Over the last couple of days word about Luz and King had truly spread like wildfire. Stories turned to rumors, rumors became facts, facts became distorted and retold as new truths. Nearly everyone that they'd encountered was now coming forth claiming to have helped them "fulfill their destiny" as they put it. As such the residents of the owl house hadn't ventured beyond their rebuilt home. Only their family and friends were allowed even remotely close. Which is what led to Eda's parents or as they loved to call themselves "grandma and grandpa" suddenly dropping in not that they had two official grandchildren. Not wanting to be left out the collector had decided he was going to live here too and had turned the empty tower next to Eda's house into his new home. Now he and king were happily sitting on Dell's knee as he talked about palismen and how they were first and foremost a witch's partner and friend. He was practically radiating happy grandpa vibes as he spoke, making Eda smile as she half listened from the kitchen. As for Luz all she wanted was to take a nice long hot bath in their newly constructed bathroom.
Possibly wanting to treat Luz or maybe just Eda being Eda she'd had the students not just construct a new bathroom but finally give Luz her own furnished room. They'd even turned Hooty's accidentally heart-shaped hole into a massive pool and natural hot tub. Something Luz kept trying to get to only for her mom and Gwendylon to stop her.
"Are you sure you wouldn't like some help owlet?" Camila hid her smile as Luz blushed at her new nickname.
"Abuela I'm fully capable of bathing myself." She beamed at being called abuela, of course she and Dell had been a bit confused before Camila had told her that abuela means grandma and abuelito means grandpa. "I'm sure you can owlet, but just make sure to use the shampoo and conditioner I gave you." Luz gave a slightly annoyed look to the small basket filled with items for bathing animals. To her surprise Camilla had agreed with her. "She's right mija, like it or not you're covered in fur and that means using this shampoo to keep it soft and fluffy." Luz groaned knowing her mother was right. "Besides it will keep the fleas away. Gwendlyon has told me of bloodfleas and nightmare ticks. So, it's either shave or bathe." Gwendolyn saw Luz cringe and her heart filled with grandmotherly affection.
"Don't you worry Luz my custom shampoo will keep your coat free of those pesky parasites." Luz quickly took her supplies to the bath as they started talking about beasts again. Something Luz had learned would keep the new mom friends occupied for a while.
As soon as she was gone Camila asked a question she was hoping would lead to an answer. "Gwendylon, do you think this is actually permanent?"
"I'm not sure sweetie, and please call me mom, after all we're family now."
"I'll think about it, but I'm worried about Luz. I'm really hoping that this is temporary, or at least be similar to Eda and she can learn to change at will."
At first, she'd wanted to completely cure Luz and get her back to being fully human. At least that had been her goal until she'd caught Luz staring at her form in a mirror and practicing magic with Eda and Lilith. Her excited expression as Lilith helped guide her through a spell circle. Her new nervous habit of running a hand along one of her horns as she tried and failed to figure out new glyphs.
One with scales and one with fur. Manny if you were still alive, you'd be ecstatic. Speaking of Vee, I should try to get back home soon. Wait, if titan's blood is all that's needed for a portal, then I just need one vial to get there and one to come back.
"I'm sure King wouldn't mind donating just a bit." she quickly rushed inside with Gwendylon right behind her.
Meanwhile Luz was very much enjoying being chest deep in water. Feeling the heat all around her body and the new sensation of wet fur. She took one look at a nearby mirror and was reminded of those Japanese snow monkeys in a hot spring.
"Finally, I can just relax and let my worries disappear." Yeah, just don't think about how you're most likely going to sprout wings and a tail soon! What's next? A bone like mask?
"Nope! Not going to worry me this time inner thoughts. Just going to enjoy this bath."
She stayed floating there for what felt like hours before she shamefully applied the animal shampoo to her fur vowing to find some other way to clean herself in the future. Once out of the tub she tried out her new fire glyph, clawing the glyph in midair, which she discovered she could do yesterday. It sprang to life and warm heat washed over her body much like a hair blower. "First it was just some smoke and now it's warm heat. At least I'm getting there, which is probably a sign I'm getting less human... or just getting used to my body, or both." When she was done, she made her way downstairs just as Amity walked through the door. She took one look at Luz and let out an excited whine before biting down on her lip just stop from swooning.
"Wow Amity to think now I don't even have to say something cute to get you flustered."
"Luuuzzzzz." she opened her arms and Amity happily embraced her. "I missed you." she whispered.
"Amity we've been texting nearly nonstop since I got my scroll."
"That's not the same Luz! I missed holding you, looking you in those adorable eyes, and more importantly doing this." This was their first kiss in Luz's new form, and it felt even better than their first one. Each one pulling back looking goofy with Luz saying "golly" while Amity said "jeepers."
