"I hereby consider this court in procession." the Judge called.
I was standing with Gene at the heart of the courtroom, our wings out, as John was sitting in a wheelchair close by, his violin in his lap.
The boys and their families were sitting opposite, the six boys from earlier sitting in the accuser's seats with their parents.
The rest of SPR were in the stands behind Gene and I, although Lin was sitting separate in a caged-off section.
Needless to say, the area was also warming with the half-angel guards.
"Oliver and Eugene Davis, also known as Kazuya and Kazuki Shibuya, or Naru and Gene, you are hereby accused of abusing the half-angel youth of our village, Oliver with his foul-blood powers." the Judge stated. "The oath."
I kept my face blank as we all recited the words;
I hereby promise to speak the truth
Else burn in Hell-flame
And not to use my angelic or demonic powers while held to oath.
I could easily see how this staged idiocy was going to play out, and only slightly considered letting Lin show the Court what real hell-flames look (and maybe feel) like.
"Do you believe yourselves guilty or not guilty?"
"Not." I growled, Gene remained silent, and I could tell he was remaining quiet for a reason.
"What of the other one?"
Gene shuffled slightly, before taking a breath.
"I went off by myself, they attacked me, Naru was only trying to stop me from being smashed until unconscious – again." he said.
"I see." the Judge frowned, and turned to the boys. "What of you?"
"They are guilty!" the unanimous decision rang out from all of them.
One of them stood.
"Had the boy really been beaten close to unconsciousness, he wouldn't be here now." they pointed out. "We also believe it is because of the wounding of their friend."
Eyes turned on John.
"Actually, John healed us enough to stand here. Yes he was unjustly attacked, but we could have easily sorted that out in a more civilized manner. We don't even know the names or faces of his attackers, either." I stated. "What is the point of attacking people who you do not know, if they are not the people to have thrown the first stone."
"Luke 6:27; "But to you who hear me I say: Love your enemies; do good to those who hate you; bless those who curse you; pray for those who treat you spitefully."" John quoted in a soft tone. "Luke 6:31 summarises this after several more examples; "Treat others as you would like them to treat you.", Eugene didn't hurt anyone, obeying the rules as best he could, while Naru only gave what Eugene had been given."
"Who are you to judge?" the judge asked. John dipped his head as he blushed slightly.
He raised his head again, and moved to speak.
"He's Father John Brown! Son of Lucida, the Lady Clarity, and my big brother!" James exclaimed from the stands, standing up as his wings emerged.
"James, 1:26 and 3:18." John replied with a small smile at his little brother.
"My namesake's 1:26 was "A man may think he is religious, but if he has no control over his tongue, he is deceiving himself; that man's religion is futile."" James quoted, looking at his feet in shame. "3:18 was "True Justice is the harvest reaped by peacemakers from seeds sown in a spirit of peace."… Sorry."
"Why does he not show his wings?!" the Judge looked surprised.
"To parade my birth and be followed for it is not within my right. Instead, to be followed for my faith and in turn worship God is my preferred will." John replied gently. "To use your lineage for followers is against such."
"The Court wishes to see your wings!" One of the opposing Villagers called.
Two guards swiftly moved to help John get up.
"[Careful!]" the Doctor yelled.
John's violin turned into blue, glittering dust as it left his lap, and he looked at me.
I nodded, and he closed his eyes as his wings extended, making the guards step back in surprise as John had to quickly flap his wings for support as he sat back down, raising a hand to gently touch the bandage on his head.
He summoned his violin again, and set it back on his lap as James quickly swooped down, and John gave him a soft smile.
"It's just a genetic inheritance, like blue eyes and gold hair. It's up to the receiver how they treat it." he said with a small smile, propping his violin on his shoulder as he played a gentle tune, and surprised noises came from the other side of the room as the children I had harmed began to heal, visible bruises fading and broken bones mending.
"John! Don't!" Lin suddenly snapped, and eyes turned back to John as he stopped playing, a trickle of blood coming from under his bandage, and he winced.
"What-?!" one of the parents breathed.
"I thought that if I sped up the healing process by a few weeks, the sentence could be lightened for my friends." John smiled. "Even if that meant a portion of the time healing they lost got passed to me instead."
"John~!" James complained. "That's silly!"
""Bless those who curse you."" John smiled, leaning back as Ayako quickly exited the stand and ran to check John over as he passed out.
Hurriedly, she wheeled him from the room.
"The Court wishes to accept Father Brown's kindness, though the Law is the Law, and Time cannot be shortened."
"But Gene didn't do anything! I was the one who lost it and beat up them! Also, they harmed Gene first!" I growled, striding to the front of the "suspects" box.
"Naru! Calm down!" Gene hissed, placing a hand on my shoulder.
I shook him off.
"I'm just returning with the others, then I find my twin's not there, and I decide to find him, especially when I can sense he's in pain and telling me to stay away!" I continue. "I treat those idiots indifferently, but getting attacked and hit on the head with a stick doesn't exactly sit well with me!"
I fell silent as Gene grabbed my fisted hand.
You need to calm down, you're losing it! He sent through our link.
But it's injustice! I replied, flapping my wings once in annoyance. We only come to hunt down Mai and now we're stuck in a courtroom – the day after our birthday, no less!
"The Court has decided." the Judge announced after some whispering. "Oliver Davis shall spend two days within the cells to cool off and restrain his abilities. Medically, our Village Doctor shall visit during the mornings and evenings."
Gene's eyes widened.
"You went to Japan for three nights without me there, you should be fine…" I muttered, and he gave me a weak smile.
"Maybe…" he replied, pulling me into a hug…