Chapter Text
The next day, the entire Hexsqaud was present in the living room in the Noceda household listening to Gus's instructions on illusion spells, everyone practicing by giving their partner or trying to at least give them human ears, Gus figured it's as good a spell as any other, at least in Illusion magic, to learn. Luz could tell how much everyone was enjoying Gus's magic lessons, it was unfortunate that her mom had to head back to work today but at least she had Vee accompanying her to help out, which for some reason Bria seemed particularly happy about, which Luz thought was odd but then again she was probably just reading to much into it. Luz was brought out of her thoughts when the Doctor poked his head in around the corner leading to the kitchen and said.
“Knock knock, hey, do you guy's mind if I borrow Luz for a bit, I wanted to show her something.” The Doctor asked.
Gus spoke up first.
“Sure, no problem, right guys?” Gus asked everyone else.
Gus's question was met with a bunch of yes's and nods. Luz went with the Doctor into his TARDIS, Luz got a wee bit impatient and asked him something.
“Okay, what exactly did you want to show me?” Luz asked.
“I’ll show you when we get to my kitchen.” The Doctor answered.
Luz raised and eyebrow.
“Why the kitchen?” Luz asked.
“Plenty of things to use as demonstration targets, and Camila would have my head if I had you practice on any of her kitchen appliances.” The Doctor answered.
“Practice with what though?” Luz asked.
At Luz’s question the Doctor his sonic screwdriver behind him, Luz was quick enough to catch it. Luz examined the fountain pen sized object. It was primarily gray and chrome, with a black cap on one end and a blue gem on another.
“Uh, Doctor, what exactly is this thing?” Luz asked.
“That, my dear Luz, is a sonic probe, or more commonly known as a sonic screwdriver.” The Doctor answered.
Luz blinked at that.
“A sonic what?” Luz asked, perplexed.
“Think of it as a multi tool of sorts, it can do a lot of different things.” The Doctor answered.
“Like what exactly, and how?” Luz asked.
“Well, for starters it uses a wide variety of varying sound frequencies in the right order to do different things, such as hack electronic devices and locks, amplification of various electrical devices, unlocking and locking of mechanical locks, turning on and off electrical devices, tracking various signals, breaking glass, igniting flammable objects like candle wicks, regrowing barbed wire, tuning glass and a whole host of other things.” The Doctor elaborated.
“Like, how much other stuff?” Luz asked.
The Doctor then all of a sudden turned around and handed Luz a book that was as think as her 5th Azura book, titled “4,000 Uses for your Sonic Screwdriver”.
Luz pouted.
“Awwww, homework! No! Just when I think I'm out, they pull me back in!” Luz groaned.
“Oh come on Luz, it's not that much of a read, you can get through that in less than an hour, plus I'm gonna show you how to use my sonic screwdriver first, then once you've gotten a handle on how to use one and have read your, homework, as you so aptly put it, you can design your own.” The Doctor said.
Luz's face immediately brightened up upon hearing this.
“Yes!” Luz said as she pumped her fist in the air.
As Luz and the Doctor continued to make their way to the kitchen Luz was skimming over what she could of the book. Then before they knew it, they were there. They entered the kitchen and the Doctor took out his sonic screwdriver and pointed it at the ceiling fan.
“Watch closely, Luz.” The Doctor instructed.
Luz meanwhile was confused as to how the Doctor got his screwdriver back without her knowing.
“Uh, I thought I had your screwdriver?” Luz asked.
The Doctor shrugged.
“Yeah well, what can I say? I’m an old hand at pickpocketing.” The Doctor said.
Luz smirked and let out a small chuckle.
“You and Eda will get along just fine once you guy's finally meet.” Luz said.
The Doctor grinned.
“Now watch.” The Doctor said.
The Doctor pressed the button on the side of his sonic screwdriver and the blue gem shaped tip of the screwdriver lit up with an almost neon blue color and made a mechanical buzzing noise as it turned on the ceiling fan.
“And there you have it.” The Doctor said as he tossed his screwdriver back to Luz who caught it again.
