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p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';"A/N: Uwaaah! I haven't been able to update for the last two months! I need to be more active! I told myself that I was going to do a lot of fics this vacation but my mind also had a vacation of its own. Hee hee... So sorry for the late update. This chapter, we're going to have Edgeworth already and an intro for his life in prison. Warning warning./span/p
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p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';"oOoOoOo/span/p
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p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';""Get out of the car and put your hands where I can see them!" shouted a man wearing a blue uniform with a pistol in hand./span/p
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p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';""What is this?" answered the man, stepping out from the car, furrowed brows hinting his confusion. /span/p
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p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';""Mr. Miles Edgeworth, you are under arrest for the murder of Gregory Edgeworth," shouted the uniformed man again. /span/p
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p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';""What murder? My... my father? What are you... I-"/span/p
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p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';""You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to speak to an attorney, and to have an attorney present during any questioning," said the man while cuffing both of Edgeworth's hands and dragging him to the police car. /span/p
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p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';"A suited man's hands slammed against a wooden table, capturing everyone's attention and silence. "Are you sure that's your plea? A von Karma aims for nothing but perfection, and all the evidences state the perfect story about this murder," said the white-haired man coolly./span/p
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p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';""U-Uhh... I-I..." the man in a black suit opposite from von Karma stuttered. He glanced at the defendant with a defeated look. /span/p
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p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';""I ask you again– are you sure that that is your plea?" /span/p
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p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';""W-We plead..." he looked down, both hands on top of his desk, a drop of sweat sliding down to his cheek, and then sighed, "J-Justified... self-defense." He gulped loudly and the man across him crossed his arms and scoffed, obviously satisfied with himself. /span/p
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p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';""If that's the case, since Prosecutor von Karma has already established the case and its conclusion, the only thing I can do now is my job highlight," the bearded man stated, "Mr. Miles Edgeworth, please step out to the stand." Edgeworth moved swiftly to the stand, head drooped and shoulders hunched, "This court finds the defendant guilty. You will serve your sentence in prison for five years, as decided." Then, with a whack of the gavel, Edgeworth became a convict at the age of 22, and the attorney that represented him willingly removed his badge due to the effect von Karma had on him, and because of the gnawing guilt building up inside him./span/p
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p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';"Three years have passed since Edgeworth was imprisoned but he still hasn't got used to life behind bars. After all, he was put there because of some prosecutor's intimidating skills, and an attorney's lack of determination, resolution, and, well, skills itself. Every day he asked himself if he was living in hell, punished for the things he have done and those that he did not./span/p
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p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';"Everything is supposedly okay. No one seemed to notice him when he was new, and it continued until now. He had his tasks, his meals, his peace, his cell's protection. No one bothered him, talked to him, nor did they go near him. Until one winter morning./span/p
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p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';"It was cold, but everyone was on their feet, fulfilling their own tasks. Miles concentrated on scraping the old paint inside a storehouse. He wasn't alone, so the paint may be removed by sun fall if they all did their jobs and not mess with other people's business, but that was not the case. As Miles moved from one spot of the wall to another, a tall, hunky man approached him./span/p
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p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';""Uh, hey," He greeted, starting to scrape the paint beside Edgeworth's spot, "You're that innocent guy aren't you?" Edgeworth felt the other man's gaze focused on him, waiting for his response, but he didn't answer. "There's a lot of innocent people in here. Some are locked up mainly because of that von Karma bastard, and they've been ruined in here," He continued. Edgeworth took his concentration off of the wall for a second and turned his head to the tall man./span/p
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p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';""And I assume that you are one?" He asked, sass spilling from his tone and words. "I don't think you'd suddenly approach me just to inform me about that. Not all people in here have brains the size of a peanut." Miles was very irritated to have his peace disturbed. He wanted to make him leave as soon as possible, but the other man seemed to be unfazed./span/p
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p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';""You're a cocky one, eh?" He smiled and looked at the detainees they were with who were nodding and grinning like animals. From that, Miles had an awful feeling and he suddenly got nervous, horror building up inside him. "I'm gonna enjoy you." The larger man chuckled as he stepped towards Miles little by little. "I prefer rebellious men— the fierce looks on their faces, the way they reject my advances, that resentful gleam in their eyes— it's just too sexy." Miles gulped and backed away, only to be pinned to the wall, escape prevented by the other man's arms. He looked at the other man's eyes and saw that they were a bit blown. The large man breathed heavily, lustful aura emanating from him, as he gently bucked his hips forward, slightly brushing Miles' abdomen with his hardened member. "And you're quite handsome to boot."/span/p
