May Your Days Be Merry and Bright - OTA

[black_nimbus01]

There wasn't much one could do with Apothecary supplies to make a Christmassy display in the window, but Draco did his best. There was a cauldron atop a burner with hot chocolate simmering inside its belly. The whole shop smelled like chocolate, much to the owner's delight. He sipped from a snowman-shaped mug between tinsel and fairy light

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[c_a_s_t_i_e_l]

Castiel didn't believe he had ever stepped foot in the apothecary when it's owner was here. He was told he had to meet Draco anyway, but he likely didn't put two and two together to realize that this was also the wizard that ran The Sin and the drag club.

He had wanted to look around in here more since he'd only been once before, so free hot chocolate was definitely a plus. While Castiel didn't often dabble in any spells unless he had to, it was good to know what the village had readily available should he have to use one.

[black_nimbus01]

Draco was pleased to see a non-regular come into the shop. Bribing customers had apparently been an excellent idea.

"Good afternoon," he said by way of greeting as he stirred the cauldron. "Can I interest you in a mug of hot chocolate?"

[c_a_s_t_i_e_l]

For once he didn't think anything about there possibly being a potion involved (like a poison or something that would make him lose his powers). Then again, if Lucifer had offered him hot chocolate he would have thought of nothing else.

"Oh yes, that would be great." He smiled slightly, glancing around the shop then back at Draco. "Huh, you have quite a selection."

He couldn't remember the last time he'd seen this many potion-making ingredients. The middle ages, perhaps?

[black_nimbus01]

Draco ladled some into a mug and handed it to Castiel.

"Being the only Apothecary in town is no reason to slack off," he said with a grin. "It's a level one method to crushing competition."

[c_a_s_t_i_e_l]

"But there isn't anything to compete with, is there?" Cas tilted his head slightly as he reached out to grab the mug of free hot chocolate. "It isn't as if the general store also sells mortars and pestles."

Alright, so those were at least useful outside of potion and spell-making. But did there really need to be five different kinds?

[black_nimbus01]

"Exactly," he said with a sharp smile. Draco was a shrewd businessman. Sure, the village was small and insignificant, but a Malfoy was a Malfoy.

"Are you on the hunt for something in particular?"

[c_a_s_t_i_e_l]

It was a surprise that Cas didn't understand the whole shrewd businessman thing. After all, a good number of people he'd dealt with in the past had similar qualities. Zachariah, for example.

"Not really, I just thought I'd come in and look around. I don't usually have much need for potions." The powers of a seraph mostly made potion work redundant, though it was good to see what ingredients there were and note what tricky spells could be made. Castiel took it upon himself to check up on the village in any way he could, and if some of this stuff were to get into the wrong hands there could be a problem.

"Maybe I could get some things for The Ribbon, though." He liked to make sure his employees were well stocked in everything they needed especially as far as spas and the like were concerned.

[black_nimbus01]

"Oh, you're the one in charge of The Ribbon now?" Draco asked. "We have a variety of things that could be useful there. I can always put together a parcel of samples to try out if you like."

[c_a_s_t_i_e_l]

"Yes, Kerai had been training me for when she would be out to have the baby... and then, as you know, her and her husband both left around the same time- not long after the child was born. So, of course I took it over. She kept it very well stocked. I haven't had to get much for it."

Since Cas was an angel, he could easily restock without so much as the blink of an eye, but there was something about doing it by hand that made him happier.

"Actually, a few samples would be great. I bet my employees would like some new products." Perhaps he'd even get each of them a small gift from here. They all seemed to like him, but he knew he was probably a bit of a pain sometimes.

"My name's Castiel, by the way."

[[He has no in-game employees, all NPC. Probably only like a handful of them, max.]]

[black_nimbus01]

"A pleasure, Castiel. I am Draco Malfoy, not so humble owner of this Apothecary." He stole a sip from his own mug before setting it aside. There were plenty of things a wellness center might enjoy having around, the difficult thing was merely thinking of them.

Draco began looking at his shelves and bins, looking for interesting tid bits. "I met Kerai a few times. nice girl, if a bit strange, but that's to be expected in the village."

[c_a_s_t_i_e_l]

"It's nice to meet you, too." Cas smiled. "Kerai was my favorite person here."

"Do you have any calming oils or potions that also have a similar effect? Anything that would be helpful for the spas and massage rooms that we have?"

[black_nimbus01]

Draco nodded and grabbed a browsing basket before moving about the shop. "We have calming droughts which are quote useful for the those suffering from bouts of anxiety and panic," he said. "I also have a selection of scented oils as well as massage oils - I actually stock them at The Sin and have received many compliments."

The young man started putting small vials in the basket as he thought about anything else that might be useful.

[c_a_s_t_i_e_l]

"Are there any negative side-effects with this potion?" He didn't sense any immediate danger from it, and though the wizard seemed pretty powerful he didn't seem dangerous either.

"Oh, Loki told me about you. I hadn't made the connection that you owned The Sin as well. And the drag club, right?"

The angel probably didn't seem like the type to go to the club, but he had gone once or twice.

[black_nimbus01]

"Not really," Draco said and picked out a few beeswax and tallow candles for the basket - one could always use candles. "Moderation is always a good idea with any substance."

He wasn't worried; a wellness center would only use such a potion when necessary, or so he assumed.

"Yes, that's right," Draco confirmed, and wondered what circumstances the two had occasion to mention him.

[c_a_s_t_i_e_l]

Angels and moderation didn't really go hand in hand, but Cas knew that the potion wouldn't be used too often anyway (and especially not be any angels).

"He said you were a good businessman. I think I would have to agree." Of course Castiel had no idea that Loki was saying it as a joke (not to say Loki didn't think Draco was a good businessman, but he meant it as Draco being 'proper' and 'gentlemanly'). Cas didn't catch jokes all that easily.

[black_nimbus01]

"He's not wrong," Draco said with amusement. The two of them chatting was interesting. They seemed like opposites.

"I plan on downsizing my portfolio come spring, however. Not that I wll be any less of a businessman."