Noyiah awoke from a nightmare, the walls of her apartment were black with the shadows casted by her curtains and lack of light, she felt the gentle breath of Kazimir next to her.  She untangled herself from the blanket as gently as possible, trying not to disturb Kaz, they had been up late the night before.  A quick glace at a clock told her it was about 3 in the morning.  Rubbing her eyes softly she let her eyes adjust to the lack of light as she sat on the edge of the bed.

She got up and grabbed a cup and got a drink from the kitchen sink.  Before moving to the kitchen table where she had a copy of the files and cases she had been working on. It felt like another sleepless night. The stress from the rune knights was eating her up a bit. Pulling a cigarette from the package on the table she instinctively went to light it and remember Kazimir was still sleeping. Putting it back down she went through her files again and again, it was closer to 6 am when she decided to give up on any sleep she might be getting tonight.
Getting ready for the day, she wore casual clothes, a purple sweater, she had met Kazimir in had made its way back into rotation.  She went to pick up her cup and bring it to the sink before returning to the table and put away her files.

She flipped the folder close, and then suddenly her eyes widened, she flipped it back open swiftly, the girl in this case was adopted, suddenly she felt a bunch of mental thoughts fall into place, her mind flooded with solutions to the problems she had been fighting with.  Grabbing all her folders and rushing out the door.  She had a lead and she was on the case again, this time she rushed down to the rune knight’s headquarters avoiding her morning routine of coffee, she had more pressing matters at hand.

She moved with purpose to her office space, she placed down her files and started shuffling through papers like a mad woman, by the end of the hour she had a new file case. She would look at it and think quickly, Kazimir might be upset by her rash and sudden decision.

She filled out the papers and then signed her name at the bottom, even if she wanted to discuss it with him first, every moment that iris was left in the cell was too long.

As Noyiah left the office she made her way to the holding cells where she would gently tap her knuckles against, the bar until iris woke up. After a moment of iris’s attention, she would slip the paper through the bars and a pen.

“I need you to sign this so I can submit it when the office opens” she said softly, not having the time to explain or for pleasantries.  If iris read the forum it was an adoption form that would bypass the rune knight’s authority, as it was addressed to the laws of the land and not within the jurisdiction of, the rune knights, as it was a royal matter.

Current Outfit:

Iris had been sleeping on her new hide blanket. The back was sturdy and heavy like leather, and the side she used was fuzzy and warm, like the thick fur of an animal that wanted to have someone sleep on it. it was a gift to her from a man in red in her dream, as she explained to some people, but, to most of the rune knights, they didn't seem to notice it. For Iris, it was like an enchanted thing that went in to the blind eye of anyone that meant her harm, as if it was made for her specifically!

Not only that, there was a book in the corner of the room, in pristine condition. A folded up winter hat, gloves, and socks. When Noyiah came to see Iris, she had her potato sack on her body as a blanket, and the actual blanket on the ground as a mattress. She at least got some good sleep for once. And as she rolled over when Noyiah came up, she shot up. Happy to see the woman who brought her pancakes!

When she looked at the form, and then at Noyiah, she furrowed her brow. "You...want to adopt me? Not knowing if I have parents, or, what problems I have? Even though I'm a criminal?" Granted, if this wasn't done soon, she would turn eighteen, and be considered a legal adult that could be properly punished to the full extent of the Rune Knights' discretion for magical criminals.

"Well...My parents died a long long time ago, most of my family is off elsewhere in the world, either working as actual thieves, slaves, or...worse." She mumbled while pressing her finger to the sheet, her name magically appearing on it in a perfect signature, her signature, made with letter magic.

"Noyiah, right? Thank you...for everything, really. But, you know you're getting yourself in to a lot more than the rune knights, right?"

Noyiah had back up plans now, as she fished out another Sheet as she mentioned Parents “ I didn’t know if you had any, but I imagined that if they were around they would have done something about your current situation” as she pulled form her bag a paper to dismiss her parents of their Responsibly of Iris.  “besides everyone has their own problems and troubles that come with them, but I’m Resourceful if not anything.  And Criminal is a Strong word, your Crime is fairly victim less from what I understand.

