Quinn had flown away, hopefully enjoying her newfound abilities. Exploring one’s Imago was always a treat, after all. But moments after she flew off, Nep returned to the bar. Sanctuary 73 was still quiet, of course. Everyone had been out last night, thankfully. She didn’t want to make a scene when she confronted Vespa about this... situation.

Nep’s eyes scanned the interior, carefully looking for the symbiote. For such a large insect, she was awfully adept at staying out of sight. Must’ve been how she’d survived for so long. “Vespa,” said Nep. “Stop hiding and explain yourself.”

Silence. Nep tapped her finger against the counter. Finally, she heard the whine of wings. Vespa materialized from a hidden place in the ceiling vents and landed on the counter.

“Explain myself? Are you confused as to what has happened?”

“Don’t try to play with me, Vespa. Why is this kid an angel? Why did Demons go after her family and erase them from records? This is not typical ‘fair game’, Vespa. This is the targeted attack they try to pull on... higher ups.”

“People like you.”

“Yes. Not nobody angels who haven’t even gone through Mali yet. Speaking of which, you weren’t planning on taking her to Mali, were you?”

“The thought escaped my mind.”

“You didn’t talk this through with her parents, either, did you? Oh wait, they’re gone now. Why are they gone? How did they get her information to begin with, huh? It’s not the sort of stuff that just falls into their laps.”

“It was an accident. Simply a lapse of judgement.”

Nep rolled her eyes. “You think I’m buying that? You think I was born yesterday?”

“Compared to me, you were.”

She bit her lip. “And compared to me, you know absolutely nothing about how the Angels are operating in this day and age. I know you’re bored waiting for your time to shine or whatever, but this is not the time nor place to make an Angel out of a little kid like this.”

“I am not playing around. The time is here.”

“Say that again.”

“Another one is coming. The time is near. I found a host. Accept that fact.”

Nep closed her eyes, considering the implications. Her own symbiote, Laccotrephes, clambered up out of her shirt, whispering in her ear. After deliberating, Nep spoke again. “It has been a long time since you took a host, Vespa. I suppose I shouldn’t have immediately jumped to the conclusion that you wanted to mess around.”

“Thank you, now—”

“But you don’t know what you’re doing at all. How is she supposed to grow into a proper Angel without any parents to watch over her? Without friends her own age? Her whole life’s been turned upside down.”

“However, now she is unfettered by those obligations. There is not much time. The process must be accelerated. And that, perhaps, includes ignoring Mali, for now. She must obtain training in combat and learn quickly from her future peers.”

“You want us to take her in?” Nep sighed. “I had a feeling something like this was afoot when I found her last night. You know, we’re not replacements for her parents. This isn’t some sort of equivalent exchange, where she ends up well-adjusted and also coincidentally a good Angel. It’s one or the other. And you’re choosing to... to destroy her human life for this.”

“She accepted the contract. Her thread is woven into the great plan.”

“I’d hazard she didn’t even hear the whole contract. And even if she did, she is sixteen, Vespa. We have this thing called the age of consent, see? She... cannot agree to this. And she did not agree to this. Not to being forcibly turned into a insectoid abomination—though I’ll grant you it’s a lovely Imago—not to losing her par—hold on. Her life being messed up like this... it wasn’t an accident, was it?”

“They were getting in the way of her development as an Angel.”

“You really don’t understand humans, do you?” said Nep, pacing behind the counter. “I need to get some tea.” She pulled out the heavy kettle from the cupboard, filling it to the brim and starting it on the stove.

“No. I do not. But I understand the plight that we face. And I hope that you do as well, and can put aside your petty human morals for the greater good.”

Indeed, if what Vespa was saying was true... “Laccotrephes, tell me what you think.”

Nep’s symbiote climbed down her arm and onto the counter, staying a fair distance back from the hornet. He was long and slender, with leathery wings and a long, filamentous not-quite-tail. A water scorpion, as Nep knew well, though many assumed it was some sort of roach or even a spider. “Vespa has indeed a particular role among the symbiotes, Nep. An important role in our never-ending struggle with our enemy. However, she is acting rogue and will be disciplined as a result. Failure to consult is not tolerated, even for someone so influential.”

“Laccotrephes, you understand nothing of my purpose. This is essential.”

“I’ve seen enough, Vespa. You are a good match for your host. Immature and childish. Brash. Jumping into things without testing the waters first. You ought to act your age. It would have taken little to notify us prior to choosing a host rather than immediately subjecting a child to such severe conversion. You lack evidence behind your decisions.”

Nep smirked. The water was coming to a boil, and she prepared the warm teapot to steep her morning tea. “Rather poor form, isn’t it, Laccotrephes?”

“Quiet, scientist,” said Vespa. “The choice was well thought out. The most important characteristic for my host was met. She really wanted to be a so-called ‘magical girl’. And given that Angels are somewhat comparable—”

Nep stopped. “That’s it?”

“That’s it?” asked Laccotrephes.

“That’s it,” said Vespa. “Regardless, you will take her in, right? Not leave her all alone, or send her off to Mali. She must receive training quickly. And you have some excellent Angels assigned to this section. There is a powerful Demon in this city, after all. My host is fated to kill him sooner or later. Why not tempt fate?”

It wasn’t like there were any other real options. Nep scoured her mind for any possibilities. But without relatives in the area... and the decision to become an Angel was irreversible. Vespa and Quinn were bound for life, and their strand had been woven into the tapestry of fate. There was only so much that could be done. She glanced down at her symbiote, and Laccotrephes nodded. “Fine. I’ll talk to the girls about it. But only on one condition, okay? You talk to one of us before you try anything else with Quinn, okay? We will assume responsibility for everything else.”

“Thank you. I knew I could count on you, Nep. You do understand our purpose so much better than the other humans.”

“Watch yourself. I’m not happy with this.” And neither was Laccotrephes. The water scorpion spread his raptorial claws at the hornet, though the gesture was not particularly threatening, given how much larger Vespa was than him. “Especially not skipping Mali. But I think I can whip up a better educational regime than they can. And she’ll certainly get more hands-on experience, especially given the situation we’re dealing with.”

“See? It’s a good idea.”

“I’m doing this because, when the end of the world is involved, it’s best not to meddle too much. That’s you’re area of expertise, after all. I just hope that she’s up for the task.” The tea was ready, and Nep poured herself a cup, holding it to her lips. “Ah. It’s still too hot.”