A Day out, With the Owl Familia:
That's How You End a Day
"Are you sure you didn't hook up with daddy Blight?" Eda asked, staring at the last ride of the day. "Because I'm starting to see some similarities here."
Lilith ignored her sister's jab and looked at the ride herself. Amity has chosen the scaris Wheel as the last ride for the group, which was Lilith's favorite ride, ironically. She looked down at her daughter and smiled warmly.
Amity must have sensed her new mother's eyes on her and looked at her with a big smile. That smile alone warmed the former head's heart and it made her believe that this day will end on a high note.
However, when you're a member of the Owl Familia the titan wouldn't be so kind.
"YOU!"
Eda groaned tiredly as a familiar plant witch hobbled to the group. Lilith cocked an eyebrow when she saw the state the witch was in; there was a wrap around the shin that Amity and Luz had kicked earlier.
"Lily, I suddenly agree with you," Eda said dully. "This day has been a bad one."
Lilith didn't answer; instead, she gently pushed her daughter and niece behind her. She took out the last of her glyph cards she had on hand and handed an ice spell to Eda.
"Can we help you, sir," the former coven head said politely.
The witch, Shin, for a lack of a better name, glared at the older sister and then looked at the "knocked-down" couple who was sticking their heads out.
"Yeah," Shin replied sharply, "You can stay out of my way while I finish things up with your sister!"
Lilith nearly bit her lip to keep herself from groaning out loud. She had meant witches with one-track minds before but this guy took the cake.
"Sir," Lilith began, trying to keep her voice calm, "We stated before that my sister had nothing to do with the incident at the Bumper Carcasses. Now, if you will allow us, we like to go on one last ride before the day's over."
Shin wasn't having any of it and stood defiant not allowing the group to move. Lilith could feel her temper starting to flare up and it was taking all of her restraint to keep from using her ice spell to glue the witch in place.
"Sir," Lilith repeated, barely keeping her irritation out of her voice. "I will not repeat myself. So, please let us pass."
Again, Shin was fixated on getting even with the Owl Lady and began to make a spell circle. Well, a certain "knocked-down" couple wasn't going to stand for that, and the human and witch dashed from their hiding spot.
"No mess with mommy!"
"No bully Auntie Wu!"
Luz and Amity want to kick Shin in his uninjured shin, but the witch did something unexpected; he used his finished spell to put some vines under his feet and moved away from the group. This caused the two to become unbalanced and they fell after a second of trying to regain their footing.
With a small 'Oof', Luz fell on her butt and Amity fell on her stomach. In an instant, the sisters were kneeling next to their daughters and checking for injuries.
"Are you okay, witchlet," Eda asked in concern.
Luz looked at her witch mother with a big smile and Eda relaxed slightly when she saw that her kid was okay. With a sigh of relief, she turned her attention to her sister and niece. Eda almost covered Luz's eyes when she saw the state Amity was in.
The "knocked-down" Abomination witch had scraped her knee and it was bleeding slightly. She was fighting back tears as she stared at the injury, and Lilith was hugging the girl to her chest. The former coven head was gently running a hand through Amity's hair.
"HA! That's what you get!" Shin said arrogantly "But, if that's the child of one of the most powerful witches on the isles, then all I can see in that girl's future is working in the beast-keeping stables. And I'm not even an oracle!"
Shin began to cackle at his joke and failed to hear the sharp gasp that escaped Amity. Eda, Lilith, and Luz didn't, and the Familia looked at their newest member.
Amity's eyes had shrunk to the size of peas, and she wrapped her arms around herself. Lilith could feel her daughter violently shaking in her arms, and she could only wonder what was going through Amity's head.
Though she wasn't under the effects of a time rewind magic, that didn't stop bad memories from surfacing. And she was reliving the hours after Lilith took her as her personal student.
"Oh, dear Amity," Odelia said in that sickly sweet tone of hers. "That woman is no good for someone at your station. If you follow her all you would amount to will be a lowly stable cleaner."
Amity's breathing started to get irregular as the next part of the memory played out. She remembered Odelia taking a hold of her shoulder and wincing when her grip was tighter than it needed to be.
Now, if you follow me, dear, I will assure you that not only will you get into the Emperor's coven but you will be promoted at an even younger age than that third-rate witch."
