A Trial for the Centuries - The CW Districts vs. Lazarus

[Black Philip]

The Zingari theater was not the largest one in town. It was what one called a black-box, big enough for a large play or small musical. Invitations were sent out to the District Leaders, office of the Ward, and to important players in town. The trial was public but once at capacity wouldn’t let anyone else in. The audience held a hundred seat house, and the prosecuting district was sure every seat would be filled. Up on the stage, a large ornate podium had been constructed. It looked far too large for a standard human, but by scale would look perfect for Sabrina. Two smaller desks had been staggered to face the podium. A witness box had been built into Sabrina's podium for whoever was currently testifying. One was for Lisa-Joe Hampton, the prosecutor. The other was for the defendant. It looked like a courthouse might look in a play. If this was to be political theater then let it be actual theater too. 

People were starting to enter, but there was still some time before official proceedings would begin. The stage was barred off by velvet ropes and signs that asked those in the audience to attend but not to interfere. The highest ranking person on duty at the time was the new Keeper of Elysium, Maria, who would be monitoring the house for any malcontents. The two opera boxes had been reserved. One sign read Sacramentum et Res, and the other read for Lady Zoheret and her entourage.

For now people would be free to take their seats, gossip, speculate, talk trash or any other such activity they wanted to participate in. They would be informed when things were about to get started.

[Trillian]

Ben and Kerr were among the first to arrive, dropped off in one of the Sacramentum's limousines. The stately car drove smoothly away after depositing them on the street, and another car pulled up immediately after them. Charon and Jeanne were the next to step out. As a foursome, they entered the theatre but Charon and Jeanne moved upstairs to their box whilst Ben and Kerr sat up at the very front, the velvet cordon directly in front of them. Ben didn't want to have to walk past the whole aisle when he was called to witness.

Ben was furious that Jake had opted to turn this into a monkey show. It should've been held in private, with only Jake, Sabrina, Lazarus and Ben (with Kerr) presiding. Why was everyone invited to watch? Why did everyone have to know he'd been raped? Why was Jake so keen to air his dirty laundry? He was the biggest poser Ben had ever met. Even a straight-forward sentencing had been turned into a farce. He was like the extra on top of extra, with no intelligence to give it weight.

He turned to Kerr, but didn't bother keeping his voice down. "Jake is the biggest fucking asshole. Why is everything such a fucking circus?"

Ben, who rarely swore, had been swearing non-stop since interacting with Jake McCloud. He hated him. Hated him more than Lazarus.

[Existentially Odd]

Kerr could feel the nerves thrumming through Ben; they were infecting him, too. Jake was an easy target when rampant emotions couldn't be directed anywhere constructively. As a sire, it was his job to share his calm, rather than get drawn into Ben's turbulence (even if the point made was valid - this really was an unnecessary circus).

He placed his hand over Ben's and squeezed, leaning towards his love and keeping his reply at a reasonable volume. "I imagine it's about accountability. Jake has to be seen to do the right thing so if he does it in front of an audience, his motives can't be questioned and the entire process is transparent. Well, I hope it is," Kerr amended, for he was still disturbed by Jake's declaration that Sabrina would judge (an indisputably obvious case) and Jake would decide the punishment (after he'd already stated he thought Lazarus deserved death).

He glanced up as Charon and Jeanne settled, the younger ancient looking professional in her navy short-sleeved banded dress. Her expression was more serious than Kerr was used to seeing her; he'd enjoyed getting to know her while they stayed at Penbrook. She caught him looking and gave him a nod, pulling a sympathetic face as she saw he was comforting Ben.

You are doing well, father. Protect your darling, she encouraged in French in Kerr's mind. He responded with a tight smile and nodded back. He wished he could protect his darling by not even bringing him here but Ben was adamant. He wanted to advocate for his attacker. Kerr was as proud as he was mortified.

[Black Philip]

A few more people trickled in. Drew Sullivan, private investigator entered whistling a happy tune, and so drunk he could barley stand. He'd just come from turning in those pictures he'd obtained of the cheating woman he'd found, and her husband had angrily paid him. Drew didn't care, as long as the check cashed. He then went to the White Rabbit and fed on a twink who'd been hitting a joint and heavily drinking. So, now he stumbled down the aisle.

