The Unfinished Duet, part 6

Log Info

• Title: The Unfinished Duet, part 6
• Emitter: Delilah
• Characters: Ashes, Boshter, Delilah, Donna, Elyanna, Merek, Seldan
• Place: A14: Noble District - Alexandrian Courtroom
• Time: Monday, November 02, 2020, 8:17 PM
• Summary: The trial of Delilah Velathor continues, with further arguments being presented on her behalf. Ash delivers the coroner's report, but is told to hold onto the details for later. The prosecutor, a charnese Mul'niessa, has to be reminded that innocence is presumed in Alexandria, and guilt must be proven. He goes on to question, in detail, Delilah about her sex life, grilling and drilling into it as she's pinned to the podium. Several objections to this are raised, including one from Delilah, which the prosecutor suggests is proof she can't control herself under stressful situations. Rebuked for that, he then suggests Delilah killed Bethany for money she was going to be paid regardless. The trial continues.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=  Appearing  =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Ashes        5'11"    177 Lb     Hobgoblin         Female    A somber arvec in grey clothes with a skull face 
Boshter      6'0"     240 Lb     Hobgoblin         Male      An arvek nar in robes. Oh no! 
Delilah      5'4"     106 Lb     Human             Female    A golden haired human girl in white robes.
Donna        5'4"     106 Lb     Human             Female    A black-haired human girl in black robes.
Elyanna      5'11"    153 Lb     Half-Orc          Female    A grim, Arvek-blooded woman in raven feathers.
Merek        5'10"    215 Lb     Human             Male      A black-haired, dusky male with golden eyes.
Seldan       5'11"    187 Lb     Human             Male      Ginger-blonde human in armor wearing Eluna's symbol.
-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=

The Magistrate settles back in her seat, and tapes her fingertips against each other. "I would like to begin with the night of the murder," she decides. "Miss Valethor, I will give your defenders a chance to explain your whereabouts, then I will permit the prosecutor to examine you." She pauses, and nods. "Afterwards, we will hear from the Lady Evelyn Darrion, who I understand was with the deceased on the night of the murder." She nods to the halfling scribe, who is dutifuly scribing every word, with only the occasional pause to adjust her spectacles or dip her most flamboyant quill pen into the ink pot.

The magistrate nods once, and gestures towards the defenders. "You may explain the whereabouts of the accused," she states. "Be as detailed as possible."

Merek looks then to the Magistrate and nods, noting he would like to be a witness, though the man would wait for a bit to see what the other folk will be offering to the Magistrate as well.

With a glance at the others, Seldan stands and pulls himself up to his full height, a polite reserve dominating his demeanor and bearing, but when he speaks, he can be heard across the room without difficulty. "Your Honor, Seldan Padaryn, of Eluna's Silver Guard. I took the time to trace the accused's whereabouts on that night, and learned from several people that she had gone upstairs with one Ella that evening, and neither of them returned downstairs, according to Selene, the tavernkeep of the Golden Plum that night. Ella has not been seen by any since that night. Tracing Ella's whereabouts via a spell of _scrying_ revealed that she has taken her son and fled Alexandria. I think her in Charn, from the contents of the room that I saw."

"However, if it please the court, I would make a small demonstration. I was given to understand that a woman matching her description was seen in the area, the even of the murder." He reaches up to the thin silver headband, and removes it. His appearance does not change, but the band becomes a hat of red velvet with arcane stitching around the brim. "This, Your Honor, is a _hat of disguise_, a magical item known in adventuring circles, and to many within the city. I invite any and all to examine it, to understand its nature. It is a trifle, a simple enchantment, and one that may be purchased readily in any market by anyone with the coin to do so."

Without waiting for an answer, he places the hat back on his head, and instantly, he takes on the exact likeness of the accused, white robe and all. He waits several breaths for the effect to be understood, then removes it, resuming his own form. "That one matching that appearance was seen in the area is of little consequence, Your Honor, for easily may such things be mocked."

Elyanna watches the demonstration impassively as Seldan steps up to handle the opening arguments. She may do to get one of those for matters of discretion, but, she scans the room to note reactions, of particular interest are the faces of the Law.

Donna's eyes follow Seldan as he rises, chewing on the inside of her cheek to keep from bursting forth with anything that may upset the magistrate. This one, she doesn't know, and isn't a retired adventurer -- as was Magistrate Ironblood -- so there's no way to count on an adventurer's experience of the truly weird and unpossible actions taken by the desperate and/or clever.

The demonstration is a good one, and Donna blinks sharply; apparently she hadn't even thought that might have been a tactic.

