Shadowbird Corporation--Attorneys at Law

[Thanatos]

The figure stands in the middle of the deserted street, visor focused squarely on the building in front of him. No ordinary structure, the building is composed of some unidentifiable metallic substance, its gleaming and seamless surface extending infinitely upwards. There is a single coal black doorway present on the ground floor of the complex; the only break in the otherwise perfect metallic coat. This structure is, to say the least, very impressive in appearance.

Nodding once in satisfaction, the figure withdraws an unadorned sign from his heavy overcoat, as well a hammer and a few nails. Utilizing the conveniently placed stepstool that had not been present before, the figure attatches the sign with great care just above the entrance, taking several minutes of loud hammering to go about his appointed task. Eventually satisfied, the figure steps back, examining his handiwork. The sign reads:


Shadowbird Corporation

Thanatos and Rune--Attorneys at Law

"Justice is one of our things."

"Whether it be for death or damages, against saint of scrapmetal, Shadowbird Corporation is always ready to gain a substantial profit at little or no personal cost. For absolutely any reason--because of MASS possession, unschedule bandit raids, or even unbridled annoyance at plain-out stupid people--Shadowbird Corporation is here to help. Please feel free to visit our offices located approximitely two feet in front of you."


Nodding once more, the figure carefully replaces his hammer and nails and slowly opens the door, stepping through the opening and closing it soundlessly behind him.



OoC: Shadowbird Corporation is Tales of Phantomile's only law firm, created for the sole purpose of assisting in official ToP court trials. This purpose of this thread is to provide a role-playing atmosphere much like that of the actual courtroom--relaxed, but still present. Note that any that enter the Corporation Headquarters /must/ do so for the reason of hiring an attorney. Any posts of questionable nature within this thread will be deleted, and individuals are to remain in character at all times.

Until further notice, attorneys are serving as prosecutors only.

[Rune]

Eyeing the impressive building, a figure comes up behind the first. He watches as the sign is placed, and he reads the lettering. Chuckling silently to himself, he looks over at Thanatos, his co-founder.

As Thanatos enters the building and shuts the door behind him, Rune carefully scrutinizes the architecture.

"Guess we're in business," he says to no one, and, nodding to himself, walks inside.

"Nice slogan. Just come up with that?" he asks Thanatos as the door shuts behind him.

[Whitakker]

Whitakker approaches the metal behemoth, craning his neck just to see the top. Only man's imagination could create such a magnificent superstructure as this. But, then again, it was man's imperfections that had led him here.

"Well, here we go. The point of no return. Things will never be the same between him and I after this...but that's the idea."

Whitakker slowly, purposefully walks toward the two black double doors, gives a sidelong glance at the sign above, and enters. There is no turning back now.

As he walks into the lobby, he sees an elevator directly in front of him. There are numerous buttons on the panel next to the door, but one in particular catches Whitakker's eyes. The initials SBC, with a shadowy image of a bird of prey stretching away from the lettering, as if a shadow.

"Well, that's original", Whitakker utters with noted sarcasm. He presses the button, and the door opens. Whitakker steps inside, and the door closes silently behind him. After about ten seconds have elapsed, the elevator comes to a halt. The door opens. Whitakker walks in, and takes in his surroundings. His senses are greeted by a dim atmosphere. Though sufficient lighting was present, there lingered a feeling of silent...brooding, if that was possible. The walls were a dark grey color, possibly adding to the sense of forboding in the room. Approximately fifteen feet away from Whitakker stood a black marble desk, immaculately polished. Behind the desk, seated in two enormous black leather armchairs, sat the two men Whitakker had heard about. The one on Whitakker's right stared at him with detatched interest, a glossy black visor covering his eyes. His arms rested comfortably on the armrests. The other figure on Whitakker's left looked back at him with one grey eye, the other veiled by a black plate. He was in a similar position in the chair as the other one. The pair had apparently been there for some time, as if they had been expecting Whitakker's arrival, a distinct possibility. After sizing up the two men, Whitakker finally addresses them:

"Mr. Thanatos and Mr. Rune, I presume?" The two men give a slight nod.
"As you no doubt have gathered, I am Whitakker. Pleased to make your aquaintance." Rune slightly motions to an armchair across the table. Whitakker crosses the distance, and sits down.
"I am sure you know the situation which brings me here. Would you mind giving me your thoughts on this impending case?"

