Luz rode into town. Stalls had been set up and vendors were out, starting their businesses. It was admiral in the sense that they started in the crack of dawn and ended after midnight.
This morning was a cold one, the harsh winds attacking at Luz’s body. She had to get the delivery in an inconspicuous manner however, as per Eda’s request of course, so she had to bite back her shivers.
Heading into the potions stand, she hopped off her horse, patting him on the back for a smooth and steady ride, and headed to the vendor.
With a curt nod Luz said, “The usual,”
“Right up!” The man said, handing her a flask with a bright yellow liquid in it.
Looping the flask into her flask, Luz hopped back on her horse. Riding by she made sure to say her usual greetings to the common customers and suppliers of Eda’s shop.
Taking a detour she headed to the flower shop.
”Hey there Luz!” Willow greeted. It was nice how she recognized Luz immediately from the sound of her horse, as even though she was occupied in watering her plants she still gave her a greeting. Hunter, was right beside Willow, too occupied with scrubbing the window of the shop.
”Hey Hunter!” Luz greeted. Hunter, slightly shocked, jumped back, brushing his and Willow’s arms together.
His face turned a deep shade of red before he replied, “Hi Luz!.” Luz smiled, as rude as it seemed both Hunter and Willow were awfully cute with each other, and she found it hard to not prod into their business. They were also awfully reluctant to confess or admit their obvious crush on each other.
Hunter returned to scrubbing the window, albeit more fiercely, and the red in his face was most definitely not from the sun.
Unfortunately, good things never last forever, so with a quick goodbye wave Luz left, heading off to Eda’s.
———
The Owl House was a small pub located in the west side of Bonesburough. It was seemingly a normal pub, but if you whispered to the bouncer (a muscular man named Hooty with owlish features) that you needed to use the fifth floor restroom, you would be allowed behind the counter. There you would be led by a small black dog with a skull head (and crown for some reason) to a back door. That led to a staircase that winded down.
The chamber at the end of the staircase was a small gray room, filled to the brim with contraband. In the middle of this room was the famous on-the-run convict and escapee of the conformatorium, Edalyn Clawthorne.
…
Luz entered Eda’s chamber, thankful that no customers were there.
“Got your potion!”
”Thanks kid,” Eda responded.
Eda took the flask, attaching it to her own belt. She ran a hand through her silver hair, looking at Luz. She looked somewhat dejected.
”Look kid-I know ya just got back from a long ride but I gotta another assignment for ya. This one’s important Luz so listen carefully”
———
Amity stared up at the ceiling of her room. The colorful floral patterns seemed to tease her. She couldn’t escape them, she was almost bound to them. Her illness had been worse this summer, and she was bed bound, being spoon fed disgusting medicines, and throwing up constantly.
Eating almost felt like a chore, everything felt disgusting. Dreadfully, Amity heard the fated sound of her door being opened, another maid perhaps.
”Miss Blight,” the maid said. She was a small woman with blonde hair with blue tips.
”Food or medicine?” Amity said. It wasn’t in a harsh tone however, her throat was too sore for that anyways.
”Medicine” the maid said.
Slowly the maid pushed back the white bed curtains. She held a spoon in one hand and a small bowl with a disgusting clumpy purple liquid in another.
Amity, ever the feisty, took the bowl and somehow managed to chug it all in one go, a new record.
“Thank you,” Amity gave her back the bowl, trying to do anything to not think about the taste in her mouth.
The maid took the bowl and headed out of the room.
Suddenly Amity heard a big thud, and her ears twitched, alert. Trying to get up felt like trying to defy gravity itself.
“What happened!?” Her voice was gravely, tears in her eyes from the strain. Her legs were starting to shake.
The door to her room opened, but it was not a maid who opened it. A tall girl entered her room. She had deep tanned skin, dark brown eyes that were shockingly big, and short brunette hair that curled at the ends.
”Who are you!?” Amity screeched, and at the same moment her legs buckled and her vision went black.