It had been a little under two days since Luz had returned home and brought her friends with her. She'd gotten them inside and patched up their injuries, thankfully most of them were scratches or bruises that is except for Luz who would most likely have a permanent scar on her eyebrow.
Once gathered around the table she asked the obvious question. "What happened to you all?" her friends looked to each other not knowing what to say or where to start. Eventually Luz started telling her about the Boiling Isles and of her so-called adventures. Going to the magical school Hexside and meeting her friends Willow, Gus and Amity who she noticed was holding her hand as she spoke. Are they an item? I'll have to find out later, or maybe just give them time as they looked like they just crawled through a war zone especially the blonde boy.
The more Luz spoke the more Camila realized two things, the first was that Luz despite her worries had made wonderful friends and had a good if possibly not so responsible mentor/guardian. "I mean sure she was a criminal but most of her crimes were refusing to join the coven system which as it turned out was a long-term evil plan by Belos to limit magic and force indoctrination." She saw the blonde touch his arm and look away as they small boy spoke up. "Well that and the scamming, stealing and general rule breaking." Luz looked like she wanted to argue but after a moment shrugged and nodded before continuing. Telling her of destroying and then trying to build a new portal. That was when she realized the second thing.
She's telling me all the good before she gets to the bad. Oh mija what happened over there?
Within ten tearjerking minutes she had her answer, or at least the answer they could get out. It was the pink haired girl… Amity if she remembered that picked up after Luz broke into tears after the words "draining spell" which was far worse than she thought it was. "As it turned out the day of unity was the day Belos was going to use the coven seal to kill all branded witches and flee to the human world."
Growing more worried she asked the question she wasn't sure she wanted the answer to. After all she was still trying to wrap her mind around their…. pets? familiars? Staffs? "And this emperor Belos?"
"He was killed by the collector." Hunter said with a haunted look in his eyes. The way he spoke and acted screamed child solider and from what she'd been told that wasn't too far off. But to her he looked all too much like a rescue dog taken from an abusive owner. The other girl Willow gave him a hug followed by Gus which warmed her heart.
"Well you lot are safe for now so how about we get you settled in." Sure the notion of sheltering four more children from another world was worrying but as she'd already adopted Vee she figured four more couldn't hurt.
The next morning however the first problems arrived. She had no idea what young witches ate. It had been confusing enough with Vee as she ate magic to sustain her powers but one or two of those strange cards was enough for that and she could eat anything else. But the others? When she'd come down in the morning, she'd found Hunter looking through the cabinets muttering to herself she grew worried, especially when she heard the words "no crossbow? I guess Luz's mom is more of a bow and arrow human."
"Hunter what are you looking for?"
"Oh sorry Mrs. Noceda I'm just looking for your hunting supplies. If I'm lucky I can catch something to sustain us for the week. Don't worry I can butcher and cook it myself."
"I see… do all witches hunt?" Please say no, please say no, for the love of God please say no.
He seemed to realize this wasn't' normal and stood there looking embarrassed. "No, just something Belos had me do. Told me hunting would keep me strong and focused. But I can still help! Just point me to the farm and I'll gather everything. Griffon eggs, spider milk, terror berries it doesn't matter." The way he spoke broke her heart. The desperation and eagerness as he waited for her response as his little red bird chirped on his head.
"Hunter, I appreciate that you want to help but you're a guest here." Gesturing for him to sit down she opened the cabinets and pulled her skillet. "Now what do witches eat?"
The bird chirped a bit getting his attention. Luz had told her that palismans could talk to their owners but seeing it was really something. "Really but Luz said…"
It chirped more before landing atop a cereal box. "Well okay, Flapjack says witches can eat nearly all types of human food." His bird chirped again. "Except something called mutton says it gives witches…" to her utter amazement and horror the little bird used his wings to mime out what she guessed was explosive diarrhea. "Apparently while witches can eat most human food humans can only eat a small percentage."
Well that's good to hear, although it does make me question exactly what Luz has been eating. Not to self schedule blood test for her later.
As she went about preparing a variety platter of foods Amity came down and stood at the doorway looking nervously at her and Hunter. If Hunter was a rescue dog, then Amity just from what she'd seen was a cat just like her palisman.
"Amity dear good morning."
"Good morning Mrs. Noceda and thank you again for letting us stay here."
"Don't mention dear and please call me Camila, that goes for you to hunter."
"Of course Camila so long as that's okay."
"Yes ma- I mean of course Camila. Is there anything I can do to help. I can help you cook or maybe summon some abominations to help." She asked a ball of purplish goo already forming into a hand.
"That's quite alright dear." As she turned around to continue cooking she saw the looks in her new charges eyes. "However if the two of you wanted you could set the table and wake the others." They were up and helping in moments dashing about and placing each plate and utensil with care before rushing upstairs.
