“Can someone summon Izzy for me?” Toya was barely up for the day. She smelled like booze and her brown curls were wild. She had on her husband’s shirt and no pants. She dared anyone to tell her she was in the wrong for sitting at her desk drinking whiskey at the ass crack of dawn.

Once Izzy came in she noticed the teenager with her. “Didn’t know Rex was visiting Izzy. My bad.” She downed the last bit of the flask and shook it before trying to look up in it. “Listen, got an emergency. The dragons down in the lower field are eating grass again. Seems like they ate something bad and their stomachs are upset. We’re out of Hyanac Herb and the only one anywhere close that still has some lives in the fucking outskirts. That means Hazel. Can you go see her?”

Toya got a sack of silver and threw it at her. “You can disregard training today since your brother is here. That and I’m busy,” she got up and grabbed the big ass bottle of whiskey behind her. “My husband’s birthday.” She drank from the bottle. “I’m coming up Blaine! Did you keep my side of the bed warm at least?!” She yelled up the stairs and there was a smart-ass response back down to her.

“YEAH BUT NOT FOR LONG SO GET YOUR ASS BACK HERE!” The lycanthrope yelled down to her.

“See, gotta go. Please get the herb. Give it to Aja if she isn't fucking Garland. This is pretty important soo…. BYE.” Up the stairs she went.

It had been a busy morning for Rex. Busy, in the sense that he woke up next to Natayl, a stunning Arriise beauty that had, in the past month, made it well known how much she liked sleeping with Rex. Sure, she wasn’t exactly well known for keeping her legs closed, but that didn’t bother Rex too much. He enjoyed her company, for what it was worth, and she enjoyed his. At least, she enjoyed it enough to scream about it throughout the night.

Yet, it was this very morning that the door opened, and Natayl’s father almost had an aneurysm as he processed what had happened. Whatever spell Natayl had used to keep her room quiet had no effect if someone was able to waltz right in at any moment.

“By Natayl, have a good day!” Rex said as he jumped up and grabbed his clothes. Without any hesitation, he hopped out the window, and headed down the streets of Suluria, taking only a moment to slip into the side roads to finally put his clothes on. This wasn’t the first time he had been caught, and wouldn’t be the last.

“Ah, right…I was supposed to visit Izzy today. Wonder if she’s up yet,” the boy said as he straightened out his white tunic.

It wasn’t long before he was at Toya’s door. It was Izzy who answered his knock, and her eyes lit up with surprise and happiness when she noticed that it was her brother.

“Rex!” she said, pulling him indoors. She slammed the door, and gave him a big hug. For a six year old, she was quite strong, and almost took the breath out of Rex as she squeezed him hard. “You should have told me you were coming!”

“I…did? We planned this a week ago, Iz,” Rex replied as he ruffled his sister’s hair. She was about to say something, when a call from Toya made her seize up.

Curious, Rex followed his sister to meet Toya. With the task given, and the coin in hand, Izzy nodded. “Got it, Aunt Toya. I’ll make sure we do that right away.”

The two left, and back into the streets ot Sularia they went. Rex looked at his sister, and sighed. “She really has you under her thumb, doesn’t she?”

Izzy nodded, “She’s the only one I can’t overpower, no matter what I do. Rex…I can wrestle dragons to the ground, but Aunt Toya…” Her eyes grew smaller. “Auntie Toya terrifies me…”

Rex grimaced. “That bad, huh? It’s okay, though. You seem to be doing well enough. So…where are we going? To see this…Hazel person?”

“Yes,” she replied. “Hazel is a hedge witch at the edge of town. She’s…a bit of an odd one. People tend to stay away from her, and for good reason. The rumors you here about her on the streets..they can get pretty gruesome.” It seemed like she wasn’t worried about visiting Hazel, though, as if she were merely playing up the rumors for Rex’s benefit.

Rex sighed. Great. Another old hag…just what I needed to deal with.

A smirk flashed across Izori’s face. “You were just thinking something about Hazel, weren’t you?” It was like she was trying to play a game. “Just you wait. She’s pretty cool, actually. Really smart, too…” They had neared the edge of town, and started to get into a more wild-like area. “There…her cottage is just over there.”

Hazel’s cottage was in the middle of the outskirts. It looked more like a rundown shed as it was made with older wood with patches that had been obviously replaced over the years. There was grass growing all over the thatched roofing and chickens were running around outside. A large cauldron was outside with other things that couldn’t be inside the small house.

