#mentioned simon blackquill

[sunset-peril]

Ashes Remain - Chapter Thirteen - More Than Face Value

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December 15th, 2027

3:15pm

Detention Center - Visiting Chamber #4

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Apollo Justice was trying his very best not to storm through the Detention Center. Apollo Justice was trying his very best not to tremble as he awaited the inmate he was visiting. Apollo Justice was trying his very best not to blurt everything out as said inmate came strolling into the opposite side of the chamber.

Apollo Justice was trying his very best to be fine, because he suspected his girlfriend of murdering his best friend.

“Ah, Mr. Justice. I was not expecting you to come by.” He felt his old mentor scan him over and suddenly became a little more aware of the small mark Athena had left on his neck earlier. Sure, she was most definitely unconscious when it happened, but she also wasn’t kind enough to make it more accident-like and less… suggestive. He should probably stop thinking about it before he starts drawing more attention. “What happened? Your eye, and isn’t that Mr. Terran’s work jacket?” 

“It’s just a sty. Nothing much, just hurts.” He needn’t be dramatic now, because Kristoph didn’t need theatrics for the story to sell. In all honesty, Apollo felt badly for initiating the ruse so dramatically. However, he needed Athena to be fooled; he couldn’t let her know he suspected her. He kept his eye covered, wouldn’t let her look, as he enthused her about why he’d been hiding it thus far from her; that he believed it appeared due to his stress of losing her the night before. He was pretty sure she wasn’t going to fall for it, but then her face fell softly with concern, and she wrapped him up herself and muttered of techniques she’d heard in graduate school of treating such ailments. Her hands were so gentle on his head, even though calluses new and old scratched his skin. The kiss she blessed the bandages with as she secured them in back instantly made him feel guilty, but not enough to confess. 

If he was to confess his guilt to that one incident, it would come at a later date. He wanted to beg and plead, that he’d be blessed with the demand to confess he’d been wrong in suspecting her, that she was a spotless angel who just was a bit down on her luck. 

But the hammering feeling he could be completely wrong struck through him. “Something terrible’s happened… and I suspect someone important to me is to blame.”

“Oh? And why does this bother you so? You were willing to turn on me so easily.”

“I know, it’s just… this person is… very important to me. One of the most important people to me. I want to believe in them… but I know they’re lying… if what I suspect actually happened…”

“What is it you really seek, Justice? Are you looking to absolve this ‘special someone’ of yours? Are you looking for some sort of vengeance? Validation? Or are you looking for truth, no matter the cost? Each one of us has our own ulterior motive. You must choose yours. In order to find any answers, you must decide. The answers will come to you in time, and if you want truth, you must be unrelenting in pursuit. Remember what I taught you? Evidence-”

“...Is everything… I remember. How could I forget?” He clenched his teeth to bite back the tears. “I trusted you… I trusted you, and you betrayed me!”

“None of it was about you, Justice… I never meant for you to get involved.” 

He quivered and before long a healthy stream of tears came leaking through both eye and bandage. “W-why did you… why did he… why did she…?” His voice became curled up into a miniscule fraction of himself as he scraped his one good eye dry. “Why can’t I…?”

“You are a much better person than I, Justice. I’m sure you’ll find whatever you decide to search for.”

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December 15th, 2027

Wright Anything Agency

3:25pm

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“Thena! You’re safe!” Within seconds of her arrival, Trucy had latched herself to Athena’s leg. Her bad leg. How do children always know which leg is the bad one?

“Trucy, that leg hurts. Could you let go?”

She pouted before she let go. “Are you not happy to see me?”

“Of course I am, but I needed you off my leg.”

“Hurt yourself already, Athena?” Her boss tapped papers on his desk. She could hear the screeching of his filing cabinet beneath. He needed to oil it.

“I probably just fell on it weird last night. I don’t remember much.”  

“Where’s Polly? Did he not come back with you?”

“Said he had an errand, that he’d be back before the hour was up.”

“He just found you. Wouldn’t he want you with him?”

“He’s a bit out of it right now, Trucy. He seems… in denial. I guess that’s fair, with how sudden and nightmarish this day has been. Probably is begging ‘it’s all a dream’, that he’ll wake up and Clay will still be on this earth.”

“Aw, Polly…” Trucy’s pout turned somber as she began a begging of her own. “You’ll take care of him, right, Athena?”

She slid herself over to the couch, putting up her bad leg. “Of course, Trucy! I’ve got Pollo covered! Although it’s healthy for him to grieve, I’ll help make sure he doesn’t drown.” She nearly drowned. It was a year ago come January. It was a year ago come February. It was the one thing she’d yet to leave behind. Maybe it was the one thing that he needed, even if it threatened to destroy her. 

Athena rested her still aching body, likely exhausted despite her young mind’s energy, until Apollo arrived. Though she did not have the strength to race to the door, she greeted him and offered him the place beside her. 

He’d been crying. She didn’t question it, but curled him against her shoulder. His sadness echoed through her like the bass on that young punk’s corvette from her and Apollo’s apartment complex. If she was a street urchin, that punk would’ve already gotten his.

Nope, nope. Bad Athena. No revenge plotting on aggravating seventeen-year-olds. Apollo was more important. His heart felt chilly, and her first instinct was to cuddle him closer. No words were appropriate for this moment, just silent reassurance that these feelings were valid. 

He didn’t curl back into her, but just laid stiff across her chest. She understood. 

She understood, but could not say. The last thing he needed was for everything to come back to her.

Of course, it always came back to her. It could save him, but she also questioned whether she loved him enough to die. 

Athena doubted she loved Apollo enough to offer her life for his comfort. She doubted that she even loved herself that much. Did she love Simon that much? Maybe? She had her reasons; reasons to be so withholding with love and life. What was true commitment in this country anyway? A piece of paper? A new life? The slashed throat of one’s partner’s enemy laid at their feet like an offering? She’d seen all of these. The world has so many ulterior motives, screaming at her from every which way. Was it so dastardly that she had her own? She had so much weakness, weakness she’d shown and weakness she couldn’t seal away. 

It was simple for the boss to fire a snide remark, such remarks flowed through Apollo’s veins. She had a talent for finding these people. Of course, those who run back and forth to the line of life and death lose their innocent vigor. Simple knowledge for someone who walked that line.

That line was lonely. Even the most vicious of tongues realize it and use such loneliness to their advantage. Such was the reason she never left herself alone. She definitely was prone to distraction and to wander, when her mind betrayed her more often than not, but her motivation was usually security and nothing more. Her greatest fear wasn’t death, she’d already had time to grapple with the fact her life was short. No, she feared the violence, the blood more. When she leaves this earth, it will be because her body failed her. 

Athena Cykes is no one's martyr. 

Yet her freedom is tied to the man stiff in her arms. She loves him. She loves him dearly. 

Apollo is worthy of more than she can give, and such is why her mouth remains sealed. 

