Quarantine Bonding and Fun

The frogs, half-witch and Thai girl ran inside Anne's room, delighting at the window view of suburban Los Angeles, it's bright colors and softness.

"It's like a marshmallow!" Polly beamed as she bounced on Anne's bed.

Olivier saw much of Anne in the room; her liking of Frogs and cats, wonderful colors….and boy bands. Okay, not sure about that one…Maybe he needed to whip out some Bard magic

"My clothes!" Anne teared up as she took a sweater and putting it over her armor.

"Okay kids. Let's give Anne some time to freshen up." Hop-Pop called out, gently pushing everyone out…save Olivier, whose hand Anne was holding.

"Is it too much?" Olivier asked. "Being here again?"

"Yeah…and no…" Anne sighed. "It's hard to explain….Was it like that for you when we were on the Isles?"

"A little." Olivier confessed. "Then again, with the Scouts, Aunt Lily, Eber and everything else? We were kind of too busy for me to feel."

He got up and placed his hands on Anne's shoulders.

"But here? We're safe. You're home. Your parents have accepted me and mom…Whatever you need to do to feel better? I'll help."

Anne's tears began to water.

"You did the same getting me out of my shell." Olivier cooed with a warm smile, pecking Anne on the forehead and getting a hug for it. For a full two minutes, neither teen moved.

"…You want to change into something more…earthy?" Olivier asked, delighted at Anne's blush. "I mean, I will still stay, but I think it'd be a little…"

Anne smiled at Olivier's teasing and pushed him outside.

"Gimme two minutes." Anne promised as she closed the door before she then went through her closet, noting some pieces were missing but still happy with what she had. pying a hoodie, she was reminded of Luz Noceda...

"Oh right!" Anne rushing to her computer to find and send Luz a friend request; something she missed on Amphibia…!

Only one problem.

'What was my password, again?' Anne asked herself, racking her brain…What was it again?! Something music related…!

Then she spied a sticky note in her mom's writing; her favorite K-Pop boy band.

'Hope Ollie doesn't get jealous…'

Anne mused as she typed in her password and opened the Internet before na scratching at her door distracted her from looking Luz up. Opening the door, she saw Domino reaching for her, meowing sadly.

"Oh, I'm so sorry, baby!" Anne cooed., picking her cat up and taking her inside.

OWLPHIBIA

As Olivier had stepped out, letting Anne change, he realized something….

"Wait, where's Fleetwing?"

"MEOW!"

"CAAAAW!"

"…Oh, that can't be good!" The half witch grimaced as he raced to the scene, finding Fleetwing glaring at Domino, who glared back at him.

(AN: The following scene was not heard by Olivier or anyone else)

'I appreciate you helping in bringing Anne back, but don't think you can fly as you please…big lunch.' Domino glared at the bird in front of her.

'Oh, really? You're calling ME lunch? I've fought and killed Ants bigger than you!'

'Really? Then how come I'm smelling some pain?'

'…Snare.'

'Oh. Respectfully withdraw that one.'

'Thanks.'

'No prob. Survival in the rough myself.'

'It can be rough in this world?'

'Well, if you're the runt of the litter, born in streets, unwanted and my color, which humans associate with bad luck…'

'….Spiceces-ists.'

'I know, right?! And then, in their comics and movies, they use us as a symbol of power and…mating…Its weird and I don't see anything for that!'

'How's…my inspiration…treated?'

'Either loyal pets or scary villain. No in between from what I've seen.'

'…I can live with that.'

….

….

…

'So, when you go staff and wooden…?'

'Don't you dare use me as a scratching post!'

'Then don't you dare steal MY mice!'

'Ha! Like you could get ANY!'

'At least I can move ALL the time!'

'Well, at least I contribute and don't leech off!'

'Anne saved my life and relies on me for comfort! If I'd been with her in Amphibia, I'd have DIED before anything hurt her!'

'Which would be about…oh. 3 minutes, at most?'

'Not all of us can be wired to thrive!'

'Not all of us have been as ungrateful!'

'Oh, NOW I'm picking up some denial! Interesting…!'

'You want 'picking up?' I'll show you picked up!'

(AN: Okay, now we return to normal)

The two glared at each other, reading to pounce when…

"Fleet!" Olivier called out, reaching his hand out and forcing Fleetwing to him, but allowing the Falcon to stay mobile. "No! No, you do not fight with Domino!"

Fleetwing cawed.

"She's to Anne what you and Fang are to me and Maddie!"

Fleetwing cawed again.

