April Catchall [OPEN]

[blessmefather]

WHO: Matt Murdock and Others
WHERE: Recolle courthouse, Around the City
WHEN: Throughout April
WHAT: Matt is the prosecutor in the case against Shouto's father, Matt catches people lying, Other misc events
WARNINGS: Discussion of domestic abuse in open trial prompt and one closed prompt

The Trial of Enji Todoroki [OPEN]

[ Enji Todoroki, a famous retired actor was arrested on charges of domestic abuse. The media went wild and court reporters fight for seats every day of the trial. Photographers and camera man sit out on the courthouse steps or in the hallways if possible in hopes of getting a shot of Mr. Todoroki and his lawyers. The internet is wild with arguments among fans, and as the trial proceeds and days pass it doesn't look like the chaos surrounding the case will cease. ]

A. [ The judge had declared a recess for lunch and after some extra effort and a roundabout route Matt had reached one of the nearby restaurants. He's sitting now alone now and eating in silence, his bag tucked into the small booth seat next to him. At one point he puts his fork down and takes his glasses off so he can run a hand over his face. There are bags under his eyes that one might notice if they get a glance before he puts the shades back on.

It would be easy for someone to slip into the booth across from him if they wanted to... ]

B. [ His closing argument had gone well, he had reminded the jury of the medical evidence and the testimony given by the defendant's son. The defense had offered counter points and again tried to paint their client as a good man one last time before the jury left to vote. With all the press surrounding this case the air feels thick and heavy in the courtroom when the foreman stands to announce the verdict. Everyone there might have been holding their breath.

Guilty. The room erupts in noise that drowns out the full list of charges as they're read and the judge has to bang the gavel. It barely takes a minute for the news to reach out of the courtroom.

Matt takes his time putting his papers away, knowing tv reporters might tackle him for a statement if he steps out immediately. People crowd around the doors and start filing out. Now is as good a time as any to approach ADA Murdock if you were seated in the courtroom. ]

Liar liar plants for hire! [OPEN, WILDCARD]

[ Matt had been able to hear the pulses of everyone around him for months now but in the past week or so he had started to take notice of the sudden change of pace that some people's hearts would take in the middle of what seemed like calm conversation. That was when he realized he was witnessing lies. Some big, some small, some white, some of terrible intent.

Of course now that he had noticed this lies began to stand out like a loud ringing every time that he heard one. ]

[ ooc: If you choose this prompt you can either set the scene involving a lie yourself or tag and request a prompt from me (please specify if your character or an NPC will be lying). ]

Comments

Who moi? for Cleo [closed]

[blessmefather]

[ It had been a while since Matt had last spoken with Cleo, definitely some time since there was any time to talk about something other than business. He finds her in the precinct break room when he steps in to get some coffee. ]

Hey.

[ He doesn't say her name, not sure she'd take it well that he knows her scent now. It was easy to tell apart from other people thanks to the whole... well, cat resemblance. ]

[cattack]

Ah, hello, Matt.

[Cleo is... Well, she's in a great mood lately. She passed the police academy, despite February's everything, and now she's a full-fledged member of the force. She's in her uniform, and it's enough to boost her mood and confidence.]

How are you doing?

[blessmefather]

Very busy. I'll be back in court tomorrow.

[ He finds a mug in the cabinet and fills it. ]

How have you been? Tired of getting called "the rookie" constantly?

[cattack]

[She puffs up a bit. Not even being called that can ruin her mood.]

Let me know if there's anything I can do to help. And not at all, I'm just waiting to show up everyone else.

[blessmefather]

You already did the most important part bringing the Todoroki case forward. Thank you for seeing that through. I'm sure Shouto and his mother really appreciate it.

I don't think anyone here doubts your skill regardless of what they call you.

[cattack]

[fun trivia: cats don't wag their tails when they're excited. Instead, they lift their tails high, and the tips will twitch.

which is what hers is doing right now.]

It was the right thing to do. I hope they have some peace of mind now...

If anyone does, I'll simply have to prove them wrong.

[blessmefather]

This will definitely make a difference in their lives, regardless of how the trial goes there has been a file for divorce. Getting Shouto's mother away from Mr. Todoroki is perhaps the most important part of this. That said I don't plan on letting him get away with what he's done. It's difficult to prove an abuse case like this but I will make it happen.

[ He takes a breath. He has his work cut out for him and this is one he can't lose. ]

...Have you spoken to Derek since January?

[cattack]

[If there was anything that could kill her good mood, it's that. Her ears immediately flatten.]

No, and I hope to keep it that way.

[blessmefather]

[ Sorry Cleo, not the happiest topic he knows. ]

I figure I owe you an update on what happened. Tatsuo pushed for us to talk to each other. He told me why he was upset that day. His long time girlfriend dumped him and left the city for a job opportunity in another state.

[cattack]

[She just frowns.]

That hardly excuses his behavior.

