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Arctis Tor - Courtroom
"Queen Rayfa Padma Khura'in, ruler of the Accords Nation of Khura'in, you stand accused. The White Court of Vampires has named you murderer of one of their own." Apollo listened as Queen Mab, the powerful being he'd ever met or would ever meet, began that day's court session. His back was straight, his posture firm, and his confidence...well, it could have been worse. "Normally, the punishment for this would be a simple wergild. However, you are protesting the charges. As you have had two trials thus far, we will give you one last trial to see whether you truly owe the vampires what they claim."
There was a tension in the cold air of the courtroom. There was something in the air, some atmosphere of finality, that made everyone sure that there would be no fourth trial.
At the very least, Apollo could be glad that he'd saved Rayfa from a death sentence. A wergild (an archaic idea, long ago removed from most mortal courts, where a price is put on life itself) wasn't an insignificant amount of money, but Khura'in could afford it. The bigger issue with a Guilty sentence would be what would come with it. Politically, it would be an admission of fault, the kind of thing Rayfa's political enemies would love. They'd likely have to scale back their reforms, and the longer Ga'ran's rot remained in the system, the longer it would fester, the more time they had to try and pull a coup.
Apollo had to win, again. Third time's the charm, right?
"Is the prosecution ready?" Mab asked.
Across the court from Apollo, Godot stood ready. He didn't even bear a glance at the court's judge. His eyes, hidden though they were, had latched onto Apollo's. "A sledgehammer doesn't have to be asked if he's ready to strike a spike or two." Apollo scowled. Did everyone have to make fun of his hair?! The first mug of coffee for the day slid into Godot's waiting hand. "I emerged from the deepest pit of hell with a purpose. Today's the day to see it through."
As Godot took a sip of his coffee, grinning in that extremely self-satisfied way, Mab seemed to realize that was the best answer she'd get from him. "Very well. And you, defense?" Hmm. If Apollo was right, which he couldn't be sure he was, it almost felt like Mab was getting a bit tired of Godot's theatrics. Of course, Mab was too inhuman to really be sure of what she felt, at least for Apollo. He had the feeling his gift would be useless, should she ever take the stand.
With the court's eyes turned to the defense's bench, Apollo projected confidence. Athena did as well, standing by his side, ready to finish the case once and for all. "The defense is ready, Your Majesty," Apollo told her.
"Have you ever set a world record, Injustice?" Godot asked, taking back control of the court the second Apollo had finished speaking. "Because I think we're about to earn one right now...for the fastest Guilty verdict." Still looking supremely smug, Godot took a sip of coffee before he said more. "This court has already explored this case thoroughly. Yesterday's Not Guilty was only because of a technicality, nothing more. Unless Injustice can provide evidence to the contrary, I move for an immediate Guilty verdict."
"Objection!" Apollo shouted, finger outstretched. He'd been afraid of that. If they didn't get a chance to dig deeper in court, there was no way for them to win. Looking up to the one who was really in-charge of the trial, Apollo pleaded, "Your Majesty, the prosecution is relying on testimony and evidence presented in other trials. The defense would request they present it to the court once more, for it to be valid." He knew it was a long shot. Apollo was arguing for sticking to procedure in a court that had so far done anything but.
Something in the eyes of the Unseelie Queen let him know his tactic had failed before she even bothered to speak. "Objection overruled," Mab replied in a cool voice. "This is not your mortal court. All present have sat through two trials, and I will not force them to sit and watch as you quibble over minor points. Does the defense have any serious objections to a verdict being delivered?" The gallery talked a lot at that, the sound far more terrifying than it was back home, since the 'people' in the stands weren't human.
While that tactic might have helped, Apollo tried not to sweat it's loss. It hadn't been his real aim in the first place. It always helped in bargaining if you let the other side shoot down your first idea, he knew. It made them think that your next idea was a compromise. "I do. The defense would like to consider how all these crimes connect. In order to solve the mystery at the heart of this trial, I ask that we go over things from the start once more, with fresh eyes."
