And then on Monday Jaune was a potion guy

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[Another job fair job taken, another disappointment. But, maybe Jaune could learn things. The only thing he really did was put up some postings around Genessia - just pieces of paper stapled to things.]

[They read:

NEW APPRENTICE POTION GUY

Looking to work one solid eight hours. Preferably working under someone who knows how to make potions.

- Call Jaune Arc

[Included is of course Jaune's comm number. All he had to do was wait! What was being a potion brewer all about, anyway? Well, if someone was gonna teach him the basics, he'd eventually find out.]

Comments

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[It doesn't take her long for the majority of the ingredients, especially since the store sells ginger paste. That'll make their job so much easier. The only time she really spends is on the energy drinks, going over the ingredients with a fine-toothed comb before she finally taps one with a lightning bolt etched onto the can.]

This has more ingredients than we need, but it covers the list. If you decide to pursue potion-making in the future, I would recommend stocking up on several of these. The herbal content is exceptional.

[She places the can in the basket, walking beside him as she considers what he said.]

Carrying a lady's belongings is considered the mark of a gentleman where I come from. I see no reason why you would protest.

[Unless...]

Is she in love with you? This friend, I mean.

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[Jaune never imagined that energy drinks could be used for such things. He always thought they were just sugary drinks being disguised as having no sugar and a boat-load of caffeine. You learn something new every day! Maybe he'd even remember that.]

[Moving on to what she asked though...]

In love with me-- Who, Yang? No! No, no way... [He squints and looks away from Cherise for a moment as if to consider it... then shakes his head.] Nah. [Now he's blushing. Good job.]

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Hm.

[She considers asking if he's in love with the friend, but decides against it. Cherise hadn't meant to make him blush, and wouldn't dream of asking him too many personal questions. ...But she is curious.]

[She leads the way to the checkout stand, unloading the supplies from his basket.]

Do you have potion brewing on your world? I understand not everyone practices magic regularly.

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[Jaune's more than happy for the topic change, and he shakes his head.] Nope. Closest thing I've ever seen to magic in my world is Glyphs. I don't even know how they work really... I'm sure there're people who make medicine, but nothing like this. [He shrugs.]

[When the basket is emptied, he sets it aside in a slight pile, somewhat tucked underneath the conveyor.] But I guess it's pretty normal where you come from, huh?

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Yes.

[She smiles at him over her shoulder as she pays for the purchases.]

Everyone is born with the ability, though of course, the manifestation techniques vary due to personal preference.

[Cherise takes the bag, since he carried the basket.]

Of course, if someone is shown to abuse their abilities, they are stripped of their magic completely. It's an unpleasant process, but given how easy it is to use magic for criminal gain, it's unfortunately necessary.

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Wait, so... can you take away people's magic? [He follows Cherise as she takes the bag, but he's very much interested in the things she has to say.] So, like... could you totally mess Harry up?

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Alone, no. It takes several to pull off something like that.

[She looks vaguely uncomfortable, giving him a wary glance. He doesn't seem like the sort who would use that knowledge in a bad way, and he probably doesn't have the talent. But the fewer people who know, the better.]

Besides, Harry seems to be very powerful. I, for one, have no wish to get on his bad side.

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[Jaune is hopelessly innocent when it comes to knowing this sorta stuff. Why would he even care if Cherise could take away someone's magic or not? If anything it made perfect sense that she can't and all is right in the world.]

Is he? I never saw him do any magic-y stuff... or you, really. Maybe I just miss it all the time.

[He ponders that.] Aw well, magic is for crazy smart people. [Or maybe crazy AND smart.] I couldn't do anything like that... I guess except maybe potions.

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[Cherise chuffs a little, amused.]

I've seen some very stupid sorcerers and sorceresses before. Intelligence has little to do with it. You either possess the ability, or you do not.

[She regards Jaune thoughtfully.]

I offered to tutor Sofia, she claims that people from her world are sometimes able to wield the arcane arts. If the same can be said for your world, then you may have potential as well. But the governing rules of nature may vary wildly.

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Ugh, I have a hard enough time just learning good sword techniques. Nooooo thank you. [Jaune waves a hand as if to wipe away any possibility that he might accept any sort of tutoring.]

I'll just stick to either being the brute strength of any group, or the dashing rogue. <3

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[Cherise chuckles good-naturedly. Oh but he does remind her a little of Cam in his youth.]

As you like.

* * * * *

[Cherise unlocks the door to her apartment to let Jaune inside. It looks like it could feature on an advertisement, as everything has its place and is arranged neatly. A pair of magazines on the table, a vase of purple irises on a stand near the door, the vague fresh scent of freesia in the air.]

[It is absolutely a woman's apartment.]

Please make yourself at home. Would you care for some tea?

[She unslings her purse to drop it into a plush armchair before shedding her coat and hanging it neatly in the coat closet. The groceries are carried into the kitchen and set on the counter.]

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[Oh man, totally a woman's apartment. It's girly and neat, and clean, so clean. He feels like he'd ruin the floor just by stepping on it, or her sofas by sitting on them. When offered tea, he politely declines.] Oh, no thanks. I'm not much of a tea guy.

[He continues to look around a little while longer, and follows Cherise towards ehr kitchen - but not into it. No guests in the kitchen!]

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[She walks into the kitchen, and glances up. What's he doing out in the living room? Guests are totally going into this kitchen. Is he just being shy?]

Would you like an apron?

[i.e. Come on and get to work already.]

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[Yeah, yeah, he hears you already! Jeez...]

Do I need one? [He steps inside the kitchen to look at what she's doing or what she's gathering up. It's a far cry from some sort of... alchemist's work-station, but she DID say it was like cooking.] Like, if it's gonna be messy, then yeah! I don't want to get my clothes dirty! [If he can help it.]

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[She opens one of the drawers, taking out an apron with mint green ruffles along the edges. She's already got her stain-repellant charms woven into her clothes, so she'll be fine without one.]

[With all the utensils and ingredients laid out on the counter, it looks like the perfect set-up for a network cooking show.]

First, we need to boil the water out of the sports drink, like so.

[She puts a small saucepan on the stove, uncaps the drink, and pours it into the pot before setting it on high.]

While we wait for that to boil, take the herbs and mash them with the mortar and pestle.

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[Oh God what a terrible-looking apron. Really, he hates it. He's just too macho. So while he tries not to make a face, he kinda does anyway as he takes it and ties it around him. With his armour on, he looks absolutely ridiculous.]

Oookay, boil energy drink. Got it. What's a mortar and pestle?

[His tone is... that kind of inquisitive where you put as little actual inflection into your voice as possible.]

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You've never seen one before? Good gracious.

[She's chuckling as she reaches for the small pot and the wide rod that goes with it, passing it to Jaune.]

Just about every household has one of these, it's an essential. But I suppose if you have no need for crushed herbs, they wouldn't be quite so necessary.