Juspera's Good Ole GS4 Page / History

The trial of Juspera, part 5: Closing statements and waiting on pins and needles

"You punished us and we punished you. Was that justice? Or was that just madness?"

Cappurnicus says, "Then we will move to closing arguments."

Cappurnicus says, "Prosecution, please proceed."

Siwas blinks.

Siwas nods.

Siwas stands up.

Siwas clears her throat.

Siwas says, "The Defense admitted at the very beginning of this trial that Juspera Spintari did indeed attack the three people in question."

Siwas says, "Following this, the Defense attempted to confuse the issue by bringing up a possession which most certainly did occur in Sylvarraend. They then brought up the potential for control of her by Draezir, Eryael, the Dark Alliance, Mekthros..."

Siwas furrows her brow.

Siwas scratches her head.

Siwas says, "I don't recall anyone else offhand."

Siwas says, "If the Defense had simply picked one cause and decided upon who actually gained control of Juspera's actions, I might even believe it myself. But other than trying to muddy the waters by casting a bit of blame everywhere, I see nothing that they've accomplished."

Siwas glances at Ysharra.

Siwas glances at Mekthros.

Siwas says, "One simple, stark fact remains. Juspera Spintari, by the admission of her own Defense, did commit the crimes she stands accused of. She did assault Xanthias with her dagger. She did repeatedly assault Vonka with her fists. She did attack and bloody Jacina."

Vonka furrows her brow.

(Mekthros reclines casually in his seat.)

Jacina leans softly against Kinshack.

Ysharra whispers, "Are they together, now?"

Ysharra raises an eyebrow in your direction.

Siwas says, "For this, she stands accused of two counts of aggravated assault, and one count of assault with intent to kill for her stabbing of Xanthias."

>whi ysharra No. Not really. I think they wish they could be, but Jacina has Bartain.
You whisper quietly to Ysharra.

This is typical. My life is on the line, and we're discussing who's with who.

Siwas says, "All you, the jury, must decide is whether or not those charges are true or not. All else is extraneous."

Siwas nods.

Siwas says, "Thank you."

Siwas sits down.

Cappurnicus nods.

Cappurnicus says, "Defense, proceed."

Ysharra curtsies to Cappurnicus.

Cappurnicus nods to Ysharra.

Ysharra asks, "Been a long night, eh?"

Ysharra says, "I'm sure you're all wanting to get to deliberations, so I'll be brief as possible."

Ysharra says, "All of what Siwas said is correct, Juspera does indeed have a history of violence."

Ysharra says, "But as you've all heard testimony about, it's not just her directing it to people.  But against her."

You shift your weight.

Ysharra says, "It seems clear to me that she was singled out just for these reasons."

Ysharra says, "By the Alliance.  By the Priests."

Ysharra says, "Especially Draezir, who knows fear so very well."

Rinika idly scrawls something on a page in her soft blue suede book.

Ysharra says, "And they manipulated her, used bits and pieces of her history against her."

Ysharra says, "So she would live through the horrors of her childhood, the horrors of her torture at our hands, and theirs...over and over again."

Ysharra says, "As I said, yes, I do not argue that she did these crimes."

Ysharra says, "But I do think that she had...reasonable questions to her control at the time."

Ysharra says, "And as such, remember this."

Ariafela rolls her eyes.

Xanthias grits his teeth.

Ysharra says, "You all must be absolutely certain, if you decide on a guilty vote."

Ysharra says, "You must examine everything you've heard."

Eponyne whispers to the group, "(Ysharra's a regular Johnny Cochran!)"

Ysharra says, "And you must be thoroughly convinced that there is -no- reasonable doubt in your mind."

Ysharra says, "To convict this woman to -further- punishment."

Mekthros whispers to the group, "If the glove doesn't fit, you must acquit."

Eponyne whispers to the group, "LOL!"

Siwas gazes heavenward.

Kinshack shakes his head.

Ysharra says, "Thank you."

Divid frowns.

Cappurnicus nods.

Quinstol whispers to the group, "(Haha)"

Genivie glances at Cappurnicus.

Cappurnicus says, "The jury will now move to deliberation."

You hear the faint thoughts of Mekthros echo in your mind:
"The trial phase for that of Juspera Spintari is concluded."

Songowl nods.

Songowl stands up.

Ysharra whispers to the group, "Thank god."

Songowl groans.

You hear the faint thoughts of Mekthros echo in your mind:
"The jury deliberates in the Trading Post, the verdict not yet decided."

Mekthros whispers to the group, "This is going to take hours."

(Songowl snap, crackles and pops as he leads the jury away.)

(Rinika stretches slowly from where she sits, extending her limbs to their fullest.)

Songowl's group just went out.

Cappurnicus says, "I will call a recess while they do so."

Ysharra says, "I could use a drink."

Cappurnicus says, "Notification will be made via the thought amulet when a decision has been made."

Much stretching and whispering.

Eponyne whispers to the group, "Good job, everyone."

Ysharra whispers to the group, "Yes, good job, everyone.  Thank you."