That just led to more grumbling from the audience, though this time it sounded distinctly unhappy. Did they think Apollo was just stalling for time? The thought made Apollo grin. Athena didn't look as confident, but she was mirroring his smile anyway. He'd given her the run-down of what he thought he knew, and his plan, the night before. She wasn't sure it would work, but she was there to support him regardless.
"Order." As always, Mab didn't have to do much to get the silence she wanted. Once the courtroom was as silent as a tomb, she arched an eyebrow in Apollo's direction. A sharp stab of fear went through him, just from the effect of her direct and undivided attention. "Your request amuses me." That was good, right? "That said, I am unsure anything would come of such an endeavor. Do you truly believe there is something to be gained from this path?" Perhaps too jerkily, Apollo nodded his head. "Very well. Prosecutor, tell us what you believe to be the full course of events."
There was something insulting about how Godot smiled, as he finished his first cup of coffee. Apollo was used to smug prosecutors, but there was something about Godot's attitude, something about how superior the man seemed to feel, that grinded his gears. "If the greenhorn wants to try searching a swimming pool for pirate's gold, I won't stop him. The thief known as Mask DeMasque was really our victim, Ringo Raith. He got in good with the Khura'in Royal Family, as the defendant's bodyguard, so he could use their political trips to other countries as a way to steal what he wanted. On the night of the murder, he'd just taken a painting from the Unseelie Traveling Exhibit, only to be killed by the pup he was supposed to be guarding."
"Objection!" This was the first step of the counterattack. Pulling out the cast file, looking through them to make a point, Apollo asked, "Prosecutor Godot, how do you know for sure that the victim was Mask DeMasque?" That got the court buzzing, and Apollo continued his questions, trying to sow as much doubt as he could. "He was found in the costume, that we know, but what about the other facts? This newest Mask DeMasque was known to have magical abilities, but do we know for sure that Ringo Raith had any talent in the magical arts? What other evidence ties him to these crimes? If the prosecutor is claiming that him being Mask DeMasque is a necessary element of his case, I would like to see him prove it."
"...ha!" The laugh came from the other side of the court like an old dog's bark, cutting through the silence that came once Apollo's questions had all been rattled out. "Sounds like Injustice is pushing his mentor's methods a bit too far. Bombarding my case with questions doesn't mean anything if you can't answer them yourself. Does the defense have a better theory? Because right now, the only evidence that counts anymore says that Mask DeMasque has to be Ringo." The dead prosecutor sounded so confident, which only made what Apollo was building to even better.
After taking a deep breath, Apollo made the move that would either win him the case or lead to an immediate verdict. "The defense is not ready to name another suspect in the thefts as of yet. However, we do know a way to get more information regarding the true identity of the thief." Apollo waited, savoring the fact the court was waiting to hear his next words. "The defense would like to hear the testimony of a witness, the newest victim of Mask DeMasque: Anna Fanna."
"The defense seems to have something in mind," Mab observed, as she turned her attention to Apollo's opponent. "What are the prosecution's thoughts on this? Is it possible to summon this witness in a timely manner?" Apollo froze where he stood.
"Apollo!" Athena hissed in his ear, looking just as tense as he felt. "If it takes too long to get Anna here, there's no way they'll let us call her!" He had missed this flaw in his plan. If this was a normal courtroom, it wouldn't be hard to track down a witness and get them there in time. But this was another world.
Godot was clearly savoring Apollo's panic, but as he took a sip from his second cup so far, there was something else there that Apollo couldn't place. "The prosecution expected this tactic," Godot said, stunning Apollo. "That witness has already been prepared. Go ahead and talk to her, Injustice. Show me if you're worthy of your legacy." Still reeling from Godot just kind of...giving that to him, Apollo watched as Anna Fanna was led out by the Sidhe bailiff. Standing next to them, she looked even more plain and unassuming than usual. "Witness, please state your name and occupation."
