#the phone call dialogue is straight from the transcript and I tried to make everything else as canon accurate as possible

[wowowwild]

@izabella95 humored me and now I’ve made this. It’s another forbidden hospital scene but plot twist! It was me who wrote it this time.

RIIING... RIIING...

Who could that be at this time of night...? He picked up his phone, squinting, but unable to read the screen.

“Yes? Edgeworth speaking…” Ugh, his voice sounded awful. Where’d he put his water glass? “Edgey! Get up! It's an emergency!” “...Huh? Larry...? Do you know what time it is?” What time was it, actually? Too early, anyway. “It's not "Larry"! It's "Laurice"! Laurice Deauxnim!” “... This is nothing more than a terrible nightmare…” he began grumbling to himself out of habit, “I'll just roll over and…” “W-Wait! Don't hang up! ...It's an emergency! It's Nick! H-He... He took a really nasty spill!” “Well, it wouldn't be the first time, so…” He was such a klutz, honestly. “I'm not joking! His life is in danger!” “Wh-What...!?” His life?! Edgeworth sat up with a start, now fully awake. “What happened!? Tell me!” “Talk about a guy with bad luck! He may already be dead! Anyway, you've got to come back! You're the only one that can help! My Iris... My beautiful Iris! She needs help...!” Well if Larry was worried about a girl, it couldn’t be that bad… still, he’d better check it out. “Alright. I don't know what's going on, but... I'll be there as soon as I can.” “I-I'm at the detention center! Please! Hurryyyyyy!”

He hung up the phone and drew himself out of bed. It had been a year since he’d left, but he still wasn’t ready… He thought he’d have more time. And it didn’t sound like it would be a pretty reunion, but could it ever have been? Enough of that, he’d need a plane, a private jet, ASAP.

The only available jet wouldn’t be leaving for another hour, and that was after he dropped his name and money and anything else he could think of. He was able to pack (if you could call shoving three outfits in a carry-on packing) while he argued with the worker, he did feel a bit bad about it, but the longer he was in Europe, the more anxiety gnawed at him. Larry had said it was a nasty spill. He said that Wright’s life was in danger. That he could already be dead. That had to be an exaggeration, right? Larry wouldn’t leave Wright alone and dying for a girl, right? Right? He needed answers.

After calling a cab, he made another call. He’d been prepared to make several, but he lucked out on the first.

“Hello, I’m calling about a possible patient. His name is Phoenix Wright, he’s about 5’10”, spiky black hair, and a propensity for bad luck.” “And who is this calling?” “Miles Edgeworth.” “Yes, we do have a Phoenix Wright here and you are listed on his patient profile.” “I am?” That was news to him, and rather impractical, too, considering the continental distance. “Oh, um, yes, well, I heard he ‘took a nasty spill’?” “That’s one way to look at it. Are you familiar with Dusky Bridge on Eagle Mountain?” That name… “Dusky… Bridge… ! He fell off of that bridge?!” “More accurately the boards beneath him broke due to the fire.” “Fire?!” Larry, you couldn’t have mentioned that?! “The bridge was on fire when he attempted to cross.” “Why would he do that?!” What was that man thinking?! “I’m afraid don’t have the answer to that.” “Is he going to be alright?” “We are still unclear as to the extent of his injuries and the freezing temperatures of the water were quite the shock to his system, but being found alive after a fall like that can certainly give us hope.” “Thank you, I will be there as soon as possible.” “We will be expecting you.”

He hung up. He hadn’t even thought about the water. Wright didn’t do well with cold in the first place… What was he doing anywhere near that bridge? A fall from Dusky Bridge… It wasn’t impossible to survive, but it was highly unlikely. Was he burned from the fire? Did he have scrapes and bruises from the rocks? Would the hypothermia get him? What if Wright died before he got there? That couldn’t… He couldn’t…

This line of thought would not be helpful to anyone. Better to focus on things that could be done than things you can’t control. Ok. Deep breath in. Out. He’d be there in 12 hours. A lot could happen during that time, but falling off a bridge wouldn’t kill someone as stubborn as that man.

Maybe he should take the time to come up with an explanation for himself. Would Wright even want to see him? He had just barely forgiven him for his first disappearance before he’d had to tell him he was leaving again, that he wasn’t really back in the first place. He’d have to do that again, once he determined that Wright was ok.

