The Trial Of Luisiani

[*MimiFearthegn]

The day arrived, everything was in order. Interested parties gathered in the appointed courtroom. Those who were supposed to be there took their seats. The idle bystanders crowded in the back, hoping for a good show.

It was the first time that Luisiani had been out of holding since her arrest, and she looked rather the worse the wear for it. She sat despondently, looking down at the floor.

A halfling aide - who somehow managed to stay organized despite carrying around an impossible large pile of papers - ascended the podium near the front of the room, and demanded that all rise for the entrance of Judge Arnders.

He then stood ready to read out the list of charges.

[*Selebius]

Hasclaan finds some encouraging words for his charge- spoken more out of duty and because they are expected of him than true compassion.

Then he gets up to greet the judge and to wait for the charges to be read.

[*Xndar]

Alathusra offers some sympathetic nothings to the Alandris family members in attendance, greeting them warmly before taking her place and awaiting the list of charges.

[*MimiFearthegn]

After the entrance of the judge (assuming she arrived), the halfling cleared his throat officiously and intoned:

"Case #234897584-021. Luisiani, namer of the Society of Sensation, is accused of having maliciously, and with forethought, stabbed the deceased Lord Alandris multiple times with a knife, thereby leading to his demise.

At this time, the defendant is invited to make a statement."

The halfling looked in the direction of Hasclaan; Luisiani was deliberately avoiding his gaze.

[*Selebius]

Hasclaan looks over the assembled people, then adresses the court:

"
Honoured Court, I am Hasclaan Guunt, member of the Fraternity for many years. When I stumbled upon this case it fascinated me as it makes no sense what has happened there- Ms. Luisiani has no rational reason to do what she has done. She is not a violent person, she has no history in crimes.

We all know what happened- and lets be honest it was a horrible crime, not just against Sigil's laws but also something violent and despicable, ending the life of a promising person who was loved by many.

I will not denie my client's appearant involvement in this act- but I will show that something else, something more sinister guided her hand this day, that it was not her who took this live but something else- a threat that is still present and that might haunt us all. "

[*Midnight]

Caterina is of course present. She enters the court and then allows everyone time to be seated before announcing the opening of the trial by banging her gavel on the desk. She'd pause for Hasclaan to make his statement.

"Thank you Administrator Guunt. Administrator Alathusra. Do you have an opening statement on behalf of the prosecution?"

[*Xndar]

Administrator Alathusra stands, her over-long wings curled about her person and gives the courtroom a wide smile before delivering her statement.

"Esteemed Judge, fellow Guvners, witnesses and guests:

Unusual as it might seem, I agree with almost everything the defense has stated in his opening remarks. It is true, that we are here on account of a monstrous crime which ended the life of a beloved public figure, and it is true that there is not even the merest shadow of a doubt that the accused is guilty of having committed this act.

'Why have a trial at all then?' You might rightly ask, well it all comes down to the single error my esteemed colleague made in his statement:

He stated that there was no rational reason for this crime. The implication being that insanity or magical enscorcellment should be conveniently to blame for this crime.

The evidence I have gathered rather strongly disagrees on this point. There was a simple motive for this crime, one of the oldest motives around really: money. While my esteemed colleague will paint a wonderful picture of magical and supernatural forces playing on the mind of the accused, I will endeavor to convince you of a much simpler truth: the accused is a simple gambler who, in an attempt to erase some of their debt, murdered a fine and well-loved individual."

[*Midnight]

Caterina waits for the speeches to be finished and for the clamour to have died down.

"Then without any further ado Administrator Alathusra I would ask you to call your first witness."

[*Xndar]

Alathusra nods respecfully to the judge.

"The Prosecution calls its first witness, one Nicholai, to the stand."

Once the man has made his way to the stand, Alathusra puts her first series of questions to him.

"Would you please tell the court of the altercation you witnessed between the accused, Luisini, and the deceased, Lord Alandris, the day before the crime in question?"

[*Midnight]

Caterina listens. The Monodrone typist by her side faithfully recording everything that is said. She waits to see if the prosecutor has further questions.