Chrysalis Domination pt. 4 - Potion Sales Pitch
GRENADIERAPPLE
http://pastebin.com/Rjfa6JUg

Posted on Apr  8th, 2014
Copied on Apr 15th, 2014


--COUGH COUGH THIS IS DUMB AND DOESN'T FIT THE TONE OF THE STORY AT ALL COUGH COUGH--
>the apothecary is a rather full-rumped zebra, short but squat
>you look over your shoulder at her
>you can see her mane, pointed straight up, behind a crudely painted wooden mask
>she just stares expectantly, seemingly taking no notice of your bare ass or the fact that you're mid-rut with the ruler of the land suspended in chains
>either she took lessons from Octavia in the ways of stoicism
>or she's just this used to the madness that is Canterlot Castle
>you turn around with a cough and beckon her over
"Zecora. Thank you for coming, I have need of your knowledge. Do you have any potions that deal with matters of... love?"
>she nods, seeming to understand
>with a flourish she pulls out a huge array of bottles and tubes, bowls and plates from her saddle pack, laying them all at your feet
>"This herb can be taken with your meal; it turns your stallionhood to steel. If instead duration you lack, on this hydra heart you snack."
>this sounds like a sales pitch, and you wave your hands to try to stop her
>you really did mean love, not sex aids
>but apparently she's so practiced (or so enthralled with the subject) that she doesn't even notice
>"this powder spurs a powerful need for mares to sup upon your seed. If teats of bounty you desire, use milkweed root and phoenix fire."
>this seems like it's going to go on a bit
>"To conjure rut is this salve's goal, works on stallion, mare or foal (but in four hours, if still you yearn, perhaps to me you should return)"
>...
>it's like a lewd Dr. Seuss
>"sensitivity, texture, size; capacity or completion's prize. Filly-foolers, colt-on-colt, none can argue with results. Whether rider or the steed, I'm sure I can fulfill your need."
>she stops and takes off her mask, scratching her chin with a hoof
>"Or if instead you need a mate, I know of mares for a decent rate. Or stallions (I am judgement-free)! Er... why was it that you summoned me?"
>she gives you an embarrassed grin
>you shake your head, exasperated
--THUS ENDS THE ZEBRA RIDICULOUSNESS--
 
"That's... huh.  While not what I asked, that is interesting."
>you'll keep the one that induces lactation in mind for if Celestia starts feeling motherly again
>but back to your original point
"I asked if you had any potions that dealt with love.  Not lust."
>she stares for a moment at the ceiling, then opens up a small pocket on one side of her bags
>she passes you three vials of liquid
>two glass and shaped like a heart, one filled with red liquid, the other with gold
>the last made of pewter and ringed at the neck with a black vine covered in thorns
>she points to the first, the amber liquid
>"The first is called Felicity.  It makes you a lover of all you see.  Even in this eternal night, with Felicity, your day is bright."
>she nods at the next, the rose-colored glass
>"Cadenza's Tincture is on the right.  It fosters love upon first sight.  Use utmost caution; few can bend, that potion's outcomes to their end."
>she doesn't bother pointing to or even looking at the last of the three
>the light airiness of her voice is replaced with gravitas
>"Those two I charge for; this, I do not.  I'd rather it should be forgot.  Heartbreak and sadness in equal parts, it freezes passion, hardens hearts.  Its cruel effects you cannot rewind.  Beware the sorrow of Potion Nine."
>you remark on how small they are
>watered down, they may last you the week
>you'll probably need to request more when she has the opportunity
>she shakes her head, chuckling at you in her strange accent
>"I see that you are quite astute.  But all these potions you must dilute.  In water they all work quite well, though alcohol can strengthen their spell."
>she begins to pack up her collection of containers
>you cough pointedly and reach down for the hydra's heart
>she offers you a coy smile in return, but doesn't stop you
"These will do nicely, Zecora.  You have both the Empire's thanks and mine."
>you sign a release for the funds and hand it to her before she turns for the door
>"Though I find the process crude..."
>she remarks just before she shuts the door on you
>"Congratulations on that brood."
>...well THAT was cryptic
>no no, you'll stand for a bit of oddity, but anyone would notice that tone of voice
>it's the 'I'm-telling-you-so-so-later-I-can-say-I-told-you-so' voice
>you look over at Chrysalis Moon
>she's glowering at the door the zebra just closed
>that pretty much seals it
"For the sake of your gag reflex, you'd best hope this isn't a problem you caused."
>you jog to catch up with the mare
>she's halfway down the cell block when you manage to stop her
>turning around with the mask down again, she regards you passively
>"That hydra's heart should last you days; if you used it all, I would be amazed."
>ha-ha-fuckin'-ha
"What did you mean about my brood? What brood?"
>she turns her head so that the mask points from you to the only occupied cell
>Diggin Bones is sitting there, looking like he'd welcome death as a change of pace
>now that he's not doubled over, you can see that his stomach is bulging with lumps
>unless he's taken to eating stones instead of prison rations, that wasn't his doing
>he rubs both hooves at what gut he can reach and moans
>the guards just roll their eyes and smack a weapon against the bars
>"Quiet down, dissident."
>Zecora lets out her odd melodious chuckle
>"He must have enjoyed getting filled, if of course he had free will."
>she looks back up at you
>the mask rotates as she tilts her head
>"Are you surprised to learn his plight? T'was you who gave it to him, right?"
>you look back at him and he lets out a resigned sniffle
"No. Well, I mean, yeah. But I thought she'd just... feed... not... huh."
>you don't know how changelings breed
>killing him might actually be a minor mercy at this point
"Are they going to go all Alien on him?"
>you realize that's a bit outside of her frame of reference
>let's rephrase
"Do they... eat him? And how did you know she was a changeling?"
>"Changeling chitin is a must, for crafting my Illusion Dust."
>she seems to be appraising Diggin's condition
>"An uncomfortable birth is all that entails, so long as the clutch is only males,"
>she explains
>"but a future Queen must get her start, by feasting on another's heart."
>future queen?
>that sounds like leverage
>so either you get a hostage and a condemned pone dies a painful death
>or you get a litter of future soldiers and have to find him a spot in the guillotine line
>...
>you can't bring yourself to actively hope that a newborn child chews through a grown pony's chest
>but you can totally reflect on how convenient it would be
"Zecora, I'd like a few more moments of your time."
>she whickers and shakes her head
>"Alas, your Queen has called me too, demanding many a sundry brew. Would this evening be ideal, perhaps over a hearty meal?"
>eh, you work fast, but you doubt you'll need to know every detail about these bug-ponies before sunset
>you nod, scratching your head
>"Very well, it is a date. Come at 7, do not be late."
>she strides for the stairwell
>no matter the circumstances, Boss Mare doesn't like tardiness
>she has enough time to flick her tail up as she looks back at you though
>wait
>did you just get hit on?
>fuck, today is weird
>no, actually, it's probably just that particular zebra is weird