Scene #8166: Kale Hearthward Unsaves Christmas

Owner	Pose
Kale Hearthward	Kale's message about needing to get bailed out of 'christmas jail' is somewhat rushed out. It's meant to go to a small subset of Paladins that he feels he can trust to keep quiet about it, but it's entirely possible that it gets intercepted by various means, or he just miskeys the message and it ends up in the hands of someone else. However you get it, and whyever you're showing up, the warpgate coordinates are oddly formatted. There's the standard geographical identifiers, but there's an additional component that seems to specify a time? Copy-pasting the string of coordinates into any standard warpgate GPS causes it to stall out for a moment, and then give you a travel plan to a place that's not otherwise reachable - because it's not just a place, but a time. CHRISTMAS It's an overload of the senses. Stretching out in every direction from the warpgate plaza are rows and rows of suburbanish houses, each one absolutely covered in strings of twinkly lights, snowflake projectors, wireframe statues, standees, inflatable displays, and signs bearing messages of good cheer. Every third house has someone out front or on a roof, adding or fixing or tweaking lights, making the already overkill displays even more excessive. (On closer inspection, nearly everyone is short and has long ears.) A signpost lists that 'Admin' is north of here, while the other roads here lead to such locations as 'Wishlist Research Central', 'Better Snowball Technologies', 'Sleigh Hangar Bays 31-60', and the 'Christmas Cheer District'.
Ishirou	"Wait...Christmas jail? What did you...no never mind I'll be there in a minute..." Ishirou sighs. The coordinates that Kale gave him seemed odd, and GPS couldn't make sense of it. "Maybe he messed up...well if we can't get there then that's on him. He wasted his one call and messed up the coords..." The coords, however, were not wrong. For a moment, Ishirou was struck by awe at what was going on around him. It wasn't just a place, but a time...it wasn't just any time but /a holiday/. This was amazing...was Christmas a real thing? Not just a...thing people made up? He walks towards Admin, with a knock. "Yes, hello? I'm here to bail out Kale Hearthward and provide apologies on behalf of the Paladins.."
Aidan Proudpick	BEFORE Aidan stands in front of his Breath Weapon smith, the only one who works on his shield, a portly skunk in sturdy leather overalls, who has a message. The skunk reads it out. "Alright, the intercepted message says Kale Hearthward is in... Christmas Jail." The squirrel 'knight' puts a hand to his chin, rubbing at it thoughtfully. "I know that's a common winter holiday, I saw it all over the Multiverse. I had to drink several cups of Hot Chocolate and listen to a lot of music about a magic baby. But it could be the name of a world. Alright. I'm going to investigate. He might be working for the Paladins, but he's still got those loyalties to the Emperor. We need to see if he's up to anything." Aidan slams his fist into his open palm decisively. "Let's do it!" Aidan steps out of the warp gate, armed with leather armor, bandolier, and the MIGHTY SHIELD. Into a town. With a lot of strange displays. SOmeone is already at admin. Aidan just kind of stays near Ishirou, but not directly in his line of sight, trying to act like he belongs there. Surely, the paladins must have other squirrels, no one will notice.
Ritsuka Fujimaru	Somehow, someway, another, Jeanne received a message! Vaguely recognizing the name, she skims it briefly before leaving it on read, rotating the name in her head for several more minutes, then making the connection that this might involve something familiar to her. It just remains to be seen what she'll actually do about any of it. She doesn't mount any daring rescue attempts, though, since... Well, why would she? She's fought Kale before, but it's not as though she considers him a friend or even an acquaintance. Nevertheless, she arrives at the designated place and time, exhaling a huge cloud of foggy breath at realizing how cold it is to be out here in a jacket and shirt-dress without so much as pants or a hood to cover the rest of herself up from the wintry weather. "I thought the Paladins were above getting arrested. Or is it because this is a Christmas crime rather than a 'regular' one?" She comments with a smug asshole snicker, coming up not far from where Ishirou and Aidan arrive at the Admin building. She only glances between the two momentarily before breaking into an even smuggier assholier grin. "Is this going to be a breakout attempt, then? Don't worry. I won't stop you if you do." She refuses to elaborate on why she actually is here.
