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Antioch_Orontes

Kumiho 3 incomplete

Antioch_Orontes
Dec 30th, 2017
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  2. [2017-11-02 17:50:53] <Antioch|GM> The cell she's being kept in has stark, white walls, and two surveillance cameras.
  3. [2017-11-02 17:50:53] <Antioch|GM> There are speakers in the ceiling, and sprinkler-like apertures that are surely foam sprayers.
  4. [2017-11-02 17:50:53] <Antioch|GM> In one corner, there is a cot with white sheets, not uncomfortable, but she can't bring herself to sleep. In the corner opposite, a sink and toilet.
  5. [2017-11-02 17:50:53] <Antioch|GM> Food was brought to her through a slot in the door, a plastic tray with a styrofoam cup of orange juice, hash browns, a disc of breakfast sausage, scrambled eggs.
  6. [2017-11-02 17:50:53] <Antioch|GM> It's left her alone with little else to do but stew on her thoughts.
  7. [2017-11-02 17:50:53] <Antioch|GM> As punishments go, it's one of the worse ones.
  8. [2017-11-02 17:50:53] <Antioch|GM> It's a somewhat of a blur as she's brought in front of digital screens displaying formally attired people she doesn't know, words like "probably cause" and "preliminary hearing" being thrown around.
  9. [2017-11-02 17:50:53] <Antioch|GM> It's either going to proceed to a trial or sentencing depending on how she pleads. This much is clear - she's going to need an attorney. ||
  10. [2017-11-02 17:59:16] <Lysa|Kumiho> I don't want to go to prison. /I don't want to go to prison!/ That thought is what drives me, keeping me going even as I struggle not to fall into a depressive slump. Now's not the time. Sitting back on the cot, hands in my lap, I try to put together a picture of our--my--financial situation. Laura doesn't work much, she's still going to college. So the bulk of it's my own income; 55k yearly minus our combined student loans,
  11. [2017-11-02 17:59:16] <Lysa|Kumiho> apartment rental and car expenses. We've been doing...okay, but it's still a precarious situation that would be devastated when I can't provide for her anymore.
  12. [2017-11-02 18:02:00] <Lysa|Kumiho> /Maybe one of her new girlfriends could give her more./ The intrusive thought sickens me. I /can't/ go to prison; Who knows what she could do in my absence? Maybe one of her girlfriends would come over while I'm still in jail, and let Laura cry on her shoulder, and then they would start kissing, and--
  13. [2017-11-02 18:02:24] <Lysa|Kumiho> I stop my thoughts again. No, /no/! Stop it, Eun.
  14. [2017-11-02 18:04:13] <Lysa|Kumiho> I try to focus on the logical facts. I have around 3k in the bank right now, and I could probably borrow 5k more from other places, stretching the limits of my credit.
  15. [2017-11-02 18:04:38] <Lysa|Kumiho> ...But that would be all.
  16. [2017-11-02 18:05:19] <Lysa|Kumiho> 8 thousand doesn't sound like a lot, not for what I've been accused of. Not for what I /know/ I'm guilty of. But it's really the only shot I've got.||
  17. [2017-11-02 18:17:14] <Antioch|GM> There are attorneys, she knows, with retaining fees in that ballpark - well, slightly above that ballpark. She's been given the information needed to get in touch with the only two law firms in town with defense attorneys that can represent a parahuman.
  18. [2017-11-02 18:17:14] <Antioch|GM> They're costly. The retainer needs to be paid up front, and the prices are commensurate with how specialized the field is. She /can/ get there, borrowing the money that she needs, but it runs the risk of credit statements tipping off her wife to her situation.
  19. [2017-11-02 18:17:14] <Antioch|GM> There's also the option of the state public defender for parahumans. Though they are based in Indianapolis, there's no telling how heavy their caseload is nor how long it would take for her to go to trial or sentencing. ||
  20. [2017-11-02 18:20:49] <Lysa|Kumiho> I don't want to stay in here longer than I have to. I--I just /don't/. Every second in here is like a painful reminder of the mistakes I made and the costs I have. Credit statements can be explained. I'm the main breadwinner after all. I take a breath, trying to steady myself, as I call up the law firm.
