[So it's a warm day, and peaceful day, despite what happened earlier in the month. Rather than staying cooped up inside, Luz has invited Amity to go hang out at the local cafe with her. It's felt like a long month, and hopefully maybe getting back out there will help ease some of her frayed nerves.]
So, crazy month, huh?
[Luz doesn't want to admit it, but she's a little upset that she didn't get a chance to go home.]
[Amity's been having some complicated feelings on that whole mess. She didn't trust that portal; not because she didn't trust the people who made it, no. She was still pretty neutral on a lot of the big names in Ryslig, and whatever factions they were involved in. It was just... the idea of signing up to use experimental magic or technology that made her wary.
Still... despite her wariness, knowing those portals didn't work hurt.]
Yeah, no kidding. I'm surprised we managed to stay away from all that chaos.
[Weird parasitic monsters. Great. That's just what they need to deal with on top of everything else.]
... Are you still upset you couldn't go through one of those portals?
[Amity has to bite her tongue to stop herself from scoffing; remember, Amity, even friends don't immediately open up. It's clear that Luz is deflecting, and it's understandable why she would. This isn't some petty thing like her lying about a spell she learned or trying to hide that she was peeping in on Amity reading to kids. This was something big.]
... You know it's okay to be upset, right?
[They're friends, but... their friendship is still fairly new. She's not surprised Luz wants to hide things from her, still. But she wants to be someone Luz can open up to. Crush aside, Luz is important to her, and she has to help her however she can.]
I mean... you've been through a lot. You weren't just taken from your home, like I was. You were taken from a place that took you from your home. I can understand if missing out on a chance to go back was rough.
Just remember that wasn't really her. It was just this place messing with you.
[Amity's voice is stern, yet gentle at the same time. She's not trying to be harsh - she's just trying to make sure that her words get through to Luz. It's her way of trying to reassure her friend that she doesn't have to carry around any kind of guilt over what happened...]
Look... I don't know Eda as well as you do. But I do know she's evaded the Emperor's Coven longer than any other wild witch out there. I'm sure she'll be fine.
[... Ah, but. That's not really helpful, is it? God, it's been way too long since Amity's tried to reassure anyone like this...]
But I... I understand your worry, I guess. I've been missing Ed and Em a lot.
[Luz really wants to believe that, but after seeing her chained up, almost turned to stone, and then losing her powers... it's a little concerning that Luz can't at least go check on her.]
[Amity's eyes drop, from Luz to the cup of tea set out on the table between them. She's homesick, there's no doubt about that; but she's also been... okay with Ryslig a lot more than she's willing to admit, even to Luz. Being out from under her parents' shadows has lifted a weight off her shoulders, and she's not quite sure how to find her footing with that just yet.]
I mean, yeah. I miss home, I miss Willow and my siblings... [Hm. No mention of her parents.] But if it had to be only one of us, I'd rather it be you.
[Just a few months ago, Amity might have been a stammering mess, admitting something as simple as that. But now, aside from a brief flick of her deer-like ears, there's barely any reaction.]
I don't think I deserve it more, the Boiling Isles is your home more than mine, but...
[There is no mention of her parents, and Luz knows from their trip to Willow's memories that Amity definitely had them. She doesn't think she deserves it more, but maybe... she wants it more?]
Amity, do you like it here?
[No judgement in her voice, just mild curiosity. Luz has had a rough time here, but she figures the whole changing into a monster thing would be a wild turn off for anyone (even though Luz doesn't really mind the monster changes, other than the people eating).]
[She seems genuinely shocked at the accusation. She may be used to this place in a way that Luz isn't, despite how much longer Luz has been around, but that's just because she's seen a lot more horrors than the human has, just by virtue of being born on the Boiling Isles.]
[Amity’s reaction causes Luz to immediately back off, not meaning to upset her.]
Whoa, whoa - I wasn’t trying to upset you, Amity! It’s just that, this place can be kind of less stressful than the Boiling Isles, you know? When things aren’t trying to kill us or put us in a circus or...
