expiationnet | text ❈ 002 ❈ un: cupcake

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text ❈ 002 ❈ un: cupcake

It's come to my attention that sentencing has begun again. To all those that are new here, or experiencing this for the first time, my name is Caitlyn Kiramman. I run a detective agency here in town, and would like to offer my services to anyone that might need them, given the circumstances. Whether it be for advice, as I've gone through sentencing myself, or just general aid in fulling the Council's requests, I'm available to be of assistance.

[To those that don't want to discuss their quandaries over the network, she can be found most mornings at Kiramman Detective Agency, and most evenings at Lupin Bar.]

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Not that I'm aware of. As I said, he only really comes out when it's time for sentencing. There's been a few people that refuse to come to City Hall in the time frame Jerry allows, so he leaves to retrieve them himself. In theory, if you went to City Hall, he *might* come out to speak with you, but I doubt it.

But, I might be able to send you his contact information on the network. The sentencing information comes via text, and he responds to it if you text him back. If you're that eager to speak to him, I can go back and try to find it and relay that to you.

May I ask why you're so interested in finding Jerry?

>> Goddamnit. Why am I not surprised?
>> I appreciate it, thanks. Maybe I can run a trace on it.
>> Not that it'll tell us anything new, but what the hell, why not?

>> I'm not really looking to speak with him so much as
>> Make my displeasure known.

[ Not ominous at all, Jim. ]

>> Friend of mine got sentenced and Jerry lied to my face about it.
>> Little bit of harmless payback does the soul wonders.

[There's a few minutes delay before a contact for "The Punisher" is shared with Jim.]

Did it come through? As I told you before, I'm not the best when it comes to these devices.

Oh. I'm sorry to hear that. I've never known Jerry to outright lie, but he definitely bends the truth to suit him. Is your friend doing alright?

>> Yes I got it. Thank you!

>> Guess he only lies when it suits him. Probably knew I wouldn't have let him go in there if he told me the truth.
>> He's alright. Physically, anyway. The Council put him under some kind of truth compulsion and messed up his mental order, which is not good for his species.
>> Sounds like I might have to get creative to lure Jerry out.

You wouldn't have had a choice either way, I'm afraid. Jerry has gassed people, and dragged them inside when they wouldn't come willingly. And I don't think he can be overpowered.

[Nice, right? It's just so great, being in a place where the ruling body will assault you to get their way.]

I hate to be the one to tell you this, but that's honestly not uncommon. I'm sure you've heard about the city changing, and everyone's memories getting altered. The power that this Council has is honestly terrifying. My memories are only just now righting themselves completely. Whatever they do to us during sentencing, it should only last until the task is completed, and if not completed, then at minimum until the deadline. But not completing it will have its own consequences, too.

>> That son of a bitch has it coming, that's what I'm hearing.

>> I've heard some of it, but nothing too specific. I'm sorry that happened to you, that sounds awful.
>> So I've heard. It just pisses me off, him being subjected to that for a totally bogus crime. I mean who the hell is deciding this crap?
>> What other consequences?

Thank you. It's been challenging. Not knowing what's true and what's not is disorienting at times. At least I have friends that can steer me in the right direction.

["Friends", aka Vi mostly.]

My crime is bogus, as you say, so I understand. It's beyond frustrating. Not that I think I would like it here much better if my crime was legitimate, but at least it would be that: legitimate. As for the consequences, failing the task given by the Council again varies. I know someone whose memories were altered, and someone else that had their abilities stripped from them. Both were temporary things, at least, but it lasted about a month or so still.

>> That's the best way to stay grounded, when the shit hits the fan. Glad to hear you've got people in your corner.

>> Mine as well, seems to be a common theme. It's why they won't allow for the appearance of due process, in my opinion. They know it would fall apart instantly under even the slightest scrutiny.

[ The memory alteration sounds like far worse mind-fuckery than what Spock's even dealing with currently, and Jim hates the very idea of it. A Spock with memories altered would be - Jim doesn't even want to go there. ]

>> Christ, they really can just do whatever the hell they want with us in here, can't they?
>> I would think he's fulfilled their terms, but who knows if that will be deemed good enough.

