Author's Note: I've had part of a pretty busy week. A practical test, a written test and the presentation of a study project.
But in the end I managed to graduate and get a diploma!
Although instead of celebrating like a normal person I decided to rewrite this chapter for the third time and start the series the right way.
PS. I inform you that there is a previous volume, a Pre-Canon, The Celestial House - The Beginning: The Hero, The Witch and The Owl, which talks about the paranormal adventures of Luz and Bruce Belmont in Gravesfield.
Fortunately, it is not necessary to read the previous volume to understand this story. The story will have to take place 90% of the time on the Boiling Isles.
XXX
Story title: The Next House - Boiling Isles: Monsters, Magic and Mysteries
Plot: For many people Gravesfield is a boring little Connecticut town, actually it's more like Gravity Falls, a natural magnet for the paranormal.
Since meeting Bruce Belmont, a young Monster Hunter, Luz Noceda has been involved in an absurd amount of supernatural phenomena.
One of Luz's favorite adventures was meeting Eda Clawthorne, there were squabbles that forced the Owl Lady to live in Gravesfield and pay her rent in magic lessons.
When summer has arrived, the Damaged Portal Key has been repaired, so Eda prepares to go home.
Naturally, Luz and Bruce decide to come with Eda to the Boiling Isles.
The Demon Realm full of Witches, Demons, Dragons, Sprites, Monsters, Ancient Magic and Mysteries of all kinds, is not in the least ready to face the impending storm that turns the whole world upside down.
Luz Noceda, Witch of Magic Cards.
Bruce Belmont aka Arkan, King of the Wizards.
Amity Blight, Genius of the Abomination.
Could we have imagined that a human, a hybrid and a pure blood Witch will be essential to start a rebellion and save the world?
XXX
Story Arc: Let's explore the Boiling Isles
Episode 0: The Departure of Eda (I)
Prologue: Welcome to Baker Strett
XXX [Begin summary of the events of the previous volume] XXX
Officially, it all started around the beginning of February.
After a bad school day, Luz has taken refuge in an abandoned mall, full of fantastic scratches, a place where young artists come to express themselves.
Luz instead of finding cute scratches to look at and photograph, ended up stumbling upon the supernatural.
On that day Luz encounters a Violent Spirit, a phantom creature who wishes to kill every living thing that comes within range.
Before things could take a macabre turn, Luz was jumped by a mysterious boy, dressed in black, who introduced himself with the artistic name, Arkan.
After several gunshots, a few explosions, a burning refrigerator and a sled pulled by a Griffin, Luz and Arkan escaped more or less safe and sound.
Arriving in a safe place, Luz pressured Arkan several times, forcing him to give his real name and an explanation.
Arkan is revealed to be Bruce Belmont, the last descendant of a lineage of Vampire Hunters and the heir to a secret society of supernatural scholars, Men of Letters.
After that Luz discovered the existence of the "Masquerade".
The world of humans is quite real, but they are not the only ones to inhabit it. Aliens, wizards, vampires, werewolves and other beings coexist with humans in the same cities, schools and jobs all over the world. Sometimes peacefully, other times less.
When there are problems or risks that the truth can come out into the open, the Clock Tower, the Holy Church or independent freemen like Bruce solve the problem.
Luz without hesitation or much thought, decided to follow the Welcomed to the Masquerade tropes, becoming part of the world illuminated by the moonlight.
After a long chat, Luz convinced Bruce to make her his partner, thus starting to protect Gravesfield from supernatural threats and above all to learn the mystical arts.
During one of their adventures as Gravesfield's secret protectors, Luz and Bruce met Eda Clawthorne.
The first encounter between an enthusiastic Neophyte, a Monster Hunter and a Criminal Witch from a completely different world was not particularly friendly, in fact it ended up with a burning cemetery and some demolished buildings.
Most importantly, the Criminal Witch's Portal Key was damaged during the fight, making Eda Clawthorne, the Owl Lady, an indefinite inhabitant of the Human Kingdom.
