Loli held the phone tightly, mouth dry. It was the same old story, every time. When their mother called they were always ready to hear the same things;

'Why don't you have kids yet?
'Did you meet anyone nice?'
'I'm going to die before you give me grandkids!'

It stung, and after years it began to wear them down. Carefully, Loli considered their options. They could ask their mother to buzz off, but that wouldn't go well. They could lie, but then the next day their mother would be at their doorstep, demanding details. They could just imbue.

That thought left their heart pounding. They didn't really want kids, but someone out there must, right? What if they imbued but then kept their distance? Had the child raised by the other parent and allow their mother to pop in here and there? That'd be good enough, right? Loli asumed that'd be good enough, and then they'd help someone else get what they want and shut their mother up.

It was a win win.

Sighing softly, Loli interrupted their mothers long tirade with a soft; "I have to go, mom."