[That's the big difference. Ryslig and the Boiling Isles may look similar on the outside, with the monsters and the terrible incidents that happen month to month and the shadowy presence of a being people worship like a god looming over them... but it still feels so alien.]
I admit, it's kind of nice here. With... with you. [Another, more nervous twitch of her ears, and this time her cheeks do flush a little pink.] But I don't like it to the point where I'd want to stay here. That just feels all kinds of wrong.
[It's like going on vacation. You can have a nice hotel room with fancy furnishings, but as nice it is, it can never hope to beat your simple bed back home.]
Besides, there's stuff like that happening all the time here. Meaning that it's rare for this place to not be stressful.
I guess I wouldn't mind it if all of you guys were here with me. We wouldn't have to worry about Emperor Belos turning people he doesn't like into stone, but... [There's the Gods. Still.] You're right though, it's not home. And I want to go back to magic school, and see Gus and Willow again too.
I guess I'm kind of scared of going back, with everything that's happened. Don't get me wrong, I want to go back, but there's just... so much.
[But at least with Luz, it's only been a few months before this upheaval. For Amity, this is her whole life being shaken up; the reveal of Belos's nature peeled back the curtain of what she'd hoped was her future. That's.... even now, if Amity thinks too much about it, she reels.]
Honestly... I don't know what I'm going to do when we get back. [Her hands come up, wrapping around her mug as if trying to cling to its warmth.] I know it must have been shocking for you, but... all of that? Luz, I wanted to be a part of that. The Emperor's Coven is what I've worked hard for ever since I could cast my first spell - before that, even.
[Her family had to have known the truth. Or at least more than most people. She's not sure if she can keep going down that road, but if it's what her parents want for her...]
I guess... I can understand why you don't mind being here. I don't have any idea how I'm going to deal with that kind of uncertainty.
[For Luz, it was easy to break ties with the Covens. Having a teacher you looked up to who was anti-Coven kind of helps, but she knows Amity wanted to join. That's gotta be rough.]
I'm so sorry, Amity. I know you wanted to join. Belos is... well, I wish Belos was a better guy.
I don't. I mean... I don't think I do. What good will him turning over a new leaf do now? The damage has already been done.
[... Ah. Maybe... she's being too harsh; Luz's eternal optimism is one reason why Amity loves her so much, after all. She can't crush that.]
It's not just Belos, though. I mean... Lilith almost got turned to stone too. If she's considered so replaceable, despite being the leader of the most powerful coven on the Isles... just how bad is the Emperor's Coven on the inside?
[Even if she worked so hard to get into the coven, her skill wouldn't be the only thing scrutinized. Would she be kicked out or arrested for hanging out with Luz? For spending time at the Owl House? Amity always thought her life would get better once she made it into the coven, but now... now she's thinking it'd be the opposite.]
.... Sorry, Luz. I didn't mean to bring down the conversation like that. Problems at home are probably the last thing you want to talk about, huh?
I don't think there's anything we can do about that guy, he's not gonna stop, whatever it is he's planning on doing.
[She destroyed the door to the human world so... her mom is safe, at least. As for Lilith, she's still kind of mad at Lilith, but she's not going to bash Lilith in front of Amity, who seems to like genuinely like her.]
Actually, I didn't think I'd have anyone to talk to about what happened back on the Boiling Isles... if anything, I feel like I'm bringing down the conversation by talking about it.
[She offers a weak grin.]
I'm glad you're here though, Amity. Even if this place is pretty crazy. We'll figure things out, like we usually do.
Weeks ago, those words would have turned Amity into a gibbering mess. But now... well. Now, she still blushes all the way to her fuzzy ears, but she doesn't fall apart like she did after the grudgby match. She just... feels warm inside. In a good way.]
I- uh-
[... Okay, she does stutter a little, but she's not making a fool of herself this time.]
... Yeah. I'm glad you're here, too. Its nice, being able to. You know. Hang out outside of school.
[And with no worries that her parents might hear that she's hanging out with a human.]
