Thank the lord for plot bunnies, as I was having trouble writing this chapter, considering Paris and the Blight Twins' relationship and how Ed and Em act in cannon.
Anywho, better pay close attention to this chapter because some major plot points will be hinted at. Leave a review with a guess of what you think they are!
Also, on the subject of the last chapter about a new story, I've got the first bit of Rose Wilderflower down, but am having a bit of trouble with Zoe the Demon Princess, so stay tuned because I also want to update some of my other stories too. But! I will get both these out eventually.\
(Edit: Just saw the Hilda S2 trailer, I'll work harder on Rose Wilderflower in time for the new episodes. Maybe.)
Now, without further ado, on with Lost in Language, or in other words,
SpellSlinger ep.8; Paperback Memorial
SpellSlinger
Paris emerged from her dark lair (her workroom) whilst holding a black leather-bound book with golden thorned vines etched onto the covers. A scratching of a pen echoed as she diverted her whole attention to the book. Bearly hearing voices come from the living room, she unconsciously began steering herself towards the front of the house.
Paris was suddenly broken out of her work-induced trance when somebody, who she had no idea, brushed pass her whilst giving an energetic greeting.
Ah. Probably Luz then.
Paris resumed her writing, this time now less engrossed, choosing to sit down on the couch before she forgot to give her legs a break and regret it later. She, however, shot straight back up when she sat on something hard.
Looking back at the couch, she saw that Luz's 'Azura the Good Witch' was sitting on the couch, most likely discarded by Luz when something more interesting came up.
Closing her own book and setting it aside, Paris picked up the novel to see why it intrigued her fellow human so much. Opening it up, she began reading the human realm fantasy story.
'Huh,' Paris thought, 'The language they use is pretty flowery, wonder if it was a design choice for the series of just a writer habit?'
Paris kept reading until she got to a page with an illustration on it. It was of the main character Azura addressing a group of people. Paris slowed down. Then stopped. Then froze.
She knew some of the people from the illustration. Not personally, but she knew them.
'Hang on...' Paris thought as she realized something. Taking out a pair of reading glasses from her belt and flipping back to the front of the book, she began re-reading the book.
'Of course!' Paris exclaimed internally, 'Nobody would write such flowery language without a purpose!' she began skimming the book to further prove her theory. 'It's here! All of it! But how did it get into a book series in the human realm? Wait...'
It was then Paris remembered something. Putting the book aside. She took out her scroll and called Ed and Em's connected number. Paris took a brief moment to sigh in amusement at how her two friends operated.
"Hello and greetings, Emira and Edric speaking..." the twins greeted in unison as the answered the call.
"Em, Ed, correct me if I'm wrong but you said you've seen your sister reading 'Azura the Good Witch'."
"Yeah, it's like her favourite series" Emira confirmed.
"Although she'd never admit it and would also probably die of embarrassment if she knew we knew that she read it," Ed added.
"Do you know where she keeps her series?" Paris asked with a little urgency in her voice.
"Whoa Paris, don't tell us you of all people has gotten into it!" Em exclaimed with amusement.
"I guess you could say that, but it's not really the narrative I enjoy, but what's hidden inside of it," Paris replied, her voice brimming with mirth.
"Whoa! Really?!" Ed asked, curious.
"Yep. Full instructions on what we've been looking for."
"NO. WAY." Em said. Paris could imagine her jaw hanging open.
"Yes way. Now, do you know where she keeps her series or not?" Paris urged for an answer to her earlier question.
"We don't know for sure, but we have an idea of where it could be," Ed answered.
"And where's that?"
"The Central Library," Em replied, "We've suspected she has a hideout there for some time."
"Good. I'll meet you there."
"Paris, we were going to meet there anyway. Remember what today is?" Ed reminded.
Paris took her scroll away from her ear to look at the date. When she read it, she felt like a bottomless pit had appeared in her stomach.
"Oh... Yeah, today." Paris said shakily as she returned the scroll to its speaking position.
"It'll be okay, Paris," Em reassured. "We know how you need this."
"Thanks, guys." Paris smiled. "I'll...
Paris was suddenly cut off as the house began shaking and a loud noise emanated from the kitchen.