The humming was coming from inside that suggested a youthful voice. Once Izzy opened the door Hazel turned from where she was. She had caramel skin and mercury colored eyes. Her hair was poofy from the heat and humidity of the area full of wild curls. She wore a conservative cream-colored dress and her feet were barefoot.

Immediately when she saw Rex she ran and grabbed a shawl that went over the back of her hair and she held it close over herself. She couldn’t have been older than him. “Iz- Izzy! What can I help you with?” Her voice was sweet and up the back of the cottage from just the sunlight that came in was sprawling shadow tendrils.

There was growling and Hazel took a spoon and smacked a squid plushie that was nearby. “No, they are guests. Sorry, he doesn’t like strangers.” She pulled the shawl closer as she stood far apart from them not really wanting to get close. “Are the dragons sick again?”

A chicken ran inside and Hazel sighed, “Can you… get that out? Close the door for me?” She shooed it back towards them but still didn’t move too far from her spot. The cauldron on the inside had a roaring fire under it and colored smoke came. The flooring was dirt and there were baskets of herbs, vegetables, and fruit everywhere. It barely looked like a house. There was a ladder up to a half loft near the front. Her eyes were uneasy on Rex as she grabbed the spoon and grabbed more handfuls of some lavender to toss inside the cauldron.

"It's to scare away some spirits that have been plaguing travelers. Apparently, they act like vampires but if you ask me it sounds more like a succubus doing it… They won't listen to me though."

As the two approached, Izzy noted that Hazel was nervous about the newcomer, Rex. Even if it was her brother, Izzy knew better than to expect anything less from Hazel. She wasn’t one for strangers, and it easily showed.

“Hi, Hazel!” Izzy said with the sweetest smile. “Auntie Toya sent me for the usual blend,” she said as she started digging around for the coins. “Sadly, yes,” she answered in response to the question about the dragons. “They’re eating the grass again. It’s not good.”

Rex hadn’t said much since Izzy and Hazel started talking. Hazel was…not what he expected. She was cute, in the shy introverted kind of way. What caught him most, though, were her eyes. They seemed to glance nervously his way every so often, though as she talked with Izzy, she seemed to loosen up a bit.

Izzy nodded when she asked to go grab the chicken, and the little red-haired girl went and chased the chicken out, shutting the door. “Shoo…shoo!” she said, finally getting the door shut.

“What…are you making?” Rex asked as he walked towards her, staring into the pot. He wasn’t entirely clueless. Rex knew that he was making her nervous, but his curiosity got the better of him. As she explained, he smiled. “Succubus, huh? That sounds scary. Do you need someone to keep you safe at night?”

“Eating grass? Sounds like they ate something bad… It’s the one field as always? Sounds like mushrooms. They spring up this time of year. I can get the Hyanac for you.” She took the coin and looked over at Rex. He looked like Izzy with his red hair. This must have been her brother. She had heard a little about him.

Though expertly Hazel stayed away from him the best she could in the small shack. Though she had to stir the pot so she supposed that the distance between the cauldron and them would work. “It’s a tonic for keeping spirits away but I’m lacing it with Queen Anne’s Lace. It should give the succubus a nasty headache… and also keep my customers happy.” She threw in some of the giant white flowers and watched as the tonic turned a purplish-blue.

“Succubi aren’t scary not really. If you know how to handle them you can safeguard yourself.” She tilted her head at him. “Why would I need someone here? I have wards set up so nothing bad can enter here.” She had absolutely no idea what he was talking about. “I’ve been here by myself since I was six."

Hazel left their sight for a moment before bringing back two big bundles of what looked like grass with blue flowers. “Here you go. It’s fresh too so it should be more potent for them. Make sure to get rid of the mushrooms in the field.” She took the coin and handed Izzy the bundles. “Maybe sure not to give them too much okay? But if it’s Aja or Toya giving them it they will know what to do.”

Hazel was hesitant as she reached out and patted Izzy on the head.

As soon as Izzy heard Rex’s remark, she made a face at him. When Hazel questioned it, she went around to where Rex was standing, and kicked him in the shin, “Shut up, Rex! Don’t bother Hazel with your stupid!” She looked to Hazel, “Sorry, you can ignore what he said. He’s just trying to be an idiot flirt. He’s not always like this…” She paused. “Well, he is, but I promise he’s harmless. Just ignore him.”

Rex was hopping up and down, “Ow, you little twerp! What was that for!?”

“Hazel is innocent. She doesn’t need you around here making things harder for her! Just leave her alone!” Izzy raised her fist. “I know where you sleep!”

