everybody wants to rule the world. [reed]

Poesy liked working at sunset. It wasn't that she was particularly more focused or productive, but she rather liked it when the sky was that watercolour masterpiece, casting her small place that she shared with two other potioneers into a warm and charming glow. It was a little after four in the afternoon and she was tinkering, two cauldrons bubbling away merrily as she stirred one with her left hand, her right meticulously measuring the temperature of the mixture with a thermometer - one degree over and the entire thing was ruined. While she wasn't ambidextrous, she was a proficient juggler.

She'd had to improvise. Poesy was working towards her Gold Cauldron. It was a huge, massive, achievement. There would be worldwide press, her options were endless, she could work anywhere, with anyone. It was an odd time. She'd been back in London for over a year and for most of that, she'd hated it but now, now she was finding her feet. She had a cafe, an income, her own place. She'd met Hunter. But the call of adventure was like a siren's song to her.

And she was growing increasingly agitated.

Poesy was on the precipice of a breakthrough. She'd been working on this for a while now, a potion to improve people's robustness. A strength potion. People were weak in general but her plans were to improve strength, mental stamina, to help people work harder for longer, in stressful and demanding situations without having to worry about taking breaks. People could travel further and to more remote places. It would help Healers, athletes, office workers, researchers, dancers, artists. It didn't just have to be physical strength but mental toughness was also important.

Heaving a sigh, she looked over at a file on her work bench and frowned. On the cover, there was a large red stamp with the word REJECTED emblazoned across it. Poesy didn't know why. She'd filled in the paper work, sent it to Italy to have the papers checked and double checked. She'd signed the forms, paid the fees, ticked all the boxes and yet, the Ministry had found fault with her request.

All she'd wanted was a small section of a jade vine, a vivid turquoise plant that grew deep in the forests of the Philippines. Poesy thought that might be the missing ingredient, something to just bump up her potions to the next level but now, some loser in the Import and Export office seemed to take an issue with her request. She took a step back from the cauldrons, her cheeks pink as she felt a sheen of sweat on her forehead as she pulled her hair back into a ponytail, turning just to catch someone in the corner and she let out a strangled scream of fright.

"You idiot," she breathed as she placed a hand on her chest and gave a laugh as she realised who it was. She hadn't heard the chime of the bell on the door. "Nearly gave me a heart attack," she grumbled. "What're you doing here?" Poesy asked, sounding uncharacteristically rude. "Have you got something to do with this?" She asked Reed as she picked up the file and held it out for him to expect.


@Reed Stringfellow

"I have no idea what you're talking about," Reed lied through his ridiculously white teeth and gave her a shrug. Using one hand to unclasp the button of his Marchesi suit jacket and the other to drop the rejection notice back on her counter lazily. "I had nothing to do with that." Reed smiled wickedly as he leaned up against the countertop. The toe of one Italian leather shoe against the ground, the other firmly planted, casual, and yet, entirely refined. Reed took a moment to run his eyes over the cauldrons, the shop, and Poesy, lingering greedily on the witch before finally confessing the reason for his visit.

"However, I think I might be able to help with this.... predicament." Reed had, in fact, orchestrated the entire thing. When he'd seen Ms. Darling's name on the request, he had taken it off of one of the intern's hands and decided to deal with it personally. While Jade Vine wasn't exceedingly rare, it was highly controlled, and that responsibility fell to Reed. His office handled all import and export requests from the British Isles, which, most delightfully, made Reed feel like the gatekeeper. And he used that power any time he had the chance.

"Perhaps we can discuss an arrangement over dinner?" The dark wizard proposed confidently, he had no reservations about the type of person he was, and Reed was good at playing his part. "On me, of course," Reed would probably end up charging the outing to the ministry and calling it a business expense. He could be quite frugal for someone with such lavish tastes, but he supposed, that was how the rich stayed rich.

"What do you need with Jade Vine, anyhow?"

