When you're raised by a group of sorcerer monks on a mostly secluded plain of existence whose residents view you as the offspring and therefore complete embodiment of ultimate evil there really isn't much else to do besides read. Raven found this out for herself first hand. She read her first complete sentence at two years old and her first 1000 page tome at five. Whenever she got a free moment, in between school and meditation sessions with High Priestess Metrion, she'd read. Anything she could get her hands on was fair game. Her mother, wanting to encourage her in this, provided her with whatever she could find, including books from the human world. From massive hardcovers like "A Tale of Two Cities" and "Crime and Punishment" to quaint paperback novellas like "Of Mice and Men," Raven consumed it all. As she grew older her reading comprehension evolved to a point where she could dust off five hundred pages in an afternoon. In school she found herself far ahead of the rest of the class. This endeared her somewhat to her professors but only alienated her even further from her classmates, but by that point she didn't care. She found the characters in her books far more interesting and likable than anyone in the real world. They were wise, courageous, noble and complex. Why would she need anyone else?
After nearly nineteen years in existence, and with sixteen of those years spent reading, Raven had amassed herself quite the library. The majority of it was kept on shelves in her bedroom. She made certain her favorite works of fiction were out in the open for easy access, but her most important contributions were kept just out of sight in a little corner towards the back wall, tucked away in a six foot wide nook. It was here where she kept her spell books.
xxxxx
For several days Raven spent every waking moment of her free time in her bedroom, pouring through her library, looking for something that might aid her in her 'love' problem. With each new page, each new chapter she hoped for the best. She needed something that could change her, alter her perception. Nothing drastic. Just something powerful enough to eliminate the more romantic feelings she had for Beast Boy. So far her journey had proved fruitless. She'd found dozens of passages concerning things like transmutation, memory conversion, cognitive awareness alteration, etc... It was all so painfully close but everything fell just shy of being something she could actually use.
She had just finished pouring through the latter half of a thick and ultimately unhelpful text when a familiar presence greeted her senses, proceeded by a gentle knocking at her door. For a moment she did nothing, only sat and stared at the sealed entryway. There came another small knock, and finally she got to her feet. She went to the door and, with a few taps on the security panel, opened it.
As expected, Beast Boy was on the other side.
"Hey Raven," he greeted warmly with a big dopey grin.
"Morning," she answered, her greeting somewhat more curt than she intended.
Getting the impression that he was interrupting something, he spoke quickly. "Hey, uh, Robin and Star cut out for the afternoon, and me and Cy were just about to go to the arcade, and we were wondering if you wanted to come with."
Looking at the green guy's adorable little face it took all of Raven's self control to answer, "No, thank you," and "I'll just keep an eye on things here."
There was a trace amount of disappointment in Beast Boy's eyes as he smiled and said, "Oh okay. Sure. Well, we'll be there for most of the day, so if you change your mind feel free to come on down."
Raven gave a small nod, said, "Will do," and slowly went to close the door.
Beast Boy had taken only two and half steps away before he very suddenly turned back. "Hey, uh, Rave?" he called just before the Raven's door was completely sealed.
"Yes?" Raven answered, a little taken back by the sudden outburst.
"So I know you know all this stuff already, but...I mean I guess I'll say it again just in case. You know you don't have to deal with everything by yourself, right? If there's something bothering you, even if it's just something small and stupid or whatever, you can come talk to us. We're all right here. Even me." He smiled and pointed to each of his large and pointy ears. "Ears like these were made for listening. Know what I mean?"
Raven had to pull herself back into the darkness of her room in order to hide the obvious redness flourishing on her cheeks. "I know," she answered. "Thank you, Beast Boy."
Beast Boy gave a small wave and then continued on his way as Raven quickly slid the door shut behind her.
