Folklore Forest | A Zodiac Story

The Supreme Court Reconvenes

A chattering arose from the most diverse gathering of peoples the forest had seen in over a century. Old people, young people, infants, mothers, fathers, women, children, and all who didn't identify with anything just said sat on logs in a forest clearing. They sat in front of a large twisted tree trunk that was used for the judge. By the side of the clearing laid a row of logs that were filled with a select few. Many of the zodiacs filled up these seats.

In between the people and the stand was the subject of the trial. Leo stood on Cancer's shoulder, as they each waited for the trial to begin. On their opposing side, Gemini stood among the elders. She looked serious and uncomfortable, the way she looked before the war.

Gemini glanced over and saw Taurus giving her a reassuring thumbs up. She took a deep breath in and recited what she had to do all over again. She was fighting her best friend. What a shifty world.

Leo gripped Cancer's hair tightly. He tried leaning forwards to see if Aquarius was looking at him, but Aquarius was talking with Pisces nervously.

Leo took a deep breath.

"Hey, we've got this," Cancer told him reassuringly.

Leo looked at her, and she was suddenly reminded that he had seen centuries more horror than she would ever know, and he sighed heavily. He only responded, "Don't ever say that again. That's a promise. Never promise anything to the devil."

Cancer had a hard time tearing her eyes away from his. He was small, but looking at eyes that old and that dangerous were captivating. Staring into them was like flirting with death itself, and suddenly she figured out why Gemini was so appealing to Scorpio.

Everyone waited patiently as Sagittarius entered the judge's stand. He surveyed the rest of the audience patiently. He nodded and pursed his lips and brought out a small folded piece of paper.

"Fae are not allowed to make any deals with the jury during the case, and Fae are not allowed to make deals with anyone pertaining to the case," he read out loud.

Leo sighed in relief and Gemini kept her composure best she could.

The elder looked at Gemini. "How did he know about this?"

Gemini shrugged. "Sagittarius is a fair person. I'm sure he talked the rules over with Libra and came across it."

The elder nodded wearily and Gemini took a deep breath. Sagittarius cleared his throat.

"In accordance to section 3, article 8 of the forest, Leo Noella is suing the Elder Fae of the forest on charges of wrongful banishment. May the prosecution come up and state their case."

Cancer stood up. "Persons of the jury, Judge Sagittarius, I implore you to think about Leo's actions. Leo may have had a secret affair with a fairy, but it was not during a time of war between the fairies and the fae. Leo's job also has very little involvement in physical fighting, so the relationship would most likely not cause him to be compromised in the battlefield. Also, consider the good he has done with the Fae community: he has been an exceptional diplomat, managing to bring the majority of the forest together against me, and later the mysterious cracks in the ground. He has been a valuable strategist to combat the universal issues of this forest, and his relationship with Aquarius, the fairy, has only helped him strategize. This relationship could hypothetically be the end to fairy and Fae wars. Leo deserves to be with his people because he has done so much for them. Thank you, your honor."

Cancer sat back down and took a deep breath. Sagittarius' view swayed to Gemini's side of the court.

"The defendant may take the stand."