Part of my system isn’t working the way it should. It isn’t… well, it hasn’t caused any real danger yet, but… hey, don’t give me that look! It’s not like that! Just listen.
Earlier today, a customer ordered an Espeon potion. They looked pretty interesting, like maybe they’d already transformed… had five entire tails, too! And a human face… anyways, I didn’t question it, because that isn’t my job, my job is to serve people potions. So I handed them their potion and they drank it and their transformation went just fine.
Then, a few minutes later, the customer came back to the counter to personally thank me. They said something about a metaphysical entity being stuck in their head, and that they needed the psychic powers of an Espeon to free it. Apparently it all went without a hitch, the entity was freed, and they all lived happily ever after. Before I could even say anything the customer handed me a big tip and then left.
So here’s the problem: The potions aren’t supposed to give people powers. I don’t want to basically be selling weapons, yknow? That’s not what they’re for. But time and time again, this sort of thing keeps happening. A customer turns half-dragon, and suddenly they can breathe fire. Another becomes a Pokémon, and now they can use that form’s moves. It makes no sense!
So, here’s what I think is actually happening. I think some people… maybe a lot of people. Maybe everyone? Anyways, more people than previously thought by modern thaumatology. They have dormant, undiscovered magic abilities. Maybe held back by unknown means, or maybe they just never thought to try… but when they try a new form that they think should be able to shoot lightning or whatever, suddenly their own magic flares up and makes it a reality.
I’ve tweaked the recipes again and again. I know they do nothing more than transformation. They don’t give me any abilities, but I can replicate those abilities with my own spellcasting. And that’s exactly what I think customers are doing, without even realizing it. That one with the mind creature was a psychic, but didn’t know it!
… So, the question is… what do I do about this? Can I do anything about it? Should I? If I put up a sign that says “these potions don’t give you powers”, what happens when someone doesn’t read that sign and uses their newfound abilities in front of a bunch of customers who did read it?
I’m thinking I should just continue as I have been, but… this discovery of just how many people have dormant magic within them is… interesting, to say the least.