Chapter Text
"I will make a potion that will turn you into a human for three days, got that? Three days."
Azul Ashengrotto had Night Raven College wrapped in all eight of his arms.
Everywhere he went there were poor unfortunate souls begging for generous aid, celebrated business "partners" with anemone bouncing atop their heads, pitiful enemies who crumbled at his feet and lost their unique magics as collateral... The boss was on a roll, and riding out the wave of a tantalizing high.
Azul twirled around a corner, elated at the sight of so many bouncing head-anemones. So many contracts well fulfilled, he was so benevolent, so generous! The Sea Witch would be proud.
The octopus was ready for another day of dealing, waltzing through the Mirror Chamber then the halls of Octavinelle. As he entered his bedroom and carried on his routine—a shower, a change of clothes, then a meal, in that order, before he left for the Mostro Lounge—Azul could not wait to see which poor unfortunate soul would come flocking to his lounge for assistance.
The house was full, or so it was when Azul walked in.
Jade and Floyd barely exchanged a word with him, yet they relayed everything that he needed to know: Jade was handling more tables than usual, Floyd was the same in the kitchen, and there was a growing line of so called "minnows" (Floyd's words) out front just waiting to be seen.
"Seems today will be busy again, Azul," Jade said, barely concealing his mocking, pleased smile as yet another customer joined the line, "How very fortunate."
In terms of slyness, Jade had earned a spot of respect by Azul's side as his right hand man. Vice housewarden of Octavinelle, diligent worker in the Mostro Lounge, Azul would be a fool if he let his guard down; Jade's cruel smile sent a message, in that split second, that someone in that line piqued his interest.
A dangerous thing, it was, to pique Jade's interest...
An even more dangerous thing, was to pique Azul's interest.
Azul looked at the line, angling his eyes with Jade's to pinpoint exactly who he was observing: The new customer, the one who just joined the line.
He was a hermit looking thing with barely any presence; the type that asks for something tall without thinking of the consequences, the type of dumb privileged kid with money to spend and little brains to use it.
Azul could smell the desperation off him—a talent that he always has possessed—and it was thrilling.
He leaned over to Jade's side, mumbling in his ear.
"That one," He said, subtly pointing at the poor sod with his cane, "Tell him to come see me before the others."
Jade's grin was borderline manic, all sharp teeth and feigned kindness; he placed a hand over his chest, ever the loyal vice.
"Right away, Azul."
Jade was right, that man was interesting.
From the moment he walked into Azul's office, he could tell the pitiful soul had big wishes. Not just 'ace my alchemy test' or 'have beautiful hair' or even 'be the fastest boy in track & field club'— But something juicy, something worth dealing with.
"I want that person to love me," He'd said, pointing at a photo he'd tossed on Azul's desk, "That one."
Azul couldn't, for the life of him, understand this obsession with love. It all seemed so pointless, so wishy-washy, so beneath him. But any poor, unfortunate, desperate soul couldn't just be turned away.
"I see." Azul pushes up his classes, putting his hands together against his chin, "Well, that is a tall order- One dare say, an illegally difficult one."
It was true. Love potions were very, very illegal. This guy either had the assets to pay, or the stupidity to ask with no power of bargain.
"—I have contacts." The man said, answering Azul's internal query.
He put several papers on the table and Azul recognized the names, they were all known names, big names, names Azul's business savvy brain salivated over.
"Whatever you want, I'll get it for you! Just Get- Me—"
He slaps his hand over the picture.
"—Them."
Azul was elated.
He was right on the money about the desperation, and the assets in his client's backpocket!
He glanced at Jade and Floyd, who were stationed right by the door in case negotiations turned sour, and gave them a curt nod.
Catch of the day, boys.
Floyd grinned with excitement but was cordial enough to keep his laugh contained. Jade smiled too, equally excited by their new prospects.
"Of course." Azul said, sliding his palms over the table as he stood up, smiling ever so generously, "In that case—"
He grabs two small cups and a bottle of mineral water from the display case behind him, crystalline liquid swirling in its glass casing, and slides the glass cup over to his newest business partner.
"—Here's the deal."
Three hours of riveting conversation. Three hours of Azul gleefully milking that stupid boy's naivety for all it was worth.
And worth was the right word, indeed, for the riches Azul was about to obtain.
One love potion, three days of courtship, and all those delicious names would be eating off the palm of Azul's hand- Hahaha!
He admired the name signed on his golden contract, the penmanship was crass but the power it held was beautiful.
Speaking of beautiful, he remembered the desperate look on your Suitor's face—how, just from speaking about you, from obsessively holding your picture, his heart seemed to sing.