Ash is similarily engaged, staring at the magistrate and looking for reactions. She is not the best at reading people. She would have an easier time reading a book on the ground from the top of a tower, backwards through a telescope. Still, the ashen Arvec stares.

The mul'niessa prosecutor rises from his seat, and gestures towards Seldan after his demonstration of the hat of disguise. "This is preposterous," he declares. "I put to the court that if this avenue of defense is accepted on these merits alone, we will be hearing 'hat of disguise' chanted as the prevailing defense for every accusation of law-breaking that is ever brought before these courts after today. Unless the defense is prepared to prove, definitely, that some individual using a hat of disguise intended to frame miss Valethor, then this is mere conjecture, and not useful conjecture at that."

The Magistrate's eyes glance from Seldan and the other defenders, to the Proesecutor, then to Delilah, and then back to Seldan. "Can you offer further qualification to your statement?" she inquires, of the latter, with her fingers still steepled in front of her.

Delilah, for her part, remains silent; she knows well enough how this works, and she's not about to upset the person due to decide if she keeps her head or not by speaking out of turn.

Merek was about, though he seems to be keeping to himself while he waits for anyone else to speak before he offers any character witness as well.

"Fool." Elyanna snorts under her breath with a sneer pulling her lip back from her interlocked choppers. A little shake of her head and the red woman folds her arms. To chase a magic user based on hearsay in a world where word and gesture can twist wills, and create false perceptions, then quail at the suggestion that other magic could present reasonable doubt? She glances to the Paladin, a brow arching, though as she understands the process, he still holds the floor. <goblin-talk>

"So the accused is guilty until proven innocent, then. I would remind our prosecutor that we are not dealing with every case in Alexandria, we are dealing with this one, and that the law is that of Alexandria, not of Charn." Seldan's counter is cool, level. "Among the major differences in this case is that we are dealing with people of significant means. Means enough to purchase such an object. I have no evidence that it was definitely done, and none that it was not done. I merely point out that a witness' eyes, in the dark, may well deceive them. Does the prosecution claim that it could only have been one woman in the whole city, on such evidence? I would argue that claim equally preposterous."

At some point, Boshter arrived. Perhaps he'd been here a while? It's not like you can miss the tall, orange hobgoblin, right?

But that happened anyway, and he's clearly been here long enough to find a seat and make himself inobtrusive.

It's difficult for Donna not to blurt out exactly what she's thinking. Ordinarily this might not be the case, with her propensity for the still and silent places, but... well, when one has family on the line, one tends to have trouble doing little things like 'letting people out to get her killed keep their teeth.'

Hopefully, it won't be something that gets easier with practice.

"Naturally the accused is innocent until proven guilty," the prosecutor replies, with an aire of irritation saturating his voice. "But a moment ago, you said that this 'hat of disguise' is readilly available to anyone, and now you suggest that we must remember that the victim's family are individuals of considerable means. You seem to be dealing in opposites, Ser Seldan, and hoping they will stave off a guilty verdict." He looks back up to the Magistrate, and gestures towards Delilah. "When you are ready, your honor, I would like to ask the accused to tell us where she was in her own words, on the night of the murder."

While Delilah looks like she can't decide if she's relieved or terrified at the notion of actually having to talk, the Magistrate Daverin holds up one finger. "A moment," she states. "Does the defense wish to add anything else, at this time, concerning the night's whereabouts of Miss Valethor? If so, please speak now, or you may lose the opportunity."

"You take from my words what you wish to hear, prosecutor. I said that anyone with the coin can acquire one. These are not cheap items by the standard of the ordinary man, and it would need someone of means to acquire one. I also remind you that if the accused is innocent until proven guilty under Alexandrian law, the burden of proof lies with you."

Seldan returns his attention to the magistrate. "Forgive me, Your Honor. The stories of Delilah herself, Donna here, and the barkeep at the Golden Plum, all match, that the two spent the night together. And yet, this woman has now taken her son and fled the city. Ella had no reason to flee the city ... unless she was threatened after being with Mistress Valethor. As Ella is her alibi, Delilah has no reason to induce her to leave, but someone wishing to frame Mistress Valethor does."

Boshter leans forward, inspecting things as the conversation continues. Seldan's words have him sitting up a bit straighter, then, and tilting his head. He's getting up to speed, it would appear, nd if the look of growing costernation on his face is anything to go by, his level of displeasure is incrasing.

Elyanna continues to observe the proceedurals, her eyes flitting back and forth as the Paladin and the Mul'iessa play the Barrister's game, but she waits for clear leave to act.

