We might be able to stop this by trying to have her given to us directly for rehab of some sort, instead of trying to lessen it to something else.

Artemis 2010/11/18(Thu)21:25 No. 257953 ID: cf68aa
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>>257950
I suppose we can got to the Library at the Academy tomorrow. I can read up on current law. I may be a bit behind on Central kingdom's laws...

"I can't help feeling like if she had some other outlet for her talents it would end better. She refuses to be a knight, but labor is a punishment too right? She doesn't have to accept serving the kingdom if she is sentenced to do so. But I don't know what you could do with her or how you could hold her to do it. Those are just my thoughts on the matter."

"I'm afraid we've tried that already Artemis. Apple seems like a nice girl but something about her brings trouble. Trust me when I say it pains me to do this. It is however the law, if I don't uphold it who will?"

"That is true your highness. But what if she just continues to steal? What if it just makes things worse?"

"Then she will be sentenced to death."

He says this without any hesitation or emotion. It shocks Artemis how brutal a king could be. He wonders if he'll need to adopt this same attitude.

"can I... Can I speak to her."

"..... Okay. I'm trusting you with this Artemis. And my trust is not something you want to toy with."

He gives Artemis a small key with a jewel at the end.

"This will open the dungeon for you. She should be the only one there. Bring that back within the hour."

>>257953
Ok, go talk to her, and tell her what she's been sentenced to.

Hurry up!

"thank you sir" stay a good distance away from the door while you talk to her and have mimi hold the key while you are in there.

>>257955

agreed.

>>257953
>Brutal
People who break the law need to be punished. Those that continue to need to be punished more severely. That's part of how the law works. People both trust it and are afraid of it.

>>257953
This is serious. If you are taken in by this chick and she escapes, disgrace forever.

That means that you don't talk to her without backup. Ask Saisai (as she is a serious fighty type) to accompany you and guard the outside of the cell while you speak with the prisoner.

Once you get inside, put the key in Mimi's bag and tell her to not let anyone else take it.

Artemis 2010/11/18(Thu)22:34 No. 257969 ID: cf68aa
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"Thank you your highness"

Artemis bows then leaves.
He reaches the dungeon and unlocks the door with the key then stuffs it within Mimi's bag.

The cells are all empty, save for one.
He walks up to it.

"Apple."

".... what the fuck do you want...?"

>>257969
"I'm here to learn facts, Apple. I already know what happened, all the charges you've racked up. What I need to know is the why."

"to understand. the king says he gave you many chances to stop this, and even tried to give you a job, so why do you keep stealing?"

>>257971

well put.

"To understand why. Not why you choose to do that job as you did, or why you got arrested those other seven times, or even why you steal at all. Just... why are you like this? You're nice enough but you choose to commit crimes, you have such talent and you do nothing good by it, or even all that bad. Why just not... do better? You can. I know you can."

Artemis 2010/11/18(Thu)23:06 No. 257976 ID: cf68aa
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"To understand why. Not why you choose to do that job as you did, or why you got arrested those other seven times, or even why you steal at all. Just... why are you like this? You're nice enough but you choose to commit crimes, you have such talent and you do nothing good by it, or even all that bad. Why just not... do better? You can. I know you can."

"I do it because I have to. I don't enjoy it. I don't want to steal. I don't even get a thrill off it. I just have to."

"mind control, dark energy, steal one object a day or die by a curse, what is it? if it's none of those then you don't have to"

>>257976
"You didn't answer my question. Had you needed money, room and board, the Knighthood would have given that quite ably. So I ask again: Why?"

>>257976
"Why do you have to steal? Mind control? Curse? Coercion? Inexplicable compulsion?
Or is it that legit work is just out of your grasp?"

Artemis 2010/11/18(Thu)23:13 No. 257980 ID: cf68aa
File 129015080363.png - (31.58KB , 700x700 , 122.png )

"You didn't answer my question. Had you needed money, room and board, the Knighthood would have given that quite ably. So I ask again: Why?"

"I told you already you moron, I had to. And there's no way in hell I was staying as a damn knight."

