#henrihart

For the official baby shower Glenn and Silver attempted to host the whole coven. Glenn was a bit worried about what so many people in once place might do to Silver but the werewolf assured him it was best they host. That way he could always duck into the bedroom for a minute of peace and any grumpiness would just be seen as him having high standards as a host.

Elise: Glenn! You look great. You're glowing like one of my moonlight charged gems

Glenn: Oh thanks I-

Jackson: Marisol is angry she couldn't bring Sandy

Marisol: Hush Jackson, I didn't say that

Jackson: She said she misses her dog so it's basically the same

Elise: Do you not miss Throttle

Jackson: Not right this second, my dog can take care of himself. Plus he has Thrash for company

Elise: Luckily BooBoo doesn't need company, he's a very self confident cat

Koko: Glenn, I have a baby shower gift for you

Glenn: You do? You really like gift wrapping huh

Koko: It gives me something to do. Will you open it now?

Henri: What are we talking about all the way out here? The dangers of crowds?

Howard: *laughing* Oh I think we all know the dangers of crowds

Silver: I mean... I'm doing better with them than I was a year ago right?

Henri: Oui, indeed

Silver: Thank you for bringing the snacks Henri. They're not uh... you know?

Henri: Laced with pleasure? Everything I bake is, but just low doses for everyday bakes

Silver: But... could that hurt the kid

Henri: Kids are stronger than you think Silver. Surely you saw your fair share of werewolf cub fights, no?

Silver: Oh the battles between the young ones were ferocious but they couldn't get seriously hurt, werewolves can't

Howard: I do find it fascinating how impervious your kind is to damage

Henri: Your kid is bound to be just the same, even if they're a spellcaster

Silver: I hope so. Losing parents was hard enough, I can't imagine losing a kid- sorry Howard

Howard: *soft smile* I'll see my boy again when my time is through

Glenn was doing the rounds when he noticed Ophelia standing in the corner, staring at the treefish in the tank.

Glenn: You alright there Ophelia

Ophelia: Me? Yes. I was just wondering what it must be like for Oakley

Glenn: What do you mean

Ophelia: He's a proud only child. How can he comprehend a new sibling coming in to his world?

Glenn: Uhhhh, you think he has that much awareness?

Ophelia: Oh I've no idea. But I think he looks like he's getting ready

Glenn: Right... why don't we sit down for a bit Ophelia

Ophelia: Of course. I was just waiting for you to suggest that

So the pair sat down at the table beside Gillian and began to snack.

Glenn: I don't suppose you can tell me if I'm growing a baby boy or baby girl

Ophelia: I can't. They haven't decided yet

Glenn: They haven't decided yet?

Ophelia: Gender is a social construct anyway but their body hasn't decided which sex they most want to be like. It's as if their inner boy and girl are playing tic tac toe for it, like their inner spellcaster and werewolf are

Glenn: Wait, are you saying they'll be both genders and both occults

Ophelia: I can't give you hints about the future Glenn, you know this

Phoebus: How are you coping Silver

Silver: Better. I wanted to apologise for my behaviour in your house right after we learned Glenn was pregnant

Phoebus: Silver, I may not know what it's like to have been alone as long as you were but I can understand that unlearning behaviour takes time. Now here, I got Drusilla to help me with this

Silver: What is it? Is it- wait... how?

Phoebus: Drusilla does blood magic. From the blood sample of your child she was able to work backwards along the family lines. Does it look right?

Silver: *happily* The sketch looks exactly like my mom looked. Thank you. Thank you so much

Phoebus: You're very welcome. Oh no need to hide your tears from me Silver, they're a sign of love

Glenn: Does the pleasure, umm... does the colour tell you...

Henri: Tell me what? Because I'm pretty good at telling the shades apart

Glenn: How... like how strong the bond between the people was

Henri: Sometimes, if it's strong and has been for some time

Glenn: So it wouldn't tell you how much he really liked me

Henri: Glenn I generally go with, if they're having fun with no clothes, they have to like you at least a bit

Glenn: Oh

Henri: It uh... it does show that it was your first time sharing woohoo with someone

Glenn: It does?

