Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

A few days later, on a sunday...

It had been roughly a week since Luz's ban from Hexside was removed. Since then, she had constantly been visiting Willow and Gus during recess during the weekdays or staying with her mom during the weekends, such as now. She woke up from the top bunk her mom bought for her and Vee and stretched, getting ready to start the day. She peeked her head downwards and saw Vee, stressing out over a textbook on her study desk which made Luz giggle. Since Vee was now taking over for Luz, she had to match her grades in order to not make it seem suspicious to the school or to the other humans.

Luz:"Sorry, sis..."

Vee:"Sorry doesnt cut it, SIsTeR, how do you expect me to catch up to the standard you set!?"

Luz:"Well to be fair, I did not know you would be taking over my life now did I?"

Vee:"Yeah...true."

Luz:"...Were you up all night studying?"

Vee:"The entire night. I need to make sure there is little to no difference between us so no one notices that I am not you."

Luz:"Jesus, you are committed to this...Come on, let's go downstairs. You need a break."

Vee:"Alright...Go freshen up though, your hair is messy."

Luz:"Yeah, yeah..."

She slowly climbed down while Vee jumped out of the desk chair. Luz walked to the bathroom while Vee walked downstairs and into the living room, noticing Camila in the kitchen who was making breakfast.

Camila:"Good morning, Vee!"

Vee:"Morning...mom..."

Camila:"Still having trouble adjusting to being part of the family?"

Vee:"Yeah. It's not your fault, dont get me wrong! It's just-"

Camila:"Too sudden?"

Vee:"Mhm..."

Camila:"It's okay carino, no pressure."

Suddenly, they heard Luz practically run downstairs with a wet face which made the two giggle. She ran into the living room and was about to yell good morning to the two before noticing something on the dinner table, a piece of rectangular paper. She picked it up and realized it had pages. She connected the dots and slowly turned to her mom with a pissed off face, memories of the day she ran away flooding back into her head.

Luz:"Mom, I swear to god."

Camila:"Hmm? What's wrong?"

Luz:"If you are planning to send Vee to that goddamn program..."

Camila:"What? Oh! No, no, no! Trust me, I burned that brochure after you left."

Luz:"Oh. Then...what is this?"

Camila:"Open it and see."

Luz was reluctant yet decided to open it anyway. She plopped on the couch and opened it, Vee sitting next to her. Luz skimmed through each page, looking more and more concerned before turning to her mom.

Luz:"Mom, this might be just as bad."

Camila:"It's not that bad!"

Luz:"It is called 'Reality Check Summer Camp.' They literally have 'listening to public radio' as an activity."

Camila:"...Okay, it might be bad. Believe me carino, I tried to look for regular summer camps for Vee so she can learn more about the human realm and have fun but...you know how your principal is. He just shoved this brochure in my hands and insisted on it to the point I couldnt refuse."

Luz:"Yeah, fair I guess."

Vee:"Wait, what is summer camp?"

Luz:"Essentially just a place where you can do fun activities and also socialize with others. But-"

Vee heard "fun" and "socialize" and that was apparently all she needed to hear. She ran from the couch towards Camila who was in the kitchen full speed with gleaming eyes in less than a second.

Vee:"Can I go? Please, please, please, please!"

Camila:"Well...I dont-"

Vee let out a sigh and brought her hands together in a prayer position. She then hung her head down then looked up at Camila with pleading eyes.

Camila:"...Luz, did you teach her puppy dog eyes?"

Luz:"I dunno what you are talking about~"

Camila, sighing:"Very well. I'll sign you up as Luz. Remember, you will be posing as her."

Vee nodded up and down at a rapid pace then hugged Canila tight while exclaiming "thank you, mom!" Camila was shocked yet hugged her back regardless, finally relieved that Vee did not hesitate to call her mom. The two stood there for a moment, clenching at each other's backs tightly before they heard a camera click. They broke the hug and looked at Luz who was holding up her scroll with a smug grin, said scroll facing the two.

Vee:"...Dont tell me you took a picture."

Luz:"I took a picture. Willow and Gus are gonna love this~!"

Vee:"Dont you dare send that!"

Luz:"Already did. :P"

Vee:"YOU..!!"

