✨ Everything Little Thing He Does is Magic - PSL

[dj_jiraiya]

In this day and age, witches weren't exactly rare. They weren't exactly common either. A bit of a worst kept secret type deal. Don't interfere with them and you really got nothing to worry about. Indeed, there have been several cases of witches being on the good side of the respective cities and town they chose to reside in. Otherwise, they liked to simply hide in plain sight.

One such witch was Yosuke Hanamura. While there were a few trusted souls who knew exactly who he was, most did not and he preferred it that way. He wasn't really one to dabble in people's lives anyway and his wares were hardly out of the ordinary so it was actually incredibly easy to disguise himself as the owner of an apothecary and small tea shop. His regulars got a kick out his pun-filled menu items which only further hid his true nature. It wasn't even that Yosuke was all that nervous of being found out (he had enough anxiety as it were) but he just didn't want to deal with what normally came with it. The requests for things he didn't want to make, love potions and such. It's why a lot of witches hid their true natures. Humans could be incredibly selfish and even turn violent were they so inclined. It just wasn't worth it, in his opinion.

There's a reason even his business tended to be looked down upon by other witches, given all the human traffic he got. But he always shrugged it off. Fortune tellers got the same, after all. Still, that didn't mean he didn't remain wary and cautious over who he had dealings with. All of his suppliers were other herb witches, after all. He just couldn't allow himself to trust a human to do what he needed to do. That is...

Until he actually needed to.

Yosuke rubbed his face, cursing to himself as he realized a few of his jars of dried plants were empty and his back up stores were also empty. His supplier was late this time and he needed these herbs for a few select potions that one of his regulars would need soon. She was an elderly woman and she swore by his salves and teas to help her aching joints moreso than any other painkiller over the counter. He could probably give her something else to tide her over but he wasn't sure he could handle the disappointment. She was always so nice to him! But where else could he go? His scooter was broken, so he couldn't go out of town to an acquaintance that he could likely borrow from and he couldn't ask them to come by his place.

Just as he was about to give up, Yosuke noticed a nearby sign that had been taped to the window of his shop. A flower sale? Did they even have herbs? He could maybe get a few flowers and perhaps experiment to substitute the rest... or maybe... he tapped his chin, he supposed it didn't hurt to at least take a look. He really had no other options right now. Yosuke sighed and flipped the 'Closed' sign on his door, locking it shortly after and made his way to the little flower shop that was just around the the bend of his own, tucked away shop. He stepped onto the main sidewalk and followed the street signs that led to the little corner flower shop. He stepped inside, the little bell chiming.

"Er... hello?"

Comments

[dj_jiraiya]

Well, that was certainly something to keep in mind. Even if he didn’t master using their magical properties, he knew how to get them.

Yosuke sighed in relief, most was better than none! He followed the man to where he was getting the containers and bags. He couldn’t help but be surprised at the question. “Oh! Uh... will it cost anything different?”

He could dry them himself if fresh was cheaper but it would certainly save some time as well. He also was surprised at the variety. Honestly, all three were useful but not necessary at the moment. “I need the roots, but a few leaves wouldn’t hurt.”

He had a feeling he knew which two in the list were two high end for this place, so his mind was already whirring with what to use to substitute. It was going to be tough, but there was no other recourse now.

“Switch out the ones you don’t have with evening primrose, if you don’t have it as an oil already that’s fine, I can make it myself. I’m not sure I can replace the other, but I’ll figure something out.”

[wildlinks]

"Not at all. I dry them personally so the price is the same." In fact, all the work in the flower shop is done by him. Nanako comes over after school and on weekends to work the front with bouquets and such similar orders, as a part-time job (Souji pays her well!), so he's free to properly handle the plants he has in the back, and help her out if she needs.

He pulls out a box from underneath the table and starts arranging items in it in neat order, making sure nothing tips over and mixes with other stuff. "Very well, I'll add it to the rest." Souji nods and reaches for the cupboard and pulls out a slender, brown box, which is then placed on top of another one with the rest of the products. It's in oil form and a very elegant bottle. The dry roots and handful of fresh leaves are neatly packed in a tight-sealing bag.

"Here, this should be everything from your list," Souji hands it over to him, then picks up a small bottle of grinded tumeric and adds it to the rest, "Your first purchase here so it's on the house," he grins.

