The Ultimate Potion - Vacation Time (interlude)
by Tal Greywolf

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Tyler walked in to his home, another day of dealing with problems over with.
Most of what he had to deal with was installation of a new spectrometer in the
physics lab, and a new gas chromatograph in the chemistry lab.  Most of the time
was spent getting the software installed, he left the calibration and operation
to the students and research staff.

Sitting on the table was a rather odd looking parchment.  Picking it up, he read
through it quickly and gave a few choice curses.  Great.  Of all the nights,
they had to call for him tonight.  Part of him was tempted to tell the Council
where to stick their 'request', but he sighed and decided he might as well get
things over with now.

He had enough time to grab a quick shower, then dressed in a casual outfit for
the weather.  He picked up the parchment, rolling it up and stuffing it in his
pocket, then turned off the living room lights and headed out.

Driving down White Ave., he pulled into a parking lot for a bookstore.  Mystic
Realms was a combination science fiction, fantasy and metaphysical bookstore, a
place Tyler occasionally supported.  But instead of going to the front door, he
went to the back of the store where an ornate wooden door appeared.  He opened
the door and entered a hallway, the door closing behind him.

He walked down the hallway and entered into a large chamber, where nine
individuals sat.  All nine were looking at Tyler with varying expressions, from
outright curiosity to mild distaste.  Tyler paid little attention to them, his
focus being on the individual seated in the middle.

Lord Stuart Ashcroft looked at Tyler, his own expression being one of
exasperation.  Tyler paid scant attention to it, and spoke loudly enough to be
heard by all.

"Hello, Ashcroft.  So when are you going to get rid of his 17th Century Gothic
revival and get with today's look?  A nice modern day board room would be more
fitting, given the way you folks seem to think you run the universe."

"Tyler, silence."  Ashcroft's tone carried a barely restrained anger.  "You are
the most difficult, arrogant, insolent, impossible..."

Tyler gave a hand motion that was common in television.  "Yeah, yeah, would you
mind speeding up the litany?  I have a date tonight and I don't want to be
late."

"FRUSTRATING INDIVIDUAL THIS COUNCIL HAS EVER HAD TO DEAL WITH," Ashcroft
yelled.  He took a deep breath, then sat back down.  "Still, you are also
perhaps one of the most powerful members known, and have proven useful to us."

Tyler raised his arm and pointed at Ashcroft.  "Ashcroft, I'm going to remind
you once more.  I am NOT a part of this Council, and by all rights you have no
say so in what I do or how I do it.  The only reason I'm useful to you lot is
because you all want to continue living like it's the 1600's and not the 21st
Century."

"You know people can't accept magic today," a member of the Council said.  Tyler
turned to look at who spoke, and recognized Sigwald.  "It's easier for us to
remain in the shadows, not make ourselves known."

"Oh really?"  Tyler's tone was one of amusement.  "You have no idea what it's
like in the real world anymore.  Smartphones, computers, networks, people use
them without having any understanding of how they work.  To them, it's magic.
Not to mention," Tyler added, "the fact that fantasy has made a comeback in the
popular literature over the last 20 years."

"That's enough," Ashcroft cut in.  "Now we have a problem, and we need you to
deal with it."  He glanced at a paper in front of him.  "We've been getting
reports of some kind of transformational magic being used in the area where you
live."

"That's right."  Tyler shocked them all with that, and low murmurs came from
some of the members.  "Besides the fact that there's Lance's shop in the local
mall, there is a young woman who has been developing various potions on her own.
She is not quite like us, but she has some kind of innate ability to use modern
day chemistry to create the very same sort of potions that existed back in the
old days."

"You're telling us that she's able to make a potion that can transform people?
Using modern day techniques?"  Ashcroft looked totally stunned at that.

"Absolutely.  So let's get a few thing clear right now."  Tyler thought for a
moment.  "One, she's under my protection.  I've been watching her for the last
few years, she's made some major discoveries.  Two, you folks are also to stay
the hell out of Lance's business, again, he's under my protection in this
situation.  And three, if you want me to do anything about it, I just said what
I intend to do and you will just have to learn to live with it."

"Tyler, you can't do that!"  Ashcroft sounded almost panicked at the idea.

"I can, I am and I will."  Tyler was firm.  "This is something new, something
interesting, and something worth keeping an eye on.  Which I will do.  But I'm
not going to interfere with what this young woman has discovered, nor am I going
to interfere with the folks who have been affected by her discoveries.  And if I
find out that anyone from the Council is trying to interfere, just remember I
cam make your lives very, VERY miserable."

"Give us a minute."  Ashcroft waved his hand, and a barrier rose between Tyler
and the Council.  Tyler knew that they were arguing about the situation, along
with screams of outrage aimed at him.  He didn't care, just as he didn't care
about their opinion of him.  They needed him more than he needed them, and they
knew it.  They hated it with a passion, but they hated it.

The barrier vanished, and the Council members were all seated in place.  There
were a few disheveled looks, but they all were serious in expression now.
Ashcroft coughed, and addressed Tyler.

"Tyler, it's the decision of the Council that you are to continue with your
present course of action.  You are also to inform the Council of any information
that may assist in directing our decision as necessary."

Tyler gave a bow.  "As you wish," he said.  "Now, if you don't mind, I'll just
make my date tonight."  With that, he turned and left the chamber, with a silent
**Protocol be damned** in his thoughts.  He walked down the hall, the door
appearing before him, and walked back out where he started from.

"Damned stiff-necked coots," he muttered as he went to his car.  He left the
parking lot and headed back home.

Once there, he looked up and saw a red-tailed hawk sitting on the gutter over
the door.  "I know, I know, I had to deal with the Council," he said to the
hawk.  "Give me a moment and I'll get the door for you."

He unlocked and opened the door, as the hawk took flight.  It flew a short
distance, then dove down through the door into Tyler's living room.  Moments
later it transformed into a cute brunette wearing a satin dress.  "Tyler, what
took you so long?" she asked.

Tyler kissed her gently.  "I'm sorry, Felice, but the Council demanded my
presence."

She made a snorting sound.  "Tyler, when are you going to stop responding to
them??  You don't need them, and they know it."

Tyler slid his arms around Felice's waist and snuggled warmly.  "Oh, I know and
they know that.  But where else am I going to get the fun of pissing off
Ashcroft every time he asks me for something?"

Felice giggled.  "You have the oddest sense of humor, you know that."

"I can't help it.  Just like I can't help loving strange gals who turn into
hawks at will."  Tyler grinned, then winced as Felice gave him a swat.

"Oh, I can be more than just a hawk, you know that full well.  So where are we
going out for dinner tonight?"

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