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[driftwooddestiel]

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[jolienjoyswriting]

Found and Lost, Ch. IV

Chapter IV of "Found and Lost," an Essence of Ragnarok story. (Formerly one-third of Chapter III)

Word count: 3,809 – Character count: 21,055 Originally written: March 19th, 2017 Split and revised: September 8th, 2017 Further revised: December 14th, 2018

With low hopes and even less sleep, a dissevel Joseph attends his friend's court case.

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    Within a darkened movie theater, Joseph sat beside his friend, Jessica.  While the latter seemed highly entertained by the movie – a sci-fi thriller about a group of unlikely heroes trying to stop rogue nanomachines from taking over the world – the former just couldn’t find the same level of interest.  He’d hoped that the night out would clear his mind and help distract him from his worries… but, no matter how loud the actors on the screen shouted… no matter how grand the explosions and other special effects were… and, no matter how frequently Jessica reacted to what was going on in front of them… he just could not let the events of that day go.  And, that attitude continued on well past the movie and into their next location, a fast food restaurant.

    “So… ya gonna tell me what’s wrong ‘r do I gotta wrassle th’ info outta ya?”

    The male fox jolted in his seat before looking up.  His companion was giving him a smirk as she sat across from him, at their booth.     “Don’t think I ain’t noticed, kiddo!” she commented.  “I just wanted t’ see if you’d open up ’fore I said anythin’.  Don’t guess that’ll happen anytime soon.”     She wasn’t wrong.  He’d been extremely hesitant to let her know something was going on… and, even as he watched her bring her elbows to rest on the table, place her head on her overlapping hands, and stare at him with half-closed eyes… he still didn’t feel compelled to tell his tale.  It wasn’t her problem, after all.

    “So, what happened?” she asked, still wearing her smirk.  “One’a yer harem girls d’cide t’ jump ship, on ya?”     The bat paused, giving a blink… then, she started laughing!     “‘Jump ship!’” she repeated.  “That’s funny!  ‘cause, ya know… ships an’… ah…”     When she noticed her fox companion wasn’t laughing, though…     “Okay, but, fer real… what happened?  Why so detached ‘n stuff?”     Joseph remained hesitant to answer the question.  His problem wasn’t meant to be hers… and, he knew that if she thought, even for a moment, that there was anything she could do to help… she would make it her problem.     “It’s a long story,” was what he offered as an answer, hoping she’d lose interest.     “S’okay,” was Jessica’s reply as she leaned inward.  “We got all night, sweets.”     He was starting to get the impression that she wasn’t just going to let the subject drop…     “Tell ‘Momma J’ what’s on ya mind!” she encouraged.     The fox’s brow furrowed, at that.  She was such an odd lady, sometimes…

    “Jessie, promise me something.”     The bat perked, her eyes opening wide in attention.  “Yea’?”     “What I’m about to tell you stays between us.  Okay?”     “Yea’-yea’, sure-sure!” was her reply.  When she noticed the serious look her companion was giving, however, she quickly decided to revise that statement.     “You have my word that I ain’t gonna tell no one ‘bout whatever-it-is, Josey.  Promise.”     The fox gave a murmur… then, he sighed.  And, finally… he began to explain why he’d been so disinterested in the events of the night.

    “So, lemme get this straight…”     Jessica sat back on her side of the booth, scratching her head and looking perplexed.     “Hope – not some girl wid th’ same name, but our Hope – lost her everything ‘cause her creator came outta th’ woodwork?  But… it turns out he made her without th’ Achromium region’s knowledge, so he’s gonna be put on trial?  But… she’s in lockup at th’ M.C.P.D. as evidence fer th’ case?  Even though she’s got no recollection that she was ever his property?”     “That’s about right, yeah,” Joseph confirmed.     “Babe, that’s a whole lotta confusin’,” she flatly stated.  “Like, if she ain’t got no mem’ry’a what she once was ‘n there’s no maker’s marks ‘n all that, why would they even put her in storage?  She could’a literally been made by anyone!”     “I’m pretty sure Dr. Lewis has some sort of proof that shows he was the one who made her.  He had to have shown Miss Lyra something, in order to get her on his side…”     “Well, sure, but, like… hm…”  The bat paused for a moment.  “I wonder if she’s gonna be used as physical evidence… or, as a practical demonstration’a proof’a ownership?”     Joseph gave a blink.  “What?”     “Think ‘bout it, Josey,” she said as she gestured to him.  “Let’s say she gets activated, in th’ courtroom.  Let’s say he uses that override code.  Let’s say someone else tries it ‘n it don’t work ‘cause it’s tied t’ his vocal pattern?  That’d be pretty damnin’ evidence, right there…”     The fox murmured, again, showing a frown.     “Though, now that I think about it… it might only prove ownership.  I mean, ya can set an android up t’ where it only pays attention t’ certain commands ‘r certain people, ‘n whatnot.  But… I guess it really doesn’t matter who made her, outside’a punishin’ th’ creator fer not doin’ it legit-like.”     There was a brief silence between the two, each taking into consideration what was just said before continuing.

