Apollo v Aphrodite

{if Court round == 1}
You see a man walk in, wearing a golden toga. He sees who's on the defender's side and grins, immediately going over to her. "So, Aphrodite, couldn't manage to keep one of your followers interested in you? I see it's finally the other way around now." The judge speaks up, "Apollo, please do not agitate Aphrodite. It would be nice to have at least one trial between the two of you go according to decorum." "Oh, but I would never your honor. I was just saying hi to the defense." "Apollo, I live across the street from you. It's not like we don't say hi every week." The judge lowers her head slightly and unleashes a look that bores straight into Apollo's soul. He shrinks back and sits in the prosecution's seat.

At that, the judge pinches the bridge of her nose for a moment and then sits up. "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."

Aphrodite merely sits there, a literal halo on her head as she inquisitively looks at the judge. "Aphrodite, no glamour effects please." She gives a little pout from her lips as she proceeds to snap her fingers and the halo vanishes. With both sides settled, 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 pompous Apollo and the defense will be the wily Aphrodite." Both Apollo and Aphrodite glare at the judge, neither appearing to appreciate the remark.

"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.

Apollo stands and jaunts over to you. "Cecillia, on the matter of resolve, it is important to first establish the stakes. Suppose there is a massive library in your city, and an army is invading by ship. You are the only one willing to take action to protect anything, as all the other people are preoccupied with the defense. Fire has already started spreading from the docks to the library building, and any attempt to put the library out will be futile, as the fire will simply spread once again from the docks. How do you save as many books as you can?"

Aphrodite appears rather frustrated at the question. She keeps opening her mouth to try to say something but is unable to come up with a proper response.
{elseif Court round == 2}
{if Prosecution points > 0}"Your honor, I believe my opponent posed that question in poor faith. Is there a way to make him pose future questions in good faith?" The judge considers her question for a moment, before coming to a conclusion: "normally yes, but in light of what you typically do in these sorts of trials I think it's only fair turnabout. Perhaps you should consider this the consequences of your actions." "But my actions only ever have good consequences!" "Then you should consider this a good consequence, no?" Apollo simply sits down, a smirk on his face. "Apollo, I will ask you to behave with at least some manner of dignity - I would rather you didn't gloat over your opponent." Apollo straightens his back and sits down, smirk gone.{else}Giving a slight frown at your answer, Apollo returns to the prosecution's seat.{endif} "Very well, that concludes round one. Aphrodite, you have the floor for round two."

She stands up and strides over to you. "Cecillia, suppose there were a series of crises and you had been required to respond to each in turn, no one else being capable of properly responding to them. Now you're quite thoroughly exhausted, and have an excursion planned for the nearby hot springs. This area is quite popular, and you won't be able to get in on another day. Just then, the town mayor approaches you and explains that another situation has arisen which you know only you have the expertise required to properly handle - if anyone else handles it, they'll inevitably botch it in some way, shape, or form. It will also take longer than a day to deal with, however, and doing so would mean you miss your opportunity for the excursion. What do you do?" "Objection! Leading the witness!" "Overruled; for once, Aphrodite is actually following proper decorum."
{elseif Court round == 3}
{if Prosecution points > 1}Aphrodite lets out a sigh of frustration, snapping her fingers as her toga vanishes entirely. "Very well, I'll give you a taste of what you'll be missing out on if you continue down the path you're traveling." She saunters back to her seat, a sway in her hips as she does so. "Your honor?" "Unfortunately for my sanity, Apollo, there is no rule against taking off your clothes in my court room."{else}Aphrodite returns to her chair, keeping her dignity about her.{endif} Seeing the defense and prosecution both settle she continues, "that concludes round two."

Apollo stands up, and walks over to you. "Cecillia, we all know that money is the primary way of exchanging goods and services. However, what is the best use of it? To help yourself or to help others?" "Objection your honor, unfair depiction of the defense!" "Sustained. Apollo, please retract your question and replace it with a fair representation." "Very well your honor," although you can hear frustration in his voice. "What is the best use of money? To fulfill your own desires, or the desires of others?"
{elseif Court round == 4}
{if Prosecution points > 1}{if tempAlpha = true}{if tempBeta = true}{if Prosecution points > 2}"Sorry, but sometimes ideals win out over wiles," Apollo states, clearly proud of his apparent victory. He proceeds to reclaim his seat, clearly smug over what just happened. Well, you suppose it's too late for buyer's remorse. "That concludes round three. Aphrodite, you have the floor for round three." She gets up and slowly walks towards you, breasts swaying as she does so. "Clearly you don't want me as your deity anymore, despite those years in childhood you spent pursuing your ideals. However, the show must go on." You scrunch up your face, confused. She said it as if she was referencing a popular saying or theater piece, yet you recall nothing of the sort. She chuckles at your confusion. "You decided to abandon following me. Guess you'll never know." Your cheeks burn with embarrassment, you not the happiest with this turn of events.