Kale Hearthward	Ishirou will have to duck down a bit to access the help counter at Admin. "Yes sir - bail is set at five years of presents," says the elf at the counter, sliding over a clipboard. "Sign at the bottom, place your thumb on the square and then think of warm happy thoughts to finalize." The bail agreement has Ishirou putting five years worth of his Christmas presents on the line - any Christmas gifts he'd get from anyone else for the next five years would automagically be forfeit if Kale were to run. "Your friend is in cell block two, and you're cleared to visit," says the elf, whether or not Ishirou agrees to the bail. "Next - oh, are you two here for the toy modeling?" says the desk elf to Aidan and Jeanne. "That'd be over in R&D."
Ishirou	The young man stares at Jeanne. "We're not...no! Bail, we're bailing him out...geeze.." he says, shaking his head. "Why are you here?" Ishirou gets the clipboard, and after his duck and staring at the conditions for the bail he sighs. Goddamn it, Kale... This is rough and honestly sort of a hard choice. Another sigh and he fills it out, including the thumbprint and thinking happy thoughts. After that, he stares at Aidan. "Do...I know you?" he asks, "Are you new?"
Ritsuka Fujimaru	The elf at the counter gets a long, withering stare from Jeanne at first, and she raises her hand to her face as though she might be (badly) hiding a look of 'how stupid or suicidal is this person'. She totally is, but she's not saying it out loud. She's even laughing a moment later, albeit in an insulting sort of way rather than amused. "Toy m... You know what? Yeah. Yeah, I am." It's easy enough for anyone to tell just by looking at Jeanne's grin that she didn't come here for that purpose at all, but at least she's agreeing to it. Turning to Ishirou, she actually looks a little disappointed when he explains his actual reason for coming, and then she raises an eyebrow slowly at his question. "Really? You would question why I would take the time out of my busy schedule to answer the summons of your dearest companion?" She feigns offense for about five seconds before grinning once again. "I came here to laugh at him. Him, and whoever came to help." She explains, raises an eyebrow again when Ishirou reveals that he doesn't know who Aidan actually is, then laughs once more. "Is he that desperate to get out of here? Oh, that's delicious... What did he even do to get stuck here of all places, anyway?"
Aidan Proudpick	"What is he in for? Spying? Slavery?" Aidan is about to go worse, but realizes he doesn't know how much the paladins LIKE Kale, so this may be a problem. ANd Kale is still a pretty awful person in his brain. "That sort of thing." "I don't think you do and yes!" Both of those aren't really lies. He takes in that Ishirou hesitates, then realizes he doesn't know if Ishirou is just an asshole. He'll have to keep watching to know for sure. At Jeanne, Aidan smirks, unable to hold back a snort.
Kale Hearthward	Ishirou leaves a glowing thumbprint once he thinks the happy thoughts. "Very good sir - be sure to swing back by once you get things sorted out, so we can return those five years of gift receiving to you," says the elf as she verifies the paperwork. Jeanne and Aidan get handed a pair of guest passes. "Here you go, dears. They should be ready for you," says the elf, and then goes back to her paperwork. What does 'Christmas Jail' actually look like? Well, there's bars. Thick bars, with sturdy walls and locks, and elf wardens who endeavor to look simultaneously gruff and cheerful. Some of the cells are occupied - forlorn looking elves, an evil looking snowgoon, and some sort of mall santa gone bad. ... Inside of that setup, though, each cell looks more like a suite. A lush, carpeted suite, in uplifting cheerful colors. And there's Kale, who looks up from his cell's recliner, draped in the warm festive coat with comfortable slippers that seems to double as a prison 'uniform'. "Oh, Ishirou, thank goodness," he says, not seeing Jeanne or Aidan yet. "You got here just in time. It's almost time for desserts and they're out of vegan chocolate."
Ishirou	Ishirou walks with the other two, he decides not to push Jeanne too much. If all she does is make fun of Kale, then it's a win in his book. She's here being a dick instead of lighting someone on fire...and if she does decide to get hostile, it might be the worst place for her to be? He's not sure about that one... "I'm Ishirou by the way," he says to Aidan. Behind him, a floating box with arms hovers. "And this is POD. Before we get there, I'm sorry if Kale is..." a pause, "A jerk to you. He's sort of that..." Then he walks up to the cell, staring disbelievingly at what he sees and needs a minute to process it. "How terrible," he finally deadpans. "What did you /do/ Kale? Because I just gave up five years of presents to get you out, and if you run I lose them forever."
