Day 32: Sun Room (4th Shift)

[screwthegods]

It was rare that Homura's nurse try to persuade him to a scheduled activity, but then, it was rare that Homura didn't go. But the demi-god had plans, and the poor woman had little other choice but to leave in a huff as he once again settled himself near the bulletin board in the Sun Room.

His conversation with Kenren the previous shift had left the demi-god with a lingering sense of anxiety. Perhaps it was something only those from his own world could do, but none the less, he was all the more ready for night to begin now. Goals and memories, the truth of his past and the possibility of the future: all thoughts lingering on the forefront of his mind, more than enough motivation to move forward.

Impatience was something of a rush for an immortal, he'd discovered. Homura liked the feeling, the excitement even before he had arrived in this prison. And now while he waited, he savored it again, a yearning that shone so much brighter than the boredom of Heaven.

[Waiting for History Club Q&A time.]

Comments

[tender-cruelty.livejournal.com]

Allelujah nodded at the assertion and he shifted back in his seat, taking a moment to smooth his hair down. Oh, he knew all about headaches.He could sympathise.

If only Edgeworth knew what he'd meant by that, he'd probably have been horrified. Although probably over more than the state of Allelujah's education. "It is a shame when so many things could probably have been averted if people knew more about the history of how things came to be." Then again, one could never be sure how humans would react. "History was always something I would have liked to look at more, beyond what was strictly necessary." He smiled a little with amusement. "I've never been able to look at Law at all either," he added. He just knew that what they were doing was highly illegal and the punishment if they were caught would be highly unpleasant.

He had to agree with that. So many wars had been fought over energy and the means to create it. "The solar generators work very well, but not all countries have equal access to it unfortunately, and the technology to start being able to harness it is expensive." Like had happened in Azadistan. "And there are other wars still going on for other reasons."

It was nice to hear someone sound so confident in the belief that they'd done something good, even if Edgeworth's agreement might change if he knew how they'd gone about it. He wasn't used to hearing it.

[high-prosecutor.livejournal.com]

"It really is a shame," Edgeworth nodded. "And it's also a shame the library here is so...lacking, in terms of its nonfiction collection. The least they could do is add some reference books. A dictionary and set of encyclopedias, at least, if not a full-out display. I'm sure it would be of use."

He thought again. "Or the Internet - though I'm sure that's been surpassed from the way it is in my own time. Though I'm sure that's blocked for obvious reasons; they don't want messages getting out."

The word law brought a smile to the prosecutor's face - now that was a subject he could easily talk about. "Oh, it's probably best not to get me started on law. We don't have hours to discuss everything," he said, with a laugh. "Though I'm happy to answer any questions about the legal system. It's probably a bit different than what you're used to."

We just can't figure out a way of getting energy to everyone, even with the solar generators." Edgeworth shook his head as he listened to the explanation. "Another shame, that. Though I expect the technology will go down in price as time goes on. Though that doesn't solve the problem of fights starting for other reasons."

He spied a nurse coming by out of the corner of his eye, but chose to ignore her presence. She could wait, as far as he cared.

[tender-cruelty.livejournal.com]

"Is it? I haven't been able to see the library yet." He hadn't even known that there was one, but he supposed it made sense if they were trying to keep them occupied in various ways. "I think if this is a prison in the manner that people have said though, then they probably want to keep us disoriented about our exact location or the date." It gave them nothing concrete to grasp hold of and kept them at a disadvantage. "The same for the internet," he agreed. "It would be too easy to send messages through it." Or even to hack it. It was a litle disappointing that there was no access.

He laughed softly when Edgeworth spoke about his love of law. It was obviously a passion of his. Allelujah supposed that it had to be a passion if one wanted to become a lawyer. "There is a lot to cover, and every country has its quirks I suppose. But you mentioned a three day system being introduced?" It sounded so strange. Trials normally tooks much longer didn't they? Weeks or months or even years.

"Some people are too remote, some countries don't want to accept the use of the Solar Generators because it means having a relationship with the major powers. Or their use is seen as being supported by one faction so another will oppose it for that reason and little else." It made his head hurt to think or all of the reasons people had for starting new wars. Surely supplying the people of a country with power wasn't a bad thing.

