(What i want to know is why i'm sitting here listening to a lovers'tiff...)
Carleen:
Getting impatiant, Navigator? You're starting ti look bored.
Navigator:
What, me? Not at all... Oh, okay, you're ri0ght as usual, Carleen.
Carleen:
To be honest, i feel exactly the same. But unlike you, i can't let it show. After all-
Navigator:
I know. To some degree, it would reflect poorly on the City Lord over there.
Schwartz:
...
Carleen:
So far, he hasn't said a thing. Sorry. I initialy meant for you to come to Lumpolis Gardens to give a report on your adventures in Longzhou. But it looks like the City Lord isn't going to be able to spare the time.
Navigator:
It's no problem. It's not as if i have anything urgent to do. And to be honest, i don't really want to back into one of those solemn conferences rooms...
Carleen:
Sorry, what?
Navigator:
Nothing!
Navigator:
(Now i think about it, i haven't been here since that incident...) (Irridon was sitting where she is now, reading out the Hall of Justice's verdict on Carleen.) (And Carleen... well, she's changed a lot since then.)
Carleen:
Navigator, are you daydreaming?
Navigator:
Uhm, well... i was just thinking... A was just thinking about the effect Mooncrown Day has on Lumpolis!
Carleen:
Yes, this kind of thing is common at this time of year. As young men and women enjoy the Mooncrown atmosphere, some start new romances, and sometimes cracks form in existing relationships. Then, there are the decadent nobles who have a tendency to try and think of ways to make the enretainment last as long as possible. As a result, the Hall of Justice ends up with a pile of relationship disputes to handle. The City Lord sits in to listen more often than usual, to prevent possible unprecedented situations from occuring or going out of control. Anyway. I enjoy siting here in the audience more than siting in the defendant's chair.
Navigator:
Carleen...
Thud, thud, thud!
Irridon:
Order!
Lovestruck Lumo Noblewoman:
All in all, it was mean and unforgivable! I therefore request the court to terminate our engagemen!
???:
Heheh. Dear plaintiff, i certainly understand where you're coming from. As i understand it, this was a long-standing arrangement between your families. And you and the defendant were childhood sweethearts. Which makes sense. It's hard to imagine a man such as the defendant winning the heart of a fair lady such as yourself without such advantages.
Lovestruck Lumo Noblewoman:
You're right. We did grow up together, which is why i know him better than anyone.
Schwab:
How enviable. Why, u'm almost jealous of the defendant.
Navigator:
(What?! This judge is a bit creepy!)
Lovestruck Lumo Noblewoman:
J-judge Schwab...
Thud!
Irridon:
Judge Schwab, please maintation your professionalism.
Schwab:
After all, even i and the chief Judge have no knowledge of the defendant's character. All we can ascertain is that you must have come to your decision after a great deal of consideration based on the number of years you have known him.
Lovestruck Lumo Noblewoman:
Er...?
Schwab:
(Heh. She fell for it.)
Lovestruck Lumo Noblewoman:
Uh, i...
Schwab:
Defendant, do you have anything to say before Chief Judge Irridon deliver the verdict?
Lovestruck Lumo Nobleman:
My darling! You have always been the only one for me!
Lovestruck Lumo Noblewoman:
H-How could you say such things here...
Schwab:
Very well, And next-
Lovestruck Lumo Noblewoman:
Wait! I'm sorry. But i have recinsidered. I wish to withdraw my case.
Navigator:
(What, just like that?)
Lovestruck Lumo Noblewoman:
I'm truly sorry. I failed to cnsider my action fully. We should have resolved our misunderstandings ourselves.
Lovestruck Lumo Nobleman:
No. It's my fault for not being more loving. It's me who has wronged you.
Irridon:
Request denied. The court processes must be respected. There are formalities to be followed both when bringing aa case and when withdrawing one. But there is an easier way to handle this. I find the defendaunt-
Thud!
Irridon:
-not guilty!
Lovestruck Lumo Nobleman:
Dearest!
Lovestruck Lumo Noblewoman:
Sweetness! Come, let's go for afternoon tea...
Irridon:
Case closed. Court is adjourned.
