(no subject)

[amicably_absent]

Glitch wanted to stay in the cabin forever, but Ambrose insisted on heading back, getting home the day before the trial was set to happen. He didn't elaborate on why, though it was fairly apparent that he wanted to attend, especially when he spent an hour the night before it setting out clothes, putting them in orders with numbers to clearly mark how they went on. It was a lot of work and planning.

Ambrose, also unlike Glitch, had no problems using the privilege of an attendant to help get ready. He gets dressed carefully in what is just shy of a dress uniform but speaks with position to anyone entitled to know it. The attendant helps him with his hair, getting the ringlets settled neatly, if not combed down in his usual manner. He thinks Glitch would protest it and, as he has been told, he needs to stop being ashamed of the line of steel in his scalp. A few touches of make up highlight his pale, striking appearance and he asks Wyatt to escort him down to the court house.

Wyatt has to be there anyway, as the first officer on scene with the small delegation of Viewers who will also present evidence through a mirror set up in court just for that, one with a moratanium frame that Ambrose thinks he might've designed.

The case isn't short, but the conclusion is foregone. He himself is unable to sit to testify, no headcase testimony can be taken by the court, but since he can't remember anything anyway, there would be no point in unnecessarily working him up into glitching.

He does that enough as it is. Each bit of testimony sets off glitches and skips, fragments of thought and getting caught in cycles. It's a hard, long few hours as they plow though it all. They plead guilty, but it's before sentencing that the judge asks if anyone has anything to say.

That's when he raises his hand. "I do, Your Honour."

The judge gives him a long look. "While you cannot testify, the court will recognise any additional statements you have to offer, Adviser Ambrose."

He stands up, smoothing down his military style coat with the tiny badges across the breast marking the medals he won't wear in public. "My learned judge, I would ask you to consider clemency in your sentencing of these men."

He takes a breath to give the noise a moment to subside. "I cannot and will not condone the acts of violence that have been committed, against myself and potentially against other individuals who have suffered violation at the hands of the Witch's surgeons. Justice and retribution is the domain of the court and the police, and it is unacceptable to have the public taking vengeance for actions that may - or indeed may not - have been committed. The court has already taken action against violent offenders, their headcasing is - believe me - punishment enough for their actions, leaving them incapable of directed malice of any consistent amount.

"But.

"The commonality of headcasing as political terrorism to silence dissidence and rebellion is not yet commonly seen, understood or recognised. Ignorance, in truth, is the enemy here. These men were wrong, but they acted in fear and ignorance. I personally feel no need to vengeance against these men, I pity them for being so scared during these dark times past that they cannot reach towards the better future we are all striving for. I pity their ignorance in attacking those who present a visible sign of their ongoing imprisonment, for the thoughts they had, the allegiances they held and not for any crime committed. Headcasing for crime is almost unknown now, but for political motivations? That has been far more prevalent in recent times. Punishment should be a learning aid, to educated individuals and society and this case and serve to educate these men, theoir families and society as a whole. Not just of the heinous acts taken against political prisoners such as myself, but a learning experience that the barbaric and harsh times of the Witch are over and we will once again strive towards a benevolent society of correction, not vengeance."

He bows his head. "Thank you." And he sits down, reaching for Wyatt's hand.

Comments

[amicably-absent.livejournal.com]

"Flatterer," he murmurs back, voice just above a whisper. "Maybe we can spend tonight working out just how fascinating we both are to each other?"

[less-hugging.livejournal.com]

He flushes slightly pink in the cheeks at the suggestion, and he has to look away for a moment, lest he do something really silly.

Then he leans in, whispering into Ambrose's ear. "You think one night is enough?"

[amicably-absent.livejournal.com]

"Not even," he whispers back. "But we can make an admirable start in that sort of time." He leans in, lips brushing Wyatt's ear. "I do enjoy lazy evenings making out in front of the fire," he murmurs.

[less-hugging.livejournal.com]

He shivers slightly from the touch, liking the faint touch very much indeed. "Me too. They're...some kind of wonderful, those evenings."

[amicably-absent.livejournal.com]

"They won't have to end when things... go further between us, will they?" His lips barely brush Wyatt's earlobe.

[less-hugging.livejournal.com]

He pulls back slowly, looking into Ambrose's eyes, watching his face fondly. He thinks maybe he has an idea of why he would ask such a thing. Maybe he has a very good idea why.

