There's some kind of noise outside. Maybe a voice? If so, it's not really high enough to be intelligible. A bit rumbly, though.

This late? She adjusts her composure, straightening. "Come in."

Just a slight push on the door, at first. Beat. And then it swiftly swings open, and she marches through.

Gray slacks, and a black hoodie. Very pink sneakers. Satchel on her side, and a stride like she owns the floor.

Beat. The confidence seems to leave her body. "Hi."

Jessica keeps her expression professionally pleasant. "Good evening. How can I help you?" There's something about the girl's sudden drop in confidence that seems familiar, though she can't quite place it.

"Right; good evening. I was directed here-"

That's a sore spot.

"To see... you, presumably. Miss.. ss... Yamada?"

"That's correct. I'm Jessica Yamada, staff counselor. Please, have a seat." She gestures to one of the chairs across from her desk.

"Yes. Right."

She takes a seat, depositing her bag at her side, strap wrapped around her wrist. She pulls up a little clipful of papers and deposits it on the table:

'SPECIAL EXAMINATION ORDER'

"I'm... well, I guess I'm being considered for... an internship... and there are some concerns...?"

Ah, I see. An evaluation for the Wards program, then. Jessica nods, keeping her expression neutral. "I understand. The purpose of these evaluations is to ensure candidates are mentally and emotionally prepared for the responsibilities of a Ward. Please feel free to share as much or as little as you're comfortable with so I can get a sense of where you're at."

She nods, slowly, intertwining her fingers on her lap and leaning forward a bit, like she's psyching herself up to say something.

"Of course. I mean, I don't know where to start, exactly. I've never had a job where this was... a thing. I'd say I'm pretty well-adjusted? No outstanding issues to speak of. Mentally healthy. Normal."

She nods, internally noting that a "mentally healthy" cape was often a whole lot harder to synchronize with than one who had already recognized their trauma. "Why don't we start from the beginning? Tell me a bit about where you came from - your school, your parents, that kind of thing."

"Well."

Beat.

"I mean, I'm from around here. I got passed around... a couple public schools, and then I tested into some catholic private middle school, after... some things. So that was nice. Did a term in Winslow High, which was... not great, and then I got a scholarship somewhere else. And now I'm here."

Another pause.

"My parents were fine. Not so supportive, but I kind of made my own way."

"I see. It sounds like you've had a rather turbulent education and upbringing." Jessica keeps her tone gentle. "How did you end up triggering with your power, and what has that experience been like for you?"

"...Riiight."

Not really a defensive response, or a shocked response. Just kind of... 'this is awkward'. 

"So this is funny-"

She'll wait for a response of some kind. Silence is a useful tool.

"...And all. But. There's been kind of a misunderstanding. I'm still trying to clear it up, but it isn't working out for me. What-so-ever."

"Talk me through that misunderstanding. I'm here to help, if I can."

"Yeah. Well. I feel kind of... trapped, here, because, I get it, there's this whole process where you... bag, a cape, and you have to, you know, gather all kinds of information on them before they can work with you, and of course I'm in the middle of that process, as someone who got... caught punching criminals, and such, and. I understand that it's a tough ask, bureaucratically, but-"

"The thing is that I'm not a parahuman."

"Are you sure about that. Generally, I wouldn't expect to see non-parahumans inside this building unless they're in a soldier's uniform." Putting it mildly.

"Very sure."

"Armsmaster gave me that look, too."

"Okay. In that case, tell me why people think you've had a trigger event."

"Well. I mean, the last time I tried to explain this it came across a little arrogant. Which I definitely don't mean."