After a rather unfortunate but essential meeting with the former Korean pop star turned hypnotist, Mina returned home and spent the whole night practicing the de-hypnotizing K-Pop moves. She was lucky that Star actually wanted to help her, and they both performed the synchronized moved that Sigh had taught them. They were quite unfortunate and outdated, more resembling a forgotten internet meme than anything majestic, but at least they'd be the half cure for Raven's dire case of hypnosis.

When she finally said goodnight to Star, she puzzled her mind over the other half of the riddle: the phrase that would unlock Raven's mind.

What was the most important thing to him?

Was it singing loud and obnoxious takes on long forgotten disco hits? Or eating unfortunate combinations of pumpernickel and pickle sandwiches with extra horse radish? His ambiguously campy nature and mannerisms?

The thought of his ex Rita O'Law crossed her mind, but it couldn't be. They absolutely despised each other and she was more like to put the vice grip on his manhood than give him a warm embrace. She tossed and turned on Star's pirate ship couch but nothing came to her mind.

And soon, after a few hours rest, the sun came up on her execution day. She would have to go to court and defend herself from the most vicious 'offendent' and her robot cyborg prosecutor.

Perhaps they'd throw the book at her so fast her eyes would spin.

She barely had the will to rise to her feet, but at last she did, with a groan.

And then...another unfortunate thought passed her mind. She didn't even have a lawyer pants suit. She was still surefire locked out of her apartment and wouldn't be able to retrieve her signature suits of hot pink.

She sat in Star's gallery kitchen, hoping that her pirate themed room came with some rum. At this point, the legal drinking age was the least of her problems. But before she could drink herself silly or even think of it, she heard another knock at the door.

The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

She dragged her feet over to the door, opened it and Ashley was standing there with her hands behind her back. A silver coat hanger was visible in her cat glove. Something big draped behind her too.

"Umm...morning," Mina muttered, completely non plussed, even with Ashley acting funny. "Did you bring a coat hanger to hang up my hopes and dreams for any happy future."

Ashley rolled her eyes. "The only thing more annoying than you is your clunky wordplay, undergrad. You clearly are no Grasspearean thespian."

Mina nearly matched her eye roll, iris for iris. "Oh is that another subject you beat me in?"

Ashley growled and thrust an emerald green pantsuit in Mina's face. "You're so annoying, undergrad. Just take this already and shut up!"

Suddenly, Mina's tune had a key change. Her brow raised in disbelief. Ashley had gotten her a lawyer suit in lieu of the one she was missing. Sure it wasn't her color, but she wasn't gonna look a gift lion in the mouth. "Er...uh..." Mina said. "Am I going to need to dry clean this and give it back to you or you'll sue me?"

Ashley wrinkled her nose. "Just take it. I have plenty more where that came from. And...I don't know if I even want to be a lawyer anymore."

Mina shook her head. "You don't want to be a prosecutor?"

Ashley turned aside. She stared at the wall. "It's just...I've seen the cost for being a relentless prosecutor. Singing in a Kitty Bar is a lot less mentally taxing."

"Plus," Mina muttered out of the side of her mouth. "You look kinda smoking in that little black dress."

Ashley's mouth dropped. "What did you say?!"

"Umm..." Mina said, turning a flustered pink. "Smoking is bad for you. Don't do it."

Ashley shook her head. "Airhead. Just learn how to give a compliment already!"

Mina was silent, but her face said everything. At last, she said, "Fine. You seemed a lot happier and freer being a lounge singer. I was kinda rooting for you!"

For once, Ashley completely lacked a snarky comeback. "Thanks. And if you somehow manage to wiggle out of this case, you're free to see me sing again!"

Mina pumped her hand excitedly. "Will do. Now I think I should get suited up. Hopefully this fits me."

She turned to go, but Ashley placed a cat glove on her shoulder. The lioness too only managed to choke out words. "Thanks...undergrad. For that uhh...heart to lion heart."

Mina tilted her head and grinned. "No problemo. You are my best frienemy, Ashley!"

Ashley nodded. "As are you, undergrad!"