"It's kind of fitting to be back here," Luz said to Amity as the three approach the entrance to the Library.
Amity looks over her shoulder inquisitively, "What do you mean?"
"You know, how before we got along I saw you as some sort of rival and you hated my guts?"
"I-I didn't hate your guts!" Amity exclaims, though admittedly can't deny the resentment she held against her from the first time they met.
Luz smiles and leans her head onto her shoulder, "I know, but look at us now. A couple of dorks dating together."
Amity flusters but manages to keep her nerves down, "Dork should be singular in your case."
"Amity, you're an Azurite. It's already too late for you."
"Hey! Good Witch Azura is an amazing series that isn't afraid to tackle serious matters and has excellent character growth! Anyone who likes the series as much as us shouldn't be labelled as a dork!"
Luz feels her heart skip and shakes her fists in excitement, "Oh my gosh, where have you been all my life?"
Eda makes a disgusted groan like she had something nasty on her tongue.
The pair guides Eda into the building and steps up to the counter to sign themselves in. The Librarian looks up from his book and lights up at seeing Amity. "Good to see you again, Amity. Are you looking for a few books to check out or will you be staying for a while?"
"We'll just be staying," Amity nods to him, "I hope you don't mind, but I brought-uh, my baby… cousin with me!"
Luz whispers into Amity's ear, "I thought we agreed she's my cousin?"
"She looks nothing like you, shut it!" Amity whispers back. She clears her throat and puts on a smile, "Just to warn you, she's a bit of a handful."
"Ah, say no more." The Librarian conjures a muzzle around Eda's face and fastens it tight. She tries to pry the mask off but the thing wouldn't budge.
"I'm glad that you're here actually. We were supposed to have a volunteer to read for the children but she called in sick. Would you mind taking over for a bit, Amity?"
"I'd love to but I'm afraid I'll have to pass," Amity shakes her head.
"Why?" Luz sticks her head in between them, "That sounds like fun for us and little Eda here too!"
"Come on, you don't want to see me read to a bunch of kids…"
"I think I do!" Luz beams. "Would you say no to those widdle faces?"
"You really are pushy, you know that?" Amity sighs but relents since Luz seems adamant in this decision. Not that she doesn't want to see those adorable faces either. "Fine, I'll be there in a bit."
"Excellent! Thank you, Amity. The kids will be ecstatic to see you again."
Luz guides Eda by giving her a gentle push to the Child's Corner. "Over there, Eda! Let's get ourselves some front row seats."
Amity pulls on Luz's collar, "Oh no you don't. You got me into this so you're going to help."
"Me?" Luz's face slowly rises in glee, "Are we going to take turns reading to kids and do funny voices!?"
"Something like that," Amity pulls her in and whispers the idea to her. The two sneak away for a moment while Eda walks on her own to the kid's area while still trying to pry the muzzle off of her face. She keeps walking ahead before bumping into someone and falls back on her rear.
"Hm?" Braxas turns around to see Eda on the ground. "Oh, hi! Are you a new kid? My name's Braxas."
Eda tries to introduce herself but her replies only come out as, "Mmph! Mmhm mmph!"
"It's nice to meet you, 'Mmph!'" Braxas takes her hand and guides her over to the spot where the rest of his friends are sitting, "Come on! It's almost storytime!"
Eda takes her spot with the kids and tries again at messing with the muzzle before the children start cheering and shouting, "Miss Amity!" She looks up to see her and her Abomination pushing a large box up.
"Hi, kids! How is everyone doing today? Are you having fun?" Amity asks in a sweet tone.
"Yes!" the children replied.
"Before we begin, I want everyone to help welcome a friend of mine who is visiting here for the first time today. Say hi to my little cousin-Eda!" Amity shouts to the bright orange hair girl who is currently scratching away the strap with her leg like a dog scratching its own ears.
"Hi, Eda!" the kids greeted.
"Mmm…" Eda shyfully muffles while tucking her leg back under herself.
"Today, I got a surprise for you kids. The book we'll be reading today is The Giraffe, the Human, and the Cupboard. A story about a witch stumbling into another world filled with humans!" Amity declared.
The kids all collectively go "Ooo" at the title before one of the girls raises her hand and asks, "Are humans real, Miss Amity?"
