When the Fair first came to town, Amity first hoped to somehow go with Luz. It would have been the perfect start of the school break, but her fear and uncertainty of whether if Luz would even feel the same kept her from making the first step. It was then she plans to contact and invite Willow first then hopefully have her reach out to Luz and ask her out on her stead.
But when she was awoken by Edric's high pitch scream from encountering the Skullscreamer in the bathroom, the entire day was a blur of suddenly packing up their belongings, booking a hotel, and getting stuck in a room next to the twins with an adjacent door connecting between them. Her personal plan was entirely forgotten as she spent the day miserably working on her homework while trying to block out her surroundings before the twins finally egged her on to go to check out the amusement park with them.
Where Luz, for a reason she has yet to get an answer from, crashed into her from the sky. Now here they are. Returning to the place again with their hands locked together on their first date.
"Ooh, I'm so excited to see the rides!" Luz gleefully exclaims.
"You haven't been on one yet?"
Luz shook her head, "Nope, King couldn't meet any of the height requirements, so we played a bunch of games instead. I didn't want to leave him behind." Nor let him make a scene about how the employees are conspiring against him and all short beings again. It took her a while to calm him down after he manages to rally an impressive number of supporters before ordering them to attack.
They both waited in line to the small booth where they can get their tickets for the amusement rides. Amity felt her arm moving with Luz bouncing up and down in her steps. It's cute to see her goofing around but the attention she's drawing is slowly poking holes through Amity's stonewall-like expression. She feels more like a parent taking their kid out than a girlfriend.
In a poor attempt to hide herself by merely looking away with her other hand raised in front of her face, Amity took notice of one of the closer rides just finishing it's run to let the riders out. "No way! They actually got it!" exclaimed Amity.
Luz perks up at her words and looks over to where Amity is pointing. All excitement and joy on her face cracks like a porcelain mask revealing the bug-eyed look of shock. "What the heck is that?" Luz breathes.
Amity fails to notice Luz's personality shift as she is brimming with her inner child spirit. A joyous feeling that has been long buried but now brought to life with her inner desire fueled by the rush of dating. "It's a Crawler Coaster! One of the fastest rides in the Boiling Isles!" Amity finally turns to notice Luz's dismay and frowns. "Are you not a fan of fast rides?"
Luz shakes her head and says, "No, it's just… I never ridden one that's… alive."
The Boiling Aisles had its share of interesting and magical rides that bears uncanny resemblance to the ones back in her home world, but the instead of a train the Crawler Coaster has a large, centipede-like creature strapped onto the railroads with seats attached onto its carapace. The attendant helps the last customer into their ride then approaches the front where the creature's head is at and jabs it hard with a stick to make it go forward. The creature screeches and charges off with the people on its back, interestingly recreating the sound of a real roller coaster with its many legs scattering across the tracks.
"I'm starting to think this world has something against me," Luz murmured.
"Next in the line, please."
"Luz, that's us." Amity pulls the girl up forward to the counter who is still staring at the giant monster quickly making its rounds through the tracks with incredible speed.
As Amity exchanges her card to the Attendant, he asks "Are you two together?"
"O-oh, uh yeah…" Amity blushes, "Just recently. It's been a couple of days and this is our first time-"
"I was talking about the payment," the man interrupted and points at her card then to them. Amity would feel more comfortable dragging her nails across a chalkboard than to be standing here right now. She slowly nods her tomato head at the man. Thankfully, Luz is too traumatized by the monster to take notice of what happened.
"So!" Amity breaks her out of the trance, desperately trying to fill the awkward silence. "You said you have fairs back at your home?"
"Huh? Yeah! They're almost everywhere if you knew where to look and they have tons of fun rides!" Luz exclaims, "But they were crazy expensive, and I only got to go a few times when I was smaller. It's causes of that I missed out on all the crazy fast ones."
"I don't know how fast you humans can go without magic, but you're in luck today!" Amity swears, "The Crawler Coaster's initial speed is over one hundred miles per hour! The best part is when it gets restless and leaps across the tracks. Maybe we'll get lucky!"
"Wow! That sounds… incredibly dangerous!" Luz said with a forced smile. "But uh… you know what I haven't been able to ride at all? Merry Go 'Rounds! You have that, right?"
Amity finally realizes it and smiles mischievously, "Could it be? My 'Fearless Champion' who has fought the incarnation of fears and nightmares is afraid of heights?"
Oh, it's not the heights that's bothering her. But hearing her self-proclaimed title being used against her as a challenge stirs Luz's spirit. "Who? Me? Pfft, nah of course I'm not afraid. I can take on whatever this place throw at me."
"Is that so?" Amity sneers, "Then let's start with that one, since you been eyeing it all day."
Luz should have seen that coming but she's not going to let it faze her. Lot of things in the Boiling Isles seem terrifying at first. She faced a lot of monsters that would have reduced her to a quivering puddle of tears and yet she stands strong until nighttime when she can finally process over how close she came to dying and question the mortality of her life. But she's still alive, so there's that.
Not to mention the line to the coaster is pretty long. Plenty of time for Luz to get her bearings together before they have to go.
"Like I said, no problem!" Luz swore. She then timidly adds with, "But… just so you know if we sit next to each other, I might get a little… clingy."
"Here's your tickets," the man finally slides them over to Amity but gets his hand caught by her sudden grip. He freezes at the sight of her wide eyes and uncanny smile.
"On second thought, can you upgrade us to Fast Passes?"
"Huh?" Luz blinks, and suddenly found herself seated onto the giant creature next to Amity while the attendant to the ride lowers the safety bar.
"Remember to remain all arms, legs, and whatever appendages you have inside the seats," announced the attendant. He pulls out a green basket and goes to each of the carts again. "Keep all personal belongings well tucked in your pockets. If you have any loose items or handbags please place it in this basket now, you'll be able to collect them again after. Also, it's nearly lunchtime for Ol' Betty here. So please keep the screaming down if you can. The excitement may trigger her predator instincts and we do not want a repeat of last year."
Nothing about that last part put Luz at ease. "Is that a joke? Please tell me it's a joke. He's not answering me! Amity is he joking!?"
