Work Text:
The Masked Man headed to exit the witch's house, but the label on a blue and pink potion caused him to halt in place. He plucked the potion out of its shelf, carefully inspecting it to ensure it was real. Morina eyed him curiously, she had only ever seen such excitement in his eyes whenever he discussed his plans for revenge.
"Does this really work?" the Masked Man asked dreamily.
"Of course, they don't call me a beauty witch for nothing," Morina said, wondering why the Masked Man of all people was so intrigued. Perhaps, there was another reason to that mask beyond hiding his identity. "I work to unite women with unfortunate appearances with the beauties they truly are within. I have potions to rejuvenate, revitalize, refresh—even feminize women who are born with typically masculine features."
"But does this potion work on persons born male, too?" he asked eagerly. "Is it permanent?"
"Yes, to both your questions." Morina answered, and his face lit up at her response. The Masked Man stared down at the potion with an unsuccessfully suppressed grin—he won't have to be the Masked Man for much longer.
Morina smiled at them, it always pleased her to have a customer. Her smile quickly dropped when she remembered the pathetic excuse of a not man she was talking to.
"Do not even entertain the idea of stealing from me again," Morina hissed. "I've cursed all my potions to reverse if the customer pays even a cent less than what I asked for. If you dare steal from me again I will make sure you never create your army, and you will die a failure."
The Masked One held their hands in the air defensively. "I was never planning to," they said with a nervous chuckle. "Your work truly is remarkable. How much will this potion cost?"
"Your entire fortune," Morina said sharply.
The Masked One blinked at her. "That is quite a steep price. Do you charge all your customers that much?"
Morina crossed her arms. "No, just you."
"I can't afford to pay that," they said, holding the potion close to their heart. "Not yet, at least. I swear to you, Morina, I will give you a kingdom! Please, just let me have this potion—"
"That was not our original agreement," Morina said, snatching the potion from their hands. The Masked One tried to reach for it but she held it over their head. "You asked me to locate your books for you, and I have. I never agreed to giving you any of my products."
"I did not know such a potion existed." The Masked One got on their hands and knees and begged. "Please, now that I do, I cannot live without it. I swear to you, if you give me this potion, I will grant you any kingdom you wish for when I am in power! Please!"
"I've already done enough favors for you, don't push your luck by asking for more." In truth, Morina already decided to give it to them. The prospect of her own kingdom was just too much to turn down. But she was still bitter about all the love potions that scum never paid for, so she allowed herself to relish their groveling for a while longer.
"Please, Morina!" they begged. "A potion for a kingdom is a good deal, just think about it! Please, I'm not asking for much! You will forever have my gratitude if you give it to me! Please please please please please please please please—"
Morina sighed. Their patheticness was not even enjoyable to watch. She tossed the potion at their direction and they jumped to catch it. The potion slipped from their hands and they fell to the ground to catch it shortly before it shattered on the floor.
"Fine," she said. "Use it before I change my mind."
"Thank you!" They jumped up and attempted to shake her hand. Morina simply glared at them and swatted their hand away.
"So, what exactly is your gender? I'd like to insult you accurately."
"I've never given it much thought," the Masked One said. "Overthrowing my mother and the Fairies has always been my main priority. Besides, Pinocchio Prison does not exactly have gender affirming care. All I know is that I refuse to live and die as the Fairy Godmother's son."
The Masked One uncorked the bottle and brought it close to their lips. They were radiating with excitement and nervousness. "Do I drink it now?"
"You can."
"Look away," The Masked One instructed, then downed the blue and pink liquid in one gulp. They dashed to the closest mirror and removed their mask, watching the potion take effect in amazement.
The woman put her mask back on, her smile stretching from ear to ear. There was an undeniable light to her eyes that wasn't present before.
"Thank you so much, Morina!" The Masked Woman said cheerfully. Despite being present when it happened, Morina had a hard time believing the Masked Woman could have possibly been the Masked Man. The majority of the changes made were subtle, but she was so happy she seemed like an altogether different person.
The Masked Woman even hummed. Not only was she closer to fully realizing her childhood dreams of revenge and power—she could also be the gender of her choosing while doing so. Despite her mother's attempts to prevent it, soon, she would would finally become empress and achieve happiness.