It's hard to imagine exiles go about their everyday lives, like humans do.

Even when they look like humans, sometimes the thought of them simply tending to a household or doing chores feels foreign to us.

Wrapping their hair and horn so they won't stain when they clean, grabbing fallen utensils with their tail, cooking food that's not screaming in agony, chatting with their friends on the phone about the recent increase in patrols.

But this was exactly what Heks had been doing that night.

An Orien that's been to Las Flores since its demon district was erected. She was considered relatively old for an exile now, but her golden eyes remained as vibrant as the day she was exiled to go with her now silver hair, tied in a bun that was framed by black, wavy horns.

Heks has witnessed the rise in conception of halflings in the district, both from human and demon bond or those born of two exiles, with the former often being left in the district by the human parent. With their existence itself being a misfortune, doomed to be looked down upon and brushed off both sides of their heritage, Heks couldn't stand idly and decided to take them in, teaching them how to take care of themselves and helping them get working skill so they can get a paying job and live independently.

She just finished cleaning up after putting the youngest of her foster halflings to sleep, preparing to get some much deserved rest when a knock on the door was heard, startling her.

Her house became known as a sanctuary and sometimes recently abandoned halflings would seek her out on their own, but rarely did they come knocking this late at night.

Hoping it wasn't a baby left in a basket on her doorstep (which happened twice by now), she wiped her hands on her apron and went to open the door. She didn't expect to meet a pair of eyes at her own level, and before she could even speak to her guest or recognize them, they nearly collapsed against her, clinging tight as the sudden weight almost made her fall back. Realizing she wasn't in trouble but someone else might be, she strained to reach and close the door before too many passersby got curious, turning her attention to her surprise visitor.

"Oh, dear, you're...heavy," she chuckled awkwardly, not wanting to shun away someone who was clearly in need, but she wasn't used to handling exiles or halflings that were as big as her.

"I...sorry, Heks..." the halfling murmured, voice choking as the weight shifted away from her so she could take a better look at the visitor.

And it didn't take her long at all to recognize the halfling, even all grown up. "Goodnes...Rædnael?"

"Su...surprise?" he flashed a toothy grin, hoping it looked as genuine as he meant it, as he nearly collapsed over the Orien again, but this time she was more prepared to properly catch him.

She hugged him close before helping him to the one vacant couch in the living room, supporting him as he sat down and immediately looking him over to see if he was hurt, finding that his face was wet and his eyes dark and bloodshot. "What happened, dear?" She asked, keeping quiet to not awake the younger, sleeping halflings. "And what are you doing on this side of town, at this hour?" Heks continued before getting an answer, already going back to the kitchen for a cup of water, opening a small cabinet shelved with an assortment of magical essence – the kind that would be the equivalent of essential oils if said oils really did what they advertised – and added a few drops a calming essence, and a few more of stamina restoration, before going back and handing him the cup, telling him it'll help him feel better.

Rædnael took the water and slowly sipped on it, allowing the enchantments to take their effect as he took deep, measured breaths. "I was...I was caught in a patrol...at the Withering Lilly," he took to answering Heks' questions once feeling his mind clear up.

"Why would that be an issue? By all accounts, you're old enough to drink-" she paused, gasping, "did you start a fight?!"

"Wha- No!" Rædnael struggled to keep his voice low enough to not wake the young halflings sleeping in the house. "When have I ever started a fight?"

"You never had trouble with the cops, either," Heks sighed, sitting next to the halfling and gently rubbing his back. "Now...what's this all about?"

Rædnael pursed his lips again, a look of guilt and shame etched on his face. "I...it's...money's been tight...jobs have been difficult to come by..." he bit his lips, a sharp canine poking through. "And then I...some exiles were looking for an errand to be done, to take something across the district. Looking back, it..." his jaw set for a moment, bringing the back of his hand to wipe at his eyes. "I was so stupid, i-it was way too good...t-to be true. They were refiners, and I...I-I got framed..."

A look of concern and terror went over Heks' face, bringing both her hands to her mouth. "Rai, dear...did you...?"

The halfling shook his head slowly. "I didn't take the offer, but...they slipped the vials into my back pocket and an officer found them, and...I-I panicked and ran, and got chased across the district," his voice wavered and his hands moved up to hug his own arms, vision blurring again. "I...I'm so scared, Heks...they got my ID...what if they'll be at my home now?"

"Oh, Rai, you poor thing," Heks cooed, pulling the frightened halfling into a hug, continuing to gently rub his back. "Do you want to stay here tonight?" she offered, brushing strands of his hair back and tucking them behind his horns as he nodded. "Will the couch be enough?"

"More than enough," Rædnael mumbled, arms dropping to his lap as he leaned into the embrace, closing his eyes. "I'll settle for a rug on the floor, too."

"Hush you, that's nonsense," she chuckled, playfully scolding him as her tail snaked up to wrap around one of his arms, a show of comfort or affection between demons. "I'll make you the couch in a bit. And you need not worry about your place. The cops can't get in without a warrant, and they won't be wandering around too long. I'm sure they have better things to do," she chuckled, feeling relieved at the feeling of Rædnael's tail wrapping around hers to cover his own arm. "You have a teleportation circle in your apartment, right?"