"You really are scared, huh?" Despite the small satisfaction she got as revenge for being teased at, it didn't last long as Amity begin seeing Luz like a quivering puppy with her shaking hands holding onto the safety bar. Amity extends her arm towards her and offers, "Here, I don't mind if you hold onto me-"
The attendant interrupts with, "Everyone ready!?" His question was answered with a chorus of cheers, giving him the signal to start the ride by jabbing Betty with the stick. The creature rears its head back and emits an awful screech causing Luz to jump and wrap her arms around Amity tight.
The creature surges forward through the tracks with its many legs scattering on the iron rails for support. The momentum it started with threw everyone back against their seats while it only continues to move even faster. Most of the riders couldn't hold back their shouts as the creature begins to coil around the tracks like a snail wrapping around a branch without losing its speed.
Luz's terrified scream shifts into excitement with her arms still wrapped around Amity who remains frozen and silent through the entire ride. With just halfway through the tracks, the creature decides to leap across to the next track instead of taking the upcoming right curve. It's foremost body grasps onto the rails with its far end swaying off-course with the few riders screaming in fear before it manages to align itself again and safely continues with everyone still inside.
The attendant yawns and sets up the roadblock to stop the creature from going any further as it came back to the station. "Everyone still here?" He makes a quick headcount and nods, "Great! Didn't feel like writing any reports today. Thank you for riding the Crawler Coaster!"
"That turn out to be better than I thought," Luz said while letting go of Amity, "Sorry about that! Guess I was just scared for nothing. I'm impress with how you held yourself there!"
"Huh?" Amity finally breaks out of her state and blinks at the question. She glances at the other riders getting off in confusion as their own safety bar lifts. "Why is everyone leaving?"
"Uh, because the ride is over?" Luz replied, unsure if she's joking or not.
"It has!?" Amity replies, incredulously. She completely zoned out the entire experience while Luz was holding onto her. She can't even recall Luz holding onto her like she had planned from the beginning. "Then let's go again! The ride was too fast anyway!"
The attendant overheard them as he goes to assist them out of the car and clicks his tongue at them, "Sorry, little lady. Fast passes are only valid on first visits, you'll have to wait in the back of the line like everyone else if you want to go again." He points over to the large line of people waiting to get on. It would be about an hour before they get to have another go.
Amity lets out a groan as Luz gets off first and helps her out of the car. "I don't mind going again, if you want," Luz offered.
"No, it's alright. We got other rides to see first." The attendant watches them leave and was about to call up the next set of people before hearing a loud, slurping sound. He turns around to see the creature's mouth suckling on one of the riders whose feet are sticking out.
"Betty! What's in your mouth? Drop it! Drop it right now!"
~/~
"So, what the heck do people do in dates?" King swings his legs from the counter next to Eda while watching the crowd moving through the streets. Finally, able to take a break from being in the middle of that mess with the heavy signs.
Eda blows her lips in boredom after the activity of her stand went down to its usual pace and rests her head one hand. "Well, speaking from my experience, first dates are kind of a way to test the waters. See if the relationship has any ground to stand on and if the person is actually as fun to be with for a while. Though most of the time, it's just a free meal ticket for me."
King perks up at the last part, "Wait, they bribe you with free food to hang out with them for a day?"
"Basically," Eda nods, "Among other things too. Like jewelry, clothes, the loose teeth of your last ex-boyfriend that you didn't even requested, all sorts of things if you're lucky." She then chuckles to herself remembering her talk with Amity that night. "Our little girl hit the big jackpot stealing the heart of that Blight kid. If she plays her cards right, Luz probably wouldn't have to work for a day in her life. But knowing her, the thought of taking advantage of Amity's wealth won't even cross her mind. Such a waste."
"Luz stole Amity's heart from her!?" King said incredulously, "That is awesome! Maybe I should give this dating thing a try."
That gave Eda a real good laugh, "Trust me, it's not as glamorous as you think, pal. But who knows, you're already a real head-turner."
"Obviously, I'm a one-of-a-kind, sister," he proudly declared.
"But in all seriousness, those two are probably just being a couple of giggling, awkward flirts right now. What they have is purer than any type of relationship I can land," Eda yawns. "I'm happy for them… just as long as they keep that happiness somewhere else."
With nothing else to do now, Eda decides to take out her earnings of the day to count up the profits. Owlbert floats down from the head of the stand to help lift the sack for her, despite struggling to lift it above the counter. King eyes the bags and looks at her, "You know… it's been a while since we played Hexes hold'em…"
Eda doesn't bother to look up as she takes count before saying, "That's because you threw a hissy fit about starting with the worst hand and drawing bad cards."
"It's different now!" he exclaims, "I been practicing a lot since last time. I might even be better than you."
"Ha!" Eda snorts, "In your dreams, maybe. You couldn't beat Owlbert if he was going easy on you." The little Palisman hoots and nods in agreement.
"I can too!"
"Then let's wager for it." Eda holds up one of the sacks of snails and shakes it in front of him. "You beat Owlbert, and I'll give you thirty percent of our earnings. But if he wins…"
"What? I owe him snails?" King scoffs, "What does an owl need money for? A bigger nest? And besides, I'm broke."
"I know," Eda rolls her eyes. She snaps her fingers for Owlbert to fly off to behind the stand and comes back with a rolled-up cloth. He drops it onto her hand, and she whips it out to unfold and reveals it to be a pink baby pajama. "If you lose, you'll have to wear this!"
King stares at the horrid attire and gulps. His confidence renewed now with his integrity on the line, he gives Owlbert a challenging glare and says, "Let's do it!"
Owlbert gestures to him with his wing and hoots, "Bring it on."
~/~
"Thank you for coming to my shop," said the old lady as she sits Luz down next to her table of colorful face paints. After a few rides, Amity and Luz decided to take a little break by exploring the grounds until they came across the small booth where Luz excitedly begged to go to. "Will you be joining in after?" she asks Amity.
"No, thank you. I'll just wait here if you don't mind."
"Suit yourself," the short lady hops onto her stool and scoots closer to Luz before prepping her station. "Now, what type of face do you want me to make, dear?"
"An otter, please!" Luz grins, "But just the features, if you don't mind."