The ashen Arvec stands and moves out of the defense bench. If permission to approach the bench is required, she neither knows or cares to ask. She approaches the Magistrate, reaching into her satchel and taking out a large stack of papers, bound along one edge with a simple leather cover. Leather in grey, with a set of white scales debossed on the cover.

Mourner Ashlee Ciaradh opens the book to the executive summary and sets it in front of the Magistrate. She recites in monotone. "The official coroners report from the Temple of Vardama, sealed by Speaker Silmeria and the representative of the Artificer's Guild. Bethany was shot five times in the front with a magic missile, and twice by Dragonspitter. Wound characteristics show she was alive during both. Bullet entrance and exit wounds are detailed. Attached is an extensive chemical analysis by DISASemblerofmachineryinvolvingTERawattoutputrelatingtoconstructionoftotalanihilationdeathrayandcanopeningservice regarding traces he was able to obtain by non-invasive measures, per the family's wishes. I trust it is not necessary for me to explain his investigative results."

Ashlee really doesn't want to, as she can't understand it herself. Disaster's documentation is longer and more complex than his name. However, it is thorough. Unchallengeable.

Ashlee adds a little more. "Delilah didn't commit the crime because she's not capable of the spell. A sorceress cannot increase or decrease the magic missiles in her cast, nor cause them to strike the same spot. Delilah would have produced one or two patterns of four. Not five. The exit wounds and the physical evidence at the murder site show Bethany was on her back when hit by the Dragonspitter. The shots were fired from directly above. She was not moving, or falling. The trajectories required her to be lying down. Not moving."

"The guards were only interested in evidence that supported their conjecture, not what actually happened. Their suspect pool was one. Other motives or threats were not explored. They stopped looking after a witness description, vague enough to include you, Magistrate Daverin, fit the person they wished to convinct. Their witness saw only someone fleeing, not the crime perpetrated. Flight is a rational reaction to violence. At best, Delilah should have been a person of interest, not charged as the murderess before her Dragonspitter was examined. You, Bethany's family, should be unsatisfied with this minimal effort."

That said, the mourner turns and makes her way back to her seat on the defense's bench. She stares past Delilah, her skull and eyes fixed on the guards before she has to turn to sit.

Merek looks between the two with a nod along at that.

The more evidence brought in support of her sister that is brought forth, the more agitated Donna seems to be. Everything that has been read out and spoken of, so far, seems to make all sorts of sense, but if the prosecutor isn't even going to *pretend* to be concerned, then this upsets Donna very, very much.

As each presents their facts in turn, the brawler turns upon them a look of desperate gratitude... And then her eyes fall on her sister, with what she hopes is encouragement.

Merek stands up while he eventually makes a way to the front, then dips a nod. When he's permitted to speak, "I will attest that using Blood Biography, magic which was accurate and unaffectable by others at the time, I can back up what Ashlee stated, evidence does support that. I would also speak as a character witness that the woman is trustworthy. I've adventured for a long time, I would put all of my entire reputation on that, and in the evidence also."

Magistrate Daverin listens to Ashes' exposition with an eyebrow that rises steadily throughout; and even she can't seem to manage to get a word in edgewise until the end of it. "Very fascinating," she acknowledges, "And this is important evidence that I will wish to hear about, when we have reached that point of the discussion -- which is not yet." She clasps her hands on the desk in front of her, near the gavel. "Keep that information to mind, Mourner Ashes, and please be prepared to repeat it at the proper moment. You as well, Ser Merek. I would be interested in hearing the Prosecutor's rebuttal, as well," she adds, casting a somewhat... disapproving glance towards the Mul'Niessa. "The Hat of Disguise is an interesting theory. Nevertheless, we have, as I have said, not reached that point, but I believe that the defense has spoken enough for the moment. The prosecution may now proceed to question Miss Valethor.

Delilah catches the look from Donna, and manages a quick smile, before she turns her gaze back to the prosecutor; a man who has stood up, and is now looming over her, somehow, without actually being taller than her.

"Miss Valethor," he begins, "Please describe your activities on the night of the murder."

"Well," Delilah replies, "It is as my defenders have stated. I was in the Golden Plum the entire night; my sister was with me, as well as Ella once the night grew a bit more mature."

"And please describe your activities with Miss Ella," the prosecutor inquires.

"Well... I mean we were enjoying each other's company," Delilah replies, growing a bit red in the cheeks. "I--"

"Please describe *in detail*," Presses the prosecutor.

Now Delilah flushes more deeply. "We were having sex," she replies. "I mean... how detailed do you want me to be? Or is necessary? We were having sex, then we slept together, and Donna came back in the room at some point because she was there when I woke up, and Ella wasn't."