Luz feeling guilty and feeling pity for Eda, had a long conversation with her partner.
Ultimately Luz was able to convince Bruce to host Eda in his home and help her settle into human society.
In return, Eda would pay "the rent" through wizarding lessons, field assistance, and occasionally pretending to be Bruce's mother.
Other than that, there have been a ton of adventures and paranormal cases that filled the entire winter and spring period, giving Luz the best five months of her life.
For example when Luz found the Clow Book and accidentally released the 53 Clow Cards; collaborate closely with the Trinity Seven, the seven most powerful witches of their generation; save the Vampira Kiss-Shot Acerola-Orion Heart-Under-Blade during the spring break; protect the nun in training Index Librorum Prohibitorum; arguing with the Winchester Brothers; help Lord El-Melloi II find Morgan Le Fay's heir; find departments of extraterrestrial origin.
Occasionally they met one of the colorful characters like the Addams Family, The Immortal Wolverine, the Mysterious Priest Shirou Kotomine, the Puppet Master Touko Aozaki, the Living Saint Kanzaki Kaori, finally some deities like Loki or Khonshu.
XXX [End summary of the events of the previous volume] XXX
POV Narrator
This spring has not only brought new flowers and the return of migratory birds, it has brought with it a great number of changes for Gravesfield and its inhabitants.
Today is the last day of school, every kind of pupil or student is planning what to do for the duration of the summer vacation.
When the bell rang for the last, a flood of students came out of the school building, either going on their own or going out as a group.
A certain nerdy girl was the first to get out of school, once she stepped onto the curb, she ran so fast it made the school's track and field team the envy.
Paying no attention to school or class company, the nerdy student keeps running without showing signs of stopping.
The girl who walked away from public school in record time is called, Luz.
Luz Noceda, is a fourteen-year-old Dominican-American girl with tan is slender and lean build, 154cm tall.
Her short hair is purplish-brown in color, there are purple tinged locks on the left side. Her eyes are hazel.
Wear gold earrings with amethyst gems in the shape of raindrops.
Around his neck he wears a simple gold column, decorated with a small amulet in the shape of a wand / key holding a bird-like head with red eye gems, a beak and a pair of tiny wings on the back of the neck. head.
Luz wears a purple t-shirt with a complex logo on it reminiscent of an alchemical circle, high-waisted jean shorts, dark gray capris leggings, white running shoes, with purple laces.
Around her right wrist she wears a gold bracelet with artfully crafted animal totem trinkets.
The midsole of the shoes appears to be decorated with several designs that appeared to be drawn with a permanent black marker.
She carries a blue-purple shoulder strap decorated with star-shaped designs to hold her personal belongings and school supplies.
Luz is delighted, feeling as if she had just received the seventh volume The Good Witch Azura, with the author's autograph.
Luz's joy is not completely connected with the start of the summer holidays, a good part of her happiness comes from the fact that she managed to make an unprecedented performance.
For the entire second semester, Luz was not called into the principal's office not even a single time.
The success of this feat can be consigned to Luz's new friends and pastimes who provide a productive long where she can vent her infinite energy without repercussions.
This allows Luz to stay composed in the classroom and no longer have to invent new ways to make school more fun.
During the last hour of school, Luz presented a book report that could have gotten her into a lot of trouble.
Fortunately, one of her friends convinced her to do something simpler, saving time and effort on extracurricular activities.
Luz would continue running until her destination arrived, unfortunately she found herself in front of a red light, forcing her to stop for the moment.
'I personally wanted to do a project on The Good Witch Azula, use figurines, fireworks and trained snakes.
Too bad that after exorcising those cursed ghosts and studying for the final year-end exams, I no longer had the time or energy to do a project in my style. ' Luz thinks, wishing he could have made her plan according to her own wishes.
But her duties as Gravesfield's patron witch and student have filled her program to the brim in the past few days.
'Forget it, little old Luz, a 10 is a 10, it doesn't matter if you earn it by doing boring or fantastic projects.
