Arsha\u2019s sleep after the trial\u2019s first day wasn\u2019t peaceful. She was haunted by something, but she couldn\u2019t place what. She was a little groggy as she shuffled to Barmek\u2019s in her night gown. \u201cWelcome to Barmek\u2019s Bar and Grill!\u201d called Mr. Barmek. \u201cLet me get you a seat, Captain!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThanks,\u201d muttered Arsha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou look like you could use some Under-realm coffee,\u201d observed Mr. Barmek.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhatever breakfast dish will wake me up fast and keep me alert for the day,\u201d mumbled Arsha, \u201cI want it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI know just the dish and beverage,\u201d declared Mr. Barmek. \u201cI\u2019ll be bringing it to you shortly.\u201d He then turned to the kitchen. \u201cThe Captain at table 3 wants Galdredan sausage, a slice of Galthar Elf toast with Drelda Fae honey, and a hot cup of Haldebor coffee with Rooka sugar!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe up-and-at-\u2018em special for Arsha on table 3, coming up!\u201d replied Jaltor. The dish\u2019s preparation took roughly 10 minutes before Jaltor set it on the counter to be picked up. \u201cOrder up! Single up-and-at-\u2018em special for the Captain on 3!\u201d Mr. Barmek then brought the dish over and Arsha paid for it. Mr. Barmek decided that Arsha wasn\u2019t going to be receptive to talk at the moment, so he just let her eat her meal in peace. As she ate, her communicator went off. She blearily accepted the call.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYes?\u201d she mumbled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCaptain Royana, you have a pair of men wishing to come aboard,\u201d replied Shalvey\u2019s voice. \u201cThey\u2019re asking you by name.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cPermission granted,\u201d muttered Arsha. \u201cSend them to Barmek\u2019s.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAye, Ma\u2019am,\u201d confirmed Shalvey. The call ended and Arsha returned to her breakfast. She slowly ate her food and drank her coffee, grogginess slowing her down by quite some measure. As she continued with her meal, Mr. Barmek greeted a Minotaur and Human. They spoke with him, then Mr. Barmek grinned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCaptain!\u201d he called. Arsha looked up from her food, then her expression changed to surprise as she clapped eyes on the Human and Minotaur. \u201cI believe you know these gentlemen?\u201d quizzed Mr. Barmek as he grinned. Arsha rubbed her eyes, then looked harder at the two.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHello, Foxy,\u201d greeted the Minotaur.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGORFANTH! FORESNA!\u201d cheered Arsha, her mood now a happier one. She got up and pulled the two into a group hug. \u201cOnes, it\u2019s been too long! What are you two doing here?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOh, just wanted to deliver good news,\u201d replied Foresna. \u201cGuess who got their requests to live on the Endeavor <\/em>and High Sky<\/em> approved?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou mean…you boys…?!\u201d gasped Arsha happily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAre living with you now!\u201d finished Gorfanth. \u201cMalnar and Falnii are living with Lardeth on the High Sky<\/em> now. Once Lardeth\u2019s done with his tour of duty, they\u2019ll be requesting to live with us and we\u2019ll all be under one roof!\u201d Arsha squealed in happiness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou have no idea how much hearing that lifts my spirits!\u201d she cheered. \u201cDid you guys already eat?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe did,\u201d replied Foresna. \u201cWe wanted to catch you before you plan for today\u2019s trial proceedings.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWell, I\u2019m in a better mind to refine our plan now,\u201d affirmed Arsha. \u201cI\u2019ll have to give you a tour of the ship once this is over!\u201d They continued talking as Arsha ate. Once she finished, she led them to her quarters where they would be living together. She ducked into the bathroom to change into her outfit, ready for the day ahead. She left the bathroom and was embraced by her boys once again. They stayed close for a good while before she broke it off. \u201cI need to go,\u201d she sighed. \u201cEndea needs me. I\u2019ll have you two meet her after today\u2019s proceedings.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThat would be great!\u201d replied Gorfanth. \u201cSee you later!\u201d She kissed them goodbye before leaving the room. As she walked down the hall, she met Endea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cKalo\u2019s waiting in the Conference Room,\u201d she reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThen let\u2019s make haste,\u201d declared Arsha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Amphitheater was packed again and ready for the next day of arguments. Kalo and Thentra took their places and waited for Uluntan. He then came in. \u201cAll rise for the Honorable Judge Uluntan!\u201d called the Bailiff. Everyone rose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBe seated,\u201d directed Uluntan. Everyone sat down and Uluntan banged his gavel. \u201cCourt will now reconvene for the trial of Mechanica rights. As a reminder, defending said rights is Mrs. Kalodina Avonamei of the Over-realm\u2019s Chromanian Sea Merfolk Kingdom. Arguing against her is Mr. Thentra Yaltar of the Over-realm\u2019s Drelda Forest. Madam, Sir, are you both ready to begin the proceedings?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI am ready,\u201d confirmed Kalo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAs am I,\u201d answered Thentra in his usual manner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThen let\u2019s begin today\u2019s proceedings,\u201d declared Uluntan. \u201cStenographer, please remind everyone what I directed both sides to do.