The warmth in her stomach told her all she needed to know. In her minds eye she could see her "Passion" doing backflips and cartwheels. No doubt this would be the next piece to go up in her art exhibit, and honestly Raven couldn't blame her. It was a nice moment. She lived for moments like these, moments that were honest and genuine and let her know she was cared for. And this warm feeling in her stomach, this quiet and gentle longing, she had to admit it felt nice. Meandering across the floor of her bedroom, she couldn't help but wonder if she were really doing the right thing. It was then, looking up she caught sight of a framed photograph hanging on her wall. It was a group shot of her and the rest of the Titans, all smiling and looking happy (even her) on the rocky shore of their island as their newly completed Tower loomed tall and mighty in the background. She looked at Beast Boy. He was leaning behind her, smiling and holding up two fingers behind her head, giving her bunny ears. Seeing that photo and remembering that day Raven suddenly knew the solution to her problem.
She did need help. But not from anyone here.
Standing in front of her bookcase Raven ultimately realized she did not have the knowhow or the resources to accomplish her goals. She would need the help of those far more experienced than her in the world of spells and incantations. If she wanted to put things back the way they were, return things to normal, she would need to go to market.
xxxxxx
Start by going east down Belle St for about half a mile. Take a right on Madison and keep going until you get to the Mooby's on the corner. Take the first left after Mooby's then go straight for another mile and a half. On your left will be a little block of stores. Wedged in between a sandwich shop and an insurance agency there'll be a quaint little antique shop, Forgotten Treasures. Go inside and you'll find a grandfatherly looking type with a big bushy mustache sitting behind the oak wood counter. He'll say, "Good Evening," and "How can I help you on this fine day?" Tell him "No thanks. I'm just passing through." Then open the door and leave. You'll come to a hallway. Just follow the signs. When you get to the doorman, don't forget to sign in (a simple soul scan will suffice). Make sure to close the doors behind you.
Welcome and please enjoy your visit to Calebog's Market for Mystiks.
It was a lot to go through but well worth it for the kinds of spells and rarities one could find. Calebog's was one stop shopping for all manner of magic users. The set up was not unlike a bazaar with rows and rows of vendors all packed tightly together, looking to sell their wares. Dozens and dozens of tables and tents assembled along cobblestone streets under the leafy purple and red canopy of several strategically planted moongate trees. Raven had a sort of love/hate relationship with Calebog's. It was the go-to marketplace for all the powders, potions and rare ingredients she needed for her incantations, but the crowds... On any given day the traffic at Calebog's was comparable to a mid-December Saturday at the Jump City Mall. Beings from all over attended Calebog's. All manner of wizards, witches and warlocks elbowing each other out of the way in order to get a better look at the deals; Trolls and ogres stomping around like they owned the place; Elves and gnomes skittering underfoot just looking for a chance to snatch some loose coins: The whole scene gave her a headache. Still she would grit her teeth and bare it, same as always. Much like everybody else.
For the record it should be mentioned that according to the High Council of Trans-Dimensional Witchcraft and Wizardry love potions were for all intents and purposes illegal as were most emotion manipulating spells, however that didn't stop some vendors from finding some creative legal loopholes in order to serve their means. The fact that Raven was here to potentially take advantage of that was not lost on her and she was more than willing to admit it was not one of her finest moments, but alas, she was desperate. Regardless, her hope of actually finding someone or something that would help her was growing dim. Twelve shops in and she was no closer to getting what she needed. She was tired and cranky, sick to death of sliver-tongued merchants shoving "moderately priced" manticore tails in her face and pitching their latest concoction for warding off wendigos. She needed a break.
Finding a small secluded area away from the hustle and bustle of the street she took a seat upon a large overturned cauldron. Removing her boots she began massaging her feet, running her palm from the ball to the heel and digging her fingers in between her toes. First one foot then the other. Leaning back on her palms she took a breath as she let the warm air run free over her sore and sweaty appendages. After sitting like that for something close to a minute, she gave her toes one final wriggle then slid them back into her boots. She got to her feet then immediately spun on her heels. With a wave of her hand a tendril of dark energy shot forth, cutting through the air like a shot.
xxxxx
Five or six shops into her trip Raven suddenly got the feeling something was watching her. She wrote it off at first but as time went on she became more and more convinced that she was being followed. It took some time, but she at long last found the perfect opportunity to make her move. The black energy tendril shot forth from beneath her cloak. Acting as an extension of her hand it attempted to grab hold of her pursuer who at first glance appeared small and certainly not human. She made a few more blind grabs before the sound of a voice calling out to her stayed her hand.
