Angel: Regarding Grizzly and the Lemmings, I've seen the poster. Not trying to be too mean, but right away it looks like an Open Season or Yogi Bear knock-off mixed in with Norm of the North/Minions characters attached. Which I don't know if I would be intrigued into watching. I've also put up a poll to see if you guys want me to write Dr. Stone, which I am late getting into, but I love it.
It continued to be quiet in the castle throughout, not helped by the intense impressions that the two human-esque inhabitants had of each other. Willow and Gus watched their friend reading while sitting in a chair in the corner. She flipped through pages quickly since she had the ability to speed read. The two glanced at each other, wondering if she was really gonna spend all her time doing so.
"Hey Luci, wanna go explore the castle?" Gus sung a little and she glanced upwards at him. She sighed while snapping her book shut.
"I really don't feel like it. Especially if I run into that jerk," She narrowed her eyes in annoyance at the reminder of her...host. Some part of her wanted to believe that he had at least had a soul, she wasn't in this bedroom for no reason. But the other part of her was being reminded of how hostile he was to her in the hall. And what he said about wild witches didn't exactly mean she was immune to that kind of treatment either. After all, what was really stopping him from doing that to her at any time he wanted? It was his castle, so he could make up whatever rule he wanted for her.
"But fresh air is good for anyone," Willow gestured to the door.
"I'm really okay. Thanks for asking," Lucila denied politely while picking up another book. She raised an eyebrow as it was a journal with a symbol of a large golden triangle behind two pairs of bird wings, one small and one big. There was also a sword cut through the middle of a circle. "Huh...I've never seen this before," She murmured to herself, Willow and Gus immediately looking terrified once they realized the book was in her hand.
"Oops," Gus whispered and she looked up, seeing their frozen faces. She glanced between the book and her friends, noticing why they were having this reaction.
"But what do I know? This thing looks boring," Lucila casually shrugged while tossing the book away. The two blinked in shock at her action as it was unlike her to not read something like this. Eventually, they smiled at her, knowing why she did that.
A knock was heard at her door, causing them to look up. "Luci, it's the one and only~!" Eda sung a little and Lucila smiled a bit, walking over and opening the door. Eda hopped inside, followed by King pushing in a lute. She blinked at the instrument and picked it up curiously, closing the door. "Thought you might need some company."
"Thanks, Eda...still mad over Luz, though?"
"You know it," Eda grumbled to her. "But rest assured, I'll never let him live this down."
Lucila stared at the trio, as she had lots of questions, but would probably get the same answer. Something in her just felt like it wasn't something they could trust her with right now, or they were just ordered to not say anything conclusive. Though she couldn't really figure out why, especially if it had to do with how they ended up in their situation. But she'd put a pin in that and get to it another day whenever she was alone.
"We miss Luz too," King spoke up sadly and she picked him up, patting him on the head with a small smile.
"I just hope that wherever she is, she's safe from here and far away from both me and the castle," Lucila murmured while looking out the window.
"I've gotta get to Lucila and the castle!" Luz screamed while high in the skies with Melody. She glanced down at the roads that were almost covered in trees. So it wasn't particularly easy to tell where she was at the moment. She looked at her map, but there were lots of forests marked on it, so she could be anywhere. She growled in frustration, looking down at the palisman. "Melody, are you able to track down Luci?"
Melody's eyes glowed in response as she took off, alarming Luz a little. She swooped down so that she could get a closer look of the path. Once she did, she led Luz back to Latissa, and then into that forest. However, she soon skidded to a stop as there was a fork in the road. The same one that Luz insisted on going towards the more dangerous pathway.
Luz bit her lip nervously while looking towards it. After last time, was it really a good idea to go through all that they did? Not to mention the Slitherbeasts might attack them again, or Melody might be spooked off again. Luz jumped off the staff, looking between the two paths. The palisman got out of her staff form, chirping nervously.
"Hey, it'll be okay," Luz picked her up to calm her down. "You'll be safe with me, you little cutie," She kissed the top of Melody's head and the hummingbird palisman chirped happily. Luz narrowed her eyes while looking between the two pathways. Regardless of what path they went through, the main priority was going back and getting her sister. And she knew exactly what Lucila would say; that she needed to stay home and not worry about her. But the young witch herself just couldn't leave her only family to potentially die up there just because she was asked to. If Lucila ended up suffering for the rest of her life...Luz couldn't live with that, not at all. Her sister took care of her for years after their mother disappeared, so now she had to return the favor. Because she loved her big sister and needed to rescue her.
"The longer we keep deciding where to go, the longer Luci stays up there in that nightmare castle," Luz placed Melody on top of her head. She clenched her fists, taking a deep breath. "Last time I chose this path, so I say we go through this one," She went up the safer pathway in determination, hoping that her sister was surviving...