He runs his thumbs over his partner's graceful, strong hands; it's his turn to lift them to place a series of gentle kisses on them both. "They won't end. I don't care how busy our lives become, how demanding, we'll make time for them."

He wants to say more, so much more, but he doesn't know where to even begin. So much more, about the long run, going at life side by side, about sticking with it through hardships and victories alike... But he can't find the words to do justice to his hopes for the future.

[amicably-absent.livejournal.com]

"Good." Ambrose doesn't want to lose that intimacy and fondness and connection in the face of moving on to something different between them. Deepening their physical connection. He knows Glitch and Wyatt are rather hurried and still learning, but he can't do that at the cost of all else with his memories.

Ambrose looks into those lovely eyes and just nods, seeing a weight of words and moments there and just kisses Wyatt softly again.

[less-hugging.livejournal.com]

He'll find the words somehow. Maybe not right now, or even tomorrow, but he'll find them in time. For now, actions speak louder (and maybe they always will), and he's fine with that.

He doesn't pull away this time. Not for a good, long while.

[amicably-absent.livejournal.com]

Ambrose sighs into the kiss, trembling softly and breaking it only when his stomach makes a loud sound that indicates that food might be appreciated. He bites his lip then, smiling slightly.

[less-hugging.livejournal.com]

He smiles, loving that little smile more than he thinks possible. He knows it's possible, he's loved like this before, but even then... It sometimes felt, well, incredible.

"I hope you like mustard. How come I don't know if you do?"

[amicably-absent.livejournal.com]

"It's never come up before?" He doesn't know if he likes mustard either, to be honest. But he picks up his half and nibbles it slowly. "Mm. I like this."

[less-hugging.livejournal.com]

"Probably, yeah." It's good enough a reason, anyhow, and he finds himself smiling at Ambrose's approval. He'll remember for both of them, until next time.

"Mustard and ham is one of those tried and true combinations."

[amicably-absent.livejournal.com]

"It is, it is." He thinks maybe he ate this a lot once. He nibbles a bit more, eating slowly. "How long do we have?"

[less-hugging.livejournal.com]

"Just about thirty," he says, then checks his pocket watch just to be sure. "Yeah, just about. But that's not counting the walk back to the courthouse."

Always the practical one, isn't he.

[amicably-absent.livejournal.com]

"And how long will that take?" He won't remember the numbers later, but he can try for now. "I don't like eating fast."

[less-hugging.livejournal.com]

"Seven if we walk, five if we hurry. But I figure ten minutes should give us some leeway." He shrugs. He knows his lover gets distracted easily, and truth be told, he doesn't like dragging him away from things that pique his interest.

And then, of course, there's the fact they do a pretty good job of distracting each other all the time.

[amicably-absent.livejournal.com]

"Ten. That means..." He pauses, looking at his fingers. When the numbers are on paper, they make sense. When it's just in his head and he stops to think though...

"Wyatt? Where are we?"

[less-hugging.livejournal.com]

It means they have more than enough time to eat and get back to court. But numbers are numbers, and glitches are a friggin' nuisance sometimes.

But it isn't Ambrose's fault. "We're having lunch at one of the bakeries in town. Love's Bread."

[amicably-absent.livejournal.com]

He blinks and looks about. "Oh, yes... of course. We're on recess from court. I remember." He nibbles more of the sandwich. "This is very good."

[less-hugging.livejournal.com]

"I'm glad you like it. It's a gamble, between the two of us. You like red apples, I like green..."

[amicably-absent.livejournal.com]

"I like croissants and you like sourdough," Ambrose teases back. "But I like this."

[less-hugging.livejournal.com]

"I like big cohesive chunks of food, yes." He's starting to grin between sips of tea and bites of sandwich. "They don't fall apart in your hands, for one thing."

[amicably-absent.livejournal.com]

"I like croissants. You pick them apart easily and they're light on the stomach." His smile is spreading as well.

[less-hugging.livejournal.com]

"What can I say..." He shrugs nonchalantly. "Maybe I just like a little something more substantial to gorge myself on."

[amicably-absent.livejournal.com]

His gaze goes down and then up to peek through curls and lashes. "Mm, yes, you really do like to gorge yourself." One finger reaches to touch Wyatt's lip knowingly.