She has the rowboat she needs, but it's questionable whether two people will compromise the vessel’s seaworthiness. She’s too afraid of risking the water to pull him to safety. She’ll hold his hand through the water, but she can’t risk what it takes to save him. 

But, of course, it always comes back to her. 

And, of course, even silence wasn’t enough to stop this grand turnabout that rattled through her soul. 

“I want to talk to you about something, Athena.” His voice was broken, like his heart, and she couldn’t resist the instinct to pull him into a perma-hug as she answered. “Of course, Pollo. What is it?”

“I want to talk to you about last night, and this morning.” He was frank, like always, but the usual gentleness was all but there. Under the shattered pieces of his voice, she heard his heart. Overwhelmed by sadness, fear and anger. These three hardened his heart and staled his voice.

“I’ll answer what I can. I really don’t remember much.”

“Let’s start with what you remember then.”

“Well, I remember leaving Pavillion, I remember that clearly. The nurse that was with me yesterday dosed me with that anti-flashback like usual, just in a higher dose due to how often the flashbacks have been happening these last few weeks. She warned me against driving, even though my papers say I’m not allowed to drive, and asked me to go home within thirty minutes just in case it caused me to forget where I was. She wanted to make sure I’d be back with you in case something happened. I started towards home and decided to grab you something, but I don’t remember what… I’m sorry, but I don’t have any memories of what happened between them and when I heard you screaming my name out in those bushes.” 

His expression didn’t lighten, but tightened further. Eventually, he turned away from her and began to laugh. “You really want me to believe that? You really do?” Why did he sound so amused, so- so- unlike the man she fell in love with? “I’m supposed to believe you, aren’t I? Because love is blind? You just happened to be drugged more than normal and happened to have wandered on your way home only to end up at GYAXA after a double bombing. It’s quite convenient, don’t you think?” 

“Pollo, please, why would I lie?” Something was wrong, she could hear his heart screeching in agony, just above her own. His voice didn’t flow like Apollo’s did, it had some sinister rhythm, something not his. His voice was so flat under his heart’s screaming, she could see all four walls behind such a fake façade. 

“Then where’s your evidence?!” 

She startled to the other end of the couch.

“Polly! What’s gotten into you?! You love Athena!” The young magician charged up between them. 

“Trucy. This is between me and Athena. Please.” 

Athena could see the tears he was biting back. This was stabbing him from the inside, some other force must be playing on him. “Pollo, I was half-conscious out in the middle of nowhere… Why would I do that to myself?”

“That’s not good enough, Athena. I’m sorry. You can’t use emotions as evidence here.”

“Apollo,” she tried a little more firmly. “I don’t remember anything but what I told you.”

He pounded the desk with one of the most furious slams she'd ever heard. “I need more than that! You think I have any idea what goes on in that stupid mind of yours?!”

Her jaw dropped to the floor, as the tears she’d held back for so long. That final remark of Apollo’s, and Trucy’s instant scolding, startled the boss from his paper with the late realization that his subordinates were arguing. But he didn’t respond in time, Apollo stormed out of the office before he could rise from his chair. “Athena…”

She was used to painful words. She experienced them enough just by being a surprisingly young lawyer. But those words from someone she trusted, had considered opening the darkest parts of her heart and soul up to, and for them to be overflowing with such vicious malice… she found herself collapsed in tears in front of her boss and his daughter. 

“Thena… I’m sure Polly didn’t mean it…” 

Trucy didn’t hear him the way she did. Trucy didn’t hear the soul-shattering rage bellowing out of the height-challenged attorney into her bare skin. Whether it was only at that moment or much longer, it didn’t matter.

Apollo meant it. He meant it with every fiber he had.

And he showed no effort to return home that night.

It was nearing seven in the evening, and the number of hours Phoenix had been on the phone with her dared to defeat the time of day. She was trembling, anxious, and in no state to care for herself. But the phone wouldn’t suffice for much longer. She couldn’t live alone. It was the number one rule in the agreement that released her from Pavilion originally. After Apollo didn’t answer his phone, Phoenix took matters into his own hands, and took her to his home till the morning.

Athena was immensely grateful for the Wright family’s generosity, to open their home up to her after her guardian failed to return. She was even more grateful they understood her stress, that she didn’t have to enthuse about such gratefulness before straight-lining to the furthest restroom for a shower. The near burning sensation of the water she brought upon her skin was a welcome distraction from raging thoughts, thoughts that burned up in the heat she forced onto herself. She still remained silent, with thoughts and truths sealed away even to the ones who had yet to turn their backs. She wanted to remain in the boat, she needed to stay in the boat. Even if Apollo had to stay in the water, even though he had drowned, she had to be in that boat. 

But, of course, everything always comes back to her. And as she gazed upon herself newborn bare in the Wright family mirror in the Wright family bathroom, she slashed at the beast mark engraved on her breast and dug desperate fingers through slivers of silver peeking out from under the orange, snarling as the marks on her stomach strengthened old memories rushing back, and she realized she’d long fallen into those deep, cold waters. “What the hell are you doing here, Venus?”

[azuramarigold]

We Overcome What We're Thrown

Apollo wakes up one day with an ailment that causes him to think his life is over. How can he live his life doing what he loves holds him back? Luckily, he has his friends and family to help him overcome what life has yet again thrown at him.

Day 1 for the AU-Gust 2023 Writing Challenge - "Sightless"

AO3

First prompt for AU-gust Writing Challenge! Day 1: Sightless Main Character: Apollo Justice

Legit immediately thought of Apollo and how drastic his life would change as his sight is so heavily important in the games due to his perception. * Note - this version of Apollo and Phoenix has nothing to do with "The Found Turnabout"*

He honestly didn’t know what happened – there were no signs, no symptoms… nothing.

            One day he was working perfectly fine in his office at Justice Law Offices in Khura’in, filing papers, putting case files away, and getting ready for his next set of cases for the next few weeks against Nahyuta. The next… there was nothing.

            Pitch blackness.

            He had gone to bed like normal, settling into his thin bamboo sheets, and scrolled through his emails on his phone. His beloved cat, Mikeko, had snuggled up to his side like usual and purred lovingly that helped lull him to sleep.

            When he had awoken, he thought it was still the middle of the night as everything was still dark. However, as a few minutes went by Apollo had noticed his eyes were not adjusting to the darkness as they should have. Panicked gripped his chest as he stumbled out of bed, his hand fumbling for anything he could try to grasp.

            His hands were grasping at the air, slamming against his nightstand, knocking over his glass of water, and his phone had cluttered to the wooden floorboard. Apollo felt the hot tears stream down his face. He had never felt this helpless in his life.

            Especially with his eyesight.

            His eyes were what made him special as an attorney – his high level of perception was what gave him the edge for his clients.

            Oh God… how was he going to be a Defense Attorney if he couldn’t see the evidence!?

