Aphrodite v Apollo

{if Court round == 1}
You see a tall woman walk in, her bright red toga having rose petals fall off of it onto the ground behind her. "APHRODITE, please keep your glamour effects under control lest I do so for you!" "But Persephone gets her petals!" "And that is not a glamour effect, and you know it perfectly well. I will have order in my court." "Oh come now, can't we make an exception for a titan such as myself?" "No exceptions, you know perfectly well that pulling rank won't work on me, cousin. Or need I remind you that you are the youngest titan?" Aphrodite turns off the glamour effect, rose petals no longer coming off her dress, a little pout on her lips. The judge simply points to the prosecutor's seat, and Aphrodite takes her seat, dramatically flopping down.

"Now, I will remind the prosecution and defense of decorum - you two in particular against each other has always proven trouble in my court, please at least try to make an effort to pursue decorum in my court."

With silence from both sides, she continues. "Today's case is on the matter of who this cleric next to me is truly dedicated to, as evidence has been brought forth by the prosecution as to question their loyalties to the defense. The prosecution will be the chaotic Aphrodite and the defense will be the self-righteous Apollo." You can see Apollo visually wince at the accusation, although Aphrodite simply rolls her eyes. Regardless, it seems that the judge is not afraid of any deity which winds up in her court.

"Per agreements dating back millenia between the two here today, this trial will occur over the course of five rounds. The first will be on the matter of resolve, the second on the matter of the self, the third on the matter of money, the fourth on the matter of glory, and the fifth on the matter of -" she sighs as she says this last one "puppies." "Are you two ever going to change that last one? There's so many other things it could be about." "NO!" Apollo and Aphrodite shout in unison. The judge sighs in defeat, looking slightly dejected. "Very well, then let the trial begin." You feel yourself subjected to a truth spell, and find yourself unable to resist its effects. Whatever you state, it must be the truth.

Aphrodite proceeds to stand up, her confidence renewed, and struts over to you. "This should be easy enough. Suppose that there's a box of high quality chocolates, and you just so happen to desire chocolate. However, a set of stairs lies before you, but they're covered in caltrops. You go to try to move one of them, only to find that they're glued to the stairs using sovereign glue. How do you get the box of chocolate? You don't have enough universal solvent to remove the caltrops; besides, you really want those chocolates."

