#Susato Mikotoba please come home | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

imnobodyuknow · 9 months ago

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Surprise!!!

Well, I hate to tell y'all this, but...

I wrote another fan fiction!

Yep... And if that wasn't cringey enough, it's one about my favorite Ace Attorney ship!

And did I happen to mention I'm a bit of a hopeless romantic?

Dang, I'm just diabolical today. 😐

But for those of you who don't mind fanfiction, ships, and a bit of non-canon romance (and have played through both of the Ace Attorney Chronicles games), please enjoy a brand-new short story featuring two characters from my first one -- Ryunosuke Naruhodo and Susato Mikotoba!

I was hoping to have it ready by Valentine's Day, but I don't mind having a little extra time to polish things, so I'll just say "oh, well" to that. 🤷‍♂️ Now, without further ado...

***The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles Spoilers Ahead!!!***

A Moment of Warmth

A short story by the Co-Mod

Dedicated to anyone struggling to stay positive (and every hopeless romantic out there)

5th December, 8:08 pm

McGilded Park

(Ugh… We sure picked a lousy time to visit this place again. London winters are the worst.)

The young man slumped over on the bench in his brown wool coat, crossing his arms and hating the bitter cold with every fiber of his frigid being. He was grateful to be able to rest after the long trip from Japan to Great Britain, which had ended with a loud greeting and a sorry attempt at playing the violin from his eccentric British detective friend. He was also grateful to be in an open space with no sound, save for that of a light wind blowing. And at the moment, he was especially grateful to be alone. He had met many friendly people here in London, but as a defense attorney, someone who had to deal with some of the worst cheaters, liars, and cold-hearted murderers on a regular basis (and had already seen more than his fair share of them), he was all too happy to be the only person in the vicinity.

He wished he knew of a better place to find solitude, though. The only other quiet locations he could think of were the office of Prosecutor van Zieks and the house of the Garridebs, and he was never one to intrude unnecessarily. Much as he loathed the biting cold, he preferred it over the chaotic company he was accustomed to here. Being a Japanese in the Great British Empire had brought about a number of bizarre events in his life, some good, others not so good. He was grateful to have established a reputation as Ryunosuke Naruhodo, a skilled defense attorney, and was equally grateful that his close friends Kazuma and Susato, also Japanese, had themselves achieved good standing with the people of London. He was well aware that respect and social standing were often difficult to come by for outsiders to this nation. All things considered, he and his friends had been truly blessed during their time here.

Even so, he was struggling to feel grateful for much else at the moment. The cold weather and the dark sky above him reminded him of how cold and dark the human soul could be. In just a single year as a defense attorney, he dealt with criminals liars of many different sorts—one of which had tried to frame him for murder—and he was well aware that this was only the tip of the iceberg when it came to the evil still lurking in Great Britain, his home country of Japan, or any other land populated by people.

“Haah… People…” he muttered to himself. When he was younger, he’d read all about evil villains in books, both real and fictional, but seeing them with his own eyes had been an entirely different experience. Not only were they less fun to observe in person, but they often had a way of leaving one with a somewhat less hopeful outlook on life, as well as the future of the world and humanity. And then another thought came to him – with all the new gizmos and gadgets being invented that were making possible things that were previously impossible, who could say what would happen if one of them were to fall into the wrong hands? What new sorts of horrible crimes would be concocted and executed, and how many would suffer for it? The thought made him shiver…although it didn’t make much difference in the cold winter weather.

On the other hand, he had been lucky enough to become someone who, with the help of friends, both old and new, was able to stand against the evil schemes of the wicked and put an end to them. He’d never thought of himself as a hero, but somehow, he’d found himself in the position of being one now, at least in the eyes of his clients. The smiles on their faces and words of gratitude always seemed to make everything he’d been through for them feel less like a trial and more like the end of a thrilling adventure, or like reaching a long journey’s destination. It was those bright moments that truly made his efforts worthwhile in the end. But even so, unlike the fictional heroes he’d read about, he knew he would never save an entire town or city from a dastardly villain’s evil plot. Whether in Great Britain, Japan, or any other nation, all he could do was save one person at a time, and often only by sheer luck. He was simply a cog in the machine known as the legal system, and one cog could never be strong or efficient enough to keep the machine from breaking every now and then.

But regardless of what he was able or unable to do, he knew one thing for sure – he needed a break from people. Why else would he be out in the freezing cold, if not to get away from society and spend some time by himself, after all? Sadly, he couldn’t say that he felt much better now that he was alone. All he felt was the coldness of his surroundings, which only served to remind him of the coldness in the world and in pe-

“Naruhodo-san?”

He turned his head quickly in the direction of the familiar woman’s voice he’d just heard. Standing only a few feet to his left was the concerned face of his judicial assistant and friend. She wore a pink wool coat with the same design his coat had, though a bit fancier.

“Susato-san? Wh-What are you…?”

“I…could not help but worry when I saw that you had come out here by yourself. And in the freezing cold, of all places. Is there…something wrong?”

“Er… N-No, of course not!” he answered with a sheepish grin. “I just…wanted to be alone for a moment, that’s all. Heh…”

Her face grew more concerned. “I see… But…why out here? You could catch a cold in a matter of minutes! And besides, isn’t it rather uncomfortable?”

“I… Well… Uh…”

He paused for a moment, trying to collect his thoughts. Why was he out in this frigid park? Sure, there were no people here, but it hadn’t done much to relieve his inner stress. And it wasn’t doing much for his outer self, either. What had even been the point?

“…There is something wrong, isn’t there?” Susato asked with even stronger concern in her voice. “What is it, Naruhodo-san?”

He struggled to find an answer. She certainly wasn’t wrong, but what could he possibly say? That he was sick of people? That he’d rather be alone in the frigid cold than be near even one of them? He wasn’t sure if he even had a good reason, for that matter.

“I-It’s nothing… Really…”

He turned his face away, hoping she would believe him. After hearing nothing from her for a few seconds, he assumed she’d decided to leave him alone and rejoin their friends in the comfort of their warm and cozy flat.

(Haah… I hope I didn’t leave her feeling too concerned abou—)

“Naruhodo-san.”

“Ah—!” He jerked his head up and saw her standing in front of him, looking down at him with an unsatisfied gaze.

“I have never known you to do something so rash without a reason. Will you kindly tell me what it is that has brought you here?”

Realizing he had no choice, he let out a deep sigh, a large white cloud spewing from his mouth. “It’s…sort of hard to explain.”

He paused for a moment to collect his thoughts before looking down cheerlessly.

“I guess you could say I’m…feeling overwhelmed right now. I can’t put a finger on why that is, but…I thought it might help if I could just get away from the clamor of people talking, laughing, and shouting…”

He heard Susato’s shoes in the snow as she gently stepped closer to him.

“I’ve never really been someone who hates being around others, but…I guess they get to be too much to deal with sometimes. It’s almost like…they wear you down over time, like a horse that’s pulling a heavier load than it’s used to. Does that make sense?”

“Yes, I think so.”

“Gyuh—!” He jumped as he noticed her sitting right next to him. How had she done that so quietly?

She remained in silent thought for a moment, looking out into the distance, before turning to face him again.

“Is that all?”

“Ah… Mostly. There’s also…” He gave another deep sigh. “…the bad feeling I get when I think about the malice and cruelty people are capable of. It’s not as though I wasn’t aware of it before, but…it just makes me wonder…if…”

“If…?”

“If…there could be malice and cruelty inside everyone, only a few layers deep?”

“Inside of everyone?” Her eyes widened at his words.

“Well…maybe not a lot of it, but…enough to make anyone resort to criminal deeds, given the right circumstances. Enough to change them from a person to a heartless beast.”

She stared at him in silence, not moving a muscle.

“Look at Kazuma, for example. He said himself that there was a demon inside him. One that almost drove him to murder. He said that it nearly consumed him, in fact.”

“Well… Yes, he did, but…he managed to conquer that demon in the end, didn’t he? At least temporarily?”

“Sure, but…”

“But what, Naruhodo-san?”

He thought for a moment.

“I…used to think there were some in the world who had no such demon. I’ve come to terms with being wrong about that, but…”

He let out another deep sigh.

“…I never suspected there would be so many whose demons had conquered them. It almost seems like a disease that no one is immune to. I suppose that doesn’t necessarily mean everyone will catch it, but…to realize that even those with strong hearts and minds can be overpowered by the evil inside of them…”

He glanced over at Susato, who was still giving him a motionless stare. Looking toward the ground again, he continued, “I do apologize for sounding so gloomy. I’m not usually this negative, am I?”

“I was just about to say that,” she answered in a harsher tone, now wearing an unhappy glare.

He turned his head to her, wondering where this sudden tone had come from. “Eh?”

She put a hand on her hip. “I have seen you pout, slouch, groan, and sigh on many occasions, but not once have I ever seen you speak in such a horribly negative tone. And I must say, it does not suit you well at all!”

He stared at her for a moment before sighing again and slouching, “Sorry… I can’t help it if I’m overwhelmed, can I?”

“And now you’re doing all four at once! Will you kindly get ahold of yourself, Naruhodo-san?”

“…You make it sound so easy.”

“It has never been too challenging for you in the past, has it?”

“Hm?”

“As I recall, you have been overwhelmed on several occasions before now.” She held up a pair of tightly-clenched fists as she continued, “Yet you have always been able to pull yourself together when it counted, even when it seemed as if all hope was lost. And that is precisely why you are known and loved by so many today! Surely you haven’t forgotten?”

“…”

“…I…guess that’s true…”

“Then prove to me that you have not lost your resolve,” she shouted. “And do it now!”

Her words shook him out of his depressive state, if only slightly. But he knew he couldn’t disappoint Susato, no matter how pessimistic he was feeling. Sitting up straight, he paused, took a deep breath, and vigorously slapped his cheeks.

“Hah… That’s a little better.” He looked at Susato again and saw that she was still wearing the same glare, apparently still not satisfied.

“O-Oh, right!” He quickly stood up and, with a look of confidence and determination, pointed his left arm straight in front of him, as if accusing some invisible witness of lying. “OBJECTION!!!”

Susato giggled. “There it is! I was sure your resolve hadn’t left you entirely.”

He sat back down with a satisfied smile, feeling refreshed, and a bit warmer than before. “Thank you, Susato-san. I think that was just what I needed.”

She smiled sweetly. “Do you understand now, Naruhodo-san? Overcoming your negativity was as simple as that.”

He grabbed his chin and thought for a moment. “I suppose so, but…what else did that achieve? My mood might be a bit better now, but it’s not as if I’ve slain anyone’s inner demon by doing that, is it?”

“Oh…! There you go again!” she groaned. “And you were looking so content just a moment ago.”

“Ah…! Sorry.” He grinned at her again, unsure what to say next. She closed her eyes and huffed through her nose, looking almost like a dragon exhaling smoke.

After a few moments of awkward silence, she spoke up again. “I’m not unfamiliar with being overwhelmed myself, you know.”

(I can see that...) Ryunosuke thought to himself.

“And do you know what I prefer to do in those instances?” He turned and gave her his full attention. With a warm smile, she continued, “I prefer to be around familiar faces.” He gave her a look of uncertainty, wondering what she meant. “Being among company reassures me that I am not alone in dealing with my inner struggles, and it reminds me that I have people to help me calm down should my frustration ever get the better of me.”

(Assuming you don’t execute a Susato Takedown on any of them, that is,) he thought with a smirk.

Her eyes fell as she placed her hand on the bench next to her and added with a frown, “I suppose that’s a bit easier for us women, of course. We’re more social creatures than men, after all.” She looked up at him plainly. “But if you prefer to be alone, it would worry me much less if you were to do so indoors. I believe I speak for Sholmes-san and Iris-chan as well.”

He looked at her idly as he considered what he should do. He doubted his mood would be improved much, if at all, by rejoining everyone inside the flat, but he hated the thought of making them all worry about him, and his solitude didn’t seem to have helped much, either. If anything, it had only made his inner turmoil even worse. But he still wasn’t sure what choice would be the better one…or at least the more tolerable one.

He sighed and muttered, “All right, I’ll go back in.”

She smiled. “Thank goodness!”

“In a few minutes, though. I still need some time to think.”

Her face dropped as she gave an unhappy sigh. She looked down and saw his bare hands resting on his legs. “Well, you certainly won’t be letting your hands freeze solid in the meantime!” She quickly grabbed his hands and clasped her gloved fingers around his bare ones. (Honestly…) she thought. (How can you manage to be so careless?)

He stared at her hands, taken off guard by her sudden gesture. Looking up at her face, he saw her staring down his hands as if trying to win a staring contest. Even more alarming, though, was the strength with which she was gripping his hands. He knew she had strong hands, but he was sure he’d never seen her grab anything so tightly or focus so intensely. What on earth could have brought this on? Was she afraid he might get frostbit if she didn’t squeeze hard enough? Whatever her reason was, the warmth her hands provided was both comforting and pleasant, so he decided he may as well let her continue until she was satisfied.

But then he noticed something different. The coldness he’d been feeling in every part of his body seemed to be slowly dissipating, starting with his hands. It was almost as if he were holding them in front of a warm fireplace. Almost as if…Susato’s hands were a warm fireplace.

He gazed at her hands. He began feeling nostalgic and thinking of all she had done for him with those hands – helping him find clues during investigations, searching through evidence to help him put together the truth in the courtroom, taking careful notes and finding just the right information at just the right time, and writing letters to him when they were separated, using the most beautiful calligraphy he’d ever laid eyes on. She’d also used them to flip him upside-down on several occasions, of course, but he’d gotten used to it over time, strange as it was.

And now here she was, using them to create warmth, both in his hands and in his heart. It dawned on him then that he’d been spending so much time thinking about the cold and cruel people in the world that he’d forgotten about the ones who made the world a warmer place – those who gave of themselves without expecting something in return, those who used their talent and skill to benefit others rather than only themselves, and those who dedicated their lives to fighting crime and protecting those who fell victim to it – fighting the coldness he’d been so focused on earlier. He’d been lucky enough to meet and befriend so many of those people: the professor at his university, Dr. Mikotoba, his famous detective friend, Herlock Sholmes (also known as the Herlock Sholmes), Sholmes’s brilliant daughter Iris, the pickpocket turned detective-in-training, Gina Lestrade, and even his close friend Kazuma, whose heart may have been tainted by bitterness, but who had changed course in the end and become someone for him to look up to and admire once again. And, of course, his trusted friend and judicial assistant, Susato Mikotoba, who was now putting all her focus into warming his hands, as if it was her job.

A smile slowly spread across his face. A moment ago, he’d been talking about malice and cruelty existing inside of everyone, but after knowing, befriending, and working side by side with this young woman for almost a year, he struggled to recall her saying or doing anything malicious or cruel at all. She was certainly far from perfect, and even had a bit of an aggressive streak at times (one he had been on the receiving end of quite often, in fact), but if there was anything evil in her, it must have been buried under so many layers that no one would be able to dig their way through to it in a hundred years. What was easy to detect in her, on the other hand, was an extraordinary collection of good and noble traits: kindness, grace, humility, respectfulness, virtue, faithfulness… Not to mention, she was certainly rather beautiful. In short, she was the personification of an idealized Japanese woman, or as they said in Japan, a Yamato Nadeshiko. Now he was beginning to wonder…just how on earth had he found and become such close friends someone like her?

He became nostalgic once more and remembered a more recent moment between the two of them at Port of Dover, just as he was preparing to begin his trip home. It was a moment he could recall with perfect clarity, as if it had happened yesterday. He remembered the sun peeking over the horizon behind her as she asked him, firmly but hesitantly, “Um…Naruhodo-san…” He had looked at her quizzically as she mumbled, “…the path you’re going to follow from now on… I wonder if I might follow it at your side. Un-Unless I’d be a burden?”

Her question had left him almost speechless. He’d been under the impression that she would stay in London with Kazuma and the friends they had made there, and instead she wanted to go back to Japan with him and remain his judicial assistant? Not only that, but she’d already discussed her decision with Kazuma, who fully supported it? And she had waited until just now to ask what he thought about it? What was he to do with this situation?

Oddly enough, however, his response had come to him quite easily. Without thinking, he had answered, “With you by my side…no trial would seem too daunting. So, if you’re willing, I’d be honoured if you’d come with me. Together we can take on the world!” Her response had been a sweet, humble smile – a smile he had come to love seeing every time it appeared on her face. It was one he had seen on no other face but hers.

Now it occurred to him just how different his outlook had become between then and now. It was almost inconceivable that the man who had just been brooding over coldness and cruelty was the same one who had once believed he could take on the world with his trusted judicial assistant by his side, and that no trial would seem too daunting. Those words repeated in his mind as he stared at Susato’s hands, still linked with his. “We can take on the world…” “No trial would seem too daunting…” It seemed like an era had passed since he’d spoken them.

“Ah… Thank you, Susato-san,” he whispered. “I believe my hands are warm enough now.”

She loosened her grasp and gently pulled her hands away from his. “Then I trust you will keep them firmly tucked into your coat pockets until you come inside, yes?”

“O-Of course. Thank you.” Without hesitating, he slipped his hands into his coat pockets, fearing something much worse than frostbite if he disobeyed her.

Now he was utterly perplexed. His ponderings about the evil in the world had all made sense, he thought, but why on earth had he been so fixated on them? Why had he completely forgotten about the good he’d seen in others, and acted as if he was entirely unfamiliar with love, compassion, virtue, and everything else that made life and people enjoyable? Why, he was sitting next to someone who exemplified those things almost perfectly!

That’s when he realized what it was that had kept him from falling into sorrow and despair as he had traveled the bleak road of the defense attorney – it was her. Well…her and those like her in his life – his family, his friends, and the strangers who had shown him compassion and courtesy. Even if such people seemed to be few and far between right now, he couldn’t deny that he had the pleasure of knowing quite a few of them – people with warm, friendly attitudes, whose very presence could melt even the coldest of hearts, if only for a moment. Perhaps this is what Susato had meant by being “among company”? That the antidote to being overwhelmed by the coldness in people was to be around the warmer ones? If that was true, then…perhaps being alone had only served to make things worse for him.

Turning to Susato, who was focusing her eyes on his hands as if preparing to shove them back in his pockets should he dare to take them out, he smiled with gratitude as he realized she had done him yet another great favor. His thoughts took him to the past again as he remembered Kazuma’s words: “Ah hah hah hah hah hah! Your fine judicial assistant has everything in hand as always, I see.” He chuckled to himself. Was there anything she couldn’t do? It was now clear to him that of all the people who had made his life warmer in one way or another, none had done so quite so well or so consistently as Susato Mikotoba. She was truly someone special. A “special someone” in his life, as he’d heard some of the children of London say.

(Special someone…) he repeated in his mind. His smile slowly disappeared as his thoughts started taking off in a new direction. He could easily describe Susato as his trusted assistant and close friend, of course, but…could it be possible that she had become something more to him? Someone he could see himself sharing the rest of his life and career with? Someone…he could marry?

(Ah…! Slow down, Ryunosuke! Don’t get carried away!) Without thinking, he placed a hand on his forehead and grabbed his temples, and was soon met with an icy stare and a gloved hand grabbing his wrist. “Ah, s-sorry!” Instantly, he put his hand back where it was and resolved not to take it out even partially until he was back indoors.

Special someone… This wasn’t the first time the thought had entered his mind, but…would it be practical to enter a courtship with his own judicial assistant? There were no laws against such a thing, as far as he knew, either here or in Japan, but would it be proper? Would anyone object to it or find it strange? Would a judge find it problematic for future trials? And most importantly, what would she think? Would she be comfortable being known as his “special someone”? For that matter, would he be comfortable with that title? Even if it was mostly used by children, he had to admit it had a rather nice ring to it.

(Special someone… Special someone…)

“Special…someone? Who is that, Naruhodo-san?”

“Agh—!” (Do my lips still move when I think?)

“I’m afraid so, Naruhodo-san,” she answered with a giggle.

“Haah…”

Now he was faced with a new problem – should he try and come up with a bluff about what he’d meant by those words, or consider sharing his true thoughts with her? He wasn’t sure how well he could pull off the former, but the latter sounded a bit improper, to say the least. She did seem to be in a better mood now, but even so, if he were to suddenly bring up the subjects of courtship or marriage, it would sound like something straight out of the blue to her! The question now became one he had often dealt with in the courtroom: What was the most prudent way to continue forward? His eyes darted between her and his lap as he pondered.

