☆ The Trial of the Rathmores

[faileas]

The trial of the Rathmores and their associates takes place on a cold, drizzly morning at the very beginning of Feoveuer, in a large audience chamber of Parliament, broadcast to the Watches by Sowilo (and Theodore, when Sowilo is speaking) for any who cannot or do not wish to attend personally. The trial itself is public; any who show up are allowed in, and any who were hurt by the Rathmores are invited, though not forced, to testify against them during the proceedings. Mhairi is present, as Speaker for the Coven, as are all those members who hold a Judicial Seat, and many of the Civic Seats, along with the Witches and Guards present at the raid. Mhairi and one Lady Denholm are outspoken about the Rathmores' crimes all throughout, prompting more hard-hitting questions when things grow too silent or sympathetic toward the wealthy elitists.

The proceedings last for several hours. During that time, the Judges hear testimony from Mirrorbound, those who were kidnapped and those who were affected by the fires and losing loved ones alike, refugees who were kidnapped or had their homes damaged during the fires, the aristocrats who were in on the kidnapping, and the remaining Rathmores themselves. Notably, two of the twenty-two Rathmores died when the Mirrorbound staged their escape, so are not present, and a few others are in poor shape, one even wearing a gauze eye patch, tended to by nurses from the hospital. This fact causes just a few furtive, disapproving, even fearful looks from a small section of citizens in the viewing boxes, and there are whispers during recesses coming from this group - you never know what they'll be like when they come out of those mirrors, some are nice enough, quite civilized people, but some are worse than animals, aren't they?...

Still, these mutterings have no effect on the progression of the trial. The presiding Judge Colton has a frown on his face throughout, though he listens to every word on both sides, stone faced and silent, except to ask probing questions. The truth comes out.

The 21 aristocrats who participated in the kidnapping all plead their cases that they did not know what was going to happen. They all thought the Rathmores had devised a spell to send the Mirrorbound home, but that the Coven wouldn't allow it. This is determined to be false. There was never a spell. Nerissa Bell testifies that no magic has been found to date that allows them to send Mirrorbound back through their mirrors, and this lie is determined to have been a ruse to encourage cooperation. The Judge sentences all who fought against arrest to hefty prison sentences with hard labor, up to 20 years, for crimes including kidnapping, arson, imprisonment, destruction of property, and resisting arrest. Those who gave themselves up to the Guard and the assault team are granted a bit of leniency - an average of 7 years of prison and hard labor. All are subject to fines as well.

Each aristocrat is taken away in chains after their individual sentencing, heads hung, miserable.

The Rathmores are dealt with last, in ascending order of perceived involvement, from the flunkies up to the head. Each is convicted of all counts brought against them, though the Judge waits on sentencing. For now.

Thomas Rathmore, long-term member of Parliament, approaches the podium last, stil cuffed. His speech is long, his words smooth poison. He talks about the Mirrorbound being obvious dangers to Aefenglom, invaders in their city who will turn it upside down the way they did Dorchacht. He points to nephews and nieces with shattered limbs in casts and splints, and asks, "These strangers are not held accountable. They are not subject to our laws. Who will pay for this? For the deaths of the children of my brother, Rodolphus?"

As an angry uproar begins in the stands, Judge Colton slams down his gavel and answers, "You will, Mr. Rathmore. And may all forgive that I ever called you colleague.

The atrocities you committed are not representative of the heart of Aefenglom and will not be condoned or brushed aside. You have not proven that the city is unsafe because of the Mirrorbound - only that it is unsafe as long as your extremist family remains here, using your influence to ruin everyone around you.

We have failed visitors to our city, blinded to the pervasive creep of corruption into our systems. The Rathmore family has been like the Cwyld upon us, infecting Aefenglom from the inside. The only thing to be done with infection is to cut it out.

To those who were hurt, you have Aefenglom's sincerest apology, and those who helped to right the wrongs done here, our sincerest thanks."

