Destined Couple

Heart

The next morning, Varian waited in his lab as the woman was taken from the dungeon and brought to him. "Hello, Miss Pizzazo." He said, turning to her as she was chained to a chair. "I wondered if you could help me with a little...experiment." He picked up the potion bottle with a flourish. "You see, I was able to determine that this is a potion and not an alchemy solution to increase the effect of the endorphins in the chocolate as you claimed. However, I don't know what it does. Now, I'm going to assume that you did not intend for it be lethal and, for your sake, I hope it's not. Because you're going to be my test subject."

Her eyes widened. "No, no way!" She startled to struggle in her bonds. "You can't make me take it!"

"Unfortunately for you, I can." He picked up her golden necklace and dangled it for her to see. "See, it turns out that you're part of a dangerous organization that has been terrorizing Corona for centuries. And, as the future husband of Princess Rapunzel and a loyal resident of Corona, I can't let that slide." He dropped the necklace and walked towards her with the bottle. "I may enjoy this."

She shook her head. "You can't make me!"

His eyes flashed and he flicked his wrist and she gasped as black rocks came out ofthe ground and gripped her shoulders, holding her in place. "It will go easier for you if you cooperate. Hold her head." He nodded to the guard with her, who complied and held her in place.

"No, no!" She clamped her mouth shut.

He raised an eyebrow, handed the potion to the guard, then walked over to pick up a funnel before he roughly gripped her face and forced her mouth open. She tried to close it again and he pushed the funnel into her mouth, then held it in place before accepting the potion from the guard. "Let's do a little magic." He said, pouring the contents into the funnel. He poured three drops in, then waited for her to swallow it with teary eyes before he removed the funnel and went to put it and the potion bottle back.

"Y-You're terrible." She coughed.

"I'm a Celestial." He walked back over to her. "Alright, then. Should take effect soon."

At first, nothing happened aside from her shaking and muttering in another language. Varian leaned against his table, waiting expectantly for something to happen, and stroked Ruddiger's fur fondly. Then he saw her eyes glaze over and she went silent and he raised an eyebrow. "Okay, so that's something." He walked over to her. "Look at me."

She looked up at him.

"Uh-huh..." He looked thoughtful. "Nod your head three times, then tap your feet twice."

She did so, her eyes still glazed.

"Interesting. It appears to be a mind-control potion." He mused, then looked at the guard. "Unchain her."

He did so and stood back. Varian grinned. "Give him a hug."

She stood up and walked over to hug the guard.

"Interesting. I wonder what you intended to do with this?" He said, walking over to make a label for the potion and then put it in a locked box. "Something to do with the expo, for sure. But did you really just want to make it so you won, or did you have other plans? Hm, note to self, make a truth serum."

"Sir, she's still hugging me." The guard said awkwardly.

"Of course she is, she hasn't been given another order. Let's see how far this goes." He summoned his spear and held it out. "Take this and attack the guard."

She let go of the guard and walked over to take the spear, then faced the guard before lunging forward. "Stop." Varian ordered, and she stopped short. "Wow." He walked over and looked at her. "This...is impressive. Terrifying, but impressive. She takes orders without hesitation, without limits, without any regard for her own wellbeing. She's a doll to be controlled, as long as this potion is in effect. And she intended to do this to everyone that ate her chocolates. Diabolical!"