Suddenly, his questioned was answered when he noticed her smiling warmly at him again. He could almost hear her saying through her expression, “You don’t have to answer if you would prefer not to.” And once again, he could feel the warmth inside him that was somehow ignited by her smile, melting away every worry and care that had plagued him. With his mind now put at ease, he decided upon a solution that would let him express himself honestly to her – rather than discussing the subject of courting her, he would simply express his gratitude for all she had done for him. She deserved it several times over, after all. There was no harm in letting her know how much he appreciated her as a judicial assistant and friend, was there?

“S-Susato-san… I… Th-That is…” She looked at him intently, waiting patiently for him to gather his thoughts. He cleared his throat and tried again, “I…just wanted you to know that I…I’m very grateful for everything you’ve done for me. I mean…truly, very grateful!”

She giggled and tilted her head cutely. “How nice of you to say, Naruhodo-san.”

He took a deep breath, now feeling grateful to the cold weather for making his cheeks flush so that Susato was unaware that she was making him blush. His words gradually started to flow better as he continued, “I…really owe a lot to you. You saved me from a Guilty verdict…you helped me grow as a defense attorney…and you’ve provided so much help and moral support for me along the way. I…” He glanced at her for a short moment. “I feel very blessed to have someone like you in my life.” His eyes popped open as he realized how that last part could be easily misconstrued. “Erm… As a friend, I mean! Ha ha!” He took another glance at her and saw that sweet smile again. (That was a close one…)

“Hmm…” she answered, sounding just as pleased as she looked. “I appreciate that, Naruhodo-san. Truly!”

His fingers tapped inside his coat pockets as he wondered what he should say next, or if he should say nothing at all. He’d already told her all he had to say…or at least what he felt comfortable saying. Should he leave it at that, or add a few more words of gratitude? She surely deserved more than that much, didn’t she? But what could he possibly add to that without venturing too close to the borderline of confessing his love? And for that matter, was he even sure he was in love with her, or was this just a passing fancy? Bringing up the subject without 100% certainty could lead to disaster…

He thought for a moment before finally deciding to leave well enough alone. Besides, Susato had been completely silent for the last few seconds, so it was probably safe to assume that she wasn’t hoping for anything more. If she was, then she surely would’ve—

“Was…that all you had to say, Naruhodo-san?” she asked curiously.

“Uh...!” His body tensed up as he struggled to come up with an answer. And just when he thought he was home free! Now what was he going to say?

“Ah… I…”

“…”

She looked away for a moment, closing her eyes. What Ryunosuke saw next, he would never forget as long as he lived – as she opened her eyes and looked directly into his with a peaceful, inviting smile, she appeared to him like a sunrise in human form, dazzling him with its beauty, brightening the world around him, and filling him with the warmth of the morning sun. Once again, her expression seemed to speak to him, saying, “I know you have more to say…but you may feel free to take your time saying it.” (Could it be…?) he wondered. (Does she know what my true feelings for her might be? Does she… Does she feel the same way?)

And then he heard another voice – it was his own this time, or rather, the voice of his instincts, speaking the same words he had heard many times in the past, especially in court. Words that had never led him astray. Words that had often given him just the push he needed to make it through to the victory he’d been striving for. Words that, when he chose to listen to them, had made all the difference in his life: “This is it, Ryunosuke. It’s time to move forward.”

His doubts melted away once more, giving way to numerous new feelings – excitement, anticipation, gratitude, disbelief, and overwhelming joy. Could this really be happening? Could a day that had been so dreary become one of the best days of his life? Or perhaps the best? Was this the day fate had chosen for him to discover his ultimate soulmate? His “special someone”? Before, he might have laughed at the thought of it, but could it really be possible? Was it no longer just a fancy? Was this woman…his destiny?

All he knew for certain was that his instincts had already spoken their peace, which could only mean one thing: There was no going back from here. The only question now was, how should he take the first step in this unexpected journey ahead of him? He took one more deep breath and thought carefully about what to say.

“…”

“…Do you…remember what I told you…the day you offered to go with me back to Japan…as my judicial assistant?”

“Yes,” she answered with enthusiasm. “I remember those words quite well, in fact: ‘With you by my side…no trial would seem too daunting. Together we can take on the world!’”

“Yes, that’s it!” He knew there was a bit more to what he had said, but this was hardly the time to worry about details. “I… I’m…” She gazed at him with the eyes of a child listening to a fascinating story. “I’m starting to believe that…maybe…those words have taken on a new meaning since then. Th-That is… I…”

He looked down toward his hands, which no longer had one bit of coldness left in them. “Um… Do I have permission to take my hands out for just a moment?” She looked toward his hands, then back up at him…and gave him a silent nod.

In one quick motion, he took out his hands and gently placed them around hers. Lifting them up slowly, he looked directly into her eyes. “I love you…Susato-san. You’re the sweetest, kindest, most admirable young woman I have ever met. You’re…truly very beautiful, inside and out!” She gazed at him silently, still holding her gorgeous smile. “Perhaps…if you’re interested, we can be by each other’s side in a different way? Perhaps we could…take on more than just trials in the courtroom together? I’d… I’d be truly honoured…!” He took a moment to admire the warm light that seemed to be shining directly on him from her lovely eyes.

Unsure of where to go next, he waited in silence for a moment before suddenly letting go, tucking his hands back into his coat, and turning himself forward. “That was…all I had to say.” He was overjoyed to have finally gotten these words off his chest, but now he wondered if he might have said the wrong thing, or picked the wrong time to say it…or how he could even be sure one way or the other. But just then, he heard a sigh from Susato that seemed to blow these worries away, followed by a light giggle that slowly grew louder. His muscles tensed up as she opened her mouth to speak. (Here it comes… The final verdict…)

“I…”

His heart skipped a beat.

“…would be truly honoured as well, in that case...”

(…Did… Did she really…?)

“…Ryunosuke.”

(She… She just called me “Ryunosuke”!)

He felt her hand on his lap. “I’ve had the thought cross my mind occasionally, too…especially since that day.” He slowly turned toward her, giving her his full attention. “I…knew you were only speaking to me as a friend and colleague at the time…but there was still a part of me that wondered…if there was even a small chance that those words might be prophetic… A sign of things to come... If perhaps…there could more between us than a close friendship and a shared passion for justice.” She giggled with a wide grin. “I…always felt so silly when I let myself entertain those thoughts. But now…”

She found the part of his coat containing his hand and gently grabbed onto it. “…I see that my intuition was right…once again.” Her warm smile returned as she looked deep into his eyes, making his smile grow like a rose unfolding in the sun.

“Was it…everything you were hoping for?” he asked.

“Hmm… Yes, it was.” They gazed at one another for a few seconds, although it seemed more to them like a few hours. “Well…” she added, dropping her smile and touching a finger to her chin, “That is, until you lost your nerve and put your hands back in your pockets. That part was a bit unexpected.” They shared a nervous but hearty laugh.

He looked down for a moment, then back up at her. “I’ll…try to do better in the future, then…”

She closed her eyes and sighed contently before looking him in the eyes once more, and finally, she spoke the words she’d only been communicating through her warm smile until now. “I love you as well…Ryunosuke.”

He looked into her shining eyes and returned her smile again. “It seems as if my intuition was right as well, then,” he whispered. “I truly am blessed to have someone like you in my life…Susato.” He gasped lightly as the shared warmth between them suddenly became a fire burning deep inside them. At that moment he knew this would be a day he would never forget – the day when a moment of warmth sparked the beginning of a lifetime of pure joy.

(Hmm… So this is love, is it? A feeling this warm could bring us through even the coldest of London winters…)

Their special moment lasted for another minute or two until Susato quietly broke the silence. “It’s getting rather late, Ryunosuke. Shall we head back now?”

He nodded. “Yes, let’s.” They rose from the bench together, still holding their mutual gaze. Ryunosuke began shivering a bit as the coldness caught his attention again.

“Ah--!” he shouted lightly, quickly straightening himself. “I almost forgot to make it official, ha ha!” He pulled his hands out once more and gently took her hands again. Focusing intently on her eyes, he asked her tenderly, “May I have the honor of courting you, Susato?”

She gave a heartfelt smile and answered plainly, “Yes, you may.”

His heart and soul filled with warmth as he pictured the romantic endeavours awaiting him and his incredible new lover! What adventures would they share as a couple, both in court and elsewhere? Where would they travel together? What engaging conversations would they have about their likes, dislikes, and interests? What did the future hold for the two of them as they took on the world together? Just the thought of it all lifted his spirits to heights he’d never known before. All he knew for certain was that they had much to look forward to as their separate lives became one life shared between them.

His thoughts turned to the present as he began wondering what he should do next. His plans for beginning a courtship with Susato had stopped short of anything beyond gaining her approval, unfortunately. “So…um…” he muttered, looking away awkwardly. “Do you suppose we should…do something to signify our courtship?”

“Hm… What sort of something, Ryunosuke?”

“Um… P-Perhaps…”

“…”

“…Perhaps a kiss?”

She jumped back a bit in surprise. “Kiss?”

“Y-Yes! Only a short one, of co--”

She pulled her hands away and placed them on her hips, giving him a dissatisfied glare. “If you think for one moment that we are going to do that before we have had at least three outings…!”

“Ah, s-sorry! I…guess I got a little ahead of myself there!”

She responded with a huff. “Honestly, you men…”

(I must be sweating bullets right now…) he thought. (I sure hope it doesn’t freeze.)

She softened her expression and spoke quietly, “You needn’t worried about that, Ryunosuke.”

“Huh?”

“Sweat doesn’t freeze in this sort of weather. You’d have to travel somewhere much colder for that to happen.”

“…”

“Haah… I did it again, didn’t I?”

She giggled loudly. “I’m afraid so.”

He scratched the back of his head for a moment. Looking at her apologetically, he asked, “…Perhaps a hug, then?”

She nodded and stepped closer to him, her smile becoming warm again. “That I will gladly accept.”

As they fell slowly into a loose but heartfelt embrace, Ryunosuke began to feel as if, somehow, everything was right with the world. But even it wasn’t, he felt more prepared than ever to face whatever challenges lie ahead for him. No…not for him. For them. With this courtship, they had become one singular force for good in the world, whose strength, wits, and passion would make them practically unstoppable!

(Perhaps it’s only wishful thinking,) he thought, staring at the snowflake-filled sky above him, (But I’m beginning to think that perhaps…miracles do happen.)

5th December, 10:15

Sholmes’s Suite

The door creaked open as a half-frozen Ryunosuke shivered his way into the flat, holding tightly to a warm-faced Susato. Looking at them, one might have thought they were drawings in a children’s book depicting the difference between cold and warm.

“Good heavens!” Iris shouted, jumping back and placing her gloved hands on her cheeks. “Is Runo all right? He looks like a walking iceberg!”

“He’s all right,” Susato answered calmly. “He just needs a moment to warm up by the fireplace.” She turned to him. “And perhaps a few blankets as well. Will that help?”

He nodded slowly, teeth chattering loudly.

“Well, I hope you’re happy now.” Iris grumbled as she crossed her arms. “Your tea and cookies are stone cold, and I baked over three dozen cookies, so you won’t be getting any warm ones for quite some time! Honestly…what were you thinking?” She glared at the two of them as they hobbled their way to the fireplace.

“W-W-Well…” he began. “I-I j-j-just n-need…needed a bo…a bobent t-to…”

Susato chimed in with a sad smile, “I’m afraid we’ll have to wait until he’s completely thawed out before he can answer properly.”

“R-R… *ACHOO* Right…” Susato pulled off his coat as he gently sat on the floor, inches from the glowing fireplace.

“Well, I hope he stays a bit closer to home the next time he wanders off,” Iris huffed. She turned to Ryunosuke and added, “And I also hope you don’t expect me to be your nursemaid while you’re recuperating from your cold. Hmph…” She walked off with a pout, leaving them with their plates of cold tea and cookies.

Susato went to hang up their coats and fetch some blankets as Ryunosuke sat waiting for the fire to put an end to his shivering. He heard her gentle footsteps as she approached him and draped several blankets over him. Her presence next to him seemed to add to the warmth he felt from the blankets. She sat down on the couch next to him before placing a hand on his shoulder and rubbing it tenderly. He gave a quiet sigh in response.

“We seem to have left a bee in Iris-chan’s bonnet, hm hm!” she quietly remarked. They chuckled softly.

He gazed at the small dancing flames in front of him, smiling as they warmed his face. Turning to see the glowing face of his “special someone,” he admired the reflection of the fire in her eyes. (It was worth it,) he thought to himself.

THE END

#toy story #rex #spongebob squarepants #my little pony #spike #ace attorney #the great ace attorney chronicles #ryunosuke naruhodo #susato mikotoba #iris wilson #fanfiction #will there be a drawing of this in the future?#you'd better believe it 😉

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kikiofthevast · 2 years ago

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New Crossover Project: Sign of the Turnabout

On a visit to America, upon invitation from Nikolina Pavlova, Ryunosuke Naruhodo and his companions encounter a peculiar case, which at first glance seems to be a simple murder. As they wrestle answers to countless questions out of the defendant, Arthur Lester, they'll get wrapped up in something they had no way of predicting. Except, of course, for the great detective Sherlock Holmes.

Yes this is a DGS and Malevolent podcast crossover! Knowledge of at least one of the mediums is ideal, but unnecessary. The fic will explore characters and their relationships in canon, and the only thing that I would warn of is spoilers for both mediums. I will attempt to keep Malevolent spoilers to a minimum, but as this takes place post-DGS2, if you are planning to play the Great Ace Attorney Chronicles and wish to do so blind, please do that before engaging with this post/fic.

With that said, a rundown of our cast of characters:

Ryunosuke Naruhodo, English student-turned-lawyer. For the last few years, he's been working in Japan to ease the turmoil of losing the High Chief Justice as a law student and practicing defense attorney in the Supreme Court of Judicature. He's visiting London (and traveling to America) for a vacation and in order to reconnect with his friends and have a relaxing time in a foreign land.

Susato Mikotoba, judicial assistant to the defense. She works with Ryunosuke in court under the guise of being his distant cousin from the country, Ryutaro Naruhodo. She is traveling with Ryunosuke to London and with the rest of them to America in order to visit Nikolina and resolve what happened on the SS Burya five years beforehand.

Kazuma Asogi, minted prosecutor in the British court of law. He works with Lord Barok van Zieks in order to prosecute cases of murder and theft and to cut to the truth of any matter with the sabre he carries on his belt. His katana, Karuma, has been entrusted to Ryunosuke in their time apart. In the five years that have passed, he has attempted to ease the turmoil in his heart and mind and not let his emotions blind him to the truth.

Lord Barok van Zieks, notorious prosecutor of the Old Bailey Courthouse. He works with Kazuma Asogi in a shared office. A member of British nobility, he has spent the last years coming to terms with the truth of his brother's death and his misplaced prejudice as a result. He travels with Kazuma to America due to Kazuma's insistence that he needs to get out more.

Sherlock Holmes, consulting detective at Scotland Yard and star of many published novels of the same name. Seeking stimulation and taking advantage of the trip to America, Holmes is seeking to explore cult activity across the area they plan to visit, mostly around New York City. In the absence of Yujin, his partner, he seeks to travel with Ryunosuke and Iris, as well as the rest of the crew.

Iris Watson, biographer and inventor. Now 15, her inventions have become all the more elaborate and complex, and her stories have become all the grimmer. With a blooming interest in the macabre world of forensics, she gives her guardian many a headache.

Nikolina Pavlova, current member of the Canary Circus and previously prima ballerina in Moscow. After doing odd jobs in New York City, she found a home in the circus when entertainment became an important part of people’s lives. She’s a trapeze artist alongside Nick Orson, and has found a second family in the circus.

Arthur Lester, private investigator. He and his partner Peter Yang have been chasing down cult activity in order to determine the origin of John Doe, the voice with possession of Arthur's eyes, left hand, and right foot. He's been dipping his toes into the world of the supernatural, but gets a cryptic warning from a man, telling him that he's being watched, before the man is killed right before his eyes.

John Doe, recently embodied entity. He's technically a piece of something bigger, something greater, and something angry that its missing piece is running around with a private detective. John has a fondness for the recent movie craze, as well as recently created cartoons.

Peter "Parker" Yang, private detective. He and Arthur are Very Close, and while Parker is happy to tell how he met, he's not exactly forthcoming with the real reason he and Arthur are in New York City, which is to find the truth about John. Of course, the truth is closer than they expected.

Dr. William Dyer, a professor at Miskatonic University. He's been investigating [REDACTED] and is in New York for [REDACTED]. He was shot dead outside of Canary Circus in the middle of a conversation with the defendant.

And of course, some OCs to move the plot along!

Detective Nancy Spade, a green private investigator who has been investigating Yang & Lester for a while now, and who was hired by a woman concerned that Yang & Lester didn’t resolve the case she hired them for. She’s very new to the world of private investigation! And she has no idea what she’s getting herself into…. (Name source: Nancy Drew and Sam Spade, both fictional detectives)

Abby Nossey, a current patron of the Golden Hour hotel. She has a penchant for knowing exactly what’s going on at any given time, and she moves very fast for a middle-aged woman. She resides on the same floor as Yang & Lester and the British Law Squad. (Name source: play on “a bit nosy”)

Donna Byrd, witness to the crime and member of the Canary Circus. She's a very excitable woman, but very easily startled and flighty. While a cooperative witness, she seems awfully eager to point the blame at this man that she's never met. Not to mention, she's never met either the victim or the defendant before...but she seems to know more about this situation than she's letting on. (Name source: Donna Strickland [famous physicist] and Richard Byrd [famous explorer]. Also "bird" would be a play on her nature.)

Linus McClintock, ringmaster of the Canary Circus. He cofounded it with Donna and knows her very well. Hired Nikolina on the spot and cares for her like a daughter. Is also very cooperative with the investigation, but doesn't know the man that the Team saw in the tent before. (Name source: Linus Pauling [chemist and educator] and Barbara McClintock [cytogeneticist]. Also based very lightly on Diane McClintock from Bioshock.)

Scout Goldenrod, a frequent patron of the Canary Circus and a friend of Donna's. He's a very nervous man, and tends to play with the charm in his pocket to ease his nerves. He's a pianist at one of the local bars and has a lot of free time. He spoke to Donna before the circus started, and they seem to be very close friends. (Name source: "Scout" is a name meaning loyalty and "Goldenrod" is a yellow flower.)

Nick Orsen, a trapeze artist and friend to Nikolina. He's not that important to the plot, but he's here and he's very friendly with the investigation team. (Name source: An "Americanization" of Nikola Orsinov, the ringmaster mannequin from The Magnus Archives.)

Potential Prosecutor Pending, but I may just end up using Kazuma or van Zieks. If you have ideas for an American prosecutor, please let me know.

Also will feature some cameo characters from Newsies and BATIM just because I'm silly like that.

#malevolent #aa #tgaa #dgs #sign of the turnabout #arthur lester #peter yang #john doe #ryunosuke naruhodo #kazuma asogi #barok van zieks #sherlock holmes #iris watson #susato mikotoba #dgs spoilers #tgaa spoilers

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penguwastaken · 2 years ago

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PWAA and TGAA Parallels

The Great Ace Attorney 1 and 2 are prequel to the Ace Attorney series that takes place in the late 19th century. However, the game mirrors and subverts the original games, specifically the original Phoenix Wright - Ace Attorney in many ways. This is especially clear with many of it's characters, so I thought I could go through many of the character parallels, no matter how big or small, and note my observations. Obviously I'll be going over spoilers for PWAA and TGAA 1&2, so please play those games if you haven't already, their available on basically any modern platform and I highly recommend them.