She lunged at Luz's scroll to try and grab it but Luz was faster and moved it away. They continued this game of cat and mouse where Luz would fake Vee out as she tried to grab the scroll, Camila giggling from afar at the two step-siblings' antics. Suddenly, the scroll got a notification. Luz called timeout and looked at it, noticing Gus and Willow had invited her to a sports match.

Luz:"Hexside is having a tournament against Glandus tomorrow and Willow and Gus invited me!"

Camila:"That's great! You can have fun with your friends while Vee can socialize at camp tomorrow!"

Vee:"Wait...it's tomorrow?"

Camila:"Mhm. I will go get you registered in a few hours, then I'll take you there."

Vee:"Ohh...okay!"

Camila:"Now; sit down girls, breakfast is ready."

The next day...

The three were now the car, driving towards the camp. Luz in the back, Camila was in the driver's seat while Vee was in the passenger seat with a backpack filled with her belongings in her lap.

Luz:"Why would you teach her about shotgun..."

Camila, sticking her tongue out:"Because I felt petty."

Luz:"Of course."

Camila:"Vee, remember what we told you?"

Vee:"Mhm! Only go into my true form when I am absolutely sure I am alone, my name is Luz Noceda during camp if someone asks about the hand holes I will say it is a mutation."

Luz:"And if someone like Amber asks you to use magic...?"

Vee:"I will say that I refuse to use them due to an accident two werks ago."

Luz:"Yeah, she's gonna be fine."

Camila:"Good, because we have arrived."

That comment surprised the two and they looked at the windshield. Sure enough, they had arrived at the parking lot. The front looked like a regular building but the backyard was visible, and it was huge. They could see different small shacks along with areas for activities.

Luz:"Well...this place seems relatively high budget."

Camila:"The people in charge are apparently your old teachers."

Luz:"...I take it back, all the budget went to the design and none for administration."

Vee:"Is...is it gonna be bad?"

Luz:"Naaah! Just dont get into trouble and they wont bat an eye."

Vee:"Easier said than done..."

Camila:"Alright girls, get into position."

The two nodded immediately as Luz laid down at the back to not be visible while Vee shapeshifted into her. Both Camila and Vee bid farewell to Luz and got out of the car, Vee taking a deep breath as they walked towards the building while Vee slinged the backpack over her arms.

They entered via the automatic sliding doors and went inside. It looked much like an office, branching out to two corridors with a relatively obese guy standing at the fork with a clipboard in hand. They walked up to him as he immediately replied, not batting an eye at either of them.

Burnt:"My name is Mr. Burnt, who are you?"

Camila:"Camila, Camila Noceda. I signed my daughter up here last night."

Mr. Burnt sighed and looked at the clipboard, slowly dragging his finger from top to bottom until he reached the very bottom.

Burnt:"Luz...Noceda?"

Vee:"Mhm!"

Burnt:"Cabin 7. Off you go."

Camila:"...That's it? No orientation?"

Burnt:"Later. Right now, we are just checking who is coming and who isnt. Also, the parent cant come through so you two better say goodbye."

Camila tried to call him out for his monotonous behavior before being caught off guard by Vee who hugged her tightly. They got into a tight embrace for a few seconds, the moment immediately being ruined by a groan.

Burnt:"Miss, we have work to do. Please carry along."

Camila:"Now listen here you son of a-"

Vee:"Mom, it's okay. I'll see you in a month."

Camila, sighing:"Okay. Just, remember to have fun. Te quiero."

Vee:"...Huh?"

Camila:"It's spanish, I'll teach you when you get back."

Vee:"Oh, I see. I dont know what it means but...Te quiero, mom."

With that, she walked through the corridor with Camila behind her back who was on the verge of tears due to what Vee had just said. She simply wiped her tears and walked away, back to the car to bring Luz to the game.

Vee walked through the corridors, turning left and right until she reached a big room that connected to the backyard. At the left side of the room was multiple kids sitting on chairs with a projector in front of them. Vee assumed she was supposed to do the same and took a seat, quietly waiting with her hands on her lap before someone poked her shoulder which made her jump. She looked to her right and saw what seemed like a girl. They had a gap tooth along with black hair and small eyes.

???:"Sorry.."

