aefenglom | ☆ The Trial of the Rathmores

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☆ The Trial of the Rathmores

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.

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[He eyes the drink, but if he's already feeling a bit tipsy then he's past his limit. Anything more is a risk Archer prefers not to take. He shakes his head and pushes the drink back, feeling a bit better thanks to such simple gesture.]

—not really. Rin pointed it out, said that her from my life had been a fool and that she wouldn't abandon me. [small, wistful smile shows on his lips.] She wanted to contract me again when the War ended.

[ Here it is. Caren also mentioned knowing Archer both in life and in the Grail War. How weird that must have been. It's a testament how well the alcohol is working if Archer isn't cagey about that fact.

Lightweight dofuus. ]

Why didn't you? [ It seems to be obvious that this was his choice. And that he wants to walk through it. Caster accepts back the glass, but he puts his hand on Archer's ]

There was no point. The War has ended, the Grail had been destroyed, and she wouldn't be able to keep me summoned. Besides she already got a version of me that wasn't broken. [he adds after a moment, turning his hand so that he can graps Caster's. His Witch is warm, being a calm, supporting presence both near him, so close their shoulders almost touch, and deep on their Bond.]

[ If he wants to or needs to talk it out, then so be it. And a gentle prod, gentle encouragement. If that's what is needed...

Because frankly speaking, maybe it's not. Maybe he's just prying into something that he shouldn't ]

So.. who's Rin? It sounds like she's some big shot. [ Lack of the context here, help him out. ]

[It's so tempting to simply lean on and allow his Bonded to offer understanding and comfort, but Archer is sure that there's something he should say first. Something important. Something he keeps noticing.

He tugs Cú closer and turns his head so his horns won't get in the way when he rests his forehead against him.]

Cú, do not force yourself to stay strong for me. [he entangles their fingers together, thumb gently stroking his partner's hand.] Sharing a vulnerable moment with the one you trust doesn't make you weaker, quite on the contrary. It makes you— it makes both of us stronger.

I want you to be honest with me.

[He's changing the topic here, isn't he?]

I want to tell you about Rin. I—

[Ugh, he's really drunk if he's saying everything that he thinks.]

I'm always honest and I'm not forcing anything. [ He blurts with a huff, that must be first time he saw Archer succumb to alcohol so bad. And so quickly. A squeeze of their locked hands, a bit of a push and press from his side. ] You're drunk so I'll let it slide.

[ There were a lot of things Caster didn't know about Archer. He got a glimpse of narrative here and there, either from here or— from others that knew him. There are personal matters one shouldn't put their nose in, and he always thought he's good at figuring when he comes across those.

What if he was wrong the entire time, though? ]

I'll get you some water, and you will tell me all about her, how's that?

[That's the first time Cú has seen him really drunk and not just tipsy. Usually Archer limits himself, but not tonight, with too many memories and feelings brought to the surface. He waits until his partner is back.]

Rin was my Master- and a girl I've known since I was a kid.

[ Water won't help him get any soberer but might save him from various nasty side-effects that come later. Maybe on a different day, it could be funny to see how the fire dragon handles being shitfaced, but not tonight. ]

Couldn't get enough of you, could she? [ He's... not surprised, but he also counts on Archer being drunk to not notice that fact. Caren also mentioned that— that she knew him both as Servant as a living man. So the same War his Lancer self failed to kill him, was the War he was summoned to.

A bit of headache-inducing, but incineration of humanity is much worse ]

[Cú knows him— perhaps not the version of him from the War that he remembers, but it's still some version of himself. Was it a different timeline of his War, was Rin his Master, Archer has no way to know but assumes that Caster does.]

She's brave and honest, not letting others influence her. You'd like her— [—Lancer did and died for her, because he did play his cards the way he did.]

Now I can't help but wonder if Caren knows her too... [ Would she remember the chimera, is another question. Mages and their messes. Does Archer truly not remember her? He focuses on their locked hands, thumb gently circling on the of his Bonded hand. Scales are tiny there and smooth ]

Would you want to see her again?

[Despite his state Archer notes the slip of tongue and commits it to memory. So Caren is from his War, despite his lack of memories of her. Alternate timeline most likely, although something strikes him as odd.

Caster's question breaks his train of thought. Small, tired smile lights his face and he shakes his head.]

I have seen her and served her, that's more than I could wish for. She has someone she considers worth fighting for at her side.

[ It's interesting though— how Archer speaks about this girl in her present. More in the present of the war he was summoned to. Even though that has been his past. Are there future Grail Wars that Archer remembers? Going far ahead of his own times, or are there not any—

Which would explain why he sticks to that time.

What is time for Heroic Spirits anyway— but it makes Cú realize to him, things from his life, was always something as he had seen as distant past.

He touches the glass of water, releasing a short spell that cools it a bit. He taps at the glass as a reminder to Archer. He can gulp a bit of water between the story. Meanwhile, he takes another sip of his own drink. ]

[Archer takes a sip of pleasantly cool water. It's been a long time, a really long time since he talked so much about himself. Since he could talk about himself, really. The sudden thankfulness makes him feel lightheaded. Ugh, it's the alcohol. Right. But he squeezes Cú's hand lightly.]

