Scientific Notes about Coffee Magic

#2157 (Handwriting is neat and tidy, fancy cursive)

Work on my Theorem in Coffee Magic has tragically slowed to almost a stop. Every method of roasting or spell I've tried seems to yield the same results. I just can't seem to create the perfect blend of coffee by myself.

But there is a small sliver of hope. I heard a new spell has been discovered. One that you can cast on yourself and it's supposed to enhance a cookie's abilities and core ingredient.

Now I don't pride myself in cheating. Especially not in my own academic field of expertise. However I do believe a little bit of help from this spell will be beneficial to my studies.

I will conduct further research on this spell before using it however.

#2158

Apparently the spell hasn't been thoroughly tested yet. However there are clear instructions on how to cast it together with the request of handing in any experience reports to the Institute of Spell Research. Here's a summary of the instructions so I can remember it better:

Items needed:

• an enhancement runestone

• a potion brewed from fragrant juniper berries, activated licorice charcoal, vanilla orchids and crushed star jellies

How to cast:

• Have the potion freshly made before using it. It should have a thick, syrup-like consistency.

• charge runestone with mana until the carving glows

• pour potion into the carving for activation

• incantate "Amplificare Ad Absolutum" with vigor

• sip potion from runestone

If everything goes well I should feel energetic and optimistic. Let's hope this works as intended.

#2159

I cast the spell this morning. And I must say, it went great! No hiccups, no burnt potion. Everything was under perfect control!

And. I. Feel. Great.

It's as if… I've been energized. Granted, that's something you'd expect from an enhancement spell, but I did not expect it to work this well! I can feel my mana brimming underneaath my dough, aching to be utilized for the most brilliant spells of coffee magic! It's thrumming in every beat of my heart, flowing through my body like electricity. But the good kind of electric. It's almost overwhelming with the sheer amount of energy there is. I can feel it ruminating and churning.

I must get to work immediately.

#2160

It's been a couple of hours. I have created an entirely new blend of coffee! I managed to combine a roasting spell with a technique of brewery that I usually couldn't use together. Mainly because I wouldn't have had the energy for both of those measures within the same brew. Thanks to this spell however I did!

I always knew this combination of methods would result in the perfect cup of coffee - I just never had the capability to actually test this hypothesis. 

And ooohh what a perfect cup of coffee it is. The char from the roast mixes pefectly with the coffee beans' natural bitterness. All the while its fragrance gets enhanced! Truly a well balanced flavor!

Nothing stands in the way of my Theorem in Coffee Magic now!

#2161 (handwriting seemingly more hurried)

Something went wrong. I'm not sure what, but something definitely did. I made another cup of coffee this morning. From the same blend I created yesterday. But it tasted different… More bitter than the day before. I cannot explain why.

How annoying! I went through all of my calculations and even reread the book page on the roasting spell in search for a possible explanation. But nothing came up! No known side effects, no errors in my claculations, nothing! Then why did the flavor change overnight?

I am frustrated. Beyond frustrated. Perhaps I will give Latte Cookie a cup and see what she thinks.

Anyways, I have noticed the enhancement spell is still running high in my dough. The same energy is still brimming inside me from when I first cast it. Perhaps even more so. I'm suspecting this spell only stops working if nullified with a fit counter spell. This isn't a problem at the moment though — I still feel better than ever before. However the ISR better come up with a counter spell in the near future. This wasn't supposed to be a permantent change to my capabilites.

#2162

Odd. Latte tried my ultimate blend and said it was fine. A "mighty dandy" cup of coffee as she put it, but she couldn't detect any of the further bitterness that I tasted. She handed me the cup to see for myself, but strangely enough it was even worse than before. It took all of my self control not to spit the drink right onto the carpet in her office.

That would have been quite embarrassing.

Anyhow, she must have seen the grimace I pulled, because she immediately invited me to visit the café with her and Madeleine Cookie this afternoon. "To take a break from my studies and return with a fresh perspective." The only fresh perspective I gain from spending time with Madeleine is that of a migraine. That oaf.

Then again, a break is probably what I need. Although I will never admit that out loud.

#2163 (handwriting now clearly hurried)

Okay, something is clearly wrong. And it was not the blend of coffee I made. I think — and it scares me to think that — the enhancement spell may be at fault. I'm not sure. It's the only plausible explanation I have left of what is going on with me.