Why did the thought pain him so? It was inevitable. He had work to do in Europe. In fact he’d be perfectly content to live his life there and never return to the states… except that wasn’t true, was it. If he was content not to return, then why was he doing so, now? It’s not like he could do anything stateside that he couldn’t from Europe. He wasn’t a doctor. He was barely a friend… no, that wasn’t true either. After all those years spent apart… And after what had happened then… It was clear that they had a bond.

Normally he hated being on a plane with many passengers, they were noisy or nosy or both… but the isolating quietness of the private jet… He’d do anything to have to listen to a crying baby or a neighbor chewing too loudly. Being alone with his thoughts was never his favorite pastime, but now if it wasn’t anxiety, it was the gnawing disquieting uncertainty paired with a feeling of not truly knowing himself.

He couldn’t articulate why, but this felt right. It felt right to run back to that man. Being near him brought questions he didn’t have answers to, but it felt natural. Like he was supposed to be there and no matter how far he went or for how long he would always come back. So he had been right, really. He might have been content never to return to LA, but only if that man was by his side wherever he did end up. Still, he wasn’t done with his work yet, they’d have to part again, all too soon. But this realization meant he’d truly have something he wanted to come back to.

He nodded off for the majority of the rest of the trip, waking only an hour before they landed. It was disorienting, sleeping his way through most of the time change. He readjusted himself in time to navigate the airport and call another cab. It was far warmer there than it had been in Germany, but still chilly. Wright must have been freezing on that mountain.

He was being impatient and he knew it, but it still took every ounce of self control he had not to burst through the double doors at the front of the hospital and run to the reception. He settled for a brisk pace and glare neutral expression.

This was it. The moment of truth. The next few moments would mean everything to him, and he knew it.

“Miles Edgeworth to see Phoenix Wright.” “Ah, Kelly left a note here. I’ll show you to his room.” “Has he said anything about what happened?” “He hasn't said much besides a few things in his sleep. He’s still pretty out of it. He has a high fever that we’re trying to manage and a few bumps, but is otherwise ok. A couple days of rest and he should be as good as new.” “Th-thank you.” Why was he stuttering? Oh. Those might be tears. He took a second to school his face and manage his emotions. She was saying something else, but he couldn’t hear it. “Here we are. If you need anything, feel free to come ask one of us at the desk.” “Right.” He nodded, bracing himself.

Edgeworth pushed the door open gently. There he was, drooling in his sleep, a cool cloth on his forehead. He looked so young and peaceful. His cheeks were flushed, likely from the fever, and he had some bandages in various places, but Wright was alive and would be ok.

Maybe he should leave before Wright woke up. It could be like he was never there at all. But that hurt to think about. He didn’t want to do that. He found himself walking towards the cot and sitting in the chair. Should he wake the man? He noticed one of Wright’s hands was bandaged. He put his hand over it. It was so cold. What if he hadn’t made it? What if Miles Edgeworth was forced to live in a world without Phoenix Wright? That didn’t seem right at all. The world needs that man. And what if Larry hadn’t called him? Would he have ever known? He couldn’t…

It was his own fault. He should have been better at communicating. Even if he sent an email once a week. He’d start doing that. Even if it said nothing of importance. Even if he never got a response back. He needed that channel to be open. An unspoken acknowledgement that Wright could contact him anytime for even trivial matters.

He was soon shaken out of his guilt addled stupor by something… shifting. A sound.

“-les? Miles is that you?” “Wright.” “It is. I must be dreaming again.” “No! No, I’m here. I’m really here.” He placed his second hand under Wright’s, sandwiching it. “But you’re in Europe.” “I was. But now I’m here. At least until you get better.” “... And then you’ll leave again.” “I will.” “Then I’ll just stay here and then you’ll have to stay here, too.” “Wright, you can’t possibly be suggesting that you spend more time being sick and injured just to keep me in LA.” “Well why not? You said you’d stay until I got better.” “Wright… I have work to do in Europe. But it’s going to be different this time. I’ll keep in contact.” “You said that last time.” “I know. But I’m really going to do it this time. I know I don’t deserve it, but could you put your trust in me, one more time, when I promise you this?” “I always trust you.”

