Luz and her new friends were getting ready for the Boiling Isles' celebration of Winter Solstice. Luz was excited to celebrate the holidays with her new friends, but she found one little thing odd. In addition to the decorations, she would expect from a Christmas celebration, people were making a point to bar up their doors and windows. This naturally perplexed her.
So, she went up to Eda and Lilith who had been more accepting of her sister and her mentor in recent times and asked them why everybody seemed to make a point to protect their homes as if from some intruder.
"Kid, you're celebrating with us, it only seems fair that you know all of our customs. Sit down and I'll tell you the tale of the Yule Cat," said Eda, who motioned for Luz to sit down between her and Lilith.
"Wait me too! And the King of Demons demands hot chocolate with his story!" insisted King who hopped onto Luz's lap. Lilith was able to make some instant hot chocolate with a quick wave of her hand (allowing the kitchenware to do the work for her). She had learned very quickly to give King what he asked for just to shut him up.
"Every year, around Solstice, a creature known as the Yule Cat stalks these streets. Now, do not be fooled by the cute, cuddly-sounding name, it is a terrible creature. He's a cat as big as this house. If he catches you in ragged clothing, he will eat you up. If he deems you lazy, then he eats you up. That's why every night for the Solstice we board our doors and windows up so we'll be safe. Mortals in a realm known as Iceland have encountered him, and told his story, hoping to increase wool production and a strong work ethic," Eda told everyone. Luz's eyes went wide listening to Eda's tale.
"But we'll be safe, right? I mean, we're not wearing rags and you guys have your magic-"
"Kid, you don't have to worry about a thing, I have dealt with the Yule Cat plenty of times. Our door is barricaded with some of the best protection spells imaginable, and after all, I used to transform into some terrifying beast, and if the cat knows its creatures, it'll stay away from this house," said Eda waving her hand as if to say 'relax.'
"But what about my friends? Should we tell them?" asked Luz.
"Don't worry, I know Amity's parents will have plenty of protection where they live. As for Gus and Willow, their parents have grown up with the legend as well and have taken the necessary precautions," replied Lilith who gently placed her hand on Luz's shoulder. That's when they heard a knock on the door. Curious, Eda went to go see who it was. It was Willow and her two dads carrying a few suitcases and parcels.
"Hey guys, is it okay if we spend the night here. Our place got infested with wood doxies and is currently being fumigated. We'd all feel safer in a home with some of the most powerful witches around, not to mention close friends than out there with y'know the Yule Cat and everything," asked Willow.
"Well, a friend of Luz's is a friend of mine, come on in!" said Eda. The small family came in, Luz helped Willow to her room in the Owl House.
"This is going to be great! A Solstice sleepover!" exclaimed an excited Luz.
"Just nobody touch my stuff!" warned King.
"Now don't be rude, remember, they're guests here because their home can't have occupants," Luz reminded him, she wasn't sure, but she thought King might have blushed at that.
That night, while everyone was having a peaceful meal they heard a large crash outside.
"Could that be the Yule Cat?" asked a nervous Luz.
"Well, if it is, let's just hope that it finds this house acceptable," answered Lilith. That's when Hooty made his appearance.
"There's a giant cat outside!" he exclaimed. That seemed to do it for everyone, the adults grabbed their staffs and headed for the front door. Willow sat cross-legged on the floor, muttering strange words.
"What are you doing?" whispered Luz.
"Growing some vines right outside the door to act as an extra barrier," answered Willow before returning to her chanting. King meanwhile ducked under a chair, holding his bunny plushie. Luz looked right outside the window, and sure enough, there was a giant cat-eye looking straight at her! Startled, she stepped backwards and collapsed into the chairs that had previously been around the dining room table. Tragically, her shirt got stuck on a chair which caused it to rip.
The Yule Cat broke through the window, but the adults were fast enough and put themselves between the feline creature and Luz.
"I thought you said this place was well-protected!" shouted Mr. Park.
"I never promised perfection!" answered Eda. The adults started hitting it with minor attack spells, hoping it would cause the feline to just go away. The Yule Cat just hissed in anger. Luz got the will to stand back up and shout: "Stop!" the adults were stunned as Luz ran right between them, grabbed a whole lot of turkey that was now just lying on the ground and approached the Yule Cat.
She placed the turkey right before her, she slid it over to the Yule Cat, and using some magic Eda had taught her, she repaired her shirt.
"See, it was just an accident. Take this turkey it'll be better than me," she said. The Yule Cat gobbled up the turkey in one bite and walked away. Everybody approached Luz.
"How did you know that was going to work?" asked Lilith.
"Honestly, I wasn't even sure. I just thought if it realized I wasn't wearing rags and got offered something else to eat, it might leave us alone," answered Luz. Willow hugged her friend. Willow's two dad's then used their magic to repair the hole in the wall, and since the turkey was gone, they ended up having lasagna that Eda had stored away.