The Arcana - Muriel Fanfics!

II - The High Priestess

The smooth wood is familiar under my fingers. The chimes tinkle softly, the carved symbols glowing bright blue before fading. As I step inside, I'm enveloped in the piney scent of Asra's teas mixed with the wafting smells of drying herbs and flowers. 

The dim lanterns on the ceiling cast a faint purple light on the objects in their cabinets. I roam my hands over the dusty glass, some objects familiar, some new, lines in the dust telling me Asra sold today. Typical. Asra never dusts, even when I was here. I stand in the shop, breathing it in. Home.

"Valeera?" 

I whirl around, shawls flowing in lazy swirls around me. I don't have a chance to see who it is before I'm wrapped in a tight hug. But fluffy white hair falls into my eyes, and the delight in his laugh is unmistakable. I hug Asra back fiercely. 

"You smell like Muriel," he whispers. I snort with soft laughter, knowing the heady scent of myrrh clings to me stronger with every day. 

"Nice to see you, too," I reply playfully. Asra pulls back, studying my face with a glint in his amethyst eyes. "Your magic is much stronger, too. I can feel it," he says, switching his attention to my hands, turning them over like particularly delicate flowers. "It's the forest, I think," I say. "Every morning I go out and feel the forest." 

Asra stands back, closes his eyes and holds up his hands. I feel his magic wash over me. I sigh happily. Like standing in a cool rain after a burning day. Asra smiles widely. 

"When you say feel the forest, you mean...?" he murmurs. 

"I kind of... feel the roots. Listen to the ants. See where the water takes me." Absently, I move to drop onto a cushion. My hair fans out, trailing over the floor around me. "Ah. That's not something I taught you, is it?" Asra asks, eyes still closed. He's still smiling, a small, knowing smile like he's amused by a joke I didn't hear. "I don't think so," I reply curiously. 

"Hm. In any case, your magic seems to have connected with the forest. And the forest with you. You're definitely taller, and hair shouldn't grow as fast as yours." Asra's eyes flutter open. Dropping his arms, he settles comfortably on the cushion next to me. Still smiling. 

"Why so smiley?" I ask, tilting my head. Asra looks down at his hands. He chuckles softly.

"You don't just smell like Muriel," he says softly. "Your auras are similar. Muriel's not a magician, but his aura is still there. Faint, but..." he trails off. Asra's eyes suddenly look faraway. There's movement under Asra's shirt, and Faust pokes her head out. 

"Friends in love!" she says, sliding over the floor and up my leg. 

Asra laughs, eyes twinkling. "Yes, that's it." He smiles warmly at me. "Muriel's really opened to you, hasn't he? That would explain your slight shift in aura. Much more suited to nature." I feel my face growing hot. 

"Speaking of love..." I say, suddenly wishing I could sink into the cushion and out of sight. Asra's eyebrows quirk.

"I was hoping...well, I came here for...ingredients...f-for..." I stumble for the words. I know why I came, but now that I'm here...

"Contraception," I blurt. I think no person's face has ever been as red as mine is now, and I live with Muriel. 

Asra's eyes widen...

"Oh,"

.....before he bursts out laughing. 

"Pffhahahaha!"  He throws his head back, laughing profusely. I blush even harder. "Wow. He really has opened up to you," Asra manages, recovering quickly. I give him a pointed look, trying to appear composed through my burning cheeks. 

Still smiling, he pushes himself from the ground. "Well, you've come to the right place," he says beaming, offering me a hand. I take it, rising up from my cushion. Faust settles comfortably around my shoulders, but I know she's just as amused as Asra. 

Asra wanders towards the back of the store. I trail after him, embarrassment sitting over me heavier than Faust. 

"...Contraception," Asra chuckles to himself. "Little Muriel-children would be wonderful..." 

I shriek inwardly. Faust shifts slithering down my arm.

"Little friends?" 

Not for a while, I think, shaking my head.