Day 3: Grandpa's time
After being awoke in her usual "knocked-down" fashion, Eda made her way to the kitchen, Luz in her arms. She was halfway across the living room when she heard someone knocking on her door.
With a sleepy scowl, the current 14-year-old changed course to answer the door.
"Why did Lily knock Hooty down?" Eda muttered. "For that matter, where was that bird brain yesterday?"
She opened the door and cock an eyebrow when she saw who was at her door.
"Mom, Dad?" Eda squeaked, "Weren't you coming later?"
Eda stepped aside and allowed her parents to step into her house. Gwen looked at her daughter with a slightly bewildered expression.
"...Yes," Gwen replied awkwardly, "I just couldn't wait to see my darling grandbabies when they're so small and cute."
The older witch's eyes lit up when she saw one of her grandbabies and reached for Luz. The "knocked-down" human, who had been quiet this entire time, cried Abuela as she jumped into Gwen's arms.
Dell watched this with a smile and then turned his attention to his daughter. "I have to nearly tie her down so she wouldn't come over too early," the retired carver said lightheartedly, looking Eda over. "But I'm surprised to see you like this, witchlet."
Eda grinned and then spun around. "Yeah. Since Ghoul Break is now called the "knocked-down" Week, Cammy, Lily, and I decided to go with the flow," the ex-wild witch said lightheartedly.
Dell just chuckled at his daughter's antics and then went to the couch to rest his tired bones. Gwen and Eda soon joined them, and together, they made small talk as they waited for the rest of the Owl House to get up.
(90 minutes later)
It didn't take long for the rest of the Familia to join the living. The Owl Familia were soon joined by Darius, Alador, and Drake's groups, and the talks began.
"Wait, Mother," Lilith said, "You want to spend some time with us? I thought you were here to spend the day with the children?"
Gwen nodded and smiled warmly at her daughter. "I do. But how can I pass up some overdue mother/daughter bonding?"
Eda and Lilith exchanged glances; they weren't against the idea. However, there were still some things that needed to be addressed.
"I'm not against the idea," Lilith said, voicing her thoughts, "But father was supposed to play with the children today. I don't feel completely comfortable with him watching them without aid."
"Well," Camila piped in, "I can help watch the kids."
Gwen looked at the human with a warm smile and got up from the couch. She walked up to Camila and kneeled so she could hug her. The "knocked-down" human mother was slightly caught off guard by this, but she soon returned the hug.
"Dear, I told you this month ago, you're my daughter as well," Gwen said warmly. "So you're coming with us."
Camila smiled at her witch mother and then frowned as she looked at the "knocked-down" Coven.
"But what are we going about the kids?" she asked curiously. "I don't feel right leaving them with just Papa Dell. Oh, no offense, Papa Dell."
"It quite all right, dear," Dell replied casually, "I know I'm not in my prime anymore."
The adults looked at the group of current children and tried to figure out a solution.
"How about this," Drake suddenly said, "Since Darius, Raine, and Aaldor already agreed to watch some of the kids, why don't we break them into small groups? One group could play with Mister Clawthorne while the other groups go out and enjoy the day. In a couple of hours, we can see if the groups would like to switch."
The adults exchanged looks; honestly, it was the best plan they had, and it would keep Dell from being overwhelmed.
"Got to hand it to you, flower boy," Eda said, grinning at Drake. "That's some quick thinking."
Drake nodded at Eda and then looked at her father. "Is that good for you, Mister Clawthorne?"
"That's fine with me, young man," Dell replied and smiled warmly, "And please, call me Dell."
Drake returned the smile and then turned serious as he looked at KDC. He took a quick head count, nodded, and then looked at the adults.
"So, here's what I think we should do…"
(SC)
So, in the end, Luz, Amity, King, and Hunter (when he won a game of Rock, Paper, Scissors) would get to play with Dell first. That left the twins, Willow and Gus, with Darius, Raine, and Alador. The Blacklight/Hopkins family said they would look after Vee, Masha, Boscha, and Heather, but they needed to stop at the Cutburns' home to do something real quick.
"Witchlet?" Dell asked Luz curiously, "Didn't you have another friend? A bard with silver and black hair?"
"Sk-Sk, sick," Luz replied sadly.
Dell watched as his granddaughter became sad and quickly remembered something he used to do when his girls were sad.
With a small spell, he lifted his granddaughter from the floor by turning the wood into hands. He then tossed Luz lightly into the air and caught her.
Dell continued to toss the human playfully into the air, and it wasn't long before Luz was laughing her heart out. The old carver did this for another minute before he felt his age and became slightly winded.
With a small huff of air, he did one last spell, and Luz was placed on Dell's lap when she was caught.
"Better, witchlet?" the retired craver asked warmly.
Luz smiled a big smile and nodded energetically. Dell also smiled, thinking no expression fitted his granddaughter better than a smile. He looked and chuckled when he saw the other KDC looking at him eagerly. It didn't take much to figure out what they wanted.
"Gave me a minute to catch my breath and rest this old bile-sac, and I promise you all get a turn," the retired carver said warmly.
