chimericalclaw

[You wake up in a courtroom. You’re not really sure how you got here, just that you’re here. There’s Jerry, sitting at the judges box. For some he might be new, and others he might be familiar or semi-familiar. He scrutinizes you, and then motions to the jury box. There’s a plaque that’s sitting on the outside that says “Council”, but there’s no one sitting there. Everything looks clean and maintained, but there’s no one in the courtroom but you and Jerry.

Weird.]

You are charged with destruction of Aldrip and harm to fellow Chosen. In order to repent and further your rehabilitation, you have been tasked to show remorse for your crime by confronting those who have been harmed both directly and indirectly by your actions. Hiding behind good deeds on their own will not save you. If there is no action taken, there will be consequences.

[Jerry blinks down at you, fingers threading together as he looks down from the judges’ box.]

How do you plead?

[ooc: you have until May 9th to submit your Sentencing HERE Even if your character doesn’t proceed with the Sentencing, you must comment on the NPC inbox for your penalty.

Also, there are effects for ignoring this Sentencing. The longer that Altius takes to complete his Sentencing, the more he'll feel the weight of the destruction that he caused. He may become extremely guilty and withdrawn, almost as if he starts to become afraid of those he may have hurt. If you have any questions about Sentencing, please let us know!

Jerry is interactive at this point, but we wanted to make sure you got your information in hand if you'd like to start plotting for your Sentencing!]

[Zekarion tries to mask the dread that arises as soon as he realizes he doesn't know how he's gotten here—and that he appears to be in a courtroom. He's stiff as he watches and listens, right up until the mention of consequences, at which point the furrow in his brow deepens and his posture loosens.

... that's it? Should he look this gift horse in the mouth? He answers plainly, lifting his chin proudly:]

No contest.

[Nolo contendere. He admits to no guilt, but accepts the punishment.]

I won't waste my time trying to argue a temporary insanity defense. You don't care if I wasn't in my right mind, do you?

[Jerry shrugs at the question.]

Very rarely does this place take all free will from you. It's also not my place to judge, just to pass down judgment.

[He lets out a scoff and doesn't disguise his bitterness or his sneer, insulted by the idea that what he did as the shade was somehow under his control. He's not a man who's inclined to refuse responsibility for his own actions, his own choices. That was something else entirely: desires torn out of him without the restraint he's always utilized.]

Only the messenger. Then why bother with the question?

[He doesn't wait for an answer.]

Fine, then. Are you aware your system is still falling apart?

[Jerry raises an eyebrow.]

Falling apart? My superior is unaware of such change.

No? They haven't noticed the wireframes left behind where buildings once were? Or the cracks months ago where we could see past your facade into what all this really looks like?

[He still wonders if his crystal creation is out there somewhere.]

Or perhaps it's all by design, and you'd be so generous as to give me a further look behind the curtain, hm?

Ah, yes.

[there's a moment as he looks like he's considering what to say next.]

Unfortunately damage is still damage, even in Expiation. Those incidents will be fixed soon enough.

[Ignored. Not unexpected, he supposes.]

"Fixed." Until it's no longer fixable and there are no Chosen left, like all the other cycles. Failing fifteen times wasn't enough for you to decide this project is pointless? What makes you think this time will be any different when all you've gotten is this endless spiral of destruction?

Because this cycle has already gone on longer than all the others. My superior believes it might actually be successful this time.

[maybe his superior is just hopeful!!]

Then your superior is delusional.

[CALLING IT AS HE SEES EM.]

Do they even care about the pain they've caused by dragging people here? That you all would abduct those of us who've truly done horrible things—so be it. But to force even children through your twisted experiment?

There are children who have committed wrongs of an adult. They are forced to become one because of their circumstances. In a way, isn't it easier for them to learn at a younger age?

[he doesn't understand!!]

They care very much. It is why they wish to learn and help.

It's easier to steal them from their own lives? From everything and everyone they've ever known?

[Oh no, he's made himself angry. He meant to dig for information, but he's feeling way too raw about the situation to focus properly.]

And then instead of giving them any support you throw them into a den of wolves with people who lie and kill and torture. If none of you can understand how much worse that is than simply leaving them be, you can tell your superior their care and their help is and always will be worthless.

Research on other worlds say that what people would call jails do the same thing, do they not?

[if he had feelings, they'd be hurt!!]

Part of it is that they must learn how to rely on each other. My superior has tried to help, but has been... indisposed, due to problems.

[Snidely:] Your research failed to take things like "visitation" and "laws of nature" into account, did it?

[If he gets into what he thinks of prisons they'll be here all day though—]

The current state of your superior is irrelevant to what's already been done. The harm you've already caused is irreversible and unforgivable. [The snake people, robbed of their bodies and their identities, but forced to live on regardless... they would have been better off deleted.]

But perhaps you can point me to them and I can tell them directly to ponder on the nature of their own crimes.

I cannot comment on that.

[ah. it always comes down to the Chosen wanting to speak to his manager-]

They're unable to be contacted right now. That is why I exist.

Then don't speak on matters you don't understand.

[that was going to be narration then i realized no he'd just say that.]

You must have some idea of how to change that—if you're not entirely useless, at least.

They will come back into contact when the time is right, and they're ready again. For now, I only do what I was programmed to do.

[he doesn't seem the least bit fazed about the irritation, here.]

So you are useless. A shame.

[Just a pawn—a singular function given a form. Jerry doesn't even have the charm of Onyx's crystal creations, and he often throws those out as sacrifices without any qualms.]

Can you even contact it yourself? I'd hate for everything I've said to you to go to waste.

I cannot contact them in a traditional sense for now, but they will know of what transpired here.

How reassuring. [how can one man be so full of sarcasm?] Then I can say that I've already been "confronting" those I harmed without the threat of punishment, rendering your attempt at rehabilitating me pointless, and they'll be aware of that, hm?

[a curt nod.]

Yes, they will be aware of that.

Good.

[As much as he'd love to see the reaction himself, it's probably a long shot. He would love to test if his hypnosis works on an artificial intelligence.]

Well, I've wasted enough of my time. [Is he going to even pretend to thank Jerry for the conversation? Nope.] Will I be leaving the same way I came?

[Put him back where he was.]

[he motions towards some massive wooden doors at the other end of the courtroom.]

Once you go through those, you will wake where you slept before you came here.

[He turns to look at the doors over his shoulder.]

Disrupting my sleep, hm. [He glances back to Jerry before he straightens and turns to head towards the exit, announcing:]

Until next time.

inbox

SENTENCING

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject