#getting to see how she interacts with morgan and pearl

[sholmeser]

actually what i think would be cool is an ace attorney game where each case is its own individual mini-spinoff. first case is kristoph gavin: ace attorney a few years pre-aa4 with apollo as kristoph’s college intern and clay as the defendant. we get to learn more about clay and apollo’s friendship alongside apollo+kristoph and krisnix dynamic. we’re forced to forge evidence because there isnt anything concrete proving clay’s innocence, giving us an inside glimpse into a corrupt attorney’s life. second case is simon blackquill investigations pre-UR1 where on someone else dies at the space center and metis is accused. we see more of athena/simon/aura/metis family dynamic as well as athena and juniper’s friendship as children. manfred von karma investigations (kid miles and vk family dynamic) or lana skye investigations (pre-SL9 ema mia gant jake angel neil) or mia fey ace attorney (maya lana pearl morgan diego maybe even dahlia and iris) or robin newman ace attorney/hugh o’conner investigations (self-indulgent but would be so cute)….the possibilities are endless……just fun little ways to expand on pre-existing character dynamics that might not have been discussed too much without necessarily making an entire game revolving around those characters

[absolutefuckingfreak]

pearl + franmaya thoughts

Bridge To The Turnabout is one of absolute favorite ace attorney cases of all time, this isn't really surprising as from what I've seen, its generally considered one of (if not) the best cases. It gives us the best thing that has ever graced this world, assistant Franziska. But also Pearl and Franziska interaction, and this one interaction is basically the foundation for people's interpretations of Pearl's idea of Franziska and Maya being together. And I love it. Some of my favorite plots for Franmaya fics are the ones where Franziska NEEDS to win over the approval of this. Literal child. For the sake of her relationship. Whether it be through Franziska making Pearl think she is so super cool, bonding through hurt/comfort, or Pearl just coming to realize that Franziska makes Maya happy, I absolutely adore when people write and/or make art about it. In canon, Pearl literally just berated Franziska, a grown adult, for being mean to her cousin..and Franziska took that personally. The scene itself is amazing because Franziska would never take criticism like that from anyone. But this 9 year old absolutely tears her apart in a way no one could even DARE to try. But this isn't about that one scene from BTTT that everyone knows about. This is me being stupidly self indulgent over a ship I love. Franziska and Maya being gay for each other aside, I love the dynamic between Franziska and Pearl. In a way, they're just like each other, which leads me to believe that Franziska would truly see herself in Pearl, and want to protect her like she were her own kin. Both prodigies, both destined for something amazing, both having corrupt parents. I feel as though Franziska would look at Pearl and envision a tiny Franziska, wanting to be just like her Papa, incredibly intelligent for being such a young age, and not really knowing any better of the horrors of having to grow up so fast. I think as close as they would become, Pearl would tell Franziska about what her mom was like, to Franziska's horror. I mean, Pearl's autonomy was kind of stripped from her. Maybe that's a stretch but with the way Morgan acted and talked about Pearl, I've always compared them to Rapunzel and Mother Gothel from Tangled. A lot of people hate Manfred Von Karma and believe him to be an abusive father, but I feel like there's reason to believe from multiple sources that he actually loved his kids. But this isn't about him and there's people who have explained this point way better than I ever could. Something I see a lot less is talk about Morgan Fey. Who was willing to kill her own niece so Pearl could take her place. Like her own blood. Back to the Rapunzel and Mother Gothel comparison, Mother Gothel values Rapunzel for her hair and that hair's ability to keep her young. Morgan values Pearl for her absolutely insane psychic abilities, believing she could be the one to put the branch family back on top. She wants to basically live vicariously through her daughter and will absolutely stop at nothing to get her goal achieved. Sucks to suck for her because it doesn't work but it also makes you go what the fuck! Maybe one day I'll make another post after doing a bunch of research on how this could pyschologically fuck up a kid (though I already have some idea). Franziska would absolutely want to protect this kid's innocence. Pearl doesn't know any better, she's a kid. She doesn't fully understand all the adult stuff going on around her and this is touched upon in BTTT. Pearl shouldn't know about all the horrible stuff that goes on in her family. She should literally be playing with dolls and probably learning how to use a whip, this is Franziska after all. This is technically a franmaya post and yet it has mostly been about Franziska and Pearl's friendship because well, I think franmaya needs to be there for Franziska and Pearl to even interact, because it puts that feeling inside of Franziska to have Pearl approve of her like a dad would.

Another thing I wanted to touch on because I cannot form a coherent train of thought even if I tried was the "homophobic Pearl" joke, which is just something I think is funny but also hope people don't actually take as a factual part of her character. Like ironically, yeah that's hilarious. Truly though, Pearl would not be homophobic, obviously?? Like someone could make the argument that Morgan instilled homophobia into her, but also she didn't let her leave the village so I kind of believe Morgan would think she wouldn't have to, if she wanted to even. If she doesn't leave the village how is she gonna learn about different kinds of love. Also Pearl is just, really into romance in general, she believes it to traditionally be between a man and a woman because that's what she's been taught, she's a kid. Also Maya is like, her idol, if she said she liked girls and boys (or just girls depending on how you hc her) then Pearl would gaze at her all starry eyed and go "YOU CAN DO THAT???" and probably think up a bunch of stories about princesses being together. Pearl being included in franmaya sillies is so important to me, Maya watching as two of her favorite people finally get along, Franziska feeling that protective instinct bubble up inside of her at the innocence of this little girl, Pearl coming to terms that Maya loves who she loves, and Franziska isn't as bad as she once was. They are so. Found Family. They matter SO much to me.

[exaltedfuzz]

Someone already pointed out that you always tend to draw Lana tired and I agree, it feels just right!

Because Lana takes care of Ema and the household since she was a She cooks healthy because of Ema, listens to Ema‘s school day, plays with her, helps her when she has a question because of her school work.

All of that while remaining the top of her class in law school. She has so much responsibility and Lana doesn‘t even seem like the person that complained at least once because of it. And also remember that a lot of colleagues, like Angel Starr, used to look up to her. She endures the responsibility and she‘s honestly such a great role model for me!

Not to put Mia Fey down, but consider this: in contrast to Mia, who had at least her aunt Fey to teach her all of this stuff, Lana probably had no one. In contrast to Mia, who actually left Maya live alone, Lana took care of Ema.

Lana Skye is underrated, so f* underrated.

Thanks for liking the way I draw Lana! I think, yeah... She'd be exhausted. Full-time everything. I don't know that I'd call her a role model, considering how RFTA goes, though... Admirable, sure! But, you know... The whole evidence forgery and desecration of a corpse deal might lose her a couple points in the role model department.

It is super nice to imagine what it was like for Ema growing up! I really wish we got to see them interacting outside of RFTA. Maybe in AA7, though I'm not sure I'd trust the AA5-6 team to pull it off. More hopefully, maybe in the anime! I can't believe RFTA just didn't get an adaptation. I guess it is a bit of a sidestep from the trilogy narrative. Hopefully when (if?) AJ gets adapted, they'll do RFTA as a primer to introduce Ema. Maybe we'd get treated to some filler fluff, to make how Lana is in RFTA really punch you in the gut.

I don't know that Lana was as profoundly alone the whole time as she could have been, either. It says in RFTA that Jake was very close to her and that Neil was like her own brother (and that Jake was nice to Ema), so I figure they would have been some help. And Lana has that coroner friend in Germany who Ema lived with between RFTA and AJ (really wish we got to meet her! All we know is that she's a top coroner, a woman, and in Europe, from Lana's end credits of RFTA dialogue), so it seems like she had a bit of a support circle, which is nice to think about.

It's interesting what you say about Mia. I have some thoughts on that, actually. I wouldn't say what she went through would have been much easier. I think that while Lana's approach is to grin and bear it, and take the path of least resistance, which involves just getting on with it and looking after Ema without searching for any help in that, Mia's is very confrontational of her circumstances. The reason she leaves Maya is to find Misty, to clear her name and to try to reclaim that family she's lost. I imagine Maya would have lived with Morgan too.

A thing I've been thinking, actually, is that Morgan would probably have been delighted to see Mia go off to become a hotshot lawyer, in some ways. Gets the number one heir to the Kurain channelling school out of her hair if she ends up acclimatising to city life and settling down. This would probably be why Morgan never tried to kill Maya until 2-2, since there was the chance Maya would go off and join her sister, just leaving Pearl to take up the mantle.

I guess after Mia dies, it'd be reasonable to assume Maya would get scared off from leaving the village, so Morgan would have to take things into her own hands. So I think Maya probably, though lonely, didn't get off too badly. Morgan wouldn't hurt her if Mia was alive, either, because we see that Mia does get crazy intense at times. There's that little comic (not sure where from) where she snaps the (kendo?) sword over Nick, for one, and there's also her (IIRC) punching Grossberg in T&T... Or, at least, that piece of official art where she's dragging Nick around by his scarf. If anything happened to Maya, Mia would probably strangle Morgan. Then, as well, Pearl says she met Mia. So Mia must have been visiting a bit.

It's a very different context that both Lana and Mia operate in... At the end of the day, the most important thing for both characters is their family, and what they see as the best thing to do for them. Don't pit two GOATs against each other...

Anyway, whoops. Most of this was about Mia. Super glad you like my Lana stuff! I think she's a wonderful character, and definitely underrated.

[mushygreybrainmatter]

Women of Ace Attorney, pt. 1

So, there are a lot of women in Ace Attorney. And there is so much to say about all of them. The biggest chunk of women connected to each other, though, is the Fey Clan. There are five named characters who you actively interact with who have the last name “Fey,” and a few more who share ancestry with the Feys, even if they don’t have the same name or prestige. Moreover, the Fey Clan is notoriously exclusionary to men. Whether or not this is intentional, I don’t recall if that’s made clear, but either way, men don’t typically stick around, and the village is an isolated matriarchal community. This makes the Fey women particularly good subjects for this kind of analysis.

!! SPOILERS FOR THE PHOENIX WRIGHT TRILOGY BELOW THE CUT !!

I’ll be completely honest, I think if I had to choose one character who exemplifies the trauma of being a woman, a mother, a sister, and a daughter better than anyone else in the franchise, I have to choose Morgan Fey. There is a lot we can speculate about her character, but first, I’m going to list a few things we know from canon:

Morgan was the eldest and was, therefore, meant to become the Master of Kurain.

Morgan stepped up to lead Kurain Village in her sister’s absence.

Morgan raised Mia and Maya after Misty disappeared.

Morgan believed her daughter, Pearl, deserved to be the Master because of her abilities.

Morgan has had other children before Pearl (namely Dahlia and Iris Hawthorne).

There are obviously more facts than this, but these are the key points I’ll refer back to.

When we meet Pearl, she is eight (8) years old. Already, Morgan knows that her spiritual powers surpass Maya’s. By this metric, we can assume that Morgan knew Misty was the stronger of the two of them for a very long time. Before this point, every Master had been the eldest daughter, who traditionally held more spiritual power. Thus, this led to Morgan being scorned and looked down upon by the other inhabitants of Kurain Village.

Ever since Morgan was a child, she was told just how much of a failure she was and how she would amount to nothing. Her birthright was stripped from her, and she had it rubbed in her face time and time again.

I think we can agree that this is fucked up and would absolutely ruin some of our self-esteems were we in Morgan’s shoes. However, through all of this, Morgan works diligently to restore her family line to their (at least in her eyes) rightful place as the Main Family. She marries, has twin daughters, realizes neither of them have enough spiritual power to beat out Mia and Maya, divorces, and sends her daughters away (this is a segue into a later post I will make about Dahlia because she is interesting as hell).

Even more than that, after Misty disappears following the DL-6 Incident, Morgan takes the reins in Kurain Village and raises Mia and Maya. We can see from the way Morgan interacts with Pearl that she is strict. We also get this sense from the way Maya reacts when Morgan is brought up in conversation during Reunion, and Turnabout (2-2). A recurring motif in the Ace Attorney games is the idea of being the best or being perfect, whatever that means to any given character, and Morgan is no exception to this. The expectations she places on both Maya and Pearl are evident, and it takes a fairly obvious toll on both of them.

So, we have a woman who has been beaten down for decades, since she was a child, who was stripped of her rightful place in the family and cast aside. She climbs anyway, she raises the entire next generation of Fey women, and they revere her. She works in the shadows to better her own lineage, because she doesn’t want her daughter, Pearl, an incredibly talented medium, to be relegated to a Branch Family when her rightful place is the title of Master.

Morgan sends away her daughters who lack spiritual abilities. Why? Maybe because for Morgan’s whole life, she’s been taught that power is everything. Without spiritual powers, a Fey woman is worth less than dirt. At least, that’s the lesson Morgan took away from everything. So, she strives to put her family back on top, where they belong, and she seeks to destroy everything that stands in her way. In some ways, everything Morgan does is for Pearl.

