Sure

"It was a gift," you reply honestly, "that someone slipped inside a note they gave me. It said that was a perfume I'd want to use that if I'm having trouble with a woman I like."

"S-Sounds about... r-right," Artie says, giving the crystal one last shake, "C-Color... t-type of container... viscosity... d-delivery method... th-this is pr-probably a Like Potion."

"A LIKE Potion? Is that another name for a Love Potion?"

Artie shakes his head as he replies, "D-Different than that. L-Love and Lust P-Potions... change... emotional energy... c-c-completely... t-to induce the wanted response. A L-Like Potion... s-significantly enhances... energies... a-already there."

"So you're saying it can't change the mind of someone who hates you completely but if they're like 'I guess he's kind of cute and funny but I don't want him boning me', this changes that to 'actually he's super cute and hilarious and I want him to put all his babies in me'?"

He blushes and looks away from you again as he mutters, "Y-Yeah..."

"I guess that's why it's in a form I need to make sure I'm up close to deliver," you say as you hold out your hand and Artie returns the Like Potion to you, "I haven't had any Potion Classes yet but if they're like the old stories, the one who takes it bonds to the first person they see after drinking it, right?"

"A-Actually... n-no," Artie replies, drawing a raised eyebrow from you, "O-One thing Love, L-L-Lust, and Like Potions... have in common... th-they need f-f-fluid f-fr-from th-the one... wh-who wants t-to make someone t-take it. I-In this case... if y-you crush that container... y-your... skin oils will mix in... as i-it vaporizes f-for the t-target to... take in. F-For a Like Potion... th-that's enough... since they're n-normally... s-sm-small."

"I take it that means a full sized Love or Lust Potion would need more?"

Artie nods again. "B-Blood... saliva... m-mucus... e-even s-s-seamen."

You open your mouth but Artie is apparently expecting the question as he adds, "U-urine... d-doesn't work. F-For any potion. I-It's too con-contaminated by other... elements. I-It's also... g-gross."

"Well, I'm sure my Potions teacher will be glad that you ensured there's at least one student who won't ask that kind of question when the time comes," you chuckle, "Thank you, Artie."

Artie blushes and looks away from you, clearly unused to being complimented.

That is when another thought hits you. Victor said he was able to slip his note into Selena's because he had someone in Pegasus House do it for him. Maybe you should be aware of who that is.

"Do you happen to know a guy at this school named Victor Kyrie?"

At your question, Artie's expression darkens as he grumbles, "U-Unfortunately. H-He got... al-almost everyone... to... call m-m-me... 'Shetland'."

"'Shetland'? Why would--" you groan as realization sinks in, "I'm a 'Worm', so you must be a 'Pony' and..."

You hold your hand at chest level, which comes to about the top of Artie's head. "Yeah..." he all but whispers gruffly.

"I was kind of hoping that was a thing only Harmony did and not some house-wide nicknaming scheme," you sigh, "I guess that's why Phoenix House members stick to themselves."

"U-Unless you have s-s-something... they want," Artie says, "E-Even if it's... j-just being their e-entertainment."

The two of you eat in silence for a minute or so before Artie speaks up again.

"S-So why... w-would Victor give you... s-something like this?"

At your surprised expression he explains, "Y-You said it... w-was a gift. A-And if you asked... a-about him... probably means... he g-gave it to you."

As you muse over that fact that someone pays attention to the little details, you reply, "To be perfectly frank, I don't know why. I only met the guy once while... doing something else and he only said four or five words to me the entire time."

"M-Must... have s-seen something he... wanted fr-from you."

You think for a moment. Artie really does not seem to be the kind of guy who would do anything for someone like Victor so you may as well grab the bull by the horns and ask.

"The thing is," you say, "He actually snuck his note into someone elses note and said he had someone from Pegasus House put it in there for him. You know anyone there who he'd be on friendly terms with? Or at least someone who might owe him a favor?"

"A-About a m-month ago," Artie replies, "I would have... s-said a girl named Parisa. Sh-she and Victor w-were dating... a-and sh-she ki-kinda let it go to her... h-head. They broke u-up though. They say i-it was because... he tr-tried to slip a mind con-control potion into... her drink."

You nod, that jibes with what you have heard before and you wonder if you should ask her more about that the next time you see her.

"D-Do you... w-want me to keep an eye o-out?" Artie asks, "I... I know... w-we just met bu-but... you seem... n-nice."

"If you're willing," you reply, "Just... don't stick your neck out too far for my sake. Like you said, we just met."

You pause for another bite, knowing the end of lunch is coming and this conversation will have to end, and add, "Maybe we could practice a round of Summoning Battle or something some time."

Artie smiles shyly. "I... I'd like... th-that."