“So how do you adjust for the various different functions?” Luz asked as she examined the screwdriver in her hands.
“Great question, Luz. The sonic screwdriver has a neural psychic interface that immediately interprets and adjusts to what you aim to do, but if for some reason the interface is damaged there's a manual adjustment dial on the opposite side of the activation button.” The Doctor answered.
“So if I aimed at the fan again and think “deactivate” it will turn off the fan?” Luz asked.
The Doctor nodded.
“Exactly, try it out.” The Doctor said.
Luz held out the sonic screwdriver and aimed it at the same ceiling fan and pressed the button and sure enough the fan turned off. The Doctor gave Luz a proud smile.
“See? I'm sure you'll pick it up in no time at all.” The Doctor said with confidence.
Meanwhile…
Camila and Vee were finishing with stitches on an Alaskan Malamute.
“Geez, I still find it hard to believe that a cat could do this kind of damage to such a huge dog.” Vee said.
“Well Balto's owner, Mrs. Stevens, did say that the cat in question was a Maine Coon that had recently had kittens, so that was double bad luck on the dogs part, after all, some Maine Coon cats can reach sizes as big as almost 40 pounds.” Camila said.
Vee’s mouth was agape.
“Holy crap! That is huge for a domestic cat!” Vee said.
Camila chuckled at Vee’s reaction.
“Yes, well within the family of domestic cats along there's a huge variety of breeds and that's just domesticated cats.” Camila said.
Vee smiled at seeing her adoptive mother info dump about cats, she always delivered such info with such a passion.
“Uh, hey, mom? I was wondering, if it wouldn't be to much trouble, if you could enroll me in Luz's school? I wanna be able to reconnect with my friends from summer camp.” Vee asked.
Camila smiled.
“Oh, sure thing, Vee, you deserve to have an education, and I know since taking your own unique form and not using Luz's form, you've been missing your friends. What were their names again? Oh, that's right Masha, Reggie and Bruno.” Camila answered.
Vee smiled again at Camila.
“Yeah that’s them!” Vee confirmed.
“Speaking of friends, how are you getting along with Luz's witch friends? Specifically Hunter, given his past and your unique circumstances, I gathered there's probably a bit of awkwardness between you two, eh?” Camila asked.
“Well, to tell you the truth, I haven't really hung around him on my own so I think a conversation is definitely going to be needed, with Gus and Luz there as well, preferably.” Vee said.
Camila nodded in understanding.
“I understand having Luz there, she's usually pretty good at deescalating things, but why Gus?” Camila asked.
“Well, Hunter and Gus are best friends, and I really trust Gus too, he's incredibly kind and understanding of someone's perspective on various situations, or at least that's my experience.” Vee answered.
“Hmmm, yeah, I've noticed you hanging out with Gus, would you say you get along best with him?” Camila asked.
Vee perked up.
“Oh, yeah, I'd say we get along great, he's always so enthusiastic about so much in the human realm, more so than anyone else and his enthusiasm is infectious.” Vee said, slightly blushing at saying the last bit it didn't go unnoticed by Camila.
“Well I'm sure Gus appreciates having someone like you who is also so engrossed in the human realm.” Camila said.
“Really!?” Vee blurted out.
“Vee, do you, and I may be completely wrong about this, but do you have a crush on Gus?” Camila asked.
Vee's face was immediately fully blushing to a point where she could give Amity a run for her money while also waving her hands around frantically.
“N-n-no o-of course not!! W-why woul-.” Vee denied but was cut off when Camila placed a hand on her shoulder.
“Vee, calm down, relax.” Camila said.
Vee's breathing started to slow back to a normal pace. Camila smiled softly at Vee.
“Well I told you I could completely be wrong and just miss reading things.” Camila said.
Vee rubbed her neck looking off to the corner of the room in embarrassment, still blushing a bit.
“Well, to tell you the truth I don't really know, I've never had a crush on someone before so I'm kinda in the dark here. I may actually be crushing on Gus and not really know it, is that possible?” Vee asked.
Camila smiles at Vee.
