Dusk&Dawn

-20-

<Side's POV>

The size of the courthouse was severely underestimated by me.

If big winding corridors with towering ceilings scare you, this place is not for you.

According to Stephanie, we were walking past their Judiciary, not the courtrooms just yet.

"Is it grander or what?" I ask her.

"What?" She gave me a puzzling expression.

"The courtroom. This place looks like a palace." I point to a pillar.

"Likely less grand, since this is a private case. Now hurry up, the others are waiting for us." Stephanie pushed me.

My tail swayed with the least care in the world, while I was here trying to procrastinate and distract myself.

Stephanie had said that we would definitely win the case and settle the problem, but I couldn't help but think of all the possibilities that could cause the entire thing to go downhill.

"Stop making a mountain out of a molehill." Stephanie smacked me in the muzzle.

"Ow!" I grab my muzzle away from her and rubbed the painful swell that was forming.

It'll disappear in a few minutes, but it still hurt.

I growl at her.

She didn't even bat a lash. She just continued walking.

I sigh, knowing my procrastination wouldn't help anyone. Or anything for that matter.

I jog after her, keeping my tail tucked between my legs.

"We got this, girl. Don't worry Diellza. I know you're worried." Stephanie matched my pace, holding my paw for the comforting factor

"I still can't help but worry." I sigh.

"It's completely normal. Considering you still would be charged something on the account for murder..." Stephanie went on listing the 'impossibilities' like being jailed for life, sentenced to death, etc.

I tuned out, more interested in feeling Speedy and G's MateBonds.

They were in the building, Speedy was nervous and G18 was bored.

Stephanie was still yakking away.

I pay her no mind as we approached a rather strange doorway that seemed to be constructed on the floor.

I look at Stephanie, looking for an answer.

And of course, she answered it.

"Only supernaturals can see this door, and the caster...tripped while performing it...so it's officially a door on the floor." Stephanie chuckled.

Her laugh eased my stress a little, but my sense of dread still clung to me.

"We have around 5 minutes to settle down and get things ready. C'mon, not time to waste!" She chased me down the stairs.

Much to my surprise, the courtroom was nothing like that of what you see on TV or movies.

It was a chamber carved out of marble, with torches lit with purple fire.

"They're for dramatic effect. But still, don't touch them." Stephanie caught me gazing at the pillars of fire.

"Thanks." I tell her, returning to take a good look at the room.

It was rather small, in my opinion.

It had three rows of seats on either side of the chamber, a dark blue carpet trailed all the way to the Chief Justice, alongside the pews where the Jury would stand.