She wasn't staying long, but Thalia still managed to get bored.

She was bored as anything, walking through the streets of the reclusive Zeinav City, having just departed from her now friend, Rosen. Thalia had a day or so be in the city, unsure how long exactly she was planning on staying. It was a nice place, be there no confusion, but the moon elf was completely and utterly exhausted of stimuli.

Where she stood now was by a bar, stepping out whilst her pallid, chalky skin and just as pale hair reflected the sun's rays. Thalia squinted up at the sun, irritated, smiled when she saw something coming her way; a songbird griffin, black and sleek with green and blue feathers shimmering in the light, resembling a magpie with black cat legs. It landed on her shoulder, a bit clumsy, before scrambling its way onto her shoulder, preening at her hair and the strap of her eye patch on.

“You have a good nap, Phi?” She crooned sweetly, kissing the small creature on the head and listening to his answering chirrups. The question now was what she did for the rest of the day. Thalia places her hands on her hips, sighing. Now that she had Phigaro with her, she had no reason to stay, right?

All thoughts of that paused and place when the moon elf saw something, or rather someone across the street. A woman, frazzled and looking every bit like the stereotype of an alchemist, was standing upside of her shop. Thalia had passed it a few times, the store decorated with chipped paint and potion bottles hanging from the door, the doorway framed in black wood. She had never seen the shop owner however, a fairly young human woman who was setting out a sign in the front. She quickly went back in, shutting the door behind her, but Thalia was curious.

She walked across the street, humming in intrigue. Thalia stared a little closer at the flyer, hands in her pocket as she leaned forward to read it, Phigaro mimicking her but being unable to read. “‘Help Wanted: testing out some new product before it’s ready for sale. Original creations - completely free to try! Will be paid for assistance. – Bathilda’s Wonderous Cove.’ ...Hm. Super not sketchy at all.”

Thalia took a step back to think, tilting her head thoughtfully (Phigaro copying her.) Then, a too wide grin pulled at her cheeks, warping the scar on her jaw. “Sounds fun! C’mon, Phi. We might as well find something to do out here.” With a chirrup of the same three notes that he always sang, Thalia pushed the door open, whistling as the spark of something new to do fueled her day.

Wandering through the town was a tall male, his eyes two vibrant yet different colors, dressed in light breathable clothes as he strummed his lute singing a tune "...She'll destroy with a sweet kiss, her sweet kiss, but the story is this, she'll destroy with a sweet kiss" he sang winking to a few people who looked his way. His voice was soft and sweet and upon his shoulder was his Songbird Griffon, Maestro on his shoulder whistling to the tune creating a harmony as they went. He was about to head to the tavern for some flirty fun and drinks before noticing the frazzled alchemist and decided he would investigate.

He wandered over, lute now on his back as he leaned his shoulder on the wall near her looking at one of the flyers she held "Free drinks hm? Well who am I to deny such a thing" he chuckled. He took one of the flyers and stepped into the shop looking around with a curious and mischievous look. He glanced around at the few others who seemed willing to participate, his eyes lingering on a few he found...pleasing to the eye. He was a stereotypical type bard from what could be seen after all.

Thalia entered the shop with an obnoxious clattering sound as she swung the door open, abrasive, a bell ringing somewhere overhead. So far the crowd was sparse, with only a select few brave enough to try an alchemist’s experimental potion. This was understandable, as the alchemist in question, Bathilda, seemed like a harried mess of components and lack of sleep schedule. She would be a pretty woman if she weren't so… chaotic. Thalia thought hypocritically, watching the woman greet the select few people that had come in.

Thalia also vaguely registered someone coming in with her, though she paid them no mind. She heard a voice, masculine in origin, but processed none of the words as she made her way inside. A few people were standing around right now from all walks of life, the moon elf standing aside with her magpie griffin perched peacefully on her shoulder, preening her hair.

Bathilda saw Thalia come in, and she quickly rushed over to shake her hand. She smelled of several things that made Thalia grimace, a full body shudder wracking her body as the alchemist began thanking her in abundance for coming: “I'm so grateful that you've come in! Thank you so much for your kindness, I can't thank you enough! Just stay right here and I will—" Bathilda suddenly stopped aggressively shaking Thalia’s hand to take interest in someone else who had entered.

The alchemist rushes over to Maren, repeating the same thing and long line of thanks. “Thank you so much for coming in, I'm so grateful! You will not regret it, I promise! This is all experimental, but who says one cannot learn? Please please, come!” She gently ushered him inside, smiling.

Thalia couldn't help her minutes annoyance at being promptly overwhelmed and then slighted within what felt like two seconds, but the feeling didn't persist. She was too eager for something to do today, it couldn't be that bad, right?

