divine-knight​:

“Really?” The Snatcher’s eyes shifted, as though he was raising his brow. Curiosity gleamed in his glowing eyes.

How could an already ridiculous-sounding case possibly get even worse? He couldn’t wait to find out!

His curiosity quickly changed to intrigue when Joseph spoke- and then concealed surprise when the judge changed right before his very eyes.

Well, well, well! It seemed like the judge was some type of vampire, by the looks of it! At least, he looked like what you would expect a vampire to look like.

Although, for all the ghost knew, Joseph might be some other fair folk or being that the specter didn’t know about.

A faint, almost impressed grin spread across the ghost’s face.

Good thing he didn’t have blood, anymore.

“Wow, that was quite a dramatic transformation!” the Snatcher exclaimed, clapping his hands together quickly. One of his clawed hands pressed against his chest. “I would change, myself, but my real form is a bit on the tall side.”

The second the case was mentioned again, however, the ghost fell silent, his fanged mouth spreading farther across his face the more he heard. The corners of his maw curled up further and further, and the specter’s eyes seemed to laugh for him as he let out a loud wheeze.

By the end of it, the ghost was clasping his stomach and holding his head, eyes screwed shut as forced-down laughter escaped his maw.

“W-Wait a minute-” Raising a finger, he pointed at Joseph, eyes already flooding with amused tears. “You- You’re telling me that one house tried to accuse the other for- for treason over stealing a- stealing a stick of- stick of butter that neither of them owned, and they- they proved by accident that it didn’t belong to either of them-”

Well, that did it. Distorted laughter echoed from the specter as he threw his head back.

“A-AHHHAHAHAHAHAHA!!” the ghost cackled, only barley able to suppress his laughter enough to keep it from echoing too loudly through the night. “Of- Of all the things I’ve ever heard of, that- that is just- that is the most idiotic thing I have EVER heard or seen anyone do! And boy, have I seen and heard some things!!!”

Such laughter. Boisterous, dramatic. It was almost contagious. It actually got Joseph to smile about the whole thing. “Glad to see someone can find the case amusing. For those of us at the court house, it was just the latest case showing their pettiness.” And a wasted afternoon.

Joseph took a few more steps. “And they always pelt each other with such ridiculous accusations. They’ve been doing so for years.” Probably a few hundred years, if his guess was right. The way they always spoke was typical of a generational feud between houses.

He spread his wings, then stopped and looked back to the figure following him. For a moment, he wondered if anyone could hear that laugh.

But more over, he wondered if his Snatcher guest could fly. They didn’t have any wings, nor were they floating. But this was likely a disguise, and not everyone who could float liked to do it so often. Especially when trying to blend in.

He called up a bit of magic, just in case. “Say-for a matter of time and quickness, you wouldn’t happen to be able to fly, would you?” Joseph lowered his voice. “It’s a bit of a walk from here, and I believe we both want to get there as soon as possible to give you your disguise.”

If Snatcher in fact couldn’t fly, Joseph was more than ready to drag the man along with a simple fly-and-tether spell. But if he could, Joseph had no reason to waste magic. Or tie the the man to him.

For quite a bit, the specter chortled in a barely-suppressed guffaw, holding his figurative stomach. Tears started to form in his eyes the more he laughed, and it took him a second to calm himself down enough to speak.

“Years?” he gasped, his amusement only growing by the second, “Heavens, I can only imagine how annoying that must be for all of you- though it sounds like it would’ve been an entertaining trial for the public to watch!”

Not to mention the fact that a feud lasting years meant a potential for more petty cases! Oh, that’d be fun to hear about!

Wiping a tear from his eye, the Snatcher sighed. “There must be a lot of cases like that you must have dealt with,” he remarked, his laughter finally calming down. “I must admit, my curiosity is piqued about those other cases. I might inquire about them, later!”

