Having Victoria Vordenburg show up at her shop and having her voodoo witch girlfriend root through her memories made it easy for Morgana to decide who she should see next. Ruby Reynata didn't need just that fidelity potion now, she needed advice. While Tori said it was against her code to target a 'monster' who wasn't killing people, she clearly had no love for werefoxes and didn't like her cousin dating one, let along becoming one. If Ruby wasn't given fair warning and advice, her relationship with Renata could be over before it really starts.
Morgana hastened Ruby's trip to her shop, removing as many obstacles as she could. Ruby soon entered the shop, running a hand through her shoulder-length curly red hair, wondering how she had gotten here faster than usual. But she dismissed that bafflement before walking to Morgana. "Morgana, I need to get something from you," she said.
"The fidelity potion, to make sure you remain true to Renata," said Morgana, "I must say, most werefoxes who don't use the inhibitor potion would want to stay faithful to only one person."
"Renata's a good girl and I want to do well by her," said Ruby.
"That's good, because you definitely need to show you mean it," said Morgana, "I'm not sure if Renata mentioned if her cousin is a Vordenburg."
"She did, though she didn't realize what that meant until I told her," said Ruby, "I don't think her cousin would try to slay her."
"No, but she's in town now and if you make the wrong impression, she'll at the very least try to run you out of town," said Morgana.
"She's here?!" yipped Ruby.
"She was just here," said Morgana, "And I'm afraid her girlfriend managed to worm some information out of my head. She knows about Renata and you."
"Oh crap, oh crap, oh crap," said Ruby in a panic, "What am I going to do?!"
"Well, the one thing you shouldn't do is run. This is just about the worst time to listen to your werefox instincts. If Tori think you're bad for Renata, she will make sure you stay apart," said Morgana.
"Like she wouldn't anyways?" asked Ruby.
"Monster hunters have a code," said Morgana, "They can't just go around slaying any non-human or it would make them no better. She will not attack an innocent werebeast."
Ruby gave a mirthless laugh and said, "An innocent werefox, like that actually exists."
"Renata could be one, or as close to one as there could be," said Morgana, "If you really want to show you can do right by her, you'll stick with her as she makes her skulk. I know having a werefox skulk remain in one town and not causing too much mischief may sound unbelievable, but this could be the start of something new. Something that shows werefoxes don't have to be treated as pests and vermin by others. This could be a chance to improve things for your people."
Ruby sighed and said, "My old skulk probably would consider me a traitor for even entertaining such ideas."
"Would you rather remain as permanent nomads who known as guiltless seducers, thieves, and pranksters?" asked Morgana.
"It's our nature," said Ruby.
"And I'm sure Tori will say that excuse doesn't work from the scorpion to the frog or from the viper to the farmer and it won't work for you," said Morgana.
Ruby sighed and said, "And will Tori accept any of this?"
"I'd say let Renata talk to her cousin and back her up as needed," said Morgana, "And I strongly suggest you ally yourselves with Selena's werehyenas as soon as you can. I'm sure they will sympathize with you. They even have a member of their pack who's half-werefox now."
"Ooh, that sounds interesting," said Ruby.
"Yes, I'm sure you'll get along. Now about the fidelity potion," said Morgana. She placed the bottle in front of Ruby.
"How does it work?" asked Ruby, fishing out the money for it.
"All you need to do is add a little bit of Renata, like a hair, to the potion and drink it. It's like a love potion that way, though like love potions, it will wear off and you'll need to take it again. But over time, you'll eventually need it less and less. It may take a while, but you will eventually remain loyal to Renata without having to struggle with your instincts," said Morgana.
"That sounds easy enough," said Ruby, "I just wish Tori were as easy to deal with."
"You and me both," said Morgana with a sigh. Soon after that, Ruby left the shop with her potion.
Morgana wondered what else she could do about Tori. She made a mental note to find out how Erzulie Lachouette made a voodoo doll of her. Most magic users try to avoid letting their hair, blood, or clothes fall into other people's hands for reasons just like this. She was fortunate Erzulie only wanted information. A Vordenburg wouldn't date a witch if she was going to abuse her powers. Hopefully, she'd make a good mentor to Hōkō, though Morgana wasn't sure how well oni magic and voodoo would mix. Still, there was no harm in learning how to deal with other magics. Now Morgana needed to decide which customer she should deal with.