"She is NOT a ba…Oh, this about Dreadwing, isn't it?" Olivier realized.

Fleetwing lowered his head in shame.

Seeing this, Domino lowered her hostility and quietly meowed before going up the stairs, leaving the witch and his Palisman alone.

You see, once upon a time and much to the shock of many who knew them, Fleetwing and Olivier had NOT been close. The young palisman had been headstrong and reckless, barely giving his carver much thought or concern. Instead, he preferred to fly, hunt and fight with any creature he could. With his speed and the harshness of Amphibia already instilled in him, none could ever truly best the falcon. Had he been born in the Boiling Isles, there was no doubt Fleetwing would've thrived as a wild Palisman.

Now, Dell had told Olivier to expect this; Palisman were very fickle creatures, rarely ever having more than one master and rarely was said master their carver; in fact, Owlbert bonding with Eda so quickly was why said day was one of Dell's favorite memories

So, the half witch boy had mentally prepped himself for another carving to come to life and bond with him.

And then Dreadwing, Grunge's Palisman, came to life.

Both Palisman and half-witch had nightmares of that one; ruthless, devious, ambitious…and unlike them, he and Grunge had immediately bonded. The already powerful dark wizard was soon even greater than he already was, although at first, he had limited and directed his new power to teaching Olivier.

And then, in the single stupidest moment of his life, Fleetwing had picked a fight with Dreadwing. But what happened was NOT a fight. No, it was a beating, the giant bat smirking the whole time as he wiped the floor, skies and lake with Fleetwing.

Suffice to say, the falcon's reckless nature died with that fight and Olivier spent a whole day healing/repairing Fleetwing. That was the single worst day under his malicious mentor. Although, the next, when Fleetwing finally agreed to bond with Olivier and they took that flight with Grunge? Future beytrayal aside? It had been one of the best days in Olivier's time Amphibia.

"Buddy, it's okay." Olivier cooed gently.

Fleetwing cawed weakly, shame clear in his voice.

"Okay, so we've had a scare or two, yeah." Olivier realized, recalling the snare and Cloak-Bot. "But you can take it easy, Fleet. This world has no magic, mom's here with us and the Boonchuys are safe. Plus, having dealt with a cat before…"

He fought back the memories of Ghost at Blight mansion. The cat had never done him wrong, but her mistress….?

"…I doubt Domino will be any trouble." Olivier managed. He then laid his forehead onto Fleetwing's

"Guessing they had a spat?" a familiar voice asked and Oliver turned to see Anne, now in a fresh shirt, shorts with a yellow jacket wrapped around her waist and two shoes. "…Olivier? OIlie? Dude, you okay?"

"…Hamina, Hamina…" an awestruck Oliver managed, missing the knowing smirk on Fleetwing's face and the blush on his face.

"Dude, its just a shirt and two shoes." A chuckling Anne blushed.

"Well, now I feel grimy and gross." Olivier mused, glancing down at his attire before Anne took him into a hug, nuzzled his nose and then placed a kiss on his cheek.

"You could never look bad, Ollie." She cooed, making her boyfriend smile before he looked down at her shirt.

"Say, what's that symbol?"

"Oh, the Lotus?" Anne asked. "It's a flower. In Thai culture it can mean faithfulness, purity and spiritual reawakening. Pretty sure that second one doesn't apply to me with all the trouble I got and get into…"

"respectfully disagree." Olivier started.

"But the other two? Yeah, they suit me just fine." Anne then hugged Olivier, delighting in his warmth and Olivier returned the embrace with a hug of his own.

An idea came to Olivier; an idea he'd have to pursue later.

"Come on! Maybe we can chat with Luz!" Anne pulled Olivier back inside her room and finalized her search for Luz Noceda.

As it turned out, the Dominican girl was available for video-chat and happily accepted an invitation.

"Hola, Anne! Olivier!" Luz waved back, delighted to see those two again. "So, what exactly happened?"

OWLPHIBIA

At the same time, Maddie had made her way downstairs to explore the house or hang out with Eda, whichever came first. She was distracted when she saw the bowl of batter on the floor. Spying this, Maddie took a lick of the batter.

"Mmm! Not bad." She mused.

"Oh, blue frog." Oum, holding a tray of leftover Thai Go appetiziers on her way back to Eda and Bee, realized.

"Maddie." The girl Amphibian corrected. "Don't mind me, just saw this and wanted to help clean up. Butm, while I have you? I know it's been on the ground for a while, but…I could probably make some crumpets for me and the others to eat? Seems a waste of good batter."