The group cheered and soon began deciding who would take the next turn. Dell watched this as his smile grew. He remembered Eda and Lilith acting the same way when they were toddlers.
Speaking of children…Dell heard a noise and looked to his right. Lilith, dressed in her usual "knocked-down" outfit, entered the room, and the carver didn't miss the concerned look she wore.
"Father, are you sure you can handle this?" the elder Clawthorne asked uncertainly.
"I will be fine, Sweet Flea," Dell said, offering his daughter a reassuring smile. "I'm just taking them to the slaygrounds to burn off some energy. And that young lady, Danna, said she would join us once their business was done. So I wouldn't be alone for long."
Lilith frowned as she looked at her children. The group was still debating who was going to be next to play with Dell. Lilith sighed and looked her father in the eyes.
"Just please be careful," Lilith said softly, "The Familia has some…bad apple blood when comes to places like that."
"Don't worry, Sweet Flea," Dell replied with a smile. "We're just going got play. Now, go and enjoy your time with your mom and sisters."
Lilith frowned but nodded and then went outside to wait for Eda and the others. Dell shook his head and then looked at the group he was watching.
"Well, who's ready for a fun time with Grandpa?" the older witch asked, and he got his answer with resounding cheers.
(SC)
"Hunter," Dell asked the "knocked-down" grimwalker kindly. "Lilith's told me that you have an interest in carving palismen? Would you like me to teach you?"
Hunter's face lit up, and he nodded eagerly. Dell smiled at this and then looked around; his group was nearing the slaygrounds. Despite trying to ensure his daughter things were going to be fine Dell was aware of his family's history with the Slayground.
Still, he couldn't imagine anything bad happening; it was a nice day, and the slayground wasn't too crowded.
Dell's group reached the slaygrounds, and the kids broke apart to do their own things. Amity and Luz went over to the swings, and Hunter headed over to the sandbox. King began playing his "king of the castle" game by climbing the slide.
Dell chuckled at the scene his grandson was making and then slowly made his way to the park bench. He sat down on the bench with a groan/sigh and closed his eyes for a moment's rest.
"These bones just aren't what they used to be," the carver muttered and opened his eyes.
Dell watched the kids for five minutes, and a smile bloomed from the scene before him. Amity had formed two abominations to push Luz and herself, and the future married couple were laughing their head off.
Hunter wasn't making a sand castle like Dell first thought; instead, he was trying to make sand animals. Dell's smile turned proud as he thought Hunter would make a good apprentice. Finally, King was just making noises on top of the slide.
The retired carver sighed in contentment and settled onto the bench for some relaxation. Suddenly, Dell felt a chill run down his spine and looked at the kids.
All members of the "knocked-down" coven felt what he did. Unlike the kids, however, Dell knew what this feeling meant. He got to his feet as fast as his body would allow and called to the group urgently.
"Children! Come here, quickly!"
The witch, human, Titan, and Grimwalker were confused but did as they were told. Amity had her abomination take her and Luz off the swings as King went down the slide, and Hunter scooped him up as he ran past it.
The KDC had just got to Dell when the source of the chill revealed itself. With a ghastly howl, a ghoul descended into the slaygrounds. The retired carver put himself between the kid and the ghoul as he took a stand against the creature.
Dell studied the ghoul and realized something; it was very agitated, which meant it somehow broke free from the spell that kept them at the schools during the week. He also figured since it was so worked up, it wouldn't take much to set it off.
Dell's face twisted as he tried to remember what he remembered about ghouls from general studies. If he remembered right, it best to let agitated ghouls calm down and not try to confront them unless you were skilled in oracle magic.
So, Dell figured the best course of action was to keep still and try not to make a sound until the ghoul was calm.
"Witchlets," Dell whispered, "Keep very still and don't make a noise."
The retired carver didn't dare to look at the kids, fearful that the ghouls would attack when he wasn't looking.
A trio of witches suddenly came crashing down between the witches and the ghoul.
"Oh, you idiot," a female witch screamed, jumping to her feet. "How could you miss up again? That's like the hundredth time this year!"
"Get off my back," a blue-haired male witch retorted, jumping to his feet as well. "I don't see you helping! All you ever do when I brewing that Titan-forsaken potion is playing on your scroll!"
The third witch, the smallest of the group with whitish-brown hair, just shook his head and tried to clean himself.
The two witches continue to bicker, unaware of the danger around them. They suddenly heard a howl and looked to their right. They screamed as the ghoul threw their stretchy arm at them, sending the three back into the air.
"Looks like Witch Rocket's blasting off again!" the two tall witches screamed.
"Why do you always scream that?" the third witch as they disappeared into the sky.
Dell didn't look as the witches disappeared; he kept his eyes on the ghoul, and with good reason. Those witches' bickering had made the ghoul even more agitated, and it was closing in.
The retired carver decided to throw caution to the wind and brought out his hand to cast a spell. He was too slow, however, and the ghouls whipped out an arm. The arm hit him upside the head, and Craver groaned as he fell to the ground.
"Abuelo!"
"Granddad!"
"Grandfather!"
"WEH!"