Seeing the judge’s wings stretch out made the shadowy ghost pause for a second, arching a nonexistent brow. Joseph’s question made the specter’s expression relax, however, and he quickly went back to smiling a fanged grin. “I can, in fact, fly,” he confirmed for the winged man, “and I don’t need to change forms to do so, either.”

A bit of sheepishness entered his glowing visage as he cleared his throat. “Changing forms outside would make it more difficult for me to not be seen while flying, anyway,” he added with a chuckle.

🚨🚨ATTENTION🚨🚨

Another Disgusting anti-LGBT bill, planning to censor queer content online.

Yet again another law that infringes on privacy. and anonymity.

The bill is KOSA

• https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/1409

KOSA is a threat to LGBTQ+ youth.

It allows right-wing AGs to censor LGBTQ+ content in the name of "protecting kids".

This doesn't protect kids. This actually hurts kids even more.

It will snuff out LGBTQ+ spaces and makes the internet more of a dangerous place for them, more or less...

"Of course, like so many of these “bipartisan” anti-internet bills that have bipartisan support, the support on each side of the aisle is based on a very different view of how the bill will be used in practice. We went through this last year with the AICOA antitrust bill. Democrats supported it (falsely) believing that it would magically increase competition, while Republicans were gleefully talking about how they were going to use it to force websites to host their propaganda."

"Now, with KOSA, again you have Democrats naively (and incorrectly) believing that because it’s called the “Kids Online Safety Bill” it will magically protect children, even though tons of experts have made it clear it will actually put them at greater risk."

• https://www.techdirt.com/2023/05/24/heritage-foundation-says-that-of-course-gop-will-use-kosa-to-censor-lgbtq-content/

KOSA will also undermine privacy in the name of "protecting children".

"This bill would effectively place many internet services behind an age verification wall, prevent anonymous surfing, and would require all users – adults or teens – to verify their age before they can access information or content.

The Computer & Communications Industry Association supports the enactment of comprehensive privacy legislation at the federal level, but has concerns about KOSA’s duty of care, vague requirements that would prevent teens from accessing critical information, and compliance provisions that conflict with current trends toward data minimization."

• https://ccianet.org/news/2023/05/ccia-statement-on-unintended-consequences-of-kosa-legislation-would-place-most-internet-services-behind-age-verification-wall/

Age verification technology is just not secure enough for usage at the moment, leaks are likely to happen, it will be especially dangerous if the leaked Age verification information has a government ID linked to it. That would mean that malicious individuals may get a hold of personal addresses, bank details, basically you'll get doxxed by the government...

You may be asking, "well is there anything to do about it?"

Of course there is, but we really need your help spreading awareness around, because the bill is most likely to pass this July!

This website was put together by Fight for the Future. It has everything, from petitions to calls scripts. It's very easy to understand and use and one of the best links to spread. I urge you to use this when calling your members of congress. All you need to do is put in your phone number once and read off the script provided and it does the rest for you.

https://www.badinternetbills.com/

Signable petitions and open letters;

If you live in the states, call your state representatives;

Joinable Discord server;

More information;

I have to say again and I am not exaggerating, this is URGENT the bill could be passed THIS MONTH!

I am begging you, please OPPOSE KOSA!!

🚨🚨IMPORTANT UPDATE!!🚨🚨

Update on KOSA and all these other bills:

We know DesignItForUs is visibly frustrated these bills have gone nowhere. "Child Safety" bills like KOSA, earn it, stop CSAM, have all not moved much and Schumer has slightly shifted to focusing more on AI. DesignItForUS and a bunch of other child orgs are heading to DC this weekend to lobby for KOSA this upcoming week. It is very very likely that it will move to markup in the week following that, which means it will pass out of committee and onto the Senate Floor where it will most likely pass due to the massive bipartisan support it has both in and out of congress. After KOSA is marked up, all these bad internet bills could very much get rolled up into one package and passed like that, destroying the internet all together.