Vee:"It's fine..."

???:"Say, what cabin are you in?"

Vee:"Seven, why?"

Masha:"No way, I am in cabin 7 too! Name's Masha. Seems like we are gonna be cabin mates."

Vee:"Ve-...Luz. Luz Noceda."

Masha:"Man, Mr. Burnt is such an NPC right?"

Vee:"N..P..C..?"

Masha:"Yknow, like a robot!"

Vee:"Row..boat..?"

Masha:"...Were you sheltered?"

Before Vee could answer, the lights turned off and the projector turned off. The two diverted their attention to the projector and saw Mr. Burnt at the front, coughing to gain everyone's attention.

Vee:"Since when...I never saw him enter!"

Masha:"Me neither. What if the guy can teleport?"

Vee:"What?"

Masha:"Sorry, sorry! I am into the paranormal."

Vee:"Oh...I see."

Mr. Burnt:"If you two girls are done talking, may I please continue?"

Masha:"FYI, sir, I am non-binary."

Burnt:"Huh, neat. Regardless, welcome students to Reality Check Summer Camp. Here, you will all be taught how to integrate into society and have some fun along the way. Now, each student has been put into a cabin. There are seven in total with four students in each cabin. Your activity list for each day will be the same for everyone due to the few numbers and you are all expected to attend, those who sneak out during activity times will be punished accordingly."

Vee:"Do we get any free time?"

Burnt:"...I thought it was obvious, but yes, you do. After 6 PM you are all free to do as you please in camp. Breakfast will be served at 8 AM, lunch will be served at 2 PM and dinner will be at 5 PM. Now, any questions?"

Nothing. Not a single question from the crowd. You could even hear a pin drop.

Burnt:"Good. You may now settle down in the cabins, ease into the place. I expect to see you back here in half an hour where you can begin the activities with Mr. Özdemir."

The kids immediately dashed to the back door, shoving and pushing each other like wild animals. Vee was getting pushed around yet managed to slip outside, albeit panting from the chaos. She went to the section where all the cabins were. Cabins one through three were on the left while cabins four through six were on the right, number seven being at the very end.

Vee:"...Well there is no way I mix up the cabins."

She walked over and went inside, taking in the place. It was simple: Two bunk beds on either side along with wardrobes and an impromptu bathroom. It was cozy, enough to live in for a month.

She let out a sigh and placed her bag at the foot of one of the beds. on the other bed were two guys, one being relatively fat and having an ushanka winter cap on while the other was the opposite, looking extra lanky. They noticed her and introduced themselves, the skinny one going first.

Mark:"Yo! I'm Mark and this is Pedro."

Pedro:"Hang on, I think I saw you somewhere."

Vee:"Y-you did...?"

Pedro:"Yeah..."

He squinted his eyes and looked at her closely, Vee sweating bullets and holding her breath. There was no way someone from the Isles managed to-

Pedro:"You are Luz Noceda, the monster girl!"

Mark:"No way, that's her!?"

Pedro:"Mhm!"

Mark immediately sprung out of the bed and shook her hand swiftly, much to the dismay of the basilisk.

Mark:"Oh, I cant thank you enough! Amber stopped messing with me ever since you blasted her face!" 

Vee:'...What did Luz go through?'

Vee:"No problem. Though I dont really like doing stuff like that anymore."

Pedro:"Aww, I wanted to see you do cool stuff!"

Vee:"Sorry, personal stuff happened."

Pedro:"Ah, fair enough."

Suddenly, Vee got hugged tightly from behind which made her flinch. She looked behind her and saw Masha, hugging her neck tightly with a massive grin.

Pedro:"Well Masha, it seems we found your girlfriend before you~"

Vee:"G-GIRLFRIEND!?"

Masha, breaking the hug:"Screw off Pedro, we just met. Besides, I am sure she doesnt see me that way. Right Luz?"

Vee:"Uhh, yeah!...Yeah!"

Even though she was telling the truth, it still felt like a lie. Her heart was pounding out of her chest while she kept looking at Masha in admiration.

Vee:'Is this what Luz called a crush!?'

Masha:"Say, what do we have first?"

Mark walked over to the door and eyed a list that was taped to the side of the door.