“Oh easily, in fact it's actually something that everyone usually goes through with their first crush, in fact last night at dinner Amity and I were talking and she mentioned that Luz was her first ever crush, and it took her awhile to realize that's what it was.” Camila answered.
Vee chuckled.
“Ha, I would've never guessed by the way she acts around Luz.” Vee said.
“Maybe you should ask Amity for advice, see what she has to say.” Camila offered.
Vee nodded in acknowledgement.
“Yeah, that makes sense, thanks.” Vee said.
Vee thought back on her interactions with Gus and wondered if it might be mutual or not.
Meanwhile with the Hexsquad…
Everyone was already picking up on being able to use illusion magic to make their ears look human and were moving on to disguises. Rose had decided to sit in and keep an eye on them for Camila and the Doctor. Hunter had actually caught on to illusion magic quite fast and had actually found that it was quite useful in helping him workshop his sewing project ideas. Hunter was currently trying to come up with a idea of something to make for Vee.
“Hey, Hunter. Whatcha working on?” Gus asked.
“Oh, Gus, actually you could probably help me with this. You spend a lot of time with Vee, do know anything that she would like enough to be put on a shirt or something like that?” Hunter asked.
Gus slightly blushed but hid it before answering his friend.
“Well, Vee always has to be in her human form when outside, so something with her Basilisk form on or in it would probably be appreciated.” Gus answered.
“Great idea Gus! I knew you'd have the answer, now what to make? Hmmmmmm oh! What about a backpack with a Basilisk on it?” Hunter proposed.
“Nice, though I think you can do better, what about a Basilisk plushie made into a backpack?” Gus offered.
“That's even better! You're a genius Gus!” Hunter said as he got to work.
“Why thank you, but, and not that I'm complaining, but why the sudden challenge of making a gift for Vee? Ya know, out of curiosity sake and all.” Gus asked.
Hunter rubbed the back of his head.
“Well, it's actually a two fold reason. One, I want to expand my sewing skills and Luz told me a good way to do that is to find new challenges to expand your ingenuity in your skills. Second is that, well, it's kind of an apology for any part of her treatment I may have indirectly had in while she was still in the Emperor’s Coven custody cause, well, ya know…” Hunter trailed off.
Hunter showed Gus his coven sigil to suggest what he meant. Gus smiled at his friend.
“Don't worry, I'm sure she'll appreciate it.” Gus said.
“Yeah, but where am I supposed to find a small Basilisk plushie to make into a backpack?” Hunter asked.
Gus hummed in thought, Rose then spoke up.
“What about build a bear?” Rose suggested.
Both Gus and Hunter turned to look at Rose in confusion.
“Is that like the human realm equivalent of build a beast?” Gus asked.
“Probably, it's a store where you make your own stuffed animal, complete with accessories and alike. I'm sure you can find a plushie that has a close enough shape that you can just use clothing dye and magic to modify its shape into what you need.” Rose answered.
Hunter rubbed his chin as he thought over Rose’s words.
“That might actually work.” Hunter said.
“Yeah, that's a great idea Rose, thanks!” Gus said.
Rose smiled.
“No problem, though you guys are gonna have to wait till Luz gets back before I take you guy's there.” Rose said.
Meanwhile with Camila and Vee…
It had been over an hour since Camila's inquiry into whether Vee had a crush on Gus or not and since that conversation Vee had been distracted, mentally going over all her encounters and interactions with the young illusionist in order to try and come to a solid conclusion all on her own, only for it to get her nowhere but more stuck in her own head, until her adoptive mom finally broke her out of her spiraling thoughts.
“Vee?!” Camila called out.
“Huh?” Vee blurted out.
“I said are you feeling okay and when you didn't respond it got me worried.” Camila said.
Vee rubbed the back of her neck sheepishly.
“Oh, sorry about that, I was just to deep in my own thoughts, ya know?” Vee said.
“Hmmm, thinking about Gus?” Camila asked.
Vee immediately blushed at Camila's correct assumption.
“Y-yeah, how did you know?” Vee asked.
Camila smiled softly.
“Mother's intuition, but I also wanted to talk to you about your sister, Luz.” Camila answered.
Vee gave her mom her full attention.
