Effy leaped over the table, giggling like a little wild imp. Juniper chased after her, barely able to keep up with her pace. Vaulting over a chair, she runs head-first into a flying pillow, colliding with her face.

“Effy come here you littl–”

The sudden smell of something burning scrunches her nose, makes her turn her head. Oh shit Smoke billows from the oven, she runs over shutting it off, frantically yanking it open. She pulled out the tray of burnt tar-like treats, coughing from the smoke that invaded her lungs. She waved it away.

[Lo and behold! COOKIEGENESIS, the primordial gunk that will give way to new life, Cookie-based life forms.]

Doing her best to cool it down, and move it to a separate cooler tray, She searches for a spatula, but Remy stood in the way.

“You’re gonna kill us before a fire alarm does so, Juno.” He grabbed one of the hot cookies, juggling it in his hands and puffing like a hungry wolf. He takes a bite.

“Amazing, cough, you should send it to the military, it would put super kevlar to shame.” he teased.

“Outta way Rem, or I'll smoke you too.”

Irritated, she pushes her brother out of the way in the direction of the couch, Effy teasing her from afar. Sticking out her tongue, and face only the dead could replicate. Flipping the cookies onto a proper tray. She slammed her fist on the counter.

“At Least the first batch came out alright?” Remy said.

There was a sudden knock on the door, and her face brightened.

Forgetting about the charred chocolate cookie goodness, she beelines to the door.

“Someone is happy to see their girlfriend.” Remy teased. She gave the dirtiest side-eye she could construct.

Unlocking it, Brushing off cookie dust from her apron.

She immediately starts babbling. “Kanako, perhaps you could help me–”

Her shoulder shrunk inwards, and her legs skittered like jelly.

Swinging the door open she came face to face with one of her personal devils, Avaree Reyes, the government-appointed ‘social worker’. A no-nonsense woman and half a decade of pain in her ass. She stood in front of her, sharp glasses that hid an even sharper gaze, heels that would kill any man, her hair pulled in a tight ponytail, a single slick bang, complementing her harmonious face. Olive skin that would put a natural tan to shame. Her eyes like ice cut by a surgeon, raked Juniper over and moved on to the chaos behind her.

“Something’s burning, should I call the fire department?” she asked.

Juniper didn’t know if she was serious or not. And It was too late to hide any of it from her sight.

“It’s only the second batch of cookies?” she sweated, closing the door as the woman strode in on her own. Her heels clacking all over the floor, as she surveys the messy living room, the smoldering oven, and the toppled-down furniture.

“You can be at ease, Ms. Pinewell. This is just a quick visit, I had to come, seeing as you avoided taking my calls. It’ll be quick.”

She doubted that. It was never simple with her.

“I’ve been busy, ma’am.”

The woman said nothing, her silence felt like she was calling out a bluff.

Effy peaked from behind a couch, hiding again, and then peeking out again, the second her eyes made contact with Ms. Reyes, she bolted into another room. “Effy, wait come back…She’s not dangerous.”

[Not yet!]

“She’s grown a lot in two months, yet I’d expect her to be more composed for her age.”

Juniper sighed. “She disassociates a lot, You should know why.”

Silence. The woman didn’t reply.

[She’s totally evil. I give you permission to zap her with the power of the Sun]

‘Not now Sys-chan’ she thought, biting her tongue. Preventing her from speaking aloud.

Remy, who had also been hiding, strolled into the room, looking casually unkempt but comfortable. Lowering his head he greeted the government worker.

“Good afternoon, Miss. Reyes.”

“Ah, Mr. Pinewell, how are you, is your health stable under current circumstances.”

Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

Juniper offered her a drink, but she declined it, taking a seat on a vacant chair, the air radiating off her was mildly annoying. Acting like she owned the place.

“I’m alright Ms. Reyes, I’m alive,” he said with a pain in his voice.

Her facial expressions softened. “Any aches or pains? Anything I should know about?”

“Well, of course, it's always there. But nothing too drastic.”

“I see, if you need anything, you're welcome to let me know.”

Juniper raises a brow. Though she sounded professional, something about her demeanor screamed 'inappropriate'.

If you’ll excuse me, I have to take you to the bathroom real quick.” he said with a smile, a courtesy.

“Of course.” She said, smiling at him.

Juniper knew he was simply fleeing the scene. Of all her visits the unexpected ones frustrated her the most. Whenever she came to ‘check’ it felt like she was stripped bare naked. She wanted to push back but she knew she couldn’t for Effy and Remy’s sake.

“How is his Health, Jun.” Her tone switched up as soon as the siblings disappeared. The politeness was gone. “And speak truthfully, for I know all that I need to know.”

“The same, he’s managing, medicine is fine, there's no issue, short of getting funding for experimental treatment.”

The woman’s eyes twitched uncomfortably...

“And have you considered taking on a line of work?”

“I have but is it necessary to discuss it here and now, it’s a work in progress.”

“How about you, how are you, Juniper.”

Her body tensed like stone. “I’m doing fine.” To which Avaree raised a brow, her mind unpersuaded.