For recap: Latte, Madeleine and I went to that café. It was all fine until I decided to order a portion of tiramisu for a change. I had hoped the sweetness I typically don't like would cure my taste problem.

WRONG!

As soon as the dessert touched my tounge I retched! Actually retched! It tasted so unbelievably bitter, everything in my mouth and throat constricted! The back of my tongue felt like it shriveled up! My stomach churned so bad… I couldn' t keep it togehter. I had to excuse myself and made a rather undignifying dash for the washroom.

Where I promptly expelled any and all contents from my stomach into the toilet. Just because of that horrid taste. And even after that I think I dry heaved three or four times.

Is bile supposed to be black and slightly grainy…?

After some time Madeleine quietly entered the bathroom too, asking if I was alright, while I was still cathcing my breath. He noticed how shaken I was and immediately helped me up, guiding me to one of the sinks. There I rinsed my mouth the best I could.

As much as I hate to admit it, but sometimes I'm glad he's around. The whole situation was devastatingly embarrassing. Thankfully he made none of his typical comments. I don't know what's worse. Those boisterous remarks or his worried silence and hushed tone.

At least the two brought me home to rest. I… didn' t tell them the true cause of my ailment. Just said it was probably a stomach bug and that I'd be fine.

I totally didn't refuse to be brought to a healer.

I don't have time to rest! I need to get to the bottom of this, because-!

Because this is bad! Extremely bad! If this continues and I won't be able to eat at all and the ISR doesn't find a counter spell in time then-!

I don't want to think about it.

I'm tired. The amplified energy still courses through me. It feels different now. Foreign. No longer like my own. It feels like its own thing now. It's beginning to get hot in here.

I need a nap.

#2164 (handwriting shaky, changing from cursive to print irregularly)

It's been a few hours. There's a storm brewing outside now. Judging by how dark the sky has gotten it will be a bad one.

First thing I did after waking up was writing a letter to the ISR informing them of my problem. The bluebird I tasked with delivering said letter seemed anxious about the storm, however a few encouraging words sent it on its way. Not my typical way of dealing with things, but I need this letter to arrive asap. I just hope the bird makes it through the storm.

I'm feeling hungry by now. Ugh… Let's see what's in my fridge. And if it's edible in my current state.

...

My… my kitchen is a mess! I- I don't remember doing this. Food is half-hazardly strewn about everywhere. I-! It must have been me. Because I remember everything tasting ACRID! Some smells alone make me gag.

At least water still works. It tastes empty and flat, but it's better than nothing. Although it barely helps against the growing void in my guts.

#2165

I did research last night. Dug through my books for any healing or neutralizing spells. But those need a baseline to return me to. I don't know if I still have that.

Witches, I'm burning up. The fever and hunger make it hard to focus. How long have I been home now? Hours? Days? Still no food. Something smells bitter. Like roasting coffee? Is it me? I don't know. All is so hazy…

I can't see straight.

#2166 (Chicken scratch)

What the hell is going on?? I- I-

I'm breathing freaking smoke! Or is it steam? Locigally it woul- I don't trust my own logic.

I'm hungry.

It smells like coffee. Everything smells like coffee.

Something has settled in my gut. Something solid and heavy. I feel full.

Then how am I still hungry?

#2167 (lines on the paper no longer mean anything)

I forced myself to eat. I ignored the involuntary reactions and scarfed down half a biscuit bread.

... I threw it back up.

Not only the bread came out.

Some… sort of black liquid did too. Lots of it.

Bitter and grainy. Like coffee grounds. The acrid taste made my retching even worse.

I couldn't stop…

At least I feel lighter now. And still so fucking hungry.

Oh witches it's coming up aga- (black splotches are smeared over the rest of the page)

#21678

I'm so fucking hungry.