The memory ended with Odelia's laughing and that was it for Amity; she let out a scream and began to cry.
"Amity! AMITY!" Lilith screamed as wrapped her daughter in a tight hug. "I'm here! Mommy's here!"
The "knocked-down" witch wasn't listening, she was lost in a sea of memories, all of her ex-mother using the same taunt over and over again.
Lilith, realizing what was needed, gently scooped Amity into her arms. She slowly stood up and hurried off, so her daughter could have some privacy to recover. She didn't even look down as she felt someone grab the rim of her skirt and, with Luz by her side, took Amity away from the witch.
Eda watched her sister leave the area and was conflicted; she wanted nothing more than to follow her family and help Amity. On the other hand, she wanted to stick around and gave this tool a good bashing. She feels she could do that much from her sister.
She felt a hand on her shoulder and was surprised when she looked into the rage-filled eyes of one Gilbert Parks.
"Go," the second Daddy Parks said softly, only to have his voice turn venomous when he next spoke, "We can handle things here."
Eda wouldn't deny it, the look Gilbert had and the tone of his voice scared her a bit. Still, she wasn't going to pass up his offer and quickly nodded. Gilbert smiled a murderous smile as Eda hurried after her family.
(SC)
"Mommy no likes," Amity muttered for like the tenth time.
Luz looked at her "knocked-down" girlfriend with concern but couldn't find the words that would help. After the Owl Familia had found a bench in a deserted area of the park, Lilith spent the next three minutes calming Amity down. Once Amity was calm and Lilith couldn't get her daughter to open up, she requested Eda to get a healing kit from a help booth.
Eda didn't put up much of a fight and just gave her niece a look before departing. That was nearly three minutes ago, and Lilith was starting to wonder if her sister had gotten lost, or distracted.
The former Coven head cast a sideway glaze at her family having heard her daughter.
Much like her niece, she was trying to figure out the best way to approach things and came up with nothing. She had figured that something like this would have eventually happened, but she hoped that wouldn't happen so soon.
Lilith found herself silently praying to the titan that something would happen to take Amity's mind off of whatever was affecting her.
"What got your hair in such a knot, Blight?" a familiar voice asked sharply.
Lilith felt like cursing the titan for the tenth time that day, as a familiar witchling strolled up to the "knocked-down" couple. The former head's body tensed as she readied her last spell glyph in case Boscha tried something.
Amity weakly lifted her head and sent a weak glare at her ex-friend. The potion student had a towel wrapped around her neck and a drink in one hand. Though she was smiling a bit condescending, the expression didn't quite reach her eyes.
"Go away," was Amity's weak reply, and put her head back into her arms.
Boscha didn't take the advice and got just a little closer. Luz didn't like that she was so close to Amity and jumped off the bench.
"Take it easy, human-"
"Luz!" Amity suddenly said, head shooting up and glaring at her old friend with a fire in her eyes.
Boscha groaned slightly and rolled her eyes, but went along with it. "Fine. Look, Luz, I'm not here for a fight…or get one of your Clawthorne's Shin busters. I just wanted to see what made Blight so gloomy."
Luz was too fixated on the name ' 'Clawthorne's Shin Busters' ' to notice Boscha's tone soften or the very light blush appearing on the three-eyed girl's face. Amity, having lost whatever anger she felt before, looked ready to go back to sulking.
"Look, Bright," Boscha said softly, "I could care less what happened to you, but if whatever breaks you that badly, then maybe you don't belong with your new family."
Well, that was Amity's first and final straw; her head snapped up and glared at Boscha with such intensity it was a wonder the potion student didn't melt on the spot.
"Mom loves me!" Amity screamed, her voice sounding closer to her natural age.
The "knocked-down" witch jumped from the bench and was in the process of summoning an abomination. Boscha wouldn't allow this and stopped her former friend by closing the gap and poking Amity in the forehead.
With a cute noise, Amity lost her concentration and rubbed the spot she was just poked. The newest member of the Clawthorne family glared at the smug smiling face of her ex-friend.
"That's right," Boscha said softly and pointed at Lilith and Eda who had finally returned. "That old hag loves with all of her heart. And if you ever forget that or what she did for you, then maybe you need to rethink your own life."
