//------------------------------// // Persistence Pays Off // Story: The Potion Shop // by Ashfur //------------------------------// “Arcie-poo!  How could you run off on me like that?!”  Razzle bemoaned her crush. “I had to spend Hearts and Hooves day all alone because you didn't tell me you were leaving!” “Oh, sorry, Jez- I mean Razzle,” the stallion quickly corrected himself.  “*ahem*. Hey Razzle, I'm going to my guild for an important meeting. Please don't follow me or do creepy stalker stuff while I'm gone.” “But I love you!”  Razzle pounced forward to hug Arca, and for once he was too slow to react, being swept up in a loving embrace.  “And you love me, admit it!” “Let go!” “Nuh-uh.” “Razzle, I said LET GO!” “Not until you get your daily dose of cuddles from your marefriend!” “We are not dating!”  Arca squirmed under her grip.  Razzle held fast, nuzzling his cheek affectionately. “So you want me to be your fiance, then?  Oh Arcie, if you're seriously ready to take that step, I'd be nothing less than overjoyed!” “Are you seriously that crazy, Razzle?!” “Yes.  Crazy for you~”  Razzle leaned in and kissed Arca on the cheek, trying to make it as affectionate as possible to convey how much she loved him.  It lasted all of three seconds as Arca remembered his magic and teleported out of her grip, dashing off towards the main building.  “Oh, phooey. But I kissed him! I actually got to kiss him! I wonder if I can get another…” Thankfully, some apprentices had seen their guildmaster coming, so they were able to clear everypony away from the doors before Arca slammed into them with enough force to swing the ornate entrance wide open.  He barely even flinched from the impact as he kept running, with Razzle in hot pursuit. “Get back here, lover boy!  Do you know what most of my fans would give for a chance to snuggle with me?”  The supermodel gracefully leaped over a water spill as Arca toppled over a mop bucket to try and delay her. “I know what you'd charge them, and that's the issue!”  Arca knocked on an office door as he sprinted by it. “Bunsen!  I need you for a thing!” A few moments later, Bunsen Burner opened his office door with a grouchy expression.  “Arcane, as much as I hate to say it, I'm very busy and- ” WHAM!  Razzle slammed face first into the door, knocking it off its hinges and sending Bunsen toppling backwards into an unstoppable slide along the floor… straight into the mare's restroom down the hall.  By the sounds of things, nopony was happy with that. Finally, Arca flung a door open and dove in, finding himself exactly where he wanted to be: a laboratory.  The various equipment made him feel right at home, and he couldn't help but slow his pace to a slow trot as he carefully maneuvered among it.  That was, until Razzle came rushing in, skidding to a halt upon noticing her prize had accidentally cornered himself. “Gotcha, big guy. Ready to give up?” Noting the lack of other ponies in the room, Arcane replied with a sly grin.  “Oh, Jezebel. Or Razzle, or whatever you want me to call you. Did you really follow me all the way here?” “I'd follow you to the end of Equestria, my love.”  she stepped closer, her breath shifting Arca's unkempt mane ever so slightly. “Well, I suppose such effort should be… given something to show for it.”  Arca put a hoof over her withers, and Razzle felt a blush heat up her face.  “Just you and me, in this private little setting… there's something I've always wanted to say to you, Jezebel, but we've never been in the right situation until now.”  Razzle felt her heart hammering, ready beat out if her chest. The intimate moment she so long awaited was finally at hoof! She readied herself to not faint as Arca leaned in close to whisper in her ear. “My sweet, silly little Jez… you're breaking rule number one.” Razzle's eyes went WIDE.  She knew exactly what rule number one was.  And she had taken careful steps to never break it until now, fearing it would drive Arca away.  “Arcie, wait! I can go get one, you don't have to do this!” Arca shifted his hooves under Razzle and hefted her up above his head, opening a window in his magic.  Thankfully they were on the first floor. “NO LAB COAT…” “Arcie, no!” “NO LAB ACCESS!” Arca flung Razzle straight out the window and into a nearby flower bed.  He stuck his head out the window to add insult to injury. “And stay out!” “ARCANE CATALYST!”  Arca froze in fear as a new voice pierced the scene.  A very angry Mage Meadowbrook stormed up to the window and gave the stallion her best mom glare.  “Is that any way to treat a mare? Apologize right this instant or you're grounded!” “But Boss, I-” “NOW.” Arcane's features deflated.  If there was one thing that could consistently bring him down, it was his adopted mother.  “Sorry for throwing you out of my lab, Razzle… even though you did break rule number one…” “And since she's your marefriend,”  Meadow continued her triade. “Boss, she's not really-” Arca got cut off as he was berated once more.  “...you should do something to make it up to her!  You offer to take her out to dinner tonight, buster!” “No!  Anything but that!  Well maybe my comic collection… ugh, fine.  Razzle Dazzle, do you want to go have dinner later?  Now please say no, so we can move on with life...” Razzle trotted up and kissed him on the cheek again.  “I'd love to. You can pick me up for our date at seven, hot stuff~”  She trotted off, swaying her hips a tad more than normal. “Don't be late!” Meadowbrook shook her head and smiled.  “You're lucky to have her, you silly pony.  When can I expect grandfoals?” she leaned in, waiting for her son's reply.  She did not get her answer, though, as Arca had something else on his mind. “DID SHE SAY DATE?!”