Lucila was tuning in the lute King got for her. "Are you sure it's okay for me to just have this?" She wondered to her friends while examining the instrument. "I mean, it is certainly beautiful and I've never seen craftsmanship like this before. But where'd you even get this?"
"Oh, Rainestorm holds onto it even though...we all know they can't play it," Eda frowned a little, giving a weak smile. "We used to play it sometimes on top of a hill, surrounded by flowers."
"Wait? Oh, no, Eda, I can't take this," Lucila immediately denied while putting it back down. "You and Raine seemed to have a lot of good memories with it. And I can't take that away from you guys," She shook her head.
"Relax. They said you could have it with our permission. Besides, it's not like we've had a use for it anyway. It's just gathering dust," Eda scoffed a little, giving her a wink. "If there's anyone we want to have this, it's you. You're the only one who seems to love these old instruments."
"...Thank you," She smiled softly at Eda.
"Play us something!" Gus jumped up a little and she blinked in surprise. She hadn't performed privately in a long time. After the disappearances of their close friends and family, she mostly played to get snails in the market and nothing else. She couldn't remember the last time she played an instrument...just for her own happiness. Sometimes she'd play one for Luz, but she could only keep up appearances while playing for so long in front of her.
"I don't know..."
"That's the only reason we even got this thing!" King complained in protest, looking up at her pleadingly. "We haven't heard your music in years, Luci..."
She glanced at Willow, who gave her a pout like she was a pet. She closed her eyes as she knew everyone was staring at her and she sighed slowly. It wasn't like they could pick it up and play themselves since they had no hands. And she knew far too well just by interacting with Hunter that he didn't play an instrument just because for their sake.
"Fine..." She answered and they grinned widely. The girl strummed her fingers so that she could start playing.
We'll be together again
She sang softly and they listened attentively, gathering together as a small audience.
Be a family again
Lucila smiled as she knew that one day, her friends would be themselves again. It just needed patience for that to occur.
With magic on our side
King grinned while leaning on Eda, gaining the same hope she had.
When we're witches again
Her voice echoed a bit as three shadows approached her door from down the hall.
Only witches again
Poised and wild and gleaming with charm
Eda gave her a wink as she considered herself the most charming out of all of them. Lucila gave a small hum and rolled her eyes.
We'll be flying again
Lucila looked out the window, thinking about Melody and how much she missed her.
Strong and powerful again
The three shadows approaching were actually Darius, Raine, and Hunter themselves. The three of them flinched at the angelic voice coming from her room. Hunter himself felt frozen as he stared at her door, just listening to her voice.
Which should cause Bonesborough alarm!
King, Eda, Gus, and Willow all laughed up at her, swaying to the music as much as they could.
We'll hop off all staffs
Lucila got onto her feet, spinning around gracefully while playing.
And tout de suite be ourselves
The four saw her smile, and it was a relief to see her do so after all she had been through being here.
We can't wait to be witches again
Darius and Raine looked up to see Hunter pressing his ear to the door to hear her. Raine smirked while Darius just rolled his eyes. When Raine wasn't looking, he gave a small smile to himself.
When we're witches again
Hunter's eyes widened as since the residents of the castle were affected by the curse, they had no way to perform their magic. Not even he himself could perform any spells thanks to his dear old uncle. But he hadn't see Lucila perform any magic, so he didn't know if she was prevented or she had the same limitations as everyone else.
Only witches again
Raine themselves swayed to the music, flinching as Hunter glared down at them.
When you're knickknacks and whatnots no moooore!
Lucila belted out the last word and it made the cursed man feel...like listening to her did something. He could feel something in his stomach almost. Probably just a sickness he was starting to get, but he hadn't been ill since getting the curse. Maybe it was because he hadn't heard music in a long time, but it might be something he had to look into.
When we're witches again
Lucila spun around with a smile and continued strumming up until the final verse.
Good and witches again
The four all cheered for her performance and she giggled, giving a playful curtsy. She hadn't played like that ever, while in a not-great situation on top of that. Maybe she should pick up music again, it might be a good distraction should she ever need to miss her sister or dwell on her situation.
"Thank you, thank you," Lucila gave them a salute. "I'm here for the rest of my life. Please, no autographs, that's a big hit to an ego that I choose not to have."
"I guess old habits don't die hard," Darius quipped, which snapped Hunter out of it. He grunted a bit, pacing in front of her door. The only reason he was here was because of their suggestion that he ask Lucila something. And yet he hadn't knocked on her door at all.
Eda poured tea into King, who hopped over to Lucila. She bent down and took a sip, and she gave a grateful look. Although she would admit, it was weird to be drinking tea out of her friend who was a teacup.
