[C46/11th] Week 258: Through the Veils of Yesterday, I stand Accused

[Bish]

The thirteenth judge shook his head in awe behind the paper mask. Xepher was surprised to find that his fellow judges had not allowed the discussion to derail so quickly as it had the last time a Templar woman stood for judgment. He was again surprised to hear that no one continued to beat on this dead horse. The amusement reflected in his confident baritone voice as he spoke for the second time.

"Young Templar, your frustration with our judgment is evident to all souls in this court. You likely feel that our sentence was unfair and that the structure of our court is... rather bureaucratic. However, I would like to demonstrate the usefulness of this court sympathy for you. While several here think of you in terms of just another rebellious shinigami, I think I have a unique understanding of you.

"The Division that you chose to join is one of unity," he continued boldly. "For you or any other member of your division, it would be unthinkable to leave someone to their untimely fate. To do so would be the worst breach of your personal ideals. However, you function as a shinigami first, a Blood Templar second, and Alexia Felone da Firenze third. We do not ask you to surrender your convictions. What we do ask is that you remember that the law is in place for a reason. They are rules, not just suggestions."

The thirteenth judge sat back and found himself disappointed that a young shinigami with enough prowess to use Shikai had to fall prey to the sword of justice. "Number Thirteen supports the punishment of five-hundred years. I do hope that you earn your freedom, but please ensure that you understand that the law bends for no man... or woman for that matter."

[651]

 

[Wayne]

He cringed slightly upon hearing the court’s sentencing. Though five centuries seemed nothing to the lifespan of a soul reaper, such a time could prove grueling especially to someone just starting off. Kyuketsu turned his attention to Forty-One, the last to address him. Hands slipping down and behind him, the Acting Captain nodded slightly.

“Yes milord. I shall make doubly sure that something like this does not transpire again for as long as I hold the Eleventh.” His voice was cold, robotic in the sense that it was devoid of any passion.

Breaking off from Forty-One, his sights bounced to the other faceless prosecutors, eyeing them one by one as if waiting for any further response. His personal take on the trial lied halfway on the scale, with one side of him inherently supporting his subordinate while the other agreeing on the court’s position. Kyuketsu was a man who upheld order above all, at times even proving callous in the empathy department. He saw logic and reasoning as superior to impulse (for the most part), and while open to alternatives and middle grounds, some cases simply could not afford a stance of neutrality. Such was the case when dealing with the Central Forty-Six. For the most part, it was either one extreme or the other.

At the very least, he admired Alexia’s unwavering conviction. Rare was it for anyone to have such brazen fortitude in the light of overwhelming prosecution. And although his personal views clashed inexorably with her’s, the fact that the girl never once backed down from the court’s fury was a solid testament of her will.

Rubbing the back of his neck, Kyuketsu turned towards Alexia. Whatever words of condolence or apology came absent from the Acting Captain. He knew that whatever he said at that point meant little in the grand scheme of things. Instead, what he said was simple whisper, “No matter what they say, no matter what I say, your heart’s in the right place. And that’s all that matters.”

His heel twisted towards the blackened hallway leading from the spotlight.

“If there is nothing else, esteemed Judges and Wise Men, then I take my leave of the court. Good day.”

Hands still resting behind him, the Acting Captain headed off, venturing into the shadowy corridor before vanishing entirely.

648 - FINAL​

 

[Vincent Valen]

The big shocker. They sentenced her, which is a given at this point. She had operated outside of their status quo and they couldn’t deal with it. Kyuketsu said his parting words and left. Though she appreciated his silent support, he still knuckled under to these cazzoros.

“Thank you for your oh so wise decision. I’ll be sure to think about it the next someone holds a gun to your head,” she said. This time she did not bother to salute...they hadn’t earned it. Instead she turned and left the room, her head still high. She’d done what she wanted. She’d told the government that they themselves were a flaw. They were the ones out of order, not her.

When she got to the outside doors, she noted that her zanpakuto was no longer visible. She’d have the blade back soon enough...she’d promised after all. She looked at the guard, and with no fear whatsoever spoke.

“I just told Forty-six politicians to go screw themselves, and I feel just fine,” she said, walking away with a smile on her face.

She never compromise herself. Ever.

[1198] END