He picked a seat smack dab in the middle of the house, and scanned the room for any important parties he should keep his eye on. First he saw the hot kid with his dad complaining about something. Drew had pretty good hearing but with this winy brat he didn't have to strain to listen. The kid was basically shouting.

Jake is the biggest fucking asshole

Jake was the guy throwing this party, some Anarch legend. Drew had heard of him before, the Sabbat's worst nightmare or something. Maybe it was the Camarilla who hated him? Drew didn't really keep up with politics. Drew knew technically Jake was his District Leader, but mostly kept to himself. He'd come here tonight because he'd heard Charon and Ben would be here, and after comforting Zeph the night before he wanted to get a good look at the assholes who'd upset the nicest, cutest, loveliest person Drew had met in years. Also, trials were good business for Private Eye's. He'd made sure to let a bunch of his cards slip just outside the theater, and he'd be watching for any drama that looked like a potential case. 

His eyes moved to an African woman patrolling the theater. She must be the Bailiff. He liked the look of her and was happy to see a woman of color in power. This city's powerful players seemed to suffer from a serious case of the white, and since coming from multicultural New Jersey, Drew was happy to see that changing.

He looked to the opera box's and found one empty. However, the other had two figures in it. One was a woman he didn't recognize, but the other seemed hidden somehow, almost dim. Drew could do some stuff like that but this seemed advanced. Could that be Charon? He didn't know but kept one eye on the being's box. He'd taken some blood from his victim and deposited it into a flask. It wasn't warm anymore, but it was booze laced and would stay fresh for a few more hours. Drew unscrewed the top, and topped his own drunk off. He was ready for the show.

[Idrial]

Maria hung within the background of the Zingari theatre, making her presence known but not interacting with the people. Her eyes scanning the room each time someone entered the theatre. Jake had done his best to update Maria on key players in the city on such short notice, taking her new duties as Keeper of Elysium quite seriously. There would be no disruptions tonight, Maria would not allow it. Takhar had not been silent since Maria learned of the crimes Lazarus had committed against Jake and Ben. It sickened both Maria and Takhar to their very core, justice would be delivered tonight. When she heard Sabrina was to be the judge it put her mind at ease, looking forward to seeing the woman again; even if it was under dire circumstances.

Maria wore similar clothes of her tribe for trials such as this, black leggings stopping at the knee. Accompanied by a dark blue skirt with a white crochet woven belt around her waist. Her top was also dark blue, short sleeved with a slight V neck with an amber juju charm around her neck. Her hair had few braids but most of it was tied back with a piece of jewelry left from the old lands; a zebra hoof. Not a piece she got to wear often anymore, a shame most days. Noticing now some key players had arrived, Ben and his lover Kerr. Sitting right up front and center, above Charon and Jeanne settling into the box reserved for them. Even the man sipping what looks like to be a flask, that would have to reprimanded before the trial started. Taking note of where he was sitting and what he was wearing.

Maria then turned her attention to the farthest corner of the room, Sam sat in silence not wanting to draw attention to herself. Wearing a simple black pantsuit to the trial and her hair was down this time. Coming as a witness to Jake's sexual assault, Sam may not have seen it but she had felt the terror and violation through their bond. It was the first step to resolve their relationship, the real work would start after the trial. Agreeing to talk and figure things out however, Maria had hoped it would have been done before and not afterwards. Maria had promised to help Jake understand Sam better, without infringing on his space as a parent. Jake now knew the history between the two spanning back to when Sam was a mortal, seemed just yesterday she met Sam and yet she had met Sam close to fifteen years ago.

[pinkroses]

Murphy was sat near the back of the auditorium in the stalls, but he’d requested that his microphone be near the front and earlier he’d been allowed to set it up so that he would have a full record of everything which went on. He didn’t want to be involved, not when it involved people who he cared so much about, but he had been asked to record the events of the night and wouldn’t turn down that request.

He’d seen Ben enter with Kerr and his stomach twisted. Murphy wanted to go see his friend, to wrap his arms around him and tell him he would be there and everything would be ok – but he was with Kerr and hadn’t even told him what was going on. Murphy didn’t even know if Ben was aware of his presence tonight.

He pulled out his mobile, resting it against his knee over the top of his notebook which his pen was tucked into. His fingers flickered between texting his best friend and Jake, his new… what? Crush? Something more? He gave a quiet sigh and ran a hand through his hair. He hadn’t slept much that day (or the night before) in preparation for tonight and after being woken in the early hours by Jake. This was not what he expected for tonight, but he needed to be there for those who needed him.