[Rune]

"We are fully aware of your case, Whitakker. And, naturally, we're here to help you... for a cost, of course."

Rune smiles, a smile as gray and piercing as his visible eye.

Looking to Thanatos, Rune speaks. "I believe we agreed the first case was mine?" Not waiting for a response, he picks up a black leather briefcase and leaves the room, motioning for Whitakker to follow.

The two walk down a hall that seems to be longer than the last time Whitakker walked it, and they reach the elevator. They continue by it, and directly ahead of them, they come to a glass door. Painted on the front of the door is a symbol, its meaning unknown to Whitakker. Rune pushes the door open with his foot and they enter the room.

Inside, it is pitch black. Rune walks through the room, sitting down at an unseen desk. He lights a candle, and its flickering glow gives his face a menacing appearance, the red colors clashing with his own icy gray.

Whitakker stands, awkwardly looking for a place to sit. Rune ignores his obvious discomfort.

"Now, before we begin... I want to hear your side of the story. Not everything, just a brief summary of your complaints. I need you to state the name of the one you are prosecuting, for the sake of records, also," he says, holding a small black recorder up in the light, and then removing it from view. A click is heard, and then the rolling of tape.

"Speak."

[Whitakker]

*Whitakker clears his throat, and begins:*

"I am bringing charges against Argis Boren, for bad roleplaying skills, bad speech, and bearing an ill attitude towards my colleagues, especially me. I shall elaborate in more detail when it is time for my full testimony."

*Whitakker finishes, and another click is heard from the recorder.*

"Now then, how much am I going to have to pay you, Mr. Rune? But more importantly, what is your take on Argis Boren?"

[Rune]

"Don't worry about the cost just yet, my... friend," Rune says, with a noticeable hesitation. "I'll have my pay after I've won the case If, of course, we win," he says, followed by a chuckling and a rolling of eyes. Obviously, Rune is not used to humility.

"My take on Argis Boren? I have no take, Whitakker. I'm not paid to have a take." He smiles, that same, icy smile.

The candle flickers out at a breath from Rune, and then he speaks. "We'll begin very soon. I'll need a day for preparations. Oh, and if you are unable to pay what I desire when the case is ended... and IF we win..." he says, adding the last as an afterthought, "then I'll kill you."

With that, he leaves the room, ignoring the fact that Whitakker is still in the pitch black room.

Whitakker makes his way out through the building, surprised that it has changed since last time he was present, though very subtlely. As he steps outside, he wonders how he can contact Rune should the need arise.

Later, he is surprised to find a SHADOWBIRD CORPORATION card in his pocket, and he is unaware as to how or when it got there.

[Whitakker]

Whitakker observes the building one last time, noting the subtle changes. Impressive. Turning to look down the street, he sees the Manor in the far distance, and begins his trek back.

[Rune]

Rune sits in his office, the darkness folding in upon him and comforting him. He breathes deeply, holds it for a second, and releases it. Then he reaches to the phone that is on his desk, though it wasn't only minutes before.

He presses some numbers, and waits silently until someone picks up on the other end.

"Judge Anhelo. It is time for the case," he says. He places the phone back on the holder and leaves the room, briefcase in hand.

[Rune]

Rune steps back into his office after the long trial. He is greeted by piano music and faint candlelight. He walks to the corner of his room, and sits down, his back against the wall. The candlelight slowly fades as Rune drifts off to sleep.