In some ways, Morgan is a fierce protector, a mother bear. Morgan is a woman who was taught the only way to survive was to use her teeth. So she does.

[somerandomjewelleryonthefloor]

The 'Meeting'

Fandom: choices: High School Story

AU: 10 things I hate about you

Warnings: small swearing, some descriptive body image, (first time doing a drabble on Tumblr as well)

Characters: Michael, Koh, Wes, Morgan, Unnamed girl (my mc Solrin, unrevealed name)

Rating?: teens, PG-13

Word count: 657 words.

Summary:

Michael is taking a ride in Koh's car alongside Morgan and Wes, and he gets a look at the face of the new girl who stole his seat.

It was a slow morning. The car hummed as it stopped, Koh looked at the traffic lights, to keep an eye on when the red light would finally switch. Morgan was in the back with Michael, drinking out a soda can as she rolled her eyes, looking out the window on her side, while Wes was riding shotgun and on his phone texting somebody. Michael looked out the side of his window too, looking at the empty car lane next to them.

"So again, did I miss anything the past two days?" He looked back at Morgan, asking. He was away due to family stuff happening a week before school started.

"Well, a new girl took your seat in homeroom" she said, taking another sip of her can, "and you also missed seeing our new weird principal-"

"Hold up, some new kid took my seat?" He looked at her, raising his eyebrows before dropping them.

"yeah. You're gonna be sitting in the front next to Caleb I think, Michael." She laughed for a second, grinning. "Thank fuck I still got mine."

"Oh, shut up." He rolled his eyes, looking straight ahead at the traffic lights from the front window, he couldn't believe he had to sit at the front for the rest of the year now.

As everyone was silent, waiting for the traffic lights to turn green. However as they waited, this powerful roar of an engine could be heard next to them. Everyone looked to the right, and saw a fire truck engine red 1963 dodge dart with a white roof. on the sides and the hood of the car it had these silver strips, with a fire design on the bottom of the car all around in silver as well. It was loud, powerful, Michael could feel the power from it as the sound of it reverberated in Koh's car.

Michael saw the driver behind the wheel, as her windows were down. The driver looked just as intense as her car.

Bright amber eyes peeking out above her rectangle sunglasses, a studded leather jacket that was unzipped enough to show her cleavage from her black tank top, and her hands were covered with rings as her neck covered in yellow gold jewellery and pearls. Her hair was a sight too, with how curly and voluminous it was, and with the rainbow highlights she had sticking out alongside the black hair in her ponytail, with white and grey hairs. Her tan skin almost glowed a lovely goldish-orange colour as some of the sun peered into her car.

She looked to the side, looking directly at Michael. She took her lollipop out of her mouth and rolled her eyes at him.

"fuck you looking at?" She mouthed, furrowing her eyebrows before looking back at the road. Her car was playing Hypnotize by The Notorious B.I.G so loud that it muffled the song Koh had playing on the radio.

Michael looked away, looking at Morgan who was watching at their interaction.

"well isn't that nice, that's the girl who stole your seat." She said.

Michael stayed silent. A bit stunned at this information.

"... She's the girl?" He asked again, not wanting to believe it.

"yup" she nodded her head, "what? You crushing?"

"hell no" he scrunched his face up a bit, looking at her with a strong small glare, before looking back at the front.

Koh was starting to move the car again, as the green light finally shined on them. The girl beside them was already gone, her car sped off as the engine roared loudly, covering all other sounds as it faded away.

Michael was a bit curious about her. she had a loud and bright vintage car, didn't mind telling people off at staring, and she was the same person who stole his seat.

Time could only tell how they'd interact with eachother, and Michael didn't know how to exactly feel about it.

[squadron-of-damned]

Okay, besides Greg's, who else's ghosts has Manfred seen? Why didn't he get to see his wife's ghost? You can't do Manny like this Tolp 😔🤌

He's definitely seen Mia, because Mia, it's been estabilished, is a ghost who hangs around and photobombs and confirms important handshakes. And Mia's been trying to walk Phoenix through Edgwroth's trial, which von Karma prosecuted, so von Karma definitely saw her.

Thing is, that AA outright tells you, through both Maya and Mia and if I understood the wiki right also through some SoJ cases that spirits generally don't just "hang around". When people die, their spirit passes on and experiences virtually nothing. Supposedly when spirits are channeled, it is for them as if no time had passed, so a lot of them reacts as if they just entered the afterlife, because only now they have the time to process that they died.

But we also have the evidence of Mia just being around as a ghost, Lotta Hart managed to get her in a photo and all. So ghosts definitely have to exists. But if they did, someone alive from the Fey family would definitely mention that, they'd be taught about this. So ghosts must be really, really rare and/or the gift/burden of seeing them must be even rarer.

So I have this headcanon how ghost-spirit distinction works in the AA verse. Spirit is the immaterial of a being, mind and soul combined (Pearl Fey mentions the existence of the soul and that it can shatter, and she mentions it happening with the wrong usage of the magatama, which when you screw up it takes down the health bar, so soul definitely has to to with being alive.) Ghost specifically is a description of a spirit not inhabiting a body which remains in the material world. Which sucks since ghosts are immaterial, and therefore can't actually interact with their surrounding.

The logical question is why would spirit remain in this position. Well, either they are somewhat spiritually trained and aware of being a spirit enough to actively choose to remain (for example spirits mediums such as Mia, but potentially also witches, priests of some religions, and esoteric suburb mothers who read up on something legit and kinda know and mostly don't what they are doing) or they have strong bonds to something or someone still in the material world (such as Gregory).

The latter case is practically a ghost which is haunting a person, an object or a location, because either the spirit couldn't let go or the person still alive refuses to let go.

Manfred had practically an obsession with Gregory Edgeworth. The way he screams his name during his breakdown (and c'mon, we know he means Gregory and not Miles) you could swear the man was in the room with the rest of us. And from Manfred's perspective he was. He dragged Gregory with him everywhere he went, he couldn't let go. Miles hadn't let go of his (perceived) guilt, but he did let his father go eventually.

Likewise, there was nothing weighting Manfred's wife to the material when she passed. He felt her loss, he mourned her, sometimes wished she was still there, but he didn't cling to her tooth and nail. Not seeing her ghost around is a good thing. In general, ghosts shouldn't be in the material world. I don't think Mia would hang around if she felt like she didn't have to, but she had some business to wrap up *cough cough* Diego, Dahlia and Morgan *cough cough*.

[queen-ofsunflowers]

DadWorth AU: Part 3 (Justice For All)

Justice for All has to be one of the angstier parts of this AU, right up there with some ideas I have for Apollo Justice. Especially considering the whole Miles “chooses death” thing. So, let’s dive into it!

< Part 2 | Part 4 >

Reunion, and Turnabout

Things fast forward a couple of months after the end of Rise from the Ashes. Gumshoe’s been taking care of Kay since Miles kind of fucked off. He’s been doing his best, and so are Sebastian and Klavier -- who have been trying to cheer up their third musketeer ever since they found out what happened. But Kay is miserable.

So, now summer break is here for her, Gumshoe decides to take her out to the mountains for the day to get out in nature and hopefully get her mind off of things. Even if it is for a little while.

However, that plan is totally ruined when he gets a call about a murder nearby. He’s the only detective in the area, so they have to go down to Kurain Village to check it out. And that’s where they run into Phoenix for the first time since the end of Rise. Both he and Kay are not doing well in the aftermath of that case, and neither are really sure what to do around each other. Needless to say, the whole interaction is awkward.

Gumshoe does not pick up on this. He asks Phoenix if he could keep an eye on Kay while he takes care of the investigation. After some hesitation and deliberation, Phoenix agrees. So Kay becomes his partner button and Phoenix finally get to interact one-on-one with each other during the investigation for Reunion.

This is the first time they get to do this, since they were either with Maya or Ema on previous cases. It’s still a bit awkward, but when Phoenix finds out that she’s studying to be a defense attorney, things get a little bit easier as they find common ground.

Phoenix unknowingly starting to settle into a mentor role? Yes.

Kay is super turned off by Morgan Fey (getting chills up her spine and a faint memory of Dahlia Hawthorne -- she saw the Fawles trial. Phoenix also gets the same vibes from her.) And is surprisingly good with Pearl.

Her reaction to learning that Franziska is the prosecutor for this case catches Phoenix’s attention. Kay hasn’t heard from Franziska outside of a few text messages to check in on her over the past few months, so the fact that she’s in the country and Kay’s only finding out about it now makes her wonder what’s going on.

Kay goes to meet with Maya at the detention center with Phoenix, and kind of gets overly excited when she sees that Maya is channeling Mia because if you remember, she looked up Mia. Mia was an idol for her. So getting to meet her -- even if it is through spirit channeling -- is the highlight of her week.

And then we get to the trial. Phoenix asks Kay if she wants to stand co-counsel and Kay immediately jumps at the chance to say yes. So this is technically her first trial (she’s excited for it, but a little bit sad that Miles isn’t there to see her). Franziska, on the other hand, is surprised that Kay is standing at the defense’s bench with Phoenix Wright, leading to a lot of things including seeing Kay as a traitor (reason why will be explained later.)

So, Kay stands in for Pearl as co-counsel. As a result, her spirit channeling abilities are not revealed until much later. In the second trial day, she’s not present due to Gumshoe’s intervention and keeping her busy (something which Pearl agrees to so long as Kay and Phoenix get Maya a Not Guilty).

The investigation moments are full of small bonding moments between Phoenix and Kay as they get to know each other a bit better.

So, Team Wright-Faraday get a Not Guilty verdict as promised. Kay’s super proud of herself for managing to do this and it puts her on cloud nine. Franziska only believes that Phoenix won because he had a semi-competent co-counsel with him (Aunt Fran starting to show that she’s proud of Kay a little bit, but is still incredibly pissed that she lost.) Overall, she isn’t sure how to feel about Kay in that moment, and it all comes down to one simple reason:

This is the first time Kay has smiled in months. Everyone who knows her is relieved to see it back.

After the case is closed, Maya does thank Kay for helping and Kay in return does try to cheer her up after the whole “morgan stabbed maya in the back” thing starts to settle in. Am I saying Maya and Kay friendship? Maya and Kay friendship. It starts here.

So, things are starting to look a little bit better for Kay.

The Lost Turnabout

It’s not... Kay’s not involved in this one. Teenage shenanigans happen here as the new school year at Themis starts up.

The first day of school is always pretty easy, but it gets pretty depressing for Kay when one of her professors decides a good idea to break the ice by talking about some of the more ridiculous things that have happened in court cases. It gets the class laughing, and isn’t a bad idea...

Unfortunately for Kay, though, the professor also brings up a certain defense attorney cross-examining a parrot. The memory of that trial brings up a whole lot of feelings for Kay and she just kind of falls quiet for the rest of the day.

But luckily, Klavier and Sebastian have known Kay for a year now, and they realize something’s wrong. So they (primarily Klavier, since he instigates the whole thing) decide to do something about it and distract her. Here is where teenage shenanigans come about.

Just wholesome fun with what is slowly becoming a favorite chaotic trio that ends with everyone collapsed on a couch with an old movie playing in the background. ...and possibly a few appearances from other characters. Who knows?

Kay only finds out about Phoenix’s trial after the fact from Maya, and she’s not sure whether to be impressed that Phoenix managed to do all that with amnesia or laugh about it. She decides to do both.

Turnabout Big Top

It all starts with Phoenix going from ace attorney to ace babysitter as he’s in charge of four teenagers and one small child. Over the past few months, he’s gotten acquainted with Klavier and Sebastian as well, especially after the trio used the Wright & Co. Law Offices as their own personal hangout spot to get homework done and hide out when needed (thank you Kay).

The only reason Kay is brought on as co-counsel for this case is because a: its winter break so she doesn’t have school to worry about and b: the time frame is the same as when Miles was arrested the year prior. If Phoenix is having a rough time, then so is Kay. Especially since this will also be her first birthday since the whole incident. She’s also at Wright & Co. for the same reason when Maya calls up with the case.

This case is not the best distraction for Kay, but at least its something. Lesson learned: as a lawyer, you gotta take the good with the frustrating. Things get worse with Franziska prosecuting again. Kay still doesn’t get what’s up with her and why she’s still getting called a traitor.

The boys are also in on this case because why not, though they don’t stand as co-counsel but rather just help with the investigation. Because we all know that Kristoph and Blaise wouldn’t agree to them standing on the defense’s side, one more than the other.

Kay openly admitting to getting a headache while trying to figure out what the heck is actually going on during the first trial day. She grew up with the Master of Logic himself, so trying to make sense of this without all the information is making her head run in circles. But she’s not going to give up.

It’s revealed when Franziska confronts Phoenix & Co. outside of the lodging house later that day that the reason Franziska calls Kay a traitor is that she deliberately is siding with the man responsible for Miles’s “death”, something that she never thought Kay would do.