Mark:"It says...camping with Mr. Özdemir."

Masha:"What kind of surname is that, anyway? Never heard of it."

Pedro:"Apparently he is turkish. He taught my physics class last year. Fun guy."

Masha:"Oh, I see."

Vee:"...Do you guys know each other?"

Masha:"Hmm? Oh, yeah we knew each other for a looooong time."

Mark:"Yup, basically since kindergarten."

Vee:"I see. Sorry if I am being a third wheel..."

She looked down in shame, accepting her fate that she would just be excluded. What she did not expect was Masha doing a "pfft" sound and slinging their arm around her neck.

Masha:"Who said you cant join?"

Vee:"I can..?"

Masha:"Duh!"

Mark:"Would be nice to have Amber's direct counter with us."

Pedro, elbowing him:"Dont use her like a tool, jackass."

Vee:"Thank you..."

Vee:'I made friends! Three of them!'

Mark:"So uhhh...what now?"

Pedro:"I dunno, I got uno. Y'all down?"

Vee:"What's uno?"

Everyone:"..."

A little longer than half an hour of teaching Uno to Vee and playing it later..

Roughly 28 students were standing in a clearing under a tree, waiting for their teacher. The cabin seven squad were all sitting under said tree, bored out of their minds.

Mark:"Man, where is he?"

Masha:"I know! He is slower than you when it is your turn."

Mark:"Come on! I am trying to strategize!"

Pedro:"In a game of luck, bro."

Vee:"They have a point, yknow."

Mark:"You too!?"

Suddenly, they heard a loud whistle from afar. The squad along with the rest of the kids looked to their left and saw Mr. Öztekin himself. He looked like a man in his 40s with gray hair along with a bald spot. Next to him was a target along with several bows on the ground.

Özdemir:"How's it going, kids!?"

A mix of monotonous "goods" and "fines" came out of the crowd, letting the man down.

Özdemir:"Wow, tough crowd. Anyway! Today, we will be doing archery!" 

A student raised their hand and asked:

"Why are we doing archery during a camp titled Reality Check?"

Özdemir:"Well...normally we are supposed to be listening to public radio."

Vee:'So Luz wasnt lying!'

Özdemir:"Buuuut, that's dumb. This is the first day of summer camp for god's sake, we should be doing recreational activities! So, why not do something fun? I dabbled in archery a little, so why dont I show you the ropes?"

The whole student body cheered his name while the squad clapped, Vee joining in a few seconds after.

Özdemir:"Alright, alright, simmer down. Now, everyone grab a bow while I set up the target."

It was round two of the "run-and-shove" as everyone pushed each other around to grab a bow. It was difficult, but the squad all managed to grab a bow for each of them. Vee decided to help Mr. Öztekin out of kindness and left the group. Meanwhile, Amber walked up to them with a sassy look along with a bow in hand.

Amber:"Oh hi Mark."

Mark:"Oh god damn it...Why are you here, Amber?"

Amber:"Took some convincing but I managed to persuade my mother into signing me up. After all, she is-"

Mark:"Head of the parent-teacher association, yeah yeah yeah. Heard it all before."

Pedro:"What do you want?"

Amber:"To gloat, what does it look like? You three or gonna eat my dust when I get a higher score than you."

Özdemir:"What's this? A little rivalry, or bullying?"

Amber flinched and looked behind her, noticing the middle aged man staring daggers at her with his arms crossed since he had just got done setting up the target. Amber was too stunned in silence to speak while the other three giggled. She wasnt scared of the teacher, but the girl beside her.

Amber:"Why is SHE here!?"

Özdemir:"Hmm? You mean Luz?"

Amber:"Yes, I mean Luz! She burned my face at the end of last term! How did you allow her to get in here!?"

Özdemir, turning to Vee:"Is this true?"

Vee:"...Yes, but I did not mean it. My powers got out of control after she insulted my father who is presumed dead. I am truly sorry and I forbade myself from ever using my powers again."

Özdemir:"Hmm, I see. Deserved then."

Amber:"EXCUSE ME!?"

Özdemir:"You provoked her, then dealt with the consequences. Seems like the problem is solved to me."