"Watch this!" King inhaled and took a deep breath, summoning bubbles.
"King! Come on, let her catch her breath," Eda scolded him a little.
"It's fine," Lucila waved it off with a small smile. She then looked away, thinking about Luz again. The four glanced at each other knowingly, looking back up at her.
"You'll get used to this place before you know it, Luci," Gus tried to assure her. "After all, if it wasn't for you, Luz would be here. You gave up your life just so she can continue hers." Lucila blinked and then smiled softly. "Now we just have to get you dressed for dinner."
Lucila flinched as Willow hopped over to the cabinet, jumping up and moving the handle so that the door opened. The girl stood up in alarm as Willow looked at all the dresses. "Let's see, yellow might make it too bright, so maybe pink or white-"
"Guys...I'm not going to dinner," Lucila denied as Eda's eyes widened.
"Oh, dang! We're supposed to help set everything up, aren't we?" She hopped towards the door, followed by King. "We'll see you later at dinner because you have to eat, byeeeeeeeee!" She called out as King pushed open the door. Thankfully Hunter's pacing had put him away from her door so that she couldn't see him. Eda flinched once she saw him, narrowing her eyes in disapproval as she and King silently left. He scoffed from her response, knowing that she was still mad at him, but that was the last thing on his mind.
"Luci, you have to," Gus told her and Darius knocked. He opened the door and stepped inside.
"Dinner is served," He gestured to the door with a big grin. Lucila looked annoyed at this.
"What is taking so long?" Hunter grumbled from right outside. "I know she's in there. Why isn't she coming out?!" Even if he knew that yes, Lucila had to watch her sister get dragged off, and she was now stuck here, she'd have to come out eventually. He looked at the doorknob as the door was slightly open, reaching out to just open the door himself. However, the door was slammed shut in front of his face and he growled, knowing that Lucila did that.
"Did it come to your mind that Luci can help us with the curse?"
"Of course it did, but we don't know for sure. I'm not stupid and risking everything for something that might not even be true," Hunter rolled his eyes.
"What if she is? She can stop your uncle...and maybe you two could even get along really well," Raine teased a little, earning a death glare. "We'll be ourselves again in no time if you just tell her the truth."
"No. I know you guys want your bodies and magic back, but it'll never happen. I'm not doing it, and you know why," Hunter denied furiously and Raine looked annoyed from the man's stubbornness in the whole thing.
"Your birthday's approaching, Hunter," They reminded, earning a grunt from Hunter.
"There's no point. She's so ill-mannered and I'm...look at me, Raine. Do you really think she'd want anything to do with me or assisting us?" He gestured to himself and Raine frowned, not answering the question.
"What if you just acted a little nicer to her so that you two could get onto the right foot?"
"I've been as nice as I can, I already have to tread lightly so that I don't cause another panic attack," Hunter grumbled, Raine raising a 'really' brow at him.
"You could start by not being a total jerk," They ordered and Hunter looked at them in disbelief. "You heard right, stop acting like a brat and like a gentleman," They watched the man standing up straight like he was in the army. "And when she comes out, give her a nice smile. Show me one."
Hunter blinked and then gave a big creepy-looking smile, with the green mold on his head and face not helping. Especially with the blue glowing eyes. "Not like that, you wanna freak her out even more? Plus, you have a wit, use it, but don't be crude. Tell her a compliment, but be nicer. And whatever she says or does, you have to control your temper!"
The doorknob jiggled, getting their attention. "Ah, there she is!" Hunter froze as he wouldn't even know what to say to her...but then Darius stepped out.
"Ah, friends..." He laughed a little as he really didn't wanna tell Hunter this. The man dropped his smile, looking frustrated now at him.
"Why isn't she coming out?" He raised a suspicious brow.
"Who? Oh, Luci, right. Luci, Luci, Luci..." Darius tapped his foot while looking away. "Well, she's actually...ah, the makeup and hair and all..." He sighed in defeat; he raised Hunter for a long time, so he couldn't lie to his face. "Alright, I can't keep this up any longer. She refuses to come out and eat with you," He said, to their utter shock. Raine looked up at Hunter and backed away as he clenched a fist, his eyes glowing even more as he gritted his teeth.
"WHAT?!" His shout was so loud that birds flew away.
Luz looked up from the path that she was walking on as even she heard it. But she couldn't exactly determine the location since the birds were right above her head. "Should I be worried because something happened to her? Or should I not because I know my sister well and that she's rightfully pissed off the guy holding her captive for the rest of her life?"
Melody chirped down at her and Luz smirked. "Yeah, I think Luci did a good job getting him mad too. Wish I could be there to see it myself."