Cappurnicus says, "Bailiffs, please escort the defendant away."

Prospera's group went up a curving staircase.
[Trading Post, Upstairs Hallway]
A faded, fraying carpet pads the center of the floor in this hall.  Oil lamps hang at odd intervals on the walls, providing patchy, flickering light.  You also see a modwir door, a curving staircase and an ash door.
Also here: Xeniphite, Prospera
Obvious exits: north

Prospera returns everthing she had taken from me, which was everything that could be used as a weapon.

Prospera offers you a rugged leather blackjack.  Enter ACCEPT to accept the offer or DECLINE to decline it.  The offer will expire in 30 seconds.
You accept Prospera's offer and are now holding a rugged leather blackjack.

Prospera offers you a slippery eel.  Enter ACCEPT to accept the offer or DECLINE to decline it.  The offer will expire in 30 seconds.
You accept Prospera's offer and are now holding a slippery eel.

Prospera offers you a bright golden crystal shard.  Enter ACCEPT to accept the offer or DECLINE to decline it.  The offer will expire in 30 seconds.
As Prospera gives the crystal shard away, it pulses gently with a bright golden glow.
You accept Prospera's offer and are now holding a bright golden crystal shard.

Prospera offers you some cactacae spine.  Enter ACCEPT to accept the offer or DECLINE to decline it.  The offer will expire in 30 seconds.
You accept Prospera's offer and are now holding some cactacae spine.

Prospera offers you a long pitted iron nail.  Enter ACCEPT to accept the offer or DECLINE to decline it.  The offer will expire in 30 seconds.
You accept Prospera's offer and are now holding a long pitted iron nail.

Prospera offers you a long pitted iron nail.  Enter ACCEPT to accept the offer or DECLINE to decline it.  The offer will expire in 30 seconds.
You accept Prospera's offer and are now holding a long pitted iron nail.

Prospera offers you a tarnished brass tooth-puller.  Enter ACCEPT to accept the offer or DECLINE to decline it.  The offer will expire in 30 seconds.
You accept Prospera's offer and are now holding a tarnished brass tooth-puller.

Prospera offers you a small razor-sharp hatchet.  Enter ACCEPT to accept the offer or DECLINE to decline it.  The offer will expire in 30 seconds.
You accept Prospera's offer and are now holding a small razor-sharp hatchet.

Prospera offers you a wavy grey imflass misercord.  Enter ACCEPT to accept the offer or DECLINE to decline it.  The offer will expire in 30 seconds.
You accept Prospera's offer and are now holding a wavy grey imflass misercord.

Prospera offers you a tiny emerald sliver.  Enter ACCEPT to accept the offer or DECLINE to decline it.  The offer will expire in 30 seconds.
You accept Prospera's offer and are now holding a tiny emerald sliver.

Prospera offers you a smooth bone wand.  Enter ACCEPT to accept the offer or DECLINE to decline it.  The offer will expire in 30 seconds.
You accept Prospera's offer and are now holding a smooth bone wand.

Prospera asks, "That's it?"

Prospera grins at Xeniphite.

Prospera gives Xeniphite a lingering kiss.

Prospera gives Xeniphite a lingering kiss.

Prospera gives Xeniphite a lingering kiss.

Prospera gives Xeniphite a lingering kiss.

You nod.

Prospera exclaims, "Good luck, Juspera!"

Prospera pulls Xeniphite closer to herself.

You say, "Thanks."

Prospera gives Xeniphite a lingering kiss.

Prospera gives Xeniphite a lingering kiss.

Prospera gives Xeniphite a lingering kiss.

Prospera gives Xeniphite a lingering kiss.

You gaze in wonder at your surroundings.

I retire to wait.

Cappurnicus came through an ironbound oak door.

Cappurnicus asks, "Prospera has left?"

You nod.

You ask, "The jury knows what to do?"

Cappurnicus nods.

Cappurnicus says, "I will have someone retrieve you when the decision has been made."

Cappurnicus shakes his head, clucking his tongue.

Cappurnicus gestures while calling upon the lesser spirits for aid...
Cappurnicus gestures.
Mekthros is discovered by Cappurnicus!

Cappurnicus says, "Get out."

Mekthros laughs softly, trying to hide his amusement.

Mekthros quietly says, "I will see you shortly."

Mekthros went through an ironbound oak door.

Ysharra etc. arrive to wait with me.

Quinstol asks, "Are you okay?"

You say, "I promised I would take what comes."

Ysharra says, "So I noticed."

Ysharra nods to you.

Ysharra says, "Even if it's not already decided."

You say, "I don't... uh... I don't... remember some of what happened on the stand."

Your cheeks take on a slightly flushed tone.

Quinstol says, "Don't worry, neither do I."

>whi ysh Sunburst to check for Mekthroses?
You whisper quietly to Ysharra.

Ysharra makes a nearly imperceptible motion while whispering a soft phrase...
Ysharra gestures.
A sudden burst of bright light emanates from Ysharra's hand!

