It's not exactly that she's trying to make things worse. In her defense, she is here because she is trying to make things better. For trying to answer a life question, she finds herself in this predicament. If they gave her a chance they would know its not her fault entirely, that and if she had a real lawyer.
I mean sure using violence isn't the right way for her to turn a leaf or what ever, but its not her fault really.
Its not like she had a say on the day she was born.
Judge Haddock repeats "Please state your full name or you will be fined for contempt"
"Your honor, with all due respect I already did. My full name is Astrid. I can give you my birth certificate as proof."
Judge Haddock moves a beefy arm forward and says "Please, hand it forward"
Her lawyer finally comes to life and grabs the document in question from in front of his client. Handing it over to the judge and scurrying back to his spot next to Astrid.
With surprise Judge Haddock says, "Ei, you weren't kidding. Is this why you were in the Hospital to begin with?"
at the end of the Judge's question, as Astris opens her mouth to respond, the district Attorney interrupts the conversation "Your honor, if we may please move forward with the two counts of assault, and assault of a police officer."
"Motion Granted" the Judge addresses the D.A. and moves to address the lawyer. "How does your client plead?"
Silence.
The lawyer, a young man with black hair and brown eyes, a rather plain and boring person. Stares at Astrid, questioning what DO THEY plea? The lawyer then looks back at Judge Haddock and motions to speak, when he gets interrupted.
"Oh come on, really?"
Sitting near the secretary in the corner; claims a lanky young man with auburn hair, green eyes, and freckled face. He's rather cute notes Astrid, as she question what is his role in the court.
"Is there a problem?" Ask the Judge,
"Yes, the girl is being set up for failure with an inexperienced lawyer and a police officer who just wants revenge for his bruised ego" Says the young man, and she is happy he did, she just hopes it works.
"Objection, there are no grounds for this claim. And who is he to be in this court room?" all but yells the outraged D.A.
"He is MY son. He is interning in a way, is there a problem?" He asks again, both to his son and the D.A.
"Yes, there are no grounds for this accusation."
"Speculation, sure. However, no one would know, since she was purposely stuck with that lawyer. Reading her case, she clearly states that she was there to inquire for records of the day she was born to find out what her last name would be. The nurse gave her a hard time, insulted her possibly deceased mother and then the defendent lost her temper and attacked the nurse and the security guard that came by. When the police was called, and he could not out strength her when she said she could walk herself out, he used force. This time she did not attack, she complied." Pausing, for air or for effect who really knows, "She assaulted the police officer after, when she was tossed in jail and he tried to use his authority over her by saying and I quote 'If I sucked his dick he would make this go away' which Astrid response was to break his nose."
another pause.
"Miraculously her first lawyer went on vacation, she was stuck with this one and suddenly there is another count of assault of an officer while in the hospital, when the cameras suggest otherwise. None of this would have seen the light of day, as her lawyer didn't even show up with so much as a folder. He was going to plea innocent, making her loose the case and stuck her in for 5 to 10 years of jail for wanting to know her name and defending herself against a sexual assault." At this point he is glaring at the D.A. and the officer in the seat behind the D.A.
"And this is not the first accusation of this sort, is it?" says the young man,
"What do you suggest is the proper way to proceed?" Judge Haddock ask's the D.A. "As originally intended seeing as this is nothing more then a wild story from a disturbed young girl looking for attention" is his response
"Excuse you," Screams a pissed off Astrid.
"I think, seeing as she clearly has anger issues and she was just released from an orphanage as stated in her case. She deserves a second chance. Community service and anger management class"
"Gertha does have a class starting next month," Judge Haddock response thoughtfully, stroking his beard.
"So she just gets away with assaulting a police officer and two civilians?" Screams the officer from the back,
"No, she is given a chance to make amends and get a full name." Judge says and then addresses his son, "Aight, Hiccup, you will be finding her a job befitting community service."
"I say cleaning the streets is punishment enough." Hiccup says,
"Objection," Screams the officer again "What authority or qualification does he have?"
"Lets, see. He interned in the police station with our very own Spitelout Jorgenson Head of the Police of Berk. He interned in the military with General Gobber, is studying law after obtaining an engineering degree AND he is my Son, soon to be leader of Berk any more questioning of his "qualifications" is a direct question to my authority are we clear?" He loudly and proudly states
"Yes"
"Case dismissed, Astrid you are here to serve community service until the month starts and you are to take anger management class until the teacher deems you have passed. Should you miss a day or even be late, you will find your self back here, are we clear?"
"Yes your honor," She says with a small smile of relief,
"As for you officer Rugged, your lawyer, your Superior Jorgenson, my son and I will be meeting to discuss your case."
