Blackstar Mon May 30, 2011 6:04 pm
Judge Joseph gives Hana a small smile. "Well, I don't know, really, Hana. There are no limitations to when one can be charged for a criminal offense and let's face it, Hana. Right or wrong, justified or not, you are guilty of a number of criminal acts," he explains. "You caused a lot of damage and by some great miracle, no lives were lost in your rampage but something has to be done, Hana. Its not fair to all those who you put out of homes, or to those who lost their jobs." He pauses for a moment, looking to his lap where his own laptop sits. He plunks away for a few moments, an uncomfortable silence settling within the kitchen.
Oda glances to Angel and Brandon then to Hana then over to the judge, a look of barely perceivable worry in her eyes. She adjusts how she is sitting, recrossing her legs. "Your honor? I know...." she begins, but is cut off by a raised hand from Joseph.
"I know what you're going to say, Oda but please, let me speak," he asks.
Oda nods, turning her attention back to Hana. She had noted the look upon Hana's face, the silent request for whatever help Oda could offer, but at this moment, the situation lay squarely within the hands of the judge. She can nothing but unsettling quiet from behind her, where Angel and Brandon's kids now stand.
"Now, according to the reports and follow up investigation by the police, not much was found. No evidence, according to them which could could connect the situation to you, Hana. Another thing, miracle of miracles, was the fact that the media could not get a clear cut view of who was tearing apart the city," he pauses, a small chuckle coming from him. "I guess it could be compared to sightings of Big Foot and the Lochness monster." He looks directly at Hana, giving a wry smirk.
"What I'm saying is this, aside from what is not known, there are groups and organizations which do go above and beyond that of normal investigative procedures. Those who have, shall we say, unique talents and special ways to track," his eyes smile as he looks at Hana, "a mysterious being who is part fox, part cat and part human. Suffice it to say, very few people can move about, especially meta beings without at least someone else knowing of them."
He suddenly closes his laptop, steeples his hands just beneath his chin, looking to Lauren, the representative for Children and Meta Children's Services. "No criminal charges will be brought forth, Lauren. This case is closed, from that stand point anyway."
The pause on the keyboard is quite audible, catching everyone's attention. Lauren sits there, quiet, still, angered at what she has just heard. She contains it and continues on with her work.
Oda and the others had dealt with Judge Joseph on various other situations and have always known him to be a fair and honorable man but Angel, Brandon and Oda knew that agreements had been made, decisions rendered before he even appeared for this situation. They knew there would be a price tag but they had known that and would be willing to pay, whatever the cost, to give Hana a home and family.
"Knowing that you know this already, Odanuda, we will discuss the terms of this situation later. With that situation from the past dealt with, this is simply about the adoption now. Hana, no matter what anyone says, cannot be held accountable for what she did in the past. Who could do such a thing to an eleven year old, anyway," he explains. "Once you're finished, Lauren, I will legalize it with my signature and thumb print."
Murmurs of relief come from Elise and her siblings, while smiles are given to Hana by Angel, Oda and Brandon. The only person who did not appear happy or even remotely satisfied with the outcome was Lauren. As usual, the ever used "over the head" tactic had been used by others and the proper order of things completely ignored. She made a mental note to lodge a complaint with her superiors later.