My advice is go all out this weekend and throughout July. This month is *the* decisive factor for what happens going forward. Call call call call the Commerce committee **__(202-224-0411)__** and Cantwells office **__((202) 224-3441)

__**.

Contact influencers and orgs by dming them and asking them to speak about KOSA. We already have done stuff like this in and have a masterlist of orgs and influencers in under a google doc sheet. Do follow ups if you sent emails already. Be on tiktok under queer peoples tiktoks and ask them to speakout against KOSA and tell them its a bill that will censor the internet. Idc if its shy or awkward to do so, do it. Spread this all over tumblr and twitter and reddit. This is our only chance to stop these things.

The gentle hum of machinery filled the room of the spaceship, an ambient glow from the various buttons and the all-too-bright panel on the side of the platform illuminating the room. Gears turned on the walls, working ceaselessly to keep the wooden vessel running properly. Books stood on the bookshelf, displaying their titles proudly to anyone that happened to peruse the shelf- though many of the titles detailed stories, tales, and information about another galaxy, while some were in completely different languages! A window to the outside displayed countless of stars, twinkling brightly in the dark ocean of space.

In the gentle silence pervaded only by the mechanical hum, a gentle tink echoed through the room.

Sitting on the piano bench in the back of the room was Lyla, doing her best to try and figure out a song from memory. Though she wasn’t sure what the notes were, she kept pressing on the keys until she found the right ones. Her tiny fingers pressed down on the keys, playing the song. It was a bit slower than how the song goes, but that was to be expected. She didn’t have anyone to teach her to play, at the moment, and she wanted to play as well as her Mommy did!

… She wondered how her Mommy and Daddy were doing…

Alaina sat at the table in Celestia’s house, the side of her face resting on her propped-up elbow. Thoughtfully she gazed out the window at the massive forest clearing the house was tucked away in, staring through the distant trees as she pondered to herself…

“Bored?”

Alaina sat up a bit straighter, turning her head towards the voice.

Behind her stood El Lobo, thick bandages wrapped around their torso underneath their long-sleeved tunic. Without the cloak, she could see the metal wolf mask on their face and the fedora on their head, along with a hint of smooth brown hair on the very back of their head where the fedora couldn’t reach. The glowing yellow pupils of their mask’s eyes were right on the girl, reading her thoughts like an open book.

Alaina smiled, leaning back in her chair. “Yeah, a little bit,” she replied, arching a knowing eyebrow. “You look pretty bored, yourself.”

Their body language didn’t change, arms at their sides and standing tall despite their injuries, but she knew them well enough to know they were a bit restless about having to stay and recover- even if they seemed calm and reserved to almost everyone else.

Without missing a beat, Alaina pushed a chair out with her foot, gesturing to it with a held-out arm. “Do you want to stare out the window with me?” she offered with a half-smile.

At that, El Lobo stepped over. “Nothing else I can do, at the moment,” they said in response, sitting down and pulling the chair in.

Lowering her arm, she rested it on the table, going back to propping her head up on a fist.

The two of them sat there in silence, gazing out the window at the tranquil scenery and losing themselves to thought.

(Ask Box is Open)

Lyla sat at the counter in her ship’s kitchen, kicking her legs a bit as she ate her breakfast: a peanut butter and jelly sandwich with milk, prepared all by herself! Each bite of sandwich revealed more of the bottom of the clear plate it rested upon, and the level of milk in the clear cup grew lower with each sip. When she finally finished her sandwich, she could see small sequins shaped like various stars, moons, suns, and planets from her home floating in a suspended liquid between the layers of the plate. A smiling, heart-shaped planet, one shaped like a drop of water, one that looked like a mechanical planet, one that seemed surrounded by clouds, and many others floated through the transparent liquid; a tiny galaxy placed inside a piece of dishware.

The sight made the child smile.

Grabbing her cup of milk, she slowly drank it all up. As the milk vanished, the bottom of the cup became visible, revealing more stars floating in a liquid between the inner and outer layers of the cup’s bottom. One star in particular had a pair of rings around it as it shifted around due to the movement of the cup.