Looking around the room as though thoroughly terrified, Anna muttered, barely audible. "I-I'm curator at the Unseelie Traveling Exhibit, and I work as Anna Fanna." It took her a moment to realize she'd gotten them mixed up, sputtering, "Oh, uh, um..." But Godot didn't seem to care that she'd gotten them reversed.
He took a moment to take a long sniff of his coffee, savoring the aroma. "Godot Blend #93, mild on the surface, but with depth for those with concerning palates." Godot was looking at the witness, as if challenging her with that statement. "What depths are you hiding, timid little sheep?" Apollo was actually able to hear the sound of grinding teeth next to him, as Athena muttered something about harassment. "You were summoned here to answer some questions for the pointy-haired lawyer over there."
Realizing it was up to him to define what she was to say, Apollo cleared his throat and addressed Anna. "Ms. Fanna, all we're asking for from you is a description of what happened with you on the night of the theft at your exhibit." Apollo tried not to let any hints sneak by to her through his tone, doing everything he could to sound professional but kind.
If she had any idea as to what he was planning, she didn't look like it. "I-I don't think anyone besides you yourself know why you called me to the stand, Mr. Justice. In case it wasn't made clear before, I'm t-the curator as the exhibit. Any good curator spends their nights with their work, if it's under threat from a thief. I request to leave once my cross-examination is done, I don't like it here at all..." She sounded scared, unsure of why she was there. Apollo knew many in the court were wondering that same thing.
When Mab gave him permission to cross-examine, there was no need for digging around. Listening to her repeat what she'd already said, Apollo struck just as she implied that she spent the whole night at the museum. "Objection! Ms. Fanna, there are some problems with what you just said!"
His shouting made Anna flinch, her arms recoiling away from him as though he was a monster himself. "W-w-what do you mean?" she asked, her voice quivering like a leaf barely attached to a tree.
Looking through his notes, Apollo decided to start with the lighter punch first. "We spoke with Mr. Dresden yesterday, and he told us you and the court's resident wizard investigator spent that evening out on a date. Isn't that correct?" The question made the witness blush, but she wasn't the one who replied to it.
"Objection!" Godot called out, mug in hand, his basso voice reverberating through the icy courtroom. "Injustice, that's weak, even for you. The words of a wizard hold no weight if he isn't at the stand saying them. Unless he put down his staff and grabbed a pen, signing an affidavit to all of that, it isn't evidence." Mab didn't contradict him, so Apollo guessed she backed that argument.
Good. It was the support he needed for his real hit. Pulling out the piece of evidence that really mattered, Apollo explained, "You're absolutely right, Prosecutor Godot. Luckily for me, I do have an affidavit here for you, from someone who saw this witness at the palace on the night of the crime." That got people talking again. After all, that was the scene of the crime.
Unphased, Godot finished his cup of coffee before asking, "Interesting. Could someone pass it over here? I'm a bit curious to see who says this sheep was that far from her pen." Apollo handed the document to the bailiff, who promptly brought it over to Godot. "...ha! A signed piece of testimony from the Yatagarasu. Injustice, you have more of Trite's flair than I thought." Now the court was really starting to get loud. After all, the Yatagarasu had raised quite a bit of ire from the supernatural side of the world lately. "Now, I'm not saying I don't trust the word of an outlaw who likes crows. But without corroboration, an affidavit isn't worth the paper it's written on. That's one of my rules. Little sheep, is the thief lying?"
Suddenly on the spot, Anna's voice hitched in her throat, and it took her a few seconds to put together something to say, her knobby shoulders jittering in fear. "Oh, uh, well...yes, it is true. I went on a date with Mr. Dresden that night, and I visited the palace. I'm sure you can see why I didn't think that was relevant, though!" It sounded like Anna was scared people would blame her for leaving those details out.
"If the first testimony isn't enough," Godot said, smiling at the witness wolfishly. "Throw it out and order a second one. That's another one of my rules." A bell rang in Apollo's head. Hadn't he said that in one of Mr. Wright's trials? "Bleat a bit more, tell us why you were there that night."
Anna took a deep breath, and held it so long that Apollo started to get nervous that she was going to run out of air. She finally let it out, though, but she looked just as panicked as before. "You are right, I was there at the palace that night! Queen Mother Amara had wanted to talk to me about art. But a regular person doesn't understand anything about magic. Faeries, vampires, wizards...Tell me, how am I supposed to help you solve this case?"
There didn't sound like there was a lot there to most people, but Apollo knew better. He felt his bracelet tighten as Anna spoke, shifting around on his wrist as his eyes registered something wrong with her body language. It was time once again to Perceive the truth.
"Defense," Mab warned, before allowing the cross-examination to begin. "Thus far, you have found nothing of interest from this witness. Should this testimony pass with no further revelations, the trial will end." It wasn't as though Apollo expected anything else. This was an all-or-nothing gambit.
As Anna reiterated her testimony, Apollo rubbed his bracelet, waiting for the right moment to Focus. Then, he realized where it was, somewhere around when she was talking about magic. "But a..." she said, as the world around her disappeared, time slowing as all Apollo could see was her face. "...regular person..." she continued, and Apollo had lucked out. He didn't have to look far to see what he needed. Just as she said 'regular person', the corners of her mouth pulled up into the hint of a smile.
"Gotcha!" Apollo shouted, ready to take this case by the horns. Grinning, his Focus lessened, zooming out from the witnesses face while still leaving her body the only thing he could see. "Is there something funny about 'regular people' Anna?" he asked, happy the opportunity had come to take the case where it had to go for him to win.
For just a second, Anna stood still. In that moment, Apollo saw something like fire in her eyes. The next moment, however, she was reeling back, looking hurt. "M-Mr. Justice? W-what are you saying?" It was almost enough to actually make Apollo sympathetic for her.
But he'd seen too many witnesses who seemed innocent turn out to hide deadly secrets to just trust that she was as meek as she acted. "Yesterday, when I was talking to you at the exhibit, you made a big deal about your door shutting behind you, and I never saw you touch the iron doorknob. In fact, you made a point to fill your hands before I left, and asked me to open it for you." The glasses on Anna's face looked like they were about to fall off from how hard she was trembling. "I haven't known about the magical world for very long, but I know for a fact there's one kind of creature that can't touch iron. I think...you're a member of the Fae!"
Distantly, as though the audience was a mile away, Apollo could barely hear their gasps of shock. "A-a Fae?" Anna sputtered, sounding shocked. Had her hair becoming even frizzier, somehow more unkempt? "Me? I think that's a b-bit of a stretch, just from seeing me do that..." With every word Anna spoke, she withdrew behind the stand more, as if trying to hide from Apollo's questions.
"You're correct, but there is an easy way to test if I'm right." Reaching up to his lapel, Apollo took off his badge, the sign of who he was as an attorney, and held it out to the witness. Her eyes went wide, magnified even more by the glasses that were barely hanging onto the edge of her nose. "Most people don't know this, but under the gold plating, a California Attorney's Badge is made of iron! And what do you know, the back is starting to flake off a little." Turning it around to show Anna, there was a spot where the outside had broken away, revealing something grey underneath. "If you're really not a Fae, then catch!"
Before Anna could properly react, Apollo tossed his badge at her. Faster than any human could possibly move, Anna ran from the witness stand, running to try and escape the courtroom. But the bailiffs were inhuman themselves, easily able to stop and restrain her, forcing her back to the stand, though she still moved as far away as she could from the badge on the floor.
As the effects of his bracelet began to fade, and the world of the court returned completely, Apollo realized something. It was the quietest courtroom he'd ever heard. It wasn't just empty of sound, it was almost as though an oppressive anti-sound had filled the air. Everyone was looking at Anna, how she'd just moved, and they all knew what they'd seen.