Aidan Proudpick	This is still SLIGHTLY weird to Aidan. He hasn't seen every part of the Multiverse yet, just the normal things. Elves, anime girls, knights, people hunting for the Holy Grail, Kamen Riders, goblins. So he takes his time to look at the evil Snowman, the elves apparently here just for being sad, and the red man, that one he knows as Santa. "Does Santa usually drink this much alcohol?" Then he notices the suites. And he snorts. Aidan smiles, sticking out his hand to Ishirou as they greet each other. "Aidan Proudpick." Then Aidan holds back enough to just get out a short laugh. "Oh, I'm expecting THAT." He does hang back to the other side of the suite, however, letting just Ishirou be in front of the bars.
Kale Hearthward	"There was an incident," says Kale, not seeing Aidan yet. "It was... not my fault, but ended up kind of shooting down a Santa. He's alright," he adds quickly. "But apparently there's this whole... thing here," he says. "A bunch of different Christmas'es from different worlds all banded together and they've got their own basically country here and I couldn't get out without another incident." "... Not running, but..." he says as one of the warden elves unlocks his cell and opens the door. "Not at all a fan of being caged up like this. Did they say when the trial's going to be?"
Ishirou	Ishirou sighs, and slumps his shoulders. "Did you read any of the briefings you got at all? I bet if you did, you'd have seen something about this in them..." he says, exasperated. Rubbing his head, he looks at his copy of the paperwork he got. It should have a date on it, right? "If not, we'll have to swing by the front desk to find out...I have to go back there anyway once this is settled so I can get my gifts back," he says with a pause. "Anyway, we got two people here that came. One is someone you know and is here to be a jerk to you..." a pause, "And the other is someone new." he says motioning towards Aidan. "So you know...great first impression. I can't believe you shot down a santa.."
Aidan Proudpick	This would be awkward. If Aidan didn't rule this going well out by shouting, "YOU SHOT SANTA CLAUS?! He's like the nicest guy in the Multiverse! He gives out free presents to people! Who SHOOTS SANTA CLAUS!"
Kale Hearthward	The paperwork indicates... the trial can be scheduled at whatever time, as soon as Kale has representation (or waives the right to it). "Someone I know, and-" Kale flinches as he hears Aidan shouting. "Oh. Him." "He didn't have an IFF on!" Kale shouts back at Aidan. Then to Ishirou: "He's the jerk!"
Ishirou	"Oh...you're acquainted..." he says, with a sigh. Ishirou is rubbing the bridge of his nose. "So the trial can happen whenever you want. Once you have representation or waive your right to it," Ishirou informs. He looks at Aidan again. "I'm sorry," he says, but not for what exactly. It likely means 'for Kale' but he doesn't actually say anything else.
Ritsuka Fujimaru	Jeanne acquires a guest pass! Like any good guest, she actually puts it on where it's nice and visible instead of just shoving it into her pocket. After all, it's (almost) Christmas! Plus, she still needs to laugh at Kale. She doesn't quite find herself laughing so much by the time she actually sees him, though, especially considering that the cell looks better than her own place. She's actually looking rather irritated by the time the group arrives at his cell, too, although she still manages to laugh at him when he mentions the vegan chocolate. Hearing about Kale shooting down Santa and the legal hell he's gotten himself into, however, gets outright cackling from the witch. It should be pretty easy to tell which person is the jerk Ishirou mentions, and Kale's reaction to Aidan just gets her laughing even more. "Oh, great job. Great job! Ah, that's a fantastic job you did right there. It's a shame you didn't kill the old bastard because..." She pauses, then shrugs nonchalantly. "Well, then I'd have to kill you, but... Anyway." Without elaborating further on that, Jeanne cricks her neck lightly before looking around Kale's cell again. "So. What's that have to do with begging us to come to your rescue?"
Aidan Proudpick	Aidan nods firmly as Ishirou adds more to his vindication meter. The squirrel glares across the way at Kale Hearthward. "He probably didn't want to give out five years of presents."
Kale Hearthward	"I don't need 'representation'. I had a good reason for what I did," says Kale, crossing his arms. "And I didn't ask you for anything," he says to Jeanne. "Why are you even here...?" "Apparently since it's my 'status' on trial I can't post my own bail, whatever that means," he says. "Anyway. I'm gonna go get this over with, then, if all it takes is convincing someone that I'm not guilty."
