The Absurd Rogue
Posts: 1049
6/23/2016
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Two years ago, one of the largest beds of crime and poverty disappeared, as if by magic. Nearly two hundred people died in the fighting, including several large figureheads in The Soul Trade, Romantic Literature, [REDACTED BY THE MINISTRY OF PUBLIC DECENCY] and protections rackets spanning from Spite to Wolfstack Docks.
Although the conflict lasted less than seven hours, the effect it has had on the surrounding areas has been tremendous. The Flowerdene Massacre, or as some of a different political agenda call it, The Flowerdene Reclamation, has caused the economy in Spite to flourish and violent crime rates to plummet, but has markedly increased crime in other areas of the city, including Veilgarden and the areas around Mahogany Hall.
The perpetrator of this atrocious and bloodthirsty assault on the good people of London now stands on trial before a jury of his peers, having finally released his name and address to the public, most likely in some sort of expectation of clemency.
Elias Lowe II stands before not only the people of London, but also some of it’s more noteworthy members of society, selected from all walks (limps, shuffles and lurks) of life. Those that stand against his cruel perversion of morality and justice will speak against him personally, the shatter any disillusionment his supporters might be under.
So it has been decreed by The Powers That Be and so it shall be delivered. Who steps forward first?
(( I thought this might be something new to try. A court room drama tied hand in hand with a guilt-free way to call out Eli and all his ideals for what they are! Anyone looking for favor among high-society would be thoroughly praised for helping put such a menace to public society away! Once you feel like you've got enough information, cast your vote! ))
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"There is never another story. There is only one, and I try to tell it with every page. I fail, and I try again. There are no new stories; I have this one."
-S.N
RemainProfane#2532
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Passionario
Posts: 777
6/23/2016
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As Passionario stands up, dressed in the uniform of the Ministry of Public Decency, and makes his ponderous way towards the Judge, the crowd's outrage rises to a fever pitch. Few people are hated throughout London as much as this agent of the Masters. Ignoring the whistles and screams, the Fist of the Bazaar places a document bearing the tell-tale seal of Mr. Fires before the Judge:
"Under Annex Twenty-Seven, we make the motion to transfer this case to the Spire-Chamber".
The Spire-Chamber! A closed court reserved for those who get caught robbing the Bazaar or commiting other grave crimes against the Masters. Of those who are dragged inside, few are ever seen again, and those are hardly recognizeable as their former selves. The [REDACTED] who perished in the fighting must have been high ranking indeed.
edited by Passionario on 6/23/2016
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Passionario: Profile, Story, Ending
Passion: Profile, Appearance
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absimiliard
Posts: 759
6/23/2016
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At the mention of Mr. Fires, a particular enemy of the Curious Captain, Absimiliard bolts to their feet.
"Your honor, this a Fabularity, a matter of Mr. Pages, not Mr. Fires. Where two Masters disagree there can be no invocation of the Annex in question. Changing venue is inappropriate, and would be interfering in Mr. Fires attempt to seize power from Mr. Pages by stealing from It what is rightfully It's, and It's alone -- a tale of words and wonder."
"You must rule against the Fist, even if the Masters are in the right in this case, in law Passionario Is Not."
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edited by absimiliard on 6/23/2016
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"Because, Parabola!" -- the Curious Captain
Eating nightmares from friends -- and I'm easy to befriend.
Absimiliard: the Black Rose of Wolfstack Docks
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Kukapetal
Posts: 1449
6/23/2016
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Flesh-Stick: NO TEA!
ALSO, SHUT UP!
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Kukapetal
Posts: 1449
6/23/2016
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Flesh-Stick: WHAT DOES PARADING EZEKIEL AROUND PROVE?
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Shadowcthuhlu
Posts: 1557
6/24/2016
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Dirae Erinyes voice bellows over the crowd, helped my their artificial vitality.
"The most curious question here is why is this man even on trial? He has killed people, but who hasn't? Permanent death, who here hasn't? Helped grow a terrorist cell and fortified a city block? Whether that's a crime or not seems to depend on your address."
"Wars like this occur in our city all the time. While the wars in the rookery and among the urchins are most known, they hardly the exception. The Forgotten quarter and Wilmot's end are only slightly less bloodstained. As for cannibalism, well let's not get started on it's rather boring frequency. The truth is that Eli is not exceptional in his crimes. He is only exceptional in standing before us. Why have our uncaring Masters decided to make an example of this man? Ask yourselves - this is no simple trial."