"You do realize that your in the castle right now, you must know what is likely happening to you, and you know im here. I'm inclined to believe that there is noone this deceptive, and yet so... BAD, at it. So tell me what you can, about whatever it is that binds you like this... is it mage, item, something deeper then that? Something that needs to be healed perhaps? do you suffer a disease of more than just the body? please tell me what you can"

>>257980
"Very well. Enjoy losing your right hand, and then your life, for there is nothing I can do for you."

Dammit Artemis if this is what I think... it's like a madness, something she literally can't help doing. She doesn't deserve to lose limb or life for that, but still something must be done. We need more information.

"Have to? Explain that as well as you can, please. Do not you control when or how you do it, have you always done it? What about now with your arms bound, what does that do to your... impulse?"

>>257980
...Well, fuck.

I say GIVE US TO HER!
We are still a physical item, right?
Let us glean the truth from her mind, in a way that no spell, binding, or contract can inhibit!

GIVE US TO HER!

"you 'had to', why?"

>>257980
"If you're going to be deliberately cryptic and insulting, I suppose there's not much point in my trying to understand you. Enjoy your amputation."

There's probably a sob story in here somewhere, or possibly this chick is just a tad insane. If she's going to be a bitch, I have no interest in finding out which is the case. Just go.

>>257980
Sigh
"Look, the king is going to lop your hand off, and that doesn't sit well with me. Any details you can give me will help me convince him to do something else.
So, what is it that makes it so you have to steal?"

Artemis 2010/11/18(Thu)23:29 No. 257989 ID: cf68aa
File 129015179430.png - (41.17KB , 700x700 , 122.png )

....
No, there's no point anymore.
I should just leave.

Artemis starts walking away.

"I liked being in the knights."

He stops.

".... I wanted to be in it. I'm from a bad side of town. I've had to steal all my life just to stay alive. Being a knight is the only chance people like me have. The king gave me a chance and put me in without even taking the test. The Squad leader hated me though. Truly hated me like I was vermin. A gutter rat. He made me do all the worst work available. I lost my temper one day and yelled at him. He fucking pulled out a blade and cut himself. Blamed me. My word against his.. He's still here too. When the king kicked me out he said I had just one last chance. You took my last chance. Can't blame you though. Just doin your job right? Guys gotta make some money. Fuck, just get out of here. I don't even know why the fuck I'm saying this to you. There's nothing you can do."

"Apple.."

"Get the fuck out of here. Just fucking go. And don't you dare tell anyone what I said."

>>257989
"HOLD UP. We can have that potion girl make a truth serum. The strongest. We give it to both of you. Then you both testify. Simple as pie. The king liked you. He might give you this chance!"

>>257990

Look, if this is the case, then why does she have 6 other theft charges? and why was it when Morgen offered her an actual job, she instead went to robbery. As much as I don't like this, it seems like shes just lying again. Let it go, and let time take its due course. Sometimes people just aren't able to be saved.

>>257989
Turn so your body is facing the exit, and you're speaking over your shoulder. Speak softly, but loud enough so she can hear you.
"I don't care about money. I came here to help people; anybody who loses sight of that doesn't deserve the job."
Turn back to face the door
"If you'll excuse me, I need to go do my job."
Then leave and return to the king.

"I'm not here for money. I became a knight to help where I can, save who can be saved, and to do what must be done. That is the knight I strive to be. I can help you, and I am going to do my best to save you. I have to."

>>257990
This is the best idea, if it can work. If not some other plan must be made. Potions are a good approach, or perhaps witnesses to this event or his behavior might be forthcoming. Let's just try all we can.

>>257992
It seems the thefts were all earlier, before she had the chance at being a knight.

>>257661
>"Sorry if I upset you there, I just got the sudden impression that you needed to hear that.
That is the exact opposite of not backing down.

>>257989
Might be worth mentioning this to the king, asking about if a truth potion was used in the past. It doesn't seem like she's telling the truth, really. But you never know.

Artemis 2010/11/19(Fri)02:30 No. 258004 ID: cf68aa
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"I'm not here for money. I became a knight to help where I can, save who can be saved, and to do what must be done. That is the knight I strive to be. I can help you, and I am going to do my best to save you. I have to."

"Screw you.."

....

Artemis walks away.