[high-prosecutor.livejournal.com]

"The library is a small one, as I've mentioned, and all fiction. It's mainly classic literature with a few trashy paperbacks mixed in. Lacking isn't the best word for it," Edgeworth said, with a derisive chuckle. "It's not a bad place if you want a bit of quiet, though."

"Ah, yes." Edgeworth leaned forward in his seat as he began the explanation. "There was a serious crime wave that began about twenty years before I was born. The result was that people were made to wait months, or years, for a trial that could take months. The three-day trial system was introduced so that trials could be processed in a faster manner, which means people are moved through the system without a wait."

Edgeworth motioned with his hands as he spoke, a habit held over from his days in the courtroom. "Barring any extenuating circumstances, trials generally begin within 24-72 hours of the crime, and a judge oversees the proceedings. All guilty verdicts are then reviewed by a higher court, though it's very rare for a decision to be overturned. The system works because the short time frame forces everyone involved to be honest - it's their one shot, so it has to be a good one for everyone involved, from the police to the defense to the prosecution. I personally think it leads to fairer trials, as the tactics used to stall or prolong a trial can't be used anymore."

"It hasn't been without its share of controversy, however. There has been some talk of bringing back the Jurist System, though it hasn't really gotten off the ground. People fear that it will slow things down, or introduce bias into the system. But I'm prattling on." The prosecutor smiled, a slight embarrassed flush on his face. "I'm proud of the work I do, and it's been a pleasure to discuss it. It's very rare to find someone as interested in it as you've been."

"Hm." Edgeworth stroked his chin thoughtfully. "It sounds as if the issues in the oil-producing countries from my time are repeating themselves. The United States doesn't want to take oil from Iran because they support terror; the Iranians resent that. Venezuela tries to take advantage of the situation by artificially raising prices, which the people protest, and before anyone knows it, there's a multi-nation conflict going on. It's sad, really."

[tender-cruelty.livejournal.com]

"It still probably has more than I'm used to, even if it is all fiction," Allelujah admitted. "Where I was before here there wasn't space for a library. I just had to make do with what I picked up on Earth when I was there." And those visits where they actually had time to do anything were few and far between.

He listened curiously to the explanation of the changes in the judicial system. It seemed to make sense, he had to admit. Why keep people in custody for long periods of time at the cost of the country, or risk them leaving the country, when things could be over in only a few days? And it didn't sound as though it would be any more prone to miscarriages of judgement than the system that prevailed in Allelujah's time.

He shook his head, smiling at Edgeworth's embarrassment. "It's fine, really. I've enjoyed listening. I don't get much chance for this kind of discussion usually. It's just a shame there isn't enough time to get more in depth." He wondered how long it would take for a court to decide on a guilty verdict for him.

He had to agree with Edgeworth's assessment of the situation. "It does seem that way. There was a problem in a country called Azadistan recently. There were two factions, the traditionalists and the progressives. The traditionalists kidnapped one of their own clerics to try to discredit the ruling princess who is part of the progressive faction."

[high-prosecutor.livejournal.com]

"Aside from the trashy paperbacks - do try to avoid anything by John Grisham, as his views on the legal system are hardly accurate - the rest of the fiction isn't terrible," Edgeworth admitted. "I just wish their nonfiction selection was a bit bigger."

He smiled at hearing that his companion had enjoyed it. "It really is a shame there isn't more time to get in-depth about it." That nurse he spied earlier was walking over, and he frowned. They'd at least have time to finish before she arrived to take them to their rooms.

"It's hard to believe a country would kidnap one of its own clerics. What good does it do them in the long run? I think it would only hurt their cause."

Edgeworth opened his mouth to continue, but was interrupted. "Mr. Pierce, you've been so welcoming to the new patients today. I'll have to put a note in your chart about how friendly you've been!" Again, that overly bright nurse, prattling away.

He stood, giving a small bow Allelujah's way. "It's been a pleasure, Allelujah. We'll have to continue our discussion at some point." With a smile, he followed the nurse out the door.