[ He stops for a moment as she reaches over to pat his arm. Back home, it would be quite normal to introduce a family friend to someone else as "aunt" or "uncle," though this coupled with "Xianzhou" and the sound of her name has all pieced together something for Miller. Well, not that it is incredibly important either, as he seems to move on from it easily. ]
I can't believe how quick you are to divulge that! But you aren't wrong. These accusations are basically meaningless. There's no real legal system. They could accuse you of forgetting to wipe your ass if they felt like it and no one would be able to argue otherwise. People will commit real crimes here and see the same kind of repercussions as those brought to stand trial for "trespassing."
[ Anyway, it is true that the area by the docks is not the most well-kept or, shall we say, secure looking when compared to the rest of Aldrip. It's just that this hardly occurs to Miller as cause for concern. It's just the fastest way to get there.
To the City Hall. With its long stone staircase leading up to it, it's probably the most distinct looking building here — but there's a lot to see in the city center itself. Unlike the path to reach it, the streets are wide and there's greenery all around. It is only quiet due to the lateness in the day, not to mention the gathering taking place for the solstice.
Miller points to the building in the distance. ]
That is what I wanted to show you. That's where they'll summon you if they decide you're going to be sentenced.
[ He pauses as if considering how much he wants to say, but ultimately decides to respond to her honesty in kind. ]
I have not been inside yet. I was accused of betrayal, something that would be taken quite seriously by the military tribunal. Yet I have heard nothing from this supposed Council.
[He stops; she stops, for a moment, feeling as if she had misstepped, and prepared to take it back or at least explain - everyone's an auntie or an uncle, she has brothers on the street, most of whom aren't related to her - but then Miller continues walking and talking and Guinaifen exhales. It's a breath she wasn't consciously holding. She follows.
The area by the docks isn't the most well-kept or otherwise secure looking, and she passes through it with- not a total lack of concern. She's not indifferent, so much as she walks through it like a duck swimming through a river that has some trash floating in it. She's aware of that tire someone chucked into the river, and pays attention to the can. But it's not the first time she had to do something like this? And she (thinks) she knows what to look for? Something like that. This might be concerning, or maybe trusty Uncle Miller is reassuring.
Many questions, not enough answers, but she tries to be a good audience - not only listening but making noises so Miller knows she's paying attention. A huff as he calls her out on how quick she was, a grimace about the lack of real legal system, and a deeper grimace when he brings up real crimes. It's almost tempting to interrupt, but she doesn't, and then there's a pause, and he admits that his crime was betrayal.
Guinaifen's silent, chewing the inside of her cheek as she considers that.]
If it was serious enough they had to go out of their way to bring us here, you'd think they'd hurry up with the sentencing instead of leaving us hanging. [Then, that. They're starting with that.] When they handed me my paper and threw me in here, they could've just as easily told me to-
[She adopts a stuffy legal voice, something serious and weighty and completely totally faked.] 30 hours of community service! [And then her normal voice, again.] Or something like that. And...
[This time, Guinaifen hesitates, and she rolls up on the toes of her feet and back down to her heels again, her shoes clacking on the ground: clack-clack.] I don't mind telling the story, but it's not a very happy one. But, short version: my siblings did some...less than legal things, just to keep us fed, and they got caught. The Xianzhou could've just as easily killed us all, but they gave us a second chance and we all turned out for the better because of it.
So, if they really think we did things bad enough that they had to go out of their way to bring us all here, why punishment? It just feels like they're going to end up with a bunch of upset people who were in the middle of doing something, instead of a bunch of reformed criminals.
[ In fairness to her, he is perhaps not the world's easiest read. A lot goes unsaid behind a stern look, and while not overtly threatening, this pause leave room for anticipation. Maybe later they can discuss their homes in more detail. He does wonder to himself each time he meets someone new if there is even a single chance that they know of his country. Or Earth at all? But is "Xianzhou" even Chinese as he knows? Well, that's to find out later.
For now, he keeps the focus on the place they're in currently. All the way up to the steps of City Hall. As she rocks on her heels, he crosses one arm over the other, frowning and tilting his head back to take the lofty building in. For probably the hundredth time.
Of course, everything she's saying is logical. But what good does logic do them? He's been through most of this same thought process and had to give up on running in circles a while ago. So, he nods, commiserating. ]
Exactly. So, now we are on the same page, more or less.