Writing about the works of Arthur Conan Doyle was not that difficult, Bruce and John are yellow fanatics, being with them allowed me to memorize the plot of each volume. ' Thinks Luz, pulling a small manuscript with a large 10 out of her shoulder strap, deciding to waste more time she has to think about her project.
Putting the project in place inside the shoulder strap, Luz moves her gaze to the traffic light that has remained red.
"You ask me what's going to happen this summer?
I will probably meet other people from the moonlit world and have other adventures with Eda and Bruce.
Maybe I can find a cute Little Witch or a charming Sorcerer and have a magical summer love? "Luz murmurs in a low voice, with a little blush on her cheeks, wishing she was lucky enough to meet someone willing to love her in a romantic way, even if alone. for a summer.
At that moment the traffic light turned green. Luz begins to run at great speed again, putting aside her thoughts on the search for love.
Luz is completely unaware that in a few hours, not only would she be starting a new volume of her life as a Witch.
But in less than 48 hours he would have met the love of his life, even if the beginning of their love story would have been rather rough and would have taken place in an ancient temple surrounded by mechanical monsters and creepy puppets ...
XXX
Months ago, old Luz Noceda, the weird school girl, would have gone straight home.
Once inside the house, he would kill time with one of his many hobbies, until his mother returned or the need to study and homework appeared, deeply hiding the loneliness of not having real and human friends.
Nowadays, the new Luz Noceda, Gravesfield's Secret Witch, is rushing to one of her favorite spots in the entire city, the Owl's Emporium, a modest antiques located near downtown Gravesfield.
The owner of this shop is one of Luz's favorite people, practically a second mother figure and with any luck she would have become her stepmother.
Luz stands at the door of the antiques, wants to go inside and show her great vote, but the door is locked.
"Strange, the shop is usually open at this time." Luz said, starting out she had to look through the window looking for the owner, a more difficult thing than usual, because the windows have not been cleaned for a week.
'If Eda isn't here, can that mean something happened to Bruce?' Thinks Luz, pulling a compact purple with a mirror out of her shoulder strap.
At first glance it may seem strange that Luz Noceda of all people has such a tool, makeup is not her kind of thing.
Actually the purple compact with a mirror is called Compowder, it is a gadget with a large number of technological features.
Luz opens the Compowder, showing that the mirror is actually a screen, the bottom is a kind of keyboard, with a built-in scanner.
'Getting Bruce to watch a Totally Spies marathon was a great idea. In a short time he was able to replicate a good part of their gadgets. ' Thinks Luz, before starting to test Bruce's number, wanting to check if something happened during his time at school.
"What are you up to owl ?!" She exclaims a mature female voice, coming from behind Luz, bad move.
Luz having received a bad number of surprise attacks from behind, gaining some pretty violent reflexes.
Azura's number one fan drops the Compowder and spins around, leaving an elbow, followed by a kick.
Simultaneously one of the trinkets on Luz's bracelet begins to glow for a second, transforming a cute trinket into a golden dagger.
The person behind Luz found herself pushed against the shop door, a dagger held near her throat. If Luz hadn't instantly recognized the person who caught her off guard, the next scene could have become rather… bloody.
"Eda, what do you think of hiding behind me and frightening me, I could have seriously hurt you!" Luz declares, making the golden dagger disappear and takes a few steps back, creating a certain distance between Eda and herself.
The owner of the Owl Emporium is known in Gravesfield as Edalyn Marylin Belmont.
In fact, her real name is Eda Clawthorne, the Owl Lady, the most powerful Witch of the Boiling Isles.
Previously, it would be enough time in the Human Kingdom to make moderate trouble or steal a mountain of junk to sell at Bonesborough Market.
But now that the Portal Key is out of use indefinitely, all because of Bruce and Luz, mostly Bruce.
Eda had to learn to blend in and adapt to human society, so Bruce got an antique there to run, so people wouldn't question where he gets money from or why such strange garbage habits.
For the moment Eda's appearance is that of a tall, slender woman in her early 40s. Her skin is white and clear by human standards. Her eyes are amber.
