In the Human World:
Bamboozle
Camila Noceda trusted her daughter, but she also knew her daughter wasn't always the most reliable at interpreting things. For that reason, she contacted a friend the morning after Luz brought Amity Blight to their home, wanting to believe that no family could truly abandon their fifteen-year-old daughter at her summer camp to just fend for herself. Sadly though, having worked in hospitals had also taught her that many things that should never happen to people so young still did. What Luz said, about Amity's sexuality, was an unfortunately common reason for families to disown their children. It was not right, and the very idea broke her heart for the girl and for all the other teens and children suffering such treatment. She knew that if nothing else Amity's birth defect would make her extremely easy to identify if she was on a missing children's list.
"You're sure?" Camila asked the police officer again, a man who frequented the hospital she worked at. He sighed, also knowing what the results meant.
"I checked everything, no one by her name or description has been reported missing Camila. If she has a family, they aren't looking for her." He shifted a bit, shifting his weight from one foot to another as they spoke across the nurse's station desk. "If you want, I could come pick her up and take her to Child Services for you."
"No, Luz will already be upset when I have to call, I don't need to make her think Amity is in trouble somehow." Camila imagined her daughter, in a number of different scenarios, and there wasn't a one that ended happily with her sending Amity away.
"You know, since she isn't actually missing, there really isn't a rush on calling." He commented and Camila offered him a raised eyebrow. "I'm just saying, you have always said you wished your kid had some real friends. If it comes to it, I'm sure I could make a few calls and help get Amity officially left in your care."
"I don't think that will work but thank you for the offer." She smiled and he nodded.
"Just let me know if you change your mind, and in the meantime, I'll keep checking the database every so often. If she suddenly pops, I'll let you know."
That had been halfway through her shift, and now she entered the house with a heavy heart. She spotted King first, the strange little dog almost appeared to be staring at the door waiting for her. She knelt down, pulling a plush squeaky toy from a bag she was carrying and saw his eyes seem to light up. He darted over to her and Camila cooed at the strange little creature. She petted him as he snuffled his new toy, hearing it squeak and she could almost swear she heard the dog chuckle quietly. How strange.
With a shake of her head she moved to set her things down on the couch, before heading up the stairs to seek out the teens. Hushed voices were heard from the open door of Luz's room, and then a laugh from both girls. Camila walked quietly, coming to stand in the doorway and seeing both girls sitting against the headboard of Luz's bed. They held Luz's phone between them, each wearing an earbud, and appeared to be watching a movie or video. She grinned slightly at how cute the two looked just relaxing and ignored the twist of guilt for the conversation she was about to have with her daughter. Camila finally, after trying to memorize the moment, rapped a knuckle on the doorframe to announce her presence. Both girls looked up suddenly, and Amity quickly became a blushing mess.
"Luz, come downstairs." Camila said with as much false cheer as she could manage. "I need to talk to you about something."
"Yes, Mami." Luz pulled her earbud out and Amity tapped the phone as the two exchanged a look. Camila turned, starting to walk away but listening to the words she heard exchanged behind her. "I'll be right back; you can keep watching if you want."
"I'll wait for you to come back, it's more fun to watch together." Amity's voice sounded a little shy.
"Okay, I'll hurry if I can." And that was the upbeat, ray of sunshine that was Luz Noceda.
TOH TOHTOH TOH tohtohtoh TOHtohTOH
{Don't worry, Mittens, we will get you back as soon as we can. Ed and I are masters of fooling all the adults, including our parents, they won't notice a thing. We spoke to Eda and Lilith, they are going to cover for Luz. Be careful in the human world and tell Luz that she had better be taking care of you. We love you Amity.} Message from Emira
{Also, really impressed Baby Sister. I never would have imagined you had it in you to do something so . . . Bad Girl? Just enjoy your time with your girlfriend, opps I mean friend, until we get you back.} Message from Edric.