There are murderers here. Those who aim to harm others, not just soldiers or victims of circumstance. But most of us are just regular people whose lives have been disrupted for this nonsense. We have been "chosen" to participate in an experiment. Do not be fooled into believing anything different.
[ And what the hell. Since they've made it this far on friendly terms, he may as well add— ]
Working together is key to unraveling the truth. I am more than happy to share any information that I know with you. Just remember to be careful in being too... candid over the network. They are collecting data...
[-and the way Guinaifen carries herself shifts ever so slightly, for a moment. She's a bit more guarded- not in that way, no, not in the shuttered way in which someone puts up a facade and promptly holds their secrets close to their chest. It's in the guarded way when they're somewhere somewhat dangerous (not outright dangerous, but with the potential for danger) and they know something could be listening in or something could happen and they might need to react fast. That sort of way. Because while Guinaifen wouldn't consider herself a warrior, she also grew up in an impoverished mining town in which the authorities looked the other way so long as the residents didn't cause trouble and meet their quotas and paid their taxes.
Speaking of-] That makes sense. Networks always have moderators, and I'm used to watching myself there. No sense in getting an audience if you go to far and get yourself banned.
[...fuck it.] ...and I grew up in a place which kind of reminds me of here, a little. It wasn't as nice as this place was, and the food was terrible, but it also had a...uh, it had hands on owners who let the people get away with a lot in certain respects, and not that much in others. What mattered is if they got what they wanted.
None of the other [she makes a face, because it really makes her feel like a chuuni saying it] Chosen have been asked to do anything besides stuff related to their crime, have they?
[ Ah, so she has familiarity with this sort of thing after all. The network, too. Miller listens quietly, but his gaze is especially attentive on her when she starts talking more about her home. Although they've been more or less meeting each others' energy at this point, it is humbling, in a sense, to be offered this degree of trust from a stranger. ]
I understand. It seems that many of us were acquainted with crooked regimes... I have wondered if that's part of why we were chosen.
[ That is, of course, his way of saying that he is acquainted as well — but it's more than just the two of them. He's met many people here who've told a similar tale. As for her question, ]
Well... I guess that depends on how you frame it. Once you have atoned for one "crime," there is a good chance you will be accused of another. They'll also send their henchman knocking if you break their unspoken rules.
[ It would be great if there was an actual code of law to go by, no matter how rudimentary. But there just isn't. She sounded concerned about this for some potentially more specific reason though, so he looks at her sidelong. ]
Well... [She drags the sound out a bit, almost like she likes the sound that well makes, likes the way her mouth makes the sound and is just saying it because she likes it, not because she's not sure of the best way of saying something which might not even matter.]
It's probably nothing. I was just thinking if they had us accused of a crime and sent us here to atone for whatever-that-crime is, and they had us...
[Fuck if she knows.]
...chopping down trees or making batteries while we wait, that's a pretty easy way of getting free labor, isn't it?
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
expiationmods) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
expiationlogs2024-06-10 07:58 am
no subject
[ He stops for a moment as she reaches over to pat his arm. Back home, it would be quite normal to introduce a family friend to someone else as "aunt" or "uncle," though this coupled with "Xianzhou" and the sound of her name has all pieced together something for Miller. Well, not that it is incredibly important either, as he seems to move on from it easily. ]
I can't believe how quick you are to divulge that! But you aren't wrong. These accusations are basically meaningless. There's no real legal system. They could accuse you of forgetting to wipe your ass if they felt like it and no one would be able to argue otherwise. People will commit real crimes here and see the same kind of repercussions as those brought to stand trial for "trespassing."
[ Anyway, it is true that the area by the docks is not the most well-kept or, shall we say, secure looking when compared to the rest of Aldrip. It's just that this hardly occurs to Miller as cause for concern. It's just the fastest way to get there.
To the City Hall. With its long stone staircase leading up to it, it's probably the most distinct looking building here — but there's a lot to see in the city center itself. Unlike the path to reach it, the streets are wide and there's greenery all around. It is only quiet due to the lateness in the day, not to mention the gathering taking place for the solstice.
Miller points to the building in the distance. ]
That is what I wanted to show you. That's where they'll summon you if they decide you're going to be sentenced.
