Entery for "Dialogue Only"

"I'm signing the death warrant, Clairesse; there is nothing you can do about it."

"Have you no morals? These are little creatures you are condemning. Have some compassion!"

"I'm still signing it. There isn't a thing you can do."

"How could you, Victoria-- they are just children. They did nothing to you!"

"The little creeps killed Gregory. He was my one and only love!"

"Where is the evidence? They are innocent children, and you had no right to hurt them so!"

"They killed Gregory! They are the Turquoise Salamanders! How can you not acknowledge that? Are you blind, deaf, and mute, Clairesse? Can't you witness the torment I am in at this moment?"

"I understand and sympathize with your sorrow, but I feel more compassion for the young ones whose death warrant you have signed."

"Shut up with your riotousness already! They killed Gregory-- a perfectly--"

"Stop talking about Gregory, Victoria! We all know you don't really care for him, you just want attention now that your date is dead!"

"I do not!"

"Yes you do, I can see it in your eyes. Now hand over that document so I can properly dispose of it."

"No! If they are indeed innocent, as you say, a trial won't hurt them--"

"You know how the Council rules: Guilty until proven innocent. We have no evidence either way, so, indeed, you are condemning six innocent children."

"Then you admit there is no truth behind your claims."

"No, I just.... Victoria, please, let this slide. We are sisters let not this tear us apart.

"What do you mean by that?"

"Victoria...."

"Listen, I just don't want Gregory's murder to go unpunished. Can't you grant me that wish?"

"I wish I could, but hunting down these children is not the answer."

"Then what is?"

"I don't know! Just-- just give me time to think, please. I don't want these toddlers slaughtered at our hands."

"They aren't toddlers. They're full grown bastards!"

"What do you have against these children?"

"They are the Turquoise Salamanders and they killed Gregory!"

"You have no proof either."

"Very well then. We shall let the Council decide."

"No! You cannot-- they will perish as surely---"

"As surely as Gregory did. Come now, Clairesse, or I'll be going without you."

"NO!"

"Oh, but yes. These creeps will suffer for what they did to my love!"

"He wasn't your love--"

"He kissed me!"

"One half-hearted kiss doesn't mean much. Victoria, think through this logically. How could these pint-sized creatures take down Gregory?"

"Poison."

"He was stabbed in the heart, for Darkness's sake. It must have been a suicide."

"Gregory had me to live for--"

"Then how do you explain the fact that one of the children you are so happy to kill was found, throat slit, next to your beau?"

"It was probably a ritualistic killing. Those are all the rage with ruffians these days."

"Victoria, these are honest children, albeit orphans, but children. Show mercy."

"As much mercy as they did for my Gregory."

"He wasn't yours. He was his own person. You need to accept his decision and move on!"

"He didn't kill himself, and he certainly didn't kill a little boy!"

"I don't know, you weren't so interested in condemning our youth before you met him."

"Take that back!"

"No, I won't. Though I'm rather sure Gregory must have had a reason for the killings, fanciful or no."

"He didn't kill anybody!"

"Were you there, sister? How do you know?"

"I just trust Gregory! He was so sweet, not to mention kind, and he loved me. He still loves me."

"He's dead and roasting in Hades. Get over it."

"He's with the angels!"

"Not if he killed the boy..."

"Shut up, would you? I'm trying to mourn."

"Oh, yes, mourn by sending others the way of your beloved."

"At least I had the decency to wear black!"

"The dead don't care of the color of your garb, Victoria. If Gregory was who you claim him to be, I'm sure he wouldn't mind me not adhering to the customary colors of mourning."

"You are right. That doesn't matter. I'm wasting my time arguing with you. I'm just going to the Council with my reports, and that is it. You cannot stop me."

"Victoria, no!"

(711 words)