[ throughout friday, apollo's wandering the hotel to haul things into the conference room as if he's setting up for court in the morning. maybe it's just something to keep him busy. who can say? but at one point in between trips he spots mordalion and pauses, giving him a nod. ]
You'd be surprised. The city's still big enough it could take time for news to travel. [ big place, so few of them. but he nods. ]
But yeah, I do. While the other deaths have been ruled out as accidents so far, nothing says that someone didn't tamper with things to cause those accidents. And I don't want to take chances of letting this happen again.
[ unfortunately, our prosecutor is dead so apollo's switching sides temporarily. ]
Exactly my point. [ this guy gets it! and apollo hates that it's coming to this but, hey, was vacation ever really real? ]
It's... the only thing I can think to do right now. [ ... ] All of my cases from the last several months were murder trials. I was the defense on those cases, but I can change sides if I have to, I think. I remember enough of how the prosecution proceeds to try and get us somewhere, and... if it'll get everybody in the same room to talk about what's actually happening, that's our best course of action. Nobody can deny that things are escalating to a new level.
[ heck even he didn't feel like he dealt with that many murders.
he considers for a moment before nodding to himself. ]
There are worse ways to handle it. With limited resources and no outside contact, it will reveal some characteristics we may not have seen, at least. Seeking justice is a vested interest of mine, as well.
I got my badge about six months ago, so I haven't had a lot of cases yet. But I was working in a law office before I started taking on clients.
[ somehow this actually makes it worse that he's dealt with four murders when he also had a two month gap he wasn't working. but it's fine. ]
... that's what I'm counting on, actually. People always have their tells. And if our guilty party is among us, it's just a matter of watching and waiting for the right moment to turn things around. [ his shoulders relax a fraction though. ] So. You'll help tomorrow?
[ he wants it to sound more authoritative than it does, but it really is him just asking for extra hands. ]
Six months. And that many murders. Your luck is completely abysmal, isn't it?
[ watching and waiting. well, if that wasn't what he was best at. mordalion raises an eyebrow at the attempt at authority - don't push your luck, buddy - but nods. ]
I'll be of assistance. My experience far exceeds yours, though I perhaps lack the organisational aspect.
It's complicated. [ but, well, moving on! he doesn't even care that mordalion says he's more experienced. apollo has a healthy ego when it comes to what he does, but he's also well-aware he's still learning. ]
I can take care of the organization. I'm gonna have to figure out how to explain the point to everyone at the beginning and from there we'll split things up. And hope that the robots will bring their bodies back and those barriers go down.
It'll be difficult with some of the younger ones, probably. Teenagers tends to react badly to accusations even if they're not being actually accused of anything. [ ... ] You're quite trusting, for a lawyer. You don't know a thing about me, only my word.
[ he recognizes it as a statement, and he's content to let it lie. but... he frowns. apollo's 22, but he still thinks it's completely unfair that there are teenagers here. moreso that two of their youngest died in the last few days, too. ]
Yeah. But we can't shy away from the truth if we're onto something. [ he looks at him then, and he tilts his head slightly. trusting, huh? sure, he can let that impression lie. ] If your word is good, it'll prove itself.
[ sometimes you are just a guy who's actually perceptive in a lot of ways and gets by a lot on the art of reading tells. ]
There are many ways to loosen tongues. This is a very humane one.
[ sometimes over a century of living by your paranoia makes everyone seem trusting if they're not trying to kill you first.
apollo will notice how mordalion has very, very little to show, as far as tells go. his expression does not change without intent, and even the minute motions of his ears seem deliberate. ]
As will yours. If you're taking on the role of prosecution, there are stereotypes you'll have to prove wrong, too.
We have enough people dying, I'm not going to contribute to the problem. [ torturing people or anything like that isn't his style anyway. it is in fact something he notes with vague interest, but he keeps his observations to himself. the last couple of days have been sort of a weird blur for him, but this at least is giving him something to focus on. maybe it's why he doesn't mind.
there's the sliiightest smirk though with that though. ]
I think I can manage proving that. The prosecutors I've worked with aren't exactly good at being those stereotypes either.
Definitely not. There's little point making this worse for those of us who remain.
