[h3]Morning[/h3]
[hr]
Theris woke to a gentle chorus of hisses, each one a little melody from her eight loyal companions. She blinked, stretching, and looked up at the slithering bundle on her head. “Good morning, everyone,” she murmured, reaching up to give each of them a gentle pat. One of her snakes was looking across the room, her head raised and focused, as if confirming that all was well for Theris to start her day.

Another one darted back and forth, her hisses curious and quick, clearly eager to know what the day would bring. Theris smiled. “Just another normal day, Isela.” she murmured, and Isela flicked her tongue in what Theris took as excited approval. Then, a low, warning hiss sounded near her left ear. Xena, with her piercing yellow eyes, was coiled and ready to give a death stare to anyone who might cross Theris today. “Don’t worry, Xena,” Theris whispered, “The manager is still out, so nothing to worry about. But I appreciate the backup.”

A soft rustling brought her attention to Kaki, who had somehow managed to slip down her shoulder and was eyeing a muffin on her nightstand. Theris sighed, picking up the muffin just before Kaki could snag a bite. “Don’t worry, Kaki. I’ll feed you all soon.” she said with a laugh, gently nudging her back into place.

Then, another snake, the most vibrant of all, slithered forward, lifting her head as she gave Theris’s reflection a long, critical hiss. Theris knew that tone all too well. “Yes, Neiko, I know. Not the blazer.” Neiko gave an approving flick of her tongue, and the other snakes seemed to listen intently, as though fashion advice was a sacred ritual.

“Alright, alright,” Theris chuckled, “the cream dress, then.” She slipped into the dress, smoothing it over and making sure her hair-snakes wouldn’t get tangled in the fabric. Neiko gave a soft, approving hiss, which Theris took as her stylish seal of approval.
A faint, slow hiss sounded near the back of her head as Kisses finally stirred from her sleepy daze, only to rest her head against Theris’s shoulder, half-dozing again. Theris gave her a gentle pat, while Pippin—the affectionate one—wound herself around Kisses, giving soft, comforting hisses as if to say, “Go on, sleep in; I’ll keep you warm.”

Theris approached the fridge where she kept the mice for her snakes. Kaki immediately snagged one and swallowed it whole, making Theris chuckle. She fed all of them one mouse each, having to wake up Kisses so that she would also get her meal. One snake, Sheila, was a bit reluctant to eat a mouse, but Theris’s comforting words, and Kaki’s threat of stealing her meal, made her also swallow the mouse.
With a last look in the mirror, Theris took a deep breath, feeling bolstered by her little crew. She straightened up, her eight companions arranged elegantly and snugly around her head and shoulders.

“Thank you, everyone,” she murmured, smiling at the mirror. She was about to head out of the door when suddenly, Layla gave a warning hiss. “Oh right.” Said Theris, quickly grabbing and putting on the pair of glasses that she kept near the door. “Can’t go to work without this.”
As she headed out the door, ready for whatever the day had in store, she knew she wasn’t alone—her little team of protectors, critics, and sleepyheads would be with her every step of the way. She descended to the ground floor, greeting every resident she met along the way. She made her way back to the first building and into the entrance area. This was where her office was located, right next to the front desk that was usually manned by Max the human.

She looked at the time. It was still a bit early for Max’s shift to begin, so she manned the front desk herself. Layla moved herself to the top of the pile of snakes and kept an eye on the surroundings as well. “Alright ladies. It’s time to work.”