I only own OCs. And hey! A chapter mostly on Melba!

Eli H. Lee

Melba hummed a small tune as she and some 'others' began brewing something in the cauldron. Of course, the 'others' were really other spirits in the form of wispy smoke of blues, blacks, purples, and greens. In fact, the only other one of the strange crowd that had a clear form was a Ghede loa who had to form of a swan and went by the name Rudo. Rosella was off training with Vitaly again, though Melba knew very well from talking with her that he has yet to let her progress.

Which was why Melba asked Rudo and other spirits for a little bit of… help. Just a little boost, a little… push for Vitaly to let Rosella to go further. A potion should do. Unfortunately, she herself was untalented in potion making, having been a loa as someone to connect to her living friend. Hence Rudo and friends.

Though now as they were stirring the ingredients, she was beginning to question Rudo's choice. To be honest, Vitaly was nearly a complete mystery to Melba. Sure, she knew he was technically the star of the circus and that he was now mentoring Rosella… but that was it, aside from what Rosella would tell her. As far as Melba knew, any kind of potions would have done the trick. But Rudo, true to the meaning of her name, decided a minor love potion. Minor love potion.

It was too late to turn back, but Melba was concerned. Even if spirits couldn't smell, she could see the fumes were much more powerful than what was needed. And what Rosella would do when she found out about this…

If she wasn't a Loa, she would be deader than all the spirits in the current room.

"Vitaly, come on, the next show is in less than a week!"

"You can vait!"

"Oh come on! We're going to need to at least know if the audience even likes the act!"

"You can vait!"

Many of the spirits froze at the sound of the two felines' voices. As most of them turned slowly to look at the door, Melba saw a small few (and Rudo) scoop some of the potion into a bottle.

"I get more hoop."

"But they're-"

"I know."

Vitaly opened the door and froze at the sight of the spirits before them. Melba gulped slightly and shifted a bit. An awkward silence fell over them, the tension becoming thicker than fog created by dry ice in salt water.

"Vitaly? You're not still distrustful of Melba, are you?"

The Loa almost was relieved at the lioness's obliviousness at what really was going on. Vitaly made a strange face then, the fumes of the potion clearly making it uncomfortable. "She-"

"KEEP HIM QUIET!" Rudo yelled, several spirit joining the Ghede loa in tackling the tiger, leading many to end up outside the cart in front of the lioness.

"Wait! Make sure he doesn't get..."

The sound of glass breaking cut Melba off, causing her to look outside at the damage. Serveral spirits had vanish due to the sunlight while others rushed to the shade or darkness inside the cart. Rosella was helping Vitaly up, a bizarre and confused expression on her face while Vitaly seemed to be trying to spit and wipe off whatever was left of the love potion Rudo had placed in the now broken bottle that laid on the ground near the other Loa and tiger. Both Loas now looked in fear at the realization now took hold of them. Vitaly had tasted some of the potion… right in front of Rosella.

They were going to become deader than the dead real quick.

*sigh*…. Alright, I want everybody who reads this to put in their reviews on what they think Vitaly's going to act like under the influence of the potion. Well, aside from the obvious. After all, everybody's different. Not everyone's going to act like Pepe le Pew when it comes to romance… though I think Rosella would defiantly act like Penelope now that I think about it.

Also, what do you think about Melba? I think it's about time I gave her a little spotlight.

And don't worry, Vitaly's going to get cured in about two or three chapters.