An Enhancing Elixir Experience

By Emily Grant

If anything merits some Courage Cordial, it’s a job interview.

I stare at the glass bottle on my shelf, one of many elixirs I’ve created. A sip won’t hurt—it’ll just give me a little confidence boost. And I’ve made hundreds of successful potions before, which is why in thirty minutes I’ll be walking under the big top to interview for the circus’s Enhancing Elixir Expert position.

I inhale and reach for the bottle. Just a sip. Then I’ll be smooth enough to ace this interview. Before I can change my mind, I unscrew the lid and down a swig of the blackberry-flavored liquid.

A shiver runs through my body. I should go skydiving or remove that wasp nest I’ve been avoiding. Maybe even talk to my crush! Job interview? No problem! Why was I so worried?

I grab my purse, smooth my skirt, and head out the door.

When I walk into the circus tent, it’s abuzz with activity and practicing performers. My heart flutters as I imagine them putting on a magically-enhanced show with the help of my elixirs. Fire-breathers are cool, but what if they breathed dragon-worthy flames that swirled and danced around the whole tent?

“Hello!” A man wearing a snazzy red jacket greets me, shaking me out of my daydream. “I’m Val, the ringleader. You must be Charlotte.”

“Yes, sir.” I shake his hand firmly, and he leads me to a small table.

“So, Charlotte.” He glances at my application as we sit down. “What’s your favorite part of being an Elixir Expert?”

“That’s easy. It’s fun.” Honesty’s always best.

Val nods, a shadow of a grin lifting the corner of his lips. “And why do you think you deserve this job?”

“Well…” I tilt my head and shrug. “I’m the best.” Is that professional to say? Oh, well—what’s wrong with being confident?

Val’s eyebrows rise. “Go on.”

“I’ve studied elixirs since I was a child. I was top of my class in magic sch—”

“Brutus, no!”

A flash of orange draws my attention across the tent, where a brawny tiger tears at the safety net stretched over the ground. The animal’s massive paws rip the net apart like cotton candy.

Above, a man dangles by one arm from a trapeze. He reaches for the bar with his other hand, but he’s losing strength and will fall any second. And that damaged net won’t do him any good.

Val stands. “Oh no.”

Panicked staff scramble for a solution while the trapeze artist shouts for help. Sweeping my surroundings, my eyes land on a small trampoline tucked away in a corner. I bolt toward it.

“Charlotte!” Val shouts.

I don’t turn back. I don’t know if that tiger’s dangerous, but I’m not afraid.

I grab the trampoline and pull it toward the tiger, who watches me curiously. “Hey, Brutus. Don’t mind me.”

The trampoline is fairly light, but cumbersome. I’m grateful when Val runs over and picks up the other end. Together we place it under the acrobat, who immediately drops, landing with a graceful flip.

Brutus purrs and rubs against my arm. Grinning, I rub his ears before the wrangler leads him away, scolding him for being a bad boy.

“Amazing!”

When I look at Val, his face blurs. I blink and stumble back, barely aware of his hand grabbing my arm to steady me. That’s right—the elixir. They wear off a little faster the first time you use them—it takes a few doses to learn how your body responds to it and practice controlling the pace at which it burns.

As my wooziness fades, the past few minutes flood back to me. Oh my stars, I cuddled a tiger. And—

My heart sinks. Did I really say all those stupid things during the interview? I blink back tears. They seemed like good risks at the time, but they were just arrogant and obnoxious.

“Are you all right?” Val studies my face.

I struggle to look him in the eye. “I’m so sorry, sir. I made the mistake of taking some—”

“Courage elixir.” He’s grinning.

I frown. “Yes. How did you know?”

He tips his top hat and smirks. “I’ve been the Elixir Expert here for the past six years—I know that sparkle in someone’s eye when they’ve had a dose. I’m only filling my position because I’ve taken on so many other responsibilities.”

I never even had a chance of sneaking my little cheat past him. I swallow and power-walk to retrieve my purse. “Well, I’m sorry for my unprofessional behavior. Thank you for your time, and I wish you luck finding another Expert.”

“Are you kidding?” He runs after me. “Maybe you wouldn’t have said those things otherwise, but you were honest. You revealed that you have fun practicing your skills. And besides that…” He winks. “I saw your work in action today. Everyone here is used to Brutus, but I’d bet you never would have gotten near him without a quality elixir. Congratulations, Charlotte Haynes. You’re hired.”

Speechless, I shake his outstretched hand. “Th-thank you,” I stutter. Is this really happening?

Val places a hand on my shoulder. “Now, walk with me. Tell me what you’re going to bring to the show.”

I fall into step beside him, and my mind spins with possibilities as I tell him about all my creations. “Well, Val, there’s Strength Serum, Dragonbreath Draught, Balancing Brew…”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Emily Grant doesn’t remember the first time she wrote a story, but she’s never looked back. Though her main focus is on novels- mostly fantasy- Havok recently helped draw her back into the wonderful world of short fiction. She loves coffee, rainy days, superheroes, and candles, and while she currently lives in Missouri, she hopes to somehow live in the Shire one day.

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