You ready? Remember you’ve done nothing wrong. Murphy sent the text to Jake before pausing for a moment and typing again.

I’m here if you need me. He sent that one to Ben, unsure of whether his friend who need him or want him anywhere near or not. Ben hadn’t wanted to tell him anything previously, but this was about to be completely public knowledge and Murphy wanted to be there however he was needed.

Muprhy double checked his phone was on silent after texting them both, before tucking it into his suit trousers, where he’d feel it vibrate but it wouldn’t disturb people around him if things started  soon. Jake had asked him to sit with him, but Murphy hadn't spotted him yet. He was ready to move if needs be though.
 
*

Ichabod arrived not too long after Ben and Kerr, knowing his sire and brother were there without needing to speak to them. He hadn’t arrived with them as he’d had to go home to drop off James (knowing that with Lazarus was locked up he would be safe) and feed before coming by himself.

He could feel Kerr’s nerves and tried to swallow them down as he approached them took a seat beside Kerr. He had pushed down the stunned feeling of knowing what Lazarus had done to his brother – Lazarus was pushy, demanding, the centre of his own world and he’d gone a step further with Ben. Ichabod had been scared of the ancient hurting him before, and didn’t doubt what Ben had said happened, maybe Ichabod just been too weak previously to say no to those demands. When they’d been together Ichabod had been besotted, even when he was terrified.

“Do you know what time this is starting?” Ichabod asked Kerr quietly as he took his seat beside his sire. On previous occasions he’d taken his position protecting Ben on the other side from Kerr, but right now he wanted to be near the reassuring feel of his sire.

*

Seb made his way backstage with a winning smile and reassuring word to those who would stop him, mentioning the name of one of the key players in this show. There was a lot of security, but he’d been spending a lot of time at the White Rabbit recently so the security recognised him as someone who had assisted (however briefly, he protected) in Lazarus’ capture. He'd already introduced himself to Maria at his lover's warning, knowing she might take offence to those she didn't immediately recognise going where they shouldn't, but Lisa-Joe had also let her know of him

As he saw Lisa-Joe preparing to take her place his smile spread and he approached her from behind with silent steps, before wrapping his arms around her waist and nuzzling a kiss against her throat.

“You look ready to take on all of Hell,” he murmured in her ear.

[The Cedar Witch]

There had been a buzzing to the West and this had drawn Astrid to the streets, driven by something closer to instinct than vision.  Traveling light with a small black Moleskine sketchbook and a handful of micron pens stuffed into her leather jacket, she slowly made her way across the city, stopping every so often if she found something interesting to sketch.  The pull kept her moving mostly, and while she had an excellent sense of direction she couldn’t be sure where it was leading her.  She had stopped in Sanctuary briefly, and while this was a place to be explored further, the pull urged her forward.  Paying for the coffee with an irritable scowl--honestly this need to keep going was annoying--she took note of the curious runes on her way out, lit a cigarette and continued on.

It was well after dark when she finally came to Zingari Theater and the pull became a vortex, drawing her past its doors.  Astrid sighed tossed her hair a bit, closely examining the entrance and wondering what could possibly be going on in a little theater.  There was already a swirling of energy there, much of which she would have rather avoided had she the option.  She was more likely to be noticed upon walking in, and she wasn’t too keen on drawing attention to herself considering she had no idea what she was getting herself into.  Thinking it best to take precautions, she pricked her finger and smeared the dot of blood over the tattoo on her left temple.  This would ensure she did not stand out.  Being seen was one thing--but being noticed was entirely different, and Astrid did not want to be noticed. 

The Theater seemed smaller from the inside if that was even possible.  And it was clearly set up for some sort of trial.  Maybe that was what the play would be about?  No, this didn’t have a Show Is About To Start kind of vibe at all--well, not that kind of show.  Different crowd, different energy.  Besides, she didn’t have to pay to get in.  Her eyes moved from face to face and she made eye contact with the dark-skinned woman unintentionally.  A chill shot through her suddenly and Astrid looked away.  That one was a direct line to divinity--as far as which divinity, Astrid no way of knowing.  She made her way deliberately to the right, close enough to the stage to see clearly but far enough to make a hasty getaway if needed.  What was about to happen?