Amity leans against the box her Abomination brought in and taps the side of it, "That's a good question, Sara. Maybe we should ask them ourselves!" Amity flings her hands in fanfare for Luz to pop out of the box and go "Ta daaa!"
That was the plan except the human girl didn't seem to pick up the signal Amity gave her. What happens instead is just an awkward silence of Amity stuck in pose waiting for her doofus to jump out.
"... I said, maybe we should ask them ourselves!" Amity repeated through clenched teeth.
"Huh?" Luz murmurs through the box, "Oh! Oh, right! Tadaaaa!" She jumps straight up with her arms waving but realizes she's facing the wrong way. Luz tries to turn around but leans too far against the box and causes it to topple over and send the girl's face directly to the floor.
Amity squeezes the bridge of her nose and shakes her head as her dumb girlfriend extends her arms on the floor and weakly mutters, "Tadaa…"
Despite the poor performance, the kids all laugh and clap their hands for Luz as she gets up from the ground. "Right," Amity sighs, "As I was saying. Luz is my… um, a close friend of mine. We go to the same school together. Does anyone have any questions for her before we get started?"
One of the kids raised their hand first and was called upon. The child stands up and asks, "Is it true you two are dating?"
Luz sucks in her lips like she just bitten something sour as Amity lights up like a traffic light stop signal. "W-w-where did you get that idea!?" she cracks.
"Braxas told us," one of the other kids said.
"Hey!" Braxas stands up over the child, "You said you wouldn't tell on me!"
"Settle down!" Amity fails to suppress the pitch in her tone but still manages to silence the kids. "T-to answer that question… I mean, that's… okay! Does anyone else have a question!?"
The children just looked at her for a moment before one of them raised an arm. "Yes, you." Amity nods to the kid.
"Who was the first?"
Luz didn't understand the question, "The 'first' what?"
"To confess," the child said with an innocent yet mischievous smile.
"It was Amity," Luz answered bluntly.
"Luz!"
"What?" Luz holds up her hands, "It's not like I mentioned the part about you having a crush on me for a while!"
"OOOooooo!"
"Shh!" the Librarian warns while passing through.
"Oh my Titan…" Amity drops her head into her hands wishing for the first time that she is back at home. Desperate to drop the subject, she claps her hands for everyone's attention. "Okay! Does anyone else have any questions for the human idiot!"
All the kids raise their hands.
"... that doesn't involve our relationship?"
All the kids drop their hands.
"Of course not…" Amity frowns. She casts a glare at Luz who tries to shrink in the background of the kids after taking her spot next to Eda.
Can't even tell who's the child here...
~/~
Donald Briar takes his seat at one of the outdoor dining tables as the waiter places down two menus. He asks only for a glass of water as he wants to wait for his fiance to show up first. The waiter nods and goes to see the others while Donald checks his watch to see a few minutes have already passed the expected time she was supposed to show up.
Across the road, King and Ms. Briar peeks their heads out of the bushes. "There he is," she declares, "my pride and joy."
"Huh," King frowns, "He's actually pretty decent looking for someone being your son."
"I'll ignore that backhanded compliment," she snaps. "Remember, we're only here for the harlot. If you put one finger on my boy the deal's off."
"Yeah yeah, I know. We're only going to ruin his chance of happiness. Now hand me the bottle." Ms. Briar gives him the cursed potion before King ducks back into the bush. The little demon crawls out from under trying to get in close without raising suspicion. Only he's doing this out in the open road and would've been drawing attention if passerbyers didn't decide to ignore him.
"I'm here!" Donald looks up to see his fiance bouncing over to the table as she struggles to fit her heel on. "I'm sorry for being late!"
"No, it's okay!" he assures her, "I just got here myself."
The woman sighs in relief and takes her seat. "You would not believe the morning I just had. Some old witch just tried to curse me!"
"By the Titan!" he exclaims, "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine, luckily I was saved by the most adorable little guy I ever saw." The fiance clears her face from her hair, "I would have reported her to the guards but I never did get a look under that hood of hers."
"I can't imagine why anyone would do that to you. I'm just glad you're safe." Donald puts his hand over his fiance to soothe her, unbeknownst in enraging his mother spying at him from a bush.