The unwavering sincerity created a pang in his heart. What was that emotion? He couldn’t put his finger on it.

“... And I will always trust you.” From the moment that man saved him, his fate was sealed.

Miles took a moment to examine Phoenix’s waking face. He looked tired and sweaty. Without thinking, he pulled his hand from atop the stack and brushed aside a piece of hair that was sticking to Phoenix’s forehead. The other man leaned into the touch. Miles could feel his face heating up and his eyes widening. He hadn’t meant to do that.

“Uh oh. Did I get you sick?” Phoenix used his unbandaged hand to feel Miles’ forehead. “Ah, no. It’s just a little warm in here.” “Hmm… !!!!! Maya! Where is she?!” “I don’t know where Ms. Fey is.” “She was in the inner temple! I have to get to Maya!” “She was on Eagle Mountain with you, correct?” “The killer! Maya could be trapped with the killer! I have to go!” “Wright, don’t be ridiculous, you need to rest. You’re not going anywhere.” “Please! I have to get to Maya, you don’t understand! I have to get to her! She’s my responsibility!” “Wright, calm down. There was a murder, correct? That means there will be officers all over the place. What Maya needs is for you to rest and get better.” “... You promise?” “I-” Its’ not really something he could promise, but Phoenix looked so hopeless… that wasn’t right. “I promise. Is there anything you can tell me about the situation? Larry wasn’t very helpful when he called me.” “There was… There was a murder… Dollie- no Iris. Iris! You have to help her! She didn’t do it, I know she didn’t do it. My Dollie could never do something like that. Why would she do it? She didn’t do it.” “Wright, you’re not making much sense. Do you need more medication-” “No! I’m telling you she didn’t do it! She couldn’t have been there! Why was she there?!” he wailed. “Wright, I need you to calm down. I can’t understand what you’re saying to me. Take a deep breath. I’ll do it with you. In-”

Phoenix mimicked him, but it brought on a bout of coughing. Miles patted and rubbed his back.

“Do you need some water?”

Phoenix nodded in between coughs. Miles picked up the glass that was on the table next to them.

“Here, let me help you.”

Phoenix was mostly successful at drinking the water, minus a small dribble that Miles wiped away with a paper towel. He looked much more drained than he had moments ago.

“It looks like you’ve tired yourself out.” Phoenix nodded. “Can you find Maya for me?” “I will make sure she comes to see you.” “Ok. Can you help Iris? She didn’t do it.” He always had such unwavering belief in others… That was something Miles… admired about him. “I’ll see what I can do. I believe Larry is with her at the detention center, I’ll be headed there next.” “Good. She shouldn’t be alone.”

Come to think of it… Larry seemed to have his eyes on this girl, but Phoenix had called her ‘his Dollie’ during his outburst… Miles felt a twinge in his heart yet again. Why did that feel so bad?

“We went to the temple. The girls wanted to train. I… Elise couldn’t find Pearls, Iris rang the bell, Bikini was with Maya but then she wasn’t. I heard a scream and stepped on Bikini and there was blood. I had to get to Maya. The killer could have gone over that bridge. Maya…” “I’m going to do what I can to help sort this all out.” “Miles…” “I have to go now. I’ll see you again very soon.” “Before you go, you’re going to need these.”

Phoenix’s words were coming out slower and fainter. He rooted around in his items before holding out a closed fist. Miles put out an open hand into which Phoenix dropped an odd shaped green rock and…

“Your badge?” “Mhm. S’most important thing I have, so don’t lose it.” “It is important, so maybe you should hold onto it-” “Nope. You gotta hold it now. S’important.” Miles figured he could humor the man who was only half conscious and feverish. “And the rock?” “Second most important thing. Magatama. You can see psychelocks when they try to hide from you. They can’t though. You can see into their hearts.” “Wright, that doesn’t make any sense.” He gave as much of a laugh as he could muster. “You’ll see.” “Wright… what exactly do you expect me to do with these?”