“I'm just gonna come straight out and say it. You can't tell Luz anything about Time Lord regeneration or about how long her lifespan is okay?” Camila said.
“Uh, why? Shouldn't she know?” Vee asked.
Camila looked off to the side, her brows furrowed in thought.
“It's because Luz deserves to enjoy the love she has with Amity, as if Amity's lifetime is her own. She’ll figure it out eventually, but for right now she has to much on her plate. Vee you have to understand, eventually the Doctor, me and Luz will out live everyone, you, and your friends and Luz's friends as well. Plus there's the existential crises that is coming to terms with what regeneration entails.” Camila answered.
Vee then understood what her mom was asking of her, it wasn't just withholding knowledge from Luz, but also sparring her from a lifetime of heartache.
“Okay I won't tell Luz, I promise.” Vee said.
“Thank you Vee.” Camila said.
Meanwhile with the Doctor and Luz…
“Great job Luz, you’re definitely getting the hang of it.” The Doctor complimented.
“Thanks Doctor.” Luz said with a smile as she used his sonic screwdriver to turn of the blender after purposefully frying the microwave oven.
“I know I ask this every time, but are you sure you don't mind me destroying this stuff?” Luz asked.
The Doctor crossed his arms and smiled,
“Positive Luz! Absolutely positive, besides this isn't even my main kitchen, it's just a backup that I keep around just in case.” The Doctor answered.
At Luz's curious expression the Doctor simply replied with.
“I'll tell another time. Back to training, which means you gotta finish reading that book, you’re only halfway done, finish it and then I'll take you back to the control console and show you how to design your own sonic screwdriver.” The Doctor said.
That served to re-motivate Luz to get back to reading and finish the book so that she could have her own sonic screwdriver.
Back with the Hexsquad…
Hunter and Gus were trying to work out the finer details for Hunter’s project taking stock of his fabrics and other sewing supplies, the rest of the Hexsqaud were preoccupied watching one of the many movies in the Noceda's online library, with this one specifically being John Wick 2, of which Willow was glad Gus was with Hunter back in his room helping him out, as the second movie was far more gory and filled with death than the first movie, which was a feat all on it's own. Still, Willow and everyone else, including Rose, couldn't look away.
When there was a break in the action Rose decided to pause the movie.
“Who wants snacks?” Rose asked.
Rose could've sworn she heard all three girls stomachs rumble as if agreeing independently of their witches. Rose was sure all the girls heard as well as they all blushed in embarrassed and all got up to join Rose in the kitchen to make some snacks while talking about the movie. As Rose got out and started filling the popcorn machine, Amity, Willow and Bria were making some sandwiches.
“Man, I can't believe how utterly stupid that Santino guy is, I'm not gonna be surprised if John kills him by the end of this, I mean, seriously! You don't double cross John Wick! That's like signing your own death certificate.” Bria said.
“I know right? Such a moron, he definitely underestimated his skill in accurately appraising someone's skills. Ha, seems to be a bit of a trait that follows assholes in power, just look at Odalia.” Amity said.
“Who’s Odalia?” Rose asked.
“She was my mom, but after the crap she pulled, which was basically selling out her own race to a genocidal witch hunter, I no longer consider her family.” Amity answered.
Rose was shocked at that info drop.
“Wow!” Rose exclaimed.
“It's alright, I still have my dad, Alador, and my older siblings, Edric and Emira.” Amity said.
Rose smiled at Amity.
“Ya know, like Luz, I lost my dad before I even knew him. But I still got my mom, just like Luz.” Rose said.
“You know, now that I think about ,it out of all of us I think Willow's the only one of us who still has both of her parents.” Bria said.
Everyone turned to Willow who was already eating the popcorn.
“What?” Willow asked awkwardly.
Amity smiled at her best friend.
“Nothing Willow, come on let’s finish the movie before the boys get back.” Amity said.