            Apollo slumped to the floor in defeat, feeling the sobs racking through him. His career – his life – was over. He had moved back across the world to help the country fix their legal system like he had always wanted since he was a little boy.

            What good was a dragon without their claws? Their fangs? Their fire?

            This dragon has no sight.

            There was a knock from the main office door downstairs. Apollo couldn’t even muster his Chords of Steel to answer from his living quarters upstairs.

            A soft click of the door unlocking informed Apollo that someone had unlocked it with the spare key – it could’ve been Datz or even Nahyuta – and the door was shut quietly. Soft footsteps padded downstairs and made their way to the stairs.

            “Apollo?” the voice called, revealing it to be who had considered his brother – Nahyuta. Once the Regent made his way to the living quarters, he got to Apollo’s bedroom door and gave it a soft knock. “Apollo… you didn’t answer the door… is everything alright?” he then asked.

            Apollo, desperate trying to get up and find his footing, only stumbled, and crashed into his nightstand. Hearing the crash, the bedroom door opened, and the Prosecuting Regent entered.

            “Are you al… right…?” the Prosecutor went to ask, but his voice trailed off when he finally got to look at the state at the Defense Attorney he called his younger brother. “Apollo… what happened?”

            “I… I can’t see…” Apollo cried, his voice tight, he could feel the tears burning his eyes, but he couldn’t see the blurriness of vision as all he saw was pitch black.

            “Your eyes… are tinted a gray…?” Nahyuta commented with concern. Everyone who had ever met Apollo Justice always commented on how the young man’s eyes reminded them of chocolate – to see them such an odd gray at this moment was staggering. He then grasped Apollo’s hands to begin to lead him. “We need to get you to the Palace Physician immediately…!”

            Getting Apollo to the Palace was a difficult task. Nahyuta had to cover his brother’s eyes with a cloth to make sure the sun’s harmful rays didn’t damage his eyes further. The carriage that brought Nahyuta there made its way to the Place quickly, but at a pace that wasn’t too concerning so it didn’t alarm the citizens.

            Once they had arrived, they were greeted by Princess Rayfa, who was stubbornly waiting for the two as Nahyuta was fetching Apollo in the first place.

            “There you are, Braid Head!” the young girl chastised. “It’s about time you brought Horn Head! And why does he have that over his eyes…?”

            “I’m sorry, Your Benevolence,” her older brother apologized quickly. “Right now, Apollo needs to see the physician immediately.”

            Rayfa gave her elder brother a worried look, but firmly nodded. She ordered the guards in Khura’inese to assist Nahyuta to get Apollo to the physician as quickly as possible. From what Apollo could hear, she sounded worried herself. Queen Amara, after hearing some commotion, made an appearance just in time to see the cloth tied over Apollo’s eyes as he was escorted, a small gasp escaping her.

            The Royal Family of Khura’in stayed in a small area, patiently waiting for the physician to look over Apollo. Despite Her Mercifulness and Her Benevolence have not known Apollo as long as Nahyuta had, they had grown to love him as though the American boy was their family. Rayfa had begun pacing in the room, her small hand wringing at her robes; more than once Nahyuta scolded her and told her to sit down as she was the future Queen and needed to be patient.

            “Do you think he is okay, Nahyuta?” Rayfa asked gently, using a rare occasion of using her brother’s actual name. “Do you think Apollo is okay…?” she repeated, her voice softer spoken.

            Nahyuta had to believe that Apollo would be okay. Apollo’s eyesight was extremely important – it was his whole thing that he took pride in. Apollo was always proud of the fact that he was always able to see some details that others could not, and that he was able to call out lies and see a tell.

            After a couple of hours, the physician finally entered back into the room, his face slightly grim. “I’m afraid there is terrible news…” he said sadly, taking off his small reading glasses. “From my examination, Mr. Apollo Justice has suffered double non-arteritic ischemic optic neuropathy…”

            “And what is that!?” Rayfa demanded angrily, her springing from her seat. The small princess rushed to the physician, her hands balled up to her sides, her teal-green eyes brimmed with tears. “I demand answers!”

            The physician gave a small sigh. “To put it lightly, Your Benevolence… in simple terms, he had suffered strokes in the blood vessels and/or arteries for his optic nerves…” he explained.

            The Queen gasped, “You mean… he had a stroke…!?”

            The physician waved his arms. “No, Your Mercifulness!” he exclaimed quickly. “It’s like a stroke – but only for the eyes! Normally, it’s just one eye. To have both…”

            Rayfa stomped her foot. “How soon will Horn Head be back up in running!?” she shouted, her voice high and almost squeaky.

            The physician tapped his chin. “Well… with learning how to use a walking cane… Braille…” he began but was immediately cut off.

            “HOLD IT!” Nahyuta shouted in shock. This time it was his turn to immediately jump up. “What did you mean by that!?”

            The physician gave the Royal Regent a sad look. “Because of the condition… Mr. Apollo Justice is blind…”

            Rayfa made a strangled choking sound, her hands clutched to her chest. “Were… were there any signs that we should have watched for!?” she asked demanded a little too harshly, her voice going high.

            Amara put a gently hand on her daughter’s shoulder. “I know you’re upset, but please, the physician is doing his job for us…” she told her.

            “Yes, Mother…” Rayfa replied, her head low.

            The physician adjusted his glasses. “There… was honestly no way you could have known… or Mr. Justice,” he explained gently. “At this time there is no known cause for NAION, and unfortunately there is no treatment. In his case it’s extremely rare that he had suffered a double NAION in the first place… at least if it was one eye, we could preserve vision in the other.”

            Amara gave a nod. “Thank you very kindly for this,” she thanked, gratitude in her voice. “Is it alright for us to visit him now?”

            “Of course, Your Mercifulness.”

            The three royals then entered the small room that was considered a small hospital wing – it only had four beds, and Apollo was occupying one of them.

            The young man had always been on the smaller side, Amara had taken notice, as Apollo was noticeably shorter than Nahyuta by almost half a foot. When the other American lawyer, Phoenix Wright, was in Khura’in, Apollo looked almost like a child in height comparison.

            Now, in this stark white bed, Apollo looked like a helpless child. His eyes were no longer that chocolate brown, but tinged gray and unfocused in front of him. The brown hair he always kept so meticulously groomed was now messy, his horns drooped uncharacteristically in front of his eyes to the point where he looked almost identical to his biological father. His hands were gripped tightly to the white bed sheets, and as soon as he had heard the door opening from the royal family entering, his head had whipped toward them, his eyes wide and wildly darting in a panic.

            “Apollo…” was all Nahyuta could say.

            “I… I can’t see…” Apollo sobbed, the tears begging to stream down his cheeks again. “I’ll… never see again… how am I going to keep doing my job…? H-How-?!”