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p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';"Phoenix strode back and forth in front of his windows, brows furrowed and hands fixed inside his pockets, while he waited for his next client. It was half-passed eight in the morning, Larry should be coming in thirty minutes. He wasn't able to expel Maggey's news yesterday from his mind, so he tried and busied himself by reading books and writing stuff. It was no use. He was utterly disturbed by what he heard, because it was strangely familiar. It was not just because of it being a large case five years ago, it was something else― like he knew who the man was. Suddenly absorbed by his thoughts, he almost literally jumped when three heavy knocks slammed against the door. He fixed himself and looked around to double-check the office, then went towards the door./span/p
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p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';""Morning, Larry," Phoenix greeted, "You don't really have to knock that hard you know, I can hear just fine in this cramped office."/span/p
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p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';"Larry scratched the back of his neck and smiled sheepishly. "Sorry, Nick, it's just that… sometimes I can't control my hand at all!" He laughed awkwardly. /span/p
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p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';"Phoenix sighed, "Never mind. Come, let's take a seat." He gestured towards the chairs by the coffee table./span/p
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p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';""Oh, right, I've got something for you." The man took out something from the paper bag he was holding and handed them to Phoenix. "Figured you might want to have some pie and coffee since you come here so early."/span/p
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p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';""Thank you," He looked at the man in front of him, "Do you want to have some coffee while we chat? I've got a couple of mugs and utensils in the cabinet, just in case."/span/p
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p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';""You won't mind?" He grinned. "I actually bought some for myself too, and I haven't had breakfast yet because I woke up kinda late." He chuckled./span/p
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p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';""Sure, let me just get them a second."/span/p
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p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';"When everything was set and they were digging in, Phoenix started to ask Larry about his week. "So, any progress?" /span/p
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p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';""Erm, I'd want to consider it as progress, I mean, I got to talk to her, despite her having Schizoid, you know." He rested his head against his palm and sighed, "First time… First time to have a stable, proper relationship and… I-I know I have to be patient and understanding, but… you know, no one's perfect." He sighed again. "I wish I could be as patient as I should be. I think I'm… starting to become selfish again."/span/p
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p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';""You know, Larry, you have to think for yourself as well, so this is perfectly normal," Phoenix smiled at him, "If you don't, well, the situation might become more complicated." Larry nodded thoughtfully at the doctor's words. After a few more conversations and advices, they exchanged handshakes and farewells, smiling and hugging and exchanging gratitude./span/p
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p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';""See you next week, Nick." He smiled, "Thanks for your happiness hypnosis or whatever. I feel great already."/span/p
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p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';""Bye, Larry. Be careful on your way to wherever you're going."/span/p
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p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';"Phoenix's day went by normally. Since Larry was the only regular he was expecting for the day, he didn't worry about the time. An individual came by about an hour after Larry's consultation to ask for help because she suspected that she was "a bit bipolar", and two sets of couples in the afternoon for similar but different reasons, both earning a deep sigh from Phoenix./span/p
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p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';"He sat at one of the couches in the receiving area, staring blankly at the shelves of books old and new, when his phone rang irritatingly loudly. Why does he always forget to put it on silent mode?/span/p
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p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';""Good afternoon, this is Phoenix Wright," he responded formally./span/p
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p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';""Gosh, Nick! You should really set a different ringtone for me!" the person from the other end laughed, "The way you formally greet people is disturbing for me, I mean, I'm not used to it!"/span/p
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p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';""Oh, Maya, hey." He said monotonously./span/p
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p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';""Don't 'hey' me! You even sound so bored!" Maya complained./span/p
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p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';""So, why are you calling?" Phoenix tapped his finger on the coffee table in front of him while he waited for a reply./span/p
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p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';""You forgot, didn't you?" she grimaced./span/p
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p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';""Forgot what?" Phoenix rummaged through his brain, looking for whatever he forgot. "Oh, right. Yeah, it's your birthday." He could feel the air of disappointment from the phone. He sighed, for the nth time today. "Sorry, Maya. I'm just… My head is full of problems, you know, both mine and not, so… you know, when a basin is full of water, the excess leaks."/span/p
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p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';""That's a weird way of putting it." He heard her sigh as well. "Can you come tonight? Mia's cooked some nice food here."/span/p
