Hello everyone.
Wow. Another chapter that is posted before May 3rd? I know.
I even amaze myself on occasion. Maybe I'll even finish the
story before May 11th...or maybe not. We'll see.
Thanks for reading everyone. And putting up with the long
spaces between updates.
~December
Chapter 11: Masks Can Hide Evil
As she was being led into the courtroom, in handcuffs, of course, Irony
had some time to think. Tenchi had been working pretty hard on her
case since day one...which was a surprise to her, considering that it
had to be pro-bono work for him. No one in the Green had access to
big money, not even Dare. But work hard her lawyer had...to the point
where they were finally having the bail hearing that should have happened
within 48 hours of her arrest.
Not that she didn't know what she was charged with. She knew. She actually
found some of the charges amusing...but she supposedly had this right to
be out on bail if she was deemed not dangerous. She didn't think that
being released would be the best idea in the world...but this was the
beginning of the fight and she understood that.
As she was brought up to her lawyer, he gave the the police with her a
dirty look and said, "Take off her handcuffs. Now." As they did, she
looked over again at her lawyer.
To say that he was very frustrating to work with would be an understatment.
They disagreed about so many tactics that he wanted to use in the case.
Irony smiled. Yeah, they had fought a lot. But something about him...
pulled at her heart strings. Well, first because he was so stubborn.
He fought her on stuff. He worked hard. He was smart...and yes he
was extremely sexy, especially in a suite. But also, there was this
sweetness there. He had come to visit after the Makoto girl, who had
also managed to worm her way into Irony's heart, and after telling him
what happened, he produced a French book so that Irony could brush up on
her French. The man was amazing.
As the police moved away and she turned to say something to Tenchi, she
spotted some in the crowd...who shouldn't have been there.
Sure Kali always cleaned up well, but her presence made no sense...or at
least no sense that was good for Irony. She was standing very close to
a man who looked somewhat important. 'What the hell kinda game are you
playing, Kali? And why with me? Still bitter that I said no?'
Tenchi noticed that his client had begun to stare past him. That look
she had in her eyes bothered him...especially when her eyes narrowed.
He wanted to ask what was wrong, but decided he may learn a little more
if he just waited for her to tell him. She was extremely hard-headed, but
she understood that they were a team; he played the law, she played the
street. And if there was a street thing he needed to know the play the
law, she'd tell me...eventually...when she was ready.
"Who is that man over there?" Irony finally asked, nodding in the direction
in which she was looking. Tenchi turned to look.
"The one with the woman in white next to him? That's the mayor of Toyko.
They say he has high political ambitions. Insiders say that he's known
to play dirty. He wants to be Prime Minister someday. Some assert this
'case of the century' is his first step in getting there. Why?"
Irony's eyes narrowed further. "I think I understand what's going on.
This is a lot more dangerous than I thought."
"What do you mean?"
"The woman next to him is a gang leader."
"WHAT?!" Tenchi's head whipped around to look at Alanis. In his shock
he barely remembered to keep his voice down.
"Her name is Kali. She runs the most dangerous gang in Toyko...really
in Japan. We...have a history."
"Are you going to tell me about it?"
"No."
"All rise. The Honorable Judge Eichi Itaranai presiding. Hear ye, him..."
the baliff continued, but Irony's attention was focused on something she considered
odd.
"Why is this hearing different from any other?"
"What makes you think this is different?" her lawyer asked quietly.
Irony snorted quietly, "I don't know. Maybe the fact that it is in English?"
"You may be seated," the judge said. The entire courtroom sat. "As you have
noticed, this particular trial is being done in a more general international
format. It is being done in English as to not inconvenience the accused-"
"Yeah, and if they fail to convict me here, they can hold a 'real' Japanese
trial without fear of double jeopardy," sneared Tenchi's client to him in an
aside. He nodded at her insight. His lady Alanis was really amazing...and
he would worry about why he chose to use the adjectives "his lady" at another
time.
"This court has been called into session to discuss the setting of bail. Would
the accused and her lawyer please stand."
Both Irony and Tenchi stood.
"Alanis Hope Tierreny, aka Irony, aka Bitter Hope-"
"Shit," Irony muttered under her breath. "Shit. Fuck you, Kali."
