Keine Quest (Part 4): Broken History

[DracoOmega]

>"I saw her, Sanae. She showed me Utsuho. Sealed away in a glass tube and buried under the mountain, there since the day Kanako captured her. She tried to tell me that Utsuho was fine. Go see for yourself, if you do not believe me. In the meantime, please move aside, so that we can work toward ending this equitably for everyone involved."

>Sanae hesitates. "I... cannot believe that Yasaka-sama would intend any harm by her actions, regardless of how they may appear." Her face hardens again. "Moreover, I fear that you and I have a very different understanding of 'equitable'. Does she want an 'equitable' solution?" She gestures towards Orin.
>"I want my damn sister back!" she replies.

[Hello Purvis]

>"She is doing harm, and refuses to stop. Furthermore, I cannot believe she is stupid enough not to know what isolation like that does to a person. And, what does it matter what Orin wants? What is important is what Kanako is doing, and stopping it. Orin the best knowledge of what Utsuho was like before this all began, which is going to be important for this case."

[DracoOmega]

>"She is doing harm, and refuses to stop. Furthermore, I cannot believe she is stupid enough not to know what isolation like that does to a person. And, what does it matter what Orin wants? What is important is what Kanako is doing, and stopping it. Orin the best knowledge of what Utsuho was like before this all began, which is going to be important for this case."

>"I do not believe the Yama requires your support to conduct her affairs," Sanae says. "You can await her verdict elsewhere."

[Hello Purvis]

>"I believe, as witnesses who have seen Kanako's acts firsthand, and heard her words, our input is valuable. Unless you would prefer the Yama have to waste her time digging through the whole of Kanako's millenia of existence to find the important facts? And, you should come with us, as well."
>What is the one excited reporter up to?

[DracoOmega]

>"I believe, as witnesses who have seen Kanako's acts firsthand, and heard her words, our input is valuable. Unless you would prefer the Yama have to waste her time digging through the whole of Kanako's millenia of existence to find the important facts? And, you should come with us, as well."
>What is the one excited reporter up to?

>"I... I already know what the verdict will be, so there is no reason for me to be in attendance, either."
>You seem to have lost sight of her. You're not sure where she went.

[Hello Purvis]

>Nod.
>"So you don't doubt at least some of what we're saying. If that is so, Kanako would probably want you to be there. If not for your sake, then for her own."

[DracoOmega]

>Nod.
>"So you don't doubt at least some of what we're saying. If that is so, Kanako would probably want you to be there. If not for your sake, then for her own."

>"It's not that I... well, I..." She frowns at you. "If you think that is an invitation for you to accompany me, think again. I believe you've done far more than enough already."

[Hello Purvis]

>"We'll see if I've done close to enough in the time to come. But for now, isn't it best that we make certain that this is the only time such a thing needs to happen?"

[DracoOmega]

>"We'll see if I've done close to enough in the time to come. But for now, isn't it best that we make certain that this is the only time such a thing needs to happen?"

>Sanae looks at you dubiously. "And are you honestly saying that, even if you are dissatisfied with the Yama's judgement, you will respect it?"

[Hello Purvis]

>"If the Yama truly believes what Kanako is doing is right. I won't argue."
>The rest of the group should be well aware of what comes.
>"But, if it happens behind closed doors, I won't be satisfied. Matters of justice are matters of public record. And at the very least, Orin should be there. I should be there because I was another that she lied to. And Ran should be there because she can testify on the effects of isolation. And honestly, you should be there as a witness to the battle."

[DracoOmega]

>"If the Yama truly believes what Kanako is doing is right. I won't argue."
>The rest of the group should be well aware of what comes.
>"But, if it happens behind closed doors, I won't be satisfied. Matters of justice are matters of public record. And at the very least, Orin should be there. I should be there because I was another that she lied to. And Ran should be there because she can testify on the effects of isolation. And honestly, you should be there as a witness to the battle."

>"Good," Sanae says, although she still doesn't look especially satisfied.
>And she quite possibly has reason not to be. But you're not going to back down at this point.
>"If being there to see it will encourage you to desist from fomenting this, then perhaps I can allow it. For what it's worth, that's the only reason I see to let you enter. I trust that you will be respectful in the Yama's presence, even if you've proven you have little of it for Yasaka-sama herself." She moves towards the shrine. "Let's get this over with."