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https://www.fallenlondon.com/profile/Dirae%20Erinyes. Closed to calling cards, but open for all other social action. I also love to roleplay.
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Professor Strix
Posts: 616
6/24/2016
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The Inescapable Professor was busy with a vital experiment, and did not register that today was the day in which the perpetrator of the Flowerdene Massacre was brought to justice. She comes to the courtroom and takes a seat, unnoticed among the rabid cries of the audience. She arrives in time to give a look at Ezekiel and feels immediately a pang of pity. She was used to disgusting visages on her days of hunting abominations in Surface, and it keeps her from being too impressed by the view. Her partner, the Dapper Escapist, isn't that lucky and is overcome by nausea.
It doesn't take much time for her to be updated about what was discussed on court. She shakes her head, mournfully and turns to her friend, still a little green. He can't hear her over the outcries, though, so she raises her voice a little:
"I was saying that this whole business is shameful. I have a deep respect for Mr Lowe, from our encounters in the Salon, but it does not mean that I approve what he has done. Violence is a vicious circle that is fed by more violence. I mean, yes, he wanted his people safe, and Spite got better for a while, but will it last? If he gets the guilty verdict here, he will not be there to keep things stable anymore. If he gets the innocent verdict, the people that felt wronged by him will be outraged, and that may incite another internal war at Flowerdene. Blood cries for blood.
How long will we keep trying to solve the short-term problems, while the long-term bigger problem goes unaddressed? Someone has to be the best person in a fight for it to really end. Someone has to offer forgiveness, or at least look for a path with no violence in it. Now, tell me, Derek, which good will it bring to anyone to get Mr Lowe imprisoned or hanged for what he did, if another one will end up rising to continue the cycle of violence? Guilty or not guilty, the problem will not be solved.
Personally, I think that everyone has to face the consequences of their acts, and poor Mr Lowe is facing the consequences of his, despite his best intentions. I can only hope that people will not be animals here. That they will do the right thing and give him only his due, nothing more and nothing less. Alas, as I see the audience shouting like screaming apes and taking sides - as if justice ever had a side, as if it is impossible for both sides being wrong, or for a matter having more than two sides - this seems more and more remote a possibility. Ah, my dearest friend, when will Justice stop beng a synonym for vengeance? When will people stop having this delusion that there are two species of people, US and (the monstrous) THEM? Everyone is one of us. Eli is one of us. The people who died are 'us'. The Special Constables are 'us'. If any of those people ever seemed monstrous, is because WE are. We will not stop being monstrous simply by pretending those people do not exist. Either we all care about each other, or we all pay the price. The Massacre was the price. What will be the next price?"
She doesn't notice that she raised her voice a little too much. People around her stopped to shout to hear her in silence. She blushes and trails off, stopping to speak and looking ahead, trying to avoid other people's glances. If she would say more, no one will never know.
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The Inescapable Professor, London's Most Academic Detective. Open to consultation from Mondays to Fridays, above the Silver Binding bookshop, Veilgarden. Half the payment in advance, half after closing the case. No refunds.
"THIS SATURDAY, in MAHOGANY HALL, delight your eyes with the DARING FEATS of the DAPPER ESCAPIST. Gape at his CHARM and WIT and his CLEVER TRICKS OF ILLUSIONISM. No mirrors used."
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Social actions welcomed. Will take menaces if not currently grinding that one stat. Send them and cross your fingers.
http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/Professor%20Strix
My alt loiters suspiciously if you want to:
http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/Derek%20Davis
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Lamia Lawless
Posts: 604
6/23/2016
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(Lamia looks over the list.) "Excuse me. But if the people lost in the fight were someone's 'family members and colleagues', then why is this list so vague? 'Family members and colleagues' implies that there were people who were able to positively identify the dead."
(OOC: Sorry, that was my initial response before you added the detail about the spirifer. Lamia's not sure what to do with that information right now, anyway. She'll just store it for later.)
edited by Lamia Lawless on 6/23/2016
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The Harmonic Hellfarer
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Eglantine-Fox
Posts: 872
6/23/2016
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"He's been heard openly admitting that he trains children in thievery!" Eglantine calls loudly. "Explicitly declaring the existence of his lieutenants and followers in crime! This wasn't even an attempt at justice, this was a gang man killing off his competition, only to stand before the world and claim he did it to make things better. Sure he did. Better for him!"
