The morning light spilled dimly through the tall windows of the Backlund Central Court. The benches were filled — reporters, clerks, and a few curious citizens waiting to see how a bank robber would try to talk his way out of a death sentence.
Casper sat beside Cole who leaned back in the defendant's chair lazily with an expressionless face.
Across the room, the prosecutor stacked his files in neat piles, glancing at them now and then with a confident grin.
"New to the game, aren't you?" he said quietly, his voice thick with faux cordiality.
Casper raised an eyebrow. "And? I don't think that really matters."
Before another word could pass, the bailiff's voice cut through the murmurs: "All rise!"
The crowd rose as Judge Morton entered his court. He was a tall, thin man whose wig added some charm to his face.
"The People versus Cole Abbott," the judge read, his voice dry as if he had recited the same a thousand times before. "Charges include armed robbery, racketeering, assault, and two counts of murder. Mr. Abbot, what do you please?"
"Not guilty, your honour." Casper rose and declared calmly.
The judge nodded, having seemingly expected it. "Alright. Mr. Eberton, you may proceed."
The prosecutor — a broad-shouldered man with an impressive mustache, stepped forward with a faint smile.
"Your Honour, ladies and gentlemen of the jury," he began, "Two months ago, a group of armed men broke into Bolden Bank, terrorised clerks, and left with twelve thousand pounds sterling. Two guards were shot dead, several others wounded. Of these men, one — Cole Abbott was captured at the scene."
He gestured dramatically towards Cole who leaned back with amusement.
"The evidence will show," Eberton continued, "that Mr. Abbott was not merely a bystander or coerced participant. He planned this heist, supplied weapons, and even ensured escape routes for his accomplices who, to this day, remain fugitives.
"This was a crime driven by greed and calculation, no matter how much Mr. Walsh tries to convince you otherwise," he turned with a pause, "By the time this trial ends, you will see there can be no reasonable doubt. Cole Abbott deserves the full weight of the law."
After giving a curt bow to the court, he ended his statement quietly. "The prosecution rests its opening statement."
The judge nodded slightly. "Mr. Casper, your turn."
Casper rose, smoothening his vest he put the most amiable smile he could muster across his face. "Your Honour, respected members of the jury," he began softly, his voice steady but clear, "you've just heard a compelling story. I call it that because like all stories it depends on how it's told."
"There are indeed facts," he said, "and I will not deny them. Mr. Abbott was present at Bolden Bank that morning. He was armed. Shots were fired. Lives were lost. But what the prosecution calls 'cold-blooded calculation'..." He raised his head. "I will show a man trapped in exigent circumstances.
"I will show Mr. Abbott acted not out of malice or greed — but under forces that stripped him of reason. And in the process…" he gave a small, almost apologetic smile, "we may discover that guilt, like truth, is not so simple as it seems."
Casper finished with a bow, returning to his seat.
Judge Morton leaned forward, striking the gavel he announced. "The court is adjourned for the day."
Cole looked at Casper as the guards came to lead him out. "You sure you'll be able to get me out?"
Casper nodded. "I'm sure about the bank robbery…. not so much on the murder and the others."
Cole snickered, "You're a shitty lawyer."
Casper deadpanned as he packed up his notes. "Take it or leave it. If you didn't want a shitty lawyer, you shouldn't have done shitty things."
Cole chuckled but didn't answer.
Casper stood, slipping on his fedora. "I'll see you in the morning."
…
Night fell as Backlund's smog covered the starry sky, casting a gloomy look over the city.
In a remote bar in Cherwood Borough, Casper sat quietly drinking against the noise.
"You look… dignified for once. I've always seen you in rags, seems like whatever you're doing is working out." A voice greeted him.
Casper removed his twitching lips from the glass, recognising the voice.
He turned around to see a short woman with soft facial features and shoulder length blonde hair — "Xio! Fancy seeing you here. I almost couldn't spot you… the chair was overshadowing you, you know." He said with a smirk.
Xio snorted and sat next to him.
Casper's eyes turned towards the curly brown haired woman following her. "Looks like you're going to a Beyonder Gathering," he commented upon seeing the pale blue eyed lady, "Which one? Mr. A's or Eye of Wisdom?"
"Mr. A's. I'm thinking of getting a purification done." She muttered unhappily, her voice falling down to an echo.
"Oh? What prompted that?" Casper asked quickly.
Fors puffed up her cheeks. "The idiot over here recited a Deity's honorific name."
Casper's brows furrowed, "Tell me about it."
Upon hearing his words, Xio shook her head. "I don't want to get you into trouble, you might get cursed like me and might witness that horrific gray fog."
Hearing that, Casper had a sneaking suspicion about who the honorific name pointed to but wasn't too sure.
He pursed his lips, pondering whether to ask her to recite the name or not. But then, thinking of a certain monocled man, Casper couldn't help but resist. "Recite the name. I don't really care much. You know, I'm something of a Blasphemer myself."
Xio's eyes narrowed in confusion. "What?" She shook her head and sighed, "You make no sense at times. The honorific name is —
"The Fool who doesn't belong to this Era;
"The Mysterious Ruler above the Gray Fog.
"The King in Yellow and Black who wields good luck."
She finished with a pout, "There. You happy?"
Casper closed his eyes… and then burst into laughter. "Oh! That's funny." He cackled, wiping away a tear.
"What?!" Xio bluntly asked.
"Nothing. You don't really need to worry much in my opinion. But no matter, better safe than sorry. I'll come with you to the gathering." Casper said before paying the bar tab and grabbing his coat.
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A/N - Could you guys like... leave some reviews? Because I want to know how you're liking it so far and if there's any places I should improve. Anyways that's about it! Hope you guys have a great day or night depending on where you are and don't forget to drop some stones!