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“And voila! An energy potion that'll keep you up and alert through the toughest bouts of sleepiness!” Sotheby’s eyes sparkled, raising her new creation high up in the air, “With this Miss Vertin won't be so exhausted. I really am a genius to think of adding dew tiger whiskers to honeyed treasure ash!”
A knock at the door.
“Miss Sotheby?” Sonetto's muffled voice. She sounded a bit concerned, by Sotheby’s scream no doubt.
“Oh Sonetto, you wouldn't believe what I just made!” The young Lady rushed to open the door to a perplexed Sonetto, potion in hand. “The ‘Jumper Eager Fly Potion’, it makes you so full of energy that you'll practically fly!”
“I-Is that so? It sounds quite dangerous…” It was not too rare an occurrence for Sotheby to exclaim from her part of the suitcase, but Sonetto never failed to check in just in case. In part, it was also in fear of her hurting herself one of these days.
“Oh no, it's completely safe! I even tried a little bit just now. I can't wait to have Miss Vertin try some!”
Sotheby was almost out the door, but was stopped by Sonetto’s hand around her wrist.
“Wait!” Realizing how loud she just was, Sonetto cleared her throat, unhanding the alchemist, “I think it would be best for me to take it to the Timekeeper instead. I have a few documents to deliver to her office anyway.”
Sotheby beamed, handing the vial to Sonetto without any remorse, “Well then that's just perfect, because I need to write this breakthrough down in my journal!”
Just as quickly as she rushed over to the door, the young aristocrat scurried back to her desk, scribbling down her brilliance with vigorous penstrokes.
“Oh, before I forget, don't drink it on an empty stom-” Sotheby turned around and realized her audience had already left.
Striding through the halls towards the Timekeeper’s office, Sonetto eyed the suspicious pink potion between her fingers. It wasn't that she didn't trust Sotheby, but it was difficult to pin down the exact effects of her creations. She shuddered at the memory of the ‘Bravery Hopping Charging Potion’ she poured down her driver's throat on the day they first met. The effects were certainly there, but the reaction was…unprecedented to say the least.
While it was true that the Timekeeper has been quite busy recently, the potion may bring more harm than good.
The sound of shoes on wood came to a stop, a few paces from her destination. Sotheby did say that she tested it herself and she seemed completely fine…In potions class it was said that negative effects can surface with just a small sample, making for a safe and effective method for testing.
“Sorry Ms. Sotheby, but I must make sure myself.”
Uncapping the vial, Sonetto immediately noticed a vaguely sweet aroma, it was neither fruity nor flowery, entirely unique. Making sure her lips didn't touch the rim, she drank a small sample. The taste was difficult to describe. Almost like a mix of grass, cotton candy and pavement. It wasn't good by any means, but also not terrible.
A minute passed and nothing. In fact, she didn't even feel the alleged energizing effect.
Confused, Sonetto pocketed the vial before knocking on the door to the Timekeeper's office. Sotheby wasn't an amateur by any means, it was unlikely she would create a dud, and even more unlikely that she mistook a placebo for reality. Then was there a special condition for the energizing effect? Such potions were rare, but not out of the realm of possibility. She'll ask her for details after the debrief.
“Come in.”
Sonetto closed the door behind her as she stepped into the office. It was a spacious room, decorated with hardwood furniture, trinkets, and paintings. The many bookshelves denoted a serene quality, uniform spines lined up one after the other in neat patterns.
Behind the desk, Vertin was busy reading a pile of newspapers. Her signature hat on a nearby rack behind her.
“Greetings Timekeeper, I’m here to deliver the details of our next mission from Madam Z.”
Vertin raised her eyes, giving her assistant full attention, “Please go ahead.”
Sonetto nodded and set the files down in front of Vertin before stepping back to make an oral report.
Flipping through the pages, the Timekeeper waited to hear the mission abstract.
Of which never came.
Unable to recall what she had been told mere hours ago, Sonetto furrowed her brows.
“Sonetto?”
“I seem to be...experiencing a lapse in memory. Please read the written abstract instead, Timekeeper.”
Instead of doing as instructed, Vertin had set aside the files and come to Sonetto's side.
“Your face is red. Have you caught a cold?”
Now that she mentioned it, it was a bit warmer than usual. In addition, a thick fog had settled in her brain, making it difficult to think.
