Qumula

An older house stood on the outskirts of Harbor, tall and dignified, perfectly matching its owner. Qumula had taken the day to do some spring cleaning, and replace a few frames for her photographs. Taking one off the mantle, a warm, nostalgic smile blossomed across her face. She’d raised her own hatchlings alongside Tessle, and it had been absolutely perfect. 

For years, Qumula had volunteered at ARC to help with whatever they needed. Her love and understanding of biology made her a competent and inspiring assistant to anyone, even those that just needed to vent or bounce ideas off someone. 

Once she heard of the success of the Xero project, she signed up and underwent the process to become a sponsor for any xero that needed one. After having to wait, and having her own hatchlings in that time, the chance she had waited for finally presented itself. Her time came with the arrival of X-1012, Tessle. From the moment the pair could properly meet, Tessle always preferred spending as much time as he could with her. Other volunteers would kindly jest about this fact to Qumula, telling her he must think she is his mother. Ensuring that everything would go smoothly, Qumula had introduced her own children, Matevain and Tarovain to Tessle. The three had started their bond over music, when Tessle had been humming a song that was popular at the time. The whole thing had taken a weight off of Qumula's shoulders, and any concern the three wouldn't get along were entirely swept away.

Tessle had gotten accustomed to spending time with her, and with the permission of the higher-up's, Qumula had taken the young xero and her hatchlings out and about for various activities. Carnivals, festivals, and even just mundane days beyond his home of ARC, Tessle always loved whatever the two ended up doing. Even other inhabitants of Harbor enjoyed seeing the two, some assuming the pair were mother and son. No one ever bothered to correct them. There were even nights that Tessle spent at Qumula's home if he was too tired to get back to ARC before it was very late. She always went through the appropriate channels to make sure everyone knew the young xero was safe, but after the first couple of times, everyone knew that Qumula and her hatchlings would be the perfect little family to guide the xero into the world. 

Moving him in had been quite easy, as he only had a few items that weren't already in Qumula's home. Only his tool kit, workout gear, and legal documents were missing from Qumula's home, and that was quickly rectified. Given that she had a large home to her name, Qumula was able to give Tessle his own fully furnished room, it even had a bathroom with a shower/bath. 

On his first day home, Tarovain and Matevain had brought out every board and video game they owned so they could play with Tessle, even roping Qumula into a few rounds of each game. They played everything they possibly could fit into the day; One Moon Ultimate Shapeshifter, Senseless Centaurs, Volan Trap, Settlers of Ratac, and any video games that allowed for 3 person cooperation. 

Each time, it only took Tessle a couple of rounds to fully grasp the game, and start playing without needing the rulebook, even winning a couple rounds by himself. 

During the time the little ones played, Qumula had taken it upon herself to ensure that Tessle would start learning all about the outside world now that his care was fully in her paws. Finding other sponsors with their own xeros, places and others that she knew and trusted to let him see all the beauty of their world. 

Reality had washed over Qumula like a blanket. She was Tessle's mother, at first just through the unspoken trust and love between the pair, and now legally. Qumula had to calm herself after a moment, returning her focus to her current objective; making dinner for her family of four.