Memoirs of a RAFian

[redtailedsaffa]

I'm being SUED?! Oh, you just wait 'til I get my lawyer on this!

[Cloak]

Yeah, Kelly's RAF lawyer in this continuity.

Third chapter today. I wouldn't expect more than four chapters today.

CHAPTER NINE:
An Arresting Development

<People can't be so easily swayed by such media, can they?> Noelle said, concernedly.

"Media can easily sway the gullible and weak-minded," Duff said. "I mean, just look --"

Then there was some loud, thunderous knocks at the gate. The echoes left an eerie sense throughout the forum. Richard, Kelly, Cloak, and Abby crossed over to the gate, to answer it. Cloak had an oppressively bad feeling about it.

Behind the gate was two police officers. Cloak narrowed his eyes as he noticed immediately that the two did not stand in the usual stance a police officer has. More haughty, more contemptuous, more consternate. Very unprofessional, very un-police officer-like.

"May we help you?" Richard said. The way he said it clearly said that he noticed the same thing.

"We've come to collect the -- the RAFians known as Saffa, Sakki, and Faerie." the leaner of the two said.

The other added, "We're to detain them u til the trial."

"Liars." Cloak said without hesitation.

"How dare you!" the shorter of the two said. "We're officers of the law!"

"Then you should know that you haven't any right to detain anyone for civil court!" Kelly countered. "This isn't a criminal trial!!"

The two "officers" looked flummoxed at this, and they didn't hide it well. Cloak saw through the facade.

"Oh, I see how it is," he said, approaching the two, his cloak swishing menacingly in his wake. The two couldn't hide their slight intimidation. If they were real officers, such a thing would not have intimidated them so easily. "You two are just two Knights or two papparazzi playing police dress-up. Didn't bother to consider the possibility that we would see through your shoddy disguise? Didn't entertain the possibility you don't even stand like an officer of the law would have?"

"Y-you don't know what you're talking about!" the leaner one insisted.

"Your own body language is continuing to betray you, you know." Cloak said.

"Impersonating an officer is a severe offense, you know." Kelly said, conversationally.

The two wisely decided not to push their luck. They stumbled over themselves fleeing.

"Pathetic," Abby muttered, as the gates shut with a deafeningly finality.

[redtailedsaffa]

LOL. Pathetic indeed.

[Cloak]

Dunno how many chapters I can post today (plans with a friend later on this morning), but, after this chapter, we're halfway through. Gonna be a short chapter, probably.

CHAPTER TEN:
Controversy of Frivolity

There wasn't much keeping a lid on these lawsuits. When it got out into the media, there was a loud, passionate outcry. Despite the poor PR ratings the RAFians thought they had, the outcry was in their favor. No matter how Fox News tried to sway them, though their attempts were feeble at best.

The public declared the lawsuits frivolous and a waste of their taxpayer monies. Which it was true, there's no denying it and no defense for it. But the court would hear the cases anyway.

It just proved one thing -- in this country, you can harass someone, you can push and push and push them until they lash out out of sheer frustration, then sue them for all they're worth. It was sick. It was twisted. It was baseless, groundless, and a waste everyone's time and energy and resources.

However, that did not change the fact that these cases would be brought before a judge. Kelly, essentially RAF's lawyer (and a damn good one, too), had the cases monopolizing most of her time. Her fellow RAFians had to remind her to do little things like sleep and eat regularly.

It seemed like a bleak time. Saffa, Sakki, and Faerie fluctuated between rage at sheer injustice of it all and depression at the utter hopelessness of it. Cloak easily recognized this -- having gone through these feelings before. Back before . . . before he was free to be himself.

There was actually groups forming, unaffiliated and unrelated with RAF (despite Fox News's claims), who were casting their support for the three. The support was welcome, if not for the attention these cases wrought.

This made the papparazzi problem even harder. Cloak was unable to make the walls any higher -- RAF was already starting to feel like Ba Sing Se. The papparazzi just waited at the gate instead, to ambush the RAFians should they leave.

Cloak scowled deeply. He did not like that these overly-aggressive "photojournalists" were turning this place of fun and entertainment into a virtual prision. Cloak reflected that it was partially his fault for the walls, which caused the forum to be in near constant shadow.

But it wouldn't end, Cloak knew, no matter the outcome of the cases. There was one solution, one way that they wouldn't find them again . . .

But the others wouldn't like it. They were settled in this place. . . .

