Lawyers need hugs too

[jkatkina]

Name:	jkatkina
Story:	Fensirt (with bonus AU from Shine Like It Does!)
Colors/Styles:	Metallic Gold 7. skill Graffiti: Valentine's Day Challenge, Option #2 (making use of Miranda Hennessy, who belongs to Kat)
Word Count:	369
Rating:	G
Summary:	For bookblather! Kaitan and Miranda. I hope I got the characterization okay! The Fensirt legal system is a little more informal than Earth's, but anywhere there are laws, there are lawyers.

It had been a reconciliation plea. Sometimes those were hard, when the crime was a really heinous one, but they were at least straightforward and this one at least hadn't been a murder. There was no having to negotiate guilt or innocence; there was only trying to hash out if recompense was possible, and if it was, what that looked like. Strictly speaking, anyone versed in the broad precedent and tradition could have done it, but she had seen it and taken it. She had the skills, and the wit to know a case that would benefit her.

The child was surly. That was fine; she didn't need her clients to be friendly with her, and besides, she had an older brother along to do most of the talking. Now that the hard work was done, she had a favour on tap from the Steward's family -- undeniably a valuable resource in her pocket -- as well as material payment.

They were in her client's house, not an hour after it had all been wrapped up. The Rider council's representative had left, and now that the customary cup of tea had been completed, Miranda could go home and take a look at what had come to her office in the meantime. It was not a case that would further her career, being a mundane dispute, but for that hanging favour it was worth it.

"It's been a pleasure working with you," she told Lauren, a pleasantry, and clasped his hand in a show of good will. He nodded, and she turned to do the same to the child.

Kaitan was staring at her, almost glaring. It was a bit affronting. Still, she offered her hand with a professional, "and with you."

The surly little thing ignored the hand and lunged. When those skinny little arms clasped like iron bars around her middle, she went stiff. Before she could relax, she heard her young client mumble something.

"Thank you," she was saying. "Thank you, thank you."

Okay, that was alright. Miranda relaxed incrementally, and patted the girl's back. "A pleasure," she repeated, and in the face of that intense gratitude, well, it was at least a little true.