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]

[ his arm is tense under her touch and when she removes her hand, he turns towards the wall and slams a fist against it. ] He claimed to care for her, and this is what he does to her?

[slay]

[ buffy doesn't jump, precisely, but she does tense instantaneously upon impact. the tendons of her neck become more visible, and her fists clench - but only briefly, while she squeezes her eyes shut. when she opens them again, she's at ease - but merely wary. ]

That's Des for ya. Guy wouldn't know a good decision if it broke all his fingers. Which, believe me, is on my to-do list. [ she grinds her jaw, because it's not like she's thrilled about this turn of events either. ]

[romanticidal]

There is no way any of this will come to good. I only see one end to this trial now. [ he shakes his head, slumping against the wall ] I am sorry, Buffy.

[slay]

No. [ she says it quickly, stepping in closer and lifting her hands to touch his face, encouraging him to look up at her. when she repeats herself, it's with more force. ] No! You are not giving up that easily. Mr. Gray was here, today. It wasn't the same deal as last time. They were saying - saying that Des' stalker hellgod wouldn't get any foothold here if you agreed to return the favor later down the line. They can get you out of this, Rafael, if you take that deal.

[romanticidal]

[ he lifts his dead seal eyes to hers, recognition slowly surfacing. ] The seal... I had almost forgotten. [ as in he did forget. with his wisdom check of 7. ] You think--

[ his eyebrows furrow, as he looks at her more lucidly. ] ... Do you trust them?

[slay]

I can't explain it, but ... At the concert? I think they were trying to help Jade. And when they realized they couldn't, they were there - at the hospital. And I think they were trying to make it easier on her. [ she shakes her head. ] You know that I don't love the idea of you owing anybody a favor. But, if you had to ... They get my vote. [ her face settles on an apprehensive but decisive expression, lips pursed evenly. ] And I love the idea of you going to prison for a crime you didn't commiteven less.

[romanticidal]

[ he studies her expression for a few moments, before nodding his head, determined. ] I trust your word, carina. And, for what it is worth, do not believe they wish any of us harm, as well. [ he draws out the sigil from his jacket, and lays it on the table beside them, staring down at it. ] Perhaps sooner is better.

[slay]

Whenever you're ready. [ she's not going to rush him into essentially signing a blank check to people they don't fully understand. hell naw. she reaches out to brush her fingertips against the back of his hand as it hovers over the sigil, smiling. ] Together. [ she says it thoughtfully, looking up at him with a greater sense of tranquility now. he's ~not in this alone.~ she'd promised him that she'd stand with him, no matter how hard it was, so he had someone to carry him. she's not planning on letting him feel like he's lost that now that things have grown even worse than they were on the bridge that day. ]

[romanticidal]

[ he manages to give the most limp smile ever at that, looking s-so tired, but he nods and repeats: ] Together. [ #painfulcallbacksareus

he grabs one side of the seal as she grabs the other, and with a sharp jerk, it cracks. a strange bright glow envelops it for a moment... and then is gone. ]

[slay]

[ she waits for a beat, stares around the room, then back up at rafael with a confused furrow of her brow. ]

Well, as anticlimaxes go, that ... sure was one.

[ REALLY? IT JUST ~DISAPPEARED~? ]

[romanticidal]

How do we know that we did it properly...?

[slay]

I dunno. [ she rubs her hand, like she's expecting dust from the seal to somehow be stuck on it - but, no, it definitely just disappeared. ] I mean, they didn't really leave a calling card. Or - well, they did. But that was it.

[romanticidal]

Then it seems all we can do is have faith in their word. [ he sounds skeptical. what is optimism rn. ]

[slay]

Well, until we get back to the hotel, and then I can think of a few other things we can do to make ourselves feel better.

[ there's a long beat. she blinks, glances off to the side then back at him and tacks on, as if it was obvious, ] I was very serious about the finger-breaking.

[romanticidal]

You are not the only one. Though given you are not on trial for murder here, I may have to settle for watching you take him on.

[slay]

Yeah, well, give it 24 hours and we'll see who's sharing your cell after all. [ it's only funny because des can't die. she's at least trying to lighten the mood at this point. she offers him a thin smile, and gives his hand a squeeze. ] I know things are bad now. But, they'll get better. We'll make them get better.

[romanticidal]

[ BY PUNCHING THEM BETTER. ] I do not see how they can much get worse. [ #famouslastwords ]

[slay]

[ GROANS. without much behind it (which, with buffy, is still fairly solid), she punches him in the ribs. ] Why would you say that!?

[romanticidal]

[ he winches a bit, giving her a Look ] What? It is not as if we are not already cursed.

[slay]

That doesn't mean there aren't worse curses! Or more! We could have more! And now we're totally jinxed. [ she looks flustered and huffy for a moment, but it steadily fades into a cringing sort of laughter. it's a relief, to stop and be able to laugh at how ridiculous that is to be saying right now. paranoia over jinxes? really? in their position? she shakes her head as she finishes the short chuckle. ]

[romanticidal]

[ he tries to let himself join in the crazy psychochan laughing times but nope, he can barely muster a grimace of a smile ] Let us hope the jinx does not befall us between here and Des, then. [ he starts towards the door, steps determined now ]

[slay]

[ buffy will toddle after him like a child trying to keep up with an adult, eager but still pretty much in the dust. ]