            “We will figure it out, Apollo,” Amara interrupted gently, her going to his bed and gently sitting on the edge. Apollo noticed the weight and flinched involuntarily. “I’m going to take your hand now, okay?” The young man nodded as he released his left hand from the sheet and Amara grasped it gently with both her hands. “There are many amazing people out in the world who do amazing things even with disabilities – it makes them stronger. This will make you stronger.”

            Rayfa then piped up, her voice still slightly wavering, “Horn Head, we’ll make sure to get you the items you need! Doesn’t America have special items that will help?”

            Nahyuta nodded to his sister. “They do, Your Benevolence,” he assured her. “Braille books, computers with Braille on the keys with talk-to-text programs, and of course many other items that I’m sure we can get over here to Khura’in.”

            Apollo lowered his head. “But… my perception… how am I supposed to know-?”

            “You adapt and learn a new ability,” Nahyuta interrupted. “That orange-haired lawyer can hear very well, yes?”

            “Athena…?” Apollo offered softly. “Yeah… she has very good hearing…”

            Amara patted Apollo’s hand reassuringly. “Apollo, you are part of this family… Dhurke made sure of that…” she told the young man. “We will get you back to America so you can get the aid you need so when you come back here you can get back to your trials even better than before.”

            Apollo, for the first time since losing his sight, gave a small smile as he looked at Amara. “Thank you, Your Mercifulness…” he whispered. “That… means a lot…”

**

Within the week calls were made back home to America for things to be arranged with new programs for Apollo.

            At first Phoenix and the rest of the agency thought it was Apollo and Nahyuta’s poor thought of pulling a joke as the two were notorious for being overly serious. However, Trucy had burst into tears when she saw in the videochat screen Apollo’s eyes – how unfocused and gray they were. Phoenix was speechless – him putting a hand to his head and offered meekly all the assistance that the office can help with when Apollo came back.

            When Apollo came back to America, Athena and Trucy were the first two to pull him into a large hug and sob. Apollo couldn’t help but sob along with them as he wrapped his arms around them as well. Nahyuta had accompanied Apollo back home to America to assist him on the plane and when he was around town, he felt awkward at the situation but nonetheless had ended up being pulled into the group hug by Trucy.

            The first thing that was done was that Apollo had many appointments with doctors. They made sure the muscles in his eyes were still healthy and other aspects, which were perfectly healthy. He was given a pair of special glasses that had more UV protection than regular sunglasses to protect his eyes; when asked what color lenses he wanted Apollo laughed asking why it mattered since he couldn’t see it.

            He chose red lenses.

            Learning how to use a walking cane and the different tools for the end took him quite some time. Apollo had to learn the tapping motions, how to use the rolling ball attachment for when he was walking the streets mainly to detect cracks in the pavement and know when there is a crosswalk, the classic pencil tip for probing, and the marshmallow tip that was like the pencil tip but didn’t get stuck in cracks as easily.

            What was the most difficult for Apollo to learn was Braille. The idea of tracing his fingertips over dots was odd – Why couldn’t they just make the letters be risen for him to feel? What was wrong with a 3D “A”?

            “They have Braille because it’s universal, Apollo…” Nahyuta explained for what felt like the twentieth time. “It would be too much to make every letter in every language be risen!”

            “But dots!?” Apollo had argued. 

            Chief Prosecutor Edgeworth was even kind enough to purchase Apollo the special laptop with Braille on the keys with the programs to talk to guide what was on the screen. Apollo tried to explain that there was no way he could afford to pay the prosecutor back, but the man had insisted on it.

            Once he learned Braille, the next thing he learned was taking lessons from Athena on how to really listen. Although Apollo would never have hearing like Athena’s to be hearing discord in someone’s heart, he should be able to learn when someone was lying by their voice.

            “This is hopeless!” Apollo cried out one day, completely frustrated by everything thrown at him.

            Athena gave a sigh. “You are learning very well, Apollo…” He could hear the slight twinge in her voice – she was just being polite. Athena had been trying to help Apollo with the same thing multiple times for over two weeks.

            But then he felt it.

            That familiar tightening of his wrist.

            My bracelet… is reacting…?

            “Are you okay, Apollo?” Athena asked gently.

            He glanced over in her direction, and he felt his jaw drop.

            It was like he saw a shadowed version of Athena before him – the red and purple distortion he was familiar with when he had to hyperfocus on someone with his perception.

            “Athena…” Apollo gently whispered. “Can… you repeat what you had said before?”

            “Um… are you okay…?” she offered.

            “No…! Before that!”

            “You are learning very well, Apollo?” she offered again.

            He hissed in pain from the tightening of his wrist. But the twinge in her voice, and her shadow became slightly more clear. Her hand was petting through her hair, something she did on occasion when nervous.

            Or in this case lying.

            “You’re lying to me…!” Apollo laughed, a large smile on his face. “You’re petting through your hair!”

            “!” Athena took a step back, her hands immediately dropping. “Wait… how did you know I was doing that…?”

            “My bracelet reacted…!” Apollo raised his left wrist. “And… it was helping me ‘see’ you!”

            “WHAAAAAAAAAT!?” Athena shouted as she gripped his shoulders and started shaking him. “HOLY SHIT, APOLLO, DO YOU KNOW WHAT THIS MEANS!?!?”

            “OW! STOP SHAKING ME!”

            Phoenix had then come into the office, hearing the commotion from the reception area. “Hey, hey! Athena, the kid is already blind, don’t let his brain go loose too!” he told her.

            “BOSS!” Athena shouted in excitement. “There is a new discovery here! If only Ema was here… she would love it!”

            Apollo groaned, “Oh good God, please don’t let me be a subject of her mad scientist brain!”

            Phoenix calmly asked, “Okay… what is going on…?”

            “Apollo’s bracelet still helps him with his perception!” Athena explained quickly, her jumping up and down, her not realizing she ended up pushing Apollo onto the couch. He fell onto the old red couch with a loud yelp before Phoenix or Athena could even grab him.

            Apollo explained to Phoenix and Athena what he “saw” when he glanced over to Athena. Phoenix was impressed with this new evolution to Apollo’s perception ability and decided to take it for a test spin at a smaller trial the next day.

            Although extremely nervous as a co-counsel for Phoenix for the first time in what seemed like forever, being in the familiar court was odd as so many people kept asking him questions.

            “What happened?” “Oh my God, so you really are blind?” “How many fingers am I holding up?” “That has to be so terrible! How are you going to continue your job?”

            Apollo had to ignore them as he adjusted his glasses. He was wearing his normal red attire suit – Trucy had arranged all his clothing for him with labels in Braille to tell him which clothing was what. Apollo found it very amusing her small “side notes”.

            “Polly, this is the better of your vests that makes Prosecutor Gavin stare at you a lot more!” “Polly, these pants are too long… don’t wear them you’ll trip… why do we have them here?” “Polly, this is more teal looking tie, not the turquoise tie.” “Polly, these are the pants I heard Ema say that make your butt look cute – I think that’s weird, but you need help with your game, Bro.”