Noblewomen in the Gallery:
Lord Schwab, please wait! Congratulations on a successful hearing. Lord Schwab! Please take these flowers! A-And i also have some white chocolate for you. Here...
Schwab:
(Ugh...) One at a time, my pretties. Form an orderly queue...
Lumpolis Gardens, Office of the Chief Judge.
Schwartz:
The point of having rules is to alllow us to quickly see where chaos still reigns. For how long have these ridiculous relationship cases been showing up in court?
Irridon:
City Lord, sir, only in this past month.
Schwartz:
I see. Ah, to be young again... But the Hall of Justice is a sacred, serious place.
Irridon:
You wish us to stop hearing these cases, my lord?
Schwartz:
No, it's not time for that yeat. That would just result in the citizens directing their anger at the Hall of Jusctice.
Irridon:
What would you have us do, then?
Schwartz:
Establish a temporary subordinate court to handle these romantic disputes. It'll stil be part of Lumpolis Gardens, but separate from the Hall of Justice. As for staffing... send over some of the younger folk. It'll be good experience for them.
Irridon:
A temporary court will require a temporary chief judge. May i ask if you have anyone in mind?
Schwartz:
I did happen to notice one particular young candidate earlier...
The Hall of Justice, Lumpolis Gardens.
Carleen:
It looks like Irridon and the City Lord are discussing important business. I guess today's meeting isn't happening. If i remember correctly, the next free slot in his schedule is... Oh, sorry, Navigator. You're going to be waiting for daays. You'll get used to it. He always breaks his appointments and ignores other people's opinions.
Navigator:
D-Don't talk like that. And we've got some free time now, right? Even just watcing these judges tidy up their papers is a great way to pass the time.
Leyn:
Indictment. Evidence. Arguments... Okay, that's everything. I'm almost finished here. Tina, how are you doing?
Tina:
Eh? What? Oh sorry, Leyn. That hearing went on for three hours, I'm all-yawn...
Leyn:
Oh, it's like that, huh? What a busy day you've had. Here, my dear Tina, have a cup of comfort drink to make you feel better...
Tina:
Mhm, thank you, Leyn. *Gulp* Eh? H-Hot chocolate?! I hate sweet drinks!!!
Leyn:
Heehee, awake now, are you? I don't care if you've got narcolepsy. Work first, sleep later. And now that i think about it... I feel like you've been sleepier than usual the last couple of days.
Tina:
I don't think so. I make a point of being awake for four hours every day.
Leyn:
Even today? And you started yawning before we finished work yesterday. Didn't you sleep well? I can't imagine you suffering from insomnia.
Tina:
What? That's ridiculous. As if... Okay, that's everything tidied away. I'm going home. See you tomorrow, everyone.
Leyn:
Yeah, i'll be going soon. Goodbye, Lady Carleen and male companion.
Navigator:
See you! (Is that what i've been reduced to> "Male companion"?)
???:
Wow! Long time no see, Lady Carleen's male companion!
Navigator:
I know that voice... Matthieu! And Loewe. I didn't expect to see you two.
Carleen:
Matthieu, i see you are as idle and cheeky as ever.
Matthieu:
Don't be angry, Princess. I'm not here ti idle. Someething interesting is afoor. Do you want in?
Navigator:
Something "interesting"?
Mattgieu:
Yes. I just got word myself. The commoners won't be hearing about it until tomorrow.
Carleen:
Go on
Matthieu:
It's like this. The court has a very unusual case to hear, Now, it hasn't been assigned yet, but... It's as good as mine.
Loewe:
What he means is he begged and begged the Chief Judge desperately until he got it.
Matthieu:
Hey! Stop interrupting. Anyway, it's connected to Mooncrown Day...
Lumpolis Gardens, Residential District
Tina:
La la... lalala... la la... (First thing to do when coming home: check for any letters or packages...) Oh... Still nothing. (I steal haveee the leaves and nuts he sent me last month.) (It's time i sent something in return, but he still hasn't given me his new address.) (And now that i think about it, it's been almost a month since i heard from him.) (It's quite worrying... When will i be able to send the cookies i made for him?) (Maybe i should... be a bit more proactive?)