I recognized her immediately but couldn't recall her name. It's been a whole another lifetime since I've seen her, but she didn't change much.

[ Cu flinches at the squeeze. Dragons are one of the strongest, if not the strongest among monsters. Even a light squeeze can be strong from the perspective of a human. Especially one still recovering.

That fragility is temporary but he still hates it. ]

Time flows differently for those like us. [ Even far more differently for someone like Counter Guardian, really. ] Don't beat yourself over it.

[ He taps his thumb at Archer's hand ]

[Archer notices the flinch and only then remembers his own strength. Ouch. He rubs his thumb soothingly over Caster's hand in silent apology.]

Only the World is able to summon Spirit Origin. It does it each and every time it deploys the Counter Force. [Archer takes a deep breath and continues, hoping that Cu will get it.] That's why my memories are a mess.

Yet you still was summoned as a Servant, not a Guardian there. [ There are Heroic Spirits that answer to Counter Force as Guardians. But not every Counter Guardian is a Heroic Spirit. It might be a pointless distinction, but one that Cú felt he had to point out. ]

Her Servant.

[Caster is right. It doesn't matter if his summoning was a fluke caused by the trinket that his soul foolishly clung to; he was a part of Grail War. It feels like a lifetime ago. Not ecause of his fragmented memories but because of Aefenglom.]

You're right. [he admits quietly. After all it's not that important.

There is something that Archer considers important enough to mention, though.] I tried to cause time paradox, hoping that it will erase my existence.

[ Now he feels like he's going to need more to drink than he got. So he takes on the rest of Archer's drink instead. He's drunk enough already. ]

That's so dumb I can totally believe it. [ He leans down and puts his forehead to Archer's hand. His words coming a little slurred ] Why are you like this?

[He's not going to deny - it was a dumb idea. Just a bit of explanation before he loses the nerve to talk about his own past.]

If the kid I've been got offed before he made pact with the World, and if he died at the hand of one that made such pact— [Archer pauses and shrugs. Planning it has saved him from going completely insane. Old bitterness seeps into his voice.] Hearing the kid spout the same nonsense has been grating. As if he's been able to save anyone!

Yeah, it— [ An almost thoughtful pause. You know when the drink is getting to you if you're looking for the simplest of words... ] It doesn't work like that.

[ Timelines, and shit. ]

Once recorded always there— unless you're that one guy that succeeded. [ There is only one person, one Servant that willingly erased himself. ] But he was a special case—

I know! [a huff. Then a long exhale and much quieter admission as Archer focuses on the chilled glass.] I knew it wouldn't work. It's just—

[It's not as easy to admit some truths. It had been something to look forward to in endless killing.] Holding to this idea has kept me going on through my duties.

I still tried to kill the kid and I lost.

[ Cú just snorts ]

Knew it's something impossible but had to try it anyway... [ He muses and stays silent for a moment... then he slams the empty glass onto the table so hard it rings and just... laughs ]

Can't say I understand your drive— [ It's alien on all kinds of levels. For all the mistakes he made, for all the pain that he brought and suffered— he'd never change anything in his past. ] But that's a ballsy move.

[ And he gives credit where it's due. Even if the "s"s are a little on the slurred side. He stands up, attempting to get around the table and nearly trips over it. He puts his hand on Archer's shoulder and knee on his thigh to not faceplant right there. That inadvertently gives him a chance to speak his mind on this, something he planned to do after getting the glasses refilled ] So what, man? You've been stupid, haven't we all?

[ Because on the link he recognizes the way Archer ruminates. He doesn't want him to fall into the pit of self-loathing coming from memories. Past is past and sometimes... sometimes you just gotta forgive yourself ]

[It's not that easy to answer. Archer isn't even sure if he knows the answer, and yet— Cu's warmth and weight resting on him grounds him, offers something tangible to hold onto as he struggles to form the words.]

I've been tired of killing— [his words are becoming slurred too, and he needs to focus. Archer frowns at his glass.] Tired of being sent again and again to be nothing but a killing machine.

[ Tired of unending existence. This weight, this burden- it's not the first time he hears of such. And there really isn't a solution or advice he could offer. Only warm, supporting presence.

The goal of getting another drink currently forgotten and he just... stays where he is. Half draped around his Bonded ]

It must be exhausting, going through those motions over and ever. [ To never truly end is something that he finds hard to process. ] If I could grant you peace know that I would. But remember Emiya, you are more than the sum of your losses.

Edited 2020-04-27 22:49 (UTC)

[The warm tangle of Cu is the only thing keeping him grounded firmly in here and now, stopping him from drowning in memories he'd rather forget. Archer wants to do something to let his Bonded know how much he appreciates his presence here and the comfort he offers. He's a man of actions, not words, but at this point he recognizes that unfurling his wing to wrap around his partner requires more focus than his drunk state allows. That is, if he doesn't want them both to end in ungraceful heap of tangled limbs on the floor. Still he tries, leaning slightly into the touch and allowing himself to relax, lowering his barriers to let those warm, embarassing feelings seep through their link as he stumbles over his words.]

You do grant me peace. You— [it's the lilt and cadence of Cu's voice when he speaks his name. It's much more than this, but to Archer it's all in the way his partners says his name.] You're my heart.

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