    “All I know for sure,” Joseph began, again, “is that Dr. Lewis is going on-trial sometime before the end of the week… and, that Hope is being used as evidence – at least as far as Miss Lyra knows.  What I don’t know is what the trial is going to determine.”     “Wuzzat?”     “Well…” the fox started after eating a fry, “if he’s already admitted he’s a criminal… why would he need a trial?”     “Who knows…”  Jessica gave a shrug.  “Th’ legal system ‘n this region is weird.”     “The legal system in most regions is weird.”     “True dat!” she laughed before sipping on her soda.  “In any case, I’mma just say… try not th’ fret, too much, ‘til th’ trial date comes, a’right?  Hope is safe ‘nuff in storage ‘n Doc Lewis can’t do nothin’ t’ get at her from ‘is cell.  Thinkin’ ‘bout what ‘might be’ ‘r ‘could happen’ ain’t gonna do nothin’ but make ya shed ya fur so jus’… ya know… wait it out.  I can even help ya stay distracted if ya want!”     “Well… you are pretty distracting, Jessie…” the fox replied with a small grin.     “It’s th’ heterochromia iridum, baby,” was her reply.  “Can’t take yer eyes off mine!”     “I was more thinking it was your bombastic personality… but, now that you mention it…”     The two shared a grin as they caught each other’s eyes.  After a moment of playful staring, the two returned to their meal and, a short while later, made their way outside.

    “So, about that offer…” Jessie said as she walked arm-in-arm with Joseph through a park in downtown Masamune City.     “What offer?” was his reply.  He felt her squeeze his arm before replying.     “Need a distraction?”     “I think you’re already being one…” the fox said with a smirk.     “Oh?  Good!” she said with a laugh.  “But, no, what I’m askin’ is–”     “I think I know what you’re asking, Jessie…” he interrupted, a slight blush showing under his fur.  “I’d never be one to turn down your company.  Not since… you know…  But…”     Joseph gave a perk as the bat kissed his warming cheek.     “Then, that’s all I’ll be fer ya, t’night.”     “I mean, don’t get me wrong…” he started to explain.  “Under other circumstances…”     “Sometimes, all’s we need is a friend who’ll be there, fer us.  Ya know?  ‘n I won’t even charge ya fer my time ‘r nothin’,” she teased, ruffling his bangs.     He paused… then gave a soft chuckle.     “Thanks, Jess.”

    The remainder of their walk through the park was a quiet one.  There was a lack of people out, at that time of night, which made for a pretty peaceful journey.  As the two walked together, Jessica continued to hang on to his arm.  By the time the two had finished their journey through the lightly-wooded public place, however, the bat was ready to head to his place… but, something stopped her.  Specifically… him.     “Um… Josey?” she said, giving him a confused look.  “This whole arm-in-arm thing is cozy ‘n all but, uh… yer gonna have t’ lemme go so’s I can get in yer car.”     The fox remained silent, staring off into space and keeping her arm locked between his arm and side.  It didn’t take the bat long to realize…     “Whatsamatta, Joe?”     “Can we… can we, maybe, not go home?” he quietly asked.  “Maybe, not end the night?”     “Oh, Joe…”     She sighed as she removed his arm to free her own.  Not a second later, she wrapped her arms and wings around him from behind, giving him a tight hug.     “Time ain’t gonna stop jus’ ‘cause ya ain’t sleepin’, sweetie…  Whether we stay in town ‘r go back t’ yer place, it’s gonna keep movin’ on.  But, fer what it’s worth?”     The fox gave a light shiver as he felt her nose run along his cheek.     “Momma J’ll be there wi’cha… fer as long as ya need ‘er…”