  21. [2017-11-02 18:21:22] <Lysa|Kumiho> I hunch around the phone, making myself as small as my gawky, ugly body will allow.||
  22. [2017-11-02 18:26:05] → Stoic joined (Stoic@net-mc1q4r.nj.comcast.net)
  23. [2017-11-02 18:26:12] ← Stoic left (Stoic@net-mc1q4r.nj.comcast.net):
  24. [2017-11-02 18:31:49] <Antioch|GM> She has an option between the two firms - Bainton, McCarthy, and Siegel, downtown-based, (comparatively) less expensive, but it looks like they mostly focus on the law as it relates to parahuman insurance.
  25. [2017-11-02 18:31:49] <Antioch|GM> The other, Nash & Saxton, on the north side of Indianapolis near Westchester, is costlier. The hazard fees in their retainer are noticeably higher, likely a testament to their standard clientele. They seem more specialized towards the criminal aspect of parahuman law. ||
  26. [2017-11-02 18:35:47] <Lysa|Kumiho> ...Parahuman criminals...
  27. [2017-11-02 18:39:03] <Lysa|Kumiho> I hate to think of myself like that. It isn't at all what I wanted to do when I put the mask on.
  28. [2017-11-02 18:39:05] <Lysa|Kumiho> But...
  29. [2017-11-02 18:40:57] <Lysa|Kumiho> Maybe they'll help me out more, even if it makes me have to dig /deep/ into my pockets.
  30. [2017-11-02 18:41:08] <Lysa|Kumiho> I call up Nash and Saxton.||
  31. [2017-11-02 18:43:25] <Lysa|Kumiho> ((*pockets for the funds. ect ect))
  32. [2017-11-02 18:55:12] → Dolyn joined (Dolyn@net-9pf5lr.mo.charter.com)
  33. [2017-11-02 19:17:22] <Antioch|GM> |||
  34. [2017-11-02 19:17:22] <Antioch|GM> She's escorted to an interrogation room on the basement floor of the Protectorate headquarters after her brief call with the law firm's secretaries. An explanation of her circumstances, a few questions answered to the best of her ability, and Gordon Nash is en route to the PRT for a client conference.
  35. [2017-11-02 19:17:22] <Antioch|GM> Money talks. Or, at least, the promise of it does.
  36. [2017-11-02 19:17:22] <Antioch|GM> "Your attorney is here," one of the PRT agents says. "Master-Stranger protocol means you'll need to wait for him to undergo the necessary scans and tests before he's able to see you." ||
  37. [2017-11-02 19:19:42] <Lysa|Kumiho> "Um...O-okay." I mumble. How long is this going to take? I can feel myself growing antsier as I wait, anticipation and fear coiling into a lead ball sunk deep into the pit of my stomach. My Monster hums in my veins, but it's a low and quiet song.
  38. [2017-11-02 19:20:05] <Lysa|Kumiho> I wait, playing with my hands awkwardly.||
  39. [2017-11-02 19:27:52] <Antioch|GM> It takes more time, and she doesn't have a clock on hand to grasp how long it takes. Minutes or hours of fidgeting, erring towards the latter.
  40. [2017-11-02 19:27:52] <Antioch|GM> At long last, the door swings open, her attorney escorted by a PRT agent of his own. He's shorter than her, not wholly out of the ordinary, given her gangly frame, but he's younger than she'd expect for a man whose last name is the first one listed for the business he represents.
  41. [2017-11-02 19:27:52] <Antioch|GM> "Thank you for your concern, gentlemen," he addresses the two agents in the room. "Some privacy, please."
  42. [2017-11-02 19:27:52] <Antioch|GM> The armored guard observing her hesitates, glancing at Nash's business-suited escort for guidance.
  43. [2017-11-02 19:27:52] <Antioch|GM> "I assume I'll need to go through another M-scan upon departure," Nash says, closing the window of opportunity for his escort to speak. "Assuming her power retains a corona upon transformation, there's no need to monitor for the circumstance where I'm replaced."
