Sophie worked at an Apothecary. Herbs, elixirs, flower remedies, the works.
It belonged to her mom's sister Juline and her husband Kesler. Juline was mostly at home with the triplets, Bex, Rex and Lex, and the shop was run mainly by Kesler and the eldest Dizznee son, Dex. Sophie worked there in the vacations, and it was an... interesting experience to say the least.
Everything about the shop was wacky and unusual, but that's what made it fun. The display was a mess of vines, herbs in pots, skulls in jars, and posters. The wooden door was painted twenty different colours, which was a result of an epic afternoon with Dex and the triplets. The cluttered shelves were a losing organisational battle Sophie kept fighting, and the booby traps Kesler had put up years ago took a horribly long time to learn to avoid.
It was called Slurps and Burps: Your Merry Apothecary, and it was the craziest, most wonderful place Sophie had ever seen.
The customers loved it, too. It was unconventional, to be sure, but Kesler Dizznee was a reliable physician, and his remedies were mostly held in high regard by the general public, so business was good, and customers still came in spite of all the... well, everything.
Sophie was in a good mood that day, all thoughts of the fortune teller banished to a far corner of her mind a long time ago, and thinking of a nice, long Gossip Girl binge with Biana and Marella.
She carried a slim leather-bound notebook to the register, where a first time customer was getting a dose of Kesler Dizznee™ conversation.
"So is that your son?", the customer was saying, indicating Dex, who was rearranging a shelf nearby.
The similarities were striking, with their tousled strawberry blonde hair, periwinkle eyes and long, lanky frames.
"That's one of them", Kesler told him, taking the notebook from Sophie and pushing his spectacles back up with a finger.
"And the others?", the customer asked.
"Biologically, legally, or emotionally? because there is a difference."
"Dad!", said Dex, turning so quickly that he sent a crystal flask flying off the shelf.
The customer looked scandalized.
Sophie hid her grin and turned back, heading to the door to disable a trap before the customer walked right into it.
At the door, she saw a very angry figure storming towards the store, a baseball cap pulled low, hiding her face, but her wild brown curls were unmistakable.
She dashed back to the register with quick, practiced strides, and nudged Dex's shoulder.
"Stina incoming!", she hissed. "What did you do this time?"
Dex grinned, his deep dimples showing. Stina Heks was his neighbour, and with the Hekses being so grandiose and looking down on the chaotic Dizznees, annoying her was one of his favourite things to do.
"Nothing she can prove.", he told her, still grinning.
"She looks mad", Sophie warned, preparing to make a quick exit to the storeroom, so that she wouldn't have to face an angry Stina. "Good luck."
"Hey! You're not going anywhere! You're my alibi."
Sophie tried to frown but she couldn't hide her grin. "Ok fine, what do you want me to say?"
"Just play along", he said, just as the bell jangled indignantly.
Stina's boots stomped on the wooden floor as she marched right across to where Sophie and Dex were standing.
