above it. The town guards had made their appearance.
Eva who had never committed a crime before was quick to her feet as she stared at the officers. Her forehead was soon covered in sweat with her heart pounding against her ribcage.
The town guards spared her but a glance before focusing on Cleo who was seated. She calmly put away the money she had received in a purse before stuffing said purse in her cleavage.
The guards who were following her actions with their eyes found their eyes fixed on her bosom. It was not particularly large nor small but rather it gave off an inexplicable feeling that it was perfect. It felt as though if it was a tad bigger or smaller it would feel off.
"Cleo Anastasius, by order of the town council you are under arrest for the illegal practice of Alchemy"
"Under arrest?" Cleo stood up and straightened her clothes. The guards readied their batons with some moving their hands to their swords.
"I'm afraid I must disagree" Cleo snapped her fingers causing the incense in the room to come alive and turning into a green ghastly flame that caused all present to let out cries as they moved to safety.
In a few seconds the green flames disappeared alongside Cleo and her cabinet of vials leaving the witnesses stunned as to what just happened.