"WHAT THE-
SpellSlinger
Paris was now leading Luz towards the Boiling Isles Central Library, the largest collection of (approved) books in the isles. Eda, apparently, had sent Luz to return her disgracefully overdue collection that she had borrowed, so it was convenient that Paris was also going, and could show Luz the way there.
As they rounded a corner, the library came into view.
"Welcome, Luz, to the Boiling Isles Central library, the largest collection of (approved) books in the isles." Paris gestured at the large building.
"Whoa..." Luz gazed at it in awe. Realizing that Paris had begun walking away, Luz spud up to catch up to her.
"So what's the library like?" Luz asked the older human.
"I dunno," Paris shrugged, "Like a normal library? It's got books, it's just a little more... Boiling Isles-y"
"I'm not sure whether to be excited or frightened."
The two walked through the smaller set of doors that were in the larger set of doors and entered the library. As they walked down the foyer hallway, the tall stack of books that Luz was balancing began to float out of her hands as a librarian marked them off as returned.
"Late... Late... Late..." the man said as the books through a small portal-like glowing ring before picking one out and inspecting it as Luz and Paris got to the front desk. "Coffee, grass and bloodstains? These are Eda's, aren't they?"
"Huh. That was a crazy night." Luz chuckled weekly.
"And it's also the reason why I took to locking the coffee away," Paris added.
The librarian sighed. "I'll put them on her tab. Oh, and by the way, we're closing early for the Wailing star meteor shower."
"Ooh. What's that?" Luz asked, curious.
"It's what it sounds like Luz," Paris told the younger human, leading her away from the front desk. "Once a year, a star with the capability to scream passes by the Boiling Isles."
"Can we see it?" Luz asked innocently.
Paris sighed, but in the end, smiled. "Yes, Luz. It's in the sky after all."
"Oh right."
"Okay Luz," Paris stopped and turned to her companion, "I'm going to meet with my friends now, you can look around till I come to get you, just, don't do anything that I'll regret."
"You mean anything that I'll regret?" Luz asked, pointing to herself.
"No."
SpellSlinger
"Hey P!"
Paris turned to see the green-headed twins casually strolling over towards herself.
"Ed, Em." Paris nodded with a smile as they exchanged high-fives, including the twins giving one-another a high five despite having arrived together. "So, what's with the bag?" Paris asked, looking at the pink dog-styled bag Ed was holding.
"Mittens forgot her Lunch, so we were given the duty to come and take it to her since we were already going to the Library," Ed answered, holding up the bag
"Huh, what a coincidence. I took Luz here because Eda wanted her to return some books."
The twins exchanged a glance as well as a sly smile. Paris blinked in confusion.
"What are you two... wait." Paris' brow furrowed as she caught on. "No. NO! Don't you dare!"
"C'mon, P, it'll be fun!" Em pleaded.
"No! I'm not letting you sweep Luz up in you mischief-making!" Paris stamped her foot.
"Oh, we didn't just think Luz..." Ed wiggled his eyebrows.
"Ohoho no, you two. I am not getting kicked out of the library a second time!" Paris poked a finger at the twins.
"Paris, when's the last time we've done something fun together?" Em asked. "And... we also just want to give you a good time before... y'know. That."
Paris's budding anger was quickly diminished at Emira's words. Looking down at her feet in thought, she considered what the twins were proposing.
"Okay. You win. We'll have some fun with Luz. I mean," Paris paused to chuckle, "it's been a while since the... Blackwood forest fair incident..." She coyly smiled.
Ed and Em's faces lit up; large open-mouthed smiles plastered on their expressions. Both leapt up into the air with a cheer.
Right before being shushed by a passing Librarian.
SpellSlinger
"Ugh, you."
"Amity... Whoop." Luz exclaimed as the book she was resting on fell of the shelf. Reading to kids. Wooow! Looks like this sour lemon drop has a hidden sweet centre."
"It's for extra credit. Don't get your leggings in a bunch." Amity brushed off as she picked up the book Luz knocked down and turned to put it on the short table along with the one, she was holding.
"Hey, I could help with the kids." Luz offered. "We could take turns reading. And do voices. I do the best," Luz the shifted to a robotic tone, "monster voice."
"Human!" Amity slammed the books down. "Do you see me going to the Owl Shack and bugging you while you... while you fry up owls!? Okay," she scoffed, "I don't really know what you do there, but every time you come near me, I get in trouble! Just... Just leave me alone!" Amity shouted at Luz.