Lowering the cup, the child smiled, a milk mustache on her face. “Hello, Pop Star!” she greeted the sequin. An echo emanated from her mouth as she added a cheery “Xen Yudau!” and hopped down from the stool, picking up the plate and heading over to the sink to wash off the dishes.

divine-knight​:

Ah, leave it to a judge to stay neutral! Not that he minded, of course; it was only natural that judges had to remain neutral when passing down judgement- even if they thought the laws were wrong or unjust.

Regardless, he found the friendly debate of the strictness of laws rather fun! A good mental exercise on morality and law!

Another chuckle escaped the specter’s glowing mouth as he glanced at the judge, eyes glowing with a sly mirth. “Oh, no, in those cases, the laws are perfectly just,” he laughed, shaking his head. “If someone breaks the law- especially in those cases- they deserve the proper punishment handed down to them!”

Then he paused, a single finger rising up to point at Joseph. “No, the laws I am referring to are the ones that discriminate against a group of people for no reason other than the fact that they are different,” he stated, spinning his hand in circles. “Laws that punish the many due to the actions of a few- or that punish a whole group based on prejudice. Those laws are the ones I have problems with.”

The slumped soldiers of the honorable judge did not escape the Snatcher’s keen eyes, nor did the man’s thoughtful humming escape his nonexistent ears. Stroking his chin, the ghost couldn’t help but grin a bit as he waited for what would undoubtedly be an entertaining case from the judge.

Boy, did Joseph not disappoint, either!

By the time the judge began reciting the case, the ghost was trying to hide a faint snicker- but by the end of it, his shoulders were quaking as he quietly laughed, tears in his eyes at the ridiculous feud between noble houses!

“Did- Did they really try to- ha ha!- sue the other house for treason over petty theft!?” the Snatcher cackled, wiping the amused tears from his eyes as his head tilted back. His other hand rose up to hold his forehead as he was overcome by wheezy laughter.

It took him a few seconds to calm down- but when he did, he sighed and shook his head. “Oh, you must have your work cut out for you,” he chuckled, lowering his hand from his nonexistent brow, “This I cannot wait to hear!”

Pausing for a second, the specter glanced back over his shoulder at the city in the distance. “How well can I see it?” He hummed for a second, turning back to Joseph. “To be honest with you, I can see clearly in the dark- so I might not be the best judge of distance. Why do you ask?”

“That isn’t the worst of it,” he added as he looked back to the city.

So, the ghost could see the city perfectly fine, yet he was attuned to the dark. Joseph’s own eyes were better for judging the city’s visibility. And from what he could see, it was too dully lit. Barely any light reached them.

And they were alone.

Joseph turned back toward the trial and started walking again. “This should be plenty far, then.” A pitch-black mist surrounded him.

When it dissipated a moment later, the man look completely different. His judge’s garb was gone, replaced by a decorated red tail coat and black vest, and a cape that resembled a pair of bat wings. He had black patterned pants and knee high boots. His skin was sickly pale, and his hair had traded curls for waves. Even his eyes had changed from gold to light red.

The only thing that remained the same was his hair color.

The man stretched his arms behind his back, and those cape-like wings stretched out as well. “The joys of darkness,” he said to himself, revealing a pair of fangs. As well as a slight lisp, but no one ever seemed to mind that.

Joseph let his hands and wings fall back to his sides. “Now, about those two houses.” That annoyance returned to his voice. “Fensiar filed a case of theft over an eight ounce stick of butter. They used a receipt and some fingerprints on that butter stick to ‘prove’ it was stolen. Just enough evidence that my clerk and I decided it was worth humoring in court.

“And only after we held the trial and I allowed their opening statement did they start carrying on about how House Gildmeister was guilty of treason for stealing from a noble house, and how it was ‘against the government’ and they were going to start a coupe.” He looked back to Snatcher.

