Lilith Clawthorne, the icy Head Witch of the Emperor's Coven, was positively elated and held in giggles as she made a quick stop to her chambers. When she saw Oliver she was going to hug him, kiss him….THEN GROUND HIM FOR LIFE IF HER SISTER HADN'T ALREADY! And then she'd steal him away for a day and blow an not inconsiderable amount of her fortune on pampering and spoiling him!
She was so deep into thinking of how to start said spoiling she almost missed the crow that flew into her room and shouted in her sister's voice before flying away.
"HEY LILY! OLLIE'S BACK AND HE SNAGGED HIMSELF A CUTIE FROM ANOTHER WORLD
Where there had once been Lilith Clawthrone was now a blur of smoke in the shape of her silhouette, another trail of smoke racing throughout and outside the castle
"…. I think she broke the sound, speed, and time barriers." Steve mused. "And without an ounce of magic."
Indeed; in the few seconds between hearing her sister's message and now, Lilith Clawthorne had made it to the Owl House, where she saw some lights were still on. She knew it was late, but…
Wait, who was that coming out Olivier's window?!
The witch readied her staff, noting she felt sluggish as she did so but not caring; she would NOT let harm come to Olivier again oh wait…It was Raine.
Lilith smiled at the realization; of course Raine had been keeping an eye on Eda, they'd know right away that Ollie came back…
And with the relief came the realization she was very tired and…
"I can't see them looking like THIS!" She gasped, looking down and realizing she was now drenched in sweat, feather, dirt and various other things. She drew a magic circle around herself and in a poof, was back to normal. "There. That's better."
Taking a deep breath, Lilith began to walk towards the Owl House, then recalled the last bit of her sister's message.
'Cute from another world.'
Olivier had a significant other.
Her nephew was in love.
And instantly, lessons of proper ettiquiette and a sense of protectivness overcame Lilth; who was this 'Cutie?' How did they and Olivier meet? Did they treat him right?! She and Eda REFUSED ANOTHER…!
No, no, forget that. Focus.
With a sigh, Lilith decided to come back in the morning. She'd go to the night market and find a gift for Olivier's love.
Present
Now sitting at the breakfast, or rather, brunch table, Lilith Clawthorne was processing all that had happened to her nephew…while also enjoying the homecooked meal Eda had whipped up, reminding her of when they had been growing up at home.
"So, you get all that?" The Owl Lady asked her sister.
"Yes." Lilith managed, still processing all the madness Olivier had endured….and begrudgingly admitting that she liked this human, Anne Boonchuy, for nothing else than keeping him safe. On the matter of her nephew. "Olivier, while I am beyond elated to see you back, I must admit…"
"You're disappointed I not only accepted a strange object from an unknown witch but that I didn't tell you or mom about it." Olivier cut off.
"Am I really that predictable?" Lilith asked.
"Yes." Eda, Anne and Hop-Pop said.
"We barely know you and we knew you were going to say that!" Polly followed as Maddie made her way over to the Head witch of the strongest Coven.
"Ignore them, Miss Clawthorne. It's an honor to meet the aunt of my own mentor."
Lilith smiled, liking this frog already, but returning to Oliver, who looked annoyed at the lecture he was sure was coming.
"Well, I doubt you'll make that mistake again and I am happy some good came out of it, but I do believe a punishment of sorts is in order." Lilith said.
"Already on it, Lily; Ollie's going to be cleaning Hooty for the next six months!" Eda smirked, delighting at Olivier's disgusted face as King cackled.
"Hoot! Hoot! I'm 20% mucus and have been storing a lot of mold!" The House demon announced before eyeing something. "Oh hey! Mud!"
He then whipping outside and began to roll aorund in the aforementioned element.
"…If I ever find that old goat!" Olivier swore in vengeance.
"He WILL be found." Lilith said, having her Palisman, Eric the white raven, come to life and carry a message. "I just sent his description to Wrath and Steve. The Conformatorium should have him by the end of the day."
Eda cackled at that.
"If they managed to do that, I'd take the Warden on a date!"
Elswhere, Warden Wrath sneezed.
Lilith ignored Eda's comment, focusing her attention on Anne Boonchuy; formerly a slacker who took the easy way out, but who was now a protective friend and girlfriend determined to stop this Andrias fellow and save her best friend from being possessed by a thousand conquerors.
Anne buckled under Lilith's gaze; she could tell this lady meant business and was VERY protective of Olivier, not just because he was her neohew but because of what…those three did to him.