Tenchi stared at his client. 'What freaked Alanis out? And what is this 'Bitter
Hope' alias? No one calls her that!'
The judge continued, not aware of the inadvertant bomb he had dropped, "You have
been charged with the following crimes. Kidnapping of the Prime Minister's daughter
with the intent to hold her for ransom, Assault on one Gihen Hebi, aka
Lucifer, of a rival gang, Attempted assault on one Tsukino Usagi with premediation
and planning of forethought, resisting arrest, obstructing justice, inciting
terrorism, and disturbing the peace. How do you plead?"
Irony listened throughout the entire tirade. She was surprised by the
terrorism accusation, but she managed not to let it show. If she hadn't agreed
to fight...and hadn't realized that something bigger was going on, her answer
would have been quite differnt. But, refusing to reflect on that, the lady
openned her mouth and replied, "Not guilty, your honor."
Of course, many in the courtroom weren't happy with her plea, but after
banging the gavel several times, Judge Itaranai regained control. "What does
the state say in the way of bail?"
The lawyer for the prosectution stood. "We ask that bail be denied. Ms. Tierreny
is a danger and a flight risk."
"Your honor," began Tenchi, "I believe the prosectution is not being fair. The most
dangerous crime that my client is accused of is assault. The state has set bail
for murderers. The danger claim does not hold water-"
"The gaijin is still a flight risk," interupted the prosectution.
"How?!" countered Tenchi. "Her native country denies her existence, no other
country in the world would touch her, and she doesn't exactly blend in. Where
would she go?"
"She's a part of a terrorist network. They hide their own."
"Your honor, I object. That is pure conjecture on the state's part. They can't
prove it and so they can't use it as a rationale."
The judge looked about to speak. He paused and looked over at the mayor...who sent
him a look, not missed by Tenchi or Alanis. "Although we are bound to give the
accused a fair trial, we are not expected to expose our citizens to danger. Bail
is denied. Trial is set for two weeks from now. Court is adjourned."
As the judge left and the police return to Irony to lead her back to her cell, she
smiled at her lawyer, "I'm safer this way." And, almost like a queen, although in
handcuffs, Irony nee Alanis Hope Tierreny left the courtroom.
***
Outside the courtroom were several people who wanted to be there in person and not
just in spirit for their friend. That Anrui, Toge, Nintai, and Mamoru were there
was not a surprise to anyone. That Usagi, ChibiUsa, Motoki, and Makoto stood with
them may have shocked some other people...whom those four made sure had no idea of
their plans.
"Damn. What in the hell are they playing at?" Toge asked for the 60th time.
"Something else is obviously going on."
"I agree," said Anrui. "Honestly, this makes me nervous. What-" Anrui suddenly
fell silent and stiffened.
Approaching them was a woman in white. She looked perfectly respectable. Obviously
Japanese, she was dressed in a demure white suit, with her hair pulled into a bun.
Ignoring most of the group, she went right to ChibiUsa. "Hello, young lady. What
brings you to the courtroom today? Come to see justice done?"
ChibiUsa backed away from the woman. 'I have no idea why, but I don't trust her.
She's dangerous.' Based on that observation ChibiUsa remained rudely silent.
Usagi looked at her future daughter in surprise. Her manners were usually much
better than what she was displaying. "I'm sorry," she apologized to the woman in
front of them. "She's just a little tired and wary of strangers. Yes, we are here
for...educational reasons."
The woman smiled. "You are Tsukino Usagi, are you not? I'm amazed you can be in the
same room as that woman." Usagi looked as she was about to say something, but Mamoru's
hand on her shoulder stopped her. The woman in white smiled again. "My name is Akutenshi
Hidoi. It is nice to see you well Tsukino-san. I'm sure we'll meet again." And with
a cursory nod in Makoto's direction, the woman left.
"Well, with that viper here that makes this game much more dangerous," said Nintai.
"Who was that and why are you so upset?" Makoto asked.
Anrui sighed, "We are upset because that woman's street name is Kali...and she means
nothing but trouble for our Alanis. But we should have known that this fight wasn't
above-board as soon as that judge said the name Bitter Hope." Anrui's voice broke
slightly, "Alanis, I'm not sure we can get you out of this shit."
- To be continued -
A new character that only means trouble for Irony...that she has a history with. Hmm.
