02x04 - Keeping Up A-fear-ances

[bunniefuu]

[young Eda]
It always starts the same way.

[gasps, panting]

I wake up someplace dark.

And then it appears.

[screeches]

[screams, panting]

And eventually I wake up and I know
I turned into that thing.

I see. Here, take this.

It will tell you when the beast's energy
is bubbling to the surface.

Also, I hear gems are quite fashionable
for young witches.

Oh, what a beautiful
little stone.

May I speak with you outside?

Just a minute, hon.

[Gwendolyn]
What the heck was that?

I thought you were in the Healing Coven,
not the Bauble Brigade.

[Healer] Mrs. Clawthorne,
we have never seen a curse quite like this.

I'm not sure
it can be healed.

Perhaps if we consult
the Potions Coven,

they may know a way
to keep it at bay.

Keep it at bay?
Oh, no.

My daughter is suffering
and I want that thing out!

Cut it out if you have to.

[gasps, breathes heavily]

Edalyn,
I'm taking you to someone else.

Huh?

[panting]

I never knew this was back here.

[grunts]

Huh?

- What?
- [Gwendolyn] Edalyn!

Edalyn, is that you?

Edalyn! Edalyn!

I will find a way
to cure you, Edalyn.

No matter what it takes.

[title music]

[screams, grunts]

[groans]

[grunts]

Weh!

Ugh!

Ah, there we go. Mama like.

[snores]

- [Eda] Mean!
- [screams]

We ran out of apple blood.
Still no luck?

None.
And I was up all night.

I read every tome,
book, notepad,

and tea leaf.

But nothing explains
how to make a portal to the Human Realm.

I wish I could help ya, kid.

My door was already pretty old
when I found it.

How long did you have it?
Well...

[screaming]
[both gasp]

Help... me.

Calm down, just calm down.
The curse acts stronger when you're stressed.

[sighs]
That was horrible.

How have you managed
all these years?

Well, it's been hard.
But since we split the curse,

at least the elixirs
are working again.

That's a relief.

[gasps]

Oh, yeah, sorry.
Side effect of the curse.

It's actually fun
once in a while.

Now don't worry.
I've stashed elixirs all over the house.

Whenever you start
feeling feathery,

just help yourself
to one of these bad boys.

Ooh!

I had no idea this is
what I did to you.

I am so, so sorry.

Eh, at least
I got company now.

And you got me
if you need anything.

[sighs]

Hmm.

As I was saying, I've had
the portal door for years.

But I originally
just found it in the dirt.

Never figured out
who made it or where it came from.

I just kept it to myself.

Why wouldn't you
tell anyone?

[chuckles] Why?
Suddenly curious about my past?

Always. Always curious.

Well, I may have been using it
to hide from someone.

- Hide from who?
- [woman] Probably me!

[squeals]

[bird chirps]

Magic bird tornado?

Hello, little witchlet.
Come here.

Gwendolyn.
[strains]

Oof. Are we
still on that?

I'm your mother. Call me "Mom."

[both] Mom?

It is so good
to see you again.

How are you feeling?
Are you eating well?

I heard all about
the Petrification Ceremony.

Trust me, I have a lot of strong words
for that Belos.

Mother! Mother,
you know, I was there too.

Oh, hello to you too,
sweet flea.

Still dyeing your hair, I see.
Well, it's very sleek.

Now give me a moment with Edalyn, dear.
It's important.

That's right! Today, I am about
to complete a -year mission.

- Oh, no.
- Your mother has finally succeeded.

Here it comes.

Today, I shall
be curing your curse.

- No, thanks.
- [Luz, Lilith] What?

I said,
"No, thanks."

I got my elixir system.
I'm good.

But... But who knows what they put in
those nasty concoctions?

Actually, I do.

And... [grunts]
...would you look at the time?

I got a lot to do today. So sad to see you go.
Okay, bye!

Moms? Am I right?

I haven't seen Mother
in forever!

And she was handing you a cure
on a silver platter.

