Chapter 54: Socket to Me
Art by Crash X Fusion: No monsters, no mysteries, no deadly duels. It's going to be the most mundane, slice-of-life date ever and it'll be awesome.
Luz decides to take Amity out for a normal, drama-free date at an orchestra Raine's performing at. Meanwhile, Boscha decides to meet with her brother, Boris.
Tropes that appear in this Chapter:
- Adaptational Early Appearance:
- All 6 remaining Coven Heads besides Raine, Darius and Eberwolf debut between "Through the Looking Glass Ruins" and "Hunting Palismen" instead of the latter.
- In the sense of a place, Gravesfield is seen in the 16th century during said gap instead of making its formal debut in "Yesterday's Lie".
- Affectionate Gesture to the Head: Boris ruffles Amity's hair when he sees her again after so long.
- Affectionate Nickname: Raine call Luz "Lil' Clawthorne" while Luz used Eda's nickname for them.
- Amazingly Embarrassing Parents: Upon seeing Bo invited Mattholomule over, her father Mark intentionally calls Matt her boyfriend to embarrass them, Bo taking it harder. When she apologizes, Matt mentions his mom's the same.
- Aura Vision: The orchestra's music tells a story based on the audience's perspective: it depends on the person and is created by that person's aura. As such Luz and Amity's blue and pink auras are seen again.
- Aw, Look! They Really Do Love Each Other: While talking with Hunter, Lilith admits she misses Steve, calling him her only real friend in the Emperor's Coven.
- Bait-and-Switch:
- When Darius sees the girls at the Socket attending the orchestra performance, he quickly says he didn't see them instead of questioning them.
- It really seems like Boscha's about to chastise Boris for leaving her to deal with Nicole alone. However, she can't bring herself to maintain the act and breaks down crying, to which he comforts her.
- Beatnik: Katya describes Derwin as one, since his poetry wasn't good enough for the Bard Coven.
- Be Careful What You Wish For: After deciding to find a balance between excitement and normalcy for future dates, Luz and Amity decide to ride the Trauma Train that's been popping up throughout the chapter. It goes as well as you'd think.
- Big Damn Reunion: Boscha meets Boris for the first time in years. After she drops her act of being angry with him, he embraces her when she begins crying.
- Call-Back:
- Remember when Emperor Belos mentioned a human merchant sold him his chess set in "Family Group Therapy"? Turns out he got it from a human Vanz Ator as Philip Clawthorne.
- Those kidnappings that Larry warned Eda about back in "Unemployment Filing"? Yeah, Eileen was almost a victim and Jon de Plume becomes one (and he's been through a lot since his publisher cubed him in "Raising Human".)
- Luz and Amity's dates in Gravity Falls, the carnival and Grom are all mentioned when Luz explains to Camila how they got together. Luz also recalls her first meeting with Amity, how she became Luz's tutor, and her deal with Lilith (King adds in Eda punching Lilith when she found out).
- Lilith suggests Luz take Amity for a walk on the beach. This was how one of her dates with Ford went, seen in "Understanding Lilith". She met Hunter's predecessor seconds after Eda's first transformation into the Owl Beast and her induction into the EC, as shown in her memories.
- Lilith tries to buy back the dimensional scissors she got from Vanz Ator, as seen in the previous book's epilogue. Vanz even brings up that meeting.
- Hunter still only sees Lilith as a walking corpse after nearly killing her.
- Amber brings up Luz's Badass Boast against Belos at the petrification ceremony when the BAT's admit they were the ones who saved her and Eda.
- Luz mentions it's been awhile since she saw Levi. Their only other interaction was in "Heart to Heart", 42 chapters ago.
- Raine's advice to Luz about figuring things out with a strong support group is similar to what Eda told Amity in "No Dancing Around".
- The Cameo:
- Eileen and her mom, the former getting a visit from Gus, Mattholomule and Bo.
- Katya's friend Summer, who covers for the former while she goes to meet the BAT's.
- The previous Golden Guard appears before Lilith in a flashback when she's accepted into the Emperor's Coven.
