//------------------------------// // Horsebando // Story: The Potion Shop // by Ashfur //------------------------------// Hearts and Hooves day was always a special time in Rainbow falls, and this year, for most of the residents, it was extra special. Arca was out of town on business, which meant his usual attempts at making the holiday better were nowhere to be seen.  And as fun as those wild and unpredictable shenanigans were, having a day of peace and quiet with a loved one was a welcome change.  The news had reached everypony in town… except one. “Try to make you understand…  wow, that official Hearts and Hooves day song the Crystal Empire came up with is really catchy!  Although I swear I heard somepony yelling about it from Canterlot… probably just my imagination.”  Razzle Dazzle hummed the rest of the song to herself as she cantered towards Alchemiracles with a spring in her step, hoping that this year she'd finally have her beloved ‘Arcie-warkie’.  She even had a bouquet with her, but not just any old bouquet of flowers. The flowers she was carrying each had powerful alchemical properties to them, making them rare ingredients she knew her destined love would greatly appreciate. That was one more thing she loved about Arcane: In a world where the rich lived in opulent mansions and wasted their bits on extravagant things like fine wine and rare collectibles,  Arca was content to live in a small flat above his shop and cared very little for expensive gifts. It made him easy to buy for, too. Finally reaching the front door, she knocked on it with her hoof a few times.  “Arcie? It's your very special somepony! Come on out and give me a kiss, and I'll give you these rare ingredients I collected for you!  And maybe something extra, too~”  She stood still and waited patiently for a response.  When none came, she knocked again, trying to bargain a bit.  “I'll settle for a movie!” Still nothing.  She tried a deep voice this time, trying to sound like a stallion.  “Uh.. delivery for Arcane Catalyst!” And of course, nothing.  That tends to happen when nopony is home.  Fed up, she lit her horn, and teleported herself to the other side of the door.  “ARCIE! GET YOUR FLANK OVER HERE AND LOVE ME! I- huh?” Turning around to look for the stallion, she took notice of a piece of paper stuck to the inside of the door. Out for the week on an emergency guild meeting! -Arca First Razzle deadpanned at the sight, then facehooved.  She chuckled to herself, muttering, “Only you, my love. Only you would put the notice on the wrong side of the door, and I bet the town already knows you're gone.  You're always playing hard to get, aren't you? The Royal Alchemy guild, though… I know where that is. Maybe it's time for a field trip.” Another flash and she warped out of the shop.  Moments later, she appeared inside, and grabbed a spare lab coat from the coat rack in the lab, inhaling her crush's scent.  “Mmmm...Right after I take this for my life-sized Arca pillow.” “Bunsen.” “Arcane.  I wish our meeting could be under better terms, but we have quite the situation right now.  As soon as the rest of the board gets here tomorrow, we can begin and… uh… why are you twitching?” “Somepony just moved something in my lab without permission.  Oh sweet Celestia, I feel violated. I think I need to go lay down.” The light in Razzle's bedroom clicked on as the mare trotted in with her prize, carrying it over to the bed like a priceless treasure.  Laying in bed was a life-size plushie of Arcane she had commissioned a few years back, and she very carefully pulled the lab coat onto it before kissing it on the horn.  “One day… one day I'm not gonna need a plush version of my Arcie-poo to fall asleep, because the real one will be there for me instead!” Razzle quickly packed her things and headed out of her house for the train station to catch the next express train towards her beloved.  However, on the way, she was interrupted. “Ah, Miss Razzle Dazzle, correct?  How are you doing?” “Very busy, no time for autographs.”  She gave the pony a glare as her interruption fell in step beside her.  “You aren't going to leave me be, are you?” Emerald Essence shook her head.  “I just wanted to tell you about the prices at my jewlery store.  Where are you going, anyway? I heard you moved into town.” “If you must know, the stallion I'm going to marry needs my emotional support at his place of business.” “Ooh, engaged, are we?  Well then, why not show up with a gorgeous necklace to show off for him?  Something that says ‘I am sexy, and it is all for you’?” “No thank you, miss.  My lover doesn't like jewelry in the lab.”  Razzle quickly bought a ticket and began waiting for the train. Emerald recoiled a bit at such a swift rejection.“Not in the lab?  What, are you dating that twit, Arcane Catalyst? What a nuisance he is to this town!  He couldn't even have an ugly, smelly Yak as a marefriend for a week before she'd run off screaming!  Ahahaha! Ha ha… ha… you're not laughing.” “That's because I've been his marefriend for years.  Now stop insulting my coltfriend or run away. But know this: If I ever hear you bad mouthing my precious Arcane again, I'll make sure you regret it.” Emerald huffed, standing tall against her new rival.  “Fine! I will leave for now, miss Dazzle, but know that I am going to drive that stallion out of town, and if you get in my way I'll ruin you.” “Game on.”  Razzle kept an eye on Emerald as the train pulled up and she leaped on with her suitcase.  “Don't fret, my beloved! Your destined betrothed speeds to your side!” As the train sped off into the distance, Razzle made a promise to keep her love safe from Emerald, and began penning a few letters to some of her contacts,  to learn more about the mare...