[dj_jiraiya]

"Are you sure you're not just a flower shop?" He couldn't help but chuckle as he watched the young man put the orders together. It was all very organized and good quality. Yosuke could see that this was someone who really cared about his work, even if he was just a human who likely didn't know about the bits of magic swirling about the place. He took the bag but his eyes widened in surprise at the added bit of spice. "Oh come on, you're already doing a lot for me!"

He picked up the bag and handed over the cash he owed, but he still felt like he was getting more than what he asked for somehow.

"Fine, but then you'll get free tea on the house if you come by my apothecary sometime. It's not just for medicine, you know."

[wildlinks]

"Haha!" Souji smiles brightly. "This store is everything I wanted ever since I started college. I always loved plants, especially since there's a lack of it in the city. There's something so calming about it when in the morning you pick up a watering can and slowly start off the day by watering the plants."

Yeah, he's rambling a bit, but he honestly doesn't run into a lot of people that just want to talk plant stuff. "You are doing right stuff by making healing products so this is my way of saying thanks." Souji accepts the money for the herbs, storing it neatly in the cash register. It's less for him and more for buying plant treatment items.

"Then I'll make sure to drop by in the evening if you are open." After he puts plants "to sleep". He will also have time to actually shower and look decent. Right now he looks like a moving pile of mud.

[dj_jiraiya]

"I suppose I can relate," Yosuke replied, grin softening. "Getting the tea ready in the morning, burning the incense... the little things during the morning routine. It's nice and calming."

His blush returned as he hugged the bag of herbs and plants to his chest a little more. He wasn't used to that kind of praise. It wasn't that never got it, but a lot of adults thought the apothecary was part of the new age fad. It was traditional folk who saw the perks of herbal medicine and sometimes the very hipsters who decried his ways. Of course, no one would know what he does has been around for centuries.

"I'll be open, don't worry." Nah, Yosuke thought he looked adorable like that. It wasn't like Yosuke himself was well-kept himself. He was dressed in jeans and a t-shirt, flannel over it with the sleeves rolled up. Everything about him looked worn, even the bun holding most of his hair back was messy, bangs and long strands framing his face. He tapped his foot and then gave a bow in goodbye. "I'll see you later, then... uh... oh, I'm Yosuke. Yosuke Hanamura."

[wildlinks]

Souji is aware that herbs and ointments can't cure and heal everything, but they are good to make the pain and soreness more comfortable. And older people do like this type of thing.

"Wonderful, I will make sure to drop by then." Souji nods. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Yosuke. I'm Souji Seta."

Is it weird that he's feeling excited about this visit? It's been a while since he got together with someone to just hang out. This... is hanging out, right? Does it count? Souji's not sure why, but there are certain nervous butterflies fluttering around in his chest and stomach and for the first time he can't wait to wrap up his job so he can go see Yosuke (they guy didn't even leave yet, this is why he's weird).

"I'm looking forward to talking to you later." Understatement of the century.

[dj_jiraiya]

The elderly certainly do, it beats downing pills all the time.

Yosuke smiled at the name and nodded. He gave a small wave as he left. "Same here, see you later, man."

This was going to be the longest day of his life, he just knew it. Yosuke mentally prepared himself to not only get the medicine made for his customer in a bit of a hurry, but also keep himself busy throughout. Weekdays weren't exactly the busiest and it wasn't quite summer vacation yet for the students, so even the town wasn't too living just yet. It'll get there soon enough though. For now, he had to focus on this and make a call to his supplier for a better idea on when he would get his normal shipment in. But he was definitely going to keep Souji Seta in mind as a back up supplier. A little flower shop likely wouldn't be able to be a regular supplier, but for emergencies like this? It would definitely come in handy.

The hours eventually went on by, he got the ointment made and in the usual tin, along with the box of tea made for his customer and delivered on time. He was, of course, truthful about the slightly different formula and told her to call him if anything happened but otherwise he was confident it would work just as well for now. After that, it was the usual various people trickling in and out to browse his wares or order some tea. But the end of the evening, there was really no one inside aside from maybe a couple stragglers here and there. He spent that time straightening and cleaning, purifying the shop with burning sage and revitalizing any wards that needed to. His shop was a safe space for a reason.

[wildlinks]

Compared to Yosuke's day, Souji had a lot of fun finishing up whatever work he had left. Nanako had come and left after her shift was over, as bubbly as ever. They spent some time designing a bouquet for uncle Dojima's birthday so she was excited about it. He had closed the shop a tad bit early because he had spent a lot of time replanting some of the succulents, herbs, and flowers and he desperately needed a GOOD scrub down.