"I never heard of a 'otter' but I do know how to make a Snaggleback face. Would you like that instead?"
"Mmm… I kind of prefer an otter, to be honest."
The old lady clicks her tongue and mutters, "Ai… alright, just describe it to me and I'll try my best. First lets clean this beautiful face of yours, ah?" Luz let the lady guide her up with wrinkled, but surprisingly, strong hands. She utters a whine as the lady's bony fingers digs into her cheeks while she lightly dabs a wet sponge over them.
"So, what does this 'Otter' look like?"
"Well, it has a cute button-like nose."
"I see… like a dog?"
"Yeah! People like to call them sea puppies!"
"It's an aquatic creature? So, it has gills."
"Nope, it's a mammal."
"No gills? Ai…"
"But it does have whiskers!"
"Whiskers too?" The painter clicks her tongue, "An abomination… okay, I think I got it. Now hold still!"
Luz clenches her teeth as the lady's fingers digs into her skin again. Amity stifles a giggle seeing her human making exaggerated faces. The painter casts one eye at her before focusing back to Luz as she carefully goes to work.
"Are you two together?" Amity's giggles get caught in her throat and nearly chokes her by the sudden question. She guzzles down a water bottle to relieve it but uses more so as a diversion in her hesitation to answer thanks to her last mistake.
Luz tries to fill in for her by answering herself. "Just recently! This is actual our-ow!"
The painter smacks Luz with her butt end of the brush and chastises her, "Hold still! I'm talking to the green one! Not you!"
Sorry, Luz answers with an apologetic whine.
"It's our first date," Amity finally lets out, still feeling the blood rushing to her face. "But we're just taking it easy and enjoying the place."
"Oho, I see! I see!" the painter muses, "How adorable! I hope all goes well for you two. Why I remember when I was young and in love…" The lady leans back as she trails off like she's about to delve into a story but said nothing before resuming back to her work. Everyone was silent for a moment before Luz couldn't fight her curiosity tries to ask before getting smacked with the brush again for moving.
"Okay, I think I'm done. Is this what you're looking for?" The lady holds a mirror in front of Luz showing the painted features of an otter face.
Luz beams, "That's it! Thank you, it looks great! What do you think Amity?"
Perhaps there was something magical in the paints the lady used because Amity finds it incredibly hard to be captivated by silly paint job. She didn't respond to Luz calling to her name for a while as she's caught in a daydream of a group of otters swimming around with Luz popping out in her costume with a fish in her mouth. Nature can be so adorable.
"I think your girlfriend broke," said the painter.
"She's been spacing out a lot lately, I hope she's feeling okay." Luz reaches for Amity and shook her arm while calling her name. "Amity? Earth to-er, Boiling Isles to Amity?"
"I'M AMITY!" the girl suddenly cries as she gets slingshot back to reality. She blinks and looks at the two people giving her strange gazes. She forces a cough and says, "Sorry, what was the question again?"
No one got a chance to reply before a group of people rushes by them with a few trailing behind. "Whoa! What's going on?" Luz asks while Amity lets out a sigh of relief on the topic change.
"Ohh, looks like the event is about to begin. Our fair likes to hold competitions and shows in the center plaza. You should check it out before getting on those big rides," suggested the painter.
"I do like live shows!" Luz said as she hops off her chair and drops a few snails on the lady's table. She takes Amity by the arm and hurriedly pulls her to the commotion. "Let's go check it out, Amity!"
"Okay! Okay! Just-stop looking at me!" Amity squeals, still unable to look at Luz with the cute decals on her face.
The painter waves them goodbye as they head out and scoffs. "Puppies of the sea… if you don't have gills then what are you doing in the water? Ai…"
The girls head over to the plaza where a large crowd has gathered. They see a man standing on a raised platform in the center but couldn't make out what the show was about. Keeping their hands locked together to not lose each other, much to Amity's anxiety, they worm their way through until they got close enough to see a large table with a few people sitting with a ridiculous number of severed tentacles in a bowl.
"Come one, come all! To the annual eating competition! Today, we picked out four out of five contestants to try and eat as much of these delicious, probably still alive, tentacles! Whoever manages to eat the most without losing their stomach wins a free group pass to next year's fair! But before we could get started, we still have room for one more volunteer! Any takers?"
Many hands raised to the air as the announcer takes his time to look over the crowd. Amity rolls her eyes as she doesn't bother to volunteer knowing this is just a staged show. They usually doctored the stuff to be more filling than it needs to be. It's a classic show scam. Only an idiot would try to fight this uphill battle.
"You there! The girl with the round ears! Step right up!"
"Yes!" Luz cries.
Wait, that's her idiot!
Amity pulls Luz back before she goes to join the stage, "Luz! These competitions are usually rigged! Even if you have a chance to beat them, you'll end up too sick to go more rides!"
"It'll be okay! My stomach surprisingly gotten stronger after living off of this world's food. I think it might even gotten mutated…" Luz murmurs the last bit, a little freaked out at the idea. Her spirit then took a dive as she assumes what Amity is feeling and says, "Oh, you probably would be embarrassed to see me binge eating in public…"
"Luz, I seen how you eat in the school's cafeteria. You're like a human black hole," Amity giggles.
"Rude!" Luz exclaims. Feeling embarrassed for being called out like that but knowing her to still find her charming despite that really touched her. The announcer impatiently calls out to Luz again. Amity sighs and nudges her forward, "Go ahead, you goof."
"Wish me luck!" Luz snakes her way through the crowd before emerging out on stage and takes her seat between the other contestants. The announcer begins with a countdown from five before allowing them to start. He loudly begins with the crowd joining in with "four… three… two… one… GO!"
Amity's timid cheer easily gets drowned out in the sea of screaming onlookers as all contestants digs in. Luz starts off strong, barely keeping pace with the fastest eater on her right while the rest falls behind. Despite her being supportive in Luz joining in, Amity is admittedly reluctant to cheer for her date. Even if she tried, most of the crowd is favoring the other eater and not her.
"Go get em, Luz!" boomed a familiar voice next to her. Amity looks up to notice Eda standing next to her with a large satchel strapped over her shoulder.
"Eda!?" Amity cries, "What are you doing here?"
