There was a secret. A very well kept secret. A dash of this, a smidgen of that and poof--a literal poof with a vaporous cloud of jasmine-scented smoke--it was done. A special formula. She never allowed anyone to see her make it, nor has she told a soul that she knows how. After all, everyone would want it then and that would be a big mess. She was after changing the world with it, for the greater good. Not making money.

She inhaled the night blossom smell with satisfaction, it's woodsy flower aroma giving her more confidence. The formula would allow her to succeed this time. The future of Earth would not wait on yet another failure. No matter. She grinned. She knew she had it this time. It was time to set humanity right, bring them into their birthright and put them back on track. So chaotic they'd become, she barely recognized that she was one of them. Worse than animals. This formula would purify the human race, without killing a single person. Now, if only she could find a test subject.

She grabbed an empty vial off the shelf on the wall and poured the precious liquid into it. It was best to start with a fool, to see if it really worked. This would be too easy, you could get a fool to do most anything if you offered the right price in return....

Fin

This story was written by Saronai and brought to you by the Tachygraphy five minute story prompt, Formula. I hope you enjoyed it ^_^

Ja ne!

I believe candy coated is the expression? Well, that's what she was, a colorful, distracting candy coated piece of work. Did she actually think anyone believed her? Is it possible that someone does? She is married after all, why would someone marry her? I guess they are looking for a face and not any value underneathe. Candy just melts away anyway, she doesn't even have to grow old before hers melts away--I saw it yesterday.

Shrewd, down-right bitchy actually. She tore up the poor guy who wasn't good enough for her, but hit on her anyway. All he did was introduce himself and she went ballistic on him, attacked his ego, asked him what the hell he thought he was doing talking to her, pointed out some ugly chick in the bar with bad teeth and frazzled hair and told him to go play in his league.

I don't think he found her so candy coated. She didn't know I was there, watching. I'm her best friend you see, or at least that's what she tells me everytime she needs advice on what to where or who to screw over next. Unfortunately for her, I'm onto her little game. I'm aware of the mask she tries to keep up, the true face she has hidden behind layers of sugar-coated, flawless, crystalline beauty. That bitch is not my best friend.

Do you know how many times she betrayed me? The worst was when she married him.

(This 5 minute story prompt was brought to you/me by 5ms, Coated)

The forest vibrated with warning, not of something else, but the kind a rattler gives by means of its tail. That shivery feeling wasn't helped much by the clicking rolls of hundreds of cicadas out there. Wynaré stopped at the edge, and Nyth looked at her curiously, waiting to see what was wrong. Kei and Alex forged on ahead until Alex looked back and stopped too.

"What's wrong?"

Kei turned around as well.

Wynaré shook her head. "I don't know, do you...feel that?"

Kei closed his eyes and Alex looked around, saw Kei and decided to close his eyes too. Wynaré smiled a little at how, even though they acted like rivals all the time, Alex was more than willing to learn from Kei--indirectly of course.

"The forest does not welcome us." Kei opened his eyes and walked back to the edge to stand next to Wynaré and look in. Alex followed suit, standing on Wynaré's other side, also looking into the forest.

Lesara, Wynaré sent telepathically, Lesara was ahead of them, scouting to avoid trouble. We may have a problem, I think you should loop back.

What's wrong? Lesara sent back

We're not sure, you should probably come back.

It wasn't long before Lesara landed gracefully in front of them from the trees above. Wynaré hid a smile as she saw Alex startle from Lesara's sudden appearance. The rest of them had enough mind-magic to know she was approaching.

"Why have we stopped?" She was the only one with her back to the forest, facing Wynaré.

"It...doesn't feel right." Wynaré stared past Lesara and into the dark forest ahead.

"It's giving off a very dangerous aura and it clearly doesn't want us here." Kei said.

Lesara looked at him and snorted. "It doesn't want you here. This is Syndra's forest. She may no longer be the goddess of nature, but her home forest has never forgotten her. It hates high elves. Sees them as the enemy. So long as you don't do a single thing to harm the forest. Watch where you step, don't purposely hit any plants or eat them, stick to your packs for food and me as your guide. If in doubt, don't do it. You'll be fine. I'll try and make sure the forest understands that you're here for peace negotiations." She laughed and shook her head as she turned her back on them and disappeared into the trees above again. The rest of the party continued ahead, Kei leading the way by following Lesara's mind. After an uncertain pause, Wynaré followed. The forest didn't feel any less dangerous than a moment ago. Something was bound to happen despite Lesara's presence.

(First Line Friday prompt from Dreaming In Ink Writer's Group)