How enthralled, how fervent—
—How pathetic.
Azul picked that word, "suitor", to designate his dear contactee according to the nature of their agreement— The Suitor wanted you.
And, in exchange, Azul wanted his power.
He looked over to Jade, who stood next to his desk and held a stack of papers.
"The ingredients list," He placed a paper on the desk, "The supplier list," He placed another paper, "And the revised laws for reviewing," He sets the rest of the thick stack beside the two papers, "As requested."
"Marvelous work, Jade." Azul praises, rolling the golden contract closed and pushing himself off his chair, beelining to his secured vault.
As he puts away the contract, Jade looks down at Azul's neat desk. Something on it calls out to him: a picture of someone he recognizes. A picture of you.
He picks it up, studying the image. Whoever took this picture did so professionally, you look stunning...
He glances at Azul, pauses, then stares at the picture.
"So they're who he wants." He says. Azul's ears perk up at his enunciation.
"...Do you happen to know our client's object of desire, Jade?" Azul closes the vault, glancing over his shoulder at the moray.
"Of course," Jade says, holding the picture to his lips to hide a sinister grin, "They've been making quite a name for themself."
Azul turns around, fully facing Jade and holding his gaze on him. Jade stares back, like the abyss, Azul's eyes narrow knowingly.
Ah. He sees how it is.
Silence falls over the two, staler than a stalemate.
"A name, you say?"
It's curious how talking to Jade, at times, feels like an arms race and a dance at the same time.
Azul elegantly twirls the words around his tongue, "How very. They must be a curious sort, to have drawn your attention."
Jade twists them around Azul's neck, they slither into his ears, "Call me warm hearted, I have a soft spot for the outstanding."
Outstanding in the way nails are, Azul knows, before they're hammered into submission. Jade's messing with him.
"So they're curious and outstanding..." Azul says, knowing Jade disclosed that information willingly for the sole purpose of enticing him, "I imagine you've spent your fair share of hours indulging in them, is that right?"
'Indulging' is what he says.
'Stalking' is what he truly means.
Jade's grin widens, Azul plucks your photo from his fingers.
"You're terrible, keeping such promising prospects from me."
Jade's grin shrinks to a polite but cheeky smile, his eyes are closed then opened just slightly, a cross between bedroom eyes and open mockery.
"You wound me," He replies, elegantly crossing his arms and lightly touching his own cheek with a raised hand, "I wasn't aware they were so coveted. Our customer surprised me."
Azul glances at your photo, then at Jade.
"I see."
A unique discomfort settles in his stomach, the discomfort of an ill negotiated deal. Perhaps he got ahead of himself, promising you to that type—
Azul hands the picture back to Jade, his eyes narrowing with purpose.
"Tell me what you've found."
Jade grins from ear to ear, Azul feels his eyebrow twitch. It had been a while since he last fell for one of Jade's antics— And Jade could at try to look less elated, that slimy moray. But Azul was as bound to his motives as Jade, if there was something he wanted Azul would not hand it willingly and neither would Jade.
A game of wits, a test of skill.
Jade stares, blinks, then opens his maw to devour Azul.
"Interested, are we?"
Azul's hips sway as he takes a seat by his desk, turning his chair to Jade and crossing his legs. Jade's eyes follow his every move. Ugh, he was terrible.
"Call me thorough. This little toy of yours..."
Jade smiles. ""Toy?" How crass."
Azul narrows his eyes, "Call them whatever you like."
Jade's smile widens. "I believe they answer to 'prefect'."
Ah, right, you were the Ramshackle prefect. The magicless human who ran a two person (well, one person and whatever Grim was) "dorm" and had a knack for getting on people's nerves. Easily dismissible as a poor small fry in a sea of sharks, or so Azul thought.
"Well then, as I was saying, this "prefect" you speak of... There must be more to them than meets the eye, if you're so entertained."
Jade grins, a faint laugh escapes his lips, he elegantly covers them with his hand.
"Indeed..." Jade takes the bait, indulging Azul and his softball questions, "They've friends in many high places, and their potionology skill is commendable. Word has it they are quite close to Vil Schoenheit, to Leona Kingscholar—"
Jade stares through Azul, feasting on the way his shocked eyes widen.
"—To Malleus Draconia." He says, enunciating the name with honey trap sweetness, "Isn't that just?"
He couldn't believe it. Two princes and a global celebrity? You had that many big names in your back pocket? And that slipped right under his nose?!
He feels a migraine incoming. Damn it—! Has he set his eyes on the wrong prize?
