*Warning* Spoilers contained. For optimal reading read Intro Thin Air up to Chapter 23*

Into the Darkness: The Seifer Almasy Trial

Beta: [Queen] Bebedora

Unsurprisingly, when your actions in some way result in half of the world's suffering, fair and reasonable representation is hard to come by.

For a while, Seifer questioned if Cid was going to take his 'no' as a final answer, as every Galbadian suit showed up to further promote Garden's confession agenda. If that had been the case, the ninth rejection must have made Almasy's stance clear, because shortly after that, his tribunal date had moved up.

From there, only fortune hunters interested in cashing in on Seifer's notoriety seemed interested. Granted, beggars shouldn't be choosers; but the impudent ex-knight found the alternative prospects wanting. Sure, some of Dollet's best bottom feeders suggested an insanity plea (with no mention of possession) might inspire enough guilt within Garden to pressure the tribunal to be merciful with institutionalization. Seifer had to admit it was a solid defense, but he wasn't about to pay someone to give him a diagnosis the world gladly gave him for free. Hyne knows there would be nothing in it for him as Garden would not permit a liability to linger around for long when one unfortunate accident could neatly tie up loose ends.

From there, without more than two gil to rub together, Seifer struggled to find any defense attorneys willing to go toe-to-toe with Garden on a losing cause. There was not a lot of profit to be made in alienating a potentially more lucrative client. He needed someone so down on his own luck that representing a murderous psychopath for virtually no benefit would be a turn in the right direction in his life. Thankfully, the new man sitting across from Seifer checked all the right boxes.

The wafts of cheap bourbon fraternizing with last night's mistakes told Almasy that the pathetic soulless sack in front of him had hit rock bottom long before his misguided romantic dream notion took shape. Which meant there would be nothing in this for him, and more importantly, Seifer could leave this world knowing he didn't drag anyone down with him.

The wisps of hair left on the top of his head were stained black from a shoddy dye job that made the pooled purple hues from broken blood vessels his cheeks more pronounced. Seeing as he was a walking cirrhosis public service announcement against day drinking, Seifer guessed he would be lucky to have a year left or two before he'd join him in the great beyond.

"Okay..." Seifer spoke, nodding his head in approval after taking him in. "So, what's your strategy? What are you willing to offer me that the others won't?"

The man let out an exasperated sigh as he shook his head, obviously not knowing how to respond. Seifer was unnerved by the unsightly jiggle that came from his cheeks.

"In truth, Mr. Almasy, I don't know what you would like me to tell you. I can represent the facts of your case or tell them whatever bullshit you want me to say, but either way, you're leaving in a body bag."

The attorney's voice had a twang of disgust about it. After a moment of contemplation, Seifer decided he rather liked that.

"Do you even want to know my side of the story?"

The man's lips thinned out as they pressed together in a moment of hesitation. "Honestly, not really. We both know you committed the crimes. I have a hunch that you think death would be a kinder bedfellow, or otherwise, you could have hired anyone else, but instead, you called my office. Twice. So, the only things I care about is what message you want to send back to SeeD, and where can I collect my retainer?"

Seifer began to nod slowly while taking that information in stride. At least the man had his priorities straight.

"Got yourself a family back home? Kids? A wife?" Gods, he needed to lower the bar for this one, "Uh, a fish, maybe?"

His line of questioning genuinely befuddled the seasoned gentlemen as he folded his hands in his lap nervously, "N-No. I have an ex-wife who left me two years ago. I never had any kids. Why?"

Good. No one else will face any unintended backlash due to his representation, but there was one last question Seifer had to ask. He didn't want any unforeseen surprises.

"What do you make of the new Sorceress?"

This made him visibly squirm in his chair but seeing as the last three of the briefcases never made it this far into the consultation, Seifer was on the edge of the seat, wanting to know if he had found his guy.

The lawyer let out a labored breath. "I guess she seems kind of nice. But she'll probably try to kill us all if SeeD doesn't do it first."

That's when Seifer knew he had found his man.

Layla's Notes:

I mean, classic Seifer here. I remember writing the diagnosis line rather plainly at first. Then *his* voice jumped in to my brain scoffing at how he wouldn't pay for something that was already assumed to be true. Fair. Same thing about the fish comment. At first it was dog, but *he* said that was too generous. I hope other writers have conversations with their characters too or this will be one awkward writer's note.

Thank you to all who have reviewed: SilentStarlightSky, Chundercat, colobonema, Angel-Wings Naya.

I know that many are not quite ready to jump into this part yet of the story yet, but knowing you guys are reading it and giving feed back helps me build of what I'm trying to accomplish. Thanks for your guys support and your own stories. They inspire me too. (Yes, I know my notes at the end is going to be more than the post itself. It happens.)

Don't Forget to to hit follow so your updated on this. Easy to forget. This story is nearly finished in my word doc. It's not super long.

Finally...

Inspired by colobonema,I am issuing a writer's challenge. Here is the verbiage below:

Final Fantasy Fanfiction Challenge- Pandemic Edition

It's been a year since COVID-19 has swept through our communities, altering all of our lives in unforeseeable ways. While returning to a "normal" life might be a long way away for many of us, this fandom gives us a safe place to return to what was familiar. With that, I am issuing a Final Fantasy challenge!

The Challenge: A global pandemic has interrupted Final Fantasy's worlds. Pull from your own experiences. How have you coped? What has your experience been like? How would that translate into your character's world? Your body of work could include humorously light coping strategies (like a misguided effort into baking bread or projects to pass the time) AND/OR take on more challenging subject matters like isolation, illness, or loss.

Guidelines:

Timing: Well, we don't know when Covid will end, but this challenge will run from now until July 31st.

Posting: In the story's description, lead with PandemicChallenge so people can find your works.

Email your submission or link: ff pandemic challenge (Make that all one word with no spaces). I will do my best to add everyone into a collection.

If you have an alternative idea that you wish to include under the Pandemic Challenge that doesn't quite fit in with these guidelines, that's okay too. Just write in the story description PandemicChallenge(alt).

The purpose: This is meant to bring us together and start communicating creatively again. It's my belief that the process of storytelling contains powerful healing properties that benefit us at this time.

The Pandemic Bi-Weekly Prompt Challenge:

For those who wish for an extra challenge, we are offering a bi-weekly prompt challenge as well. These challenges may have theme, character, or word count limitations. First prompt will start March 13th and will be shared on Discord: discord. gg / 87vjYVwT

(remove spaces). I'll also update on Community spots and forms.

Guidelines:

· Timing: These will be disclosed bi-weekly, but there is no time limit for completion.

· Posting: Use the PandemicChallengePrompt as a tag in the description.

· Email your submission or link: ff pandemic challenge (Make that all one word with no spaces). I will do my best to add everyone into a collection.