Amber:"Do you know who I am!? I am the daughter of-"

Özdemir:"Daughter of Miss. Palecloud. Yes, you may be the daughter of a higher up. Here? You are a student, meaning you are equal to them. Capiche?"

Amber, folding her arms:"Pfft, I bet I could teach archery better than you."

Özdemir:"Is that a challenge?"

Amber:"Maybe, maybe not."

Özdemir:"Then how about a bet? We both get three shots at the board. Person with the most points wins."

Amber:"Deal."

The two shook hands as Mr. Öztekin walked towards the board along with Amber, gathering the rest of the students.

Vee:"...What just happened?"

Masha:"I dont know. I just know I love this guy and I want to watch him humble Amber."

Pedro:"Me too."

Mark:"Me three."

Vee:"Well, count me in I guess."

The four walked over to the crowd and squeezed their way to the front, watching. There was a huge space where Mr. Öztekin and Amber stood while the tree was roughly 30 meters away, arrows on the ground next to them while the crowd was behind them.

The board's biggest ring was white, followed by blue, red and yellow for the bullseye. Each ring was titled 1, 2, 3 and 4 respectively.

Özdemir:"Ladies first."

Amber:"Suit yourself, sir."

She pulled out a piece of lens from her pocket and put it on her eye, making it act like a magnifying glass.

Özdemir:"Hey now, that's-"

Amber:"Never said we cant use support items."

Özdemir:"...Fair enough."

She picked up one arrow and shot it with the bow, landing on the bullseye. She shot another as it also easily landed on the bullseye.

Amber:"Cant exactly beat a perfect score, can you teach?"

She shot the last arrow while doing a pose to flex, unaware of the stray wind. The wind made the arrow slightly tilt mid air and land on the blue circle.

Amber:"WHAT!?"

Özdemir:"10 points. Shouldnt have lost your focus, little miss perfect."

Amber grumbled and walked back next to Özdemir. He walked forward and grabbed an arrow with his right hand while gripping the bow with his left. Amber looked smugly at the teacher with a sassy remark.

Amber:"Heh, no way he can beat-"

She was cut off by something nobody expected, including her. Mr. Özdemir threw the bow and arrow away and pulled out a gun, a real Desert Eagle.

Amber:"WHAT THE FUCK!?"

He gripped the Deagle with his right hand then had his left hand in his pockets, no use of any lens. He shot three times, the first one landing on the red part while the second and third one hit a bullseye. He got 11 points versus Amber's 10, beating her by one point.

Özdemir:"I hiiiit iiiiit~!"

Amber:"BUT THAT'S-"

Özdemir:"Never agreed on just using bows and arrows~ Just agreed on points and shots. I could have been mentioning gun shots, yknow?"

The whole student body laughed their asses off while Amber growled loudly, stomping away. Pedro, Mark and Masha were on the floor rolling from laughter while Vee stared at Amber walking away.

Ödemir, yelling towards Amber:"BY THE WAY, YOU ARE ON TIMEOUT FOR BULLYING, JUST SO YOU KNOW!!"

Vee:'This place might not be so bad, after all.'

The next day, tuesday..

Vee woke up while still being disguised as Luz at 7 AM from the top bunk of the cabin. She rubbed the sleep out of her eyes and climbed down, looking at the still sleeping Masha who was sleeping at the bottom bunk.

She looked around the cabin and realized Pedro and Mark were both outside, not in their bunk bed.

She went to the mirror to fix her hair before noticing something about her that scared her: Her face was slowly going back to her basilisk form, showing freckles the same color as her skin and her giant ears made a return. She was running low on magic.

Vee:"Oh no, oh nononono! Not nooow!!"

Masha:"Luz...?"

Vee's heart sunk after Masha woke up. They could not know she wasnt Luz. She frantically ran around the cabin and found the ushanka winter cap that belonged to Pedro.

She swiftly put it on and covered her ears the best she could. While all this was happening, Masha sluggishly got out of bed and looked at a very nervous Vee who had her hands behind her back.

Masha:"You okay?"

Vee:"YEP!!"

Masha:"Are you sure..?"

Vee:"MHM!!"

Masha got out of bed and walked towards Vee,  bending over and eyeing her body closely which made Vee flustered beyond belief due to her new crush being this close. After about a minute, Masha stopped and stood up straight.