The most obvious obvious comparison I can make is that between Phoenix Wright and Ryunosuke Naruhodo. Right off the bat, their names are very similar. In Japan, Phoenix is named Ryuichi Naruhodo. Unfortunately this connection was kind of lost in translation, but it's still neat nonetheless. Both Phoenix and Ryunosuke suffer the loss of a good friend in the second episode of their respective games, which motivates them to continue their legacy. Eventually, both of them manage to bluff their way through the courts and reveal several long lost mysteries from the past. (I'll elaborate more on those later.) Phoenix and Ryunosuke have very different personalities, but their experiences are still quite similar. The next obvious similarity I want to mention is that between Winston Payne and his ancestor: Taketsuchi Auchi. Similarly to the Phoenix and Ryunosuke, their Japanese names are also very similar. Winston's name in Japan is Takefumi Auchi, so this connection was also kind of lost in translation. Fortunately, Winston and Taketsuchi are very easy to compare to eachother. They both look very similar and are the prosecutors of the first episode of their respective games. They're essentially the same character, even their personalities are similar. Not much else needs to be said these two, one look at each of them and you'll see exactly what i mean. The next comparison is a little more subtle, and that's Mia Fey and Kazuma Asogi. Both Mia and Kazuma are defense attorneys (at least towards the beginning). Both were good friends with and saw talent in the protagonist. Unfortunately, both of them are killed in the second episode. This is where the comparisons end, though. Mia was killed in cold blood by someone with no remorse, while Kazuma's "death" was kind of an accident. I put death in quotes because as we learn in TGAA2, Kazuma doesn't actually die and he reappears later in the game as the final prosecutor you face in court. After his "resurrection," Kazuma starts to take form as his own, unique character. The next similarity is that between that between Maya Fey and Susato Mikotoba. Both of them lost someone very close to them in episode 2 of their games. Maya lost her sister, Mia Fey, and Susato lost Kazuma, someone who was like a brother to her. This causes them end up working with the protagonist as their assistant before returning home, but eventually returning to continue assisting the protagonist. That's where the similarities end though. The next characters on our list are Miles Edgeworth and Barok van Zieks. Both act as the prosecutor throughout most of their game before being arrested for murder, leading to them relunctantly accepting the protagonist's offer to defend them. During most of their game, they hold a grudge against the protagonist, but eventually at the end they set their grudge aside and move on. While on trial, the truth about their past is revealed, and they must learn to come to terms with it. And that leads us to the last two characters I want to talk about, Damon Gant and Mael Stronghart. Both are similar in appearance and take a position of authority. However, using this authority they do horrible acts behind the scenes that that are uncovered in the final episode of their games. They act as the "final boss," and no matter how much they try to slip out of the accusations, they eventually can't hide from the truth. Both of them believed what they did was what had to be done and was ultimately for the sake of justice.

And with that, my little essay ends. I hope that wasn't too much to read. These were just the most obvious parallels, but I'm sure there are more. I would highly recommend playing these games if you haven't already. I hope you enjoyed reading this or maybe learned something new.

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eldritchlittleblackdragon · 3 years ago

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Alice van Zieks in The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles, Part 3

(Or What Happens to Her During and Post Canon)

Part Three of Five! Image made with this Picrew. This time, we’re covering The Trial of Gina Lestrade, what happens to Alice in Between games, and what’s going on with her while the first case and the little non-flashback section of the second case of the second game are happening. As before! Potential spoiler warning for those cases below, as well as some spoilers for case 3 (related to Kazuma Asogi ;)).(1-5, 2-1, and 2-2, and 2-3) That said, there’s a lot to cover with Alice regarding case 2-3, so that will basically get it’s own post in the next installment. Also like the previous posts... this is really long. Oof.

Some additional warnings for this: Mentions of autopsies being performed, and mentions of sex.

If you would like to be added to the tag list, please let me know!

Tagging: @curiousobsession101, @scarlettjskipper, @angeaxil, @oblivionmobile, @wittythreads, and @possiblythreefourthspeahen

Previously...

As covered in Part 2 and its addendum, Alice experienced significant changes and upheaval in her life over the course of the first couple of months since her return to Britain. After accepting a job offer from Lord Chief Justice Stronghart, Alice began working as the main pathologist of the Forensic Investigation Subteam. She often had the assistance of Doctor Maria Gorey, another pathologist who alternated between working with the Subteam, and the main Forensic Investigation Team headed by Doctor Courtney Sithe. She became acquainted with Gorey as a result, and after tense beginnings, the two began to have an accord.

However, just a little over a month into her new job, a burglar broke into the home where Alice was staying, and became violent when confronted by Alice and Mr. and Mrs. Ward (Alice’s friends who were letting Alice stay with them). Eventually, things became dire in that Alice’s life and that of her friend Agnes (Mrs. Ward) were in mortal peril, and Alice took the life of her assailant to save her own life and that of her friend. Mrs. Ward was rushed to the hospital soon thereafter, and the police came to investigate and question everyone present.

Lord Van Zieks was called and informed of his wife’s ordeal. He immediately rushed to her side to asses her state for himself, as well as to collect her and bring her back home with him for the sake of her personal safety. And so, Alice for the time being moved back in with her husband while she recovered from her injuries.

Over the next few weeks, Alice spent her time recovering, and was given leave from her duties at Scotland Yard. She was visited by friends, including Mr. Ward and his children (as for Mrs. Ward, she wrote to her while her friend recovered in the hospital). Susato Mikotoba and Sherlock Holmes also came to visit her at points, updating her on how everyone at the Holmes residence was doing. She expressed a desire for both Ryunosuke and Iris to come visit her as well, although she worried about how the former would be treated if he came to visit (there was some concern with Susato, though not as much, hence why she was able to come visit her).

As for Iris, Holmes said he’d see about bringing Iris with him, but never did. (Much to Alice’s disappointment and curiosity.) She does however keep in frequent contact with both of them through letters, telegrams, and even a phone call or two to the Holmes residence.

She spent a decent amount of time with her husband in those weeks, her interactions with him throwing her into a state of confusion and feeling torn about her decision to divorce him. Despite his current state being of great concern to her in some ways (his behavior in court, especially towards Ryunosuke being chief among them), he had resolved to better himself in others, and showed a visible effort to do so. That, and she was still quite attracted to him still. To a rather alarming degree.

She found herself wanting at times to be close to him again, even have moments of giving into the temptation to be such (through allowing him to show her physical affection and returning it in kind, allowing herself to be vulnerable emotionally).

As for Barok, he went so far as being open with her on matters he wouldn’t have felt at liberty to discuss with her before. And he started with discussing his reason for being back in London (aside from the matter of the divorce) - his resolve to finally uncover the true reason behind the deaths attributed to “The Reaper of the Bailey” and unmask who the ‘true Reaper’ may be. Alice appreciated him letting her in on this endeavor of his, and not only offered her support, but offered to help him in any way she could. While Barok felt protective of her and didn’t wish to endanger her as a result of his undertaking, unlike how he might have reacted in the past, he said he would consider and call upon her should he need it.

This conversation was a turning point, one where they were able to talk amiably with understanding and patience. With trust.

Perhaps some goodwill can be restored between both of them, and some of Alice’s trust in Barok can be restored? To the point that maybe, at the very least, they can be amiable once again (whether or not they get back together - a matter they continue to be divided on). Perhaps Barok can right the errors of his past and be transparent with her about his fears and motivations, and make progress towards letting go of trying to restrict Alice as a result of his fears.

One thing’s for certain. There is still a certain tension between them. One that hasn’t yet abated. And while they’ve made progress, their problems are far from resolved. Little do they know matters will be even further complicated months down the line, when specters of their pasts make a startling reappearance.

The Trial of Gina Lestrade

After a few weeks, Alice has recovered enough to be up and about and going out again. She gets up to have breakfast with her husband, and towards the end receives a letter from Sherlock Holmes inviting her to dinner at 221B Baker street with all the residence there that night, if she is up to and able to go. Being thrilled at the idea of having dinner with her friends (and getting to see Iris and Ryunosuke, whom she hasn’t seen in some weeks), she readily accepts and prepares a reply back that she’ll be there.

The day is mostly quiet, but before she leaves, Barok calls her over to sit with him while he’s working on some miniatures for a diorama. There’s some light chatter before he asks something that has been on his mind of a while, but hasn’t been touched on much by them in conversation since she came to live with him again. He wishes to know about how she came to be friends with Susato Mikotoba, as well as Ryunosuke Naruhodo.

Alice feels nervous at the inquiry, wondering what the purpose of his line of questioning is. But, she follows it, relating back to him how her father and Susato’s father have been friends for some time, and she met Susato when she first arrived in Japan. As for Ryunosuke, she met him a little over a year later when asked to be a teaching assistant for an English class in which he was a student. And that they bonded over discussing the idioms and idiosyncrasies between the English and Japanese languages (as well as cultural differences between the two nations). Barok nods, admitting he had learned the two attended the same University based on a conversation he had with Stronghart. He does find it surprising that Alice’s father and Professor Mikotoba are acquainted. (Alice admits she doesn’t know all the details of how they’re acquainted. But they’ve known each other for quite a long time.) He then wonders aloud how an English major made the change to Law, it’s clear he’s inexperienced and must have done so on short notice with how little he knows. Either that or students from Japan are woefully undertrained.

Alice grits her teeth, and admits that Ryunosuke’s circumstances for becoming a law student were rather unusual. He has a long way to go in order to become a fully fledged attorney, but she believes he has promise, and she’s confident in her friend’s abilities. Barok points out his reservations based on some of Ryunosuke’s various errors and gaffes in court, but he admits that he’s quite skilled in his ability to find details others overlook, and says his resolve is both admirable and exasperating. He then asks her a rather serious question - how much she trusts him.

“I consider him my best friend, and I trust him a great deal,” she says.

Barok makes a disgruntled huff, averting his eyes for a moment. Perhaps because a long time ago, she used those exact same words to describe himself. Or perhaps, it is because of the worry he then expresses next.

“I would be wary of him. Even if he harbors no ill intent, he seems prone to making troublesome errors in judgment. Some of which could lead to truly dire consequences indeed.”

This remarks causes Alice to grow defensive. “What makes you say that?”

This leads to a discussion about the McGilded case, and Ryunosuke’s role as the late man’s defense attorney. And he makes no secret of his anger towards the not guilty verdict. The court made their decision of course, but he believes the truth of the matter was obscured by fabricated evidence. And if it were discovered to be such, Ryunosuke would face serious consequences for it. And whether he knowingly colluded with McGilded or not, it would reflect quite poorly on him.

Alice asserts Ryunosuke would never have defended McGilded if he believed he would tamper with evidence, and fully believes in his client’s innocence when he accepts a case. But, she also knows that he was not given much of a choice in defending McGilded. Barok argues he had the choice not to, and Alice is upset by this remark. Refusing the case would have meant being sent back to Japan immediately, she remembers being told. It would have meant not being able to honor Kazuma and his wish to change the world for the better, something that was very important to him. And, perhaps on a more selfish note, Alice would have to give up having a pair of her friends close at hand (Ryunosuke and Susato). She replies to Barok that she doesn’t agree, but she doesn’t wish to argue.

“He’s not unlike you, you know. He will pursue the truth to the end, even at his own expense.”

Barok’s expression subtly shows surprise for a moment before returning to its normally stoic state. “He certainly is willing to go father than most, beyond when others would falter. I’ll give him that.”

The conversation comes to an end, and Alice bids him farewell, heading to Holmes’ estate for dinner.

She’s delighted when everyone is there, and is so thrilled to see all of her friends again. Iris even comes running over and gives her a big hug, having missed and worried over her quite a bit. Alice assures her she’s much better now, and is sorry for having worried her and everyone else. She looks up and says a heartfelt hello to Ryunosuke, before realizing there is another guest in their midst.

The girl who served as a witness in the McGilded case, Gina Lestrade, is here. Iris excitedly introduces the two of them to each other. Gina appears wary of Alice and Alice in turn politely gives her space while trying to be open and kind. She volunteers to help Iris with dinner should she need it. Iris says she’d be thrilled to have the extra hands, and beckons her into the kitchen.

After dinner is made, everyone enjoys a good meal and an evening of games together. Alice is happy to see everyone having a good time, and is pleased when she sees Gina relaxing and enjoying herself too. It seems like she’s had a rough life and is slow to trust others. It’s good that there’s a place where she can be at ease, even if only for a moment. During the course of the evening, the two of them even wind up talking to each other a little about their lives and things they enjoy. She even offers to show Gina how to braid her hair is a way similar to herself. Gina isn’t so sure at first, but when Iris expresses interest in it as well, Gina sighs and says alright, it won’t hurt to give it a go.

So, she spends some time with Gina and Iris teaching them about crown braids.

[I would need to go over the case again, but I’m not sure if Alice stays long enough to be part of Iris’ conversation about the Hound of the Baskervilles manuscript that Holmes prevented her from publishing. But, she will eventually learn that Gina breaks into the pawnshop to confirm if the manuscript is really there. And Alice will find it rather curious that Holmes doesn’t want that particular story published, considering he sees fit to let Iris write about about his other exploits, a regular thing Iris engages in and even makes a decent profit off of.

I’ve also been debating whether Iris told Alice before this point that she thinks John Watson is her father based on the writings she found when digging around her shared living space with Holmes. It seems likely she would, in which case it would pain Alice even more that Watson was murdered. Now, Alice is not 100% certain Watson is Iris’s father, not without more evidence to go on besides the writings, but she supports Iris wanting to figure out her past and where she stands in relation to the people and events in her life.]

After another game or two, Alice returns home for the night, tired but happy, and returns to her accommodations in the guest room across from the master bedroom where Barok sleeps. She dresses to get into bed, but before doing so, Barok walks by, asking her the evening went. To her surprise, he doesn’t press her too much about it, simply expressing he’s happy she enjoyed herself and was able to see her friends again, and that he hopes she sleeps well.

He lingers for a moment, leaning forward ever so slightly. As though he perhaps has more to say. (Or perhaps wants to give her a goodnight kiss.) But he withdraws, and bids her goodnight before disappearing into the room across the hall.

Alice sleeps peacefully through the night. The next morning, however, proves to be a rather harrowing one.

Barok receives a call on his office phone early that morning from Stronghart, requesting to speak to Alice. Alice is brought in and given the phone, and Alice speaks to him briefly. It seems a murder case has suddenly come up last night and they’re in need of a coroner. He asks if she is recovered enough to return to her duties.

There is another coroner who could take the job, but he would specifically like Alice’s skills on this. Alice agrees, saying she’ll be over as soon as possible. He also mentions to her that he hopes to speak with her husband at a meeting today if possible and she hands the phone back to Barok, who converses with Stronghart for a bit more.

They both eat and get dressed, and they take a carriage together, going their separate ways. Alice goes to Stronghart’s office, and Barok heads to his own office (for some of his own business prior to his own meeting with the Lord Chief Justice).

When Alice arrives, she sees Stronghart bidding Detective Gregson farewell, and the detective greets her politely before being on his way. Stronghart greets her then, and expresses that he is pleased to see that Alice is well. What happened to her was extremely unfortunate, but at least the ruffian who tried to hurt her was dealt with. Alice expresses she wishes that she didn’t have to kill him, but it was either her or him. Stronghart is mildly dismissive of the comment, saying that the end result was a just one, if not the ideal one. Still, he must admit it would have been better if he was alive and apprehended.

He then goes on to say that the murder last night that he mentioned over the phone was at Windibank’s Pawnbrokery on Baker Street. There was an altercation where the end result was the proprietor’s death. Someone was also shot and is in the hospital for treatment: (1) Detective Sherlock Holmes.

Alice is alarmed by the news, and says she’d heard nothing of it. Part of her wants to bolt to see her friend immediately, and perhaps check on Iris and the others. But she said she would accept the work, so she has to stay (but she resolves to go see them as soon as she’s able).

Stronghart then goes on to inform Alice that they currently have a few suspect persons in custody who were apprehended at the scene, including who they believe is Windibank’s murderer. Alice inquires as to who and it is revealed that the person in custody is none other than Gina Lestrade. Stronghart mentions she was a witness in the McGilded trial, and she was supposedly at the Pawnbrokery earlier trying to obtain something McGilded had left there.

Alice feels extremely conflicted about this turn of events. She just saw Gina the other day. And while she’s stolen from others to survive, she didn’t seem like the sort to commit murder. (They don’t think she shot Sherlock, do they? She worries.) But Alice knows she must put aside her bias and work towards the truth, even if the truth isn’t what she wants it to be. She tries to glean more information from Stronghart about the case, and he gives her a little more information (mostly regarding how the body of Windibank was found, Gina being found with Windibank’s gun, etc. some relevant facts but not as much information as she would like). He then informs here that while no prosecutor has stepped up for the case, he hopes to have one assigned shortly. Alice asks if Gina has a defense attorney and he informs her that she doesn’t at this time. Alice takes a deep breath. If nobody else would, Ryunosuke would certainly do it. Of that she’s sure.

Alice is then dismissed to go to the lab and begin her work. Gorey is there waiting for her, and assists her in getting the body prepped for the autopsy. Gorey welcomes Alice back, saying that for a moment she was concerned. Alice remarks morbidly that if she hadn’t acted, she might have ended up on the slab herself. Gorey quips that she would have made sure to have taken good care of her if that was the case.

Alice gets to work on Windibank’s autopsy, examining the body and with meticulous care. All the while, the thought of Gina lingers in the back of her mind. Is it even right for her to be working on this case when she wants to believe so desperately that Gina is innocent? She tries to shoo the thought away. If she worries, it will help no one, and it certainly won’t help her work.

She also keeps meticulous notes for compiling her report. And once the body has been examined thoroughly and she cleans herself up, she goes about the work of compiling said report, making sure there are two copies available for both the defense and prosecution, respectively.

[Here is where I’m less clear on details. But somehow she finds out Barok has taken on being the prosecutor for this case, which Alice is extremely upset by given that this puts Gina in the line of fire of the Reaper. I was considering maybe Barok comes to see her to obtain his copy of the autopsy report and she argues with him a little at first, but tensions ease off when he assures her that if Gina is innocent, he has no intention of letting her be added to the Reaper’s body count. However, he is not persuaded that she is innocent. Alice reluctantly accepts this, but desperately hopes the truth will reveal itself to be Gina is in fact, innocent. Later, Ryunosuke and Susato stop by her office to pick up their own copy of the autopsy report and she learns about Holmes’ condition (and that nobody but family can see him atm), that Susato is leaving soon because of a telegram informing her that her father is gravely ill. She will not even be at the trial tomorrow.

While Alice is upset by the news that Susato is leaving, she is equally upset that Professor Mikotoba is ill and completely understands her going back on such short notice. She asks when she’ll be leaving and she says very early in the morning. It breaks her heart to know she won’t be able to see her friend off.

In between Gina being on trial for murder, Barok being the one to prosecute Gina, Susato leaving imminently and her friend Holmes having been shot and in the hospital being operated on, Alice is. Not doing so great emotionally right now. And the fact she’s the coroner and currently working the case means her interactions with certain players have to be limited. And with resuming her duties at work in all likelihood she won’t be able to attend the trial unless summon as a witness (since she has to perform follow up work the next day). Which is. Also not great in her opinion.]

Alice comes home, exhausted and distraught. She practically melts into her bed when she finds it.

For this trial, Alice isn’t present for part of it, and it proceeds unaltered from canon. However, things take a change when certain details in the Autopsy report catch Ryunosuke’s attention and he wishes to confirm some points. So, he requests that Alice be summoned as a witness (although he fears Van Zieks might object). To his surprise, Van Zieks doesn’t protest the request at all.

Alice is summoned to the stand (clad in her work attire), much to her relief. If she’s a witness, she will be able to learn what’s going on and how Gina is faring.

Barok, as normal asks her to state her name and occupation for the record. (Before this, she hasn’t been referred to by name in the trial, only as ‘the coroner’.)

She hesitates for a moment, knowing she is likely to spark a reaction from the people around her. But taking a breath, she calmly states:

“I am Lady Alice van Zieks, and I am a coroner for Scotland Yard.”

As expected, the gallery breaks out into a fit of gasps and chatter. The judge too, looks startled by the revelation, his wig going askew for a moment before he composes himself. “Good lord! Van Zieks? Did I hear you correctly, witness?”

“You heard correctly, my lord,” she replies in a polite tone. “The prosecutor in this trial, Lord Barok van Zieks, is my husband.” [Cue more chatter from the gallery.]