"Are ze ready to order?" The couple looks up expecting to meet their server but finds no one in sight. A directed 'ahem' made them look down to see King dressed up in a waiter-like attire and a thin fake mustache. He clicks his pen ready to jot down their orders. "If you would like recommendations, ze have a house special today: tomato bisque," he said in a terrible French accent.
The fiance squints at him, "Say have I seen you from somewhere before?"
"No," he shakes his head, "We did not meet at some park zis morning."
"Must be my imagination then," the woman giggles, "Since I just got here, I'll just have what he's having."
"Are you sure? In that case, can we get two orders of Reuben with curly fries-"
"No," King answers bluntly.
"Oh uh, okay how about BLT on rye?"
"No."
"Chicken parm?"
"No."
"... uh, I guess we'll have the house special?"
"Excellent choice, mysir." King takes their menus and retreats into the building. Ms. Briar watches in intrigue to where the small demon is taking this to. After some time has passed, King comes back out with a saucer carrying two bowls. The old witch caught a glimpse of the potion vial poking out from his pocket on his waiter attire.
"That little devil's a real devil!" the lady cackles, "Let's see how you'll keep Donny away from me now with a nasty curse on ya, you scamp!"
King knocks a nearby chair down to help boost him up to the table's height and distributes each bowl to them. "Your orders," he declares.
Donald's delight fizzles away as he looks down at his bowl and frowns. "Uh… excuse me, sir. But my food seems to have been… finished?" Donald clinks his spoon at the red-stained bottom of the bowl.
"Whatever do you mean, sir?" King replies as the fur around his mouth is still dripping with tomato soup. He wipes it off with the tablecloth and hops off the chair, "Zere appears to be a mistake, I zee. Worry not, I shall report to the chef to go easy on ze oregano."
"A-and to maybe bring back another bowl if you… please," Donald trails off as King quickly disappears back into the restaurant.
His wife-to-be pouts, "Should I wait?"
"What? No, it's going to get cold. Go ahead."
"Oh, but I can't eat with you waiting for yours." Ms. Briar leans with excitement as she watches the fiance carefully lifting the spoon close while cooling it off with a blow. But instead of taking the first sip, she extends it towards her son. "Here, you take the first bite."
Ms. Briar nearly chokes, "What?"
"Uh oh," mutters King who is watching around the doorway.
"I told you, I can wait."
"I insist!"
"... okay, fine." Donald leans forward to get a sip of the soup they have poisoned. Ms. Briar jumps out of the bush and rushes over to them. "NOOO!" she screams before leaping forward in a crazed panic to save her son.
The couple leans back in their chairs as Ms. Briar manages to knock the spoon away before body slamming the table and breaking the supporting legs. The old witch weakly lifts her head up and feels the hot soup soaking through her clothes but safely out of her son's reach. "Phew, close one."
"Mom!?" Donald exclaims.
"Oh," Ms. Briar lets out a nervous chuckle, "Fancy meeting you here, Donny. You dearies out for lunch?"
The fiance stares agape at the sight before noticing the cloak on her back. "Wait, I recognize this outfit… you were the witch from this morning!"
The accusation hits Donald in the face as he recoils in his chair, "What!? You're saying the same person who tried to curse you is my mother? But why would she do such a thing?"
Ms. Briar lets out another nervous laugh and shrugs, "I don't know what she's talking about. Obviously the girl must have a few screws loose. You should probably ditch this one as soon as you can…"
"Free food!" Everyone turns their head to the cry of Tiny Nose who runs up to the pool of tomato soup. She gets down on all fours and takes a lick. Her face suddenly twists as gurgling sounds can be heard from her stomach. She grimaces as her body shakes and contorts.
"Tomato… soup… power… OVERWHELMING!" she howls in a deep voice as her body morphs into a large, muscled body. "I. AM. BIG NOSE!" She lets out a terrifying roar and beats her chiseled chest before bulldozing through the restaurant. The building collapses like a house of cards sending out a plume of smoke and debris.
King pops his head out of the pile of rubble and looks down in the direction where the rampaging Big Nose is heading. "... I never could get a read of that one…" he says, as the fake mustache falls off his face.
The fiance gasps and points at him, "You're the same cute dog who was saved this morning!"
Donald pieces together the events in his head. The soup seemingly laced with something that caused… that to happen. His mother, somehow knowing the soup was tampered with, intervened from him taking a sip. And the same creature who was at the park happened to be the waiter who served them the meal.