Ishirou	Ishirou stares at Kale. The stare might slightly look deresed for a moment as the thought of Kale representing himself passes through his mind. He recovers and shakes his head. "Um. Okay. Good luck Kale!" he says with a slight bit of apprehension. "So...just because I'm curious, where is your ship? Did they drag it here too?"
Ritsuka Fujimaru	Kale claims to have a good reason, and Jeanne's shit-eating grin returns. She brings out her phone (it's new, with a trendy-but-gothy-style case), flips to the message she received from Kale about Christmas jail, then turns it around to show him. "You tell me, little birdy. So!" If there's a chair, she'll pull it over to get some front row seats. If not, she'll lean on the bars instead, with one forearm against them to lean forward. Either way, she's staring directly at Kale with an intent stare plastered on her face. "Go on. Tell the class what happened. We need to hear this." She really does. She needs to know why Santa got shot down. She's definitely not enjoying it, no matter how wide her smile is.
Kale Hearthward	"My crew got to leave, with the ship." Kale pauses. It occurs to him he could have asked one of them for bail instead of dragging Ishirou in... better not mention that out loud. "He didn't have an IFF," repeats Kale to Jeanne. "He was heading towards a major population center, and wasn't responding to hails - what was I supposed to do?" --- "This Christmas Court session to determine the status of Kale Hearthward is now in session." The courtroom is fairly small, with a gallery in the back and a judge's bench in the front with a podium between them. At the bench, there's a Jack Frost, a Mrs. Claus, and a Frosty the Snowman, with Jack Frost seeming to be the head judge. "Kale Hearthward stands accused of bodily harm against a Santa out on a training mission, intentional damage to a sleigh, endangerment of nine tiny reindeer, and general dangerous negligence towards goodwill to all men. Kale Hearthward, how do you plead?" "Innocent!" says Kale immediately, at the podium. Mrs. Claus coughs. "It's... 'Naughty' or 'Nice' here, dear." "Nice, then!" says Kale, correcting himself. "Very well," says Jack Frost. "It looks like you've got some character witnesses here, if they'd care to give statements...?"
Aidan Proudpick	Aidan stands nearby, arms folded. A little put off by the hatred for squirrels. There is a sour glance at Jeanne. "You can fly!" Aidan bursts out. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gP3MuUTmXNk Aidan feels a little out of sorts now in the courtroom seats. He is in full leather armor and turned over his gun and shield, but he still feels weird. He should be in his holiday clothes. He dwells on this thought while dragging a candy cane through his mouth.
Ishirou	Of course, Kale is just rushing into this. /OF COURSE/ he is! Ishirou rubs his nose again, now sitting down in CHRISTMAS COURT. Okay, think this through Ishirou. Character witnesses..? That seems odd. This isn't that kind of trial, and Character witnesses seem like they'd not actually prove the actual facts. Standing up, he steps over the bar separating the two halves of the court. "No I am not a character witness, but I will be representing Kale." "First off, I need some clarifying questions. Discovery was rushed and thus this already is violating my client's rights...so indulge me, would you? You claim that this Santa was on a training mission. Was his flight plan approved? Was it given to the authorities locally so that they could pass this word up to others? Others who might not culturally have Santas in their world?" "Second, did he respond to hails, as my client claims that he made several calls, and while we are sitting here I am asking his crew to provide logs as to what happened from his ship's point of view." "Also, I do not see the accuser here. If the accuser can not be here to make their claims, then how can this trial go forward? The accused has the right to face the accusations of the accuser."
Ritsuka Fujimaru	"Ah, right. That explains a lot." Jeanne has to work to hold back some snickers, and then she has to look it up on her phone when nobody's looking. --- For some reason, Jeanne still hangs around to watch the proceedings when it's time for Christmas Court to begin. It's probably got something to do with how much harder she has to try not to laugh at it all, but at least she's behaving for now. It definitely helps that she's changed slightly to have her fuzzy cape from her battle outfit on over her jacket. It makes it easier for her to keep her face covered. She really needs it when the charges are read against Kale, too, with how badlyshe's doubling over even before Aidan, Ishirou, and herself are being misidentified as character witnesses. Once she's finally calmed herself down enough, Jeanne pulls her head out of her cape even though her face is still red. "Ch.. Character witness, right. Mister..." She takes a moment to glance at her phone messages. "... Hearthward? Yeah, he's a real straight shooter alright. Quite the firest-" Wait. Something doesn't sound right here. "'Nine reindeer'? Aren't there supposed to be twelve of them?"