"What, you think I'm going to let you girls run off without my supervision?" Amity blushes, wondering how much she saw of them before the Owl Lady laughs and says, "Kidding! I was just making my visit to Morton's shop before I been told about a competition happening here. Didn't expect to see my student up there but man is she nailing it!"
Eda looks down at Amity and lightly elbows her, "C'mon! You gotta cheer louder than that if you want her to hear you. Put your back into it!"
"Oh… I'm sure she's doing fine-"
"Uh oh! Looks like Round Ears is falling behind! Looks like she'll need some support if she wants to win this!"
Amity can feel Eda's 'I told you so' gaze on her and groans. "Alright fine…"
Luz punches her chest feeling her stomach slowing down. The food before her seems endless and is taking noticeably longer for her to chew. She thought about calling it quits now before she heard her name being called by Eda and Amity. Luz looks up to see Amity poking her head amongst the crowd with her Abomination hoisting her up.
Feeling the admiration rebuilding her spirits, Luz picks up her speed and shreds the food away with greater intensity causing the leading eater to recoil as bits of food starts flying in his direction.
"Whoa! Looks like Round Ears is unleashing her potential! It's disgusting! And yet… I can't look away!"
Amity lost herself in cheering for Luz as she manages to outpace the lead. The crowd shifts their cheering to her although only chanting "Round Ears!" and not her real name. But the effect is just the same as Luz is instilled with vigorous energy while the other competitors start dropping like flies.
With the last eater throwing in the towel, the crowd explodes as the announcer declares Luz to be the winner. Amity excitedly throws up her arms with her Abomination doing the same in celebration. Eda conjures a scrying eye to fly up close and emits a camera-like flash to capture the moment. The eye flies back to her where she slaps the back of it to spit out an image of Luz still munching away at the food.
"If only there was betting going on, she'd be making me real proud of her. Still, not bad for a human." Eda chuckles and pocketed the photo before turning to Amity as she climbs down from her golem. "I'm gonna head back now before you girls resume your awkward talks and painful flirting again." Amity glares at the witch as she disappears through the cheering crowd.
Even though it means they won't be going on any rides for a while, Amity is genuinely impressed with how Luz manages to pack in so much food. It would explain her explosive energy.
As the crowd starts to disperse, Amity reaches for her bag as she's about to join her on the stage to get her some water before noticing it absent from her arm. "What? Where did…" Amity glances around her, trying to remember if she had placed it on the ground when she had her Abomination riding on its shoulders. But her purse is nowhere to be seen.
Panic starts to set in as she glances around the crowd, wondering if anyone had snatched it from her. Luz carefully rises out of her seat with her stomach feeling swollen and looks down to see Amity frantically looking around. It took her a minute to realize that she must be looking for her handbag as she doesn't see one on her.
"Amity!" The girl turns to see Luz pointing over to the right and follows it to spot a figure wearing a hood over their head running away in the distance. Amity recognized the object in the person's hand to be the missing handbag.
"Hey! Where do you think you're going with that!?" Amity angrily takes off to chase down the perp.
Unaware of the theft going on, the announcer stands in Luz's way offering the free pass coupon and a handshake. "Here is your reward, ma'am! Say, I know this may be strange to ask, but we never had a human in our fair before. Would you be interested in volunteering in the Freakshow-I mean, Talent show?"
Luz swipes the coupon from the man and leaps off the platform while shouting, "Not now, sorry!"
The hooded figure looks back and sees Amity quickly closing the distance between. Just as she felt sure that she's about to grab the person, they suddenly quickened their own pace and pushes some person towards her.
Amity conjures her Abomination to safely grab the person from falling and move them out of the way to resume her chase unimpeded. "The longer this chase goes on, the worst it's going to get for you!" Amity warns them.
The thief says nothing and makes a turn around a closed building. Amity goes to do the same but when she drifts around her feet felt something small and round causing her to lose traction and slip off the ground.
Amity falls on her back and lets out a painful gasp. Slightly dazed and confused to what happen, she felt her hand touching a few marbles spilled onto the ground. She lets out an annoyed groan for falling for some cartoonish trick.
"Amity!" Luz finally catches up to her and helps her off the ground. "Are you okay?"
"No…" Amity grunts, feeling the aching pain in her back but luckily notices no injuries. "They got away… my bank card, my belongings, and our fast passes! They're all gone! If I see that jerk again, I'm going to rip them apart!"
Luz looks ahead and frowns, "Uh… maybe you won't have to."
Amity asks what she means before looking over herself. Right there on the ground about ten feet away from them is her handbag. Not lying down like the thief decided to toss it away, but rather sat perfectly down before them.
They both turn to look at each other then back at the bag. Both wondering why the thief suddenly gave up unless it got what they wanted from it. Amity walks over and picks it up, noticing the zipper on her bag is kept closed as well.
"Is everything still there?" Luz asks after Amity checks through the contents.
"Yeah… everything is accounted for…" Amity replies, relieved but still bothered from the experience. "That's weird, why would they just give up after getting the upper hand? They could have easily gotten away with it."
Luz shrugs, "Maybe they had a moment of conscious?"
"After making me slip on these marbles?" Amity glares at the spot while securing the bag over her shoulder. Something about this doesn't feel right with her. But with nothing missing or added to her bag, she honestly can't think of any reason to what made the thief give up.
"Ooh!" Luz clutches her stomach and lets out a groan.
"What's wrong!?"
"I think my body's not sitting well with me running right after eating myself full!" Luz cries. She glances around and sees a public restroom conveniently nearby. The color of embarrassment fills her cheeks as she knows it won't be possible to keep the contents in. "Uh… Amity? You mind staying out here… away from the restroom? I'm going have to… urk! Powder the heck out of my nose!"
"Oh… OH," Amity widens her eyes and tries to keep it low profile, "Uh, go right ahead. I'll just… stand here."
"Thank youuuuu!" says the poor girl as she charges in like a monster was chasing after her.
Amity shakes her head but couldn't keep that smile of hers from forming. Reap what you sow, but it's not like either of them expected an attempted robbery. She heads over to a nearby public bench and sat down while going through her belongings again just to ease her state of mind.