"Isn't it just..." Azul bites the inside of his cheek, containing his irritation, "What else?"
Jade doesn't even bother hiding his elation. Slimy moray—!
"They are also quite popular, but have turned down every single suitor that came their way. It seems they are uninterested in romance. Rumors have it they're a "frigid beauty" with a sharp mind..."
Was Jade purposefully dangling you in front of him to stir his anger? If so, he did it.
Azul should have known that deal was too good to be true, but he hadn't realized how much. He had to do something, there was no way he would have the short end of anyone's stick!
"—You say they're an adept potionology student. What club are they in?"
"The same club as their protective best friend Rook Hunt: Science."
Rook Hunt?! Ugh... Of course, if you were friends with Vil it was inevitable Rook would also be in your orbit, but best friends?! Approaching you may prove more difficult than he anticipated.
"—Sometimes we hike together, too. I've provided samples for them before."
What.
Azul's head snaps to Jade and the moray just smiles, milking this humiliating moment for all it's worth.
"Ah, no, I know what you are thinking but hey are quite well equipped, unfortunately they've yet to be in my debt."
That was even worse, this proves you weren't the easy target Azul thought you were. How would he get you to fall in love with a schmuck like the Suitor?
Better yet, how could he get you on his side?
Ah. No. Think, Azul, think. Jade is messing with you, he would have intervened if the contract you signed was anything below 100% guaranteed. That deal was in the bag, so what kind of variable were you truly? Azul couldn't bemoan or fall for Jade's antics before scouting you out himself. He needs to, anyway, to acquire one of the ingredients for the potion.
"I see." He says, getting up from his chair and grabbing his cane. "You are to keep an eye on them and report back to me, Jade. I have... Other matters to tend to."
Jade grins knowing he, too, got his catch of the day.
"As you wish, Azul."
---
The first thing he notices is your filthy lab coat.
Azul was expecting more from someone so formidable as to call Jade's attention, but you looked normal. Or, well, as normal as any Night Raven College student could be. Messy lab coat, messy hair, messy everything. He could have dismissed you easily, and, up until now, he had.
Something wasn't right, you looked too expendable, did he have the right person?
He realizes he does, in fact, have the right person when Rook excitedly follows after you. He's like a puppy tagging along behind his owner, a trait Azul had only ever seen him express around Vil. You two had to be close.
His suspicion is proved right when you hug Rook's arm, grinning maniacally as you rambled on and on about your potion and the making of it. Azul hid behind a pillar, taking care to not be seen.
He couldn't talk to you with Rook there, but how to distract him? Perhaps he should follow quietly, learn of you and your routine to pinpoint the exact most-fortuitous time—Maybe he should create a diversion, something you couldn't resist and had to leave Rook's side for, but what?
Luck was on his side that day for the moment Azul went over ideas for how to make you ditch your eccentric tagalong, you bid Rook goodbye and turned down an opposite corner.
Azul followed. He couldn't spoil this opportunity by being too inconspicuous, but would you be suspicious if he approached suddenly? Surely you've heard of his reputation, but you couldn't be too preoccupied with such matters judging by your choice of company, so perhaps there was a chance yet.
He straightens his back and prepares to schmooze you, making a beeline to your side as you buy a drink from the vending machine.
"Good morning, Prefect." Azul greets, dialing up his charm, "I was hoping you'd spare a minute of your ti-"
"I'm not interested."
Your words are sharp and dry, the energy drink can in your hand hisses as you open it.
"Pardon me?"
"I know who you are, Azul Ashengrotto. Whatever you have to offer, I'm not interested."
Ha. He almost wants to laugh, of course his reputation precedes him...
"So cold— When have I said anything about an offer?" Azul smiles, sweet and inviting, "This isn't business, no, this is-"
You take a large gulp of your drink, your lab coat sleeves are colored wildly like a stained glass mirror; you must be fresh out of a science club meeting.
"It's weird is what it is." You tilt your head to the side, like you're seeing right through him, "Listen, I don't know what you want with me but I want no part in it-"
"Please, I would never drag you into anything of mine without your express permission." He places a hand on his chest, flamboyant and elegant, benevolent, "I'm an octopus of my word, a contract with no honor in its fulfilment is worth little to a man like me."
You narrow your eyes, but Azul doesn't budge. Rather, his eyes travel down to the phials on your waist and he jumps at the opportunity to reel you in.
"...Do my eyes deceive me? Are those voice modulating potions? My, my." He coos, genuinely impressed, "They've such tricky recipes, not many potionologists can make them. You must be very good."