Iris made a comment about her parents having passed away, something that actually eave Noyiah a Bit of reassurance, she wasn’t sure how to deal with Iris’s Parents if they suddenly showered up demanding her. So the fact that they weren’t in the picture made this all the easier on Noyiah, but she still looked a little remorseful as she said “I’m sorry to hear that, and for your loss, but you have had enough taken from you, its time someone gave you something”

Noyiah nodded as she watched the magic Signature appeared “Noyiah Dashi “She said with a smile “ id do it a hundred times over if only to make sure you have everything you need.” Noyiah said endearingly She would offer her hand out for the papers using her spare hand to open her satchel and reinsert the other papers she had prepared just encase.  “If I can get this to the courts as they open you might be free by this afternoon, how does that sound?” she asked knowing well what the answer likely would be.

Noyiah had noticed the fur pelt but didn’t question it, she hoped that maybe someone else had been trying to aid Iris because of the cold spout of weather that started and didn’t plan on letting up.

This was definitely rushed, and Noyiah didn’t even have time to talk to Kazimir about her Decision, and she hoped that he would understand, if he wanted to help her as much as she did then hopefully, he would warm up to the idea fast.

If Iris did give the forum over to Noyiah she would give a slight wave, tussle her hair playfully and then head towards the door “Sorry to run off after such a awakening but the sooner the better right?” she asked already starting down the hall before iris would be able to give an answer that she didn’t have to yell out.

At this point she would be heading directly to the courthouse to get this pushed through with her charm, wit and bribery if it came to it.

Iris would just furrow her brow at the woman. Well, her file said she was in possession of priceless gems that belonged to the nobility of the Pergrande Kingdom, and a magic item that was regarded as illegal for the power it wielded and the implication of what it could do to the people it touched by phasing through them. But that wasn't important, what was important was that this woman and her significant other wanted to play parents to Iris, who didn't exactly like the idea of parents, but found it to be the lesser of two evils if it meant she could be in a real bed.

So, to fulfill her own selfish desires on this, she signed, and explained a bit about herself. When apologized to about her parents, she just shrugged, dismissing it completely without much said other than, "Eh." As Noyiah would leave though, she just pressed her face to the bars of the cell, trying to watch the woman who would be her adoptive mother for a year walk away.

Arms hanging out from between the bars, she thought about it, thinking she was only doing this for a year until she turned in to an adult. Her thought process going to a less than favorable line of thought. SHe didn't trust anyone, not even herself. Just, to rely on instincts. She bumped her head on the bars multiple times, trying to assure herself that she was overthinking it. There was no way someone would want to treat her nice for a short time period, just to yank it away out of malice. She and Kaz did seem to really care about helping her.

Her mind didn't stop though, it was like there was a voice that kept assuring her that there was some sort of a plot against her. Reaching to the back of her neck as the pain got to her, she rubbed over the rune knight symbol printed back there.

There was a lot more going on behind the scenes of the behind the scenes for Iris, and now Noyiah and Kazimir were gonna get roped in to it. "I'm so sorry." She whispered to someone that wasn't there, already knowing it might be too much for the three of them, and it was all her fault for trying to self serve and get some comfort for a little bit.

Noyiah pushed herself as she made her way to the courthouse, it opened almost right as she got there and she was determined to get this processed.  As soon as the lock clicked open and the man opening for the day unlocked the door Noyiah went in, giving a nod of Application towards him as she went directly to the front desk.  Presenting the papers to the Secretary who looked them over and then placed them down into a folder and submitted them onto a pile of other files. “Thanks” she acknowledged as she went to sit down on the bench and wait to be called in.  

At First Noyiah sat anxiously waiting, going over all of what she could remember to formulate a statement which indicated exactly what she wanted to portray.  After a Few hours of waiting she noticed that a few of the other cases had been worked through, and that she was next in line, but about the same time she noticed that the Judge left for lunch and would be back in a hour.

Noyiah sighed and then confirmed with the secretary that the judge went for lunch, once she knew for sure she wouldn’t be helped she went to grab a cup of coffee and a sandwich from a nearby vendor, having not eaten and basically running right to the rune knight’s headquarters was not part of her usual routine. But she got that bit of caffeine and the food she needed, and was back well before the judge, waiting again as she brushed up on her key points.

After about another half an hour She was called to the courtroom, where she took the stand and offered out “Good After noon your honor, I have come to you today to appeal the case that is held against Iris DuPage, soon to be Iris Dashi-DuPage.

