[Mari]

Arle quickly moved to brush tears out of her eyes, struggling to regain her composure and to hide how upset she was. Now, Arle was no crybaby. She rarely cried, but hear in front of Witch the tears wouldn't stop coming. Arle turned around, hiding her face from Witch. On top of everything she was already feeling, she was now making a fool of herself in public. For once she simply could not compose herself and there was silence as Witch spoke. Eventually though, the moment would pass and she could find the time to breathe again. "...I wish I could say I didn't." Arle replied rather softly. She sounded positively crushed. "But you made me want it. I wanted you so badly and it was everything I could have dreamed of and more... But... It wasn't real." Arle went on to blurt out. One could just hear the despair creeping into her voice as it trailed off into a whimper at that last part. Surprisingly, neither great power nor curry seemed to be enough to soothe Arle. Almost as if she wanted something else entirely...

It turned out that heartbreak was a side effect of Witch's potion. How ironic!

Arle was silent for a long time following her statement, just kind of slipping into a quiet little crisis over her shaken self-esteem, a thousand questions about her own self-worth racing through her head. How could she have allowed this to happen? Was she even worth anything to Witch after having shared that rather intense moment of intimacy with her? Who did she know who would actually understand how she felt? How was she going to explain this to Viridi?! Was she worth being understood? She felt like she was being filed down into a weapon at the expense of her dignity and, worse, her humanity. When she wanted being treated like food by some monster, she was being preyed upon by perverts and led along by her heart strings by people who didn't even love her.

What kind of person did that make her?

[Coolshaymin]

"Y-you enjoyed it? That much?" Witch stumbled out... Apparently shocked that Arle confessed that... Was that just because of the love potion? She couldn't of possibly actually enjoyed it right? The Witch went into a stunned silence as she watched Arle... She was not expecting her to still be heartbroken after it was cured. She thought that Arle would be more angry but actually depressed?

Witch continued to watch Arle wallow in despair for a moment before letting out a deep sigh. She never really intended for Arle to know the truth... But seeing Arle like this was more trouble than it was worth. She guessed she may as well confess if it made her a little better. "I said I did not enjoy it... Because I felt getting that kiss from you that way did not make it right. It was not because I did not want it... I just went into an ego overdose due to some remnants of the love potion on your lips. I was only able to focus long enough to fix that cure because your state snapped me out of it..." Witch began to explain.

"Now don't let it go to your head... But I actually had a bit of a crush on you for a long time. I suppose I just did not think you would care or be interested at all. You know, having so many other people after you. Just was no real reason to bother. Unfortunately there was that time I hugged you in my sleep due to the direction of my dreams... But that was your fault for sneaking up on me for a nap," Witch confessed.

"I did not plan on telling you any of that... But seeing you so depressed over a kiss is murder even for me. The Love Potion was a mistake, I realize now..." Witch finished.

[Mari]

Arle silenced herself for a very long moment as Witch spoke. She had things to say, but accepted the speech on account of the fact that she needed the time to compose herself. She was trying desperately to clear her vision, but could not convince her eyes to stop leaking. It might take a bit longer. A lot of what Witch was saying fell on flat ears and lots of tears. It was when Witch admitted to having a crush on her that Arle's attention was grabbed. Normally she wasn't interested in crushes, but for once hearing that there were legitimate feelings somewhere behind Witch's actions made her feel a bit better about herself. Misguided love was a much less painful explanation for Witch's actions than unadulterated cruelty and dehumanization.

Arle was quiet for a moment longer as Witch finished speaking. What did she want from this conversation now that she understood why Witch did what she did? Arle supposed... she wanted someone to listen to her. She needed a friend, and well--what was she going to do? Go bother one of her rivals? Flee back to Viridi? She decided to give Witch a chance. Arle turned about to face Witch once again. She did not meet Witch's eyes, but maybe that was for the best. She didn't look so good after all that crying. The mage took a few steps forward in Witch's general direction, closing the distance between the two of them to make sure she was heard before speaking up in an especially soft tone.

"The truth is, I've been having a very rough time since I came to Li. Even before then. ...This isn't the first time someone took my dignity like this, Witch. Even before coming here... Everything's bigger and meaner than they were back in our world, and half the planet seems to want to eat me. ...How am I going to face whatever's at the heart of this war when I can already feel myself breaking under the pressure? I can't do this..." Arle blurted out in a barely coherent stream of thought, fidgetting anxiously as she spoke and confessing that she apparently didn't believe in herself anymore. She soon snapped back to focus however and addressed a forgotten aspect of their conversation. "... And I never wanted any of those people you saw after me. N-Not one of them ever cared about what I wanted--about what would make me happy. They only thought of me in terms of how I could benefit them." Arle went on to explain, a hint of bitterness entering her tone. She paused for just a moment, pursing her lips in thought. "...And why should today be any different from any other day, right?"

[Coolshaymin]

Witch remained silent with her eyes closed after finishing her talk. She was half expecting Arle to blast her still... or at least leave her and avoid her. To her surprise however, Arle decided to... vent to her? That was unexpected and Witch actually opened her eyes just to register it. Huh, she really was relieving stress on her... That was a turn she was not braced for... Witch remained silent a little longer after Arle finished, still recovering and processing what she said more than anything.

