Sylvia Redbright (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
brightwitch) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
undergrounds2016-09-27 09:56 pm
brightwitch) wrote in undergrounds2016-09-27 09:56 pm
Entry tags:
Night's Pardon (25th September)
Once in a while, the Night Council review their list of wanted criminals and convicts and decide, whether for political reasons or to save on paperwork, that this list could do with trimming. That time has come around again, and it just happens to coincide with the purge of ex-Circle Midnight witches from the city. Those who suspect no mere coincidence would be right: this was Sylvia's idea. She's aware that there are a minority of witches who sympathise with the plight of Circle Midnight even after they pledged their allegiance to the Islington Nest. And because it is important for leaders to show mercy as well as strength, this is her show of mercy. Even if no Midnight witches are acquitted, she can still say that the offer was made.
And so here it is: the Chamber of Justice, a large circular courtroom in the Night Council headquarters. It looks much like any regular courtroom except that the five Night Council members sit in place of a judge, and there is no jury, only a select audience to watch the pardons being granted. There is no guarantee that any plea will be accepted, only that it will be heard. One by one, the condemned party and their sponsor are invited to come to the stand in order to make their case.
"Step forward." Sylvia waits for both parties to stand before addressing the sponsor. "Please make your statement on behalf of the condemned."
The sponsor is allowed to make an opening statement outlining their case, which must last no longer than five minutes. After that, the Night Council may question either the sponsor or the condemned until they are satisfied that they can reach a decision. The verdict must be unanimous in order for the pardon to be granted.
And so here it is: the Chamber of Justice, a large circular courtroom in the Night Council headquarters. It looks much like any regular courtroom except that the five Night Council members sit in place of a judge, and there is no jury, only a select audience to watch the pardons being granted. There is no guarantee that any plea will be accepted, only that it will be heard. One by one, the condemned party and their sponsor are invited to come to the stand in order to make their case.
"Step forward." Sylvia waits for both parties to stand before addressing the sponsor. "Please make your statement on behalf of the condemned."
The sponsor is allowed to make an opening statement outlining their case, which must last no longer than five minutes. After that, the Night Council may question either the sponsor or the condemned until they are satisfied that they can reach a decision. The verdict must be unanimous in order for the pardon to be granted.
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"I practice where I can. I no longer have a flat or any place where I feel safe enough to work." So, darkened alleyways, mostly. "And as for if I would continue.." she looks at Lance for support before continuing.
"Selling myself is all I know how to do. I am not educated, I am not wealthy, or even very smart. If this pardon means I can finally shake all chains of Fagin and his influence on my life, then no, I won't return to the streets where I've made my home." She blinks back a few tears. "Though it is all I know. I do not know what it is I'll do, but I hope I have the chance to find out."
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Again, she's concerned for the girl's welfare, and her sentiment is echoed in the expressions of the rest of the Night Council, to varying degrees.
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The logical answer to Nancy's predicament is to join a Daybreak coven. Circle Daybreak could support her. Both Nora and Dee nod at Sylvia's question, wanting to know the same thing. What has prevented her from seeking help?
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As for approaching a coven... "I was afraid. I didn't believe I would be welcome." You could hardly blame her- she was being interrogated by five people right now, after all. She was still afraid, her life as she knew it hinges on this trial.
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"Everything we've heard indicates that this young woman is particularly vulnerable. I'm sure I speak for my fellow witches when I say that I am deeply sorry that she has felt unable to seek help from other covens." (Yasmine practically rolls her eyes out of her head at this point but fortunately no one else on the Night Council sees her.) "I am concerned that she is lacking a support network. How do you plan to ensure that she does not fall prey to bad influences in the future, when she has no one else to help set her on the right path?"
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"Nancy is her own person. It is up to her if she accepts what we offer, but I will take responsibility if she falls foul of the law again. I will make sure she is aware of everything there is to help her. I would like to think the fact that we have come here at all is proof we are willing to try. You know I am a community officer too, ma'am, it is my job to take care of vulnerable people. To safeguard communities. If the Night Council has particular suggestions I am willing to listen."
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Beside her, Dee is frowning. "Lancelot, I have to ask... You're a community officer, you're Chief Guardian, you have so much on your hands already. How much time are you planning to spend supporting Nancy?"
The issue cuts two ways. There's the question of whether Nancy deserves a pardon and how likely she is to re-offend. But there's also the question of whether her sponsor is capable of taking responsibility for her.
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"Does the Night Council require a witch to be a part of a coven before they will support her?" He knows they don't. "I will spend however much time she requires," he continues before anyone can argue, "because I have chosen to bring her here. Work for the Night Council will always be my priority, if that is your concern. This is a choice I have made, and I understand it should not overtake anything else. It will not."
