“Of course, Your Honor,” Roma replied, but his smirk remained firmly in place as he smoothed a hand over his garish sweater. “I apologize for my attire.

I was just at a celebration for my mother - she always insisted on these sweaters when I was a boy.” He let out a practiced chuckle that somehow managed to sound both warm and cutting. “Some traditions you just can’t escape, Your Honor.” His eyes slid deliberately to Juniper and her fractured team. “Though I suppose some of us prefer to go it alone… tradition or not.”

The subtle dig at their obvious discord hung in the air as he smoothly pivoted back to business. “But to the matter at hand - we simply fail to see why the court should grant relief from the plaintiffs’ own tactical decisions.”

His voice took on an almost paternal tone of disappointment. “After all, if we granted do-overs every time someone had regrets, we’d never leave this courtroom. Though,” he added, adjusting his sweater again with thespian flair and a smile, “given the company and these festive decorations, I certainly wouldn’t mind.”