Prickly skin, electric buzzing static, swirling anger, darkness, and something very fucking old.  More still approaching.  And it was a lot to take in all at once.  A scowl set into her face she pulled out the sketchbook and a pen to see what she could come up with.  The pen quickly set to work, first with the woman she had caught eyes with.  She was pleasant to draw, but there was a great deal of pain and loss there.  An intense need for justice called from the quickly sketched portrait.  Astrid flipped the page and searched the room for a different subject, fiddling absentmindedly with a rip in the knee of her close-fitting jeans.  This was going to be a long and interesting evening.

[Trillian]

Ben greeted Ichabod with a wave just before his brother sat down on the other side of Kerr. Shortly after, his phone buzzed a message. He pulled it out of his pants pocket (he'd dressed up today, with a navy button-down shirt over black suit-pants and black loafers instead of his usual jeans and sneakers). Tapping on his messages, Murphy's name came up along with his message.

I’m here if you need me? Murphy was... here? Ben swivelled around in his seat, scanning the theatre for his friend. He thought he saw him past several heads but he had to make sure. Ben stood and saw that yes, Murphy was here, right up the back.

"I'll be a sec," he told Kerr and Ichabod, and moved up the aisle, glancing at a guy looking around at everything like he'd never seen a theatre before as he passed him. He approached Murphy feeling a mixture of shame and guilt, horrified that his friend was going to find out about him this way... had probably already found out about him, considering the nature of the text.

"Hi," he said as he stood in front of his friend. He pocketed his hands and pressed his lips together, holding back all the things he wanted to say. Eventually, he settled on something he thought was best. "I didn't want anyone to know, but it's too late for that now, hey? I wish I'd had the -

chance?
I had lots of chances

- the guts to tell you myself." He didn't want Murphy to be forced to read between the lines. Better to say it straight up.

[Existentially Odd]

Kerr watched Ben curiously as he walked away, turning to see where he was going. To Murphy. He turned around to face the front again, scanning the crowd compulsively before he turned to look at Ichabod. He reached over and rested his hand on his fledge's leg as he replied to him, rubbing reassuringly.

"Whenever Jake's happy with the amount of people here to watch this farcical drama unfold, I suppose," he answered drily, looking around again.

He was impatient for it to start, also. The sooner it started, the sooner it ended and everyone could get on with their lives - or what was left of them. Kerr was anticipating having to pick up a lot of fractured pieces by the end of this ridiculousness.

[Saiketsu]

Zoheret was not particularly pleased with the constant need for these vile creatures to demand an audience everytime one of them stubbed a toe. Now it was that little bastard Jake's turn to throw himself a party. How she loathed them all, these vampires, these undead. Had it not been for her role as the District Leader of the north-west, and her subject - one Benjamen Samson - testifying, Zoheret may have decided to skip the trial altogether. The presence of Jake McCloud and Kerr Galvin only proved to aggravate her all the more. The Dark Angel had not forgotten her last encounter with the ex-luminary as he tried to invade her mind and backed down from his responsibilities like a coward. And Jake was another one of those peevish, silly children who thought eternity was something that gave you power. A warmonger, hungry, and encroaching on her territory like the dog he was.

But he had been the one who was assaulted.

The idea of it was preposterous, of course. With all his rebel-rousing and demon slaying, the great Jake McCloud was offended by being tossed around in an immortal body? It sounded to her like he needed an excuse to feel sorry for himself.

Ben, on the other hand, at least had more of a reason to complain. A captive in Jake's home - a fact she had only recently learned from the great Charon himself - Ben had at least the position to be assaulted by the other vampire. Lazarus, another undead beast without manners or self-control. All the more reason to rid the city of them all for good.

She stepped into the theatre with a very hard look set on her face. Her makeup was set, her hair pinned up tightly into a spiraling bun from which only a relaxed curl escaped. She looked dashing, the only pleasant thing about her tonight, in a black sheath dress with a sweetheart cut and cap sleeves, its length ending just above her slender knees. She had a human in tow, her sweet and silent secretary Michelle whose only job for the night was to take note of the thoughts - if any - that Zoheret had on the trial. Other than that, the human's job was to be as unnoticeable as possible. Zoheret invited no one else, hardly thinking that this silly trial of Jake's was any true pillar to justice.

