Hazelnuts and plaid

[Marian Hawke]

"I suppose it's possible that some noble from Glaley is trying to weaken our city," she says hesitantly. "But no. Other than that I think I'm out of guesses."

[NPCs]

"Presuming that someone knew you well, would Missus zi'Hawke be the best way to strike at you in this manner?"

[Marian Hawke]

Her face darkens. "Yes. Merrill is the treasure of the Clan, our heart, our shining jewel. Any of us would die to protect her. And she's-- was-- pregnant with the Clan's future."

[NPCs]

The guard pauses, perhaps considering what to ask next, but instead turns abruptly to go to the door. He steps out for just a second, then returns with a letter. Quick work that. Moving to Hawke, he offers the sealed letter to Marian.

[Marian Hawke]

She takes the letter, opening it and reading. Quickly. As she reads, she smiles, then rolls her eyes, then sighs, then smiles again. By the time she gets to the end of page five, she hands it over. "There's nothing in there related to the case or any state secrets," she declares. "He mostly wrote about his patients, in an anonymized way, and his boyfriend."

[NPCs]

"If I may then?" Vasong asks, hand extending once again.

[Marian Hawke]

She hands it to him. "Do you have any other questions for me while we have Helene's time?"

[NPCs]

"There is only the final formality." He clears his throat lightly. "Sage zi'Hawke, you are to answer the following questions with either a 'yes' or 'no' and nothing else."

"Were you paid, in currency or otherwise, to make this testimony?"

"Were you coerced, by threats or otherwise, to make this testimony?"

"Were there any attempts to cause you to alter, restrict or modify your testimony in any way?"

[GamesMaster]

"Were you paid, in currency or otherwise, to make this testimony?"

"No."

"Were you coerced, by threats or otherwise, to make this testimony?"

"No."

"Were there any attempts to cause you to alter, restrict or modify your testimony in any way?"

"N--" She blinks, then blushes a bit. "Yes, but I can explain."

[NPCs]

A pause, then a look of almost chagrin appears for a brief moment on Vosang's face. "Were there any attempts to cause you to alter, restrict or modify your testimony in any way aside from the injunction by the Lord Hand in regards to state secrets?"

[Marian Hawke]

"Yes." Upon being asked to elaborate, she gestures to 'Ergile'. "He visited me in the jail to get the full story earlier today. Upon hearing that I had claimed guilt, he urged me to look at it as an accident. I do believe it was an accident, but I also believe that it was my fault. He wants me to speak of it as more the former than the latter, I suspect to avoid my going to prison."

[NPCs]

Evidently satisfied with that answer, Vosang resumes the closing procedure.

"Are you currently under any mental control effects, be they magical or otherwise?"

"Are you currently under the influence of any mind or mood altering effects, by they magical or otherwise?"

"Have you ever been exposed to memory alteration magic, be it arcane, alchemical or other?"

"Do you stand to gain, be it financially or otherwise, more than you will lose from a guilty verdict in this case?"

"Do you stand to gain, be it financially or otherwise, and not just avoid losses from a not guilty verdict in this case?"

"Do you have any reason to believe that your testimony is untrue or inaccurate in anyway?"

"Is there anything you feel of significant relevance to your testimony being complete and accurate that was not brought up?"

[Marian Hawke]

"Are you currently under any mental control effects, be they magical or otherwise?"

"No."

"Are you currently under the influence of any mind or mood altering effects, by they magical or otherwise?"

She winces. "I don't think so? I may still be a little drunk from last night, but the panacea should have taken care of most of it. Otherwise no."

"Have you ever been exposed to memory alteration magic, be it arcane, alchemical or other?"

She has to think about that one for a long moment. "No," she finally says. "Not to my recollection." A small twitch of her lips.

"Do you stand to gain, be it financially or otherwise, more than you will lose from a guilty verdict in this case?"

She blinks. "No? No."

"Do you stand to gain, be it financially or otherwise, and not just avoid losses from a not guilty verdict in this case?"

"No."

"Do you have any reason to believe that your testimony is untrue or inaccurate in anyway?"

"No."

"Is there anything you feel of significant relevance to your testimony being complete and accurate that was not brought up?"

She has to think again. "No," she finally says.

[NPCs]

"Then you may stand down from the dias, presuming you have no statement you wish to make or questions for me."

[Marian Hawke]

"I.. I really did love her. My wife, I mean. I... I know what I did, I know what I'm responsible for was monstrous, but, I do, I did, love her. I wish this hadn't happened. I hope she can be brought back. She deserved better."

So said, she steps down from the dias, blinking back tears.