“Lady Van Zieks. I hadn’t thought to see you here in this capacity during a trial in which your husband is prosecutor. This is truly unprecedented,” remarks the judge. “I admit I have some reservations concerning the coroner in this case being the wife of the prosecution. I fear whether a conflict of interest might be present.”

“I completely understand that reservation my lord. For what it is worth, I was assigned this case before a prosecutor had taken it on. I have done my work as meticulously and thoroughly as possible, with the intent of assisting in revealing the truth, regardless of whether it favors the prosecution or the defense.”

The judge then questions whether the defense has any second thoughts or objections. However, Ryunosuke shakes his head.

“I have none, my lord. As it happens, I am acquainted with Lady Van Zieks and her work. Her attention to detail is amazing and her commitment to the facts of a case is nothing short of admirable.”

This response surprises the judge. “High praise indeed, counsel. Just how are you acquainted with her ladyship?”

“We were classmates your honor. She was attending the same university as me for a number of years.” [Cue yet MORE chatter from the gallery.]

“My word! Is that true?”

“It is, my lord.” Alice confirms. “Before my recent return to Great Britain, I was attending Imperial Yumei University in Tokyo to complete my studies in Forensic Pathology. I met the defense counsel in the course of those studies.”

“A coroner personally acquainted with both the defense and prosecution...” Remarks the judge.

“Pray, if I may, my lord,” Van Zieks speaks up. “I speak not as her husband, but as a colleague. I have seen Lady Van Zieks at work. Her precision and keen eye are truly exceptional. And she has demonstrated exceptional knowledge and professionalism in regards to her field. I am absolutely confident in her competence as an expert witness in this trial.”

“I see,” says and the judge, and he asks Ryunosuke one last time if he concurs with that statement. Ryunosuke once again expresses his confidence in Alice. To which the judge then replies, “While this is highly irregular, both the defense and prosecution have spoken to the competence of the witness and believe the witness can give a trustworthy account regardless of any personal connection involved. I will allow matters to proceed for the time being. The prosecution may now question the witness.”

Barok asks Alice about details of the autopsy report, and she provides clarification on some of her points. During cross-examination, Ryunosuke asks about some of her findings in conjunction with other pieces of evidence, and whether it precludes certain possibilities about the events that took place in the case.

Eventually Alice is excused from the stand, but she is allowed to remain at the courthouse to see the outcome of the trial (as it is believe additional testimony might be needed from her later).

The truth of the McGilded case is revealed. And unfortunately, this will mean serious consequences will befall Ryunosuke for presenting false evidence (mainly, being stripped of his ability to practice law and restricted to only academic study). It is also revealed that Susato made use of one of Iris’s inventions the night of the murder, creating an opening in the backroom door of the pawnshop that was not there before. And this proves to be the piece of evidence that helps unravel the statements of a critical witness, which thus helps to reveal Gina’s innocence.

But, the trial also reveals a secret, treasonous exchange of messages between nations, the selling of national secrets and classified information. McGilded was involved in this, and the last piece of information would turn out to be something potentially relevant to Alice (although she wouldn’t learn that until after the trial).

After the trial, she and the others learn that Susato’s ship has been delayed, and if they hurry, they can wish her well in Dover. She accompanies Ryunosuke, Holmes (who is now out of the hospital), and Iris to Dover in saying goodbye, but not before somehow getting the message to Barok that she’s making an emergency trip to Dover to say goodbye to a friend whose leaving the country and that shell be back soon.

(Or maybe she tells Barok directly, worried he’ll say no? But he has no objection to it and tells her to go before she misses her chance.)

Things proceed similarly to canon, in which they say goodbye to Susato, but also relay the outcome of the trial to her. She also decodes the secret message that was presented as evidence, revealing a rather alarming list of names: T. Gregson, A. Shin, K. Asogi, and J. Watson.

Alice is shocked by the revelation. She has no idea who A. Shin might be, but she can definitely hazard a guess as to who the other names are (one of them being her dearly departed Kazuma). And two of the people on that list are dead (she believes). Is this a list of people who are marked for death? What is the purpose of the list or the connection between the four names?

It’s something that haunts her for months to come. But in time, that particular mystery would be unraveled.

Alice wishes Susato well, and says she will miss her terribly.

Eventually, Alice returns to London from Dover, and bids Ryunosuke and the rest of her friends farewell. But, before doing so, she emphasizes that she believes in her friend, and she’s so proud of him for what he did in court, and that if he wishes to be reinstated, she’ll be in his corner to help him fight for it. He thanks her for the show of support, and would like to get back in court eventually, but he needs some time to reflect, and study. Perhaps when he is ready, he will be better prepared to face whatever he might in British courts. Alice believes that is a completely reasonable approach, and says she’ll be here if he needs anything. After all, that’s what best friends are for.

[Side note: Ryunosuke taking responsibility and helping to uncover the truth of the McGilded case leaves an positive impression on Barok, and he is more willing to accept her wife’s trust in him, as well as his own deep down perception of him that conflicts with his prejudice. That Ryunosuke is a man on integrity and has the potential to be a truly exceptional lawyer.]

Before she returns home, she runs into an old friend of hers- Lady Ada Harebrayne (the mother of her husband’s friend, Albert Harebrayne), who was responsible for her meeting Barok in the first place, and also helped orchestrate the development of their bond.

They converse for a bit, saying they really need to take some time to catch up. It’s been so long since they spoken to one another. [And from here on, Lady Harebrayne becomes a recurring minor character. I’m thinking she might be mentioned a few times before this however.] Admittedly, Alice is a bit nervous about reconnecting with Lady Harebrayne. She was always a wonderful woman, but she’s also very much in Barok’s corner, and a well-respected societal matron at that. She wonders what she’ll think of Alice trying to divorce him, and if she’d try to dissuade her from her course. She will have to see.

In Between Games

-Tension Overflows

[I think it would be really nice to detail a particularly trying case for Alice that touches on some things that, while they do not directly involve her, they involve things that touch on her memories or are important to her. I’m playing around with possible ideas for what sort of case that might be but haven’t settled on one yet. That said, while Ryunosuke and Barok wouldn’t be involved in the case in terms of serving as attorneys, they might play a part on helping Alice in some way. Sherlock Holmes however might be involved in said case as a consulting detective. (And also possibly Gregson is involved?)

And this case is going on while Alice is contending with her emotions about Barok and what she wants to do. There’s a push and pull between the two of them, a mixture of realizing why they become so close before they broke apart. But Alice hasn’t admitted to the emotional tug of war within herself to Barok, wanting to keep up the appearance that she is unwavering in her course. And she wants to be unwavering. Because, in spite of her big motivation for the divorce being gone (Kazuma), she feels she needs to move forward with divorcing him. And yet, she’s struggling with naming a reason why, especially in the face of still being attracted to Barok and being reminded of all the reasons they’d become best friends, and eventually got married.

Yet, one night, in a fit of emotion, she accidentally lets it slip that she is still attracted to her husband which causes an argument between them. (Barok sees this is as a sign that they shouldn’t get divorced, that they should get back together and try again. But Alice thinks attraction isn’t enough of a basis. And while he’s done work on himself, there’s still critical problems he’s yet to address. And ultimately, and most obviously what each of them wants in terms of their relationship to each other doesn’t align with one another anymore.)

And I’m thinking it somehow leads to them spending the night together (an occurrence which briefly renews the sexual component of Barok and Alice’s relationship, starting not long after the end of 1-5 and ending shortly before when Kazuma reappears as the masked apprentice - not sure if she moves back into the master bedroom with him for the time being or she stays in the guestroom otherwise, that detail is still tbd). Starting with this first instance (and about a month and a half after), Alice has reached peak intensity in terms of her torn feelings, and struggling to figure out why she wishes to cling to her resolve to go her own way (and divorce from Barok). And in the meantime, between the case and her interactions with Barok, Alice goes over the events in her life that led her to this point and why.

She also reflects on herself through her interactions with her friends. And ultimately comes two a couple different conclusions. 1) she wants to be able to go her own way in spite of external pressures from others like what she’s faced in the past, and 2) her attraction doesn’t mean she can or will love Barok the same way he loves her. And she’s come to the conclusion she no longer feels able to stay on the promise of ‘maybe one day I will grow to love you in the same way’, she no longer believes it is a good enough basis for a spousal relationship. And eventually, she and Barok sit down and she explains and expounds on those reasons to him, and points out they’ve both gone through change as people and because they’ve changed, it’s important they reflect on themselves and their relationship and what is best going forward.

This time, Barok is more willing to accept what she’s saying, and even remarks that he can’t deny the truth of that statement. And he reflects that while he’s made efforts to reflect on himself as an individual and his particular contribution to the relationship, he hasn’t really allowed himself to reflect on their relationship as a whole, instead clinging to what he wants to happen instead of considering if that’s for the best. He’s generally a more logical man, not letting his emotions rule him so much. But he has his moments of his emotions getting the better of him, and in matters of the heart, it should perhaps come as no surprise that this was an instance where his emotions dictated his reasoning and actions. After some quiet, he says he needs time to think on what she said. But, he asks if she is willing to remain as they are while he reflects on these things.

And she says she will be here for when he has his answer. She’s not going anywhere anytime soon.

It feels like, at last, the weight of the air between them is considerably lighter. This is perhaps the biggest step they’ve made so far.

Eventually, the two of them have one last night together. And the next morning, as they’re getting up and dressing for the day, Barok is able to tell Alice his thoughts. And he is willing... perhaps... to concede that the best path forward may not be in remaining married to one another. As much as a part of him feels agony at the thought. He is willing to begin discussing terms for divorce. It will take time to have everything sorted out. But, it is something he is now open to, if reluctantly.

This is far from a resolution however. Especially with certain events still upcoming.]

[Side Note: Eventually Barok comes to the realization that his biggest fear isn’t losing the possibility of a romantic relationship with Alice, but losing a close relationship with her at all. He wants her to talk to him again, to confide in him, and to be able to confide in her. As much as he craves her romantically, he is willing to forgo that than risk losing her altogether by trying to keep her in a marriage she clearly no longer wishes to be in. But I think that’s a topic that will only start to come up here, and will really come into focus with certain events that happen during his own case.]

-The Devil Comes Calling Again

[While the above is going on, I really want to somehow show a little bit more of Stronghart and maybe show a bit more into his motivations for having Alice on the team. Mainly, that she’s a tool with which he wishes to manipulate/ hold leverage over Barok, (and later a certain other prosecutor *winkwink*), as well as a means to add integrity to and promote his ideas for the future of the Justice System in Britain. But, he also hopes to have her on hand as someone to keep in reserve should... certain pieces not fit as neatly into place as they should. A replacement cog in his machine should one break or malfunction. (Basically he wants her on hand in case something goes amiss with Courtney Sithe and the main Investigation team. While Sithe is loyal to him, Stronghart is becoming increasingly paranoid about anyone with significant involvement in a certain aspect of his past that he’s been making great efforts to try and bury.)

He tries to build rapport with Alice, get her to like him more by capitalizing on the fact they have certain ideas that on the surface seem to align with each other. But she’s always been wary of him, and it’s not different now. Stronghart suspects that may prove to be trouble later, so he keeps in mind he should think of other ways to utilize her if he can’t manipulate her through trust.]

-The Appearance of the Masked Disciple

Alice comes home from work, having finished her last shift for the week, relieved to have some well-deserved rest in her near future. She is greeted by a maid when she walks in the door, informing her that her husband has recently returned from a meeting with Lord Stronghart, and that he has a guest with him down in the drawing room. Odd, Alice thinks. She wasn’t aware of Barok having a meeting with Stronghart that day. The maid informs her it was a rather sudden summons. Alice thanks the maid and makes her way to the drawing room. As she goes, she overhears Barok talking to someone. She can’t help but wonder who the guest is.

Perhaps it’s Lady Harebrayne? Or perhaps another mutual friend of theirs. But whoever it is isn’t replying to anything Barok is saying, and what Barok seems to be saying is... not what she expects. It sounds like he’s showing them around, and giving them instructions about moving about the house and interacting with the staff.

Alice raises an eyebrow, and continues on until she comes upon the drawing room.

Once there, Alice comes to a sudden halt, startled by who she’s sees standing next to her husband. Rather than someone she knows, it’s someone who appears to be a stranger- a rather tall man, wearing a long hooded cloak and a rather ominous mask that obscures his face down to his nose. Alice finds herself at a loss for words for a moment. But then, the stranger turns his attention to her. She hears his breathing catch, and his lips part as though he might speak. But then, they close, and instead he opts for a bow.

Alice gives a small curtsy in kind.

“Alice. Pray, forgive me for not having informed you of this sooner. I was summoned suddenly by Lord Stronghart.”

“A maid informed me that you only recently returned.” Alice finds herself looking at her husband’s mysterious guest. And as her eyes fall to him, she realizes he is also looking at her, rather intently. “Would the sudden summons pertain to your guest then?” His words made her wonder if that was the case.

“Indeed it is so. I would give you two a proper introduction, however... he is a man of rather peculiar circumstances. For now, I am only able to introduce his as my apprentice.”

”Your... apprentice?” She gives a polite nod, but its clear from her expression she’s perplexed by the situation. “A pleasure to meet you, sir. I am Lady Alice van Zieks, Lord Van Zieks’ wife.”

The stranger, introduced as her husband’s apprentice, nods and bows again politely, only averting his gaze from her for a moment when Barok continues. But, as her husband explains, Alice notices his eyes fall back to her, watching her with rapt attention. But why is he staring at her so intently?

“Lord Stronghart introduced me to him at our meeting, and asked I take him under my tutelage and care for him.”

“So you’ll be staying here with us?” she questions the apprentice. He answers with a small nod. She notes he hasn’t spoken yet. Only replied in gestures. A man of few words, or is there another reason for his reticence?

“However, Stronghart informed me he is under orders that must be followed while in my care. Namely, that he is to wear his mask at all times in the presence of others. And that he may speak to no one but Stronghart and myself within the confines of our offices alone.”

Alice raises an eyebrow. “He can’t show his face or talk to anyone? Why?” She then turns to the apprentice. “Forgive me, but just who are you, sir?” She sighs and turns to her husband. “My apologies. It was just said... My lord husband, who is he, exactly? Is he hiding from someone?”

“I don’t think so,” answers Barok, “As for who he is... I don’t know, and as he and Stronghart have both informed me, neither is he aware of that fact, either.”

Alice’s eyes widen. “I... I don’t understand. You mentioned you couldn’t introduce him properly, only as your apprentice. You’re saying you don’t know? And... he doesn’t know?”

“Based on what he told me, he has no memory of who he is.”

“He has amnesia?” Alice asks incredulously. “I’m sorry. I just... if he doesn’t remember who he is, why the mask and the restriction on talking to others?”

“Unfortunately I don’t know that either,” says Barok. “But... I suspect Stronghart may actually know more about him than he said. And it may have something to do with that.”

Alice nods. She could easily see Stronghart knowing more than he’s saying. And yet... this situation is hard for her to accept. It seems so... out there. And yet, she’s seen equally strange things before. It seems like things have been increasingly strange since Alice made her arrangements to return to Britain from Japan. But that didn’t mean she didn’t have a right to feel... unsettled by this entire thing.

“I see.” She turns back to the apprentice. “Is this all acceptable to you? I can’t help but feel this is wholey unfair and unjust. Surely you wish to remember who you are if you’ve lost your memories? And not being able to speak with anyone... how can-” She stop herself and sighs. “I’m sorry.”

He shows no visible reaction other than his lips curling into a frown. The movement draws her attention to his lips. His lips, his chin, and jaw aren’t concealed by his masked. And something about the lower half of his face strikes her as... familiar. Reminiscent of someone she’s seen before. Not only that, his posture, the way he moves... it’s peculiarly precise to her. And that too, seems familiar. Is he reminding her of someone she’s met before? Now that she thinks about it... perhaps so. In fact, it reminds her a bit of-

“I confess I am perturbed by the situation as well. But unfortunately all that can be done for now take him in as requested,” says Barok, cutting off her train of thought. “I was showing him around the manor and instructing him as best I can on how to navigate and interact with the staff. Even if he cannot speak, I wish to see that his needs are met.”

“Oh! Yes, of course.” Alice replies. “And should you need anything, don’t hesitate to ask either one of us. Well... in what way you are able.” She receives a nod in response, and she gives him a concerned smile. “Is there a name you wish to go by for the time being? I can’t imagine you are content with being simply called ‘Apprentice’.”

Barok’s new apprentice shakes his head, and Barok confirms that there’s no name that has come to mind for him. Alice frowns.

“I see. I am truly sorry you have no memory of yourself. I can’t imagine how distressing it must be to live under such a circumstance.”

Alice is then informed that Barok’s new apprentice will be in a guest room in the same hallway as the Master Bedroom and the guestroom that Alice has been using as her bedroom. (In fact I’ve been thinking it’s right next door to Alice’s, but not sure if there would be issues with propriety there. I don’t think so since they’re in separate rooms. But I could be wrong.)

Barok continues on with showing him around, and Alice finds despite her exhaustion from work, she has it in herself to accompany the two of them. As her husband’s new apprentice is shown to his room. She finds herself picking up her train of thought from earlier.

...he reminds her a little of Kazuma.

While Susato is Defending Rei Membami in Japan and Ryunosuke is looking over the case notes of the second Soseki Natsume Case...

[A bit hazy here. I’m thinking Alice continues on as normal. But now Barok’s apprentice is living in the manor with them. She worries about him a lot, because he has amnesia and nobody to talk to about it. Hell, he can’t talk to anyone at all except Barok inside of his office alone. She can’t help but wonder how he feels about all of this and whether he is under considerable stress as a result of his circumstances.

She’s not sure what he’s thinking. He’s dutiful and diligent in his studies and doing tasks for Barok. He seems quite stoic and unflappable. She’s always had trouble reading people, but he seems completely impossible to read much of the time. Except... he always gives her his full attention whenever she addresses or talks to him. He is always willing to help her when she needs it. Maybe it’s simply an extension of his dutiful behavior, but it feels like something, perhaps. Especially considering her presence seemed to have some kind of affect on him when they first met. And he was constantly looking at her. It seemed like he wanted to talk to her and nearly forgot himself then.

...Does he want to talk to her?

She begins to wonder if there’s a way around Stronghart’s order. An idea pops into her head and she writes him a note, asking if Stronghart’s order extends to writing. He should send a written reply back if it doesn’t, and simply send it back blank if it does. Alice worries if perhaps she thought of it, perhaps Stronghart did too.

But then she receives the note back, and it does contain a reply. “To my knowledge it does not, Lady Van Zieks.” And she starts by asking him if he likes his accommodations in the guest room and if he needs anything. She can ask one of the staff to help right away. He writes back that he doesn’t need anything more at this time, and politely thanks her for the offer of assistance.

Alice looks over the note, and notices something about his handwriting is a bit familiar. Yet another detail about him that leaves her feeling... strange, for lack of a better word.

They talk to each other through letters, and in person with Alice talking and him responding with nods or gestures. She eventually learns he woke up very far away from London, having had to work on ships, jumping from ship to ship in order to make his way. But something inside him kept pushing him on. He had to get to London no matter the cost. It was one of the only things he had to go on, having no memory of himself.

Eventually, Barok occasionally asks his apprentice to accompany Alice on ventures out into London for her protection. They work together on various tasks, and at times when she’s out in about, she’ll also take him to nice, non-work related places. Occasionally, they do have to evade or fight off Barok’s enemies, but for the most part they manage to succeed in escaping or repelling them without much trouble. During those instances, however, it comes to Alice’s attention that he seems fiercely protective of her, even going so far as to be excessively aggressive towards someone who was threatening her.

She eventually asks him why that is, considering it seems beyond the scope of what would be expected, and he tells her that she’s familiar to him somehow. Perhaps she reminds him of someone from his past or they met before, he’s not sure. But, she’s also a connection to his lost memories somehow. She’s important, worth protecting at all costs. That much he’s certain of. The revelation startles Alice, but it also gives her hope. If she seems familiar to him, perhaps continuing to spend time together will help him in recovering his memories.

