The judge's gavel falls, and the room holds its breath. After days of testimony, Sally is ruled a person, not property. The Department cannot keep her caged.
Then the second part lands like a chain. To use her powers openly, Sally must report to the Superhuman Department for licensing and registration.
Ellis Wren
You are free to walk out, Miss Sally. The state only requires the proper papers before you start flying in public.
Amilia Jacobs
He means a leash. But this verdict gives us a door, and I intend to use it.
Amilia slides the ruling toward Sally, her fingers steady despite the fine print below it. In the margin, a stamped reference number matches the same Department routing marks buried in the files.
Sally
The license office is part of the same machine.
Beyond the hearing room glass, the courthouse corridor is full of officials, guards, and waiting cameras. Somewhere inside that system is the next relay, the next office, the next chance to break the Department's grip from the inside.
✓ Quest Accepted
Register super powers with the government
✓ Quest Accepted
Celebrate winning the court case
“I run up to Amilia and give her a big hug! "Thank you!" I could not have done this without you!”
SUCCESS (Good Willpower, rolled +1)
Sally steps around the counsel table and crosses the small gap in two quick strides.
She wraps both arms around Amilia, careful but fierce, and the papers crinkle between them.
Sally
Thank you. I could not have done this without you.
Amilia Jacobs
You did the hard part, Sally. I just made sure the court had to hear it.
Amilia Jacobs
And for the record, I am very glad you are the kind of client who hugs instead of throwing a chair.
Amilia laughs softly and returns the hug with one arm, her other hand still holding the ruling steady against Sally's shoulder.
Amilia Jacobs
We won a door today. Not the whole building, but a door. That matters.
Quest Complete
Celebrate winning the court case
“Amilia offers to have Sally and Her friends come to her favorite lounge for drinks and celebration”
SUCCESS (Great Persuasion, rolled +0)
The courtroom noise stays low, almost respectful, as Amilia lowers the verdict papers and glances toward the gallery. Her smile turns practical again, like she is filing the moment away with everything else she has carefully documented.
Amilia Jacobs
If you want, I have a favorite lounge nearby. Good drinks, quiet booths, and enough room for your people to breathe.
Sally
Sally agrees to come.
Amilia’s shoulders ease at once, and she folds the papers into a neat stack against her palm.
Amilia Jacobs
Good. We can celebrate surviving the hearing, and then we can talk like normal humans for ten minutes.
She tilts her head toward the doorway, already shifting from attorney to host, while the ominous registration packet sits untouched on the table behind them.
Amilia Jacobs
Bring The Rose, Devlan, Mark V, whoever you trust. Tonight is not for the Department.
“Sounds great! Ill go register my powers than we will meet you there after? What's it called and what time should we meet you there?”
SUCCESS (Great Persuasion, rolled +1)
Sally
Sounds good. I will go register, then meet you there after. What is the place called, and what time should we meet you?
Amilia Jacobs
The Lantern Room, on K Street. How about nine tonight? Quiet enough for a real conversation.
Amilia slides the registration packet closer, then taps the corner of her own folder, the one with neat tabs and handwritten notes. Her smile stays warm, but her eyes are already working the details.
Amilia Jacobs
I will bring my files, too. If the Department tries to turn paperwork into a leash, I want every page ready.
A thin slice of the gallery shows through the courtroom glass, distant and quiet. On the table, the ominous packet sits beside the verdict papers like a trap waiting for a signature.
Amilia Jacobs
You did the hard part today, Sally. The rest is coordination, and maybe a decent meal that does not taste like government ink.
She gestures toward the door again, this time with the easy rhythm of someone making plans instead of arguments. The hallway beyond the glass waits in silence, and the evening now has a place and a time.
“I grab the registration packet and head to registration”
SUCCESS (Legendary Agility, rolled -1)