Amity was thankful that Luz was in another room talking to her mother, that way she didn't have to explain why she suddenly looked like a tomato. She tried to glare at her scroll, as if her siblings would feel her annoyance across the dimensional gap, but her heart wasn't in it. She missed the twins, though she'd die before she told them that, and was grateful that they were on her side. As frustrating as it could be when the twins got away with so much trouble, the idea of those skills turned to protect her made her feel much more secure about avoiding consequences from their parents. She had more than enough tension about her parents without them finding out where she was at this moment. They were not the type who would be grateful to see their daughter home safely, and she shuddered to think exactly what they would do if they knew she'd worked against the Emperor and his Coven.
She ran a hand through her hair, she was a little self-conscious about having it down. That was another thought that caused her to turn into a blushing mess. 'Luz thinks my hair is pretty' repeated in her mind every time she considered pulling it into her usual style. She resisted the urge to lay back on the bed and lose herself in an imaginary world where she had the guts to confess her crush, and instead reached for the notebook and pen Luz had given her. That also warmed her heart, remembering Luz's words upon offering her the notebook.
"I know it isn't as nice as your journal, but I thought this way you can still write down your thoughts." Luz had said with a smile, then showed Amity the first page which was the only one that had been used. "And I drew you a little picture! It's us as Hecate and Azura!"
Amity smiled at that drawing for a moment, admiring how Luz had drawn them back to back, as if protecting each other in a battle. She finally shook herself from her daydreaming and turned to a blank page. Pushing aside thoughts of the human teen she admired so much, she instead addressed her thoughts and worries regarding her family.
TOH TOHTOH TOH tohtohtoh TOHtohTOH
Luz Noceda squirmed nervously in her seat at the kitchen table. It'd been a few days since she, King, and Amity arrived in the human world. This afternoon Camila had arrived home and asked to speak to Luz alone, regardless of the cheerful tone used in front of Amity Luz knew her Mom had something important on her mind. Her tension was slightly broken by a random squeak from the living room, King playing with a squeaky toy Camila had brought him when she arrived home. The little demon was still unhappy at pretending to be a dog, but Camila had won over his heart. She gave him treats and today the plushy dog toy. King was adapting to his role, though Luz wouldn't dare tell him that.
Camila set a cup of steaming, chocolate, goodness in front of Luz and took a seat with her own cup. They silently enjoyed the treat, Luz trying not to look as nervous as she felt. Camila seemed to be considering her words carefully, watching her daughter for something though the teen wasn't sure what. Luz had consumed about half her drink when Camila broke the silence, offering that reassuring smile she gave her daughter before bad news came.
"Luz, estoy muy orgullosa de ti por hacer amigos y estar tan dispuesto a ayudar a los necesitados. Lo sabes, ¿no? (Luz, I'm so proud of you for making friends and being so willing to help others in need. You know that, don't you?)"
"Sí mamá. (Yes, Mama.)" Luz suddenly didn't want the rest of her drink, her stomach felt like it was cramping. This wasn't going anywhere good, she was sure of that.
"Cariño, hay mucho que implica cuidar de otra persona. (Sweetheart, there is a lot that goes into taking care of another person.)" As those words left her mother's lips Luz felt like she had been doused in ice water. She pouted; she didn't mean too but she could feel herself pouting. This was definitely not going anywhere good. Her mother shifted as that look crossed the younger Noceda's face, seeming less comfortable as well. "Cariño, sería mejor que nos comuniquemos con los servicios para niños. (Honey, it would be best if we contacted child services.)"
"No, no, no!" Luz popped to her feet, coming around the table and going to her knees near her mother's chair. Camila turned in her seat and watched her daughter who was near tears, hands clasped as if she were praying, looking up at her with the most desperate expression she'd ever seen. "¡Por favor, no envíes a Amity! ¡Haré lo que sea! (Please, please don't send Amity away! I'll do anything!)"