Now, while most of what’s happened so far has been pretty canon compliant save for very minor details here and there, here will be one significant change. Alice is in regular contact with Ryunosuke, and I think with her being present and interacting heavily with the Masked Apprentice, I think she would tell Ryunosuke about him not too long after meeting him. And she would tell him about how little things here and there have caught her attention, and the more time she spends with Barok’s apprentice, the more she feels like she may indeed know the man. But who he is, she’s not sure of.

I’m also thinking it is possible she introduces the two of them earlier than in canon (although not that much earlier, maybe a couple of weeks earlier). Perhaps when she goes to visit Holmes one day she has the Apprentice accompany her, and Ryunosuke is home and she introduces them. And afterwards she talks to Ryunosuke and he’s like “okay this is going to sound freaky but he seems really familiar to me too. Something about his presence and posture. It’s driving me nuts.” And Alice is like “okay so it’s not just me. Maybe he’s someone we both met at some point?”

“Let’s keep an eye on this and compare notes.” “Good idea.”

(And even though Kazuma first came to mind, the thought he’s Kazuma is discarded because Kazuma’s dead right? Right? Wrong. It’s him Alice he’s right there.)

Barok in the meantime notices his apprentices gives him a sense of familiarity as well. As in things about him remind him of him of an old friend. One whom he had thought betrayed his trust. It can’t be a coincidence that Stronghart is preventing the man from talking to others or showing his face. He starts to suspect there is indeed a connection. But, that’s not all he notices. He sees and hears about how protective his apprentice is towards Alice, and notices the two are growing increasingly close, developing an understanding. And they’ve figured out ways to communicate in spite of the restrictions put in place by Stronghart.

Eventually, it becomes clear to him that if things continue to proceed as they are, it will be in Alice’s best interest to know of what he suspects. It will mean broaching on subjects he has long has difficulty talking about. But, it will be necessary in his eyes. His investigation into the reaper demanded he revisit his past, and now, he must go even further back, to the lowest point of his life.

And he must let Alice see into that darkness, further than he’s ever allowed her.

He prepares to have this difficult conversation with her, in the meantime continuing work on his investigation, as well as working out matters pertaining to his and Alice’s impending divorce (division of assets, finances, arrangements Alice’s living situation for when things are finalized, etc.).]

The Trial of Odie Asman?

[I was thinking it might be be interesting to touch on the trial of Odie Asman, and possibly have Alice have been the Coroner for this trial, having examined the bodies of a pair of men who were part of Asman’s crime syndicate who were unceremoniously disposed of by Asman for betraying his trust or something like that. It’s the second time Barok and Alice work together on the same trial, with Barok’s apprentice stepping in to ferry information between them. Asman is found not guilty as a result of him buying off/manipulating the jury, and is allowed to go free. I think this might be a good point to showcase all three of them working together and have this moment of accordbetween the three before everything explodes later.]

And that’s it for now! Things are really going to really ramp up in the next part. (Prepare for lots of tension and ANGST.)

The Trial of Albert Harebrayne and the 8 Days of Hell (Part 4)

The Trial of Barok van Zieks and Post Game Ideas (Part 5)

#alice van zieks #tgaa #tgaa oc #barok van zieks #barok van zieks/oc #kazuma asougi #kazuma asogi #kazuma asogi/oc #kazuma asougi/oc

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renegadewangs · 3 years ago

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Van Zieks - the Examination, part 12

Warnings: SPOILERS for The Great Ace Attorney: Chronicles. Additional warning for racist sentiments uttered by fictional characters (and screencaps to show these sentiments).

Disclaimer: (see Part 1 for the more detailed disclaimer.) - These posts are not meant to be taken as fact. Everything I’m outlining stems from my own views and experiences. If you believe that I’ve missed or misinterpreted something, please let me know so I can edit the post accordingly. -The purpose of these posts is an analysis, nothing more. Please do not come into these posts expecting me to either defend Barok van Zieks from haters, nor expecting me to encourage the hatred. - I’m using the Western release of The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles for these posts, but may refer to the original Japanese dialogue of Dai Gyakuten Saiban if needed to compare what’s said. This also means I’m using the localized names and localized romanization of the names to stay consistent. -It doesn’t matter one bit to me whether you like Barok van Zieks or dislike him. However, I will ask that everyone who comments refrains from attacking real, actual people.

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8 Part 9 Part 10 Part 11

Let's bring this thing home! It's time for the conclusion of the essay series!

Conclusion With a stupidly long essay series behind us, it's time to look at what we've learned! Let's go back to Part 1 and review what we needed from Van Zieks's character development for a fully rounded redemption arc, shall we?

1) Present an antagonistic (possibly immoral) force who personifies Ryunosuke’s biggest personal obstacle/weakness, in this case racial prejudice. 2) Humanizing traits begin to show. OPTIONAL: A backstory to justify any immorality he has. 3) Over time, Barok has his realization and sees the error of his ways. 4) Barok atones for his immorality, not simply through apology but by taking decisive steps. 5) The cast around him acknowledges his efforts and forgives him.

And looking at the main game (plus additional dialogue), we have...

1) Antagonistic force:

Etc. etc. I have many of these. We can all agree that as an antagonistic force, he does his job quite well. CEO of Racism and White Privilege in the flesh. It works, since we as the audience get very frustrated and want to see him defeated.

2) Humanization:

Giving him an old friend to be a defendant was a brilliant move, really. Albert's reflection on the friendship and the person Van Zieks used to be really helped flesh him out and make him appear more like a human being with, y'know, emotions and weaknesses. The little snippets of dialogue in his office really help too. Presenting evidence can also lead to fun tidbits. All in all, considering how gruff and distant Van Zieks is, they really did their very best to humanize him. The writers were given very little to work with but they exploited every opportunity to come their way.

OPTIONAL backstory:

Again, I don't think we needed a tragic backstory to have a well-rounded, redeemable character. Still, it ties in very expertly to the game's plot and the motivations of quite a few other characters. The story of Klint van Zieks and his death isn't necessarily Barok van Zieks's backstory, it's the center of an intricate web which also holds Kazuma, Stronghart, Gregson, Jigoku, (S)Holmes, Mikotoba, Sithe, Drebber- I could go on. A LOT. So because of how very integrated it is into the main narrative's recurring themes and characters, I'll give it props for being relevant and well thought out. The bigger question is: Does it justify his immorality? Not entirely. I think the game could have gotten more out of this if they'd involved the other two exchange students in this tale just a bit more. They could have given more attention to how Jigoku's aggressive behavior in the trial impacted Van Zieks, and explained whether he might've suspected Mikotoba of sabotaging (S)Holmes's investigation. If the narrative had done that, all three Japanese people to come to London would have been ‘the bad guy’ in Van Zieks's eyes and it would have given more credence to his racial generalization. They could have also given more attention to how the people around him reacted to Genshin being the Professor, because I'm sure Stronghart and Gregson stoked the fire in terms of xenophobia. As it stands, there isn't really enough there to justify hatred of an entire race as opposed to just one person.

3) Realization/Redemption

We see him already start to realize the error of his ways around the end of 1-5, which is technically only about halfway into the full narrative. Unfortunately, thanks to 2-2 being played afterwards (but chronologically set before 1-5), any progress made in 1-5 can become invalidated in the player's eyes. Growth works best when it's done linear. Don't get me wrong, flashbacking to earlier times when a character is still more morally tainted can work well, but it needs to be executed properly. Barok's behavior in 2-2 is downright insulting towards the audience itself and therefore, it causes emotional friction when relaying the narrative endgoal of redemption. It also makes it extra jarring when we hit 2-3, and suddenly Van Zieks is meant to be relying on the protagonist's desire to expose the truth. How on earth can we as the audience trust that Van Zieks believes in Ryu's abilities when we just came fresh out of a case where this man actively sabotages Ryu's efforts?

Still, the line of redemption continues from 2-3 into 2-4 well enough. He admits that he was wrong- that his hatred was illogical and that he needs to change. This is the very definition of redemption. I need to stress once more this is not to be confused with atonement, which comes next.

4) Atonement

Here it is. It's not enough to simply acknowledge mistakes; one needs to work hard to fix them. Since Van Zieks is the defendant for two whole episodes, equaling roughly 20% of the full narrative and 67% of the time following his first true realization (chronologically), there isn't much that he can actively do to atone. Because remember, not only do these actions need to fit the situation he's currently in, they need to fit his personality. These two limitations ensure the atonement mostly takes the form of dialogue. Of apologies.

One might want to point out that he never apologizes specifically for his racism, but there's a reason for that. If you pay close attention, you'll notice that there isn't a single character who ever uses a word like “racism”, “xenophobia” or even “racial prejudice” in this game. It's for the same reason you'll never see an Ace Attorney character utter words like “alcoholism”, “drug abuse” or “depression”. These things may be implied very strongly, to the point where you'll know for certain a character is suffering from it, but it's never given these exact labels. It has to do with the tone of the game. In Great Ace Attorney's dialogue, Barok van Zieks is only ever described as holding “a deep hatred for Japanese”, which is then the only thing he could apologize for. And he does, so long as you aren't looking for a literal phrasing of “I apologize for my deep hatred of your people”.

Regardless, he can't take more active, decisive action until he's freed from prison and two scenes with Van Zieks later, the game has ended. He still manages to take two actions, though! The first is to publicize the truth of the Professor, taking the blame of the mass murders off Genshin's shoulders (and losing his own privilege in the process). The second is to take Kazuma under his wing as his disciple. I'm not certain there's anything else the narrative could have had him do. What is decisively missing, however, is the following:

5) Acknowledgment

The above aren't good examples of cast acknowledgment that Van Zieks is taking part in a redemption arc, rather, they're the best I could find. Characters are acknowledging that he's changing- that he's being kinder to them and they can get along with him now, but they're not acknowledging that he caused hurt in the first place. This, in my opinion, is the Great Ace Attorney's biggest narrative flaw. I've talked before about how Ryu's reaction to Van Zieks's racism is 'indirect communication', a typically Japanese manner of dealing with negativity. I've also talked about how Ryu is not in a position to speak up, as he's a literal minority who is there to represent his country in an official capacity and can’t afford to make enemies. However, characters like Susato and Kazuma are far more outspoken in their opinions, as is Soseki. The only one who ever calls Van Zieks out on his racism is the British judge, and even that is done very meekly. When an old crusty white guy is the one who condemns white privilege in a cast full of minorities, you've got a problem. The Japanese cast's refusal to acknowledge that Van Zieks's words were harmful is like Team Avatar telling Zuko that sure, he can join since he's a good guy now, but never once acknowledging that he burned down villages or betrayed everyone's trust in Ba Sing Se. There's something very vital missing, see? If indeed the cast had called Van Zieks out more actively on his harmful ways and how necessary it was for him to change, he in turn could have taken more atonement steps in response.

So, for the conclusion: Does Barok van Zieks tick all the necessary boxes for a complete redemption arc? Yes. In a very technical sense, all the requirements are there. But does that mean it's a successful arc? Not necessarily. The game has a few slip-ups, a few things not executed as well as they could have been. For that reason, whether the audience is satisfied with the arc is entirely up to them. Taking into consideration that they had to cram a whole lot of story into just two games- the second game in particular, I can acknowledge they did their very best with the limitations that were there.

And there we have it! That’s all I could think to say on the matter. I hope everyone who read this till the very end enjoyed it, maybe even learned a thing or two. I’m always open to questions, input and constructive criticism!

#dgs #dgs spoilers #tgaa #tgaa spoilers #barok van zieks #I'M FREE!#well until I tackle the DLC content #but until then...#FREEEE

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aoi-mikazuki · 7 years ago

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The Briefest of Reunions

Huge spoilers for DGS1 and 2, but I wanted old people love and reminiscing so here is my contribution... >>;

Also on AO3 if shorter chapters are your jam.

SPOILER SPACE

Title: The Briefest of Reunions

Series: Dai Gyakuten Saiban

Words: 5,765

Pairing: Sherlock Holmes/Mikotoba Yuujin

Chapter 1 - The Train Ride

"I nearly had a heart attack when I first saw Miss Susato on that ship, you know," Holmes suddenly blurted as he sat at his desk hunched over his fancy instruments.

"Hm?" I looked up from my book and over the back of the settee I was lazily reclining on. The children had all retired for the night, and I had been hoping to finish this last chapter before I headed up to bed myself. But alas, I could see that my relatively relaxed evening was not meant to be.

"She looks just like her mother," my friend continued, lowering his goggles into position on his face, "though she has your eyes."

I had, on a few occasions, shown a picture of my dear, departed wife to Holmes during our six years together, but to think that he still remembered her face ten years on was remarkable; the man could barely remember what had happened on a case an hour after the fact and yet he had identified Susato with ease, it seems.

Then again, one should never underestimate Holmes's capacity to remember things -- especially those even tangentially related to me -- is something I learned about him relatively early on. He had always chalked it up to his keen powers of observation, yet, I daresay it was more due to a combination of his youthful spirit and a keen personal interest in me.

It was 16 years ago that I first met the then 18-year-old Sherlock Holmes. I was only 27 myself back then, and though I was a rather privileged and well-educated man back in Japan, it was something of an eye-opener to travel with the intent of living in an entirely different country -- I was suddenly intensely aware of how very small and very ignorant I was here among a people and a society with a set of rules all of their very own. Suddenly, all of the book-learning I had done felt very inadequate indeed in preparing me for my new adventure half-way around the world, so it was a godsend that I had met a young man who was willing to share his home with me and acquaint me with different people of all stations of life.

As with most people he encountered, Holmes instantly struck me as a strange and curious fellow, and perhaps that is what drew me to him in the first place. From the poorest of the poor up to the noblest of the noble, the man had a way with every soul in London, it seemed. I had initially assumed that this was a perfectly normal state of affairs for the average British gentleman, but I soon grew to see that he is actually a most singularly peculiar specimen among his countrymen. His strange mannerisms, raucous laughter, and ridiculous theatrics endeared him to the masses, but his intellect and deductive reasoning were what made him a necessity to the upper elites. But none of that seemed to matter to him, for I never saw him with anyone I would label as a "friend".

That is, until a little under a year after we’d first met. We were on a train traveling back to London after a most thrilling chase through the English countryside when we hit upon the topic of how we should celebrate yet another great success.

*********

"Let's go out -- just you and me! A night on the town!" Holmes proposed.

I laughed at that, my slightly larger frame bouncing in time with the train as it leaned into a curve in the tracks.

"I'm too old to be running around piss drunk like a teenager, Holmes. And you know how I feel about 'female entertainers' and brothels in general."

"That I do, but you still never gave me a good reason why."

"Does a man need to have a reason to decline the company of certain persons in this country?" I rebutted. I was beginning to sense that Holmes was going to try to push that topic again today.

Holmes stared at me from his seat across the cabin, making observations and filing the information away for future reference. I released a small sigh in response.

The Western custom of casually sharing one's personal life with strangers and friends alike is something I continue to find rather odd, and the expectation that I should divulge such similar information about myself to others still seems immensely invasive to me. Yet in the year of our acquaintance, Holmes had proven himself to be a trustworthy flatmate.

I ran my hands over my face to clear my mind and buy myself some time. I needed to phrase things in such a way as to satisfy his immediate curiosity without opening the door wide enough for him to barge right on through to ask gods know what else.

Placing one hand on each thigh, I leaned forward and looked Holmes in the eyes. "I know I haven't shared very much of myself with you, Holmes, but I... I’m actually still in mourning. My wife passed away in childbirth, you see... and I..."

In my mind's eye, I saw my wife's pained face as she slipped away from me -- me, a medically trained doctor who was powerless to stop her rapid decline. The piercing cries of our new baby girl grew muffled in my ears as my mind focused solely on the woman in front of me.

"Ayame... Please..." I had pleaded then, as my eyes darted around furiously, searching for the source of the bleeding. I scrambled and tried to find a tear, a rip -- anything -- but it was like dowsing for water in the middle of the bloody ocean. Precious minutes passed like seconds, and eventually, my wife reached down to me and lifted my face up to meet hers.

"Yujin," she had said though a pained smile. "I am counting on you to raise our daughter now."

"No, we'll raise her together...!" I answered in denial. But she knew me, and gave me one last parting request.

“Please take good care of Susato for me.”

And then, she was gone.

"...kotoba! Mikotoba!" The force of Holmes shaking me snapped me out of my reverie and back into the train cabin.

"I-I'm sorry, I appear to have..."

Holmes gave a flourish of his hand. "No need to apologize. I assume you were transported back to that moment?"

I nodded in affirmation.

"I see," Holmes states. "So..." he started, "you have a child then?"

I nod again. "A daughter. Her name is Susato."

"And yet you are here with me in jolly ol' England?" he questioned.

"Holmes, don't..."

"You... didn't come all this way just to escape your responsibilities, did you?" he said with one eyebrow cocked as he drew ever closer. Uncomfortably so, even.

"I wasn't-- I'm not trying to escape my responsibilities!" I answered indignantly. And yet, he was right. I had come to escape something, but I decided that the sordid details could wait for another day.

His eyes lit up for a second, and I knew he had made some deduction in that short span of time. But he quickly hid it.

He moved to sit next to me, his long right leg against my left -- the man really had no concept of personal space -- but when he reached out to grab my left hand with his own, I pulled it towards my chest instinctively. His hand was quicker and he caught it mid-air and laid it over my heart, holding it there. He slung his other arm around my neck, his hand reassuringly gripping my shoulder.

"I'm sorry; I didn't mean to impugn on your honor. But... just humor my curiosity for a second, Mikotoba."

A long moment of silence passed between us as I considered my options:

Push Holmes off and away from me and switch to another topic

Ask him to extricate himself from me and then switch to another topic

Talk with him like a goddamned adult

I breathed in and steeled myself for what I knew I needed to do.

"You've probably already deduced that there is more to my story, but..."

"But...?"

"I'm sorry, my friend." The word "friend" couldn't have felt more right just then. "But I'm afraid your curiosity will have to go unfulfilled for now."

Holmes was strangely silently next to me. Perhaps I had been too forward, or perhaps he did not see me as a friend. I turned my head to see what was the matter. He seemed at once somber and yet, somehow, comically dejected.

"Ha ha! You are a tease, Mikotoba," he rebounded. "But I will get the truth out of you yet!"

I smiled back at the young detective. "I have no doubt you will, Holmes. But for now, I ask that you simply stay by my side."

"Isn't that what partners are for, Mikotoba? To be there for one another in times of need?" he gently said into my ear over the rattling and clanking of the train as it continued on towards home.

Chapter 2 - The Advertisement

Recalling the details of that train ride brought to mind another lady I couldn't save.

"...Is everything alright?" Holmes asked, concern in his voice. He had turned around and was now kneeling on his seat, facing backwards over the chair’s tall back. Holmes lowered his goggles to where it usually hung around his neck to get a better look at me.

"Ah, yes,” I started. “I was just remembering how I came to tell you about Ayame--"

"And it brought up memories of Lady Baskerville, right?" Holmes surmised.

"Yes," I replied, not the least bit surprised anymore by his ability to read me like an open book. "I can only wonder what she thought of me -- whether she honestly believed that this Japanese stranger would take care of her daughter, or if she had simply given herself over to me because she had no choice in the matter."

"But you explained yourself to her -- about how you came to know of her hiding place and your promise to Mr Genshin."

"I did, but she was delirious from blood-loss by that point. All I could do was help her finish delivering Iris and let her hold her child in her final moments." I squeezed my eyes shut in frustration. “What’s worse,” I continued, “is that I couldn’t even keep my promise to Genshin and I had to leave Iris in your care.”

Holmes looked at me as though I had just proffered him the world's most complex puzzle to solve.

"Mikotoba," he started cautiously, "to this day, do you really still doubt that you've been a good father?"

"...Sometimes."

"Is it because of me?"

I looked up at my partner. "...I can't tell Susato what really happened, Holmes. You know that."

Holmes gave a small sigh and put his head in his hands as he leaned on the back of his chair. "She's not a child anymore,” he said as he looked me straight in the eye. “Sooner or later she will find out. Especially given how much liberty you allow her."

"I am only allowing her to claim her full birthright as a human being. After seeing the different kind of freedoms women are allowed here, and far be it for me to be a hypocrite, I found myself unable to justify my ability to act as I wished while she was bound on all sides by social expectations."