Regretfully, she never did manage to take a picture of Luz's victory because of that chase. Though she wonders if she should bother to begin with. If any chance her parents happen to see those images, she might unintentionally expose their relationship. But it bothers her not being able to keep any memories of them to herself.
But it's enough to be having this first date with her. Despite the hiccups and her anxiety getting the better of her, Amity couldn't remember the last time she genuinely felt this free with herself. No overbearing parents and no toxic 'friends' to make her put her guard up. Just her and Luz spending the day together like she wanted.
"There you are!"
Amity's skin pricks up at the familiar voice and curses her own luck. Boscha, the said toxic 'friend' she had just been hoping to not deal with today. Maybe if she turns her head away and ignore her, Boscha will just let out her petty insults and move on.
An almost fatal mistake as a flaming ball wooshes right by her face. "Hey!" Amity screams as she bolted to her feet to face her old friend. "I'm not playing around with you, Boscha! What the heck was that for!?"
"Oh, you know what it's for, you jerk!" snarled Boscha. She points at herself revealing her loose hair and clothes all drenched in some sort of dark liquid. A couple of her posse shows up in similar states including Skara with a conflicted expression on her face compared to Boscha's seething rage. "You think it's cute soiling all of us in Apple Blood!? My hair feels like a cafeteria mop! You got some nerves, Princess!"
Amity twitches at the nickname Boscha knows very well how much it bothers her. But she is admittedly caught off guard by her rage and the accusation she's throwing against her. Not to mention the state they're all in. Something clearly happened but obviously Amity had nothing to do with it since she was with Luz all day. Is this some strange way of Boscha trying to get back at her?
"First off, do not call me that. Second, I have no idea what you're talking about," Amity firmly replied. "I don't know what your plan is or if you're just trying to take it out on me, but I got better things to do than to listen to your wild accusations."
"Uh, hello? We all seen you running away from us! You think we wouldn't noticed!?" Boscha cried.
The other kids loudly chatter in agreement, even Skara who doesn't seem pleased by this nodded her head. "You didn't say anything when we were calling your name," she explained, "We ended up following you to this fair and-"
Boscha steps in front of her and cracks her knuckles. "And you're about to get a hard reminder why nobody, even you, should never mess with me!" She snaps her fingers for one of the groups to hand her another Grudgby ball before coating it in flames. Amity preps herself as she watches Boscha dropping the ball to her feet and launches it at her.
It was easy for Amity to jump out of its way, but what she didn't expect is the ball hitting one of the iron scaffolding of a nearby ride making it bounce back towards her. "Abomination!" Amity cries for her golem to launch her in the air and take the brunt of the attack. The ball blows a hole through its stomach, but it still manages to maintain its form long enough to catch Amity and let her down before dissolving.
Boscha catches the ball as it makes its way back to her and re-ignites it again. She angrily snarls for missing and arches her arm back this time, "Hold still, you backstabber!"
It was a direct shot but the increased velocity because of her temper came too quick for her to move. Amity controls the puddle of her Abomination to form a large hand and smacks the ball away.
Luz steps out of the bathroom while patting her belly, "Whew! Is it weird to have an appetite after letting it-" The ball dangerously whizzes by her head causing her to jump back and scream, "Ah! Why!?"
"Luz!" Amity calls out for her in shock of almost directing the shot at her.
Boscha turns her head to Luz while the other kid hands her another ball. "Huh, I wasn't expecting to see you here. But hey, the more the bloodier!"
Amity runs over and grabs Luz by the arm, "I think we should we go!" They both duck an incoming fire ball and bolt off as Boscha screams her throat out before sending the rest of the group after them.
"Was that Boscha!?" Luz cries while looking over her shoulder for any more attacks. "What the heck is her deal this time!?"
"Don't know!" Amity answers between breaths, "She thinks I done something to her!"
"Why would she think that!?"
"Again, I don't know! But I never seen her this mad before-LOOK OUT!" Amity tackles Luz to push her out of the way of the flaming projectile. They both roll into one of the game booths without an attendant and remain hidden under its counter.
The group catches up to the spot where they last saw them. Boscha strolls up to the ball she had thrown and kicks it up to her hands. Instead of continuing onward like they hoped, Boscha glances at the surrounding game booths, causing every attendant to quiver under her passing gaze. She snaps her fingers at her group and points to them, "Search em! I know they're hiding around here somewhere!"
Skara catches up to her as the rest of the kids disperse and grabs onto her arm to pull her away. "Boscha! Come on, this isn't worth it! Someone is going to call the guards on us! We should leave!"
Boscha pulls her arm free and growls, "I ain't going anywhere until I burn every bit of that Cabbage Head of hers!"
"How rude!" Luz murmured while peeking out of the counter before ducking back down. "Your hair is nothing like a cabbage! It's more like a sliced avocado since you got that brown roots going on."
"What the heck is an avocado?" Amity shakes her head, "Nevermind! Boscha is going to find us soon! We need to get out of here!"
"But she got her goons searching all over the place!" exclaimed Luz, "Even Skara is helping her! And I'm kind of more afraid of her. Boscha is more direct while she got this like snake-ready-to-pounce kind of anger."
Amity didn't hesitate the moment the idea came to her head. She dusts herself off and slowly rises to her knees without letting her head reach over the counter. "Don't worry, I'll get rid of them."
"What!?" Luz nearly raised her voice before loudly whispering, "But she'll kill you if she spots you!"
"That's right, it's me she wants. I'm not going to give her a reason to chase you too. You stay here and I'll try to lead them away. I'll come back once I lose them."
"Then let me help!"
"No!" Amity slides her handbag over to Luz for her to keep safe. "I'm not letting you fight my battles for me again. I couldn't be more than happy to be here with you. The last thing I want is for you to get hurt. Keep this safe for me until I come back."
Luz's eyes became filled to brim with tears as she holds onto her and sniffs. "But I don't want to lose you…" she whines.
"Luz, it's not like I'm going to die if they catch me." The sound of bloodcurdling screaming can be heard as one of the kids ransacks the booth. "… Maybe… but remember, Boscha only made it to Captain because I left. She's not going to catch me."