(more black splatters like teardrops)

#21huNGRY (frantically scribbled all over the page)

HUNGER HUNGER HUNGER HUNGER HUNGER HUNGER HUNGER HUNGER HUNGER HUNGER HUNGER HUNGER HUNGER HUNGER HUNGER HUNGER HUNGER HUNGER HUNGER HUNGER HUNGER HUNGER HUNGER HUNGER HUNGER HUNGER HUNGER HUNGER HUNGER HUNGER HUNGER HUNGER HUNGER HUNGER HUNGER HUNGER HUNGER HUNGER HUNGER HUNGER HUNGER HUNGER HUNGER HUNGER HUNGER HUNGER HUNGER HUNGER HUNGER HUNGER HUNGER HUNGER HUNGER HUNGER HUNGER HUNGER HUNGER HUNGER HUNGER HUNGER HUNGER HUNGER HUNGER HUNGER HUNGER HUNGER HUNGER HUNGER HUNGER HUNGER HUNGER HUNGER HUNGER HUNGER HUNGER HUNGER HUNGER HUNGER HUNGER HUNGER HUNGER HUNGER HUNGER HUNGER HUNGER HUNGER HUNGER HUNGER HUNGER HUNGER HUNGER HUNGER HUNGER HUNGER HUNGER HUNGER HUNGER HUNGER HUNGER HUNGER HUNGER HUNGER HUNGER HUNGER HUNGER HUNGER HUNGER HUNGER HUNGER HUNGER HUNGER HUNGER HUNGER HUNGER HUNGER HUNGER

<ˆ> <ˆ> <ˆ>

Madeleine Cookie struts through the streets of the Vanilla Kingdom. His pace is quickened with purpose and worry, barely letting him appreciate the sunny weather and marble walkways.

He hadn't seen his dear Espresso in two weeks. The last time he did, he was in a state of sickness. Madeleine would have preferred to check in on Espresso sooner, but unfortunately knightly duties kept him occupied. Especially when he was tasked with clean up duties after that storm.

At least now he is on his merry way.

On the steps to Espresso's house he pauses. Inside everything is dark. Which is untypical for the other cookie, who always wants to be acutely aware of every minute detail in his surroundings. Madeleine frowns as he lifts his loosely balled fist to knock on the dark wood of the door.

No reply.

Not necessarily a bad thing. Knowing Espresso, he is probably too buried in his studies to answer the door. Madeleine shakes his head with a chuckle.

"Oh Espresso, didn't I tell you to rest?"

He opens the door with the spare key he 'borrowed' and steps inside the darkened home with knightly flourish.

"Espresso Cookie! Your knight in shining armor has arr-!"

Madeleine pauses, brilliant blue eyes widening in shock. The place is a mess. The air reeks of something bitter he can't identify. Papers and books are spread on every possible surface including the floor. Puddles and spots - fresh and old - of a foreign black substance litter the floors too.

Alarm bells ring in Madeleine's mind loud and wailing.

"Espresso…? Friend?", he calls out, this time softer and worried.

Carefully stepping around the sludge puddles on the floor, he advances into the home in search of his dear friend. Living room and kitchen are vacated, so is the study. He is probably in his bedroom then. Upstairs the blessed knight goes, softly knocking onto the bedroom door.

A weak cough is his answer.

Madeleine wastes no further time. The room is steamy and hot. A thick haze wafting in the air, reeking of burnt coffee. It's hard to breathe properly.

Espresso lays collapsed on the rug in front of his bed. He faces away from the door, as if he had tried to reach his bed but failed to. Espresso has always been a little on the frail side with how often he simply forgot to eat, but oh witches, he looks emaciated. Limbs bony with the joints painfully sticking out. His normally well-fit clothes hang loosely on his frame. Espresso's hair is a filthy mess and his glasses are nowhere is sight. The same black substance staining most of him.

"E… Essie…?" Madeleine's whisper comes out higher pitched than he wants it to.

Espresso barely reacts. Faint recognition flickers in his dull eye and he tries to move, but his wheezing breaths only turn more labored than before. Madeleine cringes from seeing his ribcage expand and collapse with each wheeze.

He's seen enough. Jumping back into action, the knight quickly kneels beside his friend. Espresso lifts a shaky hand to outstretch in Madeleine's direction, his skin glinting wet where this substance is clinging to his fingers and palm.

Madeleine slowly flips Espresso onto his back, careful not to break his fragile body. He snakes his arms under his shoulders and knees and picks up his friend, keeping him close to his chest. It's scary how light Espresso has become.

The mage in his arms tries to say something. Only weak coughs and more of that sludge gurgle out of his mouth.

His knight softly shushes him. "Shh, it's okay. You'll be fine. Just hang in there for me…"

His feet hurriedly carry them down the stairs and outside, straight towards the castle at the edge of the town. The cool air in the streets only puts into contrast how hot and feverish Espresso has become. His spine digs uncomfortably into Madeleine's arm. Madeleine can also clearly feel each individual rib underneath his fingers, although he tries to ignore it.