- Tom listens to Boscha about her brother and encourages her to reach out to him.
- All the Coven Heads attend the orchestra since it's obligatory. Aside from Raine, Darius and Terra, they have no lines.
- Jon de Plume is shown to have become jobless since Piniet was killed and gets kidnapped by people working for the Boss.
- Commonality Connection: Raine seems to be likening Luz's Loss of Identity and drive to figure out what she is implied to be when they came out.Raine: I'm sure that you'll figure things out. Probably not in the same way I did, but I do think you will learn to be happy with yourself.
- Concert Episode: Per the suggestion of the BAT's, Luz and Amity's normal date takes place at an orchestra Raine's performing in and serving as Scooter Crane's final performance.
- Continuity Nod:
- The Slitherbeast is mentioned to be living in the woods close to the Owl House since being driven out of its cave two chapters ago.
- King brings up all the elixirs stashed around the Owl House.
- The H.A.S. club meeting held in the last chapter is brought up, namely Eileen's inability to attend.
- Lilith recalls her meeting Hunter and him being Luz's friend, which occured in "Recovering".
- Katya thanks Luz for breaking her out of the Conformatorium, which happened prior to the events of the first chapter.
- During the Song Parody, Amity notes Belos' attempt to get on her good side using flattery when they met in "Regretful Decisions". Luz then adds her two snails by noting the deal he made her in "The Reveal".
- Gus brings up Willow telling him about Camila's resurrection.
- Vanz Ator still has the Magic Mirror, which has been covered up for sometime now.
- Crowd Song: All of Goonla's crew, along with Luz, Amity and the BAT's participate in singing "Oh, Belos".
- Curse Cut Short: Shawm interupts the song just as everyone in the tavern is about to call Belos a jackass.
- A Day in the Limelight: The b-plot puts a good amount of focus on Boscha and Boris.
- Distant Prologue: This time, we're treated to one in the 17th century, when Vanz Ator was a human merchant who gave Philip Clawthorne a ride to Gravesfield, ended up in the Boiling Isles, and got turned into a vampire.
- Does This Remind You of Anything?: Getting a good look at the formal outfits the girls were given for the Socket's dress code, Luz realizes Amber chose a black suit for her and a white dress for Amity. Raine even points it out while Amity's out of earshot.Raine: You two look cute together. Like a married-Luz: (interrupting) Hey, it was Amber's idea to give us these outfits!
- Doing Research: Gus mentions to Eda that he's been looking into Baron Samedi in his spare time.
- Foreshadowing: The kidnappings and the Magic Mirror will be more focused on soon enough, as will Philip's reasons for bringing the Merchant to the Boiling Isles.
- The Ghost:
- Gus mentions Barcus who told him, Matt, and Bo that Eileen hadn't been to class for a few days.
- Boscha mentions her mothers when she tells Tom about Boris leaving home.
- While telling Luz how he joined the BAT's, Boris mentions that his aunt Delara, Simon's late mother, was his inspiration.
- Willow is only referenced when Gus remembers her telling him about Camila.
- The Boss, the alpha student and the principal of Glandus High, all of whom rule the school with an iron fist, with the school's top students answering to them.
- Given Name Reveal: Eileen's last name is revealed to be Cornealius.
- Hero-Worshipper: The BAT's admit they respect Luz for her declaration to kick the Emperor's ass, seeing her as a fellow rebel...
- Honorary True Companion: ...as such, the BAT's take in Luz as an honorary member since she fits their main criteria; she's a bard and she hates Belos as much as them.
- Internal Reveal:
- Camila is told about how Luz came to eventually enter a relationship with Amity, how they broke up and how they got back together.
- Luz and Amity learn that Raine's the leader of the Bards Against the Throne. Luz also meets Boris and Goonla for the first time while Amity meets Katya.
- Gus gets to meet Camila for the first time since learning she was resurrected.
- Boscha informs Boris of her recent heinous actions.
- Lampshade Hanging: The Trauma Train pretty much seems to be an In-Universe Big-Lipped Alligator Moment. What's really jarring is the Conductor showing up out of nowhere.