Thalia looked over her shoulder, hands on her hips at the individual who had entered with her. More masculine figure, tall...oh gods, he has a lute. Thalia knew a bard when she saw one, and immediately averted eye contact. She had known of many a bard in her travels, and thankfully it was only a matter of knowing of. She had no problems against music and musicians, and in fact enjoyed their work. Then again, Thalia reminded herself, I could just be completely ignorant. She shrugged, reaching up to scratch Phigaro’s head as he began toying with her bangs.

Maren looked around as he entered with a small chuckle as he looked around, eyes looking over the others who offered to help. He then glanced around seeing he was a little tall in the small home "Mind if I change to a more comfortable form?" he questioned before changing to her female form, which was smaller and curvier. She hadn't waited for an answer but it was a nice change especially since it had been a while since they had felt their feminine form was the more comfortable one.

She giggled a little at some amazed looks from a few people and she moved to the testing table. Of course with the beads it made it a bit easier but thanks to her changeling nature she could be more comfortable with how she chose to look. "so then, the potion testing?" she asked with a curious tilt of her head. Her outfit had slackened to cover everything needed as it ha been tight on the male form, on the female form however it was more flowy and a bit longer. Maren then tucker her hair behind her ears and waited for the testing to begin. She was quite curious of what it was meant to do and what it would do

Thalia watched the changeling shift, and she immediately averted her eye, using her hand to block her view out of respect. She was vaguely wondering about their markings and appearance, seeing them transform so easily in front of a crowd of people felt…odd, in all honesty. Like Thalia wasn’t supposed to see it. Then again, Thalia reminded herself, I could be being completely ignorant.

Bathilda looked to be just as effected by such a transformation, her eyes going wide until she comically shook her head. “Ah! Right! Everyone, I have three concoctions for you to try. I have a neutralizer on standby if something goes…awry. W-Which it won’t!” The alchemist began and scrambled over to the test table, a puce colored liquid that smelled of something almost too sugary was poured into several tiny vials.

The woman passed them around, giving a vial to Maren first and holding her hand a little too long, before quickly scrambling to give it to everyone else. Thalia snorted, rolling her eyes at Bathilda's clumsiness, receiving her vial. Thalia swirled the liquid, watching people take a whiff of the concoction and either cringe or shrug. Thalia pushed Phigaro’s beak away when he tried to take it for himself, fascinated by the strange smelling liquid, and kept an eye on Bathilda.

“Alright everyone, this is supposed to be a quickening potion, but with a twist!” Bathilda began, looking entirely too excited. “It’s mixed with something to replicate the slipperiness of soap and oils for extra efficiency, so on three, knock it back!” Bathilda counts to three, and with a reserved grumble that ripples across the room, everyone in the room drank from their vials. Thalia took hers like a shot, cringing at the sugary taste and shaking her head. She could already feel the effects, her skin feeling slippery and too sticky. Was it supposed to get sticky??

Maren took it with a smile and tilted his head at the others lingering but she didnt mind. Once hearing the speech and the intended effect before knocking hers back making a little face at the strange taste before grimacing seeing the stickiness covering her body. "Is sticky also a part of it? Usually I dont need a potion for this" she remarked making a subtle inuendo as was in her nature. She certainly didnt feel too well. As she tried to step her feet hardly moved due to the stickiness, her leg however did move quicker when free. "Well there is the haste I suppose..." she added wondering how long the effects would last or if this was a good time for a neutralizer for such a thing. Certainly wasn't the most comfortable indeed. If the potion worked as desired she could certainly think of good uses for it at least in her mind but this was more a disadvantage with her skill sets if anything. With this in mind she waited to hear how to proceed and what would be the next concoction. She looked around to the others to see how they were faring in such a strange situation

Talia was not having a good time with the potion. In fact, she was having a horrible time, first gagging at the taste until suddenly her feet and hands felt like slippery suds, making her cringe. It did hasten her, as she soon found when she took a step forward to test it, but the after effects of slime and stick was… gross to say the least.

“Oh hell no, ewwww…” Talia complained, waving her hands and cringing altogether, as others around the room were in similar situations. One man, unfortunate as it was, had his entire body covered in the substance. Talia held back any joke that she could have made for only a split second before he slipped and fell, before she snorted, snickering into her hand. Phigaro was completely confused, staring around the room and chirruping in mild concern.

As the man fell, Bathilda rushed to his aid, the other is complaining about it. Injecting him with a needle, he started to revert back to normal, and the woman immediately began scribbling something down on a piece of paper. “Okay... too much glucose…” she noted aloud. “Please do not be alarmed, these are very small samples so they'll only last um… 5 minutes I think.” Bathilda eased unsurely, having the opposite effect on the crowd.