“I…Sorry it must be because I haven't had breakfast. I'm probably just hungry.” Despite saying it herself, Sonetto had a hard time believing that not eating would have such an effect on her. Her training ensured that she could perform well under much harsher conditions than merely missing a meal.
Vertin guided Sonetto to the nearby sofa before bringing her a plate of biscuits and a cup of tea. “I don't have much aside from some snacks. You should get some rest later, don't worry about work for today.”
It didn't feel like a cold, aside from her apparent feverish exterior, she didn't have a headache or sore throat. Moreover, she was fine just earlier with Sotheby. Her condition only changed after…
The potion.
Rather than energetic, Sonetto could only describe herself in a state of unpleasant warmth and stupor. She had never tried alcohol, only reading of its effects on the body. They matched quite well with her current condition.
“I’m fine, I don't need to take the day off.”
“Are you sure?” Vertin checked Sonetto's temperature with the back of her hand, a sudden flinch causing her to recoil, “Sorry! Was my hand cold…?”
“N-No, I was just surprised.” Sonetto averted her gaze. The contact was surprising indeed, sending a shock throughout her whole body. Without her knowing, she had grown sensitive to touch. This was not an effect of alcohol that she had ever heard of. The warmth that pooled at the bottom of her stomach, the acute awareness of her skin's contact with her clothes. It was getting painful, unbearable, worsening with each passing second.
“I'll go get someone, sit tight.”
Vertin stopped in her tracks upon seeing Sonetto shake her head.
No, she wasn't ill, but rather…
The dots connected.
"Sonetto...are you...?" She didn't finish the sentence. Or maybe she couldn't from the sheer implication.
The ever formal and upright Sonetto, to look so vulnerable. It was so unlike her that Vertin could only suspect it to be the work of arcanum or something of a similar vein. Who would do such a thing? And for what?
Vertin's train of thought was interrupted by an groan of discomfort. The effects of whatever plagued Sonetto had rendered her with only the willpower to resist succumbing to desire, and even that was waning.
“I’m sorry, Timekeeper…” Sonetto's voice was small, a mix of embarrassment and desperation. Her eyes downcast, trying to hide the tears that had begun to well up. To be seen in such a state by the Timekeeper, by Vertin, was just pitiful. “I'll take care of it myself. Just please don't let anyone else see me like th-”
Sonetto's trembling words were interrupted by a kiss. Her mouth still agape after Vertin pulled back, she could only stare in shock.
“Don't worry,” Vertin breathed, “I don't know what happened, but I can't just let you go out that way. I'll do whatever I can to help...If you'll allow it.”
Sonetto nodded as she closed her eyes, unspilled tears flowed down her cheeks as she did so, “I can't take it anymore...Timekeeper, I'm sorry.”
Setting aside her brooch, Vertin pulled off her jacket and tossed it to her desk. Even her normally well-kempt hair was now loosened, pale green strands flowing past her shoulders. “Why do you keep apologizing? Don't think about anything else, just focus on the moment.” Undoing the final button, Vertin opened Sonetto's shirt, revealing flushed skin below her clavicle. She wore a simple gray bra, part of the standard Foundation uniform.
Sonetto's eyes were averted off to the back of the couch. Being roommates as children meant that they'd seen each other naked countless times, but this time it was different. Every exploration of Vertin's gaze made Sonetto mentally shy away, yet yearn for more.
Pulling away the bra, Vertin revealed Sonetto's modest yet shapely breasts to the cool office air. They quivered as Vertin cupped them into her hands, fingers finding grasp of the pink firmness that adorned each mound. The pressure applied by Vertin's fingers sent shivers through Sonetto's trembling body. Each pinch, each roll, contributing more and more to the aching between her legs.
“You're beautiful, Sonetto,” Vertin murmured, words full of adoration. She leaned in, her pale locks tickling Sonetto's cheeks as she kissed her temple.
“Timekeeper…” It was now that Sonetto had the courage to face Vertin. The normally calm and collected front she wore as Timekeeper had given way to desire. Her lightly freckled face dusted by a pink hue, sharp eyes now soft yet burning with intensity.
“Call me Vertin, even if just for this moment.”
Vertin’s hand snaked down below Sonetto’s undone belt, earning a gasp. Middle finger tracing her lips, already slick with fluid. Sonetto writhed under the sudden sensation, hands gripping Vertin’s sleeves tightly. Sonetto’s breathing had already become ragged, the effects of the potion amplifying each bit of stimulation. The slightest touch rendered her into a shaking mess. What would happen when things went further?