Miles didn’t like where this was going, and boy was it going there fast. Phoenix just smiled as he drifted off into sleep. He couldn’t have possibly meant what Miles thought he meant. That would just be ridiculous, and probably not very legal. Then again, that man was indecipherable on the best of days, let alone when his mind was in a fog as it was. It was time to go and get some more answers. At the very least he wanted to meet this Iris person and ensure Maya’s safety. He wasn’t sure if Phoenix had very bad luck for getting into these situations or very good luck for getting out of them mostly unscathed. He spoke to the front desk on his way out.

“Could you please update me on any changes to Phoenix Wright’s condition?” “Of course. Good luck.”

He wasn’t really sure why he was being wished good luck, but he felt he might need it, especially if Phoenix asked any more of him. That man made him irrational and made him feel things he didn’t understand. Maybe it wasn’t such a bad thing. For all the uncertainty, nothing had ever felt more right. He could just hear the joke that man would make in response. Off to the detention center, then, to fulfill his promises and find the truth.

[cowb0ygenius]

Interview with Julien Baker | From the Music Desk

Julien Baker is set to release a new album, "Little Oblivions" on Feb. 26. Baker is coming off the heels of her collaboration with Phoebe Bridgers and Lucy Dacus in their group Boygenius, and she played at Eaux Claires one year, playing background as Hanif Abdurraqib read poetry. Abdurraqib also wrote Baker's bio for the "Little Oblivions" release and once we started on our shared love for his work, there was no stopping our conversation. -88Nine Radio Milwaukee

[transcript under the cut]

Hi Julien!

Hello Justin!

Hey, how ya doing?

Uh, doing pretty well! Yeah, how are you?

I’m good. Uh, even before going into- even before reading your bio I was going to ask you about Hanif Abdurraqib, and then-

Yeah!

And then I was so fortunate to read the bio [laughs]

I, when he agreed to do that, I was like- [gestures] I was like, emotional? I was like, “I love Hanif!” I actually met- it’s so weird, I like, met/heard, became familiar with his writing, his poetry at, like, a christian writing conference in Grand Rapids?

When?

Um… Oh my gosh, was it 2017? Had to be 2017. Because 2018… yeah. I think it was like a couple of years ago. Um, and then like-

Why were you both there? … Speaking on Christian writing?

Okay so here- the, um, the person who ran it, um, was so sweet, and had like- so we had played there… “we.” This was before I toured with a band. But uh, played with violin. We had played there at this Christian college, um, in Grand Rapids, like just on tour, because whoever ran the events was like- I don’t wanna say “really cool” as if that’s an anomaly for people who- for people of faith, but like-

Sure!

I played there, they had asked Torres to play there, you know-

Hanif was there…

Hanif was there. Yeah, it seemed like the people programming wanted to have a dialogue that wasn’t so- like- the- I don’t- man. It’s funny, ‘cause now I don’t really like using words like “secular.” Um.. [laughs] There’s just this weird otherness, when you call something “secular.” You’re like, “oh…. Secular.”

[laughs]

But uh.. yeah! Just wanted to incorporate, like, non-faith based art as an exploration of like, more abstract ways of how, how we see God?

Mhm.

Umm… like, what that even is? Which I- I like, of course, I was like 20 years old and I was like “THIS IS MY LANEE” Um, I gave at- at that- I’m s- I’m a little embarrassed, but also…. God bless young Julien. I gave like a fucking powerpoint presentation at that conference-

Wow!

AT THAT CONFERENCE, about how [laughs] about how hardcore music, um, was an analog to the tenets of the Gospel.

How so?

Oh my gosh. I don’t know. I-

Hit me with the thesis!

Man, I don’t wanna- I just- It’s funny because I- back then I was trying to have a thesis. And I thought I ha- I had a lot of philosophies to deploy. And now I don’t. [long pause] Uh… Now I don’t. I’m not so- It’s not like I’m not so sure of them but I just have… you know, even back then where it was like this weird disclaimer I would put at the beginning of everything, like, “well I don’t know anything, but what I’ve found and how I understand faith,” and it’s just kind of like… I… I now feel responsible for, kind of, representing an ideology, or trying to pitch people an ideology that was not realistic. [chuckles] Or like-

What was your ideology?

I don’t know! I thought that, that…. [scoffs] It was a lot of stuff. Um, I thought, you know, I thought living out my faith, and- God, this is probably- I don’t wanna do this to another artist, uh, and be like, “Well I really liked what they said, so I did just like them!” Uh, but I- my favorite band was mewithoutYou? And,

Mhm.