Masha:"Dont see nothin-...Did you always have freckles?"

Vee:"Huh? Oh! Uhh, yep...yyyyep!"

Masha:"Cool. Welp, I am gonna go get breakfast from the main building."

Vee:"Good call, Pedro and Mark probably went there too."

Masha:"Dope. See ya there."

They walked towards the door and opened it, saying "the freckles look cute by the way" before walking out. This made Vee flustered beyond belief, making her whole face turn red.

Vee:"UUGGHHHH!! Why are they like this!?"

She let out a long exhale and walked out the cabin herself, still disguised as Luz but barely being able to keep it up. She was about halfway there before realising she was slowly getting tunnel vision from the lack of magic.

Vee:'Please, just please let Luz be-'

Amber:"Hey Luzer."

Vee:'Titan damn it.'

She slowly turned around and saw Amber who was in a sassy pose with her arms folded. She had a frown on her face which made Vee agitated.

Vee:"What do you want? I gotta have breakfast."

Amber:"I kept calling your name this whole time, you think you are above me just because you have those hand tricks to the point you think you dont have to acknowledge me anymore?"

Vee:"I dont use them anymore, Amber, just leave me alone!"

Amber:"I will...after you tell me where those freckles came from."

Vee, screaming internally:"Wha-what do you mean?"

Amber:"Cut the shit, you never had em."

Vee:"None of your business!"

Amber:"Nah, I wanna see myself."

She grabbed Vee's face and rubbed her thumb across her cheek, closely examining the freckles. This made Vee very uncomfortable. For a few seconds, she tried to tolerate it yet reached her breaking point.

Vee:"Let go of me!"

Amber:"Why? You wont tell me how the hands feel, so just let me figure out this new mystery myself."

Vee:"I said..."

She shoved Amber off her as seven hands appeared in the air above her, each one having a different trait color.

Vee:"LET GO OF ME!!"

Amber stared in fear as the red hand began to charge a blast, making her run away in fear while screaming.

Vee wondered what that was about before looking up, noticing the hands. She was confused beyond belief, as she did not intend for this.

Vee:'Did I gain Luz's abilities?'

Out of nowhere, she felt an immense amount of magic from a direction as if someone charged with it was nearby.

Vee:'LUZ!?'

She swiftly looked at where the source came from and did not see Luz. Instead, it was someone else, someone with purple skin standing behind the trees. They had pinkish-red gauntlets, boots, scarf and a witch's hat alonf with yellow stripes floating around their body.

The figure had their index finger point up while a spell circle was at the tip of it. He dropped the finger down as the spell circle disappeared, the hands poofing away with it. The figure did a peace sign along with a smile, making her think they were friendly.

She slowly walked over to them before noticing an X-shaped tear appear behind the figure, making her immediately jump into a nearby bush. The figure looked confused before getting bonked on the head by a hand the same as theirs coming from the tear. Vee peeked her head over the bush, eyeing the figure as it rubbed their head.

???:"OWWW!! FUCK!!"

The hand revealed itself to be somebody else, looking the exact same as the figure before. Only difference was that they had a fedora instead of a witch's hat. ??? slowly turned around and faced the figure, looking scared.

???:"H-heeey...! How's it goin?"

???:"Dont 'how's it goin' me! What do you think you are doing!?"

???:"Observing...alternate universes?"

???:"Then why did you help her!? You know we shouldnt interfere!"

???:"She looked like she needed it!"

???:"For Delta's sake, Owl, you are gonna break the-!"

Vee:"Excuse me."

"Owl" and the other figure stopped bickering and turned their heads towards the the curious basilisk who got out of the bush and took a few steps towards them, still starving. She could not sense any magic from the figure, yet could feel immense amounts of it from this "Owl" person.

Owl:"Uhhh....Yes?"

Vee:"Who are you two?"

???'s face immediately turned to a more serious one. He slowly walked over to Vee and put their hand on her shoulder, looking at her dead in the eyes which made her stand stiff and fall on her ass due to fear.

???:"If you tell anyone what you saw, if you even mention us to anyone; we will kill you. Do you understand?"

Vee:"Uhh...I..."