Henri: Yeah, the strength of the blue hue differs depending on novelty

Glenn: You're not going to make fun of me now are you

Henri: What? No. The whole concept of virginity is outdated, straight centered and sexist

Glenn: I can't argue with that. Do you think I should tell him

Henri: He... didn't know it was your first time?

Glenn looked down and shook his head.

Glenn: I thought about telling him but I was worried he wouldn't go through with it if he knew

Henri: Fair enough but Glenn, I'm getting the feeling you want to pursue things with this guy. If that's the case you should tell him eventually, he'd probably like to know. But it is up to you, don't tell him if you don't want to but just be aware the truth has a way of coming out

Henri needed to grab another layer from home for the cold but he sent Glenn up the tower to prepare the cauldron. Glenn hadn't actually done any work with potions before. His grandfather had always been nature based and Glenn followed his tutelage.

Peeking underneath he saw a bed of crystals forming an element of some kind. Best set it on fire he supposed. He said a quick incantation for a small flame, sending it down to the crystals. A bed of mist above them seemed to ignite and start glowing blue.

Henri: We should probably put something in it before the bottom of the cauldron scorches

Glenn: Oh, how like you put oil in a pan first?

Henri: Exactly. So generally you want to use water as a base. Most of the ingredients you use will be water soluble

Glenn: Will be what?

Henri: It just means they'll break down and mix together. You can just fill it up with tap water or, do you know the spell for siphoning water from the humidity in the air

Glenn: Umm, I do not

Henri muttered a spell and waved his wand and a lot of water appeared in the cauldron.

Glenn: Umm, did you get all that just from the air

Henri: Cauldrons have this... what's the English word? Magnification ability, they will always look more full than they are since the magic is done on a small scale. Makes baking a lot of fun in a cauldron

Glenn: So, it looks like a big bubbling pot but it isn't

Henri: Nah. You'd be lucky to get four flasks out of this

Henri explained the right incantations for stirring the mixture and after showing Glenn the proper stance let him have a go at copying him.

Henri: So now we add the apples

Glenn: Do we just throw them in whole Snow White style?

Henri: Pardon?

Glenn: You know when the Evil Queen dips the apple in the mixture and a skull appears on it to kill Snow White?

Henri: That will not be happening. Okay so you want to core the apples and throw in the peel separately. Then get the seeds from inside the core and grind them up to a fine powder

Glenn did as instructed, saying the required spells and stirring the mixture with each addition.

Henri: Okay so I think it's time to add the pleasure

Glenn: How much do we need

Henri: Well it's a potion of plentiful needs. That means all your needs go up, all your needs get satisfied

Glenn: So... all of it?

Henri: Exactly! Now it's best to drip it in slowly while stirring. Go ahead

Glenn unstopped the vial and began to let the refined pleasure drip into the cauldron. Muttering the incantation to stir the mixture he wondered at the colour being added. Henri said the amount of blue showed novelty but Glenn couldn't see any blue in the pink. It must just be that after all the years Henri had lot of experience telling the pinks apart.

Henri: Alright now you just need to let it blend properly. I'll leave you to it, you'll know when it's done

Glenn: Wait, how will I know when it's done

Henri: It's gray now but when it's ready it will turn dark blue over about 30 seconds. Then you can just bottle it up

Glenn: Thank you for talking me through it Henri

Henri: You're welcome. Now I got to get to the bakery

Glenn waved him off and watched the cauldron. It took maybe 20 minutes but then the mixture did change to a solid blue. Glenn was delighted it had worked and began to fill up some flasks with the potion. Maybe he could gift one to Silver when he came back?

Henri: Now if I take the barrier down will you behave

Glenn: I never behave

Henri: That's my line. Show them you're unbothered and they'll fall back. You're just a shiny new toy for them to play with. Don't tell them but they were totally swooning over you on the TV

Glenn: I do not believe that for a single second

Henri: They appreciate nice abs

Glenn: *to the watcher* I knew everyone liked abs

Henri waved his hand and the twins bickering could be heard again.