I'd k*ll to see
my mom right now,

and you just launch yours
into the sky?

Oh, listen,
she comes around every year,

toting a new cure for my curse,
but they never work.

So I am done
getting my hopes up.

Mother visits
Edalyn regularly?

[moans]

Mrs. Clawthorne, wait!
I'm Luz. Eda's apprentice.

I think what you're doing
is so sweet.

Eda can just be so...
Eda sometimes.

Call me Gwen, dear.
But please don't blame Edalyn.

It was the curse
that created the rift between us.

I understand. Right now,
there's an actual rift

between me and my mom
in the Human Realm.

Human Realm? Hmm.
[gasps]

- My dear, I may know how to fix both our rifts.
- Really?

I've heard some information
that may assist you on your quest.

Help me cure Eda's curse
and that information is yours.

Yes, yes, yes!
Where do we start?

We'll be consulting someone
very special.

So we're gonna meet
a curse expert?

This is so rad.

Yes, after years of dealing
with the Healing Coven,

I finally found someone
who promised me a cure.

Ah, here we are.

[rumbling]

Please, they're so itchy.

[humming]

[gasps]

Ah.
[gasps] Oh.

[both gasp]

Mm-mm-mm.

Boils, they're... they're gone!

Thank you, Wortlop. Thank you.

[laughing]

That's Master Wortlop.

He's a traveling curse expert

who's perfected
next-level healing magic.

- Ooh.
- [grunts]

Gwendolyn, my pupil.

Your aura is shining bright.

It took many months, but I was able to gather
the sacred items you requested.

The copper egg
from the Snowy Rib Cage,

the silver dagger
from the Swampy Toes,

and the golden chalice
from the desert of Palm Stings.

You're a dedicated mother,
aren't you?

Inside this tome
is the healing ability you seek.

But keep it away
from the eyes of nonbelievers,

for many will be blinded
by the power it holds.

I understand.

I am in your debt,
Master Wortlop.

[King]
Isn't it amazing, Francois?

If Eda's mom can just pop up,
who says my dad can't?

[groans] Better get
my hugging arms ready. Ha!

Yeah, good luck with all that dad stuff.
[munches]

Sometimes it doesn't matter
how dutiful you are or successful you are,

parents just won't give you
the time of day.

[King] Don't listen to her, Francois.
My dad won't be like that.

Right. Your mysterious father,
who didn't even stick around to watch you hatch.

Looks like you and I
are in the same boat, King.

[whimpers]

Nice work, Luz.
With Wortlop's tome

and your ability to lure Eda
out of the house,

we'll be curing
that curse in no time.

Yeah, I'm pretty sure
she's always down for more apple blood.

So, that Wortlop guy
was really something.

- [Luz] You're his pupil?
- Oh, yes.

But first, I had to prove that
I was worthy of his secrets.

So I spent the last year
on a bunch of dangerous quests.

And I didn't even get
that many scars.

Cool. Also, dang, girl,
your bicep game is ridiculous.

- [rustling]
- [gasps]

Our signs must've worked.

Oh, baby, time to stock up
on Mama's night juice.

[Gwendolyn]
According to Wortlop's tome,

we start by lowering
the beast's defenses with special crystals.

And they're supposed
to be quite calming.

Whoa!

[screams, grunts]
Kn*fe season came early this year.

[screaming]

[gasps] She's stressed.

Oh, no, no, no. The texts say
those feathers mean we're driving the beast out.

Oh.

Don't worry.
After today,

Eda will never have to drink
those nasty little things again.

All right.
What do we do next?

Next, we're gonna put
that beast on ice.

[both groaning]

How do you get
a parent's attention?

Heck if I know.
Mother wasn't even at my Coven Initiation.

At least you know
what she looks like.

All I have is an old wall carving.
What if that's just graffiti?

Heh, that's, uh, that's
an awful lot of ice cream you guys are eating.

You know Eda gets that stuff
from the Night Market, right?