Kay never blames Phoenix for what happened to Miles. She mostly blames Gant (and von Karma somewhat) for it. They were the ones who pushed him, not Phoenix. So, when Franziska openly blames Phoenix for what happened, Kay gets pretty pissed. 

When Phoenix and Maya continue their investigation, Kay goes to confront Franziska on that matter and just goes off. Months of bottled up emotions just kind of explode outward, and Franziska is the unfortunate target of it all. This blow-up is also the first time that Kay refers to Miles as her dad. Which hits pretty hard. Franziska starts regretting a few choices she’s made today. Klavier and Sebastian pull her away as she starts to break down.

So they just... let her cry it out in the circus’s cafeteria. They end up being the ones who find out about the incident with the lion (once Kay’s calmed down) rather that Phoenix and Maya. The story has them racing over to them, catching the duo just as they’re about to enter Acro’s room and things go about pretty much the same way they do canonically from there.

The next day is a bit hard, and its easy to pick up on the tension between Kay and Franziska here. Taking a page out of the anime, Kay, Klavier, a reluctant Sebastian and Maya recreating the crime for the entire court. She does feel bad about having to indict Acro, though, due to the circumstances surrounding everything.

Kay does a pretty good job, something which Gumshoe relays as a message to her, at the end of the trial, much to her surprise. Who else would be proud of her is something that she wants to know.

Meanwhile, Miles Edgeworth wonders how he’s going to tell his daughter that he’s still alive upon his return to the country. (and yes, he was the one who told gumshoe to tell kay that he was proud of her)

Farewell, My Turnabout

So, Kay at this point still doesn’t know that Miles is alive. He wants to get everything settled before he makes any grand reveals to anyone. He’s also still trying to figure out how to do it since that wasn’t supposed to happen. Kay wasn’t supposed to think he was dead. He told her that he was leaving, sure, but Kay was also half-asleep when he did. So, misunderstandings~

Meanwhile, Phoenix takes the girls (Maya, Pearl and Kay) to the Hero of Heroes Grand Prix. Kay’s gotten decently close to the members of Wright & Co. over the past few months, that much is clear by now.

Kay gets upset about Corrida’s murder because ya know. Jammin’ Ninja fan. She hopes that Engrade gets locked away for doing it. Maya thinks she just doesn’t like the Nickel Samurai, which isn’t that far off. Kay just doesn’t like Engarde thanks to reading Klavier’s tabloid magazines. She never gets to explain the contents of those magazines, though. Phoenix finds out about them later.

Things take a sharp turn when Maya is called to the front desk to answer her “call”. Kay goes with Maya because ya know. Buddy system. (”girls don’t let each other go anywhere alone, nick!” “*sigh* i will never understand teenagers...”)  i think. you know. where this about to go--

So, yeah. Kay gets kidnapped alongside Maya. She puts up a pretty decent fight against de Killer (look at the people she was around growing up, Kay probably does know a little self-defense), but in the end, she still gets ‘napped. And so, Phoenix has to defend Engarde or the two girls will “disappear”.

Things are made worse, as Phoenix is accosted by two teenage boys who can’t get in touch with their third musketeer who didn’t show up for school that day. He’s just trying to do his job, but Klavier and Sebastian are really stubborn and will not leave him alone.

And everything gets worse when Miles makes his grand revival. And then is made the prosecutor for this case. So, Phoenix is not having a very good week at all.

Phoenix and Gumshoe are doing the best to keep the fact that the girls are being held hostage from Edgeworth and the boys. Emphasis on try. All three know that there’s something going on, but they can’t figure out what.

Meanwhile, Kay and Maya are in a wine cellar. Kay has tried several times to break down the door, but it hasn’t worked. de Killer took their phones, so they have no way of contacting the outside. They’re screwed unless they can escape.

Maya realizes that they do have a way to contact the outside and uses her spirit channeling powers to contact Mia, and with Kay’s help manages to explain what’s going on and giving a message to Mia to give to Phoenix.

So, Pearl finally reveals her spirit channeling powers. It freaks Phoenix out at first, but he gets over it quickly because at this point, he’s kind of used to Fey Family Weirdness.

The first part of the trial goes on as pretty much the same as it did before. Afterwards, Phoenix does his best to keep the fact that the girls are kidnapped from Miles because he’s gonna flip the fuck out. And he fails. And Miles kind of does flip out.

So, de Killer and Engarde (more so de Killer because he did his research, he knows the connection with Kay that Edgeworth has) have two pawns to work with and dangle over both the prosecution and defense. And now Edgeworth has two assistants on his side: Sebastian and Klavier, who don’t want to see Kay hurt. However, as future prosecutors, they can’t do much to help Phoenix. So, they help out with the investigation (and using the excuse as this being extra credit for anyone who asks why there are two teenagers here.)

On the other side, Maya and Kay break out of the room they were locked in thanks to a card Maya finds. Things go about as well as they do canonically, but with more struggle. Kay makes a fucking mess trying to defend herself and Maya from de Killer, which will later show the police that something definitely went down here (and concerning the heck out of a good handful of people in the process).

Kay may not know the truth about the Yatagarasu yet, but she sure is acting like the Yatagarasu.

The investigation goes about as well as you expect it to. Klavier and Sebastian are doing their best, but they can’t do much since they’re still only students. And Miles is worried as hell for Kay and ends up wanting to tear Engarde apart. Klavier is right to not like Engarde, as was Kay earlier.

When the trial starts up again, you have both the prosecution, the defense and a few members of the gallery nervous as hell. Gumshoe is doing his best to find the girls, but Miles and Phoenix still need to stall for time.

They do their best, but things are going about as well as they do canonically with Edgeworth being more on edge due to Kay being in danger. And the last time he saw her was when he left. So, he wants to be able to reconcile with her.

Things go on much like they do in canon. The note, Gumshoe’s accident, etc. Mia’s with Kay, doing her best to help, but she’s not sure what more she can do because the girls are weak and tired from being held captive for so long.

More worry on both parts.

When de Killer threatens to kill Maya and Kay when Edgeworth and Phoenix press him and try to get more time, Miles is also there to beg him to leave them alone. This is also the first time that Miles openly refers to Kay as his daughter.

Not much is different there out. They manage to expose Engarde as the asshole that he is, the girls are released and Engarde is declared guilty.

The scene with Franziska at the airport and Phoenix giving Miles the whip takes place a bit earlier, as that’s where Miles goes first before going to meet with Kay. Because he’s still trying to figure out how he’s going to talk to Kay again.

Phoenix and the others meet Maya and Kay at the hospital (Kay and Maya were held captive without much food or water for about three days, and Kay has a few minor injuries from de Killer, so they do need medical attention). Maya has a tearful reunion with Mia (as channeled by Pearl), and Kay gets tackled by her friends on both sides.

And then Miles Edgeworth walks into the room a short while later and Kay does not know what to say. She thought that he was dead for over a year, and a lot of things start bubbling to the surface. She starts tearing up because she thought she would never see Miles again, and he with her.

As soon as he gets close enough, Kay hugs him and calls him stupid in a couple different ways. Miles accepts it and apologizes for making her worry. He promises not to vanish like that again, and returns the promise that Kay made in part 2: to not keep secrets from her again.

So, what they didn’t get at the end of part 2, Miles and Kay finally get at the end of JfA: a chance to actually rebuild and reconcile their relationship without anything getting in the way.

So Justice for All ends on a pretty good note.

That may be the end of Justice for All, but it’s not the end of the story. There are still more ripples to come and fun shenanigans.

[graedari]

Also for the character thing!! Either Maya or Godot?

Okay so!!!! (this is going under a read more since I'm gonna do both!)

Maya:

First impression

She is such a cute and lovable character! I honestly was super excited to learn about her powers and I just love her interactions with Phoenix in the trilogy. Honestly felt like she was truly a younger sister to me while I played TTwTT

Impression now

GOD I LOVE HER. She has so much depth and she's been through so much. Gosh!!!!

Favorite moment

Okay- you haven't gotten here yet Lav, since this scene is from Spirit of Justice, but I just love her talk with Rayfa about responsibility and roles you are born into and how you choose to fulfill them and make a point to do it right by your way! it just really hit me, but I also really loved Rayfa and know she needs a good role model like Maya who experienced similar stresses and expectations over being the Master of Kurain village!

Idea for a story

I would love to see a story about her rebuilding her relationships in her family. Helping shape Pearl into the person she is when she helped raise her after Morgan got put in jail; finally getting closure over Mia's death and not forgetting her memory; getting some more closure over the whole Misty thing as well; building a relationship with Iris, whom deserves to have a chance at being a better person and rejoining the Fey family; etc!

Unpopular opinion

I don't know if this is really unpopular when a majority of the people in the fandom tend to ship Narumitsu, but like, I don't really like Narumayo? I much more see them as brother/sister relationship! (But also no hate if someone does ship it! Just not how I saw their relationship while playing! I know the devs hint towards it more often than not!)

Favorite relationship

Okay, romantic wise, I am a simp for FranMaya. God I love that ship. The dichotomy of their personalities BUT THE SYMBOLISMS OF EXPECTATIONS AND LEGACIES OF THEIR FAMILIES. CHEF KISS. PLEASE CAPCOM

But I also just love the little family she created for herself with the OG trilogy team of Mia, Pearl, Phoenix, Edgeworth, Fanziska, and Gumshoe! Always makes me smile :)

Favorite headcanon

I know it's sorta canon that both her and Miles are Steel Samurai fans, but I just love the idea that the fandom collectively shared in them becoming friends almost behind Phoenix's back and are always texting about Steel Samurai stuff and I just love the relationship of Miles and Maya as sibling bantering (ALSO I WILL SOMETIMES HOP ON THE MILES IS SOMEHOW A FEY HC THAT PEOPLE WILL THROW OUT SOMETIMES)

And now...

Godot:

First impression

I was /not/ a fan. I had really grown to like Fanziska and Miles and was disappointed that they didn't carry over into the next game. His mannerisms also kinda set me off, and I didn't really like him? Just kinda rubbed me the wrong way. I know that Miles and Franziska were also mean to Phoenix during cases, but like they were charming about it? And Godot just felt a little too mean for no reason?

Impression now

I love funny coffee man. He definitely grew on me after the first case. I also deeply love the interlocking backstory between Mia, Phoenix, Dahlia, and him. I really love how complex he is and that he recognizes by the end that he was much more deeply flawed and wrong about his intentions.

Favorite moment

Anytime he mentions how many coffees he's had. Shit cracks me up.

But in all honesty. I just love the scene he's confessing about how he realized his intentions to keep Maya safe were not truly his leading ones and that he reflected how his revenge for Mia had blinded him. It just really hit me and I'm like- damn. Okay. Cool. Now I actually feel bad for him.

Idea for a story

I would love to see him maybe out of prison at some point, rehabilitated, maybe running his own coffee shop that the other's frequent. Maybe even as just a background location. Him possibly seeking out Maya to patch things up between them and then maybe even seeking out to speak to Mia with her or another medium to get his own closure as well (maybe even ask to speak to Misty to apologize for murdering her despite it being a fail-safe for their plan)

Unpopular opinion

I do not like Miego. I thought it was kinda cute to begin with, but then I kinda died off on it... I mean- I can kinda see it sometimes, but like... Idk.. I changed my mind about it I guess.

Favorite relationship

Godot x Coffee

Favorite headcanon

This is 100% from the art that @/_julia_cheesecake_ has done, but it fucking sends me anytime they draw some of the killers in jail. But just Godot interacting with Kristoph there just fucking ends me. I think they only drew it once, but at least once a month, I like to imagine that Godot calls Kristoph a twink

[hotel-japanifornia]

I know pepole get upset about how Maya is sometimes treated as a child by fans and it annoys me too but I think Pearl has it way worse. It's just weird that people still seem to think she would be obsessed with her cousins love life, I totally get why she did as a child but she's 18 now. This also goes for Narumitsu shippers who do the same with her but with Phoenix and Edgeworth although I don't see it as often. I was glad to see she seems to not act like this in the newer games. I mean she didn't do much in the games in general but there's so much more to her then being a shipping vehicle and I wish she was treated better.

I believe it’s creepy that people insist on Pearl being an in-universe shipper when she’s 18 years old. Wanting your cousin to be with a man who’s genuinely kind to her due to all of the broken marriages you’ve seen as a child is one thing; but it’s a completely different thing for her to still be doing that as a teenager. The fact that Pearl was able to realize that Maya and Phoenix were just happy being friends and subsequently decided stop pushing for them to date, is much healthier than her being like “MR. NICK AND MYSTIC MAYA MUST FUCK!”