A few were grumbling about her incompetence, and Talia had to agree. Phigaro took a lick at her palm and immediately cringed away, making a strange sound between a strangled hiss and a crowing sound.

Maren kept still as she examined the chaos unfolding around her to the others. She did find it mildly amusing to see people slipping and sliding around and a few floundering around but she kept her thoughts and jokes to herself just glad that no one seemed truly hurt. She then sighed in relief as time wore down the effects of the potion until the substance seemed to slide off of her.

She sighed in relief and awaited to see what was next. It was quite interesting at the least. Not the worst way to get paid though not the best way either with some of what they did. She leaned back on the counter and awaited for it to wear off on everyone to see what was next up on the list of concoctions. she wondered just how many there would be and if she maybe should have confirmed how many potions they would be testing first and all that. For now She chose to wait and try and just see how it would all go. At least this little potion show would cause some fun and break up the monotany of the past few days and such. How fun

Sarne walked into the alchemy shop The man you see has soft features like an elf with a husky build. He is strong and has swift movements, making almost no sound as he walks. You can tell he is a nobleman in the way he presents himself, his armor, and his clothing. His piercing green eyes shine in the light. He stands almost 6 feet. His dirty blond hair is neat and well-kept. His skin is slightly tan showing the time he spent in the wilderness. Sarne is attractive and charming, knightly in his actions. The Harness he wars underneath the cloak, but over normal attire.

The fairly young human woman Bathilda stopped in her tracks and looked "My Lord! Welcome." She walked up to Sarne quickly and would have shook his hand vigorously like the others but a Dwarf in his 70s with a powerful build and stocky. Nordic looked intimidating all 4' 8" of him. His red-brown hair and hazel eyes. Good looking for a Dwarf. He is dressed He normally dresses in Black adventuring clothing with a black cloak.

Nordic stepped in front of Sarne Bathilda stopped with a growl from the dwarf. Bathilda smiled, "Ah yes Nordic, hello." said Bathilda. She looked up at Sarne “I'm so grateful that you've come in, My lord, and sit My Lord." said Bathilda. She got a few vials of potions and carried them over to Sarne.

Bathilda turned to the others "I will be with you in a moment." Turning back to Sarne "Try one you will like it." claimed Bathilda. The noble picked up a Vial and opened it smelled of honey. Sarne drank it down by his reaction it probably did not taste bad. Then his eyes got wide and he started to cough and glow like the sun as Sarne broke out in a sweat.

Bathilda looked surprised "Oh ops... Too much fire root." she commented. Sarne looked angered. "Fire root! you trying to kill me!" wheezed Sarne.

---

SPOILER: Click to show

Quest Name: Drink Up
Participants: Two or more
Location: Anywhere
Post Requirements: 5 post per person, 200 words per post
Reward: +1 Renown
Description: A local potion maker has crafted a set of new potions, many of them aimed at helping people, even if in strange ways. They are in need of a few testers, brave heroes willing to take a chance and test some of these potions. They are willing to pay a small fee and spread your name across Charon. Be warned however, these are untested potions and alchemist are known to try wacky things.

Maren turned seeing the knight enter a bit curious as they examined the other curiously, currently in their female form for the time being. She then turned her attention to the dwarf with them and tilted her head as she watched the interaction, the potions effects she had taken had worn off by now. He must be a high and mighty type by the way the shop keep tried to speak to him and practically prostrate herself before him with her eagerness and such. It was funny to the changeling. They had seen nobles but seeing the reaction of others to them was always interesting.

Maren then giggled seeing sarne glow and get angry over the fire root. She then skipped over and stood beside the shopkeep tilting her head “can’t handle a little heat sir knight?” She asked raising a brow some. To others they looked like an azarketi, one of the water. Upon their skin were faint glowing spots, one eye glowing red and the other a brilliant blue. A child of omen for sure having mismatched eyes, especially one being red. “I’m sure Miss bathilda was just excited for you to join the tasting with the rest of us”

"You can call me Sarne," He said looking at the Purplish Skin woman with Biolumiescent markings her blue whitish hair, One blue eye, and one red. "Some of it was testing and the other was a set of potions this alchemist was to make for me," explained Sarne looking a little unhappy.

Nordic growls. "No, Captain." The Dwarf tries to correct Sarne. "You may call him Captain, Lord Sarne, or Sir Sarne," remarked Nordic with a stern look. Sarne smiled "Nordic it is ok to relax," Sarne said with some authority in his tone. "To answer your question yes I can handle the heat I was just surprised by it," explained Sarne. "I heard this was a good shop and thought I would try it out." clarified Sarne with a smile. Sarne's skin color starts to return to normal color.

