"I don't understand," the dark-haired sorceress began, gently placing a hand on Pahn's chest. "How is it than one so esteemed as you, the Carnal Alchemist, cannot meet his client's needs?" She took another step towards him, taking her warm body closer to his than was the usual for one of his customers.
Asterius Pahn chuckled, before correcting the sultry woman. "Won't, my dear Alyriel. I never said can't."
Her full lips pouted, before opening to speak, but he cut her off before she could.
"I have a long-standing policy against creating that sort of an elixir." Pahn took a step back, putting a little more distance between himself and Alyriel. "A bit of extra vigor, something to jog the memory, or even a little love potion for the swooning farmgirl - those I will provide. A little cocktail to brainwash the king and plunge his kingdom into madness - not on the menu."
Alyriel returned to her pout, and turned away from Pahn, walking across the floor of his workshop to a shelf lined with bottles of brightly colored liquids. She gazed at them, quietly. Perhaps she was gathering her thoughts, preparing some clever argument as to why Pahn should fulfill her request. Pahn returned to his workbench, resuming the tasks he'd been doing before Alyriel arrived, while still keeping one eye on the sorceress.
The alchemist couldn't help but admire the sorceress. He was captivated by her beauty. The full curves of her body, the fairness of her velvet skin, and the luscious locks of her dark hair. Above all else, though, he was a captivated by her eyes. Striking blue, like sapphires, they pierced his soul when she looked upon him, yet, at the same time, they drew him in. He wondered what he might see if he gazed into them for too long.
Her clothing was fitting for her beauty. She wore a silky black dress with a slit on either side, reaching all the way up to where it was belted at the waist. A scarlet corset was worn overtop, lifting her full breasts and revealing a deep cleavage. A necklace, made of silver and fitted with black and red gemstones, graced her neck, while a matching set of earrings dangled almost to her shoulders. Similar bracelets adorned her left wrist, while a bangle was placed on the upper portion of her right arm. Dark eyes and red lips made for a stark contrast against her skin.
"Is there anything else I can help you with, my dear?" Pahn asked, as he tended to a small pot of bubbling white liquid he had started on before the sorceress arrived. "I can still provide you with a great many things. What do you need? I'm offering a discount on potions of invisibility. I'm willing to help you out with just about anything other than an 'evil sorceress wants an easy way to take over the kingdom' potion."
The sorceress turned back towards him, eyes narrowed, her anger simmering. "You fool. You speak of things you know nothing about."
"Oh, my apologies," Pahn replied. "I suppose a power-hungry sorceress might have so many other reasons to brainwash the king. Let me count the ways." He held up a hand, to make a show of counting. "Let's see... there's, uh, well, no, not that... or that... hmmm, no, that's about the same thing..."
Alyriel let out a shout and then disappeared in a puff of deep violet smoke, only to reappear halfway across the room, closing ground between herself and the alchemist. "You will craft me the elixir I ask for!"
She disappeared in smoke once more, this time appearing atop his workbench, knocking over assorted beakers and jars, as well as the bubbling pot. Pahn staggered backwards, against a wall.
"You will do so without question!" she shouted, and disappeared one more time, now re-appearing to press Pahn against the wall, a hand on his throat.
"Or I will see to it that you spend the rest of eternity as a curio on my mantle." Her red lips twisted in a wry smile. "I am an 'evil sorceress' after all; I do that sort of thing to people."
Pahn gulped, audibly, opening his lips to speak, but words escaped him. He remained still, pinned against the wall, whilst a white mist arose from the floor where the bubbling pot had been spilled. Alyriel stared at him with those striking blue eyes, burrowing deep into his soul. Steeling his resolve, Pahn met her gaze, and was surprised at what he saw.
Her gaze was wavering; her soul-piercing eyes trembled, then washed over with a vibrant purple. Her full lips parted, and her expression softened. She was losing control.
The elixir for Lord Errenon! Pahn realized. The contents of that bubbling pot had been an elixir requested by a local lord, with which to gain the affection of a blacksmith's daughter.
"What. . ." Alyriel began, shaking her head, ". . . what's happening to me?"
Pahn chuckled. "Did I not mention something about a potion to make a farmgirl swoon? I'm afraid you may be about to learn a lesson on being careful with what you touch in an alchemist's workshop."