- Luminescent Blush:
- Bo and Mattholomule unwillingly share one when Mark calls Matt Bo's boyfriend.
- This is Luz's reaction upon realizing why Amber gave her and Amity very specific outfits.
- Make Me Wanna Shout: The Cornealius family has the ability to let out a powerful scream (despite not having mouths) that makes their enemies bleed from their eyes and ears.
- Mood Whiplash: It seems like Luz and Amity are content with looking forward to finding a balance between normal and exciting for their dates before sharing a kiss. Then things end with them holding each other on the Trauma Train with the Conductor Laughing Mad.Luz: THIS WAS A BIG MISTAKE!
- Musicalis Interruptus: As everyone really gets into insulting Belos, Shawm Eaglesnitch arrives causing Derwin and Levi to stop playing music.
- My Greatest Second Chance: After everything she did under Belos' employ, Lilith is taking the time now to not only rediscover the person she wants to be, but to protect her family from her former boss.
- The Nameless: Boris reveals to Luz and Amity that he renounced the Hieron name a long time ago. He calls it the best thing that ever happened to him.
- Noodle Incident: Prior to their breakup, Luz and Amity had one other date (besides the trip to Gravity Falls, the carnival and Grom) that resulted in them running from a demonic cyclops that caused the sky to start raining blood. (Beat) Yeah...
- Out of Focus: Willow and Barcus are only mentioned, while Skara, Viney and Jerbo are completely absent.
- Pet the Dog:
- Upon seeing the girls are in attendance at the orchestra, Darius tells them he didn't see them and walks off.
- After finding Katya's parents dead and her all alone, Vanz turned her into a vampire and adopted her as his own daughter.
- Point of Divergence:
- Luz meets Amber and Derwin and learns Raine and Katya are members of the BAT's before "Hunting Palismen" instead of in "Follies at the Coven Day Parade" and "O Titan, Where Art Thou?".
- Luz notes the head of the Titan being sacred ground, a fact she didn't learn until "Elsewhere and Elsewhen".
- Unlike in canon, Scooter Crane physically appears before passing his title as Bard Coven Head to Raine.
- Terra begins to brainwash Raine by using tea much sooner now that Belos is already aware of their treachery.
- The Reveal:
- Vanz Ator was a human merchant who was brought to the Boiling Isles by Philip Clawthorne, who he taught how to play chess. After being turned into a vampire, he lived as a Snake Oil Salesman until he came across Katya's family; after the girl's parents were brutally murdered, he turned and adopted her.
- At some point prior to their meeting, Philip found a way to the Human Realm, given his surprise when he saw Vanz.
- Eileen was almost kidnapped but got away thanks to using her scream ability and because she was so scared, she hasn't been to school for the last few days.
- Lilith returned the dimensional scissors to Vanz after what happened with Camila. When she tries to buy them back, he reveals someone stole them 5 years ago. She also knew the previous Golden Guard.
- Vanz knows what happened when Lilith used the scissors all those years ago.
- Boris left home after declaring himself nameless and opened a tattoo shop, but still followed Boscha's grudgby career. He turns out to be the keyboardist of the BAT's and Amity mentions he babysat her and her siblings, meaning he's older than the twins.
- He joined the BAT's in honor of his aunt Delara, Simon's mom, who died rebelling against Belos.
- Nicole forbid Boscha from ever seeing Boris again.
- The Thians and their crew have been helping the Bards Against the Throne with their freeing wild witches, hence why they occasionally escort those they save out of the Boiling Isles.
- Gus has been looking into Baron Samedi, and Eda's heard of him being a deal maker.
- Bo has two dads along with her mom, all in a polyamorous relationship. Her mother Suzy is in the Healing Coven.
- The Boss, who is said to lead Glandus High with the principal and the alpha student, has a hand in the kidnappings.
- The Slitherbeast has been relocated to the woods near the Owl House.
