Snake Oil: Chapter 1

 Summary: Magical run off from an elixir production plant curses a young woman, and changes her life forever. Her partner stops everything to support her in her time of need.

[Story Listing]

Snake Oil

CHAPTER 1

The town of Harmony was a remarkable creation. There were no shortage of settlements across the Geronian Empire, but Harmony was special. It was a company town, kept in pristine condition. It felt like it existed within a bubble of its own, apart from the rest of the world. One could go as far as to call it 'utopian'. But few did, for as pleasant as Harmony was, and how meticulously it was maintained, the little knicks of homely personality here and there added character to the town that could hardly be replicated.

Eleanor Forrest had recently moved to Harmony with her parents. Her parents were often busy with their demanding jobs, so Eleanor had to learn to be independent at a young age. She was cool and collected, trying to analyze her unfamiliar surroundings. She had to acclimate sooner instead of later.

She was taking the long, winding trail home from a private school up the road. Her eyes wandered back and forth, surveying the rows of homes staggered, perfectly spaced. 

"...Hm... hn. Is this the right way?"

She frowned to herself. All the houses looked the same, all the lawns perfectly manicured. It was so strange, so... perfect. Like this part of town was planned down to the most minute detail. 

She was young - perhaps too young to be out and about alone. About eight years old, she hardly stood out in her wrinkle-free school uniform. She held her head low.

"Oyyy! Eleanoooor!~~ Eleanor Fooooorrest!~"

"Ah-!?"

A raucous shout from behind gave Eleanor a start. She spun around, clutching her books close to her chest. Three boys on bicycles were fast approaching from behind, skidding to a stop next to her.

She whimpered, staggering back a step. Her eyes met with the boy at the head of the pack. With a smug look on his face, he popped the kickstand on his bike and stood up to address Eleanor.

"Well well well! I've been lookin' for you! You know who I am, right? Don't need any introductions!~" He smirked, popping the collar on the uniform. 

"...No?" Eleanor blinked, leaning to the side.

"...S-seriously?" The boy stammered, looking back to his friends. They gave each other a nervous look.

"...I-I mean, we go to the same school. I think? W-we have the same uniform." She pointed out the crest. "Sir Windsor's?"

"...Ah, good! You're smart after all! I think you'll pick things up quickly in quaint lil' Harmony!~" He sneered, puffing his chest out. "Name's Reginald Bishop. I'm reckon you'll need someone of MY, ah... stature. T' help you settle in right.~" 

"...E-excuse me?" Eleanor stammered. She shrinked under the attention she was receiving. 

"Ah, we practic'ly know each other already! Cuz your dad works for my dad, he told me! And you're ALSO a Forrest! So REALLY, we oughta be getting to know each other better!~" Reginald took another step forward, reaching for Eleanor's hand. 

"Ah-" Eleanor gasped, feeling the strange, skeevy boy take her hand. Her eyes darted both ways. "I-I don't- I-I have to get home, I have homework-"

"Ah, don't sweat it! We got people for that!" He cackled at a deafening volume - the other boys joined him after a pause. Eleanor looked down. He wasn't letting go.

"I-um, th-that's generous, but... but I want to go home. S-sorry, my, my dad's expecting me and-"

""Aww, don't be shy! I mean, shy girls are pretty dang cute, but you'd be way better off just sticking with my crew, yeah?" He grinned toothily, trying to pull her over. "

Now Eleanor was squirming to get away. "S, stop! Let go of me, please-"

"NO MEANS NO, STUPID!"

A shrill shriek announced the entrance of a girl, blonde pigtails bouncing up and down with each erratic movement.

"What the he- OW! HEY!"

"She's throwing rocks! They huuurt!"

"Ugh, such a spaz! Guys, let's go!"

"Nrgh! Think about it, Eleanor!" 

The boys got on their bikes and made a hasty retreat down the way they came. The girl stop, hucking a few more rocks out of spite.

"LEAVE HER ALONE, YOU... JERKY DOODOO HEADS!" She shouted indignantly one last time, before huffing in anger. She turned to see Eleanor, adjusting her glasses. They exagerrated her pretty blue eyes.

She had an armful of pebbles, hucking a couple more in their direction. With erratic breaths, she let them clatter to the ground.

"Are you okay??" The girl leaned forward to dote over Eleanor. The pig-tailed girl had a slight overbite, revealing a set of braces all along her teeth. 