Owl sighed. He walked over and shoved ??? to the side, making them stumble and let go of Vee. She was looking between the two constantly, trying to make sense of this whole ordeal before Owl kneeled down to her level and smiled gently before sighing and looking down.

Owl:"For fuck sake Arc, dont scare her. We protect people, not kill them."

Arc:"It would have been effective to keep her mouth shut!"

Owl:"And scar her emotionally in the process, dumbass!"

Vee:"What is going on...?"

Owl,looking back up:"Well, what my colleague tried to tell you in a VERY RUDE MANNER!!"

He said the second half while yelling at Arc and facing them, making them walk away with their hands in the air. Vee just watched as these two strange creatures act as if they were siblings.

Owl:"We kindly ask of you to never mention us to anyone, ever. Cool?"

Vee began to hyperventilate due to being overwhelmed by all of the stuff happening in rapid succession.

Owl sighed and held her shoulder. He counted up to 5 with his other hand's fingers, taking a deep breath. He then counted down from 5 this time and slowly exhaled. He did this a few more times, Vee mimicking him while synchronizing with the finger counting and slowly calming down.

Once she was calm, she noticed a ring on Owl's ring finger that was the same color as her hair yet decided to not pry. Owl helped her back up on her feet while chuckling lightly which eased Vee.

Vee:"Okay. Okay...I can keep it a secret but, why are you here? And why do you have so much magic?"

Owl:"Well...that second part is kind of why I am here."

Arc:"Oh, this french lunatic. Fuck me..."

Owl:"Silence, british bloke."

Arc, ever so casually, flipped off Owl who replied with one of his own. Arc's comment confused Vee who immediately became mortified after seeing what Owl did. He summoned a vial in his right hand then ripped off his left arm as yellow blood dripped out from his severed arm and into the vial.

He put a cork on the vial then handed said vial to Vee while the left arm regenerated. Vee grabbed it while still being mortified by what she saw.

Owl:"Dont down it all in one gulp, this shit aint meth. One sip is enough to last you a week."

Vee:"...WHAT!?"

Arc:"Owl, are you done yet? We gotta dip. Also if this fanon destabilizes then I blame you."

Owl:"Yeah, fair. Let's dip."

Vee looked at the two, then the vial which had yellow liquid inside it, said liquid having lightning crackle inside. She gulped and took a slight sip of the liquid, her vision slowly going back to normal, her ears becoming human ears and the freckles disappearing along with having the starving sensation disappear in an instant. The high amounts of magic in the liquid satiated her hunger with one sip. The two were about to walk back into the X-shaped tear in the air before Vee called out.

Vee:"WAIT!!"

Owl:"Hmm?"

Vee:"Why...why did you help me?"

Owl:"Let's just say, we dream for a better future."

Arc:"...and then you call her cryptic."

Owl:"Fuck off."

Author's note: These are not their traits. Arc doesnt have Integrity, Owl doesnt have determination and "her" doesnt have kindness. It is just color coding so it didnt get confusing when they first showed up since there were two different ???'s talking.

With that, they both walked in the X-shaped tear as it closed behind them. Vee was too stunned to speak as she was still trying to piece together what had went down. She looked at the vial in her hands for a few seconds before gripping it tightly, mumbling a "thank you dreamer" before walking away with the vial in her pocket.

She went back to cabin seven and put the vial under her pillow, then went to go get breakfast in the main building. 

She grabbed a tray and filled it with what seemed like mashed raw meat. However, she did not care.

Vee:"Thank you kindly!"

The cafeteria worker got stunned in silence and stared at Vee walking away as the basilisk hummed a tune. She found her cabin friends sitting at a table and sat next to them with a blinding smile.

Masha:"Hey, Luz! Were you okay?"

Pedro:"Yeah, Masha told us about what happened. Are you okay? Also is that my cap?"

Vee:"Hmm? Oh, yeah I am fine. Also yes, it is. Sorry."

Pedro:"Nah, you can keep it for today if you want to."

Vee:"Thanks!"

Mark:"Still, fine is an understatement. You are beaming with joy, girl!"

Masha:"Yeah...did something happen while you were coming here?"

Vee:"Nothing, really. I just...think I am gonna really like it here."