Getting Started
Paige certainly looked glad to see you, even with half her face obscured. The two of you look at each other in silence, the moments stretching on. Your hand seizes in irritation, but you control your voice as you stand and face the PRT trooper.
"If it's not too much trouble, I'd like to actually
speak to my client." The two troopers glance at each other and shuffle awkwardly for a moment.
The one you focus your gaze on seems too cowed to actually speak up. Either that or his comrade is quicker to regain his composure. "We're under orders not to remove the gag, sir."
You manage to internalize your sigh through a herculean effort of will. "And why does she need to be gagged?"
"Canary can Master anyone who hears her voice. It's for your own safety." It must have been your attention that shut the first trooper's mouth, because he's quick to speak up once you turn to look at his partner.
"Then you can cover your ears and I will take that risk myself." You can sense a rebuttal, but you cut off prosecutors for a living. They never stood a chance of getting a word in edgewise. "My job requires absolute trust in my client, as well as their consent for me to represent them in court. I already possess the former, but I require actual communication to legally obtain the latter."
"I'm sorry sir, but regulations are very clear on this matter. We can't allow her to use her powers." Your hand tenses again. It appears they can be resilient when they have procedure to fall back on.
"Can I at least get a pen and pad?" you ask with a light sigh. Exasperated, but not angry. The troopers nod, and one of them runs off. He returns after a minute or so, which you don't fill with small talk because the only person worth talking to can't respond.
"Thank you." you say as you take the paper and pen. You click it once, write your name, frown, and pull out one of your own pens. Mcabee can't talk, the least you can do is not make writing unpleasant. You slide the pen and paper through the slot in the door likely used for food, at least when the occupant is someone who's allowed to use their mouth. Mcabee takes the items like a starving man would take food and begins writing furiously.
Thank you for trying the gag. It's awful. You said you were my defense attorney?
You quickly read her message pressed up against the clear wall before responding. "If you'll have me. Otherwise I suspect you'll be assigned a public defender. And while I mean no offence to the career… you get what you pay for when it comes to defense attorneys." Mcabee begins writing, pauses, then writes something else, underlining it for emphasis.
Why are you taking my case? Who are you?
"As I said before, I am Kristoph Gavin. Though I suspect you're asking because that name means nothing to you." Not that you blame her. She's equally famous, and you only heard about her this morning. "Suffice to say I am a defense attorney of some skill. I have never lost a case, and I have no intention of starting now."
"As for why I'm interesting you your case specifically, you are quite well known, meaning a successful verdict will be beneficial for the reputation of Gavin Law Offices. In addition, a lawyer of my skill is not cheap, and your profession allows you to afford me personally." You pause a moment, before adding, "Also, my younger brother Klavier is quite the fan."
It has the desired effect, Mcabee's eyes lighting up a little at the mention of her fans. The spark is gone almost as quickly as it comes however, and she begins writing another message.
Do I need a lawyer like you? This is all one big misunderstanding. I'm innocent.
"I'd suggest it, though I'm obviously a tad biased on the matter." You laugh a little at your own joke. "But parahuman law is still very new, very ill-defined. People are afraid of parahumans, and that may supersede your own innocence in the eyes of a jury. I cannot predict the sentence you would get without me. With me, however, I will guarantee you a Not Guilty verdict."
The conviction in your voice shakes her, and she takes her time writing down the next bit, flips the page and writes something else.
I hire Kristoph Gavin as my defense attorney. Signed, Paige Mcabee.
Is that good?
You nod. "We'll obviously need to sort out the paperwork later, but for now that should work as evidence that you have an attorney. I'd like to hang onto that if I could. I'll likely have to convince more people of that fact than you will." Mcabee nods and holds the paper and pad out to the door, signaling for the PRT trooper to give it back to you.
As he unlocks the door, Mcabee flips to a new page and writes something else. The trooper is either too engaged with undoing the complicated locks on the door to notice or doesn't think anything of it. The notepad is handed off to the trooper, and then to you. You peek at what she's written.
For Klavier. Keep being awesome! Canary
It's a more ornate signature than the one she put at the bottom of her statement hiring you, the y in Canary transitioning into a stylized bird, though you get the impression she might have misjudged just how much younger than you Klavier is. With nowhere better to put it, you place the autograph in your suitcase along with the rest of your evidence.
That's going to annoy you.
"Before I go, have you met with a judge and been informed of the charges levied against you?" She shakes her head in the negative. "That will happen within twenty-four hours. There's not much you need to do except keep your composure and inform the judge that you've hired me as your lawyer. My presence isn't necessary, though I can make the time if you feel like you need the support."
You hold up a hand, reassuring her through her inability to respond. "You'll be given means to contact me if you decide I should be present. Now if you'll excuse me, I have a Not Guilty verdict to secure."
One question remains however…
Where to begin? (Choose One)
[] Go through the hoops required to actually speak with your client.
[] Read up on your client. Family, friends, foes, accomplishments, any past run-ins with the law, etc.
[] Meet and question the investigator.
[] Pore over the case files and gain an understanding of the facts.
[] Speak with the victim. Not a chance you get often, working as many homicides as you do.
[] Try to find out who's prosecuting and who's presiding.
[] Give Klavier Canary's autograph. You could ask him about Canary's career as a pretense, but really you just want this out of your suitcase.
[] Write-in. Subject to veto.
Do you go to Canary's Initial Appearance?
[] Yes, it will be useful to build a rapport with Mcabee and hear the charges yourself.
[] No, that time can be better spent. (gain one extra action on previous vote)
Plan voting.
