#odyssey

"If you have something that speeds the trial but at no cost of justice or honor, then by all means, Counselor August, please present it. "The Duke says "I think I have the authority to hear that out."

He looks to the prosecution "Can your own string of witnesses wait for tthat?"

"We'll order Thai" The pooka nods

"The defense calls Miss Softplum." August says quietly but clearly.

Mrs Softplum approaches the bench

August joins her there.
OOC Is there a chair, or witness stand or...?

(Sure) She moves to the chair and sits down

"Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help you Dreaming?" Someone asks her

"I do" She says

August offers her a small bow. "Will you state your name, please, and tell us how you came to be here today?"

"Mrs Emelda Softplum. I am evaluator who specializes in Kenning, glamour reading, and cantrip fall out study. I was recommended as a neutral third party to the Duke of these lands. I have been in this line of work for ten and a half years"

"Thank you. With your permission, Your Grace....." a nod to the Duke, and he turns to the prosecution "Does the prosecution accept this witness as an expert in her field of study?"

"A moment, please" The Sidhe says "Madame, do you have a writ and resume?"

"I do" She says and presents some papers

The prosecution does a quick look over, the pooka approaches Softplum "Confess!"

"I enjoy dill pickles more than sweet" Mrs Softplum answers

"No more questions, your honor" the pooka prosecutor tells the Duke

The Sidhe prosecutor looks the pages over "We recognize her as an expert, please go on, Baron"

"Thank you." he nods and turns back to Softplum. "And thank you. Have you met with Goodfae Darespark?"

"I have, just this morning. I was versed in her situation before hand, but only then did I have a detailed encounter and introduction"

"Will you please tell us your findings?"

She nods "Yes , I have a very strong kenning as I have said, and further have studied all sorts of glamour. The defendent has lingering after effects of powerful and consistent cantrip casting upon her, chicanery, some soveriegn, and aphrodisia... in short, the sort of magics used to illicit artificial passions. While these are not normally permanent, in some they have been known to cause a permanent imbalance in judgement, bordering on obsession. I believe Darespark is one of these. Even now, she exhibits almost violent responses to any slur at all on Baroness Rathbone...or even judgement. With time, or help, these lingering aspects could be removed from her, restoring her to a balance, but as of now, and I presume before hand? She is not in her right mind."

"Thank you." he turns to the other table "Do you have questions for the witness?"

"Certainly" The sidhe rises "Mrs. Softplum, you said you 'believe' but you do not KNOW. Is it not possible this woman was unbalanced before?"

"Unless she's been casting emotion altering magics on herself, not so likely, sir. She is NOT herself." firmly

Mutters break through the jury. Some of them angry. Zara can hear the words 'they're going to get her off on some insanity bullshit?'

August crosses back to his seat but remains standing, allowing the opposing counsel to have their time and questions.

More questions are brought up, persistant, and the pooka attorney may seem to ask nonsense but she does get folks talking

August remains where he is, listening and taking notes, but without apparent fluster.

However, Mrs. Softplum IS sure of herself, and says so even to Pooka

August can let them take all the time they want.

"...a sidhe enchanted some commoner to be her pawn, and the commoner is gonna pay?" A soft whisper.

"Sidhe think commoners can just be used and thrown under the bus...."

"Have I made mistakes? YES, but not often, and call in two more peers of mine and I am sure they'd verify the same. I tried to use winter to calm her artificial passions... I failed there, but it might be the cure. "

Mutters and whispers catch fire...

"Feh, commoners with titles ain't sidhe and everybody knows they ain't treated the same"

A light knock of gavel on bench "Please, keep it down" The whispering has become a tide of mutters

And it quiets, a bit

"Very well, your honor" The Prosecuting team says "We will consider this an expert view "

"This testimony does cast serious doubt on the culpablity of the defended" The Duke/Judge admits "Baron, did anyone else come to similar conclusions as Mrs. Softplum by study?"

"By study, Your Grace?"

"Kenning, research, experimentation? You yourself are not impartial but you still may bear witness if you did"

"During my interviews with her, Your Grace, it struck me that her state might be compromised; the Baroness Rathbone has... something of a reputation in that regard, unfortunately. I base this observation on my interviews with Goodfae Darespark and the records sent to you by Duke Tierone."

He nods "Your honesty is appreciated, required, but appreciated."

August bows.

"If Your Grace wishes to have Goodfae Darespark examined by others in the same way, I will advocate to her that she accept such scrutiny."

"We do have another witness now available," The Duke says to both prosecution and defense "Baroness Rathbone has been freed from her coma by removal of a geas. Granted by the Duchess Tierone"