Are you my mother?
Because that is an awful lot of judgment.

This stinks.

If my dad doesn't care about me,
why should I care about him?

Hmm? Well, I'm not going to him.
He's gonna have to come to me.

And I am sick
of being overlooked.

From now on I...
I have no mother.

And I...
I'd say that to her face.

Yeah.

Isn't that taking it
a bit too far?

It's not taking it
far enough.

Go tell her. Go on.
She's right outside.

- She is?
- Yeah, I saw her go off with Luz.

I think they're gonna heal
Eda's curse or whatever.

Uh, oh. Is that so?

Mother paying attention
to Edalyn, again.

I mean,
it's not like I care.

You got, uh...
You got a little, uh... Hmm.

[gasps]

Where are the elixirs?

[sobbing]

Lilith?

[screams]

[growling]

Weh?

This better be
the oldest, strongest,

stinkiest apple blood ever.

[screams]

[screams, grunts]
I just stole these.

[screaming]

It seems like the curse
isn't my daughter's only problem.

[screams, grunts]

Help Mama up.

Gwen, we tried freezing
the curse out,

we tried sweating the curse out,

we even tried flying snakes
for some reason.

- [screaming]
- [Luz] I don't think this stuff is working.

Did Wortlop ever say
where he learned this stuff?

Yes, I'm sending it right away.

- [crow caws]
- What did you just do?

It turns out the ancient tome
is only the first of a series.

So I'm trading in a few paltry
family heirlooms to get the rest.

Let me see that book.

Halt.

Only people who have scaled
Wortlop's "Pyramid of Study" can touch the tome.

Hey!

What is this?

Jar of bees
for existential dread?

Aromatherapy for broken legs?

Bird songs for sufferers
of stuffy noses?

Gwen, you're being scammed.
Wortlop is a fake.

You really think I'd spend
my life savings on a fake?

I know you want
what's best for Eda, and so do I.

But I'm calling this off.

Luz, I really thought we were
on the same side.

According to Wortlop,
poison like this

is made by healers and potion makers
who simply want money.

Are you kidding me?
You just... [grunts]

Whatever.
I'll just get more at the house.

I'm afraid that will
be a waste of your time.

Hawksley cleared out
every bottle hours ago.

Whoa. Why would you do that?

Because I am a mother
who will do anything for her daughter.

[grunts]
[groans]

Ugh. Woo, this ain't good.

[Luz, Gwendolyn scream]

Hey, what is going on here?

Witchlet, it's okay.

Luz and I are working
to heal you.

What? This was all you?

You weren't healing me.
You nearly k*lled me.

Eda, please try to stay calm.

Why? Why should I be calm?
I have a right to be upset!

[growls]

Oh, let's get this over with.

[panting]

[growls]

Don't worry.
According to this we just have to... Uh...

Have to what?

Buy the next volume.

[grunts]

[screams]

[King groans]

[gasps]
King?

So Lilith was feeling stressed

and, uh, the light glyph
didn't really work.

So, uh... uh... uh...

- [growls]
- [all gasp]

[growls]

She turned into that thing!

Sweet flea?

[roars]

[roars]

[both screeching]

[Owl Beast roars]

That was my little sweet flea.
That means she's also...

Cursed, yes.
Were you not paying any attention to her?

We have to help them.
Will you come with me?

This... This must be part
of the process, right?

I can see you
still need a little time.

- All right, Owlbert, let's fly.
- [hoots]

Wortlop...
he's not a fake, is he?

After everything I did for him.

[gasps]

Hey, what do you
wanna call this one?

Eh, I don't know. Cleansing mud?

Yeah, from the Healing Bogs
of the Hips or whatever. What do you think?

I think we're gonna be rich.

[all laughing]

[all gasp, scream]

[all panting]

Mrs. Clawthorne?
[coughs]

[in deep voice]
What a fortuitous surprise.

You know, right after Eda was cursed
I joined the Beast Keeper Coven.