[redtailedsaffa]

If Fox News is as bad as you make it out to be I wouldn't be surprised if they brought my race into the picture...

[Cloak]

Eh, I'm just not a fan (or believer) of Fox News reporting. Heck, the only reason I even watch Fox at all is for The Simpsons, Family Guy, and American Dad.

Well, I've finished planning put Book CCII ("Dino-Volving"), obviously a Dino-heavy book. I started planning out Book CCIII ("Abby Gets Everlost"), which will be an obviously Abby-heavy book, and will be rather intense at the beginning.

CHAPTER ELEVEN:
The Date Approaches . . .

"Will you three relax?" Parker scolded light-heartedly. "You haven't anything to worry about."

"You can't know that," Saffa said, pacing fretfully. "I should have kept my temper, I should've . . . should've . . . I dunno, done something different!"

"And how could you know of your harasser's motives or litigiousness?" Aquilai said, balancing himself atop an air scooter. It was a technique Cloak was never really apt to use -- unsurprising considering he favored Earth, considered to be the polar opposite of Air in some circles.

"And you never know if the judge will have bias," Faerie said, who tried to remain stoic. But there was a slight quiver and a miniscule waver in her voice.

"Think about it logically," Goom said, wearing a pair of small horn-rimmed reading glasses, which looked somehow oddly-appropriate for a goomba. "They'll never give you a biased judge. It's a requirement for a fair hearing to have an impartial judge."

"That doesn't mean a biased judge will admit to being biased!" Sakki said, stewing in her emotions.

Cloak thought she had a fair point, but said nothing. It would only reaffirm the trio worry and anxiousness, which would not be constructive in any way. But any government is vulnerable to corruption . . . to its members getting bloated on their sense of power. With power always comes the temptation to abuse it -- Syphoon and Proteus proved this on a much grander, less subtle scale.

He just stood there, arms folded, head bowed a little in thought. He gave a sidelong glance at the entrance, the gate, and "saw" that the papparazzi horde was still lurking out side, like a wolf pack waiting for a rabbit to emerge from the roots of a tree.

Cloak scowled deeply. Clearly, the restraining order was not only not being enforced, but openly defied. Cloak disliked that the system often ignored things like this until things escalate to dangerous -- and sometimes deadly -- results.

"You three need to relax," Richard said in calm, soothing tones. "You do yourselves no favors worrying and fretting like this. Stress can kill. Kelly has amassed plenty of evidence for your case. Now," he clapped his hands, and continued in his fatherly tone, "you three should get off to bed and get a good night's sleep. Kelly, too."

Phoenix smiled warmly, as he said, "You'll do fine."

Cloak was mostly wrapped up with the idea hehad several days ago, but managed to offer words of confidence to the three.

[Underseen]

I've been looking forward to this current book and the next book. This book already exceeded my expectations.

[Cloak]

Wow, thanks, Underseen. Now, let's get this next chapter done as I'm getting very tired. (And it looks like I may have to sleep with earplugs in again -- God, this neighbor must have been drinking, he's shouting as if he doesn't know how loud he's being.)

CHAPTER TWELVE:
A Dreamy Delirium

Saffa was before a judge in a podium that would have towered over her as a Tyrannopede. The judge possessed rather cartoony features, with a ridiculously large and bulbous nose.

To her left was a jury of twelve equally cartoony people. All looked a little jaundiced.

The judge spoke in a deep, thick voice than nonetheless spanned the distance easily and strangely audibly. He didn't address Saffa, who felt no apprehendion but, quite paradoxically, felt some smugness. He addressed the jury, not mention how odd it is for a jury to be present in a civil court case. "How d'you find the defendant?"

Suddenly, music -- rather catchy music -- started up as a juror stood up.

"She's guilty of mayhem cognizant."

Then another juror stood up and sang:

"Morphing, both chronic and recent."

Then all the jurors stood and sang:

"Alien technology possession."

Then the jury's foreman sang:

"And that's just page one of her fifty-five-page confession!"

Then the judge sang:

"I should put you away,
Where you can't kill or maim us.
But is an odd day,
And you're a RAFian and FAMe-uuuuuuuuuus!"

Then the jury and judge were flipped as if the scenery was that of a theatrical play. Saffa turned and sings directly to the audience:

"I'm loggin' in!
I'm loggin' in!
No more phones to call.
No more malls to crawl.
No more stinkin' sanity at all!
I'm loggin' in!"

