Edge's POV

I usually wasn’t one for naps, but it was the only way to pass time without a mate. So when I felt her stare… I got curious. She was a curvaceous and tall African American. She sounded like she had an accent. Not sure from which country. She was blind in one eye, that one being a milky gray color and the other eye being dark brown. Her hair was very poofy, and in low twin pigtails. She was beautiful, to put it bluntly and I wanted her attention. So I caught it with my naturally high volume. It’d worked and now I was talking with a potential mate. Progress! “WHAT IS YOUR NAME, HUMAN?” I asked, curious and eager to know. 

"My name is Marinette Bushway. It's nice to meet you. Can you tell me more about yourself?"

“THE PLEASURE IS MINE, I ASSURE YOU~. I AM A MASTER CHIEF AND A SKILLED HUNTER, THE BEST OF MY SPECIES. I AM GOOD WITH ANIMALS AND CHILDREN, AS LONG AS THEY DON’T FUCK WITH ME. I WILL SHOW RESPECT IF I’M GIVEN RESPECT AND I WILL PROTECT MY FAMILY AND HUMAN COMPANION WITH MY LIFE.” Do I talk a lot? Yes I do. Deal with it. 

There were a few grunts and protests shared around the room about being the "best".

“OH SHUT UP, YOU ALL KNOW IT’S TRUE!” I retorted to the others. 

A few grumbles and curses were shared amongst the room. Followed along with snickers from our fellow brothers.

"I saw your species profile. Very impressive. I'm also a hunter. I hunt various animals. My favorite being waterfowl and deer. And you can't go wrong with fishing some crawdads~ I make a mean crawdad soup with a hint of tabasco sauce and basil. Maybe a pinch of cumin if I'm feeling particularly hungry. And as for pets, I have a hunting dog. She's still a puppy and learning, but learning fast. I also work as one of the chefs at the bar/diner that my boss is sponsoring. And if you're wondering about the eye, I might've had an accident with a Bibi gun fight with my siblings. I still won though." She said with pride. 

‘Oh stars, she’s perfect!’ I smiled proudly, putting my hands on my “hips” with a loud “NYEH HEH HEH!” 

“SOUNDS FUN, MAYBE WE COULD HUNT TOGETHER SOMEDAY, I’VE NEVER CAUGHT A DEER BEFORE! THE DOG WOULD BE FINE, SO LONG AS IT KNOWS NOT TO USE ME AS IT’S CHEW TOY. I LIKE MY SPACE… PERHAPS I COULD TRY YOUR DISH SOMEDAY, OR WE COULD COOK TOGETHER? IT’D BE FUN~” 

She didn't catch on to the innuendo but regarded it as actual cooking fun.

"Hey Rain?" She called out to that new volunteer.

Rain walked over. “Find one you like?” 

"Yeah, I have. This la mignonne* right here."

*Cutie

She seemed glad but apprehensive. Maybe because I'm in heat… I gave her a hard glare and gestured to the female. Clearly showing that I want her.

“Ok… He IS in heat though, so, uh, just be prepared.” She better not say anything more than that if she wants to live. She picked me up, passing me to Marinette. 

I curled around her luscious chocolate brown neck. And saw that there was another female in the room. But this one… Smelled different… Almost otherworldly. She was heading towards my brother in the larger tank. 

Red's POV

I was sunbathing while napping in the heat lamps rays' when I smelled something strange. It wasn't unpleasant and it wasn't the smell that one of us would emit when we rut. So what was it? I kinda like it… I opened my socket and saw probably the most beautiful redhead that I've ever seen and probably the only one… heh. She had these pretty purple eyes that I could just get lost in. Tan skinned that indicated that she was Latino, and of course her long pretty red hair. Her figure was slim but by God, she had meat and curves in the right places. Am I in Heaven and I'm just seeing an Angel?

“Hello.” She greeted me with warmth and kindness. “What’s your name, Pequeño rojo?”

*Little red

“heh… well, ya just said it..” 

She tilted her head in a cute manner. “Rojo? Red?” 

I nodded. “yep.”

“Tell me about yourself, Red. I know about your general species, but what makes you unique?”

“i- me? i'm really not all that… unique.” I replied, it was true, I’m not anything special.