Her thick, bright orange hair is held in a ponytail.
Eda's smile shows a screwed golden tooth sticking out.
He wears a blood red biker jacket, a black T-shirt, black leather pants and burgundy boots with high heels.
Her accessories consist of two orange spherical earrings, a spherical amber ring and a second silver ring with a rectangular red stone.
"For the Titan's sake I must stop approaching behind you humans, especially magical humans." Eda declares, feeling no hard feelings for what Luz did a little while ago, in the last few months, the Owl Lady has received a large number of unpleasant surprises from Sorcerers, Witches, Magus etc.
"Eda, why did you close the shop earlier than expected?" Question Luz, wanting to know why her magic teacher is planning on doing something, like going out on a surprise date with her mother?
" It's a secret." She replied Eda, with a devious smile, wanting to be mysterious and surprise Luz.
"Owl, how was the last school day, happy to be done with the children's prison for three months." Eda asks, wishing to know what Luz has been up to so far.
"School was boring as usual. But I managed to get a ten on his end-of-year project." Luz said, in a tone full of pride, showing her vote to Eda.
"A ten, my owl is such a nerd, one more reason to celebrate!" Eda declares, stroking Luz's head affectionately, praising her favorite human of hers for her emptiness.
"Is there a second reason to celebrate?" Luz asked curiously, wanting to know the secret she mentioned Eda earlier.
"I'll talk once we're somewhere more secluded." Eda said, pulling out of her jacket half of keys held together by a golden cross-shaped keyring.
The Owl Lady with Luz at her heels, walks in the direction of a certain Muscle Car, a Plymouth Barracuda built in 1970, painted fire red.
Stopping in front of the Muscle Car, Eda presses a button on the golden key ring, in an instant all the doors of the collection car open.
"Luz, get on board, today we are going to do something really important!" Eda exclaims, with a smile on her face, hurrying into the driver's seat.
Azura's number one fan, instead of getting on, remains standing on the pavement, not wanting to get into the collection car if the person behind the wheel is Eda.
"What did you do to convince Bruce to lend you his favorite car?
Is it even more important when have you ever learned to drive? "Luz asks, raising an eyebrow and giving Eda a wary look.
For Luz seeing Eda behind the wheel is a big red flag, the owner and daily driver of this Muscle Car is Bruce.
Luz's magical best friend, the person who introduced him to the secret world in the moonlight and helped him take his first steps towards becoming a true Heroic Witch.
Bruce is also a very possessive man of his machines and invention, especially on the Plymouth Barracuda, he christens Megas in honor of his favorite Mecha cartoon.
Hello extreme circumstances, Bruce doesn't let anyone drive his favorite car.
One issue that alarms Luz even more is Eda's terrible driving talent.
The Owl Lady may be one of the most powerful witches Luz has met in her life, that means something, because Luz meets some of the most powerful and dangerous women the moonlight world has to offer.
However, as good as Eda is at magic, she is just as bad at driving any form of wheeled vehicle.
Roller skates, bicycles, scooters, motorcycles, cars - each of these vehicles was reduced to wreckage in less than an hour with Eda in charge.
Not to mention the damage to the property or the dozens of people who nearly run over to death, if Bruce hadn't paid the bail and pulled some strings from behind the scenes, Eda would have been locked up in a prison for quite some time.
"I know what you're thinking, I don't drive that bad, I've improved!" Eda said, feeling slightly offended that Luz refuses to get in the car with her behind the wheel of her.
Luz doesn't answer, she just folds her arms and gives Eda a condescending look.
Azura's number one fan, not afraid of entering dangerous situations or facing dangerous paranormal creatures. But that doesn't mean Luz is suicidal, there are things she can't do either.
For example, telling her mother about her secret life as a witch or voluntarily getting into a car with Eda at the wheel.
Luz would have much preferred to face a zombie invasion or even an assault by the infernal legions, the residues of survival are greater.
"Luz, I'm not really driving Bruce's wreck, I'll just pretend I'm driving, the autopilot will do all the work for me." Eda said, delivering a reason to allay Luz's reasonable doubts and fears.