Then, an ethereal sound came from above them all. So beautiful, it was music. So terrifying, it would reverberate in Apollo's nightmares for years to come. Mab, with a hand over her mouth, was giggling. Then, looking down at Apollo with a smile, she said, "Excellently played, truesight defender." Then, looking back at Anna, she commanded, "We will take a short recess, so that this witness's true identity can be properly established." She slammed the gavel, harder than he had at any point thus far in the trial, and everyone began to file out of the court.
Before leaving for the lobby, Apollo made sure to head over to the witness stand to pick up his badge, putting it back into his lapel. "I had no idea our badges are actually iron!" Athena whispered to him, looking at her own badge in stunned silence.
Keeping his voice low, Apollo tried not to sound as stressed as he felt. "They aren't, they're silver." That got a gasp from his ex-coworker. He understood why. This wasn't the type of thing people expected from him. It wasn't something he expected from himself. "I don't like it either, but it was the only way forward I could see. Remember, Athena. We're surrounded by Faeries. We're in their home. I had to take hold of one of the only advantages we have on them." Feeling like a hypocrite, Apollo let Athena finish his point for him.
"We can lie."
COURT RECORD
Evidence
Attorney's Badge (Other): The proof of my profession. Now that I have my own office, it feels more real, y'know?
Mask DeMasque's Thefts (Document): A list of the thefts' locations, their dates, and what was stolen. Updated with victims.
June 6th, Borginia, Chandelier (Containing stolen pixies), the White Council of Wizards.
June 24th, Bialya, Enchanted Sculpture, The Jade Court of Vampires
July 15th, Cohdopia, Ruby, the Dragon Pyrovax
September 2nd, London, Manuscript, the Fomor
October 14th, Khura'in, Painting (Of Mab), the Unseelie Traveling Exhibit
Magic and You: Are You a Wizard? (Document): A pamphlet made by Harry Dresden explaining how magic works.
Mortal practitioners interfere with technology nearby them.
The Sight lets a mortal wizard see the true nature of things. It also allows Soulgazes.
Soulgazes happen when a person with the Sight looks any mortal directly in the eyes. The wizard can see their soul, but the mortal sees their soul in return.
Wizards can open Ways into the Nevernever.
People are born with a certain amount of magical potential, those with a lot can be trained into being wizards.
Magic Circles can be used by mortal practitioners for a variety of uses.
Magic can be used by Vampires and the Fae as well as wizards. Fae are gravely hurt by touching cold iron.
Magic can be divided into Evocations, immediate spells, and Thaumaturgy, ritual spells.
The Frozen Queen (Other): The painting stolen from the Unseelie Traveling Exhibit. Found under Queen Rayfa's bed, and has her fingerprints on it. Is clearly of Queen Mab.
Mask DeMasque's Costume (Other): The signature costume of the famous thief, sighted during several of the crimes. Not found in the Khura'in Mansion. Recently found on the body of Sah'kred Pahrohtektor.
The Laws of Magic (Document): A pamphlet made by Harry Dresden explaining the Laws of Magic as determined by the White Council of Wizards.
1st Law-Thou Shalt Not Kill. (Only applies to killing with magic.)
2nd Law-Thou Shalt Not Transform Others.
3rd Law-Thou Shalt Not Invade the Mind of Another.
4th Law-Thou Shalt Not Enthrall Another.
5th Law-Thou Shalt Not Reach Beyond the Borders of Life.
6th Law-Thou Shalt Not Swim Against the Currents of Time.
7th Law-Thou Shalt Not Open the Outer Gates.
The first five Laws only apply towards mortal humans, not supernatural beings.
Self-defence can work as a defence, but accidents can't.
Penalty is death or probation on pain of death if broken.