"I... I'm okay. Th-thank you." Eleanor smiled weakly.

"It's okay! Girls gotta stick together! Otherwise the stupid boys will walk all over you. Like that Reggie kid! He tries to play mister prince with aaaaaall the girls, but he's really a snake." The eccentric girl pouted, before extending her hand forward. "My name's Myrabelle! Myrabelle Clouston!~ Please, call me Myra for short!"

"Eleanor Forrest. M, my family moved here recently." She took Myra's hand with a shake. "M-my mom and dad were transferred here. They're gonna be working at the... the elixir factory."

"Wow, really!? That's super cool! The new one, right!? Colveil makes such cooool stuff!" Myra was excited, bouncing up and down. "Can I come over to your place? Pleeeease? We can do homework and stuff!"

Eleanor was surprised at Myra's exuberance. She was relieved that she was giving her personal space.

"I... I think that'd be okay. Dad would be happy that I... made a new friend." She smiled warmly.

"YES! You're the best, Elle!~"

"...Elle??" Eleanor tilted her head. 

"Yeah! It's your nickname I came up with just now!" Myra leaned to the side. "Oh, is that not okay? I-it sounded cute in my head, so-"

"No, no, I... I don't mind at all, I was just... surprised, is all. No one's ever-" Eleanor paused, before smiling once more. "Elle is fine. And I'll call you Myra."

...She had to admit, Myra had a point. It did sound cute. It made Myra happy, and that's all that mattered,

---

The two girls, now nearing adulthood,  were walking along a trail that cut through the woods. The road served as a connecting route for supply wagons traveling from Bargam. 

"Elle? Are we there yet...?"

"Almost there, Myra. I reckon it's about a quarter of a mile further."

Nowadays, fewer caravans used the road. Elle knew this, ever since the quarantine was activated. No stragglers from other towns would dare to venture out here.

Things had changed in the town of Harmony over the last ten years. But the girls stuck together. 

If Myra was in better shape, they could've thought of cutting through the woods directly, but... her condition had advanced to such a point that it was ill-advised. The roads had fallen into a sorry state, but the even terrain was enough to handle on foot. 

"I-I'm starting to feel funny..." Myra groaned weakly, her knees shaking.

"M-Myra, girl, hang in there, okay?" Elle turned sharply, shuffling over to her. She brushed aside long strands of Myra's blonde hair to look into her blue eyes. "We'll be there soon, just... gimme your hand."

The two had been travelling together for six hours now, with few breaks. They couldn't afford any stops along the way. The trip had been rougher on Myra—her pace was haggard and unsteady, and the muddied ground meant she had to constantly correct her balance. Her right hand anxiously rubbing at a spot near her stomach. She routinely had to clean her glasses, as they routinely fogged up with the humidity. 

Elle was used to adventuring through the woods, and was in better shape than her softer friend. Back in the day, this'd just be another easy-going hike for her. Today, though, they were on a mission. And they had to go quickly. They were running out of time.

Elle studied their surroundings with an intense look on her face, rubbing the sweat from her brow that accumulated just under her oaky brown hair. It was hot, even during the evening, but it would cool down soon. 

"Hah..." 

Thunk. Myra fell suddenly to the ground on her knees, catching herself before she faceplanted. Elle's eyes widened, hurrying to her friend's side.

"Myra!? Myra, stay with me! What's wrong?" Elle hovered over her fallen friend.

"M-my legs, I... I can't feel my legs." Myra whimpered, shaking all over. 

"Goddamn it..." Elle hissed under her breath, her hands squeezing the straps of her own heavy backpack. They were so close too...

...It couldn't be helped. Elle quickly removed her backpack, tossing it into a ravine nearby. 

"Myra, can you move your arms! I need you to ditch your backpack."

"But... but it has all my stuff, my-"

"I'll come back for it! Come on, Myra, we don't have time for this!" Elle worked to slip Myra's arms through the straps, helping her to her feet. 

Myra's eyes were glazed over. It was almost as if Elle was holding an oversized puppet cut at the strings. She could tell the legs had lost their strength—it was only through Elle's strength that Myra hadn't toppled over a second time. 

"...Hup!" Elle hoisted Myra up, cradling her friend in her arms. With a few unsteady steps to find her balance, she hurried along deeper into the woods, breaking into a light run.

"...Hehe... a-are we getting married? You're carrying me like a bride...~" Myra muttered, her words slurring together.