    After a moment, the bat spun around in front of the fox, taking his right hand in her left.     “C’mon, let’s get you home so’s we can get all cozy ‘n snuggle!  You’d like that, right?”     “W… well, I mean–”     “‘course ya would!  I am pretty cuddly, after all!”     Joseph gave a chuckle… and, he nodded.  “You sure are, Jess…”     “So?  Let’s go home ‘n I’ll give ya aaall th’ cuddles ya need!  ’n, believe me…”     She gave his hand a little squeeze.     “I can tell that’cha need more’n a few!”

    With that, the bat led her friend away from the park and back to his car.  The two entered the vehicle with minimal delay and, soon enough, they headed back to Joseph’s house.

    From that point on, Joseph’s life seemed to be a blur of fuzzy details…  He remembered visiting his friends, such as Miranda or Edgar and Evelyn… though, what he did with them seemed to fade from his mind, as the days rolled on.  He also remembered spending a lot of time with Jessie, doing things she liked as well as things he did… though, it was harder to lose track of her since she was practically living with him, in order to keep his spirits high and mind distracted.  However, as distracting as Jessie and his other friends had been… he just could not keep himself distracted enough to forget about Hope, even for a minute.

    “That android is evidence,” someone told him from the other side of a phone.  “It is not to be re-activated until the day of the trial.  We’ve told you that.  Repeatedly.  Now, please, stop calling here or we’ll have this number blocked until the hearing is over!”     “Tol’ja callin’ th’ M.C.P.D. again was a bad idea, Josey.”     Joseph narrowed his eyes at the black-and-orange bat sprawled on his couch in a matching tank top and panties.  She seemed to be occupying herself by grooming her finger claws… or, maybe, her teeth…  Both, possibly?  He wasn’t sure which, since she seemed to be using one to groom the other.  Regardless, he did not take her comment kindly.

    “If you’re not going to help, Jessie…”     “Look, asshole…” she shortly said, “I’ve been tryin’ t’ help fer th’ past week, but’cha ain’t havin’ it ‘cause yer so worried ‘bout yer li’l–”     She bit her tongue, then.  She almost said something she knew she’d regret…     “Fact’a th’ matter is,” she continued, “she ain’ in any danger ‘n she ain’t awake enough t’ be lonely, worried, or anythin’ else!  Not like th’ rest of us.  Not like me…”     “Well, I’m sorry that you’re feeling lonely but–”     “I’m fuckin’ worried ‘bout you, dumbass!” the bat shouted as she leaped up.  “Ya look like roadkill, ya ain’t gotten much sleep, ‘n frankly, yer obsessin’ over someone who’s jus’ fine!”     Jessie strode over to the fox, putting her hands on his shoulders and locking eyes.     “Ain’t nothin’ more to th’ story, than that…”     “I’m not going to be able to relax until she’s back in my arms…” Joseph murmured as he turned away from the bat.  “That’s the only place where I know she’ll be safe…”     “Really, now?”  Jessica narrowed her eyes.  “R’mind me’a what it was what happened at th’ precinct?  I seem t’ recall you sayin’ she actually removed herself from yer arms t’ be powered-down?”     “That was… that was different…” he quietly replied as he looked down.     “An’, really, what in th’ world do ya think you could even do?  Even if she hadn’t complied, what would’a happened?  That wolf lady would’a tossed you ‘round like a rag doll!  An’, fer what?  Th’ law’s pretty cut ’n dry on this one, Joe…”     “I don’t know… I don’t know!!”

    Jessica gave a blink of her mismatched eyes as she felt herself be pushed away.  When she looked back to Joseph, she noticed he wore a hugely frustrated expression on his face and looked even more frazzled than before… almost on the verge of tears!  The bat brought her hands up to chest level and began to wring them together, looking on with concern…     “Ain’t nothin’ you can do ‘til th’ trial, Joe…  ‘n since that’s tomorrow… you should pro’ly get some sleep.  As fer me?  I… think I worn out my welcome, here…  I’ll see ya, um…”  The bat hesitated…  “I’ll just… see ya.  So, see ya.”

