Chapter Text
“I wonder what I’ll get from my DNA kit.” Luz tapped the eraser of her pencil to her lips methodically as she lounged on the couch with her journal in hand. Eda slurped her coffee and began rifling through the kitchen for something.
“Why did you take that test again? You look like your mom’s spitting image.” King asked from his place in Hunter’s lap. Even Hunter began to send her confused glances over his book on wild magic he got from Eda.
“I took it to see where my ancestors are from. It can also tell me about other members of my family if they take the same test. I might have more family than I think.” Luz said. “I’ll be able to add them to my family tree that way and know a little bit more about my family’s history and maybe what they were like.” Luz shrugged with a smile.
“Oh!” Eda dropped a plate and ignored the way it shattered on the floor in her moment of inattention, rather round on Luz with her finger held up and excitement written all over her face. “Speaking of which, I should add you guys to my family tree.” She promptly left, leaving the broken plate on the floor.
“Aw! That’s so cute.” Luz watched her leave. “Wait, does a family tree have a different meaning on the boiling isles?” Luz turned her head to ask Hunter.
He shrugged, flipping the page. “I don’t know what a family tree even is.”
“What?” Eda asked dramatically as she held up a roll of parchment upon re-entering the room. “A family tree is just something families do to keep track of all of the members so descendants can know something about their family. It’s one of the most important documents you can have.” She explained while shaking the scroll in her fist.
“Your whole family is on that paper?” Luz asked curiously as she leaned over as close as she could while still sitting on the couch, her journal forgotten.
“Yeah!” Eda smiled proudly. The minute she opened the scroll, it floated into the air and began spinning around chaotically unraveling the long parchment across the whole house. Luz, King, and Hunter shared an expression of shock before staring at Eda with their eyes wide. “The Clawthorne’s are an old family.” She explained at the looks they gave her at the mess.
“So how does this work?” Hunter asked, closing his book and pulling himself up to his feet.
“Well, all you need to do is prick your finger with a needle and place yourself under my face and name. That is if you can find it.” She added after looking at how it was still unraveling and covering the ground.
“Betcha I can find it first!” King hopped off Hunter’s lap. The kids shared a look before scrambling off the couch and scanning the ground.
“Try not to step on anyone!” Eda called as the kids ran off to find the end of the scroll.
The fact that Eda deemed him as important enough to add him to the tree was more heartwarming than he thought it would be. Especially since he had expected her to ask King and Luz since they came first. There were times when he felt like he was intruding on them. Times he felt as if he were off to the side. then Eda or Luz or even King would find him and drag him back in. He owed her so much for taking him in. Especially after he dangled her over the boiling sea. He winced at the memory.
“Found it!” Luz yelled. Hunter picked up the pace and found her in her bedroom holding the end piece.
“Well done, kid,” Eda said as she squeezed by Hunter standing in the doorway, ruffling his hair as she stepped in.
“Ooh. So many people. Awe, is that your mom?” She smiled and pointed out a much younger-looking Gwendolyn.
The second her hand made contact with the picture, a magical figure of Gwendolyn floated out of the paper. “Oh,” Gwen said, looking off to the side. “It’s on? Okay.” She stilled her nerves and smiled facing forward. “Hi, my name’s Gwendolyn Clawthorne. I’m 42 years old and the proud wife of Dell Clawthorne and the proud mother of my two children, Lilith and Edalyn Clawthorne. My coven is Beast Keeping and as of right now, I am not a grandmother. I am an accomplished witch and you can find my records at the Clawthorne Family account at Elphaba Records. Hello, descendants. You have one strong ancestor.” She recited before going still and the figure sinking back into the paper.
“Wow,” Luz whispered in awe.
“Oh, yeah, I forgot that part,” Eda said.
“What was that?” King tugged on Eda’s dress, his eyes fixed on the rapidly disappearing figure of Gwen.
“When you add yourself to the family, you have to state who you’re related to and how, that way the Tree won’t get confused and add you to the wrong person or just refuse to sort you at all. It’s probably time for me to update mine. I haven’t touched this thing since Hexside.” Eda frowned and took a look at her very young face staring back at her.