I thought they surely
would know what to do.

But the beast keepers told me
the curse couldn't be tamed.

And the Healers told me
it couldn't be healed.

Eda told me she found
something that made it manageable at least.

But I didn't listen.

I could give you
the next volume.

% off? % off?

Leave.

And if I ever see you
in Bonesborough again,

every beast in the forest
will be after your head.

[all scream]

[bees buzzing]
[chuckles] Still got it.

- [screeches]
- [roars]

[both screeching, roaring]

[roars]

[both screeching, roaring]

[twitters]

- [both groan]
- [chirping]

Gotta think fast. Whoo!

No one's bought anything in a while.
I should close up shop.

- [Luz] Morton!
- Hmm?

[gasps]
I need every last elixir you have.

[gasps]

Also, do you accept payment
in hyperrealistic pencil portraits?

sh**t!
I thought I was improving.

Don't worry.

Mama's here.

[both roaring]

You sure this is gonna work?

Yeah, are you like secretly
sending us to our deaths?

No, I'm making things right.

[Owlbert hoots]

[snarls]

My beautiful daughters,
I failed you.

[snarls]

Edalyn...
you're in there, aren't you?

[growls]

[panting]

[Gwendolyn]
I should've listened to you.

I know now
why you pushed me away.

Uh, Mom?

[Gwendolyn]
I made you think

your curse was something
to be ashamed of.

[screeches]

[Gwendolyn] Whether we want it or not,
it's a part of you.

And I love every part of you.

[screeching]

[twitters]

Mom, I can hear you.

- And you... [grunts]
- [twitters]

My turn to drive.

I'm so sorry.

[Owl Beast] Mom?

Witchlet!

[roars]

And Lilith...

you were always so self-sufficient.

[growls]

But I didn't give you
the attention you deserved.

[sobs]

[squeals]
Shh.

Now!

- [grunts]
- [grunts]

[groans]

Man, that is good elixir.

About time, Mom.

[sobbing]

Mom, I heard you
but I couldn't stop myself.

I... I couldn't do anything.

[sobs]
It's okay. Everything is okay now.

I'm here for you both.

She was trying
to do her best, huh?

I'm sorry for all
the trouble I caused,

but I-I just wanted to help.

I should've
trusted you more.

Yeah, you should've.
But, hey, don't be a stranger.

Okay, Mom?

Mom, I'm ready!

Huh?
Well, we were talking

and I've decided to go home with Mother
and make up for lost time.

What?
Lily?

You lived here?
What?

Edalyn, Lilith told me
how she gave you the curse.

I am so, so sorry
to you both

to have this secret
weighing you down.

I wish I knew sooner.

There's still a lot
to be learned about this curse.

But it'll be nice
to spend some time home

and reconnect with Dad.

We'll be away for a while,
but we have plenty of elixir stocked up.

Someday my hair
is gonna be big enough to do that too.

You actually want that?

No, Lulu! You can't!

Hootsifer, I have to.

But don't worry,
we can be pen pals.

[sobbing]
But I can't hold a pen.

Luz, if it weren't for you
I might still be wrapped up in Wortlop's lies.

So here's what
I should've told you from the start.

You're not the only human
to have lived in Bonesborough.

[gasps]

There's a rare substance
called Titan's blood.

It is extremely powerful
and sometimes causes leaks between our realms.

Plants, animals...

And you guys
have a lot of garbage, by the way.

But humans are rare.

My great grandmother
told me about a human who once lived here.

But one day he just vanished.

Rumor has it he left something
in the library,

and if you can find out
more about him...

Maybe I could find out
how he got here.

Exactly.

[Hooty crying]
Well, I'll be on the couch for the next hours.

- Good night.
- [King] No, wait! I call couch.

I'll be home soon, Mom.

Camp's probably ended by now.

She must be so worried.

[crying]

I'm sorry. These animal documentaries
make me such a mess.

- Here, Mama.
- [Camila] Thank you, Luz.

You always know what to do.