“Or is the real truth that you feel guilty for not being around for her -- be it that you are always busy with your teaching, or research... or that you were gallivanting around solving cases with me half-way around the world for six years?”

“I...” Holmes’s words stung with the pain of truth, but while I was still reeling from his pointed observation, he had leapt up and over his chair to close the distance between us.

“Wake up, Mikotoba! And see how highly your daughter thinks of you!” he said. “It is you, and only you, that thinks you have done her harm.”

Holmes’s countenance softened for a second before he came around to sit by my side, trapping my legs between himself and the back of the settee.

"Just as I will have to explain the circumstances of her birth to Iris someday, Yujin, you should explain how it was you really came to England in the first place to your own daughter." Holmes reached out to clasp my hand.

"I know. I've left her in the dark for long enough."

Holmes was right, of course. Susato would find out in her own way someday, just as he had in his usual, persistent way one morning, not long after that fateful train ride.

*********

Holmes was reading the paper at the breakfast table again -- as he is still in the habit of doing -- with his meal in front of him lying wholly untouched. Yet, I could tell his mind wasn’t actually occupied with the paper, but rather, with me, as I sat on the other side of the table gently tapping the top of my egg open.

“Out with it, Holmes.”

I had no patience for his whimsical games today. I had a medical forum to attend, and before that, a train to catch.

“Nothing. I was merely scanning the personals and found an interesting listing.”

“You? An interesting listing? In the personals?” I laughed at the thought of Holmes finding anyone genuinely interesting. By this point in our relationship, I had been with him long enough to know that people were only as interesting as they were a source of puzzles and mysteries to solve. Otherwise, the ever-aloof Sherlock Holmes had little use for actual, intimate relationships.

“Indeed, for the comings and goings of society itself are reflected in these pages. One never knows when a particularly juicy piece of gossip may be the lead that cracks the case.”

“I suppose I’ve never thought of it that way,” I replied, dipping my toast into my not-quite-as-soft-as-I’d-hoped soft-boiled egg. My face scrunched up at the less than runny yolk. I knew there was a reason why I usually got up earlier than Holmes to make our breakfast.

“Here’s a fine example, Mikotoba: ‘Wanted: Male partner for a night of passion. Am willing to pay for transport, and utmost discretion.’ Now, what would you make of that?”

I felt myself slowly tense with each word of that infernal advertisement. Holmes had to know what he was doing, I thought. Curse the man’s inability to let things go until he’s solved the living daylights out of them.

“I’m afraid I must be going, Holmes,” I said as I ungracefully dropped the remnants of my toast on my plate.

“Fine,” he pouted. “But you will think on this listing and let me know your conclusions when you return?” he requested as I wiped my mouth with my napkin.

“Yes, yes, of course, my dear man,” I hastily replied as I checked for crumbs in my mustache on my way out of our drawing room. A quick glance back provided me with the picture of a close-eyed Holmes, deep in thought. Before anything further could transpire, I quickly shut the door, ran down the stairs, threw my coat on, and strode briskly out -- cane in hand -- into the mid-autumn air.

At the time, I had no intention of answering Holmes in any way whatsoever. What was private, was private. He had no right to pry, I thought. But as the day wore on, my mind kept drifting to my dear friend.

Surely a man with as many eccentricities as him could understand my plight without judgement. Not to mention, if he had indeed, already correctly deduced what my secret was, he had been more than generous in allowing me to stay on in our lodgings.

And so I resolved that should he ask for my opinion about the advertisement upon my return that night, I would do my best to be honest with him.

I arrived back at our lodging a little past seven, and found it to be empty.

“Holmes?” I called, but received no reply. On the arm of the settee was the paper from that morning, a giant red circle around a small block of text. I picked it up and read it for myself.

“‘Wanted: Male partner for a night of passion. Am willing to pay for transport, and utmost discretion,’ huh.”

I gave a long sigh, and wondered where Holmes had gone off to. If he was on one of his expeditions again, I feared what little courage I had scraped together would be lost by the time he returned.

I spent the rest of that evening reading, though honestly, I could hardly call what I did that. Rather, it was more akin to staring at a sea of English words with the more than occasional glance at my watch. At a quarter to eleven, I finally gave up all hope of seeing Holmes that night, so I placed my bookmark in its place and closed the book.

“Of all the days to be out, you had to pick the one in which I finally have something worthwhile to share.”

“Ah, then do feel free to share,” Holmes exclaimed as he twirled into our drawing room.

“Wh-Where have you been, Holmes?” I stuttered, bewildered at how my words had seemingly summoned him home somehow.

“My story can wait,” he said with a dismissive wave of his hand, “while I suspect that yours cannot. Therefore, I request that you go first.”

“At this hour? And after you left me waiting for an entire evening?” A twinge of irritation slipped out of me. “I’m inclined to say that we should have to wait until tomorrow--”

“Un, un-un.” He tsked his finger at me. “I did ask that you provide me with your thoughts upon your return, did I not?”

I placed a hand on my forehead and looked down in defeat. I might as well get it over with, I thought.

“Well, then, I suppose I had best get on with it, haven’t I?”

Holmes took a seat in his chair and nodded, and urged me to continue. I took a deep breath and let out a heavy sigh.

“Let me just start by saying that it was an awful trick you played by placing that advertisement.”

“Ah, but how do you know it was me?” His eyes twinkled in mischief.

“You’re not the only one with deductive powers around here. I’ve gained quite a bit of insight into your methods by now, as you should know.”

“Quite right! Aha ha ha ha ha!” he laughed raucously, doubling over in amusement. “Well done, Mikotoba!” Holmes’s laugh subsided as he recovered into an upright position. “But I won’t be derailed so easily.”

“Very well. Where shall I start, then?”

“How about with why sleeping with a man compelled you to travel to the complete opposite end of the world when, unlike here in England, it has once again become perfectly legal to do so in Japan?”

Well. Let it never be said that Sherlock Holmes is the master of subtlety, I thought.

“Because,” I began, “as you are no doubt aware, I come from a country where honor and dignity is valued more than gold. And ever since Western culture began pouring into my home country, all of Japan has been most thoroughly taken in by your ideals and way of thinking. On the topic of human relations, a book titled ‘Psychopathia Sexualis’ by a Dr Richard Freiherr von Krafft-Ebing has been quite influential, to say the least.”

“Ah, yes. The Germans have been rather vigorous in their pursuit of knowledge in the emerging field of sexology.”

“Then you are familiar with its underpinnings?” I inquired.

“Only that it seeks to explain anything outside of the everyman experience as perversion.”

“Yes, well, it got my own countrymen talking, and not wanting to be seen as closed-minded, perverse barbarians, I’m afraid that most people of my station in society and above have quickly turned their thinking around to match that of their European counterparts.”

There was a brief moment of silence as Holmes looked at me in all seriousness, the mirth gone from his eyes.

“And what about you, Mikotoba? As a medical man, does your thinking on the matter fall in line with those of your colleagues?”

I had never been asked to state so clearly my thoughts on such matters before, and I struggled to put them in some sort of order before I opened my mouth again.

“I... I must admit that I have a great deal of trouble reconciling the scientific literature with my own lived experiences, Holmes. It is hard to look back on more than a thousand years of Japanese culture and history and simply wave it all away as wanton perversion when truly beautiful relationships did emerge from such acts. Indeed, some of them have even endured the test of time through glorification in poems and art.”

Holmes nodded at me. “Which explains the lack of disgust on your own part at your rented liaison.”

I give a small sigh. Of course he would also quite correctly deduce that my partner was paid.

“Yes, he was slightly younger than me, and an actor of kabuki theater. Oh, Holmes, it wasn’t that he meant anything to me, though. I fear my act of indiscretion was the result of severe loneliness and grief.”

Holmes took my statement in and processed it as only he can. “Yet you chose a man. Why?”

“Ayame... She had only just passed. And I... I did not wish to dishonor her by replacing her with another woman so casually, or so soon. It is with greater shame that I reflect on my inability at the time to control myself and deal with my grief properly, and instead, succumbed to my emotions and need for another person’s touch.”

“Well, depression can do drastic things to a man, as you know by my own dark moods.” Holmes paused for a second before he continued on. “I think I have an idea of the shape of things now. Your family must have thought it best to use its clout to send you far away -- perhaps allowing you to regain your sanity by redirecting your focus to your professional studies and training here -- while they tried to repair any damage you may have brought onto yourself and your daughter’s reputations. Is that about the long and short of it?”

“Yes,” I replied, unsure of what else to say.

“Excellent. I’m glad we resolved that little issue. Now, on to the next!”

“N-Next?” I sputtered in Holmes’s direction as he got up and started for his room.

“Of course, my good man. Did you forget what I actually asked for your opinion on this morning?”

I thought back to my mad dash out of our drawing room earlier in the day and the truth of the matter began to dawn on me.

“The advertisement...”

“Correct!”

“Holmes... I’m flattered and honored to have your attention, but... I hardly know what to think right now.” I answered honestly. “If you would give me some time...”

“As much as you need, Mikotoba. As much as you need,” he said with a flourish. “Just don’t expect me to pay for your transportation fee when you do come around.”

“Wh-What transportation fee?! I live with you, Holmes!”

“Right, so you do! Aha ha ha ha ha!” His laughter continued down the hall as he walked through his bedroom door. “Good night, Mikotoba.” He tipped his finger against an imaginary hat and closed the door behind him.

“Good night, Holmes,” I replied lamely from my chair, alone in the drawing room.

Chapter 3 - Our Family

“You should explain how it was you really came to England in the first place to your own daughter.”

“I know. I've left her in the dark for long enough.”

Giving my dear Holmes’s hand a squeeze, I picked up my train of thought from where I had left off. “I just hope she can understand and forgive me for the time I’ve stolen from us as father and daughter.”

“I’m sure if you start at the beginning, she will,” Holmes reassured me with a warm smile on his lips.

“I suppose that means I’ll have to more fully explain how it is that you and I came to live together as well.”

"That’s right! She did seem as surprised as Mr Naruhodo when she found out you were my partner!” Holmes paused for half a second before exclaiming, “Wait, are you saying that you never mentioned me to her -- ever?!"

"There was never any good way for me to do so!” I retorted. “It's bad enough that I haven’t been able to set my selfishness aside to do the socially correct thing and find myself a new wife to give her a mother. How was I supposed to explain why?"

"Pshaw, that’s simple: Susato, did you know that THE Sherlock Holmes used to call me "daddy" too?"

I threw the nearest pillow I could grab into Holmes's face.

"And sometimes," he continued as he sensuously licked his lips from behind his newfound cushion-shield, "he'd feed me a most thick and juicy sausage--"

"H-Holmes!" I ejaculated. "She could come down here at any minute!"

"Excellent! The perfect chance to fill her in, wouldn’t you agree?"

"N-No!" I sputtered. "I am nowhere near ready to divulge such information."

Holmes's eyes lit up.

"And you are not to divulge it either. Understand?"

The world’s most immature man gave me his most disappointed look.

"Time and place! And context, Holmes! This isn't something one simply blurts out over breakfast."

"Pooh, pooh! Why do you have to be such a spoilsport?" he pouted.

"Because you saw what happened when she thought Iris was my biological daughter. She was literally ready to punish me over an imaginary affair."

"But you did have one... with me."

"It's not the same. You weren’t some one-night stand. You were the one who taught me that I could still honor and cherish Ayame while loving another. And had I not been forced to leave this country, I might have called for Susato to come join us and raised Iris with you.”

“Thus bringing her into the very sort of inverted household you were sent here to cleanse yourself of!” Holmes chuckled.

I gave an exasperated sigh at the bald irony staring me in the face.

“Regardless, Holmes, there is so much more nuance to what we have than she can imagine."

"You mean the fact that we are two men in an actual honest-to-god relationship."

"...Yes."

"Come on, now," Holmes said, looking rather serious. "Do you honestly think she has never imagined the domestic home life of 'Sherlock Holmes' and his partner 'Dr John Watson', and the sort of sexual congress they might have enjoyed?"

Oh.

In truth, the thought had not crossed my mind, though I had seen my share of female students throughout the years whisper wild and taboo fantasies amongst themselves about their favorite fictional characters. Why had it never occurred to me before that my own daughter might enjoy such flights of fancy?

I could feel the tips of my ears burning with embarrassment. I harrumphed and twitched my mustache as I tried to think of something suitable to say in return.

“Speaking of those novels, do you remember when you sent Iris’s “Baskerville” manuscript to me?”

“Of course.”

“I must apologize for being so negligent as to leave it out in my study where Susato could see it.”

“It’s quite alright,” he forgave me with a flourish of his hand. “I deduced as much when she let it slip. To be honest, it was my fault for jeopardizing our case by even sending it to you in the first place.”

“Regardless, I’m glad you did, Holmes. You were so genuinely torn up about prohibiting Iris from publishing it that it was the first time I really saw that you had let her into your life... and your heart.”

Holmes looked sheepishly to the side. “I’ll admit I did spend a number of years trying to distance myself from her.”

“I’ll say you did! You told her I was her father!”

“Well, you were! You were the one who promised to look after her, after all.” Holmes grew quiet. “I only agreed to keep her safe because I thought you’d come back to England once everything had been resolved. I never imagined that so many years would pass in the interim.”

The fire crackled loudly behind us in the silence that enveloped the room. It was my turn to reach out to my dear partner. I gave his hand a squeeze.

"Do you remember how frantically you would telegram me at all hours of the day, asking me how to change Iris's diapers and how to tell whether she was crying from hunger or discomfort?"

Holmes turned and smiled in return. "I do. And I still remember your frustrated replies, reminding me that you never had to change Miss Susato's diapers so you had no idea!"

“What a spectacle you must have been at the telegram office with Iris crying on your back!” I laughed. “I wish I had been here to see it for myself.”

“I’m afraid that before I gained the moniker ‘Great Detective’, I was known as the Great Nanny Sherlock Holmes,” he joked and laughed. As his laughter subsided, the warmth in his eyes remained as he cupped my face. "Must you return to Japan so soon, Mikotoba? You've only just arrived! Why not relax a little longer here. We've barely had a moment to ourselves," he gently complained.

"That's what happens when you have kids, Holmes. I thought you'd have figured that out by now."

"I guess I have to take my fatherly duties more seriously now, don’t I?"

"You've got a charming young lady with even greater expectations of you than before."

"I get the feeling it won't be hard to live up to virtually no expectations," he gestured melodramatically.

"Oh, I wouldn't say that. You are a brilliant father raising a most extraordinary daughter. I daresay she has even picked up a few of your mannerisms.”

My mind drifted back to the night before, when Iris had made her fondness of Holmes clear. A number of things had been brought to light that day -- some of them big, some of them small. But one thing had remained unchanged throughout it all: I had always intended to call on my dear friend Genshin.

“About my plans, Holmes,” I began. “I would still very much like to go and pay my respects to Genshin, and see about arranging for his remains to be returned to Japan, now that he has been cleared of all charges.”

“Why not let Mr Asogi deal with that?” Holmes said with a rather considerate look on his face. “Perhaps he would rather keep his father close by, though probably in a better grave than the one he is currently occupying.”

“Indeed. I suppose I’ll speak with him in the morning. To be honest, I’m glad I am able to speak with him at all.”

Holmes nodded his agreement. “Things did get a little too close for everyone a few times, didn’t they?”

“But you managed to keep things under control, and that’s what’s important.”

I thought back to that day when the children had left on the Alaclair, bound for England. Holmes had urgently telegraphed me two months prior about two things: “I’m sending you a package,” he had mysteriously said, “and I will be on the Alaclair”. I suspected something had begun to move in our case of ten years past, and I was not mistaken when I finally received the package containing the Baskerville manuscript and a note regarding some sort of conspiracy spelled out in a series of dancing men.

I sent the manuscript back after they had gone so as to delay its arrival until after Holmes’s return home with a simple, pleasant message about how enjoyable the story was, and added a few words of caution through a line of dancing men of my own.

I admit that sometimes, it had filled me with great regret to know that my partner had been on that very ship, and that we could’ve met then to strategize further, but as long as he was watching over Susato, I knew she was in good hands.

“You have no idea how many times I wished you had been by my side, though. Truly, as my fictional self would say, ‘I am lost without my Boswell.’”

“Well, there was at least one circumstance that was a conundrum of your own making. Naruhodo mentioned that you told him that sometimes Great Detectives lie. Far be it for me to be surprised that you would do such a thing to him, trickster as you are, something tells me your brilliant plan backfired when you'd set yourself up as the fool during your first encounter with him."

"It would have only aroused suspicion had I suddenly reverted back to my charming, clever self, wouldn’t it?"

"True, but to maintain the act for so long! You are truly a consummate actor, and a master of disguise, Holmes."

Holmes took a dramatic bow. "It was nothing really, especially in this case. After all, there is but a fine line that separates genius from jackass."

"I think you mean brilliant and bumbling, since there is certainly no line separating jackass from any part of your beautiful, Bohemian soul."

"Aha ha ha ha ha!" he laughs in that way I love. "We've come a long way, haven't we?"

"I dare say we're certainly much better off than we were back then."

"Who would've thought that the great Sherlock Holmes and his partner Dr Mikotoba would have two daughters to round out their rather unconventional family?"

"Indeed, I'm not sure that the world would believe it, even if Iris wrote it up in one of her stories!"

"As she said, you really are the only "yujin" I have in the whole world," Holmes said as he doubled over in laughter at the silly cross-language pun.

"I honestly still can't believe you made Iris write that!" I joined in my partner’s mirth.

"My Yujin, the only one I will ever need," he whispered as he leaned in and took my last snide remark of the night from my lips.

NOTES:

- Technically, “Psychopathia Sexualis” was published in 1886 in Germany, and then later in Japan, but since DGS is fairly liberal with its historical timeline, I figured I could be, too...

- Japan had outlawed sodomy at one point in 1872, but in the quickest of turnabouts, it seems that it was repealed only 10 years later (8 - 10 depending on which dates you count) when Japan adopted the Napoleonic Code into what would form the basis of all Japanese law, the Six Codes. Thanks, Japanese Wikipedia article “日本における同性愛”!

- DGS Holmes seems more likely to initiate things between the two of them, but I wouldn’t say he is an especially sexual creature either. He comes across as demi-sexual to me (or he would if he had any other true friends to speak of other than Mikotoba). I like to think that he seems asexual in Iris’s accounts partially because he has no other partners that she can see (his only partner is off in Japan, after all), and partially because it probably didn’t occur to her that her papa could be interested in such things.

- Maybe someday I’ll get around to writing how they actually get together, but I fear that that will take another long fic on its own... ^^;

- Watson “ejaculated” a number of times in the real Sherlock Holmes canon. I guess that was just the hot word to use back then instead of “exclaimed” XD

- Mikotoba’s first name is phonetically the same as the word for “friend” but it uses different kanji.

#Dai Gyakuten Saiban #DGS1 spoilers #DGS2 spoilers #Huuuuuuuge spoilers #Sherlock Holmes #Mikotoba Yuujin #I write stuff

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renegadewangs · 3 years ago

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Van Zieks - the Examination, part 9

Warnings: SPOILERS for The Great Ace Attorney: Chronicles. Additional warning for racist sentiments uttered by fictional characters (and screencaps to show these sentiments).

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8

How the turnabouts have turned! It's time for Twisted Karma and His Last Bow!

Episode 2-4: Twisted Karma and His Last Bow

With Van Zieks's tragic backstory (…) exposed, it's time to head on into waters we've charted before, waaay back in the very first Ace Attorney game: The Prosecutor becomes the Defendant. It all starts off with some shenanigans which appear to have very little to do with Van Zieks (the arrival of Mikotoba and Jigoku, the Red-headed League, a missing prison warder, etc.).. Ryu does still run into Van Zieks very briefly in Stronghart's office, with Susato noting that there appears to be an awful lot of tension in the air. I expect Van Zieks is questioning that decision to leave Genshin Asogi's son in his care, but even so, he's very civil towards Stronghart. Susato also notes that Van Zieks gives Ryu a cold stare as he leaves, with Ryu wondering what he's done to earn that. This may also be a result of him being besties with Kazuma, since Van Zieks had already buried the hatchet towards Ryu for the most part. When Ryu asks about the decision to leave Kazuma in Van Zieks's care, Stronghart explains it was to best keep an eye on this 'mysterious amnesiac with no identifying papers'. Well OK then. Stronghart also explains he made Kazuma wear a mask because he didn't want to “burden Van Zieks with tiresome explanations about why he had an Eastern appearance.” … I would assume the very simple explanation is that it's because he's of Eastern descent, Stronghart. Regardless, the Lord Chief Justice has high hopes for Kazuma's future and isn't at all bothered by the fact that the guy has gone missing for a little bit.