He slams the hammer and say's "Jury adjourned"
Outside the court house, after Astrid bites her tongue against the clerk who claims nothing was listed as her belonging except for her birth certificate, and Hiccup claims that if he is to be leader the first thing he will do is work agains the corruption, and with a mighty laugh of agreement from his father. His father also mentioned how he will not be made a fool off and how the lawyer needed one class or two.
Astrid finds herself waiting for the young man who essentially became her lawyer. While he walks out she notes how tall he is and as he looks at her he notes, how, Astrid he thinks, appears rather lost for some one who just evaded jail time.
"Hey" She say's.
"Oh, Hi. Hello, Astri. Umm, Hi"
Astrid chuckles, for some one who just turned a whole case around with so much confidence, he's a blabbering mess now.
"Hi" Astrid say's again, as she punches his shoulder in what she hopes is a gentle tap. And as he rubs his shoulder in shock, she realizes it was not, but moves on either way. "That's for saying I have anger issues" Hiccups responds "Oh yes, so violence will proof other wise. Good choice, I have completly changed my mind" Astrid laughs at the very obvious sarcasm that droos from his mouth, and gets on her tippie toes as he is taller. She leans slightly forward and kisses him on the cheek. She says right near his face, "That's for everything else." and she steps away. She smiles as she sees him turn a light red and just nod with his lips tight as if he was holding something in. Astrid waves good bye and turns around to leave.
That's when it hits her.
Hiccup see's her stop dead after a few steps. How her head slightly turns from one direction to another until it lands on a roof top with some plants at the top, probably a green house for the restaurant that's at the bottom of the building. He see's her turn her body in that direction, and that's when it hits him. She's homeless, and she was looking for a place to sleep.
"Astrid" He finds himself calling for her, she turns around and looks at him with a face that clearly says 'WHAT' despite that, and for what ever reasoning possessing him at the moment he says "You can stay at my place if you like, I have to go to my dad's probably end up sleeping there so my apartment will be empty" he says as he walks a little closer to her. Her face is nothing but surprise, and he can see her debate with herself.
She wonder's if she should trust him. She knows to never trust in the streets, but he essentially saved her from prison. I mean, it's not like Berk has a shelter for homeless people. Technically, where she comes from is a myth. Everyone just assumes Berk has a decent enough economy that no one is poor enough to be homeless. Maybe poor enough for a shacky studio apartment and to struggle between meals, but not straight up homeless. What does she have to loose. Is either die of hunger or cold when winter sets in the streets, or die with a possible serial killer. I mean either way she dies, so fuck it.
"Ok" She says,
"Ok" He says rather loud, almost happy. "So, my car is at the shop. So, we are kinda stuck with a taxi, you know how much they love to drive." Sarcasm again, she smiles at that.
They step on to the corner of the street, he waves a taxi down after a try or two and they get on for a drive. He lives about a good 40 minutes away she notes. Or perhaps its the traffic. They arrive at a building thats four stories high and has ample parking. Somewhere between the city and the country she notes. They walk out and she follows him up to the 4th floor to apartment 426.
His apartment is nice to say the least, you open the door and you see the open plain for the kitchen and living room. Leather sofa and love seat making the division for the living room. A Kitchen table between the kitchen island and wall, next to it a clear door that opens to a balcony. The wall where the table is leads to a hall where she assumes the kitchen and rooms are. Not a huge place, but most definitly comfortable.
"Home sweet home I suppose, as you can see to the side the living room, feel free to watch TV to your front the Kitchen, feel free to eat something." He moves toward the hall and Astrid follows, closing the door behind her, and not locking it just in case. You never know,
"This is my room, you can sleep here tonight if you like, that is a second bed room I turned into a study room" he points to the door on the right. He point to the front, at the end of the hall. "That is the bathroom, feel free to shower"
Hiccup turns and looks at her, and sorta stares at her before stepping back into the kitchen, when he hears "What is this door" he looks, as if he had a magical extra door, he knows the only door left. It's next to his bedroom on the left side "That's a closet. Doubt you may need anything from there. Its mainly just cleaning items." Hiccup responds and Astrid nods, accepting his answer.
"Ok, umm. Well, see you later?" Hiccup says as he walks to the door. "Oh, hope you aren't allergic to cats. I have one, toothless, he sleeps pretty much everywhere"
"No, but thanks for letting me know. If I hear steps now I know its not an invasion" Astrid kids and then looks at him with a soft smile, and punches his shoulder
"OW, whats with the violence" Astrid shrugs, and then steps closer and kisses his cheek, a little closer to his mouth then last time "That's a thank you" she said still close to his mouth.
"Oh," Hiccup says. "Um, no problem." and he walks away with a small smile that Astrid ALMOST missed. Door closed and she notes he locked it and sees a spare key on the little end table near the door.
Astrid smiles,
Thanks Hiccup, you have no idea what this means to her.
Author's Note:
I plan on making it multi chapter, sorta depends on if its liked or not. Rated M, not just for the language but just in case for future purposes.