"Luz, solo el dinero para cuidar de otro adolescente. . . (Luz, the money alone to take care of another teen. . .)" Camila couldn't finish that thought, Luz was already shuffling forward a bit and speaking.
"¡Puedes quedarte con mi mesada! ¡Tomaré esa ruta de papel que la señorita Cortez me ha estado ofreciendo! ¡Conseguiré un trabajo a tiempo parcial! (You can keep my allowance! I'll take that paper route Mrs. Cortez has been offering me! I'll get a part time job!)" Luz was clearly panicking, and Camila shut her eyes, looking resigned. Luz saw it and prayed it meant she had hope. "¡Por favor mamá, por favor! ¡Haré cualquier cosa, lo que sea necesario para cuidar de Amity! (Please mama, please! I'll do anything, anything needed to take care of Amity!)"
"Ella es realmente importante para ti, ¿no es así? (She's really important to you, isn't she?)" Camila watched Luz nod as if the gesture itself could save the situation. Her mother tilted her head slightly, giving her an almost calculating look. "¿Qué tan importante es ella para ti? (How important is she to you?)"
"Amity means. . ." Luz slowed her mind down for a moment. Her first reaction was to say Amity means everything to me, but she wasn't sure exactly why that thought came to her. She took a breath, took a moment, her brown eyes drifting to the kitchen floor as she searched for words. "She's just really important to me. She's one of my best friends, maybe my best friend."
"Oh Luz. . ." Camila shut her eyes, taking a few breaths, that absolutely terrified Luz as she waited. Just when the teen was about to recommence begging her mother spoke again, not opening her eyes. "I'll call Señora Cortez in the morning and let her know you want to take that paper route."
Luz all but launched off the floor to throw herself at her mother in a tight hug. Camila smiled regardless of the issues rolling through her mind. Camila liked to think she was not a push over as a mother, but this wasn't something she could deny Luz. She clearly didn't yet know the full story between the two, but it was clear that if she sent the girl to Child Services Luz would be heart broken.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you!" Luz was rapidly speaking as she continued to hug her mother. "¡Te quiero, mami! ¡Gracias! (I love you mommy! Thank you!)"
TOH TOHTOH TOH tohtohtoh TOHtohTOH
The first day of the week at Hexside wasn't very different from the start of the week at any school. Students and teachers alike lamented the beginning of the week, some more quietly than others. The trio of the Blight siblings tended to draw attention at the best of times, as the family name and status as Top Students tend to set them apart from everyone. It wasn't unheard of to see all three siblings arrive at school together, however it was considerably rarer than it was common. Students and teachers alike tended to move aside when all three passed. The twins flanked Amity on either side, and their perpetual trickster smirks countered their younger sister's serious and downright focused expression. Curious looks followed them all the way to the door of Amity's first Abomination class of the day. Emira strode in as the younger witch crutched over to her desk, followed by Edric who set his sister's book bag down.
"Good morning sir!" Emira greeted Amity's teacher with a disarming smile, and he eyed her with a mixture of curiosity and caution. The twins were intelligent, well liked, but the instructors outside the Illusion Track knew to be cautious of the two.
"Good morning, Ms. Blight. Can I help you?" He returned her greeting politely.
"Yes sir, my parents asked me to inform Amity's teachers that she's having a bit of vocal trouble. The healers said she's fine to attend class, but they prefer she not speak unless absolutely necessary." Emira dropped her voice as if sharing a secret with only a trusted friend. "Edric and I may have accidentally caused it, so we're doing our best to help her avoid embarrassment."
"Of course, well then it seems the other students will just need to pick up the slack." He gave an understanding smile. "I wouldn't want my star student to suffer when the others need to pull their weight."
"Thank you so much for understanding sir." Emira smiled brightly, before turning to Edric where he was whispering something to Amity. "Come on Ed, off we go!"