The court falls silent for the final sentences. All twenty Rathmores on trial today will meet the guillotine tomorrow. It will be a closed session, not open to the general public, but Mirrorbound will be allowed in to witness, in an effort to repair a broken trust and to reassure that no trick will be pulled to allow the family's escape. On top, the Rathmore family estate will be repossessed by the city, along with all their assets. The money will be used to repair areas damaged by the fires, especially in the Haven and the refugee housing, and to pay out a decent sum to kidnapping victims, about 4 months of an average salary, as a gesture of goodwill and to help cover costs of living while they recover from the ordeal.

As the trial concludes, Lady Denholm spots Sowilo filming with a Watch, and approaches to deliver a sincere apology to the Mirrorbound for all that they've had to suffer.

"It is clear that we in Parliament do not understand the needs or the struggles that you and yours face daily in our city. Many of us tend to be secluded by our privilege, in a way, but that is no excuse. With the Rathmores sentenced, that leaves three seats open in Parliament." She gets a certain glint in her eyes as she regards the camera, and those who have gathered in person to watch the trial. "Perhaps it is time the Mirrorbound come to the table and represent themselves. If you have an interest or a knack for politics, send a letter to my office, and we'll start the process."

This is just a summary to give everyone an idea of what happened. Feel free to use this post to mingle with each other and discuss in person or over the network, but none of the NPCs will be replying. The guillotining will be open to Mirrorbound to attend but we will not be posting anything separately for it.

In lieu of IC letters, if your character would be interested in working with Parliament as a sitting member, EDIT: comment to this dedicated Council post! Don't let numbers stop you - we've got something in mind for if more than three characters would be interested that will let everyone get a chance. This is a way for PCs to make their needs known through representatives outside the Coven and advocate for themselves on a higher level.

Comments

Action!

[showsnopiety]

[Caren went up, as she promised she would. She told everything. Everything she had heard-from the bribes to the torture to the whispers in the halls. She told everything she could. She showed them her wings, feathers still missing as evidence she wasn't lying.

And she watched. She watched and listened without a word after, watching and listening to the to the outcries, the attempts to make them into something they weren't, the sentencing. The bribe for Parliament seats.

It all felt...so empty, somehow.

Once it was done, Caren shakily arose, and started walking away, silent. She didn't know how she felt about all of this.]

[cardtrick]

[ When Trucy hears the word trial, she feels like she has to go. After all, she's a defence attorney's assistant! Or, well, that's one of her jobs.

But she doesn't expect it to be this hard. Not because of anything she remembers — no, there's nothing about this trial which reminds her of how she met her now-daddy — but simply because of everything people are saying.

Everything people aren't saying. Those little twitches in their body language, their nervous habits which she only wishes she didn't see, for once not indicating lies.

Just... pain.

So much pain.

She wipes her tears in secret and fails to brighten up as she leaves the seating, immediately searching out a place to get a drink as the break begins. Water to wash away the things she's just heard.

(Of course that won't help. She's not that silly.)

And it's then that Trucy spots a face she knows, if only because she was just on the stand a moment ago, speaking about the terrible things which happened to her.

Trucy is somber as she approaches, fingers curled into her cape tightly. ]

... Do you want a drink?

[ She has half of hers left, but maybe she can get this woman a fresh one. ]

[showsnopiety]

[Trucy has many tricks (heh) up her sleeve! But...there is a lot of pain. Pain that will be carried with them, and for Caren...

She felt...hollow inside.

(It was a familiar feeling).

But she hadn't expected to be approached by a stranger, and she peered at her, ears twitching. She seemed sincere but this was...strange.]

I'd welcome one. Just one mind. I should go back to work soon.

[Which is funny because she didn't have to. She just wanted to so she could feel...she didn't know. Useful.]

[cardtrick]

[ Trucy nods, and no one should ask how she got money to buy these drinks because her player didn't think about it. Let's just say she scored a generous tip from someone who caught her brief show when she arrived.

Or maybe there's just a water dispenser, or the Aefenglom... ian equivalent. ]

Trucy Wright is on the case!

