Sophia’s brow furrowed as she clutched their newly minted trial schedule. “Well, I hope you have some good ideas, because this timeline…” She let the words trail off, the weight of their task settling over them like frost.

“No, listen,” Juniper insisted, her mind finally catching up to her mouth, another eureka moment lighting up her face. “Derived creations, just like my soup, you know?” Her hands moved through the air like the left hand of an 1890s pianist, conducting an invisible symphony of legal theories that only she could hear.

“Gravity doesn’t know when to stop pouring - someone has to choose the finish… Delaney.?.” she added, her voice gaining momentum.

Daniel’s shoulders tensed slightly as he absorbed her words, his usual composed demeanor cracking just enough to show concern beneath. “The judge gave us until week’s end to prepare our case in chief,” he said quietly. “With the Central International observers arriving tomorrow…”