She took to the center aisle, passing by Benjamen Samson - who was speaking lowly to a human near him. Zoheret considered reaching out to the boy with some kind of lament for his situation, but then decided silently that she simply didn't care enough. With Michelle following closely behind, the District Leader of the North-West approached the stage before turning to find her own stage box.

--

To Damien, this entire affair seemed more circus than anything else. A farce, in fact. Like Ben, he too felt as if he were watching a production, the stage set for the audience - not justice - as the show loomed. If he hadn't been so accustomed to it with all the politik in the city, Damien would have found it all quite humorous. Instead, he straightened his jacket and moved with the gathering crowd into the theatre, alone.

He chose a seat at the very back of the room, farthest from the stage so as to watch the show. He was less concerned with the actual service of justice - the politicians had a funny way of seeing such prophecies to their ends - and more interested in Saint Sabrina and her judicial handling of the menace of Lazarus. Tonight, the trial was of no consequence to him - he was there to bear witness and nothing more. Sure, he had wanted to see the city ridded of Lazarus once and for all, and of course the assaults upon Kerr Galvin's fledge and District Leader McCloud were atrocious. Damien expected some kind of justice to be sentenced, but with the shifting political climate, he was confident that whatever the decision was it wouldn't last long. Besides the inhabitants of the city, nothing ever did here.

Damien crossed his legs, waiting comfortably. From here, he could see the stage - the trial - clearly, the ruffling of curtains backstage as the actors crossed, readied themselves. The vampire frowned but otherwise remained quite still, waiting for the entertainment to begin.

[Black Philip]

Jacob McCloud appeared from backstage, taking in the assembled body. The day had finally arrived, and now he had to reap what he had sewn. Everything had happened so fast, and now on the day of Lazarus's trial Jake wondered if any of it would be worth a damn thing at all. Jake didn't want to be here, but as Lazarus had informed him the night before he was boxed in. To cancel now would make him look even more foolish, and besides, Lazarus did need to be dealt with somehow. This appeared to be the form it would take. It had been about transparency. He was sure anything more private than this and his enemies would once again accuse him of taking the violent route, that he wasn't fair, and a warmonger. Oh how he hated that word. For all these vulture's accusations; where was his great genocide, his constant warring on other districts, his prisons full of political enemies?

There were none. They had all been happy to let Jake clean up the city's messes before, but now suddenly they cared where or when he placed his people. It was all hypocrisy. Zoheret would kill them all if she could. Jake had learned that the night the Oligarchy fell. She flashed a pretty smile, and spoke vaguely of her good intentions, but the black magic she used to get back her powers was far darker than any deed Jake ever committed. Charon was better, but still had his own motives, and even Sabrina was not fully impartial today. Still, he supposed it was easier to create a villain rather than look at ones own villainy. Ben was the greatest culprit of this. Jake was no psychologist but Ben seemed to project all his own shit onto him. They way he called Jake a psycho and that all his people supported one another instead of getting help was particularly transparent. That was he and Kerr's relationship to the mark.

He moved into the main room, nodding at his new Keeper and quickly seeing Sam all to herself in the back. He frowned, hoping that she would've sit near him in the front. He was more glad than ever he'd asked for Murphy's support. He didn't want to send a message to her with so many open minds, many of them much older than his own. They would speak after the trial. He would try and go to her if he could, but she didn't look much like talking to him. Honestly, he couldn't blame her. He moved off the stage and into the house of the theater, nodding politely at Kerr and his other fledge, Ichabod. The others in the house meant little to him at the moment, a slight - and somewhat apologetic - nod at Damien Evans, who he was surprised attended.

He'd had a hard time figuring out which Jacob McCloud should show up today. He assumed people would want the Black Prince, the bastard, or as Ben would say, the poser. Part of him wanted to run to his dark alter ego. It was comfortable and what he knew. However, as much as the general viewer seemed to think this was some grand self masturbation, Jake wanted the feelings, emotions and testimony to be real. If he expected that from Ben, Sam, Lazarus and the rest, how could he not be that himself? His outfit contained no black. He wore a baby blue dress shirt that made his grey eyes look the same shade, as well as grey slacks and brown loafers, a simple blue and silver tie constricting his neck. His hair was combed to the side instead of slicked back. His face was clean and washed but nothing else.