The Owl Lady, seeing that Luz is still thinking about whether to get on board or walk, decided to insist.
"Luz, for the Titan's sake, come in, come in, come in!
The two of us have to get to Baker Strett as soon as possible! "Eda declares, warmly inviting Luz to get inside the Plymouth Barracuda, wanting to start the engine and hit the throttle to full power.
Luz, having spent nearly half a year in the company of a Young Sherlock Holmes of the Occult, learned a few tricks of the trade, such as looking for people's unconscious cues.
'Eda is flapping her fingers nervously on the steering wheel, her eyes are looking at the time every few seconds, trying not to smile.' Luz thinks, having spotted signs of nervousness, impatience and euphoria.
Luz being intrigued and bearing in mind that technically the car will drive itself, reluctantly got into the car.
"Did something particularly good happen when I was in school?" Luz asks, sure that if it had been an emergency Eda would have behaved completely differently.
The Muscle Car moved forward as soon as Luz put on her seat belt, going close to the permitted speed limit.
Even though Eda isn't driving the collector's car, the person programming the autopilot system is Bruce, a person who has a passion for speed and car racing.
"You see, Bruce has been working on an extremely important project for me for a couple of days, it will definitely change our lives for the better." Eda said, with a big smile on her face, looking like an impatient person about to receive a big prize.
Luz's nerdy brain with some romantic veins, seeing Eda's cheesy smile, kicks in and elaborates a dream theory.
"You and Mom got engaged !? Camileda became official !?" Luz asked, joining her hands as if making a prayer, hoping with all her heart that the secret Eda mentioned earlier was about an engagement or even a proposal. of marriage.
"You asked Bruce to create a beautiful wedding ring, can I be the bridesmaid !?" Luz asks aloud, going a little crazy at the idea of seeing Eda and her mother in wedding dresses.
The Owl Lady's expression has gone from a euphoric and impatient person to a woman about to die of embarrassment.
"Luz, your mother is a very beautiful, intelligent, nice, good-hearted woman, with beautiful hazel eyes that makes you forget some Kingdom you are in ..." Eda realizing that she could make a long, cheesy list of Camila's qualities. , she decided to shut her mouth alone.
Luz is simply silent, smiling blissfully, trying to hold back a laugh.
"I haven't felt this embarrassed since my mother told me where the little witches come from." Eda murmurs softly, slapping herself lightly on her forehead.
"Owl, your mother and I have only known each other for four months, every now and then we go to have dinner together, watch a movie or walk together to the supermarket, nothing more. Marriage is still a distant thing, I would be over the moon if Cami He gives me a kiss on the lips. " Eda said, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment, wanting to make her relationship with Camila seem simpler and less engaging.
"Eda, I'll be 15 in five months, I'm not a child, I'm old enough to understand that you want a lot more from my mother. If it makes you feel better, you have my permission and my blessing." Luz said, with an encouraging smile, patting Eda on the shoulder.
"If the secret isn't an engagement or a marriage proposal, what makes you so happy?" Luz asks, wanting to know the origin of Eda's huge smile.
"If I speak now or later it doesn't change much." Mrs. Owl said, denying smiling, taking a deep breath, mentally preparing herself to tell the news to Luz.
"Owl, I was very happy to live in Gravesfield in the company of you and Bruce. I will never admit it in public, but I like to play the role of Edalyn Marylin Belmont, mother of Bruce, mentor of Luz," friend "of Camila Noceda.
But as you know I have not planned to live for the rest of my life in the Human Kingdom, I want to review my Native Kingdom. "Eda said, starting the discussion by pointing out two important facts:
One, Eda is very fond of Luz, Bruce and Camila.
Two, as much as Eda enjoys pretending to be a human, she is actually a witch of the Boiling Isles and wishes to return home.
"You will surely come home someday, but repairing the Portal Key takes time and work. Bruce is doing everything he can to get you home." Luz said, reassuring Eda that she will one day return to the Boiling Isles.
