? Bijou The Ascended (Part 1) ?

Something Ventured, Someone Framed

"Yeah. Uh-huh," Mattholomule replied, crossing his arms. "And you've never brought your friends here. Why?"

"Well, they're both busy; they've got jobs," Gus shrugged. "But I'll bring them in tomorrow. They'll prove I'm right."

Mattholomule just laughed. "Sure you will, Augustus. Sure you will."

He frowned slightly, concerned that he would lose his position in a New York minute...

•°•°•○•°•°•

Later in the afternoon...

At the Owl House, Bijou, Hazel, Luz, and Eda were unpacking boxes. A knock on the door was heard just then.

Bijou said as she walked over, "Coming."

When she opened the door, she saw Gus standing outside.

"Oh, hey, Gus. What's up?" Bijou greeted.

"A lot, Bij," Gus said. "I need your help. You too, Luz."

Gus had just finished recounting what had occurred at Hexside.

"So let me get this straight, Gus." Bijou looked at him, "You started a Human Appreciation Society club to show your members various human artifacts, and now this guy named Mattholomule is threatening to depose you as president because he doesn't think the stuff you gathered was authentic enough?"

"Yes. Exactly. He's winning over the members with his so-called 'Human Treasure' and I promised them I would bring some real humans to the club." Gus replied.

"I guess humans are more interesting to the Boiling Isles than everyone thinks," Hazel teased Bijou.

"Bijou, you and Luz have to come to Hexside with me. Who better to identify different human stuff than the two humans in the Boiling Isles," Gus said imploringly.

"Gus, I'd love to go to school with you, but I don't know how I can," Luz jerked her thumb to the banned poster of her on the wall. "Principal Bump banned me from Hexside."

"That reminds me. I need to go to Principal Bump's office to confirm my invite to Hexside." Bijou realized.

"You're not seriously thinking about going to Hexside are you?" asked Eda as she spoke.

"Of course I am, Eda," replied Bijou. "I know that your lessons were helpful and sometimes unorthodox, but I want to expand my learning horizons."

Eda frowned as Hazel smiled and nodded his head in response to what she said.

"You're lucky to be able to go, Bij, but I'm still banned," Luz said, looking down.

"But nothing," Eda said next to Bijou, who looked at her. "Bump did you guys a favor. There ain't nothing for you at that dweebus factory," she said as she looked at Gus. "No offense, dweebus."

"Eda!" Bijou warned her not to say things like that. Luz didn't seem pleased with her statements either.

"It's okay. I come from a long line of dweebuses." Luz stood up and faced Eda after slamming her box down.

"Well, I would love to go someday. Better than unpacking boxes in the Eda Coven!"

"Oh, you think you're clever, huh?" Eda stood up and put her hands on her hips.

"Whoo! Fight, fight, fight!" yelled King from behind the woman, and Bijou pinched her nose.

"Can it, King!" Eda retorted, frowning. "First off, it's the 'Bad Girl Coven,' and second off, I guess you don't want in on the T-shirt order, huh?"