{Lobby}
van Houten's trying to restore order...
I can't believe that big jerk! Why would he do something like that?
... Hm.
... Where did you get that scroll from?
Oh?
Teagate gave it to me!
You saw her around?
*appears suddenly*
... Oh, hello.
You're doing extrordinarly well, rookie.
Yeah, Xue!
Thanks.
... Is everyone okay out there?
Not particularly.
I think Acy is okay. She told you to pay attention to the notebooks.
What about Teagate? Where is she?
... I think closer than you believe.
...
And about the prosecutor-
*a phone rings*
... That should be him now.
*answers*
*click*
Is that you there, Xue?[/color]
Uh... yes?
Where have
you been?
Oh, I just got shot.[/color]
Oh...
Something was found at the scene, however.[/color]
What?
... Shelly de Killer's calling card.[/color]
... And you lived?
I've seen worse. That sounds sort of bad.
-Calling Card updated in the Court Record!-
Don't think I called because I really thought I should go out of my injured way to let you know.[/color]
I was thinking that you were being a bit too chummy for a moment.
Did Wright give you the... notebooks?[/color]
Wright? *looks over*
*sipping grape juice, looking out a window*
... Er, yeah.
Look at the fourth page of the second one.[/color]
What are you guys talking about?
This notebook... *flips to page*
---- relation --- --- life--- ... The torn and erased page?
The one Izzy tore?
Yes, that one. It says something important, right? ... Maybe? It's all torn up... It just says "relation" and "life".
... ... Well, I must take my leave now. Farewell.*click* ... That was... odd.
Hm...
*breaks in*
!
You had better RE-ENTER the courtroom now, Mr. Blanche.
(Foreboding...) *enters*
*follows*
{Zylince Holy Court}
... Let the trial now resume.
What has he done? ...
The prosecution calls a new witness.
Oh?
An expert on the scrolls! Join us, now!
*someone takes the stand*
...
*chokes*
Gray?
Name and occupation.
... Thaddeus Blanche. *sips tea* I could be proper and say that I work as an interplanetary detective, or be honest and say I'm a high-ranking Caelestis member.
You... you are not!
It wasn't your turn to yell at the witness, Mr. Blanche!
I remember when you waited your turn for-
*slams gavel*
We'll build up to our main point. Tell the court about... Oh, Caelestis in general.
Of course.
-TESTIMONY-
Heavenly
Working in Caelestis has been a moving experience.
That said, it was also fairly ruthless.
I was a high-ranking member, so I did none of the dirty work.
-DIRECT-EXAMINATION-
Working in Caelestis has been a moving experience.
HOLD IT! How so?
The organization is spawling.
And the work they do...
*he trails off*
That said, it was also fairly ruthless.
HOLD IT! Whaddya mean, ruthless?
It was just sort of a "nobody messes with them" type of group. I think we're also aware that their activities are more than somewhat illegal.
You think?
...
Let's see what I can press outta this marshmallow.
((Return to beginning of testimony.))
I was a high-ranking member, so I did none of the dirty work.
Press HOLD IT! You're sayin' there that it all fell on low-ranking members?
Of course. Nobody feels sad if Bob the Newbie gets dragged off by an officer.
Not all kill, also. The taking of a life is a process that is beneath me, though is not beneath those lower than me.
No further questions for this witness, your cheekiness.
Your... what?
... King van Houten, I mean.
I've been waiting to say this!
Your cross-examination, Mr. Blanche.
-CROSS-EXAMINATION-
Working in Caelestis has been a moving experience.
HOLD IT! Please elaborate more!
The cause isn't simple anarchy. It's something more that you couldn't possibly comprehend or express in language.
You're also dealing with one of the largest, most massive organizations to grace Xiao-Yani as well as
other worlds.
That doesn't make it good!
What is the public's perception of "good", then? One who appears to do good but helps none but himself, or one who appears to do evil that is doing actual good?
That said, it was also fairly ruthless.
HOLD IT! That seems obvious!
Sometimes a bit of ruthlessness is the only path to "good", though.
I'm confused.
I think the readers have been confused since we started this.
Fourth Wall:
CURSE YOU, XUE! I THOUGHT WE MADE A TRUUUUUCE! I was a high-ranking member, so I did none of the dirty work.
HOLD IT! The dirty work?
That would be... Assassinations, arsons, or vandalism.
...
