Everything Stays: In the Future

Legal Issues

Inside a conference room, Ebony is sitting down, taking deep breath after deep breath. Beside her is Burly, a hand on her shoulder. On the other side of her is a man in a suit, her lawyer, Mr. Gratt, and behind them all is Silver Adwin Sr. pacing back and forth. Ebony glances back at Adwin, looking somewhat annoyed by his movements. Burly coughs to gain some attention.

Burly: Silver, my friend. Could you per-chance please stop.

Silver: We agreed on 1:30 for this meeting! And it's 1:27 and no show. Doesn't that have any legal repercussions?

Gratt: Several. But now is not the time for worry. We can report to the DA's office if they do not show, then we go from there.

Burly sighed and lean back a little in his seat. He glanced over at Ebony and smiled at her.

Burly: Don't be worry.

Ebony: I'm not. I just-

Ebony was cut off as the door open. Two lawyers walked in and smiled at Gratt.

Myrkur: Gratt. What a surprise to see you here.

Gratt: Myrkur. Autt.

The two lawyers smiled and sat down opposite of the others. Ebony glanced around, same as Burly.

Burly: Where is she?

Myrkur: No legal repercussions if the defendant is not present for the deposition.

Myrkur smiles a little as Gratt wipes his face a little. He leans forward and brings out his briefcase and opens it holding several bits of paperwork. Ebony sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose in frustration. Silver glares a bit and sits down besides Burly who also looks fairly annoyed.

_________________________________________________________

Inside her office, Weiss is pacing back and forth, taking a few deep breaths here and there. She stops and looks out across Atlas. She rubs the back of her neck before walking over and sitting down at her desk. She wipes her face a little and look at her emails seeing them all have various reports from lawyers, threats and otherwise. She hears her door knock.

Weiss: (Sighs) Yes?

The door opens and Sterling walks into the room. Weiss gives him a slight smile and he nods at her.

Sterling: Mother.

Weiss: Sterling. What did I-

Sterling: I know, I know! Ok?! Mom. Uh...well, Stark is having a child.

Weiss: I'm aware. Your uncle called earlier this week.

Sterling: Oh. My bad.

Weiss: Sterling. I love you. But my I ask why you are here?

Sterling: Why? What is happening?!

Weiss: (Sighs) Helios...is obviously working with the Cabal. We just didn't see it until earlier. And since I took that deal, she was setting me up. I had no intention of this happening. And yet here we are. Greene is also getting all of Mistral under his thumb. It will only be a matter of time until Mistral outlaws and or enlists huntsmen into a military force.

Sterling: But why? Why them? Why us?!

Weiss: Because, Sweetie, we should have finished off the fight years ago.

Sterling: So killing them.

Weiss: Sterling. I don't need this right now. Things have already been as piss poor as possible so please, now is not the time!

Sterling: Mom! I know your stressed out but I was hoping I could understand what I need to-

Weiss: You just need to worry about training and studying. Sterling. Focus on growing yourself as a person than worrying about your mother. And does this legal battle suck, of course. But we can get through it. No problem. (Smiles) So don't worry. Spend time with the team, visit Night and Mars, see how Stark and Tealle are. I wouldn't worry about me.

Sterling: Mom, I just want to make sure you are-

Weiss: I'll be fine, Sweetie. Don't worry about me.

Sterling nodded and smiled as he walked out. Once he did, Weiss grabbed her scroll and called someone.

Weiss: Mr. Kobayashi. Yes, it is Weiss. The investigation is going alright? Well, that's good. No, I'm not doing anything important right now. Of course. I look forward to seeing your findings.

Weiss hung up and sighed. The legal issues piling up more and more.

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Back to the deposition, Ebony is just fed up as the three lawyers in the room go back and forth on the orders of witnesses, evidence to use and already presenting arguments to one another. Burly was able to pick up on it and stood up suddenly, getting the attention from everyone.

Burly: I believe it is best to take a quick break. At least for the plaintiff.

Gratt looks over to Myrkur and Autt and nods. Burly guides Ebony out of the room and set her down to a bench outside the conference room. She glances up at him and he offers her a smile.

Ebony: Thanks, Dad.

Burly just looks at her with a great deal of sadness.

Burly: I'm so sorry. I'm sorry this had to happen to you.

Ebony: It's fine. I can power through it.

Burly: But you shouldn't. (She looks at him) Poor choice of words maybe. But please, I don't like the fact that you have to go through this at all.

Ebony: Dad. Why do you do this for me? I mean...we only knew each other for three years. Why? Why do you put yourself through-

Burly: It's my job. As a huntsman, I need to protect the innocent, no matter who it is. But...when I married Sutekina...I became a father. And...I asked Silver and others for advice. And I realized something. It was a job to take care of you. I took you on as MY daughter, and I tend to treat you as mine until the day one of us dies. You are my daughter, Ebony. Whether you like it or not. Because I love the fact you are my daughter.

Ebony smiled and hugged her father, embracing him harder than ever before. Burly returned the hug and the two just embraced one another for some time.

_________________________________________________________

Inside a Vale prison, a cell door opens and Hazel Rainart steps out. He is cuffed and a shock collar is placed around his neck. Guards escort him down and into a bulletproof room with a television on one side and a chair on the other. Hazel sits down in the chair and looks at the TV. As it comes on, a judge comes on screen.

Judge: Hazel Rainart. Your ten million Lien bond has been paid off. A parol officer will escort you to the residence you have selected. You will be observed for all hours of the day for the next 50 years, should you live that long. Our agents will not interfere with your actions so long as you do not interfere with the actions of the Valean populous. You will be released within 24 hours. Any questions?

Hazel slowly looked up at the screen.

Hazel: Can I act in free commerce?

Judge: So long as that commerce has no illegal motives, then yes.

Hazel nods and looks back.

Hazel: I'm ready.

The following day, Hazel walks out of the prison and sees Oscar standing on the other side of the road with his car. Hazel uses his breathing mask and walks over.

Oscar: Everything is ready.

Hazel looks at the car and then to Oscar.

Hazel: Thank you.

They get into the car and drive off. After some time, they arrive at a small cottage in the mountains with two fields, fully planted and a pig pen next to the house.

Oscar: I know it's not much but-

Hazel: It's perfect. And are you certain that-

Oscar: Completely off record. Only us and the Valean commissioner know about this place.

Hazel nods and walks into the house. Oscar smiles as he sees the large man come out with tools and begin to work on some of the house outside. Oscar leaves with a smile on his face. Hazel watches him drive off, a small smile appearing too.

Hazel: Thank you...my friend.