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Nkemdilim “Dylan” Uzoma (wishgranted) wrote in nosuchplace,
@ 2008-06-12 07:37:00

Entry tags:

dylan uzoma, events: thievery plot, mitsuko kamiyama

Monday: September 10, 2007
Who: Dylan, Mitsuko, and Pietro
When: Morning
Where: Town Hall
What: A conclusion over the stolen artifact.

His footsteps echoed across the floor as he made his way to the small conference room. His heart weighed heavily with each step his feet took through the hallway. Dylan knew there were people who wanted answers about the artifact, and there were some who did not care. They questioned further people, but through much less alarming methods. Visitors to people's houses stopped by the previous afternoon to confirm the stories given to them by their suspects. Partial confirmations were given, but not everything fell into place.

It had been up to him and others to determine whether or not any of their called in suspects had indeed taken part in the theft of the artifact. The decision had not been easy either. Irei Arakaki was written off of the list. There was no way he could have partaken in the theft. As for the two kitsune, things were much more different for them.

Dylan opened up the door to the conference room, saw Mitsuko Kamiyama and her lawyer, Pietro Conté, on the other side of the table. He closed the door behind him and approached the table, shaking Pietro's hand and bowing to Mitsuko in greeting to them both. "I must inform you both that this has been a very hard decision for the summoned jury council to decide upon," he began with the two of them, taking a seat at the table on the side opposite of them. "The artifact is still missing, and there are those who want answers."

His words were cryptic as they sometimes revealed themselves to be for others. "Miss Kamiyama," Dylan said, turning to look at Mitsuko. "If you will, please relay to me your side of the story once more. In detail, truthfully as it happened. As much as I am sure you do not like me, I ask only that you answer this as seriously and kindly as possible. This is important for you to say, and important for me to heed. Therefore, if you will, calmly tell me the events of that night, which you and you alone have experienced and have the ability to tell."

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foxylady
2008-06-13 02:27 pm UTC (link)

Mitsuko leaned back in her chair. She eyed Dylan warily. "Well, I'm sorry the council wants answers. Because I don't have any. All I am is an excuse." She shook her head slowly. "I didn't do this. If I had done it, I would have admitted to it already. Hell, I'd be bragging about it." She let out a bitter laugh. "Honestly, at this point... I wish I had taken it. I'm trying to change, but all anyone wants to see is a thieving whore. I really wish I had grabbed that damn tacky thing and melted it down into scrap."

She knew she should be nicer and just tell the story of what happened that night. But she was honestly exhausted. Physically, mentally, emotionally... There was no proof she had done anything wrong. They were just lashing out at her. "I went to Emily's birthday party with Logan," her voice was heavy and tired. "Afterwards, Irei and I got some wine from the bar, went to the steps of the temple and drank ourselves stupid. We made out and I ran off because I felt guilty because Irei isn't my boyfriend."

She ran a hand through her hair. "You've all heard the stories about me. I know that. I've stolen millions of dollars worth of art, clothing, jewelry.... And I admit it. You wanna condemn me for that." She held out her wrists. "But I swear to all mighty Inari that I did not do this. All I want right now is to take care of my brother, have my boyfriend come home in on piece so I can prostrate myself in front of him and beg for his forgiveness and try like hell to avoid running into my mother again."

Rubbing her face with her hands, Mitsuko let out a long sigh. "Is there anything else you want me to say?"

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nosuchthings
2008-06-13 06:13 pm UTC (link)

Pietro had grown increasingly sympathetic towards Mitsuko's case over the past couple of days. He was already convinced of her innocence, but seeing such a young girl go through so much in such a short period of time called out to his paternal side. He imagined what it would be like if it were happening to Adrienne (since she and Mitsuko were around the same age) and he just couldn't help but feel sorry for the kitsune.

He listened as Dylan spoke and Mitsuko replied. Mr. Conté was silent for the most part until the very end. He patted Mitsuko on the knee (a fatherly like pat) and then looked over at Dylan. "The Head Council is full of intelligent folk," he said calmly. "But there really is no evidence that Miss Kamiyama stole the Mir'en'Galad. If the temple priests want to crucify this young girl on the mere fact that her pendant was found at the scene, and on her past..." He paused and steepled his fingers and sighed. "Well I won't allow that to happen. Miss Kamiyama is innocent. She's already admitted to being at the temple that night, which gives us a reason as to why her Hoshi no Tama was found at the scene. And, according to the priests, heavy magic was used to guard the artifact."

Pietro leaned forward in the chair and looked at Dylan. "According to them, it would take someone with great magical skills to take down the protective seals they placed upon it. And, no offense to kitsune, but wouldn't it take more than an illusion to break those sorts of seals?"

