Holt matched her laughter. “Sometimes my girlfriend will use my shampoo and I can’t stand the smell of myself on her. Like, is this really what I smell like?! She smells great on her own, she doesn’t need my stink tainting her.”
Ladybug forced her smile to stay put until she was certain it likely resembled a grimace of pain. She had no idea what they were blathering on about. This was a conversation far above her level of understanding, but that was fine.This elf is so sweet, she’s the one you practice with. Change the narrative.As she watched, the girl picked up not only the second bottle of shampoo, but two bottles of the conditioner as well.
“My partner is the one who harvested all the rose petals used for this batch of products,” Ladybug blurted, neck heating as soon as the words were out. “He-he’s able to step around the bushes without disturbing the bases, and . . . well, his claws are very handy for snipping off the blooms. I always manage to cut myself on the thorns. He’s going to be very happy to hear the roses were a hit.”
The elf beamed. Over her shoulder, a pair of trolls whispered to each other. “Oh, I love that! The whole household has to pitch in! Well, please thank him for me and let him know how much I appreciate his efforts. This all smellssoamazing! And thank you so much for all of your helpful recommendations!“ She twinkled up at Ladybug as Holt came around the table to hand her the heavy bag of products. “You just became my new favorite vendor here. I can’t wait to see what new stuff you have next week!”
Ladybug spun to Holt when the elf left, elation and panic nearly taking her off her feet but the familiar had dropped to his seat upon his return to the table, a stricken look on his face.
“Oh good, you’re panicking too,” she hissed. “What did she mean, new stuff next week?! Do I have to have new stuffeveryweek?”
“What?” Holt looked up sharply as if she’d interrupted him, incomprehension turning his brows down. “What — what did you say about next week?” He pushed back to his feet, leaning over the table to peer above the heads of the goblins who were examining every single intention oil, watching the back of the elf as she made her way up the aisle.
“She–she said she can’t wait to see what I have next week . . .”
Holt shook his head roughly, as if to shake himself back to attention. “So next week you show her something new. That doesn’t mean you need to craft something new, only that it will be new to her. Take your own advice, Ladybug. Manifest your reality. And that was nicely played, well done.”
“Your partner,” one of the trolls asked a moment later, the pair crowding their way to the front of the table at last. “The one who helps with the roses . . . is that the —“ The troll hesitated, biting her lip and exchanging a fast look with her friend.
Change the narrative.Ladybug inhaled, swallowed hard, and nodded. She would never sparkle and would always prefer potions to people, but she could do this for him.Your mother was a strong witch. She didn’t give a shit about the neighbors either.
“He’s an Araneaen,” Ladybug supplied in a voice that she hoped sounded stronger than she felt. “Spider-folk. He-he’s going to be thrilled the roses went to good use.”
“Araneaen,” the second troll repeated. “I’ve never known any spider-folk before. It’s hard to believe there’s one living right here in town! I’m sure he’s the first in the area.”
“Hardly.” Holt’s voice was casual, catching the troll’s attention before pointedly answering a question for one of the selkies then turning back to the conversation as if it were an afterthought.Change the narrative. Make Anzan sound as boring as Holt does. “Philomel has been here for ages. She lives over by the park, at least thirty or forty years now.”
The trolls exchanged another fast look. “I think I’ve seen her before,” one of them admitted. “Not often, but here and there at the store. I guess I didn’t realize they were the same species. The males though, they’re much bigger, right?”
This time, the smile she wore had a bit of a natural stretch. “They’re not. Female Araneaens are actually larger. They’re a matriarchal society, you know. It was almost a challenge getting used to being treated so well.” She didn’t miss Holt’s grin at her words, fighting the impulse to bounce on her toes again.
The troll women shared another pointed look, the shorter of the two giving her friend a none too subtle elbow to the side.
“We read something about their venom?” the original speaker asked, glaring down at her eager companion.
Ladybug heated, knowing exactly what they’d heard. “Araneaen venom has aphrodisiac properties, yes. It-it’s quite potent.”
Both women’s eyes widened. “You’ve tried it?”
Her stomach swooped, and for a moment, she had no idea how to answer.Yes, every time he goes down on me, he puts a drop of venom on my clit and turns my blood to gasoline. When he goes into heat, he bites me like a vampire so that we can have sex for two days straight.“It’s important for a witch to be well acquainted with every item in her cabinet,” was what she said at last. “And he-he is my partner. It’sverypotent stuff.”
“Do you have any products with it?” the troll demanded, eyes lighting up.
You’re not just going to sell circles around these other witches. You’re going to turn this whole town into a bunch of venom addicts.
“I don’t have them here,” she said regretfully, “not this week. But Icanmake them.”
“This is our first week here,” added Holt quickly. “The product line will be ever-changing and expanding, so you’ll need to check back with us. Or,” he plucked up one of the cards with a flourish, “be sure to sign up for updates. The online shop will be opening soon, and of course, we do personal consultations.”
By the time the last patrons were pulling out of the parking lot, she was exhausted and giddy. With the exception of a few soaps here and a pot or two of lotion there, the table was empty. She had given out dozens of cards, explained what charging the crystals meant to countless mothfolk and goblins, and had a tentative appointment with a friendly amphibious woman to discuss her little boy’s predilection for licking things.
“I think that mostly sounds like a behavioral issue,” she’d told the woman thoughtfully, “but if he’s sensory seeking, I wonder if we can concoct some sort of candy to help him redirect the action? Sugar-free, of course, we’ll make sure it’s healthy.”
“That sounds perfect! His pediatrician has been absolutely no help. Am I able to make an appointment online?”
Her smile had faltered, but Holt had cut in smoothly, rescuing her. “That option is coming. For now, though, that QR on the card will take you to our landing page, phone number, email, mailing list. That way you’ll be notified as soon as the website scheduler is live.”
When the woman walked away with a small bag of shower steamers, Ladybug decided she likely needed to come clean. He wasn’t going to be pleased to know that her mailing list consisted of anactualmailing list of things she mailed out with stamps and handwritten addresses, and there was no time like the present to admit it.