            The trial that Phoenix had taken Apollo to was a simple murder case – because of course it was – where their client was accused of killing their roommate for rent issues. Apollo managed to hear the testimonies very well and when the third roommate came to stand their shadowy silhouette popped up immediately.

            As their testimony went on, their figure became clearer, as though the bracelet was helping fill in the colors and gaps of vision – even if it was temporary in this situation - his hyperfocus led him to see that his roommate was tugging at their earlobe about not being at the apartment.

            The familiar “GOTCHA!” ripped through his throat as he pointed that out, stating that the roommate had to have been in the apartment the day of the murder. That was when Phoenix pulled out the evidence of the cellphone found and ads to find a new roommate that were found and dated for that day.

            The third roommate had killed the one and tried to frame the other – simple shut and close case.

**

Being back in Khura’in after staying in America for almost half a year was once again a culture shock.

            Apollo didn’t have Trucy to label all his clothes and arrange everything anymore – although she made sure to leave specific instructions with color codes with the hangers, tags on the clothes, and the labels in Braille for when Apollo had to take dry cleaning somewhere in Khura’in all his clothing would be in proper order.

            Datz and Ahlbi assisted him more in his office – even Datz becoming more of a “legal assistant” to Apollo during investigations and trials so that Apollo knew what the evidence looked like. Slowly, he was becoming accustomed to his new life, his cases were still being performed well and he was getting the people the proper defense that they deserved without death hanging over their heads.

            Lamiroir had one day dropped by the Justice Law Office – it was a surprise to many people. Phoenix and Trucy were with her as well for this surprise visit.

            “Uh… as much as like 'seeing' you guys visit…” Apollo began nervously. “Ms. Lamiroir… what are you doing here?”

            He could hear her breath catching in her throat as suddenly he felt arms thrown around him.

            “I’m sorry… I’m so sorry…!” he heard the woman sob. “I should’ve said something before this happened…!”

            “I… beg your pardon…?” Apollo managed to gasp, trying to release himself from her deathly hug. In a way it felt very nice… and oddly familiar.

            Phoenix gave a small cough. “I’m… I’m afraid this is way long overdue…” he managed, his voice wavering. “Don’t you agree… Thalassa?”

            Apollo felt his blood run cold. “W-Wait… what?”

            “Thalassa…?” Trucy gasped in shock. “As in… Mommy…? Thalassa Gramarye?”

            Apollo suddenly felt a small hand grasp his, which he recognized was Trucy’s. He felt like he couldn’t breathe.

            Trucy’s mom was alive the entire time? She knew about this girl at Machi’s trial and didn’t say a damn thing!?

            “Before you say anything rash, Apollo,” Phoenix warned, sensing the anger. “When you three met during Machi’s trial… she had no memory at all… and she was very much blind.”

            “What the hell are you getting at, Mr. Wright?” Apollo growled.

            Lamirior – no Thalassa – took in a deep breath and breathed out. “I… was shot in that rehearsal accident… I was sent to Borginia where I had no memory, and I was blind…” she verified. “I didn’t have any memory of my sweet little girl who loved magic and wanted to perform with her family… and I didn’t have the memory of the baby boy that I thought I lost…”

            Apollo blinked, his heart pounding. “What do you mean by ‘baby boy’?” he pressed, his voice soft for one of the very few times in his life.

            “Apollo…” Thalassa whispered softly. She then pressed something into his free hand, which caused Trucy to gasp in surprise.

            Apollo thumbed over what was put into his hand. It was metal and circular, like a bracelet. It was eerily like his own… it was the same thickness… it had the same groves and indentations…

            But Apollo knew it wasn’t his bracelet – he could still feel his on his wrist.

            “You know what that is… right?” Thalassa asked softly, her voice cracking.

            Trucy exclaimed, “Th-That’s the same bracelet as Polly’s…!” Apollo felt her hand gripping his more tightly.

            “A-Are you implying…?” Apollo tried to ask, but his question died in his throat.

            “I’m your mother… yes…” Thalassa told him.

            There was no tightness of his bracelet. He didn’t hear a waver in her voice. She was telling the truth.

            “When…?” was all Apollo said.

            “Apollo…” Phoenix then tried to say.

            “No, Mr. Wright…!” Apollo cut him off. “You obviously knew about this whole thing! So, when, Thalassa, did you ‘miraculously’ get your memory back?”

            “And your sight…?” Trucy added, her voice wavering, ready to cry.

            “It was when Phoenix here had encouraged me to get the surgery to fix my eyesight that… when it was done, I regained my memories…” Thalassa stated.

            “That didn’t answer my question,” Apollo lowly said as though he was pressing a witness on the stand.

            “I had the surgery after Machi’s trial and most of my memories came back during Vera Misham's trial.”

            Apollo felt as though he was going to collapse, and Trucy sensed it, as she guided him to the couch to help him sit. He took off his glasses to set them aside, ignoring the soft gasp from Thalassa at the sight of his eye color no longer being brown like before.

            “Why then…?” he asked, his hand gripping her bracelet. “Why was I left here after Jove died?”

            Thalassa slowly approached. “Because I didn’t know you were alive, Apollo…” she told him. “Your father took you with him as it was a request personally by Dhurke – I didn’t know he was the Queen’s husband until Phoenix here explained it all on the plane ride here.”

            “It was about fourteen hours…” the blue-clad attorney muttered.

            “Apparently Dhurke and Jove had met at a bar – why Jove brought you with him I have no idea… I was eighteen and he was twenty-one, we were both young, dumb, and first-time parents, so he probably didn’t even think about it,” Thalassa continued, her voice tired and she sounded much older than Apollo remembered.

            “That’s where the kid got it from then…” Phoenix mumbled.

            Thalassa and Apollo ignored him. “I think the reason you were taken to the Palace was because Dhurke had mentioned he had a son too…?” she said, her voice ending more of a question.

            “Nahyuta,” Apollo clarified. “I consider him my brother…”

            “When the Palace had that arson attack… anyone that was not part of the Royal Guard, or the Royal Family was not allowed near there…” Thalassa explained softly. “Especially Americans… I begged… literally begged, because even if you were dead, I at least would’ve wanted to bring you home… They told me to leave or be executed on sight… sometimes I think about that I should’ve just stayed for that…” Her voice sounded distant with that last line, and that really hit Apollo.

            He set her bracelet aside and held out his hand in waiting. It seemed Thalassa got the hint and she gently put her hand in his and he squeezed it. If Thalassa would’ve disobeyed that day, she would’ve been killed – that meant there would’ve been no Trucy, whom Apollo had always thought of as his little sister.

            “Then why… after you regained everything… why didn’t you mention anything to us…?” Trucy then asked. “You’ve sent me flowers for my shows… and you’ve sent Apollo cards congratulating him on trials…!”