When he heads out to the apothecary, he's in fresh new clothes, the hair clip he had in hair is now playfully clipped on his jacket. His outfit is casual- fitting jeans, white t-shirt with a playful yellow and orange print on it, 'Sunlight' written in cursive, and blue jacket on top with hairclip acting like a brooch. He could probably work on his choices of clothes but, it's a hanging out time, right?

He enters the apothecary around 19:15, looking around curiously as he closes the door behind him. He gives a nod to one elderly woman that drops by his place to buy bouquet of lillies every week, and then searches for Yosuke.

[dj_jiraiya]

Yosuke hadn't quite heard Souji walk in as he had slipped on a bright orange pair of headphones, listening to music as he worked methodically. When there were very little customers and the moon was out and bright as anything, Yosuke liked to use that time to imbue many of his potions with the moon's power. The sun had its uses, of course, but as with anything, plants and crystals had their preferences as did certain spells.

He had assumed the second presence in the store was just another customer, browsing or something, and he would address them shortly for tea or products, but he wanted to finish this up first. He deftly wrapped the sprigs of various plants around a couple crystals, lips moving silently as he spoke the spell. Were anyone to look, a music note on his middle and ring finger shown faintly as did a few petals of the sunflower on his palm and only a few of the vines entwined around his forearms. Once done, they were placed in a jar and sealed, set upon the window sill with a few others. Once more, different petals and vines glowed faintly, he smiled softly once finished and set the last jar on the sill.

Tomorrow, he'd crush these and make them into some kind of potion. Each one had their use.

Yosuke turned and jumped a little when he raised Souji was there. He quickly pulled down his headphones and jammed his hands into his pockets. "Dude, you scared me! I didn't think you were coming."

Just keep it smooth and deflect...

[wildlinks]

Seeing Yosuke busy around the shop, packing up some stuff that looked delicate and important, Souji took his time to look around. He doesn't want to give the man a fright, as he's wearing headphones and clearly didn't hear him come in, so he's just peering at anything interesting that's laid out to look at.

He didn't see that Yosuke used a spell or anything, as he was peering into the neat row of packed teas on a shelf nearby- Souji looked very intrigued because plants. Dried plants for healing purposes but still plants.

Souji looks up from the boxes of tea when Yosuke speaks up and he grins, giving him a little wave.

"Well, I was invited for tea. Or, is it maybe a bad timing right now?"

Yosuke did look busy and he won't mind leaving if stuff popped up that Yosuke had to take care of. Sick people can't wait after all.

"I can come back some other time if you're busy."

[dj_jiraiya]

Looked like he wasn't busted. Good! He shook his head, making his way to the counter. With his back to Souji for now as he looked at the shelves of herbs, he pulled his hands from his pockets to discreetly see if the magic had faded. The glow was gone and he let himself sigh in relief.

"Nope, not bad timing at all," He replied, reaching for the herbs for the tea he had planned to make for whenever the florist arrived. "I told you I'd make you some quali-tea and I will."

He turned with a large smile, spooning in some of the ingredients into the tea strainer that would eventually go into the kettle. The water was already being heated. "So, how was the rest of your day? Busy?"

[wildlinks]

Quali-tea. Ah. He got it. Souji's face perks up when hears it and it's just right up his alley. He walks over to the counter where Yosuke's standing, leaning against it with folded hands.

"I'm really looking forward to it now. I think it will be egg-sceptional."

Smile, smile. Whoever just heard him from lingering customers is probably giving him a weird look.

"It went alright," Souji leans his chin against the palm of his hand, looking relaxed and chatty, for a guy that has a semi-blank face. But he's in a good mood right now. "My niece helped me out with some planting and replanting, and we had some customers, so I can't complain. How was your day? Did the ingredients work out for you?"

[dj_jiraiya]

Yosuke couldn't help but roll his eyes at the pun back, turning from the kettle to raise an unimpressed eyebrow. "That only works if you have eggs with you, dude."

Still, he was attentive when Souji told him about his day, smiling lightly as he pulled the now whistling kettle from the burner to pour into the mugs.

"They did, yeah," He answered. "I figured out a replacement for the one we couldn't get, but otherwise it all went well and my orders were done. Just kept busy after that, cleaning and restocking what I could."

And repowering a few others, but that wasn't something to be said out loud.