01 ★ video

[spellspeak]

[When the video turns on Natsume appears to be outside on the street somewhere, standing in front of a darkened building. It's... A little creepy actually, not at all helped by the fact that he's wearing a dark robe.]

Good NIGHT~ ★ While I have made myself known to some of you there are just as many whom I am not acquainted WITH, so allow me to introduce mySELF.

[He curls his fingers in the air, something like green light seeming to glow around them just briefly before he places his hand to his chest dramatically.]

My name is Natsume Sakasaki, and I am a magician and fortune tellER. In my endeavor to enrich the lives of those here with the allure of enchantment and the occult I ask you to allow me to announce the opening of Chymica Esoterica!

[He grins and snaps his fingers. Instantly the building behind him lights up, revealing what appears to be a small shop. The windows are hung with tasteful string lights and somehow candles seem to be flickering inside, although it's hard to tell exactly through the curtains that are made of some shimmery and slighty-sheer fabric.]

In addition to offering my services as an advisor and fortune teller I also can provide you with brews of all SORTS, as well as items to grant your own special magic power for a short WHILE. If you happen to be of the more discerning and particular type I would even be open to making something special just for YOU.

I now welcome any quesTIONS, but until then let all enjoy the darkness and stars of the evening together until we meet aGAIN...

[Natsume winks and waves before snapping his fingers again and the video ends.]

Comments

[spellspeak]

[Having still more thing sprinkled onto his head does make Natsume pout a little, although he doesn't bother to try and brush them away too much this time when he realizes they won't be going anywhere. Better to simply go along with things for the moment... Really it's a heartwarming gift to receive from the other- praise even when he feels it isn't quite warranted.

The subtle shift in demeanor doesn't escape him, and he takes a moment to simply observe the older idol. It's time like these where he really can't help but envy the way Wataru can so easily change and control the room that he's in. He deserves every bit of praise he gets for his skills and appearance, and the redhead has to remember himself to return to the moment before he's caught staring.]

Very WELL.

[He moves over to an area where an array of teas are gathered, each bundled and labelled neatly in sweeping handwriting along with an explanation of their purpose.] Here we have my assortment of brews that can assist you with all sorts of ailMENTS, and I do have the supplies on hand in case you would like something more personalized as WELL.

[demachi]

[Natsume may not feel it's warranted, but that's not his decision to make. It's Wataru's. And he's decided to enthusiastically support everyone he's ever cared about who's here, because he knows life is short and success is fleeting better than some. He'll also be hard on Natsume when he needs it, too, or he'd be a sorry teacher indeed.

His attention goes from item to item, and he leans low over the teas to inspect each one, falling silent as he reads the labels in turn. One of them stops him short, though.]

Fufufu... Seduction? I don't even need to ask if it works, because you would never sell something that wasn't tried and true, but are you in need of any further testing?

[He sounds breezy... Is it acting?]

[spellspeak]

[Unlike some Natsume certainly wouldn't be opposed to Wataru being strict with him. He's more or less accustomed to that part of him already, plus he can be just as critical of himself. He's a firm believer in progress coming from great cost and exertion, and while he's regularly been called a genius because of his ability to pick up on things quickly he does not think that useful knowledge comes so easily.

He allows the other to peruse as he would like, although when he stops on that tea he does pause for a beat only to recover just as quickly. Managing a mysterious smile he tilts his head and hums.]

Does that one interest YOU, Wataru-niisan? As you said it is tested and guaranteed in its effectiveNESS, but I would certainly not be opposed to customer feedBACK.

[demachi]

[With Wataru, it's all about having a balance that suits the student's personality. Yes, some people wash out of his tutelage, or are rejected, but those people don't have the incredible talent and fortitude of dear Natsume. Wataru is, by necessity, very particular about who he spends great deals of time and effort on. Even here, even with his boredom and ennui, he still won't waste time on people who don't deserve it. He'd rather sit alone and stare at a wall.

For once, the balance shifts. He drops his voice a little lower, though a silent laugh shakes his shoulders first.]

Yes, it does interest me. Is there any down side to using it? Say, if I drank it myself, how would I feel? No strange aftereffects?

[spellspeak]

[Despite knowing that it isn't his business in the least Natsume can't help but wonder what sort of purpose Wataru wants the tea for.

... No, perhaps the better question is who he wants it for.

That thought brings up one very unpleasant possibility, but at the last moment he deigns to spare himself the discomfort of asking and instead answers the question.]

There is no downside aside from the feverishness that comes along with its other efFECTS. It acts very similar to an aphrodisiAC, except it is much more fast-acting and I am assuming that the arousal it causes is more intense than synthetic alternaTIVES. [Because while he has tied the tea he admittedly does not have any frame of reference for how similar pills work.]

[demachi]

[Wataru nods along to each assertion, thinking things over. If there's little risk and a high reward, it can't hurt to at least try it, right? Maybe if he just drinks a little bit, he'll be able to get past some of his concerns and just get used to the whole thing. Yes, that's a good idea! What he can't do quickly and efficiently on his own? If there's a little help from a friend, it's fine. Just this once. Or maybe just a few times. He does hate having to rely on it, but the situation is, in his opinion, dire.]