"Funny," Poesy replied, sounding anything but. "That smile on your face tells me otherwise," she informed him as she wrinkled her nose, distracted. She might as well toss the potion she was working on away. The shade of purple was wrong, now looking more of a muted lilac than a vibrant heliotrope and she sighed. She turned her head as Reed made himself comfortable in his trademark three piece suit and she smiled.

"I'm not going to pay you," Poesy told him matter-of-factly, as if money was going to make him somehow change his mind. He was a professional and...surely above bribery? The petite blonde hesitated. She'd never bribed anyone before and the mere thought made her stomach twist uncomfortably. She was genuinely fond of Reed but the affection was dwindling with every passing second.

The invitation to dinner caught her off guard and she laughed out of nerves more than anything else as she hand jerked, causing some of the potion to spill over the lip of her cauldron. "That's such a shame," she said with a smile. "I've actually just eaten," she lied. "And I'm not quite dressed for the occasion," she explained, gesturing to her cream coloured jumper which she had tucked into a pair of jeans. Her face was flaming and she looked away quickly.

"Why did you reject my proposal?" Poesy countered and rather rudely as she turned around to face Reed, her eyebrows raised in expectance of an answer. "I need it," she concluded vaguely. "I think it might be the missing ingredient. My potions aren't working," she lamented as she gestured to her cauldron which smelled faintly of plums. "I've done the research," she told Reed. "I'm certain the seedpods will blend with the acidity of the potion to make it stable. I needed the ones pollinated by bats," she flicked her eyes over to Reed. "But I'll take the ones pollinated by the birds, if that's any easier for you."

Rejecting her proposal had not been strictly ethical; technically, Poesy had filled in all of the information correctly, and he should have passed it without a second thought, but Reed wasn't strictly ethical. He bent the rules to his favor, and like any good government official, he was always looking for a way to benefit himself. Poesy was a skilled potioneer, and it was clear to anyone with eyes that she was zeroing in on her Gold Cauldon, so naturally, Reed wanted to use that to his advantage too.

"I am not asking for galleons," Reed answered flatly as he casually folded his tattooed hands together in front of him, one elbow resting on the countertop. In truth, he wasn't out for a bribe. Reed had learned a long time ago that influence and information was true wealth, and it would get him a hell of a lot further than a bag of galleons would. He didn't want Poesy's money but instead a stake in what she was working on. Not for monetary gain, or recognition, or any of the dastardly things she would most likely assume, but hearing whispers of what her intended potion could do, Reed knew he would be interested in acquiring some once it was fully tested, of course.

Asking her to dinner was a friendly gesture, but not without ulterior motives, and Reed pretended to pout when she turned him down. Silently, his bottom lip sticking out, his icy eyes raked over her, and then he spoke. "I'd say you were over dressed," He teased, admiring the way she could fill even the most shapeless jumper he'd ever seen on a witch as stunning as Poesy. As it always did, Reed's smile turned into a wolfish smirk, and he took a step toward the cauldrons she had bubbling.

"Am I correct to assume that Jade Vine could be the final ingredient? That with them, the potions will be stable?" The wizard peered into the cauldron, the thick liquid boiling, and made sure not to get close enough that any could splash onto his suit. "Have dinner with me, and I will get you your Jade Vine," He proposed again, turning toward her and taking a small step to close the distance between them some. "We can order in." If she was worried about how she looked, then Reed could be accommodating. "Lose the jumper, and I will even procure the vine pollinated by bats." He offered, eyebrows wiggling playfully, but he fully intended to get her the very best ingredients available either way.

"You're not?" Poesy asked, looking at Reed sharply, a look of confusion clear on her pretty face. Wasn't that how the world worked? It all revolved around money? She could work around it , if he was going to be obtuse. She could maybe go through the Italian Ministry. She'd been  based there for almost a decade - she was a polite and well respected member of society so surely they could help her out if she just ---  a terrifying thought popped into her head.