Luz hesitates to let her go. She tries to think of a better plan that could get them both out of this mess but every minute they waste gets them closer to their spot. She slowly nods and mutters, "Okay… but be careful. Getting beaten senseless by a bunch of bullies is not how I imagine our date to end."
"It's not going to happen. I'll make sure of it." Amity stands up and vaults over the counter without anyone noticing her until she waves her arms and shout, "Hey, Boscha! What's wrong? I think the Apple Blood suits you rather nicely!"
Boscha spins around and lets out a frustrated shriek, "Get her!" and wildly kicks the ball at her. Amity conjures an Abomination wall to block it and starts running away with the other kids chasing after her.
Once the coast seems clear, Luz peeks her head over the counter and looks worriedly in the direction where Amity went to. Not the turn of events she had hoped for, but it could have easily been worse. She was afraid of how bad she could've messed up their date. How Amity will realize what a lame person she really is and leave her. Yet the said girl is risking her hide to protect Luz.
No, she couldn't accept this. Luz climbs over the counter and starts making her way after them. "Sorry, Amity. But the last thing I want is for you to get hurt too."
~/~
"Wow! This really hurts!" Steve cries out in pain as he planted his injured, right foot to the ground to test it. He leans against his one crutch and awkwardly positions himself without making use of his wounded left arm too protected by a cast.
His partner, Roger, just watches him as he's currently occupied with holding two cotton candies in both hands. "You do know you could take an injured leave, right?" he reminded him.
"What? And let crime go unpunished in our town? Never!" Steve exclaims, brazenly raising his fist that was holding onto the crutch and nearly lost his balance. "Besides, if I didn't show up to work, then Lilith wouldn't have a chance to sign my cast." He lifts his leg to show the neat handwriting among others that states, 'Thank you for your service to the Emperor, -Lilith.'
"You know…" Roger scratches his head, carefully trying to avoid the sore spot where he mysteriously received a bruise. "It's still bothering me how you manage to destroy that creature alone, both of us waking up on a playground with me soaked in seawater, and neither of us having any memories of the occurrence at all."
"What, you saying you doubt my skills, rookie?" challenged Steve.
"No, it's just weird is all," he shrugs. "I'm still convinced someone kicked me in the stomach a bunch of times before I gain conscious."
"Probably just a stomach bug."
"That stomach bug felt like a sharp heel striking me eight times."
"Get back here!" The guards turn their heads over to the commotion and spotted a girl getting chased by a group of kids.
Steve excitedly jabs Roger with his crutch causing him to drop both cotton candies and points at them with it. "Those kids are recklessly running around in a crowded area! They're violating pedestrian safety!"
"It kind of looks like they're trying to hurt that girl…"
"That's also against the law!" Steve quickly shambles over to the direction of the kids and shouts at them, "Halt, in the name of the Emperor!"
Most of the kids stopped after noticing the guard with Boscha being the last to notice. One of the boy's points at him and says, "Look! The guy's got a crutch! We can't fight that! Let's get out of here!"
Boscha didn't get the chance to say anything before her group scatters in different directions, leaving only Skara left pulling on her arm again. "Boscha! Enough is enough! We got to go now!" she exclaims.
Boscha looks back to see Amity long out of sight and lets out a frustrated groan. "This isn't over, Princess! I'll get you back for this once school starts again, you hear me!?" she screams. The girls run away from the slow approaching guard with his partner fallen to his knees and weeping over his ruined snacks.
Behind one of the nearby tents before the kids gave up their chase, Amity was grabbed by someone and forced into hiding until everyone disappeared. She was grateful for the sudden assistance, but the gratitude got stuck in her throat when she realizes who her rescuers were. And neither of them was as happy as her.
"Way to go, little sis," Emira scolded her with a shake of her head, "I know you don't like her, but do you really think that was necessary?"
Ed shakes his head as well with a clicking sound, "You know pranks are only fun if you could get away with it. I know you like to take after your dear brother and sister, but maybe you should've started small…?"
"What are you talking about?" The words escape her mouth before her brain can catch up through all the escalations.
"We're talking about you breaking that shelf on the juice bar where those kids were at!" Emira exclaims, "You could've waited to get away or at least have either of us to bail you out without getting noticed but you just ran right through them! Were you trying to get yourself in trouble!?"
"But I…" Her voice trails off as the connection finally clicks. Boscha was telling the truth. It wasn't her who did it. The clone. It caused that mess. It brought them to the Fair where Amity and Luz is.
But why? Gus told her that the clone should have acted like her and be obedient. She had thought it was supposed to disappear once it manages to lure her siblings away. Even if it's sticking around longer like it supposed to, why is it purposely causing trouble for her and Luz?
She has many questions bubbling in her mind, but she still remembers her siblings standing before her still unaware of the trick she pulled on them. Regrettably, Amity feigns a guilty sigh and mutters "I… wasn't thinking… I'm sorry."
"I'd say," Emira rebuked, "That seriously came out of nowhere, I thought you lost it."
Ed nods in agreement, "Yeah, I can understand if you're upset about going back soon. Must be nice to hang out with Luz all day."
Going back? Ah, right. Her real home. Amity had genuinely forgotten she's only over at the Owl House because of her home being infested with spiders. She's really about to head back then. Despite her playing along to keep her twins fooled, she felt disheartened by the news. Her times with Luz are about to end.
Amity wasn't sure if she's playing along with the lie or trying to keep her walls up to not show weakness to her siblings anymore. She crossed her arms and looks away. Hoping they wouldn't notice her eyes going misty. "Get real…" she mutters, "It's just… personal."
Emira couldn't understand what her sister could mean but sighs knowing she's not going to open up to them about it. "Don't say we didn't warn you then," she said, "Just be ready to go when we come to pick you up in a couple of days. They haven't noticed anything yet, so if you could please remember what me and Ed are doing for you, try not to get into any more trouble again?"
"It would be hard to explain to mom how you're staying over at the person you're trying to annoy," Ed commented.
"I get it," Amity slowly nods, "I'll be careful."
"Now that that's over with, I wonder where Luz ran off to?" Ed mentions to them.
Emira shrugs and shoots a glance at Amity, "She probably went home since we ended up ditching her thanks to someone."