Oum's eyes widened and then she smiled

"Your world seems…"

"We do live in a marsh."

"Ah, never mind then. Do you need me to show you where everything is?"

"If you could I'd appreciate it; nothing worse than messing with another chef or baker's space…except for maybe mixing up sugar and salt."

Oum smiled, knowing she already liked Maddie.

OWLPHIBIA

Sprig had discovered the comedy of 'Monday Cat' when he saw Bee heat up some Lasanga for King. Entraced by the miracolus, machine, he put the book inside and repeated what Bee had done.

"Wow…." Sprig awed as he saw the book spin.

"NO, NO, NO! NOT MONDAY CAT!" Bee gasped, stopping the microwave and pulling the book out…before handing Sprig another. "Here, use this one instead."

He then handed Sprig a book called 'Seventy Hues of Chalk', something he'd been wanting to get rid of for a while.

OWLPHIBIA

Later, Bee had gone to the washroom when he was greeted by the sight of Sprig and Hop-pop in an overflowing tub, enjoying themselves.

"THIS IS NOT AN INDOOR POUND, YOU IDIOTS!" Olivier snapped before looking at his girlfriend's father apologetically. "I am so, so sorry, Mr. Boonchuy! Please, give me one minute!"

He spun a magical circle, trapping the two frogs in a bubble of water that floated over his head as he rushed outside. He then spun another magic circle to make a whole surrounded by rocks and some flowers before dropping the two frogs and water in said hole.

"There ya go! Private pound. Go nuts." Olivier said before the world started spinning. "Oh, ooooh…come on…! Really?"

He then fell to the ground.

"OH, DEAR FROG! WE KILLED HIM!" Sprig called out.

(A few minutes later)

"…King, what're you doing with Anne's old shoe?" Eda asked, almost done her Apple Blood and taking a tour with the Boonchuy parents.

"Hop-Pop and Sprig made Ollie have a dizzy spell." The little monster said, his glare never leaving the two frogs, still in their makeshift pound as he slapped the shoe into his paws. "Just going to use ol' Footsie here to remind them what real guests do."

The frogs whimpered in worry.

"Um, does he know…?" Bee started.

"Please. Don't. Just let him keep some innocence." Eda and Oum begged as the witch made her way over to Olivier and met his forehead with her own. "With this spell I do decree? Let all your pain flow into me."

Instantly, Oliver returned to his feet and caught his mother, who he supported back inside, handing her back her glass Apple Blood.

OWLPHIBIA

Maddie, having made some crumpets and buns out of the abandoned birthday cake batter, now found herself in the library, reading the first three 'Cynthia Coven' novels.

"Kinda preachy for my tastes." She mused. "But I do like the curses!"

She then spied an 'Ultimate Guide to Cynthia Coven' and abandoned the book she had been reading, spying the Curses section and getting some ideas….

Polly joined her shortly and grabbed every book with a robot on it; most of them comics or Isaas Asmimov.

"Well, this stinks!" The tadpole pouted, before remembering Anne's Internet videos. "Maybe there's something about making robots!"

And with that, she bounded up to Anne's room to start her search.

OWLPHIBIA

Finally, Olivier was in the now cleaned and organized bathroom, Bee giving him some of his clothes so that he and Oum could give Olivier's outfit a wash. The Half-witch enjoyed the warm shower and Anne's wonderfully smelling shampoo…then he realized he wasn't alone.

Anne and Eda were sharing the bathroom, brushing their teeth and using mouth wash. The funniest/coolest part? They were doing it the same way, something they noticed and cackled at.

OWLPHIBIA

"Kids, Eda and frogs! Pizza is here!" Bee called a few hours later.

Everyone bounded to the kitchen, spying several boxes of a warm pie like food.

"So, THIS is what you were promised to marry me form, eh?" Maddie smirked

"Wait, what?" Olivier asked, a hint of big brother protectiveness overcoming him.

"Before you came along, long and embrassing story." Anne assured her boyfriend, handing him a slice of Supereme.

Eda spied the food in front of her; she'd had preferred to try something 'Thai', bt she could see bread, cheese, meat, veggies…and blood?

"Here goes…." The Owl lady shrugged as she and the other other-worlders took their first bite. The second their teeth meet the pizza, their eyes widened

"SWEET MERCIFUL OLM! IT'S AMAZING!" Polly and Maddie called out.

"WELL WORTH BEING ARRANGED INTO A MARRIAGE!" Sprig called out.

"WHY DID I INISIST ON TRADITION WHEN THIS WAS POSSIBILE?!"

