"Forgive me, I need to use the restroom. You can use this time to discuss my situation with Cecelia." I told Halcation as I got up from our dinner table.

  The restroom was nothing unusual... I already accepted my fate in my third day of being a girl so my ordeal was nothing.

  ... I now understood why girls in school both went to the restroom and took longer than the guys did... What I didn't understand was their group mentality - honestly that was probably what I feared most...

  ... Ahem—I did what I needed to do, washing my hands before leaving the washroom to go back to our dinner table meeting.

  "...—be a little understanding of Alicia's situation." I came in to hear that... Well—err...

  Cecelia took a gnce at me before nodding to Halcation...? Err—whatever; I suppose I did tell him to expin to Cecelia my situation and memory loss.

  I was sure I interrupted something they were conversing about, "Apologies for interrupting your discussion." I sat back down at the table next to Cecelia.

  We discussed our legal status with Halcation. Without our parents, we were to be given to our father's family; though no one from his side wished to cim us. I was at the age, 14, to decide some basic sense of direction for us, though... if I were a normal girl, I would do the sensible thing and ask Halcation to adopt us or request our mother's side to take us in. But—luckily, I had the benefit of and knowledge as the Imperial Counsel Advisor of Military and Justice - though only the Justice part really. I had to rigorously study the ins and outs of our country's ws and legal system, so I knew of choices that no normal 14 year old girl would know. An 'Emancipation of Legal Dependence', to cim myself as an adult in name. That would give me the ability as an adult to cim Cecelia as her 'guardian', as well as protecting our parents inheritance - and the Waltsia family payout. Though for this, I would have to end up going with Halcation to meet his friend who happened to know the legal work throughs of the Empire of Astera. Well—I suppose. I don't exactly have my legal license like I did before... and...

  ... ... ... I would have contacted my own contacts, but I figure doing so would arise suspicion if some random 14 year old girl suddenly contacted them... ... ...

  "It is a pleasure to meet you, Miss Teseia." What the heck is with all these familiar faces? I knew him too—, "My name is Ignation Kahad."

  "It—..." Err—, "Thank you for taking on Halcation's invitation to help me with my Emancipation of Legal Dependence, Mister Ignation." Of course I knew him, he was one of many accomplished legal officers we worked with.

  It was just me here with a meeting, and it sounds like Ignation probably didn't know the previous Alicia; so it was probably okay for me to appear to be a little bit more informed on the legal workings of this country than with Halcation.

  "Follow me to my office, I will need you to fill out some papers." Ignation turned and started walking - I hurried behind him trying to keep up. Eventually I caught up beside him, "I have to say, you sure did your research."

  "Thank you, I..." What exactly would I say without arising suspicion? "... looked into all my options... and I think this is the best one for me."

  We arrived at the door to his office, "Not many would know they even have that choice, so I commend you for looking into your options. Come in - we can discuss this in finer details." Ignation held the door open for me.

  "Thank you." I thanked him with a courteous bow before entering the room.

  Ignation ushered me to take a seat on a chair at his desk, "I am aware you are seeking to apply for an Emancipation of Legal Dependence, so I would like to discuss with you the points that are easy, and the points that aren't - and which may result in the rejection of your appeal." He sat down on his side of the desk filled with paperwork and pulled out a clipboard with papers on it from the pile with perfect precision, "I assume you have the basic stuff needed with you?"

  I nodded and took out a carefully tended binder with all my documents, "Here." I took out my documents and showed them to Ignation.

  "Hmm—okay." He looked at my documents one by one before putting them onto another clipboard, "Having these documents is good. Though I'll need to discuss with you the financial aspect of being an—,"

  "Here." I took out a piece of paper that held various spreadsheets on it - my financial pn. I spent all of yesterday evening writing it after asking Halcation for more information on my parents will. "Will this suffice?"

  "Hmm..." Ignation took my financial pn, examining it... "... Brilliant. I commend you Miss Teseia." He said, "I'll need you to sign a few things still, but your Emancipation of Legal Dependence appeal should go retively smoothly and quickly."