Lilith saw the fire in her daughter's eyes was starting to go beyond her control and decided it was time to step in.
"She's right," the former said warmly, stepping up to the children. "You have nothing to prove to me or anything else in this family. We love you for who you are and you shouldn't let anyone tell you otherwise."
The warmth Amity felt coming from her new mother caused all grief and anger to vanish from her eyes and happy tears filled them. "MOMMY!" she screamed as she threw herself at Lilith.
The ex-head witch returned the hug with all her might and whispered comforting words to her daughter. They stayed like this for a good minute before someone decided to break things up.
"Not that this isn't sickly sweet," Eda said lightheartedly, "But how about we fix boots up and get back to the ride?"
Lilith rolled her eyes but otherwise took the healing kit from her younger sister. Soon, Amity's scrape had been treated and a bandage put on it, and Luz got one just because she was pouting that her girlfriend had something she didn't.
"Edalyn, why don't you take the children and return to the ride," Lilith suggested, eyes landing on Boscha. "I'll be along as soon as I finish up business here."
Eda looked at her sister's uncertainty but quickly got the message and nodded. She took her daughter and niece's hands and hurried back to the Scaris wheel.
"Thank you," Lilith said gratefully, once she was sure her family was out of earshot.
Boscha just looked at the former coven head with a cocky grin and shrugged. "I just can't stand brats crying. Besides-" the three-eyed demon's expression softened slightly and a faint blush appeared on her cheeks. "I rather see a smile on that cute face any day of the week."
Boscha had whispered the last part, but thanks to her sharp hearing Lilith heard it anyway.
"Would you like to join us?" Lilith offered with a kind smile.
"Ha, and had whatever left of my rep ruined," Boscha replied with a cocky grin. "I think I would have the Titan crush me again then be seen with you dorks."
The potion student then walked away from the ex-head witch before she could say anything. Lilith just shook her head and hurried to catch up with her family.
Boscha stopped and looked back at her crush's new mother and her smile softened once more. That smile vanished when she heard a familiar sound and looked up. With a tired sigh, she made a spell circle and the small-scale replica of the titan's skull stopped mere inches from her.
"Let's see how you like it," Boscha said threateningly as she sent the skull back to whoever was throwing the things.
(Who indeed)
"Oh, Great and Wise Bill," Tarak said in an overdramatic voice, "Wouldn't our time be better spent preparing for the return of the Great Huntsman?"
Bill, the elder of the Titan Trappers, looked at his second-in-command with a dull look in his eyes as some of his followers were loading another titan's skull into a catapult.
"Oh, that can wait," Bill replied. "I'm entitled to my once-a-year fun and no one can tell me otherwise."
Under his titan skull mask, Tarak frowned slightly. He went to tell his leader that he has been having his once-a-year fun for almost a month now when he heard a noise. He looked up just as the skull they just fired came down right on top of them.
"My spine!" Bill groaned loudly. "But I'm okay!"
(Meanwhile)
"Well, Old Bean," Eberwolf said as the trio exited the amusement. "This served as a nice distraction."
Raine, surprisingly, nodded their agreement. Despite being against this at first, they couldn't deny that this unplanned day off had helped. Their head was clear and was ready to come up with plans to burst the BATTs out of jail.
"Also, Old chum, you didn't take anything to that noggin of yours," Eberwolf added chirpily.
Raine suddenly stopped dead in their tracks as their fellow rebel's words sunk in.
"I didn't get bonk," Raine said in realization and thrust their arms into the air. "I DIDN'T GET BOOONK!"
Raine danced out of the amusement park, not even caring that they were kinda making a scene. Unknown to the undercover Coven Head, Steve was watching him with a knowing smile.
"Steve doesn't have the heart to tell him Steve could have bonked when we ran into each other earlier," The loveable scout said, winking at the writer/reader. "Now, Steve is needed elsewhere."
Steve then slithered like a snake and disappeared into the ground.
(SC)
"What was in those potions?" Hunter muttered to himself.
The Golden Guard found himself outside the Roller Ghoster, having heard about another incident and wondered if his uncle was involved. Much to his relief, the incident didn't involve Belos. Instead, it was just chalked up to shoddy craftsmanship. However, what did surprise him was when he showed up and saw his uncle with a sign taped to his chest.