"Like --" she trailed off, looking around her workshop as though someone else might be working. "Sexual favours?" She asked Reed in a stage whisper, her eyes wide before she grinned. "I'm flattered, honestly," she said, hand on heart. "But you're not quite my type," she lied. Reed was very handsome...and charming and witty and smart and completely dangerous to unsuspecting women but she wasn't completely daft.

"Oh no, stop," Poesy lamented as she pressed a cool hand to her sweaty forehead. "How you don't get yourself into more trouble, I'll never know," she tutted. Her blush intensified, all the way to the roots of her hair but she let out a breath of relief as he dropped it. She'd never been skilled at turning someone down.

"You are," Poesy answered as she cautiously prodded at the bubbling liquid, flicking her eyes over to Reed quickly. "Potentially," she clarified. "I think it's what I need but I'm a long way off it being watertight," she went on. "I have other options," she explained, her hands on her hips, acutely aware of how close he was now standing. "But I'm pretty sure it'll work." Unfortunately, pretty sure wasn't good enough for a lot of people - investors, buyers, stockists, the Potions Guild. It was all a bit of an uphill struggle.

Reed was insistent. "I--" she began. Poesy couldn't use the I have a boyfriend excuse because while she liked Hunter a lot, they weren't technically "dating", much to her chagrin. "Isn't that sort of," she trailed off and frowned, struggling to find the right wording. "Ethically...not cool?" She asked Reed with her eyebrows arched. He could get into trouble and she certainly did not want to be on the wrong end of the Ministry. Either way, it was definitely dodgy.

When asked to lose the jumper, Poesy laughed loudly. "Oh sure," she answered him breezily, despite feeling uncomfortably warm but she sighed as he insisted they could order in. She wavered. She was hungry, she hadn't had lunch. "It depends on what you're ordering," she told Reed vaguely as she tied her hair back and folded her arms across her chest.

"You will get me the bat pollinated jade vine," Poesy corrected him gently with a sunny smile, brushing her hands over her hips to slide them into the back pockets of her jeans. She chewed on her lower lip, unable to shake the feeling that she was making a deal with the Devil before she nodded. "I like Indian food," she finally admitted.

Clearing his throat at her words, Reed shook his head, mocking her with a playful smile. "Why, are you offering?" He knew she wasn't, and her next words proved him correct, but it didn't matter. Reed loved that she got straight to the point, accusing him of meddling and then asking if he was propositioning her. It cut out a lot of the chatter, though he had a good line worked out about being everyone's type that he chose not to use. The more that Poesy spoke, the less he would have to, and Reed did enjoy the way her lips moved.

As he inspected the potion, he could almost feel the heat of her blush radiating toward him. "One of my many tricks." He replied, knowing he really should have gotten into more trouble than he did. Reed had never played by all of the ministry's rules, but he was rather gifted at learning which regulations could be ignored. Not only did Reed always do the job, but he also did it well enough that most people had stopped asking questions. The ink pushers upstairs didn't care that he'd acted on the fringes of what they would call legal, so long as he kept coming in dramatically under budget.

Poesy returned to her creation, and Reed watched carefully. There was always something to be learned about how a person did their work. Poesy was a gifted potioneer, but he could hear the apprehension in her agitated words. She didn't know with certainty if it would work, which wasn't very reassuring to hear. "I see," He said, failing to hide his disapointment as he returned to the counter.

Ethically and professionally, it was, as she had put it not cool, but Reed wasn't concerned. Shrugging, the wizard checked the silver watch around his wrist and waited. Confident that Poesy would agree to at least part of his plan (he hoped for the sweater-free portion but was a realist), Reed chuckled when she did. "Indian food and Pollinated Jade Vine," He began as if it were a shopping list he could check off easily and nodded. "You are quite demanding."

Reed adjusted his suit jacket's sleeve back over his watch before meeting her gaze again, the potion bubbling behind her. "Shall I owl for a reservation, or have you reconsidered my staying in option?"