Glenn: You don't use a wand

Jackson: Oh he uses his wand for plenty when he's driving the ladies wild

Coleman: Why won't you just give us a bit of a love potion

Henri: You're not responsible enough for it

Glenn: I thought you said you don't make love potions

Henri: I dabble as you say in attraction potions, but I don't use them myself

Glenn: Can you two not manage to attract people with your sparkling personalities alone? Colour me shocked

Jackson: *scoffs* He uses the pleasure though

Coleman: In his baking, we've seen it

Glenn: Do you?

Henri: My baking is a delicate process. I'll make various perfect pastries, then I can use magic to copy them in small batches

Glenn: But do you add pleasure

Henri: A dash. It helps the customers be happy

Jackson: And makes them more likely to come back

Coleman: Especially the hot ones

Glenn: Is that not like cheating

Henri: It doesn't make them attracted to me, or addicted to the food. It's just an ingredient like spice that makes the baking memorable. It gives the coven a source of income. I've never found that I needed to dose anyone to have them attracted to me

Glenn: *winks* I believe you

Jackson: Oh don't say that

Coleman: You'll give him a bigger head

Glenn: I could get behind making his head bigger

Jackson: Keep your innuendo to yourself, I don't want to think about Henri's dick

Glenn: Oh am I making you uncomfortable? How sad

Coleman: We get you need a new guy but don't steal ours

Jackson: While we're on the subject the hot ladies in the local nightclub are ours to

Glenn: Believe me, nightclubs are not my scene

Henri: I think the most helpful thing would be for you to learn how to make a potion of plentiful needs. It won't boost your magic up but it can take care of most other needs

Glenn: Do I need pleasure for that

Henri: A bit but mainly you'll need apples

Glenn: Oh I can grow those, easy

Henri: Well when you have plenty come back and I'll show you how to mix it

Jackson: And don't worry about the pleasure Glenn

Coleman: Solo woohoo can still generate it

Jackson: So being single won't be a problem for that

Glenn: *sighs* Maybe I won't be single long

Coleman: Oh sure, you're going to run into your perfect person out in the wilderness then?

Jackson: Just frolicking with the trees

Glenn: You never know. I'm a catch after all, maybe a rogue hiker will need some help

Jackson: Boo, put your confidence away

Coleman: We don't want it here

Henri: Well I'm glad if you're feeling better

Jackson: I'm not

Coleman: Our specialty is making people feel worse

Glenn: Nope, I think some of it is back. Thanks you two, couldn't have been more sure of my eligibility without seeing how unattractive you two are

Henri laughed as the twins muttered angrily to themselves.

Glenn and Henri settled down at the table while the twins were engrossed in their console game.

Henri: You two want to tell Glenn why you're cranky

Jackson: Henri, I'm hurt. I would never throw your hospitality back in your face by being mean to your guests

Coleman: We've been here being cherubs because we love you

Henri: *to Glenn* They broke into my potions stash and drank the immortality potion years ago. Idiots were only 19 so there went any hope of them fully developing their pre frontal cortex

Glenn: I thought spellcasters were allowed immortality potion from 18

Henri: There's rules then there's what's practical. It's best to wait until 23 or 25 if you want to avoid problems

Coleman: *laughing* Did you hear that Jackson? Henri said you're a problem

Jackson: Fuck off, you're just mad I'm his favourite

Glenn: You can't just send them back to Phoebus?

Henri: Don't be fooled by their childlike behaviour, they can do some serious damage. Far better they make indents on my couches than-

Jackson: You make a giant indent

Coleman: Yeah? How about I make an indent in your face

Henri: Since you're so keen on interrupting me can you tell Glenn why you're so tired

Jackson: Because we've been overworked

Coleman: Seriously, we're basically slaves, we should get paid for that shit

Glenn: What

Jackson: While you were off totally not getting anyone to fall in love with you we were here working our assess off

Glenn: I did notice you lacked any kind of ass

Coleman: We're beanpoles, it's an established body type

Glenn: Sure it is

Coleman: Anyway, we were busy making a shit ton of bricks

Glenn: That the mathematical measurement is it

Jackson: Yes. How else would you measure enough bricks for six two-storey houses and a four-storey tower?

