Careful not to jostle the mouse off, Seph crossed to her desk, dropped a couple of pieces of parchment to the floor, and gently toed the remains onto it. With her mouth twisted in disgust, she picked up the parchment and the remains and put it on her desk. Nebbles sat proudly with her chest puffed out and one fang peeking out of her mouth.

"Good job, Nebbles. Your gift-giving mission to your favorite princess is accomplished, and it was executed flawlessly." I gave her a ...