Azura's number one fan does not realize that that day is closer than she thinks.
"Luz, my departure day is today. Just last night, Bruce repaired the Portal Key, currently doing the finishing touches. If I want I can be back on the Boiling Isles in under an hour!" Eda said, throwing the surprise news bomb.
"The Portal Key is ... fixed." Luz murmurs these words in a low voice, remaining in shock for a moment.
Luz's expression went from happy to sad in a second. The source of her agony is pretty easy to understand.
'The Portal Key has finally been fixed, Eda is about to leave, Eda is about to go home, Eda my magic teacher, Eda the woman who has unofficially become my second magical mother, Eda is about to leave. .. without me.' Think Luz, failing in the least to maintain a facade of happiness.
Azura's number one fan, she must use all her willpower to hold back her tears.
The Owl Lady is not surprised at Luz's negative reaction, knowing Luz quite well she expected something like this when she learned of her imminent return home.
"Luz, don't make that long face, it won't be like we never see each other again." Eda said, putting a hand on Luz's shoulder, pulling her close to her.
"The Key and the Portal work again, that means I can come and go as I please and like. You won't even feel that I have stopped living in Gravesfield." Eda said, trying to bring the smile back to Luz's lips, feeling her heavy heart seeing Luz so sad about her departure.
" Do you promise ?" Luz whisper, in a shaky voice, looking Eda straight in her eyes.
If Mrs. Owl answers badly, Luz will surely burst into tears and wants to go home.
This is a bad possibility, because Eda has to break a second important piece of news to Luz.
"Owl, I promise that nothing and no one will be able to stop me from reuniting with you." She promises Eda, in a maternal and warm tone, referring to Luz as her flirt, ruffling the hair of her favorite student.
It came as no surprise to anyone when Luz reached out to hug Eda tightly.
For the rest of the journey by car, the teacher and the pupil decided not to talk, simply savored the silence and the comfortable embrace between them.
The Owl Lady doesn't need to marry Camila to be a mother to Luz, that's little, but sure.
XXX
In a short time the Plymouth Barracuda autopilot took Eda and Luz to one of the best residential neighborhoods in Gravesfield, the people who live here can boast of being wealthy or belonging to high society.
The red Muscle Car stopped in front of a large modern multi-level house.
The house has two garages, with above a lovely terrace surrounded by flowers, an S-shaped staircase leading to the main building.
Red brick, three stories high, a bunch of windows. Surrounded by a large garden full of flowers and small trees.
Everything about this place looks like it came out of a magazine for wealthy people who want to buy a dream home.
At least I was before Bruce, Eda, King and other magical inhabitants started living there, making the place less dreamy and more nightmare.
A huge totem pole was planted in the garden, depicting grotesque animal sounds.
Four gargoyles have been planted on the four corners of the house, appearing ready to come alive and eat offenders alive.
If you look closely you can find strange archaic carvings scattered on the stairs and other locations of the house.
A strange gray-barked tree with long leafless branches is planted in front of the house.
A diverse flock of birds, mainly crows, followed by vultures, doves, eagles are found perched on the branches of the skeletal tree.
Each of these birds stopped from their chores to stare at Eda and Luz.
These guard animals have traumatized a large number of mailmen, worse than what a certain fat, lazy, lasagna-eating cat could ever devise.
At the base of the tree there are three watchdogs who, unlike the birds, simply glanced at Eda and Luz, then went back to chatting to each other.
A gigantic gray-furry Tibetan Mastiff, 88 cm tall at the withers, could easily outrun Luz in height if it stands up on two legs.
The dog is so big that it could easily become a horse for younger children.
On the collar, above a bone-shaped medal is written his name: Dexter.
The second dog is a fine Dobermann who looks pretty normal, were it not for his intense gaze and the fact that at times his shadow appears to show two heads instead of one. Strangely on its neck there is a tag in the shape of the Yin-Yang symbol with the inscription: Jack & Hyde.
The third and final dog is a proud and vigorous looking German Shepherd. The most normal of the bunch apparently. On its star-shaped tag it says: Moser.
