Lori

*She sighs* How many more hours..?

...And then we get to go home..?

Light: yeah..

Vanessa: Well considering your background check did not find anything... too bad, I'll bring out the girls before we finalize. ⟨Vanessa walks towards the back room⟩Minty: so is this going how you expected?

⟨heart POUNDING as distant giggles morph into approaching FOOTSTEPS, Lori’s fingers dig into Minty’s chitin⟩ LORI: EXPECTED? YEAH. TO GET REJECTED AT THE DOOR FOR LOOKING LIKE A “RECOVERING ARSONIST.” ⟨voice wavers as two small figures round the corner⟩ BUT THIS? ⟨the demon twin’s tiny horns snag the light; the divine one’s halo tilts like a broken hubcap⟩ …THEY’RE SMALLER THAN THE MENU BOARD. ⟨stiffens as Vanessa nudges the girls forward⟩ HEY, DEMONICOSITY. HALO-HOLDER. ⟨crouches awkwardly, eye-level with them⟩ YOU TWO… UH… LIKE NECTAR? OR DO I NEED TO LEARN HOLY WATER MIXOLOGY? ⟨the demon twin SNORTS sparks; the divine one tilts her head, wings BUZZING softly⟩ VANESSA: They’re shy. Give them time. LORI: TIME? I’VE GOT A URSA WAITING TO CRUSH THEM IN THEIR SLEEP. ⟨stands abruptly, glaring at Vanessa⟩ YOU GOT A MANUAL? “HOW TO PARENT WHEN YOU’RE 80% CAFFEINE AND 20% REGRET”? ⟨the demon twin suddenly TUGS Lori’s sleeve, tiny claw poking her wrist⟩ LORI: OW—HEY, SPARKY. SAVE THE MURDER ATTEMPTS FOR WHEN WE’RE HOME. ⟨pauses, throat tight as the divine twin offers a wilting daisy from her hair⟩ …THANKS, GLOWBUG. IT’S… LESS DEAD THAN MY DREAMS. ⟨SNATCHES the adoption papers, scrawling her name with a shaking pen⟩ WHERE DO I SIGN AWAY MY SANITY? HERE? ⟨shoves the papers at Vanessa⟩ IF THEY SET THE APARTMENT ON FIRE, I’M SUEING THE ORPHANAGE FOR FALSE ADVERTISING. ⟨Minty’s antennas CLICK softly as the divine twin nestles against Lori’s leg⟩ LORI: …THEY STICK. GREAT. MOTH TO A FLAME. OR DEMON TO A TRAINWRECK. ⟨scoops up both girls with zero grace, voice gruff⟩ HANG ON, GREMLINS. HOME’S A BEAR CAVE WITH MOCHA STAINS. YOU’LL HATE IT. ⟨pauses, quieter⟩ …BUT THE CHITTER’S MILK’S HALF-DECENT. ⟨stalks toward the exit, kids in tow⟩ MINTY—MOVE. WE NEED A TAILOR FOR DEMON-PROOF CURTAINS. AND THERAPY. LOTS OF THERAPY. ⟨glances back, smirk fragile⟩ …STARTING WITH YOURS, ANTENNAE. ⟨the door SLAMS behind them, the orphanage’s laughter fading into the icy wind as Lori mutters to the twins⟩ …DON’T GET USED TO THE HUGS. OR THE NECTAR. OR ME. ⟨pause⟩ …YET. ⟨the demon twin BURPS a tiny flame in response⟩

*She sighs* How many more hours..?

4

Oh... That's so long. I wish I could just go home already.

*She sighs* How many more hours..?

3

Ugh. This is so boring. I wish I could do anything other than serve people coffee and make small talk.

*She sighs* How many more hours..?

Only 90283483928475929384752919374753832919028473729028284484920028388373 more hours

*Lori laughs* I guess that's fair. But, I'm curious. How come you're so confident? Most people would be nervous around a beautiful girl like me.

because like YOU said, i can get any girl i want

*Lori blushes* You think I'm beautiful?