Mostly out of nerves but partly because it was hilarious, Poesy laughed loudly before she clamped a hand over her mouth, her eyes wide. People like Reed didn't sleep with people like Poesy - it was a fact. "I've had a long day," she said with an easy smile, ignoring the way the hairs on the back of her neck stood up. She would not entertain the idea...but she did wonder how many tattoos he had. As surreptitiously as she could, she pinched the skin on the back of her left hand to jolt her back into focus.

Poesy was acutely aware of everything in her lab all of a sudden. Reed always put her on edge but she didn't like the way he moved around her personal space with all the grace of a panther. "Tricks," she repeated as her eyes tracked him. "Can you pull a bunny out of a hat?" The petite blonde enquired innocently. Tricks made it seem decidedly duplicitous and she made a mental note to ask the Ministry if she could have another official take over her case.

Her face fell as Reed's apparent disappointment. "Excuse me?" She said softly, folding her lips into a thin line. Her bright eyes almost boggled at him. "You're not as half as frustrated as I am," she fired back as she glared at her workspace. She was smart and she could do this but this was a stumbling block that she kept falling over and Reed in his expensive suit and sexy face weren't helping matters.

Annoyingly, her demeanour began to thaw and she smiled, in spite of herself. "I'm worth it," Poesy replied lightly as she clasped her hands in front of her and swayed softly. "I could have asked you for diamonds," she reminded Reed innocently. "But no. Just the bat-pollinated jade vine, please."

She blinked. "Am I keeping you from something?" She asked him, nodding at his wrist and drawing his attention to the fact that was the second time he'd checked it. Poesy sighed shortly and stepped around him to the cauldron and blew out the flame. It wasn't working and she was starting her slow descent into madness staring at the same four walls.

"Let's go for a walk and collect it," she announced to Reed, pulling her hair down and ruffling it, still unsatisfied with the result as she frowned. "Do you want to split a chicken jalfrezi?" She asked as she reached for her coat, turning to face him expectantly. "I'll buy you a peshwari naan," she cooed with a grin in an attempt to coax him into agreement.

Rechecking his watch, Reed could feel her eyes on him and looked up at her. "Just checking the time," He offered, and while he did have another appointment tonight, Reed had plenty of time to devote to Poesy. Besides, he wanted her to feel a little bit under pressure. It was a powerful motivator, and Reed was not above manipulation to get what he wanted. As if like clockwork, Poesy moved around him to extinguish the cauldron, readying herself to accept his offer — just like he knew she would.

Go for a walk and collect it? Almost as if she expected him to eat food from a street vendor. Reed gave her a look, eyebrows pulling together slightly, and then shrugged. If it got him what he needed, he'd eat just about anything; except for chicken.

Eating a primarily plant-based diet was one of the many ways Reed maintained order in his sometimes chaotic life. He traveled the world, dealt with politicians and gangsters in equal measure, and rarely slept in his bed. It was stressful, and Reed found little ways to find zen. He saw awful things done to worse people regularly, and not eating the meat of innocent creatures was an attempt at balance. To pay back the debts he owed for being such an awful person. "Trade the chicken for aloo gobi, and you have a deal."

"We can split the bill; looks less dodgy that way," Reed teased, holding the door open for her as they left the shop. It was probably going to rain, but that was what magic was for. "I've heard whispers you are seeking a Gold Cauldron?" Despite being called officials and trusted by the masses, every employee at the Ministry for Magic was a shameless gossip. Nothing stayed secret for long; information was nothing but currency. "That is an impressive achievement." Reed couldn't brew a potion to save his suit, but that didn't mean he didn't respect the craft.

Confused, Poesy frowned. "Oh," she said simply. She was usually easy-going but she felt almost anxious, like she should be on her guard. Her fingers were tingling and she shifted her weight nervously. Reed's excuse was innocent enough but she cleared her throat, only to remember that he didn't eat meat and she winced. "Sorry," she said softly, all of her false bravado falling away. Her uncomfortableness only continued once they were outside.