[ There's a tip of her hat and Trucy quickly absconds, coming back with some water a couple of minutes later. ]

Here you go!

[ There's no talking about the case because, well, that was a lot to take in, even just as a viewer. Trucy doesn't know where she'd start talking about it.

Besides, there was a lot of talking just now. So instead, Trucy rocks back on her heels, threading her hands together behind herself fora brief pause. ]

So, where do you work?

[ Going back to work after something like that? Trucy gets it. She didn't cancel any shows after her daddy's trial, she couldn't afford to.

Literally. ]

[showsnopiety]

[Who knew, people loved roadside entertainment. Or it was a water cooler, who knew. Caren offered Trucy a baffled look at her words, but she waited, before taking the cup, and a slow sip.

It was cold. She could feel it through her gloves. For a moment, she wasn't in the Parliment building and...

Her hands squeezed the metal, forcing herself into the present.]

Pardon? Oh, work. I have employment at Knit Wit, a clothier and alteration place. I also do commission work for animal ear hoodies and pizza- as well as some work outside of the city. Sometimes I do mercenary work as well.

Looking for work?

[cardtrick]

[ Well, by the sounds of it, the people here really need some entertainment. Maybe it would improve things just a bit.

But for now, Trucy'll concentrate her limited abilities to improve things on the woman in front of her. But then she hears the name of the shop and it makes her laugh, how can it not? It's so cute. ]

Wow, you're really creative! [ Clothes and pizza? Sign her up.

As for that question, well... ] ...Maybe. [ Not that she doesn't have faith in her magic being able to bring her success, but people have real storybook magic here, and she has yet to build an audience. ] While I build my empire.

[ A magic show, a talent agency, all of that could be hers once more, right? ]

[showsnopiety]

[They'd certainly like it! Though hopefully it's not musical else Trucy might have the Guards talking to her...]

Ah...thank you? I'm just used to using my hands to make things.

[She blinked at her, and tilted her head. Well, this is pulling her out of her...contemplation, but maybe not in the way that Trucy meant to.]

An empire? Of what?

[cardtrick]

[ Yeah, she's heard bits and bobs about that, and she has to wonder where magic shows fall in that spectrum. Music is a great atmospheric help, an excellent mood enhancer, and just a lot of fun.

And she even has storylines in her best shows! That's a kind of acting! ]

Magic. And talent. I'm a CEO back home, you know!

[ If you apply that term very, very loosely. ]

[showsnopiety]

[Honestly, Caren had no idea. Who needed slight of hand when there was actual magic? But if they didn't make anyone explode...]

A...CEO. I don't think the natives are familiar with selling talent.

[cardtrick]

Huh. ...They will be!

[ This city definitely needed a dose of Trucy Wright, didn't it? She's got a lot of work to be doing. ]

Say, do you want to join my Agency? You could be our Knitter Extraordinaire!

[ There really is nothing that can bring this girl down, huh? ]

[showsnopiety]

I suppose so.

[Oh this is gonna be wild. She may need to watch this from a distance. Which is part of the reason why she is quick to say:]

I have to decline. I can't knit very well, and I don't wish to be disloyal to my current employer.

[cardtrick]

[ If she could snap her fingers with gloves on, this would be a perfect time to do so. Shoot. Well, you can't say she didn't try. ]

It was worth a shot.

[ But the acceptance of the rejection means she won't push it any further. Maybe things will change later, or maybe not. They'll both be awesome and successful either way, right? ]

[showsnopiety]

I...suppose.

[Just...really, talent agencies or was she just playing around...? Was this really her club???]

You may want to find entertainers. Knitters aren't very entertaining.

[futhark]

[ The testimonies were probably the worst aspect. Their truth constantly questioned, brought to doubt by the people who incited this violence on them. But the truth does come out and their proof out-weights the version of reality Rathmores presented.