“on What grounds do you have to represent her?” the Judge asked.
“Your Honor I am now Legal Guardian, and I would like to review the evidence that was used to incarcerate. . .”Noyiah fished for the right word for a second as she decided upon what felt right “ Incarcerate my daughter” Before this point Noyiah wouldn’t have been able to get any of the files needed to fight off the real case, only enough to learn a bit about iris.

“ you have recently became legal guardian?” he asked as he pulled the case papers up in front of him and look at Noyiah.
“ Yes your honor, I wish to appeal her current sentence, as of right now she is not old enough to be her own guardian and thus, is under the care of the Rune knights until she is of age to be properly trialed.  I would like to invoke my right as Guardian to keep her at my residence, until she is ready for her trail after her 18th birthday.”  Noyiah responded short and concisely, seeing as this judge seemed to be the sort for no nonsense she didn’t feel the need to try and Persuade him further.

The Judge looked at Noyiah and then to the case again before asking “ Ms Dashi, you are asking that we put a dangerous Criminal into your care, so she can . . ?” he Asked Sternly.  

“ I am a Rune knight myself sir, and I am qualified to tend to prisoners and I don’t believe she is dangerous, I believe she is misunderstood.”

The judge took a moment to consider this before her placed her hand together. “ You realize that if she flees or causes any issues in her time before she is eighteen,  these penalties fall onto you, and they will be to the fullest extent of the law”.
Noyiah nodded softly “ I understand your Honor,  given her treatment over the past few months I do no believes she will cause issues, her time in her cell has given her an appreciation towards a life of Nomocracy.”

“Be this as it may, Ms. Dashi, we need a bit more reassurance before I can make a ruling”

Noyiah took a deep breath, her mind still focused on helping with every fiber of her being “ I will take her place in the event she makes a run for it, and I will personally send the Rune knights out for immediate execution.  And I will Repay her Debt to society.”

The judge Looks at Noyiah Questionably for a moment and then picks up his Gavel “I suppose you have made your mind up about this, as you certainly prepared a defense for anything I have to say,  I wish you luck and release Iris Dashi-DuPage into your custody.”  He Bangs the Gavel down and a wave of relief washed over Noyiah for a moment. “you will have to wait for the release papers to be drawn up, my secretary will have them within the next few hours. Best of luck to you, don’t let anything happen or we will put her right back in the Rune knights Care.”

Noyiah nodded and softly said “ Thankyou Your honor”. She stood up bowed to the judge and headed out of the courtroom to return to the lobby, which had filled up with more and more people, she sat in the lobby until she heard her name called out to get the papers for Iris’s Release.

Taking the papers, she thanked the secretary and headed towards the rune knights headquarters.   Triumphantly she walked up the hill and to the entrance. She wouldn’t waste any time  before she headed directly to Iris’s Cell, where she placed the papers against the bars.   It was closer now to dinner, but all her time and effort wasn’t wasted yet.

While Noyiah was taking care of all of this, iris was going about her daily duties. Just like she always did. From one chore to the next. Of course, they were putting her through the ringer. She moved slower because of those draining cuffs on her body. That didn't stop them from having her work the harder jobs of moving in fresh supplies that were shipping in, by hand. Without any tools. However, it was clear that there was power that belied her body. And the more work she did with those cuffs, on, they would be sorry when they came off.

After that it was paper work duty and fixing the errors of others. By the time Noyiah arrived, iris was busy in the mess hall, finishing up her duties of cleaning the dishes of others, while two in particular, Ignatio and Augustus, had come to dump off two spare plates, full of uneaten food. They had gotten it, just to put it in front of poor Iris. She looked at them with disdain.

"Look, think she wants to eat some? Should we give her some?"
"I dunno, it's not part of her current meal plan, yet, somehow, someone got her some food from outside. She's been sooooo great to get someone to give her soup!"
"Oh oh oh you're right! That just means, she's good with bread from now on, clearly, she's gotten the jackpot she needed!!"

Both glared at her when she opened her mouth to speak, and she just sighed and went back to work. Not even thirty seconds after Noyiah had gotten to Iris' cell, did Iris start coming down the stairs, looking at the woman who would be her mother. "Oh hey you're back already." She said while opening the door to her own cell, and went right inside to sit down, only to stop and look at the paper from her side of it.

"Wait, this, so, you're saying that...You mean?" She was at a loss for words right now. Poor thing.  As soon as she was getting ready to come to the cell door, she just stopped herself, "S-So what happens now? Do I finally get these cuffs off? Do I get to leave with you?"