Chapter 1 End GP:100 Artemis 2010/11/19(Fri)02:31 No. 258005 ID: cf68aa
File 129016266977.png - (143.51KB , 635x700 , 124.png )

Artemis returns the key to the King. He tries to explain what happened but the king waves him off saying he's busy.
He also mentions that Apple's punishment will take place tomorrow at 1PM.

Artemis returns to his room and lays down.
We've had a busy day huh guardians?
Heck, the past 2 days have been probably the greatest in my life.

I became a knight, made friends, completed my first mission.
But I can't help but feel bad about Apple...
I can't shake the feeling that she was telling me the honest truth..
That I was the only one she's told that too.

I'll talk to the king about it tomorrow.
Until then, 'night guys.

>>258005
Mimi left you love notes. I guess you're the first master she's had that's treated her with kindness.
Ask Mimi to wake you up early tomorrow. You need to visit Morgen for a truth serum, then speak with the king.

>>258005
You might want to head straight to Morgan in the morning. If there is a potion she can make that can help she'll need to get started right away, and before talking with the king you need to know what your options are. We need to gather info as well!

Tell Mimi to get you up early, this won't be a day for you to sleep in.

For tomorrow this is what you need to do.

1. Ensure that when you wake up you make sure that you say hi to mimi and hug her and ask how she is doing. It's good to have a mimic box that is at it's best and is cared for.

2. Get an auidence with the King and explian to him that you might have an alternitive idea for punishing Apple. Tell him that you can reform Apple by taking her under your wing and teaching her how to be a good citizen and a defneder of the land. Tell the King that if you fail then she will ahve her hand cut off.

3. Talk to Apple and regardless of what happens see if you can convince her to follow you and tell her that you are taking her under your wing and that you believe her but to get past the king that she going to be following you around. Warn her of she doesn't take this then she will lose her hand and maybe even her life down the road.

3A: Should you fail to convince the king to save Apple then we need to forumlate a plan to break her out without the King finding out that you are involved. If we can do that then get Apple out of the city but keep in contact with her. Tell her you see her as an ally but she still owes you.

>>258007

Also, get a black dress with white trim, in Apple's sizes, if you can. :3c

yeah, you will need to see morgan first thing in the morning.

This is silly. She's a thief, that much is obvious. She's going to receive her punishment according to due process of law. Let it be. If it troubles you, refrain from thinking of it overmuch.

>>258051
I sorta agree.

On the other hand, if there's a chance to get her on your team without a missing hand, let's try that.

So, to Morgan's in the morning, after asking Mimi if she wants you to pick her up anything should you have spare monies after buying the potion(s).

I think also for tomorrow... [gender change] so Artemis can navagate the world back to the gender (s)he prefers tomorrow, and try feeding mimi some of our guardian points (we're not under any real threat right now).

I'm not convinced of this girl anymore, our master/mistress be damned... she had her chance outside, and she chose not to take it, story about the knights aside. Though its probably worth learning who it was that was her squad leader, and what her fellow former squadmates have to say.

*sigh* we have an early morning I guess.

Im thinkin 40GP or so, so we have 50 left after the switch

>>258051
Ah, but the punishment is the result of the number of charges. If one of those charges were a proven to be a fabrication then her sentencing would be affected.

Her conviction for assaulting a knight was based on hearsay and, as with all convictions, if sufficient evidence against her guilt can be presented then she can be granted a retrial. This is due process.

>>258066
I have to agree with Seven here.

I don't like the idea of this knight having done this and gotten away with it. It's unbecoming. He stole her chance and her hope, and we need to make the right.

Of course we need proof of that and all. Otherwise all the accusations in the world mean nothing.

>>258068

We don't even know if she's telling the truth, do we? She's proven herself to be untrustworthy at best. I say we go find this knight and investigate him/her.

hmmm... also, is that crayon Mimi's scribbled in, or... something else?

>>258070
That's the plan. We get him some truth serum and ask him a few questions.

>>258073
Publicly. If it's our word against the captains that isn't a hell of a whole lot better than hers.

That's why I say we find out who her former squad mates were, at least one of them is likely to know about the captains animosity towards Apple if this is true. There may have also been a witness, if we can figure out where the event took place.

... also, lets let our dear host get some sleep without our arguing.