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Marvin plodded along the busy streets of Bonesborough. Rhythmic waves rippled down his massive violet body, his statuesque face blank as ever. Not that he had an option. Worm busses had comparatively restricted facial musculature. Almost non-existent, actually.
Pulling up to a small streetside bench, several witches and demons huddled on and around it, Marvin put what few facial muscles he had to work, his blank stare lifting upwards as his face lifted up and away from his body like a lid. A dozen witches and demons, with far more than two dozen eyes shared among them, filed out, their replacements just as quickly piling in.
Still, the bus’ gaping mouth stayed fixed. Not everyone has disembarked.
“Come on you overgrown worm, some of us have places to be!” An ornery witch yelled, digging his heel into Marvin’s back right molar. Before Marvin could say anything though, the demon sitting next to him smacked the impatient witch in the back of the head.
If Marvin was physically capable of smiling, he would have done so. Rude passengers were such a headache. Yes, he was only supposed to stop at a station for 30 seconds, but some passengers needed a bit more time to get up. And Marvin was more than happy to give this passenger that extra time.
Luz Noceda let out a deep, heavy groan. At 38 weeks along, even with her wife’s help, getting up was sometimes a challenge. Looking back, Luz smiled apologetically. “Sorry about that everyone, I’ll be out of your hair soon.”
The passengers (minus one obstinate witch) quickly issued a flurry of reassurances.
“Thanks for waiting, Marv.”
A deep, bone-shaking rumble made its way from the back of the cabin. “Not a problem. Besides, my Nana would have my hide if I didn’t wait for you.”
A murmur of approval bubbled up from the passengers, punctuated by another smack up the tardy witch’s head.
Before Amity could grab Luz’s hand again to help her down the enamel steps, the expectant human put one foot on the slick, bone white surface. Luz stumbled as a series of oblong protrusions rose and fell in rapid succession. Amity rushed behind her, cradling Luz’s bump.
“LUZ! Are you okay?! Is it happening?! Is the baby coming?! I’ll call the hospital! Oh titan, we should have brought the overnight bag just in case!”
Luz, bracing herself against the wall, shook her head. “It’s okay! We’re fine!”
“Are… are you sure?” Luz’s heart melted as she stared into those loving golden eyes.
“I’m sure, Amity.” Luz said with a tired smile. “They just kicked a little harder than usual.”
The witch placed a hand on her chest and let out a sigh of relief. Resting her chin on Luz’s shoulder, she playfully wagged a finger. “Not even born and you’re already a troublemaker. Why can’t you be nice to your Mami?”
Luz chuckled and patted her belly. “It’s not her fault. It can’t be very comfortable being so cramped.”
“Remind me again why you had me make the appointment so late?” Amity teased.
Luz chuckled. “In my defense, I forgot labor day wasn’t a thing on the Isles. I didn’t want you to miss work just to take a few pictures.”
Amity smiled and shook her head. “Luz. My love. I co-own the company. I can take a day off when I need to.”
“But…” Luz began, only to find that the well of rationalizations had run dry. Rubbing the back of her neck in embarrassment, Luz relented. “Yeah, I guess you’re right.”
Amity smiled. “All these years and you’re still the same self-sacrificing dork I fell in love with.”
“Yeah… sorry.”
As soon as Luz stepped off the final step, Marvin began plodding forward, his giant face lowering with mechanical smoothness.
Just across the street was their destination, mercifully for Luz’s aching feet. The stout brick building was almost quaint by Boiling Isles’ standards. The most bizarre thing about it was the entrance. Rather than a typical doorway, a large eyeball protruded out from the top, two bat wings folded up below it with the words “Very Good Photography & Design Co.” crudely written on the wings.
One could be forgiven for not noticing the outlet at all. To its left was what looked like a tie-dyed tumor while on its right sat a corner store constructed out of thousands of horse-shaped crustaceans linked together like an army ant bivouac.
Luz grabbed Amity’s hand and excitedly pulled her wife along. “Come on, we don’t want to be late!”