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wishgranted
2008-06-14 08:44 pm UTC (link)

Dylan listened to Mitsuko Kamiyama very carefully until she was finished, showing no signs whatsoever that he was about to speak or say a word in between her own. It was not until she asked him if there was anything else he wanted her to say that he finally spoke. Dylan slowly shook his head. "No, Miss Kamiyama, there is nothing else you need to say. I am not sure I would call you an excuse, though. The jury council was unaware of your past until you were named as a suspect, and our original suspicions merely fell upon the fact that you were at the scene of the crime and it was urgent that you were questioned over the matter."

He continued forward before Pietro Conté had spoken anything yet. "As for your imprisonment for twenty-four hours, I apologize for any discomfort it caused you. However, you were belligerent when under questioning and refused to answer any of our questions. Had you cooperated in a timely and open manner then instead of now, you would not have been held overnight." Dylan hoped the young kitsune would take offense to his words, but he felt it was important to say to her. "Also . . . threatening the guards was not a wise move for you to make. So, you must see, that you were not held merely for anyone's satisfaction or because you were deemed guilty of the charges, but for your own ill choices made along the way towards authority above you."

As Pietro spoke, Dylan found himself nodding in agreement. "I do not believe that she has committed any crime. Constance is in agreement with me. However, it is the jury we must convince. While we are part of the ruling body, there are others appointed to help us when it comes to lawful and political matters. It has been brought to their attention that kitsune magic is not powerful enough to have disrupted the barriers around the artifact, but given light to her past and their belief that she had another accomplice . . . it will take time to convince them of her innocence. Until then, we do not have a solid final judgment on the matter. There is simply not enough evidence against Miss Kamiyama, but suspicion remains for now and halts their final decision from being made."

Mitsuko was lucky, he thought. It had only been a matter of days since this began for her. In other parts of the world before, it was common for trials to extend over a period of months. Dylan turned his eyes back to Mitsuko. "You must be patient, Miss Kamiyama."

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foxylady
2008-06-15 07:55 am UTC (link)

Mitsuko grit her teeth, clenching her fists in anger. "Uzoma-sama.... I honestly didn't realize that one of a Djinn's powers was having your head up your own ass." She was absolutely livid. "Who was the one who suggested I stole the thing? It was my mother, wasn't it? Who, if you haven't figured it out, pretty much hates me. I know you called Irei in, but were you asking him about his possible guilt? Or were you seeing if he knew what happened to me?" She didn't want to put the blame on Irei, but she was certain the Council had never believed him a real suspect."

There was blood on Mitsuko's palms. She had clenched her fists so tightly, her nails had dug into her palm. "I answered every. Single. Question. I told my interrogator what I was doing that night. He wasn't willing to listen to me. The second I walked in he was certain I had done it. Do you even know what he said to me? Did you happen to be listening in? Once a thief, always a thief, he said. Claimed I was lying because I said I don't have a criminal record. The thing is, I don't. I have never been arrested. In a legal system that makes sense that means I have no record. And the only reason I threatened the guard is because he suggested I would actually use my own mute brother to cover up my guilt! Think I stole this thing... Fine... But suggest that I would ever use my little brother for something like that.... I would have to be lower than slime to even think that."

Mitsuko shook her head. "This is completely unfair. What kind of trial is this anyway? Isn't there supposed to be a jury of my peers that I present my case to directly, rather than have you relay the information? Shouldn't I hear what's being said against me, so those accusations can be fought against? And for the love of Inari, what happened to innocent until proven guilty?" It was finally too much for Mitsuko to stand. The last few days of accusations and stress had gotten to her. She fought against it, but her emotions were frayed beyond control. She began to cry, covering her face to hide from Dylan.

"Patient, you say," Mitsuko whimpered, furiously dashing away her tears with her hands. "You try going through this and seeing how patient you'd be!"

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nosuchthings
2008-06-17 08:32 pm UTC (link)

Pietro put a calming hand on Mitsuko's knee and made a soft shushing sound. It couldn't be helped that the lawyer's paternal instincts came to the forefront in a situation like this. Mitsuko wasn't that much older than Adrienne and that made Pietro empathize even more with the kitsune.

"Miss Kamiyama," Pietro said. His voice and demeanor took on a professional tone once more as he shifted in his seat. "This isn't a trial. There isn't enough evidence against you to take this to any sort of trial. We're simply having a meeting with Mr. Uzoma as part of the investigation process." Pietro pulled out his file folder and opened it to a marked page. He read it to himself quietly and closed it after a few minutes. "From what you told me earlier Miss Kamiyama, this guard who questioned you seemed hostile. I think we should take this opportunity with Mr. Uzoma here to calmly discuss the situation."

