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Post by Red Charge on Jan 11, 2013 10:54:42 GMT -5
Watermark watched eagerly as Retort downed his potion, already guessing at what might happen. But even he did not expect the thing that happened next. With a bright flash of light, the viola concert disappeared, but the pony he was just looking at was gone. Instead, was now standing in front of him a female. Not just any female, but a female Retort.
"Wow, the magic enhancing potion became a magic destabalizing potion! Combine that with soddy castmanship and you literally destabilized yourself! You're now a mare!" He exclamed happily, clapping his hooves. "This is fascinating! You simply must let me study the effects uh... more carefully later..."
Watermark walked around the female Retort, poking her here and there, observing her from several directions, even grabbing her and giving her a dental inspection. "No doubt about it, you are completely female now. Also you need to floss more." The striped unicorn said with some degree of non-malicious gloating.
"Well first you have to pay more attention, your measuring was all wrong, you didn't bother checking the refinement of your potion and for Harmony's sake you simply must start using more than one bottle for materials!" At that Watermark began to list the steps Retort has carelessly forgotten, such as crushing some materials into powder and making them into a solution, checking how pure and how much of a magic ingredient some of his reagents had and other stuff, all while circling him like a hungry vulture waiting for his target to die of criticism.
Slapping the now-female Retort's flank with his hoof, Watermark instructed, "Now make a new one, following my instructions to the letter." At which point he began to demonstrate along side Retort the correct way to measure and control reagents. Throwing out a lot of the fez'd unicorn's flasks in the process, saying they were too old, too contaminated or too unstable for use and offering his own to replace them.
"From now on, whenever you fail, you will recieve one punishment point. At the end of each session your punishment points will be added up and a punishment will be decided, including and not limited to taking your fez, so you'd better work carefully!
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Post by Mortar Retort on Jan 11, 2013 19:06:06 GMT -5
”A ‘mare’ what manner of – my voice!?” Retort was flabbergasted, he knew he spoke those words, but the voice that emitted from his mouth was anything but his. In fact it was indeed quite feminine. Frantically, Retort looked himself over – herself that is. He glanced at his forehooves, then peeked at his underside. He snapped back up. ”By Celestia’s royal rear, I am a mare!” Retort clapped his hooves against the floor excitedly. This was actually quite exhilarating for him - her. ”What curious results, I’ve blown myself up countless times before but never have I blasted myself into another gender. Absolutely stupendous!”
Retort plopped back down on his – her flank as Watermark rudely prodded Retort’s new body. He licked his teeth after the stallion commented on his oral hygiene. Who has time to floss!? But that quickly came to pass and Retort sat transfixed on Watermark’s evaluation, nodding with each of his comments – taking them all to note in his head. Wincing at few here and there, realizing he had completely mistepped something so basic. He – she should have known better, blaming his – her excitement to show off, knocking his – her head with a hoof in frustration.
The moment he returned to his hooves, his rear was met with a sharp slap from Watermark eliciting a squeak and jump from the new mare. Then, following Watermark’s instructions and shadowing his movements, Retort tried his – her hoof at the potion again, taking into account everything the stallion had said. Following the process to his letter, Retort pushed all his eccentric notions on potion making aside in the hopes of relearning the fundamentals which had been lost to bad habits and perhaps just a touch of laziness. Though his – her heart sank at seeing some of his - her most favored flasks and containers being tossed away, he – she wasn’t the least bit inclined to protest. Anything would help at this point.
”My fez!?” His – her eyes going as wide as they could, shock and fear suddenly shooting through him – her like the current from a live wire. Retort quickly returned back to the potion, working harder and smarter than before. Paying pathologically obsessive attention to detail and care. He felt entirely under duress in order to impress; he - she would not fail this time.
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Post by Red Charge on Jan 12, 2013 4:55:10 GMT -5
Soon, Retort's potion became much like Watermark's in terms of smell, color and hue. She managed to create, although not a perfect example, but a STRONG potion of magic enhancing. Watermark was very pleased. "Excellent!" The striped pony clapped his hooves together as they were done with the potion making process, and their potions were now in the proper hues and with the right colored steam. Though Watermark's potion was by far more potent and its smell dominated their makeshift laboratory.
