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Vee Noceda at this point wasn’t too concerned about the once strange to her human realm food, she had been living in the human realm for nearly two years now with no problems so one day in the cafeteria when Masha offered a few cookies their Mom had been experimenting with she was more than willing to try it… she just wasn’t expecting the side effect…
Vee stumbled into the school restroom feeling like she needed to puke, she stared at her chosen human face as another wave of disorientation hits her sending her bracing against the sink.
This was a mistake, whatever she’s feeling it’s not normal, she should find Luz before she feels too nauseous to even move, her sister will be able to get her home and to a healer.
Suddenly like a light switch is flicked the nausea disappears and with it nearly two years of memories vanish from her head.
Number Five, Vee was confused, how did she get here?
She turned to look around and realized she was staring at herself in a mirror.
Vee blanched, that wasn’t Luz’s face, the paper thin disguise keeping her safe from all the humans that’d surely want her dead if she was found out.
No the face that greets her may look somewhat human but far too much like her monstrous true face, piercing yellow eyes, and fuzzy ears barely hiding in her hair.
Vee takes up her Luz disguise again paying close attention to detail, whatever lapse caused her to break her number one survival rule wouldn’t get her found out and killed.
Wherever she’s found herself Camila’s probably worried sick about Luz, that means she’s worried about me, Nope! Not gonna unpack that!
Vee moved to leave the restroom and immediately wanted to go back, the hallway was bustling with kids around her age moving with purpose to who knows where.
Vee stood there unmoving, what does she do, she’s probably meant to be here doing something so why can’t she remember!
A familiar face in the crowd catches her eye, it’s Jess! Her cabin mate from back at camp.
The glasses wearing redhead stops to greet her “Hey Luz what’s up?”
Shoot what do I say?! “Uuuhhh” I manage to whimper out “nothing much.” There! a nice, easy non commital answer.
Jess looks me up and down then tilts her head studying my disguise, she leans in, too close for comfort, whispering in my ear “Vee?”
Panic shoots through her veins, her feet are moving before she can even puzzle out how Jess figured out she wasn’t Luz.
Vee had no memory of this place but she had learned from camp what an exit sign looks like.
She sprints past peers, dodging and weaving through the chaotic mass, just as she saw daylight she was caught.
“Ms. Noceda no running in the halls” called an adult human with a stern face “and where are you going, lunch is over.” he states with a glare
Vee was a tantalizing few away feet from freedom, she could see it, if she could get into the woods she’d be able to shed Luz like snake skin, become someone new and survive like she’s always done.
The stern man’s gaze bore into her “no loitering, shouldn’t you be in class by now?”
His serious expression and clear authority struck into her, she had to listen or there’d be consequences… and he called her Noceda so clearly not everyone knows that she’s not really Luz.
Vee ducked her head low “ok sir I’ll head right there” Vee said trying to put the warden at ease
“You do that” he replied his gaze unwavering even as she retreated back into the depths of the mysterious building.
Around the corner and out of sight, the crowd was thinning out and so was her cover, she could try to make a break for the exit again but clearly she would stand out if she did.
On the other hand Jess, someone she considers.. considered a friend knew her name… how did she know my name actually? Did I even hear her correctly In that noisy hallway? I haven’t even spoken the name Vee aloud since before…
As she aimlessly walked the hallways she spots through the door a classroom plastered with hung up drawings, paintings and shelves of statuettes.
“Ah you’re back quick” the man at the head of the class addressed her “come, sit back down.”
Vee tries to hide her once again rising panic as she is beckoned inside, she spots her other cabin mate Masha with an empty seat beside them.
Does she risk it, that Masha might also know and expose her as the imposter she is?
Would they do that?
She needs at least a bit of familiarity or else she’s gonna freak out, that and the gaze of the warden at the head of the class disallows any disobedience.
She stiltedly makes her way to sit next to Masha.
Masha is deep in focus on drawing something, it’s still too early to tell what, they glance up as she sits down next to them.
Masha returns their gaze back to their work for just a moment before their head snaps to Vee starling her.