Seldan listens in silence to the questioning, his expression taking on an impassive cast, but towards the end, he leans over to the Mourner and murmurs, "It is in my mind that my counterpart's copies of the Crimson Pen novels have gone missing."

"I haven't read those." Ashes whispers back. She's led a sheltered life, a military one, a cloistered one, what one might even call an entombed one. Certainly not one that involves the Crimson Pen.

Elyanna, perhaps about to follow her fellows' lead in presenting their evidence, is given pause by the word of the Magistrate, and so, she turns her eyes to the leader of their defense cadre in time for his sode voce observation. Her ears, well tuned for her works take that in, and the red woman inquire, "What matter is the color of the pen?"

- in similar volume.

Merek nods a bit once he's spoken, not really anything to add, not a lot to offer along with what Delilah states. The man seems to be intent mainly on making sure that she will be found innocent, perhaps at least finding a way to bring them recess to gather information also.

With Elyanna closer to Donna than Seldan, the bard's question prompts a curious, strangled noise at the back of the brawler's throat. Just the absurdity of what she can only assume is a question about the Crimson Pen surfacing at a time like this, forces the dark twin to crush the sides of her hands against her mouth, to keep hysterical giggling from ruining the gravity of the trial.

The prosecutor seems to be immune to the whispering going on at the Defender's bench. Indeed, it seems that he is impervious to humor of any sort, much the way glass resist vitriol. He crosses his arms, and advances on Delilah's position -- which of course she can't retreat from, on account of being literally chained to it. "Details, Miss Valethor," he presses. "Describe your evening from start to finish. What did you do with Miss Ella? How did you come to be in her company? At what point did your sister leave, and when did she come back? Modesty is a luxury you can ill afford, I will remind you."

Delilah gapes at the man for a moment, before looking back up the Magistrate, over her shoulder to the defender's bench, to her sister, and then finally back to the prosecutor.

"It was approaching midnight," she beings, "Or thereabours, I wasn't looking at the time. I was talking about the court date with my sister, and I was feeling nervous, so I told her I was going to head down into the common room in my dressing gown to see if I could get someone, y'know, interested." She blushes softly, and moves to hide her face with her hand, promptly discoving that she can't. "Ella was... pretty quick to show interest, so I took her back up to our room. Donna headed down to the common room soon after. She doesn't generally go for watching me have sex."

Delilah pauses, biting her bottom lip. "So we undressed each other, kissed, played with each others breasts, she put her face between my legs, I returned the favor, we rolled around in the sheets for a bit, kissed some more, and then we fell asleep. I think Donna came back up once the, uhm, noise stopped."

The prosecutor lifts an eyebrow, and nods. "I see," he muses. "So how long did all of this take?"

"I don't know, I didn't time it," Delilah replies. "Two or three hours?"

And finally Donna cannot contain her mouth anymore. "Okay Y'Honor, isn't this a *little* much?!"

Wide-eyed, she claps her hands back over her mouth, parting them only to release a subdued "...sorry..."

Seldan stands at this. "Your Honor, I object to this line of questioning. Everyone knows what happens between a lady of the night and their client. My counterpart cannot be so unaware of the world that this level of intimate detail is needful for any purpose save to intimidate the accused." _Or to titillate his personal fantasies,_ hangs unsaid in the frosty expression.

Ashlee continues to sit there quietly, and stare, at the court stenographer now. Hopefully he's getting all this. The trial might turn out to be very popular, referenced by many solicitors. Could even have a course built around it. She doesn't blink. Her familliar, Chippen, a giant house centipede that has been stuffing himself with scrolls, crawls out of her satchel and up her arm. He's curious what is occupying the ashen Arvec's attention. Surprise, or any other emotion, is impossible to read on the chilopoda.

Merek scratches along the cheek of his while he seems to think about it all, this doesn't seem that relevant. "He's right, not really all that relevant." He does not look particularly interested in anything except waiting.

Elyanna doesn't seem to be getting the answer to her question, as the prosecutor speaks, now, pressing deeply into the titilating bits of Delilah's evening. She cants her head a little at the festivities, glancing between the parties of defense, prosecution, and finally the accused and Magistrate. "So, this Ella jumped at the call, after all." the halfbreed murmurs, rubbing her chin softly.

"So you can't remember exactly how long it took? How far is the Golden Plum from the Gilded Seahorse?" The Prosecutor continues to press, seemingly oblivious to the objections.

"About thirty minutes brisk walk," supplies Knight Lieutenant Graves.

"And--"

The prosecutor is cut off by the Magsistrate clearing her throat. "Indeed, Prosecutor Balefor. I fail to see the relevance of Miss Valethor's precise activities in the company of a lady of the night. People hire prostitutes regularly, it is nothing special."