Giving Retort a one hoofed embrace, he took up a spoon from her potion and fed it to her with his magic. Already Retort could feel as though muck has been cleared from a river in his horn and suddenly the flow strengthened, not considerably with just a little taste, but still enough for her to notice. "Strong potions are great for combat, give you a stronger boost but don't last as long." He explained, "Now you know how to make a strong potion, you can experiment with the quantities and measurements to make a long lasting potion, (which would be less potent but last longer, good for long strenuous activities) and eventually you'll master it. With enough training you'll get a PURE potion. Pure potions are VERY strong and can be taken in small doses, a single flask of pure potion can last you a while and be used to fill whatever need you have."
Another spoon floated down from somewhere, landing in Watermark's potion and then feeding it to Retort. It was unclear how Watermark had done so, since they used the same ingredients, but his potion also happened to taste remarkably well and not bitter like almost every potion Retort encountered. The zebra hybrid grinned at the fez wearing female, his face uncomfortably smoshed against her's.
Instantly, Retort's horn felt as though it was transparent, he felt his fur prickle as ethereal energy flowed freely through his body, he began to glimmer like a beautiful crystal conduit of energy, literally becoming like a living pony shaped crystal and it felt... amazing...
"Now try and cast the Virtuoso spell and see what happens!"
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Post by Mortar Retort on Jan 12, 2013 12:42:55 GMT -5
Retort curiously gazed at the near perfect potion she had just brewed, everything was proper with it. Colors, hues, and it even smelled better. Retort could not remember the last time she created something that would not end up on the ‘sale’ shelf in her shop and would likely make some pony sick – or far worse, like being gender swapped. If she could keep this up, stable and useful potions, she’ll be able to throw out her terrible stock and finally produce something people wanted. That would show that other potion brewing mare in Canterlot – the business stealing shrew!
Retort had not quite expected Watermark to force feed her the potion, taking her by surprise – though the embrace was rather quite nice if not unexpected as well. Suddenly, it was as if the curtain had been withdrawn from Retort’s mind, the world became so much clearer. Her connection to the Ether was void of static for the first time, in a long time. It was quite exhilarating, she wanted more. Her ears and eyes were alert and wide, taking in all the sensations of magic coursing through her body. ”Whoa.” She uttered, trying to process it all.
Retort was ready for the second spoon-full of potion this time, immediately preparing herself when she spotted the floating spoon. Its taste was unique and most noticeably, it was missing that bitter aftertaste she was use too. Normally she masked that bitterness with strong sweet or floral flavoring, but this tasted entirely pure and refreshing. That refreshing feeling gave way to a delightful tingle of magic through her whole body. He took a quick gander at herself and broke into a smile that was ear to ear. A crystal pony potion? Now that was new!
Without a word, Retort recast the Virtuoso spell – string again, same as before, except now she felt far more confident. Her horn magnificently sparked to life with a dark blue glow and cast a magic that filled the entire room with a spectacular sparkling shower. The viola concerto began to rise once more.
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Post by Red Charge on Jan 12, 2013 13:04:38 GMT -5
Watermark applauded as a delightful concerto rung through the air and began to dance with Retort still in his embrace, leading her on several graceful twirls, "Very good!" He congratulated, "But we haven't even started the prologue, that was just to see what your level was!" He continued to speak while dancing disoriently fast yet still not crashing into anything.
"Now begin the lessons! First off, we'll discuss reagents. Freshen you up a little bit about why reagents should be fresh and naturally go on a few gathering expeditions. You wanted to know about the poison joke serum? Then that's what we're going to go and get!" At that he finished with much bravado, dispelling the music and letting Retort dangle from his hoof before pulling her back to her hooves.
"Before we do that, let us go through the equipment needed and the basic idea of alchemy." At that Watermark began to explain the nature of magical elements in nature, why they were there, where were they most prominent, how to spot each one of them and what the effects of combining them would be. The very basics of alchemy, something that would take weeks to learn was simplified and taught perfectly within an hour. Watermark naturally had Retort write it all down.
After that they began to discuss alchemical equipment, how it worked, what the uses of each device were, how to purify ingredients, how to distill them, how best to locate them and what best not to use. The basics of how to use alchemical equipment properly and the primary tools for it. Why keeping it clean was mandatory, why seperate flasks and bottles were a must, when it is best to use each and every alchemical device and how to use them in conjunction with a unicorn's magic without causing them to explode.