"No matter which angle you look at this, it's going to be dodgy," she joked with a grin, her head tilted backwards to see the clouds roll in. That was the thing about being British - everyone missed the rain eventually. They all moaned and complained when it arrived but when Poesy wasn't used to it, she missed the comforting sound as it tap-tapped against the window. "Are you paying for this? Or is it the Ministry?" She asked Reed, her eyes flicking over to him as she wondered how concerned she needed to actually be.

Enjoying their quiet walk, Poesy almost snapped her neck as she turned her head so quickly. "How'd you find out?" The petite blonde asked, perplexed. While it wasn't a secret, she hadn't been blabbing but then it dawned on her.

"Oh," she grinned. "Have you been spying on me?" She asked smugly, clearly joking as she slipped her hands into the pockets of her jacket. "I'm flattered," she grinned before she sighed. Things weren't progressing quickly as she would have liked, especially if she wanted to attain that accolade by the time she was thirty.  "That's nice, thank you," she told Reed, her eyes taking in their surroundings. "It's fucking hard," she admitted, uncharacteristically swearing. "I think it's a bit sick, actually," she smiled at Reed.

"It's like I'm a glutton for punishment," she admitted as she kicked at a nearby puddle. "It's constant rejection and disappointment and deadends," she frowned, wrinkling her nose. "It sets me up wonderfully for dating," she jested with a bright smile.

"No matter which angle you look at this, it's going to be dodgy," Reed clicked his tongue at Poesy's words, though he supposed she wasn't entirely wrong. He was taking some liberties in the way he was handling her specific request, but technically he hadn't broken any laws. Reed was quite skilled at knowing exactly where the line was. Also, it helped that he had been instrumental in deciding where some of those lines were. Being a part of the International Confederation of Wizards certainly had its advantages.

"The ministry, this is an official follow-up to your request," Reed informed her, a confident smirk playing off of his features. Was it the best use of his department's funds? Well, that was for Reed to decide, wasn't it? Looking her way, Reed caught her eye, and his smile broadened. He had mentioned the pioneering achievement specifically to get a reaction, and it had worked. "The guild is not as confidential as you might think." Honestly, the Potions Masters Guild, just like the Ministry and every other administration in the wizarding world, was full of holes. Gossips, voyeurs, and people who were looking to make an extra sickle on the side. Information wasn't hard to come by. It had taken all of fifteen minutes to find out what Poesy was up to after she had sent in the request for the jade vine.

Poesy accused him of spying, and Reed shrugged his shoulders. In a sense, that had been precisely what he was doing, but he wouldn't admit to it outright. "It is my job to know these things." He offered instead, which was also a truthful statement. Reed needed to know not only who was buying and selling but also what for.

"It's fucking hard," Reed laughed loudly, his head tilting back as he did at her sudden outburst. He was a decent potioneer, but he could never do what Basil or Poesy did. Not for a living, and certainly not under the watchful eye of the Guild. While Reed would have normally been numb to such a statement, he knew Poesy wasn't whining just for the attention. She was working toward an impressive goal, she had earned the complaint, and Reed respected that. "I see," He replied, but as Poesy continued, he found himself continuing to chuckle. A glutton for punishment and a mess when it came to dating, "Sounds like we have a bit in common, then." He admitted, following her lead down the street.

"Finish this stamina potion, and I'll bet you have suitors lining up for days." Reed wiggled his eyebrows suggestively.

"Oh, sure," she said quickly with a grin and an eye roll. "I'm certain all the other requests get your undivided attention too," she shook her head but she didn't sound too annoyed by the revelation. Poesy liked Reed. He'd always been kind to her but he had this edge to him, a mysterious thing that made her wonder why she hadn't hit on him in years past...before she realised he was out of her league completely.