"I'm going to miss this place, surely I could do without all these creepy crows and leather shovels fighting with King." Eda said, casting a dirty look at a certain blue-eyed crow who's in the habit of playing tricks ...
"Let's go inside, Luz. I'm sure Bruce should have finished doing the finishing touches and packed his bags by now." Eda said, hurrying to walk towards the front door, leaving Luz behind, bad move.
Azura's number one fan has stood staring at the door of the house, not wanting to go inside and see how Eda will walk away.
Not even half an hour has passed since the Owl Lady made her promise to visit her regularly and nothing in the world could have stopped her from teaching Luz, everything she knows about magic and other more or less questionable things.
A small part of Luz begins to hate herself, because deep down she is well aware of what she wants Eda to stay in Gravesfield.
A more reasonable voice inside Luz's head says that everything will be fine, Eda will simply live in her magical home on the Boiling Isles, instead of living in Bruce's home, she just has to go through the portal to return.
A less reasonable rumor suggests that Luz may be convincing Eda to stay for a little while longer, bringing up the affair with Camila or the fact that someone has to keep an eye on Bruce.
Maybe suggest not to use the Portal until they are completely sure that it works properly without any form of hitch.
'At this moment I have never wanted so much for something to happen.
I will also be happy with the appearance of a new soul-eating monster or a witch with a troubled past falling from the sky. ' Luz thinks, walking slowly towards the entrance, glancing at each step towards the street, hoping that someone or something would come and reverse Eda's starting plans.
Unfortunately for once in Gravesfield nothing supernatural or threatening is happening ... at least for a month or two, then a certain war for the Holy Grail will happen.
XXX
[Beginning of description of the interior of the house]
The room the teacher and student couple arrived in here is quite bizarre, practically a combination of library, living room, office and laboratory.
On the right near the front door there is a coat rack, while on the left there is an umbrella stand.
The silver metal coat rack is covered with various garments including an old black leather coat, a fedora and a large indigo raincoat that has a cat tail, hooded with cat ears.
The umbrella stand does not only contain umbrellas, inside there are a large number of walking sticks; followed by a few baseball, hockey and golf bats.
The floor is made of ash wood, if you step on it there is a one in ten chance that it will creak.
Looking closely you can see the presence of subtle scratches that form rough runic writings.
Maybe if you step in the wrong way instead of hearing creaks you can get an electric shock or a burst of fire.
The walls are covered with an ancient green wallpaper decorated with a pattern that resembles a peacock's tail.
The room is not only incredibly wide, but also high, the distance between the floor and the ceiling is so great that it forms three levels, accessible via a spiral staircase made of ash wood.
For safety, the second and third levels are bordered by a wooden railing.
The room is lit by four large windows, three on each upper floor and a single window on the ground floor. Each of these windows are sealed with a frame and iron bars.
If the sunlight wasn't enough, four Victorian-style crystal chandeliers hang from the ceiling.
In addition to the chandeliers from the ceiling hang silver birdcages, held by silver chains.
If the three levels of height weren't enough to make this room bizarre.
The ground floor has also been "divided" into two halves, separated by a small wooden fence that reaches up to Luz's knees, the exhibition is largely covered by the same wallpaper present on the walls.
If the small size could be a problem, the wooden fence at an entrance, protected by a small two-piece wooden gate that reaches as far as Luz's navel.
The front of the room appears to be designed for socializing with guests or customers.
An antique pendant clock in the left corner, next to an authentic record player.
Not far away are two well-kept Victorian-style red sofas facing each other, with a coffee table in the middle with an ashtray, goblet, candle, notebook and pen.
The same pattern is repeated on the opposite side of this part of the room, only instead of having a clock in the corner, there is a door leading to the kitchen.
The front of the room is much more ... whimsical, looking like the office of an eccentric (crazy) investigator / scientist.
In front of the fence there is a very long table, the kind of table that is used for the New Year's Eve dinner.