Glenn: *to Henri* Are they serious

Henri: Yep. They've been making bricks for six weeks, it's run their magic out for the moment

Glenn: How do you even make bricks

Henri: It was a process. Harmony and Elise shifted the rock we needed from excursions into the hills

Henri: Carmine transfigured it from full slabs to refined dust then Marisol added water to get paste

Coleman: Then I levitated it all and shaped brick after brick after brick after-

Jackson: We get it, my job was much harder

Coleman: Was not. I had to levitate it, shape it and monitor the moisture in it. Plus cool it down after you were finished

Jackson: My job was to harder. I had to heat them up to almost 2000 degrees so they would stabilise and could actually be used. If you don't move your fucking car out of my path I swear to the watcher-

Coleman: Shut it dick, you chose this racetrack

Glenn: And that emptied their power reserves?

Henri: Basically, they slept for two whole days after, only just woke up this morning

Glenn: Couldn't you have just like... conjured bricks? Or bought them

Jackson: Dude doesn't know how conjuring works

Coleman: And thinks we'd pay humans

Glenn: Look you two, shut up. So you worked hard for a few weeks, big deal. I went and lost my heart and would appreciate if you kept your bullshit to yourselves. Being young and dumb doesn't excuse you being vindictive shits

The twins started to snap back but Henri cast a sound barrier.

Glenn: What did you do that for

Henri: Come on, you're too good looking to stoop to their level. Plus you don't want them pissed at you, I've seen their power Glenn. If the fancy took them they could destroy this place in under a minute

Glenn: Is that why they have to be here

Henri: Yeah, unfortunately they're extremely powerful. I'm not saying their behaviour is right but they had a horrible time growing up and are mirroring what they were shown. They like testing people, seeing how much you'll take. Earn their respect and they'll likely back off

Glenn was startled when the door was opened by a man who looked his age, clearly took care of himself and smelled like cookie dough. If he hadn't still been trying to forget Grayson he was sure his heart would have skipped a beat, it usually did if there was food involved.

Glenn: Are you Henri

Coleman: No he's Mr "legend in the flour sacks"

Jackson: Mr "it's unethical to share my love potions"

Henri: Glenn? Follow me

Glenn was somewhat surprised at Henri's ability to completely ignore the twins but dutifully followed him in to the kitchen. There Henri began humming, lit a fire under the cauldron and started to grab ingredients from his shelves.

Henri: I assume you can throw a basic sound barrier

Jackson: No fair, we want to hear you gossip

Coleman: Especially if it's about -

Glenn had done it. There was a barrier around the kitchen essentially making it soundproof. Whatever the twins wanted to keep yelling was cut off. Sure he'd only just learned how to do it but Henri didn't need to know that.

Henri: Nicely done

Glenn flexed his muscles, maybe some light flirting could cheer him up.

Glenn: I dabble. But word is you dabble far more

Henri: What has Phoebus said

Glenn: Just to come see you. He said you could teach me some things and I am eager to learn but I have to say... he did not say you looked so impressive

Henri: *smiles* Thanks! But I should tell you unlike Mr Grouchy Bi and Mr Frosty Pan in there I'm only in to women romantically

Glenn: *sighs* That's a shame for the whole male race

Henri: *chuckles* I do appreciate a good flirt with anyone though. So have you guessed what I do

Glenn: Break hearts of unsuspecting young men?

Henri: Strange, your grandfather said that's what you did

Glenn: More like what happens to me. I feel like a failure

Henri: Love is never easy. If it was, we'd all have it right. Grayson wasn't the one for you. Don't worry, fate is fate. Love will come to you because of this

Glenn: You've been talking to Ophelia?

