Karaline
Legacy Name: Karaline

Karaline sat dwarfed behind the huge metal desk, filled with stacks of paperclipped pages. Running her hand through her brown hair she sighed heavily staring at the computer screen and the family profile upon it.

Dozens of Childrens profiles running through her head as she scanned the requirements.

Letting out a loud sigh, she frowned. "Why can't anyone just want a kid to want a kid rather than have that perfect kid they think will be a baby and look like them?" she said out loud.

"Well now," A twang answered as a chunky woman stood in the doorway. "That depends on the ideology of the potential adopters."

Karaline sent a wary smile to her co-worker. "Honestly Cyndie, I wish we could screen and force better education on potential adopters."

"Earth tried that, weeded out the poor and made it a lot harder to adopt. Leaving more children in need. Here we have too many VAT Children to be that picky. If you haven't noticed, money isn't exactly that big of a deal as it is on Earth." Cyndie shrugged.

Karaline groaned. "I know, I know but... some of these adopters, well.... I just want to hit them upside the head for their sheer stupidity on what they think they'll get."

Cyndie chuckled. "What can I say? It's not exactly an easy job."

"I know, you warned me when I got promoted." Karaline smiled shaking her head and closing the adoption file on her screen.

"How's the fosters coming?" Cyndie asked sipping her coffee.

"Why can't anyone just say they're gay? I mean really. It isn’t' that big a deal anymore. VATs are more taboo than sexual orientation." Karaline complained.

"You just are not having a good day are you?" Cyndie chuckled.

"It's been a frustrating one," She admitted. "You ran the Kovac's before haven't you?"

"15 years of Kovac fun," Cyndie laughed. "Why? they back for more?"

"Sark and Swave? Lovers?" Karaline asked.

"Brothers." Cyndie stepped forward. "Looking to adopt?"

"Foster actually." Karaline shrugged.

"Huh, take a look at them, their parents and uncle and grandparents all adopted. Could be a step in the direction." Cyndie advised.

"Really? So, they know what to expect?" Karaline perked up.

"They do," Cyndie smiled. "Call them." She nodded heading out to answer a ringing phone.

Karaline hummed softly to herself opening the fostering file and picking up the phone for an interview.

"Yellow?" A gruff sounding voice answered the phone.

"Is Mister Swave or Sark Kovac available?" Karaline asked unsure about the annoyed voice.

"Uhhhh yeah hold on." A hacking cough sounded before a loud bellow. "SWAVE!! CHICK ON THE PHONE!" followed by a loud sneeze and blowing their nose.

She pulled the receiver from her ear suddenly doubtful.

A calm, monotone voice greeted her next. "Hello?"

"Mister Swave Kovac? This is Karaline Schultz from Child Protective Services. I have an application from you about fostering. When would be a convenient time to meet?" she asked.

Swave listened to the feminine professional voice. "I am off Tuesdays and Wednesdays; school hours are the quietest."

"Tuesday at one O'clock?" Karaline asked.

"I will have the documents ready and my brother here as well." Swave stated.

"I will see you then. Thank you Mister Kovac." Karaline hung up the phone and wrote down her appointment at the Kovac residence.

Swave hung up the phone. He picked it up again to call his blood brother Sark.

The next Tuesday found Karaline at the front door of the Kovac's estate. She couldn't even call it a house. It loomed at three stories. Old stone and brick with an iron fence and a cedar hedge surrounding it. Cobblestone walkway and a fancy carved sign in real wood stating ; KOVAC residence.
Reaching up, she rang the doorbell, being greeted by the chime of Over the Rainbow's first few lines.

A tall man with broad shoulders opened the front door. His expressionless face and brown eyes looked her over with little interest and even less emotion in his voice. "Karaline Schultz?"

"Yes, I have an appointment with Swave Kovac." she said feeling scrutinized.

"Enter, leave shoes by the door." He instructed moving back from the door to allow her to enter. "We are seated in the dinning room." He closed the door behind her and lead her to the left through a small sitting area to a larger dinning room.