What an array of crimes, there?
OBJECTION! I think this proves my point!
... And that would be?
... Um.
I guess it's not very sharp!
Nor are you, marshmallow! *throws sunglasses*
*slams gavel* Penalty.
Ow!
(Let's think again...) ...
Hey... It's alright.
(There's something too obvious here, but...)((Return to beginning of testimony.))
(I can't focus right now.) I was a high-ranking member, so I did none of the dirty work.
PRESENT: Caelestis Case Report OBJECTION!
I think this file says it all ...for me.
[/color][/quote]
It's about... the murder of an Acara by some 7762?
Agent 7762 is Thaddeus Blanche!
Well.
Well
done, that is. I didn't think you had it in you to point that out.
...
I am indeed Thaddeus Blanche.
...
Let me tell you something more.
-TESTIMONY-
Duality
I've only been ordered to commit two murders in my life.
One as 7762. One was supposed to be of the original prosecutor of this trial.
I didn't want to do either, but I didn't want to disobey and end up where they are now.
~~~
*smirks to self* ... Continue.
-DIRECT EXAMINATION-
I've only been ordered to commit two murders in my life.
HOLD IT! So you're admittin' that you've killed someone as Thaddeus before?
Yes.
One as 7762. One was supposed to be of the original prosecutor of this trial.
HOLD IT! You mean that Smiles Evilworth guy?
Something like that, I believe.
...
...
((Return to beginning of testimony.))
I didn't want to do either, but I didn't want to disobey and end up where they are now.
Press HOLD IT! So you took orders?
Never directly from the boss, though some did.
... Ah ha. Ah, yeah. *scratches head*
But I can admit that I killed both.
That's all we needed.
Mr. Blanche.
-CROSS-EXAMINATION-
I've only been ordered to commit two murders in my life.
HOLD IT! Two?
Acy Skye and Myles Evilworth.
There's the latter... But was the Acy one really him, also?
...
One as 7762. One was supposed to be of the original prosecutor of this trial.
I didn't want to do either, but I didn't want to disobey and end up where they are now.
HOLD IT! You mean in contempt of court or in a hospital?
... I never said I was the best assassin.
OBJECTION! This proves you're lying!
Dulcet could present something better than that while rhyming.
But no judge gives a better penalty than I do. *slams gavel*
Argh!
(That wasn't right...) I wonder what they want here...
*smirking to self*
He looks like he's up to something!
((Return to beginning of testimony.))
(I can't focus enough right now.) One as 7762. One was supposed to be of the original prosecutor of this trial.
PRESENT: Calling Card OBJECTION!
!
I don't think that you can say that the attack on the prosecutor was done by you.
When an assassin's
calling card was found at the scene!
What?
You didn't attack the prosecutor!
!
OBJECTION! If
that assassin really struck, he wouldn't have let the guy live!
Personally, I just think that he's too stubborn to die.
*rips off glasses and shatters them* That still doesn't change that assassins
kill!
N-not if he thought that the gunshot would finish him off!
Wait, what?
The prosecutor
is a spirit already.
Not to mention that I was, um, attacked by him once myself and I'm here okay now.
... *puts sunglasses on* Hm...
I think that I've established that I'm a member of Caelestis by now, though. At the least.
Well, uh. Let's continue.
(I might call him out for lying... But I don't think that van Houten is particulatrly going to care.) My work in Caelestis had to do with
scrolls in particular. Such as this apparently forged one.
You were a forger?
Not at all. My job was to get the scrolls, for they were always
right.
This one isn't right.
Let's take a look at it, then. It may or may not be true that he does not have red blood, but that doesn't necessarily make him a Caelestis boss.
!
It says he's chosen!
Let's also not forget that this scroll can be confirmed as a forgery. Now tell me.
If someone writes slander about you somewhere, does that necessarily make it true?
... No...
That means-
This scroll was made by Caelestis.
There's no reason it couldn't have made this to try and
overthrow the King.
It's worthless!
What?!
I think, then, that my work here is done.
OBJECTION!
Hm?
I'm not believing that you're Thaddeus, though!
... You can't believe that your client or trusted person is wrong.
I'm surprised you handled Fateor's case well, then.
... But... Fateor was my client, but she was
evil. ... *shakes head*
The truth is, Xue, that not everything is so black and white. There's no "good guy" and no "bad guy" in this room.
...
