[RL 55: In the dog house; Edgeworth, Phoenix, Trucy]

[samuraiprosecutor]

[Sigi heralds his arrival, getting to his feet and trotting to the door before there's any sound out in the hall. the dog's a little slower than he used to be, but still just as excited to have his master home.]

[Edgeworth comes in without a word, discards his coat at the hall tree, his briefcase on the sofa table, his keys in the decorative bowl that's received them as long as he's been in this apartment. He meets Phoenix's gaze for a moment while he stands behind the sofa and pets the dog.] Has Sigi been fed yet?

Comments

[samuraiprosecutor]

[takes the cue and lowers his voice.] ...Thank you.

[then without another word he disappears into the kitchen with Sigi trailing along behind him at a leisurely pace. soon Wright can hear the sounds of food preparation as Edgeworth plates the contents of the bag he brought in. if you want him, Phoenix, he'll be eating at the island.]

[attorneyatlol]

[A couple minutes pass before Phoenix carefully slips from Trucy's hold and appears in the doorway leading to the kitchen. He leans against the doorjamb, arms folded over his chest and a frown on his face.]

Is everything alright?

[samuraiprosecutor]

[Edgeworth glances up only briefly.] If you were successful with your efforts at damage control then everything's fine.

[attorneyatlol]

I let everyone know it was a mistake, if that's what you mean. [He pushes away from the doorjamb and joins Miles at the island, though he remains standing.] Nobody really believed it, anyway.

[samuraiprosecutor]

[He doesn't acknowledge the proximity, just turns back to his sandwich.] Did she apologize to you?

[attorneyatlol]

Of course she did. To me and everybody else. [He doesn't give Miles much of a chance to respond, as he tries to move into his line of sight.] What's the problem?

[samuraiprosecutor]

[Miles glances up again, but quickly looks back down at his food. Before he takes another bite, he says in a frustratingly casual tone:] There's no problem. Obviously it shouldn't have happened, but there's nothing to be done about that now.

[attorneyatlol]

[Phoenix leans in so that he's right next to him, nearly in his face.]

Then why are you giving me the cold shoulder?

...omg icon.

[samuraiprosecutor]

[Finally meets his gaze with a cold stare, doesn't lean away or give ground.] Because you haven't apologized yet for allowing it to happen.

norry made them for me :3

[attorneyatlol]

[Phoenix opens his mouth to protest but barely gets a syllable out before he thinks twice. Snapping his mouth closed, he backs away and sighs, turning to lean against the island counter top.]

I'm... sorry. [His gaze drops to the floor.] I didn't expect to fall asleep, and I never would have, if I thought for a second she'd do something like that...

But you're right. [another sigh] It shouldn't have happened.

norry is a saint

[samuraiprosecutor]

[Edgeworth continues to watch him for a while after he finishes. Eventually he nods.] Apology accepted.

[He looks back to his food, appearing for a moment to be prepared to let the subject drop, but though he picks up his sandwich again he doesn't take a bite, just stares at it, obviously deep in thought.]

[finally, with uncharacteristic hesitation...] You should have been frank with her.

[attorneyatlol]

[Phoenix glances at him, eyebrows drawn together in question.] About what happened?

[samuraiprosecutor]

[Edgeworth succeeds in biting back an impatient sigh.] About this. [gestures between them] That wouldn't have happened if she...understood.

[It was an awkward ending, but no better explanation was presenting itself.]

[attorneyatlol]

[Realization finally dawns on Phoenix's face, soon to be replaced by a hopefully reassuring smile.] Miles, it's really not a big deal. Practically everyone on the community knows about us, anyway. It's not like anybody's going to go out and find me a wife.

[samuraiprosecutor]

[There's something off in the subtle way his jaw tightens, but he seems to brush it off with a casual shrug.] I suppose explaining the situation won't bring her...what she really wants, but it seems unfair to lie to the girl.

[attorneyatlol]

Lie to her? [His smile falls, and he seems taken aback.] I'm not... lying, I just...

[Apparently unable to finish, he trails off and looks away.]

[samuraiprosecutor]

[Edgeworth gives him a soft, teasing smirk.] A lie of omission is still a lie, Wright. You were a lawyer long enough to understand that.

[attorneyatlol]

[Phoenix's eyes remain downcast.] I guess I just... I assumed she already understood...

[samuraiprosecutor]

[sigh] Obviously there are a few gaps in her knowledge base.

[attorneyatlol]

Yeah... I guess so...

[samuraiprosecutor]

[He studies Phoenix. When it looks as if he needs one final push] Phoenix... I don't want the girl laboring under any delusions over what you...what either of us can provide for her.

[attorneyatlol]

[Phoenix nods slowly, going quiet for a moment. Eventually, he meets Edgeworth's gaze with uncertainty.]

What if she doesn't understand? I mean... What if she-- What if she can't?

[samuraiprosecutor]

[Phoenix's worry is reflected in Edgeworth's eyes, but he tries to mask it with a halfhearted smirk.] She's a clever child, Wright. Too clever for her own good, half the time. I doubt she'll have much trouble grasping this.

[attorneyatlol]

No, I mean... What if she doesn't take it well?

[samuraiprosecutor]

[This time he does a better job of hiding the fact that he's concerned over the same thing. His partner doesn't need to see hesitation or uncertainty now.]

Why wouldn't she? She's open-minded. She's already been exposed to the concept several times, so it shouldn't be a great shock to her. Our...lifestyle isn't exactly discreet. From a practical standpoint, very little will change for her.