Note: Special thanks to Mistress Alexis for inspiring this story. And also, this does take place in the same world as the Goddess Hannah stories.
Stacy Loman had sat in the seat she was in for so long, she'd forgotten why she was there in the first place. A young, business executive, she was professionally dressed in a white jacket, pantsuit and pumps, with her short brown hair and make-up styled perfectly. For a woman put together so well, something important brought her there, but an overly-prolonged wait that led to absent-mindedness robbed the importance of the place or matters that brought her there. Something in her mind told her to give it a few more minutes before she would depart. She looked down to make sure her purse was there for when she was ready to leave, but found a pocket watch lying next to it.
She was surprised to see something so old-fashioned in-public, but admired the pristine look of it. Its silver face was undecorated, but polished, almost reflective; more than anything, it surprised her to see something so antiquated looking brand-new. The watch and Stacy's purse lied between her and the red-headed woman sitting next to her. Sitting patiently seemed to be the only similarity between them, as the redhead wore a rather frilly brown halter top, blue jeans, and black flats. Stoic businesswoman with high-standards that she was, Stacy would've described her as being either too lazy, or too slutty, if it wasn't for the aura the woman was giving off, or something in the way she carried herself; whatever it was, deep inside, "beautiful" was the only classifier that stuck. Stacy had thought about the woman sitting next to her for so long, it took her a moment to realize she was holding the pocket watch in her hand. The redhead turned to meet Stacy's dark brown glance with smiling light-blue eyes, and a single raised eyebrow.
"Planning to hypnotize me with that, are you?"
"Wha-" Stacy looked at her own hand, realizing that the way she held the chain, not too far from the watch itself, almost suggested she was about to swing it. "No, I'm sorry, I was just won-"
Involuntary snickering interrupted Stacy's apology; before the brunette could frown at the prospect of being made a fool, a bright smile curtailed the formation tugging at Stacy's lips.
"I'm sorry, bad joke on my part. The way you were holding it, couldn't help but ask. And I'm so used to ice-breakers like that, didn't mean to put you on the spot."
Lips formed a small smile from the explanation. "I'm guessing this watch is yours."
"It is. I'm Alexis, by the way."
"Stacy," was the even reply.
"Thank you for not stealing my pocket watch, or doing something nefarious with it as well."
Alexis noticed Stacy's puzzled look and expanded on her words. "Not that you would Stacy; it's just...well, the way you hold that watch, I consider that good form, like you'd know what you're doing with it."
"I...I do? I mean, I am?"
"In my experience, yes."
"Your experience as a hypnotist," Stacy finished.
"Indubitably; I doubt any other cool professions are bringing pocket watches back in style," Stacy watched as Alexis seemed to gently, but firmly fixate on the watch she was holding. "How's the weight of it? What do you think of the grip of the chain?"
"Huh?"
Alexis' gaze easily rose to meet Stacy's. "Just a hunch that you're not a hypnotist by trade yourself, Stacy. But another hunch has me thinking it could be a hobby for you."
"No, sorry. I've never hypnotized anyone," Stacy confirmed after a quick second of consideration. "I'm not sure I'd want to."
"Why's that?"
The train of thought heading towards an explanation ran into a haze that paused speech momentarily. "Bad experience with hypnosis before...I think," the haze lowered visibility just enough to blind Stacy of the details that left her ambivalent on the subject, though it was hard to figure out why. Something about Alexis though prevented connections to any past negativity. Left to her own imagination, she envisioned a pushy, domineering guy trying to prove his superiority as opposed to the casual, engaging charm of the woman sitting next to her.
"I'm sorry you had a bad experience before," a genuinely sympathetic tone regarded Stacy's response. "Hopefully you have much better ones if you're inclined later. Who knows, maybe you'll be the one performing it yourself in the future, especially as you might be a natural hidden talent. Take it from me, Stacy - talent recognizes talent."
The ice-breaking tangent Alexis was on might've annoyed or freaked out Stacy a bit if it weren't for the light casual delivery, something that felt highlighted the soft, crooning tone Alexis effortlessly spoke with, serving as evidence of her own possible hypnotic prowess.
"And assuming I'm right, maybe you can use your talent to force whomever is making us wait to hurry it up," the hypnotist laughed and infectious laugh that Stacy contributed to.
"Shouldn't you be the one to do that since you have more experience?"
"You're already holding the watch, Stacy. And better you go, lest the angered hypnotist turn them into clucking chickens for the rest of the day."
Stacy was the one to snicker now, letting her first honest laugh be heard. "If only," she thought, still staring at the silver surface, seeing a fuzzy glimmer of her own reflection as a hypnotist, commanding and empowered. Knowing Alexis was literally both those things as a profession acting on the wills of others, made the redhead rather attractive. The part of Stacy that would've gotten up to ask what the hold-up was seemed content to stay and continue speaking.
"That's one thing you might have over me if you ever get into hypnosis, Stacy - patience."
"I don't know, I could be at a loss for patience myself too."