  44. [2017-11-02 19:27:52] <Antioch|GM> The escort hesitates as well, nods. The two PRT agents step out of the room, one taking out their phone as they do so.
  45. [2017-11-02 19:27:52] <Antioch|GM> "Kumiho," Nash says. He sets a portfolio of documents on the table between them, but remains standing. ||
  46. [2017-11-02 19:29:14] * Thaliaway → Thalia
  47. [2017-11-02 19:29:41] <Lysa|Kumiho> "Uh..." I start. My mouth goes dry before I can continue. I glance down at the portfolio for a second, back hunched.
  48. [2017-11-02 19:30:07] <Lysa|Kumiho> It takes me a moment to collect myself. This is all going to be worth it--I hope.
  49. [2017-11-02 19:30:25] <Lysa|Kumiho> "M-mr. Nash. Um. Hi..."
  50. [2017-11-02 19:30:49] <Lysa|Kumiho> Stupid, /stupid!/ I should have said something else. It's too late now.
  51. [2017-11-02 19:31:11] <Lysa|Kumiho> "Um...so...do you think you can help me?"
  52. [2017-11-02 19:31:47] <Lysa|Kumiho> I force myself to look at him as I ask the question.||
  53. [2017-11-02 19:33:08] <Antioch|GM> "That depends on what you're requesting my help with," he replies, picking up a sheaf of printouts with the PRT logo stamped in the corner as he seats himself. "Reduced sentencing, representation at a trial...?" ||
  54. [2017-11-02 19:34:26] <Lysa|Kumiho> "Anything. I, um, I've never done this...before. I--I just /really/ don't want to go to jail for this..."
  55. [2017-11-02 19:34:43] <Lysa|Kumiho> I mumble the last words, my head lowering again.||
  56. [2017-11-02 19:42:08] <Antioch|GM> ((A brief pause as tubes, the one with actual legal expertise, dons the Gordon Nash fleshsuit.))
  57. [2017-11-02 19:42:30] <Lysa|Kumiho> ((<3))
  58. [2017-11-02 19:46:39] ⇐ OptimusRhyme quit (uid229647@charlton.irccloud.com): Quit: Connection closed for inactivity
  59. [2017-11-02 19:46:49] ⇐ Druza quit (uid209687@charlton.irccloud.com): Quit: Connection closed for inactivity
  60. [2017-11-02 19:48:59] → CaptNameless joined (uid208854@ealing.irccloud.com)
  61. [2017-11-02 20:01:03] * tubes → tubes|Nash
  62. [2017-11-02 20:07:20] <tubes|Nash> ...
  63. [2017-11-02 20:11:59] <tubes|Nash> Nash moves to sit down, placing his briefcase on the table. It remains close to his right hand, maybe closer than you'd expect is comfortable for someone writing with that same hand.
  64. [2017-11-02 20:12:00] <tubes|Nash> "Alright, well before we go any further, I just want to make sure you understand that anything you and I discuss is confidential, regardless of whether or not you decide to retain our firm. There are some exceptions, mainly if you give me reason to think you're about to hurt someone or commit another crime. I'll let you know if I think we're about to run into a problem there." He pulls
  65. [2017-11-02 20:12:00] <tubes|Nash> out a pen and a legal pad, and spins the pen once before clicking it. "We're obliged to represent you, and only you; I don't usually find this is a problem in criminal cases, but sometimes it comes up if you're part of a gang or something similar. Can you think of any problems on that front, Kumiho - speaking of which, is it alright if I call you that? Or would you prefer I call you
  66. [2017-11-02 20:12:00] <tubes|Nash> something else?" ||
  67. [2017-11-02 20:14:08] <Lysa|Kumiho> "Um, Kumiho is fine..." I mumble. "I--I don't, uh, think I ever want to do that again, uh, so...yeah..."
  68. [2017-11-02 20:15:41] <Lysa|Kumiho> My voice probably remains aggravatingly soft, but for the life of me, I can't make it go much louder. "I--I was never a part, uh, of a gang; I was, um, I triggered a few weeks ago. I--I don't want to join any either."