A slight frown tugs at their face “how you feeling? You ran to the bathroom pretty quickly during lunch.” They say in a low whisper as the warden or more likely teacher prattled on
She feels fine aside from having no idea how she got here or any memory of going to the bathroom to begin with. The safest response is to just leave it at “I’m ok.”
Masha’s frown remained, they turn their gaze downwards as a light peaks out from under the desk, Masha texting someone, she can’t make out the words.
Masha looks back to me “I hope the cookies I brought weren’t to blame” they continued to whisper “my mom’s been trying out stuff like pepper and Forgot-Me-Nots in her cookie recipes
Forgot-Me-Nots? What’s a Forget-Me-Not? Is that why I can’t remember?
“I’ve let Luz know you’re here, what’s this about Vee?” Masha said calmly and quietly like they didn’t just take away another safe haven, when did Luz even get back?!
Vee jolted, brain paralyzed between the idea of running and making a scene or staying within reach of Masha.
Masha’s face isn’t snarled into fear or anger, no only concern graces her friend’s face, concern and… age? It’s subtle enough that she didn’t realize it at first but Masha is just a bit older now.
Masha reaches a hand to hers “please tell me what’s wrong” she pulls away from the touch
Should she tell them? The truth has felt like a death sentence hanging around her neck for so long now.
It may be wishful thinking but maybe Masha, this one human can be trusted.
“I don’t remember how I got here.” Vee admits a tear threatening to break free
Masha looked puzzled “like? To school or…” they pursed their lips “wait what Do you remember?”
What does she remember? Camila bringing her to her new home, to the life she’s stolen, every little mistake bringing her one step closer to everyone turning on her.
“I remember coming home from camp a few weeks ago.” Vee actually says
Shock shows on Masha’s face before settling into that same frown “that.. that was a long time ago, back when you were pretending to be Luz, shoot” Masha said fiddling with their phone again
Back when I was pretending to be Luz? So I wasn’t supposed to look like Luz anymore… oh no, I messed up.
Masha holds their phone towards me under the desk “this is what Luz looks like now” a photo was displayed of Luz, older with a scar running down her eyebrow
No wonder Masha and Jess gave her such strange looks, how has nobody else noticed?!
“You gonna be okay until the end of class?” Masha asks
“Yeah” I give a slight nod trying to hide how shakey I feel
Masha goes back to their drawing only a few glances flashing towards me as they worked
I need to think
What do I know now that I didn’t before?
Masha and Jess know me as Vee, and that me looking like Luz is surprising but not unheard of, they both know that I can shapeshift, as crazy as that is… Jess might have just been concerned as well… why are they still friends with me?
Also Masha is in contact with Luz and… and what… wait Luz was Here! Like right here a few minutes before I showed up, that’s what the teacher said.
“Masha, what’s Luz doing right now?” I whisper
“Since you’re taking her place right now probably headed home so people don’t see two of her, I let her know you were having weird memory problems so I bet she’s already talking with Eda about it.”
So there’s normally only one Luz, then wait that face in the mirror the one that looks like me, is that her? Her new human face to the world.
The conclusions she’s drawing can’t possibly be right, it seems to line up but it would require Luz somehow not hating her for stealing her life and more people finding out what is hiding beneath her skin without being revolted!
And where does she sleep at night? I don’t have any parents so I can’t be living with them, do I have a job? Do I live on the streets of Gravesfield, it wouldn’t be the first time…
Vee runs a hand over her/Luz’s face taking the opportunity to fix the details
She looks over at Masha’s drawing again, it’s started to have a more recognizable shape, recognizable in that it’s her, it’s a drawing of Vee in motion slithering along the page.
Masha notices my stare and blushes.
It’s cute, the drawing I mean
Looking away Vee returns to the thoughts swirling in her head
Luz probably not hating her, a new identity but her friends still know it’s her.
Oh Titan! Luz might not hate her but Camila definitely does.
Does she even know who was living under her roof? What kinda of creature was pretending to be her daughter.
No if she knew she, she… no it’s stupid, who could love a basilisk let alone a selfish one like her.
Masha’s hand once again on her own surprised her “you ok?” They quietly asked, this time she didn’t pull away
Vee shook her head.
