[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/z6cC6JC.png[/img][/center]

It was hard to tell whether her words were having any impact, if she was swaying any minds. Perhaps in the crowd, but this was not that kind of trial. It wasn't like Ancient Rome where that crowd would approve her guilt or innocence. It was all about the Ascendancy gathered before her, and what they believed. 

There was definitely not one person who was not convinced, and that was Rachel. At the mention of Pandemonium she flinched, as anyone else would in the same situation. Really, she should have expected no less.

Turing, she frowned as the video played. For a moment she was tempted to ask how the girl had gotten this, before mentally stopping herself. Right, Scrying magic. Stupid question. Instead she listened quietly at the various cases presented, the arguments made. She waited patiently for her opportunity to speak, to defend herself. 

At last it did, and she nodded in turn. The first thing to address was the video, and what had happened during it. [color=aba000]"That's right,"[/color] she confirmed with a nod to Hudie. 

That detail cleared, she moved into her actual explanation. [color=aba000]"At the time things were....tense. We were still recovering from the devastation caused by Justine. I was worried, afraid that out of anger or revenge or justice one of my sisters here would kill her before she had the chance to be purified, even though I had confirmed her apology and desire for redemption to be sincere."[/color] Alicia's head fell slightly. [color=aba000]"I know it wasn't protocol, and I went beyond my bounds, but at the time I made what I believed was the right choice."[/color]

She then moved on to the matter of what they had done for Penny. [color=aba000]"As far as the modifications are concerned, but that point we considered her to be an ally, despite being deceived by her Patron at the time. I felt it was reasonable to help an sally, though it wasn't entirely my decision."[/color] As much as she might want to stand beside her leader, that had been Sylvia's call in the end. She couldn't deny it. 

[color=aba000]"As for Serenity..."[/color] Alicia looked back over her shoulder, flashing the girl a warm smile before shrugging. [color=aba000]"You really give me too much credit. You all can feel it. She has a Spark, she passed the tests that all have to go through to join Beacon. You can test her for yourselves if you want, but I'm not sure what else I was supposed to do in that situation."[/color]

She then met Rachel head on. Firm, determined, confident in what she had said and her reasoning behind it. [color=aba000]"I don't deny any of these claims. I do deny this fearmongering, this belief in some grander conspiracy lurking beneath the surface. A lot of stuff has happened here in Penrose, more than I ever would have anticipated when I signed up to join Beacon. I'd like to think it's the same way for everyone else in the Branch. Yet we're still here, and the world is still standing. I'd like to think that counts for something."[/color] 

One could only hope