  69. [2017-11-02 20:16:36] <Lysa|Kumiho> Was that okay? Did that work?
  70. [2017-11-02 20:16:39] <Lysa|Kumiho> I don't know.
  71. [2017-11-02 20:16:50] <Lysa|Kumiho> ||
  72. [2017-11-02 20:20:08] <tubes|Nash> He nods, and seems understanding, or if not actually understanding, very good at pretending. He scribbles a couple things down on the legal pad. The distance would ordinarily be close enough for you to read what he's written, but his handwriting is entirely illegible.
  73. [2017-11-02 20:20:09] <tubes|Nash> "Kumiho it is then. You'd be surprised how rarely I hear that from clients. At any rate, I got the barebones story from my secretary, and I glanced over the arrest report on the way in, but I'd like to hear what happened from your point of view." ||
  74. [2017-11-02 20:22:58] <Lysa|Kumiho> Oh, no. He wants to hear it 'again'...As if I haven't run through every tiny detail over what went wrong already. Over and over. It's one of the many things that kept me awake in that cell for the night. I don't like thinking about it, even if I know it was my own stupid fault.
  75. [2017-11-02 20:24:12] <Lysa|Kumiho> "Um...do I have to?" I ask him, keeping my head down just low enough for me to be able to see his notepad.
  76. [2017-11-02 20:24:24] <Lysa|Kumiho> ||
  77. [2017-11-02 20:35:59] <tubes|Nash> He looks up from where he was prepared to take notes, eyes slightly widened.
  78. [2017-11-02 20:35:59] <tubes|Nash> "You don't have to, no, but I find it's much easier to prepare a defense if I have your side of things. The PRT reports tend to be lacking, and there may be other witnesses or evidence that could help you that they're not looking for."
  79. [2017-11-02 20:35:59] <tubes|Nash> He scribbles something down - still practically unreadable - turns one of the PRT-stamped sheafs around, flips a page over, and points to a box labeled INCIDENT REPORT. It's extremely terse and mostly discusses their most recent engagement with, well, you, ending with 'Suspect apprehended, transported to central holding. See Supplement 5-A-3 for details.' ||
  80. [2017-11-02 20:38:32] <tubes|Nash> --||
  81. [2017-11-02 20:38:59] <tubes|Nash> It's not helped by the fact that it's seemingly randomly struck through with black market in spots where information has been redacted. ||
  82. [2017-11-02 20:40:14] <Lysa|Kumiho> "...Oh. Okay." I whisper quietly, cringing at the description.
  83. [2017-11-02 20:42:12] <Lysa|Kumiho> I straighten my back a little, clear my throat. I...should probably do that, right?
  84. [2017-11-02 20:43:15] * soulpelt|nap → soulpelt|work
  85. [2017-11-02 20:45:10] <Lysa|Kumiho> I try to make it sound as sympathetic to myself as possible, as impossible as it is. "Um...I wanted to--to get into a club. The--the reason I got my powers was because, um, of something that happened there...basically, m-my wife Laura and I were, uh, there to drink. It, uh, it was my first time there, and..."
  86. [2017-11-02 20:46:10] <Lysa|Kumiho> "And then she got a little too drunk, and, uh, while I was trying to get her back to the car...one of the bouncers said I drugged her drink and was trying to r--..."
  87. [2017-11-02 20:47:14] <Lysa|Kumiho> I whisper the last part, my voice wobbling. "...Rape her...S-so, uh, I was fighting with her and a bunch of other people to try and bring her, uh, back to my a-apartment, and then, uh, one of them shoved me away, uh, and that's when..."
  88. [2017-11-02 20:47:26] <Lysa|Kumiho> I shrug. "Y-yeah..."
  89. [2017-11-02 20:50:59] <Lysa|Kumiho> "So it was th-their fault that I, uh, triggered. I was just going over there, um, to scare them. I--I know it's weird, but how my power works...It doesn't hurt anyone permanently. I--I take a little bit of how they look, b-but that's all. The, uh, the cut I make heals up right after...But it was my first time really using my powers and...uh...I was really scared."