"Woah, woah, easy now, darling," it said with an odd reverb. "I'm only here to help."
Ceasing her onslaught, Raven was able to fully take in the sight of the object that had been tailing her for the past half hour. It was small, indeed no bigger than a softball, and appeared by all accounts to be nothing more than a mirror. It floated comfortably in the air with support from a pair of white feathered wings (something similar to a dove's) and a strange green light appeared to emanate from its flat, streak free surface.
"Who are you?" called Raven with a hard glare and a dark, glowing hand. "Why have you been following me?"
"Easy now, my little moonbeam," tutted the mirror, it's glass face flashing bright green with each word it spoke. "There's no need for such hostility. I simply wish to offer my services."
"And what services would those be?"
The mirror floated gently closer as it spoke. "I've been observing you. You have a most unusual problem, that I think I may be able to help you with. Why don't you come to my shop so we can have a little chat. Just follow the looking glass. It'll show you the way." With that, the mirror took off flying in the opposite direction, leaving a green light trail just faint enough to see behind it.
Raven had to admit she was intrigued. She hesitated for a moment then, perhaps ignoring her better judgement, quickly followed.
xxxxx
The looking glass moved with surprising swiftness, traveling up and down corridors and in and out of archways. It lead Raven away from the heart of Calebog's to a small and very unassuming, tan-colored tent set up at the very edge of the marketplace, just out of sight from any prying eyes. It defied any sense or logic to be so far removed from the customers, and Raven had to admit the whole thing screamed of set up, but still she pressed onward. Summoning all her courage and still keeping very much on her guard, she approached the tent. Summoning her powers she opened the flap from a distance then slowly made her way inside.
When Raven first viewed the tent's interior, the first thing she felt was disappointment. After so much buildup, she really expected something more. Really, there appeared to be nothing more than the usual trinkets one could find at a dozen other shops in the marketplace. There were table tops covered in basic see-er stones and shelves full of various sundries and tinctures. Potions for curing ailments and talisman's for heightening one's spiritual awareness. Everything was standard. Nothing really that exceptional. As it was the only thing that really stood out was the shop owner herself.
Appearing to be a woman in her early thirties, she stood something close to six and a half feet tall. She had long dark green hair that flowed freely to the middle of her back. Her skin was pale with black tiger strips hugging her cheeks from front to back and her eyes were a strange mixture of green and yellow. Her dress was full body, covering her from neck to toe. The bottom of her dress split in various places to form something that looked like tentacles and when she walked she seemed to glide as though she were not even touching the ground.
"Greetings, my darling little moonbeam," the woman said, her voice low and husky. "I'm so glad you came."
"I'm not," answered Raven, curtly. "No offense, but it doesn't look like you have anything to offer that I haven't seen everywhere else."
At that the woman only smiled. "Now, now, you're so quick to judge. Sometimes in order to see the truth, you need to take a second look."
The woman placed a hand on Raven's shoulder and gently spun her around so that she was now facing the entrance to the shop. Raven rolled her eyes at first, but then suddenly found herself overwhelmed with shock and awe. Seemingly out of nowhere, the entire layout of the shop had changed. All the usual junk was replaced by objects and items that were beyond even Raven's comprehension. Stones that glinted and glittered with unfathomable beauty lined each table. The shelves were stocked with all manner of strange antiquities. Even the shop itself had changed. The dirt floor was replaced by elegant hardwood. The overhead lamps were replaced by shimmering crystal. The plain, tan-colored tent was now an ornately decorated piece of architectural accomplishment. Raven was completely at a loss for words.
The woman, observing Raven's slack-jawed expression, let loose with a hearty laugh. "You like that?" she asked. "Just a little trick of the senses I like to use. Helps keep out the riffraff."
Raven took in the various wonders of the shop before she regained her composure enough to speak. "Who are you?" she asked finally.
"Madame Yvonne," replied the woman with a small bow. "At your service."