Amity couldn’t help but smile and wonder where her nearly due wife found all this energy.
Crossing the street, the large bat wings opened with a harsh screech, revealing a remarkably well-kept studio. Seemingly all the effort that had been spared on the exterior had been allocated to the calm, elegant lobby and adjoining rooms.
A medium-sized demon walked out of one said rooms. Luz immediately recognized it from King’s lessons as a molaroid demon. The man bore the distinctive boxy shape dominated almost entirely by its gaping mouth, large curved teeth, and two bulbous eyes, all perched on three spindly legs.
“Hi, we’re here for our 2:00 PM appointment!” Luz chirped.
The demon’s fleshy brow raised up. “W92038! It’s been a while!”
Luz winced. She could only imagine how much bullying the poor soul behind her must have gone through with a keysmash for a name.
…
Wait, why is he looking at me? Luz turned around, trying to find who the demon was talking to.
“You know him, Luz?” Amity inquired.
“You were one of the best mugshots I ever took.” The demon matter-of-factly stated. “You could almost taste the regret.”
Luz eyebrows shot up. “Wait, are you the guy who took my mugshot?!”
“Yeah. I was wondering why you didn’t recognize me.” The demon remarked, slightly offended.
“I was body swapped…” Luz said, dumbfounded. “How’d you even recognize me?”
The toothy tripod raised one of his legs, flicking it forward with a dramatic, dismissive flop. “It wasn’t exactly a brain teaser. I watched enough of the news to see that Clawthorne’s apprentice wears her heart on her sleeve, and you gave me the saddest puppy dog eyes I’d ever seen when they booked you. Let me guess, she did the spell with zero warning?”
Luz snorted. “Right again.” Luz answered, chuckling. “Still, I’m surprised you remembered me.”
“I never forget a subject. Especially not one who did so much for me.”
Oh no, not again. Luz stepped back, her stomach already feeling sick. “Please… I don’t want anyone to bow or pray to me. I’m just a normal person, not someone to worship.”
…
…
The demon raised an eyebrow. “Worship? Who said anything about worship? I’m just glad that I could finally quit that dead end job with Belos gone.”
“Oh.”
“At least the room had a couple windows. Having to adjust white balance wasn’t much but it kept me from falling asleep. Anyways, you got the props?”
Luz and Amity beamed as the witch patted the packed duffle bag slung around her shoulders.
The photoshoot breezed by. Picture after picture of Luz dressed like a construction worker and Amity in her engineering garb, gazing adoringly at their impending child. Each took turns comparing ‘blueprints’ to the ream of ultrasound pictures and intravision projections they brought with them. Both the pictures and blueprints were covered in little notes of love and adoration like ‘Most boopable button nose ever!’, ‘Mami’s ears!’, ‘We can’t wait to meet you!’, and ‘You light up our life!’’ All the while, the molaroid demon remarked on the beauty and emotional resonance of the scene in his usual monotone voice.
With five minutes left, the molaroid decided to take a few final photos. A loud click and whirring sounded out as the picture fell out of the demon’s mouth. Picking it up the demon shook his head. The human had doubled over just as he took the picture, reducing it to a worthless blur.
“We’ll have to take another photo.” The molaroid said only to look up and see the human leaning on the witch’s shoulder, the latter calling Bonesborough Hospital as the two sped out.
“Hey! You better come back later!” The molaroid bellowed, his spindly legs giving chase. “You paid for the whole hour and I will not be known for stiffing clients!”
The dappled light of early morning teased its way through the thick everred canopy, the forest having grown lush and dense over the years. Luz and Amity, bags under their eyes and beaming smiles on their faces pointed out photo after photo to the wide-eyed child cradled in Amity’s arms.
At the end of the hall, Luz reached out and grabbed her daughter’s hand and pointed towards the most recent photo. The newest addition depicted Luz in a now thoroughly baggy construction outfit holding a cranky newborn as Amity embraced them. In the thick white band below the image, in patient, elegant cursive, were the words “Welcome to the team, Jordan Noceda!”