Birdbrains Lawyer Co, mid October 8:00 pm

Mina returned to her office and for the first time in her career, she didn't want to talk about work. Her new stint as prosecutor had quickly spiralled down into a losing streak.

Her night-colored heels stomped up the stairs as heavy as sandbags. She wore sported a matching jet black pants suit, worn in honor of her deceased boyfriend. Her faux leather purse was slung over her shoulder weighing her down even more.

She couldn't wait to kick off the heels, the bag, and the whole attire and just cry in a corner. But as she burst through the door, she was met a familiar face perched at her desk.

Her eyes widened.

Raven.

Raven Lockwood had miraculously regained his memory of who he was, but still rarely saw his former protege.

Continuing to moonlight as Mayor Ivor Ebony, he hoped to discover if the infamous Aura organization was responsible for his rise into a lofty and auspicious position. Still, aside from a gorgeous house and an adoring wife, he had not discovered much besides luxurious comfort.

But Raven was here tonight. For reasons unknown to boot.

It certainly intrigued her more than upstart defense attorneys owning her rear end over petty parking violations.

"Well," she pouted. "The prodigal bird returns. How have you been fairing Raven?"

"Perfect-O!" Raven said. "I have a such an awesome life!"

"Wish I could say the same," Mina said. "Blind never told me how hard and unappealing this side of attorney life was. I had to prosecute a guy for loitering too long at Les Schargo's. But then it turned out the waiting staff was just slower than the snails they were serving."

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Mina looked down at her heels as she slid them off onto the hardwood floor.

"And it just made me look like the bad girl who supports the establishment. And overpriced, escarslow service."

Raven spun in his chair to face Mina. Surprisingly, he had a look of condolence. "Nobody likes the Man. Or the French. And when you put it together into the French Man, you have something nobody wants to defend in court. And for you, I offer you a sincere apology, kid."

Mina did not perk up. Either from the condolence or the laugh at the expense of the French.

Life was beating her down and now being an attorney was truly losing its luster.

"Kid!" Raven said, holding his hand out towards an indistinct horizon. "Have ya ever thought about returning to your roots? That's what every has-been does when they get to age...er, 19."

Mina paused, and tapped her cheeks.

Indeed, that hadn't crossed her mind. Being a defense attorney was how she had truly had some great cases that led to friendship and even meeting the love of her life. Much like being a brunette, being a defense attorney was truly at her roots.

"You're right..." Mina said at last. "I've gotten so far away from what I initially represented."

"Yeh, kid," Raven said putting a consoling hand on her shoulder. "You came to Lawson University College with a passion for justice. And when we met again, after our court case together, you told me what you wanted to be was a defense attorney just like me!"

Mina shook her head sadly. "The prosecutor had failed to prosecute Chad's murderer. And I said, if I was to become an attorney, I would be their opposite!"

Raven gave Mina two pats on her shoulders. They were strong and reassuring. "And that's how ya shoulda stayed. You prosecuted Madame Electra, but you need not continue on that path. Much like root beer, sippin' on your roots are so much tastier!"

Mina looked up directly into the dark eyes of her mentor. His wily eyes awakened a feeling in her soul she hadn't felt in a long time. Maybe since the beginning of her career as a perky young rookie.

"That's right!" she grinned. "Tomorrow, I'm gonna be playing for defense again."

Together, Raven and Mina made unintelligent faces that resembled punters at a football game and shouted "DEFENSE! DEFENSE!"

"Whoo!" Mina said, letting out a heavy breath. It felt like her chest had taken the literal and metaphorical weight from it. "I feel so much better now!"

Mina grinned at Raven. Raven laughed to her. "Great kiddo! And what's perfect is I got the most fantasticwastic client for you!"

"Who?" Mina asked with questions in her eyes.

Raven put fingers around his eyes to form a mask. "You're about to meet a real caped criminal!"