I like doing things like... like this, too. Just talking, I mean. I never really hung out with people who didn't gossip all the time.
I'd, uh. I'd really like that. Spending more time with you, that is.
[God, why is it so hard to just be NORMAL with Luz??? She never had a problem acting like a functioning with around Boscha or Skara??? Why does this crush make her feel so different?]
It's... nice, with you around. When we're not trying to beat Boscha at grudgby or fighting terrifying nightmare monsters, that is.
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So, crazy month, huh?
[Luz doesn't want to admit it, but she's a little upset that she didn't get a chance to go home.]
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Still... despite her wariness, knowing those portals didn't work hurt.]
Yeah, no kidding. I'm surprised we managed to stay away from all that chaos.
[Weird parasitic monsters. Great. That's just what they need to deal with on top of everything else.]
... Are you still upset you couldn't go through one of those portals?
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[Answer: yes.]
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... You know it's okay to be upset, right?
[They're friends, but... their friendship is still fairly new. She's not surprised Luz wants to hide things from her, still. But she wants to be someone Luz can open up to. Crush aside, Luz is important to her, and she has to help her however she can.]
I mean... you've been through a lot. You weren't just taken from your home, like I was. You were taken from a place that took you from your home. I can understand if missing out on a chance to go back was rough.
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... Yeah, I guess I was kind of upset.
I thought I could handle whatever this place throws at me, even turning into a cat monster, but having to eat my teacher...
[It really all comes back to that, doesn't it?]
I just wanted to see her again, just to know that she's really okay.
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[Amity's voice is stern, yet gentle at the same time. She's not trying to be harsh - she's just trying to make sure that her words get through to Luz. It's her way of trying to reassure her friend that she doesn't have to carry around any kind of guilt over what happened...]
Look... I don't know Eda as well as you do. But I do know she's evaded the Emperor's Coven longer than any other wild witch out there. I'm sure she'll be fine.
[... Ah, but. That's not really helpful, is it? God, it's been way too long since Amity's tried to reassure anyone like this...]
But I... I understand your worry, I guess. I've been missing Ed and Em a lot.
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[Luz really wants to believe that, but after seeing her chained up, almost turned to stone, and then losing her powers... it's a little concerning that Luz can't at least go check on her.]
... Are you upset that you couldn't go either?
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[Amity's eyes drop, from Luz to the cup of tea set out on the table between them. She's homesick, there's no doubt about that; but she's also been... okay with Ryslig a lot more than she's willing to admit, even to Luz. Being out from under her parents' shadows has lifted a weight off her shoulders, and she's not quite sure how to find her footing with that just yet.]
I mean, yeah. I miss home, I miss Willow and my siblings... [Hm. No mention of her parents.] But if it had to be only one of us, I'd rather it be you.
[Just a few months ago, Amity might have been a stammering mess, admitting something as simple as that. But now, aside from a brief flick of her deer-like ears, there's barely any reaction.]
You deserve it more than I do.
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[There is no mention of her parents, and Luz knows from their trip to Willow's memories that Amity definitely had them. She doesn't think she deserves it more, but maybe... she wants it more?]
Amity, do you like it here?
[No judgement in her voice, just mild curiosity. Luz has had a rough time here, but she figures the whole changing into a monster thing would be a wild turn off for anyone (even though Luz doesn't really mind the monster changes, other than the people eating).]
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[She seems genuinely shocked at the accusation. She may be used to this place in a way that Luz isn't, despite how much longer Luz has been around, but that's just because she's seen a lot more horrors than the human has, just by virtue of being born on the Boiling Isles.]
What gave you that idea???
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Whoa, whoa - I wasn’t trying to upset you, Amity! It’s just that, this place can be kind of less stressful than the Boiling Isles, you know? When things aren’t trying to kill us or put us in a circus or...
[Shes rambling. She feels bad.]
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[That's the big difference. Ryslig and the Boiling Isles may look similar on the outside, with the monsters and the terrible incidents that happen month to month and the shadowy presence of a being people worship like a god looming over them... but it still feels so alien.]
