Testing time

[melodymagic]

Melody had called Maddy the next morning, after meeting Theresa in the coffee shop, and asked her if she was working that day. She really wanted to try the potion, and it had a half life of thirty six hours before it started losing its potency. She'd been checking the colour and giving the bottle the shake it needed every so often to prevent the ingredients from separating.

When Maddy said she was working the late shift Melody was glad, and asked her to meet her for an early lunch, as Melody was working that afternoon and evening at a function in the Skylark. She hurried along the sidewalk, turning into the plaza and glancing up at the clock displayed in the centre of the outdoor dining area. She was a little late and she scanned the area, looking for Maddy. A series of small cafes and restaurants clustered around the area, making the most of the lunchtime trade from the businesses located all around.

Comments

Re: Testing time

[brian_campo]

Brian’s mouth felt weird, like the time he ate a kiwi before knowing he was allergic. There was a mild sensation of pins and needles. He rubbed his face. Unlike Melody, he was embarrassed, both for having caused the incident and for his reaction to it. Maybe there was residual potion on her tongue and it transferred, making him more susceptible to hormonal urges.

“Seriously, are you okay? I am so sorry.” He took some of the napkins and blotted his face and neck, which seemed to have caught most of the damage. His headphones still worked, evidenced by the beats blasting from the foamy speakers.

Then, although it was none of his business,

“Why were you taking a sex potion in the plaza?”

Re: Testing time

[melodymagic]

Now Melody did feel embarrassed, but laughed instead of blushing, rather pleased it hadn't been a stranger. Thought that could possibly have been an interesting test, she found herself thinking when Brian asked his question.

"Oh, it wasn't!" she told him quickly, eyes darting to Maddy, and wondering how much to tell him. But she quickly decided that given what had just happened she at least owed him an explanation.

"It was a potion to help with confidence,' she explained quickly, now feeling a little less of the tingling, and wondering just how long the affects would last. "Seems to work," she added, with a twisted smile and looking at Maddy then back at Brian. "Though I hadn't exactly been planning on taking the whole vial, especially in one go!" She punched him lightly on the shoulder. "So I have you to thank for that!"

Re: Testing time

[maddy_ricks]

Maddy shook her head and mumbled, “I need a cigarette.”

She dug the fresh pack from her pocket and collapsed in a chair. Now that the worst seemed to be over, she realized how freaked out she’d been. “If my hair turns white, I’m kicking somebody’s ass.” The pack thumped into her palm and then she unwrapped the cellophane.

Re: Testing time

[brian_campo]

“Confidence,” he said, slow and careful as he considered it. Brian shut off his walkman and rubbed the back of his neck. “So… you didn’t do anything you wouldn’t normally do. You were just… less inhibited.”

His eyes shifted to Melody’s face and then away again. Ah yeah, change of subject needed. He pulled out a chair and sat down, welcoming himself into a private conversation as soon as he retrieved the sandwich bag. “I could use some of that for my— ” He had been about to say telekinesis but caught himself.

“Music?” Maddy prompted. Smoke twirled above her cigarette.

“Actually no. My telekinesis,” he said, folding his arms on the table.

Maddy kicked him under the table. “Shut up, you do not have telekinesis.”

“Oh really?” Brian stared at her. “You’re saying women have got the lock on special powers?”

Re: Testing time

[melodymagic]

While she hadn't been expecting Brian to join them Melody was rather pleased he had sat down with them.

And then when he made his revelation she stared at him, then Maddy and then back at him.

"You are telekinetic?" she said, the usual squeak gone, but the volume needing a little bit of work. Fortunately everyone around then was so engrossed in their own conversations, or lunch, that her voice was lost in ether.

"And why don't you want him telling me?" she found herself asking Maddy before she'd realised she was saying it.

Re: Testing time

[maddy_ricks]

Maddy scowled. “I seriously did not know he had it.”

She leaned forward. “Brian, for real?” A shake of her head. “I knew you’d been weird lately, but I thought maybe you were experimenting with heroin or penises or Republicanism or something.”

This was a seriously jarring revelation. Maddy, who could open any door she wanted, had come to think of herself as astute when it came to people's secrets.

Re: Testing time

[brian_campo]

Brian was appalled. “The least offensive thing on that list is the penises.” He pulled the headphones from his neck and began to wrap the cord. “Besides, I’ll tell you my secrets when you own up to your real age.”

Maddy snorted and kept smoking, deliberately looking at their neighbors.

He ignored his friend for the moment and focused on Melody. “Yeah for almost a year. Came out of nowhere.” He wished he had a pair of sunglasses because it was bright, even with the umbrella overhead. “Sometimes I second guess myself. You’re lucky I stopped breaking things every time I get caught off guard. That definitely counted.”

He stretched out his hand for the vial. It was probably empty, but if there were a few drops left, he wouldn’t mind taking a hit.

Re: Testing time

[melodymagic]

It took a second for Melody to realise what Brian wanted, and when she did she held her hand, that still held the small glass container, out and lay it flat on the table, the vial laying on the flat of her palm. Their bodies shielded them from any neighbourhood curiosity, and Melody looked at Brian.

"You want it? You get it," she told him, surprising herself a little, but getting used to this. Sort of. Her eyes darted across to see Maddy's face and she wasn't sure what she saw there. Her friend, for the first time Melody had seen, looked a little out of sorts.

Re: Testing time

[brian_campo]

“You’d make a good dealer,” Brian said, subtly taking the container from her palm. He looked around to make sure nobody was looking at them, muttered, “Telekinesis,” in case he was supposed to focus on something specific, and then tossed it back, hoping the momentum would coax any remaining liquid out. A few droplets hit the roof of his mouth. He tapped it like a ketchup bottle and then handed it back with a sour face, “Man, that tastes horrible.”

A waiter approached and asked if they’d like a round of drinks.

“Yeah, water,” he said, wiping his palms on his jeans.

Re: Testing time

[maddy_ricks]

Maddy gave him a pointed look. “Aren’t you supposed to be leaving?” she chirped.