"Please don't bother the emperor," Steve read as he appeared next to the Golden Guard. "He had a bad day; please gave him a snail for his troubles."
Hunter cocked an eyebrow and looked at Steve. The loveable scout just gave his superior a smile and looked back at Belos. Hunter looked back at his uncle and noticed the snail pouch on the right armrest. Curious, he took the pouch and gave it a light toss. He was surprised at how full it felt.
Whoever set this up must have thought they were funny. Still, a quick look around to ensure no one was watching and he quickly pulled a hand full of snails from the pouch.
"Dude?" Steve said with wide eyes. "I thought I would never see the day…"
Hunter ignored the loveable scout and returned the pouch to his uncle's throne. He pocketed the money and looked at Steve seriously.
"Steve, get on a crow and tell a nearby unit we got a Code: B19-c," the Golden Guard spoke professionally.
Steve seemed confused for a second before his entire face lit up. "Oh, Belos's embarrassing moments. Got it!" The scout said, way too cheerfully, and gave a thumbs up.
Hunter slammed a hand into his face as he watch Steve take out a crow and began calling the nearest Coven Scout unit. The grimwalker let out a tired sigh and used his GG staff to cast a spell on his uncle.
That should keep his uncle in place until the unit gets here.
"After everything I had gone through today, I need some trauma to forget," Hunter muttered dryly, as he went to get into the line for the ride.
(SC)
"Do I want to know what happened?" Eda asked as the Owl Familia returned to the wheel.
In the short time, the Familia was away, things had taken an interesting turn; the plant witch looked batter and bruised and was nursing several large lumps on his head.
Perry, who looked a little disturbed, just replied, "Let's just say I now know where Willow gets it from, and leave it at that."
The Sisters Clawthorne exchanged uncertain looks but decided to let things be for the time being. The group then went and got in line for the ride.
The Owl Familia and company didn't have to wait long and soon the entire group was sitting in a Wheel cart. Perry had once again volunteered to stay with the prizes, but Amity wasn't going to let her friend's father stay out of the fun this time. With a quick spell, she turned the abomination cart into a small fort and glued it into place.
Gus cheered as his dad got into the cart with him. The Familia had chosen to ride the family version of the Scaris Wheel, and thus the entire group fitted in one cart, with their kids on their laps. It took a few minutes, but soon ride was underway.
While not the most exciting ride around (not counting the trauma it can give you), the group finally felt themselves relax. Suddenly, the ride came to a halt and Lilith felt like cursing the titan when she realized they were at the very top.
"Just wait," Eda suddenly whispered in her sister's ear.
Lilith looked at the grinning face of her sister and wondered what she was up to this time. She got her answer when she heard a faint boom and the awe-struck voices of the KDC members. She looked out the window and saw the sky lit up with fireworks, and how to wonder one thing.
"When?" Lilith asked her sister, realizing she was the one behind the event.
Eda just gave her sister a catty grin. "Please, a scape knee is nothing to cry spilled smilk over," the wild witch said mirthfully. "And all it cost me was two-week worth of Apple-blood."
Her expression softened as she looked down at her daughter. Luz was so fixated on the fireworks she didn't even notice when Eda lightly patted her head.
"But, we do things for our kids, to make them happy."
Lilith, once again, was taken aback by her sister's wisdom. She quickly put that feeling aside and looked at Amity. A soft smile graced her lips and lightly patted her daughter's head.
"Yes," Lilith whispered, just loud enough for her sister to hear. "I will walk through the boiling seas and back for our children's happiness."
It was at that moment that the sisters felt something entering their minds.
And thus let it be know
On this day, the true family of the Boiling Isles is born
When one shall come under the Roof of the Owls
They shall be cared for and loved unconditionally
It matters not if they be witches, humans, demons, or otherwise, In the house of the Owl Familia, all are FAMILY
SO SPEAKS THE TITAN!
(M Corner)
Originally, this chapter's ending was different; during the draft, we would learn that Willow gained her slight temper problems from Gilbert. A witch would cut in line and Gilbert would lose his temper and cause the entire ride to go boom. I change it to a softer ending so the newly named Owl Familia could have a little family time.
Now, just the final chapter and we can officially close the first story arc in my series. See you all soon!