//------------------------------// // Court // Story: Two in the Space // by Josh Crapo //------------------------------// June 11, 2159 Today, I’m getting out of the detention center; it’s not because I didn’t do anything, but it is because I’m getting a trail. I always wondered what it was like to see a trail, and I get the front row seat to one. So, I’ll be sitting in the defendant’s chair, as they call it, as the trial goes on. In the lobby, I wait for Aura Draft while observing the abundance of changelings present in the room. “Venty!” Aura Draft comes to me and gives me a hug. “So, what’s going on?” “I was permitted to represent you, but under the condition that I have to only call you Vent, which is just complete insanity. That name just doesn’t sit right.” “You’re not the only one.” “Wish me luck. It’s going to be smooth sailing.” So I pay attention for what I’m being accused of so that I know where any of those ponies were coming from. So when the trial begins, words cannot describe what happens. The only thing I can say is that Aura Draft was right. “On Saturday, June 9th, Air Wiff had died after returning home from Halma, Yakyakistan. The cause of death was by the intake of a powerful depressant. But this wasn’t just any intake. This intake was forced by another. Afterwards, the same exact day, Air Vent had mysteriously went missing. Then, the morning after, witnesses saw that a changeling was impersonating Air Vent during a service at Halma. No one knows about this changeling, but what we do know of her actions is far beyond how low our reputation used to be before the reign of Queen Shell.” “Before I give anything away, I want to be sure you’re confident of your opening statement. So, my first question is... who caused the death?” “Th- didn’t you hear me?!? It’s the changeling that intoxicated Air Wiff!!!” “Okay. Second question. Who caused who else to go missing?” “Air Vent went missing because of the changeling!!! I can’t believe you’re asking these questions!!! Did you even listen to the opening statement?!?” “And I can’t believe you’re not noticing emphasis in my questions. But I’m done with the questions for now. The first point I would like to bring up is that if she was murdered, she wouldn’t have called Vent and I when we were at the grand opening of an arcade.” “Wh- what’s an arcade have to do with a murder?!?” “I’m not talking about relevance here, I’m just saying that if it was a murder, like you say it was, I would not’ve gotten a call back from Air Wiff on my whitewatch. The fact Vent was even with me when I- Okay, just see for yourself on the whitewatch.” “Bailiff! Can you announce any calls kept on record in the whitewatch?” “There were three calls. Two on June eighth. 1:42 P.M. and 3:01 P.M. One on June ninth. 3:25 P.M.” “So, what time did the arcade open?” “The arcade had opened on June ninth at 2:45 P.M., according to the invoice I strangely got when I was trying to get information about the defendant.” “That invoice you ‘strangely’ got about Vent includes the information about Air Vent. And what’s the reason that this information is about both Vent and Air Vent?” “Uh oh.” “I see you caught on.” “How is-” “I don’t know how, myself. But I do know that Vent and Air Vent are one and the same.” “I-” “The two birds are down. Since Vent really is Air Vent, it negates how Air Vent could’ve gone missing because she wasn’t missing at all. And to clear what happened to Air Wiff, Vent was with me during the grand opening of the arcade when Air Wiff called for the last time. Vent could not’ve murdered Air Wiff because she was with me.” “NOOO!!! HOW DID YOU DO THAT?!?” “I already know the truth. I’ve been with Vent, for the most part, ever since Air Wiff was in Halma for the last time.” “Well, I’ve seen enough today. So, it’s time I lay down my verdict. I declare the defendant, Vent... not guilty. Court is adjourned.” I look at Aura Draft with a smile knowing that I’m free. The crowd of changelings start to walk out of the audience benches. “Aura Draft, are you coming to lobby with me?” “I’ll be there, Venty. I just have something to do in here.”