"May I check something?" Lilith finally asked, getting a nod. The Head Witch did a simple Healing spell; one used to gauge the magic reserves in a bile-sac. To burrow from the manga Olivier read, yes, it could be seen a 'reading a power level.'
Lilith's eye widened. She couldn't believe what she felt: This girl…. was stronger than her. Stronger than Belos! The sheer power she held in her body was akin to all the Coven Heads, the last Golden Guard AND Belos himself combined…and still not enough.
"Um, Miss Lilith?" Anne asked.
"Auntie?" Oliver followed in concern.
Lilith quickly turned her attention to Oliver, her spell changing target…
Where had her nephew been?!
Yes, his bile sac was still non-existent, but there was a power flowing throughout his body; a power she recognized as his affinity of light and dark magic, but now much stronger and just waiting to come out. Grunge really HAD done good work with Ollie.
Lilith was brought out of her musing when Sprig offered her some water.
"Thank you…Twig, was it?"
"Sprig."
Lilith downed the water and composed herself before she bowed to Anne.
"Thank you for keeping Olivier safe. I swear on the Titan's soul I will repay you someday….And Olivier, I ask that you and your mother consider joining the Coven, Belos would be able to…."
Eda yawned and groaned.
"And here I was hoping we'd get one visit without that crud! You felt the kids and heard about Andrias. I think the conqueror from another world takes precedence over the Day of Unity and yes we know about that!"
"Scrying potion!" King smirked, not realizing the frogs were now very interested, especially when Maddie summed it up as a spying spell.
"I made a few of those." The Witch frog girl mused, already planning to brew another with Sprig and Pollu as the Clawthorne sisters argued,
"We'd be together all the time!" Lilith noted. "You, me, Olivier, we could see mother and dad whenever we…!"
"Wait, doesn't the emperor forbid Coven members from seeing family and or friends aside for their one day off?" Olivier pointed out. "I think I remember Am…"
He paused, his usual mood darkening.
"I remember someone saying that as a good thing."
Lilith was about to retort…and then she stopped and reflected.
Yes.
Yes, that was true.
"I….I need to see someone." Lilith excused herself. Before she left however, she turned around and kissed Olivier's forehead and shot her sister a sad smile. Eda said nothing. As much as she and Lilith agreed, she knew her sister loved Olivier more than anything else and would never hurt him,
"She seems nice." Hop-Pop mused.
"Its an off day." Eda remarked.
"Still don't like her." Anne said.
"Me neither." Polly and Sprig added.
Maddie was already looking for Scrying potion ingriedants. Hopefully, they could check on wartwood!
Spying the time; 12:30, Eda smirked and got an idea for how to spend the rest of the day.
"So, Ollie, you want to see some of Anne's baby memories?" Eda asked
"Yes please!"
"NOOOOOO!" Anne shouted as she raced after the Clawthrones. "NOT COOL, EDA!"
"YOU KNEW I'D DO IT!" Eda smirked.
BOILING AMPHIBIA
"Miss Clawthorne! Please, come in."
Lilith really wished it had been an Abomination that answered the door. Or Aldador, disheveled as he probably would be. Titan, even the twins would be better! The less she saw of this woman the better; yes, she was a major industrialist and success story to the Coven System, but she was, to put it simple; a horrid woman who had bullied Lilith when they were younger.
And Lilith Clawthorne NEVER forgot. Or Forgave….But that's not why she was here.
"Hello Odalia. Is Amity available?" Lilith asked. "I know its her day off, but I happened across a café that had a brand of tea she mentioned wanting to try….And he did ace her last few tests, so a treat is in order."
"Mittens!" Odalia called for her youngest: Amity Blight. The top student at Hexside's Abomination course and Lilith's personal protégé. Well, remaining one after three years ago…Stowing away those memories, Lilith explained what she was doing here and invived Amity for a wecloem escape from Blight Manor. Amity happily agreed and took some Snails from her mother , the two witches heading out.
The two found themselves at a café and ordered some tea and a fairy pie. Once their order had arrived, Lilith then cast a Bard sound-muting bubble around them
"Miss Clawthrone?" Amity asked, confused and worried.
"I'd rather others not hear this conversation. To start with, you are not in any sort of trouble. In fact, you've been doing exceptionally well, and I really did want to reward you for your progress. Secondly and the other reason for this outing: Olivier has returned."
Amity's eyes widened in shock and the hints of joy and relief filled her eyes, even if she quickly adopted an indifferent look until she heard her mentor's next words:
"And its safe for me to say he's much stronger."
The calm yet fearful way Lilith said those words got Amity's attention.
"How stronger are we talking about?"
"Able to cast two different spell types at once. A feat not seen since the Wild Ages."