Yes, yes, that's probably for the best. I'd prefer not having to wait long before it takes hold...

[He looks at Natsume suddenly, demeanor shifting from thoughtful to amused.]

Before you ask, it's not for someone else. I wouldn't dream of trying to artificially seduce someone. Don't think too poorly of me.

[spellspeak]

[Again Natsume holds his tongue for the moment, not wanting to seem like he's judging the other magician. And really he isn't. While he might not approve of the person who Wataru seems most enamored with he also fully recognizes that at the end of the day it is not his business and the most he can do is offer his opinion. It's much the same with clients who come to him seeking council- he can only give his honest advice and hope that they take it to heart in the choices they make.]

I would never suspect you of such a THING, nor would I ever think that you would need to artificially seduce anyONE. It's isn't my business what you do with your time or BODY, and I do not wish to gain a reputation among clientele for meddling unless they ask it of ME.

[Even though he admittedly does love meddling... But he tries to behave himself where his senpais are involved.]

[demachi]

[Wataru smiles, even though that still sounds a little ominous to him. For Natsume to think less of him would be a nightmare scenario, and Wataru isn't even entertaining it. He straightens, glancing back to the tea with a furrowed brow, then shakes it off and tries a smile again.

Part of him wants to say he was just kidding, and wave it off, and go on looking at everything else. Natsume is being so professional! Wataru realizes maybe he should act more the part of a customer than a curious Eccentric.]

Ah, never mind that. Show me the rest of the place!

[spellspeak]

[Even though that hesitation isn't completely concealed Natsume again opts not to comment. It would be cruel of him to point out such a thing and risk making the other uncomfortable when he already went to the trouble of making his way here so quickly to support him. No one else has shown such emthusiasm, and the gesture means more than he'll ever vocalize.]

Mm, as you WISH~

[He steps over to another areal with an array of vials, all similarly labelled to the teas.]

For some time I've practiced making my own SCENTS, and these are the results of both testing and my own personal preferENCE. I am still looking to expand this a little more with feedback howEVER.

[demachi]

[Perhaps he will articulate his troubles later, but for now it's time to focus on Natsume and his accomplishments! No one could be as proud as Wataru right now.

He follows him around to the area with the vials, all of which sound appealing by the label. With a flourish, he plucks one up and takes a long sniff, inhaling the scent.]

Earthy, yet familiar... I'll take one of these, for sure!

[spellspeak]

[Natsume smiles, a bit of pride creeping into the expression at the other seeming to find something he favors.]

I'm glad you apPROVE. I would show you the spells that I HAVE, but I feel that in your case they would hardly come off as impresSIVE.

[Wataru can already do much more Amazing things so it almost seems like an insult to bother peddling his own magic to him.]

[demachi]

Nonsense. Even if I'm not easily impressed, I'll show appropriate wonder at the things you have here that are new to me. A proportionate response!

[Maybe Wataru seems Amazing, but sometimes he'd like to have a tiny bit of wonder for the world, too. And here, Natsume seems to fit right in. It's wondrous in and of itself. He'll be sure to keep a close eye on him, of course, but... oh, watch him spreading those wings to fly!]

I do think I should sample a bit of everything... How delightfully overwhelming.

[spellspeak]

There's no need for you to go that FAR, I would prefer for you to judge what I do thoroughly instead of just "proportionatELY".

[Unlike some students of Wataru's he welcomes critique and would much prefer it to praise. He's had praise heaped on throughout his life for doing things that he considered boring and simple, so actually being face with challenges is more engaging. Plus he wants to break the other Oddballs' habit of trying so hard to shield and coddle him.

But he also doesn't want to be a poor host, so he moves over to pick up a small bag filled with powder. He gathers a little between his fingers and then snaps with it, creating a small spark that turns into a colorful floating flame that doesn't actually seem to produce heat.]

This is a similar spell to one I created for the live the Switch did with valkyrie, although thanks to the resources available to me here I was able to improve upon them a LITTLE.

[demachi]

[Shaking his head, he makes a disapproving sound.]

I'm a paying customer. You should accept my feedback, good and bad.

[An honest critique. He hasn't a negative or constructive thing to say about Natsume's shop itself so far. It's a unique venture, and he'll make some suggestions in due time, but for now he's still sampling what there is already.]

It's definitely an improvement. Do you have other colors available, or is it a one-size-fits-all? You ought to consider going into a stage effects, with the value placed on entertainment here. You could surely come up with something lucrative and useful if you tried hard enough.

[spellspeak]

I do have other colORS, as well as one that is more prismatic and looks like a rainBOW.

[He hums thoughtfully at the suggestion, allowing the flame to linger for a few moments before waving his hands and making it vanish.]

I hadn't considered stage efFECTS. I admit that I geared my spells towards cosmetic enhancements given the number of festivals that seem to occUR, figuring that such things might be coveted as a way to make statement during performances THERE. But you're right that it could be another avenue to consiDER.

[demachi]

[Wataru gives a little polite applause as the flame disappears, but the gears in his head are turning. Oh, what he wouldn't give to have his own troupe right about now! Alas, it's impossible. But someday...]

It's merely a suggestion! You're on a good track with that, too. Still, think outside the narrow confines of what people here want, create demand for something new... they'll never forget you.