  "Thank you." I took out a bck pen from my bag ready to sign the Privacy Disclosure Act forms. Soon enough, Ignation handed me two of them - one for my Emancipation of Legal Dependence and the other for ciming the Waltsia Family payout.

  "I have to say, you are very calm; you seem almost too used to doing this. Would this perhaps be your first time in a legal firm Miss Teseia?" Ah—err...

  "I—I just—, I've read the process online!" I expined, "There was... someone said all of what I needed to have for it to go smoothly—and I simply just took everything they said to bring..." After saying that I only realized how much more suspicious that sounded...

  "I see..." Ignation looked at me...? "I'll say what I think ter, but please fill out the Privacy Disclosure Act forms. The forms simply state that we are using your personal information. And that we may make copies of papers or documents with your personal information, though it will stay private. Are there any concerns you have Miss Teseia?"

  I shook my head, "No concerns." I scanned through it to make sure it was the proper form and signed, "Here you go Mister Ignation."

  "Thank you." Ignation took the two forms I signed and put it with his clipboard, "Is it alright for me to make copies of your documents Miss Teseia?"

  I put my pen back into my bag, "Yes, you may Mister Ignation."

  Ignation stood, taking the clipboard that held my documents. "Please wait here, I will return shortly." After waiting for a bit, the door opened and Ignation returned, "Here are your original copies Miss Teseia." He held out my documents neatly for me to take.

  After putting all my documents back into my binder, Ignation took out a folder from the desk full of papers and put the copies of my documents in them. Honestly I had no idea how he kept track of all those documents, I just knew he had them organized somehow.

  "Thank you for coming Miss Teseia. I'll escort you out of the building." Ignation stood from his desk and walked to the door, holding it open for me.

  I stood from my chair, "Thank you." I walked out and waited for Ignation to lock his door before following beside him to the entrance of his building.

  "Honestly - it is hard to believe you are a 14 year old girl, Teseia." Ignation dropped his formal speech once we exited the building. "I know graduate students who aren't as prepared as you are. Although brief, I felt you were used to this work."

  "It's—," I put my hands in front of me and wave, "It's nothing—I've... I had to practice talking at home—I was afraid of what would happen if I failed..." Just pretend—,

  "Regardless, please take my business card. I did a quick review of your financial pn when I was copying your documents; I doubt you will be in trouble, but if you need any work at all, I will ensure the Ignation Legal Office pays for your education and secure you a job here."

  "I—," was at a loss—utterly shocked, "... thank you, Mister Ignation..." I took his business card simply to be polite.

  "There are some refining points, but your demonstration, preparedness, and composure are amazing; more so from one so young. You will do excellent as an independent young woman."

  "Ano—... thank you Mister Ignation..." I was embarrassed—it... truly is embarrassing to hear such praise as a girl...

  "I will inform you of when you have your legal status, but it was a pleasure working with you Miss Teseia."

  I held the hem of my dress and bowed courteously, "Yes—thank you Mister Ignation."

  It was on my mind for a while, "... school..."

  The date of the accident was on 933, First Half, Day 101-2, and today was Day 118-2, so... I missed 14 school days in total... I had no idea what school Cecelia went to though. Though I still needed to arrange our school situation - mine especially. Considering that I got my basic supplies like my handout, I need to see if I have my school uniform and see if Cecelia has her uniform.

  Life as an adult—I... felt frightened by that prospect. I've done plenty of stuff with potential consequences before, but now... there was no one to hold or guide my hands, and I had someone else that would suffer if I failed. Though—, "I can do it..." I told myself.

  Well—... I guess I should do the basics at least.

  Since I came back, I might as well check for our mail... eh...?

  "Thersia Junior High School of Higher Education...?" A letter—ah, so that's her school... That makes things easier.

  Alright, I'll arrange for us to start on the 124th day. That should give me enough time to pn what we need, see what we have, and contact our schools regarding our absences. Plus, Cecelia will be able to experience her first day of school.