“Over an eight. Ounce. Stick. Of butter. Which they accidentally proved didn’t belong to either of them.”

“Really?” The Snatcher’s eyes shifted, as though he was raising his brow. Curiosity gleamed in his glowing eyes.

How could an already ridiculous-sounding case possibly get even worse? He couldn’t wait to find out!

His curiosity quickly changed to intrigue when Joseph spoke- and then concealed surprise when the judge changed right before his very eyes.

Well, well, well! It seemed like the judge was some type of vampire, by the looks of it! At least, he looked like what you would expect a vampire to look like.

Although, for all the ghost knew, Joseph might be some other fair folk or being that the specter didn’t know about.

A faint, almost impressed grin spread across the ghost’s face.

Good thing he didn’t have blood, anymore.

“Wow, that was quite a dramatic transformation!” the Snatcher exclaimed, clapping his hands together quickly. One of his clawed hands pressed against his chest. “I would change, myself, but my real form is a bit on the tall side.”

The second the case was mentioned again, however, the ghost fell silent, his fanged mouth spreading farther across his face the more he heard. The corners of his maw curled up further and further, and the specter’s eyes seemed to laugh for him as he let out a loud wheeze.

By the end of it, the ghost was clasping his stomach and holding his head, eyes screwed shut as forced-down laughter escaped his maw.

“W-Wait a minute-” Raising a finger, he pointed at Joseph, eyes already flooding with amused tears. “You- You’re telling me that one house tried to accuse the other for- for treason over stealing a- stealing a stick of- stick of butter that neither of them owned, and they- they proved by accident that it didn’t belong to either of them-”

Well, that did it. Distorted laughter echoed from the specter as he threw his head back.

“A-AHHHAHAHAHAHAHA!!” the ghost cackled, only barley able to suppress his laughter enough to keep it from echoing too loudly through the night. “Of- Of all the things I’ve ever heard of, that- that is just- that is the most idiotic thing I have EVER heard or seen anyone do! And boy, have I seen and heard some things!!!”

divine-knight​:

This judge was making a lot of good points.

The Snatcher found himself agreeing with what the judge was saying, from how people seemed to disregard small laws, to the arrogance of those breaking larger ones- and heck, even those in power thinking they’re exempt from the laws!

You know, he was starting to like this guy.

Bearing a knowing grin at the judge’s comment about people hiding in plain sight, the specter chuckled. “Ha ha, I would have to say most of the people you listed are fools of varying degrees,” he responded, an amused tone filling his voice. “But when it comes to those hiding… well, in certain cases, some laws are meant to be broken, wouldn’t you agree?”

He could attest to that, himself- even though technically he hadn’t broken any laws with becoming a lawyer.

The inky ghost seamlessly slowed down with Joseph. Hearing the man’s curiosity made the ghost grin- and the offer only made his grin grow further.

Ohoh, hearing some cases from a judge? This would be fun!

“Getting to hear an interesting case or two from a judge?” the specter quietly exclaimed, soon matching the judge’s smirk with his own glowing maw, “How could I resist? I’d love to hear some old cases you were on- or perhaps a few recent ones, if they’re allowed!”

All of a sudden, he glanced around, searching for anyone nearby before he spoke again. “Of course, going into this case would require me elaborating on some laws from my own land that involves some… sensitive information, if you catch my drift.”

He couldn’t help but laugh to himself. Laws, meant to be broken. To an extent, Joseph might agree, but that wouldn’t make him stay his hand. Not in judgement. And yet, how ironic, given he was one of those breaking the law.

Oh, the ghost must surely realize that by now.

And yet, Joseph couldn’t help but play devil’s advocate. “Perhaps some laws you may say are too harsh. But certainly, not every hidden criminal is under such duress? Would you say that a crime lord leading a drug ring posing as an officer or pastor is one who shouldn’t be punished? Or a predator hiding as a doctor is simply hiding because the laws are too strict? Or a serial murderer pretending to be a college student is?”

