It's okay. I know it can't be helped. [ They have no choice but to cooperate with the people in charge, and hearing Caitlyn's reluctance is enough for her. ] Actually, I'm kind of glad it's you who came to get me instead of a stranger.
[ If it had been some intimidating member of the Council, she would definitely feel worse. Marianne tries to manage a smile, but she's never been great at smiling and she's sure it comes out looking weak.
It doesn't take her long to get changed. She comes back in a clean dress and shoes. Prim and proper. If anything, it's her nerves that are frazzled. ]
[Hearing Marianne would rather it be Caitlyn to bring her in does give her some relief. It eases her guilt, certainly. Still, it isn't fair or right by any means. While Caitlyn doesn't know the extent of the accusations the Council made towards her, Marianne has been nothing but kind in the times that Caitlyn has interacted with her. She was no criminal.
As Marianne leaves to change, Caitlyn lingers at the stalls, grateful her chocobo seemed none the wiser to her turmoil. If anything, he sensed she was upset and was extra attentive, but that could also be because he knew she still had treats.
But soon enough, Marianne returns, and Caitlyn nods to her.]
I'll stay with you as long as I can, okay? [It's the least she can do, leading the other woman into this mess. It doesn't take long to get to the Council's headquarters from the stalls, and true to her word, Caitlyn intended to stay until Jerry made his appearance.]
[ Marianne replies with relief tangible in her voice. She walks with her head bowed, saying a silent prayer to the goddess on the way. She has long resigned herself to judgment and she asks Sothis not for leniency nor forgiveness, but for the strength to face herself and persevere. Because hopeless as she might be, even someone like her has found a reason to go on living.
When they reach the Council, she turns to bid Caitlyn goodbye. A simple 'farewell' feels too glum, so instead— ]
Um, I'll see you again when this is over. We can take Toby to the meadows next time.
[ She doesn't know what her sentence will be nor what will happen from here, but putting her hopes into words gives Marianne something to look forward to. Perhaps through the trials of the past year, she has grown just enough to allow herself a little bit of kindness. ]
[Caitlyn doesn't interrupt the silence as they walk to City Hall. It gives her time to talk herself through her own guilt about the situation. Still, it had to be done. She had been so anxious since her own sentencing, and she selfishly hoped this would help, even though she knew she still had Silco to hunt down.
To Marianne's goodbye, she nods, trying to give her a smile of encouragement. Even now, Marianne continues to be nothing but kind.]
I'd like that. And if you need help, with what they tell you-- let me know. I'll help in any way I can.
[It was something she had already offered to all Chosen, but given her personal hand in this, she wanted to assist her. It only seemed right.]
[ That gives her relief to know. No matter how poorly the Council thought of her, or how poorly she thought of herself, the kindness people extend her remind her of her own worth. ]
I'll be off now.
[ With a last nod of goodbye, Marianne turns away. She hopes her coming means Caitlyn's sentence will conclude soon and she'll be let go, free to return to Toby. She'll see them again once her own judgment has concluded. Bracing herself, Marianne steps through the doors of City Hall. ]
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[ If it had been some intimidating member of the Council, she would definitely feel worse. Marianne tries to manage a smile, but she's never been great at smiling and she's sure it comes out looking weak.
It doesn't take her long to get changed. She comes back in a clean dress and shoes. Prim and proper. If anything, it's her nerves that are frazzled. ]
O-Okay, I'm ready.
no subject
As Marianne leaves to change, Caitlyn lingers at the stalls, grateful her chocobo seemed none the wiser to her turmoil. If anything, he sensed she was upset and was extra attentive, but that could also be because he knew she still had treats.
But soon enough, Marianne returns, and Caitlyn nods to her.]
I'll stay with you as long as I can, okay? [It's the least she can do, leading the other woman into this mess. It doesn't take long to get to the Council's headquarters from the stalls, and true to her word, Caitlyn intended to stay until Jerry made his appearance.]
no subject
[ Marianne replies with relief tangible in her voice. She walks with her head bowed, saying a silent prayer to the goddess on the way. She has long resigned herself to judgment and she asks Sothis not for leniency nor forgiveness, but for the strength to face herself and persevere. Because hopeless as she might be, even someone like her has found a reason to go on living.
When they reach the Council, she turns to bid Caitlyn goodbye. A simple 'farewell' feels too glum, so instead— ]
Um, I'll see you again when this is over. We can take Toby to the meadows next time.
[ She doesn't know what her sentence will be nor what will happen from here, but putting her hopes into words gives Marianne something to look forward to. Perhaps through the trials of the past year, she has grown just enough to allow herself a little bit of kindness. ]
no subject
To Marianne's goodbye, she nods, trying to give her a smile of encouragement. Even now, Marianne continues to be nothing but kind.]
I'd like that. And if you need help, with what they tell you-- let me know. I'll help in any way I can.
[It was something she had already offered to all Chosen, but given her personal hand in this, she wanted to assist her. It only seemed right.]
no subject
[ That gives her relief to know. No matter how poorly the Council thought of her, or how poorly she thought of herself, the kindness people extend her remind her of her own worth. ]
I'll be off now.
[ With a last nod of goodbye, Marianne turns away. She hopes her coming means Caitlyn's sentence will conclude soon and she'll be let go, free to return to Toby. She'll see them again once her own judgment has concluded. Bracing herself, Marianne steps through the doors of City Hall. ]