"Well, that brings us to the question of the day. Suppose you had been recently lauded for what you had done. What is the proper response to such?"{else}Aphrodite jumps up with glee, breasts bouncing from the leap. "Seems you haven't fully taken my cleric under your wing, nephew." "Wait, you're my aunt?" "Technically I'm your great great aunt thrice removed, but kinda?" "Thrice removed? How does that even work?" "Because I didn't spawn until after Zeus did, duh." This whole conversation is very confusing for you, while the judge simply sits next to you, annoyed. "Is there any chance the two of you can catch up on family matters once time and space are no longer suspended?"

At this, Apollo scurries back to his seat, and Aphrodite approaches. "Cecillia, we both know that when you get lauded it feels great. Being an unsung hero tends to feel demoralizing after all." She pointedly eyes Apollo, who simply cries, "Objection, leading the witness!" "Overruled. Though an underhanded tactic, Aphrodite appears to be legitimately unfolding the scenario. Aphrodite, you may continue." "Thank you, your honor. Now, Cecillia, being that unsung hero really sucks. But what should you do when you receive glory?"{endif}{else}Tension hangs in the air as Apollo takes his seat. It is clear that neither one of the deities has the victory, yet mathematically it is a necessity that one candidate is just one point from victory.

"That concludes round three. Aphrodite, you have the floor for round four." Said goddess stands up and approaches you. She begins talking, "Cecillia, we both know that when you get lauded it feels great. Being an unsung hero tends to feel demoralizing after all." She pointedly eyes Apollo, who simply cries, "Objection, leading the witness!" "Overruled. Though an underhanded tactic, Aphrodite appears to be legitimately unfolding the scenario. Aphrodite, you may continue." "Thank you, your honor. Now, Cecillia, being that unsung hero really sucks. But what should you do when you receive glory?"{endif}{else}Tension hangs in the air as Apollo takes his seat. It is clear that neither one of the deities has the victory, yet mathematically it is a necessity that one candidate is just one point from victory.

"That concludes round three. Aphrodite, you have the floor for round four." Said goddess stands up and approaches you. She begins talking, "Cecillia, we both know that when you get lauded it feels great. Being an unsung hero tends to feel demoralizing after all." She pointedly eyes Apollo, who simply cries, "Objection, leading the witness!" "Overruled. Though an underhanded tactic, Aphrodite appears to be legitimately unfolding the scenario. Aphrodite, you may continue." "Thank you, your honor. Now, Cecillia, being that unsung hero really sucks. But what should you do when you receive glory?"{endif}{elseif Defense points > 2}Aphrodite leaps for joy, "seems my cleric was only paying you lip service, nephew." Apollo scowls, taking his seat. "While I can clearly see you're excited, I do need you to sit down, Aphrodite; you haven't been given the floor yet." She sits, seeing that this isn't proceeding until she does. "Now, that does indeed conclude round three. Aphrodite, it is now that you may stand for round four."

And stand she does. "Cecillia, we both know that getting lauded feels absolutely amazing. But what should you do in response to such?"{else}Tension hangs in the air as Apollo takes his seat. It is clear that neither one of the deities has the victory, yet mathematically it is a necessity that one candidate is just one point from victory.