[Mechanized cookie assault plan devised: Just throw her with a cookie or two. Let her Taste the Charred B2]

She really couldn’t pay mind to her quips right now, focusing on surviving the moment that felt like an eternity.

“Do you still play those silly little video games Jun, you’re a grown-up now after all.

She didn’t answer, a hobby was a hobby, she wouldn’t take offense to what the witch couldn’t understand. She cared way too much about what others thought of it in the past.

“I know you were in the hospital Juniper, I know who paid for your medical expenses.”

She froze but was unsurprised. She wouldn't be thrown off guard if they already knew she was a cape. But best to keep some plausible deniability.

“And, what of it…”

The woman threw herself back and made the most dramatic face.

“Admit it, Jun , there's no knight coming to save you. Only the state can.”

She pulled out a document from her handbag, putting it softly on a table, A big header displayed. 90 days.

“The government is concerned about your circumstances,” Avaeree started. “Your brother needs proper medical care. He needs to be put in a facility. Euphemia needs a more ‘caring’ approach, foster care among a family dynamic you once shared would work out well. You’d retain visitation rights of course, and receive financial support.

Her body trembles with fury, she starts shaking, holding the doc tightly, skimming over the contents. She heard her heart pound. “Are you asking me to sell my own family?”

“Don’t be silly, you’ve heard stories. Families worn from each other, siblings separated by dysfunction, tragedies of the modern world. It doesn’t have to be that way.”

She had heard rumors of patients with psychic sickness being ‘collected by the state, she never believed it’d come to her.

“As you know Ms. Pinewell. ‘Physic illnesses are nigh incurable with conventional technology, While Remy is a legal adult, he is under your care according to the disability act.”

“They both need care you can’t provide, so we are giving you 90 days to prove to the state that you can handle them or concede your stubborn position willfully. Or you’ll lose more than a court case.”

She took the paper, preparing to tear it up. The edges are already crumpled. It felt like some kind of prison sentence, one she couldn’t win.

“I wouldn’t do that. Tearing that document will be considered a criminal act.”

She threw the paper on the table. “You people are monsters.”

“I’m not the devil you make me out to be, Juniper.” Avaree’s whispered, her hardened gaze averted Juniper’s eyes.

“No, you're a she-devil.” she spat.

“Here,” she handed her a piece of paper, likely containing money or something. “Please take it it’s a gift, to prove that I do care.”

Juniper refused to take the envelope, frowning and pushing it back.

“That’s okay, I have gotten enough gifts the last few days. I do appreciate the sentiment though.”

The woman’s smile curled together. “Hmm, yes, a certain superhero visited you recently. I heard she’s having legal problems, you were one of her victims of negligence, aren’t you? Are you joining the class lawsuit against her, an easy win?”

She heard about it, she’d received a letter about it, she didn’t care about it.

“Never. She saved my life.” Her expression became like a rock. Still.

“Or caused your injuries.” the woman murmured. “But I hope you’re recovery pans out quickly, by the looks of it, you're halfway there.”

Avery stood up, preparing to leave but hesitated. “If it is possible may I speak with your brother alone? With your permission of course.”

Juniper blocked her view deeper into the apartment. “Afraid he might not feel well, so no.”

Her smile sharpened. “Protective, are we? He is a man, Juniper. You’re holding him back. You’re still the sad little girl that came begging for help, I suggest you grow up. ”

Sys-chan hisses: [“COUGAR ALERT! Keep her away!”]

“Don’t worry I have.”

At the door, she stopped. “Choose better friends Ms. Pinewell.” looking down the pathway. “Beware of foreigners with foreign intent.”

Kanako? Did she observe every part of her life?

[Quickly cast observe]

What

[Do it!!!]

[Skill activated: observe ]

Nothing, just the void, blankness, the woman was unreadable.

Juniper freezes, forgetting to breathe., catching her breath.“She’s a cape, isn’t she?”

“You think she knows about me?”

[Doubt it, the information is derived from hospital docs and inquiries. Don’t forget your brother speaks with her as well.]

She’d have to speak with Remy. Why was she so insistent on admitting him to a medical facility? Do they experiment on psychic afflicted patients?

[ Now don’t go full conspiracy mode, Juno. Eat burned a cookie instead, ease up, and take a deep breath. Keep your mind preoccupied elsewhere. Soon we’ll fight this bitch on the beaches. (￣^￣ )ゞ”]

”As the door shuts, Juniper slinker onto the couch, clutching the crumpled document. Her thoughts spiral: the government’s meddling, Avaree’s cryptic identity, and the looming threat of losing her family. Her powers weighed heavily on her mind, tangled with fleeting feelings for Kanako and the unsettling encounter with VoidWaltzer—the girl who had left her numb. She didn’t know where to begin.

Effy popped out again, a lot less energetic, holding another burnt cookie.

“Uh…peace offering Juno?”

Juniper forces a smile, ruffling her sister’s hair.

“Don’t worry, Effy. I’ll figure this out.”

“Then you’re gonna need this burnt cookie” she offered.

Juniper reluntantly bit into it.