"All rise for the honorable Judge Midori."
As before, the bailiff instructs the court to rise as the judge makes his entrance into the courtroom, once more seating themselves once he has settled behind the stand. After thirteen long days of trial, with many questions asked, evidence presented, and expert testimony given, it finally came to be the last day of the trial, the jury's decision in the matter. Judge Midori invites first the prosecution, and then the defense, to stand and voice their closing statements, both of which amount to a simple summary of what was heard and their confidence in the jury's decision, and once this is finished, the judge turns his attention to the Jury, who had finished deliberating at this point.
"Esteemed members of the jury, how do you find the defendant Jacques Schnee?" The moment the question is asked, a juror stands up and clears her throat before looking to the paper in her hands and reading off what is written. "After careful deliberation, we the jury find the defendant, Jacques Schnee, guilty on all charges." As the verdict is given, a tense silence breaks out over the courtroom, the faces of those seated changing while they process the decision.
"We thank you for your service, you are dismissed. The defendant is to be remanded into custody pending sentencing." As the jury files out through their respective entrance, the bailiff escorts Jacques out of the courtroom, but not before he shoots Weiss a particularly dirty look, showing his displeasure towards the verdict given. Weiss unfortunately catches this look before he leaves, anxiety welling up in more than she'd like, but before she gets too lost in her thoughts, a hand presses against her shoulder and draws her attention.
"Weiss? Is everything alright?" Willow questions, Weiss glancing off to the side before slowly nodding.
"I'm... I'm fine... I was just... Worried..." With Weiss's reassurance, Willow nods, then helps her daughter up to her feet before the two exit the courtroom alongside everyone else. The moment she steps out of the doors she finds herself being embraced by Penny, arms gently encircling the ginger android before she leans into the embrace.
"Weiss! Are you okay?" Penny softly asks, fingers gently entangling in Weiss's hair as a hand cups the back of her head. "I know you were worried, but everything's okay now. He can't hurt anyone anymore." Hearing her words, the realization finally sinks in. She's free. She can't be hurt by him anymore. Her sister, brother, and mom can't be hurt by him anymore. With this realization, she breaks down into crying, soft at first, but slowly growing while she clings to Penny, who tightly holds her and provides as much comfort as she can.
"He... He can't hurt me... He's gone, and... I'm free... We're free..." Hearing Weiss's words, Penny presses a tender kiss to her forehead, while Blake, Yang, and Ruby, who had been nearby, all too readily join in on hugging her, letting her get out all her emotions and take comfort in their presence.
"It's gonna be okay Weiss, you're safe now. We're here, we won't let you go." Blake assures her, a squeeze being given before she leans her head in against Weiss's.
"Yeah, what Blake said Ice Queen! Your old man can't get to you anymore, there isn't a thing he can do to hurt you while he's in prison." Yang's reassurance is the exact thing Weiss would expect her to say, complete with the nickname she loathes, but she can't help but weakly giggle in response, her smile growing slightly while a sniffle rings out.
"Don't be sad Weiss, be happy! You're safe, your siblings and mom are safe, Penny is safe, he can't hurt you here, so don't cry!" Ruby says in that ever so upbeat manner of hers, arms squeezing around Weiss firmly just as Blake did. A choked up noise leaves Weiss's lips as she processes just what she had heard, her smile growing exponentially while she clenches her eyes shut to stifle further tears.
"T... Thanks, you guys... I'm grateful I have you here..." Comes a quiet reply, Weiss being no louder than she feels she needs to be, or that she feels she could manage to be. Once the group hug eventually breaks, after nearly five minutes or so, she gently dries her eyes with a balled up hand, then looks around at her friends, seeing their smiling, encouraging faces.
"Y'know, Weiss, I think this calls for a celebration. What say we all go out for the afternoon, spend it in Atlas together?" Yang suggests, Weiss all too eager to nod in agreement.
"I'd love to, that sounds wonderful."
"Thanks for inviting me over for the night Penny." Weiss softly says, a rosy blush forming on her cheeks. Penny merely smiles her usual bright grin and nods, as happy as can be at present.
"No need to thank me Weiss! Dad said he was more than happy to have you over for the night, so we could spend some time together!" After their fun filled afternoon in Atlas, Penny had extended to Weiss an invite to spend the night at Pietro's home in Mantle, an invite readily accepted by the brace face. A quick stop was made to her shared dorm so she could pack her backpack, gather up Muffin and Nickel, and catch their ride down to Mantle. Pietro had greeted them by his pharmacy before they made the walk to his home, and upon arrival Weiss was greeted to the savory aroma of stew cooking.
After dinner was enjoyed, the two trekked upstairs and Weiss changed into pajamas for the evening, a simple, long nightgown of light blue with matching slippers, her headgear being secured into place afterwards. Once ready for the night ahead, she had settled onto Penny's bed in the room Pietro gave her, despite Penny's lack of need for sleep she was given a bedroom she could decorate, and she often liked to close her eyes and pretend she was sleeping.
"What would you like to do this evening Weiss?" With the night sky having overtaken the last traces of light that could be seen, Weiss found her options for things to do changed accordingly, but of course she could think of only one thing that would be perfect at the moment.
"How about a movie, Penny? We could cuddle on your bed and watch a movie together, that would be lovely." Weiss suggests, Penny readily nodding in approval before effortlessly scooping Weiss up into her arms and adjusting her so that she's nestled against the side of the bed by the window. Despite being startled at first, Weiss recovers quickly and nestles into her new spot, pulling out her scroll and bringing up a movie while Penny nestles up onto the bed at her side. Once Penny is in position the movie is started, both girls turning their gaze to the scroll while it plays.
For two long hours the movie plays, Penny and Weiss both enjoying watching it, but ultimately, before it ends, Weiss ends up falling asleep against her girlfriend, the relaxation of the moment combined with the energy of the day dissipating leaving her quite tuckered out. Penny smiles softly upon seeing Weiss fast asleep, her scroll being taken and set aside before she carefully lifts the snoozing Schnee. With gentle movements she shifts the blankets and lays Weiss underneath them, then carefully climbs up off the bed and dresses in pajamas of her own.
A tender kiss is pressed to Weiss's forehead after she climbs into bed with her, Penny tucking Nickel into her arms while she herself keeps hold of Muffin. As eyes flutter closed and smile softens, a simple phrase is uttered, no louder than it ever needs to be.
"Goodnight, Weiss, I know you can't hear me, but I love you very much."