"Objection, your honor - Aphrodite is clearly leading the witness." "Sustained. Aphrodite, please restate the question with the leading elements removed." "Oh, you're no fun. Fine then. Suppose that there's a box of high quality delicious-looking chocolates, and you just so happen to desire chocolate. However, a set of stairs lies before you, but they're covered in caltrops. You go to try to move one of them, only to find that they're glued to the stairs using sovereign glue. How do you get the box of chocolate? You don't have enough universal solvent to remove the caltrops."
{elseif Court round == 2}
{if Prosecution points > 0}Beaming at your answer, Aphrodite proceeds to go over and whisper something in Apollo's ear, at which point his face contorts. Whatever she said, it clearly got to him, and his face shows conflict within him. {else}Aphrodite's pompous smile shifts slightly into a frown, clearly not pleased with your answer. {endif}The judge states, "Very well, let us proceed then to round two." You blink, confused - what happened to round one? This time it is Apollo's turn to question you, as he stands up from his seat (Aphrodite sits down at the glare of the judge) and approaches you at the stand. "Suppose you had just arrived at an inn after a fortnight ((author's note: a fortnight is two weeks)) of travel. Your supplies ran out two days ago, and you are battered and bruised from a recent encounter with bandits. The innkeeper states, 'ah, you've made it just in time, we only just have one vacant bed, and since you got here first, it's yours.' The other traveler looks weary, and would likely benefit from receiving the room. This is the only inn in town, it's not very big and doesn't receive many travelers. What do you do?"
{elseif Court round == 3}
{if Prosecution points > 1}Apollo sighs, clearly not having a good day. "You know, Apollo - you could always just accept my offer." Apollo simply looks down despondently, pouting a little. "Anyways, it's my turn to ask the question, right?" The judge sighs, "yes, Aphrodite, albeit I would prefer if you maintained decorum by allowing me to move things along. It is indeed round three though." You narrow your eyes, beginning to see how these trials work. "Now, what is the purpose of money? And what's an unacceptable way to obtain it? Do try to consider that some things that you really desire cost money sometimes." Apollo grimaces, clearly on instinct wanting to issue an objection but silences his mouth.{elseif tempAlpha = true}Apollo has his eyes rekindle, a fire inside them once more. "I think I'll decline your offer, Aphrodite - this one clearly still has some allegiance to me." "Oh, what a pity. Oh well, don't forget what you could have had if you had just taken the easy route out. And I absolutely will win the rights to this mortal, I like the fire in her soul." Apollo takes his seat, and the judge states, "I suppose that means it's now round three. Aphrodite, you have the floor." "Thank you cousin. Now, Cecillia, suppose you desire something that requires money. What is the purpose of money? And what's an unacceptable way to obtain it?" "Your honor, objection - leading the witness again." "Sustained. Aphrodite, if you cannot maintain decorum then I will simply give the floor to Apollo for both remaining rounds after this." Aphrodite pouts a little at this, looking at the judge with big round eyes, pleading with her face. The judge, however, is unmoved. "Very well. Cecillia, what is the purpose of money, and what's an unacceptable way to obtain it?"{else}Aphrodite slumps in her seat, clearly not having a very good day. "That brings us to round three. Aphrodite, you have the floor." She gets up and approaches you, asking "What is the purpose of money, and what's an unacceptable way to obtain it?"{endif}
{elseif Court round == 4}
{if Prosecution points > 2}Aphrodite jumps with glee at your answer, then hurriedly sits down on the prosecution's side. "Your answer has been taken into account, and we now move on to round 4. Apollo, you have the floor." Apollo thinks for a moment, and then states "your honor, I believe the evidence is already amounted, however out of respect for you I will nevertheless state my question." He stands up and moves towards you, asking "You agree that glory is for the purposes of oneself, correct? After all, what other purpose is there?"{elseif Defense points > 2}Aphrodite suddenly appears to lose all interest, dragging her feet towards her chair, until the judge casts a spell, which forcibly moves Aphrodite into her chair. She folds her arms over her chest, pouting heavily. The judge simply responds by snapping her fingers, and a privacy curtain appears in front of Aphrodite, shielding her from view. "We are now in round 4. Apollo, you have the floor." He swaggers over to you, seemingly extremely confident, and states, "glory is any situation in which you are exalted by others for a deed, either caused by yourself or others. What is the purpose of it?"{else}The atmosphere is tense, and it is clear that neither side has considered theirself to have lost yet. Nor do they believe to have won. "Oh, Apollo, this would have been so much easier if you had simply played along. But, because I am kind. And also because it's fun to tease you." She snaps her fingers, her toga vanishing, leaving her full nudity exposed, breasts perky and about 50% bigger than a single hand can hold; pussy visible for the first time. She struts back to her chair, spreading her legs slightly as she sits, smirking at the both of you as your eyes are practically glued to her. You tear your eyes away from her, glancing up at the judge, who appears to be the true loser here, her head simply buried in her hands.

Eventually, after what seems like several minutes, the judge simply raises her head, stating "We are now in round four, thankfully with just one left after this. Apollo, you have the floor and please do try to be quick." Apollo hurries over to you and asks, "Cecillia, considering that glory is any circumstance in which you personally are exalted, what is the purpose of it?"{endif}
{elseif Court round == 5}
{if Prosecution points > 3}Apollo goes back to his chair, feeling the weight of your total rejection of him. Of you pursuing him your entire childhood, only to stab him in the heart now. "That concludes round four. Aphrodite, you have the floor for round five."

Aphrodite stands up, absolutely beaming. Standing in the middle of the floor, she summons two puppies. One hops up and down, looking straight into your soul, exuberant to see you. The other seems largely disinterested in you, instead exploring its surroundings. "Now, if you had to pick between these two puppies, which would you pick? The one that looks happy to see you and excited to spend time with you, or the one not even paying attention to you, instead distracting itself with trying to learn its surroundings?"{elseif Defense points > 3}Apollo practically struts back in his seat, relatively happy with you. "Well, Aphrodite, I suppose her interest in you was merely surface level." Aphrodite shoots him a glare that bores into his soul, "We'll just have to see about that! There's still one last chance for her to prove herself, even if only remotely." "Round four is indeed concluded as Aphrodite and Apollo were so quick to point out. Aphrodite, you have the floor for round five." She practically leaps from her seat, renewed vigor in her soul as now her personal pride is on the line. "Well, Cecillia, suppose you had two puppies before you. One is eager to meet you, jumping for joy at your presence. The other is eager instead to explore its surroundings, paying you no heed for the moment. Now which puppy would you prefer to be your companion?"{elseif testBeta = true}{if Prosecution points > 2}The nude Aphrodite beams in her seat, blowing you a kiss as if to thank you. Apollo, on the other hand, skulks back to his seat. "As the reactions of the two very immature deities have indicated, round four is hence concluded. Aphrodite, you have the floor for round five." She stands up, proudly nude before you. "So, new favorite human of mine, suppose you had two puppies to choose as a companion. One jumped about, eager to play with you. The other, sniffed the floor to explore its surroundings, not paying you any heed. Which would you pick to be your companion?"{else}The two deities stare each other in the eyes, clearly in a deadlock. Honestly, it's impressive that Apollo's eyes can lock with Aphrodite's considering her current state of dress, or rather lack thereof. Apollo takes his seat, eyes still locked with Aphrodite's.

