Chapter Text
“And you’re sure about this?” Luz asked.
Amity gingerly pulled her newly purchased crystal ball from her backpack and inspected it one last time. A little flatly, she replied, “I already said I was sure.”
A gust of wind came in through the window into Luz’s bedroom in the owl house. She shivered and went to close it shut. She stammered a little, “I-I know. And I support you, one hundred percent. But…” She bit her lip and tried to keep her eyes locked on Amity, “Odalia was an Oracle too. I hope you’re not doing this to… for…” She groaned and leaned her head back. “I don’t know what I’m trying to say. I just want you to be okay with whatever you choose.”
Amity certainly understood where Luz was coming from. Her batata was always willing to go the extra mile to make sure she was in a good place. So, she nodded and said, “I appreciate that. I promise, it has nothing to do with her. Do you remember what I said to get Ghost to choose me as her witch?”
Luz nodded, “That you don’t know what you want to be when you grow up, but you want to choose it for yourself.”
“Right. And that means exploring all kinds of magic. It’s a chance to learn, especially with Hexside and all of Bonesbourough still being rebuilt.”
Luz put on her best determined face and clapped once, “Got it! Alright, let’s go raise the undead!” She raised her fist in the air.
Snickering, Amity rolled her eyes and said, “That’s not how this works.”
The pair made their way downstairs with Luz walking in front. Amity carefully held her crystal ball in her pale hands and took a deep breath as she entered the living room of the owl house.
Sitting in a circle on pillows on the floor were her best friends, her found family. Willow, Gus, Hunter and Vee all looked at her expectantly. Luz sat down in one of the open seats, shooting Amity a comforting smile. Her warmth instilled a sense of confidence in the young witch.
“Okay everyone,” Amity took a moment to look at each member of the Hexsquad. “Thanks for coming. I really appreciate this.”
She dimmed the lights and placed the crystal ball in an ornate gold stand in the center of the circle. “Luz already knows this, but I’ve started studying Oracle magic. I don’t know if I’m gonna stick with it, but this is one of the first rituals that new witches are supposed to attempt.”
As Amity sat in the circle next to Luz, Willow spoke up. “I’ve heard of that! You summon a Spirit of Truth, right?”
Amity nodded. “It’s a small spirit that looks into each of us, and reveals some kind of truth. Sometimes we know what it is, sometimes we don’t. And it’s an experience best shared with our closest friends.” She took Luz’s hand and breathed easier, smiling and looking into her eyes as she said, “You know. The people we love.”
A brief moment of contemplative silence befell the group.
Amity turned again to her friends and said, “This spirit speaks in the voice of whoever it’s latched on to. It might be an… uncomfortable experience. But, if we talk about it afterwards, it’s supposed to bring us closer together. You can leave at any time. I just appreciate you being here.”
Luz grinned and said, “I’ve shared so much with each of you already! This will be a breeze.”
Gus agreed, “I think we can all handle a little soul-searching.”
“I-I don’t know.” Hunter rubbed the back of his neck. “Does truth mean, like, fears? Or ideals? I don’t know what it’ll see in me.” He glanced down at his scarred arms, “If it’ll even see anything.”
With a supportive smile, Willow took Hunter’s hand. She tilted her head and offered, “You've got a lot more going on than you give yourself credit for.”
Amity reiterated, “I'm actually a little nervous too. It could be good for all of us, but no one will think less of you if you walk away.”
Hunter took a moment to breathe and collect his thoughts. He stared into Willow's eyes for a while longer, seemingly searching for support, and finally said, “Okay. I'm in.”
“Uh, me too.” Vee meekly offered, coiled up on the floor hugging a small pillow. “Never hurts to look at all your deepest, darkest secrets. Right?” She awkwardly joked, and it lightened the mood a bit.
Each of Amity’s friends smiled and committed to the ritual. This was Amity’s first time exploring traditional magic outside of Abominations in a meaningful way. It was daunting, but having her friends by her side calmed her beating heart.
With one last deep breath, and a supportive look from her batata, Amity placed two fingers atop the crystal ball.
“Alright then,” She hardened her voice, “Brace yourselves.”