Written for a prompt on the PWKM during 2012 Wright-A-Thon. Based on a letter by askaceattorney on tumblr. The link will be on my profile. This is my first go at writing femslash; hope you enjoy!
Franziska von Karma was perfect; it was in her blood. So after she'd come to terms with her losses to Phoenix Wright, she decided that it wasn't enough for her to be perfect in court, but perfect in all other aspects of life as well.
It had been over a year since her disgrace in America and she'd won all twenty of the cases she'd prosecuted. Her career was perfect, her home was perfect, she was perfect. It was if last year had never happened.
And life went on like this, blissfully disregarding her brief lapse of perfection. Until the letter arrived.
It came September 28. Her address was awkwardly scrawled out on the front of the envelope – clearly the sender was unfamiliar with German addresses. An international postage stamp in the corner confirmed her suspicions that the sender was foreign. It wasn't unusual for her to receive correspondence from those outside Germany, but they were always sent to her office, never her home. She had no time to read the letter though, she was expected in court shortly and a von Karma is always perfectly punctual.
On her return home from another win, she opened the letter, surprised to see it was from America. More specifically, Adrian Andrews. Her past, her disgrace, had finally caught up with her. She tossed the letter down in disgust, unread, and threw herself into another case.
But the letter continued to worry the edges of her mind until she could concentrate on her work no further. Frustrated with herself – a von Karma isn't afraid of mere words on paper – she marched over to where she'd carelessly discarded it. She sunk down onto the couch and read.
Dear Ms. Franziska von Karma,
I don't know who else to turn to. I'm sorry for irritating you, but I really need a friend right now…
Franziska frowned. She hadn't heard from Ms. Andrews for a whole year even though the woman had vowed to keep in touch. She'd assumed Andrews had decided better of it.
Recently, I held a Kurain Village exhibition. But there was an unfortunate incident with a stolen item and I ended up getting the backlash for it…
My past has yet again been exposed. I just can't handle it anymore… it feels like I'm alone in the dark and bitter world, like I'm useless…
By this point, although she would never admit it to herself, Franziska was concerned. Adrian Andrews was never the most stable person, but Franziska knew that deep down, Adrian was strong. She'd told the woman as much after that case.
I'm ashamed in myself for admitting it, but I need help. I'll understand if you don't reply. But please… I'm not sure I can get through this on my own.
I'm not strong like you.
The letter ended there.
Franziska stood up and began pacing. What Andrews had said in her letter was nonsense. She was one of the strongest people Franziska knew. She may have had dependency issues in the past, but she overcame them, even as she faced murder charges. Franziska had witnessed Adrian's fortitude first-hand, had commended her courage and resilience. And a von Karma is never wrong.
I'll not stand to be proven otherwise. If I have to convince her myself, then I will.
She strode back to her desk, letter in hand, and went about writing a reply. She reiterated what she'd said to Andrews the last time they'd spoken.
I did not offer my help to a weak and useless woman… If you were ever going to give up, you would have done so back then.
She knew that the veracity of her words alone would not convince Adrian Andrews. Considering the woman's past nature…
Fate, it seems, will have me back in that country shortly. If you seek my aid, you will have it.
It wasn't a total lie; she'd been meaning to return so that she could defeat Phoenix Wright once and for all. For a prosecutor of her stature, it wouldn't be difficult to take time off work on such short notice, especially since she'd be continuing her practice whilst she was gone.
And so it was settled. She finished off her reply and made a phone call to the Prosecutor's Office.
It's time Adrian Andrews learnt how to wield a whip anyway.