I admit, it's kind of nice here. With... with you. [Another, more nervous twitch of her ears, and this time her cheeks do flush a little pink.] But I don't like it to the point where I'd want to stay here. That just feels all kinds of wrong.
[It's like going on vacation. You can have a nice hotel room with fancy furnishings, but as nice it is, it can never hope to beat your simple bed back home.]
Besides, there's stuff like that happening all the time here. Meaning that it's rare for this place to not be stressful.
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I guess I wouldn't mind it if all of you guys were here with me. We wouldn't have to worry about Emperor Belos turning people he doesn't like into stone, but... [There's the Gods. Still.] You're right though, it's not home. And I want to go back to magic school, and see Gus and Willow again too.
I guess I'm kind of scared of going back, with everything that's happened. Don't get me wrong, I want to go back, but there's just... so much.
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[But at least with Luz, it's only been a few months before this upheaval. For Amity, this is her whole life being shaken up; the reveal of Belos's nature peeled back the curtain of what she'd hoped was her future. That's.... even now, if Amity thinks too much about it, she reels.]
Honestly... I don't know what I'm going to do when we get back. [Her hands come up, wrapping around her mug as if trying to cling to its warmth.] I know it must have been shocking for you, but... all of that? Luz, I wanted to be a part of that. The Emperor's Coven is what I've worked hard for ever since I could cast my first spell - before that, even.
[Her family had to have known the truth. Or at least more than most people. She's not sure if she can keep going down that road, but if it's what her parents want for her...]
I guess... I can understand why you don't mind being here. I don't have any idea how I'm going to deal with that kind of uncertainty.
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I'm so sorry, Amity. I know you wanted to join. Belos is... well, I wish Belos was a better guy.
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I don't. I mean... I don't think I do. What good will him turning over a new leaf do now? The damage has already been done.
[... Ah. Maybe... she's being too harsh; Luz's eternal optimism is one reason why Amity loves her so much, after all. She can't crush that.]
It's not just Belos, though. I mean... Lilith almost got turned to stone too. If she's considered so replaceable, despite being the leader of the most powerful coven on the Isles... just how bad is the Emperor's Coven on the inside?
[Even if she worked so hard to get into the coven, her skill wouldn't be the only thing scrutinized. Would she be kicked out or arrested for hanging out with Luz? For spending time at the Owl House? Amity always thought her life would get better once she made it into the coven, but now... now she's thinking it'd be the opposite.]
.... Sorry, Luz. I didn't mean to bring down the conversation like that. Problems at home are probably the last thing you want to talk about, huh?
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[She destroyed the door to the human world so... her mom is safe, at least. As for Lilith, she's still kind of mad at Lilith, but she's not going to bash Lilith in front of Amity, who seems to like genuinely like her.]
Actually, I didn't think I'd have anyone to talk to about what happened back on the Boiling Isles... if anything, I feel like I'm bringing down the conversation by talking about it.
[She offers a weak grin.]
I'm glad you're here though, Amity. Even if this place is pretty crazy. We'll figure things out, like we usually do.
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Weeks ago, those words would have turned Amity into a gibbering mess. But now... well. Now, she still blushes all the way to her fuzzy ears, but she doesn't fall apart like she did after the grudgby match. She just... feels warm inside. In a good way.]
I- uh-
[... Okay, she does stutter a little, but she's not making a fool of herself this time.]
... Yeah. I'm glad you're here, too. Its nice, being able to. You know. Hang out outside of school.
[And with no worries that her parents might hear that she's hanging out with a human.]
I like doing things like... like this, too. Just talking, I mean. I never really hung out with people who didn't gossip all the time.
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[Now that there's no... school. Okay, there is a school but it's like normal school and ugh.]
And I don't gossip, so you don't have to worry about that!
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[God, why is it so hard to just be NORMAL with Luz??? She never had a problem acting like a functioning with around Boscha or Skara??? Why does this crush make her feel so different?]
It's... nice, with you around. When we're not trying to beat Boscha at grudgby or fighting terrifying nightmare monsters, that is.