A twinge of anxiety.
Vertin stopped teasing, putting pressure on Sonetto’s clitoris with her thumb.
“A-Ah…Vertin…” Sonetto’s strained voice was no louder than a mewl.
Moving the rest of her fingers rhythmically up and down, Vertin ignored the tightening grip on her sleeves. Her tempo sped up with each cycle, Sonetto's gasping cries intensifying with each movement. Involuntarily, her hips rose up off the sofa, pleasure building up with each flick of Vertin's fingers.
“Vertin…I…something’s comi-”
Her words were stolen away as Vertin plunged two fingers inside. Sonetto’s back arched, twisting her body as she was overtaken by a blinding flash. The moan that escaped her lips was muffled by another kiss, one that she leaned into as waves washed over her trembling body. Despite the tightness, Vertin continued. Each twirl maddening, overwhelming, building up to yet another bursting point.
Another stroke, her body shuddered, crying out into Vertin’s chest as another wave of pleasure rocked her body. With the final climax, Sonetto’s grips loosened from Vertin’s sleeves, exhausted.
Vertin pulled out her glistening hand, breathing heavily as well. Sonetto's smooth, ironed uniform was haphazard and wrinkled, her neat hair disheveled. The effects of the potion may have been alleviated, but the blush never left her face.
“Vertin…I…” She struggled to find the appropriate words to somehow explain herself. Just what should she say after that? Bringing up the potion felt like a cheap excuse regardless of its contribution. She would be lying if she said that she didn't have feelings for the Timekeeper, but for it to be shown in such a ghastly and forward manner...
“...I’m glad you’re alright now Sonetto.” Vertin cleared her throat, getting rid of the huskiness in her voice before continuing, “Do you want me to...bring you a change of clothes?”
Sonetto's hands instinctively covered her exposed chest, suddenly aware of the air on her skin. “Thank you.” She whispered. It was all she could muster.
Vertin sat at her desk, unable to focus on work. Setting down her fountain pen, she pinched the bridge of her nose, sighing.
It was so surreal, almost like a dream.
After changing, Sonetto returned to her usual self, albeit more averse to eye contact, continuing her duties. Despite acting as if nothing happened, Vertin could feel the distance that the ordeal had created. She never said it, but Vertin suspected it had something to do with Sotheby. Especially since the so-called evidence was in her drawer right now. She found it underneath the couch whilst cleaning up, likely having fallen out of Sonetto's pocket when they...
Unable to take it any longer Vertin pulled it out from her desk, examining the liquid under light. It was pink, with a sparkling quality whenever the rays hit it at certain angles. It was practically full though, if Sonetto had drank it, there should be far less. Especially given the intensity of her reaction.
Popping off the cork, she crinkled her nose at the unnatural sweet scent. Smells like this were one of the reasons she hated potions class.
“Miss Vertin, are you in there?”
Sotheby.
“Come in.”
Sotheby hopped into the room, smiling with pride when she laid eyes on the potion in Vertin’s hand, “Oh! Miss Vertin, did you try it?”
“Just what were you thinking when you made this?”
The young alchemist frowned, confused by Vertin’s sternness, "I was thinking that you’ve been tired so I decided to make something to help you out?"
“So you made an aphrodisiac!?” To think that Sotheby of all people could think in such a way. Vertin didn’t know whether to laugh or cry at the absurdity of it all. Misunderstanding or no, only god knew how long it would take before Sonetto and her could interact normally again, if ever.
Sotheby’s face reddened, “W-What? It’s a stimulant for keeping you awake! I wouldn’t make something as dreadful as an aphrodisiac!”
Incredulous eyes met dumbfounded ones.
Sotheby gasped, interrupting the silence, hand over her mouth, “Miss Vertin, did you and Miss Sonetto...”
Vertin covered her face with both hands as the aristocrat trailed off, humiliated.
“Oh no...I knew I should have went after her to tell her about drinking it on an empty stomach...I’m sorry Miss Vertin, it’s all my fault. I should have known that she would try it out before giving it to you.”
Vertin shook her head, shoulders sagging in defeat, “It’s not your fault, I shouldn’t have jumped to conclusions. Just...don't let Sonetto know that you know what happened...”
“Er...Okay. In that case, I’ll take the potion back and have it disposed? I swear by its effectiveness but you probably don’t want it after what happened.”
“If you would, please...”