Despite the cheque from the Boonchuys, Camilla took the kids to a second-hand clothing store for starters. Anne had helped find 'styles' for everyone, as Luz and Oliver were…well, they had their fashions and they worked but otherwise, they didn't think much of that kind of stiff.
Willow kicked open her changing room's door wearing the outfit of a roller-skater, loving the colors and how free she was, no longer bound by her hexside uniform.
"Maybe some sandals as well, dude?" Anne suggested, which Willow happily accepted.
Gus opted for a stylish jacket, toque and shades with Nikes sneakers. Olivier couldn't help but applaud the youngest witch's swagger, making a mental look to try and find something akin to that when he could change clothes without irritating his injury.
Amity came out a black and purple ensemble with a red and white witch hat.
"….Hubba. Hubba." Luz managed, as it occurred to her that she had, in the eyes of earth, a hot goth girlfriend. Amity herself was delighted to see Luz melt at the sight of her…But then she noticed Olivier giving her a look.
"What?" She asked.
"Well, ideally we shouldn't advertise where we come from," Oliver noted. "But then again? Most people, no offense Bee, Oum and Senora Noceda…"
"None taken." Camilla waved.
"Fair enough." Bee shrugged.
"Some taken." Oum said.
"..Some people are to slow to realize." Olivier finished. "Just..maybe try and find something else?"
"This coming from the guy who has no Thai in his clothing." Amity smirked.
"Oh, boy…." Willow groaned. "Here we go."
"What?" Hunter asked.
"Just…watch." Willow sighed as Amity and Olivier began another argument.
"I'll have you know I've unofficially been adopted by the Thai Temple." Olivier retorted, leaving it at that.
"Ah yes…Unofficially." Amity said. "Do you at least speak some of the language?"
"…Not entirely, but at least I didn't learn from a cookbook…cute as it is." Olivier smirked. He couldn't help it, Luz and Amity were adorable together.
"That is on Gus." Amity remarked.
"Ah, how like you." Olviier smirked. "Blaming others before yourself."
"Ollie…" Anne suddenly cut in.
"HA!" Amity smirked.
"Sweet Potato…" Luz joined in.
"Sorry, dear." The two witches groaned, annoyed at Willow's giggling. They did NOT however, ignore Gus' 'whip' sounds.
"You just lost our help with Bria." The two geniuses said together to their prodigal friend, who tensed up, blushed but said nothing else. Maddie and Sprig chuckled at this before Hop-Pop gave them a knowing glance, and they followed in suit.
And Hunter? Well, he came out wearing a cardinal costume.
….
Now, everyone at this point knew that Hunter was…well, he hadn't had the best upbringing. Still, the sight might most giggle.
"Hunter, we need clothes to wear in public and NOT to get attention." Olivier sighed, surprised he had to explain this to the Grimmwalker.
"There's a falcon costume, two!" Hunter quickly added, making the other half witch pause.
"…Okay, fine. Grab that too." Olivier sighed, not missing the knowing smirk the Boonchuys were giving him. A delighted Hunter did just that as Anne took him to find some proper clothes; coming back with T-shirts and jeans.
And Vee?
Well, a quick once around the stands? And she was now wearing a sweater with green hair and her basilisk face, now humanized and utterly adorable. Camilla and Luz couldn't help but hug her and Anne took a selfie with new Vee.
"Oh, so she there IS magic in the human world?" Hop-Pop asked.
"N-no, not quite." Luz noted. "Vee is…"
"She's a Basilisk!" Sprig cut in. "You know, like the monster that attacked Hexside. Only much nicer!"
…
…
"…I'm sensing I said something I shouldn't…" Sprig noted.
Anne and Polly groaned.
'Why?' Maddie mentally groaned. 'Why he must be slow in such matters?'
It was then that Hunter and Vee finally realized something. They froze at the sight of each other, gasped and pointed at each other, screaming:
"YOU!?"
"What happened?" Bee and Camilla asked.
OWLPHIBIA
One payment, walk outside and explanation later, Vee held onto Luz, fighting back the memories. Hunter meanwhile, was being comforted by Willow and Gus. He tried to apologize for what he'd done as the Golden guard, but Vee retreated deeper into Luz's embrace.
The adults, Maddie and Plantars had decided to go grab some coffee for everyone, promising to be back in a few minutes.
"Well….This is…this is not how I expected the day to go." Amity said, unsure of what else to say.
Olivier sighed and patted Hunter on the shoulder, clearing his tears.
"Look. You were under Belos. You didn't know. I know that doesn't help but…" He racked his brain for something to say, before deciding to use humor. "But hey, at least didn't throw somebody off a cliff after breaking their heart."
"…Why do you feel the need to do that?" Amity groaned. "After everything?"
"Because much like you, I can be petty. Plus, I am recovering from a grievous injury, so I get a freebie. And humor usually helps in situations like this."
Vee did chuckle a bit at that, as did Hunter, but they the still avoided looking at each other.
"Luz?"
The group turned to see a slightly familiar face; one of Vee's friends; an androgous youth with a hooked nose, sharp yet gentle eyes and slightly pronounced lips.