He would greet Charon and Zoheret privately and personally. However, before that he needed to speak to Ben. He knew that he would not be satisfied with any decision that he made, but nevertheless he wished to speak to him about it. He was resolved it was the right call, Charon's words and Sabrina's healing giving him the confidence he needed. He thought of Lazarus and prayed he was doing the right thing. He wouldn't know until long after it was made. He would have to live with himself. He spotted Ben talking to Murphy and worked his way through the house and towards the pair. Murphy looked so cute, and Jake had to fight the instinct to hug him. He approached slowly and as to not interrupt too forcefully, he cleared his throat and said, "Excuse me, Ben." He fully expected to be screamed at.   
From the case notes of Drew Sullivan:

Case: Profile - District Leaders
So this was Jake McCloud? He looked five. I was expecting some muscle bro with a five o'clock shadow and wearing cameo. This was a kid. I only knew he was Jake because I heard other's near me whispering about it. I guess I shouldn't stereotype Anarchs, but the guy looked like a Cammie Ventrue if I ever saw one. Where was the flair? Where was the revolution? As he passed I mocked a salute at him, following it up with a drink from my flask. He moved towards the back and spoke to brat boy from before. I put two and two together and realized that this kid must be Ben. Again, not impressed.
Lisa-Joe Hampton, Harpy and prosecutor, waited for the trial to begin. Then Seb surprised her, and she had to fight her first impulse to knee him in the groin. Lucky for him, she was getting used to his energy, and knew it was his strong hands suddenly around her waist. She'd opted for something simple as Jake's direction. Originally she'd wanted to wear a red dress. Wasn't that what you wore to a funeral when you hated the deceased?

But now Jake was saying that she needed to appear professional and nothing else, taking all the fun out of prosecuting the enemy in her house. She blamed herself for what had happened. She had known Lazarus was a snake and let him roost right in her best friend's room. Same with Ben. She should've forced Jake to turn away Ben the moment he walked into her home. Now all this had played out. She had to fix it. She had to make Lazarus pay. She had done her homework, had witnesses and was sure Sabrina would be a fair judge. Lazarus was about to arrive, being brought in with Sabrina to make sure he complied. Jake told her he thought Lazarus had been a well behaved prisoner, and Lisa had scoffed at such a ridiculous claim.

She turned to face Seb, and kissed him on the lips. "Lazarus hurt my family. That's my hell. So yeah. I think it's time I faced that. I'm happy Jake picked me to do this, and even happier you're here with me."

[pinkroses]

Murphy hadn’t expected Ben to come over, but he sat up straighter as his friend approached, giving him a small smile, although it didn’t really seem like a smiling situation.

“Hey,” he said in response to the greeting, standing up and dropping his notebook on his vacated seat. He wanted to give Ben a hug, but Ben didn’t exactly look very welcoming at the moment. Instead he stood quietly, watching Ben try to struggle for the right words to say.

You’re supposed to tell me things. We’re supposed to be friends. We were always there for each other. I’m not just anyone. We’re supposed to spend centuries together.

So many thoughts fluttered through his head, accusatory, hurt, selfish. Ben had been through hell, he didn’t need any of that.

“You’ve got plenty of guts, you’re here now,” Murphy said, gesturing around the theatre. Ben could easily have refused to show up, given a statement and not faced all of this, but he hadn’t.

“If you want to talk to me afterwards, you know where I am,” he added, although he doubted Ben would. He’d go home with Kerr who could look after him so much better.

He gaze flickered to Jake as he approached them and his smile grew as he remembered their time together the previous night. Like Jake, Murphy wanted to reach out to hug him, like he had with Ben, but kept to himself. When Jake addressed Ben, Murphy lowered his gaze and turned to scoop up his bag, shoving his notebook into it.

“I’ll let you two… uh… catch up before this all kicks off,” he said, sidling along the aisle to give them some privacy unless either of them stopped him.

*

Ichabod let his hand rest on top of Kerr’s reassured by that touch. There had been so little time when they’d been alone since Kerr had come back, and even now they were in a room surrounded by people.

How’s he doing? Is he ready for this? How has he been since it happened? he sent mentally to Kerr, very aware of the mass of supernatural beings with extraordinary hearing in the room.

*

Seb knew that Lisa-Joe was usually one to go for the aggressive reaction and had been on the receiving side of her lashing out, but with his years on her she rarely managed to get the blows in, unless he let her for fun. It was fun to watch her try though.

