Charlotte sat in the the back room of her shoppe. She squinted through large circular goggles as her gloved hands poured two liquids together. Once they made contact, there was a small puff of purple smoke. With a relieved sigh, Charlotte removed her safety gloves and shoved a cork in the top. 

She examined the concoction, swirling it to make sure it was stable. The purple smoke dissipated in the bottle, causing the magenta liquid to turn indigo. She grinned as she reached for a label from the shelf and the quill to her right. Slowly, she wrote the words Tiomenon. 

Normally, when she commissioned a potion, she would write down what it was used for. However, Tiomenon was a specific recipe that was restricted in every county and city in Abraria. It was a truth serum, and it was extremely potent. The law stated that it could only be used for Bureau of Security investigations when approved by the Council.

"Madame!" a voice rang out. Charlotte glanced at the clock just as it chimed ten in the morning. She placed the small bottle in a paper bag and walked into the main shoppe. One of her apprentices, known as Mistress Sphynx in the community, had come in for the shift.

"Good morning, Victoria," Charlotte smiled. "You know that you don't have to call me Madame before we open. I thought a customer had broken in."

"Now that would make for an interesting morning," Victoria teased as she placed her overcoat on the coat rack in the corner. She had her blonde hair cut short again, shorter than most men did, and had it slicked to the side in a fashionable style. She looked dapper and neat. "Did you finish your project?"

"I finished just as you walked in," Charlotte answered, holding up the paper bag. She placed it under the counter and tied her apron around her burgundy dress.

"You might wanna..." Victoria spoke up, motioning to her goggles. Charlotte quickly removed them before throwing them into the back room. Then she fixed her dark hair back into a simple bun.

"Alright, I think we can open now," Charlotte informed as Victoria smiled. She reached into her trouser pocket and pulled out a small twig. Victoria whispered something into the stick before pressing it into the window.

Charlotte grinned broadly as she could see sparkling veins form in the window. The veins spread to the ceiling and onto the wall outside. She opened the door to watch her apprentice's handiwork. The sparkling trail grew to the wooden sign, lighting it up beautifully. The veins emptied into the dull carved lettering, giving it an iridescent shine to the letters. She nodded as the word's appeared.

MADAME DRAGYN'S POTION Co.

"It looks perfect. Well done," Charlotte smiled as she walked back inside. Victoria smiled as she grabbed an apron as well, tying it around her waist.

"Thanks," Victoria grinned, proud of her work.

"I think you're getting close to having your name change ceremony," Charlotte mentioned as she went to straighten the merchandise. The name change was when an apprentice went from a Mistress to a Madame, similar to when someone became a doctor in their area of study.

"Then we'll have to change the sign," Victoria pointed out.

"Maybe we'll get a better carver to make it next time. I hate the lettering, but at least your magic let's it shine a bit better,"  Charlotte mentioned with a smile. Victoria nodded as she pocketed the twig again. "Are you sure you want to pursue a potion making career?"

"I'm sure. It's not like I wouldn't be able to do other magic on the side."

"Touché. I'll send word to the council, then."

"So soon?"

"You still have to test for your name. Better sooner rather than later. That way you don't have to wait around for your exam results to come back," Charlotte explained. Victoria embraced Charlotte, which was a common occurrence in the shop.

"I won't let you down," Victoria promised with a nod, stepping back.

"You better not. I heard Elizabeth is waiting for your job," Charlotte winked. "Although, I think we should start her apprenticeship once you take the test."

"Speaking of which, shouldn't she be here by now?" Victoria mentioned. 

"She mentioned yesterday that she might be a little late, but I told her it would be okay since you were in early today."

"Alright, but I'm not doing her job," Victoria warned. Charlotte went to reassure her apprentice when the door opened.

"Welcome to Madame Dragyn's," Charlotte recited automatically before seeing who it was. There was a woman wearing a dark green winter dress, her bright red hair peeking through her green fascinator. "Lynn! Oh, it's been so long!"

"I was surprised when you greeted me like a ordinary customer at first. A woman leaves for her honeymoon, and the whole world changes!" Lynn teased dramatically. A tall man walked in behind her, meeting the ladies with a smile.

"There's the man that took away my sister," Charlotte teased, greeting her brother-in-law Tyler. He took off his brimmed hat and shook his head, his brown hair looking almost as neat as Victoria's. "How was Askos? I've heard it's beautiful this time of year."

"It was gorgeous! It was the perfect temperature the entire time, and we had a place on the water," Lynn gushed as the bell at the door rang. Charlotte excused herself as Lynn turned to Victoria.

"Welcome to Madame Dragyn's," Charlotte greeted, not recognizing the two men. They looked sullen and serious, nearly exhausted as well. The taller of the two handed Charlotte a small card. She skimmed over it before grabbing the brown bag behind the counter. "I look forward to working with you again."

"Thank you, Madame. As always, I will return the gratitude," the shorter man explained before they promptly left. Charlotte exhaled before turning to the newly weds.

"What was that about?" Lynn asked, trying to be quiet. 

"The local authorities hired me to make some restricted materials for them," Charlotte informed, watching them walk across the street. Lynn grunted softly, a verbal version of a shrug. "Anyway, is there anything I can get you while you're here?"

"I think we're okay," Tyler began, looking at his new wife.

"You know, I would love a Capulexperigis vial," Lynn informed, saying the potion name slowly to get it right. Charlotte nodded and pulled out a drawer full of the vials.

"And you remember the instructions?" Charlotte asked.

"Drink it in one go in the morning, otherwise you won't sleep through the night," Lynn repeated with a nod. "Oh, are you two free tomorrow night?"

"Other than the shop, I have no plans," Charlotte informed as she handed over the milky white potion. Victoria agreed.

"Wonderful! You should come by for dinner, and bring Elizabeth if she's free. It's been a while since we've had a proper dinner," Tyler added. 

"I will let her know as soon as she comes in," Charlotte reassured then wished them a safe journey home. Lynn waved as Tyler led her out of the shop, returning his brimmed hat to his head.

"I didn't know they were coming back today," Victoria mentioned, raising an eyebrow. Charlotte shrugged.

"Maybe they had to come back for his job," she suggested. Tyler was the only local witch doctor, which meant that he couldn't take very many vacations. Victoria went to add something, but then the door opened.

"Welcome to Madame Dragyn's," Victoria greeted a little too eagerly. Charlotte nearly laughed at the shocked faces of the elderly couple that came in. She informed that she would be putting recipes together in the back if Victoria needed her. She grabbed the goggles and put on her leather gloves, preparing to create something wonderful.