To Glam's continued delight, more kissing sessions happen on the following days (when they're feeling like a boy). They haven't met her parents as her official boyfriend or girlfriend or whatever yet, and don't mind it too much.
News about Purity's escape surprises exactly no one, but the Protectorate's reputation suffers a blow because of the attack; after all, the heroes were beaten on their home turf. The PHO forums are abuzz, though rumors of Glam's death at the hands of Hookwolf (probably started by same) prove largely unfounded.
And Glam really should get to their webisodes and start building a steadier rep. And that's (one of the reasons) why they're in Lorica's workshop a few days later.
"So what should I do? I haven't posted anything since Purity, should probably make this more of a habit."
They go meet up with Transit, who's waiting by a window.
It occurs to them that they don't know Lorica's last name a second before they say 'Hi Mr. whatever,' and then it occurs to them that they're in costume anyway, so they settle with a "Hi."
Lorica and Transit get out of their armor and box it up and put it in a closet, first thing.
"Yeah, Mom!" calls Bella. "Brought Sadde!"
He looks at Transit, who's not Transit here, and smiles, then waits for the Bella-mom.
Bella squeezes Sadde's hand and leads him down the stairs. Transit, who probably has a name, follows after. (Sadde's shoulderbot goes in the closet with the armor.)
Bella's mom looks a lot like her and is pulling some kind of potato casserole out of the oven. "Hello!" she says. "It's so nice to meet you."
"Hi! It's really nice to meet you, too," Ms. I don't know your first or last name oh my god what do I do, be cool, be cool.
Unfortunately Sadde cannot project thoughts, and even if he could Bella would probably be immune to it.
"Great!" says Bella's mom. "Because that's what's for dinner, that and hot dogs and salad. Have a seat!"
Bella sits down and points out a chair for Sadde. "What's for dessert, Mom?"
Oh, okay, there's a subject he can actually contribute with, namely: his insatiable curiosity. "What are those?" he asks as he takes the seat and very much does not take Bella's hand in his, he can deal with his nervousness on his own, he'll probably even hurt her by squeezing too much and then Transit—what's his name?!—will send him to the Birdcage and then kill him-
"Wafer crust, buttercream middle, and melted chocolate on top. They're delicious."
Did that sound stupid? It sounded stupid. He looks at Bella, keeping the smile plastered on his face with the eyes of a hunted animal in front of a bird of prey.
Bella pats his knee reassuringly. "They're great, Mom makes them all the time."
Bella, meet spatula.
Bella serves herself casserole and accepts salad and takes a hot dog and digs in.
...his brain is going kaput now. Especially because, well, he's meeting his girlfriend's (obligatory pause for squealing about the fact that she's his girlfriend, Sadde still squeals internally about that fact) parents, and there's no conversation going on and he's not actually talking to them or meeting them it's just food! Sadde does not deal terribly well with a lack of conversation.
Once everyone has served themselves food Bella's mom fills this gap. "So Bella wasn't able to tell me very much about what you like to study in school because apparently you're very secret-identity about talking to each other there?"