chippedsoul | The Journal [Inbox]

Did you bring me here just to tell me what we both already know? [Was it really not that obvious? He's willing to give Barok the time, but he also doesn't want this to be a waste of time.]

[Barok narrows his eyes; he supposes it would be a bit much to expect any curiosity out of the man, after his reaction yesterday. Still, the fact that his segue didn't trigger another violent outburst is something. He's testing the waters.]

Of course not. [But since no questions will apparently be directed his way, he has his own:]

How much do you know about your father's trial?

Edited (sighs. i need to read more) 2021-11-07 16:51 (UTC)

[Hah, well that's a fine topic to start with.] That your "great" nation conspired against him, because none of you could face the truth that one of your own was a serial killer. [It's getting a little warmer, but still in control.]

I understand my father took matters into his own hands when others wouldn't. I admit he is guilty of taking a life, but that's not how the court saw it, did they? [An accusatory glare.] You used forged evidence to condemn my family and sent him to the gallows for the countless murders he never committed. [Maybe he feels a little bad his brother had been killed, but when you pile all the shit his father had to go through, it almost feels deserved.]

[Barok's hand moves over his brother's badge as Kazuma recounts those events, the sting of the truth still relatively fresh. He takes a steadying breath that doesn't quite stop a light mist from emerging at his feet.]

A shame which I will carry until my last breath. [He straightens up.] That evidence—your father's ring—was provided to me by the man who was originally assigned to the case: Mael Stronghart.

Like you, I entreated him for the chance to prosecute, to avenge my brother. But until mere days ago, I'd had no idea that the evidence was falsified... nor that the trial's outcome had already been fixed through a clandestine agreement. By Stronghart's orders, Genshin was never hanged.

It- what? [He doesn't care what Barok is feeling. That detail about the trial being fixed, and his father not being hanged was more important.]

What do you mean he wasn't hanged? My father is still dead. [Why does the name Stronghart keep coming up like this too? How much deeper did it go beyond what he read in that confession letter?]

[Van Zieks nods; Genshin's fate had been death, after all, in a cruel turn of events.]

I take it you recall the trial involving Enoch Drebber... and his discovery of the criminal who arose from his grave, only to be immediately shot?

[It's still almost incredible to him, that those rumors that had spread through London's papers—and only made things harder for Barok to deal with—were the reality.]

In truth, Genshin was first sealed in his coffin alive. He was planned to be unearthed shortly after, and returned safely to his home country—to his family. But when a gravedigger witnessed the emergence of the supposed Professor...

[He shakes his head mournfully, pressing his lips together.]

Stronghart decided that hiding the truth was far more valuable than your father's life... and ordered Seishiro Jigoku to pull the trigger.

[It's been years since that trial for him, only now does he recall the details when it's brought up. With the information he knows now...it only brings up more questions than solve them. His father was supposed to come back alive? Did he make some sort of deal with Stronghart? His life spared for a guilty verdict? It's hard to imagine his father would agree to something so beneath him. He would have fought to ensure the truth would have come out, so why...? He had the confession and everything. Why couldn't he use it?

This whole time he's not saying anything, but he must look like he was concentrating very hard on something. His brows were furrow with a serious expression on his face.

.. and ordered Seishiro Jigoku to pull the trigger.

He's committed numerous crimes over the years, as it turns out. He's even taken lives with his own hands.

That man, who forced him into that assassin exchange, laughed uncomfortably at that letter he received from that faraway land. He pulled that trigger on his own friend, his father. His hands ball up into fists, clenching. It's getting a little stuffy in this room.]

So what you're saying...is that we were all just pawns to Mael Stronghart. [He says it, he knows it, but he's still very angry at a lot of people.]

[Even Barok's bitterness towards the former Chief Justice does little to chill that rise in temperature. But of course, he's had a handful of days to deal with the matter, compared to the man who's been sitting on this desire for vengeance for years, just now learning of it.]

Yes... that is the size of it.

[And he doesn't know how much reassurance this is to Asogi, but:]

He is to be tried for his crimes in a public court soon, from my point of view... and his influence over the judiciaries of both our countries— [he forcefully sweeps his uninjured arm out, perhaps as a way of venting his passion—] shall finally be cut out.

Edited 2021-11-08 02:59 (UTC)

[If that's suppose to make him feel reassured, he's not showing that it is, not with that unimpressed look.] And you really think that will undo the things you've committed?

[He's bitter, so very bitter.] I only have your word that this will come to pass. Some parts match what I already know, but I can't imagine my father would simply agree to any heinous plans. He would have fought to bring out the truth.

[Van Zieks won't deny the part he's played all these years. If this Kazuma decides to judge him more harshly for that than the man who became his apprentice once more... then so be it. He bows his head for a moment, but answers those claims without further delay.]

He would have, had Stronghart not offered him the one thing that he valued more highly.

[Now that his mind is clear from that fresh grief and the lies of those around him, he can remember just how noble Genshin truly was. He put the entire British Empire to shame, really.]

The will, and his silence... in exchange for his safe return to his son.

-!! [That hot air becomes a brief cold snap. He did it all that, suffered...for him?

Your father really did love you, Kazuma Asogi. So very much.

Susato's words echo in his mind. This...these are words he can believe from the prosecutor. His expression softens as he hangs his head. It's the most obvious thing, really, and yet...if only his father saw the mess he's in right now. Doubt starts to grow in his heart. He's starting to wonder, if he squandered his sacrifice somewhere along the way to achieve his twisted sense for justice. He takes a deep breath, there's a sense of calm that spreads throughout the room, just a warm breeze now blowing through.]

Is that everything then...?

[It seems that his words did manage to make some sort of impression on the younger man, after all. Van Zieks watches him carefully, wondering what sorts of thoughts must be running through Asogi's head.]

Yes. I'd merely hoped to clear up this... misunderstanding. Any further details, I'm certain you'd rather hear from the others.

[He's going to assume keeping a metaphorical distance between them is better until directed otherwise, whatever his personal feelings. This news in particular, however—the truth behind Genshin's fate—he felt was his responsibility to deliver.

For now, he's certain Kazuma would like to sort out his feelings in private.]

[Yes, he would. There's still a bit of distrust he has toward the prosecutor, so he would want to cross-check his information with the others to be fully sure. The fact he risked his life again after what happened the day before though...well, it's a respectable decision on his part. That has to count for something, he suppose. He faces the man, bowing his head.]

I thank you for the information. You should return home and rest. [You're not about to tell him you're all well after only a day with those injuries. Aka: it's an attempt at an apology.]

[Barok lets out an amused huff, though his eternal scowl tends to make such an emotion hard to detect.]

As you say.

[He should! He probably will not. He has too much to look into, now that he's had a proper... orientation, let's say. As a parting gesture, he returns the bow, drawing his arm across his middle and sliding one foot behind the other with his characteristic flair.]

Farewell for now, Mr. Asogi.

[He may be leaving, and he may allow that necessary space, but that doesn't mean Kazuma is rid of him entirely.]

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