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"Of course we don't require a witch to be part of a coven." They all know that. "That was my recommendation, which you asked for. A witch who practises alone is a greater risk than a witch who practises within a coven that can not only support her, but also keep an eye on her and ensure that her magic does not go astray. Without that the only eyes on her will be yours. Dee asked a legitimate question. I have another question, for both of you. Is there anything else that you haven't told us, that you believe to be pertinent to this case? Any other risks? Worries, hopes?"
Sylvia's eyes fall on Lancelot and Nancy in turn, her gaze piercing. This is their last chance to be honest with the Night Council, to help them understand the facts of the case. A chance to convince them: Dee, who by now seems perpetually worried; Nora with a similar air of concerned parent; hard-faced Peter; and Yasmine who has finally taken an interest, her eyes glinting at the apparent tension between Sylvia and Lancelot. She's intrigued more by that than by Nancy's sob story.
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"I understand the suggestion," he says finally, and glances sideways at Nancy with a slightly apologetic wince to her. "Forgive me it seemed otherwise. I would only worry that pressing her into a Daybreak coven so soon after... After her last coven's demise would cause stress on both sides. Most of Daybreak has no love for Midnight, and Nancy has been living in fear of approaching them. She needs time to find herself, surely, before she integrates with a new coven."
That's all he has left to say on that matter, and he looks back to Nancy again. The floor's hers now, if she has anything left to add.
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Instead, she looked at the members of the Night Council. "that's all- thank you. For listening to me." She looked at Lance, no longer trying to blink back tears but instead letting them gather in the corner of her eyes. "And thank you, Lance. For believing in me." No matter what happened, she knew she could trust him.
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"Thank you, Lancelot and Nancy. You may return to your seats. The Council will now retreat to discuss your case. We will resume shortly."
This is how every case plays out: the five Representatives disappear into a back room where they can discuss what they have learned in private and come to a decision. In the meantime, the audience in the courtroom disperse for a break. Sometimes the discussions take only a few minutes, sometimes half an hour or more.
In this case, the decision is a relatively speedy one. After eighteen minutes the Representatives return to take their seats and Sylvia calls for Lancelot and Nancy to stand.
"Thank you for your patience," she says, addressing the entire courtroom. "We have now reached a verdict."
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This is it, do or die.
He lets go of one of her hands because leads her by the other, trying for his best encouraging smile even though she probably feels far sicker than he does.
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Nancy lets Lance lead her, unable to properly work her own limbs. She's on the verge of nausea, pale under her few visible freckles.
Still she stands when addressed. She's sure she's exiled. At the very least.
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"The Night Council has heard the plea of Nancy Fagin," Sylvia begins, "and her would-be sponsor Lancelot du Lac. Nancy has been condemned as a practitioner of dark magic and she has previously been caught in possession of dark magic objects. However, today we have learned more about the circumstances of her upbringing that led her astray and we understand that she has a sincere desire to choose a better path. With Lancelot's guidance, we believe this will be possible. We therefore pardon Nancy Fagin of all her crimes and offer her a fresh start, free of prejudice."
The announcement seems to ring in the air, Sylvia pausing to let it sink in as the audience breaks into applause. Nancy's pardon has been granted. She's free.
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They've done it.
Lancelot was so sure they would, before it all started, but the nerves had gnawed at him. Doubt had creeped in.
"Thank you," he manages, although it's a little weak as the tension drains out of him.
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"Thank you!" She says, at the Nigh Council, and then leans in to give Lance a kiss on his cheek. "thank you!" She lets go of him, grinning, laughing. God, she needed a drink.
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"Thank you." The audience quietens down once more. "To Nancy's sponsor, Lancelot du Lac, we have two recommendations. One, to investigate the case of the fae known as Fagin and to ensure that he causes no further harm to Nancy or anyone else. Two, to support Nancy until she feels ready to join an appropriate coven. On a personal note, as Mother of Witches, I encourage every coven to welcome witches like Nancy who are sincere about wanting to start over and live by the laws of our community. No witch should be forced to walk the streets. By granting this pardon, we show that we are willing to forgive and support those of us that are most in need. Our most sincere thanks to Lancelot for bringing this case to our attention."
There's a short pause, as Sylvia takes a breath and allows her gaze to sweep one more time around the room.
"Finally, we are obliged to remind Lancelot of his responsibilities going forward. Given his position, we feel that it is particularly important to stress that should Nancy fall foul of our laws again, he will be held accountable. We cannot turn a blind eye due to his position, nor be less than scrupulous in our application of the law. We trust that all parties involved understand this and wish them the best of luck." She clears her throat. "Thank you. This session is now concluded."
Sylvia steps back, returning to her seat. There's a smattering of applause from the audience and a very short pause before the Vice President Peter Vrinak rises to announce the next sponsor and condemned who are to come forward. They still have several more cases to get through. It's going to be a long day.