It should be satisfying, it should be a victory but—

He approaches Caren by walking up to her, matching her steps and then— suddenly putting hand on her head. Boom, headpat. ]

[showsnopiety]

[She jumped, and grabbed at his wrist, seemingly prepared to claw it but-thankfully, she had no claws, and she realized his smell.

With a woosh of air, Caren let go.]

You startled me.

[Which he. Might have realized already Caren yeesh.]

[futhark]

[ And his reflexes are dulled enough that he couldn't even escape that grasp. How telling. As if they needed any more reminders here. ]

I noticed. [ ... ] Still feeling on edge.

[showsnopiety]

A bit, yes.

[She sighed shakily, before turning around.]

But I can still hug you if it wouldn't hurt you.

[futhark]

[ Well, he takes that invitation, and open arms wide as he approaches. ]

Come on, I can take it. [ Should he is another question, but he's a bit starved for the touch— still, he adds with a joking lilt, but a piece of serious information. ] Let's go at it carefully and let each other know if something doesn't work.

[ For some reason, if they were mangled by the inhabitants of the Wilde, it would be something to joke about. ]

[showsnopiety]

Be happy I'm not one of those women who likes to punch men.

[Because she knows she could break his ribs accidentally if she did. She still huffed and moved in gently, resting her cheek against his chest.]

You're acting like this is a serious thing. Have you been wanting me to visit? You should have said something.

I might have been over, if you begged prettily enough.

[She's only half serious. She's not much for touch, always cagey about it, always surprised. But she's learning. Bit by bit, she was letting certain people in her life close.]

[futhark]

[ Remembering how to hurt her wings and back were, Caster is mindful and cautious in how he puts his arms around this smaller woman. ]

Perhaps I was trying to send you a signal during breakfasts? [ Like when he pushed some treats her way. Lack of appetite in the hospital was a normal thing, but the healers and tenders wouldn't let anyone go on an empty stomach ] I must work on what I use as a tribute.

[ That's at least something they can joke about. In the end, they both were seeing and passing each other in the place of healing. And then— then it all turned to frenzied busy on going out. Feels like a lot more time happened but what it was true, a bit more than a week after leaving the infirmary ]

Give me a hint.

[showsnopiety]

[She's thankful for it. For all of the treatments that she'd gotten, her back can have some twinges and tender moments, not helped by the lack of feathery protection.]

I thought you were trying to feed me like a bird feeds its babies. Maybe even taking a crack about my weight.

[Which...really isn't that much. Even with the healers and tenders around, she hadn't been eating that much. Not enough to regain the weight loss at least.]

Fool. I don't need materials as tribute. You forget, I was raised without such things, so it does nothing for me.

[She hopes that does it for a hint. She's not going to straight out and say...what she would want really.]

[futhark]

[ A hint, indeed. Some things of that night remain a hazy memory, others are crystal clear. The conversation on the wall is one of them. ]

But I don't forget you. [ Welp, he has no intention of letting her go, now that he took hold of her ] And the tribute is— just me wanting to spoil you a bit.

[ It's "Feel-good" things that cover a still open wound, but just dwelling on it is also painful. ]

Get something good to eat maybe.

[showsnopiety]

[Ah good, it clicked. There was something that shifted, that caused her to relax- as if she had holding her breath the whole time.

Or like it was a code word.

Though she will object if he tries to carry her.]

Very well. So we can make fond memories together, we can go and enjoy something to eat. Have you tried the cakes yet? Or did you want something else?

[futhark]

[ Good memories this time. Even though the camaraderie in the dark strengthened his resolve towards her. No Masters and Servants here, only Caren Ortensia and Cú Chulainn ]

Cakes sound good, especially with the variety of choices right now. [ Thanks to the festival ] Maybe we could get those special pancakes, if there are any left.

[ Gently he directs them outside, to the late bonfires still burning. ]

[showsnopiety]

I hope they have some left.

[And she follows. Just two people, two friends, walking side by side. Though...she may have taken his hand to hold. No special reason.

Mostly she wants to make sure she can keep up.]

I gave mine to Saber. Then again...I had heard how much she enjoys food.