"P, pull yourself together, girl! We're almost at the lodge, just... just stay awake a little longer!"

A modest log cabin came into view as Elle hurried along. It had seen better days— the grounds around it had surrendered to wild overgrowth, and the cobblestone walkways were almost surrendered to the thickets of weeds. Elle's eyes widened, breaking into as quick of a spring as she could manage, as Myra's soft body bounced in her arms with every step Elle took.

"Key, key, where's the goddamn ke- found it!"

Elle exclaimed with a grin, kicking aside a small rock to reveal a key underneath. She kneeled to grab for it, straddling Myra as best as she could to unlock the rusty padlock to the door. 

She swung the door open frantically, greeted with a groaning creaking sound. She remembered this place well — her family used to make annual trips to vacation down here when she was really young. But that was in the past, and they stopped coming out. Elle had summer tutoring and volunteer work with the scouts, and her mom and dad's work at Honeywell Enterprises was too important to take such regular trips out anymore. 

It had lay abandoned all this time. Just the place for the two to settle down for a while. Elle veered a hard right into the next room.

A queen sized bed dominated the center of the room, surrounded by handcrafted furniture. A woven rug was sprawled along the floor, catching Elle's frantic steps as she charged for the bed. She lowered Myra as quickly as she could, crawling atop the bed herself to be at her side. 

"Myra, you're still with me!? Myra!" Elle shouted, leering over her.

"...Y-yeah. D, did we make it after all?" Myra groaned, turning her head slowly towards Elle. Elle's eyes widened, relief washing over her.

"...Yeah, we... we made it, Myra. Y-you're safe now." Elle replied with a weak smile.

"Ah... I'm glad." Myra paused. "...I feel like... we should kiss now, but... my legs, I-"

"It's okay. I get it." Elle leaned down, locking her lips with Myra's. They stayed together like this for a long time. Elle didn't want to let go, but... she could feel Myra's trembling.

"...S'hot. Mm... m-my clothes..." Myra whimpered breathily, her hands reaching for the fabric of the bed. Elle's eyes widened, remembering their situation. 

"Crap! L-lemme see your mark... t-take off your top, I'll get your skirt." Elle lowered her hand to Myra's fettered skirt, pulling tightly to slide it down her limp legs. Elle's wrists brushed against the soft texture of Myra's thighs. They were burning hot!

"Holy- y-you must have a fever or somethin'." Elle muttered, tossing the skirt to the corner. Myra was fussing with the buttons on her shirt. Her breaths were shallow, short and frantic.

"Ah... ungh!"

With a grunt, Myra jerked her buttoned up blouse wide open, the blue buttons clattering along the floor, the bedspread, and in her lap. She slumped back as cool air hit her exposed buxom. Her large chest rose and fell with every shaky break. 

"E-easy girl, easy! Don't overwork yourself!" Elle leaned over, helping her arms out of her blouse. Before long, Myra, was left only in her underwear, a black, lacy bra and a pair of panties left behind. Even then, Myra felt overclothed as she squirmed. 

Elle leaned over her to examine a spot of great curiosity...

Just below her stomach, resting just beneath her button navel, was a striking mark. It looked like a tattoo, but it was such a strange marking. It looked like a magic circle.

Elle grimaced, her hand hovering near Myra's exposed skin. The heat emanating from that spot was so intense, it was like she had her hand above a stovetop burner. 

"Ah-!"

Myra arched her back in discomfort as the mark began to glow with an intense bright. Elle pulled back her hand, careful not to burn herself. Her eyes widened as she leered over her friend, writhing in pain.

"Myra! You're okay, just... I-I'm with you, okay!"

"E-Elle, I... nn...!"

Myra winced in pain, clutching her belly. Suddenly, her eyes shot open and she froze up.

"...ah..."

With a dull thud, her head hit the pillow. Her body was still, her chest rising and falling. Her shaking and trembling subsided.

Elle hovered over her, concerned. She took Myra's hand and checked her pulse. She was... well, she wasn't fine. But she was alive. Elle lowered Myra's hand, looking her over for a few moments longer.

"...What's going to happen to you, Myra?" Eva whispered, placing a hand on her friend's cheek. Without any answers, she simply resolved herself to comfort her the only ways she knew how. Gently taking Myra's head, she gave her pillow a good fluff, and lowered her head to rest.