It still is! mewithoutYou rocks. Um, but, I like…. Took everything about their ethos and how... Aaron like, characterized God and like the things that they did and tried to apply it to my own life in this way that when I look back on it now was really like- it was like, not that extreme but I wanted to be? You know? I wanted to have like, one shirt.

Oh, yeah.

And to not have- and like, take all the rider food and walk around outside and give it to homeless people.

Yeah.

That’s not- like, okay.

I get that, I get that.

That’s not inherently bad! That is not inherently bad. But, like… I think that I like, hung all of those actions on this belief that like, there was a true- like if I could only just find out what being right is.

Mm.

What God wants. What, uh- how to best love other people. What the right thing to do is.

Mm.

Then I could- and I was like- but you know, it’s because I held all these crazy standards for myself, of being like… ultimately kind? Then when I was like human and I did something shitty, I would have a panic attack about it. You know?

Yeah. Yes.

Like… and, I was just like- but it’s basically so I’m standing up here in a frickin’ tweed blazer, at this Christian conference, trying to be like, “Here’s how I learned love.” Right? Like, “I learned love because people at a church that was a little bit more progressive than the churches I had been to in high school, um, invited me over for dinner, no strings attached, and I was happy that someone was taking interest in me and being kind to me and loving me with no caveat?”

Mhm.

And the other place I found that was.. punk shows. The other place I found that, was, you know, and it was all wrapped up to in like… me being attached to like, straight-edge ideology. Which ha- like, can be useful as like an offshoot of like an understanding of sobriety but also has a lot to do with purity culture? And like… [gestures]

Yeah.

You know? It’s- it’s just- difficult! And so now, I’m like- I just have less to say. You wouldn’t know it ‘cause I just talked, like-

[laughs]

I just had like a 10 minute run-on sentence, obviously. But like, I have- I have less. 

You think that’s ‘cause you have a larger audience?

Woah!

You think it’s harder to say something if you have a larger audience?

…. Oh god. You know what? I was gonna say no, but actually that might be a part of it. Like, I’d never thought of it like that before, but- man. I used to, like, if I were gonna tweet something, something that I f- that I shouldn’t feel so anxious about like, like- tweeting.

Yeah.

Like, first of all, it’s Twi- it’s like an imaginary digital realm. Like, i- it’s powerful! It’s powerful to educate, to organize, to um- you know, especially like...  whatever, I’m not even gonna get off on that, ‘cause that’ll be like the whole interview. But, I would st- I would have to- I would be like visibly sweating and have to turn my phone off if I was just like, “Hey! please like donate to this organization that’s trying to not put children in cages at the border.” But it’s like, why? I have- with my- with the whole fabric of my being believe that’s the right thing to do, and I have this like, “well what if, what if you’re wrong? What if you hurt someone’s feelings?” And I’m just like, dude- I- I- it’s just like, the more people- I didn’t even… When I was a kid, I just wanted to play music, and I pretty much thought that I was going to be a teacher, and then I was going to use summer break to tour with my band. And just kinda be… a thirty-year-old, like, rock chick.

Cool. Mhm.

Who was just… touring bars.

Cool teacher.

And like, I don’t- I don’t know! I didn’t want- but the same thing is, like, I had somebody say to me really early on, I was like- I said to them—it was my friend Ryan Rado, who made the painting for the Turn Out the Lights album cover—I was like, “Man, the most- I feel like the only thing I wanna do with a microphone when I get it is turn it away because I always learned about shows being about… gang vocals! And like-

[laughs]

And that’s kind of- that’s like- that’s literal, but also, it has implications on how you understand… your platform as a musician. It’s like yeah, I’m just, like… you know? All the people watching my band are just the other bands that just played. So we’re all kinda on the same…

[laughs]

…plane?

Uhuh? [laughs]

Um, and it’s like- now- and i- he said to me- he was like, “But you can’t change the fact that you have the microphone.”

Mhmm.

“So you’re going to have to say something into it anyway.”

Yeah.