Wow. Another chapter that is posted before May 3rd? I know.
I even amaze myself on occasion. Maybe I'll even finish the
story before May 11th...or maybe not. We'll see.
Thanks for reading everyone. And putting up with the long
spaces between updates.
~December
Chapter 11: Masks Can Hide Evil
As she was being led into the courtroom, in handcuffs, of course, Irony
had some time to think. Tenchi had been working pretty hard on her
case since day one...which was a surprise to her, considering that it
had to be pro-bono work for him. No one in the Green had access to
big money, not even Dare. But work hard her lawyer had...to the point
where they were finally having the bail hearing that should have happened
within 48 hours of her arrest.
Not that she didn't know what she was charged with. She knew. She actually
found some of the charges amusing...but she supposedly had this right to
be out on bail if she was deemed not dangerous. She didn't think that
being released would be the best idea in the world...but this was the
beginning of the fight and she understood that.
As she was brought up to her lawyer, he gave the the police with her a
dirty look and said, "Take off her handcuffs. Now." As they did, she
looked over again at her lawyer.
To say that he was very frustrating to work with would be an understatment.
They disagreed about so many tactics that he wanted to use in the case.
Irony smiled. Yeah, they had fought a lot. But something about him...
pulled at her heart strings. Well, first because he was so stubborn.
He fought her on stuff. He worked hard. He was smart...and yes he
was extremely sexy, especially in a suite. But also, there was this
sweetness there. He had come to visit after the Makoto girl, who had
also managed to worm her way into Irony's heart, and after telling him
what happened, he produced a French book so that Irony could brush up on
her French. The man was amazing.
As the police moved away and she turned to say something to Tenchi, she
spotted some in the crowd...who shouldn't have been there.
Sure Kali always cleaned up well, but her presence made no sense...or at
least no sense that was good for Irony. She was standing very close to
a man who looked somewhat important. 'What the hell kinda game are you
playing, Kali? And why with me? Still bitter that I said no?'
Tenchi noticed that his client had begun to stare past him. That look
she had in her eyes bothered him...especially when her eyes narrowed.
He wanted to ask what was wrong, but decided he may learn a little more
if he just waited for her to tell him. She was extremely hard-headed, but
she understood that they were a team; he played the law, she played the
street. And if there was a street thing he needed to know the play the
law, she'd tell me...eventually...when she was ready.
"Who is that man over there?" Irony finally asked, nodding in the direction
in which she was looking. Tenchi turned to look.
"The one with the woman in white next to him? That's the mayor of Toyko.
They say he has high political ambitions. Insiders say that he's known
to play dirty. He wants to be Prime Minister someday. Some assert this
'case of the century' is his first step in getting there. Why?"
Irony's eyes narrowed further. "I think I understand what's going on.
This is a lot more dangerous than I thought."
"What do you mean?"
"The woman next to him is a gang leader."
"WHAT?!" Tenchi's head whipped around to look at Alanis. In his shock
he barely remembered to keep his voice down.
"Her name is Kali. She runs the most dangerous gang in Toyko...really
in Japan. We...have a history."
"Are you going to tell me about it?"
"No."
"All rise. The Honorable Judge Eichi Itaranai presiding. Hear ye, him..."
the baliff continued, but Irony's attention was focused on something she considered
odd.
"Why is this hearing different from any other?"
"What makes you think this is different?" her lawyer asked quietly.
Irony snorted quietly, "I don't know. Maybe the fact that it is in English?"
"You may be seated," the judge said. The entire courtroom sat. "As you have
noticed, this particular trial is being done in a more general international
format. It is being done in English as to not inconvenience the accused-"
"Yeah, and if they fail to convict me here, they can hold a 'real' Japanese
trial without fear of double jeopardy," sneared Tenchi's client to him in an
aside. He nodded at her insight. His lady Alanis was really amazing...and
he would worry about why he chose to use the adjectives "his lady" at another
time.
"This court has been called into session to discuss the setting of bail. Would
the accused and her lawyer please stand."
Both Irony and Tenchi stood.
"Alanis Hope Tierreny, aka Irony, aka Bitter Hope-"
"Shit," Irony muttered under her breath. "Shit. Fuck you, Kali."