"Marsha?" Luz asked, hoping that was their name; Vee had mentioned her friend group, but she was unsure…until she sae Vee look up slightly and blush at the newcomer. Then she knew for sure.
"What the heck happened?!" Marsha gasped when she saw the scar on Luz's eyebrow, worry clear, which was alleviated somewhat when she saw Luz wasn't alone. "And who are your friends?"
Luz gently let Vee and took a deep breath to explain.
"We got jumped yesterday. I got off lucky, all things considered."
"You should see the other guy." Olivier mentioned, stepping forward and giving as much of a bow as he could with Fleetwing supporting him. "Olivier Clawthorne. Luz's pen-pal from England. Before you ask, yes the eyes the eyes are real, I am recovering from a slash to the best WHICH I WAS HAPPY TO TAKE!"
He looked at Hunter when he said that and delighted when the blonde boy smiled. Only to wince when his wound acted up.
"Okay, okay! No screaming, got it." He whispered to his injury as Anne supported him.
"Hey there, Marsh, right?"
Marsha smiled; liking the nickname,
"Yup. And you are?"
"The name's Anne. Amnne Boonchuy." The Thai girl beamed. "Ollie's girlfriend."
Amity stepped up and offered Marsha a handshake.
"Amity Blight. Luz's awesome girlfriend." She smirked.
"…Dang Luz! Where were you hiding her?" Marsha teased Luz, who chuckled nervously as Willow, Gus and Hunter stepped up and introduced themselves, respectively until only one remained…
"And this is my little cousin, Vee." Luz smiled, bringing Vee forward after Hunter took a step back. The disguised Baslisk shyly waved to her old friend, who seemed to be squinting at her.
"…Have we met? You seem…famialr." Marsha asked Vee.
"Oh, um.." vee struggled. "No, I'm new in town. Just arrived today. I guess I just have one of those faces…But um! Just the one! You know? The normal…amount..of..face!"
She was blushing profusely ass she said this…which was not helped when Marsha laughed.
"What a conicdence! Me too! Listen, I gotta grab something for my folks, but…" They reached into their pockegt and handed Vee a card of their family's butcher shop. "…Once you've settled in? If you ever want a tour of town or hang? Hit me up."
Vee took the card slackjawed as Marsha gave a wave and hurried off to their errand.
"…Oh my gosh this is adorable and must be protected at all costs!" Anne whispered to Willow and Amity, who nodded and smiled with her.
'Oh boy….here we go again…' Olivier sighed….but he smiled nonetheless.
"…Say um…isn't it taking our folks a long time just to grab coffee?" Anne noted, glancing at her phone.
"Y-yeah…." Luz noted, Vee slowly snffing the air and then tensing.
"Oh no." She gasped as she broke into a run. "Jacob!"
"Who?" Gus and Willow asked as everyone bursty into a run.
"One of the stupid humans." Olivier realized, recalling what Luz had explained to him about this man.
"A flat earth moron who thinsk witches are aliens!" Anne explained.
"Wait, the earth is NOT flat?" Willow asked, the other witches tilting their heads in confusion.
'Okay, taking them to the conservatory and or museum is an immediate!' Anne made a note,
They suddenly turned a corner to find their parenst accosted bhy Jacob Hopkins, but before anyone could leap in?
A pair of golems suddenly appeared and pinned the crazed man to the ground.
"…"
"…"
"….Those golems weren't from you, were they, Ollie?" Anne asked.
"Nope." Olivier groaned weakly.
The eyes of the witches all widened. If Olivier hadn't summoned the golems…and Amity definitely still hadn't figured it out…and Maddie had left her potions at the Boonchuy house…
"Oh….no…" Amity managed when she realized the answer.
"….That…means…!" Willow squeaked.
"Yeeeeees."
Dark magic suddenly burst from the cracks and shadows of the golems, converging in front of the teens and starting to take form. Without a word or prompt, Anne, Olivier, Luz and the Hewsquad formed a protective circle around her, Camilla and the Boonchuy parents.
"After everything on the Sunken isles…., HE SURVIVED?!" Hunter finished.
"Who? Who survived?" Vee asked.
"Someone you will learn to hate very quickly." Oum frowned as the dark magic finally materialized, taking the familiar form of a warty toad with thick eyebrows and a sharp, toothy smile:
Dark Wizard Grunge.
"Hello Olivier. Anne. Luz. Amity, Willow, Hunter and…I…I'm sorry, what was your name again, little illusionist?"
TO BE CONTINUED…!
Next Time: Hexsquad, Anne and Vee vs Grunge, Round !
Sorry this took so long! I was racking my brain trying to plot out the Vee and Hunter dynamic/drama…when it then occurred to me that I DON'T have to resolve said dilemma in the same chapter!
Also sorry for rushing the Jacob bit, I had more in mind, like way back in the Journey to LA chapters of BTAB, but I just couldn't word it in a way that I was okay with. Hopefully the Marsha bit makes up for it.
We also see that Thai Temple (big plans for that one) and the Museum have already happened by this chapter. Don't worry., we'll see them in brought to a Boil
Hope you like this so far and don't worry; the next chapter should be up Monday.
See ya soon!