This very long table is covered with several turrets of books on every subject imaginable for a scholar. Alongside the books there are all sorts of tools for writing and taking notes.
Under the table are several boxes filled with ceramic urns, covered with archaic carvings, decorated with caps in the shape of animal heads.
A second table is located in the middle of the room. This medium-sized table is filled with the equipment of a chemical genius or herbalist.
In front of the crazy chemistry table is a small mountain of luggage, a clear sign that someone is preparing to move.
Not far from the spiral staircase, there is a marble fireplace, above it there are imaginative statues made with various materials: ceramic, glass, stone, wood, bronze, obsidian.
An important thing about the room is the large number of shelves lining the walls, contending for several hundred books, perhaps even more.
However, there are quite a few shelves that are used to display a variety of quirky trinkets and trinkets, antique-looking weapons that should be in a museum, and various terrariums to hold planes and small animals.
Between the space of each shelf is a single glass lantern that lights up with simple candles.
In front of the ground floor window stands a pompous red chair resembling a throne and a solid wooden desk.
Finally, a few steps to the right from the chemist's table is a door that leads into the rest of the house which is fortunately less ... eccentric than the living room / office / laboratory / library.
[End description of the interior of the house]
XXX
Seated behind the desk is a 16-year-old dressed as if he were the protagonist of a Film Noir.
"There is a last refuge for the desperate, the unloved, the persecuted. There is a last court of appeal for all.
When life becomes too strange, too impossible, too scary, there is always one last hope.
When all else fails, there are two people sitting in a quarrel in a quirky house like they've always been there, and they always will.
The weird couple of Baker Street: Bruce Belmont and Luzura Belnades. "Says the young detective, rising from his chair, pointing a finger at Luz, gesturing to come closer.
"Assistant you are late, get dressed and do your part." Bruce said, making motions with his hand as if he were a Jedi.
The dark indigo raincoat flew off the coat rack, ending up dressing you over Luz.
Azura's number one fan is slightly confused by her magical friend's bizarre behavior, she wisely decides to stand by her side and see what's about to happen.
"Eda Clawthorne, the Owl Lady, after nearly five months the Portal Key was fixed." Bruce declares, opening a desk drawer and pulling out the Portal Key looking like new, free of cracks and any form of damage.
"The time has come to talk about the payment." Bruce declares, placing the Portal Key inside his leather coat.
'I've never been so happy to see one of Bruce's mood swings. Perhaps Eda's departure will be delayed. ' Luz thought, lifting her cat-eared hood to hide her smirk.
"What in the name of the Titan is going on here?" Eda asked aloud, not understanding at all what is happening.
"Simple, after everything the three of us have been through in the last few months, you think you can go so lightly.
Up to now you have paid / worked to live in this house and get help to blend into this world.
However, the payment for the repair of the Portal Key has been a subject not discussed among us to this day.
You will not return to the Boiling Isles without some insurance to pay your debt to us. "Bruce declares, in a serious tone, folding his arms and sitting back in the pompous chair.
A few seconds later, Eda had a little revelation about what's going on here.
'I thought Luz or King would be the ones who react worst to my departure on the Boiling Isles.
I didn't expect Bruce of all people to make a weird scene. ' Eda thought, beginning to regret focusing on taking care only of King and Luz, having forgotten about Bruce.
Eda's brain begins to go over everything it knew about Bruce, not much because it barely talks about his past and about himself. But some things are pretty obvious.
'I was Bruce's false mother for nearly five months, an orphan who my parents didn't know, before I met Luz they had no real friends.
Virtually Luz taught us both subtler aspects of human society!
As I imagined he would be indifferent to my departure, he could be an unparalleled genius of magic, science, deduction etc.
But he remains a 16-year-old teenager. ' Eda thought, realizing that this negotiation is just one of Bruce's weird ways to get her to stay in Baker Strett a little longer.
"Guys, I think we need to take a seat and have a long chat." She proposes Eda, very sure that obtaining the Portal Key from Bruca will be her greatest achievement as a mother figure or a scammer.
Keep on ...