Day 57: Arts & Crafts Room (Fourth Shift)

[gald_digger]

When she left the lobby, Anise still didn't know what to think about her visitor. All this time, she thought the one person the institute would never truly get to was the Colonel, and that if he was gone, then maybe he was hiding somewhere, plotting a way to rescue the rest of them. Now that she thought about it... maybe that was naïve of her. She only thought those things because she didn't want to believe that the institute had that much power...

Thinking about it too hard made her feel so anxious it made her stomach churn, though, so Anise decided it would be best to distract herself in the meantime, and then think about it when her head was clearer. She'd probably have to tell Guy and the others what happened, too.

While she really wanted to see the movie she helped select, she also really wanted to see if the Arts & Crafts Room had those new sewing supplies the Head Doctor talked about a while ago. When she arrived, she asked her "nurse" about it, who cheerfully replied that yes, they had them, and that Anise was among the ones fortunate enough to have the privilege of using them. Was that a good behavior thing, or a military rank thing...? Well, in either case, it meant Anise got to check out the new materials they brought in, so she wasn't going to complain.

There were some pretty floral patterns among the pieces of fabric, so Anise selected those. Anything that she made had to have a few cute elements, after all. She brought the pieces to her table along with some needles, thread, scissors, and a roll of a thick cord-like material.

Before she could begin, however, that "nurse" returned, dropping an envelope on the table in front of her. "This is for you," was all she said before walking away again. When Anise picked the item up, her eyes widened in shock. There, on the envelope, was the name Dolores... written in her Mama's handwriting. Much of the other information on the outside had been blacked out, but... was this from her parents!? Without a moment's delay, she tore open the envelope and began reading the letter within, her hands trembling as she did.

[For Claude!]

Comments

[the-prosecutor.livejournal.com]

Letting out a slightly amused breath, Edgeworth squeezed Phoenix's hand a final time before he withdrew his own, shuffling the drawings about in his hands as he took in the whole of them. He wasn't surprised to see multiple sketches of himself and Larry as children, but he didn't spend much time taking them in - though he did wrinkle his nose somewhat at a drawing of himself as a child with a wad of paper that looked like a mutation of a paper crane.

"I don't know as if I find that to be surprising. I can just see you being turned away at customs because you were fidgeting suspiciously or because you unknowingly disposed of your passport," Edgeworth teased, his attention remaining on a drawing of Mia Fey in her offices. "...though if you have an interest in art, Europe would certainly captivate you. Perhaps I can accompany you to the Louvre when..."

The prosecutor hesitated, the corners of his lips turning downward as the weight of their current situation pressed heavily against his shoulders. "...when the opportunity becomes available."

[in-your-defense.livejournal.com]

Phoenix let his hand rest upon his knee where Edgeworth had last touched, his gaze focusing on his face. "...it'll happen, Miles," he murmured, the look in his blue eyes intensifying with spirited, sure emotion. "We'll get out, one way or another, and we can see all of that. Together."

Lifting his left hand, he stroked the knuckle of his index finger between Edgeworth's shoulder in gentle, innocent reassurance, before he let his palm rest on the back of Edgeworth's chair. "I want to see the world with you...and I want to learn what it's like to be in your shoes. Just promise me you won't lose hope, no matter what happens."

[the-prosecutor.livejournal.com]

Edgeworth kept his gaze averted as he placed the drawings back on the table, his expression solemn. Phoenix's words tugged on his resolve stubbornly, but he couldn't find himself being wholly swayed by them, not when there were so many unknown facets to their situation. Not only were they trapped against their will in a place where they could very likely be killed, but the entirety of their conversation was mocking them with something they couldn't have - and in that moment, Edgeworth almost wished that Phoenix didn't have feelings for him at all, if only to make the steady ache in his chest more bearable.

"...it will take more than hope to get out of here, Wright," Edgeworth finally managed, his right hand reflexively moving to grip his bicep. "I don't know where we are. The laws that keep our world in balance don't seem to apply here. We're powerless to escape, even if we walk out the front door. I've had several individuals tell me that you and I have been here before, and I can't fathom the idea of living a life here without having some clue in my memory as to if it ever took place." Gripping his arm more tightly, Edgeworth's brow furrowed in frustration. "...and even if we do return home, who's to say that we would remember everything between us here?"

[in-your-defense.livejournal.com]

Silence lingered between them for a long moment, and Phoenix's expression turned intensely thoughtful. What Edgeworth was saying was true, but Phoenix was never the sort to give up a fight - and as a result, he couldn't help but to try to find a foothold on the situation for both himself and Edgeworth.

"...you said you were coming home - right?" Phoenix asked, before he clarified, "Before you came here. I don't think that I would have let you go again without telling you about how I feel...so even if we don't remember, and we just wake up in our realities...I think all of this would have happened either way."