If you ask me, it’s a bigger issue than Wingman Maya. Wingman Maya can be annoying as hell and way too infantilized; but at best, that’s all she is. People at least manage to remember she likes burgers, they just focus way too much on it and push her other positive qualities aside. However, that’s not necessarily something exclusive to Wingman Maya; plenty of bad fanfiction involving her does that even if it’s not Narumitsu or shippy at all.

In-universe shipper Pearl is cringy at best and creepy at worst. There seems to be this fact that the fandom often forgets: as a child, Pearl only ever majorly focused on her cousin’s love life. Is there a few moments in 2-4 where she reacted to hearing about Celeste’s relationship with Juan and hearing about Oldbag’s relationship with Edgeworth? Yes, but those were very brief and the latter feels like it was included for comic relief. Besides those, Pearl doesn’t care about anyone else’s love life. So, having her be a matchmaker for Narumitsu, or any other pair of your choosing is extremely out of character. Having her still regard Phoenix and Maya’s relationship as a teenager the same way she did when she was eight is a huge no-no as well. 

Much like Wingman Maya, Pearl tends to have her other positive qualities eclipsed. In canon, Pearl is a very naïve; kindhearted; and sheltered little girl. She doesn’t know much about the outside world, and it’s implied that her mother was at best, physically abusive (she was so terrified of getting a spanking that she told Phoenix not to tell Morgan about the Urn breaking). Much like Maya, Pearl is also deeply devoted to her family: the only reason she was willing to follow her mother’s plan is because she said it would be “for the good of the Fey clan.”. When said plan goes awry, and Maya’s mother is killed, Pearl feels such a sense of overwhelming guilt that she runs away, and prays for her cousin and Phoenix’s happiness in their lives without her. She genuinely believed that if her cousin ever saw her again, that Maya would snap at her and condemn her for what Morgan did; which is why she’s so taken aback when Maya doesn’t do any of that at the end of 3-5.

I heavily agree with you that removing her shipper tendencies as a teenager was for the better. Pearl still being sweet and innocent 9 years later is something I can get behind (especially if you’re like me and believe Maya raised her, making sure that she didn’t grow up to be embittered by her childhood trauma), but that’s just...no. I honestly hope that the next time Pearl and Maya interact, it’s just the two of them being caring towards one other. Maybe imply that Maya adopted her, but don’t state it outright.

In closing: it’s pretty gross that there are members of the fandom who condemn Wingman Maya but at the same time, continue to push in-universe shipper Pearl.

[darlingsdevil]

The Ballads of Rebirth (Arthur Morgan x Reader)

Chapter 14: Sunlight and Storms

Masterlist

A/N: this is it, we’ve got two more chapters to go! I apologize for the hiatus, I’ve been working on a lot of other projects. I was also really excited to publish this chapter, I think it’ll be a good one!

Tag list: @rollyjogerjones

•••

You waited for Lee’s heavy footsteps to reach the second floor before speaking. You weren’t sure what to say, no comprehensible sentence could be formed. All you knew was that Arthur was alive, he was alive and he was here standing in front of you.

God, he was handsome. Arthur leaned against the counter next to you, his shoulders brushing against yours.

“How’d you end up here?” Arthur asked first. You could tell there was more he wanted to say.

“We stopped here for awhile. I decided this is where I wanted to stay and the Marston’s left,” You explained, this was so much harder than you were expecting.

“How did you find me, Arthur?” You turned to face him.

“John sent a letter,” He responded, looking into your eyes. His eyes were brighter than the last time you saw him, all those months ago when you said goodbye.

“How is John?”

“I’m sure he’s gotten into some trouble one way or another,” Arthur chuckled lightly. You couldn’t break his gaze, you stared at him like he was the only thing in the universe, the only thing you would ever see again.

Arthur was here, he was standing next to you, he was living, he was breathing. Arthur was still yours, but were you still his? The lines had been blurred over the last few months, you had given up Arthur the moment you told Lee you loved him, and you were contempt with that for a while. After all, in your minds eye, Arthur was dead, but he was here now.

“Arthur, can I ask you a question?” After not seeing him for so long, it felt strange to talk to him.

Arthur nodded, “Course, honey, you can ask me anything.”

Arthur’s eyes were like emeralds, dazzling like the waters of Richfield. Such a stark a contrast to the dark brown eyes of Lee. Lee’s eyes were like a warm fire in the cold woods, Arthur’s were similar to the open sky on a warm summer's day. Equally intriguing.

“How did you make it out?”

Arthur inhaled deeply, breaking his gaze away from you.

“Charles. He found me, took me back to Wapiti, a woman there helped me get better. Mahala, was her name. She was like the mom I never had.”

You stared at him again, your breath suddenly getting caught in your throat. You threw your arms around him, falling into his chest. Arthur felt like home, something you had even realized you had missed. Tears fell freely from your eyes, you couldn’t hold back any longer.

“I’ve missed you,” You mumbled into his chest, he brushed your hair lightly. Tears fell onto his shirt, but Arthur didn’t mind, nothing in this whole world could pull him away from you.

His voice was like whiskey, “I know. I missed you too.”

You cried harder. The walls you had so intricately placed up to guard you from the life you left behind came crashing down. The avoidance of talking about Arthur, your friends, your old family. None of that mattered now. All that mattered was that Arthur was alive.

“What am I gonna do, Arthur?” You asked him quietly, your voice barely heard.

“I don’t know, sweetheart. You gotta do what you wanna do, not play two sides at once.”

“The wedding is in less than two weeks.”

“It’ll all be okay by then.” Arthur continued brushing your hair, patting down the unruly pieces.

“Are you sure?”

“I am,” Arthur pulled away from you. Tears stained your face.

You were being torn between two men, you loved both dearly. You could barely wrap your head around having to choose, it was inevitable of course. Lee was the new, comforting escape from the rugged life you had known, the one you worked so hard to run away from. Arthur was the man who had been with you since day one, the one who had saved you from a life of captivity.

Your life would have been totally different if Arthur had never gotten that disease, the disease that tore you away from him even in his ‘final’ moments. You would have never ended up in Richfield, instead living in some quiet home in West Elizabeth like you had always hoped. A ranch, with animals, sprawling fields. A few children perhaps, a daughter that looked like Arthur, a son that looked like you. A peaceful life like you had always dreamed of. Was it wrong of you to wish you had never ended up in Richfield? Was it wrong of you to wish you had never met Lee? Lee was your fiancé, the man you loved. But you also loved Arthur.

“I’m so sorry, Arthur.”

“It ain’t your fault, you couldn’t have known.” Arthur’s face broke your heart. Like he had already accepted his fate, assuming you would pick Lee. He wouldn’t want to tear you from your fiancé, even if you were his first.

“I don’t want to leave you.” Tears started falling again, like raindrops on the roof of the apartment.

“I don’t want you to leave me either. But I ain’t gonna stop you from what you want.”

“I can’t - I can’t do this.” You started panicking, your chest felt tight. What did you want? What was the choice? Arthur’s eyes widened at your worried face. You turned away from Arthur, placing your hands on the counter to balance yourself.

Arthur or Lee?

Past or present?

You felt dizzy, Arthur’s words blurring in your ears. The lights were too bright in the store, pressure seemingly slowly building up in your head. Tears welled in your eyes, panic rising in you.

Arthur pulled you close to him, just his presence was comforting. He was your grounding force.

“Shhh.. it’ll be alright,” Arthur whispered to you, your face nuzzled next to his chest. Your chest heaved with sobs, you could barely breathe.

“Why didn’t you look for me sooner, Arthur?” You finally asked him. All of this could have been avoided if he had just come sooner.

Arthur paused, “I was sick for a long, long time. I could barely get out of bed, let alone look for you across the country.”

“I’m sorry,” You sniffled. Arthur rubbed your back soothingly, you breathing finally slowing.

You looked up at Arthur, through tear filled eyes, Arthur still thought you were the most beautiful thing in the world, you were a goddess in his eyes, even if you were crying.

The love you felt in his arms was undeniable, like his hold was exactly where you were meant to be. Two lovers connected by fate itself.

You leaned up to him, feeling the emotion between you and Arthur. It was almost electric, your heart soared as you looked up at your husband.

Arthur was really here.

Arthur leaned forward, gently held your face, pressing a soft kiss on your lips. Your eyes fluttered shut, your heart pounding. It was something you never thought you would ever experience again from him. He kissed you so sweetly, yet so passionately, it felt just like the first time.

When Arthur pulled away, your lips still relishing his warmth, you looked at him with love filled eyes. It felt like nothing in this world could tear you from him, not even death itself.

Lee’s footsteps broke you from your trance, and you quickly took a step away from Arthur. Arthur’s face flashed with hurt as you looked towards Lee.

“I need to go back to the police station. Will you come with me and fill out the rest of the report?” Lee asked you, shutting the door to the staircase behind him.

You nodded, “Sure, can you let me change first?”

You already felt guilty, like you betrayed Lee. But Arthur’s kiss just felt so right, it confused you to no end.

“Yeah. My father's asleep by the way,” Lee said, grabbing his coat from the rack.

“We both know your father wouldn’t wake up if a gun was shot right next to your ear,” You laughed playfully, trying to hide the turmoil that was brewing inside.

“You’re probably right,” Lee responded with a laugh of his own. Arthur leaned silently against the counter, watching the two of you interact. There was something so natural between you and Lee. The conversations always seemed to flow.

You slowly walked up the steps, feeling closer and farther away than you had ever been from either of them.

Mr. Rinascita’s soft snores could be heard through the door as you reached the first platform. You wondered if he knew you were home.

It felt almost strange to be in your apartment again, everything the same way you had left it. The same disheveled sheets. The only thing new was the empty bottle of bourbon on the counter. It was disheartening knowing Lee resorted to drinking, it seemed a thousand emotions would be ripping through you tonight. It was a mistake to run away, even if it was just what you had needed. You had people waiting for you at home, and Lee clearly hadn’t taken it lightly. Arthur was used to your impulsiveness, but Lee wasn’t.

You slowly shimmied out of your dirty clothes and put on a new skirt and a white blouse. You examined your battered body in the mirror, scratches littered your face, your feet still ached and you felt undeniably tired, your limbs feeling heavy. All you wanted to do was crash in your soft bed. Your locket remained in pristine condition, the pearl in the center still as shiny as ever. It seemed the wolf had spared your most prized possession.

You couldn’t shake the guilt that inched in your blood, you had kissed Arthur, and you were to be married in less than two weeks. Arthur was your husband, but Lee was your fiancé, and you couldn’t cheat on Lee.

When you came back down, no longer in your wolf torn clothes, Lee gave you a big smile, innocent and playful. Arthur simply stared at the floor, barely readable. You avoided looking at Arthur, he would break your heart if you did.

Lee grabbed your coat for you, and held the door open. You stepped outside into the bright street. It seemed Richfield, the land of new opportunity, was always bustling.

You turned to look at Arthur through the glass, as Lee ushered you away. Arthur could easily see the guilt on your face the moment you looked at Lee.

Once he was out of view, you faced forward.

“We should talk too, you know. We haven’t really gotten the chance,” Lee told you, his hand around your waist.

You felt uneasy at another discussion, you would have to choose one of them in the end, but in the meantime you would have to deal with both of their worries about losing you. You couldn’t imagine breaking either of their hearts.

“We haven’t been to the pier in a while,” You responded.

“Yeah we could go there after we visit the police station. I’m sure it won’t take long.”

•••

The police station trip was short. Lee introduced you to an officer, Mr. Clark. You answered all the questions he threw at you with ease, after all you were once a conwoman, Hosea’s right hand woman in all jobs. Even jabbing questions, it was more like an interrogation than a report. You assumed Officer Clark was simply a thorough man.

You never felt comfortable around the police, after living as an outlaw for your whole life, you had to keep reminding yourself you weren’t here to be persecuted. After all, Officer Clark was just doing his job.

When you left with Lee, your uneasiness did not go away. It started like a slow and steady stream, the closer you got to the pier it rose in you like whitecaps on a windy day. The thought of kissing Arthur made your head spin, and then going and talking with Lee about everything? That was a recipe for a mean headache.

When you finally arrived at the pier, it was crowded with people. Couples strolled, fishermen cast out their lines and children laughed playfully, zigzagging through the crowds. The pier became less crowded the further you walked, after all it was incredibly long. The waves lapped gently against the sides of the pier, it calmed your nerves slightly.

Lee was tense too, you could feel his tense shoulders every time they brushed against yours. It felt strange to do something so domestic with him after the events of the week. When you finally reached the end of the pier, you leaned against the railing.

“It looks like it might storm,” Lee began, looking up towards the overcast sky. It was sunny when you had left, but it seemed Mother Nature had other plans for the afternoon.

“It might,” You responded dimly. There was a moment of silence between you, you stared out over the waters. Lee leaned next to you, you glanced at him briefly.

“My father isn’t doing too good. He told me he stopped taking his medicine,” Lee sighed.

“What? Why would he do that?” Your mouth agape.

