shadows all around you as you surface from the dark

[cleverness]

Bit by bit, Hermione has been easing down her responsibilities at the Lamplight over the past several weeks. While doing her best to maintain all of the inventory and services that people require for emergency reasons, Hermione's been deprioritizing some of the businesses she started up for fun alone. The tanks which once held dozens of pygmy puffs are now largely empty, save for the few that refused to be sold off to new owners, robust enough to hop around the store and occasionally coming around to nap on Hermione's shoulder.

In quiet afternoons like this, she appreciates their company, and in closing her eyes she can almost imagine herself being in Great Britain again, surrounded by friends and family.

But life in Darrow isn't lacking by any means, and today, Hermione only allows herself to doze off for the briefest of moments before she sits straight, hearing the poltergeist at the entrance get up in arms. It shrieks a few times, though whether in greeting or alarm Hermione can't quite tell. Either way, it's enough for Hermione to get to her feet, having previously been lounging in the soft rocking chair she's set up in the back of the shop to help her rest her feet.

"May I help you?" she asks, seeing the silhouette of a customer by the door, doing her best to blink the sleep out of her eyes.

Comments

[modern_alpha]

"You would, I think, get along with my Alpha's wife very well," Biffy said, smiling. "The Lady Maccon is both quite well-read and even more astute."

The last question was by no means personal, but answering it felt equally odd, if only because it was simply known in his world. To be the only one playing by such rules was at times puzzling. "I am, but I'm afraid I've only been a werewolf a year now. I can't say I've witnessed any centuries old marvels."

[cleverness]

Hermione smiled at the compliment, glad to receive it in a place where she often felt far from knowledgeable. It certainly wasn't for lack of wanting, though, she told herself. Whenever afforded the opportunity to learn about those around her, Hermione took the chance by the horns.

Unfortunately, not everyone was so open and willing to cooperate.

"Normally, I wouldn't pry into such private matters without first being invited, but it is all important for me to consider as I make adjustments to the potion. Werewolves in my world are far from immortal — they can have the expected lifespan of a human, but frequently live a shorter time than they might otherwise. Stress," she explained.

[modern_alpha]

"It's only proper," he agreed, understanding that answering her questions was to his benefit, in the end. "Like being fully candid with one's physician, I imagine. Though, to that end, I cannot become ill either. Nor can any human weapon do permanent damage to me."

Perhaps, if someone were to evacuate his head from his neck that might do him in, but Biffy thought he would not like to participate in such an experiment. "And I am quite vulnerable to silver, I'm afraid. And basil. All werewolves are allergic to the stuff."

[cleverness]

Completely focused on the symptoms and limitations described by Biffy, Hermione shifts in her seat, hand unconsciously sweeping over her belly. "Vulnerable to silver, you say? And basil? Do these things only incapacitate you temporarily, or do they deal permanent damage?" Hermione asked. "And do you have any sort of allergic reaction to wolfsbane?"

She attempted briefly to cross her arms over her chest, but finding the position uncomfortable, shook her head. "The potion that I brew relies on wolfsbane as its primary acting ingredient. But if wolfsbane is not a substance that you react to, I may need to rethink how to brew the proper potion. Basil as a primary ingredient..." Her voice trailed off as Hermione considered what other ingredients could be used together with basil.

[modern_alpha]

"We do, though it's less of a concern in the middle of London than a chef trying to be a gourmand and including all manner of herbs," Biffy said. Though he had been fond of the trend toward more flavorful food he was, at his heart, still raised on the bland flavors of Victorian England.

"It numbs the mouth, basil, and leaves a lingering and unpleasant taste." He wrinkled his nose delicately before looking to her change of posture. "You aren't tired are you? Please, sit if you need. You have no reason to stand on my account."

[cleverness]

Hermione breathed a sigh of relief. At least she wouldn't have to completely rework the Wolfsbane potion. While she believed that she could probably arrive at the right brewing recipe in time, she couldn't guarantee that it would be without a large amount of strife and strain on Biffy's body.

Which brought her back to her own aches and pains, and Hermione smiled sheepishly as she sunk back down into her seat. "Thank you," she said earnestly, running her hand once over her belly. "Sometimes I forget that I can't quite handle as much strain as I used to. But, at any rate, I can definitely brew the potion. And I'll prepare an antidote as well, in case something doesn't sit well with you physically. I'll be very curious to see if it works."

[modern_alpha]

Biffy had found that he was a sturdy type, for all his dandy behavior. Becoming a werewolf had only made him hardier to the point that Lyall had expressed surprise, more than once, while Lord Maccon constantly assured him that he was a strong wolf. Effete and fastidious among the rest of the pack, all burly military types, he had not felt he could honestly agree.

"When are you due?" he asked. "My own alpha's wife was due for her confinement herself, when I was home in London. Though I doubt anyone would actually be able to confine her."

[cleverness]

"The twenty-second of May," Hermione parroted right back, with enough easy to make it clear that she had been obsessing over her due date for quite some time. She hadn't yet let herself become tied to the house, wanting to remain outside and active as much as possible, but she knew that the day would inevitably begin to draw closer.

"Which is, I'll assure you," she added quickly with a reassuring smile, "far away enough that I can certainly get started on your potion. It takes some weeks to brew, but fortunately the need for attention is less of a physical one, and more a matter of being awake at the right time. Wave of the wand, and all that."

[modern_alpha]

"Many felicitations. I hope you'll allow me to prepare a gift, at least, for the upcoming child so that I might thank you." It was only proper, especially if Hermione didn't intend to take formal payment for her efforts.

"And please, don't rush." Manners dictated he say it, though truthfully Biffy prayed that he might sample the potion's effects sooner than later.

[cleverness]

"Well, I suppose I can't exactly deny my child a present, if you feel inclined," Hermione said with a small laugh, nodding as Biffy found the one area in which she could relax her principles. She didn't like helping people at a price, but neither was she the type to deny others presents, unless they were being offered as some type of a bribe.

This hardly seemed like it fell in that category.

"And I promise you, I won't compromise quality for the sake of timing. But I'll do my best to accommodate your needs as soon as I can. It'd put me at greater ease as well if I'm able to help you retain your mind on the full moon."