Markus sat in his office chair across from Madison as the two reviewed their options. "I mean, if Looker was to be believed, he's been arrested and is currently out on bond. We can use that as some firm grounds to skip the separation and get the proceedings formalized." Markus said as he scrolled through the Paldean nuptial law summary on his computer. "That would also let you keep your daughter's trauma out of public record until she's ready to share it."
Madison nodded. "That's a pretty good plan. Do you think I can get the judge to expedite the hearing?" Markus shook his head, but affirmed Giovanni would not have to share the courtroom with Giovanni. "His name wasn't on the rental forms for the chalet, so I can send him away and call the police for trespassing if he doesn't go." She sighed. "This really sucks, Vaughn."
Markus nodded to her. "Yeah, I'm kinda completely out of my depth here, but my partner knows what to do. She's currently checking a student's GI tract and should be here in a few minutes. I'm going to hit the snack machine. Do you want anything?" He stood and promised to retrieve the water she wanted. Miriam met him in the hall and hugged him.
"So, where's this woman I need to talk to?" She asked. Markus smiled and led her back to his office, where he and Miriam sat and gave Madison her bottle of water. "So, Madison, I'm Miriam, and I'm this building's resident 'divorce that abusive cunt' expert." Madison blushed at Miriam's words, but quickly filled Miriam in on the details of her situation. "Don't go home, download form NU-14, fill it out, and submit it to the clerk of court, like yesterday. In the meantime, I'll make a phone call and get you a safe place to stay. I know a decent number of the DV recovery staff in Mesagoza."
Madison stuttered for a second, then thanked Miriam. "And they won't tell him which shelter I'm staying in?" Miriam replied that the whole shelter system kept the attendance logs on paper in a location only known by three people, and no one knows who those people are. "That sounds like a logistics nightmare." She muttered but agreed to stay. "The last real problem I have is my daughters. I don't know what all has happened to them, and I'm worried that something nefarious has been planted in their brain."
Markus nodded. "If they're anything like me, something's in there that they have no idea about. I'll help them out as best as I can." Madison blinked a few times, then Markus continued, "That's how I knew so quickly, I have DID too." Markus let out a sigh, "Please keep that information to yourself, by the way, I'm really private about it." Madison nodded and promised to keep Markus's health information private, then stood and stepped out of the office.
"I think that's the first time you've told anyone other than me and White." Miriam noted. Markus cracked a smile and Took Miriam's hand.
"That's because I trust you with everything, Mirri. Also, it's the fourth time I've shared it. Rui knows too." He let go of Miriam's hand and shuffled nervously. "I just don't like to share that part of myself with the world. I admire the Plowman system's courage in that regard." He started to dissociate, then shook himself out of it. "Hell, the Plowman system doesn't even know, and they've met like four of us."
"Are you going to tell them?" Miriam asked. Markus thought for a minute, then shrugged.