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Eglantine Fox, the charming and androgynous Correspondent, teetering between hobbies of seduction and self-destruction.
Siobhan O'Malley, Irish patriot (or 'bl__dy Fenian' if you're impolite).
Isidore Day, an up-and-coming London gentleman. All allegations of wrongdoing are categorically denied.
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Amelia Syrus
Posts: 626
6/23/2016
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She's confused by hearing Eli's voice so clearly before she hears the scream. She turns sharply to the source, seeing the jolly fungus giant come out. Special constables. She should have expected that before.
Her attention returns to Eli with disgust once more but she shakes her head at him. She's not stupid. She won't attempt that until the opportunity arises. So she tips her bowler to him before dipping into the crowd again. But even gone she can smell the putrid air and she can tell the people closest to the monster look close to retching in their spot. Better to pinch some silk before hand, she thinks.
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Amelia Syrus: A Drunken Thief For Hire.
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The Absurd Rogue
Posts: 1049
6/23/2016
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Elias attempts to get a word in but he receives several withering glances and decides to stay silent. The persecutor pauses only a beat before replying.
"Many of the deaths were attributed to blunt trauma or burns caused in the fires and close quarters combat that ensued throughout the massacre. Many of the bodies are unidentifiable, even by their next of kin."
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"There is never another story. There is only one, and I try to tell it with every page. I fail, and I try again. There are no new stories; I have this one."
-S.N
RemainProfane#2532
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Lamia Lawless
Posts: 604
6/23/2016
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(Lamia whispers to Maria.) "Probably had better not call me 'Miss Lawless,' here. It's Miss L." (She hands her a handkerchief.)
(She continues to address the prosecutor.) "Then these names, few that they are, are the only positive identifications we have?"
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The Harmonic Hellfarer
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Lamia Lawless
Posts: 604
6/23/2016
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"Hold on. I don't think this trial should proceed as it is. The prosecutor was clearly trying to drum up enmity among the jury when they invoked 'friends, family members, and colleagues.' And I still think, explanations notwithstanding, that the information being presented to us is suspiciously vague.
I think we deserve all the facts. I don't appreciate being led by the nose. I'd rather draw my own conclusions.
There's another thing I find disturbing: He couldn't possibly have murdered all of those people single-handedly. There were other people involved in the fight. A substantial number of people, in fact. So why do we keep calling him the 'murderer?' Where are the other people who were responsible?"
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The Harmonic Hellfarer
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The Absurd Rogue
Posts: 1049
6/23/2016
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The crowd that was heckling Lamia falters a little, but the Persecutor stays firm. "Debating the semantics of what constitutes a murder does not bring the families of the deceased any closer to justice."
The Judge stands and declares resoundingly "Let all those who can stand as character witnesses for this man do so. The Powers That Be have requested specifically that The Agent Known as Passionario give his report on the occurrence. The Persecutor also calls Bertrand Poole to the stand, a frequent patron of The Inflammatory Salon, where the accused has been known to attend regularly.
Any who would speak in favor of him may do so, but be very aware that there is a two hundred echo fine for being found in Contempt of Court.
(( Passionario may or may not have been working the case or whatever, I can't make decisions for his character, but I feel like he's the type of person that would want to see Lowe burn. Also, he works for The Masters and they would probably want something like this nipped in the bud. ))
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"There is never another story. There is only one, and I try to tell it with every page. I fail, and I try again. There are no new stories; I have this one."
-S.N
RemainProfane#2532
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Passionario
Posts: 777
6/23/2016
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"Very well. In the interests of health and safety, please be advised that certain parts of the testimony regarding this case can only be stated in the language of Correspondence. The Ministry will not be held responsible for any harm that may befall anyone present as a result."
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Passionario: Profile, Story, Ending
Passion: Profile, Appearance
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The Absurd Rogue
Posts: 1049
6/23/2016
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A list is delivered to the jury and passed around for all to see. Most of the people on the list are either vague descriptions and clinical causes of death, or are clearly street names with no surnames being used. Among them, Lamia might recognize the name of a very vicious and unscrupulous spirifer who went off the radar a year before the attack. Maria might recognize several notorious racketeers and a handful of innocent bar patrons. Bertrand might recognize a banker and a bloodless snuffer in hiding.
edited by The Absurd Rogue on 6/23/2016
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"There is never another story. There is only one, and I try to tell it with every page. I fail, and I try again. There are no new stories; I have this one."