A simple compliment, can't go wrong with that. Sure his reputation was as slimy as the morays he kept by his side, but a bad second-hand first impression was not the end of the world. He could still work with this.
"...I am good. Thank you." You seem a little softer after being praised, but your facial expression still denounces your distaste. You drink more from your can. "Did you come here just to praise me?"
"Talent like yours is rare around these parts. Not many people can master such difficult potionology challenges, and most of them are born and raised here." Azul says, deciding to roll with this conversation however superficial, "You, on the other hand..."
"Voice changing potions aren't that difficult." You say suddenly, dismissing his compliments, "They're like making bread without a recipe, if you know what to account for they are quite easy."
"So you're humble too?" He grins, "Now I see why so many others swim to your side."
You look unamused, but make no mention to correct him. Of course you like being complimented, who doesn't?
"Like your moray friend?" You smile, the first smile Azul witnesses from you and it's sharp like a shark's.
He's been checked.
Or so it seems.
"Oh? You're familiar with Jade?"
"He's familiar with me, more like." You chuckle, amused by some inside joke he is unaware of, "A true piece of work, that guy..."
"Tell me about it." He says, usually averse to being genuine in conversation yet finding himself sympathizing with you regardless, "I do hope he is not too much work for you, Jade can be quite... Energetic."
A relatable approach seems to work better, for you nudge Azul's arm with your elbow and sip your drink.
"Sure is. But I like him and his mushrooms. He finds me interesting and the feeling is mutual. He's kinda like Rook, in that way." You stare at Azul, your eyes narrowed like a playful minx, "Must be why you were following us, too."
Crap.
He let his guard down, you saw right through him. Wait, no, that could've just as easily been Rook— Damn it. He should have been more careful, Rook is a hunter of course he would have noticed Azul's sorry attempt at stalking.
"And spoil your moment of camaraderie? I'd never." He says, and you smile.
"Yeah. Good thing I asked him to go, huh?" You finish your can, the confession hangs in the air like a veil through which Azul peeks through.
"Ah..." He vocalizes, smiling. You dismissed Rook on purpose to get a moment alone with him? You were slyer than he thought. "My, how very. Now I wonder if your earlier accusation was a way of projecting."
You giggle, tossing your empty energy drink can in the nearest bin.
"Nah, I'm not that good a schemer. I'll leave that to you and the others."
There it is, his chance.
"Scheming?" Azul says, "I'm almost hurt... I truly mean no ill will. As you can see, I've only wanted to talk."
"Right..." You say, Azul can tell by your tone that you're not convinced but not fully put off either, "Listen, as long as you don't involve me in your shady business I don't mind the occasional chat. But for real, unless you're here to commission a potion I do have to go, like, now, so—"
Commission a potion? That piques his interest.
"Oh? Do you also partake in a little entrepreneurship yourself?" He smiles, "Not so different now, are we?"
You seem offended by the notion, rolling your eyes and slinging your bag over your shoulder. It's partially open and Azul sees potion phials in a myriad of colors stuffed inside. You have a large supply... Is the demand for your services truly that high?
"Buy something or leave, Azul." You close your bag, noticing his studying look, "I don't have time for your games."
He jumps at the opportunity. "Is that so? Then..."
Azul approaches you, bearing weight on his cane to twist his hips as he stands before you. He remembers, in the back of his mind, that the sophomores are having a joint potionology exam with the freshmen.
"How about I buy your time? My next potionology class requires a partner and I am, as luck would have it, without."
The proposal seems to interest you, Azul finds himself amused at your eye for opportunity. He understands more now, why Jade took an interest in you.
"...My time?" You eye him, the words stay in your tongue as you consider them, "Well..."
For a moment Azul worries that you may already have a partner, but after a moment of mental deliberation you give him your answer.
"... I'll send you my rates. May I have your number so we can discuss this further?"
Success!
Azul nods, smiling politely. You quickly exchange numbers and he stares, delighted, at the message now displayed on his screen:
Prefect: Hello, Azul. Let's talk.
"Alright... That should do it. It will be a pleasure to do business with you." You say, turning on your heels and waving him a hurried goodbye. "See ya."
"It shall be." He replies, also waving, "Farewell."
He stays in place to make sure you're completely out of sight.
Then he stays some more, just to be extra sure.
And snatches the can you tossed away, putting it in a ziplock bag. Now that he can sample your saliva—the one ingredient he was missing—he can make the potion.
He glances at his phone screen, where your contact lies. Maybe there is hope to salvage this yet...
Time to get to work.