Tenchi stared at his client. 'What freaked Alanis out? And what is this 'Bitter
Hope' alias? No one calls her that!'
The judge continued, not aware of the inadvertant bomb he had dropped, "You have
been charged with the following crimes. Kidnapping of the Prime Minister's daughter
with the intent to hold her for ransom, Assault on one Gihen Hebi, aka
Lucifer, of a rival gang, Attempted assault on one Tsukino Usagi with premediation
and planning of forethought, resisting arrest, obstructing justice, inciting
terrorism, and disturbing the peace. How do you plead?"
Irony listened throughout the entire tirade. She was surprised by the
terrorism accusation, but she managed not to let it show. If she hadn't agreed
to fight...and hadn't realized that something bigger was going on, her answer
would have been quite differnt. But, refusing to reflect on that, the lady
openned her mouth and replied, "Not guilty, your honor."
Of course, many in the courtroom weren't happy with her plea, but after
banging the gavel several times, Judge Itaranai regained control. "What does
the state say in the way of bail?"
The lawyer for the prosectution stood. "We ask that bail be denied. Ms. Tierreny
is a danger and a flight risk."
"Your honor," began Tenchi, "I believe the prosectution is not being fair. The most
dangerous crime that my client is accused of is assault. The state has set bail
for murderers. The danger claim does not hold water-"
"The gaijin is still a flight risk," interupted the prosectution.
"How?!" countered Tenchi. "Her native country denies her existence, no other
country in the world would touch her, and she doesn't exactly blend in. Where
would she go?"
"She's a part of a terrorist network. They hide their own."
"Your honor, I object. That is pure conjecture on the state's part. They can't
prove it and so they can't use it as a rationale."
The judge looked about to speak. He paused and looked over at the mayor...who sent
him a look, not missed by Tenchi or Alanis. "Although we are bound to give the
accused a fair trial, we are not expected to expose our citizens to danger. Bail
is denied. Trial is set for two weeks from now. Court is adjourned."
As the judge left and the police return to Irony to lead her back to her cell, she
smiled at her lawyer, "I'm safer this way." And, almost like a queen, although in
handcuffs, Irony nee Alanis Hope Tierreny left the courtroom.
***
Outside the courtroom were several people who wanted to be there in person and not
just in spirit for their friend. That Anrui, Toge, Nintai, and Mamoru were there
was not a surprise to anyone. That Usagi, ChibiUsa, Motoki, and Makoto stood with
them may have shocked some other people...whom those four made sure had no idea of
their plans.
"Damn. What in the hell are they playing at?" Toge asked for the 60th time.
"Something else is obviously going on."
"I agree," said Anrui. "Honestly, this makes me nervous. What-" Anrui suddenly
fell silent and stiffened.
Approaching them was a woman in white. She looked perfectly respectable. Obviously
Japanese, she was dressed in a demure white suit, with her hair pulled into a bun.
Ignoring most of the group, she went right to ChibiUsa. "Hello, young lady. What
brings you to the courtroom today? Come to see justice done?"
ChibiUsa backed away from the woman. 'I have no idea why, but I don't trust her.
She's dangerous.' Based on that observation ChibiUsa remained rudely silent.
Usagi looked at her future daughter in surprise. Her manners were usually much
better than what she was displaying. "I'm sorry," she apologized to the woman in
front of them. "She's just a little tired and wary of strangers. Yes, we are here
for...educational reasons."
The woman smiled. "You are Tsukino Usagi, are you not? I'm amazed you can be in the
same room as that woman." Usagi looked as she was about to say something, but Mamoru's
hand on her shoulder stopped her. The woman in white smiled again. "My name is Akutenshi
Hidoi. It is nice to see you well Tsukino-san. I'm sure we'll meet again." And with
a cursory nod in Makoto's direction, the woman left.
"Well, with that viper here that makes this game much more dangerous," said Nintai.
"Who was that and why are you so upset?" Makoto asked.
Anrui sighed, "We are upset because that woman's street name is Kali...and she means
nothing but trouble for our Alanis. But we should have known that this fight wasn't
above-board as soon as that judge said the name Bitter Hope." Anrui's voice broke
slightly, "Alanis, I'm not sure we can get you out of this shit."
- To be continued -
A new character that only means trouble for Irony...that she has a history with. Hmm.