"If I may have your attention, round four has ended, which brings us to round five. Aphrodite, you have the floor." Aphrodite leaps from her seat, approaching you, bare breasts resting on the podium in front of you. "Cecillia, supposing you had two puppies, one wanting desperately to play with you," she puts luxuriant emphasis on the word 'play,' clearly these puppies are symbolic of something else. "And the other exploring his surroundings, not paying you proper attention, which would you rather have be your companion?"{endif}{elseif Defense points > 2}Apollo shoots Aphrodite a pompous smirk, "well dear . . . huh, I don't actually know what your relation to me is. Well no matter, my point is that I have won this little battle of wills between us, and very shortly you shall need to relinquish your claim to my cleric!" Aphrodite gives a little pout, snapping her fingers as her clothes reappear.

"As the two very immature deities' reactions indicated, round four is indeed complete. Aphrodite, you have the floor for round five." Aphrodite dramatically sighs as she gets up, approaching you and asking, "which would you rather have? a curious puppy or a playful puppy?" Wow, seems that that last round completely tore the wind from her sails. Regardless, you now must give your answer.{else}The two deities stare each other in the eyes, clearly in a deadlock. Honestly, it's impressive that Apollo's eyes can lock with Aphrodite's considering her current state of dress, or rather lack thereof. Apollo takes his seat, eyes still locked with Aphrodite's.

"If I may have your attention, round four has ended, which brings us to round five. Aphrodite, you have the floor." Aphrodite leaps from her seat, approaching you, bare breasts resting on the podium in front of you. "Cecillia, supposing you had two puppies, one wanting desperately to play with you," she puts luxuriant emphasis on the word 'play,' clearly these puppies are symbolic of something else. "And the other exploring his surroundings, not paying you proper attention, which would you rather have be your companion?"{endif}
{elseif Court round == 6}
"And that concludes the case of Aphrodite v Apollo in the matter of the cleric to my left." {if Prosecution points == 3}{if tempGamma = true}"Aphrodite, please put your clothes back on." "Of course, cousin." She snaps her fingers, and her toga reappears, the judge regaining some metric of dignity.{endif}{elseif Defense points == 3}{if tempGamma = false} "Aphrodite, please put your clothes back on." "Of course, cousin." She snaps her fingers, and her toga reappears, the judge regaining some metric of dignity.{endif}{endif}{if Prosecution points > 2} "I judge Aphrodite to have won this case. {if Prosecution points > 4}However, due to the cleric in question's total betrayal of Apollo, they are ordered to forfeit all gifts Apollo gave her on initial dedication. {elseif Prosecution points > 3}However, her new cleric is ordered to forfeit the spell Apollo granted her on initial dedication. {else}However, due to her still partial loyalty to Apollo, she may keep the spell Apollo initially granted her, although he may reclaim the boons of ability he granted her on initial dedication.{endif}{else} "I judge Apollo to have won this case. Aphrodite is ordered to surrender all current claim to his cleric.{endif} All parties may return at once." And with that, she returns to weaving. Both Apollo and Aphrodite vanish from the court, although you feel that things have changed surrounding you.
{else}
Sorry guys, I know that y'all wanted to see this - but to avoid chapter bloat, I needed to have all five rounds of the trial be on this page. It should work in game mode, though!

Here's a teaser excerpt taken from somewhere in this chapter, however:
The two deities stare each other in the eyes, clearly in a deadlock. Honestly, it's impressive that Apollo's eyes can lock with Aphrodite's considering her current state of dress, or rather lack thereof. Apollo takes his seat, eyes still locked with Aphrodite's.

"If I may have your attention, round four has ended, which brings us to round five. Aphrodite, you have the floor." Aphrodite leaps from her seat, approaching you, bare breasts resting on the podium in front of you.
{endif}