“Fine, fine!” Rex said, holding up his hands. “I’ll stop. But…Hazel, you said you’ve been here since you were six? It really must get lonely.” That earned a look from Izzy. “Oh come of it, sis. I’m asking an actual question. I can’t stand being alone for more than a day. I can’t imagine being out here by myself for years, with only strangers coming by every so often…”

Izzy was already grabbing up the herbs. “Thanks, Hazel! You’re the best!” Izzy was rough with most people in her life, but Hazel was one of the sweetest girls she knew, and thus had earned a soft spot in the demon girl’s heart. “Is there anything from town you want next time I come by? I can make a trip out next week if you need something!”

Hazel made a face and chuckled. “It’s alright Izzy I probably wouldn’t even know when I was being flirted with anyways. No one ever does. You know how people are with me.” She was oblivious to what she met and that Rex had actually tried to flirt with her. Which showed just how much she knew.

She saw the look on Izzy’s face and smirked a bit, “It’s alright Izzy I don’t mind answering. I stay here by myself so I don’t hurt people. It’s better this way. Even if I do get lonely it’s not like people in the city like me.” There was a sad glint in her eyes as she finished up the tonic.

“I certainly try to be. I do have a reputation to keep.” She put her finger to her lips as she thought about it. “I’m almost out of flour, do you think you can get me some? Enough for a month. The flour lady’s son hates me so they won’t sell to me.”

Izzy nodded, “Of course I can get you flo-”

“I’ll get it! I can bring it right now, even,” Rex said earnestly. “I’m not busy like you are, Iz. I really don’t mind.” There was an odd look from his sister, one that was asking ‘What are you up to.’ Still, if Hazel agreed, she would acquiesce to his decision to help. After all, Hazel was more than capable of taking care of herself.

Izori sighed, “My idiot brother is reliable, at least. I’ll give him that. If you’re okay with it, then I’m okay with it. I have a busy schedule and wouldn’t be able to get back till next week, like I said.” the fact that a six year old was already booked for a week earned a solid stare from Rex, but he guessed that Toya kept her busy.

“Don’t worry, I can handle it!” Rex said confidently. He held out his hand, taking a step towards Hazel. I just realized, I never properly introduced myself. I’m Rex Hellebore Terrowin, at your service.”

Hazel jumped back once Rex got excited at the prospect of getting her flour. She pulled the shawl closer and she just gave him a stare but it wasn’t like Izzy. “Don’t you know who I am?” He was a Rosenite that much was clear. He should have known who she was. She was Sularia’s pariah. “Okay though… Hold on while I get the silver.” She pulled out a sack of silver from a drawer and brought it over.

Looking at Izzy she nodded, “Thank you, Izzy… I could have waited. A few days without bread wouldn’t kill me. I’ve done worse.” She chuckled a bit but moved her eyes to Rex now. When he held out his hand she made a face and dipped down to smell him. She made a face and stepped back a bit. “You… smell like a woman. Maybe you shouldn’t get my flour… I wouldn’t want her to think anything.” She made a sigh when she realized that Rex wasn’t going to take no for an answer.

“Here…” She didn’t touch his hand but dropped the sack into it. “Flour for a month. Don’t come back here too late into the night though that’s when… Bad things happen out here. It’s not worth dying for.” She paused when she realized she was being rude. “…I’m Hazel Black, Sularia’s Occult Specialist and Hedge Witch.”

The fact that she was even considering it was a win in Rex’s book, and when she started to back out when she smelled a girl, the teen shook his head. “Nonono, she won’t mind. I barely know the girl, don’t worry. Besides, it’s just flour. Just give me the silver and I’ll be right back. It won’t take long. I promise!”

“It’s a pleasure, Miss Hazel!” Rex was sad she didn’t take his hand, but he did a little dramatic bow as he took the silver. “I’ll be right back, I promise!”

“I’m…so sorry, Hazel. He’s a good boy, though, I promise. Just…ignore it when he hits on you. If you tell him no, he’ll back off. He’s not a total pig…”

“I’m not a pig at all!” Rex complained as they left.

It took about an hour for him to return, and when he approached the cottage, he took a moment, setting down the large sack of flour that he had bought. He was wheezing, and obviously out of breath, and there was no way in hell he was going to let her see him like this.

After taking a moment, he hefted the bag, and approached the cottage. “Oh Hazel!” He plopped it down again, this time outside of her door. “I’m back! Did you miss me? Told you it wouldn’t take long.” Though he had managed to catch his breath, he was still covered in sweat, and looked as though he had run the whole way.

“Where do you want it?”