Kale Hearthward	"The 'accuser' is the Allied Christmasses, and your client's admittal on the scene that he attacked and brought down the Santa in question doesn't leave much to the imagination," says Jack Frost. "As far as the Santa in question, he has circumstances - preparation for the upcoming holiday - that frankly do trump your client's rights here, in this court system," he adds. "That said..." Frost takes a glance through some paperwork. "That said - it does appear that no flight plan was filed, and... there were no hailable frequencies turned on in the sleigh, based on the findings of the black box." "Ah - there's exceptions," says Mrs. Claus. "Most worlds have something like NORAD that does active tracking..." "Yes - in which case there'd be an exception to the need to file flight plans, but the world in question did not," says Frost. To Jeanne's question, Frost shakes his head. "Eight usually, or nine, or ten - depending on the world in question. Occasionally one."
Ishirou	"So no flight plan was given, no radio was turned on..." Ishirou continues. "The world didn't have a NORAD system, never mind that most worlds would still require you to alert them that you are coming.." he continues. "More than that, extradition was not done correctly. The alleged crime happened in another world's space, and thusly under their laws. The laws that would apply to him would happen in their system first before he could be arrested. So my client.." "Followed protocol to the letter, did everything he could to try and avoid firing, and then in reaction to this preventable tragedy..." "Was arrested illegally and imprisoned illegally. Is that about the long and short of it? Also, my client's dietary needs were not respected in prison. This violates his rights, as an obligated vegan. Worse, you have no witness here." "I move for this case to be dismissed," Ishirou says firmly, hands lightly slamming on the table, Phoenix Wright style.
Aidan Proudpick	Aidan smirks, leaning over the ballister, "Dang, a court system that is biased for itself is going to get Kale. That is rough. Oh no, a system biased towards themselves is going to lock Kale up forever." That sits in on Aidan's brain for a minute. It rolls around in there. A joyous thought of revenge for one of the Emperor's own guards, even if now retired to other duties. It skips around with joyous vindicative glee. Then it becomes up against the wall of KNIGHTHOOD. Aidan snaps his candy cane in his teeth. "Dammit." Aidan stands up finally. "You ARE the Allied Christmasses. This trial would immediately be biased towards you! You need... a neutral third party, yea! Or yea, what Ishirou said, the laws of where it happened!"
Ritsuka Fujimaru	"One? Oh, right. Different worlds' Christmas... 'es." Jeanne finds little reason to prod about that further, seemingly content with that answer. There's still a moment of hesitation, though, as she mulls the idea of different numbers of reindeer around in her head for a little while longer. More interesting to her, however, are the technicalities being thrown around. It's not just those being brought up by Ishirou that get her attention, but the ones that actually get Aidan to change his tone that get Jeanne looking intrigued once again. "Circumstances like what, exactly? Preparing presents and coal for all the good and bad little children?" Jeanne lets out a dramatic sigh, before crossing her hands over her head, leaning back in her chair like she was on some kind of imaginary couch (also because it's easier on her neck that way). "I hate to break it to you, but the impudent little twink and Kale's squirrely fan club have... Some points, too." Jeanne makes a show of holding her hand out in front of herself, then inspecting her fingernails while snapping them idly with the barest of sparks coming out each time. "Is this really justice for the old man, or just a masquerade of it? Coming from someone that saved the jolly old fart years ago..." She glances up at Jack Frost. "It doesn't sound like something he'd be into. Where is he now, anyway?"
Kale Hearthward	Jeanne's statement gets handled first. "If you're inquiring as to the Santa of your world, we'd need to look him up - the Allied Christmasses comprise several hundred similar winter holiday pantheons," says Frost. "Oh - but if you wish to talk to a Santa, this is the best place for it. Sit on his lap, tell him what you want for Christmas - you're never too old for it," enthuses Mrs. Claus. Frosty remains silent throughout, considering something. Ishirou makes his case. "Yeah, see, this is what I was telling you - it wasn't my fault!" repeats Kale. Jack Frost waves this off. "Alright, alright, Mr. Proudpick, Mr. Ishirou. You both make fair points." "I still think it was rather violent," comments Mrs. Claus. "That's not for us to determine in this case," says Frost. "Very well, Mr. Ishirou, per the issues you've raised, I have no choice but to dismiss the case against Kale Hearthward, with prejudice."