"And you can help me?"
The newly dubbed Madame gave a knowing grin and gestured to Raven to follow. She headed to the back of the store, to a turtleshell countertop. "I took notice of you as soon as you arrived. I could tell right away you were exceptional."
"Is that so?"
"Indeed. I pride myself on having an eye for talent. I'll only share my abilities with those who are truly deserving."
"I don't know how deserving I am."
Madame Yvonne ducked under the counter. The shuffling sound of metal and wood could be heard as she replied, "Nonsense. I know what you seek, moonbeam, and I consider it an entirely worthwhile endeavor." She popped back up from the counter with a small wooden bowl and a bucket full of nondescript bottles and bags. "You love someone, don't you?"
Raven's face flushed.
"It's okay," continued Madame Yvonne. "You can say it."
Raven bowed her head so that her hair hung in her eyes. "Yes," she answered with a small sigh.
"But you don't want to."
"It...it's not that I don't want to...exactly...but..."
"But's it's just not something you want to be dealing with right now. Darling I get it. Trust me I do. Love is a wonderful, amazing emotion when it's convenient, but sometimes it's just like, ugh, who needs it? If only we could chose when and where it happens."
"Love potions are illegal," said Raven suddenly, her conscience quickly getting the better of her.
"Right you are," answered Madame Yvonne. "So what you need is an anti-love potion."
The word struck Raven like a slap in the face. An anti-love potion. Yes. That was it. That was exactly what she was looking for.
Without another word, Madame Yvonne popped open the corks on two large bellied potion bottles with her thumbs and poured the contents into the bowl. She undid the tie on a small bag and tossed a handful of what appeared to be little rodent feet into the brew where they quickly dissolved. For about a minute she worked like that. Adding a pinch here and a drop there of all manner of strange ingredients before finishing with a vigorous stir. When she was done she carefully poured the contents of the bowl (now a bright, almost glowing, pink liquid) into a fancy, diamond shaped glass vial. Holding the object between her thumb and index finger she returned her attention to Raven.
"This here will fix you right up. A brew of my own design. I call it Honeymoon's End. Picture the object of your no longer desire in your minds eye and then bottom's up. You'll take yourself a little nap and when you wake up all those pesky feelings you have for the poor schlub will be gone." She extended the vial to Raven, implying that she should take it.
Raven's eyes were fixed on the potion. She was captivated by it. With only slight hesitation she took the potion from Madame Yvonne's hand. Turning the small vial over in her palm she watched as the liquid inside bubbled and fizzed. This was it, she could feel it. This was the solution to her problem. Only one question remained.
"How much?" asked Raven tentatively.
The look on Madame Yvonne's face was one of utmost sincerity. "Take it," she said with a soft smile. "It's a gift."
Raven was touched by the offer. "Really?" she said.
Madamme Yvonne's reply was to let out a very unladylike snort and burst into raucous laughter. "No," she finally answered. "Darling, I'm trying to run a business here. I can't just go peddling my wares free of charge to every Harry Hard-Luck and Sally Sob-Story that comes waltzing through. A gift? Really?" She broke out into another fit of laughter.
Raven, clearly not amused by the charade, folded her arms and glared at the laughing woman. Finally finding a space in between guffaws, she again asked, "How much?"
Wiping a comical tear from her eye, Madame Yvonne let out a satisfied sigh and answered, "How much you got on you?"
Retrieving her coin purse from the pocket of her cloak, Raven emptied a handful of Azarathean coins (Part of a trust set up by her mother and High Priestess Metrion) out into her palm. Before she even had time to count them, they were snatched away by Madame Yvonne.
"Eh, that looks like enough," said the woman, turning the coins over in her palm for a beat before magically manifesting her own coin purse out of thin air and stuffing them inside. "Now, that potion's got an expiration date on it. For the best results I really recommend drinking it tonight just before you go to bed."
Ravne nodded then placed the vial in her pocket. She then turned and headed for the exit. She was just about to leave when she heard Madame Yvonne say, "Have a nice day." Raven went to reply, but by the time she turned her head it was too late. The woman and the store were both already gone.