scorched | Video (backdated to Sunday Night)

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Video (backdated to Sunday Night)

[ 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.

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[Thoughtfully . . . ]

Remus Lupin forgave me a crime as well, once. I did not kill him, but if it were not for my condition at the time, I might have. Indeed, he is a remarkable person to forgive threats and accidents to his person.

All the more reason you should stop feeling guilty. It is not for his sake that you do, but for your own. It is an insult to Remus himself, Arthur.

[ . . . ]

Make your amends, but do not punish yourself excessively. You ought to know Remus would not want that. It is likely the very reason he was sure to forgive you with his dying breath.

[ Unseen, his brows raise at that first bit. He hadn't even really known that Remus and Isley knew each other beyond the acquaintance that many scorched gained with each other over the Forge. Let alone that Remus had found it in himself to forgive Isley something. ]

[ But then his breath catches at the gall of the implication, that his guilt is selfish. ]

This isn't the first time I've struck an innocent a mortal blow. My judgement isn't sound.

[ But he's getting defensive because he knows Isley has cut to the heart of the matter. Arthur is being masochistic in an attempt to allieviate his grief, tie his guilt to the stains on his conscience that are genuinely indelible. ]

What if he never comes back.

Cross that bridge if you get to it. In the meantime, you should try not to live life by what ifs and maybes.

The chance Remus will not return is as great as the chance that he will.

[Isley hopes he does, otherwise he might be stuck without his yoki. But . . . that isn't something which he will allow himself to blame Arthur for.]

Regardless, I overheard Bellatrix Lestrange was involved? The only lack of judgment I see here is believing this isn't exactly what she wanted.

That woman is warped, and she is playing you. Worst of all, you are letting her.

[ . . . ]

If I wasn't expected to abide by certain laws I would have already killed her myself.

She was making headway. Her amnesia — I considered it a blank slate, of sorts. When I saw them attacking, I never even thought it might be manipulation.

[ She'd harmed Remus and Nymphadora so much; how could he be surprised? But he'd misjudged his friends' hearts, and that twists at him. ]

And yet. You're right. I am certain she planned this.

[ Just as she'd forced Tonks to kill senselessly for her. ]

Byakuya's going after her, and I believe Merlin intends to.

[ In fact, there's a small mob of people out for her blood. ]

No one can fault you for believing she was making headway. There have been criminals present here before who were given the benefit of the doubt, some unwisely, others not so much so. That is the rule of Anatole.

[A sigh.]

Perhaps the thought that it might be manipulation didn't occur to you because you wanted so much to believe she had not fooled everyone, not just you. It's unfortunate that you were wrong, but you alone are not to blame for believing that.

There were many who were convinced she might be . . . better. At least better than she was.

[Not Isley, of course, but that's because he's been out for her blood since she killed Yachiru.]

Byakuya . . . I hope that man doesn't intend to go on his own in his state. Will Merlin be accompanying him?

[ In his state. Arthur blinks — what's wrong with Kuchiki? ]

I don't know. Merlin seems to think he can sit beside me in Themis and drag Lestrange back by the hair simultaneously.

[ A pause, his brows wrinkling as he considers that that may not actually be ludicrous, for Merlin's gifts. He doesn't know, and he doesn't want him doing either thing. ]

But I'd rather he didn't. Perhaps he'll wake Riza, she's good at combing the Mist.

Themis? You mean to stand trial, then.

[Isley obviously disproves of this, nevertheless . . . ]

If it is a Trial by Combat, I will be your Champion.

[That will free up Merlin to apprehend Bellatrix, because it would be harder for Isley to manage that in his present state.]

I meant to stand on Trial by Counsel, but...

[ A breath of exasperation. He thinks there's a much better chance of Isley winning for him than of his peers judging him totally guiltless. And some part of Arthur would like to spend the time in Themis for the sense of atonement. ]

[ But as Isley had pointed out earlier, that was a selfish desire. And he has duties in the city. As much as he'd found the combat system of justice foolish and disreputable, it seems his best chance of avoiding the morass of confusion about exactly what happened, especially if they don't find Bellatrix in time. ]

All right. If you'll stand for me, then I'll have you.

[Champions don't come free, Arthur. (This is, for Isley, a double-edged sword of opportunity—a benefit to himself and to Arthur.) But, he'll mention payment another time.]

I will not see you convicted for something that witch has orchestrated.

When will your trial be held?

It's been set for the seventh.

You're not guilty and won't be found such, Arthur.

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