But as always, he distracted her. "Oh no," she whispered, her eyes wide and looking horrified at the admission that the Guild wasn't watertight. "Really?" She asked Reed, a frown creasing her forehead before she let out a forlorn sigh. "That's bad," she chewed her lip anxiously. "If any other potioneer hears about what I'm doing, they could just swoop in and steal it." The Guild, as Poesy knew it, was supportive. Full of like-minded individuals, working together under the common goal of making the world a better place. But skullduggery wasn't a foreign notion. Instantly, she was on edge. "I'm due back in a few weeks," Poesy announced. "Do you think I should say something?"

The unease she'd been feeling began to disappear as she grinned. "Aha!" Poesy announced, turning around to face Reed as she walked backwards. "That's why you wanted to buy me dinner," she teased, wrinkling her nose in amusement. "You could have just asked," the petite blonde went on. "I would have told you what you needed to know. It would have saved you the hassle," Poesy concluded, neatly leaving out the part where she decided that she rather liked the hassle.

Reed's laugh made her grin, making her feel light and bubbly, before she gave a laugh of her own. "Oh give over," Poesy scolded him lightly as she moved her hand to swat his arm. "Like you've ever struggled for a date in your life," she tutted but not unkindly. Reed was probably being coy and she appreciated it but quick as a flash, she blushed deeply.

"Oh no," Poesy squeaked, her hands coming up to her mouth in shock as she understood the insinuation and she laughed, properly this time. Her blush travelled all the way up to the roots of her hair and she felt warm, even in the cool night air. "Naughty," she warned Reed playfully. "You're not giving me enough credit," she grinned back. "If they need any extra help, I'm clearly not doing my job properly. Take a left," she instructed as they wandered down another street, the street lamps flicking on to guide their way.

"But really, though," Poesy began as she huddled back down into her coat. "Why are you so interested in my potion? I've made plenty of others and you didn't seem too bothered about those."

There was no point in trying to convince her; otherwise, Reed knew she wouldn't believe it. Poesy was clever. Her accusations were correct, and Reed had taken a strong interest in her request specifically; she had his full attention. And she was right to be worried about the Guild and potential thieves. The wizard was fully aware of the lengths some would go to take what they wanted. Not even the esteemed British Ministry was above the occasional corporate espionage. And while officially Reed worked in the Import / Export office, his responsibilities frequently went above and beyond regulating potions markets.

Reed spent a good portion of his time protecting trade secrets, babysitting geniuses with drinking habits, and keeping other governments out of the United Kingdoms' cauldrons. If Poesy succeeded in her endeavors, her creation would be a product of the UK, and Reed was tasked with keeping it that way. "I wouldn't mention it. That would only bring more attention to your work." Reed was quick to answer when Poesy wondered if she should bring her concerns up with the Guild. Anyone who wanted to know already did, and trying to find the leak wouldn't do any good. Not anymore.

They continued down the street, and Reed found her words more amusing than he had a right to. He could have just been honest, and she would have told him what he needed to know. It was a novel idea and something quite rare in his line of work. When lies kept you alive, and the truth got people killed, honesty was few and far between. He watched the pavement as she walked backward, checking for cracks or trip hazards, and Reed smiled at the sound of her laugh. "If they need any extra help, they aren't worth your time." He countered, his head cocking to the side with the backhanded compliment. Poesy was a catch, she was brilliant and more attractive than she gave herself credit for, but Reed found that appealing.

His interest in her potion was more than mere curiosity and certainly not entirely personal, but Reed waited to respond to her question. As they took a left, he checked the time on his watch again, peered across the street, and then back. Everything about the gesture seemed defensive like he was expecting something terrible to happen, and in a way, Reed always was. Finally, he turned to Poesy, returning to her question about the Guild without a decent segway, and spoke. "Don't skip the meeting with the Guild either. Just keeping acting business as normal, continue your work, and I will handle the rest."

Reed stopped walking, his hand reaching for her elbow as he pulled her off the main road and a few steps into an alley. It wasn't entirely abandoned in the middle of the day, but it offered more privacy than the main street. His icy blue eyes softened as they settled on her beautiful blue ones. "Officially, I am inspecting your request, unofficially I am here to keep you and your potion secure." It wasn't often Reed was able to be forthcoming with such information. He often posed as a fellow drunk or a helpful stranger, but Poesy knew him, and telling the truth helped them both.