Things take a turn later when Gina Lestrade comes barging into 221B with some pretty shocking news. Inspector Gregson was murdered. Yes, THAT Inspector Gregson. The suspect has already been arrested:

It's true that to the average civilian like Gina, Van Zieks's name is pretty much synonymous to the Reaper (of the Old Bailey). Even so, to have her outright calling him by that title adds a sort of emotional distance that's really striking. Gina explains they caught him at the scene and there were several witnesses, but Ryu thinks to himself that there's no way Van Zieks would have taken Gregson's life. So naturally, we owe it to our good pal Gregson (who actually was just coming around and being nicer to Ryu) to find the truth. Time to go have a talk with Van Zieks in prison!

… Okay that's funny. Don't worry, Barok, one day we'll all look back on this and laugh. Anyway, Van Zieks says he's in the last place on earth he'd want to be, with the last person on earth he'd want to see. And this line can easily be misinterpreted as Van Zieks saying he hates Ryu more than anyone else in the world, but what he's actually saying is that Ryu is the last person he wishes would see him in this troublesome situation. Ryu says he couldn't very well not come, but Van Zieks tells him to go home since it has nothing to do with him. Susato interjects, pointing out that Gregson has helped them out on numerous occasions and so, they're indebted to him. She pleads for Van Zieks's help with the investigation and he's silent for a moment, only to say: “There's really nothing I can tell you.” Which I suppose means he doesn't think he has anything helpful to say. Ryu asks about what Van Zieks was reading when they came in and assumes it to be a case report. Van Zieks says the Yard wouldn't share case details with a suspect (keep that one in mind) and explains it's a letter from Albert. Dear Professor Harebrayne has arrived in Germany safely! Ryu notes that Van Zieks usually never minces his words, but they seem to have less bite than usual now. No wonder, really, since he's in prison for the murder of an old friend. Van Zieks asks how much they already know about the case, so the two of them go through the facts and Van Zieks says they're well-informed. He's got nothing to add, because... Well.

Oh, this is going to be another one of those cases, huh. Susato asks what Van Zieks was doing at the crime scene in the first place, but Van Zieks points out he doesn't need to answer that, as they aren't representing him. When asked who is representing him in court, he says it'd be anyone other than Ryu. That said, he doesn't actually have any representation because of his reputation as the Reaper. Sixteen people he's prosecuted have mysteriously died and now that he's actually been apprehended for a murder, that whole Reaper ordeal is sure to be thoroughly examined.

BOY, have we got news for you! When it's pointed out that Van Zieks didn't actually have anything to do with those mysterious deaths (right???), he replies that no one wants to know the true identity of that killer more than he does, but it seems things may come to a head before he can uncover the truth. Van Zieks basically tells Ryu to leave, but being the kind-hearted gentleman that he is, Ryu offers to advocate for him in court. Van Zieks asks whether Ryu trusts him, which is a pretty fair question to ask. He's built up so many racist scumbag points and has such a bad reputation in town, it would be weird for Ryu to trust him unconditionally. Luckily, Ryu has been paying attention just as much as I have; he's heard Van Zieks speak in court and seen the way he treats people (uhh, English citizens, anyway), so he doesn't believe this 'Reaper' has it in him to take a life. Unfortunately, Ryu also has to acknowledge that feelings can't be used as evidence in court. Van Zieks considers the offer gracious, but...

“Not the police, not the judiciary... And not you Nipponese.”

One more scumbag point for putting “you Nipponese” in its own category for no reason. Either way, this man has built up such high defensive walls, you could see them from three galaxies away. Trusting no one is a pretty drastic way of living. Ryu thinks to himself that there's a chasm between the two of them that's 'just too wide and too deep'.

As a sidenote, presenting the attorney armband doesn't lead to any interesting conversation this time, but we can also present the Red-headed League advertisement! Van Zieks surmises that if it were a Black-headed League, Ryu would join without delay, which Ryu then confirms. Van Zieks says that sadly, his hair is neither black nor red. He goes into a most curious identity crisis of sorts, where he looks quite anguished as he wonders which coloured league he should join instead. There have been several debates over his hair color, actually, from lavender to purple to grey. Regardless, Susato points out that “people are troubled by the most unexpected problems at times.” It is unexpected, since Van Zieks needs neither the money nor the company that he would get from joining any such league. It's just the principle of the matter, I suppose.

Over by the crime scene in Fresno Street, Gina gets a little razzled when she suspects Ryu is thinking of defending “that Reaper bloke”. Susato points out that if “Lord van Zieks” really is responsible for the crime, he'll be judged fairly in court. This gets Gina to calm down again, because she really wants to know the truth of what happened and much like Van Zieks, she must know that getting the truth is what Ryu does best. A bit of conversation later, Gina points out one more interesting thing; Gregson apparently held a lot of respect for 'the Reaper'. “I take my hat off to that fella,” were his exact words, apparently. Ryu is skeptical, as am I, because I've seen the way Gregson talks about Van Zieks behind his back.

Gina explains that's exactly why he respected Van Zieks. That's... a little weird and ambiguous. So either he respected Van Zieks's ability to stand tall despite all the public scorn, or he respected the fear he struck into people's hearts. There's one more option; Gina keeps talking about the Reaper instead of Van Zieks, so it's possible that Gregson was talking about the actual Reaper. This seems unlikely, though, since he didn't seem to enjoy being part of the Reaper organization.

And now that we know Van Zieks is the defendant, one might be wondering: Who is the prosecutor? Who is the antagonistic force who will try to stop Ryu from uncovering the truth? Well, we find him over in Stronghart's office. Apparently he took an express train back to London from wherever it was he's been these past few days.

YOOOOUUUU!!! Though before we can address his presence properly, we need to discuss the new case. Stronghart wastes no time asking Ryu and Susato whether they've heard “the sickening news about the Reaper's latest devilry.” Which stands out, to say the least, since Stronghart has always been a strong supporter of Van Zieks up until this point. When Susato points out that surely he doesn't believe it, Stronghart says he believes only in facts, which all point to the unavoidable accusal of Lord van Zieks. Someone sure had a quick turnaround when it comes to his number one prosecutor, geez... Stronghart points out the irony that there's no salvation for anyone prosecuted by the Reaper of the Bailey, and now the Reaper himself must stand in the dock. Just as Van Zieks had already alluded to, Stronghart now claims the public will want answers about those mysterious deaths. Ryu and Susato both point out that which had been rubbed into our faces several times already; Van Zieks denies any involvement, and also there have been several investigations into whether he had anything to do with it. Stronghart kind of brushes this off, though. Turns out, Van Zieks is being traded in for a newer model number one prosecutor: Kazuma Asogi! Which seems weird at first glance, since Kazuma is a defense attorney, but Stronghart considers that a bonus:

“A devastation combination, wouldn't you agree?”

I do agree. Granted, it seems Van Zieks had already figured out the defense's strategies too, he just never actively used them to his own advantage. It also turns out that Kazuma personally requested the prosecutor position for this trial. Susato thinks it's pretty unprecedented to grant a newcomer exchange student such a request, but Stronghart offers some petty excuse about how this way, it won't look like the judiciary are closing ranks. Kazuma, who assumes his friend will take on the defense, says he'll see how Ryu's skills have been honed after practicing law in England for so many months. (Uhh. Actually, bestie, it was only about two months of being a defense attorney and six months of disbarment.) Ryu notes that Kazuma is being hostile towards him and wonders why. On a final note, when asking Stronghart about the gun found at the crime scene, we're told that it's issued to all members of law enforcement, including prosecutors. Van Zieks claims to have lost his. That's a troubling claim indeed, because it's difficult to prove or disprove. GOSH, if only fingerprints were allowed in court.

As Ryu and Susato turn to leave, Kazuma stops them. He once again states he wants Ryu to witness this trial as the defense counsel, to “see how it ends”. Since Kazuma has a very distinct vision for how he wants it to end, I guess this means he intends to confront Ryu with Van Zieks's guilt and have his bestie see that a man like him is unworthy of his trust. Either that, or he expects Ryu to use this trial to find the truth of what really happened with the Professor ten years ago, just as he used Albert's trial to dig into that incident. Still though, this reads as pretty scummy to me, because it means he wants Ryu to lose a trial and lose some of his belief in his clients. In the trial itself, it seems to me that Kazuma desperately believes Van Zieks to be a horrible person deserving of the guilty verdict. Therefore, he in no way can hold hope that Ryu will prove him wrong (unlike what went down in case 2-3 with Albert). Anyway, Ryu says that Van Zieks would never put his fate in his hands.

“... It's not easy to see behind the facade sometimes.”

Case 2-3 already told us this, but it's nice to have it confirmed by someone who was closer to Van Zieks. Because remember, Kazuma spent three months by Van Zieks's side (and even fighting by his side), so of course he would know more about his personality than we do. Kazuma hands over a photograph of Barok when he was younger and

GOOD LORD, HE CAN SMILE. Or he could when he was younger, anyway. Kazuma states the picture was displayed in Gregson's office. What he's 'trying to say' is that if Ryu really thinks he can trust “the Reaper” (distancing choice of words again), he might find that some straight talking will change his view. I got the impression we've been straight talking Van Zieks ever since we first met him, but okay. Let's take the picture and back to the gaol we go! Van Zieks is once again reading from some paper and Ryu points out that either he's an incredibly slow reader or it's an incredibly long letter, but either way, Ryu might even be able to read English faster than him. Naturally, this was said loud enough for Van Zieks to overhear.

Scumbag point for hypocrisy, but also a scumbag point for “Nipponese”. When Ryu asks whether it's still Albert's letter he's reading, Van Zieks says he had the case report brought to him in secret. So wait, the Yard does share case details with its suspect? Hilarious. Once again, Van Zieks insists the situation has nothing to do with Ryu, up until the prosecutor's name is revealed to him. And so, the masked cardboard cutout student has become the master! Ryu notes that all the color drained from Van Zieks's face, which is pretty impressive when there's barely any color there to begin with. Ryu has the opportunity now to thrust the photograph into his face, so let's do that. He's immediately alarmed, since he assumed it to be lost and would never have expected Gregson to have it. When Ryu says that Gregson had a deep respect for him, he dismisses that as nonsense, only to correct himself. “There was a time things were like that.”

Van Zieks thanks Ryu for that nice glimpse into the past, and Ryu thinks to himself that there was a glimmer in Van Zieks's eyes- a brief twinkle. He considers that “an insight into the true nature of this man known to all as the stone-cold Reaper of the Bailey”, with “the true nature” being highlighted as orange. So this right here is undeniable; this is what the narrative is illustrating to us now. The true nature of Barok van Zieks is that of someone who was hopeful and jovial; kind-hearted, as Albert knew him. What we see now, that harsh exterior full of harsh words, is not his nature at all.

Van Zieks is more willing to talk now. He once again speaks of Klint, rehashing the same story we've heard several times already. Van Zieks claims there's not a single day where he doesn't curse the name Asogi. He considers it a cruel twist of fate that the man's son intends to crucify him in 'some kangaroo court'. Clearly, he doesn't think highly of the upcoming trial if he refers to it as a kangaroo court, but that's likely because he knows he isn't the real killer. When Ryu points out that he still doesn't understand why Stronghart apprenticed Kazuma to Van Zieks, the explanation is that “it's what he does”. Van Zieks believes that Stronghart knew Kazuma's true identity from the outset, but still provides no real explanation as to why Stronghart 'did what he did' and even assigned Kazuma as the prosecutor this time. Van Zieks goes on to contemplate the name Asogi some more and calls it 'the epitome of his bane'.

I've talked before about how utterly flawed it is that Van Zieks attributes Genshin's crime to his race and/or cultural upbringing and proceeds to tar every single Japanese person with the same brush. There's no need to go into this again; we all know it's wrong. Turns out, even Van Zieks knows it's wrong, but we'll get back to that momentarily. First, Van Zieks needs to talk about Klint even more. (good lord...) He explains that Klint van Zieks was hunting down a mass murderer and “assigned to the investigation as his partner was a certain visiting student dispatched by the Yard.” This was Genshin, of course, and I believe this is the first time it's said that he too was looking into the Professor case. So Van Zieks already mentioned in the previous case that the Japanese students had left a deep impact on him, and also that he once toasted friendship with a Japanese person, but now we have this:

“But none of us saw the true nature of the man.”

True nature is once again in orange here, but this time as a red herring. Van Zieks believes that the Professor murders were Genshin's true nature, when it isn't quite true at all. Regardless, since Van Zieks was still in university at the time the exchange students were in the country, I don't think he would've had that much contact with Genshin. I expect he encountered the man on rare occasion while Klint associated most with him. Every meeting was enough to foster this respect and friendship, though, so it's clear that young Van Zieks was easily influenced and had a very open mind towards a foreign exchange student. But then, that's what makes the next portion of the story all the more damaging.

“My esteemed brother... The people I believed in... And any semblance of right prevailing over wrong!”

As Van Zieks also already alluded to in the previous case, he found himself in a very dark place. That isn't surprising. Every positive thing Van Zieks knew in his life, from his family to his closest friends, was ripped away from him in extremely close succession. What must've been the final nail in the coffin was Genshin outright admitting to his crimes. It erased all doubt that perhaps there was some sort of misunderstanding or a frame job. Going over everything Van Zieks has said so far, it seems he didn't just blame Genshin for the tremendous loss he suffered; he blamed himself. He must believe that his trust in Genshin blinded him to this supposed 'true nature', just as it must've also blinded Klint, and that the whole tragedy could've been prevented if only he'd been more cautious. So now, in present day, he no longer trusts anyone. He outright says so.

Van Zieks goes on to talk about how he was the one who prosecuted the Professor. Since he'd only just graduated, such a thing usually wouldn't be allowed, but he “beleaguered the ascribed prosecutor until he consented.” This person was Mael Stronghart, who back then was apparently still no more than a prosecutor. A highly accomplished one, but a prosecutor nonetheless. Since Klint was the Director of Prosecutions (or Chief Prosecutor???) at the time, that means he actually ranked above Stronghart. Interesting. Regardless, since Stronghart agreed to let Van Zieks lead the prosecution and instead only acted as an advisor, Van Zieks now feels indebted to him. That certainly explains why he's usually so good about following Stronghart's orders and not asking questions.

“And, of all things, as a lawyer.”

Ahhh, this is the part where Ryu enters the chronology. Our protagonist points out that he's felt Van Zieks's animosity since the first time he faced him in the courtroom; his obvious deep loathing of Japanese people. And here comes perhaps one of the most important, yet most overlooked lines Van Zieks will ever utter in these games:

“But for so many years, that hatred had festered inside me, I could no longer control it.”

So here, Van Zieks admits to two things. First of all, he admits that he was wrong to hold such deep loathing and by extension, to give that loathing a voice. He's a man of logic, after all. To cling to something which he refers to as illogical is about as wrong as one could get. Not only that, he admits that this was an unstoppable force he should have controlled, but was too weak to do so. The hatred overpowered him and did away with common sense. He behaved stupidly and irrationally because for ten years, hatred and negativity was all he knew. But what's even more striking here is Ryu's answer, which is also often overlooked:

Ryu, bless his heart, doesn't blame Van Zieks for succumbing to this weakness. Bear in mind, he's the victim here. Van Zieks wouldn't have encountered many other Japanese people in those ten years, if at all. This means the first person he lashed out against was Ryu. Naturally, Ryu can't speak for Susato or Soseki, who received their own verbal assaults and might have different opinions on the matter. Ryu is just one man, but in our narrative, he's the main protagonist and the main target of these outbursts. Is it misleading and perhaps even problematic in the grand scheme of things to have the protagonist sympathize with such motivation? Well, that depends on many different factors. There's no easy answer for this because it's a nuanced, cultural sort of thing. Personally, I was a bit bothered by it, but not to the point that it ruined the experience for me.

Van Zieks admits that just as the Japanese were the bane of his life, Kazuma Asogi must believe Van Zieks to be the bane of his. He is, after all, the Reaper who sent his father to the gallows. Van Zieks thinks that Kazuma intends to take revenge in court and... Really, this is true.

There's a quick bit of conversation about Gregson now. Turns out, the only reason the Professor was caught at all was because Gregson forced an autopsy on Klint despite it being considered the highest taboo at the time. Van Zieks says that as a result of Gregson's powerful conviction, he could avenge his brother's death. He looks quite torn, a bit pained. He must believe he owes Gregson something for this. The conversation then moves on to Van Zieks's revolver, which he claims to have misplaced an undetermined amount of time ago. “I must have stowed it somewhere, I suppose. Or left it somewhere, perhaps.” Van Zieks clearly doesn't think highly of firearms as a weapon, since he's constantly carrying a sword around instead. Susato points out that Ryu has a talent for misplacing things in common with Van Zieks, which leads to one more scumbag outburst.

… Dude. Come on. You just admitted it was illogical. You came so far! Scumbag point for you. Still, as the conversation rounds to a close, Van Zieks utters the words “Mister... Naruhodo”, much to Ryu's surprise. This is the first time he's actually said Ryu's name! Van Zieks once again reiterates that he's lost all confidence in England's judiciary system. He doesn't trust the police, the judiciary or lawyers. Even so, there's still one thing he's willing to believe in.

“That which you see in the eyes of another across the courtroom: a simple determination to know the truth. From the very first time we clashed in the Bailey almost a year ago now... I couldn't deny it, even though I dearly wished I could. 'Here is a loathsome Japanese... who has absolute integrity as a lawyer.' There are only two other men I've known with that same look in their eyes: my brother, Klint. … And Genshin Asogi.”

This is interesting. So at first when he saw that look in Ryu's eyes, he must've been reminded of Genshin. And again, this is why he directed such hatred towards Ryu; he saw someone who wasn't alive anymore. But now he recalls that Klint also had that same gaze, and so he wants to believe that Ryu is not similar to a deceitful murderer, he's instead similar to his beloved brother. (Boy is he going to have to reevaluate how he judges people when he finds out that his beloved brother was the deceitful murderer.) Van Zieks says that when he saw the photograph, he was reminded of a time when he could laugh, free of the shackles of mistrust which plague him now. This is very relevant since Van Zieks indeed can't laugh anymore. We never see him do it. He can't even smile.

“But at times the mire into which I've sunk makes it almost impossible to breathe.”

Someone please get this man to a professional therapist. If he means that in a more literal sense and he does occasionally feel like he can't breathe, that's telltale signs of panic attacks. It could just be, of course, that he's being overdramatic and the “impossible to breathe” bit is just fanciful wordplay to go with the mire analogy. Still though, considering he's also mentioned being in a dark place and that he's willing to die so long as it serves a useful purpose, and that he drinks his wine to stave off tedium... He's clearly depressed. But then, he seems to know it. He acknowledges that the way he is now is not the way things should be, and that he needs to fight to overcome it. And so:

“... In tomorrow's trial... Will you advocate for me?”

Boom. Swallowed his pride and turned to Ryu for help because he knows it's what's best for him. He no longer trusts anyone, but he's willing to trust Ryu because once he starts opening up again and has that trust repaid, then perhaps things can gradually go back to the way things were when he was younger. Mind, he still hasn't apologized for his actions, but that doesn't change that Ryu at least is willing to extend a hand to Van Zieks. It's a little sad that Susato doesn't properly form her own opinion on this and instead just goes along with whatever Ryu says. I would've liked to know just how she feels about Van Zieks's attitude and whether or not he deserves to be helped. She doesn't object to it, at least, and since Susato usually always speaks her mind, I can only assume she genuinely agrees with Ryu's sentiments.

