“Potionmasters Pt. 5”

Author’s Note: This is a Take Ten to Write story and has not been proofread for errors. If I feel inspired or if there’s interest in the story, I’ll post a revised, edited, and extended version at a later date. Happy reading!

Additional Note: While this story can be read by itself, it is a continuation of a previous Take Ten to Write story. Therefore, it would be beneficial to read Potionmasters, Potionmasters Pt. 2, Potionmasters Pt. 3, and Potionmasters Pt. 4 first.

Prompt: Plastic plant.

It’s been a month since my little… mishap… at the shop. I’ve been working my butt off to make up for destroying all our work, but I can tell that Hidir’s still mad at me. I don’t blame him; I’d be furious if my apprentice blew up my entire store of potions too.

So, while I’ve been running around purchasing the potions that Hidir needed, I’ve been trying to think of the perfect gift to give him to make up for it. And, by pure chance, I found it.

Now, it’s time to see if Hidir likes it.

“Berirn, come here,” I whisper. She trots up to me, the bell on her collar making a pleasant jingle. She sits down beside me and starts cleaning her whiskers.

I hold my present in front of her face. “So, what do you think? Is Hidir going to like it?”

Berirn’s tail wags, brushing over my boots.

“I think so too,” I say with a nod. Carefully, I wrap the present in the finest gift paper I own before standing up. “Come along, Berirn, let’s go to the shop.”

Berirn mews as she follows me out.

When we arrive to the shop, Hidir is nowhere to be seen. I duck into the back room to see him stirring a cauldron full of what I presume is kingsbane.

“I could’ve finished the shipment, you know,” I tell him.

“No, I’ve got it under control,” he says, his voice short.

“Your hair is telling me otherwise,” I mutter, staring at the clump of frizzy strands on top of his head.

“Why are you here?” he asks without looking up. “It’s late.”

“I know, but I wanted to give you something.”

“Oh?”

He promptly stops mixing and looks up at me. “Well?”

I pull the present out from my pocket and hand it to him.

“Why are you giving me garbage?”

I frown at him. “That’s premium gift wrapping paper from Norid’s boutique.”

“Norid’s boutique is a scam,” Hidir mumbles, but he still rips open the package.

The paper tumbles to the ground as he stares at his present. “What is it?”

“It’s a decoration,” I say, excitement making my voice high-pitched. “I thought that you could put it on the front desk for customers to see when they enter. And the best part is, it’s made of a magicked material that’s unaffected by any type of potion. At least, that’s what the merchant told me.”

Hidir turns the little plant decoration around in his hand. “Oh? And what exactly is this material called?”

“Pla-stic,” I say, the word feeling strange in my mouth.

Hidir sighs. “Foolish child,” he mumbles, shaking his head. “This is from the merchant from North Dirkid, isn’t it?”

“Yes…?”

Without a word, Hidir turns and exits the back room. I glance down at Berirn.

“What did I do wrong this time?” I sigh.

Final Comments: Yay! Potionmasters!

Overall Rating: 🙂