Initiative.

[trustbound]

Rachel looks a bit conflicted about what should happen from here; Lisbeth is still on the floor, but she's told her what she should do, and so... Well, she's never really been good at saying no, though she does walk up and reach out to pet Lisbeth's hair gingerly for a moment before turning to everyone else. "We should leave." And with that, the courtroom changes, all at once; it was one thing, and then quite simply it isn't, and the podium circle has been replaced with a round spread of consoles wrapping around a center spire. The room is no longer concrete and steel, but rather stark white, all done up in glossy tile that looks like it'd crack if you hit it hard enough with something – that said, it's not recommended to try, given that it's just as indestructible as everything else in the building. Rachel approaches the consoles, reaching out to touch them, fingers tapping gently against several of the unmarked buttons; it's probably not precisely necessary for her to do so, given the state of things, but she seems to like doing it, so do it she shall. There are a pair of slots that look like keycards are required; she glances at them for a second before manipulating more buttons, causing a small panel to open up in front of her – it looks like an authorization mechanism of some sort, the kind that you press your hand against to get it to recognize you. "It's going to be a bit jarring when you wake up; sorry about that, but you've been asleep for a really long time. I'd suggest giving it a moment." She pauses, though, once that's out there, glancing back at everyone. "I'll be on the other side with you, but not like this. We can still talk, though, if you like." And with that she just turns and presses her hand against the panel without waiting for an answer; the next thing you're aware of is the flash.

Comments

[notaccurate]

[Rita might need a nudge in the right direction if that's the case. Maybe Luca can encourage her.]

I hope it comes to pass, then. It would be quite distressing, if this is to be our last time speaking.

[firstaid]

[He probably could.]

I must agree. I... would like to continue speaking with you as well as see to your happiness.

[She's invested in your romantic life, Luca... I'm so sorry.]

[notaccurate]

See to my-

[He looks a little flustered at that.]

Estelle, I promise you, I will be fine on that front. I'm not going to rush into another loveless marriage anytime soon.

[firstaid]

[YOU FELL FLAT ON YOUR FACE HERE, LUCA...]

I know, but I also don't want to see you rushing for something just to be turned down again.

[Yeah, so she... sort of knows a lot of things. Thanks Aligula.]

[notaccurate]

[Oh god.]

PLEASE don't tell me everyone saw that happen.

[firstaid]

I only heard from Aligula. I knew things from my side and she knew things from her side and we all put two and two together!

[AREN'T PROUD OF THEM, LUCA?]

[notaccurate]

[He would be if the topic of their investigation wasn't his absolute failure of a love life.]

I...yes. Good job working together.

[firstaid]

[I'm so sorry, Luca...]

To be honest, I was really upset by what I learned.

[Aka she was rooting for Luca. She's still judging Yuri for his choice.]

[notaccurate]

[...ah.]

Don't be. Sometimes things just don't work out.

...

And don't give him a hard time about it, alright?

[firstaid]

[o o p s

She kind of already gave him a rough time. So she just... smiles... that one that says "I'm sorry, I already did that."]

[notaccurate]

...

Estelle.

[firstaid]

Yes?

[Estelle just smiles some more. It’s a knowing smile too.]

I simply told Yuri my personal opinion.

[notaccurate]

Estelle!

[firstaid]

I don't think there was anything wrong with that...!

[notaccurate]

You can't make him feel bad for not liking me! He's allowed to have his own feelings!

[firstaid]

He is allowed to have his own feelings, but yours got hurt in the process. I don't approve of that.

[...ESTELLE...]

[notaccurate]

They got hurt because I was being stupid about it, not because of anything he did.

[Really, he should have been paying attention better and noticed that Yuri didn't respond positively to his confession.]

[firstaid]

[She puffs her cheeks out a bit.]

Well, then I'll find someone better for you that won't hurt your feelings like that!

[WERE YOU LISTENING TO HIM ABOUT HOW HE DOESN'T WANT THAT, ESTELLE?]

We'll get your happily ever after with someone you love!

[OH MY GOD...]

[notaccurate]

[Oh my god how are you even real Estelle]

You do realize that if this magic does work it's still going to be many years before I come to your world, right? It would be unfair to make someone wait a decade or longer like that.

[firstaid]

Then I'll write a story with you as the hero. That way, the story of who you are will reach many and if people choose to fall in love with you, then so be it.

[How is she real... But she really means well by this.]

[notaccurate]

[Estelle why are you so extra?]

I-I think I will do fine without a story written about me, truthfully.

[firstaid]

[Eighteen years of being trapped in a castle. Eighteen fucking years of it... That's how she got to be so extra.]

If you say so. But please, do not be so surprised if you find that your personality was an inspiration for a character I choose to write for a book.

[Basically, she's fucking doing it with or without his permission. She'll probably talk about the character being inconspicuous, too, because what is subtlety?]

[notaccurate]

[He's going to be a character in a Cassandra Claire novel, isn't he?]

...well, I suppose being just an inspiration is a little better.

[firstaid]

[...probably. If not worse...]

I can see it now. Your personality would make for a wonderful main character. Now what kind of story would you have... perhaps one of finding your identity in the world?

[....RIP Luca.]

[notaccurate]

[RIP indeed]

That...wouldn't be a bad choice, no.