Robin awoke with a start, and jumped to her feet, fully alert. She put a hand to her sword, but was unable to draw it from its sheath. Robin looked down. The sword was securely fastened to the sheath via a rope.
“Whoah there!” A voice came from behind her. “Let's calm down for a bit, ey?”
Robin spun about to see a man with ginger brown hair bringing in a tray of food and a glass of water. The door shut behind him.
“Who are you? Where is this? Why did you kidnap me?” Robin eyed the man, warily.
“Now, calm down. It seems there's been a mistake in communications.” The man placed the tray upon a nearby table. “You see, my master, Magi Payton, expressed his desires to meet with you, after learning of your arrival yesterday. However…a few of our members accidentally took that as an executive order, and took matters into their own hands.”
The man sighed, and shook his head. “In that regards, I am here to heartily apologize for their attitudes in this regard. Can you forgive us for this blunder?” The youth bowed formally.
“...You can return me to my companions?” She asked.
“Well, it will take a bit of maneuvering, but I assure you, that you can walk out of here before the sun reaches its zenith.” The youth smiled cheerfully. “As for your other questions, it is an honor to meet you, Hero Robin. My name is Ray Valent. You are currently in the headquarters of the Magi Council's Research Center. Once again, I heartily apologize for the scare you received.”
Robin calmed down a bit. “Why did you tie up my sword?” She asked.
“In our experience, sometimes people choose to slash first and ask questions later. There are a lot of delicate instruments in our research center that could potentially be hazardous when broken, so this was merely a precaution. I can remove the rope now, if you'd like?”
“...Please.” Robin held out her sword. The rope untied itself and floated across to Ray, who placed it inside his jacket, where it disappeared.
“There we go. You're probably famished by this time, so I took it upon myself to bring you something from our cafeteria.” Ray waved a hand towards the table.
Robin smelled the scent of food, and her stomach growled in response. “...Thank you.” Robin replied, sitting down to eat.
The breakfast was lovely. Everything was cooked perfectly, and there was nothing missing. She finished everything else before starting on the bread roll that came with the food. Perhaps that was the mistake.
The roll was too dry. Robin choked on it, and quickly downed the drink that came in the wooden cup with the food.
“Oh, darnit, don't drink that!” Ray suddenly recalled why he had that cup in the first place.
Poof! A familiar pink cloud suddenly filled the room around Robin, covering both her and Ray within its compass. Ray coughed and opened up a window, airing out the room.
“I take it I just drank something I shouldn't have?” Robin asked.
“Yeah. You know I told you about those two which took things the wrong way? Well my fellow apprentice Lawson scolded them rather harshly for it. I caught them pouring a failed potion of Jasmine's in his drink earlier, and when they weren't looking, I switched out his cup with my own. Um…I’m sorry! I completely forgot it was in there!” Ray bowed another apology, completely regretful.
Robin shuddered. “Um…you aren't feeling anything like inordinate feelings for me, are you?”
Ray tilted his head. “..No? Is that what the potion is supposed to do?”
Robin sighed in relief. “Yeah. I was chased halfway around the capital when Prince Christian accidentally drank it. Jasmine says it now only works on men.”
Ray took a step back. “Wait…does that mean…oh no! You…you better stay here for now! I n-need to go talk to Lawson!” Ray said in a panicked voice.
Robin tilted her head as she saw Ray leave, and then froze. Right…the potion supposedly only works on men…and Robin was currently supposed to be a ‘man.’
“How do I explain this…” Robin groaned. “But, wait…it didn't work on Ray either…could it have expired?” …Or else maybe…Robin found herself contemplating a familiar scenario.
Soon enough, footsteps approached the door. Someone knocked.
“Hero Robin? This is Lawson. Could you please pass the cup you drank from through the door? I will open it a bit.”
Robin passed the cup through the door.
“This bright pink liquid.. I'm afraid it's confirmed…you did drink Jasmine's potion.” Lawson said, regretful that he hadn't disposed of it properly.
“Um…is it possible that it has expired?” Robin asked. “Ray was in the room when I drank it, but I didn't feel anything out of the ordinary back then.”
Lawson opened the door in shock. “What!?” He was a rather dignified person with walnut brown hair, and pale green eyes. But currently, he was the most surprised.
Robin shrugged. “It didn't work on me or Ray, it seems.”
“Ray is-his situation is different from yours.” Lawson said tactfully. “...You're certain that potion had no effect on you?”
Robin crossed her arms in front of her and replied sarcastically. “If it did, then I don't see why it isn't working with you standing in front of me, too.”
Lawson froze. “Ahem! I suppose you're right about that, then.” He looked off to the side. “Do you have any idea why it didn't work on you?”
“Well, let's see…I was down for a few weeks after accidentally drinking klargun’s brew. And I have a high affinity with Nature and Poison elements. Perhaps I was able to naturally resolve it due to that?” Robin asked.
“I'm afraid potions are created specifically to circumvent natural affinities. However…klargun's brew is an idea. Perhaps the residual components could have reacted against the active components of the potion, rendering them inert?” Lawson pondered.
Robin shrugged. “Beats me. I'm not a researcher.”
“Do you mind if we observe you for a day, Hero Robin? It's possible that there's a delay in the effects. They could simply not have emerged yet.” Lawson asked.
“I’m afraid I cannot comply.” Robin shook her head and replied. “Your fellows’ actions has alarmed my entire party. They will not rest until they find that I am safe and sound. Besides, even if it manifests, one of my members has holy spring water.”
“... You're sure?” Lawson asked.
“Positive.” Robin replied. “I can forgive the accidental administration of the potion, but I refuse to take part in an experimental study.”
“Very well. Ray, go see if you can contact Magi Jasmine, will you? I’ll be here just in case the potion takes ahold.” Lawson requested.
“But if that's the case, then wouldn't I be the safer person to stay here-”
“Ray. Please. Go now.” Lawson interrupted.
“Eh…right.” Ray left to head to the communications array.
Robin sat down with a sigh. “It really didn't have any effect on me though…” She muttered.
Another slower set of footsteps approached the room.
“Disciple Lawson, I’ve come to examine that failed potion of Jasmine's. Where did you put it?” An elderly man with a full head of white hair peeked his head into the door, light sparkling off the multicolored frames of his spectacles.
“Oh? Who's this? A friend of yours?”
“Master Payton!” Lawson was surprised. “Er…not a friend. An acquaintance, really.”
“An acquaintance, ey? And why are they here at the research center?” Magi Payton pushed the spectacles up further on his nose to adjust them.
Lawson sighed. “Master Payton, allow me to introduce Hero Robin. Hero Robin, this is my master, Magi Payton.”
“Oh? The Hero? A pleasant surprise, to be sure, but…erm..why is he here?” Magi Payton asked.
“Those two errand runners took it upon themselves to personally snatch him here after hearing you wanted to meet him.” Lawson explained.
“Oh? I see. You must have scolded them dreadfully then. They ran away before I could ask for where you were.” Payton shook his head. “So about that failed potion of Magi Jasmine's?”
Lawson cleared his throat awkwardly. “Um…via a series of incidents…the Potion is gone now.”
Robin nodded. “Yeah. Those lackeys tried to drug Lawson with it, but Ray managed to switch it out with his own glass. And I drank it without looking.”
Payton blinked, surprised. “You drank it? Heavens, are you all right, young man?”