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p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';""I'll see. It's late now anyway, I think I'm just about to turn in for the day."/span/p
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p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';""Okay!" She replied cheerfully, "See you later!"/span/p
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p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';""See you. Happy birthday, Maya."/span/p
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p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';""Thanks." And with that, they ended their conversation. Phoenix stood up and looked around, taking a final glance before he left for the day. He started putting his things back to his bag and organized the papers on his desk. One by one, he started turning the lamps and lights off, when a knock, panic-y and alarming, thudded on his door./span/p
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p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';""Yes?" He almost shouted, frustrated that someone will come knocking on his door when he was just about to leave. The person knocking didn't answer. Instead, the knocking only became more intense. Phoenix, of course, hurried to open the door, like the worried psychiatrist he was, thinking that it might be one of his patients in need of immediate help. To his surprise, it wasn't. It was a man. Tall, fair, well-built, grey-haired. The man hurried inside Phoenix's clinic, over-aware of his surroundings like he was trained for it. Phoenix stood, completely frozen, while he examined the haggard man in front of him. Wait, haggard isn't the right word. It's like he was fleeing from something, or like he travelled the silk road on foot for days. He wasn't just haggard, no, he was-/span/p
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p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';""E-Excuse me," the man said, voice firm, "I understand that… you're a psychiatrist." He might've looked like a mess, but his demeanor was not, Phoenix thought./span/p
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p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';""Yes. Yes, I am." He saw that behind those disheveled grey locks was a handsome young man, probably around the same age as him. "But," the man jumped at the word, "I'm already heading home, supposedly. You can come back anytime tomorrow, as there are no regulars scheduled on Saturdays."/span/p
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p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';""I-I can't leave!" The other man started to panic./span/p
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p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';""Pardon?" Phoenix furrowed his eyebrows in confusion. "Why, exactly?"/span/p
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p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';""There's… I feel like I was being followed."/span/p
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p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';""On your way here?"/span/p
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p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';""No… Not exactly, It-It was when I… wait, no, when I was along the…" the man trailed off, muttering words Phoenix didn't understand. "I-I don't… I don't know."/span/p
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p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';""Are you okay?" Phoenix saw the growing panic on the man's face, "What's your name?" He asked, concerned./span/p
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p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';""M-Miles Edgeworth." He mumbled./span/p
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p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';""Mr. Edgeworth, I really have to leave." Phoenix paused and saw hope escape the man. "But if it's okay for you, you could… stay here, maybe, if, in case, you somehow feel safer."br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" / !- [if !supportLineBreakNewLine]-br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" / !-[endif]-/span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';""Is that alright? Are you sure?"/span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';" /span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';""Uh, yeah," he sighed, wondering why he's letting someone stay in his office while he was gone for a night. "There are biscuits in that cabinet over there, and coffee in that one on top of it." He pointed to the far corner of the room, "There's a bathroom there as well, but it's not that wide. Drinking water is over there, and right next to it is an electric kettle." He scratched the back of his neck, rubbed his forehead and sighed for the nth time today, starting to feel the tiring day, "You could sleep on these couches, wherever you're comfortable."/span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';" /span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';"The man, Miles, he corrected himself, paused to stare at him in wonder for a while, making him a bit uncomfortable. "Thank you. I'll be sure not to touch anything else."/span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';" /span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';""You can read some of the books over there, if you want." Phoenix said as he pointed to the shelf beside his table. "Well, I'll see you tomorrow, Mr. Edgeworth."/span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';" /span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';""Do call me Miles instead, doctor." He smiled handsomely./span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';" /span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';""Oh, then by all means, call me Phoenix." He smiled. If he knew better, he would say he didn't, but he most definitely blushed at Miles' smile. "Good night, Miles. You can lock the door. I have a key." Miles nodded, then Phoenix exited the room, heading down to the pavement./span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';" /span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';"Phoenix was able to hail a cab ten minutes after, sighed, then entered the cab and told the man his destination. What's the deal with that man? He was fine to let someone stay in his office, no matter how weird it was for him, because it would be crazy if some thief suddenly became interested in all things psychology. Nothing was thief-worthy in there anyway. Maybe except the biscuits./span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';" /span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';""Miles Edgeworth, huh?" He mumbled to himself./span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';" /span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';" /span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';""You're late!" A girl in her teens shouted at him upon his arrival./span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';" /span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';""Good evening to you too, Maya." He greeted monotonously./span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';" /span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';""What's up with that?" She paused to look at him. "Gosh, Nick, you look like a mess."