Then Abby pranced in, in a totally not-Abby way, and sang, as she removed a small bottle from Saffa's possession:

"No more lookin' pale or thin.
No more problems with your kin."

Saffa protested at the item being taken:

"Hey! That's just my asperin!"

Then the whole of RAF sang:

"Chuck it out!
You're loggin' in!""

***

Saffa's eyes snapped open, and she immediately facepalmed. She muttered, "Great. I'm dreaming in song now."

She got up, wiped the sleep from her eyes, as she muttered, "It didn't even make sense."

KNOCK, KNOCK!

"Saffa," Kelly said. "Freshen up. Court is in two hours, be sure to eat something."

"Lovely," Saffa said, drolly.

[redtailedsaffa]

I know I've lost it when I'm dreaming in song.

[Cloak]

Was gonna post a chapter. But my internet decided to get sucky.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN:
Saffa's Day

"Saffa," the judge, a thick-set, leonine man said, "you are charged with causing grievious injury to one Courtney Allison Cash. How you you plead?"

Saffa stood alongside Kelly. Kelly would be representing all three RAFians. Likewise her counterpart, Cole Lokey, would be representing all three plaintiffs. The two were not unfamiliar with each other, and shared an adversarial relationship -- much like Cloak and Malice, or Saffa and Rotiart. Lokey was like, physically, the Scarecrow from the Wizard of Oz. But only if he was given Judge Judy's arrogance with Justin Bieber's ego, in addition to a brain.

"Not guilty, Your Honor." Saffa said, respectfully.

Courtney scoffed. She was, as Saffa predicted, decked out in a wheelchair and a neck brace, but otherwise immaculately attired and her blonde hair was straight and lank. Saffa did not react to the scoff but took it gracefully in stride, confident in Kelly's ability. This caused Courtney to scowl deeply -- she loved getting a rise out of people, but hated when her attempts failed. When people lashed out, she would allow herself minor injuries, then play it up. She was an ideal stalker -- er, papparazzo. But this is the first time it occurred to her to sue.

"Very well, be seated." the judge -- Judge Arthur Ferris -- said. They did. "Begin testimony."

"Your Honor, I move for this case to be dismissed." Kelly stated rather abruptly. Saffa began to feel some misgivings.

"Objection!" Lokey said, sardonic little smile on his face, as if he considered Kelly a little kid playing with the big boys and sharks. Kelly lost none of her poise. "On what grounds?"

"Lack of evidence," Kelly replied, evenly. She easily kept her cool.

"Please elaborate," Judge Ferris said, impartially.

"The plaintiff has nothing but her word," Kelly explained. "Which she has altered thrice since the papers were filed."

Courtney flushed.

"Meanwhile, we have no less than thirty signed affidavits of witnesses who refute nearly every detail of Ms Cash's account. As well as campus security camera footage, showing Courtney shoving a camera in Saffa's face. Saffa did not even morph -- as you can see on the tape, the scratches were a result of Saffa trying to desperately bat the camera away. In another words -- an accident. Nothing more, nothing less. There's more if that's insufficient."

"Do something!" Courtney hissed to Lokey, but before he could hiss back, Judge Ferris spoke after having thoroughly reviewed the evidence.

"Objection overruled. Case dismissed. Cleared of all charges."

[redtailedsaffa]

Go Kelly!

[Cloak]

Well, I would have posted another chapter, but RAF (or my internet) quit on me.

[redtailedsaffa]

That's pretty much expected these days.

[Underseen]

Cole Lokey....

[Cloak]

UGH!!! Miserable piece of crap!

Not going to post a chapter until tomorrow. If I can. This damn thing has a mind of its own, and I'm trying very HARD not to rip it in two.

Anyway, I did come up with a couple of idea for books. Though I'll probably never get to write them.

UGH. Why my internet is so PREJUDICED  against THIS site . . .

The two new book ideas are #207 ("Cell 2.0") and #208 ("Ghoulfiend").

Okay, since I don't hafta fight as hard, I'll release a bit more about the next two books.

• BOOK CCVII: "Cell 2.0" -- A monstrous creation grows too powerful and challenges the RAFians to a tourney.
• BOOK CCVII: "Ghoulfiend" -- The RAFians must prevent the release of a demon (who has a history with Demos) by the Gatekeeper and the Keyholder.

And, no, Underseen. I think I know what you're thinking, and no,  Lokey = Loki/Low-Key. Cole came after Cole Turner, from "Charmed".