[ says the guy with a sword (wrapped in a hawaiian shirt) on his hip. he tilts his head in consideration. ]
Perhaps you have some luck, then. The various arms of the law I've dealt with in the past have been a mix of primarily awful personalities. Most of them didn't like me, so maybe that's contributed to bias?
[ hey as long as the sword's not pointed at him, he's fine. he can appreciate someone who actually agrees with that point. but that gets him to crack a little grin in spite of the grim circumstances. ]
The prosecutor I dealt with in my first trial was pretty awful. But when I started taking different cases, it was always Prosecutor Gavin. [ and he should explain why that matters, but give him a moment to think of how to phrase it. ] ... technically speaking, Ema and Prosecutor Gavin are on the opposing side, so we're supposed to go against each other. But she's been helpful on a lot of my cases, and he wants to find the truth just as much as I do. He believes in fairness, even if it means losing, or helping me turn the case around to solidify evidence to clear my client's name.
[ so maybe he is lucky that way. ]
But I've met some pretty underhanded, terrible people, too. You kinda can't avoid it forever in a career like this. [ but. ] What'd you do that made them dislike you? [ this isn't even blaming mordalion, this is apollo going "you obviously did something to get under their skin, which is good, but what was it?" ]
They are a rare example. Most prosecutors I've met, and many of the law graduates of my alma mater who thought arrogance equated to talent, were keen to make unsolicited claims with unfounded confidence.
[ and considering many of them were high beasts, having a lawyer who was a literal tiger trying to make baseless assumptions regarding his toxicology reports... maybe he played with fire a little. ]
I've been told that my mouth tends to run too freely. This makes me disagreeable to many, allegedly. [ with the air of someone who couldn't care less, actually. ] The judicial system is only one arm, though it held more weight in Stoicheia than in the Sanctuary. I interact with it less these days.
[ he thinks about the people in their court system who had nicknames such as the "the demon prosecutor" and goes "well at least that's consistent." he's lucky enough that people have learned, and things have changed, even if the court system is currently in flux at all times. ]
It's like I said to you. Word will prove enough. If a person is all arrogance and no substance, saying the right things will pull their entire claim apart. That goes for prosecutors, too. But uh... I can see how that'd be frustrating.
[ truthfully in normal circumstances, he's not sure he'd stop himself from sassing back either. being in key nueve and the things that have happened has tempered his personality just a bit. ]
[ it's probably the late morning of friday, but if mordalion comes back to the casino he might see apollo in the restaurant tucked into a corner booth with a coffee and a fancy pastry in front of him. also in front of him: several, several papers spread out. he's dressed down from last night, jeans and an oversized hoodie, and the sleeves are pushed up to his elbows while his gold bracelet glints in the light now and then. he seems very focused on his paperwork though, but not enough to go undisturbed.
[ mordalion sits down across from him and apollo looks up, a little surprised but also perfectly fine with this even if he looks a bit sheepish at the callout. ]
I like being productive and having stuff to do. Being here shouldn't be an excuse.
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week 1, friday
You've heard the news?
no subject
[ ... ]
You truly intend to hold court?
no subject
But yeah, I do. While the other deaths have been ruled out as accidents so far, nothing says that someone didn't tamper with things to cause those accidents. And I don't want to take chances of letting this happen again.
[ unfortunately, our prosecutor is dead so apollo's switching sides temporarily. ]
no subject
[ though even two is too many. while his expression remains as neutral as ever, there's a slight rise to his ears and a set to his shoulders. ]
I'll offer my assistance, of course. I think court is a little bit of a base course of action, but as your speciality, it makes sense to pursue first.
no subject
It's... the only thing I can think to do right now. [ ... ] All of my cases from the last several months were murder trials. I was the defense on those cases, but I can change sides if I have to, I think. I remember enough of how the prosecution proceeds to try and get us somewhere, and... if it'll get everybody in the same room to talk about what's actually happening, that's our best course of action. Nobody can deny that things are escalating to a new level.
no subject
[ heck even he didn't feel like he dealt with that many murders.
he considers for a moment before nodding to himself. ]
There are worse ways to handle it. With limited resources and no outside contact, it will reveal some characteristics we may not have seen, at least. Seeking justice is a vested interest of mine, as well.
no subject
I got my badge about six months ago, so I haven't had a lot of cases yet. But I was working in a law office before I started taking on clients.
