chicago ♔ i wish you could see | how apart we've all grown

[lawofsurvival]

WHO || The Failboat, Rafael Giovanni, Isabella Alessandro, Hiro, Jaka, Burt Becksworth, DA of Chicago [closed]
WHAT || The trial of Rafael Giovanni
WHERE || Chicago courthouse, Chicago, IL
WHEN || Friday, Nov 22nd  [backdated]
HOW || Actionspam

The big day has finally arrived.  As media coverage rises to a frenzied fever pitch, Jaka's final preparations are completed, and the team assembles to head down for the trial of Rafael Giovanni.   

Large crowds are gathered outside, some of whom tote signs condemning Rafael as a murderer, others pledging their support and love for the singer.  Police officers keep order, and hold the crowds back as the stars are led up the steps and inside the courthouse.  

They'll have some time to convene with Burt and Jaka in a private room before the trial itself begins.  Unfortunately, Jaka still hasn't shared the change in plans that he and Des discussed in private... 

Comments

[romanticidal]

[ they say the eyes are the window to the soul, and to anyone present who gets a good look into rafael's, this holds remarkably true, as one can practically watch his remaining sanity trickling away as he makes the solemn, fuming march to the stand. he recites the oath through clenched teeth, and his eyes never leave jaka, as if he's a snake about to bite. ]

[lawofsurvival]

Mr. Giovanni. [ jaka barely even actually looks at him, doing his pacing across the floor as if it's a stage, and cheating out to his audience. ]

I'm sure people are quite curious to hear about the events of that fateful night - in your own words.

[romanticidal]

[ this part, of course, has been well choreographed between lawyer and client by now - or had been, until jaka hurled a diremonkey wrench into the works. rafael's caution expression shows that he's at least trying to keep his cool and run over everything in his head, but thinking straight right now is not coming easily for him. he takes a moment to gather himself, before saying very genuinely: ]

It had been some time since Eterna and I had gone our separate ways. Our hope was that she would perform a final number with me - but she had still not completely agreed to do so on the night of the concert. She was not very comfortable with the idea of performing on all major networks at once... and I was still uncertain how she felt about me, after the time we had spent apart.

Eterna had received a threat on her life in the days before the concert, but asked me not to share this information with anyone else. [ he hesitates, clearly angry at how this part of the story fits so neatly into jaka's spin ] That is why I chose to stay armed, and hire bodyguards of my own, without giving them too many details.

I was surprised when Eterna chose to join me onstage - and another surprise when James appeared. I assumed this was the man of whom she had spoken...

[lawofsurvival]

[ instead of letting rafael finish, jaka jumps in at this point ] But Miss Jade did not tell you why men wanted to kill her? What she was involved in that would lead to such extreme retaliation?

[romanticidal]

[ all of rafael's composure crashes to the ground instantly, his face falling and rage working into the set of his jaw as he glares at jaka as if he's considering all the different ways he could make the man suffer. he manages to spit out, venomously: ]

Eterna was not this Black Scourge you speak of. It is not possible.

[lawofsurvival]

[ jaka arches an eyebrow smoothly ] It seems she was a woman with many secrets, Mr. Giovanni. And many dangerous enemies. Can you really be sure you knew her as well as you're convinced you did?

[romanticidal]

[ and rafael angrily snaps to his feet, slamming his hand against the stand as he explodes: ] Because I am the Black Scourge.

[notaroundme]

[oh god sinking into seat because this is literally the fucking worst]

[65]

[at first finnick was like wow i probably shouldn't bring a flask to the trial that would look bad ... but now he's like w/e good life decision.]

[slay]

[ her stomach drops. from the moment he'd been called to the stand, buffy had a horrible feeling about what was going down, and THIS MOMENT IS THAT HORRIBLE FEELING. her body feels outside of her control, and numb - so much so that she doesn't notice she's jumped to her feet, or that she's shouting out and interrupted the court proceedings with a loud: ] No!

[ that's what a crit failed will save gets you. and it only gets worse. her brain catches up quickly and she leans forward, hands braced on the bench in front of her. ] He's lying! He didn't do it. [ THINK FAST GUESS WHO WATCHED SPARTACUS THIS WEEKEND. ] ... I did! [ bluff 28 ... ]

[witchwoman]

...What?!

[Oh hey- you're resident quiet witchwoman is not at all pleased with what is happening right now. Also she crit failed a sense motive check so she actually believes that Buffy really is an Italian assassin. She cannot even process this information right now. That's it. That's all she's got but oh my god you assholes are going to kill her.]

[rationalizes]

[ and gar watches her entire life and future career fall apart before her eyes ]

[shootfirst]

[ in what is probably going to win the reward for most inappropriate reaction (no wait, archer still has to go) kat is smirking her ass off over here because WOW THIS JUST GOT SO ENTERTAINING, SHE HAD BEEN STARTING TO GET BORED ]

[nosdacariad]

[ just. this face. ]

[savemyself]

[ GDI BUFFY YOU ARE RUINING EVERYTHING. she hisses at her between clenched teeth: ] Sit. Down.

[65]

[here is another face because HOW IS THIS REAL LIFE?????]

[starfucker]

[ since we're all talking out of turn now, burt speaks up once he finds his words, looking over his shoulder at buffy and then gesturing back at her as he addresses the judge ] You know, Your Honor, she does have 'serial killer' written all over her. It's in the eyes.

[witchwoman]

[In all her confusion about Buffy, Myri manages to flash a look at Burt because WOW that is her family you are talking about. She will shank you. (intimidate 16. she is probably not that scary lbr)]

What did you say?

[bigbad]

[Spike's got your back, Myri. He shoots a glare at Burt from behind her in case her intimidate wasn't enough (intimidate 26) then reaches to pull Buffy back down (nat 20 str check).]

Think we've buggered this up enough to call our friends in?

[Spike may have been opposed before but that was before.]

[llllllaurel]

[WHAT IS EVEN GOING ON RIGHT NOW?

Arianna is just going to ... stare dumbfounded at you all while she tries to figure this out, because really, how many people are going to be called the Black Scourge today.

She needs a fucking drink.]

[isisagent]

[Archer stands up, and hurls his half-full flask across the courtroom towards the stand.]

OBJECTION! Your honor, or... whatever - Look. None of these "alleged" Black Scourges are even Black.

Be reasonable.

[romanticidal]

[ the judge is so baffled by what the hell just went down that it takes him a moment to catch up, but archer yelling 'objection' seems to pull him back to reality, and his gavel bangs against the podium a few more times than necessary.

"Order! I will have order in my court!"

but rafael is busy staring at buffy with an expression of horror on his face, and he doesn't even flinch when archer's flask hits the stand. ]

Do not listen to her! It was I, I who did it all. I will not have anyone else accused of my crimes!

[lawofsurvival]

[ with complete and utter calm: ] Mr. Giovanni, would you be so kind as to draw back your hair for a moment?

[romanticidal]

[ welp. that takes him by surprise. ] My... what?

[lawofsurvival]

Your hair, Mr. Giovanni. It's a simple request. Unless you have some reason that you'd care to explain as to why you would prefer not to...?