[RL 36: Miscellaneous Scenes from a Vacation Taken During a Virus; Edgeworth, Phoenix][Backdated]

[samuraiprosecutor]

((OOC: Action spam of several scenes taking place during the 'What If?' virus. The first scene takes place several hours after the phone call at the end of this post--so the morning of Wednesday, Sept. 9th comm time, second day of the virus--and the scenes will cover the entire duration of the virus. Action spam is go!))

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[attorneyatlol]

[remains unmoving; it's only until he hears the door open once more than he finally speaks, his voice even and stern]

Miles.

[samuraiprosecutor]

[stops with the door half open and turns to look at Wright over his shoulder, not answering.]

[attorneyatlol]

[finally turns his head, looking over his shoulder at Miles; it takes a moment to find his words]

You know I'm not a suspicious person, right?

[samuraiprosecutor]

[jaw tightens, the only outward sign of any reaction.] I know it all too well.

[attorneyatlol]

[continues] And you know I'd never accuse anybody of anything without evidence, right?

[samuraiprosecutor]

[a cold smirk briefly crosses his lips, not quite making it to his eyes.] I should hope you've learned at least that much from me.

[attorneyatlol]

[his expression softens, but only slightly. jaw still tight, he turns away again, watching the waves. it's obviously difficult for him to say what he's trying to say. he lapses into silence for a moment]

[samuraiprosecutor]

[a moment Edgeworth is content to wait out, occupying his time with reminders of what the reality of the situation is and why he's tolerating it.]

[attorneyatlol]

[after a while, he sighs, his shoulders briefly sagging; when it becomes apparent that there's no real easy way to say it, he steels himself once more and abruptly blurts out:]

Are you seeing someone?

[samuraiprosecutor]

[it isn’t the question he expected, though in retrospect he supposes it should have been. he stares at Wright’s slumped shoulders, grateful the man can’t see the surprise that is no doubt splashed across his face; feels oddly...stung by the accusation, preposterous as that may be, and the shock morphs into a sharp glare trained at the back of Wright’s head.]

[voice low and level:] You know me...Phoenix. You know me well. Do you truly think I’d be capable of...betraying you in that way?

[attorneyatlol]

No, but... [shakes his head and turns to face Miles, glaring back] What am I supposed to think? You've been distant ever since they cut my hours, and suddenly you've got these new clothes, a new car, and now you're... [pauses for a moment, not sure he wants to say it] ...and now this. [he finally says, gesturing at the glass door, indicating the beds]

[solemnly, he adds:] And don't think I didn't notice the guilty looks you were giving me last night.

[samuraiprosecutor]

[clenches his jaw and crosses his arms defensively in front of him, but otherwise remains impassive.] And in spite of all that you know about me, this is the conclusion you’ve drawn? I do hope working in a law office will teach you more about the dubious value of circumstantial evidence.

[attorneyatlol]

[voice is raising slightly] What other conclusion am I supposed to draw? You won't tell me what's wrong!

[samuraiprosecutor]

[voice is staying level in return.] I’ve told you enough to indicate that you aren’t the source of any problems or concerns. I’ve advised you that we can discuss the matter later. After being told that, I would hope you’d draw no conclusions until said discussion took place.

[attorneyatlol]

Then let's have the discussion now!

[samuraiprosecutor]

Now is not the time.

[begins to rub roughly at the bridge of his nose, intentionally allowing some of his exasperation to show, real support for a hopefully convincing act. meets Wright’s gaze again, a hint of a plea in his eyes.] A few days. Give me this… [sweeps his hand toward the ocean before them] …and we can discuss it when we return.

[attorneyatlol]

Miles... [trails off for a moment before turning back towards the beach with a frustrated growl; gripping the rail of the balcony tightly, he does his best to rein in his anger before continuing in a much quieter (but no less heated) tone:]

This isn't like you.

[samuraiprosecutor]

[dryly] So you mentioned.

[attorneyatlol]

You used to tell me everything.

[samuraiprosecutor]

[averts his gaze to the ocean, surreptitiously squeezing his arm. after a few moments his look softens, only slightly but it’s noticeable.] Just a few days, Wright. Everything will be clear in a few days.

[attorneyatlol]

[inwardly cringes at the use of his last name but says nothing; he's sure he'd just get the same answer, that everything would be 'clear in a few days'. whatever that meant...]

What happens then?

[samuraiprosecutor]

[a pause before he returns his gaze to Wright, who’s still leaning against the railing, shoulders slumped.] Then...we’ll talk.

[attorneyatlol]

[remains quiet for a while, his jaw clenched tightly as he turns the statement over in his head. it doesn't make any sense to him. why shouldn't they be able to talk now? what differences will a few days make?]

[with another sigh, he turns to face Miles]

Fine. [he says, though the tone says anything but. then his voice softens, if only somewhat, while he holds Miles' gaze steadily and adds:] ...I trust you.

[samuraiprosecutor]

[the initial response draws Edgeworth’s brows into a slight frown and his hand again tightens on his elbow. with his friend’s softening tone, however, his own, stony expression softens. allows a touch of genuine gratefulness to come through, sure that Wright won’t discern its true source.]

[nods, then turns to go back inside, saying quietly:] I think the bellhop’s been allowed to slack off for far too long.

[attorneyatlol]

[lingers for a moment longer, unable to let it go, despite what he says. he knows there's something wrong; if it's not what he initially thought, then it's obviously something else, and his mind is quick to consider other possibilities.]

[before the other man can disappear inside, Phoenix stops him one last time]

Miles...