From his chair in the corner Dell let out a grandfatherly chuckle. "Young love is precious." Amity buried herself in Luz's fur trying to hide her embarrassment.
She sat her down on the couch simply wanting to have some much-needed time with her.
"So, Amity not that I can blame you but any reason besides my lovely appearance making you dopey that you haven't stopped by?"
"At first it was just coming to terms with the new you. I know you're no god I mean I've seen you fall over trying to tie your shoes." In Luz's defense that had only happened seven times. "At the end of the day you're just a sex-…fluffier version! Yes, just a very beautiful and warmer version of you. Just my precious girlfriend with enchanting eyes and beautiful hair that's only a few shades different from mine." Unable to stop herself, she gazed into Luz's sparkling eyes before looking away and taking Luz's clawed hand in hers.
Again, Dell chuckled before nodding to his yellow palisman who flew to the kitchen getting anyone it could find. Camila was the first to show up but remained silent when she saw the hopefully platonic moment between them. Not that she didn't trust them, quite the opposite actually, she trusted Luz with Amity more than Eda. But that was for a different slightly jealous series of reasons.
"Anyway, the reason I'm here had to do with Odalia." she spat out. From their time in the human world Amity had made it clear she only had three family members. Well Technically five as she envisioned marrying Luz and having Camila become her one true mom in the future.
"Let me guess she's caught wind of me and King?"
"I wish it was that simple." her face contorted into a grimace recalling the memories of her unofficial former mother.
"If I had to guess it went something like this..." she put on her best entitled bitch face complete with arrogant tone. "Amity dear I've heard the most wonderful news. To think that lovely human girl, sorry I meant of course your lovely girlfriend Luz is actually the adopted daughter of the titan. Well don't you worry about a thing. I'll personally apologize for any misunderstandings we might have had in the past." she said complete with air quotes. "You just invite her and her mother to dinner so that we can have your engagement contract written out and signed. We need to strike while the blood is pooling, otherwise her would be suitors will multiply, especially that little three eyed former friend of yours. I think a nice four-year engagement is more than enough time, and to think you'll marry for love and position, oh how I envy you. Just leave everything to me dear. I always knew our family was destined for greatness, but this! Amity I'm so proud of you." As she came down and laughed about how she'd really gotten the entitlement down she saw the look Amity was giving her. As well as Eda, Camila, Gwendylon, King and Dell, heck even the collector looked taken back. Amity's expression was by far the most shocking as after gathering herself she said.
"Luz, that was nearly word for word exactly what she told me this morning after dad informed her that he was divorcing her. Even after dad threw her out, she kept sending me messages about reservations for very public restaurants. It was so bad it almost made me want to not come here." Camila all but scooped her up in a tight embrace which she happily accepted.
"What? I mean good for your dad for finally seeing reason, but did Odalia really say all that?"
Who am I kidding? That's exactly what she'd do.
Luz took a massive breath before letting out a slightly angry growl that reverberated through the room. Gwendylon let out a amazed and prideful screech while Camila quietly gasped.
"Great! Next, I suppose you'll tell me a cult has formed and they want to fully crown King as the new emperor while I'm named leader of his new coven."
"What!? No... I mean I've been scouring any and all news and so far it's just people talking about you and King with only a very small few talking about you two ruling eventually." she said very strongly emphasizing the word eventually.
"Most people are hoping for at least ten years from now, you know really move past Belos and avoid another child ruler incident, no offense collector." his response was a nonchalant "meh."
After hearing this Luz went silent. To everyone around her it was a sign that Luz was extremely upset. She balled her fists and held her breath before taking Amity from her mother. "Nope, not going to worry about this today. Right now, I'm going to take my awesome girlfriend up to my new room and have a nice impromptu sleepover. No worries or rumors, just snacks, laughing and relaxing."
"Just keep the door open kid." Eda said smirking as Amity went red and happily wrapped her hands around Luz's neck as she carried her to her room.
When she heard the door close Camila knelt down to King. "I need a small bit of your blood."
"Why?"
"I need to pick up my other daughter. And maybe just maybe have her siphon some of the titan's magic from her." Seeing his eyes widen she clarified. "Just enough so she can at least change at will. I'm not going to deny you and her the form she's come to know. "Upon hearing this he relaxed and went to get a vial from Eda while Gwendlyon asked about this other daughter. He'd just found a couple vial when he heard "I have another granddaughter!? And she's a basilisk!? I have to meet her! I'm coming with you Camila." Having heard all this the collector floated up. "Can I come to? The human world sounds fun!"
"Alright but both of you on your best behavior."