Autopsy Report (Report): The victim, Sah'kred Pahrohtektor, died sometime between 9pm and 10:30pm on October 14th from immolation. Details on bones show victim may actually be in his early 20's, while the number of injuries (nearly 100 broken bones across the entire body) imply a more advanced age. The victim was covered in traces of a napalm-like compound. This is explained by him being a White Court Vampire.
Crime Scene Notes (Other): The scene was built with magic circles installed in the floor. They appear to have kept the fire contained. Harry found traces of magic at the scene, but can't be sure what kind of spell was involved, or what kind of being cast them. He is sure it was an evocation.
Broken Glass (Other): A piece of broken glass found under the desk at the crime scene. Covered in a strange liquid, revealed by Ema Skye's investigation to be a napalm-like liquid chemical.
Crime Scene Photo (Photographs): A picture of the crime scene as it was first found.
Mental Magic (Other): Rayfa was magically attacked on the night of the crime. The memories from that time are completely gone, and she was immobilized and operated like a puppet. Whoever did it was a Fae of some kind.
Yatagarasu Affidavits (Document): Sworn statements from all three members of the Yatagarasu, though to anyone else it would read as one account. Shortly after 9pm, Cass saw the Frozen Queen painting melt into ectoplasm. While they were all in the palace stealing the 'truth', they saw Grim Moir, Da'ra T'ee Ka'ash, and Anna Fanna.
Profiles
Ahlbi Ur'gaid (Age: 9)-Monk-in-training, tour guide, and sometimes my assistant as well.
Rayfa Padma Khura'in (Age: 14)-Queen of Khura'in, spirit channeler-in-training, and bratty sister to my adopted brother. She's training under a wizard, and has been arrested for killing a man with her magic.
Nahyuta Sahdmadhi (Age: 25)-High Prosecutor of Khura'in and my brother. Well, adopted brother.
Harry Dresden (Age: 48)-Wizard and Private Investigator. Seems to be the investigator for this case. Thinks he's very funny.
"The Gatekeeper" (Age: Unknown)-A Wizard who just showed up in my office, with a friend in tow.
Athena Cykes (Age: 19)-My former junior associate at the Wright Anything Agency and a licensed psychologist. Appeared out of nowhere with a wizard.
Da'ra T'ee Ka'ash (Age: 34)-Courtier for the Khura'in Royal Palace. A Ga'ran loyalist who bribed Grim Moir into hiding Rayfa's alibi.
Grim Moir (Age: 172)-Rayfa's private tutor and a wizard of the White Council. Has been secretly teaching Rayfa magic since late May. The first victim of the newest Mask DeMasque. Kidnapper of pixies.
Queen Mab (Age: ?)-The Judge of the this trial. She radiates power and beauty but scares the daylights out of me. She's the Queen of the Winter Court of the Fairies, as well as the Queen of Air and Darkness. Subject of the stolen portrait.
Godot (Age: Deceased)-Famous opponent of Phoenix Wright, died years ago, but brought back by Queen Mother Amara to be the prosecutor for this trial. He's started calling me Injustice.
Ema Skye (Age: 27)-Former detective, current scientific investigator, and my friend. Serving as coroner on this case.
Sah'kred Pahrohtektor (Age: ?)-Queen Rayfa's personal bodyguard, found dead in her secret study room dressed up as Mask DeMasque. Real name Ringo Raith, he was actually a vampire of the White Court.
Anna Fanna (Age: ?)-The curator of the Unseelie Traveling Exhibition and one of the victims of this case. Went on a date with Harry Dresden, but it didn't work out. Seems to be a member of the Fae, but exactly who is still unknown.
Kay (Age: 26)-Seeming leader of the second Yatagarasu, and claims to be the direct descendent of the first. Claims to be an expert in thievery.
Molly (Age: 30)-Member of the second Yatagarasu, and Harry Dresden's ex-apprentice. A wizard with incredible abilities with veils and mental magic.
Cass (Age: 22)-Member of the second Yatagarasu, and the team's muscle. Athena seems to know a lot more about who she is?