Worst Cupid Ever

The Hearing [1]

"And for the final touch." Ada shook the spray can before drawing miniature wings and adding her initials in wispy lines.

"There." She stepped back and admired her work.

It turned out exactly as she pictured it in her head. Chibi art of all her favourite people. Even Raymond managed to get a spot, though he wasn't really one of her favourites. And she featured Luke on a whim at the farthest corner with a head that kinda resembled the poop emoji. Someone would have to look pretty closely to notice him among the colourful murals.

At the sound of a beep, she glanced at her logger screen and shut her eyes with a groan. Less than an hour.

She stuffed the spray can in her bag. The next stop was the drain portal. Teddy was waiting for her so they could head to the Northern Division together. Since he would be appearing as her defence, he had been super occupied.

Sadly, she had drawn blanks whenever she attempted to think up a good Contrite Statement to support her pardon request, so Teddy had helped her out. The fact remained that she had intentionally harmed humans as a cupid—something outside her line of duty. Oh, and her emotions had been very much involved that day; her senses were also complete. Place her in the same situation and she would repeat her actions without remorse.

"I thought I would find you here."

Ada turned in time to see Maya appear next to the gazebo. She strolled over with her focus on the graffiti. "This is beautiful, Adarosa."

"You think so?" Ada gave Maya a hopeful look. Her mild case of imposter syndrome never allowed her to be satisfied with any of her work.

Maya hugged Ada to her side, the soft material of her shirt rubbing against her cheek. "Absolutely. That's a very flattering artwork of us. Cute big heads and all."

Ada giggled and attempted to observe the graffiti with new eyes. They all wore goofy expressions and appeared squeezed in for a group selfie.

"Thank you." Feeling shy, Ada knocked the toe of her sneaker against the grassy lawn.

"But is that Luke I see in the corner?" Maya stepped forward to get a better view. After looking for a while, she slid a suspicious glance Ada's way. "You gave him a poop head."

"Um... is that what it looks like?" Ada made a show of observing the graffiti in confusion. "Must have been subconscious then."

Maya laughed. "This has the subtlety of a hammer, Adarosa,"

Ada pouted and kicked another spot on the ground. "I can... spray over it?"

"No need." Still chuckling, Maya shook her head. "I rather like it."

"Thanks." Ada beamed.

Maya held her hands at her back as her expression grew sober. "After we considered the hurt humans and how you protected your assignment, we came to a conclusion."

Ada's mood plunged. For a moment, she had forgotten she had a life-resetting hearing coming up. "By 'we' you mean..."

"Bo, Tasha, myself." Maya bent and placed a hand on Ada's shoulder. "We think you're part guardian."

That's it? Ada shrugged. "I already know."

"This may seem—" Maya blinked in surprise. "You know? How?"

"The One Up High told me."

Maya facepalmed and chuckled. "Why am I surprised? Of course, He told you. Why didn't you tell us?"

Ada shrugged again. "Donno... it didn't feel like particularly useful info, and I was too overwhelmed with everything to remember. Still overwhelmed."

"This makes me even more confident." Maya held her shoulder again, but this time her expression turned pleading. "During the hearing, do not feel like we're giving up on you."