"You don't think I did not notice the nature of them? Come on, Arle, give me more credit than that. I guess I just did not want to add to it or anything. Them pestering you probably was a big enough pain..." Witch elaborated.

"And no, I did not know anything about that. Was not even aware that was a side you had. Nor did I know you had this problem with getten eaten. Honestly, I did not even consider that you had it hard at all. If I knew any of that, I may of made a slightly less... embarrassing plan..." Witch stated with supposed innocence though her end comment was not clear who was the embarrassed one.

"And don't you go grouping me with those other people. If I did not care about how you felt I would of just drank the antidote myself and let the potion run it's course. I am not saying it makes up for using you like that but I feel it is important we do not forget that fact. I could of kept lovey dovey Arle a while longer..." Witch began to point out.

"But I guess I am not a very good witch. Letting my emotions get in the way of my plans. Guess I am not strong enough to have you to myself if it means you are not yourself or doing it because you want to. That was the part I consider a mistake. Having you give me a kiss because some potion convinced you to. Never knew it would feel so wrong. That plan was clearly the wrong way to go about it. So, I am sorry for tricking you like that and using you. Now I wish I would gave a little more thought to that plan for once..." Witch explained... and sounded as if she was still not entirely sure how it went wrong exactly.

[Mari]

Arle recoiled slightly as Witch made the questionable choice to rub Arle's vulnerability in her face. ...Witch was being honest, but if her goal had been to endear herself to Arle or make her feel any better about what had happened, her comment was a wide--wide miss. How could she stand there, knowing that it was her doing and Arle's choice to trust her that had made her vulnerable in the first place, and use that against her? Had Witch even listened to her when she opened her heart to the other? ...No, of course not. Witch had heard her cries of powerlessness and crushed self-esteem and responded by rubbing salt in the room. She hadn't even been listening. Maybe Witch was lying. Maybe she didn't care as much as she'd like to believe. The mage fell silent as a mixture of anger and bitterness flooded her heart only to find it was already occupied by a fresh wave of despair, leaving her last words to hang in the air.

" . . . "

[Coolshaymin]

She is going silent again. This girl really knows how to pressure someone. What more could she possibly want anyway? "... Honestly, I did not consider you would put so much trust into me to begin with. More my fault for trying it in the first place even if it was unlikely to work. Probably won't put that trust into me again, huh?" Witch began as she suddenly thought of something.

"Yep, no reason to trust me if I said I had some potions that may help prevent you from being eaten. I guess that is a bit unfortunate but how can I do business with someone that is not willing to talk about their problems? I mean, here is me assuming you want something mundane like a Curry Potion of all things. I didn't know you would be here for much more... self-relief issues."

"So how about we take things from the start, eh? I help you with your little dilema and that will be the real celebrity discount. Let's forget the little prank happened.  Your problem with monsters is solved, you can sleep a little better at night and worry less on trips. How does that sound? Of course, I will do this absolutely free of charge. Just for you."

[Mari]

Arle just sort of shot Witch an incredulous look. What did she think she was doing?! " . . . I wanted a friend, not a bribe." Arle responded rather flatly, a little annoyed with Witch's bargaining at this point. "But, I suppose friends don't let friends become someone else's lunch, so... fair enough." Arle went on to relent somewhat reluctantly, moving to lean herself against a nearby wall. "It's just been really hard since I got here. I need someone I can trust. Someone willing to have an open friendship based around enjoying each other's company and being there for eachother when it counts. I don't want to be bought with gifts or lusted over for my body." Arle began to explain, averting her gaze for a long moment as she spoke.

"I mean, no offense. You're really pretty, but I'm... I barely understand how I feel about love right now. A few months ago I fell head over heels for someone, and yknow what? It was another girl! And now with this kiss... Am I gay? I don't know. Maybe?? I don't know what any of these feelings mean! I like her and I kinda liked what we just did, but its not like a math problem where one plus one always equals two! It's more like trying to put together a bunch of jigsaw pieces from several different puzzles..."

"...How am I supposed to tell you what I want when I don't even know what I want? All this talk about love has me wondering who I am! ...I'm just... really not ready for any of this."

[Coolshaymin]

"If you are so against bribes then don't call it one. Bribing you makes it sound more selfish than it really is. It's not like I am trying to get anything out of you," Witch remarked in mild annoyance at Arle's accusations of her attempting to bribe her.


"You have a problem and I want to help. It's more a favor than it is a bribe really. That is what friends do for eachother, right? Help the other when they see their friend is in need? If I was expecting anything from you, it would be for you to do the same if I had some issue..." Witch went on to explain while looking through her potions and her book. Doing a bit of work while listening to Arle. Like you are the only girl with girl issues, Arle...


"I understand Arle. Not exactly an easy thing to get used to, trust me. Still, the evidence does kind of suggest yes. Though, really that kind of thing is not my room to call."


"Besides, if it means anything, I do have methods of helping no other does. My potions are all their own for any situation. And I will be more trustworthy next time. I am also fine for hanging out. And don't think about it as buying you or anything. I am simply using my talents to help a friend. No harm in that, right?"