“I wanna see baby Eda.” Luz reached for Eda’s picture but the witch snatched it before she could make contact.
“Let’s get back on track. I have a needle here for you guys to use.” Eda adjusted her hold on the parchment. “The Tree will sense your blood and know that you’re not related to me, but if you explain that you’re adopted to him, he’ll put you down right away. The guy’s a sweetheart.” Eda held out the needle to the group.
Luz grabbed it and gulped before pricking the tip of her finger and pressing it to the paper under Eda’s name. “Is it working?” Luz asked before another figure rose from the paper with limbs of sprawling branches and leaves sprouting up everywhere in the shape of a witch. Instead of a face, there were two holes in the wood and no mouth, making it look almost like the mask Belos wore as a child in his mindscape. Hunter shuddered at the memory.
“State your name and age.” His voice was wispy and he seemed to glare at Luz even without eyes.
Luz gulped. “Uhhhh Luz Noceda-Clawthorne! I am 16 years old.”
He tilted his head. “Relation?”
“I am the adopted daughter of Eda Clawthorne.” She explained and he backed off almost immediately, his stance taking on a more aloof posture rather than on guard.
“Hmm.” He hummed. “Go on. List all immediate family names.”
“Camila Noceda is my biological mom. I have three adopted siblings. Vee Noceda was adopted by my bio mom, Camila. King Clawthorne and Hunter Clawthorne,” She pointed at them respectively. “-are adopted by Eda.”
The tree glanced at Eda for a second before focusing back on Luz. “Coven?”
“I haven’t joined a coven because there are no more covens,” Luz explained. He nodded and wrote something down hastily onto the paper.
“Any accomplishments?” He asked skeptically.
Luz nodded. “I was among the group of witches who defeated Emporer Belos on the Day of Unity and I guess I kinda wielded the Titan’s power for a limited time if that counts.”
The tree stood there in shock. “It counts.”
“Oh. Well then.” Luz said.
“Don’t forget the Collector,” King added.
“And the fact that you’re human,” Eda said.
“Oh right,” She nodded. “I’m the first human in a long time to discover the old ways of doing magic via titan glyphs and also helped the Collector step down and realize how much he was hurting others.” She smiled pleasantly with her hands clasped behind her back.
The tree seemed taken aback. “...That’s quite a list. Where can your descendants find your records?”
“Uh…” Luz faltered.
“Elphaba Records.” Eda supplied.
Luz smiled at her. “My records are at Elphaba Records and the Human Realm, I guess.”
“Anything to say to future descendants?” The tree asked.
Luz’s face lit up. “Aw, I wish I could see them all. I’d like to say that I’m proud of them no matter what.”
The tree nodded. “Anyone else?” King nodded and pricked the palm of his hand since thick claws dominated his fingers. He bapped the paper. The tree stared at him. “Name and age?”
King took a deep breath. “I’m King Clawthorne and I’m kinda unsure about how old I am exactly… but I’ve spent nine years with my adoptive mother Eda Clawthorne, two years with my adopted sister Luz, and one year with my adopted brother Hunter Clawthorne.” King gave Hunter a bright smile before continuing. “My biological parent is the Titan of the Boiling Isles.”
The tree looked at King with curiosity and began writing more fervently. “Any accomplishments?”
“I’ve also fought the Emporer and I am friends with the Collector.”
“Where are your records?”
“My records are at Elphaba Records,” King said with a confirming nod from Eda.
“Anything you wish to say for future generations?”
“Apparently Titans can live forever unless something stops them so I’ll eventually see all of them. I guess I’ll say this just in case: Uh,” He cleared his throat nervously. “King is looking after all of you and don’t you forget it. No one threatens my kingdom! And… I can’t wait to meet you.” He smiled shyly and ducked his head.
“Anyone else?” The tree asked.
Hunter took a deep breath and pricked his finger. “Guess it’s my turn.” He said with a small smile. When he pressed the paper, the figure of the tree guardian glitched for a second.
“There is already a record of you here.” The tree said with a peculiar look on his wooden face.
“What?” Hunter asked in confusion.
“There is already a record of you here.” He repeated.
