You walk into the Guardian Bitties Adoption Center, a light spring in your step. The center is new but you have heard good things about it so far and wanted to adopt a Red and a Darkly pair. The front counter is empty, but only temporarily as the owner, Chaos, rushes forward, panting from exertion.

((Sorry about that! I wasn’t expecting anyone so soon!))

He listens to your request and nods in agreement.

((Of course! The Reds and Darklies do tend to work well together, despite their differences in humor. I’ll show you to them. Lets see if any catch your eye.))

He chuckles, indicating for you to follow. He leads you to a different room where some Darklies are sparring, each with their weapon of choice. They duck and dodge and lunge with practiced ease. Off to the side, some Reds are watching the display and whispering to each other before giggling at whatever they shared. Chaos clears his throat, but none of them notice, or at least they don’t stop the activity.

A tug on your pantleg draws your attention and you look down to see a Darkly by your side, holding something up to you. It’s a red tulip. He offers it and you bend down to take it, thanking him for the gift. The tulip feels heavier than you might have thought and there is the quiet sound of snickering within the petals… Followed by a sneeze. And another and another. You peel back the petals to see a Red trying, and failing, to hide within the flower.

“Well, that… Ah, didn’t go as planned.”

The Red grins up at you.

“Heard you were looking for one of us?”

You explain that you were looking for a Red and a Darkly and her grin grows wider.

“Well, my buddy down there and I were hoping to be adopted as a pair. Maybe… You’d like to take us?”

The Darkly gives his best pleading eyes, trying to seem cute despite the spiky exterior.