Meanwhile with Luz and the Doctor…
Luz was already done with her reading and the two were now at the TARDIS’s console where Luz was designing her sonic screwdriver, going over all the individual components via a touchscreen monitor and using an attached pen to draw out and redraw additional details for various different types of casings to house the inner workings. Luz felt like a Jedi trying to assemble their first light saber, or when she was carving her Palisman egg. Finally after what felt like hours of tinkering with various designs, Luz was finished.
“There. Finally done, now let’s just get it fabricated.” Luz said as she pressed a button and five seconds later, in a half dollar sized port on the control console, out popped Luz's brand new sonic screwdriver.
Luz caught her screwdriver and examined it in her hand. It was in the design of a fountain pen, with a special holographic projector on the tip of the pen cap so Luz could visually draw out her ideas at any time to more properly show them. The body of the casing itself was a mix of indigo, blue and deep purple, with metallic bands that shifted randomly between a gleaming gold and the burnt orange and red that are synonymous with her people.
Luz turned around to face the Doctor while brandishing her sonic screwdriver.
“Well Doctor, what do you think?” Luz asked as she showed the Doctor her screwdriver.
The Doctor examined the screwdriver in Luz’s hand and smirked.
“I think your father would be proud, and I know your mother definitely will, good job Luz.” The Doctor complimented as he playfully ruffled Luz’s hair.
Luz chuckled at this action and smiled.
“Thanks, I can’t wait to show her!” Luz said excitedly.
Luz and the Doctor exited his TARDIS and entered the Noceda household. The Hexsquad was just finishing the last half hour of John Wick 2 when Luz and the Doctor popped in.
“Hey guys! Oh, John Wick 2, nice, I like this one better than the first one.” Luz cut herself off as she took notice of the movie.
Amity raised an eyebrow in confusion.
“Really? That’s surprising, I thought-.” Amity was say before she was cut off by Bria.
“Hush up. We’re trying to watch.” Bria said.
“Hey!” Amity exclaimed.
“It’s cool Amity, I get it, we’ll talk after the movie.” Luz said.
After the movie was over, Amity finally asked her question to Luz.
“So why is it you like John Wick 2 over the first one?” Amity asked.
“It's because John's unyielding will to payback Santino D' Antonio for double crossing him and trying to kill him. That and once again he proves to be someone who keeps pushing forward no matter what, he's a force of sheer-.” Luz cut herself off to look over her shoulder to be sure her mom, Vee or Gus wasn't around before continuing.
“-fucking will.” Luz finished.
“Well said Luz, although do try not to swear.” The Doctor said.
Luz nodded.
“So what were you and the Doctor working on all this time?” Willow asked.
“We-.” Luz was about to say before being cut off when everyone heard the front door be unlocked and sure enough Camila and Vee were back, and not long after Hunter and Gus rejoined everyone in the living room.
“As I was about to say, the Doctor showed me this cool multitool-like device called a, sonic screwdriver, and all of it's functional capabilities, and then helped me make my own. So I present to you, my sonic screwdriver!” Luz said as she held out her fountain pen shaped sonic screwdriver.
“Observe.” Luz said as she activated her sonic screwdriver.
The tip lit up a similar neon blue to the Doctor’s own screwdriver and produced an identical buzzing sound. First, Luz shut off all the lights in the living room, then turned on the TV before turning the lights back on. Luz then activated the hologram function on her screwdriver and held her device like the pen it was modeled after and began scribbling in the air, a neon line of light appeared wherever Luz moved her screwdriver, like drawing on a piece of paper. Luz then clicked a button and the hologram disappeared.
“Well, what do you guys think?” Luz asked.
Everyone was impressed.
“Definitely seems pretty useful, especially if we’re up against Abomitons.” Hunter said.
Amity examined the design of the screwdriver itself.
“The design is very you Batata.” Amity said with a smile.
“I wonder if it's effective in stunning some animals with sound?” Bria asked.
“Nice one Luz.” Gus complimented.
“Well, one more thing that makes Luz even more fearsome.” Willow said.
Camila smiled as she embraced her daughter. A mixed of motherly pride and joy flowing throughout her entire being.
“Oh great job mija, I'm so proud of you!” Camila said proudly.
Luz smiled as she returned the embrace.
“Thanks mom.” Luz said.
To be Continued…