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBoth Mrs. Avonamei and Mr. Yaltar,\u201d read back the Stenographer, \u201cwere instructed to argue around the potential for violence between Mechanicas and organics.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThank you,\u201d bid Uluntan. \u201cThe defense shall give their opening arguments.\u201d Kalo stood up and began.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAs with any single one of us,\u201d she explained, \u201cthe potential to fight IS there in Mechanicas. I repeat, as with any single one of us. Life, in some fashion, runs into conflict and must resolve said conflict by either words or actions. We all try to use words, as do Mechanicas, but sometimes words fail us prematurely. To deny Mechanicas their equal rights on that ground would only prove we are slaves to hypocrisy. I argue that ensuring Mechanica rights will keep the violence between new and old species at a low.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cVery good, Mrs. Avonamei,\u201d bid Uluntan. \u201cMr. Yaltar, your arguments?\u201d As Kalo sat back down, Thentra stood up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI will concede that violence is inherent in all manner of life,\u201d he began, \u201cbut we\u2019ve had the time to temper the need to settle disputes with violence. Mechanicas, on the other hand, are not so disciplined. I argue that, like parents, we must restrict their rights until they are ready.\u201d Some of the parents in the crowd then talked amongst themselves, discussing Thentra\u2019s words, until they heard the gavel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cQuiet, please,\u201d directed Uluntan. \u201cMr. Yaltar, have you a witness?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI do, Your Honor,\u201d replied Thentra. \u201cI call Transhell to the stand.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAnd here we go,\u201d muttered Kalo. Transhell then rose from his seat and took the stand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cPlease state your name and occupation for the Court Record,\u201d directed Thentra.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cLieutenant Transhell Ulndrar,\u201d introduced Transhell. \u201cCrew member of the Endeavor<\/em>, registry CRS-2784, Dauntless<\/em>…\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThank you, we all know what type of vessel the Endeavor<\/em> is,\u201d interjected Thentra. \u201cLieutenant Ulndrar, it\u2019s come to my attention that you\u2019re the first person to ever get into a fist-fight with their ship.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThat\u2019s not something I\u2019d brag about, but yes,\u201d muttered Transhell.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cPlease, tell the court what happened between you two,\u201d directed Thentra.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI was working on a bit of maintenance for the ship when I heard a yelp,\u201d began Transhell. \u201cEndea complained that I was being too rough on her. We argued and then she punched me square in the jaw. How did I get out of it? The Captain put me on waste extraction for the remainder of the day! I was the one wronged and Endea got off scot free!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSo, you feel as if there was preference involved here,\u201d surmised Thentra.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYes!\u201d confirmed Transhell. \u201cThe Captain should have, at least, given us both the same punishment! All Endea did was sort Marshii\u2019s medical stuff! I was the one called a racist and she was the one who attacked me!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMrs. Avonamei, your witness,\u201d declared Thentra. Kalo then began her cross-examination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cLieutenant Ulndrar,\u201d she pressed, \u201cyou said you were the one wronged.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI did,\u201d replied Transhell.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSo, how can you explain the racially charged comments of \u2018tin can\u2019, \u2018garbage scow\u2019, and \u2018floating scrap heap\u2019?\u201d inquired Kalo. Transhell gulped as Thentra raised his eyebrow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYour Honor, the witness never told me he said any of those things,\u201d explained Thentra.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThen the question is thus: did you actually say them?\u201d asked Uluntan. \u201cRemember, you\u2019re under oath.\u201d Transhell tried to come up with carefully constructed words, but they failed him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt\u2019s true,\u201d he sighed. \u201cI said them in the heat of the argument.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe fact is, you still said them,\u201d interjected Kalo. \u201cThe heat of the moment doesn\u2019t matter.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cObjection!\u201d called Thentra. \u201cYour Honor, the heat of the moment wouldn\u2019t have happened if Endea tried a different approach!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cObjection!\u201d countered Kalo. \u201cEndea DID try the civilized approach and her attempts were met with scorn!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI would say I\u2019d need to hear that from her!\u201d declared Thentra.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cShe\u2019d be happy to tell you, I can assure you,\u201d replied Kalo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThen call her in,\u201d directed Uluntan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI call Endea to the stand!\u201d announced Kalo. Transhell sat back down as Endea took the stand. \u201cThe Court would like your name and occupation for their Record,\u201d directed Kalo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cEndea, the living extension of the Dauntless<\/em>-class skyship, Endeavor<\/em>,\u201d introduced Endea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cEndea, could you tell the court what happened during the argument that sparked the fight?