Within the hour the kids had gathered at the table each one dressed in whatever spare clothes she could find on short notice. I suppose a trip to the thrift store is in order. Can't have them wearing whatever spare clothes I happen to have. Even if Amity and Gus seem happy wearing them.
Luz happily dove into her plate of sausages and orange juice sporting tears of happiness. "Human food how I've missed you. Not that witch food was bad in fact it was pretty tasty but it's still nice to have food that doesn't blink or scream when you eat it."
"Mija did the food really blink?"
"Only the tasty ones." She did her best to ignore that as the others looked at their meals. Gus had become more interested in the waffle maker then the waffles looking at the device and saying "It turns goo into delicious crunchy bread." He took a syrup covered bite and began humming with glee. While next to him Willow had downed her third cup of juice before eying the strawberries. "This orange juice is delicious, nearly as good as appleblood." Smiling Luz passed a container of lemonade smirking "if you like that you'll love this." Trusting her friend she tried it her eyes glowing green for a second before smiling. "Appleblood you've just been replaced as my new favorite drink."
Amity as well as Hunter while enjoying the food kept eyeing Camila or to be specific what she was drinking.
"Something the matter sweeties?" they quickly looked away but she saw their lingering gazes. "I take it you want to try coffee?"
"If that is alright with you ma'am"
"Amity, I told you it's alright to call me Camila. And yes you can try it but don't be too excited usually kids don't enjoy it. "Her gaze turned to Luz "Some even refuse to give it a second chance."
Luz's response was to raise a light blue can "Energy drinks for life."
Sighing knowing her daughter would probably never embrace the goodness of coffee she poured Hunter and Amity a cup.
Her first mistake was giving them coffee as the moment they tried it they got hooked. Her second was not wondering what caffeine could do to witches. Hunter nearly downed the cup in seconds despite its heat. "Titan that's good!" he cheered before quickly downing two more cups. When he went for a fourth and his hands were rapidly shaking Willow summoned a small vine to pull his hands back and wrap him up. "Okay mister that's enough from you." The thrashed a bit for a moment before seemingly calming down. "Willow I'm fine really just one more or two maybe three more cups of that delicious black nectar. After all I'll have to scout the area and secure the perimeter then maybe a quick three mile jog…"
Amity's response was a more subtle one as after drinking half she gently leaned on Camila's shoulder and began purring. Camila looked at Luz with a mix of surprise and amazement.
"Yeah, surprised me to. Apparently, witches can purr and hiss because of their different vocal cords. Amity claims it only happens with extreme emotions, but I can usually get her to with just a hug." quickly realizing what she said she stuffed her face and looked away face burning all but confirming there was something between the two girls. Especially when Gus and Willow exchanged smirks.
"That is adorably precious." She gave the young girl a quick pat on he head but after purring a bit louder snapped out of it before sitting up her face burning.
"Oh titan did I just….?"
"Yep, and it was adorable but that's what I like about you." Amity scooted closer to Luz happily finishing her coffee while snuggling her. To her right Vee had finished her cereal and seemed to be wanting to ask something while looking at Gus.
"Is there something wrong Vee?" she asked realizing that her newest daughter might be a bit freaked out at having magic kids that from what she told her saw her species as a monster in her home.
"Not really mom but I maybe wanted to ask that is if it wasn't to much trouble if maybe Gus could create a simple illusion for me. The cards I've had are nearly gone and they only had a touch of magic to begin with."
A bit hesitantly Gus asked. "You're not going to drain me dry, are you?"
"No! of course not! I'd never take more then I need and only what you'd willing give me. I might be a basilisk but I'm not a monster." Taking her word he created a simple illusion of a bird which Vee quickly absorbed. To everyone's surprise her scales which had gotten a bit dull quickly regained their colors before she transformed one by one into the various people around her.
"Thanks Gus that was just what I needed." Hearing this seemed to convince Gus that Vee wasn't a threat, and this activated his hyper curious nature.
"Amazing, what does magic taste like? Do different magics have different tastes? How long does each magic last? Can you use magic you've absorbed?"
He got a bit to curious and Vee feeling a bit nervous hid between her adoptive mother and sister. "Gus don't scare my new sister." Luz warned raising spoon already embracing the role of big sister much like she'd done with King.
"Sorry just kind of super curious right now. Sorry Vee I understand if you don't want to answer anything." As he drew back and Vee came out from her hiding spot spoke up. "Well to answer one of your questions magic doesn't have a taste, more of a very ticklish texture… and my favorite is illusion magic." They smiled at each other making Camila "awwwww"
Looking at the new group made her heart melt. Luz was teasing a blushing Amity as they ate while a tied-up Hunter was being fed by Willow the former trying act tough but happily accepting the food. Then there was Gus and Vee who had began describing different magics and their textures. Camila knew this wasn't going to be easy, but she was going to do her best to watch over and protect her new kids.