"I'm sorry!" Luz apologised as she turned away. "I'm sorry... So much for befriending rivals." Luz spoke to herself as she left the children's section.
"Hey, don't let her get to you like that."
Luz turned to see two witches in Hexside uniforms, both with green hair. And standing next to them was
"Paris?" Luz questioned.
"Luz, I'd like to introduce my two best friends, the twins, Edric and Emira Blight. Amity's big siblings." Paris introduced, gesturing to each twin in turn.
"Nice to meet ya!" Em winked. A small blush appeared on Luz's face, causing Paris to raise an eyebrow.
"Soooo... what are you guys doing?" Luz asked.
"Oh, we were going to just hang out and have some fun, y'know, cool stuff," Ed explained. "Like this: Hey, Mittens!"
Luz, looking back to Amity, saw her freeze, hunch over, and her ears go slightly red.
"Mom says stop forgetting your lunch. And stop being a jerk to your friend." Ed continued.
Amity begrudgingly stomped over to them and snatched the bag out of Ed's hand. "She," She glared at Luz briefly before returning her scowl to Ed, "is not my friend."
"Yeah, makes sense." Em agreed, putting a hand on Luz's shoulder. "She seems too cool for you."
"I am?" Luz questioned.
"You can all leave now!" Amity ordered before once again stomping away. The twins laughed at their little sister's behaviour before shooting matching smiles to Luz as Paris rolled her eyes, a smile of her own failing to hide.
SpellSlinger
"So, you're the new human Paris has told us so much about."
Paris, the twins, and Luz were now walking down the rows of the library as the twins casually interrogated Luz.
"I do not talk about Luz that much." Paris denied. Ed shrugged in response.
"Well, as our scarlet-haired friend has already told you, I'm Emira. And this is Edric." Em introduced herself and Ed a second time. "We're Amity's older, cooler, siblings. We heard how you embarrassed her at the school and saw how at the Covention last week. No wonder she hates you."
"I know! But I didn't mean any of it!" Luz frantically apologized ash she smooshed her cheeks. "I thought we were as cool as cucumbers. But we're as sour as pickles."
Paris looked away and covered her mouth as she snorted a laugh.
"Yeah, she was like: 'Ahh! You defeated me with playing cards!'." Ed said dramatically, pretending to fall over whilst reaching a hand upwards and clutching his chest.
"Don't worry about Mittens," Em gave a dismissal wave. "She's a prickly little cactus. Just give her some time and she'll either keep hating you or tolerate you enough to ignore your presence."
Luz drooped at that.
"Anyway, we were going to have some fun with our good friend P here, wanna join?" Ed asked, slinging his arm around Paris, who's face was still deadpan.
"Sure!" Luz said face brightening at the prospect of fun.
SpellSlinger
"You've made reading far too fun." A librarian told Paris, Luz and the twins out the front door as consequence for their prior gallivanting. "Now, stay out." And with that, he slammed the doors behind himself.
The friends all stared at the door for a moment before bursting into laughter, even Paris.
"Man, it feels good to have fun like this again." Paris smiled genuinely.
"Yeah, but Amity's even madder at me now," Luz said, still chuckling. "I didn't think that was possible."
Ed shook his head. "No, when Mittens gets mad, she looks like this." He began inhaling sharply until his face turned red. He then exhaled and stumbled slightly. "Whoa, almost passed out."
"So basically she looks like one of you two blushing?" Paris teased with a coy smile.
Both twins responded by avoiding eye contact.
"So, anyway," Em cleared her throat, leaning over towards Luz, "You're pretty fun, Luz. Us three were actually coming back tonight, and we were wondering if you wanted to tag along."
"And bonus," Ed walked up next to his sister, copying her pose, "The Wailing Star in actually unlocks something special in the library. You in, friend?"
"Sure!" Luz answered with a shrug and a smile.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa," Paris stepped between them all. "Are you sure it's a good idea to bring Luz along?" she asked.
"Oh, come on P, Luz is pretty cool, why can't she come along?" Em asked.
"Yeah, Paris! I'm cool!" Luz pleaded.
Paris gave stern glances to both the Twins and Luz before she began laughing.
"I'm just messing with you all! I think it's fine if you come, Luz!"
