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Post by Stix on Jul 2, 2008 15:06:38 GMT -5
After being escorted through ward after ward in Harmonium custody, manacled and with the business end of a mancatcher clenching his neck, Hadrian is deposited in a holding cell in the Prison, scarcely larger than a closet. There he's left to sit uncomfortably for several hours, with only the dim lantern light and the sounds of Mercykillers' tromping boots and prisoners being flogged to keep him company.
Finally, a familiar voice calls from the other side of the door. "Hadrian?" In the low light, the Bleaker can make out the silhouette of his arresting officer.
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Post by exile on Jul 3, 2008 16:14:14 GMT -5
“Yes, Beris. I am still here. How does the evening find you, friend?” His neck was sore, both from the uncomfortable escort he had endured on route to his present kip as well as the cramped confines he now found himself, but Hadrian somehow managed to sound cheerful anyway. Perhaps he was; the stay hadn’t been terribly unlike a night spent in the Mad Bleaker’s ward.
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Post by Stix on Jul 4, 2008 19:26:41 GMT -5
"Well, the evening finds me, which is better than can be said for some." The Hardhead takes a step closer to the bars.
"I'll take this opportunity to say that I was trying to end our conversation with a heavy hand, and for my rude behavior, I apologize. Unfortunately, I didn't realize that you have as much gall as you have wit -- there aren't many who'll speak up to an angry Harmonium officer.
"That still doesn't pardon the offense, but I've made some arrangements, and I want to extend an offer to you. If you like, we can get you out of this cell and bring the matter to a private trial. I know a Guvner judge, impartial as they come, who's willing to try the case now, and a Mercykiller -- a servant of Tyr -- who'll stand by. We can dispense with the bureaucracy and speed things along."
He falls silent, giving the Bleaker the opportunity to respond.
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Post by exile on Jul 6, 2008 11:21:01 GMT -5
“Confrontation is what keeps us honest, Beris,” Hadrian grinned in the darkness. “It is when everyone is too timid to challenge us that we grow complacent. I appreciate your overture, master Onea. Tell me first, as you are a man of the law and I merely abide it: what is the penalty for a guilty man in this case that requires a mercykiller on hand? And shall I be represented, or must I argue a law I know nothing of?”
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Post by Stix on Jul 11, 2008 12:56:36 GMT -5
"Don't be alarmed about the Mercykiller, they're on hand for every trial. This is an insignificant enough misdemeanor that a guilty plea will probably end with a fine or term of service, after which you're free to go.
"If you'd rather not walk that road and you can show proof of property ownership, you can be released on your own recognizance, receive a trial date, and deal with the rest over time. If not, the Mercykillers are likely to keep you here until then. There are berks in here who deserve that, but I don't think you're one of them."
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Post by exile on Jul 11, 2008 21:52:23 GMT -5
"I own no kip, and what little coin I’ve amassed is unlikely to meet a fine. That would leave only service or debtors prison I suppose, but then what manner of punishment is service to a man who does nothing but? All the same, your offer is a generous one and it does me no good to sit here and listen to the shadows.”
Coaxing his aching muscles to life and pushing heavily upon the confining walls for leverage, Hadrian slowly rose to his feet.
“You are a good man, Beris, though I suspect we will agree on little else besides. I too wish to apologize for any personal disrespect. Often times when philosophies clash we paint with broad strokes and speak to our audiences more than our opponent. You may have won as many over to the Harmonium today as I swayed away; only time will tell. I accept your offer, Master Onea. You didn’t mention whether or not I will receive legal counsel though?”
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Post by Stix on Jul 17, 2008 18:58:01 GMT -5
"If you plead guilty, no representation is needed, just me, you, the judge, and the Mercykiller."
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Post by exile on Jul 21, 2008 13:36:26 GMT -5
"Yes, I see that; and I am loath to impose upon my gracious Mercykiller hosts any longer than I must. But I am burdened by an addled mind, Beris, or so I'm told. Men such as myself must rely on right-minded cutters to steer them through complicated matters like these, I'm sure you agree. " Hadrian offered his wrists up to Beris through the bars of his cell as he spoke, assuming the man would require his restraint in any case. "You did mention there were two roads I could walk, yes? It seems to me I might benefit from the services of a tout so to speak."