Ritsuka Fujimaru	"Of course there'd be more than one of that old man." Another dramatic sigh, and then Jeanne narrows her eyes briefly at Mrs. Claus. "I'm not a child anymore. I've even had them sit on...!" She catches herself before she can reveal too much more, and then she shuts up long enough to hear the verdict. She can't help but put a slight damper on things even after Kale's free and clear, though, leaning over towards Ishirou and Aidan are a moment later. "That's only going to delay this until he gets tried in that other court, you know." Jeanne 'whispers', saying it a bit too loudly to actually be missed by others in the room while still being quiet enough that it's... Actually, it's pretty obvious she's still trying to mess with Kale. Silver lining: Her sense of justice hasn't been offended badly enough to burn this whole place to the ground. That means she's actually behaving for once! "Anyway. What'll you do with your restored freedom, birdman? There's still quite some time left to get some practice in before the real Christmas..."
Ishirou	Ishirou keeps his intense face up until the ruling is called out. To which he makes a sigh, and leans back on a chair he's managed to commandeer. Get it? CommanDEER? He pats Kale on the shoulder and stands up. "Alright, I'm going to go get my presents out of being locked away forever," he says, exhaling. "Try not to blow up any more Santa's on the way out?" he says a bit cheekily. He smiles and turns towards Aidan. "Thanks for the support," he says, offering a hand to the squirrel. He also looks towards Jeanne, "Actually, not likely but it's possible. That's between the Paladins, Kale, and that local government. Anyway, thanks for the support Jeanne...you don't seem that bad!"
Kale Hearthward	"Oh - you don't need to be a child, dear," says Mrs. Claus. "Surely there's something you want for Christmas? Tis the season, you know." "However," says Frosty, piping up (pun not intended) for the first time as people start heading towards the exit. "I do feel the need to raise the other issue here - during booking, Mr. Hearthward was checked against the universal naughty and nice list - per established procedure. And while this panel has dismissed the case against him for his actions against Santa #721... The list indicated that he is generally irredeemably grumpy, mean spirit, hard-hearted, and generally lacking in goodwill towards all men and any sort of holiday spirit." "Thus - while Kale Hearthward has not been deemed Naughty via his actions in attacking Santa - I move that he is in general Naughty and that it would be injurious towards the multiverse in general and Christmas in specific if he were to be released unfettered and unpunished," finishes Frosty, and leans back in his seat once more. "Oh come on," says Kale. "This is a fair point, Mr. the Snowman," says Frost. "And fortuitously, we happen to have two of Mr. Hearthward's injured parties here..." "... Mr Ishirou, Mr. Proudpick. Both victims of Mr. Hearthward's bullying, if the list is to be believed - which it is." "Oh come on," mutters Kale. "That was... a year ago."
Aidan Proudpick	Aidan needs a moment to breathe. He has to run over it in his head. That's what he's trying to do, right? That's what this all means, right? Still. It's easy to do with the rank and file. But one of the premiere guard? A hand gets offered. Aidan looks up and grabs it, "Uh, yea. Yea. Everyone deserves a fair trial, right? Justice and all that? Even him." And then. They say. Aidan's heart grew three sizes that day. The Christmas spirit enters Aidan like a brilliant lung full of fresh air, the smell of pine, the taste of peppermint, the joy of the heart. "Oh, yes, I agre-!" A moment to pause, "Wait, what's the punishment, it's not death, right?"
Kale Hearthward	"It's typically being released with a geas," clarifies Frost. "Not Death. We're not Easter."
Ishirou	"No," Ishirou says, flatly. "You will not do anything to my client. What he's done is between those injured at him. Not you. I do not need you to take away his rights for me, nor would I ever ask you to. If you proceed to try and impose a geas on him, I'll break it." "You are moving very slowly to a line that you should not cross. Kale is getting better on his own merits, and removing any of his freewill will do more harm than good on that journey." "And given my background, I know all too well the importance of that kind of freedom."
Aidan Proudpick	Aidan is about to lift his hand, looking like an excited school child. He is about to shoot it up. Then Ishirou speaks up further. Aidan slowly lowers his hand. Then he lifts it again. "He could do community service!"