The other three relaxed and all gave a good-hearted chuckle at Paris' joke.
"Ok then, we'll meet you guys back here at midnight then." Ed waved goodbye as he and Em descended the stone stairs before both pausing.
"And, P?" Em spoke to Paris.
"Yeah?"
Em spared a glance at Ed before turning back. "It's good to see the old you again."
Paris smiled warmly. "It's good to be back, too."
Luz looked between the three until the Twins were out of sight.
"What do they mean, the old you?" Luz asked as she picked up her bag and followed the now leaving Paris.
Paris sighed sadly. "People change, Luz. For better or for worse. And sometimes, their old self leaks through." Paris paused to look at the sky. "Something I wish leaked a little more for me." Her expression shifted to a grim frown. "And for her..." she muttered.
"Huh?" Luz asked, having not caught the last part.
"Oh, what?" Paris asked as she was shocked back into reality. "Oh! Nothing, nothing. It doesn't really matter." Paris answered, brushing off the question. "C'mon, let's get back to the Owl house, I want to make sure Eda didn't change her mind and decide to eat the baby... yet."
SpellSlinger
"I just had the best day!" Luz announced as she entered the Owl House with Paris. "Cool teens like me! Call me a library book 'cause they were checking me out."
"Hey! I like you! Aren't I cool?" Paris asked in mock-offence. Luz was about to respond, not picking up on the joke, when she spotted Eda on the couch, gently rocking the baby bat demon.
"Aw, Eda, you look so motherly." Luz cooed.
"Say that again and I steal your tongue." Eda deadpanned as Luz walked over to her.
"Aw. How can you say that around this cute little baby?" Luz said as she gently poked the baby.
Doing this, however, caused the baby to wake up and spit out a slightly smaller version of itself, which in turn, also spat out a slightly small version of itself, all three of which began flying around.
"Ah!" Luz exclaimed as she recoiled.
Wildly flying about the room, the largest baby suddenly spewed a stream of fire at the couch, which Eda was sitting on.
"AAAHHH!" Eda, Luz and King screamed as they scattered away from the couch.
"Not the couch!" Paris shouted in dismay from the doorway.
SpellSlinger
"Gotta be cool," Luz said to herself as she and Paris waited for the Twins. "Cool? No. Cool." She began performing different poses.
Paris blinked before pinching the bridge of her nose. "Luz... it's fine. Just... do what you normally do; be a complete weirdo with a good heart."
"You think I'm a weirdo?!" Luz asked in shock.
Paris raised an eyebrow. "...Are you not?"
"Touché."
"Touché indeed," Ed said as he and Em finished climbing up the steps. "What are we talking about?"
"Uh, nothing!" "Luz being a weirdo." Both Luz and Paris said simultaneously.
"A weirdo huh?" Em asked. Luz began sweating nervously as her face reddened. "Well the best of us are, I suppose. Like P here." She jutted a thumb at Paris, who responded by flipping her friend off.
"Well, without further adieu, if you will P?" Ed asked Paris. Paris put her hand down, moving the other into her satchel and pulling out a spell glyph. A rather large spell glyph. One that was big enough to cover the large keyhole that locked the library's doors tight together.
When she had done adhering the glyph to the door, she tapped the glyph, activating the spell which caused the keyhole to enlarge to a size that it could be easily walked through, which all four did.
"Standing in a dimly lit lobby. You guys know how to party." Luz noted happily once they were inside.
"Just give it a sec, Luz." Paris smiled.
"There. The Wailing Star!" Edric called out, pointing out a stained-glass window as a shooting star, that was indeed wailing, passed by and briefly illuminated the library.
"Oh, wow, look at that, nothing happened," Em remarked with obvious mirth in her voice, nudging her brother and looking to Luz.
"Wait. The books are all glowy." Luz pointed out, not picking up on the liberal use of sarcasm. Luz stepped over to a bookshelf and pulled one of the books out at random.
Opening it, a flock of birds surged out of it and began flying around the high-roofed library. After staring at the birds in awe for a few seconds, Luz absent-mindedly closed the book, causing them all to fade away.
"The star magicked the books to life!" Luz cried in joy
"Yep," Ed confirmed, "Us three come here every year to enjoy messing around with the books."