There were a lot of topics to tackle in the statements that Edgeworth had just provided - one of them the reason why Phoenix had drawn so many pictures of his memories. There had to be a way to communicate to himself - even if whatever person that came here that was "himself" wasn't him - of the things that he should know about, to truly identify as Phoenix Wright.

[the-prosecutor.livejournal.com]

The prosecutor seemed to think over Phoenix's words, rolling around the possibilities in his mind before he appeared to accept them. It was true, in all likelihood, especially if Phoenix carried on at home the way he had at the institute - but the more Edgeworth thought about it, he realized that he didn't take much comfort in that fact. They were trapped now - later didn't matter.

"...perhaps you'll be more tactful about it the next time around," he gibed, his words clearly teasing despite the fact that he didn't appear to be set at ease by Phoenix's statements. "...you will have to excuse my trepidation on the matter. I...don't want us to be put in a vulnerable position. I know that this would more than likely be a problem regardless of whether or not we're...involved, but I don't ever want to be put in a position where our...where we can be used against each other."

[in-your-defense.livejournal.com]

Phoenix exhaled softly before he rubbed the fingers of his right hand back through his hair, his gaze moving from Edgeworth's face to the table as he rested his elbow upon the surface of it. There was always going to be risk when it came to having a relationship with another person - and while Phoenix understood why Edgeworth would be concerned, he didn't see how they could avoid it without sacrificing everything. "...it's up to you, Edgeworth. If you don't want to risk it..."

Trailing off, Phoenix felt his frustration at their situation rising inside of him, Edgeworth's insistence on being logical grating at him. It was unfair - he couldn't help but to wonder why it had to happen like this - and the only logical way that Phoenix could see for reducing the risk of their relationship/friendship being used against them was to avoid interacting with Edgeworth entirely.

[the-prosecutor.livejournal.com]

Moving his gaze to Phoenix, Edgeworth took in his expression for a few moments, a frown tugging at his lips as he tried to remain even. "...it seems like you do want to risk it," he prompted softly, conflicted emotion rife in his features. Even if he was unsure of himself, it was clear that Phoenix wanted more even beyond the consequences - and if nothing else, Edgeworth wanted to know his rationalization for all of it.

[in-your-defense.livejournal.com]

"...if you want my honest answer, I don't care about the consequences," Phoenix said simply, his gaze flicking upwards to meet Edgeworth's. "There are always going to be threats and risk. When I decided I wanted to help you by becoming a defense attorney...I was all in. I put everything I had on the line. That still hasn't changed, even if we're in a crazy place like this...and it's a gamble, I know. But it's a risk I'm willing to take for you."

A light frown tugged at Phoenix's lips as he looked down at Edgeworth's shoulder, a troubled look entering his expression. It was a painful thought to absorb that Edgeworth in most probability didn't feel the same - but he had to accept it, because there was no way that Phoenix could expect Edgeworth to react the same way as he did. "The ball is in your court. I can't make you want to...and I'm not going to force you - I never have. It's up to you."

[the-prosecutor.livejournal.com]

As much as Edgeworth didn't want to admit it, it hurt to see Phoenix looking as melancholy as he did, the fragile edges of his resolve fraying and falling away before he could even consciously make a choice in the matter. Closing his eyes, the prosecutor breathed out a sigh to cool his nerves, the cogs of his mind turning and moving almost visibly as he tried to unearth a compromise.

After a few moments, Edgeworth moved his right arm around the back of Phoenix's chair, using the change in position to shift close enough to Phoenix that his lips were a few inches away from his ear. "...I want to take precautions," he said in a whisper. "As far as anyone else in the institute is concerned...we're childhood friends and nothing more. But if we're alone...and we presumably can't be caught, then it...would be all right."

[in-your-defense.livejournal.com]

Phoenix turned his head slightly so he could look at Edgeworth, the close proximity of his lips and voice tickling his ear in a teasing way. Unable to help himself, the tingling sensation of Edgeworth's words trailing down his spine and pooling at his hips, Phoenix leaned in and pressed a quick, almost innocently pressured kiss to the prosecutor's lips.

"...I can do that," Phoenix breathlessly agreed as he pulled away, his expression lightening in the wake of the kiss with a childish kind of soft happiness as his face flushed pink.

[the-prosecutor.livejournal.com]

Edgeworth froze, Phoenix's kiss somehow catching him by surprise (distantly though, he supposed that he really shouldn't have been that thrown by it), and it left him feeling incredibly off-kilter. Flushing slightly, he looked away, forced indignation welling up as he tried to recollect himself.

"You...obviously you can't," he returned uselessly, his heart thrumming uncomfortably in his chest. Lifting his right hand, Edgeworth placed his palm against Phoenix's head, rustling down his bangs in front of his face by way of punishment before he withdrew his touch. "You're completely insufferable."

