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Mother’s Day.
Not exactly the easiest day for Luz Noceda.
Why wouldn’t it be? She’s far, far away from her own mother, with no way to (properly) contact her anymore, and therefore, no way to send her anything, like a card.
Even still, she still stands by the fact that staying on the Boiling Isles was the best choice she made since arriving. Why wouldn’t it be?
Okay, try to find a bright side, Luz, she thinks. There’s no use wallowing in shame.
Besides, she won’t be alone this year.
So, the girl gets up and gathers some materials from her chest. Maybe she can make…something.
Like uh…a paper swan! Mamá always loved her origami.
Just like old times…
As she folds corners of the paper over each other, Luz’s mind wanders to another person. Behind the shut door, she hears Eda passing by in the hallway, yawning. And mumbling something about being hungry.
Yeah, I really should eat soon…
And next to Luz, King is stirring. As usual he does the thing where he stretches out his limbs and yawns.
So adorable! No, wait, focus!
Just as she’s about to finish the swan’s wings, the little demon notices her.
“Nn, hey Luz,” He says. “Whatcha making?”
Carefully, she folds down the wing and answers without looking away,
“Making this for my mom,” King cocks his head. “For Mother’s Day.”
Luz decides to explain a little more when King sits down, settling against her hip. “I uh, don’t know if the Boiling Isles does this too, but back home, we have this holiday every year where we pretty much…celebrate our mothers. And we give them gifts.”
King looks amazed by the idea. Luz looks away promptly, feeling her eyes water.
“A-anyway, I’m making this paper swan for my mom. I don’t know how or when I’ll give it to her, but hey, it’s the thought that counts, r-right?”
After saying that, King steps away, tapping his claws together as if thinking of an idea. Then he opened the door.
“Well, I’m going down to eat, and you should come too. Remember what we talked about?” He crosses his arms.
“R-right,” Luz puts down the paper. “Can’t work with an empty stomach.”
King gets a victorious gleam in his eyes. And Luz is sure that if she could see his mouth, he’d be smirking.
“I’ll be right down King, promise.” Luz waves a hand.
…
Okay, maybe this project can wait. She is hungry, and perhaps she can trust Hooty to leave it alone.
And maybe whatever breakfast is will make the day easier.
-
Breakfast, thankfully, ends up being a hearty chicken noodle soup that is also, thankfully, not past its expiration date.
“Yes! Some real food!” Luz exclaims, pumping her fists in the air. Then she sheepishly looks to Eda across the table. “N-no offense, Eda!”
“Oh, pshh, don’ worry ‘bout it,” Eda says after eating her first spoonful. “It was the first thing I found in the human junk pile I found earlier, soooo, why not?”
“Wait,” Luz pipes up. “Did you just say human junk pile?”
Eda swallows another bite and smiles. “Er, yeah!”
“But the portal’s gone?”
“Weeelll…let’s just say I found a decent pile along the boiling seashore.” Eda flashes a knowing smirk at Luz.
Luz, of course, gets a happy gleam in her eyes. A chance to see a few reminders of the human realm, and possibly find something more? How can she possibly pass that up?
“I know that look, kiddo,” Eda teases. “What say you, me and King, after breakfast, spend the day looking through them, and you tell us what some of them do, huh? My treat!”
Luz nods eagerly. “Are you kidding? Absolutely!” She starts gobbling up her soup a little faster.
“Whoa whoa, don’t choke on it!” Eda laughs.
Luz puts down her empty bowl and stands up. “You underestimate me! Race ya!”
“Oh no you don’t!” King shouts, joining her at the front door.
Eda snorts and laughs at the ruckus, ruffling Luz’s hair and leading them outside.
~
Among the garbage pile is many things, including a Walkman, some funny jewelry, and even some of the tacky clothing from when the weird mustache trend happened, which Eda laughs at.
“Who the hell even comes up with this stuff?” Eda laughs loudly, holding up a weird mustache necklace to her face.
“Yeah, that was a weird era,” Luz notes.
As they look through more and more stuff, Luz feels something warm and fuzzy in her heart. Ever since she got here, it was like…Eda gets her. Like she always knows how to cheer her up, even when she doesn’t even know why she’s sad.
Heck, lately she’s finally gotten used to her hugs.
The two of them are so tightly knit it can almost be called…
Well.
Is…is “maternal” appropriate, even now?
She and Eda are close, but…
Actually, is it even right to doubt this?
Before her thoughts can go any further, Luz’s eyes catch something…interesting. It looks like a card?
Luz picks it up, and her eyes widen and tears prick at what’s on it.
The words, they’re perfect. It’s the perfect gift.
Wrapped around it is a necklace with two linked rings.
She looks to Eda, and back to the card, and back to Eda again.
Hmm…
For the time being, Luz pockets the card and turns to the witch, who is stuffing a sack full of junk for later. She can think about this more when she gets inside.
“Hey, Eda? I think I found what I need. Can we go inside?”
~
Luz is sitting at her desk once more, staring at her unfinished swan and the card she discovered.
“King?”
“Weh?”
“Do you… do you think Eda is a second mom?”
King huffs fondly. “You saw her sign those papers, didn’t you?”
Ohh yes, Luz remembers. Eda didn’t stop crying until they all got home.
Imagine if my name was on those papers too…
“Yeah, I remember,” she chuckles softly. “But I mean, do you think she counts as a mom to me?”
