Whoo, fifty pages.
'Nother chapter. Hopefully, it'll be up to the usual standard.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN:
The Trial of Cloak
"-- I must object to this. He needs to be restrained, like any other criminal." Rotiart was complaining. He had self-appointed himself as the prosecution, and Cloak couldn't help but wonder why the mods are allowing him to get away with this, and taking all the liberties that he has. He's barely been a RAFian for six months, and now he has far more power and clout than he ought. But Cloak assumed that they'd find out all in due time -- and they would, but just not as soon as Cloak would have liked.
"May I remind you," Kelly said, primly, "that, first and foremost, Cloak is NOT a criminal, nor has any sufficient and impartial evidence been presented to prove otherwise. Secondly, Realm Walkers are notoriously difficult to restrain. But you would not know this, being a newbie."
"I object! I'm not a newbie, I've been hear for six months."
"Which makes you a newbie, for after the first year, you'd be a yearling. After the second, you'd be considered a veteran." Kelly replied, losing none of her composure.
Kelly had elected to act as the defense, and she was dressed very prim and proper, though no one could mistake a certain delightful fierceness in her eyes, nor the Mark on her hand. She carried what appeared to be a worn briefcase, full of notes. Cloak was quite impressed with Kelly's skill and prowess, though he said nothing of it and kept his face deliberately emotionless so that Rotiart couldn't use that against him. She did not allow Rotiart to rile her, though, glancing back in the courtroom, Cloak could see the little tinhorn dictator was really rubbing Blaze and Parker the wrong way by the way Blaze's wings looked a little ruffled and harried and by Parker's folded arms and posture -- and the look on his face. (No one was permitted to be armed here, much like the
Senate in Camp Jupiter. Never know when an undesired comment can lead to a sword or energy blast through the heart.)
While Kelly looked neat and professional, Rotiart, on the other hand, looked like he was a human
Argit with well-worn sneakers. But, somehow, no one seemed to notice or take this into account. It was then that Cloak became suspicious of something else about Rotiart, in terms of his abilities. . . . Could he have super-persuation or something? But then why would Kelly, Horse, Mr. Guy, Faerie, Parker, Empress Goose, Blaze, Blocky, Gaz, Rad, Noelle, Green Lantern Sam, Helen, Sakki, Aquilai, Estelore, Unseen, Ash, Dino, Broken and so forth . . . why would all of them be unaffected? Lurkers -- people who pop up every now and then but don't post -- seemed to be unusually susceptible . . . and, as such, ally with Rotiart. . . .
But would it work on the presiding mods?
Cloak couldn't figure out if they were being affected or not. He wasn't even sure his hypothesis was right. But Cloak became concerned just the same, losing track of what was going on in the trial. Eventually, it came time for the end, and both Kelly and Rotiart gave closing comments, both certain of victory. Cloak had a sinking feeling in his stomach.
He stood to address everyone.
"For four years, I have lived, joked, and fought beside my fellow RAFians," he began to a hushed room, only Rotiart had a conceited look on his face. Cloak glanced at him, without any fear. Rotiart was at least a century his junior. "And now . . . now my loyalty has been called into question. Every action I've ever took is being over-analyzed and contorted by that traitorous little wart. I should say --"
Cloak closed his eyes and exhaled deeply. Then he opened his eyes and continued.
"That this trial was pointless." he resumed. "I shall not be Banned. I shall leave the forum. I've already packed my belongings."
"Cloak, no!" Parker protested.
"Too late, Parker, my decision is made." Cloak said, with quiet finality. Even Rotiart looked shocked -- this wasn't the victory that he wanted. He wanted to see Cloak Banned. But to have Cloak completely deter that, altogether . . .
Cloak strode resolutely from the room, and to his thread. Then he took off for a place of his own, not wanting to return to the nexus, feeling safe from her judgements in the Prime Universe.
