A/N:
This is chapter FIFTY! FIVE ZERO! That's ridiculous to me, it's- just, ahh! I'm so happy everyone's been following me on this dumbass journey so far lol.
Also, check out either my twitter or tumblr - both WA_Stokins. To celebrate, I commissioned an absolutely amazing artist, Oonpiturn, to draw my portrayal of Phillip! It legitimately made me so happy. Such an amazing piece.
Also - uh, this and Chapter 51 were originally one chapter - but I have a hard 2000 word per chapter limit. It's completely arbitrary but then what isn't? So, yeah, next chapter coming out tomorrow.
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Phillip slid the vial into his pocket, as he walked back upstairs. Stepping into the living room, it was a good thing that Luz and Amity were still chatting away.
"Say, Luzura, will you aid me in finding your aunt Dirtrude?" Phillip joked with a smile, blissfully unaware how uncomfortable it made everyone. Especially as a conversation opener.
"What…?" Amity mumbled, Luz just facepalmed.
"Oh, uh, sorry." Phillip awkwardly stammered, before trying to rescue the situation. "I'm about to go and meet with Lilith, would you like to come along?"
"Sure." Luz shrugged. "What's up? Going back to look at your memory prints?"
"No, no." Phillip shook his head. "I have a new project I'm working on, the cure for Petrification." He reached into his pocket and grabbed the vial. "With Titan's Blood as my secret ingredient." He sounded, if just for a moment, genuinely optimistic.
"How'd you get that?" Amity asked, concerned. Considering just a few short years ago he nearly killed Hunter for a vial of the stuff.
"Fool's Blood. Turns out, just hardened Titan's Blood." Phillip shrugged, before changing the topic. "Lilith, to my knowledge, is the leading expert on time-pools."
"Ehhh, I mean, I guess?" Luz wiggled her hand. "She knows of them but hasn't really studied them in depth. But, she knows more about'em than I do I suppose."
With that, the unlikely trio were off. Riding on Palisman-back over to the good old Owl House, to meet up with the Clawthorne Sisters. The trip itself was fairly uneventful, but the views of the Boiling Isles were breathtaking as always.
Knocking on the door, Eda was the one who answered. "Oh, heya squirts! What a nice surprise." She turned around, calling out "Rainey, set the table for two more!"
Phillip nervously chuckled. "Don't you mean three?"
"No." Eda replied with a deadpan expression. "I don't want you in my house."
"Oh." Phillip squeaked. "But, uh, I need to speak with your sister, Lilith, and then I'll be on my way. Hand on heart." He even put his hand on his heart to make his point.
As if summoned, Lilith appeared. Eda just grumbled, "Fine, you can come in too."
"I promise I won't be long." Phillip awkwardly muttered, nervously grabbing at his arm.
Queue Currant, his trusty Palisman, poking her head out of his pocket. It was her favorite spot. But she was annoyed by how The Owl Lady treated her master, letting out an incensed 'caw.' Telepathically muttering 'Phillip, May I please rip out her eyeballs?'
'No.' Phillip telepathically replied.
Lilith looked him in the eyes as he was momentarily distracted, speaking up. "Phillip, how are you feeling? Now that you're back to, uh, normal."
Phillip felt a twinge of relief, if for a moment. Even if just a little bit- just asking that made Lilith seem like she cared. At least she had a friend in one of the Clawthorne sisters. "I won't lie, it's been rough living with my memories-"
Lilith cut him off. "No, no, no. I meant like, physical side effects." She pulled a stethoscope from her pocket, placing it on Phillip's chest. "Is your new heart fully functional? Are your pain receptors working? What about your eyesight?"
Phillip felt his stomach drop, replying in a low voice "Oh."
Lilith continued. "I'm not interested in you as a person, I'm interested in you as a magical marvel! The collector's power is something unfathomable."
Eda snort-laughed. "Damn, Lily! That was harsh. I must be rubbing off on you." Knowing there was probably a 50/50 chance it was on purpose.
The rest of the group couldn't help but laugh, all except for Phillip. Who just felt mildly upset. Still, he cleared his throat and tried to continue, as if that didn't just happen. Pulling the vial out of his pocket, "I've found a new way to make Titan's Blood-"
Que King cutting in. "I have a name, you know."
In the kitchen, Raine just ignored whatever the hell was going on outside. They were the only one in this damn house who knew how to cook. Helping them out was Hooty, who made a good cookbook perch.
Phillip took a deep breath, trying to refocus his energy. "Anyway, Lilith. I need your help, I think we can channel that magic into a cure for Petrification." He had a certain fire in his voice - clearly excited at the possibility.
"Alright." Lilith shrugged. "Come in, let's discuss it over brunch."
Eda stopped him just as he entered, announcing "Just so you know, I'm going to spit in your food."
"W-I-What?!" Phillip stammered, pushed just a bit too far. "What even was the purpose of telling me? I thought the whole purpose of that act would be silent rebellion!"
His indignity gave Eda a belly laugh. "I just wanted to see how you'd react!"
Embarrassed, Phillip just shut his mouth and walked through the Owl House. Sitting down at the table everyone else had gathered around.
"Breakfast is ready." Raine called, finishing up the last plate of French Goast. A delicacy imported straight from the human realm, with a Boiling Isles twist. They had purposely made an excess - at first intending for everyone to have seconds and leftovers, but it just worked out that they had extra guests.