Luz! Amity almost broke character realizing the Copy must be making its way to her now. "Uh… weird question, when and where did you two lose me at when I was running from them?"
It was a risky question, one that caught them both by surprise. But if the Copy was intending to get them both hurt and separate them, then it could very well hurt Luz who is likely to think it's Amity coming back to her. She can't let that happen.
"Somewhere in the marketplace," Ed answers with a shrug, "Remember? We couldn't find you for an hour until we heard that commotion at the juice bar."
An hour. Thinking back to it now, it seems awfully convenient how the thief led them to a spot where Boscha and her goons encountered them. Gus said the Copy should imitate all her characteristics. Meaning its just as intelligent as her and have been creating a plan when while it pretended to obey its initial orders.
Amity can't waste any more time now that Luz could be in danger. The fear of whatever that Copy has in store for her made her suddenly blurt, "If that's all, then I got to go!"
Emira grabs Amity's collar just as she tries to run by and pulls her back, "Would you just slow down for one minute? You been acting weird and out of character all day. What's really going on, Amity? Even you wouldn't act this way on your worst days."
Amity shakes her hand away. "Just… " She pauses to take a deep breath in and then calmly replies, "Just for this one time, can you two just give me some space? I'm not saying to get lost. I will explain everything to you later. But there's somewhere I have to be right now."
She could have easily given it up and tell them everything. But not with Luz's life on the line. The twins look at each other again, Emira clearly annoyed and Ed looking unsure about the situation. They shrug and Emira mutters, "Fine, we'll get off your back… just this once."
Ed ruffles Amity's hair on his way out saying, "We'll be around if you change your mind, get on your knees, and beg for us to hang with you." The twins chuckle at that and waves her off before leaving.
Now with them out of the picture, Amity goes back to searching for either Luz or the Copy. The last time she seen Luz was at that area with the surrounding game booths. It didn't take long for her to go back, now that she doesn't have to worry about running into Boscha again. But when she approached the abandoned booth where she last saw her and calls out for her, she received no reply.
"Luz!? Where are you?" Amity cries out. She was supposed to be waiting for her. Did the Copy get to her first?
Seeing no other option, Amity runs up to the first person she sees manning one of the nearby booths. "Excuse me! Did you see a human around here? Tanned skin? Brown hair? Has a silly, cute looking otter face?"
"What's an otter?"
"It's like a… water dog or something? I don't know! Can you just tell me where she went?"
The person points to the south that leads further in to where more game booths are located, "I think I saw someone matching that description heading down that way. Weird, I'm getting a déjà vu here. Could have sworn someone like you had already asked me that today."
The Copy. It already gotten ahead of her. Amity thanks the man and speeds off to the direction where he said they were going. Her mind racing with fear wondering where they are and why the Copy decided to attack them. What is it that she's missing? What could have cause it to rebel out of nowhere?
"I'm so glad you're okay!"
Amity stops in her tracks hearing Luz's voice close by. Using one of the booths nearby as cover, Amity spots Luz walking around the bustling area. As relieved she is to see her safe, her heart falters when she spotted the person she is talking to. The Copy pretending to be her, wearing her handbag and smiling ear to ear.
"It was easy shaking her off," It says, "She only made Captain of Banshees because I left, you know."
Luz lightly elbows her, "You already said that, silly!"
"O-oh, yeah! Sorry, all that running got my brain feeling like mush."
"I know what you mean, P.E. classes at home does that to me too." Luz stops by one of the booths and inspects the prizes hanging from the rack. Stuffed toys of all sorts of animalistic variety that are just as big as her. She imagines King would love to have one of these 'soldiers' in his widdle army.
"Hey, why don't we play a few games here! Amity, you still have some snails on you, right?" Luz turns to suddenly see her missing. She frowns and looks around to see where wondered off to. "Amity? Where you go-mity?"
What Luz missed is Amity grabbing her Copy and forcing it away from her. She pulls her Copy through the tight pathway between the booths and presses it against the wall. "You!" she growls.
"Hello me," the Copy calmly replies.
"Don't 'Hello' me! What the heck were you trying back there!? Stealing my belongings! Sending Boscha and her friends after us!? You were only supposed to lead the twins away! Why are you trying to hurt us?"
"Oh please," the Copy waves at her accusations, "I would never hurt Luz. We both know you would protect her from them. And thanks to you, she's safe. Just as I expected."
She expected Amity to protect her? What purpose could she have for doing that? If she wasn't pretending to be her to get close to Luz with malicious intent, then…
"You…" Amity couldn't believe as the words were coming out of her, "You wanted us to be separated. So, you could step in as me and she wouldn't know… You're trying to steal my date!?"
"Bingo."
"Why!?" Amity cries out.
"Are you seriously asking me that?" the Copy chuckles, "Gus made me to be the perfect copy of you. That means all memories. All personality. All emotions. I can see why you like her so much. She's so sweet and adorable in person!"
It's nearly impossible to distinguish the growing red colors on Amity's face to be the result of either anger or embarrassment. Let's go with both. "I don't know if you happen to hit your head or anything, but in case you need a reminder: I am the one whose going on this date. You're just a figment of a spell used to distract the twins!"
"Exactly, I'm only going to exist today. So why not let me have my last wish and go out with Luz?" the Copy replied.
"This is our first date!"
"And you get to have your second, third, fourth, and twentieth after." The Copy crosses her arms and sighs, "You have any idea how selfish you sound right now?"
Amity slams her fist against the wall next to the Copy's head. It doesn't flinch and just silently stares back at her as she leans in close with a threatening tone. "Listen here, Faker. I been looking forward to this all day and have been through enough because of you. I may not have the means to dispel you but we both know full well of my magical capabilities. You may copy my memories and looks, but illusions can't cast magic themselves. Since I'm in a good mood, I'm willing to let you go so you can enjoy life a little longer if you cut this act you're pulling and back off right now!"
The Copy says nothing for a moment and glances at her arm then back to her. Amity has her other hand ready to summon her Abomination until the Copy lets out a quiet groan and nods. "You're right, I'm just an illusion. These feelings are just a reflection of yours, after all. I'm sorry."