I'm lucky to have someone I'm close to from home here with me. It helps, having someone I can truly trust by my side.

[She is forever glad to have the opportunity to grow closer to Vi since they've been stuck here, together.]

You're exactly right. Their standing would fall apart. They would have to give proof, but there is none, since most of us are innocent. At least, of what they claim. I've heard some people say they've done other crimes, but the crime they were brought here for was something menial or false. Almost like whatever chooses what to accuse us of is just random.

[which was frustrating! How could you claim to be a force pushing your own law on people without even being accurate? Not that it would be okay if it all was accurate, but it's just another thing to add to all the wrong about the situation.]

It's hard to say. Mine was pretty cut and dry, so I knew for sure when mine was completed. But sometimes it's just vague and you have to wait until the deadline.

>> I'll drink to that. Say, we should have you and yours over sometime. Finally get you that chess match with Spock. You like spaghetti squash?

[ It's one of the only things Jim's managed to not burn in the oven. ]

>> It makes no sense. It's like it's all a ruse, but to obfuscate what?

[ Something about this whole thing has been bothering Jim from the start, but he can't put his finger on it. As if once he figures it out, it will all make sense - but right now, he just can't see the forest for the trees. ]

>> Guess we'll have to wait and see. Hate that.
>> Thanks for talking with me, it does help to know what to expect, generally.

I have no idea what "spaghetti squash" is, but I'd love to try it. I'm not sure my skills are quite that advanced yet, to take on Spock. Still, it sounds like it would be fun. If nothing else, maybe I can watch the two of you play it.

[Watching two masters battling it out on the chessboard would probably be a great way to learn some new tricks. Much better than just reading up on it.]

I wish I knew. It's bothered me too, since the beginning. Hopefully we'll find the answers to all of this, sooner rather than later.

[But then what? When-- or if-- they find the answers, do they just go home? Pretend like none of this even happened? Vi had once told her she might like to stay in Aldrip, but was that even a reasonable thought, when so many are thinking this place was all just a fake computer world?]

You're welcome, though. I'm just glad I could be of some help. The more we share about what we know among ourselves, the better off we'll all be in the end.

>> They don't have those back home? Cucurbita pepo. Squash family. Doused in tomato sauce, with some garlic; I promise it'll be worth your while.
>> Ah, ye of little faith! Well, I'm sure we can tempt him to a game. We'll have you wiping the board with him in no time.

>> We're all doing our best to keep looking. The only way to lose is to give up.
>> I'll definitely let you know if I hear of anything. We're working on a theory, not much to go on just yet.

[ Ah yes, the quintessential question: how to torch the bridge when they get to it. Jim's been doing his best to keep his focus on the problems they can solve, though don't get him wrong; it's crossed his mind, once or twice. ]

I've had the rest of those. The combination sounds.. different. But I'm not against trying something new.

[While most of the vegetables and fruits were similar, if not the same as ones she knew from home, there were definitely a bunch of other foods -- meats especially, that she had never seen before her arrival here. But even Zaun had their own delicacies that she had never tried, and that was just the lower half of her own home city.]

I appreciate your confidence in me, but you both have years of experience playing. I'll settle for just enjoying it, for now.

[She'll get there!! One of these days. But she does have a competitive streak, as well as a mind for strategy. Hopefully it'll work in her favor, now that she's more familiar with the rules for playing.]

I'd appreciate that. That's honestly how it's been for a while-- theories, with no real proof. Hopefully that'll change, sooner rather than later.

It'll be good! I'm manifesting. Still getting the hang of this cooking thing. Spock's vegetarian, so it's good to have a non-meat dish in the back pocket.

Bah, half of chess is bluffing. Fake it till you make it.

[ Spock's good at that, but Jim is good at distracting Spock with dazzling displays of illogic, so they make a good match. ]

Somehow I think we'll find something, one way or another. This can't continue on forever.

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