"We'll meet you after class." Edric told Amity, who nodded with a look of mixed determination and annoyance. The twins departed swiftly as more Abomination Track students began to filter in. "One teacher charmed. . ."
"And so many more to go." Emira finished her brother's thought. He threw his arm across her shoulders and smiled as if he hadn't a care in the world.
"This is so easy we could manage it in our sleep, Em."
"Just the same, I will be happier when those two keep their end of the bargain. The sooner the better." They shared another look and Edric didn't sag, but the false cheer didn't reach his eyes.
"Mittens and her favorite girl will watch out for each other. Think about Grom, those two are unstoppable together."
TOH TOHTOH TOH tohtohtoh TOHtohTOH
The day continued on, the twins dutifully meeting Amity after each of her classes and escorting her to the next. Edric carried her school bag and prattled on about something, Emira charmed each teacher with a near identical performance to that of the morning. They always flanked Amity, which tended to dissuade anyone brave enough to possibly approach the youngest Blight. Boscha looked as if she was tempted to approach the trio at lunch, Emira leveled a glare at her that seemed to make the younger witch pale. Frankly, Emira was waiting for an excuse to have words with Amity's former friend since the Grudgby incident.
"Woah, that look wasn't aimed at me, was it?" The friendly voice of Viney caused Emira to realize she was glaring past the other teen who'd stopped near the siblings. Emira allowed her expression to soften again, even as Edric laughed.
"No, no. That was for someone who has made it onto our delayed pranks list." The male twin informed the duel track student. Emira refocused her attention to the green-eyed girl, offering her a playful wink.
"Is there something we can do for you, beautiful?" She asked, ignoring when Edric coughed as he nearly choked on his apple blood.
"Actually, I was wondering it any of you have seen Luz around?" Viney asked, breaking eye contact with Emira to look about the cafeteria again. "Us Duel Trackers had planned a study group this weekend but Luz never showed. Kind of wanting to make sure she's okay."
"No, sorry, haven't seen Luz today." Edric said and they watched Viney grimace slightly.
"If we do, we'll certainly tell her you're looking for her." Emira offered and that brought a small smile from the green-eyed witch. "How's, was it Piddles?"
"Puddles." Viney corrected and thankfully laughed at the mistake. "Puddles is great, you should come out to the Beast Keeping stables sometime. I could give you a ride." There was an awkward pause and Viney shifted her eyes to look toward all three Blights instead of just Emira. "Offer is open to all three of you of course, any friend of Luz is good with me."
"Maybe after this one heals a bit more." Edric said, throwing an arm around Amity's shoulders and giving her a tight half hug, which caused the youngest Blight to shove her brother off of her. Viney laughed at their antics, said a quick goodbye, and wandered off as Emira watched her.
"Distracted much?" Edric playfully whispered to his twin.
"No." Emira answered quickly as she turned swiftly to look at him. "I'm just hoping Luz's absence doesn't keep drawing attention."
"Yeah, I mean it's hard not to miss her now that we're all so used to her excited, bouncy, hyper, excited. . ." Edric stopped when their younger sister elbowed him. Emira laughed as he groaned and patted the youngest Blight on the head. "Too realistic." Edric groaned causing Emira to laugh all over again. The rest of the day was thankfully uneventful, and that night the twin's received another message in the group chat.
{Edric, she is not my girlfriend and you clearly meant it otherwise you would have deleted that!} That first line made the twins relax a bit; they could basically hear their baby sister fuming at them as they read the message. {The messages are delayed so I don't know when you sent me a message, or when you'll receive mine. Luz is taking care of me; I am absolutely not telling her you said that Emira. I'm relieved to see you received my message and that you're working on things over there. It's a long story, but I'm not planning to join the Bad Girls Coven so please don't be too excited. And, maybe you could make sure I have notes for the classes I'm missing? Please?}
"Not that I doubted. . ." Edric said.
"But that is clearly Mittens." Emira finished with a laugh. The twins were able to relax slightly for the moment.