Amity backs away but keeps her hands ready in case the clone decides to run. She promised to let the clone go but she isn't as foolish to believe it will just listen to her obediently. It mimics some of her personality but there's clearly something different about it. Amity will have to restrain it once it turns it back on her.
"Now, do you mind handing that over to me?" Amity asks pointing at her handbag.
The Copy complies and exchanges it to her before looking at her hair and saying, "You're not going to go out to Luz looking like that are you?"
Amity blinks and touches her hair at the comment, "What? Why? What's wrong with it?"
"There's something on you… it's right there-ah, no left-my left! Hold on, let me get this mirror out for you." The Copy pulls out a hand mirror out of her bag and holds it in front of her. Amity inspects herself and tries to make herself presentable again before meeting Luz. But she still couldn't find whatever the Copy was talking about.
Something caught her eye in the reflection. Her mind took a moment to register whatever it was. It almost looks a ripple going across the surface like water. That can't be. It must have been a trick of the eye… wait.
How come Amity doesn't recognize this mirror?
A flash of light emerges from the mirror, blinding the girl as she felt her body being pulled towards it. Amity lets out a scream, but it was caught off short as her body twists as it is getting sucked into the mirror. The Copy held against the recoil of the mirror as it absorbs Amity entirely and goes back into its dormant state.
The faint sound of pounding against glass can be heard before the Copy twirls the mirror in her hand to face Amity trapped within the mirror. "W-what is this!?" screamed Amity, her voice muffled through the layer of glass.
"Like it? I swiped it from a cursed relic shop before I lead Boscha and her goons to you. A mirror that traps whoever gazes into it. Guess now you'll know what it's like to copy someone else."
"Let me out!" Amity exclaims while banging her fists against the glass, "You think you can get away with this!? If Gus sees you, he'll know you're the fake and pop you out of existence!"
The Copy laughs, "Oh, I'm not worried. I already taken care of him."
Amity's face twists in fear before a new surge of anger rises in her. "What did you to do to him!?"
"Calm down, he's okay. I'm not a psychopath," the Copy shakes its head. "Let's just say something came up for him."
Meanwhile, Gus stands in front of Eda's shop holding an alarm clock in his hand. "Whoa!" Gus polishes the device with his shirt and holds it up for a better look, "This is the box humans use to control time! Oh man I got to get Luz to show me how it works! How much is it?"
Eda grins at her student's short friend and asks, "How much you got?"
Gus reaches in his pocket for the snails before hearing a loud voice calling his name. "AUGUSTUS PORTER!" The boy freezes in fear at his full name being thrown before turning around slowly to see his father standing a few feet away with his copy's arm in hand.
Eda silently takes the alarm clock from the stunned Gus and slowly descends beneath the counter. "D-dad? Oh, sorry! I think you're confusing me with the real Gus! He went to the bathroom and-"
"Oh no!" his father interrupted, "I'm not falling for that, mister! The girl with the green hair told me everything! I cannot believe you pull this 'swap trick' on me again! Fool me once, shame on me. Fool me twice, shame on you! Fool me eighteen times… uh, hm… you're grounded!"
"What!?" Gus wasn't surprised by the punishment, but rather at hearing who ratted him out. A girl with green hair obviously means Amity but why would she do that to him?
Mr. Porter grabs his son's arm, "Come on! We're heading straight home to discuss your punishment! I don't mean to spoil, but our bathrooms could use a nice scrubbing."
"NOOO!" both boys cried as they get dragged away by their father.
"You're not going to get away with this!" Amity screams, "Luz will find out you're a clone!"
"Will she now?" the Copy smirks, "And what reason would she have to expect that? Right now, she's in the bathroom thinking you're just out there waiting for her. The twins still have no idea about this trick you pulled, correct? And with Gus out of the picture, you're the only one could tell I'm not the real you. And here you are."
"Amity?" Luz's voice can be heard from the distance. Amity took the opportunity to call out for help, but her muffled voice becomes lost to the sea of screaming rides and chattering of bystanders. The Copy steps out from the pathway and heads over to the nearest trash bin.
"If it's any consolation, I will make sure this will be the best date Luz will ever have." Amity screams for Luz to no avail as the Copy drops her into the trash. "Don't wait up," mocked the Copy, giving Amity one last goodbye before walking away.
"Get back here! Luz! Eda! Anyone! HELP!" Amity continues to scream in a vain attempt for anyone's attention.
Meanwhile, Luz is still looking around for her. "Amity! Hey, come on where did you go?"
A pair of hands suddenly covers her eyes as someone presses against her back and says, "Guess who?"
"Ah!" Luz jumps and assumes a random, judo-like stance only to find the Copy. "Oh, there you are!" Luz breathes a sigh of relief, "Where were you and where did that come from?"
"Sorry! I was just throwing out some trash…" the Copy coughs. "I saw you looking for me and thought to, you know, do something cute… did you not like that?"
"It just caught me off guard is all," Luz admitted. "I thought you left me behind for a second there." She chuckles to herself feeling foolish for jumping to that conclusion.
"Don't be silly." Luz tenses when she felt Amity gently placing her hand onto her cheek and gazes longingly into her eyes. It was a strangely bold move of her to make considering how Amity was always the one to squirm when it comes to physical contact.
"Are… you alright?" Luz asks, darting her eyes back and forth between Amity and her hand.
"Never better!" Amity withdrew her hand and hooks her arm around Luz's. "Come on, what are we waiting for? We still got some daylight left, so let's get this date going!"
"O-okay…" Luz follows along as Amity eagerly pulls her away from the area, unaware of the real Amity calling out to her from within the cursed mirror.
Author's Note:
Apologies for the wait, with things coming up in IRL, it's becoming harder to continue working. I also appear to be suffering burnout due to such things. Chapters may come out slowly, but I do have an idea for the next arc and will be eager to work on it once I finish this one.
In the meantime, to address the issues of the Spanish usage, I sincerely apologize to my readers as I know next to nothing about the language but wanted to keep that character charm about Luz in the story. I have been relying on translation sites but knew I couldn't get away with it for long. As such, I will be looking for a Beta Reader who is fluent in both languages to help revise the Spanish bits. Once I finish this story, I plan to go over it and fix as many mistakes and make small adjustments before I put it on the shelf for good.
As always, thank you reading!