The Ministry had received chatter that the Italian Ministry intended to steal Poesy's formula, and the wizard could understand why. Aurors that never tired, increasing production exponentially, and healthier citizens; it was basically a government's wet dream.

A sinking feeling began to sweep over her. It felt like icy cold water or an uneasy sensation in her stomach, like being held over the crest on a rollercoaster before plummeting. Poesy was silent as she swallowed anxiously. Surely Reed was only joking? He had to be kidding. He was only doing it because he knew she was soft. Although, curious thoughts had been bumping around her brain for a few weeks now, so it was nice to know she wasn't paranoid.

"Really?" Poesy asked, still not completely convinced by Reed's warning and it showed on her face. Then again, he had no reason to lie about it. The night air was cold but the petite blonde was feeling warmer and her coat was almost smothering her. She wasn't sure she could eat that curry they were heading to buy.

In spite of the threat of espionage, Poesy snorted with laughter. Pleased and flattered (and trying her best not to show it), she gave Reed an eye roll. "You should be my wingman," she joked, despite being fixated on Hunter. She tended to date poets and writers, artists and free spirits. Could she see herself being set up with one of Reed's friends? She peeked at him as surreptitiously as she could manage - yeah, probably.

Reed looked at his watch again and the unease began to grow. Poesy didn't mention it and politely kept her eyes forwards but her hands were clammy. "The rest?" She asked sharply, jerking her head towards him in shock. "What does that mean?" It sounded ominous and the idea of a curry made her feel physically ill. He wasn't telling her anything but his job demanded secrets and mystery but they were friends.

The touch at her elbow distracted her and she blindly followed Reed into the darkened space. The mood shifted and her stomach twisted. Poesy looked over her shoulder out of habit, simply because now, she was definitely freaked out and seemingly had reason to be. It was quiet, the alley way seemingly bearing the brunt of the chilly spring air but her hands were in her pockets.

"I beg your pardon?"

The question was out before Poesy could stop it. Her eyebrows rose as she blinked three times in rapid succession as she stared at Reed like he'd just grown a second head. "Safe," she echoed, as though she was having a hard time understanding the situation - and she was. Safe...how? Unable to stem it, the potioneer laughed. It was high pitched, a nervous giggle, a far cry from her usual honeyed tone. "Come on," she grinned, reaching out a hand to playfully punch one of his arms. "Stop being silly."

Reed, however, was not laughing back. Realisation dawned and Poesy's face fell, the colour draining from her face. "That can't be right," she whispered, her eyes wide. "The Guild have been great to me," she explained. "Whatever I wanted, I got. I didn't need to do much paperwork. I had my own space. Everyone seemed really helpful and interested in what I was doing. They asked lots of questions and --" the penny dropped and so did her heart. Her eyes flicked up to Reed's face. "I'm in trouble, aren't I?"

It would have been nice to say this was the first time Reed had had a conversation like this one, but it was far from it. And no matter how many times the wizard had done this, telling people their lives were in danger never got any easier. He prepared as best he could and tried to give them the information they needed, but no plan survived the first contact. There was always that moment when it was as if a light suddenly turned on. Reed recognized it quickly these days, and he could tell that Poesy was only mere moments from it. That instant, when everything clicked into place, and they realized what he was saying was true. Everyone reacted differently; some grew angry, others folded into themselves, but it always ended with more questions than Reed could answer.

Patiently, Reed waited silently for Poesy to get there and then gave her a solemn nod. "I'm in trouble, aren't I?" The witch had asked, and Reed realized he didn't enjoy being the bearer of bad news as much when it was to someone he liked. Most of his assignments were absolute strangers, the sort of people he'd never choose to spend a single waking minute with, but Poesy was a friend, and he was pretty sure he had just ruined her whole week. "Well, yes," The wizard finally answered, but he was quick not to leave it at that. "It's not the whole guild, you see, but only a few." Reed didn't want Poesy to think everyone in the potioneering community was out to get her; he wasn't trying to turn her into a paranoid shut-in, so he continued.

