June "Blaze" Heras was the bar/diner owner of La Zona Caliente. Or The Hot Zone. Her establishment was in the heart of business in the French Quarter and was the closest Mexican restaurant you could find in a quarter mile to the next bus stop. Since the building had several floors she decided to turn the building into a place where she could live in and have others rent rooms on those floors. The building was hers anyways since her uncle left it in his will. Her uncle was more than  likely her favorite relative. He was a kind Louisiana man that was adopted into her Mexican family at a young age. He of course went on to have a family of his own, but he loved Blaze like she was his own daughter. Especially since her no good deadbeat father was never in her life and it was just her, her mother and twin brother.

When he died of a heart attack while doing chores on a hot day. June and both families were devastated. Especially June. He was of course her father figure but he was also the one to teach her how to cook and make good combinations of both alcoholic and non drinks. He basically taught her all she needed to know for her future and was there when she graduated highschool and college. And she hoped that someday he was going to give her away for her wedding. If she ever took time to even get a date. She was a workaholic and her mother tells her these facts almost every other week over the phone. She wanted to find love. It's just that she could never find the right guy to balance out her spicy lifestyle. And ever since her uncle died and left her his restaurant/rental building, she couldn't even find the day where she could catch her breath. Especially with how popular the bar was during Mardi Gra or in most cases lunch rush and midnight hours. 

But she still craved that certain companionship that she was nowhere close to. Until. One of her best workers, Rain, a young Navajo woman that moved to the city not long ago, came in with what looked like… a snake? Person? Only tiny?

"¡Dios mío niña! ¡¿Qué diablos has traído al trabajo en los nueve círculos del infierno?!" She yelled in her thick Mexican accent.

Translation: "Dear God girl! What in the nine circles of hell have you brought to work?!" 

“Oh, Gaster? He’s my Lamia Bitty, I got him yesterday.” She replied as Gaster went for one of her pockets. “He’s rather shy around most people, I’ve noticed.”

"I see… is he dangerous?" She asked warily as she shook a drink in a tumbler and poured it out for the gentleman that, along with others there, couldn't stop gawking at the strange creature.

“No. At least, not so long as I am safe. He’s very against violence.”

"Hmmm, ok. As long as he minds his manners and fangs then I'm alright with him. What does the tierno* eat?

*Cutie

“Gaster only likes being hand fed, he’s good with anything, but fish is his favorite. He’ll probably hide in my pocket the entire time though. Like I said, he’s shy. Well mannered too.” He peeked out once, only to duck back into her pocket.

June chuckled at his cuteness. "Well lucky for him there was a mix up with one of our orders. How about some seasoned cooked salmon with honey glaze and some jumbo shrimp and rice as sides while you change in the back and get ready for your shift? Anything else he likes?" 

“Cookies and somewhere to swim. No loud noises if you can help it, he frightens easily.” Rain explained quickly. “I learned that the hard way during that storm..” She chuckled at “fond” memories. 

June grimaced. She remembered that storm. Heck! She was still moping up her kitchen after some water had leaked through. "I don't even want to know. There's a spare room in the back for the late night drunks to stay in. It's pretty quiet. Get changed and I'll have Foxy bring that order in there. Sound good?" She said as she brought a steaming hot dish to a customer who was grumbling over his scores on the television that was playing football.

“Foxy’s working today? Neat.” She went to the back with Gaster. 

“I think she’d be compatible with a Firering Lamia, both are workaholics.” Gaster stated quietly as they disappeared.

Once she knew that they were out of earshot, "FOXY! C'MERE! I HAVE AN ORDER FOR YA!" She called loudly over the bustle of talking patrons.

“Y ahora que?” Foxy walked over to her boss, ginger hair bouncing.

Translation: “Now what?”

"Don't give me that tone missy. We have a special little guest in the back rooms. Take this fish order to him. I'm busy manning the bar while Zash is on break." She said with authority and pointed to the warm fish meal.

She loved challenging Blaze. It was pretty much her hobby now. “Nah, you can do it.” She poked fun, taking the meal anyways.

“VHAT ZA HELL IZ ZAT ZING?!” Zash shouted, having found Rain and Gaster.

"Dios Mio…." Blaze grumbled. "Pardon me everyone I have to see to an international problem." She said sweetly while saying a slew of Spanish curses under her breath. Foxy following her trail, eager to know what was up.

“Zash, you scared him!” Rain tried to coax Gaster back out.

“I zcared him? He zcared za shit out of me! Vhat iz he anyway?!” Zash had a hand over her heart, having been scared when she rounded the corner only to see the snake. She’d thought he was wild and panicked. 

“Oh dios mio, eso es una lamia?” Foxy demanded.

Translation: “Oh my God, is that a lamia?”

Blaze held her hand out to stop Foxy from coming closer and gave Zash a glare. Pissed that she had to leave the bar unattended. "Zash… that is our guest and customer. He is also Rain's companion or pet? I don't know. But Foxy, you seem to know more about them so we'll discuss this during lunch break where I don't have to worry about someone stealing our liquor! Now Zash help Marinette and the other staff in the kitchen while I attempt to salvage our other customers. Foxy, give Rain the food for the little one and go back to serving your table. And Rain, after you're done helping him I want you out on the floor. NOW!" She demanded with fiery authority.

“Yes, Blaze..” Foxy put down the plate and rushed out.

“Da, izvini..” She apologized quietly before disappearing into the kitchen. 

“I’m sorry about all this..” Rain apologized to Blaze. Gaster poked his head out. “U-um… ma’am..”  

Blaze calmed down and looked at the hesitant Gaster. "Yes tierno?"

“Um… thank you… for, uh, defending us… I- I prefer the term “companion” by the way..” 

She nodded with a calm smile. "Of course. Sorry if I offended you. Enjoy your meal and tell me later what you thought of it. I cooked myself this time instead of Marinette, our chef."

"No… I'm not offended in the least. I'm sure it will be wonderful." He bowed lightly, taking the display as Blaze being this human's leader, much like his own queen. 

She was taken aback by the gesture. She slightly blushed and waved a dismissive hand. "Oh tierno. I can already tell that you can get a girl hooked on you within an instant~ No wonder Rain chose such a little gentleman~" 

He laughed, a bit bashful. “If it’s a gentleman you’d be looking for, I’m nothing compared to a Firering Lamia..” He replied, rubbing his vertebrae. 

"Hmmm~" she gave a thoughtful look. "I just might take you up on that offer little tierno. But we'll have to see how the day turns out. And… IF Rain can stop goggling at you long enough to actually work her shift~" she giggled at a flustered Rain as she exited the room to the hallway.

"The room is sound proof. So you'll be able to chill out for a while till her shift is over and until the rush dies down."

“Um… alone..?” He asked hesitantly.

"Hmmm, well, how about this? Every other twenty minutes after she takes care of a chore, she can spend twenty more minutes with you. In the meantime," she walked to a spare closet in the hallway and pulled out a stuffed giraffe plushie. The doll was unbelievably soft and could either warm or cool quickly.

"This used to be my favorite to have when I was younger. Would you like this as company?" She said as she set the adorable plushie next to him. Gaster was hesitant at first, till he felt how soft it was. He immediately calmed down and coiled around the plushie.

“This will do..” He sighed comfortably, hugging it. 

"Bueno. Rain we need you on the floor. Like I said every other twenty minutes you can see him. Okay?" She said as Blaze left to take care of some restless customers at the bar.

“Alright, alright, I’m going… Gaster need any water or something before I go?”

“I think I’ll be fine for now, go before your leader gets mad.” Rain quirked a brow, but decided not to question it for now and left.