"Mom… are you trying to curse my wife?" Donald stammers, barely believing his own words as they came out of his mouth.
Ms. Briar looks between the two staring at her while bullets stream down her face. She looks over to King and shouts, "The jig is up!"
"Don't say that!" King shouts, "You're just confirming everything they're saying!"
Ms. Briar runs over to him and scoops him up in one arm. "You'll never take us alive!" she shouts before throwing down a few seeds below her. With a touch of magic, the seeds sprout rapidly into vines and launch the two like a springboard. Sending them far away from the scene as King screams for his life.
The couple are left in shock from the display before the fiance looks around and taps her foot on the ground. "Check please!" she shouts.
"What are you doing?"
"I just wanted to say that."
~/~
The Librarian quietly hums to himself as he pushes his cart back to his counter. Keeping his mind focused on the tasks before him, he doesn't notice the entrance door opening as he bends down to collect the returned books he has piled beneath the counter.
The sound of a hardcover firmly hitting the countertop causes him to jump and hit his head against the desk. "Ow! Agh! Would you people please treat our property with a little more re-re-re-" the Librarian loses his words as he stands up to see the visitors before him. He clears his throat and bows, "M-Miss Clawthorne! Forgive me, I didn't know it was you!"
Lilith gazes back at the man with a straight expression and nods respectfully to him, "No, you are right. I should be more careful with your property. Despite how disappointing the material was…"
The Librarian slides the book to his side and reads the title, The Study of Curses and How to Treat Them. "I-I take it it's not what you've been looking for?" he said, feeling his tongue clamming up.
"It was not," she answered firmly. Not that I was expecting the answer to be there but still… She shakes her head of thoughts before her emotions rise and says to the man, "I am here to return it. I thank you for the recommendation nevertheless."
"Anything for the leader of the Emperor's Coven! May I recommend another book that might be more to your liking?"
Lilith sighs and brushes her hair, "If you don't mind, I like to take a moment to peruse on my own."
"Of course." The Librarian places the book on his cart and goes to the shelves to return the books back to their proper sections.
Her accompanying guard, Steve, walks up to her and asks, "Are we not heading back yet, ma'am?"
"Not yet," Lilith replies as she heads over to the shelves. "I tried looking for other ways for years but it's always the same. If only I could get my sister to swallow that stubborn pride of hers, everything could go back the way it used to… if I don't think of something soon I may be forced to take drastic measures."
"Just so we're on the same page here," Steve says, "You mean as long as it's all morally acceptable, right?"
"Do you believe the Emperor would frown upon such actions if he were to request it himself?" she asks, giving him a sharp glance.
"No, ma'am!" Steve salutes. "The Emperor's orders are just and absolute! All hail the Emperor!"
"I'm glad to hear that." Lilith chuckles. Before she could take a step forward several kids ran through her causing her to yelp. She takes a step back and feels the impact of a small child knocking into her. "Oh dear, sorry about that, little-one?"
Lilith stares down at the little girl with familiar bright orange hair currently shaking her dazed head. One of the kids ran back to help her up and looks up at the surprised woman, "Sowwee, miss. We're playin tag!"
"You kids shouldn't run around like that," Steve warns the children, "This is a place of learning! Not a slayground! Isn't that right, Miss Lilith?" He looks over to Lilith for approval but finds his superior starstruck. "Miss Lilith?"
"Huh?" Lilith blinks before it comes back to her, "Oh, yes. That is correct. You kids be careful now…" The girl apologizes again before pulling Eda along to join the others. Lilith watches them carefully before they disappear from sight.
Steve notices her acting strange and asks, "Miss Lilith? Is everything alright?"
"Yes, it's just I…" Lilith falters for a moment. Recognizing the child as to how Edalyn used to look when they were both young. A better time. "Just feeling a little nostalgic I guess."
Steve glances to where the kids ran off to and chuckles, "Ha, I see what you mean. But you know what they say. The best years are already behind us."
Lilith lowers her eyes and turns her back to him, "Yes… I suppose they are…"
Steve doesn't realize his mistake until Lilith storms off alone. The realization hits him like a brick as he follows behind while banging his fist against his mask muttering, "Stupid… stupid… stupid…"
Meanwhile, on the other side of the library, Luz and Amity are hanging in the lounge area. Now that Eda is off playing with the other children, the two decided to spend some time alone together. Luz sets up a pillow between her back against the wall while Amity takes a spot right next to her.