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Post by Stix on Jul 27, 2008 6:22:14 GMT -5
Beris can't help but let out a small snort of laughter at the idea of Mercykillers as gracious hosts. "We only have the judge on loan for an hour, so if you insist on legal counsel, you'll have to wait in holding 'til morning and be processed normally, which could take a few days. You're liable to pay as much or more in legal fees as you would in the fine itself."
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Post by exile on Jul 28, 2008 14:37:05 GMT -5
"Such is often the way of Law, I suppose," Hadrian exclaims with a sigh, though his look is far from despondent. "Bring me to Justice, Beris. I am ready."
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Post by Stix on Aug 11, 2008 17:47:22 GMT -5
Beris nods, excusing himself wordlessly to find a Mercykiller to unlock the cell.
After a minute or two, the Harmonium officer returns with two Red Death guards. The barred door is opened, and Hadrian is brought to the main lobby. Rather than exit for the Courts, the three bring the Bleaker to the Prison's Chamber for the Public, empty at this late hour save for a heavily armored aasimar Mercykiller in a great crested helm, and a quadrone with a painted blazon of the Fraternity of Order on its wide belt.
"Summary of charges?" asks the modron.
"One count, disparaging remarks about law enforcement."
"Plea?" it asks of Hadrian, the shutters of its wide eyes blinking with a soft click.
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Post by exile on Aug 12, 2008 21:10:32 GMT -5
“If it please you, your honor” Hadrian announced with a humble smile and modest bent of his head. “May I request a reading of the charges in full? I shall endeavor not to abuse your time with frivolousness, but I am my sole counsel in this affair.”
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Post by Stix on Aug 23, 2008 20:04:49 GMT -5
The Guvner modron reaches back with one spindly arm to the shelves mounted on its side, pulling forth a leather-bound book and opening to a marked section. The next ten minutes are occupied with a dry recitation of the relevant pieces of Sigil's municipal codes . Beris stands by in quiet respect, but the Mercykiller by the door can't help but tap his foot occasionally in idle annoyance.
(In essence, disparaging law enforcement is a misdemeanor of the lowest degree, but it's a crime in the same vein as inciting a riot or creating panic in a public space.)
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Post by exile on Aug 24, 2008 11:26:33 GMT -5
Hadrian listens in rapt attention to the finer points of Sigilian Law, remaining silent throughout the dissertation as he assimilates the disparate clauses into a greater schema. As the Modron judge drew to a close, the aasimar began to nod quietly to himself.
“Though I deplore the protected status to which the Harmonium faction is privy to, a status not afforded to any other faction in the City of Doors, I am satisfied that under the eyes of the Law a crime has been committed and that I am accountable.” he announced. “I plead guilty.”
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Post by Stix on Sept 12, 2008 23:22:39 GMT -5
Beris purses his lips at Hadrian's comment, but remains respectfully silent in this impromptu court of law.
"Settled," says the modron succinctly. "The accused will pay court costs and fine amounting to a total of twenty-five gold pieces. Adjourned." With the finality of gavel on block, the judge snaps its book shut.
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Post by exile on Sept 13, 2008 12:03:30 GMT -5
Bowing his head in acceptance, Hadrian looks about at the assembled lawmen. When his gaze fell upon Beris, the aasimar even managed a thin smile. The penalty was, all things considered, far less than what he had expected to pay and certainly well within his means. Light, John seemed to pay him as much and more every time he endured another scrape.
“If someone would be so kind as to reunite me with my belongings, I can post my fine forthwith.”
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Post by Stix on Sept 13, 2008 15:10:56 GMT -5
The three representatives of Sigil's justice system send for Hadrian's things.
After the matter is settled and the fine paid, all three escort the Bleaker to the main gate. "You're free to go," says the Mercykiller. Beris and the quadrone turn away, heading in the direction of the City Court to relay the results of the trial.
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Post by exile on Sept 16, 2008 8:13:56 GMT -5
Hadrian’s unfocused gaze rests upon the departing figures of the lawmen until they disappear from sight. Staring for a moment longer at the space they used to occupy, he blinks in sudden surprise and turns to look back at the prison gate. The Mercykiller was still watching him from the shadows as one might watch a startled game animal that had mistakenly wandered into the midst of a settlement.
Offering a vague smile and receiving only a scowl in return, Hadrian withdrew his wide brimmed cap from the bottom of his pack and pulled it down low over his crown. It was raining lightly in the City of Doors but neither the weather nor anything else seemed to trouble the Bleaker as he stepped out into freedom and struck out for home.
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