  90. [2017-11-02 20:52:12] <Lysa|Kumiho> "Uh, I wanted to get her some medical attention, and I--I was going to return her laptop and her phone, I promise. I-I was going back there to drop them back off..."
  91. [2017-11-02 20:54:52] <Lysa|Kumiho> "Um, and then...one of the investigators found out about me. I--I didn't try to hurt them, I--I was just trying to get away. W-when one of them pushed me against the car, I, uh, panicked b-because I've never been in trouble with the law before but, uh, that was all."
  92. [2017-11-02 20:55:03] → Saff joined (uid95475@brockwell.irccloud.com)
  93. [2017-11-02 20:55:11] <Lysa|Kumiho> My voice is shaky and I'm starting to tear up again. This isn't good.
  94. [2017-11-02 20:57:36] <Lysa|Kumiho> "Uh, s-so I managed to get out, and then I ran. I--I didn't want to go to jail. I just wanted to find a good, uh, place to hide and take out the, uh, tracker they put in me. I found, um, an apartment building, and I took out my tracker, which is when this girl shows up--this, uh, teleporting girl."
  95. [2017-11-02 20:58:32] <Lysa|Kumiho> "She, uh, she made an offer to help me, uh, escape if I could get the mask of one of the PRT guys...so I tried to...but I failed..."
  96. [2017-11-02 20:58:59] <Lysa|Kumiho> I pause, wiping my eyes with my sleeve.
  97. [2017-11-02 21:00:12] <Lysa|Kumiho> "Uh, I--I never tried to attack anyone. N-not even Axis o-or the guys I was, uh, supposed to steal the mask from. I, uh, I was too, uh, scared and I didn't want to hurt them..."
  98. [2017-11-02 21:01:36] <Lysa|Kumiho> "So...I-I just gave up, uhm, after that...and...now I'm gonna go to jail, I guess..."
  99. [2017-11-02 21:01:48] <Lysa|Kumiho> My shoulders slump; I feel miserable.||
  100. [2017-11-02 21:08:43] <tubes|Nash> He pays attention the whole while, nodding sympathetically and taking more notes. He spends a minute or so writing after you finish talking, before looking up.
  101. [2017-11-02 21:08:43] <tubes|Nash> "Thank you for sharing that with me. Now, this may seem like a silly question, but if everything turns out for the best, where do you see this ending? Put a different way, what's your end goal? I find some people are willing to cut a deal, some people want to go to trial no matter what, other people feel obligated to serve some time...Knowing what you want helps me figure out the best
  102. [2017-11-02 21:08:43] <tubes|Nash> tack. ||
  103. [2017-11-02 21:08:59] * FossilLord → Foss|AFK
  104. [2017-11-02 21:13:08] <Lysa|Kumiho> "Uh...I--I don't want, um, t-to go to jail." I say, trying and failing to keep control of my voice. It keeps shaking regardless of my will. "I, uh, I'm willing to do /anything/ to, uh, not go to jail. I, uh, I know I fucked up. I fucked up /really/ bad. But I don't want--I'm trying not to be a bad guy. I--I always, uh, kinda saw myself as helping people..."
  105. [2017-11-02 21:14:47] <Lysa|Kumiho> "...I, uh, I just really don't want my wife to know about it, too..." I add, mumbling this last part.
  106. [2017-11-02 21:14:48] <Lysa|Kumiho> ||
  107. [2017-11-02 21:16:21] ⇐ ThalAI quit (uid132942@hathersage.irccloud.com): Quit: Connection closed for inactivity
  108. [2017-11-02 21:32:21] <tubes|Nash> He scribbles down a few more notes.
  109. [2017-11-02 21:32:21] <tubes|Nash> "Alright, that lets me know what our options are." He puts the notepad and pen away, before folding his hands and looking at Kumiho.
  110. [2017-11-02 21:32:21] <tubes|Nash> "While I can't make any promises at this early stage, I believe we stand a good chance of achieving your goal, Kumiho. I can't speak as to your maritial issues, but I think you've got several things going for you that we can play up to the judge and prosecutor. A plea bargain will be your best chance at avoiding jail time, if that's your ultimate goal. While that means you'll likely
  111. [2017-11-02 21:32:21] <tubes|Nash> end up with a conviction on your record, I find that most parahumans are not, ahem, overly concerned with such matters, and that overall, there's a fairly good chance of you getting the minimum sentence, at worst, and a decently good chance of walking out of here, if they're willing to play ball." He pauses to see if she's following, and satisified, continued.