“Okay we have five minutes so I think it’s time to start packing up!” Called the teacher
The murmur of students returned with a roar followed by the squeak of chairs.
Vee stares for what feels like just a moment, off into space, Masha’s hand squeezing her’s the only thing keeping her grounded.
The bell rings as students file out, Vee just sitting there like a dead tree… until a shadow darkens the doorway
Camila Noceda stands there as students pass her by, a dower look on her face.
“Ah Camila it’s been a while” greeted the teacher
“Hello Mr Bowie, I’m actually here for my daughter” she says
Oh no, she’s here for Luz, she’s gonna-
“Hey you’re going to be okay” Masha assures with such confidence that I feel like I can almost believe them.
“I’ll just call the office” Vee faintly hears the teacher say
Masha stands up still holding her hand “Camila will take you home and then you can relax and figure everything out.”
Holding their hand I stood up to be lead into the jaws of death.
“Okay” she heard the teacher “you’re good to go, I hope you’re feeling better by Monday.” Mr Bowie says to me
Masha gently guides her over to Camila Noceda “I’ll see you later” they seem to promise
“Mija” Vee is engulfed in a hug as soon as Masha lets go “I was so worried about you.”
It felt nice, the soft warmth dulling the confusion swirling in her head
“Let’s head home” she said to the facade of her daughter
Vee was lead by the hand, this time by Camila.
This woman doesn’t deserve to be lied to by me again, not anymore, her misplaced love stings more knowing her real daughter is simply waiting in the wings for Vee to leave again.
In the hallways the returned tide of students was like a hammer to Vee’s dwindling sanity.
Sunlight brought her solace but not hope, the doors to the school swung open as she saw parked up front the familiar purple car Camila drove.
Camila held open the passenger door for her, at this point she knew what to do buckling herself as Camila started up the car.
Suddenly a face pops up in the back seat “Vee! Oh Titan I am so glad you’re okay!” Luz said way too loud in my ear
“Mija buckle up and give your sister some space” Camila admonished
“Oh right sorry mama” Luz said the real actual Luz!, she buckled herself in as we got moving
“I don’t understand what’s happening” Vee said mutely looking between Luz and Camila
“You’re getting out of school because of the whole amnesia thing.” Luz said with far too much excitement
I’m almost afraid to ask “what’s amnesia?”
Camila answered “it’s a term for memory loss, don’t worry too much, Eda’s pretty sure she knows what caused it and hopefully she’ll be able to help.”
Wait Eda, Masha mentioned that name too…. “The Owl Lady!?” Vee shouted “actually Luz what did happen, because I just assumed Eda ate you or something after I went through the portal.”
Luz laughed awkwardly “no Eda doesn’t really eat people most of the time”
“What was that Mija?” Camila asked from the driver’s seat
“Nothing” she quickly said “but yeah I convinced Eda to take me on as her apprentice and I was planning to only stay the length of summer camp”
“Which” Camila interrupted “without Vee wouldn’t have worked because the camp gives regular updates”
“But!” Luz butts back in “I didn’t know that and near the end of summer the portal got destroyed”
“So?…” Vee began “so how’d you get back?”
“Well of course as soon as the portal was destroyed we got to work trying to build a new one, which is actually how I blew your cover to mom.”
“Ah” Vee said quietly, she looked away and towards the road “I was wondering how it all fell apart”
Surprising her Camila replied “it wasn’t.. that bad” with some reluctance
“Oh… I get it” Vee said in understanding
“No, no it wasn’t like that” Camila quickly said
“I just got you wrapped up in my plan” Luz said “you didn’t have enough magic to keep looking like me so I helped you find some in the Human Realm, of course I didn’t realize that would lead you to Jacob”
Camila muttered what sounded like a curse under her breath
“Mom came in for the rescue and I finally admitted where I’d been all summer” Luz explained
But that doesn’t explain anything! How did I get from stealing Luz’s life to her helping me and Camila rescuing me!
I mean Camila’s amazing and I think I’ve been thinking of Luz way too harshly but still, why would they do anything for me?
Vee fiddled with her thumbs, skin turning blotchy with scales without her even realizing it.