“He spewed some bullshit about ‘not wanting to waste away’.” Lee bit his lip, glancing at you.

“Oh my god,” You gasped, covering your mouth with your hands. Neither you or Lee would be able to convince Mr. Rinascita, you couldn’t force someone to live.

“I tried to tell him to go back to the doctor for more, but he wouldn’t listen to me.”

“But he’ll die if he stops taking the medicine.”

“I know. He's dying. My father is dying.” Lee choked out.

You reached out towards him, pulling you close to him, you wrapped your arms around his torso. Lee melted into your touch.

“I’m so sorry, Lee,” You spoke quietly.

“I thought we had more time..” Lee mumbled. You brushed his hair. You could feel Lee shake under you. You had never felt more guilty in your entire life. You ran away, you kissed Arthur, Lee’s father signed his life away. Lee had lost so much.

“I don’t think he will even be well enough to go to the wedding.. I think we’ll have to move it to the end of the week.”

You felt like you had been slapped in the face.

“The end of the week?” You managed to choke out.

“I know it’s not what you imagined.” Lee pulled away from your hold. Your eyes wide, processing what he had said.

You shook your head. “I’m not sure what to do. I don’t want to leave you,” You confessed to him, searching his eyes.

The wind picked up, the rain would start falling soon.

“You already have.” Lee smiled at you sadly.

“What? Lee, what are you saying?” You asked him, your heart dropping to your stomach. The wind whipped your hair around.

“I saw you, I saw you kiss him.”

You gasped. Lee turned away from you. You had betrayed Lee, the man you loved dearly. And he knew it too.

“I-” You began, but Lee cut you off.

“I saw it the moment you laid eyes on him. You had already chosen him, it’s always been him,” Lee said bitterly, turning back to face you.

The rain started. Thunder boomed in the distance.

“That’s not true,” Your voice rose.

“Why? Why did you have to run away?” Lee shouted, his face contorted with pain.

Tears came as quickly as the rain had started.

“I couldn’t handle it, Lee. I couldn’t! I didn’t mean to hurt you!” You sobbed, your face feeling hot. Your chest felt heavy, Lee’s heartbroken face would forever be ingrained in your mind.

The rain soaked your clothes, heavy droplets falling over Lee’s face.

Lee was a storm. And he would rain down today.

“Well you fucking did,” Lee fell to the ground, his chest heaving. You fell next to him, holding him in your arms. You both stayed that way for a while, both crying. Even the sky expressed it’s sorrow for you. The rain continued falling relentlessly.

“Don’t leave me, please,” Lee’s voice broke. It was louder than the thunder, than all the noise in the entire universe. He gripped you so tightly, like the moment you let him go you would disappear. And it broke your heart.

Lee had lost everything there was to lose. He couldn’t lose you.

In that moment, your mind was made up. You knew what your choice was.

The storm had came. Lee was the storm in your life. Coming abruptly, changing everything.

•••

[talesofealdancynedom]

Amadeus Rosethorn, in fairy robes; He’s an all grown up professional travel paladin!

Tale 17: Calliope Cwenfyre, Amadeus and Andromada Rosethorn (chapter 2 - Amadeus 2/5) part 3. Stories of True Love

self harm

Amadeus Rosethorn was a fair boy from a wealthy wizard family. The wealth came from the large property of Rosethorn manor, and its magic garden, in which homed rare and exclusive plant fey for centuries. The traditions of watering, singing, gathering, and preparing these botanical treasures, was a long running family tradition that effected the whole magic community. Amadeus was the only heir of the Rosethorn manor; As his mother was the only remaining owner of the assets, and did not want more children.

Though born in the Grand West, his half Far South heritage would make one suspect Amadeus, and his father Gemini, to look far more different than they were. Unlike his father however, Amadeus was born a pale as snow without having to go dark. No magic charge was required to change his colours to the nearly unnatural; Which should have been the first sign he was a mage. His father, Gemini Wintersleep, was the witch of the magical forest village of Pepperidge, in the Grand West. Gemini got his magical political position by local recomendation, as he was well known and liked. Amadeus was a single child, with prestigious parents, and a lot of expectations to live up to.

Amadeus’s mother wanted him to marry a girl who was also in a magic house; and he never quite knew why. It came with extracurricular grooming, to give heritage tours of the property, manage finances, please the tree fey, and have proper formal etiquette. His mother obsessively raised Amadeus in hopes he would be a responsible owner of the old property, that supplied the world with rare magic herbs. If he wasn’t a capable successor, Rosethorn manor would be claimed as heritage site, by the government of The Grand West. Which was a group of wizards that did not know how to care for it properly. But Amadeus’s life on Rosehtorn manor was about to get better. When Amadeus was six, his aunt Tchichi and cousin Rah, moved in from the Far South. They were refugees, as his uncle was being abusive. This gave Amadeus a sibling, but no escape from his mother’s form of love. She wanted him well off; even more then he already was. He was not spoiled, because Gemini refuted his mother’s wishes to give him needless niceties, and though Amadeus should know what things are worth. And be vaccinated. In general, Amadeus became a balanced nobleman, and knew what he was worth. Financially and globally.

At thirteen, Amadeus was unaware of how bad the pressure to be the next Rosthorn owner bothered him. Desiring control, as he could not determine his future, Amadeus began to take his feelings out on an awkward boy he passed while biking around the Capitol. Amadeus had been sent to study magic at the acclaimed paladin academy of the Grand West. Only the best for for his mother’s little boy. Unknown to Amadeus, the boy he bullied was rejected, or more prevented, from attending magic school like him. This was Morgan Cyendom. Amadeus would go to no end to prank or ridicule Morgan, about his magical failure and crushed dreams; usually while taunting him, by using magic in front of him. Amadeus would intervein Morgan’s yearning to visit the wizard markets, almost daily. They kept crossing paths outside magic districts. Unknown to Amadeus, Morgen went home, after an entire day of ridicule, to a mundane bungalow to be beaten roughly for being tardy, as his family assumed, he had been around magic. Morgan was not allowed to use magic, as a family tragedy made his parents to fear magic; and thus, his safety around it. Over time, violence was used as a deterrent.

Meanwhile, Amadeus would go home on the weekends, to the luxurious Rosethorn Manor; It had two large magical courtyard gardens, back and front, which homed the precious mythical flora. The black marble block walls surrounding the property, were topped with rose engraved gothic pearl spikes, and matching front gate. The mansion was also black: wood stain, tiles, carpet, flooring, and wallpaper. The exception being accents in each room that where white, such as: furniture, floor bords, window frames, curtains, and rails. Amadeus resided with his loving parents, aunt, and caousin; and there was lots of room for everybody. Amadeus and his cousin Rah might of well have been twins, given how close they were. Inside this beautiful heirloom, it was safe and wonderous; the exact opposite of Morgan’s situation at the time. When Amadeus or Morgan went home, Morgan said nothing about his bully or going near magic. And Amadeus didn’t mention how he loathed his life’s expectations, and how it led to him tormenting a stranger. However, when his parents found out, Amadeus was expelled from the paladin academy, and placed in the troubled youth and international magic school, outside his home village.

In third year, at his local magic school, Amadeus saw Morgan again. thus, he attempted yet again to taunt him. Morgan seemed to have arrived in classes out of nowhere. It was rumored Morgan had disappeared for about two years, and was placed in the academy by the government. He also brought a lovely lady, Emilia, and his cousin Regina; both of which limited Amadeus’s opportunities to get at Morgan. Morgan now had a familiar, a girlfriend, and was attending the same classes as Amadeus. Morgan quickly became the school’s top seer, and proved himself capable with a sword, and communing with fey. It provoked Amadeus. Falling in love with Scarlet Stankild, who was a lovely heartman with a Dalmatian familiar, and being the school’s top paladin, was not enough. Amadeus was convinced he was not worthy of his family’s fortune or prestige; even if in the back of Amadeus’s mind, he knew he was loved regardless of his accomplishments. Amadeus was at an age where comparison is a plague. Amadeus wanted a familiar, be able to use impressive spells, and have a good reputation like his parents. He felt like Morgan was getting ahead. This poor quiet boy Amadeus ridaculed in the capitol, was on par with his years of training and work. Amadeus was livid. Then, Morgan turned out to be a mage; a person in a magic house, who are born with more magic flow, that wield old, powerful, and forbidden magic.

“That boy at the academy is wearing me down.” Gemini said at dinner. “This Morgan Cyendom, who is a mage; making my job incredibly difficult. Even if he is just another troubled student, and only a seer that restores ancient books, I don’t want dangerous magic in my community; Though I respect his talent. The government is breathing down my neck, as the Grand West can’t sweep this under the rug.”

“You usually don’t disclose work details; this must be a really big deal. I wonder how his family feels…” Amadeus’s mother said. Everyone turned to Amadeus.

“He should be in your year Amadeus. Best you stay away from him for now. The witches want him isolated in Pepperidge, at the academy; to give him an education and support that may prevent him from becoming corrupt and dangerous. Which is likely from what I’ve read.” Gemini said. Amadeus thought he had material to work with; information to pull himself above his rival. Magery was cheating and punishable.

After school one day, Amadeus followed Morgan onto Tiberius Gate, which was just down road from the academy. Morgan had opened Tiberius Gate, and now lived on the gate with his uncle, aunt, and cousin. Amadeus stalked Morgan right into the epicenter of the magic forest, for one more chance to snap at Morgan in private. Just before the tower’s steps, Morgan turned around.

“Why are you following me?” He asked. Morgan was connected to the gate after opening it, and thus felt anyone who was on it. Morgan remembered Amadeus, but gave him the benefit of the doubt. This interaction turned out to be nothing like what either of them were expecting, or intending. Amadeus began to shout and point at Morgan, but his words went from malice to tears.

“Why do you get a familiar? A girlfriend! Powerful magic! An entire magic forest! Two legendary lost swords, by just summoning them! You’re an incompetent, scraggly, worthless wizard! How does a nerdy bookworm, who has never been to magic school, achieve all this! To come to this school, even when you practice dark magic, makes me disgusted. My dad should have Master paladin Melida Daigandun, or Estella Celestine, arrest you! But instead, the Grand West forces him to hide you here. Why do you get those things so effortlessly!?!?!” Amadeus yelled. Most would expect Amadeus to be calm and eloquent, like a spoiled brat, but instead he was in tears of defeat. It would be fair to assume that Morgan would confront this intruder without mercy, yet instead, he put a comforting palm on Amadeus’s shoulder.

“You don’t need a familiar, or be a mage, to be a powerful wizard and paladin. You already are one. I had no idea you were so upset; Is that why you were so mean? Your family must have put a lot of pressure on you to fit a mold, and accept your family inheritances. It didn’t take long for me to hear about it; I wasn’t stalking or anything. Actually, I hear a lot of good things about you; it’s kind of sad you don’t see it.” Morgan said. In all those years Amadeus had tormented him, Morgan had never once wanted to, or did, fight back.

“Want to meet a beast king?” Morgan asked, in a chipper tone. He stood up and reached out to Amadeus with a smile.

“What?” Amadeus said.  He had no clue what a beast king was. Before he could ask, Morgan had grabbed his wrist, and pulled him across Tiberius Gate toward a wolf statue. This work of art was a door that led into the shadow veil. The numb gray ether of Ealden Cyndom that is made of, and is the source of, all magic.

“You said in fey studies, you liked the tree and wolf kingdoms right? Eobreth the Aliki Wolf you see me with sometimes, is the eldest prince of the Wolf King; and my first fey friend! He knows a thing or two about the hunt! The symbol for the wolf kingdom in the rune for hero or king warrior. You might like to meet the Wolf King; since you want to be a great warrior and noble.” Morgan said.

To Amadeus’s surprise, he felt no fear. While common folk or wizards would panic and curdle in the submersion of the shadow veil, mages found it comforting and calm. To them it was like a depravation tank. Looking up, Amadeus saw a giant armored wolf, which Morgan introduced as the Wolf King. The Wolf King was so large, with such a booming growl, and grand shining armor, it was terrifyingly radiant. Morgan then began introducing Amadeus as an acquaintance. Amadeus began to panic in confusion; he was certain Morgan and himself were supposed to hate each other. Yet, Morgan appeared to be doing him a favour. Amadeus barely heard what the Wolf King said. The shadow veil became the least of his concerns.

“A boy mage like you, from a house of the tree kingdom, is before me wishing to be a grand hero? Come here, I will give you something special to me, that will give you better control of your magic; and give you the ability to transform into one of my children. You will have their abilities and magic as well.” He growled. “You need only make a pact with a wolf child. I think it should be a moon serval. I made these children from my essence, to be guardians of weary travelers; it would suit you well! In a pact with my child, you will oath to let my brother King Mage Morgan be your friend, and guard those you love well. Be careful though; if a fey dies inside the warg mage who is enfeyed with it, will die too. Do not be burdened by grief, or betray your pact.” The Wolf King proposed.