  112. [2017-11-02 21:32:21] <tubes|Nash> "On that note, we'll need to discuss my fee. Our firm requires a ten thousand dollar retainer before any work can be done. My rate is 200 dollars an hour - it's the same for all our partners - which will be deducted from this retainer as I perform research, talk to the prosecutors and witnesses, or anything else that may be required as your case progresses. If we need to hire experts,
  113. [2017-11-02 21:32:22] <tubes|Nash> or investigators, these are considered 'out of pocket' expenses that will need to be reimbursed seperately. We usually make an arragement to deduct those from the retainer, if required."
  114. [2017-11-02 21:32:23] <tubes|Nash> He's all business now. ||
  115. [2017-11-02 21:34:23] * FaustAsleep → FaustAndAbout
  116. [2017-11-02 21:43:57] <Lysa|Kumiho> Ten thousand dollars. Oh. That's...that's a lot. I'm not sure if I could afford it.
  117. [2017-11-02 21:45:31] <Lysa|Kumiho> I shrink as I start trying to recalculate. Maybe if I sold the car--it's not /that/ far to get to work, and maybe I could work up the nerve to ask about carpooling--or if we cut back on groceries for a while, or maybe got a roommate...
  118. [2017-11-02 21:45:59] <Lysa|Kumiho> None of those options sound appealing to me. But all of it is better than going to jail.
  119. [2017-11-02 21:47:32] <Lysa|Kumiho> "Is--uh--how long would y-your firm, um, be willing to wait for me to get that money? I--I, uh, could probably get you 8k now or in a few days, but, uh, the last 2k..."
  120. [2017-11-02 21:48:13] <Lysa|Kumiho> I can feel the desperation inside me, making me shake with fear. If he decided to just walk out of here without accepting--I don't know what I'd do.||
  121. [2017-11-02 21:48:23] ⇐ Wellwick quit (uid211357@hathersage.irccloud.com): Quit: Connection closed for inactivity
  122. [2017-11-02 21:53:24] <tubes|Nash> "We understand finances take time to arrange, and we can work something out, if you believe you have the funds."
  123. [2017-11-02 21:53:24] <tubes|Nash> He pulls a sheet of paper out of his portfolio and slides it towards her, with an offered pen.
  124. [2017-11-02 21:53:24] <tubes|Nash> "Just something to make sure we have something in writing."
  125. [2017-11-02 21:53:24] <tubes|Nash> It's a contract, of sorts, detailing the fact that Nash & Saxton is representing the parahuman known as Kumiho, that Nash & Saxton will be providing all council of record in any criminal matters going forward for the parahuman known as Kumiho...and that the parahuman known as Kumiho has aggred to forward 10,000 USD, in cash, to the firm of Nash & Saxton as a retainer, to be used as
  126. [2017-11-02 21:53:25] <tubes|Nash> payment for any and all legal services as deemed necessary by the firm. ||
  127. [2017-11-02 21:53:43] * tubes|Nash → tubes
  128. [2017-11-02 22:05:17] <Lysa|Kumiho> I read the contract carefully, wincing at the sight of the $10,000 USD written on the page.
  129. [2017-11-02 22:06:38] <Lysa|Kumiho> I've always been good at programming. And IT is a hot field right now. I...I have to do it. I /have/ to. For Laura. I don't even eat that much anyway. I'm fine with eating ramen for weeks on end.
  130. [2017-11-02 22:06:49] <Lysa|Kumiho> I...don't know if Laura will be, but...
  131. [2017-11-02 22:07:12] <Lysa|Kumiho> I don't want to go to jail. I sign the contract after another moment of hesitation.
  132. [2017-11-02 22:07:12] <Lysa|Kumiho> ||
  133. [2017-11-02 22:07:21] <Antioch|GM> |||
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