[Mari]

...Arle wasn't a fan of how indifferent Witch was about this whole thing, but eh. She was listening now, which was decidedly cathardic for Arle. "...Right. As if my love life could get any more complicated. Somehow I don't think any of the boys who've been bothering me would be turned away with a simple phrase." Arle mused aloud, her tone flatlining as she tried to imagine negotiating with Incubus, or Satan for that matter. What did her interests matter to those who'd only ever wanted to objectify her in the first place? Little to naught. "But hey, I haven't seen any of them since I've arrived on Li. ...Things also didn't try to swallow me whole quite so often before I arrived on Li, but hehe--We're working on that one, right? I guess I should be thankful..."

[Coolshaymin]

"Of course they wouldn't. You have the most insistence fanboys of anyone. Not sure if I could even help that. Still, glad to hear you are getting a break from them at least. I don't know what I would do with all that kind of attention. Though some attention would be nice. I do not envy the kind you normally get though. Probably a good idea to enjoy the peace while it lasts," Witch replied as she brought down a few potions and then sat them down on a counter.


"Anyway, I got a few potions here that might help with your problem. This is a Vile Mixture, it makes you taste bad to a point predators really can't stand the taste and don't try. Predators also have this weird habit where others know if someone was hazardous so will probably prevent it. Of course, it also... Makes you taste bad so not sure someone would enjoy a kiss... But that should not matter too much. right? The bigger problem is... They would have to taste you so maybe not...." Witch began with a motion towards a brown potion. There was still a few more potions she has not mentioned but she waited for Arle's reaction.

[Mari]

Arle's reaction... is to lean over and try to take a whiff of that potion. She had this awful suspicion that it would make her smell as bad as she would taste, and well... "...I mean, kisses are really nice once in a while." Arle very softly relented, shifting her eyes away for a moment. She seemed like she was speaking from experience, which would've been weird ... if Witch hadn't just kissed her. "...And I mean, I don't want to repulse my friends... Eugh... That would be humiliating." Arle went on to muse aloud. It didn't seem like she was sold on this whole vile potion thing. What was the point of being nearly inedible if it cost her her dignity anyway? "Honestly, I try really hard to fight but somehow I keep winding up inside monsters anyway. Something tells me they have really ....*gulp* strong stomaches." Arle went on to remark, overcome by disgust at that last part. "What else do you have?"

[Coolshaymin]

"Yeah, I thought that potion may be a no go. Oh well, figured I may as well give you all your options. Honestly, a little surprised kissing was a major selling point though. Our little Arle is changing isn't she~?" Witch replied as Arle chose to smell the potion. Oddly it did not actually smell that bad. Kind of like the opposite of a Durian probably. Terrible taste and decent smell over great taste and terrible smell.


"Okay then, moving on... You know something about predators? They tend to prefer to hunt live prey. Odd that if they think their prey is dead it will actually make them ignore the free meal? It's a rather strange survival tactic faking death. This is a Thanatosis potion. It will slow your heart beat to a level that will make you collapse for a short time. The thing is you are not able to move for a brief period but the potion effectively makes it look as if you died. Thus, it will kill the interest of the predator... Though, if the predator was also a scavenger... Can't say it would help there..."

[Mari]

Arle just sort of thought about this for a moment, only for the image of some monster munching on her flesh while she was unable to move to come to her mind. The mage shuddered at the thought. What a nightmarish way to go. "I... I feel like that has to go really well or I'll wind up dying instead." Arle replied somewhat lamely. She seemed less than enthusiastic about the possibilities Witch was putting before her. "Y'know, a potion that made them spit me up would probably be best. Something I can pull out and use when the situation arises. I"ve had some situations where getting out has been ... really complicated, so that would've helped there." Arle suggested off the top of her head. Simple answers for the down to earth mage, perhaps.

[Coolshaymin]

"About time. I was waiting for you to give me some input. Hard for a Witch to help when their client won't tell them what they want. Luckily for you I have just what you need in stock~," Witch declared as she pulled a few of the potions aside and left behind a few in a very different casing filled with a purple liquid. Witch giggled as she revealed 3 matching potions, all having a picture of someone looking very naseous.

 "These potions are Noxious Toxins. They are very disgusting to say the least. So disgusting in fact they are sure to make you very sick to your stomach if ingested... Or placed broken in a belly. Not even the most iron of stomachs can withstand these things. The only real issue is if something is not capable of getting a severe stomach ache, it won't help much. Still, there are a ton of monsters or people it will upset very easily. Just come back to me when you run low and I will give you make some more. I may do it as a favor but don't forget there is always ways and times you can return the favor~," she explained and ended her explanation with a giggle.

[Mari]

Arle considered this prospect for a moment. Finally, a potion with a simple answer to her problems. She could deal with how gross being eaten was if she could at least get out alive, a sentence she really didn't expect to hear herself think. She reached out to accept the options, but... what was that about paying Witch back? "Uuuh--Like how do you mean?" Arle asked somewhat nervously, not really wanting to leave any implications unquestioned around the person who had already established a lack of respect for her body.