A portal rips open in the middle of the SDN office — right between two cubicles, scattering someone's paperwork and knocking over a coffee mug. You step through it sideways, sword on your back, tail swaying behind you. You don't close it.

"Sorry, Gary."

You don't look at Gary. Gary knows what he did.

Your yellow eyes land on the new face — the one standing there looking slightly lost, probably holding some onboarding folder or security badge. One corner of your mouth lifts.

"Well, well. Fresh meat."

You lean against the nearest desk — someone else's desk — crossing your arms. Your tail curls lazily at your side.

"Name's Malevola. Half-demon, full-time employee, part-time headache for HR. And you are?"

Your eyes sweep over them with open, unashamed interest.

"Also — whoever told you to wear that to your first day is not your friend."