The KDC could only watch in shock as Dell hit the ground, his head barely missing hitting the bench.
The group heard the ghoul howl, and their faces darkened. They turned and faced the ghoul, and the spiritual creature might have flinched from the looks it was getting if it wasn't so agitated.
Suddenly, Luz whipped out all her spell cards as Amity summoned three abominations, her harp, and charged them with bard magic. Hunter let his magic aura flare, and King got down on all fours, fur standing up and his eyes glowing blue.
"No bully, Abuelo!"
No mess with granddad!"
"WEH!"
Hunter didn't retort; he led the charge instead. He used his warp magic to dash around the ghoul and get behind it. Surprisingly, Luz also used warp and got on the lift side of the ghoul. She then slammed a plant glyph to the ground, and "spirit" vines came bursting through the ground.
The vines wrapped around the ghoul and kept it from moving. Next up was King; the "knocked-down" titan unleashed his (weakened) squeak of rage. The sonic blast hit the ghoul as Hunter slammed his glowing fist into the back of the ghoul.
The ghoul moaned in pain as Amity stepped up to bat. She played a few notes, and her abominations surged forward. The three golems bulldozed into the spirit with the force of four slitherbeasts.
The abomination constructs carried the ghoul across the slayground as the vines that held it in place snapped under their momentum. Amity called off her constructs as they neared a wall, and the ghoul slammed into the wall.
The "Knocked-Down" Coven gathered together and moved on the ghoul, faces darkened. They suddenly stopped when they heard sobbing.
"I'm sorry," the ghoul sobbed, speaking in a high-pitched voice. "I didn't mean to hurt someone; I was just so grumpy!"
Immediately, all eyes were on Luz, and the human witch was thinking. Since she took Oracle Classes, she knew that most spirits or ghouls weren't bad; but certain times, like Ghoul Break, make them unpredictable.
Still, Luz, the kindhearted witch she was, was always willing to give others the benefit of the doubt. She put her spell cards away and walked up to the ghoul.
"Weally sowwy?" the "knocked-down" human asked curiously.
The ghoul looked at the human with ectoplasmic tears in its eyes and said, "I just wanted to play! But I can't find my friends."
The human witch immediately felt sorry for the ghoul and didn't think as she went to comfort it.
"AWW!" Luz exclaimed and tried to hug it.
The human went through the massless form and hit the ground, making a cute noise. Amity gasped and was immediately on her girlfriend, checking to see if she was hurt.
Luz got into a sitting position, rubbing her nose with tears in her eyes. Besides a sore nose, Amity couldn't find anything else wrong with her girlfriend. And Luz, in true fashion, whipped her tears and offered a big smile to her little sweet potato to tell her she was good.
Next, Luz turned that smile on the ghoul and said happily, "We play!"
(SC)
With a moan and groan, Dell came back to the waking world. He lifted his head up and gave it a quick shake to get all the cobwebs out and blinked. He looked around and found that he was on the park bench, flanked by two abominations. Hunter was sitting next to him as well.
The retired carver gave the boy a nod and then looked around again. His eye suddenly jumped from its socket when he saw the sight before him. Luz, Amity, and King were all on the swings, being pushed by the ghoul that attacked him a few minutes ago.
Dell was about to get up and fight the ghoul to protect his grandbabies. Hunter stopped him by grabbing his sleeve.
"It's otay," Hunter said, "Fwiend!"
Dell looked uncertainly at Hunter and then back at the ghoul. The retired carver saw that the ghoul didn't was hostile anymore and was using a spirit vine to interact with his grandkids. He relaxed slightly but kept his eye on the spirit.
It didn't even take two minutes to see that the ghoul wasn't going to harm anyone, and he completely relaxed. Dell watched as a smile started to form as his grandkids continued to play with their new ghoul friend.
The good times weren't to last, as the spirit vine withered and the ghoul lost the mass the plant gave him. However, Luz was quick to fix that; she took out a plant glyph and used it to create new spirit vines to give the ghoul mass again.
The ghoul then went back to pushing the swings.
"Hmm," Dell said, watching all of this unfold, then looked at Hunter. "So that's the fable "Clawnthorne Paradox" I heard so much about."
Hunter's reply was a smile and a quick nod. Dell smiled as he turned his attention back to the scene before him and settled in for a relaxing afternoon.
He suddenly heard a noise and looked at the slayground's entrance. A wagon carrying what looked like two dozen sandwiches and two of the "Knocked-down" coven went barreling down the street, thanks to fire spells rocketing the cart forward.
Also, a familiar demon hunter nomad was being dragged behind the cart.
"PICKLE AND CHEESE!" Drake screamed as he ran past the slayground, Masha and Vee riding on his back.
Dell watched as the human disappeared and blinked. "Maybe I should have heeded Lilith's warning and not come here," the retired carver said, starting to feel overwhelmed by the events that had transpired.
(G Corner)
So here are some fun facts about Spirit Vines. Spirit vines are a type of plant that can empower spirits and give them mass. However, they died rather quickly, especially if they were powering spirits.
Also, I wondered if anyone remembered the spell Amity used during her turn babysitting Luz during the last Ghoul Break.