"There. Now you won't wake up with a crick in your neck. Hehe..." Eva muttered quietly. Myra looked so peaceful now... but she knew it wouldn't last. 

"I should run back and grab our shit from the ditch. Don't... don't go anywhere, okay?" Eva pleaded softly. She lowered her head to kiss Myra on the forehead (she was still feverishly hot), before rising to her feet. She knew Myra needed some alone time.

Still, Elle couldn't ditch the bad feeling in her gut. She anxiously tugged at the bracelet hanging from her right wrist. 

---

"And this is Main Street!"

A young Myra bounced along the sidewalk. The first week of classes had wrapped up, and the weekend was upon them. Elle didn't have the chance to get a feel for the area outside of the campus, or her own neck of the woods, so Myra had dragged her out for a whirlwind tour. 

"W-wow. How's everything so... tidy?" Elle's eyes wandered in astonishment. "My family's from Bernkastel and they can't keep the roads this clean. Not even a scrap of used tissue!"

"Ohhhh! The imperial capital?? Wow, that's so cool! I wanted to go there, they have those really pretty palaces..." Myra sighed dreamily. Her eyes lit up once more, cozying up next to Elle.

"Ah, well, y'see Elle - ihihi, that rhymed! - Harmony's so clean because everyone works really hard! Everyone has a job to do, and everyone's taken care of real good, see?" 

Myra pointed towards a park in the middle of town. A few families dotted the immaculately tended grounds, with their dogs on a leash. They were all smiling and having fun.

"Did I tell ya about my papa?" Myra's eyes sparkled with admiration. "My papa, he goes around on his grass cutter, every day, and keeps the grass cut! Over there, up where all the houses are, along the roads..." 

Elle blinked, her jaw going slack. "Th-the whole town?? That... that's a lot of town to cover, isn't it?"

Myra laughed at Elle's surprised look. "Ah, he doesn't gotta do the whooole town in a day! ...C'mon, let's try the tire swing!"

"Ah-?"

Elle felt her hand being taken at once as Myra corralled her along towards the tallest oak in the area. Myra's giddy laughter was infectious, and Elle couldn't help but giggle along with her new best friend. 

A tire swing swayed gently in the breeze. Myra hurried closer, but instead of jumping right in, she kneeled down next to the thing.

"Here, lemme show you something! Take a looky here..." Myra pointed along the tire's tread. Elle leaned closer...

"...'Colveil'? They make tires too??" Elle tilted her head quizzically. 

"Oh they make eeeeverything! They're the best at making medicine to make you feel better, but my papa says they make food, and candy, and cars, and sody pop, and, and... a-a lot of stuff!" Myra was quickly running herself ragged just thinking of everything. "They donated this tire and up and made a swing set! It's really fun, you wanna try it?"

"I.. o-okay! It looks... sturdy." Elle made a few cautious tugs against the ropes confirmed its strength. Honestly, she was a little anxious, but she didn't want to disappoint her friend.

"YES! Okay, get in, get in, get in! I'll give you a big push!~" Myra ushered Elle into a seated position.

"A-ah, yes, I... b-be gentle, okay Myra??" Elle looked around. Sitting at such an elevated position, suspended off the ground, made her feel ever so vulnerable. 

"It's okay, Elle! I got you, so just hold tight, okay? I'm not gonna let you get hurt!~" Myra puffed her chest, a cheeky grin revealing her braces once more. 

"...Okay. I-I trust you." Elle nodded. 

"Attagirl! Now a-one, and a-two, and a-threeee!" 

Myra gave a strong push to get the heavy tire moving. Elle held onto the ropes tight. Myra eased the tire around in a circle, and Elle was slowly picking up speed.

From her vantage, Elle saw how the Main Street of Harmony dipped elegant. She could see the perfect rows of bustling street corners, the people mulling about on their daily routines. It was breathtaking.

"...Whoa... whoa-ho-ho!"

Something awoke inside of Elle, and she let out a laugh from her gut as she was quickly gaining speed. It was exhilarating! From the corner of her eye, she saw Myra's ecstatic grin, and heard her laughing along with her.

Elle kicked her feet out, one of her shoes kicking off. The silver buckles clattered as they hit the ground. They were such fancy shoes, and she had a feeling in the back of her mind that her mother would be cross with her later. But she didn't care in the least.

"This is amaaaaazing!!" Elle shouted through cackling laughter. She couldn't help herself. She was having so much fun. She didn't want this to end...

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