"What is your name?" asked Sarne politely. Bathilda placed another potion in front of him it was green and yellow swirled liquid in it. Sarne looked up at Bathilda then back at the potion then back at Bathilda. "What is that? posion?" asked Sarne looking nervous about the potion. Bathilda let out a laugh "NO, If I did that master Nordic would cut me in half I would think," she replied.

Nordic grins and lets out a laugh of his own "You are right Bathilda and if anything, let's say, pernement happens to the Captain. I will still cut you in half." warned Nordic leaning on his war axe for the extra intimidation factor.

Sarne took the potion and chugged it down. He made a few faces "Awww, that tasted repugnant, repugnant, vile like old dried-out frogs and dirty socks from Nordic." said Sarne with a sour face. His eyes flashed with light and He shook for a moment then Sarne let out a burp, then nothing. Sarne smiled, his eyes looking as if he had drank 20 cups of coffee. Sarne's hands started to shake and his foot taped the ground fast and repeatedly.

“I am Maren” they replied with a smile before looking to the dwarf rolling their eyes a little before changing to their male form.”sorry little dwarf but I think I’ll agree with your boss here”he remarked with a stern but calm look before his gaze returned to sarne “ah I see. She does have some very good potions. The testing phase is a little… troublesome though usually” he remarked thinking about previous tastings he had witnessed before.

Maren chuckled under his breath at the dwarfs words and actions. It reminded him of a chihuahua in a way. Fierce yet small.They then focused on the reaction the other was showing to the potion “well this is slightly unsettling. What kind of potion is this one supposed to be?” He questioned bathilda curiously glancing over to the woman curiously. This was a new reaction at least for Maren. Just what had the woman whipped up this time? He wondered tilting his head a little before turning his gaze back to sarne. In this form their clothes were a bit tighter and they were quite a bit taller and broader than their female form had been. Their eyes and skin remained the same however.

Sarne's eyes started to look around with a crazy look to them. Sarne jumped up onto the bench he was sitting on. He started to sprint around the room at incredible speeds. He did not even notice the transformation of Maren into a man. Sarne ran into things not being able to control the speed breaking tables and chairs there was a flash of light and Sarne glowed with a gold hue.

Nordic eyed the male Maren. "Nice trick lad. So what are you man or woman, neither?" asked Nordic questioning what just happened. "You looked better as a woman," Nordic remarked. "I am not sure you could stop me if I got angry." added Nordic with a grin. He watched Sarne bounce off things in the shop. Nordic let out a loud Laugh. "Now that's funny."

Sarne looked now sitting out of breath. "let me guess Speed potion?" asked Sarne. "I had to heal myself it almost ripped my muscles apart I can hardly move. the pain is still there," explained Sarne. "I need a break." He looks around at everyone. "Wait where is that cute girl, Maren? Who are you her bother?" asked Sarne looking at the Male Maren.

Maren chuckled seeing the young lord run around and promptly into the wall before looking back to Nordic “both. I’m curious of what you’re like angry but I can agree with you on the amusing scene” he remarked as he grinned watching sarne return.He couldn’t help but chuckle once again at the others confusion “aren’t you a cute one?” He asked before shifting again back to her female form “it’s still me, my other self if you will. I switch to whichever form is more comfortable for me or sometimes to see amusing reactions” she smiled up at him. “You are quite an interesting and amusing lord you know” she remarked happily just enjoying the chaos of the testing and the new conversations and faces.

It was certainly a nice way to kill time and amuse herself. Her gaze roamed the room at all the different reactions to potions and those staggering away from the shop seemingly having had enough whilst others seemed to be debating another. She at the least was taking a break from trying right now and merely relaxed as things seemed to be winding down some. “Are you going to try another?”

Sarne looked back at Thalia sitting and still breathing heavily. Holding a hand up for her to stop for a moment. "Thalia, that speed potion needs some work the side effect is ruff. and I need a brake," said Sarne shaking off the effects of the speed potion. Sarne had just about enough of the potion testing he would have to slow it down now He did have a reputation to deal with.

Sarne thinking studded Maren wondering if she was some shapeshifter or could just morph from woman to man. Sarne always thought shape-shifters were dangerous because they could take most humanoid forms. They could copy people and make all kinds of trouble. Could all of Maren's people do this ability? Sarne had not seen Maren's type before and could conclude that he had no idea about them. Maren was fascinating

Turning to Maren "At this moment no my body needs to rest after that last one. Nordic looks to be irritated at what is happening to me. It is best to let him and me cool off some," remarked Sarne blinking his eyes a few times. "Maren, so you can shapeshift? do you have a true form and all your people this way ?" asked Sarne being inquisitive.