\u201d asked Kalo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI was telling Transhell to take it easy on the welding torch when he was repairing a bit of paneling,\u201d explained Endea. \u201cHe scoffed, saying he wasn\u2019t even touching me with it and I reminded him that I could still feel pain from the ship. He laughed in my face, saying that I didn\u2019t have nerves, thus I was faking it. I told him I could feel just like him, but he dismissed me by saying that there was nothing wrong with his welding. That was when tempers flared and I demanded he treat me better than that. That was when he hurled the aforementioned slurs and I started punching him. A crowd had gathered, then Arsha broke the fight up and ripped into us, sending us off to our respective punishments and snapping at the crowd for doing nothing to stop the fight.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWait, wait, wait, she got angry with the crowd?!\u201d interjected Transhell.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cZip it!\u201d hissed Thentra.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNo, I won\u2019t!\u201d argued Transhell. \u201cBy the Ones, this whole thing is ridiculous! Endea\u2019s warped Arsha\u2019s mind! I\u2019ll bet the Divine Ones won\u2019t accept this!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI don\u2019t know, Lady Sentriam and Lord Benthe ARE advocating for adopting Mechanicas as theirs, just as they did with the Chimeras,\u201d replied Endea. That sparked chatter amongst the crowd. Uluntan banged the gavel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOrder in the court!\u201d he boomed. \u201cEndea, is this true?! You spoke with Lady Sentriam and Lord Benthe?!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBoth the Captain and I did after the circumstances of my…er…birth, as it were,\u201d replied Endea. \u201cThey were both concerned that some of the Breath of Life was still at large and expressed gratitude that we brought it to their attention. They said they would fight to have their peers adopt Mechanicas as their own.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAbsurd!\u201d scoffed Transhell. \u201cNo way will they do so!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThat remains to be seen,\u201d answered Kalo. \u201cEndea, I\u2019m a little annoyed that you and Arsha didn\u2019t mention this to me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAnd I must say, the concept of you talking to the Divine Ones,\u201d remarked Thentra, \u201ccame out of nowhere. I urge that the court lets both sides gather evidence for tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI agree,\u201d called Kalo. \u201cThis may be necessary testimony to influence one side or the other.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThen, tomorrow,\u201d declared Uluntan, \u201cwill be the last day of these proceedings. If they wish, the Divine Ones may testify. Court is adjourned for today.\u201d He banged the gavel and everyone left the amphitheater.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAnd you didn\u2019t mention you actually spoke with them?!\u201d hissed Kalo as she met with Endea and Arsha in the Conference Room.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe didn\u2019t think that it really mattered so much,\u201d explained Arsha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAre you kidding?!\u201d argued Kalo. \u201cTake it from a Sea Witch, the voice of the Divine Ones carries more weight than you think, especially if they are actively fighting for a new species to be recognized as equals!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI doubt they\u2019re going to testify,\u201d muttered Endea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI wouldn\u2019t be so quick to make that statement,\u201d boomed Benthe\u2019s voice. He then came into the room. Instead of his misty torso form, he was a full-bodied Elf in pink.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cLord Benthe!\u201d yelped Arsha as she knelt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cRise, please,\u201d directed Benthe. \u201cI have taken a corporeal form to assist you tomorrow. I have news that you need to hear.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThen let\u2019s discuss what you\u2019re going to say tomorrow, Lord Benthe,\u201d declared Kalo.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Arsha\u2019s sleep after the trial\u2019s first day wasn\u2019t peaceful. She was haunted by something, but she couldn\u2019t place what. She was a little groggy as she shuffled to Barmek\u2019s in her night gown. \u201cWelcome to Barmek\u2019s Bar and Grill!\u201d called Mr. Barmek. \u201cLet me get you a seat, Captain!\u201d \u201cThanks,\u201d muttered Arsha. \u201cYou look like […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1743,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_bbp_topic_count":0,"_bbp_reply_count":0,"_bbp_total_topic_count":0,"_bbp_total_reply_count":0,"_bbp_voice_count":0,"_bbp_anonymous_reply_count":0,"_bbp_topic_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_reply_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_forum_subforum_count":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[97,95],"tags":[482],"class_list":["post-2602","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-three-realms","category-the-three-realms-book-2-the-rise-of-living-metal","tag-fantasy"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2602","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2602"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2602\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2603,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2602\/revisions\/2603"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1743"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2602"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2602"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/samueljvinton.com\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2602"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
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