Noyiah would adjust as she seen the cell was empty but spotting Iris she attempt to holding the paper upright for her to read, but dropped it pinning it to the bars instead of giving it up like she wanted.. “Yep, and with good news.”

She let Iris Read it to Discover for herself what it meant. And when the sudden realization came to her, Noyiah nodded, holding her own tears back, but her eyes started to tear up a bit.  She did her best not to hide her excitement for Iris.  

With her hesitation Noyiah looked at her and then pondered the question herself, she had legal rights to Iris now, and she was by all Rights her Daughter, but she couldn’t just walk her out quite yet. A genuinely happy smile appeared at Noyiah’s Lips as she turned and placed a hand to her chin, faking that she was thinking playfully. “I guess we will just have to see ourselves.” She would offer her hand out for Iris to take. “let’s go have a little chat with the captain, I know he’s normally around his office around now. “

Noyiah would wait for Iris to take her hand or at least start walking with her, before heading to the captain’s office.  The door was closed, but Noyiah would knock on the door, rasping her knuckles against the wood by the handle and waited for any sound at this point she would chime out “Its Noyiah Dashi, might we enter?, it pertains to Iris DuPage” She said  saving the shocking news for when face to face.

The Captain lets out a loud audible sigh and then says “Come in” in an aggravated tone.

Noyiah would open the door and let Iris in first, she that she may be seen before Noyiah would appear right behind her placing the document on the desk for him to see. “we are here about the release of Former prisoner 014482, Iris Dashi-DuPage, on the grounds the offences cant be held against a minor, as if they were an adult.

The captain looked at the paper and then Frowned as he read further,  the anger starting to build up as the man seemed to turn more and more red.

Iris reached for Noyiah's hand when it was offered, but recoiled, backing up a couple of steps before she walked out on her own, still a bit iffy on just trusting someone yet, or taking any sign of affection. Instead, she would walk next to Noyiah, instead of behind her, as they got up tot he first floor and made a B line for the captain's office on the second floor. As they went up the stairs she muttered, "I've never been up here. Wow."

As they got to the captain's office, and she followed in, she could see the look change on his face from annoyed to mildly infuriated just a little bit. "No one gives a crap about if she's a minor or not, she had the possessions of nobility of a foreign country, STOLEN POSSESSIONS Dashi! But, fine, you want her, you can have her, but we're keeping an eye on things." He said while storming from behind his desk, grabbing a hold of Iris by the wrists.

Stumbling out of surprise, she found her bindings were pressed to with a magic key, only for them to drop down suddenly, clanging on the floor noisily. Informed that she was technically no longer a rune knight, her tattoo would have to be removed, something Iris put her hand over her neck gently, gulping a bit. It didn't hurt to get it removed, but, she was afraid of what was under it.

As she was basically freed due to a technicality in the law, Iris would be more than nervous, fearing for Noyiah, a little more than visibly nervous about it all. As the captain would angrily sit back behind his desk, he would dismiss them both.

Outside of the office, Iris was nervously poking her fingers together, "Do you think they're gonna just, let us go? I'd like to get out of here as fast as possible though." She said softly.

Noyiah took no offence to iris withdraw from her, it was perfectly reasonable, though Noyiah had only the best intentions towards iris she couldn’t fault her for the fear that this was at trick or that it was going to fail. As they reached the second-floor iris made a comment about never having been on the second floor, Noyiah nodded, she only came up to submit papers to her superiors, but she hadn’t even seen the inside of the offices up here yet, this would be a new experience for them both.

Noyiah’s resolve was unshakeable in this situation, the loud captain yelled out at them. “if you truly believe that then you’re a fool. . . but understood Sir” she said afterwards shaking her head, letting her temper get the better of her, initially she wanted to let his words fall on deaf ears, but they were heard, and they quickly made Noyiah socially aggressive. Her words luckily went unprotested as he walked around and unlocked her shackles and her tattoo faded away. “she will remain in service to the Magic Council but will not be taking any missions I don’t approved of as her guardian. Sir”

The chief grumbled away and dismissed them with an angry point of his fingers out the door, as to signify ~GET OUT~ Noyiah bowed her head and back out of the office, it was a rush, she felt revigorated, she challenged the system and was able to help iris through a loop hole she had found. She noticed that Iris seemed Nervous about the situation, but Noyiah understood that this must have been difficult for her, she went from Subhuman to an equal in a matter of hours and she didn’t get much time to adjust.