She prepared herself for her next question “where… where do I live?” Is it back in the Demon Realm then? Is that where they’re taking me?
“You live with us!” Luz wrapped her arms around Vee’s shoulders “you’re family” she said like it made any sense
The car came to a stop in front of the Noceda family home
“But.. after what I’ve done…” she could feel tears welling up until Camila’s hand rested atop her’s
“Everything’s already been forgiven that night I found out.” Camila said “I know you’ve forgotten so I’ll say it as many times as I need to, Vee Noceda you are a part of this family.”
The dam broke, a wellspring sprung forth as Vee sobbed.
When she regained some composure the Noceda family shuffled inside leaving their worries at the door.
Vee lay on the couch staring up at the ceiling, mind fried and emotions empty.
“I’m Vee Noceda” she spoke aloud experimentally “I’m Luz’s sister and Camila’s daughter” she closed her eyes “I’m Vee Noceda and I’m-“
“Feels weird right?” Luz’s voice startled her
“Gah!” Her eyes shot open as she quickly got her disguise back
“Relax it’s just me” Luz said coming to sit across from her twin “for so long it was just me and mama” she said quietly “I’m so glad you’re here Vee.” Luz said so convincingly that she almost forgot to be suspicious
“I’m really supposed to believe that you, that Camila! Just accepted me, just like that!” Her voice rose “I took your life and didn’t regret a minute of it!” Vee shouted
Now this wasn’t really true, guilt eating at her at this very moment. No Luz didn’t buy it, a neutral look turned not to anger or shock but instead a soft smile “Hermana if you’re trying to push me away you’re gonna have to try something I haven’t heard before.”
“Luz… just..” She shook her head trying to shake her thoughts loose “just because you’re willing to accept me despite everything I’ve done doesn’t mean Camila has.” Luz wasn’t here to see the weeks of manipulation and lies she told to hide who she is, Camila deserves so much better than a lying demon in her home.
Luz hummed “I.. it is very important you stop thinking like that” Luz stated
“Like what?” She looked to Luz
“Honestly it’s kinda been freaking me out that you haven’t been calling her Mom” Luz said even toned
“Oh. wait no really? Cause…” Vee couldn’t even finish her thought as she sat up “I’ve really… the me that remembers really has been calling Camila.. calling her Mom?”
“Yeah… you’re good with body language right, I’m surprised you haven’t noticed how badly Mom’s been taking it” Luz said
Vee felt her vision fade for a moment, no she wouldn’t… would she? Everything in Vee’s life up to this point has told her to not get her hopes up, she didn’t get to have a life unless she stole it.
Yet.. Everything since that school bathroom.. and admittedly much of her time in the human realm before that has told her the opposite, that she Is important and deserving of love.
Masha was there for her, Luz was there for her and Camila, no Mom was there for her, she’s been denying reality thinking she was only being realistic.
*Knock *Knock
“Oh that must be Eda!” Luz said jumping up to answer the door
“Well kid” Vee could hear the witch talking as soon as the door opened “I’ve gotta say that is the most terrifying potion ingredient I’ve ever seen, and humans put this stuff in food?” Eda rambled as she stepped inside
“Hey I’ve never heard of using Forget-Me-Nots or any flowers in food either” Luz said “and I’ve definitely never heard of it doing this”
“Really” Eda sounded unconvinced “it’s literally called a forget-Me-Not”
“I don’t know why it’s called that” Luz huffed “just please tell me you have something to help Vee” Luz pleaded as they entered the living room.
“Hey Slithers” the witch addressed her casually “yeah I think I have an antidote, you’re lucky I’m so good with potions, and that I know a few demons who wouldn’t mind loosing a few memories in an ill advised potion test.”
Eda pulled from a satchel a glass bottle glowing an unnatural teal
“Now these Forget-Me-Not flowers are a really potent memory suppressant, had’ta dilute it a couple hundred times before testing, then try a few different neutralizing compounds before I got it right” Eda shook the bottle “now you got a major dose and if my math is right this should safely return some of your memories.”