"So what do you think about this new guy they're introducing?" Luz asks while turning a page in her book. "I'm digging the mystery factor. Friend or foe? Potential love interest?"
"Better not," Amity mutters. "The cover art of him gives me more of a villainous vibe. I'd be more interested in that route."
Luz shifts in her spot without trying to disturb Amity as she goes back to reading her book. She sneaks a glance at Amity's face noticing how engrossed she suddenly became. Her sharp eyes glide across the text before her as her mouth silently mimics the reading in her head.
How often does one in a relationship keep thinking how strange it is to have someone so pretty and amazing to be into them? Luz finds herself unable to look away and admire her.
It's crazy despite them being from different worlds they somehow share mostly similar traits. Her appearance from last night was a sight to behold but Luz prefers the elvish-like ears she has. The curiosity in her compels her to reach out and touch them. Ever since she was a little girl, she always wondered what elves' ears would feel like. Now that inner child of hers is slowly taking the reins of her body.
Would that be too weird to do? Luz wondered. Maybe she shouldn't. But they are dating now and not really afraid of physical contact. It's fine. Just a little touch. She's so immersed into her own book she probably wouldn't even notice.
Gently and carefully, Luz reaches over to the distracted girl and gingerly touches the point of her ear.
"KYA!" Amity shoots up and covers her ear. Her mind reeling in surprise and shock. "W-what!?"
Luz holds up her hands, "Sorry! I was just curious!"
"What do you mean by that? Was there something on my ear?"
"No, I just… wanted to… you know," Luz taps her fingers, feeling too embarrassed to explain her actions.
"Wanted to do what!? What were you trying to-"
"Amity." The girl freezes hearing her name being called out by the Librarian. Beet red, she turns around to meet his eyes and finds him just as surprised as she is. He clears his throat and says, "Never thought I would say this to you but… shh!"
Of all the times she spent in this library, reading stories to children. Helping out with the organizing. And hanging out in her little room that the librarian was kind enough to offer. She has never, ever been shushed at.
As the man walks away, Amity's face begins to balloon up in a state of frustration and embarrassment.
Luz attempts damage control and says, "I'm sorry! Please don't be mad at me again! I probably should have realized it was a bad idea…"
Amity doesn't answer and just turns her back to her.
"Are you mad at me?"
"... maybe."
"Amity!" Luz was going to cry out but a child's voice beat her to the punch. The two turn their heads over to one of the kids that was in her reading session running up to them.
Amity's temper melts away as she sees the concern written across the child's face. "Sara? What's wrong?"
"S-something's wong with Eda!" the little girl mumbles.
Luz and Amity exchange worrying glances before getting up to follow Sara to wherever Eda is. They ran over to the far end of the library where the public restrooms are located. The rest of the children are crowding around the door before turning to Amity and Luz.
"Is she in there?" Luz asks, "Did something happen to her?"
"Eda was having a tummy ache and needed to use the potty," Braxas explains to them. He sniffs and worriedly fiddles with his hands, "She started making strange sounds and we're too scared to go in."
Amity pulls Luz in close to whisper, "Luz, does that sound like the beginning of a transformation to you?"
"I… I'm not sure. I mean, I can't imagine it being pleasant at all."
"Is she going to be okay?" one of the children asks.
Whether it's the potion or Eda's curse that's affecting her now. The two know they need to get the kids away first. Luz gets on one knee in front of the children and says, "Well, you see kids… what Eda is going through is a little something we like to call… puberty."
Amity snaps her fingers to conjure forth her Abomination to cover Luz's mouth from spilling any more to these kids. "What she meansto say is that… Eda must have a bad meal and needs to go home to rest. I'll let you kids know how she's feeling the next time I come visit, okay?"
The children all collectively express their disappointment in hearing them having to leave but were relieved that Eda will be fine. They all give their goodbyes and run back to their play area. Amity lets out a sigh of relief before putting on a scowl for her human.
"Puberty? Really, Luz?"
The Abomination parts its hand for her to speak, "I panicked! It seemed like a good idea at the time."
"How do you keep going back and forth between great ideas to the worst ideas?" Amity sighs and drops the subject for now. With the kids gone, the girls can worry about whether or not Eda has succumbed to her curse.
