Just as Charlotte corked another medicinal potion, she nearly dropped it at the sound of shouting from her shop. She threw her goggles and gloves on the table as she ran to the front. As the door swung open, she could see Elizabeth being squeezed to death by a woman in purple.
"What's going on?" Charlotte asked, forgetting all formalities. The woman released Elizabeth and started to walk toward Charlotte.
"Oh, my apologies. Are you Madame Dragyn? I've heard so much about you," the woman greeted, eagerly shaking Charlotte's hand. "My name is Heather, I'm Elizabeth's sister."
"It's very nice to meet you. I'm sorry about my brashness just now. I usually don't hear shouting in my store," Charlotte explained, feeling silly.
"No apologies needed! I would have reacted the same way," Heather laughed. "I also wanted to thank you for taking Elizabeth as your student. We are just ecstatic to have a witch in the family."
"My pleasure. She's a quick learner and is a huge help here," Charlotte smiled. "Are you in town for long? I would love to have you over for dinner. Are you available tonight?"
"I would love that! I accept your kind offer," Heather smiled. "Oh, and I was told that you have a wonderful sleep aid. Could I trouble you for a vial?"
"Of course, of course," Charlotte reassured before turning to her counter. She pulled out a small box and pulled out a navy vial with the word Numsauxia scrawled on the label. "Put two drops into a glass of water and drink the water within five minutes. Only two drops, though, as it's dangerous to take any more."
"Understood," Heather answered. "I will drop by later, if that suits you."
"That's is perfect. We can walk to my place together. It's not too far from here," Charlotte agreed. Heather thanked her again, handing her a few coins for the vial, and took her leave. Once the door closed and Heather had walked down the street, Elizabeth sighed.
"Sorry about that," she whispered.
"I promise it's fine. I'm glad she was able to come visit today," Charlotte reassured before placing the coins in her drawer. "Does she have a name picked out?"
"For when I get my name changed?" Elizabeth asked, catching Victoria's attention as well. "I think she'll be Lady Pegasys."
"Pegasys and Chymera. I like it," Charlotte praised. She knew that it was difficult to go through name changes. It seemed very convoluted and almost pretentious, but it was necessary to enter the witch community. Sisterhood and Brotherhood were incredibly important, even if the sister wasn't a witch.
Charlotte remembered the discussion she had with Lynn when the name change came around. She was adamant not to change her name, which meant that she wouldn't be recognized as a sister from the Council. However, with some convincing and clever names, Lynn became Lady Phoenyx. Now, with her marriage to Tyler, she became Lady Lyon.
"She took it really well, too," Elizabeth exhaled calmly.
"That's very good," Charlotte nodded as another customer came in. She smiled and walked over. "Welcome to Madame Dragyn's. How can I be of assistance?"
"Hi, I'm looking for a luck potion, and I was told to come here," the man informed. His hair and eyes were dark, which were remarkably striking. The customer was dressed to the nines, with a top hat and tailed coat. Charlotte suddenly felt under dressed in her cotton dress.
"Oh, of course," Charlotte agreed before going over to her counter. "Are you new in town?"
"I am, actually. My partner and I just recently moved into a house in town," he explained, following her to the counter as well. "My name's Richard Evans."
"Welcome to Strathmore," Charlotte smiled. "I'm Charlotte, named Madame Dragyn."
"Oh, you're Madame Dragyn?" Richard asked, causing Charlotte to look up from what she was doing. "Sorry, I just expected someone older."
"Ah, yes, I passed my test at a rather young age and I inherited the shop from my parents," Charlotte informed. New customers were generally weary of her age, but usually gave her a chance to prove herself. "I have the Benideuxema, a luck potion. Is that what you were looking for?"
"That would be it," Richard agreed as he got out his wallet. "Will this cover it?"
"Of course," Charlotte replied, completing the exchange.
"So, how long have you had the shop?"
"Oh, um, five years now. I took it over when I turned eighteen."
"That's incredible," Richard whispered as Charlotte glanced over at Victoria, who was watching their conversation with interest.
"Um, thanks," Charlotte mentioned.
"I'm sorry if I came off rude or strange. I usually don't go into many witch shops," Richard apologized, putting the vial away.
"It's alright. We usually stick to big cities," Charlotte commented with a customer service smile. Richard laughed.
"Well, I better get back home. I will be back again, though," Richard informed, excusing himself before leaving. Charlotte watched him walk down the street from the window before sighing.
"You alright?" Victoria asked.
"Hmm? Oh, yes, I'm fine. He just seemed a bit strange. I wonder what he needed the luck potion for, though," Charlotte mentioned. Victoria shrugged, looking towards the windows.
"I was surprised that he came in here after he mentioned he had just moved. It sounded like he came from the country," Victoria noted. People in the more rural areas of Abraria had pushed witches out of their communities nearly a century ago. They harbored a distrust from them, which was different from the city dwellers' attitude. It was generally understood that witches were safer in the city, especially Strathmore.
"Well, we might have a curious one on our hands. He seemed interested, not afraid," Charlotte added, starting to sort through her stock. "We might see him more often."
"Do you think he wants to be a witch?"
"He might, but I don't really want to be the one to tell him that isn't how it works."
"I agree. I hope he already knows," Victoria sighed before setting the broom in the middle of the floor. She snapped her fingers and the broom started to sweep on its own.
"I'm going to go back and make more Benideuxema and Numsauxia," Charlotte informed.
"No worries, I'll watch the shop," Victoria winked before returning her attention to the broom.
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