    Joseph did nothing to stop his friend from gathering her items and hitting the road.  Even as she closed the door, all he could do was just stand there and impotently fume.  He knew the bat-girl was right… knew that there was nothing that anyone could do, until the trial… but, that did very little to stop his gut from twisting and turning or keep his mind from agonizing over potential scenarios.  Not even his subconscious mind would let him stop worrying as he slept, his brain transmitting nightmarish events and horrific outcomes, that night…  He was almost thankful he’d awoken, the following morning… until he remembered what he’d had to do, later that day.

    After a light breakfast to try and settle his stomach, the fox arrived at the Masamune City courthouse.  Once he was inside, a glance around the gallery told him that he’d arrived early; only one person seemed to be in attendance…     “Miss Lyra?” the fox called as he walked toward the familiar white wolf.     “Mr. Lithius,” was her reply as she took notice of him.     “What…” he’d started to ask before changing to a different question.  “Where’s Hope?”     “The M.C.P.D. will be delivering the A.I, as well as the charged party, within the hour.”     “W… what are you doing here, then?” he asked as he sat next to her.  “Shouldn’t you have come along, with them?”     “My job was finished the moment I’d retrieved the A.I. from your residence.  I am here purely as a curious spectator, at this time.”     “Okay, but… why are you here?”     The wolf narrowed her eyes.  “As a curious spectator, as I’d said.”     “Uh… oh…”  The fox scratched the back of his head.  “Well, you look nice.”     Lyra gave a confused look at the comment.  “I’m just wearing what I always wear.”     “Yeah, but…”  Joseph made an odd noise and looked away.  “Sorry.  I’m a little–”     “I couldn’t care less about what you’re feeling.”     He gave a blink… then, he his ears folded.  It was pretty clear Lyra wasn’t interested in his small talk… so, he decided to get up and take a seat, elsewhere, as he waited for things to start.

    The minutes seemed to count down slowly as Joseph sat there in his gray suit and green tie.  There was a moment where he actually wondered why he’d bothered getting so dressed-up, in the first place… but, he ultimately decided it just felt like the thing to do.

    “Joseph?”     The fox perked.  Someone had called his name… someone unexpected.     “Car… Carlos?” he asked as he looked up from his seat.     Standing not a few feet away from him was the familiar form of the dark gray wolf… and, he was wearing something Joseph had never seen him wear, before.     “N-nice suit…” Joseph said with an unconvincing smile.  “You look good.”     “You alright?” the wolf in the black dress suit asked as he sat behind the fox.  “You look like 10 miles of bad road…”     “Oh.  You… noticed that, did you?”     “Hard not to,” he replied as he reached into his back pocket.  “Want my comb?”     “No, I’m fine.  But, what are you doing here?”     “Same as you, I imagine…”     Joseph tilted his head and gave a blink of his tired eyes.  He wasn’t entirely sure what Carlos had meant by that… but, he also didn’t feel the need to ask.

    “How’s Kris and the kid?” is what he ended up asking, instead.     “Kris is fine.  Iris is a little firecracker, though.”  Carlos gave a chuckle.  “I think she gets that from her mother, personally.”     “My ears are burning, beloved…”

    Joseph perked at the sound of another voice.  Both he and Carlos stood and turned, finding themselves greeted by another familiar form.     “Well, speak of the Spring Maiden, herself,” the wolf said in a jesting tone.  “I was starting to wonder why you were taking so long to park.”     “I was straightening up the dashboard,” the orange-brown vixen in the purple dress suit explained with a smile before turning to the male fox.  “Greetings, Joseph.  You… do not look terribly well.  However, I can understand why… given the reason that we are here.”     “Heh, yeah…” he said with an uneasy chuckle.     “Still,” she said as the three of them sat down, “did you make any attempt to rest, prior to today?  You look as though you have not slept well in several days…”     He remained silent, at that.     “This should be an interesting trial,” Carlos randomly said as he crossed his arms.  “I wonder what they’ll do, once everything’s said and done?”     Neither Joseph nor Kris said a word in response, the former having had quite a few thoughts about that very topic, himself…     “Hope this doesn’t take long, though.  I’d rather be spending the weekend with our kid.”     “We shall see,” Kris replied as she set her handbag on the floor.