He met her kiss, then gave a small nod at her declarations about Lazarus. He’d helped her prep and heard her arguments, it would be interesting to see how it all played out. It was hard to know how to punish a two thousand year old vampire – he thought death seemed a little extreme, but that wasn’t going be his decision.

“Has he given any trouble whilst he’s been held? How are you getting him here tonight?” Lazarus being held at the prosecutor’s residence whilst waiting for the trial also didn’t seem quite right, but moving him would definitely risk his escape so keeping him put seemed safest.

[Seragil]

Saraekiel slipped through the theater doors and entered the kangaroo court for the undead. A circus if ever he had seen one. He had to give Jake McCloud credit though, this was most definitely an interesting way to garner sympathy, to pose as victim and to take the focus away from his recent greedy grasp at power and his willingness to slaughter anyone he needed to get it, or those who refused to bend their knee.

He felt Zoherets presence and lifted his eyes to her bower  and smiled slightly before taking a seat in the back of the room. She would sense him and know she wasn't alone in this sea of reanimated corpses.

He was dressed casually and in black, a blood red ruby winked from his left ear as he made himself as comfortable as possible as he prepared to watch the play before him, he flicked his eyes around the room and wondered where the popcorn vendor was.

[Trillian]

When Murphy stood, Ben had felt too awkward to give him a hug so he remained as he was, listening for his friend's thoughts. He wanted to hear forgiveness, and he hadn't meant to scan Murphy's mind but the thoughts were there for the picking-up anyway. He felt especially bad when his friend didn't voice any of them and praised Ben's courage.

He'd been a shitty friend. He pulled out his hands and reached towards Murphy, confident that he would accept the embrace. He held him tightly, hating himself for trying to identify Jake's smell on him, unsure if he was sensing something beyond Murphy's soap, shampoo, shaving cream and cologne. Did he think he could smell him because he was looking for it? Murphy's was a familiar body to hold; warm and with a pounding heart that was satisfying and almost as comforting as his words. Ben had been preparing himself for the end of that heartbeat, until Kerr had come back and Jake had taken him. Now there were obstacles in their way and Murphy's siring was getting further out of his reach. If it was Ben in his position, he would resent it. Resent it and start complaining about it.

Murphy proved he was the better man when he extended an offer that came from a generous place.

"I'd like to. We haven't properly caught up. I don't count the party," Ben rolled his eyes but smiled even as he pulled back, naturally ending up with both of Murphy's hands in his. When Jake cleared his throat, interrupting them and causing Murphy to pull away and turn to collect his things, it was another reason to dislike him over.

He's mine, Ben thought jealously, trying to keep that thought clamped down but unsure if he was able in the middle of this buzzing hive.

"Yes, Jake?" he asked politely, though he wasn't feeling it. He would be cool tonight, though. He'd reprimanded himself countless times since their argument at Penbrook. Looking back, he felt nothing but embarrassment at his behaviour that night. If he wanted to be superior to Jake, then he had to act it, not get down on his level and roll around in the mud trading insults. And in front of Charon, too. Ugh. He'd never live that night down.

[Existentially Odd]

Kerr nodded respectfully back at Jake as he was acknowledged, tensing as the District Leader moved in Ben's direction. He had faith that they'd both be on their best behaviours... but he'd been wrong many times before.

He flipped his hand beneath Ichabod's so that their fingers could entwine, bringing his fledge's hand up to his lips and kissing the back of it before he lowered it, cradling it against his stomach and wrapping his other hand around it for good measure.

He's amazing. It was really hard at first but he's healing slowly. He's definitely ready for this. I think this trial will be cathartic - he's in the headspace for that - but if it doesn't go the way he expects, it could also set his progress back a few steps. That worries me.

He looked intently at Ichabod, examining his face as if it was the first time he'd seen him. Despite the fact that they'd been housed together at Penbrook Estate, Kerr really hadn't seen a lot of his youngest fledgeling. He'd spent most of his time with Ben, some of it with Jeanne and occasionally Charon. Ichabod had been with his mortal.

Kerr had a lot to tell Cub about his and Ben's plans for their future, but he wasn't going to reveal anything until after the trial. He wouldn't even think about it here, with so many minds and eyes and ears scanning for any tasty tidbit.

You look tired, love. You got James home alright?