“Don’t sell yourself short. I don’t care what it is, give me something..”

“...”

 I had nothing.

“Fine, I already learned something anyway. You’re rather modest.” She grinned.

Well she had me there. Pretty sure I got that way when the other bitties and lamias picked on me back home. To be honest… some may call me the weakest link in my species due to the fact that I was smaller than I was supposed to be. But only about an inch or two! And that I was almost thrown away because my parents thought I was a dud as an egg. You can imagine the schoolyard "nicknames" that the other kids gave me. Fortunately I had my brother Edge to protect me from most of them. He trained me, even if I didn't want to, till I was able to fend for myself. To which I'm grateful for….. And is that him being adopted out?! Holy crap! But my attention was drawn back to the angel.

“I sense your suffering, Red. You don’t have to tell me… but would you like to come with me?” She offered.

This angel wanted me out of all the Lamias in the room?! In the entire building?! I'm not sure whether to be happy or apprehensive.

“why me..? there are better bitties for you to choose from, ya know.”

She smiled brightly. “Because you're the one I’m drawn to, Pequeño rojo~” She teased lightly.

Even though she was just teasing, and not that much, I still felt my skull go as "rojo" as a cherry tomato. 

“So? What do you say, hm?”

I had no reason to object and truth be told, she was really pretty… AH~ WHY THE HELL NOT!

“Rain, I chose mine!” The Angel called out. “OH! And before I forget, I’m Foxy. Foxy Escarra.” 

That was probably one of the sexiest names I have ever heard.

3rd POV

As the girls went back to the main floor, Ms. Scales already had the adoption papers out for them to sign.

She smelled the air and gave a pointed glare to Edge.

"Edge…? Aren't you a little… HEAT-ed up for this~?" She asked seriously. Though it was kind of hard to tell with the way she spoke and punned.

“UM… NO..?” He didn’t really know how else to respond to his Queen. The pun made him want to groan while her tone made him want to cringe. 

"..."

She sighed as she seemingly pinched the bridge of her nose from under her robes to prevent a migraine.

"Alrighty dearies~ sit down and fill these out." She gestured to the chairs and the forms.

Foxy took her seat and started immediately. 

“eh, my lady, er, ms. scales… not ta question yer motives or anything… but isn’t more “shipments'' whatcha want..?” Red asked hesitantly.

She gave him a patient smile. "It is my lovely Red. It's the shipment paperwork along with the ridiculous taxes and fees is what is giving me a short temper today. Along with some of the "authorities" questioning if I have a "license" to proceed with the business. To which I've managed to put them back in their places. For now. Oddly persistent little pests…" She grumbled out a growl. This wasn't like their Queen and her happy but mischievous nature. So this is probably bugging her more than she's letting on.

“o-oh… i see..” Red decided not to ask further questions.

Foxy had picked up on Red’s mistake. ‘My lady?’ She glanced at the woman. “Ms. Scales, a question, if I may?”

"Yes, dearie… but make it brief. I have to sign more documents for "inventory"."

“May I volunteer here as well? I would like to do what my ancestors did… so to speak. I wanna help out with your Lamias.” Foxy had her suspicions, but she wouldn’t say anything without solid proof, or if she even had proof, she still probably wouldn’t say anything. 

Ms. Scales stared long and hard into her purple eyes. As if judging her very soul.

After a heart stopping minute, she smiled deviously. "Yes. In fact dearie, you can even help me with being my part time assistant. What do you say~." 

Both Red and Edge practically gawked at her offer. To them, being her assistant or something along those lines are the same as being an advisor or an important aristocrat in their society! What is the Queen thinking--- no, PLANNING this time?!

“Assistant- my what an honor! I accept it!” She smiled broadly. “Does this mean I have paperwork?” She half joked, though she was more serious than anything.

The Queen's devious smile became more prominent. "Yes, but like an assistant should, you would need my permission to sign specific documents and such. But essentially, you're in charge of organization~ congrats~!!!"

Out of nowhere a little pop shooter of confetti🎉 sounded off to Foxy's right. There, holding the confounded party noise maker that scared the crap out of everyone, except the Queen, was a Corny that had a shit eating grin snickering who was on her filing cabinet. The room was filled with light laughter and snickers. Along with the Queen's. 