[ He pauses as if considering how much he wants to say, but ultimately decides to respond to her honesty in kind. ]
I have not been inside yet. I was accused of betrayal, something that would be taken quite seriously by the military tribunal. Yet I have heard nothing from this supposed Council.
no subject
The area by the docks isn't the most well-kept or otherwise secure looking, and she passes through it with- not a total lack of concern. She's not indifferent, so much as she walks through it like a duck swimming through a river that has some trash floating in it. She's aware of that tire someone chucked into the river, and pays attention to the can. But it's not the first time she had to do something like this? And she (thinks) she knows what to look for? Something like that. This might be concerning, or maybe trusty Uncle Miller is reassuring.
Many questions, not enough answers, but she tries to be a good audience - not only listening but making noises so Miller knows she's paying attention. A huff as he calls her out on how quick she was, a grimace about the lack of real legal system, and a deeper grimace when he brings up real crimes. It's almost tempting to interrupt, but she doesn't, and then there's a pause, and he admits that his crime was betrayal.
Guinaifen's silent, chewing the inside of her cheek as she considers that.]
If it was serious enough they had to go out of their way to bring us here, you'd think they'd hurry up with the sentencing instead of leaving us hanging. [Then, that. They're starting with that.] When they handed me my paper and threw me in here, they could've just as easily told me to-
[She adopts a stuffy legal voice, something serious and weighty and completely totally faked.] 30 hours of community service! [And then her normal voice, again.] Or something like that. And...
[This time, Guinaifen hesitates, and she rolls up on the toes of her feet and back down to her heels again, her shoes clacking on the ground: clack-clack.] I don't mind telling the story, but it's not a very happy one. But, short version: my siblings did some...less than legal things, just to keep us fed, and they got caught. The Xianzhou could've just as easily killed us all, but they gave us a second chance and we all turned out for the better because of it.
So, if they really think we did things bad enough that they had to go out of their way to bring us all here, why punishment? It just feels like they're going to end up with a bunch of upset people who were in the middle of doing something, instead of a bunch of reformed criminals.
no subject
For now, he keeps the focus on the place they're in currently. All the way up to the steps of City Hall. As she rocks on her heels, he crosses one arm over the other, frowning and tilting his head back to take the lofty building in. For probably the hundredth time.
Of course, everything she's saying is logical. But what good does logic do them? He's been through most of this same thought process and had to give up on running in circles a while ago. So, he nods, commiserating. ]
Exactly. So, now we are on the same page, more or less.
There are murderers here. Those who aim to harm others, not just soldiers or victims of circumstance. But most of us are just regular people whose lives have been disrupted for this nonsense. We have been "chosen" to participate in an experiment. Do not be fooled into believing anything different.
[ And what the hell. Since they've made it this far on friendly terms, he may as well add— ]
Working together is key to unraveling the truth. I am more than happy to share any information that I know with you. Just remember to be careful in being too... candid over the network. They are collecting data...
no subject
Speaking of-] That makes sense. Networks always have moderators, and I'm used to watching myself there. No sense in getting an audience if you go to far and get yourself banned.
[...fuck it.] ...and I grew up in a place which kind of reminds me of here, a little. It wasn't as nice as this place was, and the food was terrible, but it also had a...uh, it had hands on owners who let the people get away with a lot in certain respects, and not that much in others. What mattered is if they got what they wanted.
None of the other [she makes a face, because it really makes her feel like a chuuni saying it] Chosen have been asked to do anything besides stuff related to their crime, have they?
no subject
I understand. It seems that many of us were acquainted with crooked regimes... I have wondered if that's part of why we were chosen.
[ That is, of course, his way of saying that he is acquainted as well — but it's more than just the two of them. He's met many people here who've told a similar tale. As for her question, ]
Well... I guess that depends on how you frame it. Once you have atoned for one "crime," there is a good chance you will be accused of another. They'll also send their henchman knocking if you break their unspoken rules.
[ It would be great if there was an actual code of law to go by, no matter how rudimentary. But there just isn't. She sounded concerned about this for some potentially more specific reason though, so he looks at her sidelong. ]
Why do you ask?
no subject
It's probably nothing. I was just thinking if they had us accused of a crime and sent us here to atone for whatever-that-crime is, and they had us...
[Fuck if she knows.]
...chopping down trees or making batteries while we wait, that's a pretty easy way of getting free labor, isn't it?