"Should we take a peek first?" Luz asks.
"Better safe than sorry," Amity replies, "If she's transformed then we'll need to quickly subdue and get her out of here without raising an alarm. I'll take poin, my abomination should restrain her."
Luz nods and takes her position near the door with her own spells ready. Just like this morning, the two get themselves prepared for the worst case scenario and ready to breach the door.
"On three," Amity declares, "1… 2… thre-"
The door shot open first, slamming right into Luz's face and knocking the poor girl out cold. Amity drops her guard over the sight of her girlfriend getting nailed in the face and covers her mouth in shock.
"Whoops," a girl about their height peeks her head around the door and winces at the sight of Luz. "Sorry about that."
Amity looks back at the person and widens her eyes. "E-Eda?"
The Owl Lady who was reduced to the age of a five year old now shakes her head to whip her orange mane back to reveal a grown girl probably around the same age as them. She lifts up the broken muzzle and tosses it away.
"Woo, felt like I had that on for ages!" said Eda, "Hey mom, I'm gonna head to town if that's alright. I haven't eaten in years."
Amity stammers to say something as Eda walks past her without waiting for an answer. "Y-you… but I-I… did you just call me mom?" On second thought, it's probably better to dismiss it. "You can't just leave!"
"Why not? I just wanna get a burger or something," Eda said. Judging from how she's acting Amity guesses this is either the time before Eda has yet to be cursed or just doesn't care about that. Regardless, without the elixir she can still turn any moment.
"Not without us," Amity tells her.
Eda scoffs and pulls her arm back, "Seriously? I'm not a kid anymore! I don't need you two to watch me 24/7!"
"We're not-! We're just concerned about your… wow, what is this right now?" Amity stops for a moment to realize how this is starting to sound. Regardless, Amity isn't sure how to explain to this teenage version of Eda about the curse.
Would she even believe the whole 'you may not know yet but you've been cursed to turn into a giant beast and that's why we can't let you out of our sight?' Even Amity admits it sounds like something an impulsive parent would come up with.
"I'm not trying to impose on you, believe me. I know how that feels," Amity said sincerely. "But we can't just let you go off on your own yet. At least let us-"
"You two just think I don't know anything," Eda snaps, "But you're wrong! I know a lot more than what you two want me to believe!"
Amity raises an eyebrow at the implication. "Wha-what are you talking about?"
"Oh, come on! It's so obvious! You and mom look nothing like me!" Eda starts to sniffle as her eyes go misty, "Just tell me the truth. I'm adopted, aren't I?"
"Wow," Amity stands there in wide-eyed disbelief, "I was not prepared for today."
"What's happening…?" Luz mutters weakly as she stirs out of her dazed state.
"Forget it! I'm getting out of here whether you like it or not." Eda turns around ready to storm off but Amity lunges for her shoulder to stop her.
"No, Eda! Just listen to me-"
"Let. GO!" The girl's eyes illuminate with golden energy as she pries Amity's hand away. With a stomp of her foot, a thin magical wave channels out and washes over the surrounding shelves. Books began falling one by one onto the ground and shaking as teeth began to grow between the covers.
The reanimated books snarl as one of them showcases their strength by easily tearing through one of the regular heavy books with ease. They all turn their attention to Luz and Amity and hops towards them while ignoring Eda who decides to make a break for it.
One of the smaller books camps onto Luz's foot which she manages to shake off and kicks away before being forced to back away with Amity as they surround them. "Was that Eda just now?" shout Luz, "What happened while I was out!?"
"Oh you know," Amity trembles, "Teenagers."
Eda runs towards the exit while ignoring the visitors she bumps into and the warning from the Librarian before barging out through the doors. Nearby, Lilith steps out from one of the aisles after having seen everything since the fight between her and Amity.
"So this is what you've been up to, my dear sister." Lilith stares off into the direction where Eda ran off to and starts thinking of a plan to herself. All the while, not noticing her subordinate writhing on the ground as Steve is trying to pry one of the living books from biting into his face.
Author's note:
Season 2 hype!
By the way, I already have an ending planned but I want to share an alternative ending idea being this whole fic turns out to be written by Hooty who shares it with King for feedback and he replies saying it sucks. You have no idea how close I came to make it real.