"That concludes round three. Aphrodite, you have the floor for round four." Said goddess stands up and approaches you. She begins talking, "Cecillia, we both know that when you get lauded it feels great. Being an unsung hero tends to feel demoralizing after all." She pointedly eyes Apollo, who simply cries, "Objection, leading the witness!" "Overruled. Though an underhanded tactic, Aphrodite appears to be legitimately unfolding the scenario. Aphrodite, you may continue." "Thank you, your honor. Now, Cecillia, being that unsung hero really sucks. But what should you do when you receive glory?"{endif}
{elseif Court round == 5}
{if Defense points > 2}Aphrodite struts back to her seat, full of confidence. Apollo lets out a sigh of exasperation at the titan's display, burying his head in his hands. "That concludes round four. Apollo, I will need you to take your head out of your hands and take the floor for round five." Apollo loudly sighs, and stands up, approaching the witness stand. "Mortal, suppose there were two dogs. One was playful, the other curious. Which would you choose as your companion?"{elseif tempAlpha = true}{if tempBeta = true}{if Prosecution points == 2}Aphrodite simply smiles as you answer, having been energized from the brink of an early defeat. Apollo frowns, his early lead having entirely eroded. "That concludes round four. Apollo, please take the floor for the final round." Apollo stands up and approaches you. "Cecillia, supposing you had a choice between two dogs, which would you pick? One see-" Unfortunately, Apollo's attention is broken as he sees Aphrodite laying on her seat, defying gravity. Currently, she is lying on her side, head resting on her hand as her elbow rests on the air. Her other arm droops over her body, crossing just under her breasts. "Aphrodite, what are you doing?" "I thought you might want to paint me like one of your French girls." "Since when did any European woman after Byzantium fell lie like that? Also, when did it spread to France?" "Apparently since about 700 years after you last visited." "700 years? What are you talking about? I literally saw you at the grand opening of the Notre Dame church a week ago." Aphrodite thinks for a moment, and then remembers. "Ah, yes. That was me from about 2000 years ago, or 1000 years ago by this world's time." You look very confounded at this, and the judge simply has her finger on the bridge of the nose. Aphrodite looks at you, "stick with me, Cecillia, and I might just fill you in on some of this eventually. I've seen things that would make your heart burn with fervor." "Aphrodite, while this conversation was certainly . . . enlightening, I do need Apollo to finish questioning the witness." "Ah yes, of course. One puppy's playful the other curious. Which do you pick?" Aphrodite merely winks at you, giving a knowing smile.{else}Aphrodite takes her seat, clearly discontent with the results, crossing her arms under her naked breasts. The judge speaks up, "that concludes round four." Apollo, by contrast, is more than happy to stand and approach you. "Suppose there were two puppies. One was intelligent and curious; the other playful but mischievous. Which would you choose as a companion?"{endif}{elseif Prosecution points == 3}Aphrodite dramatically collapses into her chair, clearly not happy with how this trial has gone. "That concludes round four. Apollo, you may proceed with round five." Apollo stands up, approaching you. "Suppose there were two dogs. One was intelligent and curious; the other playful but mischievous. Which would you choose as a companion?"{else}An energy fills the air as it is clear that everything hangs on this last round. Aphrodite sits up straight, Apollo straightens his toga out. "That concludes round four." Apollo stands up and approaches you. "Cecillia, suppose you had two puppies on offer to you. One was curious, intelligent, and brave, boldly exploring the unknown. The other was playful but a bit daft, ea-" "Objection! Leading the witness." "Sustained. Apollo, please restate the question without painting the two dogs in an obviously unfair manner." Apollo rolls his eyes, causing the judge to glare at him; "If you don't want to take this round, I could always allow Aphrodite to take the floor." This quickly rights his behavior, him resuming his professional manner. "Cecillia, suppose you had two puppies to choose from for your companion. One was curious and intelligent, eager to explore its surroundings. The other was playful and distractable, eager to keep you and itself entertained. Which would you choose?"{endif}{elseif Prosecution points == 3}Aphrodite takes her seat, forlorn by the result. "That concludes round four. Apollo, you have the floor for round five." Apollo stands and approaches you. "Well then, future cleric of mine. Supposing there were two puppies, one of whom was curious and intelligent but the other playful and easily distracted, which would you pick as your companion?"{else}An energy fills the air as it is clear that everything hangs on this last round. Aphrodite sits up straight, Apollo straightens his toga out. "That concludes round four." Apollo stands up and approaches you. "Cecillia, suppose you had two dogs on offer to you. One was curious, intelligent, and brave, boldly exploring the unknown. The other was playful but a bit daft, ea-" "Objection! Leading the witness." "Sustained. Apollo, please restate the question without painting the two dogs in an obviously unfair manner." Apollo rolls his eyes, causing the judge to glare at him; "If you don't want to take this round, I could always allow Aphrodite to take the floor." This quickly rights his behavior, him resuming his professional manner. "Cecillia, suppose you had two dogs to choose from for your companion. One was curious and intelligent, eager to explore its surroundings. The other was playful and distractable, eager to keep you and itself entertained. Which would you choose?"{endif}
{elseif Court round == 6}
The air calms, any lingering tension removed{if tempAlpha = true}{if tempBeta = true} as Aphrodite snaps her fingers, causing her clothes to reappear{endif}{endif}. Apollo reclaims his seat, looking to the judge for her ruling. "And that concludes the case of Apollo v Aphrodite in the matter of the cleric to my left. {if Prosecution points > 2} I judge Apollo to have won this case. {if Prosecution points > 4}However, due to the cleric in question's total betrayal of Aphrodite, they are ordered to forfeit all gifts Aphrodite gave her on initial dedication. {elseif Prosecution points > 3}However, his new cleric is ordered to forfeit the spell Aphrodite granted her on initial dedication. {else}However, due to her still partial loyalty to Aphrodite, she may keep the spell Aphrodite initially granted her, although she may reclaim the boons of ability she granted her on initial dedication.{endif}{else} I judge Aphrodite to have won this case. Apollo is ordered to surrender all current claim to her cleric.{endif} All parties may return at once." And with that, she returns to weaving. Both Aphrodite and Apollo vanish from the court, although you feel that things have changed surrounding you.
{else}
Apologies, but these chapters only work well in game mode - too much chapter bloat if I separate it into the five rounds and aftermath.

Here's a teaser excerpt taken from somewhere in this chapter, however:
Apollo stands up and approaches you. "Cecillia, suppose you had two puppies on offer to you. One was curious, intelligent, and brave, boldly exploring the unknown. The other was playful but a bit daft, ea-" "Objection! Leading the witness." "Sustained. Apollo, please restate the question without painting the two dogs in an obviously unfair manner." Apollo rolls his eyes, causing the judge to glare at him; "If you don't want to take this round, I could always allow Aphrodite to take the floor." This quickly rights his behavior, him resuming his professional manner.
{endif}