"Well we all used to, now only Ed and I mess with the books. P... has something else to do." Em looked to Paris, who was already leaving in a certain direction and pulling a blue and gold book out of her satchel.
Luz made to go after her, but Em's hand caught her shoulder and held her back. When Luz looked to the Blight twin as if to ask why, both she and Ed simple shook their heads.
SpellSlinger
Paris finally arrived at a secluded back room of the library, far away from any of the rambunctious antics that the others would no doubt have.
She took off her cloak, satchel and bandolier and set them to the side as she sat down cross-legged and took hold of the book in both hands.
Paris stared longingly at it as she stroked the cover. With a deep breath, she opened it.
A rainbow light bloomed into existence in front of her, illuminating the dark room brilliantly, before dimming, leaving something in its place.
"Hey." Paris greeted.
"Hey Pif," the person greeted back.
Paris chuckled. "C'mon, only my stupid family calls me that."
"Weren't I like your sister?"
"Yeah. Yeah, you were."
SpellSlinger
"Luz, check this out!" Ed called to the young human as he and Em entered the kid's corner, where Luz was.
"What is it?" Luz asked quickly hiding a book behind her back.
"Well, we wanted to show you something cool when you mess with the books," Em explained, holding up a pen as Ed opened a book that made a large quacking duckling appear.
"Aw. Cute little quackster." Luz cooed. That soon ended as Em drew hairy man legs onto the book, which soon imprinted onto the little duck in reality. Luz reared away from the grotesque man-duck as the twins chuckled.
"Now it's your turn, Luz!" Ed gave the pen to Luz.
"I dunno... Won't somebody notice?" Luz asked.
"Nah, Paris gave us these!" Ed held up some tags.
"Crono-rest spells," Em answered Luz's confused gaze. "They'll reset anything inanimate to how it was a few hours ago."
As a demonstration, Ed put one on the book they had doodled in, and, much like they had explained, they all watch a clock face running backwards briefly appear before the book, and the apparated duck was back to how they were before.
"Cool..." Luz watched in awe.
SpellSlinger
"So, there's a new human on the isles," Paris commented.
"Whoa! Really?" they asked in disbelief.
"Yeah, her name's Luz. She not the most... focused, but she's got, heart. Real big heart." Paris gave a hearty chuckle.
"Sounds like how you used to be."
"Yeah... Hey, wait! I was never unfocused!" Paris objected to the other's laughter.
"You totally were though! You were always like: 'Ooh, magic this!' and 'Ooh, magic that.'!"
Paris turned her head away and pouted. "I was fascinating... it still is." Paris gave a deep sigh. "It's just, in all the countless places I've seen, brimming with absolute pure magical potential, even that tree I call my home, this place has the weirdest kind of witchcraft I've seen, it's also the only place I've ever seen possibility of... that, kind of magic."
A reassuring hand found its way to Paris' shoulder. "It's okay, just, breathe, and tell me what you need to tell me."
Paris did just that. "I found... instructions. Hidden in fantasy novels published in the Demon realm's sister Earth." Paris berried her head into her knees. "And I think Luz can do it. Perhaps the only non-demigod that can do it, and even then, the only one of those I've seen do it is Scyne."
"Your brother's girlfriend?"
Paris almost chocked on her own saliva before cracking up.
"Oh, oh-ho g-od!" Paris laughed as she gasped for air. "I would give anything to see his reaction if you said that to him!"
They smiled. "So, how is your family by the way?"
"Haaaa..." Paris finished laughing. "They're fine. We have Sunday dinners together now. It's nice." She turned to the other. "I can still save you, y'know. There are a dime a dozen spells that can bring you back."
"I know, Pif, but you know what I say; The dead must stay dead..."
"...And only live in our memories." Paris finished. Then she glanced to the open book. "Or in self-writing books that magic up their contents once a year."
Both shared a laugh.
SpellSlinger
Well, that'll be it for Paperback Memorial.
The remainder of the episode will be summarized next time as this has already become the longest chapter by about 1000 words or so.
Anyway, please leave a review, I love to hear what you think, and I'd really like to see your guesses as to all the mysteries I presented in this video, especially Paris' conversation with whoever that person was.
Hild fic will hopefully come soon, have a good one, and until next time...
*Disappears, leaving the words: 'Sayonara Suckers!' behind*