[in-your-defense.livejournal.com]

The mussing of his hair made Phoenix laugh, even while he was incredibly dismayed by the wreckage internally, and he worked on trying to smooth it back once Edgeworth was done. "...that's the first kiss I've ever given anyone," Phoenix started, the look in his blue eyes fond as he gazed at Edgeworth, "so don't be too mad. I couldn't help myself - you were too close."

[the-prosecutor.livejournal.com]

As much as Edgeworth tried, he only partially succeed in attempting to make himself look annoyed, a bitterly amused fondness resting in his eyes as he kept his glare nice and sharp. "...right, well, remind me to purchase a muzzle at my earliest convenience, then," he gibed, his expression wry. "I can't have you attacking me anytime I need to tell you something in an inconspicuous way."

[in-your-defense.livejournal.com]

"...it wasn't an attack," Phoenix said poutily, though it was clear that he wasn't too offended by Edgeworth's mock prickliness. "You were whispering sweet nothings in my ear...can you blame me?" The defense attorney's lips turned upwards in an affectionate way as he watched Edgeworth, enjoying the prosecutor's inability to cope with random, unexpected affection. In several ways, his reactions were incredibly endearing, and Phoenix couldn't resist poking further fun at him.

[the-prosecutor.livejournal.com]

"You...it...I'm finished here," Edgeworth finally managed, sliding his seat back as he stood up. Placing a hand on his hip, Edgeworth looked down at the defense attorney haughtily, his fingertips drumming against his side. "I trust that I'll see you tonight," he added, his thoughts largely returning to the task of gathering up the proper medical supplies.

[in-your-defense.livejournal.com]

Phoenix gave Edgeworth a sheepish, somewhat apologetic smile as he nodded, the prosecutor's posturing revealing how undone he was feeling about the entire situation. Phoenix had initiated the contact impulsively, having felt almost too giddy with the fact that Edgeworth was willing to try, to the point where he'd entirely forgotten about his promise before - and he couldn't help but to feel a bit of guilt for intruding on Edgeworth's comfort zones.

"...yeah," he confirmed, as he began to work to gather his pictures back together into an organized pile. "Where did you want me to meet you?"

[the-prosecutor.livejournal.com]

"Assuming that I don't decide to make good on my offer of forcing you to sleep on the front lawn of the institute, I suppose we can meet in the hallway where you made your grand entrance," Edgeworth said, his gaze falling upon the drawings Phoenix was gathering up. After a few moments one in particular caught his eye, and he plucked it up from Phoenix's grasp as he lifted to look at it properly.

The scene depicted hit Edgeworth in a poignant way, his eyes moving over the intricate detailing of himself and Phoenix arguing against one another in a courtroom. It was clear that each pencil stroke had been placed methodically, from the lines on his face to Phoenix's eyebrows, and the intensity captured in the drawing itself was something that caught Edgeworth's attention and drew several memories to the surface of his mind. The picture itself didn't lend much detail in the face of which trial it might have been, but Edgeworth found himself taken with it nonetheless, his gaze flickering back to Phoenix. "And I'd like to keep this."

[in-your-defense.livejournal.com]

Said like I have a choice, considering that you have it in your hand, Phoenix thought to himself wryly, as he nodded and stood up, pushing his chair back lightly with a soft scrape. "...if you decide against exploring, I should be okay with sleeping out there as long as you decide to bring the pina coladas and your grass skirt," Phoenix said wryly, as he hugged the rest of his pictures to himself, the look on his face teasing as he looked at Edgeworth. "Seeing you dance the hula should keep me pretty warm."

[the-prosecutor.livejournal.com]

Offering Phoenix a deeply wrought glare, Edgeworth bapped the front of his nose with the drawing in his hand, his expression incredulous. "Remind me to purchase that muzzle," he gibed in return, stepping around his chair and walking in a slow stride towards the door. "And hopefully the bat will be enough to battle against your horrid sense of humor."

[in-your-defense.livejournal.com]

"...hopefully that's the only thing we'll need to worry about tonight," Phoenix said softly, his tone edged with concern as Edgeworth stepped away. Raising his voice a little, Phoenix spoke after the prosecutor without moving to follow behind him - he got the feeling that the prosecutor didn't want to be tailed, so he refrained. "Stay safe, Edgeworth. I don't want to find you in pieces."

[the-prosecutor.livejournal.com]

Rolling his eyes, Edgeworth came to a stop a few paces away from Phoenix, his head turning to look at the defense attorney before quirking a brow at him. "...I'd like you to think heavily about pots and kettles before we meet again tonight," he said tritely before flashing Phoenix a quick, somewhat unsure smirk. "Enjoy your dinner, Wright."

With that, Edgeworth turned and left the art room, his sights set on returning back to his own room. Even with the inexplicably enthusiastic emotions pumping through his chest, he had to remain subdued - after all, there was still a horrid meal to consume and unknown horrors waiting once the lights went out...and strangely, for the first time, Edgeworth felt the harsh edges of his fear wash away, leaving him only with the purpose of what he needed to accomplish and everything that their victory could represent.