The Owl Familia: The Family That Grows Forever:
Darius Stays Over
"Titan, how does anyone stay asleep in this place when that bird tube's singing show tunes all morning?" Darius grumbled, taking a seat at the kitchen table.
The current head of the department of internal affairs looked around. The only other soul in the room was the human's mother, who was making breakfast. The witch frowned when he saw something sticking out of the human's ears and could see the human's scroll playing something.
Though Darius didn't understand a lot of human items, he realized whatever she was wearing was blocking out Hooty who was in the third verse of "O' Titan". Whatever song Camila was listening to must be good, because she was starting to get into things; her hips were swinging with rhythm as she cracked some eggs into a pan.
She grabbed a jar of spice and sprinkled some of it with a little dramatic flare. She placed the jar down and did a spin. Camila stopped mid-spin and her eyes widened slightly when she saw that she had an audience.
Thankfully, before things could get awkward between the witch and the human, Luz and Vee went running past them. The "knocked-down" human and basilisk were giggling up a storm as they ran out the back door, much to the confusion of the adults.
Their confusion was cleared up when Hunter stormed into the room. Though she tried to stop it, Camila let out a short giggle as Hunter took his seat.
"What happened to you, little prince," Darius asked curiously, noticing the state of his charge's hair.
Hunter just huffed as he fooled around with one of the many ponytails Luz and Vee no doubt put his hair in. With a warm smile, Camila got behind the "knocked-down" grimwalker and helped him to undo the tie in his hair.
"Looks like Mija decided to have some fun since Eda isn't here this morning," the human mother said lightheartedly.
She finished undoing the tie that was giving Hunter the most trouble and was about help with the other styled braids when she heard a sizzle. Camila's eyes snapped open when she realized breakfast was in danger of burning, and hurried over to the stove. She quickly finished breakfast and handed it out.
"You two can start," Camila said kindly. "I need to go and round up my little troublemakers."
The human mother exited the house calling for her daughters. Darius frowned as he looked down at the meal; it was just some toast, griffon eggs, and slitherbeast sausage. Normally, the ex-Abomination Coven Head would stay clear of this kind of food, it's too fatty for his liking. Still, whatever spices the human had put on made him curious; it just smelled so good.
So, Darius cut a small section of the egg and lifted it to his mouth. He gave it one final sniff and gingerly took a bite. His eyes snapped open as the slightly spicy but surprisingly sweet taste hit him all at once.
Darius found that he needed to control himself as he quickly finished off the egg on his fork and went back for more. He took the sausage and took a big bite. The mix of spices and meat was also like nothing he had ever tasted before.
Hunter seems to share the sentiment, as he dove headfirst (figuratively) into his breakfast. For a minute the two ate in silence as they enjoyed their breakfast.
"Luzura. Veessa, what do you say to Hunter," Camila scolded as she entered the kitchen, holding one of her daughter's hands.
"Sowwy," the sisters said, only to have Luz giggle when she looked up and saw Hunter's hair.
Camila just sighed with a roll of her eyes and guided her children to their usual seats. Once she got the two seated, the human mother moved over to the "knocked-down" grimwalker and began to undo the braids on the boy.
She was undoing the last ponytail when the last two members of the Owl Familia entered. Amity was rubbing the sleep from her eyes and Lilith was fixing her glasses on her face. The former coven head helped her daughter into her seat before going over and fixing herself a cup of coffee.
"Am-Am!" Luz cried happily and leaned over to hug her future wife.
Amity giggled as she returned the hug wholeheartedly. Camila smiled at this as she finished with Hunter and took her seat. Lilith returned to the table and began to eat with the rest of her family.
For the next few minutes, the group ate in peace, if one didn't count the cute roar noises Luz was making. The mothers made small talk, and Darius frowned as the subject of the Clawthorne potion business came up
"Lilith, I have been curious about something," Darius said, getting the former head witch's attention. "You were recently promoted at the museum, right?"
Lilith nodded because her mouth was filled at the moment.