He smiled and nodded his head at Mitsuko silently trying to convince her that his suggestion truly was the best course of action. The older man reached out for Mitsuko's hand and he held it like a father would a child. "You have to be patient. If they thought you were guilty they wouldn't even be going through this investigation. They'd have already punished you." He sighed. "I know this is hard on you, but if what Adrienne says is true, you're tough as nails. Be strong and we'll get through this, okay?"

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wishgranted
2008-06-17 08:49 pm UTC (link)

Despite Mitsuko's comments, Dylan stayed ever calm and unaffected by them in appearance. He nodded his head somewhat. "Your mother suggested your guilt to Constance, but Constance did not believe it. I, too, remained skeptical. However, because you were spotted at the scene of the crime on the night it was committed and left evidence of your visit, we had no choice but to conduct an investigation."

He let Mitsuko continue to speak without saying anything. Once she was finshed, Mr. Conté explained that this was merely an ongoing investigation. Dylan preferred to take part in such proceedings, but these things were normally not supposed to be his realm of work. Dylan had the knowledge, though, and so he chose to not allow everything to fall into the hands of those around him and take an active part in the affairs of Elysium. After all, this was the very first 'law' that had been violated to his knowledge, and he wished to take charge of the situation as best as he could.

Dylan frowned slightly, folding his hands over the table. Though Mitsuko spoke ill of the guard and Mr. Conté wished to show the guard had been hostile, Dylan merely asked one thing. "Did the guard physically handle Miss Kamiyama in an inappropriate way? According to the laws, law enforcement are allowed to use any verbal means necessary in an interrogation. If his only ill treatment was through words, he could have been saying them simply to get a rise out of her if he believe it would lead to her admitting the truth. It does not mean he believed what he was saying. I am afraid in an investigation, while being questioned by an officer or guard, they are allowed to lie, scare, or intimidate those they are interrogating. If it is verbal, there is nothing I can do about it. Not unless the guard used illegal physical force against Miss Kamiyama."

Dylan quirked a small smile, albeit wearily, at Mitsuko. "I was once blamed for the downfall of a kingdom, Miss Kamiyama. Trust me," he said lightly, "I know how you feel."

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foxylady
2008-06-17 11:03 pm UTC (link)

"I'm done," Mitsuko said quietly, still crying softly. "I've just... Had it. I've said everything I can. I'll just be repeating myself if I say anymore."

She brought her long legs up and hugged them tightly. She was just so... Tired of everything. It seemed like the situation was weighing her down. "I just want to go home," Mitsuko said quietly. "I want to take care of my brother. He's fucking terrified right now. I want to see my best friend who I haven't had the chance to talk to in a week, even though she was nice enough to get her dad to help me out. I want to go wait for my boyfriend to come home because I really miss him."

She tried to be strong, but she couldn't. She was just... Broken. "I was there that night. I was drinking. I left. And that was it... I swear. I didn't take that thing. I know I'm a liar and a thief and that's all anyone will ever think of me... But this is one time, I'm not lying. I had nothing to gain and too much to lose."

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nosuchthings
2008-06-19 12:02 am UTC (link)

Pietro sighed in a way that displayed his concern for Mitsuko. He didn't like to see little girls cry, and though Mitsuko would have argued that she was a grown woman in Pietro's eyes she was a little girl like Adrienne. There was still so much of the world she had yet to see and she would no doubt go through so much more than just this trial.

"This'll be over soon, don't worry," he said with a fatherly smile. He understood her need of wanting to see her friends and family, and even her boyfriend. It was those personal relationships that often got a person through difficult times. Pietro hoped she could hold out just a little bit longer until she could see the people that she needed to see.

"We trust that you have all the information you need," Pietro said to Dylan with a friendly smile. "If you need anything else, please let me know." He rose to his feet and guided Mitsuko to follow him. "C'mon sweetie, let's go home."

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Fin.

wishgranted
2008-06-19 02:07 pm UTC (link)

He did not like to see the young woman so distraught, especially considering the many ways he had viewed her before when she was anything but. She presented herself differently now, though, unable to hold up the barrier any longer. Dylan nodded in understanding. "You may go do those things," he encouraged. After all, she was no longer being held at the moment. "You are free to stay home with your brother or to visit friends. The current investigation is not impeding you from doing so . . . unless you are worried of what the outcome might be. In that case, I would suggest rest. Resting the mind and the body would be good for you at this time."

Dylan nodded towards Pietro. "Yes, I have all the information I need. Now, if you will excuse me," he said, standing up from his seat at the table, "I have many more talks to go through with others on Miss Kamiyama's behalf." He turned to Mitsuko. "When the answer is made clear, I will send a letter to you. Be patient, and look up. It will arrive soon, and it will contain good news." Dylan was sure of it.

He exited the room with them, but took a different direction down the hallway to return to the proceedings that were taking place over the investigation into Mitsuko Kamiyama's case.

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