            Apollo whipped his head in his newly discovered sister’s direction. “I got cards? How come I’ve never seen them!?” he hissed at her angrily.

            “Oh, I opened your mail and just forgot to give them to you,” Trucy admitted sheepishly.

            Thalassa then pulled them two in hug, and this time Apollo didn’t feel the need to resist. “I felt like I couldn’t… you two had such wonderful lives… Trucy has such an amazing man as a father now that took care of her and made sure she became an amazing magician, and the little boy that I thought I lost had become an intelligent young man that no matter what is thrown at him – he overcomes.”

            Apollo felt tears sting his eyes. He could hear the small smile in Thalassa’s voice, and he imagined that it would be a lot like Trucy’s smile.

            The three stayed like that for what felt like hours – Phoenix still standing by the doorway, just happy for once that he didn’t end up getting harmed in some way or another.

**

The rest of the year had gone by – Apollo’s trials had only improved as he learned to overcome what many people – and early on, himself – thought was going to ruin everything he had ever worked hard for.

            He video chatted with everyone back in America quite frequently, giving them updates on the trials he was doing. Trucy and Thalassa, and along with Phoenix and Athena, had made special trips to Khura’in to spend time with Apollo and make sure all his mobility aids were up to date.

            Trucy had made sure all his clothing that was added was properly labelled – including all her notes that he found to be humorous. Phoenix had made sure he had brought new books that were updated in law that were written in Braille so that Apollo could be on top of everything. Athena had told Apollo that she and Simon had investigated Widget more to possibly reverse engineer it to make something for Apollo to help him more.

            The Khura’in Royal family made sure his life in the country was made easier as well. After Princess Rayfa investigated some of the towns, she discovered there were many people that had disabilities and needed help. The young princess was shocked that Ga’ran when she was Queen had never made it a point to help these citizens.

            The roads were immediately worked on to help improve the quality of life of the blind and those that were using crutches and wheelchairs. The people who were blind but had no mobility aids were given the tools and the help to learn how to use them and to learn to read Braille.

            It had been just over a year now since Apollo awoke and couldn’t see anymore. He had thought he had lost more than his sight – he had thought he had lost his passion to continue to be who he was. If it weren’t for the people around him that he considered his family, how long would he have stayed in the dark?

            Would he have remained sightless forever?

            Apollo smiles to himself, his fingers grazing over a letter that was sent to him from Thalassa and Trucy – the two traveling abroad together for performances since the girl had turned eighteen and wanted to expand her career.

            He was glad he had everyone he had ever met – as it was true what Thalassa had said to him:

            No matter what was thrown at him – he had overcome it.

            But he wasn’t alone, he had his family with him the entire time to keep the sight of the future beaming ahead of them.

[huyandere]

based on that one arkham post

[just-posting-kalone]

Finished Dual Destinies!! Simon Blackquill and some other stuff

[box-dwelling]

I put this in discord but fuck it it's post worthy. I missed the month but AA charcaters and are they publicly out (like in terms of being legal celebrities, not with friends and family) and do they attend pride.

Phoenix: He is not out because he doesn't like talking about his personal life at fucking all. But if asked directly he's gonna admit to it. But he does definitely go to pride every year with Trucy and is the guy to give dad hugs to queer kids who's parents don't support them

Apollo: The press will wrestle his sexuality and being trans from his cold dead hands. He does go to pride but very specifically because he's trans, not because he's gay. Given his taste in men he does not think that's something to be proud of

Mia: 100% out publicly and does go to pride.

Athena: Not really famous enough for people to care but she's not hiding anything at all from the public. She goes to pride every year and loves it

Maya: Out publicly as a deliberate stance around the complicated gender politics of Kurain. Loves pride and brings pearl along who loves the rainbows but will stare homophobically at any gay person she sees.

Ema: not famous enough for anyone to care but she will absolutely mention it if she ever is. She is going to pride and she is getting wasted and high and then having a questionable hookup

Miles: Literally started this train of thought. He is not out publicly. He would find the very concept of revealing his sexuality publicly demeaning and invasive. He doesn't like pride for introvert reasons, he only ever goes as a chaperone for Kay and Seb.

Franziska: Very very out. But she is not going to pride unless she's asked to do a speech because she is a god damn workoholic. She only goes personally if Maya drags her along and then she does actually have a ton of fun.

Godot: I don't think he's even out to himself.

Klavier: He is very very out publicly but his fans still debate it. A lot of people think he's queerbaiting for his career despite all evidence to the contrary. He is at pride EVERY yeah and will go to as many parades as he can manage. Huge pride guy. He also probably performs there 99% of the time.

Simon: Robert Patterson levels of out. He is not here to represent anyone, he is here to baffle. He goes to pride mostly with Athena and refuses to wear any colours.

Gumshoe: Again not really famous enough for it to matter. But he fucking loves pride. He enjoys himself so much. Honestly even if you don't interpret him as queer I think he'd still go to pride as a loud as hell ally.

[tacobellabeanburrito]

Things That Irk Me In Ace Attorney Fanfics:

When Larry is a pervert, bad friend and seen as the butt of every joke.

When Klavier is depicted as a pervert and pushy in his romantic endeavors.

When Phoenix hates Klavier and avoids him.

When people don’t acknowledge that Pearls is as much of a daughter to Phoenix as Trucy.

When people don’t add Sebastian into the Miles family and only see Kay as Miles’ adopted daughter.

When people don’t add Kay to the Phoenix, Miles and Trucy family.

When people don’t add Sebastian or Apollo to the Trucy, Kay, Miles and Phoenix family.

When Franziska and Phoenix hate each other and only tolerate each other for the sake of Miles and Trucy.

When Klavier and Ema aren’t see as worsties.

When Miles is seen as not seeing Ema as a daughter either.

When people think that Phoenix doesn’t care as much about Ema as he does to all of his adopted weird girl assistants.

When people see Athena and Simon as lovers instead of siblings/family.

When people don’t think that Phoenix sees Apollo and Athena as part of his family and then they get left out of the loop.

When people don’t make the prosecutor’s office a family.

When Phoenix, Gumshoe and Maya aren’t seen as besties.

When Miles doesn’t care about Gumshoe.

When Miles doesn’t see all the others in his life as family/friends except for Franziska, Trucy and Phoenix.

When Phoenix and Miles are seen as hating Larry and not wanting to hang out with him.

Will probably add more. Also, not saying that people are wrong for viewing the characters like this, it’s just sometimes when they do this it really irks me because I interpret their relationships and characters differently.

Also feel free to add in the comments and stuff! But don’t be mean, please.

[bfhdhb]

the sillies (template found here, not sure where the og is from)

[thepollyjustice]

I don’t know who’s deeper in the pit of denial about their feelings to the individuals they have feelings for: you or your brother

Nahyutas happiness for his got exposed by Athena so better watch out Apollo~

— the siren

“Athena… Don’t.”