Then he sighed as he ran through his many cases in his head. His shoulders slumped for a moment. What case would be best to share with a fellow monster out in the open, given Snatcher clearly wanted to wait? And what wouldn’t offend him?

Joseph hummed to himself. The sidewalk changed from concrete to gravel as they continued. It smelled like grass, and faintly of blood; his own scent, long stale from the morning. Most people couldn’t detect it.

“In terms of recent, perhaps the most entertaining as of late is a pair of nobles I regularly deal with. Being the high judge of the country, I take both cases of severe matter and magic dealings, and cases between high nobility. The head of both noble houses have a certain petty hate for each other. Not to kill each other, but they certainly love to fight.

“Which leaves me to deal with every squabble they have.” He growled to himself for a moment. “Their most recent claim to my court was House Fensiar accusing GildMeister of petty theft. And claiming it to be treason.”

Joseph then turned to look at Snatcher. The city was a decent way behind them, with few lights on. Perhaps this was far enough. “Before I explain-how well can you see the city?”

Ah, leave it to a judge to stay neutral! Not that he minded, of course; it was only natural that judges had to remain neutral when passing down judgement- even if they thought the laws were wrong or unjust.

Regardless, he found the friendly debate of the strictness of laws rather fun! A good mental exercise on morality and law!

Another chuckle escaped the specter’s glowing mouth as he glanced at the judge, eyes glowing with a sly mirth. “Oh, no, in those cases, the laws are perfectly just,” he laughed, shaking his head. “If someone breaks the law- especially in those cases- they deserve the proper punishment handed down to them!”

Then he paused, a single finger rising up to point at Joseph. “No, the laws I am referring to are the ones that discriminate against a group of people for no reason other than the fact that they are different,” he stated, spinning his hand in circles. “Laws that punish the many due to the actions of a few- or that punish a whole group based on prejudice. Those laws are the ones I have problems with.”

The slumped soldiers of the honorable judge did not escape the Snatcher’s keen eyes, nor did the man’s thoughtful humming escape his nonexistent ears. Stroking his chin, the ghost couldn’t help but grin a bit as he waited for what would undoubtedly be an entertaining case from the judge.

Boy, did Joseph not disappoint, either!

By the time the judge began reciting the case, the ghost was trying to hide a faint snicker- but by the end of it, his shoulders were quaking as he quietly laughed, tears in his eyes at the ridiculous feud between noble houses!

“Did- Did they really try to- ha ha!- sue the other house for treason over petty theft!?” the Snatcher cackled, wiping the amused tears from his eyes as his head tilted back. His other hand rose up to hold his forehead as he was overcome by wheezy laughter.

It took him a few seconds to calm down- but when he did, he sighed and shook his head. “Oh, you must have your work cut out for you,” he chuckled, lowering his hand from his nonexistent brow, “This I cannot wait to hear!”

Pausing for a second, the specter glanced back over his shoulder at the city in the distance. “How well can I see it?” He hummed for a second, turning back to Joseph. “To be honest with you, I can see clearly in the dark- so I might not be the best judge of distance. Why do you ask?”

divine-knight​:

Ah, laughter. Either the judge was laughing at him, or at what the ghost was saying. He wasn’t sure if he should be offended or not, however.

Nonetheless, what Joseph was saying made the specter smirk slightly. “Oh, I wholeheartedly agree!” he replied with an amused chuckle, “Judges are vital to keeping a society from falling into lawlessness and anarchy!”

Leaning forward, he couldn’t help but add, “Though I find it utterly hilarious that anyone foolish enough to break the law could ever possibly think they won’t eventually get caught,” the specter quietly laughed. “The stories I could tell-”

He pointed at the judge. “- especially about one case I dealt with, around a decade back!”

Hearing that the man would call on him for any help with magical humans- and learning that, at the very least, there weren’t any sorcerers around by that name, made the Snatcher feel a slight bit of relief.