Henri: She's my closest friend. She's helped me through a lot. If she saw love in your future along this path then I have no doubt it will come to pass

Glenn: Hmm. Um Jackson said love potions... you make love potions?

Henri: That my dear Glenn is an oversimplification. No one can just make a love potion. But you can make an attraction potion, an obsession potion, a tell me your darkest secrets potion. They do require certain ingredients though

Glenn: Like what?

Henri: Like the feeling one gets when...

Glenn could tell Henri was looking at his crotch and when the spellcaster raised his eyebrows the lightbulb went off in his head. He felt himself blush and look away. Flirtatious talk of woohoo was more in his wheelhouse than direct discussion, watcher he missed his bravado but his sadness was holding it hostage.

Henri: It's a simple enough spell to set up to capture the feelings of the peak. The sensations for the participants remain normal but instead of simply dissipating the spell allows me to funnel that pleasure into gas form, an incredibly effective potion ingredient

Glenn: You specialise in that?

Henri: I specialise in potions. Pleasure is a very useful ingredient but unfortunately it doesn't stay fresh too long so I like to make sure I always have some on hand

From his apron Henri pulled out three vials with a glowing pink gas inside. Walking over to the pantry shelves he placed them by some similar vials that had a duller glow and tucked some that were empty back in to his pockets. He winked at a wide eyed Glenn before returning to the cauldron chuckling to himself.

Henri: It was a busy lunch break

Glenn: So Phoebus wants me to learn to make that?

Henri: I doubt he expected me to only relay how to capture pleasure. Since potions are my passion, well potions and baking-

Glenn: And woohoo

Henri: *chuckles* Indeed. But I'm good at practical magic, been doing it since I was born really. There's stuff anyone with the casting ability should know how to do. I imagine that, and some basic potions, would be good things for you to know

Glenn: So you'll teach me

Henri: Of course. Et voila!

He waved his wand and Glenn saw the mixture in the cauldron had condensed down into a batch of... dough? It flew to a bowl that Henri then moved to a proving drawer.

Henri: If you'd be so kind as to lower the barrier we can go sit and chat

Glenn: With Jackson and Coleman listening?

Henri: Don't worry. They may have as much backtalk as normal but magic wise they are completely drained so for today their bark is far worse than their bite

Glenn: Why?

Henri: Drop the barrier and I'm sure they'll be happy to complain about it

Henri is one of three brothers that grew up at the start of the 20th century. They were never overly wealthy, his father was a butler and his mother was a housemaid. His parents made sure all the boys had a solid understanding of practical magic as it helped them in their jobs, and helped them keep their spellcaster identity secret.

He had been a hall boy but loved sneaking to the kitchens and seeing the chefs cook. Sometimes he was even able to get leftover pastries that the family didn't eat, and decided food was his future. His parents asked permission from the upstairs family for Henri to read the culinary books in their library, and his brothers were helping quiz his knowledge in the hope that he could get in to culinary school. It was a lot of money but they believed in him.

Then the news got out that they were spellcasters. Some maid or other had seen his oldest brother polishing without touching the rags and soon even the upstairs family knew. They let his parents know that while they appreciated their service they simply could not have spellcasters in their home, near their children. Anti occult sentiment was high. The family were dismissed.

Henri and his brothers decided that instead of using the savings for culinary school they would give the money to their parents so they could leave the area and find work elsewhere where they could pretend to be human. Henri and his brothers traveled a town over where they had heard rumors of spellcasters. There they found Phoebus.

While Henri was amazed at the knowledge the warlock had his brothers were nervous, eventually deciding it was not the place for them to be. Henri however took the tutelage of the spellcaster and grew in ability. Along the way he discovered a natural talent for potion making, and got enough money to attend culinary school. Now he is a cornerstone of the coven, but enjoys setting up a bakery at every location they move to.

Interested in Henri? He is available to download & has a human version. Feel free to rewrite his story!