Reality Check - A Huntric/Goldric Based Fic

Daughter of a Cop (CHP 22)

                           I know a place where everyone meets but she knows the place where the                                                            cops don't go. And she'd be the one if anyone knows

                                                                                  -TV Girl

The six teenagers stood, over-looking this curiously new realm. Everything about it felt... uncanny, to say the least. The red ferns and grass and nature surrounded them, the warm colored sky and its fading colors. Even some of the animals they spotted running around.... or what they thought were animals. Though obviously nervous and REALLY should have been more wary, no one could stop themselves from venturing towards whatever signs of civilization they found in front of themselves. Willow and Gus had interlocked their elbows, Willow had a hand on Luz's shoulder. Luz held hands with Amity, who had her brother's arm wrapped around her. Finally at the end of the line stood Hunter and Edric, pressed against each other tightly to feel the embrace of each other. Flapjack, who Hunter successfully got through, was chirping every occasionally. As the view shifted, so did their thoughts. It was an unspoken theory they were all dead or something, stuck here now. But as they glanced around, it soon felt obvious that if they were dead, they certainly weren't in any 'Good Place' as Luz put it. What seemed to be a civilization of grotesque and odd-looking demons stood before them, their daytime marketplace displayed clearly in front of them. Everyone was so... unique. A small red-haired creature who was built around her nose, a pale seafoam green ogre with missing eyes, and just generally odd creatures everywhere. But a few stuck out to them; especially the relatively human ones whose only different features were pointed ears. Still huddled close, they walked together without paying much attention. Luz accidently bumped into a stand, knocking something off.

"Hey!" A sarcastic woman's voice quipped, and Luz squeaked, turning to face where it had come from.

There stood Edalyn the Owl Lady. Her arms were messily folded over her chest, her long, reddish-gray hair flowing just past her hips. Her eyes were a sheer, cold gold color and a single fang stuck out from her mouth. Her pale skin was nicely complemented by the golden ring on her hand, matching gold earrings and a red, torn dress.

"You kids need to watch where you're going- Human valuables are hard to find and very expensive." She practically snarled at them, twirling her hand and casting a spell circle, the object Luz had knocked off floating back up.

"Woah! Are you like- a witch?" Luz was dazzled by the magic, leaning forward and eager for more.

"Luz, I don't think you-" Hunter began, quickly interrupted by the witch.

"Yeah, a lot of witches here are. You six... you're humans, aren't you?" She grinned slyly, gesturing to their rounded ears.

Gus quickly clasped his hands over his ears and scowled at her. "What do you want from us? You want to what, eat us or something?"

The older woman laughed, a few snorts showing through as she shook her head. "Eat you? Why would I eat... a potential employee?" She leaned forward slightly, glancing between the kids. "Look, let's cut to the chase- none of you are exactly here on a fun family vacation, I can just tell by how nervous you all are... and so, in exchange for a place to stay and some food... you will all work for me, just until you can get back to whatever nightmare realm you guys are from."

Before anyone could say anything, Hunter pulled them into a circle, turning his own back to Eda. "Guys, we have to think about this- we don't know her. What if she's like... I don't some serial killer?"

"That's... kind of a chance we have to take, Hunter. Without her, we don't have anything else." Amity responded, glancing around the market. "We need somewhere to stay- I think it's getting dark, and I don't want to be outside to find out whatever comes out during night."

"I have to agree with Amity." Willow nodded and the rest of the group mumbled small measures of agreement. Hunter sighed and nodded, breaking off the circle and turning back to the woman.

"We'll take the deal." He nodded, holding out a hand for her to shake.

"Perfect." She grinned once more, her tooth being bared. Gus gulped nervously- he still had a fear of getting eaten. "Name's Eda, the Owl Lady. Renowned potionist, professional junk collector and the most powerful witch on the Boiling Isles."

Luz beamed at the mention of witchcraft (she was too much of a nerd to let it go) and hence, she was the most eager to introduce herself. "Luz Noceda, average teen, witch enthusiast and.... I don't know that's about it!"

After seeing Luz's reaction, everyone else warmed up, one at a time with their small introduction.

"Amity Blight, Luz's awesome girlfriend, also a witch enthusiast."

"Augustus Porter, here to reestablish peace between realms-oh and you can just call me Gus!"

"Willow Park, full time gardener, and I'm the only reason those two aren't dead." She gestured to Gus and Luz.

"Edric Blight, Amity's older brother, uh... I don't know, I guess I uh... I can't cook and that's really it?"

Hunter hesitated for a moment, but he sighed. "Hunter... Wittebane, I have this pet bird and that's about it."

"Wittebane? You know, there used to be some witches here by that name- disappeared centuries ago but probably some stupid coincidence... Alright, humans, follow me!" She snapped her fingers, the entire stand being wrapped up in a smooth, effortlessly magical motion, catching Luz and Amity's eyes as they squealed, completely fangirling.

Eda probably explained way too much of her life story through those Bonesborough roads, but no one cared. After that day, no one wanted to talk about anything, especially not Hunter. He walked stiffly; his hand desperately intertwined with Edric's.

What they learned from Eda's rambling was the following: 

They were in a town called Bonesborough, on the Boiling Isles, a section of a deceased god called the Titan.

 Eda lived in the Owl House, a house protected by a worm tube. Inside she lived with her (pet? son? roommate?) demon and her spouse, Raine Whispers.

 There were different types of magic, too. Eda had specialized in potions, but honestly, she was able to do anything. Raine could as well, but trey preferred 'Bard' magic, which is powered by an instrument, which was also a 'palisman?'

 That 'palisman' was apparently some sort of talisman that could turn into a staff or a bard's instrument. Some other types included illusion, plants, construction, abominations, beast-keeping, healing and oracle magic. Each had their own purpose, but none were important in that moment.

Once inside the Owl House, everyone was assigned to rooms in pairs. Luz and Amity into one, Willow and Gus into another and Edric and Hunter in their own.... and the only reason Eda allowed those two boys to sleep in the same room together was when everyone assured her they always did at this point. In the room, Edric had changed into borrowed clothes from Raine and so had Hunter. Ed sat down on the bad with an exasperated groan. Hunter sat next to him in sad silence, too tired to care at this point Edric wrapped a loving arm around his shoulder and glanced at him, his eyes filled with sorrow and pity.

"Hey. I know how hard... this must be, especially on you. He was your uncle, and I am here." Edric rubbed his back in a comforting manner and Hunter nodded, leaning into his lover.

"I'm... I'm good for right now. Thanks Edric, but I just... I wanna sleep." Hunter sounded exhausted, his voice completely drained. Edric nodded, scooting both of them over to lay on the unfamiliar bed, holding him close as they fell asleep like that.

(If you guys have any questions about my version of the B.I in this, ask questions in the comment! Keep these in mind-

Eda is not cursed.

There's no coven system.

Lore exists, obviously- it's just sprinkled throughout chapters.)

1302 words.