[ somehow this actually makes it worse that he's dealt with four murders when he also had a two month gap he wasn't working. but it's fine. ]
... that's what I'm counting on, actually. People always have their tells. And if our guilty party is among us, it's just a matter of watching and waiting for the right moment to turn things around. [ his shoulders relax a fraction though. ] So. You'll help tomorrow?
[ he wants it to sound more authoritative than it does, but it really is him just asking for extra hands. ]
no subject
[ watching and waiting. well, if that wasn't what he was best at. mordalion raises an eyebrow at the attempt at authority - don't push your luck, buddy - but nods. ]
I'll be of assistance. My experience far exceeds yours, though I perhaps lack the organisational aspect.
no subject
It's complicated. [ but, well, moving on! he doesn't even care that mordalion says he's more experienced. apollo has a healthy ego when it comes to what he does, but he's also well-aware he's still learning. ]
I can take care of the organization. I'm gonna have to figure out how to explain the point to everyone at the beginning and from there we'll split things up. And hope that the robots will bring their bodies back and those barriers go down.
no subject
[ not a question. ]
It'll be difficult with some of the younger ones, probably. Teenagers tends to react badly to accusations even if they're not being actually accused of anything. [ ... ] You're quite trusting, for a lawyer. You don't know a thing about me, only my word.
no subject
Yeah. But we can't shy away from the truth if we're onto something. [ he looks at him then, and he tilts his head slightly. trusting, huh? sure, he can let that impression lie. ] If your word is good, it'll prove itself.
[ sometimes you are just a guy who's actually perceptive in a lot of ways and gets by a lot on the art of reading tells. ]
no subject
[ sometimes over a century of living by your paranoia makes everyone seem trusting if they're not trying to kill you first.
apollo will notice how mordalion has very, very little to show, as far as tells go. his expression does not change without intent, and even the minute motions of his ears seem deliberate. ]
As will yours. If you're taking on the role of prosecution, there are stereotypes you'll have to prove wrong, too.
no subject
there's the sliiightest smirk though with that though. ]
I think I can manage proving that. The prosecutors I've worked with aren't exactly good at being those stereotypes either.
no subject
[ says the guy with a sword (wrapped in a hawaiian shirt) on his hip. he tilts his head in consideration. ]
Perhaps you have some luck, then. The various arms of the law I've dealt with in the past have been a mix of primarily awful personalities. Most of them didn't like me, so maybe that's contributed to bias?
no subject
The prosecutor I dealt with in my first trial was pretty awful. But when I started taking different cases, it was always Prosecutor Gavin. [ and he should explain why that matters, but give him a moment to think of how to phrase it. ] ... technically speaking, Ema and Prosecutor Gavin are on the opposing side, so we're supposed to go against each other. But she's been helpful on a lot of my cases, and he wants to find the truth just as much as I do. He believes in fairness, even if it means losing, or helping me turn the case around to solidify evidence to clear my client's name.
[ so maybe he is lucky that way. ]
But I've met some pretty underhanded, terrible people, too. You kinda can't avoid it forever in a career like this. [ but. ] What'd you do that made them dislike you? [ this isn't even blaming mordalion, this is apollo going "you obviously did something to get under their skin, which is good, but what was it?" ]
no subject
[ and considering many of them were high beasts, having a lawyer who was a literal tiger trying to make baseless assumptions regarding his toxicology reports... maybe he played with fire a little. ]
I've been told that my mouth tends to run too freely. This makes me disagreeable to many, allegedly. [ with the air of someone who couldn't care less, actually. ] The judicial system is only one arm, though it held more weight in Stoicheia than in the Sanctuary. I interact with it less these days.
no subject
It's like I said to you. Word will prove enough. If a person is all arrogance and no substance, saying the right things will pull their entire claim apart. That goes for prosecutors, too. But uh... I can see how that'd be frustrating.
[ truthfully in normal circumstances, he's not sure he'd stop himself from sassing back either. being in key nueve and the things that have happened has tempered his personality just a bit. ]
What're the other arms then?
w2, friday
approach? ]
no subject
rather ungraciously, but absolutely silent until he sits down. like a cat. ]
Working even here. You struggle with downtime, don't you?
no subject
I like being productive and having stuff to do. Being here shouldn't be an excuse.