"The ministry received intelligence that the Italian government was going to try to steal your formula." Pulling the brushed silver cigarette case from his inner pocket, Reed pulled a hand-rolled, unfiltered stick from inside and then held the case out toward her as an offer. The wizard used his wand and some unspoken spell to light his cigarette and took a hard drag. "That is most likely why they have been so accommodating. You've come up with something truly inspired, and everyone is going to want it." Reed's job was to make sure that the potion recipe stayed in the right hands and that everyone kept their hands off of Poesy, and he was good at his job. "Also, why we mun keep up appearances as if nothing has changed."

"Do you have more questions?" Typically Reed wasn't entirely forthcoming with mission information. Most of the time, he kept things to himself purposefully, but this wasn't a typical situation, and he wanted Poesy to feel safe.

"Oh fuck." The words were out of her mouth before Poesy could stop them as she stared at Reed. Her skin was warm under her coat, despite the chill, and she could only assume she was about to pass out. His agreement that she was indeed in trouble didn't soothe her. She swallowed. She was trying her best to listen to him but all she could hear was the blood pounding in her ears and the words you're in trouble, you're in trouble on a loop inside her head.

Poesy squinted at him. "Who?" The petite blonde asked. She needed to know. If she knew, she could avoid them, maybe alter her behaviour to distract them, eat her lunch outside, something. Paranoia threatened to overcome her. Did it start at the bottom of the ladder, or was it right at the top? The potioneer forced herself to swallow as her heartbeat thrummed in her throat. This was fine. It wasn't as if she was the target of an international espionage ring or anything.

Reed was calm and Poesy tried to focus on him. "But it's not finished," she whispered. "And I'm nobody," she told him, her eyes looking dark and impossibly large on her ever-increasingly pale face.

The cigarette case distracted her and Poesy reacted without thinking. She didn't smoke or rather, she used to smoke but she hadn't touched one in almost five years. Her long fingers reached out to take the proffered cigarette and bent her head to let Reed politely light it for her as she cradled the flame from the wind with her left hand. She took a long drag and closed her eyes, deep into her lungs, head tilted back as she exhaled, sending purple smoke curling into the air. The once familiar action seemed to take the edge off as she looked down at the lit cigarette, almost in confusion, and her stomach churned.

"That makes sense," she blinked. Alarm bells should have been clanging earlier. Poesy hadn't stopped to think why her work space was always tidy and her ingredients all neatly cut up because she hadn't done it. Or how she'd been lucky enough to have the workshop all to herself when she needed them to be. Miraculous, really. Only luck had never been involved.

Poesy let out a laugh at Reed's comment but it sounded more like a ragged gasp. "Oh sure," she squeaked as she nodded quickly, looking slightly maniacal. "Reed," she addressed him directly. "Look at me," she demanded, arms outstretched by her sides, her neglected cigarette gathering ash before she realised and flicked the end of it. "Do you really think I'm up to that?" She enquired, her eyes flicking over his face.

Poesy began to pace, occasionally sucking on the end of the cigarette. "First of all, why?" She asked Reed. "There will be laws and regulations. It's not like everyone will be able to access it," she said quickly, looking unfocused. "I would have helped if they'd asked." She looped back on herself, the soles of her boots scuffing on the cobbles. "How bad is it?" Poesy stopped walking.

"I'm sort of seeing --" no, she and @Hunter Street were not dating but she really liked him. This affected him, too. "There's someone I like," she clarified as she cleared her throat. "Is he in danger, too? I mean, they know where I live. They know where my workshop is, who my friends are and he doesn't live that far away from me," she babbled as the panic began to rise. "Do you know any good cursebreakers?" Poesy asked with a weak smile. "I have a feeling I'm going to need to upgrade my security," she joked as she drew on her cigarette again.