"So, why do you help your sister out with her side business?" Darius asked, "It must be tiringly, doing so much."
Lilith swallowed and looked at Amity with a soft smile. She reached out and gently wiped some egg off of her daughter's face, much to Amity's embarrassment. She looked back at the head of internal affairs, her smile not leaving her face.
"I admit, it was a bit of adjustment, but I managed," Lilith replied truthfully. "And I am mainly tasked with prepping while Edalyn handles the finished work."
"I would like to know why Eda needed to leave so early today?" Camila added, curious why the current bard had left before the sun was up.
Lilith gave the human mother a knowing smile and said, "We just needed a Morning Dew Tooth for the potion we are working on."
Darius and Camila gave the witch a confused look and Lilith just smiled at the "knocked-down" couple. Luz and Amity knew what she was talking about and gave their mother/witch aunt knowing smiles.
"Morning Dew Tooth are plants that collect sunlight and store it in their pastels for a whole day," Lilith explained knowingly. "They used on a variety of potions with glow effects. It best to get the flower when it first stores light."
Lilith heard the slight whine coming from her niece and looked at Luz. The "knocked-down" human was no doubt missing her witch mother because she couldn't do her usual morning routine.
Lilith offered her niece a warm smile.
"Have no worries, sweat flea, getting a Morning Dew Tooth is a simple task. A first-year potion student could get it without trouble."
(SC)
"LILY, YOU OWE ME FOR THIS!" Eda screamed as she flew at high speeds.
King, who was holding onto his mother's hair came into view and Eda scowled at her son.
"And I not taking you anywhere for a month," she angrily stated.
"WEH! HOW WAS I SUPPOSED TO KNOW THAT TRAPPERS WOULD BE HERE?" King replied. "I JUST WANTED TO GET AWAY FROM HOOTY'S SINGING!"
Below the witch and her son were the infamous Titan Trappers. They were chasing King as they wanted to take down the last known titan in the demon realm.
(SC)
"So, Edalyn should be home within the next couple of hours, and making the potion wouldn't take much time," Lilith explained warmly. "So you could spend the entire afternoon with her."
Luz cheered at this and went back to breakfast. Darius didn't even try to hide his disgust as the "knocked-down" human dove her face back into her breakfast, and was soon joined by Amity and Vee.
Darius sighed and noticed the look Hunter was giving his breakfast. It didn't take much thought to figure out what was going through the "knocked-down" grimwalker's head, and Darius couldn't help but grimace slightly.
"Little prince," the abomination witch said in a sterner voice than intended, "Though your title may have been given under false information, you should still strive to set an example for all to see."
Hunter flinched; it was just a little bit, but Darius still saw it. Darius felt like summoning an abomination and having him kicked for his blunder. He have to remember that his ward was still on the mend. If someone would also add his unfamiliarity with his younger body, it was no surprise he was still a little jumpy.
So, with a faint sigh, Darius tried to put on a warm smile.
"Just this once," He said gently.
Hunter looked at Darius like he had grown a second head. Darius offered him a quick but crude nod to confirm his words, and Hunter looked at his breakfast. He hesitated but only for a second, and then lightly brought his face into his breakfast. He made awkward but arguably cute roars as he began to eat his toast.
Hunter tried to eat like this for nearly a minute before he decided it wasn't for him. He straightened up and used a napkin to clear his face. He then went back to his breakfast.
Darius watched all of this with a small, fatherly smile. He wouldn't admit this out loud, but he found Hunter's awkward copying cute. He caught the two mothers looking at him with knowing smiles, and cocked an eyebrow.
"Is there something you would like to ask me?" he asked politely.
"Nothing," Camila replied casually and went back to her breakfast.
"Indeed," Lilith added before she took a long sip of her coffee.
Darius nearly growled at the two mothers but decided to let it go, and went back to his breakfast.
(nearly three hours later)
Eda had returned to the Owl House nearly an hour after breakfast. The former wild witch had some choice words for her older sister upon her return, and the two had taken their talk to their potion brewing room to have it.