Ritsuka Fujimaru	"Support? Psh. I just came here to laugh at him." Jeanne replies to Ishirou with an indignant huff. "You'd be thanking me more if they didn't come to their senses about them being the wrong people and this being the wrong place. I'd even wager it'd be rather toasty in here afterwards~" With that not-so-subtle implication put out there (complete with mischievous grin), she goes right back to a rather dour scowl at him. "But don't push it." Mrs. Claus, meanwhile, gets a long look from Jeanne. It's not an unpleasant look for once, but... She actually looks like she's thinking. Eventually, she shrugs, and she actually looks fairly calm even for herself. "... No, I think I've got what I need already." Smirking again despite herself, Jeanne does indeed get something better than a present from Mrs. Claus shortly afterwards: Kale getting called out for stuff he did to Ishirou and Aidan. That potential source of dirt definitely doesn't go ignored, and Jeanne's already biting her lip to not laugh too blatantly as she takes her seat again. Ishirou actually raises some convincing-sounding points, though, and she sits there for several more moments before getting up, approaching Ishirou with a raised hand, and... "Maybe you're not completely impudent." She admits with a firm clap on the shoulder. She also realizes then and there that he's actually taller than her. Dammit. "Community wouldn't be terrible. He could take the kids out skeet shooting."
Kale Hearthward	"Community service is an acceptable alternative to the geas," says Frost. "Mr. Ishirou. On your word as a Paladin that Mr. Hearthward is improving, and on the condition that he completes sufficient community service to get into the Christmas spirit, we are prepared to release him to your custody." "Christmas isn't a time for judgements, after all..." says Mrs. Claus. "It's a time for redemption."
Ishirou	"Community is fine," Ishirou says. "He could also learn about Christmas, so it's a win-win for everyone there," Ishirou agrees. "That's also...very true." Ishirou relaxes a bit. "So...is that it? Because this is a little bit been stressing me out?"
Kale Hearthward	Both of the other people on the panel glance over at Frosty, who hasn't moved. "That'd be it this time, then," says Frost. "You're free to leave. Merry Christmas, Mr. Ishirou."
Ishirou	"You as well, Mr. Frosty," Ishirou says, happy that this stressful matter was resolved.
Aidan Proudpick	Aidan nods towards Ishirou. "It was nice meeting you. I'm... not a paladin, but I am new." He has to really just sort of stand there for a second, awkward, because he hasn't really been in this situation many times. He's guerilla soldier trying to show appreciation to what is sometimes an enemy, sometimes an ally, who works with one of his enemies. After a long pause, then just a smile from the squirrel, "You are a good person." He turns to Jeanne. "I hope I never do anything to piss you off." Then a turn to Kale, and a little smirk, "Merry Christmas."
Kale Hearthward	"..." Kale crosses his arms, looking down at Aidan. "... Merry Christmas," he eventually says.
Ishirou	With all of that, Ishirou turns to Jeanne first, "I am glad you did not. To be fair, you're very dangerous and I am not as fireproof as I used to be," he says, with a wry smile. Jeanne is a better ally than enemy, that's for sure... To Aidan he smiles at the compliment, "Uh...thank you Aidan. You are pretty nice yourself too, for...you know,..." he sort of motions towards Kale. "As for being in the Watch, I do have friends..." one of which is a really good friend, "In the Watch so that doesn't bother me." He also pats Kale on the shoulder again, "Okay NOW I'm going to get my gifts," he says and walks towards the back. "However, I am totally telling Lilian what happened," he says, with a chuckle as he bolts.
Ritsuka Fujimaru	Even though Jeanne knows what Frost means, she still can't help but chortle at the idea of Kale being in Ishirou's custody. Truly, the night has been a fun one for Jeanne, and it only gets better for her whenshe's finally given the okay to get out without making a scene. Before she does, though, she does smirk at Aidan's comment. "Good idea. Feel free to do it anyway, though. I'm sure we'll all be seeing each other quite soon, so you'll have plenty of chances to." Ishirou, too, gets a brief chuckle at his comment. "Is that so? I'll make a note of it." She does not take notes, but she does laugh again when he talks about having Watch friends. She doesn't elaborate on why, of course. When the Christmas well wishes are finally given, she finally has to put one last damper on things. "It's December 10th."