Skeith Sun was put in prison, is accused of being a Caelestis member as well, and has a history of some petty crimes.
Does that make him worse than me, a murderer?
... I don't know.
Than look at our King, and look with colorblind eyes.
*covers his bleeding hand wound* ...
The country would've already collapsed if he weren't present, in truth. This world isn't a very nice place to live.
It's... not?
I think that Conn constantly rambled on about the Underseas War. The truth is?
Many of us think that an invasion of Zylince would've happened and ended if he didn't lead us.
...
A leader is no better than anyone else, chosen or not. I can't buy into the system he uses, which paints him in a different shade. But only a fictional complete monster has nothing redeeming.
... So nothing is black and white, then?
Everything is a shade of
gray, Xue. That's why I've already confessed. *takes off monocle*
Because I did it.
...
I think I'm done here. You don't have to drag me out. Let's go. *walks out*
*follows him*
...
Oh...
*a laugh echoes*
What a shining example of why this group must be disbanded. As if anything's gone wrong under
my rule.
It's an utopia up around here.
I... don't think so.
What?
I might not be able to indict you of committing a murder.
But I can show that your rule is far from perfect!
TAKE THAT!
Tsk.
I think we can prove that your
logic is far from perfect, Mr. Blanche.
Oh, snap.
I'm a magma skeith. I know when you just got a sick burn.
That's enough.
PRESENT: Writers Notebooks TAKE THAT! These notebooks prove-
Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha.
OBJECTION! Surely, you've gotta be joking!
These are... they are important!
Maybe I don't have a newspaper for everything. I do have something directly recording a real-world event, though.
The Zylince City Uprising was the largest act of revolt against the Xiao-Yani monarchy. Why would there be something like that in an utopia?
An utopia is technically an impossible scenario. You can't please everyone, can you, Mr. Blanche?
You couldn't have pleased your father when you accused him.
Shut up!
My!
(I think it's now or never...) If you have nothing to hide, then surely you wouldn't mind answering a few questions for us on the stand!
Why should I choose to indulge in your little game?
Because you've done so before.
If there's nobody else with competence, then perhaps I shall have to.
Don't mistake for a moment that I'll let you get away with foolishness. *takes the stand*
Uh... name and occupation? ... And I'm guessing this is another witness for the prosecu-
Be silent, child.
*sighs*
-TESTIMONY-
My Little Story
I believe that the claims of Mr. Blanche are most unorthodox.
I have not killed anyone.
I think the most I've done is try to dismiss his unproven claims.
~~~
Just let me know when the marshmallow starts slipping up. *grumbles, waves hand*
Which should be... right now.
-CROSS-EXAMINATION-
I believe that the claims of Mr. Blanche are most unorthodox.
HOLD IT!
Most unorthodox, hm?
I was being polite.
They're stupid.
...
I have not killed anyone.
HOLD IT! Then where's
your proof of that?
OBJECTION! You've got to prove that someone
committed a murder, you don't have to prove that you didn't if it's some accused madman slandering you!
Nngh...
He didn't kill anyone?
I don't know...
(He might be speaking the truth, but there would have to be another way, then.) I think the most I've done is try to dismiss his unproven claims.
HOLD IT! You dismiss
everything! *deskslam*
Perhaps I should speak with some officials if you should keep your badge for the mockery of the legal system that you've presented in this trial.
Don't be mean!
Oh, my apologies.
Really?
No. Shut up.
OBJECTION! This proves a hole in your testimony, van Houten!
OBJECTION! I think that your logic in particular has more holes than swiss cheese!
Would you say it's
cheesy?
You cheddar believe it.
And with that, penalty. *slams gavel*
Gah!
(This is making me so bleu...) This seems like it would be a bit too easy...
Be careful when dealing with this guy. You don't know what he's going to do!
((Return to beginning of testimony.))
(I don't think I can get anything.) I have not killed anyone.
PRESENT: Calling Card OBJECTION!
What?
You didn't kill anyone yourself, you ordered an
assassin to do it for you!
*slams glasses on desk* OBJECTION! Sounds like another baseless accusation to me!
Oh, but I know I'm right.
You butter be. There is...
Little margarine for error.
I'm not the only one around here who appreciates a good pun!
...
Think of the scroll!
You had to recover that for
Caelestis!
That scroll is simply false lies.
Ah, but they're false lies that glorify you and one of your arguments.
Ha ha ha ha.