King rubs his chin with his paw for a second, thinking. Then without a drop of hesitation in his voice,
“Absolutely.”
Luz raises her eyebrows. “R-really?”
“Yeah! Ever since you lived here she’s been acting more and more like one! Caught me by surprise at first!”
“I- well, I mean, you’re right, she has looked out for me, and reassured me, and she’s always so happy…”
Eda’s wide grin whenever she ruffles her hair…
“Look, you two have kidnapped each other’s hearts within weeks.” King laughs.
‘Kidnapped each other’s hearts.’ Well, he’s not wrong…
“You’re right. You’re right, King.” Luz smiles, noogies King, and eyes the card. “I think I know what I’ll give her.”
-
After finishing the swan, Luz finds more paper, this time preparing a paper owl. It would be more difficult than a swan, but for Eda, it’s worth it.
As she starts, Luz’s mind fills with fond memories.
Such as the day Eda accepted her as an apprentice, and how (unnecessarily) overjoyed she was when she saw Luz’s Banned poster, bringing Luz palistrom wood, and every single time they’ve worked together. Every time Eda’s face softened whenever she was happy or using light glyphs. Every encouraging word from Eda was practically carved into her mind.
The paper owl is finished, with one side uneven, but that doesn’t make it any less beautiful.
Off to the side, of course, is the card inside its tiny box. The shiny necklace inside sits untouched.
At least I know Eda will LOVE that.
Luz carefully places the origami inside, getting it to cover the words.
And now I gotta give it to her.
~
Eda is merely chilling on the couch when Luz comes downstairs with King in tow. When she sees the two, she straightens up.
“Whatcha got there, kid?”
Luz clears her throat. “So, this morning, it happened to be a special occasion that we celebrate in the human realm. I don’t know if you have this in the Boiling Isles, but, well…” she holds out the tiny box. “Here you go! H-happy Mother’s Day, Eda!”
That last part is blurted out with a rising blush. However, Eda doesn’t notice it over the surprise.
“Wha-? Mother’s Day?! So this is-”
“Could you take a look, Eda?” Luz can’t stop the smile.
“Uhh, sure!”
Eda sees the paper origami owl and grins. “You made this, kid?”
Luz nods proudly. “Sure did. I know my skills are rusty, it’s the first time I’ve ever made an owl so-”
“Shut up kid, I love it.” Eda stops Luz by ruffling her hair the way she always likes it. “Maybe you can teach me sometime!”
Next is the card. Eda looks at it, her face softening.
On her end, she can’t believe what she’s reading.
To my Unbiological Mom
You didn’t have to be there for me, to nurture me, to give me advice when I was lost, to comfort me when I was nervous, or even to show me that you care. You didn’t have to do any of those things, but you did - and do - all the time. I truly don’t know where I would be without you. Thank you for loving me as your own.
Eda’s eyes begin to well up with tears, although her facial expression is unreadable.
“Eda?” Luz asks, growing a bit nervous. “Are you-”
Suddenly, Luz is practically pounced on, Eda quickly grabbing her and holding her close and tight like she never wants to let go, and Luz can feel her shaking a bit.
“Eda?”
“Who gave you the right to be this good, Luz?” Eda says. “I- I should be thanking you, kid!”
“Ha, for what, Eda?”
One of the witch’s hands reaches up to stroke Luz’s hair.
“For just being here with me, y’know? You may not believe it, but you’ve given me a reason to wake up in the morning.”
And of course I had to do all those things, Eda almost says. You deserve it. And it’s true. It’s all true. Luz has wormed her way into her heart, yup, cracked it wide open. Not that it’s surprising.
Luz allows tears to slip down her own face as well, and Eda wipes them away. “I-I’m so glad you like it, Eda.”
“I. Love it.” Eda laughs heartily and squishes Luz’s cheeks. “You are literally the best kid ever.”
Luz goes back in and returns the hug, clinging to Eda’s dress. “Haha…y’know, I was so worried this morning about what to give my mom in the human realm because I can’t even reach her anymore…”
“Oh, kid,”
“But now, having you here? Having you and King here with me? It makes everything better. I really do hope it’s not too much to call you a…”
Eda pulls back and rubs her kid’s hair again, scratching lightly. “Luz, you have been my kid for a while. I don’t think it’s that embarrassing.” Although one can see the blush in her face too.
Then Eda takes the necklace, eyes dilating at the two gold ring pendants, and clasps it around her neck. As expected, it goes perfect with her dress and black gem.
(That, and it’s nice to see Eda wearing some gold attire again.)
“Okay, I am definitely putting this up somewhere special.” Eda says, picking up the card. “Hmm, maybe next to my wanted poster?” She holds it up next to said poster for scale. “Yes!”
“Oh, and your paper swan?” Eda turns back to Luz. “Let’s put those somewhere safe. When you see your mom again, you’ll want it in one piece. After that, maybe I’ll treat you to something.”
Luz blinks her tears away and wraps Eda in another hug, which is returned. She imagines the look on her mom’s face when she sees how much she’s improved here. All the people she’s met.
“Thank you, Eda. For everything.”
A kiss is planted on the top of Luz’s head.
“Of course. You deserve it.”
King’s right. They did kidnap each other’s hearts. Their bond is not by blood, it’s by love.