Solve et Coagula. (open RP)

[estebanmd.livejournal.com]

Stephen has retreated to the beneficent peace of the library. As well-traveled as he is, there are magical plants of which he has never heard, and he needs to get more information on wizarding-style herbology if he's going to pass muster in the upcoming class. Concentrating fiercely, he is startled by the arrival of an owl which drops a parcel unceremoniously on the wooden library table before him.

Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab, it reads.

Since arriving at Hogwarts, he has tried to use wizarding suppliers for his special needs whenever possible. These alchemists seemed a good prospect, so he had placed an order with them for embalming fluid and laudanum. The parcel seems a bit small; curiously he unwraps it, trying not to rustle the packaging material too much.

Nestled inside are tiny bottles marked "Embalming Fluid" and "Laudanum." He is confused and a bit irritated. Surely each could only hold 10 cc of liquid, 11 cc at most. He opens Embalming Fluid and takes a cautious sniff.

It smells like tea and lemons.

Very strongly so. The smell of the so-called embalming fluid wafts through the library. Other students busily working can probably catch it on the air.

There is more in the package: a small postcard with lurid imagery from the paintings of Bosch, and four small vials with plain white labels. Bastet. Bon Vivant. Dorian. Harlot.

Harlot?!