@hearing-a-lot-of-things @holy-mothers-servant

[bayonetta-origins]

in tune with the heartbeat of our solar system, lets sparkle with tangled steps, star! ☆

dont repost reblogs ok

[ab121500]

Why did no one tell me Blackquill was fucking hilarious?!

This had me in TEARS. I love him

[39mice]

Twitter really liked this post. So have it here aswell

[sunset-peril]

Ashes Remain - Chapter Seventeen - Ladders and Stepladders

~~~~

The first thing she recognized were the dogs. She couldn't see them, but she knew they were there. 

She saw their torn ears in her mind's eye, bloodstained teeth and patchy fur. She heard the pants, snorted out of flared nostrils. 

They always came for her, for what is a champion but a throne to overthrow?

A year's time would save her from much, but it refused to silence them. There is always a limit to generosity. 

A moment’s weakness toils the bell.

For whom does the bell toil?

It toils for she.

There’s a reason no one cries “Long live the queen!”

The next thing she realized was the gurney, then the needle in her shoulder. 

Until now, she’d never been able to smell herself, much less taste her raw terror as she tried to break loose of the straps, to rip the lethal thing from her body before it was much too late. 

“Venus, stop that!” A dog with missing ears, she knew clearly where they’d gone, snapped from above her body. “Stop that, Venus!”

“No!” She stilled in terror when her voice slurred in such a manner. Was it already done?

“Stop it, Venus! You’re going to hurt yourself!”

“No! I refuse to let you kill me!”

“Venus!” The creature lunged at her neck; light and shapes flooded back to her. 

There was a lady standing over her, calling with the canine’s voice. “It’s okay, Venus. You’re in Los Kyoto. You really did a number on yourself, you know that?”

Terror still raged through her, and she clung to her neck.

“You’re going to choke yourself. Let go, I won’t hurt you, you’re safe. My name is Naia, Chief Prosecutor Edgeworth sent me.” A prosecutor’s badge dangled from her neckline. 

Mr. Edgeworth, she remembered him. His name was Miles, it was so un-European. He smelled of ramen and black tea and was nothing but gentle to her. 

He and the boss bickered heavily, and while Apollo bore respect, he was still obviously bothered by his presence. She felt more fear towards her boss than she did towards Mr. Edgeworth. He specifically told her to call him Mr. Edgeworth, so she did. 

“Ah, you remember him, don’t you?”

She remembered Mr. Edgeworth.

“You had a panic attack and passed out, he was getting a bit worried.”

She remembered now. She’d gone to Courtroom Number Four in search of Apollo, and found his unconscious body on the ground, bleeding.

And it wasn’t just him she saw, four others echoed in the ruins’ shadows and the smell of blood clawed at her throat. 

That’s when the dogs came, howling. That’s when everything went dark. 

“Mr. Justice will be okay, Venus. You’ll both just have to rest here and recover.”

Apollo was here.

She ducked her head away. “My name’s not Venus.”

“Of course not, Athena. Now you just relax. Your painkillers should start working soon, if you’re still in a lot of pain.” 

“Are they gonna mute them?”

“Your hearing aids? I’m not sure. If they do, I’m sure they’ll have a good reason. No one will hurt you like that again, you’re free.”

“It will be a long time before I can say I’ll believe you.”