[blessmefather]

[ Matt takes a seat at the table with his mug of coffee. He's smiling but there's a tenseness in his body. ]

He apologized. He definitely felt some type of remorse...

[ He hesitates, closes his mouth and purses his lips as he ducks his head, then lifts his head again and continues. ]

Between you and me I don't think my friendship with him will ever be the same way it was. I don't hate him but he hurt me too much and honestly I have had an extremely difficult time accepting the excuses he has given.

[cattack]

[She takes a deep breath. She... is not good at this. She isn't good at giving advice. But all she can do is speak from the heart.]

I... cannot speak for what you should do. But I, personally, have no intention of forgiving him. He is arrogant, self-righteous, and thinks his excuses justify his actions.

[She lets out her breath slowly.]

... If you forgive him, that is your right. If you do not, that is also your right. His actions hurt you. His words and actions were reprehensible. I do not know if he truly is sorry for what he said, or if he simply dislikes that things have changed. But...

But he certainly does not deserve forgiveness simply from his excuses. No amount of personal misfortune justifies how he acted towards you, and the excuses he gave even less so.

[blessmefather]

[ His lips twitch into an uncomfortable smile and he quietly nods at her. ]

I hate to say it but while I have called a truce with him and want to move on a part of me agrees with you. I hate putting Tatsuo in the middle and I hope I never have to tell him all this. I'll still spend time with Derek of course. I'm not removing him from my life completely. I've actually become very close to his cousin. I wouldn't call Derek one of my best friends though. Not... Not anymore. I can't.

I don't think he'll ever really understand what he did wrong. Not completely. He either doesn't comprehend it or he can't bear to shoulder the weight.

[cattack]

He is, if you will pardon my saying so, a self-absorbed prick.

[Cleo doesn't normally like badmouthing people, but Derek crossed several lines.]

I don't believe he comprehends it, simply because it is not something he has ever dealt with before.

[blessmefather]

Foggy- Derek's cousin, he's bi- had to explain to him what it's like to deal with this, why coming out or accepting yourself to begin with isn't so simple. He kept apologizing to me for what Derek did but like I told him it isn't his fault that his cousin was insensitive. It's hard to say if it would have made a difference if Derek was told sooner.

I thought it was common sense not to jab your finger into a friend's old wound so to speak. But he crossed that line and when I confronted him about hurting someone that way he said he couldn't promise that he wouldn't do it again to someone else.

[ He drinks some of his coffee and tries to lighten the mood a little as he sets his mug back down. ]

He didn't get one thing he wanted. That day in the restroom he told me to stay away from his cousin but we've only become closer since then.

[cattack]

[She rolls her eyes.]

Of course not. [She tries to keep the bitterness out of her voice, but it's hard, and she doesn't really succeed.] He's a straight white boy. He's never had to feel empathy for another in his damn life. He'll do whatever he pleases that makes him feel good.

[She does seem to relax a bit at that, though.]

I'm glad to hear it...

[blessmefather]

To be fair I wouldn't have been friends with him to begin with if he didn't have any kindness in him. He has a generous side to him. Empathy... Needs some work.

[ Wow Cleo he didn't realize you were that disgruntled with Derek. When did that happen?

Happier subject, happier subject... ]

A- Actually... Tatsuo knows this- I've grown really fond of Foggy. Have you... taken interest in anyone recently?

[ He doesn't get to talk openly about it with many people. He imagines she has been limited too. ]

[cattack]

[mostly, she sat and stewed in her negative feelings with no safe way to vent them.

That said, it's immediately forgotten as Cleo instead turns red, ears turning to the sides in embarrassment...]

Ah, well- It's, ah, complicated...

[blessmefather]

It always is.

[ Matt nods and smiles before taking a sip of his coffee. ]

It's okay, you don't have to tell me any details.

[cattack]

[her life is hard...]

I... There is someone, but I don't know if it's someone I should...

[blessmefather]

Not sure if they feel the same? Or not sure you're ready to take the leap and try dating?

[ He's guessing based on his own experience. ]

[cattack]

Both. And even if I were ready... I imagine we would likely want different things from dating.

[She shakes her head...]

She seems to treat dates as something very casual, whereas I... 'Casual' is not something I have ever been described as.

[blessmefather]

I think I understand. Ever since high school when I first began dating, Tatsuo has had a front row seat to me proclaiming I found "the one" only to end up disappointed. I'm sure he's sick of it.

[ He laughs. Ah memories. ]

I like to think I got better about it over the years but I seem to be the type to fall fast and hard. I'm holding out hope it will be different this next time...

Maybe we're the same that way.

[cattack]

[She lowers her head, looking rather nervous.]

I wonder... I don't know how fast is too fast, or how hard is too hard... I barely know what these feelings are. She's... the second person I've ever had feelings for.

[blessmefather]

[ Only the second? No wonder she's nervous. ]

Whatever it results in I hope you learn about yourself from the experience. I have to remind myself of that at times.

Does she know you like her?