Amity choked on her Fairy pie, Lilith offering her some tea to wash it down.
"Two Spells at once?!" Amity gasped once the pie was down the right tube.
"With both spells affecting the entirety of the forest around the Owl House." Lilith added. "Aside from me, no one in the Emperor's Coven can go near those woods without being attacked by Plant or Beast Keeping magic. And I'm half certain if I did come in Coven garbs the spell would be affect."
Amity nervously sipped at her tea. Last time anyone had heard or seen Olivier, he could barely perform one spell before his condition acted up. It made the fact he was a natural prodigy at understanding and doing magic both tragic and vexing.
And with that, memories came back to her: Ollie, her and Willow playing together, going on adventure and the first two training under Lilith's watchful eye. Even with his condition, Olivier had been a great rival to try and surpass…and a happy and willing sound board for all her problems at home, letting her cruse and cry when she needed.
"Amity." Lilith started. "I know that you and Olivier have history, but neither he nor my sister like to talk about it."
Amity felt a rare pang of guilt. She had almost forgotten what was coming next.
"I do know however, that you were NOT the worst offender in the event in question." Lilith assured her apprentice, her anger turning to a certain 'successor' for her position of the Captain of the Banshees. First chance Lilith got, that Boscha brat would have a 'little accident.' Little did she know that she'd grow to like Anne a lot more for doing that for her in a few weeks…
The head witch then recomposed herself.
"I just visited him. And he has grown in not only magic but character. He has found someone…"
Amity felt happiness for Oliver and was interested in meeting this person. They had to be special to bring him out of the shell…that she had helped put him in.
"And she is stronger than me." Lilith admitted, scaring her apprentice. "And VERY. VERY. Protective. As is Olivier. Now, hopefully, my sister will return her to the Human Relam in a week, but in the meantime and even after…watch yourself around Olivier. He is not the same quiet boy he was when he vanished."
Amity did not need to be told twice, pouring Lilith some more tea. Lilth smiled and messed with Amity's hair, making the girl laugh as she fixed up her hair.
"Alright, last serious thing before we enjoy another round." Lilth asked. "…How're things with your family? Are you sure you never want to see any of them again if you get into the Coven?"
Amity was confused by this question
"Olivier reminded me of a rule in the Coven." Lilith admitted sheepishly.
"Yeah, he always had a good memory." Amity smiled.
"The rule is aside form your single day off…another thing I forgot about…you can only see family on your one day off. Least they're outlaws like Eda." Lilith added.
The two laughed at this before Amity thought about Lilith;s question:
She would NOT miss her mother. Edric and Emira had always pciekd on her and all the Abominations were replaceable…But Alador? He gave her some thought. Yes, he buried himself into his work, but when he was awake and with it? She admired him and he seemed to try at least…
"Ma'am!"
The two witches turned to see Steve, gasping for air
"Steve?"
"We found him! The one who sent your nephew away!"
Lilith slammed several snails onto the table and sent Eric to get Eda.
"Take Amity home." She ordered Steve, who saluted. Lilith then bid her apprentice goodbye and apologized for their day ebing cut short.
BOILING AMPHIBIA
While his aunt and former friend had been conversing, Olivier had been giving Anne, the Plantars and Maddie a tour of the forest he had grown up in. Eda was taking a nap, exhausted by almost two straight days of no sleep and her body beginning the sprout feathers the longer she seemed to stay awake.
The beasts all seemed happy to see Olivier again and interested in the frogs, Maddie especially. Fangora stayed close to Maddie, but Fleetwing flew along his master.
Anne, still a wee bit annoyed at Ollie cooing over her baby memory pictures, smiled as Olivier regaled everyone with how he and King had fought off a swarm of fire-bees to get their honey for Eda's mother's day breakfast.
"THE STINGS WERE WORTH IT!" King and Olivier shouted together.
Then he recalled a time his grandfather had taken him a bit deeper into the woods and introduced him to the Bat Queen, who at in as the two Clawthrones practiced carving. Well, Ollie carved…Dell couldn't anymore…
"You love it here, don't you?" Anne asked in spite of herself, getting a nod from her boyfriend.
"Are…are you okay here?" Oliver asked.
"Well, it's kind of weird living on a giant dead guy.." Anne confessed.
Oliver chuckled.
"Steve tried to write a national anthem based on that." He recalled. "But he lost to Kiki's Ode to Belos. Sorry, keep going."
"But, like Amphibia? There's a lot of good in all this scary stuff." Anne finished. "Just…not looking to the Boiling Rain."
"I am!" Maddie said. "Could probably use it in curses!"