“Some?” Vee questioned
“For now, if this works we’ll have you on regular doses until you’re yourself again.” Eda said
She held out the bottle
Vee gingerly took it studying its sway
She inhaled sharply before uncorking it and taking a swig.
Vee coughed “oh yeah it tastes awful” Eda said a rueful smile gracing her face.
Vee bit the bullet and downed the rest
Wiping her mouth Vee look at Luz and Eda, willing her life to come back to her
“Did it work?” Luz asked
Vee was going to shake her head when sudden flashes assailed her, a first kiss, a group of young witches in the rain, a cage, being hugged, a large human city.
As things clicked into place in her mind the gaps became all the more apparent
Vee Noceda looked to her sister “I think it did”
Luz launched herself at her, her sister wrapping her arms around her.
——————————————
Three Weeks Later
——————————————
Vee Noceda officially had a concussion, according to the doctors note written up by Dr Marilyn to explain to her teachers why her memory had suddenly gotten a thousand times worse.
In some ways it was humiliating being treated like she was suddenly made of porcelain by her teachers more so by Masha, Luz and her Mom, Masha especially, guilty that they were the one who accidentally poisoned her.
However it was also a comfort, in the Conformatorium the coven scouts and scientists wouldn’t have cared, out on the streets of the various towns of the Boiling Isles she was likely to meet someone who would fear and hate her for being a magic sucking basilisk.
Here on earth she was safe, she was Vee Noceda not number five, she had friends and family, family who quite literally tore down the horrific world she came from.
The bell rung shaking her out of her thoughts.
Vee got her bag and headed to lunch
As she sat down next to Masha they said to her “hey stranger”
“Masha, the joke got old in the first week”
“Sorry”
“No, no it’s okay it’s just” Vee sighed “frustrating, more and more is coming back to me but that only seems to make it more obvious what I’m missing, I never used to forget stuff!” She said in frustration
“Well that’s what the antidote is for right?” They said
Vee sighed deeply “I guess, thing is I don’t want to remember anything else from… the Conformatorium, I didn’t realize how much I forgot.”
Masha grasped her hand trying to comfort her
Vee ran her other hand through her hair “sorry I guess I’ve just been in my own head lately”
“Don’t ever apologize” Masha said with startling seriousness
Vee looked to them, a smile peeking through the bleakness “never?”
“Nope!” Masha said with a pop “never, not even for that time you slept through our date”
Vee snorted “I’m glad you’re finally letting me off the hook for that one” she grinned squeezing Masha hand back
“I’m here for you no matter what” Masha said gazing into her eyes “same goes Luz and your Mom ya know.”
“I know… thanks… I love you Masha”
“I love you too, glad you remember that much” they said
“Oh shut up” Vee kisses them on the lips not caring who saw.
——————————————
Two Months Later
——————————————
Her Mom held her hand loosely as Luz bumped a shoulder into her, this was a familiar pattern for Vee Noceda whenever she had an informal checkup with Eda.
“So it’s been a few doses since you’ve remembered anything new right?” Eda said
“Yeah, I still feel like I’m missing things… but it’s mostly things from before I came to the Human Realm”
Eda hummed “I’m no healer, merely the most powerful witch on the Boiling Isles but I’m gonna chock that up to the normal failures of memory combined with literally growing up in a cell… sorry Slithers but I think my antidote’s run out of usefulness for ya.”
Vee was silent for a moment “thank you Eda” she said mutely
“Anytime, really” Eda said earnestly as she headed out
Luz wrapped her arms around her “I am so glad you’re okay, that first day” Luz sniffled “I thought you’d never be the same”
But that was the thing, she wasn’t the same, not the same scared basilisk stuck in a cell, not the same fugitive living under bridges and eating out of the garbage, not the same imposter living someone else’s life and not the same Vee from three months ago.
Yes she remembered everything she did before and more, but now, now what was always there, the pain of that place she came from, the pain her mind buried has resurfaced, she can see it now, touch it, it’s in front of her now not dragging behind.
And one day she’ll pack it in a box and stick it on a shelf, still there but not dragging her down.
Someday…
Tears prickled at her eyes, she’s happy to be home, to have been home for a long while and remember it.
END