OPEN

[mandrakes]

Who: Regis & OPEN
Where: Gardens
When: Now-ish
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Regis needs volunteers to test his latest batch of mandrake brew
The Story:

---

"Do you have a moment?"

If the elderly gentleman with the sharp, sparkling black eyes manages to catch your attention as you walk by, he'll lean forward with a close-lipped smile and a bright expression, and set the opaque bottle in his hand down beside an unopened one at his feet.

It's been a while now since he harvested the last of his Wonderland-grown mandrakes, and there has been a certain satisfaction in being able to actually create something from scratch instead of pulling it out of a closet. While Regis is no stranger to magic, he is also not one to rely on it for every possible convenience. The brewing of his favourite drink has taken some time, but it's finally ready... and he's quite willing to share it.

"I wonder if you might try a sample of this for me, and tell me what you think."

Comments

Am I sorry? No no I am not

[bibliocorn]

Potion making isn't one of Sunburst's greater skills in his repertoire of magical knowledge. But he knows enough to have an interest in a potion if he sees one. After all, these sorts of skills should always be encouraged, in his estimation. You never know when they'll come in handy. He peers at the drink, sniffing the air - because as much as he encourages creativity, there are also crazy people in Wonderland. Best be careful.

"Ooooh, what's in it? Is it some sort of potion? What sort of effects does it have?"

[mandrakes]

"It's alcohol. Brewed from mandrakes."

The ones he'd been growing in the greenhouse, that had caused a small stir when he'd warned people so clearly to not go near any of them. When he'd asked Regina to create a magical barrier not to protect the plants, but to protect others from them.

"With a touch of nightshade. But don't worry, it's very well distilled and quite harmless." Regis smiles quite brightly, and takes a sip from the already open bottle. Not saying much, when he's a vampire.

"It has a tendency to make one a little more loquacious than usual."

[bibliocorn]

"Mandrakes and nightshade? And you willingly drink it?"

Sounds fake, but okay buddy. Sunburst watches him drink it, keeping a casual eye on him to see if he falls over dead or anything. He doesn't seem to have any ill effects, but Sunburst isn't so easily swayed. Regis' second comment does make him huff in amusement, though.

"Yes. I think that's true of most alcohol."

[mandrakes]

If Sunburst knew him just a little better, he might have more cause to be suspicious of the fact Regis does not in fact fall over dead the moment he ingests the alcohol. Regis could ingest pure ethanol and not die, but he isn't about to come out and say that...

"Mm, true. It's a particular trait of this brew, however. I'm not sure which ingredient triggers it."

Perhaps it's simply the alcohol content.

"Are you sure you won't give it a try? I wouldn't offer if I thought it might do harm."

[bibliocorn]

Sunburst would absolutely not be surprised in that case. As is, it seems to be enough to ease his doubts. The guy isn't dead... or looking all that sick.

"I doubt it would be the nightshade- that tends to have more terminal effects- so I imagine it would go the opposite way. The mandrake, perhaps?"

He raises an eyebrow.

"...I suppose it wouldn't hurt. For research purposes."

[mandrakes]

Mandrake, at least Regis' version of it, is also highly toxic and can kill a person just by proximity in some cases (for example, when being harvested) without the proper protection. But Regis has faith in his process, and his brew has never harmed anyone before.

"Of course. For research."

And he offers the unopened bottle to Sunburst, just that little bit curious about how a small horse will manage to uncork it.

[bibliocorn]

Research is important, Regis, wow. His question is soon answered- the bottle is suddenly surrounded by a sparkly yellow aura- the same as the one glowing from the tip of Sunburst's horn. He levitates the bottle over to him, tilting it to squint a little more at it- before the magic uncorks the bottle as if a pair of invisible hands had done the work for him.

"Well. Here we go. Let's hope I don't regret this."

He sniffs it once more, before levitating the bottle to his muzzle, tilting it to take a swig out of it.

[mandrakes]

Regis is, at least, entirely certain that the concoction won't kill the small equine in front of him. What he's more interested in is that magic, which he muses quietly on while Sunburst samples the drink.

It's not a bad brew, as far as his usual attempts go. There's a certain sharpness to the taste that hits the back of the throat on the first swallow, but nothing bitter that suggests a poison. Whatever Regis does to the usually entirely toxic plants, what comes out of the other side isn't harmful at all.

"What do you think?"

[bibliocorn]

Sunburst cants his head, savouring the flavour for a moment before drinking it down. Well, that was certainly like nothing he's drunk here before- like nothing he's drunk in Equestria, either. Sharp and interesting.

"That's not a bad brew at all. I'm actually a little impressed- considering the contents."

[mandrakes]

"Ah? Shall I take that as high praise?" Regis laughs, showing a brief flash of several sharp teeth. His brew is generally thought quite well of, for those few who have had the chance to try it, but one look at Sunburst makes him suspect that there's nothing quite like it in this little pony's world.

"It isn't quite to the standard of what I'd be able to make at home."

[bibliocorn]

"I would! I half expected it to make me sick or at least taste awful, but no!"

He's genuinely impressed, he really is.

"Hmm. I suppose it's a little harder in Wonderland. Can you get the exact same plantlife or do you have to live with Wonderland giving not-quite representations of them from the closets?"