"Am I clear so far, Bop?"
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Post by Mortar Retort on Jan 12, 2013 15:27:29 GMT -5
Once again, Retort had not anticipated Watermark’s unending exuberance. As Watermark’s hoof pulled Retort into an impromptu dance, his touch filled Retort was a spark of renewed vigor. It was disorienting but made Retort feel something she hasn't felt in a very long time. Perhaps it was the embrace of another pony or the kind words he spoke or even odder, perhaps being a biological mare was changing his feelings but whichever it was, it was nice and Retort let herself drink in the pleasantry of it. Watermark’s lesion plans were dizzying, how quickly he spoke off his plans. Accentuated by the dance, his words weaved their way into Retort’s mind. She had to keep catching her fez with a free hoof with each and every spin. When the music ended and dance ended, there was a tinge of disappointment. But there was no time to think on that; in the whirlwind of knowledge bombarded at Retort, she only had time to quickly scrawl the notes in her books, hastily scribbling away with a quill.
Retort lost track of time during the pre-study session, caught up in the flurry of writing and more writing and the occasional question. She felt a little silly, having to go over these things again, recalling her studies years ago explaining just this – some she had forgotten, others just tucked away and ignored. It was expensive to continuously replace equipment and when you’re forced to sell expired potions at under cost, replacing flasks isn't high priority.
”Yes, mostly, just so much to take in. I’m not a young colt – uh, filly? That is weird to say, anywho, it’s a lot to take in. Also, what’s a ‘bop’?”
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Post by Red Charge on Jan 12, 2013 15:40:35 GMT -5
"You're a Bop! You silly filly!" Watermark bopped Retort on her head, "You make mistakes and BOP! Weird magic happens. So you're a Bop. unless you want to be a BANG. I could see the bang, if you bop. But to bang and bop might not be a good idea. Not now anyway, back to our studies. That would conclude the first part of this lesson." Watermark said with his trademark grin.
"Before we continue on, there is a question of payment. See, while I am perfectly happy instructing students in the way of alchemy and see them grow... I do need some reassurance if I'm giving away the secrets of my trade. But we can discuss that as we get ready. I'll expect us to be on the road within an hour or two to get some Poison Joke!"
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Post by Mortar Retort on Jan 12, 2013 16:10:25 GMT -5
Was Watermark coming on her, Retort secretly pondered? This was very strange; she dismissed the notion but wasn’t entirely dismayed by it. Mares, she concluded, were a strange species and even in the body of one, she was entirely lost with her own feelings. He would have to write on this experience, study the dynamics, and maybe even publish something – assuming it was a unique thesis. And great, she now had a cute pet name. Eccentricities must be part and parcel with alchemists – not that Retort complained, he kind of liked it even.
Then the kicker came, payment, of course. Luckily, being the business pony she was, she anticipated this. ”Oh money is no problem!” Retort reassured, ”I have quite a savings from my family’s estate. How I keep my business running!” He explained, it was any wonder how his pitiful potions managed to keep him afloat. It was the only thing that made any lick of sense. ”You name it, it’s yours.” She’d probably regret that assurance.
So it was off to the Everfree Forest, perhaps not the wisest place to go at night, even on a night where Diamond Dogs and Drakes weren't running amok on the land. ”I can be ready in 10!” But when did Retort ever care too much about danger? Science and learning waited for no pony, fiends and creepers be dammed!
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Post by Red Charge on Jan 12, 2013 16:20:39 GMT -5
Watermark was already by the edge of Hoofington's side of Everfree when Retort was ready, he opened up the ice shield to let them pass and closed it right behind them. "Do you often go out into dark forests with dark mysterious strangers? Or is it just with me?" He asked, though his tone made it impossible to tell whether he was joking, flirting, or scolding.
They entered into the dark, terrifying forest. Immediately Retort felt eyes on her back, and not just Watermarks' eyes on her flank either. Loud noises both far and near were heard with the almost deliberately horrifying acoustics of the forest. The fact that it was nearly pitch black and Retort could barely see in front of her even with a light spell did not help the situation any.
