It's been a long day. Between classes and work you're just about exhausted, and as you put your key in the lock to enter your apartment you want nothing more than to put your feet up and relax. "Fat chance of that happening!" You think to yourself. Even if your roommate Cindy hasn't managed to trash the apartment again she'll probably try and drag you out clubbing as part of her continuing quest to help with your social life. She just can't understand that you don't have time for such things, not with your schedule. Honestly, sometimes you wonder why you put up with her.
As though summoned by your thoughts, as you step inside you're greeted almost immediately by your bubbly blonde friend. "Val!" Cindy exclaimed, bouncing over and throwing her arms around you, her jiggling juggs and the feel of her nipples pressing against you through her shirt making it abundantly clear that she's not wearing a bra.
"Oh yes, that's why." you think, blushing a little while trying not to get aroused by the other girls close proximity. "Uh, hi Cindy. You can let go of me now." You said, wanting to get rid of her before you end up giving away just how much you were enjoying this. Your roommate didn't know you were bi, and you'd prefer to keep it that way. You had enough problems already without sharing that little bit of information.
Somewhat reluctantly, Cindy let's you go. "Oh, hey, I almost forget! You got a delivery while you were out." She said, pointing back over her shoulder with her thumb.
Looking over to the corner where she's pointing, you gasp. How could you have possibly missed that?! Standing, no, looming would be a better word, is an enormous, ancient looking cabinet made of dark colored wood with a pair of large double doors covering the front. The hinges and fixtures appear to be made of iron, and the entire thing is engraved with abstract patterns and symbols. "What the heck? Where did this even come from? For that matter, how did they even get it inside?" You ask, puzzled, as even at a glance it's obvious that the massive piece of furniture is bigger than the door.
"Beats me." Cindy said with a shrug. "I came back from classes and there it was. Hey, do you think it's magic? Like the one in those Narnia movies?" She asked excitedly.
"That's just a fairy tale. You know magic's not real." You said, only half convinced yourself. If there ever was a magic cabinet this one certainly looked like it could fit the bill. Probably just an old movie prop though. "Still, I wonder who sent it. Was there a note or anything?" You inquired.
"No, but there is a key. I found it when I was looking at the cabinet earlier. I couldn't get it to open though. Maybe you'll have better luck."
"You tried opening it without my permission?!" You demanded angrily. How dare she invade your privacy like that!"
"Hey, I was curious alright! Wouldn't you be?" Cindy answered defensively.
"Fine, fine." You said, waving it off. "So where's this key you mentioned?"
"Just a minute, I'll get it." Your roommate replied, moving over to the coffee table and digging around amongst the empty food containers, text books, dirty dishes and other various nicknacks she had left there.
"Here it is!" She said after a moment, coming up with a large ornate looking key. Taking it from her, you look it over. It, like the cabinet itself, appears very old. Made of bronze, and inset with three small jewels along the grip, a blue one, a red one, and a yellow one, the key is definitely impressive looking, but the question is, does it work? " Well, only one way to find out." You say to yourself, turning towards the cabinet, a feeling of nervous anticipation building inside of you. Which is silly. It's just an old piece of furniture. Then again, whatever is inside of it could be valuable.
Carefully you slide the key into the lock and attempt to turn it, half expecting nothing to happen, but certainly unprepared for what does. The key turns easily, a soft pink glow emiting from it surrounding and connecting you and the cabinet, a feeling of warmth and energy flowing through you. "Whoa!" You exclaimed, unable to believe what's happening. Slowly the glow and the accompanying energy fades, allowing you to remove the key.
"I was right! It is magic!" Cindy exclaimed.
"Y-yea, seems so." You agreed. Licking your lips, your mouth having gone suddenly dry, you add "I, I'm almost afraid to open it now." That was a lie. The truth was, you were very afraid to open it.
"You've got to! You can't keep me in suspense like this!" Cindy pleaded.
She was right of course. No matter how much you feared the possible consequences, sooner or later your curiosity would win out. Better to get it over with.
"Alright. But if something horrible happens I blame you." You joked half-heartedly, before taking a deep breath and flinging open the doors. You don't know what you expect. A monster to leap out, a portal to another world, an explosion.... What you get is bottles. Lots and lots of bottles, jars, flasks, beakers and test tubes in all manner of shapes and sizes containing liquids, jelly's, and pastes of every color and consistency imaginable, completely filling the massive cabinet. There's so many that you almost miss the envelope. Sitting in the middle of the middle shelf leaning against the front row of bottles is a plain white envelope with your name written on the front in spidery handwriting. With shaking hands you open the envelope, pulling out the letter inside and reading over it.
"My dear Valerie, you and I have never met in person, but for many years I have watched over you from afar. If you are reading this, I am now dead. As one of the most favored females of my family line I have chosen to leave you this cabinet and all its contents. However, as you should have already guessed by now both the cabinet and its contents are far more than they appear.
I am, or rather was, what in common parlance would be known as a witch. The cabinet I have left you is my potions cabinet. In addition to a powerful magical seal designed to prevent anyone not of my blood from opening it, the cabinet has another useful and far more important purpose. Slowly refilling any container placed within so long as at least some of the substance contained within it remains. As valuable as this seems on the face of it, it is even more powerful when combined with that which is currently contained within.
That brings us to the bottles. Each bottle within the cabinet contains a different potion. Yes magic potions, each one capable of creating a different magical effect. Almost all of the potions effects are temporary. Almost all. Some few are permanent unless the effects are reversed somehow, and an even smaller handful are completely irreversible without magic more powerful than anything contained within the cabinet. Those last few are extremely dangerous, and have been carefully labeled, though I'm afraid I haven't been as diligent in maintaining the labels on my other more temporary potions. As for the temporary ones, some are true potions, meant to be drunk, while others are oils, powders or gels, meant to be sprinkled or rubbed in. Regardless of the application method, the more you use, the longer the effects last, and no, you can't overdose, so feel free to experiment. I hope you enjoy your gift. Be responsible, but have fun. Love and good fortune, your great aunt Yevone."
"Whoa, this is... I, I can't believe this! I have a deceased great aunt I never met, and... Well, you read it!" You said, handing Cindy the letter.
"Wow! A whole cabinet full of magic potions! We've gotta try these!" Cindy said excitedly once she's finished the letter, already reaching for a potion.
Quickly you step infront of the cabinet, grabbing your friend by the shoulders in an attempt to keep her away from the dangerous substances contained within. "Are you crazy?! We can't! Do you have any idea how dangerous this stuff could be?"
"Do you?" Cindy countered. "Come on, the letter said to have fun!"
"It also said to be responsible. Does grabbing a potion at random and drinking it sound responsible to you?" You argued.
"I can be responsible... enough." Cindy answered, adding "The letter said most of these are temporary right? So all we have to do is avoid the permanent ones and we'll be fine."
"That's.. I mean, gha! Fine. If you want to try one be my guest, but don't complain to me when this comes back and bites you in the ass." You agreed reluctantly.
"I knew you'd come around Val. Now, which one to choose? In thing I'll try one of these on_____________.
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