The next day, in the defendant's lobby, it's remarked there's a 'menacing tension' in the air and Ryu surmises out loud it's the result of the menacing appearance of the defendant. Well-deserved, that remark. Touché. Van Zieks asks him for a little more courtesy in a polite enough manner, but considering the lack of courtesy he's shown Ryu over the past 8 months, that's hypocritical. He informs Ryu that this is a closed trial without a jury, which bums me out because it means no more Summation Examination. I would've liked to see Asogi react to that. (S)Holmes comes in and has the weirdest little banter with Van Zieks that I honestly can't... really decipher. There's several things about it that really strike me as being off:

- “And I you. I see London's celebrated great detective is as active as ever.”

- “Oh, you exaggerate, my dear fellow. Compared to my paltry engagements with a few trivial cases... The Reaper's overbearing presence is a far greater deterrent to the black roots of crime in our capital. And whilst I may not agree with your methods... There is at least one point on which I would readily commend you.”

- “What an honour. And that would be...?”

- “Your eye for a good lawyer, sir. […] Behind this lawyer there is a very great mind. My own.”

Alright, so... First of all, we know (S)Holmes is super arrogant and would never refer to his past cases as “trivial” in all sincerity. Plus, it's established that he's very weird with compliments, such as referring to Gregson as “the best of those blunderers of the Yard”, so complimenting Van Zieks directly on the effect he has on crime feels off. Aside from that, (S)Holmes addresses Van Zieks as the Reaper and continues to talk about 'his methods', when it's already been established (S)Holmes doesn't believe Van Zieks has anything to do with the Reaper killings. Taking all that into account, I can only really assume that the first half of this above conversation is (S)Holmes being weirdly passive aggressive towards Van Zieks, with Van Zieks being passive aggressive in turn. It really, truly feels as if there was some sort of backstory between these two that they had to scrap at the last second. Regardless, the exchange ends with (S)Holmes warning Van Zieks that this will be “quite a trial”.

Gina Lestrade shows up with Yujin Mikotoba (….. when did they meet???), saying they intend to watch the trial, and I am very impressed with how (S)Holmes manages to disappear from the scene and not say a word when his old partner arrives. Anyway, Gina looks Ryu square in the eye and asks him why he agreed to take Van Zieks on. Everyone's saying it was him who killed Gregson. Considering everyone was saying it was her who killed Pop Windibank six months ago, you'd think she might want to tone down her attitude, but she's clearly in mourning and lashing out. See? People who are hurting can say insensitive things. Ryu insists he doesn't believe it to be true, but Gina demands to know that if it wasn't him, then who?

“An' if it turns out it was 'im wot killed the boss... Then God 'elp 'im!”

It's interesting to remember that during The Unspeakable Story, Gina wasn't afraid of Van Zieks for his Reaper reputation. She didn't believe in the curse and didn't think she would end up like the other defendants. Now, she absolutely no longer gives a damn whether Van Zieks is the mysterious Reaper or not. She only thinks he might be a murderer who took away her mentor and that's what has her judge him so fiercely. Van Zieks remarks on her fiery eyes and tells her that the culprit does indeed deserve every inch of her loathing. “At least that may be some solace to the deceased.” So here, in a roundabout way, it rather looks as if Van Zieks is sympathizing with Gina's anger. At the very least, he's condoning it, just not towards himself.

Entering the courtroom, it becomes clear very fast just how serious this trial will become. Just as was alluded to before, the judge confirms that the 'Reaper of the Old Bailey' has been undermining Her Majesty's justice system and therefore, the people will demand answers on this matter. Ryu thinks to himself the trial will be a lot more far-reaching than just Gregson's murder. Sure enough, Kazuma is at the prosecutor's bench and ready to get that vengeance Van Zieks referred to in jail. Shockingly, the first witness he summons is actually Van Zieks himself. The judge is surprised, but Kazuma explains that as a prosecutor, Van Zieks believes in the oath of office he's taken; he'll be compelled to tell the truth. Because contrary to what happened in Memoirs of the Clouded Kokoro, Van Zieks is against perjury! (I WILL NEVER GET OVER WHAT HAPPENED WITH SHAMSPEARE!) Sure enough, he takes the stand and Kazuma says the court would like to hear him explain some things away.

He really is just brutally honest, isn't he? Both in his courtroom methods and in how he shows his emotions. He doesn't sugarcoat, he doesn't beat around the bush, he definitely doesn't lie... At most, he may withhold some information. Unfortunately, his testimony is mostly useless. The judge remarks that he didn't want to imagine this day would come, but ever since Van Zieks became known as the Reaper, he's been dreading it. The judge, our neutral ground, seems to be convinced that Van Zieks may have actually done the deed. That's not good. Kazuma acts all smug, saying that Van Zieks indeed hasn't explained anything away and that his testimony barely qualifies as an excuse. Van Zieks notes that his 'mute apprentice' has a way with words. Meanwhile, Ryu thinks to himself that Kazuma isn't behaving like himself, which is a sentiment they'll keep repeating throughout the case. … I gotta be honest here, I didn't notice all that much of a difference between this Kazuma and the one from the very first case of the game. I mean, come on, he sliced a man's hair off and cursed his descendants just for insulting Ryu. He's slightly more arrogant here, maybe, but since he was only the assistant there and is a leading counsel here, it makes sense for him to be more proactive and confident in his methods. Then again, I'm not a Kazuma expert; maybe there's something I'm missing.

In his testimony, Van Zieks revealed that he was investigating Gregson, but when pressed on it he won't admit the exact reason for it. He only says he'd identified a distinct possibility Gregson was involved in a case he was investigating. When asked how he even knew where Gregson would be, he openly admits to having stolen into his office and consulted his diary. (“Dear Diary, today I dropped my fish 'n chips on the way to Fresno Street-”) When told that illegally entering Gregson's office would warrant serious consequences, Van Zieks says he was aware of that risk.

The rest of the testimony is pressed without further hitches, though what did strike me as interesting is that at one point, Ryu suggests the gunshot might've originated from outside the room, but Van Zieks immediately says it's out of the question. He shoots the possibility down with evidence only he could have experienced (the bang sounded inside the room and he could smell gunpowder), and in doing so, only implicates himself further. Detrimentally honest, this one. Not only that, but he picked the gun up.

NO KIDDING that was carelessness. Is he related to Miles Edgeworth after all? Kazuma talks about how three street peddlers overheard the bang and burst through the door with some force. Van Zieks states they almost gave him a heart attack in the process (omg) and Ryu thinks to himself: “(But you're supposed to be the Reaper...)” C'mon Ryu, haven't you seen enough of this man by now to know he gets jarred easily?

When the testimony rounds to a close, things get interesting. Kazuma uses his defense attorney skills, as promised. He uses evidence from the Court Record to point out contradictions in Van Zieks's testimony, thereby 'proving he's lying'. Hey, what happened to Van Zieks believing in the oath of office and being compelled to tell the truth? Did Kazuma call Van Zieks to the stand just to expose him as a liar? He wins the judge over quite easily by illustrating these contradictions and casting doubt on Van Zieks's integrity. Tragic, because as Van Zieks says:

Van Zieks steps down from the stand and disappears for the remainder of the trial day. He doesn't even show up during intermission in the defendant's lobby. Characters do still talk about him, though!

I mean... He ain't lyin'. At one point, Kazuma utters the words “the defence is fated to lose. And the prosecution to win,” which once again confirms that Kazuma basically asked Ryu to take part in an 'unwinnable' trial. Which, y'know, is technically fine. Losing a trial isn't the end of the world, especially when the defendant (in Kazuma's eyes) is actually guilty. Still though, personally asking Ryu to take on Van Zieks just so he can watch the man be exposed as a killer is kind of... Kazuma, sir, are you also unable to control your hatred and having it lash out in illogical ways? Is that a parallel with Van Zieks I spy?

The rest of the trial isn't directly related to Van Zieks. It's just a whole bunch of roundabout arguing with street peddlers, red-headed scammers and the revelation that one of those peddlers is actually Daley Vigil, the missing former prison warder. Despite knowing of the dangers, Kazuma asks Ryu to help him forcefully break some of the man's black psyche-locks (c'mon, we all know that's what's impeding his memories) and they send the man to the hospital as a result. Welp. Unveiling the truth is becoming increasingly dangerous in this game and that's really upping the stakes for us.

Into the next investigation day we go! Ryu surmises that it's clear now “Van Zieks definitely didn't do it.” Even so, there are some unanswered questions about the man. What was he even doing at the crime scene and what's with that investigation into Gregson he didn't want to talk about in court? Heading on over to the Chief Justice's office, we overhear him pressuring Kazuma into 'continuing the trial as instructed'. Once he takes note of Ryu and the others, he tells them that he wanted Van Zieks's trial concluded that day and blames 'Asogi's unwelcome inquiries' for it taking longer than necessary. Stronghart's becoming increasingly ominous, here... I don't know for certain why he doesn't just go the extra mile to have Van Zieks proven innocent so he can keep using his Reaper tool to intimidate the masses. I suppose it's because with Gregson dead, he's lost his most important strategist in the killings and the tool of the Reaper's curse can't be used as easily anymore. Assassins probably come a dime a dozen, so Shinn can be replaced, but Gregson... Not so much. Ryu asks Stronghart whether Kazuma truly believes Van Zieks to be the Reaper, but Stronghart says he wouldn't know. He once again talks about the history of the Reaper with its very long run of coincidental deaths and tells us nothing new or interesting.

To prison we go, to visit Van Zieks himself! He's reading a book now, but we're never told what it is. He tries to ignore the visitors, but just as always, eventually comes up to the bars to talk.

YOU FREAKIN- I CAN'T- WHY- How many more times must we teach you this lesson, old man?!!! Thankfully, even Ryu is fed up at this point.

Finally. He spoke up. I've seen a lot of people criticize the fact that Ryu never properly confronts Van Zieks with the damage he's been doing, and on the one hand I would agree. Calling people out on their bullshit is a very useful step in having them notice their mistakes. However, I'd be remiss if I didn't point out that is also a very Western view. It's very easy for us to think that Ryu should stand up for himself and call Van Zieks a prejudiced little tosser who needs to think before he speaks, but that simply isn't part of his character. There may be several reasons to explain why he doesn't confront Van Zieks more firmly, but I'd like to focus on just two. The first is that Ryu is an exchange student who came to England as a 'guest' and is facing not just one racist. Not even five or ten. Everywhere he goes, he's surrounded by people just like Van Zieks. We've seen it in the judge, we've seen it in the jurors, we've seen it in Gregson and in witnesses... Ryu is a minority in a very literal sense, since there's only one other Japanese person (two if we count Soseki) we know of in this entire city. There's a very natural, very understandable defense mechanism which may kick in when surrounded by potentially dangerous individuals, and that is to withdraw; to be as quiet as possible and to attract as little trouble as possible, since 'they outnumber you'. Bonus points for the extreme difference in social standing between Ryu and Van Zieks.

There's one other thing which adds to the above. Ryu was written to be your everyday Japanese person, and their view on confrontation is quite different from our own. I remembered this from a job interview I once had with a Japanese company and looked into it again to refresh my memory: Japanese people are non-confrontational. It's very important for them to maintain a sort of harmony during conversation and therefore, they'll rarely utter negative sentiments, such as criticism, in a way that will cause embarrassment to the person they're addressing. Instead, they employ something often referred to as indirect communication. “The pattern of Japanese indirect communication uses far less words to convey intent in a more subtle manner. Indirect communication uses expression, posture, and tone of voice of the speaker to draw meaning from the actual conversation.” This is very deeply ingrained into the Japanese culture and, if the sources I reviewed are correct, it goes all the way back to the feudal days. Mind, this attitude isn't even limited to Japan. I've been told there's several other countries who adopt that very same attitude and if you cause someone else to lose face, it can have some very severe repercussions for you. Kazuma is a bit more outspoken than Ryu, for example when they face Jezail, but this makes sense also, since Asogi was written to be more progressive. It seems to me that Ryu has been using indirect communication quite often already and, since Van Zieks is woefully unequipped to read this type of communication, Ryu has now finally resorted to something more direct. It's still not a sharp call-out, but rather, the above line reads to me as something in-between direct and indirect communication. And it works.

HELL FROZE OVER! We've done it, lads! Or, as Iris puts it:

So even the rest of the cast is acknowledging this is a big deal and we've made tremendous progress. Could someone else have confronted Van Zieks in a more direct, more Western way before this point? Sure. But would he have listened? The judge has already snarked at him several times during trials and it's always been brushed off as nothing. The only person he might've listened to would've been Albert, but what is the narrative significance of having a side character confront Van Zieks? There isn't one. This was a very impactful moment where Ryu himself resorted to a more Western tactic to get his point across and Van Zieks, in turn, finally uttered an apology. So now we get to have an earnest conversation with the man at last. Van Zieks says he was impressed; not by Ryu but by Kazuma. On first glance, this seems like a mean thing to say, but... Van Zieks is already intimately familiar with Ryu's performance in the courtroom. Why would he still be impressed by that? Kazuma, however, he's never seen in action before. Van Zieks thinks it's all rather “sardonic”.

It's called a cruel irony, Barok. A common tool in storytelling. He himself considers it “retribution for having played the part of the Reaper all these years”. So once again it's discussed how the Reaper minimizes the amount of crime in the capital and since that's a goal Van Zieks is committed to, he never said anything to disprove the rumors. Ryu insists that someone else is profiting off Van Zieks's silence on the matter and is basically using him as a scapegoat. As it turns out, Van Zieks wasn't quite as passive about the matter as he's led us to believe.

Hm. Alright, so he thinks it's good the Reaper's curse is reducing crime in London, but clearly he wants the Reaper organization brought to justice. In a way, he's profiting off these 'accidental deaths' since the fear that comes from them aligns with his goal of crime reduction, but he doesn't actively condone the Reaper murders and wants them halted. Since there's so much accurate information about the accused used in the killings, Van Zieks surmised a while ago that someone from Scotland Yard must've been involved in the killings. It's taken him “many years” to identify the central figure in the organization: Tobias Gregson. Naturally, everyone is shocked. We knew Gregson! And sure, he wasn't exactly a kind person, but he certainly didn't appear to be a killer. He was very rough around the edges, but from what we'd been led to believe, he had a good heart. … A decent heart. Mediocre, one might say. Ryu asks whether the reason Van Zieks was investigating Gregson was to expose him as the Reaper, but Van Zieks repeats the notion that the Reaper is not a single person. He doesn't have a doubt, though, that Gregson was a key member of the organization who did all of the planning. Believe it or not, Gregson was the brains behind the killings; the tactician who investigated and plotted, then left the dirty work to an assassin by the name of Asa Shinn. (LOCALIZATION WHY)

So now that we have this information, we can come to a very interesting conclusion. Both Gregson and Shinn are dead now, so by Van Zieks's reasoning, the Reaper is dead. You'd think this is good, but it does in fact make it very difficult to find the truth. Rather, Van Zieks believes that the truth died with Gregson (he hinted as much twice already) and while the seasoned Ace Attorney player knows it won't be impossible to expose a dead person as a killer, it'd be a hectic ordeal. The seasoned Great Ace Attorney player will know the Reaper hierarchy extends just a bit higher and the two who died are only pawns, but... Y'know. Approaching this from a first-time-player point of view, you'll know things will get troublesome.

There's another topic of conversation where Van Zieks once again addresses how sharp Kazuma is in court. He didn't miss a thing.

OUCH. So when Ryu first arrived, Van Zieks saw Genshin whenever he looked at him, not only due to his roots but due to 'the look in his eyes when searching for the truth'. Now, he sees Genshin in Kazuma, which surely makes a lot more sense. Van Zieks goes on to say that it's true some of the aristocracy from 10 years ago were problematic and abusing their power. “In a way, Asogi was carving out a canker from society that we British couldn't deal with ourselves.” So here, he sounds almost complimentary of the Professor's actions- specifically Asogi's actions. As if it would've all been well and good, were it not for the Professor's final victim. “But that's precisely why it makes no sense. Klint van Zieks was a noble and upstanding man. He wasn't corrupt.”

Remember way back in The Unspeakable Story when I surmised that Van Zieks boiled Genshin's actions down to his race in order to avoid the belief that there might've been a reason his brother was killed? We see it here again. Van Zieks is in doubt. He may say vocally that “it makes no sense”, but that line in itself is already telling. The fact that he acknowledges it and draws it into question implies to us that he's skeptical of the story. Deep down, he knows something is amiss. He knows there's some sort of explanation he's missing, but if he were to dig too deeply into it, he'd have to acknowledge that perhaps his brother was corrupt. And this still isn't all of it. There's one more thing Van Zieks has to discuss before we can round this conversation to a close. Ten years ago, shortly after Klint died, Genshin saved his life.

There's that phrasing again. “True nature”. It's not in orange this time, but it's there all the same. Van Zieks is convinced that Genshin is the one who had a hidden true nature. In this story, we learn that 'the scum of London' had already targeted him several times even before he became known as the Reaper, simply because of who he was and who his brother was. JEESH. Harsh. So on the night in question, a couple of thugs also tried to kill him (allegedly) but Genshin stepped in to protect him. Genshin became lightly wounded as a result. This is the part where I would have expected them to explain Van Zieks's scars, but he never mentions being wounded himself, so we can't be sure this is when it happened. Curious. This was the perfect opportunity and they let it slide. So anyway, two days after that incident, Genshin was arrested.

Some more telling lines here. Van Zieks thinks he'd never recount the story to anyone; not because there's no need to tell it. It's because it must be difficult to talk about. On its own, that might be a farfetched conclusion I wouldn't make, but Ryu confirms it with his follow-up line: “Thank you... for confiding in me.” We can take this line to mean exactly what it says; Van Zieks confided something painful. He let down some more walls. Growth!

So with all this out of the way, there's a whole load more investigation to do before this case is over. Most of it has to do with Genshin's will, a mysterious trunk belonging to Gregson, the missing time of death on the autopsy report... Nothing too relevant to Van Zieks's character. However, if we go into the prosecutor's office and examine things while Kazuma is there, we do get some fun tidbits about how Van Zieks wouldn't trust anyone else to touch his things and would rearrange it all himself whenever needed. From the sound of it, Van Zieks is very meticulous and a loner, which aligns with what we know about him. Some more conversation later, we reach the topic of the Reaper with Kazuma. He agrees that Gregson was definitely involved in the Reaper organization, but there's one thing that's more important. “Who's been giving orders to the Inspector?” In my eyes, it's a bit of a stretch to assume with certainty anyone was giving orders; Gregson might've just taken up the vigilante justice by himself and found some way to pay Shinn enough money to get in on it. Kazuma insists, though, that Van Zieks is 'the real Reaper'. We as the audience already know that's nonsense, we know Kazuma is wrong. Or perhaps we might think that if somehow Van Zieks pulled the wool over our eyes and Kazuma is correct, that'd be one heck of a wild twist. Kazuma gives no real reason why he believes this, he only goes on to say that ten years ago, it was Van Zieks who 'decided his father must be a mass murderer'. Shockingly, Susato is the one to jump in here and outright say to Kazuma that he's wrong; that Van Zieks only saw that 'justice was done as the law dictates' and he wasn't to blame for Genshin's execution. Kazuma insists that people condemn people and the law is just a tool they use for it. So I suppose that's exactly what he's doing right now. He's condemning Van Zieks, just as Van Zieks once condemned Genshin. We're cycling! And my main question now is this: If Stronghart had been the prosecutor in the Professor's trial instead, would Kazuma be just as vengeful towards him? Because remember, it's people who condemn people. This implies that anyone who had taken on the job of prosecutor at that time is the one who 'decided that Genshin must've been a murderer' and would need to take responsibility in Kazuma's eyes. Kazuma's beef isn't with Van Zieks personally, it's with the prosecutor who used that tool of the law and also evidence.

HAHAHAAA! HAH! If you align this screenshot next to the “Klint van Zieks was a noble and upstanding man” line, you get a wonderful parallel. These two prosecutors are both dead wrong about their beloved family, and they're about to find out in the worst way possible.

One murder mystery spread out over two episodes? You bet! Stay tuned for the last case, The Resolve of Ryunosuke Naruhodo!

#dgs #dgs spoilers #tgaa #tgaa spoilers #barok van zieks #I can't believe I managed to cram it all into one post #phew #but this was a big one

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