- Vanz Ator was a human merchant who was brought to the Boiling Isles by Philip Clawthorne, who he taught how to play chess. After being turned into a vampire, he lived as a Snake Oil Salesman until he came across Katya's family; after the girl's parents were brutally murdered, he turned and adopted her.
- Rule of Three: The Conductor of the Trauma Train pops up twice to get Luz to ride his train. The third time she sees it, she decides to ride it with Amity and immediately regrets it.
- Security Cling: In response to the Trauma Train, the girls hug each other in fear.
- Shout-Out:
- The Song Parody, "Oh Belos", is based on "Gaston" from Beauty and the Beast and "Rattigan" from The Great Mouse Detective.
- During the song, Goonla's crew calls Belos a codfish, the famous insult used by Peter Pan to Captain Hook.
- Shawm "Sham" Eaglesnitch is a parody of The Muppets's Sam the Eagle, including his famous line "You are all weirdos."
- Jason's nickname for Bo is "Little Bo Peep".
- The Song Parody, "Oh Belos", is based on "Gaston" from Beauty and the Beast and "Rattigan" from The Great Mouse Detective.
- Shown Their Work: Amity states she's basically emancipated due to being nameless. Seeing as she's 14, this would actually be true in real life not to mention she has a job that provides a consistent and reliable source of income.
- Small Role, Big Impact: Vanz Ator was the one who taught Philip how to play chess, making him responsible for Belos being The Chessmaster he is now. In turn, Belos was the reason Vanz ended up on the Boiling Isles, so he's indirectly responsible for Vanz' overarching effect on Luz's life.
- So Proud of You:
- Luz says this to Amity for standing up to Shawm and telling him to shove off, giving her a kiss and a hug as a reward.
- Boris assures Boscha that he'll never think less of her and he's proud of her for learning she's made mistakes.
- Symbolism: The story Luz and Amity see during the orchestra is about a bat woman and a sculptor who start out as enemies, only to grow close and eventually end up together. In other words, it's a retelling of their relationship.
- Tattoo as Character Type:
- Boris has multiple tattoos on his arms part of his chest and his neck.
- Derwin gets a tattoo of a bat playing bongos on his arm.
- Amity, after being offered by Boris, gets a tattoo on her right shoulder, showing a pink butterfly (referencing all the changes she's going through) and a dagger in the middle (a nod to Puck using one as his signature weapon).
- Tempting Fate: Luz outright says that she and Amity jinxed themselves by saying they prefer exciting, near-death, traumatic dates over normal ones; upon catching the Trauma Train, they get on questioning how bad it could be. Answer Cut: they get scared out of their minds.
- This Is Gonna Suck: Vanz finds himself surrounded by vampires in the woods, and they all proceed to attack him.
- Throw the Dog a Bone:
- Lilith is willing to answer all of Hunter's questions about the previous Golden Guard.
- Boris tells Boscha that her scar makes her look intimidating and he'll be around to talk when she needs it.
- The Un-Reveal:
- How Philip got to the Human Realm isn't specified, nor how he and Vanz got back to the Demon Realm. It's also implied that Vanz Ator wasn't his real name, as he went by monikers relating to his business.
- King mentions that he told Camila not to mess with Eda and Lilith's elixirs, but he doesn't hint if everyone told her about their curses.
- Who the heck saw Mattholomule enter the Row residence?
- Unwitting Instigator of Doom: Once again, Vanz Ator acts as one note , giving Philip Clawthorne the game that would be the key to his future intellect.
- Villain Respect: Shawm admits he respects Goonla and his crew for sticking to their principles by not joining the Emperor's Coven fishing trade.
- Wham Episode: Eileen is revealed to have been almost kidnapped, Boscha begins reconnecting with Boris, and Raine officially succeeds Scooter Crane as head of the Bard coven, with Terra beginning to brainwash them.
- Winged Humanoid: The humanoid bat goddess in the girls' vision (who represents Luz) initially has bat wings for arms but after receiving arms from the sculptor (who represents Amity), her wings are transfered to her back.
- Written-In Absence: Eileen not appearing at the H.A.S. meeting in the previous chapter is explained as being due to her not attending school for the past few days.