Noyiah glanced over to iris when she asked about if they would just let her go. “ we will have to see, I don’t think they can stop you, and if they do then we will likely have to share a cell” she joked, realizing quickly that it was in bad taste she immediately corrected herself “ sorry that was in poor taste, they would have to charge me with something and have it stick, but seeing as the captain released you I can direct them to him and he will take the fall before we do.”

She would lead Iris down the hall towards the main exit. Silencing the Receptionist with a glare, they knew how mean first hand she could be if they filed their paperwork wrong and one could just imagine how mean Noyiah could get about a person. from there she would walk Iris anywhere she might want to go. asking " do you have any spare cloths or anything?" if she answered no then noyiah would turn them towards the shopping district to pick her out new things. if she said yes they would head home and get them tomorrow

The moment they were out of the office and Noyiah said that they can't stop her, Iris rolled her arms back for once in a long while and craned her neck to the left and right, getting her magic back slowly for once, "No, they can't." She reaffirmed, the thought donning on her that she wasn't going to be weighed down suddenly anymore, and the moment she was free from them and down to the main floor, many of the knights were gathering, talking among themselves while Iris walked out without looking to the left or right, just looking ahead, to the future.

"No, I just have the things in my cell, and this sack." SHe tugged on the discarded potato sack that was her current outfit. While Noyiah worked on the paper work, Iris went downstairs, and gathered her things, tucking them all in to the potato sack that doubled as her first bed. Coming back out with that big blanket of hers wrapped around it all, the perfect thing to carry it all. As she came to the entrance with her adoptive mother, she was about to make a joke, but, someone stood in their way.

"Ignatio." A lot of them said behind the duo. Iris looked up at the man who came through the doors. He was easily eight foot eight. And, with how this world's anatomy worked, he had more of a blocky and angled face and physique, like he was literally chiseled out of stone.

"What's going on? You're free to go? You're getting something you don't really deserve you little thief? Very well then, I'm fine with letting you go, with a parting gift." He reared back and readied a large fist, large by his standards even, of stone, ready to come back and give Iris one final full body punch. However, for all the size he had and intimidation, there wasn't much bite to the bark when Iris was already getting her strength back.

The next thing anyone knew, Ignatio was off the floor, hoisted up by that stone gauntlet by a girl more than three feet smaller than him. Setting him down on the other side of her and Noyiah, she would walk out the door, the girl's power a bit on display, as if she was trying to give a metaphorical flex to these people. She grinned for the first time in the longest time as she walked outside, muttering to Noyiah, "That was so fun to do."

"So, where's home now? what floor am I gonna sleep on?" She asked, unaware she would be getting a bed, and a father along side this all!

Though Noyiah didn’t approve the actions of Iris, it was effective, and she wouldn’t try and discuss it at this time. As they left to the outside the sun was setting, just a sliver of it was left disappearing rapidly below the landscape, their height on the hill giving them just enough vantage to see a glimpse of it.

Iris’s question was a valid one, though Noyiah was a little nervous about the next interaction to come. She didn’t have a lot of room in her apartment, and she currently shared it with Kazimir, now they really would have to get a move on looking for a new home.

“it’s about a thirty-minute walk away, I’m near the south gates” she mentioned, as she lead Iris down the hill.” But before we go there, we should get you some basic things like a toothbrush, a comb, your own cloths and a towel, and Ice cream to celebrate the next length of our Journey.” She suggested as they made it to the bottom of the hill, Noyiah would turn towards the merchant’s district. It wasn’t as lively as usual as the cold weather mixed with the sun going down earlier made people head inside earlier then usual.

As they went through the market, Noyiah would Purchase anything that iris might want, it would det her back but she had expendable income at the time, her bills were set aside and she was looking to get the new place soon.

After they got ice-cream or whatever else they agreed on as a toasting moment. Noyiah would lead Iris back to her house, explain that she would get a key made up for her and then show her about her small apartment, Pulling the Couch out into a bed, she would say “I’m sorry it’s not much, we are thinking about moving to something more spacious. “she explained offering to hug her while saying “ Welcome to your home”

She would let Iris get familiar with the small studio apartment, as she put on some Tea and would hang out with her for the evening.
[exit]