[C] Not a Trial, pt 3
Hammond answered her with clarifications. "First, I did not send Moroi. They simply deposited you at my doorstep and asked I judge you. I decided to take this case to see if it would be as simple as it seems or if there are other layers to it. To be fair, the evidence is damning. It appears you have truly and freely left, not only the Order but the Onyx. If that is the case there is but one way to leave the Onyx: final death.
"That said I would hear from you, and confirm this truth. I would ensure you were not coerced and this is a free decision. I do not condemn on others words alone."
Mycroft looked at her, and picked up a ... she had no idea what the object was. It looked like a ... fat, futuristic, segmented pen. Jack would have said a lightsaber hilt. Whatever it was, it was plastic and unlikely to actually hurt her directly. His entire appearance was really nonthreatening -- black flip-flops, blue silk shirt with dragons on it. But as an Immortal who insisted that his station be recognized ...
He twirled the device for a few moments before continuing. "I do not care to stop other Dragons from being lured. A Dragon is responsible for all they do. If their choice is to step off the ascribed path, any and all consequences are theirs and theirs alone. While I desire to understand, that is simply my nature. I assure you though, this world is full of wonders to understand that I will not be long without an interest if this conversation ends up being on the shorter side.
"So is this merely a case of a Dragon being caught with their hand in the cookie jar, or is there more to it ... And you?"
She rolled her eyes a bit. "I take it the Moroi did not bother to deposit their audio-taped confession of mine along with me? They could have saved you some time. Certainly there's more to me, I'm insulted you'd have to ask." A Philosopher giving everything up and going to the Forsworn? Certainly that should be done for an interesting reason. "But yes, I did willingly and in full cognizance Forswear the letter of my Oath to the Onyx and I came to keep company with members of Belial's Brood. Which is more or less the same confession the Moroi have already gotten from me."
"Confessions can be coerced. Dominate. Entrancement. Voices can be mimicked. I am a scientist. I do not believe evidence until I test it." She wondered what that would mean - did the Philosopher not trust the Moroi? Or was it just a scientist's habit? He shrugged, and looked at another Dragon she had never met. "Please begin the verification and facts of her statements.
"To be official, you, Christine Elise, Philosopher and Sworn of the Mysteries did freely forswear your Oaths. You were not coerced. You were not Dominated, Entranced, or manipulated by powers of the blood. You fully intended this to be a permanent break and were not Questing or otherwise engaged in espionage against Belail's Brood on behalf of the Order.
"Is this correct and factual?"
Perfect. Perfectly interesting. She stopped looking for ways to escape.
"Correct ... correct ... and 'sort of but not at all'." She grinned.