That left Darius and Camila to watch the "Knocked-Down" Coven. Normally, this shouldn't be a problem, but it wasn't long before a few others arrived. Darius knew the plant girl, who was now close to hi-little prince, and the son of that well-known reporter. There was a bard girl who Darius didn't know, but had a feeling he had seen her before.
This filled Darius with a little concern; he doubt one mother could handle seven current children on her own. Camila proved him wrong when she suggested a simple child game to keep the KDC members busy.
Light-Catch was a witchling game where two opponents compete for a high score. The game was played with three sets of cubes and the goal is to score points by tipping a space when it lights up in one of four colors.
And at the moment, Hunter was failing at the game in a near incredible fashion. From his spot on the couch, the male witch watched his charge try to score a point. Hunter has a laser-focused on the center cube and went for the right side when it lit up green.
Hunter groaned when Vee scored the point when she tipped the bottom side. Darius sighed when he saw that Hunter was close to tears. He decided it was time for some advice and stood up.
"Little prince," Darius grunted as he took a seat behind his charge, "May I offer a suggestion."
Hunter snapped his head in Darius's direction and sent a glare at his guardian. The gesture was cute and didn't intimate the adult witch in the slightest. Hunter looked away, a little blush on his face and ears when he realized his glare wasn't working.
Darius smiled slightly and leaned in close enough so only Hunter would hear what he said next.
"As a member of the Emperor's Coven, you were taught that aggression was the best method to win," Darius explained. "However, this game has a pattern and rewards those who are observant."
Hunter gave his guardian a sideway glaze and then returned his attention to the game. His eyes became set on the cube on the right. The top of the cube lit up red, and Hunter went for it. He stopped when his guardian's words ring in his head.
Hunter tensed his body and watched for a second. The red light quickly went out, and that's when he saw it. Just before the light went completely out, it turned blue, and he quickly tipped the left side.
"Point: Hunter!"
The "knocked-down" Grimwalker cheered as his name magically appeared in bold letters above the cubes. Darius couldn't help but smiled with pride as he watched his charge's mood greatly improved.
It seems the little prince understood what Darius was trying to say; the first time a light appears on a cube that light was actually a decoy. The decoy light would go out three seconds later and give a hint to the light that was needed to score a point.
Hunter had figured that out and used his scout training to finally score a point.
Hunter looked at his guardian with a big smile, and Darius felt his pride soar. The Grimwalker returned his attention to the game, determined to catch up. The other members of the "knocked-down" coven most had sensed the mood, as Willow and Gus sat down beside Hunter.
No doubt the two wanted to support their friend. Darius did notice how Hunter's face got a little red when the plant user get close to him. Darius might have laughed at the scene if he didn't focus on his ward's opponent.
Luz and Amity were now sitting beside Vee and were giving the basilisk their support. Camila got behind her adopted daughter and gently put her hands on Vee's shoulders. Strangely, Darius did the same thing.
The bard, Skara, was just hanging off to the right. She was giving the game her full attention, though.
The two players gave their mother/guardian warm smiles and then turned their attention back to the cubes.
Hunter and Vee looked at the left cube and waited. The bottom lit up yellow and both went for the top when it lit up and turned red. Hunter quicker and get another point. Darius smiled proudly when his ward's name appeared again.
Hunter cheered again, but it was more controlled this time and Darius couldn't help but be happy with all the fun his boy was having. He blinked as he realized what the meaning behind his thoughts meant. He didn't get the chance to sort his thoughts out as the sound of the game got his attention.
He turned his attention back to the game but made a note to sort out his mixed feeling later.
The game continued for the next fifteen minutes, and it wasn't long before Darius noticed something. Once Hunter had closed the point gap, he began to hold back. Darius couldn't help but admit his ward at this moment; Hunter's body may be younger, but his reflexes were still sharp as ever.
So, he knew would easily win now that he knew the trick. Darius once again felt pride in his boy for this decision. He didn't even care about the slip this time.