"Careful. We can run into a Diamond Dog at any point. If we do, distract it with your feminine wiles." Watermark instructed, still grinning, his pearly whites shining in the small cone of light from his horn.
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Post by Mortar Retort on Jan 16, 2013 21:15:05 GMT -5
”Surprisingly, yes!” Exclaimed Retort, after all she for some odd reason seemed impervious to fear – either out of extreme daftness or harsh understanding. Fear was never something she experienced, perhaps having explosions go off in your face can do that to a pony. In fact, the whole time they were entering the forest, Retort was busying herself with the sights and sounds the forest had to offer. It was so far removed from frightening for the pony, that she found it actually pleasant – foolish as it was. ”Once ran into a Tree-Pony here, lovely mare. The quiet type, little hard of hearing, but lovely! Haven’t seen her in a while – hope she’s doing alright. I actually got her to hear again – although temporary. How her face light up when she heard sound for the first time… ahh; it is sights like that which make me glad I went into alchemy.”
She merrily trotted beside Watermark, softly humming to herself, her eye catching the occasional glimpse of sinister gazes beyond the brush. The darkness was more a disappointment than a hindrance, she wanted to see everything. Imagine, she did, what laid beyond the curtain, just out of view. A whole world, she pictured, of glorious herbs and spices, she could count twelve right there she wished to collect.
”A Diamond Dog? Here? I hear their teeth and nails make for great reagents! Oh and don’t get me started on their skin and eyes, something about the gems they mine, imbues them with amazing properties.” Retort almost sounded excited at the prospect. ”Do you really think that if we ran afoul of one, I could distract it long enough for you to relieve it of its precious organs?”
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Post by Red Charge on Jan 21, 2013 15:05:52 GMT -5
"Uh, Diamond Dogs are sentient beings... we don't harvest them for organs..." Watermark said, "But then again, if we could convince one to demand a dental plan and a manicure..." He said suggestively.
The forest was dark and eerie, it seemed at every turn something was watching the duo as they walked. But Watermark, much like Retort seemed completely unafraid of what lurked in the dark. His eyes darted around occasionally and he was more than delighted to show a variety of performances and tricks of his hydromancy to Retort, each more impressive than the last. Half of the time Retort wasn't even sure if the Watermark she was speaking to was a clone or the real one, as others would often rush in from the sides showing her various other ingredients common to the forest and the best way to handle them. It was almost like a very entertaining educational field trip.
They walked in the woods peacefully with Watermark leading Retort, "Now there's bound to be Blue Jokers around, lots of alchemic reagents if you want to try capturing one." He said, nudging the female Retort, "But you're gonna have to carry it back, naturally." In the distance they could already see the eerie turquise glow of the Poison Joke plant, it wouldn't be long before they reach the large field of Poison Joke Watermark was on about.
"So, I was thinking, since you are... well, quite the rare specimen and all..." Watermark said, sliding fluidly around Retortia, "Perhaps you would join me later for a more... comprehensive study of your... situation?" He asked.
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Post by Mortar Retort on Jan 23, 2013 21:46:35 GMT -5
"Sentient, hardly call any creature that partakes in that kind of behavior 'sentient'. Actually, never mind, only something sentient can be that twisted." Retort suggested, noting a tone of disgust in his voice. Though he had never met one, the stories that abound round Cantorlot of the creatures behavior was all he needed to know that he found them thoroughly vile.
Retort dismissed her thoughts of harvesting Diamond Dogs behind, now instead taking delight in Watermark's hydromancy. Watching Watermark pop in and out, here - no over there, now behind, wait no, in front! It was thoroughly entertaining for the temporary mare. Hardly able to keep her attention to the lectures. And when they came upon the patch of Poison Joke, Retort was eager to harvest it and return. So many more things to learn and time she felt was wasting. "Naturally!" Her horn flared a deep blue as she removed a pair of pruning sheers from her saddle-bags and a new little tin to hold the flowers.