“¡Jesucristo, me asustaste hombre!” Foxy held a hand to her racing heart, but she couldn’t help but smile. “Alright then, when do I start?”

Translation: “Jesus Christ, you scared me man!”

Ms. Scales seemed to think on this. "You can start tomorrow when your shift is over~. How does that sound dearie~?"

“Sounds good to me, gives me Pequeno Rojo time to settle in.” She grinned at Red, who blushed heavily, looking away.  

'This should be very interesting indeed~. And I sense that things are going to HEAT up even more when that Marinette girl makes it home~.' The Queen thought to herself.

"Kekekeke~ I look forward to your hard work tomorrow~ Oh! And… Edge, Red?" Ms. Scales questions with a devious grin.

The boys looked to their Queen with uncertainty. What was she planning?

"You fellas work VERY hard as well and make me a proud grandmother~~~." She said with a shit eating grin. While Marinette raised a curious brow and Foxy flushed.

“U-uh-...” Red didn’t know whether to be embarrassed or what.

“I WILL~~~” Edge smirked at Marinette. 

Marinette couldn't help but be a little… embarrassed (?) If that was the right word. She felt the gaze of a predator on her.

"Pfffffffttttt!!!! HAH! Edge my lovely~ you never cease to amuse me with your blunt but bold personality~ But remember dear…" She then gave a stern and spine chilling glare at him. "... Be gentle."

“Y-YES YOUR- MS. SCALES…” Edge stammered. 

This just confused Marinette even more but Foxy and Red was evidently very aware of what she meant and promptly backed up a few paces. 

The Queen then went back to her semi-relaxed and jovial personality. "Alright dearies~. Put them in the crates so they'll be safe and be on your way~." She cheered out as she pointed out the magic proof snake crates being pushed by the Corny.

“Thank you Mr..” Foxy trailed off. “ I haven’t actually gotten your name or given mine. I’m Foxy Escarra.” She greeted the Corny.  

"The name's Notorro. I'm Ms. Scales'... Lamia "companion". Nice to meetcha. I'm helping her out while no one else, well, except you now, aren't helping her out with paperwork."

“I see…” She hummed. She had questions now, but she could ask when she and Ms. Scales had the room privately. Or she could ask the boys, but she wasn’t sure she’d get much out of them. “That’s very kind of you, Notorro.”

"Heh! Thanks! Welp! See you tomorrow! And remember to spread the word!" He cheerfully replied.

She handled Red with care, putting her future mate in his crate. “We will.”

Foxy handed Marinette the next crate. Marinette gently put Edge in his crate. Much to his reluctance. The girls put cloths over the crates and were led out of the shop.

Once they were at the bus stop and fortunately alone. Marinette turned to her friend with a glare. "Okay. Start talkin' now before anyone else shows up. You have some explaining to do." She said with a serious but firm voice.

“Stars, where to even begin… I guess it really boils down to the stories I was telling everyone about. I’m one in a line of priestesses that worshiped the Lamia culture, giving offerings to them, sometimes even ourselves, though as far as I know, I’m not part Lamia.” She chuckled. “My mama would tell me of the different Lamia species, so I’m pretty well versed. I was just.. Born this way.. I guess.”

"But I thought it was your father that was Spanish. Why does your mom know so much?" Marinette asked curiously.

“My mom has ties as well, she met my dad when going to see my abuelo in Mexico. My grandmother had been the one to move us up here. Papa Juan, my step grandfather, was supposed to come with, but he couldn’t get citizenship. Then my biological grandpa came along.  

And my grandma tried to make it work with a new relationship but... Long story short my mom was born. We are still priestesses, at the end of the day.” She explained. “I’m of latino descent on both sides of the family.”

"So from your mom's side? And why didn't you tell me this before?!" Marinette yelled as she swatted her friend's arm.

“Because it was never relevant before! I thought they were just stories not…” She looked at the crates. “L-” She didn’t know how to complete that sentence. 

"Legends?" Marinette deadpanned at her friend.

“I guess… So, I hope you're ready to handle Edge..” She smiled deviously. 

Marinette narrowed her eyes at her in suspicion. "Is there something that you're still not telling me yet…?"