~~~~

December 18th, 2027

1:05pm

General Hospital - Suite 247

~~~~

Apollo was sure it was a dream. He was sure that the prosecutor wasn't really there. He was sure she didn’t really call Athena by another name for an entire conversation. He was sure she didn’t respond by the other name until he was mentioned. 

He was sure it was a dream. A stress dream, distorted further by the pain. 

He was sure she was Athena Cykes. 

And he’d rather die than lose his faith. 

But then Fulbright came. He’d heard the voices outside and the seed of doubt within him began to sprout. “Ah, Prosecutor Graves! I’d heard much about you from Prosecutor Blackquill. Astounding to finally meet someone so concerned with the fight for justice as I!”

“Cut to it, Detective Fulbright. Some of us have actual work to do, instead of playing tea time with convicted killers.” 

“I beg your pardon! Here I am, looking to your advice in awe, and you chide me for attempting to reform those in our prison system!”

“There is no ‘reforming’ the man. He is to die.Your efforts will be nothing but in vain.” 

“This is getting beside the point, Prosecutor Graves! I’m here investigating Venus Blackquill!”

…What? 

“You are a fool, much like Blackquill has always said. That is not her name!”

He knew it. He knew it was all a dream.

“It is Gyax. Venus Gyax. There is no Athena Cykes.” 

No. 

It couldn’t be.

“I beg your pardon, Prosecutor? There is too such a person!”

“Not in a long time. Perhaps you didn’t read your charge’s file, Fulbright, for Athena Cykes died long ago. Skye filed the death certificate yesterday.”

He couldn’t believe it, but he had to. 

If evidence is everything, then the woman he loved was a fraud.

“That certificate was only just received! Even the hospital staff has no idea why it exists, for she is clearly alive.”

“I will say this one more time, Fool Bright. That certificate was signed in the presence of the court. Athena. Cykes. Is. Dead. Visit her grave if you’re so blatantly inclined.”

“I can see now why the chief put you with Prosecutor Blackquill. So very willing to get in the way of justice. No wonder they call you the Scapegoat Prosecutor.”

He saw his lover stumble from her bed, storm over to the door with her IV stand and slam it against the door. “Shut up!” Her Chords of Steel threatened his own. 

“Look what you’ve done. She’s awake.” The door cracked open. There was the lady he’d dreamed about. “Athena,” How dare she continue to call Athena that, when it was all such a lie? “Go back to bed. You need to rest.”

He couldn’t take it any longer. He needed answers before she could slip back through his hands. “Not until I get answers.” He was too busy to stand, but Justice was still going strong. “I have evidence to suggest you haven’t been straight with me, Athena. Or should I say, Venus?” 

Athena’s eyes flooded white. Muscles in her throat rippled the odd scar circling the shallowest part of the jugular. Low rumbles stirred from the remnants of her light voice.

He was ever so glad he hadn’t heard that sound in bed. “Don’t incriminate yourself.”

The white in her eyes vanished as she looked back, pupils shrinking as she pulled backwards. 

“If you can’t be straight to me about something as simple as your name, Venus Gyax, then what else have you been lying about? Your convenient disappearance? The knife in Clay’s chest? Spill it, Gyax!”

“That’s not my name!” She couldn’t look him in the eye, his bracelet threatened to amputate his hand. “Apollo, it’s me, Athena! Your painkillers are playing with your mind, they did the same thing to me!”

“If you were Athena, then why did this hospital find a death certificate?! Why have a detective and a prosecutor identified you otherwise?!” 

“I’m Athena Cykes. I’m your co-council, your partner in crime fighting. I-I love you, Apollo Justice!”

“How can you prove you’re her? How, even if you are, can you prove you were ever worthy of the love I had for Athena?” 

“Because I am Athena!”

“You were never Athena! This prosecutor proves you were never who you said you were! I can’t believe I ever trusted you for a second, you European reject!” 

“Apollo Justice! You will quit harassing your partner!”

“My partner is Athena Cykes! Not this fraud of a woman!” 

Widget fell black and she crumpled to the floor. “I’m Athena, I’m Athena!” She continued to plead even after she’d hit the ground. Graves pounded the nurse call button and helped the incapacitated redhead to bed. He felt everything swirling inside him. He wanted to believe her, to hold her tight.

The nurses came and muted her ears. Athena Cykes, Venus Gyax, whoever this woman was, was now out of his reach.

He’d dumped all the doubts in his brain, but no clarity or comfort came. He felt utterly betrayed on both his behalf and hers. He couldn’t argue, he loved this woman, and was her legal guardian. Those feelings and ties, however, were formed with Athena Cykes. He wanted to believe in her, to feel her play with his hair as she chided him for risking his life to save her friend. 

Her friend that was now safe and sound, not guilty of a terrible act. 

Her friend who had also been betrayed, believing this woman was her dead childhood friend. For Juniper’s sake, he wanted to declare this woman had been and always will be Athena Cykes. For his own heart, consumed by the loss of two families and an only friend, he needed who she said she was.

However, evidence never lies. 

[mio-nika]

Disgusting (comic) AU. Over-arching plot, characters profiles and relationship dynamic breakdown.

Plot:

Mostly based on a modmad "What if Ace Attorney Investigations: Simon Blackquill".

Post Dual Destinies, Phantom spends some time in prison (like a month). And now let's get him out (temporary), so he can sell his employers with comfort. And also pair him with Simon, because they don't hate each other enough. Phantom get's his Bobby mask because artistic continuity, if I change his face we are bordering on Original Character territory.

I'm not smart enough to write actual spy plot, so they are existing in some limbo doing something spy-like. I'm mostly here to inflict the massive amounts of psychological and emotional damage on characters and fans.

Main Protags:

Phantom - after his meltdown in court, getting shot and the conviction his brain got chopped in much finer mush. With his blood, fingerprints and face being recorded he has no way of going back to his classic "run and hide" bullshit. Doesn't like to be out and about. Prefers to be locked up in jail, since he gets solitary and full protection.

Simon - is suffering. Understands the assignment of being paired with the guy who actually knows how to run underground spy business. But still does not like it. AT ALL.

Athena - since I'm not a fan of women centric whump (it's very rarely good and I can count the good examples of it on one hand). I'm using her as a plot device and brain can opener. She's not involved in operation, bc Simon cares about her to much. But sometimes spends time with Phantom as a psychotherapist.

Relationship chemistry:

Everything is very bad. I mean. Except psycho duo, but they are kinda. A well oiled machine.

• Simon <- -> Athena - they are something that I call platonic soulmates. Two people who's lifes are so deeply intertwined, that they can never be apart. They are friends. They are siblings. They are uncle and niece. They would be together from this point to the eternity.

• Athena -> Phantom - she feels disdain towards him, but also pity. I mean:

I truly think that the therapist in her. And the saviour complex would destroy her "he killed my mom". So she kinda goes as "I would help you, but only if you yourself would try to change. Bitch you live like this".

• Phantom -> Athena - fear. I mean. She can read his mind. She can feel that he feels. She is the reason why his life was destroyed. And I'm not only talking about last trial. She made original reading from his bomb threat.

Her abilities to read his mind is probably horrifying to him, since his entire persona based on hiding. But I also think, that he would gravitate to her. She thinks he can change. She's also mentally not normal. She's a therapist. There's a lot of reasons why he can be scared, but also longing for understanding.

• Simon -> Phantom - disgust, babeey! There's probably a lot more, but this bitch does not talk to me. So I'm just observing him from the side.

• Phantom -> Simon - we went so far from good doggie woof woof, that we came back to it.

I'm calling it "fucked up backward loyalty". It's half "I has no reason to make him even more mad, we are trying to work here". And "please please please give me any type of attention". It's the same way as with Athena. Before every human interaction Phantom had for *we don't know how much* time was filtering through his role. Basically "it's my funny friend Bobby", not "it's my funny friend Phantom". So I think he got kinda. Lonely. Not even lonely, more like deep social dissociation. Simon hates him, but he hates HIM, SPECIFICALLY, not Bobby. And the hate is extremely powerful emotion it's almost like love.

Anyway. Local spy got his brain hard rebooted. And mistakenly imprinted on two people who hate him. WHAT CAN GO WRONG

[toneido-uendo]

What do you think of that Simon Blackquill? I'm sure you all are very good friends by now.

"Of course! We've run into each other a lot with how often he'd drop by. I'm sure it was mostly for the food, though."

"Wherever the Whet Noodle goes, Simon's guaranteed to follow!"

@ask-twisted-samurai

[gallery-piece]

one more post for the night while im eating dinner. i had a moment of coherent thought yesterday so. office headcanons for some various characters. have fun add on etc ‼

kristoph: fancy rolling chair on his side, desk. one nice but not as nice chair on the other. another can be brought in if needed. very sparsely decorated, but ornate. has a photo of vongole, a few travel trinkets. degree, a well hidden photo of their younger self with klavier, some books. school counselor-core if that makes sense..

blackquill: desk in center of room. big window for taka + her perch. he has a couch (naptime) and coffee table in his office, the table usually has whatever he's reading.. couch usually has his stuff on it. (prefers to meet with clients somewhere else) has shelves behind his desk, overstuffed and chaotic with tons of sentimental items, photos etc. people (athena) totally will hide things in there and wait for him to notice. i think he'd have blackout curtains but doesn't use them often because of taka.

nahyuta: not very decorated at first, but had some nice curtains/drapery put up, and burns incense for comfort. eventually did get roped into collecting momentos, and changing the basic office around. has a spare chair for others, but made empty space for prayer and meditation. i think they have fake plants since they're in and out of japanifornia a lot. like fake vines. doesn't trust anyone to take care of them so.. fake.

klavier: i feel like he either has the most basic office (working remote). or think like. the animal crossing sleek series. most definitely has LED strips up in the office to everyone's dismay. would rather die than use overhead lighting. also i think he has soundproofing pads on the walls. (also one of my roommates brought up those hexagon lights. they're right.)

also i think the WAA has a very open workspace, instead of offices. everyone there is neurodivergent.. i can't see offices working. people just work literally wherever. i cant be bothered to double check this one but i know in my heart even if there Are offices.. they aren't being used

[surging-eyes-seeing-through]

I suppose Mr Blackquill is taking this quite badly... (( To murderpollo!!!)

"Like... Prosecutor Blackquill? I don't think he has much of an opinion at all, given he was executed a few weeks ago."