/span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';" /span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';""Maya, stop badgering Phoenix." Another voice from the kitchen said./span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';" /span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';""Oh, hey, Mia. Lovely evening."/span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';" /span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';""Likewise, Phoenix." Mia beckoned to the two of them, while she set the food and plates, to join her in the dining room. "Sit down, you two, and let's eat while the food's hot."/span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';" /span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';"When the three of them had settled and began eating, Maya spoke up, "So, why are you late?"/span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';" /span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';""I was going to leave early, you know, it's just… something happened and I had to tend to it immediately."/span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';" /span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';""What was it?" the sisters asked at the same time./span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';" /span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';"Sisters. "Uh, Mia, do you know anyone named Edgeworth? Miles Edgeworth?"/span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';" /span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';""Edgeworth, yeah. I haven't heard that name for a while." She nodded./span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';" /span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';""You know him?"/span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';" /span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';""Miles Edgeworth… that name's familiar." She furrowed her eyebrows and looked around, trying to think, "The Edgeworth I knew was Gregory Edgeworth, not Miles."/span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';" /span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';""Gregory Edgeworth?"/span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';" /span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';" /span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';"oOoOoOo/span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';" /span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';"A/N: So, Edgeworth has arrived. I know it's quite weird for the man to stutter and be so paranoid, since we know him as a stoic and quiet character that many have feared for he followed the steps of Manfred, but it will all be explained in the next chapter. And Phoenix sighing so frequently is just too fun! I hope this chapter is okay even if it may be a bit boring right now, but since Edgeworth is here, I hope to be able to make it a bit catchier, you know, like his life behind bars. Warning warning. Thanks for reading, folks! I would love to know what you think./span/p
p class="MsoPlainText" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext 1.5pt; padding: 0in; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';"Chapter 2/span/p
/div
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p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';"A/N: Uwaaah! I haven't been able to update for the last two months! I need to be more active! I told myself that I was going to do a lot of fics this vacation but my mind also had a vacation of its own. Hee hee... So sorry for the late update. This chapter, we're going to have Edgeworth already and an intro for his life in prison. Warning warning./span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';" /span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';"oOoOoOo/span/p
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p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';""Get out of the car and put your hands where I can see them!" shouted a man wearing a blue uniform with a pistol in hand./span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';" /span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';""What is this?" answered the man, stepping out from the car, furrowed brows hinting his confusion. /span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';" /span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';""Mr. Miles Edgeworth, you are under arrest for the murder of Gregory Edgeworth," shouted the uniformed man again. /span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';" /span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';""What murder? My... my father? What are you... I-"/span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';" /span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';""You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to speak to an attorney, and to have an attorney present during any questioning," said the man while cuffing both of Edgeworth's hands and dragging him to the police car. /span/p
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p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';"A suited man's hands slammed against a wooden table, capturing everyone's attention and silence. "Are you sure that's your plea? A von Karma aims for nothing but perfection, and all the evidences state the perfect story about this murder," said the white-haired man coolly./span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';" /span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';""U-Uhh... I-I..." the man in a black suit opposite from von Karma stuttered. He glanced at the defendant with a defeated look. /span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';" /span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';""I ask you again– are you sure that that is your plea?" /span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';" /span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';""W-We plead..." he looked down, both hands on top of his desk, a drop of sweat sliding down to his cheek, and then sighed, "J-Justified... self-defense." He gulped loudly and the man across him crossed his arms and scoffed, obviously satisfied with himself. /span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';" /span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';""If that's the case, since Prosecutor von Karma has already