"Oliver! We are making this from now on!" Eda announced as she read a menu that came with the pizzas. "We'll be rich in a month!"

"Just as long as you don't make Hawaiian." Anne said.

" 'Hawaiian?'" Eda and Olivier asked, spying the picture on the menu.

"See Anne? You totally CAN put Pineapple on…!' Sprig started, only for the air to grow cold from the wrath of the two witches.

"…. Excuse you and your entire planes of existence?" Eda asked. "That is disgusting! WHY in the Titan would you put sweet fruit on top of this cheesy, greasy masterpiece?!"

"THANK YOU!" Anne shouted.

"Well Eda, tomatoes are ta fruit…" Hopidiah pointed out.

"Don't go playing Belos' advocate with me, Pops!" Eda snapped. "Next thing, you'll be telling me.,.i dunno…they put raspberry jam in calzones?! Fries on top of a burger?!"

(AN: I actually have eaten at a place that puts the fries on a burger; Bembos in Peru. It was years ago though…and my poor brother got food poisoning…back to the story)

"What's a calzone?" Maddie asked.

"A pizza folded onto itself and then grilled like a panni." Anne explained.

"Oh, like a greasy crepe. Got it."

"That sounds awesome." Polly mused.

Eda's wrath desisted.

"Maybe for pranks or curses." She mused.

OWLPHIBIA

(final AN: And now we're picking up where chapter 11 left!)

The next morning, Eda and Oum were awoken by the moving of cutlery and something good being cooked.

"Wow, I don't know what's cooking, but it smells good." Eda salivated as she helped Oum to her feet. They then made their way towards the smell and sizzles, spyoing Bee halfway and the man motioning them, King and the Frogs to be quiet.

In the kitchen, some light music playing, Anne and Olivier worked in perfect synce to prepare a Thai breakfast, wordlessly handing each other ingredients or potions.

"Ahem!" King cut the scene, but Anne just smiled as she took some dishes to the table, even handing King some.

"Morning everyone! Olivier and I were up early anways, so we're making some breakfast! Today, we have Khao Neow Moo Ping, Gai Yang, Patongo, Khao nneow sang kaya, Khai tom and Khanom Pang." Anne explained happily

"POLLY WANT YUM YUMS!"

"PRAISE THE OLMS! OLLIE'S COOKING!" Hop-Pop beamed as he hurried his grandchildren to the table.

Bee and Oum smiled at the sight of the two teens cooking, memories of Thai Go's starting days filling them.

"Don't you dare sneak a bite, you little monster." Eda warned King. "I want to enjoy this as much as you do."

Soon enough, everyone was seated and took a few tentative bites…

"DEAR HEAVENLY BUDDHA, I HAVE ACHIEVED FLAVOR NIRVANA!" Bee gasped. "ANNE, I GIVE YOU FULL PERMISSION TO MARRY THIS BOY!"

Oum herself cried, having not tasted Thai this good since she was growing up…And Eda and King also cried at the delicious breakfast.

"Thank you, Ollie. Anne." King said rather cutely, getting nuzzles from the two as they sat to enjoy their own breakfast. "Can we make this too?"

"And share this with those idiots? Titan, no!" Eda called out. "This is way too good AND it belongs to the Boonchuys. I may be a con-artist and shyster, but I don't steal or trick good families."

The Boonchuys smiled at this.

"Plus, Ollie's potions aside, I'm not sure we could even replicate these dishes on the Isles. Now, that Pizza thing, on the other hand…"

The Clawthornes all adopted evil smirks and began to laugh maniacally, daydreams of swimming in Snails and franchising all over the Isles filling their heads. With any luck, they'd become so rich and powerful Belos would mean NOTHING to them!

"Ahem!" Anne called out.

"Sorry." The Clawthornes apologized.

A wonderful meal was had as Oum turned on the radio.

"Oh drat. Classical Sunday."

"…Huh, sounds like Raine's works." Eda and Olivier said together.,

"…Raine?" Anne asked. "As in your 'Rad Rapapa?'"

This got Oum's attention; was THIS Eda's special someone Consider her interest peaked!

Eda and Olivier blushed

"Now, there are two or three stories to this, but…since mom is uncharacteristically shy, how about I go first?"

Eda denied being shy, but her own interest was peaked: She did not know how the love of her life met her son; they never revealed much beyond that Raine had known right away Ollie was her son.

"This is the story about how I met the second coolest witch ever…" Oliver began. "Third if Aunt Lily's listening…. Raine 'Rapa' Whispers."