She didn’t look impressed. In fact thanks to her professionally blank stare, she looked aggressively unimpressed. But she held all the power here and didn’t seem particularly mean spirited... And Koko decided he could let it go.

A plaque on the desk between them declared "Lt. C Rhitwies", and the woman herself wore a demeanor that declared she meant business. Koko thought the Lieutenant would calmly tell him what charge he was arrested under and direct him to the appropriate cage...

 “And do you pay taxes, Mr. Ramda?”

"Um?" 

"Taxes."

“Uh, yes? Sales tax?”

“And what other taxes?”

“I’m not sure? I don’t own any property.”

The crisp and clean woman began to rattle off different kind of taxes. Koko surprised himself by actually knowing what she was referring to. At the end of this verbal tennis match the crisp woman smiled at him.

“Congratulations, Mr. Ramda, the Innouvepolis of Kaipen Nung would like to retroactively extend to you a contributory citizenship status.”

“...Pardon?”

“You’ve been an economic contribution to the city for over a year and under the new Naturalization Act that Duke Li Kong has instated, you qualify as an REC Citizen. You don’t get all the perks but you do get all legal protections awarded to citizens- at least as far as law enforcement is concerned.” She gestured to herself at that last part. She went on to explain a bit more but Koko didn’t fully understand it.

“I… how nice?” Koko had heard of this law in the news last week- he hadn’t realized it would apply to Everybody though. He had assumed it was a perk for bigwig companies and other 9 to 5 job holders.

“Yes, indeed. So, since you are a citizen I am obligated to ask you whether you wish to press charges against Mr. Shepard.”

Koko snorted so loudly that other people in the bustling office turned to look. “Oh he’ll love that.”

The woman smiled in a quick crooked sort of way, “What he loves or does not love isn’t relevant. As your desires as a citizen take priority.”

Koko paused.

“You mean Shep- Mr. Shepard didn’t get a, a, retro-active?-Citizenship?”

The woman wrinkled her nose. “He wasn’t at my desk but from what I overheard- he’s been house squatting in a penthouse apartment on Glaswerk Row. He also has several dings on his record for booking hotel rooms and not paying the nightly fee.” The woman tapped furiously on her computer to double check. Koko held his breath as her eyes darted across the screen.

“As I thought. He didn’t qualify. He’s still considered a visitor.”

Koko breathed for what felt like the first time in two years. He laughed. He nearly sang for joy. He had been set free, when he had thought no one knew he was trapped. He felt fat tears brimming over in his eyes, his laughter was beginning to sound a little like a sob. 

The lieutenant handed Koko a box of Kleenex. In a voice far too gentle for such a strict face, "So... would you like to press charges?"

Koko gulped a little, breathing slowly. He could feel himself beaming at the lieutenant in a way that probably too familiar. But he just didn't care. “Sweetie, I’d like to press All the Charges. What is your name? I never want to not know your name.”

“Caitlyn.” The woman was trying very hard not to laugh. Her smile was bright and crooked though.

“Caitlyn, you are my first best friend as a Citizen of Kaipen Nung. Call me Koko!”

Caitlyn’s eyes danced between Koko and the computer screen, “You don’t go by Koharu?”

“Friends and coworkers call me Koko. Clients too. My family calls me Koha or Koharu.”

“Oh”, Caitlyn tilts her head, she loos for a moment like a curious bird. And carefully she asks, “Could I call you Koharu? I think it’s a lovely name”

Koharu. Oh, and it actually felt lovely to be called that. He didn’t have anybody in his current life who called him Koharu. Just pet names. Because he was everyone's pet... His mother used to say that to call something by it's name is to acknowledge it's power. And Koharu feels a wave of nostalgia so strong he can taste it. He hasn't been home in so long.

But he's a brand new citizen of Kaipen, He's home now. Koharu grinned crookedly at Caitlyn, “That’s even better- now you’re not just a friend, you’re Family.” He leaned across the desk, giddy with mischief, “So tell me, sister, is it true that I can get Shep kicked out of the city?”

“Not for one incident alone, but if this isn't the first time he's behaved this way… then yes, some things could be arranged."

This certainly was Not the first offense, Koharu had the scars and bruises to prove it. "And I take it that you are the person to talk to about it." leaning across the desk, Koharu smiles a mile wide.

Caitlyn tilted her head to the left as she examined Koharu, "Well, not usually. My function in this station is a little more specific…" Caitlyn pushed aside a couple of folders and when she looked back to Koharu, her face seemed terribly young. Hers was a smile that lifted a decade off her face, a light of mischief glittered in her eye and Koharu recognized a kindred spirit.

"But, you know what? I have some time right now- I don't mind giving you a few tips..."