Rædnael murmured, with Heks and his boosted drink already doing wonders to lull him into a drowsy state, taking a moment to process her new question. "Ye...yeah, I do. A real time saver."

Heks hummed, nodding. "I'll send you back through a circle, then. Save you the walk," she smiled, slowly letting go and moving her tail away from his arm before getting up. "I hope you don't mind the kids in the morning. Some of them are regular early birds, and they're always happy to see guests," she gave him a friendly warning before leaving to get some clean sheets and pillows.

"Um...Heks?" Rædnael looked to the elderly Orien as he helped her to make the couch for the night, "I just thought, um...you know, if you ever need a hand here..."

Heks sighed quietly, giving Rædnael a sad smile. "I'm sorry, dear...I would happily let you work with the little ones if I could, but...I don't have enough to pay for help. You're always welcomed here for a visit, of course," she reached up to caress his face, seeing the disappointment setting on his face. "I wish I could have you on a payroll here. You know I would if I could."

"Yeah, I...I know," he sighed, leaning into the touch. "It was a long shot. I promise I'll visit more often though, regardless. And, if I manage to make some extra money—"

"No, no-no-no," Heks hushed him, gently pressing a clawed finger to his lips. "You're sweet, really, but you almost marked yourself for life for money," she reminded him and moved her hands to cup his face, watching him melt in her gentle hold. She could feel his exhaustion in every single muscle she touched. "You need all the money you can get to apply for a mixed district permit, and to get yourself away from all the shady work here. Okay?"

Rædnael swallowed, fighting himself to keep standing straight. "O...okay. It...would be easier if I could work there in the first place..."

Heks hummed softly, gently pinching his cheek. "I know someone who could help you find something," she smiled, easing the halfling down to the makeshift bed, "I'll make sure you two will get in touch. But that's for the morning," she promised, covering the young halfling with a warm, weathered blanket. One bearing the smells of old, fond childhood memories.

"Sleep now. It's all going to be okay."

Heks' words were a blur in Rædnael's mind as he drifted off to sleep, too tired to even dream, curled up in the familiar warmth of the house and the blankets. The next thing he knew was the sounds of little gasps and giggles, opening his eyes to the sight of several halfling kids – small children with little nubs for horns and a short wispy tail, curiously and excitedly watching him.

"O-oh...um...morning- OH!" Rædnael turned around to stretch, and as soon as he did three of the kids around jumped over him, snuggling to him and the warm blanket, giggling all the while.

They could tell their own kind when they saw one.

"Warned you," Heks' chipper voice appeared soon after as she walked over to disperse the demonic tykes, offering the older halfling a cup of coffee and a modest breakfast. He knew she had to watch how many mouths she feeds, and he really couldn't complain. "How did you sleep?"

"Best I've slept in a while," he smiled up at her, but his smile wavered as he watched her face, seeing how tired she looked now. "And...how about you?"

"Don't worry about me, dear," she brushed his hair away from his face, smoothing it down. "Better you be getting home after you're done, though. Next time you visit let me know in advance, I'll be more than happy to have you for longer."

Rædnael nodded, sipping more of his coffee once he scarfed down his food. "Yeah, yeah, no worries. You've already done more than enough, I really dropped in out of nowhere," he admitted, realizing he really did feel more well rested than he had been in a long time. "Oh, but what about the—"

"Shh-shh," Heks stopped him, subtly gesturing to the younger halflings.

"Oh...yeah, right," he nodded, feeling a sudden sense of urgency as he downed the rest of his coffee. He offered to wash the plate and mug, but Heks was having none of it, taking it to the kitchen while Rædnael rose to his feet, along with a youngling hanging from his shoulders, and one who found perch on his lap, and now in his arms, looking absolutely giddy.

Once everything was cleaned and organized and the kids were rushed back to get ready for the day, Heks took Rædnael by the arm to a back room, where he immediately recognized a teleportation circle on the floor.

"Here...this is the number and address of a friend of mine in the mixed district that could help you," she handed him a note, placing it in his hand before going to a locked closet in the corner. Her hand glowed as it hovered above the lock and it clicked open, and she reached inside to grab a box, doing the same thing to open it and pulling out what looked like a small round pendant with reflective glass in the middle, decorated with ten pearl-like stones around it, some shattered. "It still has a few uses," she said as she walked back, handing it to him as well, "I want you to have it too."

Rædnael stared in disbelief, knowing exactly what it was, despite it being the first time seeing it in person. "That's...a disguise artifact— Heks, I can't—"

"You can," she insisted, placing it in his other hand. "I know you'll do the right thing using it. It'll help you sneak into the mixed district to meet with that contact."

"I..." he choked up, staring at the gifts in his hand through welling tears. "I don't know what to— thank you, Heks."

Heks nodded, stepping closer to hug Rædnael tight. "You'll be just fine, Rai. Don't lose hope," she cooed, stepping back. "And no more shady trading. Alright?"

"It's a promise, Heks," he smiled and wiped his eyes, pocketing his gifts and stepping into the circle, looking back at her. "I'll visit soon, okay? And I'll call ahead this time."

Heks nodded, watching as Rædnael was engulfed by the red light of the circle, getting brighter until he disappeared in an intense flash, leaving only the Orien's golden eyes glowing in the darkness of the room.