In the end, with Hunter holding his strength back, it was a close game, but Vee won. Vee cheered greatly as Luz and Amity wrapped their sister in a hug. Darius smiled at the scene and turned his attention to his boy.
Despite losing the game, Hunter had a look of satisfaction on his face. It also helped that he was being comforted by his best friend and the witch he had a crush on.
"Well, I think I should get started on lunch," Camila said standing up and then looking at the kids. "Can you all behave for Mister Deammone? That means not giving him too much trouble."
The kids nodded and then broke into smaller groups to do their own things while waiting for lunch. Camila offered a small, sorry smile before she disappeared into the kitchen. With a small huff, the abomination witch stood up, worked a small knot out of his neck, and returned to the couch.
It wasn't long before Hunter joined his guardian on the couch, and Darius noticed how the boy was looking at him.
"Yes, little prince?" Darius asked suddenly.
Unexpectedly, Hunter lunged forward and hugged the older witch. Darius was surprised by this, and awkwardly put an arm around the "knocked-down" Grimwalker.
"I love you, daddy!" Hunter suddenly said, startling the adult more.
Darius felt a mix of emotions at the statement, but wouldn't deny it felt nice to be called daddy. He could even feel his face starting to heat up.
Of course, the titan saw fit to not to let the man's emotions go unnoticed.
"Awww, Uncle Dairy red," Luz gushed.
Darius growled at the "knocked-down" human. Luz was leaning on the coffee table with sparkling eyes. The male witch groan and was about to say something to the human witch when he heard a familiar cackling. He looked over his shoulder and saw the former Beast-keeper hanging on the couch
"Well, Old Bean," Eberwolf said mirthfully, "Looks like you are part of the Owl Familia now."
"When did you get here?" Darius growled.
Eberwolf just gave his friend a cheeky grin as he said, "I been here for nearly an hour. I have just been in the middle of an intellectual battle with Hooty about the meaning of our universe. Quite the smart fellow, that house demon."
Darius gawked a little at his friend's words; he wouldn't say that bird tube had anything close to intelligence. If anything, he would call the house demon the single most annoying creature he had ever known.
"So?" Eberwolf asked, bringing his friend out of his thoughts, "What does it feel like to be made a father and an uncle all at once?"
Darius growled as his friend's needling but grinned when a devilish thought came to him.
"Children," Darius called to the "knocked-down" group, "Would you like to play dress-up with…Uncle Eber before lunch?"
The response was almost immediate; all the girls' eyes were sparkling at the idea. Even Gus seemed to be getting on board with the idea. Darius looked at his friend and smiled smugly when he saw the look of terror on the beast-keeper's face.
"With all fiber of my being, chum, I loath thy," was the beast's quick reply, and jumped over the couch.
Eberwolf tried to make a mad dash to the front door, but forgot one thing; he had to go through a mess of "knocked-down" witches. He was easily caught in a mess of abomination goo and vines.
Darius couldn't help but cackle as he stood up and watch the "knocked-down" coven carry a whimpering Eberwolf upstairs. He was about to follow after the group, as he was still watching over the group, and wasn't going to soil his new titles so soon.
"Are you coming, my boy?" Darius asked when he noticed his son jump off the couch and head in the direction of the kitchen.
Hunter offered his new father a soft but shy smile as he said, "No, daddy. I would like to help Auntie Cammy with lunch."
Darius couldn't help but smile at this and nod. The two went their own ways, and Darius couldn't help but think to himself. Though it wasn't official yet, having the boy call him daddy filled him with a warmth he hadn't felt in a long time.
"You would be proud of what I made…Arrow," Darius whispered sadly.
(M Corner)
If you're wondering about Skara, that would be explained in a side-story, and if you would like my take on Darius and his mentor's relationship, let me know and I would put it in a Daily Lives chapter.
Also, in a couple of chapters, the rest of the Blight Family (-Odalia) would be getting involved. I would like to know one thing, do you want a "knocked-down" Ed and Em to have a fun day with their "Knocked-down" sister? Let me know!