[Hello Purvis]

>"I shall be as respectful as possible."
>Which may not be much. But we'll make the effort =[
>Follow.

[communist unity (comm-unity)]

> Hopefully the Yama is reasonable about this. Otherwise, saving Utsuho from the testtube life is going to get really annoying.

[DracoOmega]

>"I shall be as respectful as possible."
>Which may not be much. But we'll make the effort =[
>Follow.

>"Mind that you do," Sanae says. You hear Orin mutter something under her breath.
>You'll try to do your best to contain yourself. At the very least, that may save you another lecture...
>You follow Sanae into the shrine building, leaving a few curious onlookers hanging around outside. None of them seem inclined to follow you inside without more explicit permission, although you see a few of them talking among themselves.
>Sanae leads you into the same room that you spoke with Kanako earlier today, although she has not remained seated in the Yama's presence. Kanako looks at Sanae as she enters, and then turns a harsher gaze towards you.
>"Sanae?" she says. "Why have you brought these people here?"
>"My apologies, Yasaka-sama," Sanae says, bowing. "But they promised me they would put the matter to rest only if they were allowed to witness it."
>"Did they?" Kanako says, her voice icy. She turns a withering eye in your direction.
>"Judgement is a matter of public record, Kanako," Shiki says. "You hold no secrets here."
>You notice Orin's tails twitching back and forth. She glares daggers at Kanako.

> Hopefully the Yama is reasonable about this. Otherwise, saving Utsuho from the testtube life is going to get really annoying.

>It certainly looks like you'll have your work cut out for you with all the layers of security you saw on your way down there. It probably doesn't help that you've made your intentions fairly clear. Sanae may be willing to believe you'll leave the matter alone afterwards, but Kanako is unlikely to be convinced so easily.

[Hello Purvis]

>Withering glare? A little half smile is the proper reply.
>Put a hand on Orin's shoulder. "Everything's going to be fine."
>Confidence! All is well.

[Blitzer]

>To other voices: We should've sic'd Mokou on her, negotiate when Kanako was in no position to argue, and call it a day. No need to do this...
>Remind yourself why you wanted Utsuho out in the first place.

[Hello Purvis]

>To other voices: We should've sic'd Mokou on her, negotiate when Kanako was in no position to argue, and call it a day. No need to do this...

>Wouldn't have solved anything. She'd just tell herself she was right anyways, and without Reimu-likes to keep her properly in check, and with a fair deal of the populace behind her, she'd have no reason to really doubt it nor many to her otherwise.

[DracoOmega]

>Withering glare? A little half smile is the proper reply.
>Put a hand on Orin's shoulder. "Everything's going to be fine."
>Confidence! All is well.

>You try to return Kanako's gaze with a subtle smile. Her expression doesn't waver.
>You put a hand on Orin's shoulder and try to comfort her. She takes a deep breath, but says nothing.
>You allow yourself to be pleased with how things are going so far, despite the overpowering clash of wills in the room. You're not sure you've ever seen so many righteously displeased people in such a small space.

>To other voices: We should've sic'd Mokou on her, negotiate when Kanako was in no position to argue, and call it a day. No need to do this...
>Remind yourself why you wanted Utsuho out in the first place.

>Wouldn't have solved anything. She'd just tell herself she was right anyways, and without Reimu-likes to keep her properly in check, and with a fair deal of the populace behind her, she'd have no reason to really doubt it nor many to her otherwise.

>You debate whether this situation could have been resolved differently.
>It takes little reminding to touch your disgust about how Kanako has treated another living being; someone who would have had a life and hopes of her own had that been ended for her without remorse. It needs to be ended because it is wrong; there need be no other reason.

>"As I was saying," Shiki continues, "of which crime did she stand accused?"
>"Willful and wanton destruction and attempted mass-murder," Kanako says, not lifting her gaze from you.
>"And the punishment you enacted for this?"
>Kanako pauses, and looks at Sanae. Her expression is hard to read.
>"Answer the question, Kanako."
>After another moment's pause, Kanako replies simply. "She was confined." You think you see a glimmer of hurt flash across Sanae's face, though she does her best not to show it.
>"How long has she been confined?"
>"Two years," Kanako says, speaking to Sanae now more than Shiki.
>"Do you consider this proportional to the crimes she has committed?"
>Kanako nods calmly. "I do."
>"You heartless bitch!" Orin cries, jerking her shoulder away your hand.