"It will become clear in a moment, Your Honor, I assure you," the Prosecutor replies, smoothly. "So, Miss Valethor, you had a two to three hour evening with a prostitute, whom conveniently cannot be found, and she was the sole person who can verify you did not go somewhere within walking distance in the timeframe you described. How much did you pay her?"

Delilah pauses, and uhhs softly. "Well... I didn't," she admits. "She left in the morning before we got to that part."

"...I'll ammend, then," the prosecutor muses. "You spent an evening with a prostitute you didn't pay, who is missing, and nobody else can verify you whereabouts for that period of time. Are you sure you do not wish to go into greater detail concerning your precies activities with--"

"Come on, this is unfair!" Delilah protests, and looks up at the Magistrate. "My sex life isn't on trial, surely, your honor! I had sex, surely exactly what we did from start to finish is unnecessary!

The Magistrate glowers down at the prosecutor. "I am inclined to agree with the accused and her defenders," Daverin confirms. "Please demonstrate relevance now, or stop inquiring about her intimate behaviours.

The prosecutor now proves that he can, indeed, smile. "No need, your honor; the accused has demonstrated what I wanted to show. Namely, that she is unable to deal with pressure and gives in to her temper when stressed."

Boshter's expression twist s into a frown. An ugly frown. An *extremely* ugly frown.

He's not the only one who's brieflyt lost control of his temper, it would appear.

Merek just looks to the prosecution. It is not a happy look nor an upset one. It is simply the one of someone who is letting the man know he could simply kill him where he stands, a look only he can see.

Not afraid to let the prosecution know he is willing to kill him.

"Startin' to wish the barristers could get questioned," Donna murmurs through gritted teeth. "Cos I got a lot..." Her hands are back down on the long desk, eyes figuratively burning twin holes into the side of the prosecutor's head. "More'n a dozen, after that little show."

"And yet she didn't headbutt you." Ash states matter of factly, in direct monotone. "Bit of a stretch to suggest she took an impulsive half hour walk directly to meet Bethany unexpectedly stepping out into an unremarkable alleway, isn't it? How did she know where to go? You dismiss facts and throw out speculation as proof, but provide none."

"Peace, all of you." Seldan directs an impassive, politely calm look at his counterparts on the bench. "A momentary loss of temper when faced with indecent harassment in a court of law is far from the conception and execution of a deliberate plot," he remarks to the prosecutor. Suddenly, though, the paladin half-smiles. "Thank you, prosecutor, for that demonstration." The words are neither nasty nor sarcastic - in fact, they almost sound pleased. He subsides, then, apparently content to wait his turn to speak.

Elyanna considers the Prosecutor's demonstration with a sort of clinical disdain, asiding, "This is legal accumen in this city?" in a low volume. There may have been an intent to interject, to proverbailly slap supposition accross the gums, though she is stayed by the paladin's abjuration. She chafes some at the inefficiencies and insult to direct lines of reason, but she abides. For now.

Magestrate Daverin picks up her gavel and hammers it down hard on the little pedestal. "Order," she instructs, glaring at both the prosecution and the defenders. "I remind *all* of you that Miss Valethor's life depends on these proceedings. I will have order." She holds the gavel like a talisman, before setting it back down on the desk. A glance is given towards the halfling scribe who is dutifully writing down every word, before she looks back up to the prosecutor. "I am forced to agree with the defense," she states. "Getting angry because you pried into her intimate affairs is not the same as murdering someone. Also, you must explain how she came to know Lady Bethany liked to visit the Gilded Seahorse."

"As to the latter," The prosecutor begins immediately, with only a glance spared in the direction of the defense; his eyes meet Merek's, and hold for a moment, before he looks back up at the magistrate. "The accused had in her possession markers from the victim, for several months I'm to understand. The Gilded Seahorse provides such markers, for nobles who want money available in the area without actually carrying it; those that Delilah had were in the Seahorse script." He pauses, approaching Delilah's position once more, and clasping his hands behind his back as he walks. "Miss Valethor, please take us back to the night in Von Ironbrew's, about eight months ago, when you first confronted Lady Alenthor about the markers she owed you. At what point in the discussion did you say the words 'I'll kill you' to Lady Alenthor?"

OOC Outtakes

<OOC> Ashes says, "Ooo! Another Nob Hobgob to hob nob and gob hobs with!"

<OOC> Seldan says, "That is entirely a joke, all. Seldan had to venture into a brothel in search of the information he has on Ella. The conversation between him and his husband on the topic was priceless."