In awe, and not objecting to the offer, Amadeus irrationally agreed to the pact. As the king said, being imbued, or enfeyed, with the magic of a consenting contracted fey, made a person a warg; someone who could turn into a fey at will. It also gave them properties of that fey and more magic to work with. It was a kingly gift to a paladin. When they returned to the day veil, Amadeus thanked Morgan.

“How can I ever repay you? After all I’ve done to you. I am in your favor, and a paladin at your side in any quest. I am so sorry for treating you poorly; I do not deserve your kindness.” Amadeus said.

“It’s ok Amadeus. I know bullies only lash out because they hurt too. I was never mad, I had bigger things to deal with,” Morgan shrugged. “Guess this means we’ll be friends at school tomorrow?” Morgan laughed. Amadeus nodded yes.

Morgan and Amadeus had been friends for a few months; and in that time, they had talked to each other about their lives and troubles. They both turned out to need that. Amadeus had also begun to pick up some magery, now that he knew he was one. Morgan had all the resources he needed. But the whole time, Amadeus felt a particular ache in his heart after learning Morgan’s full story. At lunch break, Amadeus saw scars on Morgan’s forearms during an arm-wrestle with his cousin Reggie. Amadeus was shocked in guilt. His friend Morgan, that he once bullied every day, was being beaten and deprived of his dreams at the same time. Morgan needed help, and Amadeus had no clue. When Morgan needed a friend most, Amadeus was making his life worse. He was bullying a broken man shamelessly. If he had known, he would have been that friend. Amadeus’s apology to Morgan was well received, but did not provide the closure Amadeus needed. Now he felt like a terrible friend.

When Amadeus went home for the weekend, he found Rosethorn manor occupied by his family and friends. His dad was a good host, and these fancy parties were nothing new. In fact, Amadeus used to like them; that’s how he met Scarlet. His father was at the door to greet him when he walked in.

“Son, you look so sad. It’s your birthday, and I organized you a nice little party. What’s wrong?” Gemini asked. Amadeus had forgotten it was his birthday; being so focused on his guilt.

“Oh, that’s why there are so many people here. I guess I forgot. I have a lot of things going on.” Amadeus said.

“I know. I hear from Rah you have been doing well in school, and made some new friends. I’m glad he changed his mind, and decided to peruse magic with you.” Gemini smiled. This did not make Amadeus feel any better. His mother intervened, and rushed Amadeus upstairs to his room. She was so frenzied she didn’t notice Amadeus could have used a hug.

Upstairs, His mother showed him to his room. On his bed were his heirloom fairy robes, white and black, and styled for a mage of the tree kingdom.

“I think your big enough to wear these now! Happy birthday Amadeus.” She said hugging him. Amadeus loved them; he had waited years to receive them. They were authentic, and were thus likely made by the Fairy King, for a mage ancestor. But looking in the mirror, no matter how perfect they were, all he saw was someone of privilege who was a terrible friend.

Gemini went upstairs to check on Amadeus; he was taking so long to get dressed, and looked unwell when he went to change. Gemini found Amadeus crying in front of the mirror in his room.

“What’s wrong? Your robes look lovely, and we’re about to have dinner. Do you need to talk first?” Gemini said, sitting on the bed and making a spot for Amadeus. His mother had been called downstairs after helping Amadeus put on the robes. And Gemini returned to see how his son was holding up. Amadeus leaned in, and gave a sigh.

“I hate myself. I am a terrible friend. My friend Morgan said I am a mage too; and we get along so well, yet it feels so fake after all the time I spent bullying him. And now it’s like he forgives me; he even took me to the Wolf King to become enfayed, and be a better paladin. I don’t deserve it. I care about him now, but the damage is already done; and it’s partially my fault. I could have done something. I could have been there for him.” Amadeus cried. Gemini was not impressed; being a wizard of high standing, who was against magery, did not take well to his son’s words. Even if he loved Amadeus. His father had no problems with Amadeus being a warg, but befriending a mage and studying old magic was unacceptable. At his own party, Amadeus’s father reprimanded him by ordering him to sharpen and polish his heirloom sword. Making a child do something harmless they don’t want to, is often enough negative reinforcement for trivial matters.

Amadeus’s mother was a Rosethorn, but Rah and his father were in the fairy kingdom house of Wintersleep. The old dull magic blade was incredibly valued by Gemini. Gemini wanted Amadeus was to inherit it, but he knew it should belong to his cousin Rah; who was still a Wintersleep in line to get it. Amadeus was having a terrible day. Then he realized he had been presented with an opportunity; legendary magic weapons are made by warlocks, who are mages. He would need to use magery, in front of his family, to restore the sword.

Having a new friend in Morgan, and irritated at his father’s dismay when he needed support, Amadeus proceeded to use mage methods to restore the blade. Any emotions attached to being a perfect Rosethorn predecessor were put aside. Enfeyed with a wolf child made his senses as sharp as all feline and canine fey; Amadeus used a winter steel tuner, to flick the blade and listen to the vibration of the sword. Like a crystal, the sound of every substance has its own frequency, its own flow of magic. Knowing frequencies was used in alchemy, and identification of magical properties. In school, Amadeus learned to recognized the sounds. The sword was also winter steel. Reading the runic, he determined the maker, and identified the blade by a few database searches of the digitized ancient books Morgan had translated. The blade could only be sharpened in a specific way. Warlocks always gave their magic creations intense security measures, to keep anyone who they were not intended for, from using them. Amadeus performed the following with some help from Rah:

           “To sharpen and use this blade that turns all it cuts clean to ice, and I name the Is Sabre of wintersleep; must place it in a transmuted silver basin lined with the names of the winter beast kings along the inner rim, and filled with water transmuted by magic men. Then add the blood of one to inherit it as they sing the song of the frozen lake under a full moons light. As they watch it freeze, and its basin melt. Upon the last note the ice will break, and the heir may pull the blade from its icy sheath; restored once more to original form, power and glory.”

Amadeus handed the sword in mint condition to his father, and walked away from his own birthday party, with Rah and Scarlet. They then proceeded to the tower on Tiberius Gate, to spend the rest of his birthday with Morgan, Reggie and Emilia. He would rather be playing teen party games, then sitting in a room of adults talking about politics. Amadeus never let go of the regret he felt for torturing Morgan, nor his oath to protect his friends as a paladin. He wanted to there for  all their quests.  

Amadeus would tell this tale to Calliope, and his daughter Andromada, when he babysat for Morgan and Emilia. Calliope was Amadeus’s favourite out of Morgan’s four children; because she was the most like her father. Calliope had that sparkle, that reminded Amadeus why Morgan was his best friend. It reminded him of his dreams, oaths, and gratitude. Morgan and Calliope had the same precious glimmer of wonder, curiosity, and kindness, that needs to be protected and nurtured.

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[jojolightningfingers]

heck yeah i am now a proud member of the ‘finished the aa trilogy’ club so here’s thoughts on trials and tribulations

- as much as i hate to say it i really just did not like this game as much as justice for all though it’s no fault of the way the cases are put together. most of my nitpickery came down to the characters, as it tends to. rest assured, i did enjoy actually playing the game though!

- the one-off showings this time around was more not to my taste than not, the only one of them i really enjoyed was ron delite and iris a bit towards the end. luke atmey’s design was slick but i wasn’t really a fan of him outside that. what a pleasant surprise to see adrian again though!

- case 2 made me realize that i’m absolute garbage at trying to juggle the timeline of events in multiple places at once, especially with regards to who is where and what they were doing. in hindsight this is probably the reason i had such issues with rise from the ashes as well. i’m sure some people are better at this than i am so i’m disinclined to say it was an objectively bad case, it did all make sense to me by the end once i’d finished looking through the walkthrough

- recipe for turnabout is probably my least favorite case of the collected 14 in the trilogy. went on for too damn long centered around characters i didn’t give the least bit of a damn about. furio tigre managing to pass himself off as phoenix was more stupid than funny, kudo had me wanting to strangle him at every turn, and viola was more or less a nonentity. i do not and never have cared for maggey’s character type (gumshoe you can do so much better) so i had no real interest in acquitting her. overall the best that came out of it was that it was the game’s peak of maya and phoenix’s constant back and forth gentle roasting of each other and as stated before that’s a highlight of the series for me. so it was bearable but only just.

- can’t decide how i feel about turnabout beginnings. on one hand i appreciate a breather case and the lore that it provided (and seeing a younger edgeworth) but on the other hand, not so into the way mia’s treated. in defense of diego though, he is prodding her to be confident and bold and sure of herself; it’s just his phrasing that i take issue with. edgeworth doesn’t get a pass either but at least he grows out of it.

- there’s a lot to say about bridge to the turnabout but most of it’s related to characters so ill get into that below. in general i certainly think it’s comparable to farewell, my turnabout but i do think it suffers from not being as self-contained. on the other hand, giving us all the dahlia lore and then throwing a lookalike, iris, at us, was a fairly clever way to throw doubt on iris. will it ever be as good as the bit in farewell, my turnabout where you have to defend a man that you know for certain is guilty just to drag the trial out to save someone else? no.

- i was right about morgan making trials and tribulations worse than it had to be but i didn’t think i was going to be right in QUITE that way if you catch my meaning

- still not a huge fan of pearl but i pity her so much. 9-year-olds can’t catch a break in this series huh. 

- in fact i pity maya too, maya does not deserve any of the crap she goes through but she still comes out of it trying to put on a brave face for pearl’s benefit. someone wrap this girl up in a blanket and let her grieve properly please, she clearly needs it.

- godot is a big factor in dragging the trial segments of the game down for me. i’m sure if i was ten years younger i would find his constant spouting of weird coffee metaphors and cryptic bullshit cool and endearing like it was no doubt meant to come off as but i’m with phoenix on this one: his ‘i’m so much smarter than you’ smugness gets on my damn nerves. i do understand and empathize with his motivations in bridge to the turnabout, i think they’re believable, but it doesn’t change the fact that blaming phoenix for mia’s death and for everything that happens to maya, when phoenix could have done literally nothing other than what he did do wrt mia, and straight up almost died for maya just this case (to say nothing of every length he’s gone to for her in previous games), is a huge bitch move!! and i also don’t particularly care for his attitude towards franziska! the one thing about him that i unequivocally did like was the subtle foreshadowing of how he can’t see red on white surfaces, that was pretty well done. otherwise i’ve just got a feeling so Complicated, there’s things i like about him and there’s things i don’t like about him so..... The Jury Is Out.

- i like dahlia quite a lot for reasons i couldn’t exactly place. maybe her being so unapologetically evil was just that entertaining to me, which made thwarting and frustrating her so much more fun. the extent to which she and her actions hurt phoenix was a nice subtlety to try and dig up throughout the game as well.

- and now that i’ve got all the other reasons out of the way....... bridge to the turnabout was my favorite case because edgeworth and franziska were present and i love them and i am a much shallower person than i try to pass myself off as. joking aside it’s always great to see characters you love and getting to spend a little while in edgeworth’s head was a delight, especially his interactions with gumshoe. if this is how aai is the whole game, oh man.

- they really went out of their way to remind everyone that phoenix and edgeworth do care about each other and they didn’t HAVE to but i’m so happy that they did. edgeworth drops his entire life to go and make sure phoenix is okay when he hears that he fell off a bridge and could be dead. edgeworth prioritizes visiting phoenix in the hospital over picking up the case. phoenix’s second, more prominent worry when the earthquake hits on the mountain is if edgeworth is okay. they’re just. constantly thinking of each other. it’s lovely.

- related i like that franziska is also concerned over edgeworth when the earthquake shakes him up even if she does have her own unique way of showing it. this case was really good at showing that she’s brusque, but not heartless. her interactions with pearl and sister bikini were great!

- i know vaguely what phoenix is doing in apollo justice (i.e. being a disbarred bum) but no mention of that was made here so that game’s got some explaining to do! tune in next time!

[leonawriter]

Something that I think could be addressed in some Pearl-centric romance fics, too - what are her own thoughts on entering into romance? 

I’m sure she’d be just as terrified hat she’d get it wrong for herself and her eventual children as she would be excited. Not to mention afraid on an irrational, emotional level that her partner will walk out on her. No matter the gender. 

And if she is with someone of the same gender, and they are incapable of reproducing, then no matter what her significant other, Maya, Phoenix, or anyone else says, she will still end up with not being able to carry on the Fey line, and the anxieties and pressure associated with that, especially if Maya either a) hasn’t found someone yet or b) is in a same-sex relationship herself.