What took the new female by surprise was Watermark's less than subtle movements to get in close - very curious, very strange for the new mare. Just an hour ago he was a stallion who would dismiss such behavior, but now? It was strange. "I must say, Watermark, this is very inappropriate. I may be your student, and you my teacher. I'm not some specimen to be simply studied due to some... unforeseen mishap." She spoke sternly, turning her chin up to him. Mane flicking against the breeze as she trotted ahead of him. She gave him a passing flick of her tail as she approached the field of Poison Joke. "However..." She turned around suddenly, bouncing on her hooves like an excited filly. "I'm as curious about my 'situation' as you!" She giggled, then narrowed her eyes. "But make me a promise... warm up any tools or instruments before you get them near me. I'm a delicate flower, you know." She stuck her tongue out at Watermark and turned back on the path, merely trotting to the patch of dangerous flowers.
Retort(ia) kept her distance from the devious little plants as she magically brought her sheers to the stems of the flowers and begun harvesting. She slipped each plant into different jars and containers, starting with the tin ones first before moving onto a few glass jars. All which were subsequently sealed airtight. Mitigating risk was key when dealing with a plant that thought it was a comedian. After a few minutes of clipping away and thinking of a chipper tune in her head as she swayed her hips to a beat only she could hear, she was done and the collected samples placed into her saddle bags. "Done!"
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Post by Red Charge on Jan 25, 2013 0:40:22 GMT -5
Watermark chuckled at her, grinning, "You do realize there's a Blue Joker right behind you right?" Watermark asked, smirking enthusiastically as what Retortia mistakengly thought was a large molehill, turned out to be a rather large, rather angry looking Blue Joker she suddenly felt a nip on her back, or rather the penetration of two large spider fangs.
"Intriguing!" Watermark said, "Mix your condition with a blue joker's venom!" He clapped his hooves together joyusly. Shooing the spider away as he trotted over, causing the offended looking spider to retreat with a clickety-growl.
It took only a moment for the effects of the venom to manifest and when it did, Watermark could not stop himself from laughing. Retort, previously a male, now turned female, yet still somewhat masculine, had obtained a very obvious and ironic flaw. Watermark snickered as he circled her.
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Post by Mortar Retort on Jan 28, 2013 12:10:45 GMT -5
”Ahh!” Retort(ia) yelped and failed to buck away the little Blue Joker pest. The bite to her flank stung like crazy, causing her trot around in an attempt to walk the pain away but to little effect. She stopped to rub her the area around the bite, cursing the spider. Vile little creature, there was no reason to bite – a waste of venom made all the worse that it was Retort(ia) that had to suffer it.
Suddenly, Retort(ia) had a strange urge bubble up inside her. What was this feeling that had struck her so suddenly. It was a strange venom that was coursing through her body and now head and all the sudden. ”Ugh!” She said, throwing her Fez from her head to the ground. ”What horrible thing is this on my head?” She stomped it with her forehooves, pummeling it into the ground. ”Egag! What was I thinking? Fezes?” She looked to Watermark with fiery anger. ”Why would you let me walk out in public with that on? So tasteless. Good riddance, I say.” Practically forgetting about the Blue Joker bite, Retort(ia) placed the rest of her collected materials away in her saddle bags. ”Well, got what we came for, shall we make back for your lab?”
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Post by Red Charge on Jan 28, 2013 12:43:47 GMT -5
"If you want I can give you a potion for that, but it'll make you like fezzes again." Watermark said with a grin, then whispering in her ear, "Though I do take a fancy to top hats." He winked seductively and wrapped a hoof around her as they walked back. Telling her about all the things he was going to teach her to lighten her enthusiasm even more.
Of course, he did say his fair share about other things too...
Everfree was completely empty on their return to Hoofington, something which was obviously not natural. Perhaps Watermark's "teaching" ventures were more than just fetching ingredients. Finally they made it back to Watermark's residence, at which point he placed her saddlebags in the basement and led her up to a room he deigned "tea room", where he began preparing...
Dragon Crown Tea. Only the most rare and incredible tea in the world. Dragon Crown was an extremely rare plant only growing in the vicinities of living dragons and having only one use, which was the tea he was making. The tea was known to intense sensations of euphoria and pretty much every positive emotion in the world rolled into one.
Needless to say, just the fact he had Dragon Crown was impressive, but being able to actually make the tea? (A pretty complicated task in itself due to the delicate nature of the dragon crown flower) It was beyond impressive, and he was sharing it with her of all ponies.
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