    After a couple more minutes of waiting, Joseph noticed that the courtroom was becoming a little more lively.  People he didn’t recognize seemed to be coming through the swinging doors in spurts and finding their places within the gallery seats.  What appeared to be the prosecuting attorney arrived after a while more, taking his seat at the left table in front of the bench.  Shortly after, Joseph heard the nearby crowd start to murmur and had to raise his head to see what was going on… only to lower his ears and narrow his eyes at the familiar figure.     Dr. Lewis had entered in his usual vest, dress shirt, and slacks.  He still wore the bruises from taking metal bars to the face but otherwise looked clean-shaven and dressed for success.  He was also escorted into the room by a man with a briefcase.  Neither looked into the crowd as they took a seat to the front-right of the bench.

    “Issat this ‘Doc Lewis’ I’ve been hearin’ ‘bout?”     The fox jolted at the intrusion of another sudden, familiar voice.  He jerked his head to the left and immediately took note of the bat-girl standing beside him in a black blazer jacket and somewhat muted, red, knee-length dress.     “Jessie?!” he sharply asked.  “What the–”     “‘cause, I wasn’t expectin’ him t’ look like that,” she continued.  “He’s kinda cute… inna ‘I drink a lot ‘n live alone’ kind’a way!  What happened to ’is face, though?”

    Joseph narrowed his eyes as he watched the bat try and peer over the two rows of people in front of them, all the while wondering where in the world she’d come from and, more importantly…     “What are you doing here?”     “Whaaat?” she replied as she turned to the fox with a grin.  “Ya didn’t think I’d let my favorite punchin’ bag go through this mess by himself, did’ja?”     “Uh… well…”     “O’ course not!”  The bat gave a quiet laugh.  “No matter what happens, Jessica U. Ingmann’ll always be there, whether ya need a shoulder t’ cry on, a blanket t’ snuggle into, or just an ear t’ listen!  An’, believe-you-me, these big ol’ ears pick up quite a bit!”     Joseph gave a blank stare as Jessica wiggled her bat ears and grinned to him.  For a moment, he didn’t know what to say… but, eventually, all he could do was smile, happy to know that she was there for him, despite the unpleasantness from the day before.

    “All rise!”

    Joseph, as well as the rest of those seated in the gallery, got to their feet, just as a bailiff instructed.     “The honorable Judge Zachary Pascal is now presiding over the case of the Artificial Intelligence Committee of Achromium vs. Xander James Lewis.”     The fox watched as another figure walked in from a side door.  The man coming into view was wearing a typical black judge robe… but, he had long, silvery hair, which he kept tied back in a ponytail, and fur which was silver-gray in coloration.  Some of the longer fur around his muzzle had been styled into a thick, pointy moustache, Joseph noted.  A second look also revealed him to be a fox, not unlike himself, judging by the tail… though likely of a different sub-classification, given his large ears and tiny nose.

    “You may be seated,” the judge said.  Everyone in the courtroom sat back down, then.     “Now, Mr. Lewis…” he said as he took a moment to look at his paperwork, “you have been charged with the crime of creating a free-willed artificial intelligence program without the knowledge or consent of the A.I.C.A.  How do you plead?”     “Your honor, my client pleads guilty to the charges, plain and simple,” Dr. Lewis’ attorney, a taller human with black hair, replied.     “I see.”  The judge straightened his papers for a moment before setting them back down.  “You do understand that, under the laws of the A.I.C.A and in accordance with Masamune City, by pleading guilty, you will spend up to three years in federal prison as well have to pay a fine of up to 500,000 Rai, correct?”     “Both my client and I understand the penalties involved in what he has done, your honor.  My client’s sole concern is the reclamation of his A.I. program and android body, which is the reason he came forward, in the first place.”     “Very well.  Bailiff, please bring in the android to the stand.”

    The bailiff gave a nod and left the room.  Joseph had to resist his urge to stand as he returned a moment later, escorting yet another familiar form…

    “Hope…”