Though the thought of some humans being sorcerers in action rather than by title crossed his mind, he decided to let this topic slip from conversation, instead remarking with a somewhat- cheerful, “Fantastic! I could use something to blow off a little steam!”

At first, he was going to say something along the lines of “I find that a bit far-fetched!” when Joseph started talking about how some humans were. At least, until he heard what the man said next. A nonexistent eyebrow arched itself from intrigue.

Well, the judge certainly sounded like he was a bit upset about something! Seemed like he didn’t like any of those “creatures of the night” relying on humans- or perhaps he’s the one that needed humans around?

 As juicy as this information was, the specter let his expression relax, still smiling widely as he pulled his hat down a bit more. “As annoying as it might be to deal with most people, others can be useful in making sure certain individuals stay in check,” he mentioned, sticking his hand back in his pocket. “The judges in a neighboring country to mine see to it that people are made well aware that my word is law- especially since some time ago, some people couldn’t get the hint.”

A snicker left him at the thought. “The faces of those idiots that kept disobeying the law when the judges in that country threw the book at them- oh, that was a sight I’ll never forget!” he wheezed, wiping a tear from his eye. “Absolutely magnificent!”

When Snatcher didn’t push for information, the judge smiled and looked forward once more. He didn’t mind turning back to a conversation about law and policy, especially when he didn’t have to pretend to be human.

“Well, when it comes to avoiding the law,” he began, pausing to listen for any traffic at a road, “it’s a matter of how important the law is. If it’s something minute like crossing the road where you aren’t supposed to, most do so because they know most officers don’t have the time or capacity to care about such small infractions.

“Of course, for larger crimes, it becomes a matter of how track-able you think you are. Most people don’t find themselves master criminals, but some do. Some think they’re careful enough to avoid being found. Or that they’re too rich or important to be caught, or that the government is simply too inept to catch them.”

Joseph then grinned wider to himself. With just a hint of knowing, “And some think they’re too good at hiding. That they’re so obvious, no one would truly think they’re up to something. Because ‘no one doing something illegal would willingly put themselves in such a position.’”

Exactly why he got away with being magic in such a country. No one ever thought to look in plain sight.

The sidewalk led to the edge of the city, and out toward the country. A far less lit part of the area. Joseph slowed his pace. He paused for just a moment to listen before continuing on. “I must admit, you have my curiosity on what exactly happened. What this case was that you took, and how it involved foreign judges.

“Did it not go to international court?” Joseph lifted one hand, nearly pressing a finger to his cheek as he smirked. “Or were you requesting that they be handed over and tried in the country where they broke the laws? And the judges of the land agreed to these terms?

“Perhaps I’ll tell you a few stories of my own, if you want an exchange.”

This judge was making a lot of good points.

The Snatcher found himself agreeing with what the judge was saying, from how people seemed to disregard small laws, to the arrogance of those breaking larger ones- and heck, even those in power thinking they’re exempt from the laws!

You know, he was starting to like this guy.

Bearing a knowing grin at the judge’s comment about people hiding in plain sight, the specter chuckled. “Ha ha, I would have to say most of the people you listed are fools of varying degrees,” he responded, an amused tone filling his voice. “But when it comes to those hiding… well, in certain cases, some laws are meant to be broken, wouldn’t you agree?”

He could attest to that, himself- even though technically he hadn’t broken any laws with becoming a lawyer.

The inky ghost seamlessly slowed down with Joseph. Hearing the man’s curiosity made the ghost grin- and the offer only made his grin grow further.

Ohoh, hearing some cases from a judge? This would be fun!

“Getting to hear an interesting case or two from a judge?” the specter quietly exclaimed, soon matching the judge’s smirk with his own glowing maw, “How could I resist? I’d love to hear some old cases you were on- or perhaps a few recent ones, if they’re allowed!”

All of a sudden, he glanced around, searching for anyone nearby before he spoke again. “Of course, going into this case would require me elaborating on some laws from my own land that involves some… sensitive information, if you catch my drift.”