As the sickening dark green liquid continued to bubble profusely, Percy watched with uncertainty as Rhajat retrieved a pinch of red powder and sprinkled it into the potion's flask.

"Are you sure this is safe?"

Percy observed as a small, amused sly smile emerged on her lips. "We aren't experiencing cold feet, are we?"

"Well, n-no but I just don't feel very comfortable about this anymore", he answered timidly.

"It's a simple procedure, Percy. I assure you, you're in no sense of peril or jeopardy." Her tone was earnest, but less than reassuring. "And besides" she replied mischievously, "weren't you the one who volunteered to help me with my research? From what I remember you were quite eager to participate."

"W-well, yes, but I thought helping you meant, y'know, helping you – like holding things or collecting stuff – not actually participating in an experiment."

Rhajat experienced an unusual sensation of guilt and remorse over the younger man, visibly concerned and afraid.

After sighing softly to compose herself, she looked back to him. "You'll be perfectly safe, Percy, I promise."

After hearing Rhajat's unusually supportive words, Percy regained composure and smiled weakly. "OK."

Rhajat nodded understandingly, and knelt down behind her bench to retrieve some items from the storage containers beneath her knees.

"So, you never actually told me what this…stuff…actually is or what it does."

"It's an experiment I've wanted to conduct for some time now. I've had the resources and tools ready and available", she raised her head and flashed a mischievous smile, "all I've needed is a willing subject."

The young woman's devious mannerisms made Percy swallow anxiously.

"As for the contents of that flask, it's a stimulant elixir. From what it states in my book, it's supposed to promote personal strength and growth attributed to the user's physical assets."

The response or lack thereof from her boyfriend made Rhajat return her gaze towards him. She was greeted with a confused, almost disillusioned expression.

She rolled her eyes. "It's a performance enhancer."

"So, it's gonna make me stronger?"

"In laymen's term, yes." Rhajat nodded as she retrieved a small pipette. "Theoretically, it's supposed to increase your natural physical abilities: strength, speed and agility."

With the pipette held gently in between her fingers, Rhajat placed it inside the stabilised elixir, and extracted a small sample of it. After bringing it closer to her eyes for inspection, Rhajat returned her attention to her boyfriend staring exactly at her, an almost eager expression on his face.

"Are you ready?"

Percy nodded confidently.

"Good, now give me your hand".

"Um…OK?" Percy casually extended his arm out with an open palm, unsure of why she needed him to perform the action. His eyes widened when he observed Rhajat balancing the pipette over his hand. Frantically, he retracted it.

"What are you doing?"

"Applying the serum".

"Wait…on my hand?"

"The sample must be applied to the skin so the body can absorb it into the bloodstream." She gestured towards his him. "Your hand, please."

"Wha- why? What if…what if it burns me?"

Rhajat rolled her eyes and sighed with exasperation. "It's not going to harm you; it's barely even room temperature at this point. You said you wanted to help me with my research, Percy, and if so then stop resisting and give me your hand!"

Her stubborn, unamused expression softened when she witnessed the genuine fear and fright evident on the young man's face.

Remorseful, she sighed regretfully. "I'm sorry…I didn't mean to raise my voice." She hesitated before continuing. "I understand your concern, and if you don't want to continue then I won't force you. You've already done more than enough for me." She lowered her gaze. "You're willingness to contribute and assist me with my research has not gone unrecognised."

Percy averted his eyes away from the older woman in embarrassment; he hadn't meant to upset her either. Despite his reluctance, he had volunteered to participate, but not just to help her with her research but so they could spend more time together; he was hoping the experience could help him become better acquainted with her hobbies and interests.

Returned his gaze to her, he smiled. "I'm sorry, too. I don't mean to sound like a coward, I'm just…I'm just a little scared." He gently scratched his cheek in embarrassment. "I know how important this is to you so I'll stop acting like such a child."

Rhajat smiled weakly. "Thank you, this means a lot to me."

After a moment of silence, Rhajat retrieved the pipette once more. "Are you ready?"

Still evidently afraid and fearful, Percy slowly extended his open palm out towards her, and clutched his eyes tight.

After a moment of bated anticipation, he felt a small wet droplet land in the centre of his hand. Opening his eyes, he was puzzled to see that the liquid hadn't vanished or dissolved. Curiously, he turned to Rhajat for inquiry.

"What's…why hasn't it dissolved yet?"

With fabricated innocence, Rhajat raised her hands defensively. "Your guess is as good as mine" she answered with a sly smile.

Inspecting the substance, Percy was confused to discover the liquid didn't have a scent; in fact, it smelled no different than normal water. "Just what is this stuff anyway?"

Stifling a delightful giggle, Rhajat brought a finger to her chin. "Oh, just a combination of molecular atoms: hydrogen and oxygen."

Percy blinked in confusion. "Wait…it's just water?"

Erupting into a cackle, Rhajat nodded.

The young man stared in bewilderment. "Wha-what? B-but I thought…", he shook his hand vigorously to dispose of the substance, "I thought you said it was a strength potion or something."

Rhajat winked mischievously. "A harmless white lie."

Percy couldn't even begin to process the development. "So this was just a joke?" He asked accusingly. "I thought you said you wanted to conduct an experiment?"

Scoffing playfully, Rhajat smiled. "Oh, I have, and the results have far exceeded my expectations."

Percy furrowed his eyebrows. "I don't understand…what experiment?"

Closing the distance between them, Rhajat gently tapped her boyfriend on the nose, prompting him to recoil with embarrassment. "To determine whether or not you'd be willing to participate, and now that my hypothesis has been confirmed", she turned around and eagerly retrieved a mysterious purple book from her bookshelf, "I do believe it's time to commence with the real experiment."

Witnessing his girlfriend's impish grin, Percy swallowed anxiously with a nervous smile, completely unprepared for what was to come.

You've got to get yourself together / You've got stuck in a moment

And now you can't get out of it