"Pure Vanilla Cookie!!", the knight calls out frantically upon burtsing into the royal garden, where he had spotted the radiant healer.

Pure Vanilla startles in his pavilion between beds of orchids. He quickly senses the issue at hand and ushers Madeleine to lower Espresso into his lap. He gently cradles the suffering cookie in his arms as Madeleine sits across from him, worry deeply etched into his face.

"How could this have happened?", the healer muses quietly.

No words are needed for Pure Vanilla to understand what to do. He places a hand on Espresso's wheezing chest. A golden light emits from his palm, seeping into the dough beneath. Espresso's eyes widen briefly, lucidity returning to them, before he squeezes them shut as a coughing fit rattles his body. More steam and sludge errupt from his lips.

Madeleine, in lack of a better option, grabs his cape and uses it to continuously wipe his friend's face clean.

"This… Is unlike anything I've ever encountered in my life…!" Pure Vanilla's brows furrow in concern. It was true. So far every injury and every sickness he clearly sensed in his patients. And each time his magic amplified their bodies' natural healing mechanisms and soothed their pain. The ailment tormenting Espresso however… feels off.

He can't sense the sickness slowing down…

Espresso's coughing grows worse. His whole body twitches with each strenuous hack and he struggles to breathe. Whole gushes of sludge flow down his chin, which are soaked up by a blue cape.

Something tightens in the healer's chest. He focuses harder. There's this endless rushing in the straining and weakly writhing Espresso.

Is his magic making it worse…?

Obscene choking sounds finally make him stop. He frowns deeply.

Madeleine freezes. "Pure Vanilla? Why did you… stop?"

A sorrowful sigh leaves the healer. "I'm so sorry, Madeleine Cookie…" His gentle voice is filled with empathy and sadness. "I'm afraid there's nothing I can do."

Between them, Espresso coughs a few more times and tiredly tries to catch his gurgling breath. Pure Vanilla places his hand on his sweaty, tear stained cheek in a soothing manner.

"N-No! Please! You must save him! I beg of you!" Madeleine begs desperately, squeezing Espresso's frail hand subconsciously.

Pure Vanilla sighs deeply. It is a healer's duty to save lives, yes. But there is a threshold where living with an ailment is more torturous than death. In such cases it is a healer's responsibility to let go. However in this case, he is truly powerless. It claws at his heart despite it not being the first time for him to make such a decision.

"I'm sorry, Madeleine Cookie. The kindest thing we can do for Espresso is to allow him to pass as comfortably as possible."

Tears well up in the blue eyes of the knight. Crushing hopelessness weighs down his spirit. He gazes upon his tormented friend, vision blurred by tears. His poor Essie doesn't deserve an end like this. Especially not so soon.

Still this horrid substance dribbles past his lips and each irregular breath produces this awful smelling steam.

Madeleine lets go of his cape and places his hand atop Espresso's head instead, the other still holding his hand. He won't let go.

Espresso opens his eyes with an exhausted flutter, irises dull and unfocused. He opens his mouth too, voice garbled and hoarse and barely audible.

"My… data… in… complete…" Another weak cough interrupts him.

In response Pure Vanilla softly rubs his thumb across his cheek.

Madeleine bites back his sobs. He has to keep it together for his dear Essie. He can mourn later. Nevertheless, they still come out.

"It's… it's fine. Don't worry about it.", the knight presses forth a soothing reply.

It's painful to watch the chest of his friend rise in labored shudders, each rib sticking out, only to collapse in an abrupt wheeze or gurgle. His eyes droop tiredly, slowly closing again.

Espresso squeezes Madeleine's hand as if it's his anchor. Madeleine dutifully squeezes it back, signaling his friend that he was there.

The coffee mage gives one last cough and dribble of sludge, before his labored breathing starts to slow down. Each wheeze grows quieter and each rise of his chest more shallow. Until he eventually exhales and never inhales again. His hand falls limp in Madeleine's desperate grip and his head lulls to the side, stopped by Pure Vanilla's careful hold.

"It's over. He's no longer suffering…", the healer speaks softly once he senses Espresso's energy fade.

Madeleine doubles over, clutching his friend's hand to his chest as he sobs freely, mourning the loss of his closest comrade.