-S.N
RemainProfane#2532
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Vavakx Nonexus
Posts: 892
6/25/2016
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[OOC: Wow. Talk about alternatives to SMEN.]
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Amets Estibariz, the Moulting Eidolon: Cradled by a sun all their own.
Blabbing, the Hobo Everyone Knows: The One Who Pulls The Strings. A Clarity In The Darkness.
Charlotte and the Caretaker: A family?
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The Absurd Rogue
Posts: 1049
6/25/2016
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(( No worries, Kuka! Hanging Ezekiel is more equivalent to "attempting to hang Ezekiel". Worse comes to worse he'll just grab a new host and everything will be good as new. ))
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"There is never another story. There is only one, and I try to tell it with every page. I fail, and I try again. There are no new stories; I have this one."
-S.N
RemainProfane#2532
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Eglantine-Fox
Posts: 872
6/25/2016
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Eglantine stalks out, face dark with anger. They have a duty yet, though. To go to Ladybones Road, and tell Sweet Lisbet's sister. That, at least, they can do, surely.
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Eglantine Fox, the charming and androgynous Correspondent, teetering between hobbies of seduction and self-destruction.
Siobhan O'Malley, Irish patriot (or 'bl__dy Fenian' if you're impolite).
Isidore Day, an up-and-coming London gentleman. All allegations of wrongdoing are categorically denied.
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Hark DeGaul
Posts: 208
6/23/2016
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Kukapetal wrote:
Flesh-Stick: NO TEA!
ALSO, SHUT UP!
"I'll settle for hot chocolate then. Awful idea to have a trial and not offer tea. Poor service."
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The Dawn-Eyed Optician: http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/Hark%20DeGaul
That Vicar Who Ruined the Royal Wedding for Everyone (including himself): http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/Hebediah%20Fix
The Dreaded Relative: http://fallenlondon.storynexus.com/Profile/Your%20Aunt
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Eglantine-Fox
Posts: 872
6/23/2016
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"I say again, he is a teacher of theft to children, a director of lieutenants in crime! He is a gang leader who has killed his competition and is trying to get you to think he did a good thing in doing so!"
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Eglantine Fox, the charming and androgynous Correspondent, teetering between hobbies of seduction and self-destruction.
Siobhan O'Malley, Irish patriot (or 'bl__dy Fenian' if you're impolite).
Isidore Day, an up-and-coming London gentleman. All allegations of wrongdoing are categorically denied.
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Amelia Syrus
Posts: 626
6/23/2016
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Amelia is gone of course before she can be inquired by the blonde. She's at the edges of the crowd, watching this public execution while turning to familiar faces. Though everyone had been voicing similar but different ideas, it seemed to her the majority was out for his blood. But why? Eli seemed like a saint among criminals. Always trying to shed blood to those he deemed fit for it while supplying homes for those that needed to hone their skills. Wasn't she the most hated? (Well... second hated since she's certain Passionario will always steal the first place spot.)
Her brows furrow in thought as she tries to figure it out. This trial? execution? This would have been done after the incident occurred. Why now? Slowly it dawns on her as she looks to the crowd, sees the certain colors of Neath among them. "Scapegoat," she whispers. She shifts deeper into the crowd but this time to stay hidden.
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Amelia Syrus: A Drunken Thief For Hire.
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Eglantine-Fox
Posts: 872
6/23/2016
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Eglantine looks through the list of victims. Their eyes widen. "I recognise this description... that's Sweet Lisbet, the mushroom-seller!" They call the realisation loudly. "She had a sister on Ladybones Road who was desperate for news of her. She had a name, a family, a life. All that was taken from her. She was a person, no less valuable than any other in the world." Eglantine's face becomes nearer to a snarl of anger. "The dead have been mocked and dismissed, their names ignored. People have said they didn't matter. Well, I speak for Sweet Lisbet, dead at nineteen, who sang and smiled and saved scraps of food just so she could feed cats and see them happy."
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Eglantine Fox, the charming and androgynous Correspondent, teetering between hobbies of seduction and self-destruction.
Siobhan O'Malley, Irish patriot (or 'bl__dy Fenian' if you're impolite).
Isidore Day, an up-and-coming London gentleman. All allegations of wrongdoing are categorically denied.
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