You're not willing to give that point up, are you?
I'm not giving up the truth.
OBJECTION! Your argument is too weak to accuse the King, and you still can't do that anyway!
Not without a 2/3 approval from the Tower of Archmages, hm?
What if someone were sent there right now?
... Well, we've got one useless person here. And I don't mean marshmallow.
... ...
You mean THE STALIN?
Humor the kid and go.
NOBODY TELLS THE STALIN WHAT TO DO *goes anyway*
I think there's a point where you're mistaken, anyway. Shall we?
-TESTIMONY-
Another thing
I couldn't have ordered anyone to kill Drake Spear, either.
I had no clue of the good writer's involvement.
I did, however, always knew the group existed.
~~~
-DIRECT EXAMINATION-
I couldn't have ordered anyone to kill Drake Spear, either.
HOLD IT! Also because, you know, you're a holy king?
Well, that too.
I had no clue of the good writer's involvement.
HOLD IT! And with the "boss of Caelestis" myths?
He might have been in one group, but I couldn't prove that he was with A.Z.Z.I.E.
Two very different things.
Finally, something to do...
I know I can prove that he didn't do nothing!
((Return to beginning of testimony.))
I did, however, always knew the group existed.
Press HOLD IT! You always did, your hamminess?
Of course. They never did have a good disguise.
I am a benevolent King, there may be opposition, no matter how misguided...
Or potentially dangerous, but some people are just plain crazy.
Then you wouldn't mind adding that to your testimony?
Very well.
No more questions here, your tallness.
-CROSS-EXAMINATION-
I couldn't have ordered anyone to kill Drake Spear, either.
HOLD IT! But if he had to be the boss of Caelestis and he were threatening-
Then I would send police instead of a dirty assassin.
What if you had a special assassin task force?
What if you had half a brain?
Aw...
I had no clue of the good writer's involvement.
HOLD IT! What about your Complete Records?
I have more royal things to attend to than to dig through one random wyn's files.
You mean like being a jerk?
Don't make me hold you in contempt of court.
Besides...
I did, however, always knew the group existed.
HOLD IT! If you always knew this dangerous government-opposing group existed-
OBJECTION! Another "what if", marshmallow?
Unless Spear went and committed a murder with this group, then he had no reason to arrest him!
But he was a questionable wyn?
So are you! Do you want to be arrested?
... No...
(The food is terrible.) They never did have a good disguise of any sort.
HOLD IT! Why not?
Maybe if they made their wicked goal more obvious, they thought they could attract more creeps. You tell me.
Maybe they should've run an ad campaign!
Like commercials?
And they could offer free balloons for signing up!
I should've been an advertising executive!
You sure could've been!
OBJECTION! This proves that you're lying!
No, it proved that your argument's dying!
Not away from a rhyme session are we shying?
Just let this penalty go flying.
Argh!
(I keep going and trying...) He's lying again!
Let's see what I can find...
(Could he have always known...?) ...
They never did have a good disguise of any sort.
PRESENT: Dry Cleaning Card OBJECTION!
*deskslam*You couldn't have so easily known that they always existed.
No?
They were disguised as a dry cleaners!
OBJECTION! Maybe a building of theirs was! That doesn't mean he couldn't have known the group itself existed!
!
*slams glasses down into shards* I think that this dry cleaning place is probably just unrelated to them completely, anyway!
OBJECTION! They can't be unrelated completely!
Do you think the A.Z.Z.I.E is a bad group?
Yes-
And yes.
Then it makes sense that their card would be found here!
TAKE THAT! This place!
... That doesn't make any sense at all.
Don't waste this court's time, Mr. Blanche.
Gah!
I mean...
PRESENT: Evilworth's Jacket TAKE THAT! The site of a break-in!
OBJECTION! What are you rattling on about?
The
business card for the dry cleaning business was found in the jacket.
A jacket at the site of a break-in!
What a lovely little objection. A shame that it doesn't mean anything.
.......
Maybe some criminal happened to leave the card there. It doesn't change anything about if I always knew the A.Z.Z.I.E existed or not.
(He's kind of right...) You might've heard of the group's criminal activities and thought you had to stop it!
That's another thing that can't be proven. Besides...
I'm still the King. If I say that you're wasting this court's time,
you are. HOLD IT!
?
(I have some idea... But I don't know if it'll work.) I think that we should look into this point!