And then I was like, “Well what do I say?” [chuckles] What do I say if I wanna- if I truly want the world to be a better place. What can I say, to make whoever follows the Julien Baker music account on Twitter-

[laughs]

-think about being a better person! And I’m not- like, it sounds like I’m be- I’m being so mean to myself, because like… that’s true. Like I want to put ideas and links to articles and history podcasts about like- I want to put that in front of the people that trust me enough to smash that follow button. You know? Like-

Yeah.

I- I wanna try. But I… I can’t, like, I think I- I really just wanted to be good. And-

Yeah.

But it’s so… I don’t wanna be like, “it’s hard to be good,” because that’s like a cop out of like, “Well, I should just be average.” [laughs] But like.. yeah man. It’s difficult, to all of the sudden have-

The-

Yeah-

There’s a low threshold for forgiveness on twitter, you know?

Good God, yeah. Yeah.

I mean it’s like that, you know, it’s hard!

Yeah!

I mean I- I- I read a tweet that Hanif liked today, you know it was like in my feed of, like, “Hanif liked this.” And it was like something about Ocean Vuong—who I love—um, but I guess like, Ocean like, said something today or something like that? And then it was like a… there was like a poet that was like, “This should also be a place for learning.” This- like, if someone said something, this should also be a place for forgiveness. And sometimes, we’re- sometimes we’re still figuring it out! And that’s okay-

Yeah!

-And that’s a really tough thing to do.

No, um, Ha- uh, I was just reading like, I think it was Hayley Williams was tweeting this whole long thing about like saying “womxn” with an x? And then like, like all- like, I didn’t even understand it. Like, what was the- I was just like, “okay!” I guess there was somebody that had a problem with this, and then she was just like, “Thanks. Thanks for letting me know that was problematic, I won’t do that anymore.” And I wish- I wish that I… ha- like- maybe I will get to a point where I’m like- It’s like, “I know I’m problematic! I’m- everybody’s problematic!”

[laughs]

But not least of all, me! You know?

[laughs]

Um, but I’m so afraid it’s like I will sit there and concoct what I want to say in an interview, or like- like when I have to do email interviews my manager will send me like four- like, “Hey, you- you really need to get this done”

[laughs]

Because I will sit here for seven hours, in this spot in my apartment, and be like, “That’s not the best way to say that! I could say it better!” You know, I’m just like- and then inevitably I’ll read it the next week and I’ll be like, “still sounds dumb.” Like, I just-

[laughs] You can’t win, Julien!

Can’t win! Yeah but it’s- it’s freeing. Its freeing to know that you can’t win.

For sure. Um- I’m going to have to wrap this up. We’re-

I’m so sorry!

Um- er- I think we have like two more minutes- I know, it’s been a quick 15. Yeah, um, you had said that mewithoutYou is, um, is your favorite band? And I would- I wanna come out of this with a song to play- could you tell me a mewithoutYou song that we can play? And why you like it?

Wowwww… okay. I’m sorry. I’m like a stan of them so I’m like mulling through their entire discography in my head right now.

Sure.

Um- oh my God. You know what? It’s a weird one, and I feel like.. mewithoutYou fans don’t hate me for not saying, like, 19- 1979 or whatever? But… um… play King Beetle and the Coconut Estate. That one’s really cool. It’s about beetles who think that God is like a light and then they all fight it- it’s like a really cool microcosmic little fable that is a really merciful way to look at humans trying to figure out what heaven or god or rightness is. But it’s just little bugs. [laughs]

[laughs]

Talking to each other! It’s really cute. King Beetle and the Coconut Estate.

Perfect

Yeah. Yeah!

Um, and thank you. I mean, that’s- that was the fastest 15 minutes I’ve uh ever spent!

Oh my gosh! We didn’t even- We just talked about a Christian music conference!

[laughs] We didn’t even really like get to Hanif, or-

I’m so- I’m so sorry!

Oh no, oh my God! The best is when you, uh, make a plan and then you throw the, you know, road map out the window.

Yeah!

This is my dream conversation!

Okay! [laughs] Well good! Thank you! It’s been- I’ve enjoyed this conversation quite thoroughly.

Me too! Thank you! Uh- and thank you for the, thank you for the music! Consistently throughout your career, and-

Oh! Yeah, I try!

And thanks for the, for the new record.