Ysharra nods.

Ysharra says, "It's just us."

Ysharra says, "There are a lot of things I would have seen go better."

Quinstol nods to Ysharra.

Ysharra says, "But really not so bad..."

Ysharra says, "It was just a little confusing in points."

Quinstol says, "We needed more recesses."

You nod.

Ysharra says, "And it was a shame I couldn't call either of you."

Eponyne says, "Good gods, yes."

You say, "I would have wished you more time to prepare, and to call witnesses. But justice delayed is justice denied."

Ysharra says, "I'm sure Siwas felt the same way about her side."

You say, "I didn't even recognize most of the jury, that is good."

You say, "Surely they will be fair."

You tremble.

Ysharra paces back and forth.

Ysharra says, "I don't have my handkerchief..."

Thrassus gives a slight flick of his wrist, and a dark crimson silk handkerchief suddenly appears in his hand!

Thrassus offers Ysharra a dark crimson silk handkerchief.

Ysharra says, "Then you think a guilty-ah, thank you."

Ysharra accepts Thrassus's silk handkerchief.

Ysharra smiles warmly at Thrassus, and raises the silk to her eyes, pressing the cool fabric to her irritated skin.

Ysharra says, "Jacina was the difficult one, I believe."

Ysharra says, "I didn't even think she'd be here."

You bite your lip.

Quinstol says, "If I didn't have a better understanding of these events, I can imagine I might very well be quite confused about what happened if I were on the jury."

Thrassus says, "Vonka's small outburst was definitely harmful."

Thrassus says, "Even if the Overseer said to ignore it, it will be in the jurors' minds."

Ysharra says, "I think people will still remember her listing off all the things that were done."

Ysharra glances at you.

Ysharra asks, "Why aren't you praying?"

You say, "I was."

You say, "Then Mekthros interrupted me."

Quinstol asks, "Why did Atoyoz keep smiling?"

Ysharra says, "She wants Juspera to hang."

Ysharra says, "I believe she's in love with Xanthias."

Ysharra paces back and forth.

You say, "Though the friends of hers that I hurt do not want to see me hang. Maybe Atoyoz wants it all the more for them."

You say, "Because they... are meek."

Ysharra glances at you.

Thrassus asks, "Meek, hrm?"

Ysharra asks, "Do you ever get the impression that the world is a very different sort of place than your senses tell you?"

Ysharra stares at you.

You blink at Ysharra.

Ysharra says, "You walk about and throw around these declarations of judgement like some arbiter of absolute Elanthian truth."

Ysharra glares at you.

You say, "The truth is out there."

You cringe.

Ysharra asks, "What in the pales gives you that power?"

You say, "It is not power."

Ysharra asks, "What makes you always right?"

Ysharra exclaims, "It is so!"

You say, "It is just what I think."

You stare at Ysharra.

Ysharra asks, "And what do you do when someone disagrees?"

You say, "Sometimes we must make decisions based on what we know."

Ysharra folds her arms over her chest.

You say, "They will not always be right. But if we never moved to act, fearing a mistake, nothing would ever get done at all."

You fold your arms over your chest.

Ysharra says, "And sometimes we make them based on what's opinion."

Eponyne sighs.

You say, "You can't always have the facts."

Ysharra asks, "Done?  You mean like this trial, for example?"

Ysharra asks, "This is justice?"

Ysharra takes a drink from her sandfire liquor.

Eponyne says, "This whole thing was quite ridiculous if you ask me...no offense t' any involved."

You say, "It is my gift."

Ysharra says, "It's a poor one.  But maybe the best we're capable of."

Quinstol says, "I participate not because I have any real faith in this procedure, but because, well, if I didn't, I'd have even less faith in it."

Quinstol shrugs.

Ysharra leans against a tanik door.

You say, "I have apologized to him that it might be a poor one."

Eponyne asks, "Him?"

You say, "But if there will be justice... it must start somewhere."

You say, "Koar."

Ysharra says, "But justice mishandled is no justice at all."

Ysharra says, "It's just...punishment."

Ysharra says, "With a little speculation."

You say, "But it is better to make an attempt and mishandle it than to make no attempt."

Ysharra asks, "How so?"

Ysharra asks, "How is it any better?"

Ysharra says, "Tell me that, Juspera."

You say, "If you don't attempt, there is no chance."

Ysharra asks, "Didn't we go over your reasons why?"

You blink at Ysharra.

Ysharra asks, "Didn't we talk and talk and talk about the reasons why?"

Ysharra says, "And yet we still did it anyway."

Ysharra says, "You punished us and we punished you."

Ysharra asks, "Was that justice?"

Ysharra asks, "Or was that just madness?"

You say, "Madness."

A sharp knocking sound emanates from a tanik door.

You hear the faint thoughts of Cappurnicus touch your mind:
"It is time."

Quinstol glances at a tanik door.

Ysharra unlatches a tanik door.

You stand back up.

You say, "It's time."

Part 6: Verdict rendered, bridges burned

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