[Hello Purvis]

>"I concur, Orin, but let us not stoop to that level."
>Hand on her shoulder again.
>"Your honor, I consider it worthwhile to go more into details on the nature of Utsuho's confinement."

[DracoOmega]

>"I concur, Orin, but let us not stoop to that level."
>Hand on her shoulder again.
>"Your honor, I consider it worthwhile to go more into details on the nature of Utsuho's confinement."

>You replace your hand on Orin's shoulder. She lets out a deep breath that is nearly a snarl, but says no more.
>"I know the nature of this confinement, Keine," Shiki replies. "Your concern is unnecessary. My judgement is objective and unimpeded by any attempt to manipulate the facts."
>"The... nature of it?" Sanae says weakly. "What do they mean by that, Yasaka-sama?"
>"It is a technical detail," Kanako replies. "A power as immense as Utsuho's is extremely difficult to contain. Any ordinary prison would be as paper to her. Special precautions were necessary to hold her at all."

[Hello Purvis]

>"I think there is value in letting the details be spoken as well, your honor, as a matter of public record."
>Not schadenfreude!
>Okay maybe kind of schadenfreude ._.
>Does Shikieiki seem to be willing to allow for the conversation between Sanae and Kanako, or does she look impatient?

[DracoOmega]

>"I think there is value in letting the details be spoken as well, your honor, as a matter of public record."
>Not schadenfreude!
>Okay maybe kind of schadenfreude ._.
>Does Shikieiki seem to be willing to allow for the conversation between Sanae and Kanako, or does she look impatient?

>"But that isn't why you wish them to be spoken, is it, Keine?" Shiki replies.
>Yeah, it is!
>Or maybe not...
>She's been quite straight-faced this whole time. She looks serious, but not notably impatient.

[Hello Purvis]

>"...I can have more than one motive, your honor."

[DracoOmega]

>"...I can have more than one motive, your honor."

>"You certainly can," Shiki nods. "And I even believe that you do. But I also don't think you would have made that request then, were you not driven by something less than noble."
>"What are you implying?" Sanae says. "Yasaka-sama, please tell me what they mean...."
>Kanako is silent.

[Hello Purvis]

>"I can be driven by more than one thing. But we are digressing, I think."

[DracoOmega]

>"I can be driven by more than one thing. But we are digressing, I think."

>"We are." Shiki turns back to Kanako. "And when do you feel the term of punishment for her actions will be served?"
>There is a palpable silence in the room.
>"Do you have an answer, Kanako?" Shiki repeats.

[E-Nazrin]

>Try very hard not to grin.

[communist unity (comm-unity)]

>Try very hard not to grin.

> As sweet justice may be, let's not call the victory grin just yet.

[DracoOmega]

>Try very hard not to grin.

> As sweet justice may be, let's not call the victory grin just yet.

>In the interest of not looking too smug, you try to suppress the grin you feel tugging at the corners of your mouth. You think you mostly succeed.

>"She remains a clear and present danger to all the inhabitants of this land," Kanako says, at length.
>"That is not an answer, Kanako," Shiki responds. "Or rather, it is an answer to a different question. When were you planning to release her?"
>Kanako stares at Shikieiki. Neither seems to blink or move. Finally, Kanako opens her mouth again.
>"I was not."
>"Yasaka-sama....?" Sanae frowns uncertainly.
>You feel Orin bristling under your hand, and can hear the barely suppressed anger in her breath.
>"How many people were harmed by her actions, Kanako?" Shiki continues.
>"That is only because I was able to intervene in time," Kanako replies, bypassing the surface of the question and skipping straight to its intent.
>"That is simply what you believe. How many people were harmed?" Shiki's tone is firm and commanding.
>Kanako looks at Sanae, then back to Shiki. "Only one."

[E-Nazrin]

>Give Orin's shoulder a squeeze.