I feel like when people look at Pearl Fey, they don't see her as a character so much as they do a cute young thing that’s there to support their ship. People who ship Phoenix with Maya have it that she’s justified, and can read the situation well (when Maya herself says that Pearl’s only coming to conclusions because of not having any good parental figures and wanting to insert people into those roles, as well as wanting to believe in romance and love that she didn’t see in her own parents. People who ship Phoenix with Edgeworth tend to still have her as shipper on deck, though less so, as that role has been shifted to Maya, and Pearl often ends up still somehow supporting a relationship she’s never seen supporting in the canon (and would actually be upset to hear of, as it would break her daydreams), and in a relationship later on with Trucy, with whom she’s said to be in a ‘sister-like’ relationship.

If we look at Pearls’ own motivations - her wants and needs, so to speak, then we get a clearer picture of where she might end up.

What she wants is that she finds her ‘special someone’, that everyone around her finds theirs, that they all get married, and that they’re all able to live happily ever after. And none of the guys look at other girls than their wives.

What I think she needs is for the idea of people having that ‘special someone’ to be gently demolished, bit by bit, until she’s able to live without it. She needs to be able to know that if things don’t work out for someone with the person they thought was ‘the special one’, then it’s not the end of the world. That life will go on, and all that. 

She also needs to learn that no one knows more about their love life than the people directly involved. She does not know more about Phoenix or Maya’s feelings than Phoenix or Maya themselves. But that sometimes, one needs to take advice, because one can still have their feelings lead them astray. But this does not mean ‘you just don’t know how you feel’.

She needs to be able to fall in love with someone that she loves rather than someone that she thinks that she loves. That love can’t be an obligation. And that if it isn’t working out, then it isn’t working out, and that’s okay.

She needs to learn that people can be friends with people they aren’t in a relationship with... and that people who she thinks are in a relationship can be friends with anyone else at all. And might end up attached to other people, even.

She needs to learn how to prioritise her feelings in regards to looking after herself, her duties as a Fey able to spirit channel, and also concerning her friends. 

‘Is it more important that I am married to this one person who I care about a great deal, or is it more important that I marry this other person I care about less, but who the elders would approve of for the purpose of creating heirs?’

‘Is it more important that I feel justified in the relationship I perceive to be going on, or that these people have the freedom to interact with each other and other people regardless of my feelings?’

Bear in mind that if she has been seen to hit Phoenix and be somewhat controlling of Maya’s interactions (even if just in ‘but you’re supposed to be with Mr. Nick!’) then how will she act with her own significant other? Will she become angry and hit them if they interact with other women, if they are a man, and if they are a woman or NB, will she be paranoid that any outside interaction is her s/o showing interest in someone who is ‘not Pearl’?

Will she have unreasonable expectations of this hypothetical person to live up to her own ideas of what makes a ‘special someone’ in a romantic relationship with her, specifically? 

I do have to wonder how she’d react the first time she and her s/o have a fight, especially a big one which might need mediation. Pearl, being the kind of girl she is, who ran off crying when she thought that Phoenix hadn’t considered Maya’s feelings, who has had a tendency to blow up at people, for whom all of this stems from an abusive childhood (under her mother, Morgan, which led to her being the shy thing we first met in the second game), might easily believe that everything is over, that she’ll never be able to find someone to love again, that they don’t actually love her, or any number of things.

If Pearl has an idealised vision of romance, does she understand that her s/o is going to have habits that she won’t like, and won’t be able to talk them out of? That some things that might seem cute at first aren’t going to stay that way?

I can only say this all in hypotheticals because we aren’t given any solid clues as to how she’d actually deal with any of this. She seems to have become more mature about shipping people together (doesn’t matter what you ship, that’s unhealthy toward people you know in real life, which for her it was) but it isn’t gone.

And I say all of this as someone who loves her dearly as a flawed character, as a character that could have done with being developed more in DD and SoJ. I want people to look at her and give her the three-dimensional, deep reading that she deserves of someone who is flawed, an abuse survivor, and who would have hurdles to overcome that would be amazing to read about.

[iimmcrtalis-archive]

every multimuse question. all of 'em. 1 - 30

   WELP. │ not accepting now christ.

gonna get long

1. is there a muse that you wish gets more attention?

Literally any of them but Faron. But primarily Revas. She is literally my main and I love her so much. Faron’s my boy but the amount of attention he has right now is like hecking me the fuck up not gonna lie. 

 2. if you HAD to choose, who’s your favorite muse?

Revas. Not even a question. I can list them from fave to least fave if y’all want. I love all of them, but favorites are easy. 

3. which muse is the trickiest to get into character for?

So far, most of the canon characters. I’m not used to writing canon characters and I get nervous that I’m not doing them enough justice. 

4. is there a muse that not a lot of people roleplay with?

I unno. I mean most of them. Again, canon characters make me anxious & nervous so I have to work on that. It’s mostly me. 

5. if you HAD to choose, who’s your least favorite muse?

Like to play? iunno yet. as a character? Evelyn. She’s literally the fucking worst. She’s fun to write but hooooo H O OO OO. 

6. which one of your muses have you been playing the longest?

Evelyn, Erin & Vega. Evelyn was my first muse I ever rped and that was like. Years ago. I was still in highschool lm ao. 

7. which one of your muses has the most ships?

Revas, probably? Like, of ones made via writing. Canon characters? probably top her out tho. 

8. what is each of your muses otps? notps?

…. this is so much. otps usually consist of fairly mutual feelings and interest and aren’t fucking pedophiliac. ( lookin @ u she.ith fucks ) notps are. Vast and i have a lot of them. Like this would need to be it’s own post. because it’s way too long for this one, which is already long god. 

9. why were you drawn to each one of your characters?

I relate to them, plain and simple. Or I made them. Canon muses I always relate to. If i didn’t I wouldn’t want to write them. There’s always something I relate to and love about them so immensely that I want to write them. Or i want to write them out of spite towards the fandom or whatever.    Out of all of them, I relate to Grog the most. 

10. which muse is the most fun to write for?

god uhhh. I wanna say probably ones I haven’t written yet!! There’s a lot of them that I’m just really excited to write!! But uhhh. Probably Revas or Vega for ones I have written.  

11. is there another muse you’ve been thinking of adding or writing for? who?

I’m currently debating on adding either Kagome, Sango, or Koga from Inuyasha! Mainly because it’s all I’ve been watching for awhile. I will probably add more one day. 

12. what is something everyone should know about your muses before interacting?

Shipping Rules. And basics about them. My interpretation of canon characters are not the same as your standard shit. I do not adhere to most canon.if you want to know something about ANY AND ALL of them, ASK.

13. what’s a weird headcanon you have for each of your muses?

I’ll keep it short.      • Revas gets more and more bird like over time. Probably puts feathers in her hair and everything.       • Faron likes watching octopi dance bc of soy sauce.       • Eludysia takes care of birds.      • Evelyn enjoys beating people with her prosthesis instead of wearing it.       • Erin digs k-pop.       • Morgan is actually afraid of blackholes and worries about them a lot.       • Grog likes to braid his beard.       • Bruce doesn’t like having a beard or facial hair.       • Terry makes references to memes a lot.       • Noah probs looks after Gansey a lot without him being Aware.       • Adam doesn’t dig sour things because they make his cheeks hurt.       • J’mon Sa Ord is actually a big history & arcane nerd.       • Raven Queen enjoys sweets & tea.       • Sarenrae likes talking to the pearls and souls of her domain.       • Nova would & has punched a fiend straight in the jaw.       • Vega likes cooking and enjoys seeing his friends smile because of his cooking.       • Garrus likes to braid hair bc its a weird feeling but nice.       • Symm? Worship kink probably.       • Reinhardt likes spending time with the younger characters because he likes being a granddad.       • Sombra knows how to spray paint cool shit.       • Wash is uhhhhh scared of dying       • Hisraad thinks everyone is small. Even Bull. ( they’re like 8′. )      • Sehren collects story books to give to her daughter after everythings over.      • Kaaska enjoys making sweets for everyone.       • Meg isn’t as devoted as she pretends to be.       • Rogue is Poly. Not weird but ya know.       • Hawke knows how to sail.       • Ronan would probably be one of those kids at an arcade playing racing games.       • Shiro keeps his hair short bc of habit. 

14. which muse has the most aus or verses?

Currently Revas. Because main focus. But all muses will have fully fleshed out verses in almost all the same areas. if applicable. like some of them won’t be able to transfer well to other universes so. we’ll see. 

15. can you sort your muses from youngest to oldest?

 Adam & Ronan  Noah  Terry  NovaShiroRogueRevasVegaFaron (age hasn’t been update on the muse page)WashSymmSombraMorganHisraadHawkeMegSehrenKaaskaGrogBruceReinhardtErinJ’monEludysiaEvelynRaven QueenSarenrae

i miss anyone? 

16. which muse is most willing to fight another muse?

Erin is ready to throw down with Evelyn at all times. & vice versa

17. do your muses get along with each other?

Some do, ye. would all of them? fuck no. 

18. would you ship any of your muses together? who?

Ronan & Adam. Sombra & Symm. 

19. for each muse, is there a character you wish had a blog so you could interact with them?

Probably.

20. have you ever considered making a multimuse/is it easier having a multimuse?

It’s easier. Much easier. Makes it easier to manage. i originally ran a multimuse ages ago before it was Acceptable™

21. which muse is the most problematic towards other muses?

Evelyn. 

22. which muse is most likely to make new friends?

Revas, Erin, & Vega 

23. which muses’ fandom do you like the best?

Uhhhhhhhhhhhhh uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.  Critrole muses fandom. Only one I like. Legitimately enjoy l m ao.

24. is there someone playing the same muse/s as you and you really look up to them?

Yes!! I really look up to @freedomsacrificed!!! Savvy’s Adam is really amazing and I really hope I can be half as good, but I won’t compare our adam’s bc like. Adam is a good bean and needs more love anyways ;u; I’m not submerged in my other muses community enough anymore to uhh give a shit atm. tbh. t bh .

25. which muse do people send the most asks for?

i dont even. I unno man. I unno. Faron. Always has been always will be I guess?

26. which muse is most likely to have kids?

a lot of them have kids already. but some of them would wanna be a parent one day when the universe decides to fuckin chill. 

27. is there a rule that someone keeps breaking for your muses?

mmmm. people tend to not read abouts. Which is a biggie. but hasn’t happened in a while. 

28. can you sort your muses from weakest to strongest?

I sure can. 

29. which muse are you considering deleting?

A few. Keeping it on the down low currently. 

30. most importantly, are you having fun playing each one of your muses?

Yes and no. Some muses are a struggle and cause me stress when they get overworked. Others are easier, come to me naturally. And a few are rarely written so. 

[ethanalter]

Comic-Con 2017: The Best Classic TV Panels at This Year’s Event

Colin Baker as Doctor Who and Nicola Bryant as Perpugilliam in ‘Doctor Who’ (Photo Credit: Mirrorpix/Courtesy Everett Collection)

San Diego Comic-Con is the place to see all of your favorite shows that are currently on the airwaves. But it’s also an ideal environment for strolling down memory lane, because the past is always present at SDCC. Tucked away amidst all the newer fare are panels and events that celebrate nostalgic favorites, often with the presence of the actors and creators who made them. Here’s Yahoo TV’s alphabetical guide to some of the coolest classic TV celebrations at this year’s Comic-Con.