"Um, Olivier?" Hop-Pop asked. "Aside from those boiling rains, are there any other weird kinds of weather we should be aware of?"
"Not that I know, why?"
"Oh, so I CAN worry about the bird-nado approaching us."
"A BIRD-NADO?!" everyone asked, although Olivier didn't seem as scared.
Indeed, there was a hawk with a tornado underneath it racing towards them. More precisely, Olivier himself, who it scooped up and then continued its way.
"OLLIE!" Anne and Maddie screamed in worry. The Thai girl suddenly burst into blue energy and raced after the Bird-nado, Maddie willing Fangora into staff form and racing after her, Sprig and Polly riding behind her…
"I! HATE! THIS!"
And Hop-Pop holding on for dear life. Again.
Back at the Owl house, Eda suddenly snapped awake
Drawing her sword, Anne cut her way through the trees, only one thought on her mind: Save Olivier.
When the Bird-nado came to a mansion, Anne's mind wandered to the worst-case scenarios; Was Ollie kidnapped by some rich old creep?! Did half-ling body parts rake in dough?! Was this someone Eda scammed using Olivier in revenge?!
Well, whoever, they were? They. Were. DEAD!
Spying the frogs having caught up with her, Anne saw Maddie already had several Curse Pouches at the ready, Sprig his slingshot and Polly her knife.
Hop-Pop was catching his breath.
Waiting not a second later, they burst into the house
"TAKE YOIR STINKING PAWS OFF MY OLIVIER, YOU..!"
"Wait…what?" Maddie asked in confusion.
This…was not the sight they were expecting:
Oliver, a cup of tea in hand and a plethora of delicious baked treats sitting across from two older witches who reminded the group of Eda; the older and scarred man had her hair, but the frankly ripped older woman looked like Eda if she didn't let her hair grow outward, but upwards.
"Oh, hi guys!" The Half witch boy waved happily, placing his cup down and motioning them over. "Grandma? Grandpa? These are the Plantars; Hopidiah, Sprig and Polly. The other is Maddie…"
"…Grandma?" Maddie asked, embrassed.
"Grandpa?" Anne followed, only to snap out when Oliver took her hand into his own and brought her a little closer.
"And this is Anne."
Both elderly witches squealed in delight
"Oh, Ollie! She's beautiful!" Gwen smiled, making Anne smile and blush.
"Yup. You are Witchlet's son." Dell smiled at Olivier before giving Anne a look over. "Tanned skin, wonderful singing voice, take no scat…Welcome to the family, Anne. You lot too, Plantars."
"Tea and cookies?" Gwen offered as everyone took a seat. "Ollie was just telling us how you saved from becoming a slave."
"You're there already?" Sprig asked.
"I figured other stuff would make more sense if the Plantars and Maddie were here." Olivier confessed. "Plus, the memory picture lab is in use, so…."
Anne took a cookie and some tea, delighting at the familiar taste. Eda's cooking was indeed very good, but still very 'Amphibia' like. It was so nice to have something like home…..
Fangora suddenly came to life and crawled over to Dell, who smiled warmly.
"Hello there!" The aged witch said as he marveled at Maddie's work, using his cane to bring the spider up. "So articulate and detailed; you rarely see this kind of maneuverability in carved Palisman."
Maddie blushed in a very cute way as she was praised for her work.
"I've always had a soft pot for spiders." She admitted.
Meanwhile, Fleetwing bowed at Hawksley and Ray, the latter of whom preched onto his shoulder and nuzzled his cheek as the former gently placed his hed onto the younger Palisman
"if you'd prefer, I do have some fire-bees and candy mantis." Gwen offered the frogs some insects. "Most of these are left over from Beastkeeping trials."
The Frogs partook of he bugs, finding them delicious and allowing Olivier to continue where he had left off. His grandparents were both worried but proud of him, especially when Anne then filled in all the gaps he had left out.
Dust suddenly fell from the roof, accompanied by footsteps and then
:OW! OUCH! DANG NABBIT!"
From the chimmeny fell Eda, now covered in soot.
"WITCHLET!" Gwendoyln beamed, racing to hug her daughter.
"Gwendolyn." Eda said, holding her mother back in annoyance. "You kidnapped my son."
"Is it really kidnapping if we're his grandparents?" Dell asked, making Eda tense. Dell simply hugged his daughter and gently brought her over. "Sit witchlet. Your mother made all your favorites and its been too long."
"…Are those Ache-Brittle and Cocoa-Curse Cookies?" Eda asked.
"Like your father said, all your favorites." Gwen smiled as she escourted her daughter to the couch.