Video (backdated to Sunday Night)

[king]

[ Arthur's hands are shaking, and therefore, so is the Forge. But it's obvious, even in the dim light, that he's blood-spattered. But underneath the gore sluiced across his face, his jaw is firmed, his breathing slow and deliberate. ]

I'm so sorry. If I'd realized, I never would have —

[ No, he needs to start earlier than that. ]

If — someone who knows Remus Lupin and Nymphadora Tonks could collect their bodies from the ruins...

[ No, that's not the place either. He swallows, hard, guilt shadowing his eyes. ]

[ Filter: Priscilla, Byakuya. ]

I have done — a terrible thing. I'll be stepping down from my position as Vice Commander, of course. And I would like to turn myself in to be judged at Themis.

Someone will have to be assigned to bring in Bellatrix. She fled into the Mist. I honestly thought she was no longer a threat to anybody, but I was wrong.

I've been wrong in a lot of things.

Comments

[Private Video]

[king]

Are you well? You don't look as though—

[ But there's that deep voice, echoing in Arthur, striking blows at places already bruised by his conscience. ]

I've turned myself over to the police. Byakuya Kuchiki's accompanying me to Themis.

[ He wants to say that Lupin forgave him, and will likely return. Those are important things to know. But they stick in his throat, meaningless in the face of what he's done. ]

[Private Video]

[justice_is_blond]

As though? He doesn't look as though he could fight you if you came after him? Anders is far from defenseless. You'll not take him as you did Lupin or the others.

[Justice's eyes narrow. That actually sounds like something fitting.]

And you will stand trial? You will face your crimes?

[Private Video]

[king]

Of course. There cannot be one law for me and one for everyone else.

[ He firms his jaw. ]

I do not know what my sentence will be. But I will accept it.

[Private Video]

[justice_is_blond]

[Surprisingly, Justice finds himself willing to wait. It would be good to see how the system here worked.]

I will watch, and I will see. Justice must prevail.

[Private Video]

[king]

[ Arthur nods. He thinks perhaps he and Anders would get on, under different circumstances, and he doesn't want to have to fight the man. ]

Your eyes, though. Are you certain you're well?

[Private Video]

[justice_is_blond]

[Justice tilts his head. It looks a little odd, the angle, a little bit farther than most would tilt their heads. It's also farther than Anders tilts his.]

There is nothing of illness to this. You see part of me when I speak, and all of him when he speaks. Anders' eyes are not harmed.

[Private Video]

[king]

I don't understand. You're... no longer Anders?

[Private Video]

[justice_is_blond]

[Justice blinks slowly.]

Anders is here. I am a spirit, one whom he has given shelter. That is an oversimplification, but it is one that will suffice.

[Private Video]

[king]

You're possessed!

[ Light dawns. After all, he was nearly killed by the vengeful spirit of the Druids he was responsible for murdering, until he laid them to rest. Regardless of whether this is the same or not, thinking it's so helps Arthur understand the concept far better. ]

I mean. He's possessed. You're the possessor.

[Private Video]

[justice_is_blond]

That will also suffice. Except this was voluntary, and most possessions are not.

[Justice's voice is hard; that's an important distinction for him. Demons take against the will of the host. Spirits do not.]