Adam West Celebration Michael Keaton was replaceable. So was George Clooney. But there will never, ever be another Batman like Adam West. The star of the dynamic ’60s TV series (and its 1966 feature film spinoff) passed away earlier this year and gets the heroic send-off he deserves from the Comic-Con faithful. Long time Bat-fans Kevin Smith and Ralph Garman anchor a memorial service you’d have to be… well, batty to miss. Thursday, July 20, 7 p.m. – 8 p.m., Room 6DE

Adam West as Batman/Bruce Wayne and Burt Ward as Robin/Dick Grayson in ‘Batman’ (Photo Credit: Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images)

Avatar: The Last Airbender: Legend and Legacy If you’re among the Avatar faithful, you’ll almost certainly be bending time and space — along with the air — to make sure that you’re part of this fan-generated event for the defunct Nickelodeon animated series, and its follow-up, The Legend of Korra. Artists and voice actors will celebrate alongside fans. Saturday, July 22, 2017, 10 a.m. – 11:00 a.m., Room 25ABC

Batman: The Animated Podcast LIVE! Batman: The Animated Series: Great version of Batman or the greatest version of Batman? We’ll leave it to you decide. What definitely isn’t up for debate is that this animated classic is turning 25 this year and is celebrating its birthday in style. The voice of the Bat, Kevin Conroy, joins Batman: The Animated Podcast host, Justin Michael, for a special live episode that will also feature some special guests…including (we hope) Arleen “Harley Quinn” Sorkin. Thursday, July 20, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m., Neil Morgan Auditorium, San Diego Central Library

Battlestar Galactica Reunion So say we all! Fresh off a recent get-together at Austin’s ATX Festival, the crew of the good ship Galactica docks in San Diego to share their memories and theories about what the Cylon plan was anyway. Showrunners Ronald D. Moore and David Eick will share the stage with Tricia Helfer, Katee Sackhoff, Mary McDonnell, Grace Park, Michael Trucco, and Aaron Douglas. Sadly, Edward James Olmos seems unlikely to be in attendance, but if anyone deserves a vacation, it’s Admiral Adama. Thursday, July 20, 2017, 2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m., Ballroom 20

Michael Hogan and Edward and James Olmos in ‘Battlestar Galactica’ (Photo Credit: Everett Collection)

Buffy the Vampire Slayer Joss Whedon’s groundbreaking TV series celebrated the big 2-0 in March, and the birthday festivities are continuing four months later. On Friday, members of the show’s art department reunite for a behind-the-scenes look at how the show built such a convincing alternate reality on such a limited budget. On Sunday, authors Edward Gross and Mark A. Altman reveal some of the stories they’ve gathered for their upcoming Buffy oral history, Slayers & Vampires. And remember: Comic-Con ain’t over until the Slayer sings. That’s why an audience participation screening of Buffy‘s beloved musical episode, “Once More With Feeling,” is programmed for SDCC’s waning hours. That’s three different ways to get your stake on. Reunion of the Buffy the Vampire Slayer Art Department: Friday July 21, 2017 7 p.m. – 8 p.m., Room 29AB Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Two Decades With Feeling a 20th Anniversary Celebration: Sunday July 23, 2017, 12 p.m. – 1 p.m., Room 7AB Buffy Musical: “Once More with Feeling,” an Interactive Whedon Musical: Sunday, July 23, 2017, 3:15 p.m. – 4:45 p.m., Room 6BCF

Classic Doctor Who Panel With Lost Episode Preview and Q&A Doctors 5 and 6, Peter Davison and Colin Baker, spend some quality time with ace companion Ace (Sophie Aldred) revisiting past adventures through time and space… including a previously lost Second Doctor story that’s been painstakingly reconstructed. We imagine they’ll have some pearls of wisdom for new Time Lord, Jodi Whittaker, as well. Thursday, July 20, 2017 5 p.m. – 5:50 p.m., Indigo Ballroom, Hilton San Diego Bayfront

The Guild 10th Anniversary Reunion! Before she bedeviled the crew of the re-launched Satellite of Love on the current iteration of Mystery Science Theater 3000, Felicia Day created her own cult sensation in the form of the web series, The Guild. Day and her cast survey The Guild‘s beginnings a decade ago in the company of like-minded gamers and geeks. Saturday, July 22, 2017, 6 p.m. – 6:50 p.m., Indigo Ballroom, Hilton San Diego Bayfront

Hanna-Barbera 60th Anniversary Yabba dabba do… attend this retrospective panel featuring all the cartoon stars you remember from your childhood and/or your parents’ childhood. Fred Flintstone, Yogi Bear, Top Cat, Huckleberry Hound, and Jonny Quest are just some of the iconic, if stiffly-animated, creations conjured into being by the Kings of Saturday morning cartoons. Sunday, July 23, 2017, 2 p.m. – 3 p.m., Room 7AB

Lost Fans Unite With Jay and Jack Still arguing about whether Lost‘s finale was an act of genius or betrayal? Then hash it out with Lost podcasters, Jay and Jack Glatfelter, who can’t stop talking about a show that’s been off the air for seven years. Saturday, July 22, 2017, 3 p.m. – 4 p.m., Neil Morgan Auditorium, San Diego Central Library

Sid & Marty Krofft The sibling duo behind such delightfully weird favorites as Land of the Lost and Sigmund and the Sea Monsters discuss their storied legacy and upcoming projects. C’mon folks: Let’s make these two household names all over again. Saturday, July 22, 2017, 2 p.m. – 3 p.m., Room 23ABC

Kathy Coleman as Holly Marshall in ‘Land of the Lost.’ (Photo by NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)

Through the Gate: Celebrating the Stargate Franchise The Stargate brand was once powerful enough to power three different series: Stargate SG-1, Stargate: Atlantis, and Stargate Universe. So you can bet that the franchise’s minders will be keeping a close eye on attendance levels at this 20th anniversary celebration as they decide where and how the Stargate should reappear. Consider your presence a vote in favor of more trips to Gate-world. Thursday, July 20, 2017, 6 p.m. – 7 p.m., Grand 1 & 2, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina

Star Trek After several false starts, the first Trek series in over a decade, Star Trek: Discovery will finally be unveiled at SDCC. The franchise’s 50-year history is going to be the subject of much conversation as well. Gene Roddenberry’s son, Rod, will share mementos from his father’s extensive archive in a Roddenbery Entertainment-themed panel. Authors and professional Trekkies Mark A. Altman and Edward Gross will also be on hand to revisit notable moments in the show’s (future) history. Finally, Larry “Dr. Trek” Nemecek throws a 30th birthday party for The Next Generation crew, which debuted, rather inauspiciously, in 1987. But it got better! Roddenberry Presents: Thursday, July 20, 2017, 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m., Room 24ABC Star Trek: The Next 50 Years: Thursday, July 20, 2017, 5 p.m. – 6 p.m., Room 25ABC Larry Nemecek’s Trekland 2017: TNG at 30 and Discovery at T-minus: Friday, July 21, 2017, 8 p.m. – 9 p.m., Room 29AB

Leonard Nimoy as Mr. Spock and William Shatner as Captain Kirk in ‘Star Trek.’ (Photo by CBS Photo Archive/Getty Images)

Wiseguy: The Show That Invented Binge TV Before House of Cards, before The Sopranos and before Murder One, there was Wiseguy, network television’s early dip into the waters of serialized storytelling. Premiering on CBS in 1987, the crime drama followed deep cover FBI agent Vincent Terranova (Ken Wahl) across multiple cases, with a guest star roll call that included Tim Curry, Glenn Frey, and Kevin Spacey. The shows executive producing team, including David Burke, Stephen Kronish, and David Kemper will talk about who they foresaw the days of binge viewing when everyone else was still dining a la episodic. Friday, July 21, 2017, 4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Room 5AB

Ken Wahl as Vinnie Terranova and guest star Fred Thompson in ‘Wiseguy.’ (Photo: CBS Photo Archive/Getty Images)

San Diego Comic-Con runs from July 20-23.

Read more from Yahoo TV:

Comic-Con 2017: Your Guide to the Panels, Screenings and Events

‘Game of Thrones’ Season 7 Premiere Recap: Castle Mania

‘Game of Thrones’ or ‘Twin Peaks’: Which Show is Better?

[sage-nebula]

also, ace attorney for the meme?

My favorite parent-child relationship

Phoenix and Trucy are the obvious winners here, but with that said I have a true soft spot for Byrne and Kay Faraday as well. We only see a tiny bit of them, and we don’t actually get to see them interact at all, but it’s obvious how much Byrne loved and cared for Kay, and how much she continues to take everything he said to heart and do her best to carry on his legacy after his death as well. Phoenix and Trucy are definitely sweet, particularly with the way he adopted her when she had nowhere else to go despite how his own life was falling apart (and how he keeps a locket with her picture in it with him always!), but I also appreciate what little we got to see of Byrne and Kay as well.

My favorite sibling relationship

Apollo and Trucy, hands down. My favorite part of their relationship is how much Apollo acts like her big brother even though, due to circumstances beyond our control, neither of them actually know that they’re related yet. (Going on ten years now, Capcom. This is unforgivable.) He’s so protective of her, and so tolerant of the shenanigans, and she teases him even though she very clearly looks up to and believes in him as well. They’re precious and I adore them, wholeheartedly. ♥

Runners-up are the Skye sisters, though. Every time I replay 1-5 I fall a little bit more in love with their sisterly bond, and I hope that Lana can make a comeback in AA7. Come on, bring her back, Capcom. You know you want to!

My favorite family relationship (other)

Maya and Pearl as best cousins, + Maya as best Promoted to Parent. Maya had to be like Pearl’s cousin, big sister, and mother after everything with Morgan went down (er, both times it went down), and I think she did a wonderful job stepping up where needed. At the very least, it didn’t seem like Pearl wanted for anything, and it was clear that Maya was making a concentrated effort to take care of her. Credit where credit is due, their relationship is truly sweet and special. (And that said, I don’t think we actually got to see the two of them interact in AA6, did we? A shame, that is.)

My favorite friendship between two people

If I’m excluding ones that I also ship romantically, then Phoenix and Maya---at least, in the original trilogy. Their banter was always wonderful and it’s obvious how much they care for one another. I do cherish that about their relationship. That said, AA6 exhausted me and has made it so that I don’t want to see Maya in the main series at all anymore, so my opinion on this one is a bit soured now. Thanks, AA6. Thanks so much.

My favorite friendship between a group

The Wright Anything Agency as a whole has a wonderful dynamic (and, tbh, is better than the original trilogy’s Wright & Co. Law Offices). I especially love the power trio of Apollo, Athena, and Trucy, but Phoenix as the Team Dad is wonderful as well, A+++.

My favorite mentorship

People give a lot of flack to Phoenix for not being a good mentor to Apollo, but I honestly disagree? It’s true that, especially in AA4, Apollo had to put up with a lot of nonsense due to all of the secrecy and machinations in the background, but at the same time I think that Phoenix gives Apollo the kind of mentorship that he needs. Apollo is pretty anxious beneath his Chords of Steel smokescreen and second-guesses himself a lot; it’s clear early on in AA4 that he doesn’t really have confidence in himself to know what he’s doing, however much he tries to convince others that he does. By tossing him into the think of things and then pulling back the lifeline, it’s true that Phoenix is inciting Apollo’s anxiety---but he’s also forcing Apollo to see that he can do this, that he does know what he’s doing, that he can hit the ground running and still make it to the finish line. The Apollo that we see in AA6 is far more confident in himself in just about every way, to the point where he can tell Phoenix to his face to “stand down and be quiet” --- and I firmly believe that this is because Apollo has had to fight through the fires of his own self-doubt and insecurities, and that he had to do so because Phoenix refused to hold his hand (and thus hold him back). And it’s worth noting, too, that this is far different from Kristoph’s approach; Kristoph was the type to stand over Apollo’s shoulder, hold his hand, and critique every little thing in order to mold Apollo into a little mini Kristoph Gavin. Phoenix didn’t do that. Phoenix tossed Apollo into the fire, and as a result, Apollo came into his own, as his own person as well as his own attorney. Apollo thrived under Phoenix. He never would have under Kristoph.

So all of that said? Phoenix and Apollo are my favorite mentorship. Definitely.

My favorite rivalry

I mean, what other one is there other than Phoenix and Edgeworth? As much as I do ship them romantically, any case that they’re both working on together is guaranteed to be fantastic not only because of the content of the case, but also because of the banter that will be tossed back and forth across the courtroom. It’s only worth it to play as Phoenix if Edgeworth can be the prosecutor, full stop. (And I mean, I do love Franziska a lot, but let’s be honest: She does her best work when Edgeworth is pretending to be a defense attorney, and we all know it.)

My favorite hatred/antipathy

PHOENIX AND KRISTOPH, PHOENIX AND KRISTOPH, PHOENIX AND KRISTOPH!!

Kristoph Gavin is, in just about every way you care to name, Phoenix’s shadow archetype, and I love shadow archetypes. I love them. And that, coupled with the fact that we have unfinished business with Kristoph (we don’t know what he’s hiding behind his black psyche-locks, we know that he has to still be saltier than the Dead Sea after everything that happened, et cetera), means that I really want him to come back and I want another showdown here. We sadly didn’t get to see Phoenix truly react to Apollo emulating Kristoph in AA5, and the way that Kristoph gaslighted and manipulated Klavier was so subtle in AA4 that many people missed it, but both of those things could make a comeback. Kristoph’s hand in Trucy being abandoned could make a comeback. Kristoph could use Athena, given that she never knew him, in order to get the ball rolling (because he’s very good at coming across as classy and non-threatening, and it’s possible that he could fool even her ears), et cetera. There’s so much that could be done, and I want it to be done! BRING THIS BACK, CAPCOM!!

My favorite potential relationship between characters who never talk in canon

Aside from how they are part of rival fandoms (Steel Samurai and Jammin’ Ninja, respectively), I really would love to see how Maya and Kay get along. I think that they have similar temperaments, and that Maya would be starstruck by Kay’s chosen career path as a “phantom thief,” and that likewise Kay would be very interested in Maya’s spirit channeling. (Maya could also channel Byrne for Kay, if she wanted, which I think Kay would very much appreciate.) I would love to see the two of them meet and interact at least once; I think it would be amazing!

Likewise, I’m still waiting for Kay to come back as a prosecutor who forms a new Yatagarasu, with Athena as the defense attorney and Ema as the detective. I’m waiting, Capcom. Deliver this to me! DO THE THING, CAPCOM! Do eeeet.