“That can’t be right. Very funny, Family Tree.” Eda laughed nervously.
The tree glitched again and clutched his wooden head. “There’s already a record of you here…?” He asked himself and the paper spun around itself blindingly fast going generations back. When it finally stopped, the Clawthorne family looked at each other nervously before looking back at the page where a familiar face stared back at them. “Would you like to review, delete, add, or edit?” He asked Hunter.
Hunter stood there in shock. “Uh, review?”
The tree disappeared and instead took the form of a much older version of Hunter with his long hair pulled back into a ponytail and old-looking clothes hanging on his gaunt frame. “Hello, my name is Caleb Clawthorne. I am at least 20 summers old.”
“Caleb Wittebane?” Luz gawked. Hunter's jaw hit the floor as he stared at his original.
“I married the love of my life, Evelyn Clawthorne. My parents are Elizabeth Wittebane and Adam Wittebane. I have one brother, Philip Wittebane. I wouldn’t say that I have many accomplishments.” The man nervously placed a lock of hair over his ear from where it was hanging in his face, a nervous tick even Hunter picked up. “Unless just being here in the Boiling Isles as a human is an accomplishment, which I doubt it is.” His smile looked self-deprecating. “I don’t really have many records. They would be in the human realm, but our marriage certificate is at Elphaba Records.” He continued on excitedly, glancing to the left as if someone were off to the side, out of view. It seemed that Caleb was all smiley any time he mentioned Evelyn. “I’d like to say hello to my daughter, Raylyn Clawthorne.” He kneeled down like he was talking to someone small, but it brought Hunter closer to a matching face free of scars and pointed ears. “You aren’t here yet but I love you already and can’t wait to hold you in my arms for the first time.” Hunter backed up a bit with a deep frown etched on his face. How long did Caleb last before Belos murdered him? Did he ever get to see his daughter? The thought was devastating to dwell on. The figure flickered out and was replaced by a distressed Family Tree. Everyone was silent.
Hunter fought to keep his voice even. “Can we leave that one as it is?” He asked the tree.
“Of course. Is that all you require of me?”
Hunter steeled his nerves with a deep breath and stared the Tree right in the ‘eyes’. “I’d like to add myself to Edalyn Clawthorne’s list of adopted children please.” He said hollowly.
The tree winced. How Hunter could tell that from a wooden, frozen face, he’ll never understand. “I can’t add the same person twice.”
“We’re not the same person!” He snapped. The anger left as soon as it came and regret washed over him. He pinched the bridge of his nose. “Sorry. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to shout. I’m a... grimwalker.” He explained and the tree looked at him sadly. “So, I’m not, nor will I ever be, Caleb Wittebane or Clawthorne or whatever. I am my own person.” He stressed. “My name is Hunter Clawthorne. I am 16 years old. Edalyn Clawthorne is my adoptive mother. Luz and King are my adoptive siblings. I don’t really have accomplishments…”
“Yes, he does!” Luz interrupted with a determined look on her face. “He also helped in the battle against the Emporer and the Collector!” She yelled.
Hunter flushed. He didn’t actually do all that much. “ -And if I had anything to say to future generations I’d say that I am not Caleb Wittebane and I’m proud to say that I am the last Grimwalker that will ever be raised by Emporer Belos!” He stated proudly. King and Luz whooped.
“You got that right, kiddo.” Eda smiled proudly.
Hunter continued. “-I am my own person and I wish Flapjack could’ve been here to see whoever came next.” After his little outburst, he gained the confidence to look back up at the Family Tree to see him staring back at him a sense of pride on his face. The Family tree rolled out to Edalyn’s name, only now there were three other people below her with a connecting yellow line that meant adopted. Above Luz and King were their bio parents with a connecting blue line to Camila and Titan. On his he had a yellow line for Eda and a blue line that ran so far up the tree he couldn’t see an end. He didn’t have to ask who it connected to. Despite the connection being there, he smiled that it was the parent line, cause in a messed up way, it was applicable.
“The tree has been finalized. Would you like to review anyone’s life story?” The tree asked. The Clawthorne family looked to Hunter and Hunter nodded.