established the case and its conclusion, the only thing I can do now is my job highlight," the bearded man stated, "Mr. Miles Edgeworth, please step out to the stand." Edgeworth moved swiftly to the stand, head drooped and shoulders hunched, "This court finds the defendant guilty. You will serve your sentence in prison for five years, as decided." Then, with a whack of the gavel, Edgeworth became a convict at the age of 22, and the attorney that represented him willingly removed his badge due to the effect von Karma had on him, and because of the gnawing guilt building up inside him./span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';" /span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';" /span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';"Three years have passed since Edgeworth was imprisoned but he still hasn't got used to life behind bars. After all, he was put there because of some prosecutor's intimidating skills, and an attorney's lack of determination, resolution, and, well, skills itself. Every day he asked himself if he was living in hell, punished for the things he have done and those that he did not./span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';" /span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';"Everything is supposedly okay. No one seemed to notice him when he was new, and it continued until now. He had his tasks, his meals, his peace, his cell's protection. No one bothered him, talked to him, nor did they go near him. Until one winter morning./span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';" /span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';"It was cold, but everyone was on their feet, fulfilling their own tasks. Miles concentrated on scraping the old paint inside a storehouse. He wasn't alone, so the paint may be removed by sun fall if they all did their jobs and not mess with other people's business, but that was not the case. As Miles moved from one spot of the wall to another, a tall, hunky man approached him./span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';" /span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';""Uh, hey," He greeted, starting to scrape the paint beside Edgeworth's spot, "You're that innocent guy aren't you?" Edgeworth felt the other man's gaze focused on him, waiting for his response, but he didn't answer. "There's a lot of innocent people in here. Some are locked up mainly because of that von Karma bastard, and they've been ruined in here," He continued. Edgeworth took his concentration off of the wall for a second and turned his head to the tall man./span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';" /span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';""And I assume that you are one?" He asked, sass spilling from his tone and words. "I don't think you'd suddenly approach me just to inform me about that. Not all people in here have brains the size of a peanut." Miles was very irritated to have his peace disturbed. He wanted to make him leave as soon as possible, but the other man seemed to be unfazed./span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';" /span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';""You're a cocky one, eh?" He smiled and looked at the detainees they were with who were nodding and grinning like animals. From that, Miles had an awful feeling and he suddenly got nervous, horror building up inside him. "I'm gonna enjoy you." The larger man chuckled as he stepped towards Miles little by little. "I prefer rebellious men— the fierce looks on their faces, the way they reject my advances, that resentful gleam in their eyes— it's just too sexy." Miles gulped and backed away, only to be pinned to the wall, escape prevented by the other man's arms. He looked at the other man's eyes and saw that they were a bit blown. The large man breathed heavily, lustful aura emanating from him, as he gently bucked his hips forward, slightly brushing Miles' abdomen with his hardened member. "And you're quite handsome to boot."/span/p
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p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';"Phoenix strode back and forth in front of his windows, brows furrowed and hands fixed inside his pockets, while he waited for his next client. It was half-passed eight in the morning, Larry should be coming in thirty minutes. He wasn't able to expel Maggey's news yesterday from his mind, so he tried and busied himself by reading books and writing stuff. It was no use. He was utterly disturbed by what he heard, because it was strangely familiar. It was not just because of it being a large case five years ago, it was something else― like he knew who the man was. Suddenly absorbed by his thoughts, he almost literally jumped when three heavy knocks slammed against the door. He fixed himself and looked around to double-check the office, then went towards the door./span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';" /span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';""Morning, Larry," Phoenix greeted, "You don't really have to knock that hard you know, I can hear just fine in this cramped office."/span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';" /span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';"Larry scratched the back of his neck and smiled sheepishly. "Sorry, Nick, it's just that… sometimes I can't control my hand at all!" He laughed awkwardly. /span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';" /span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';"Phoenix sighed, "Never mind. Come, let's take a seat." He gestured towards the chairs by the coffee table./span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';" /span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';""Oh, right, I've got something for you." The man took out something from the paper bag he was holding and handed them to Phoenix. "Figured you might want to have some pie and coffee since you come here so early."/span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';" /span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';""Thank you," He looked at the man in front of him, "Do you want to have some coffee while we chat? I've got a couple of mugs and utensils in the cabinet, just in case."/span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';" /span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';""You won't mind?" He grinned. "I actually bought some for myself too, and I haven't had breakfast yet because I woke up kinda late." He chuckled./span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';" /span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';""Sure, let me just get them a second."/span/p
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p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';"When everything was set and they were digging in, Phoenix started to ask Larry about his week. "So, any progress?" /span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';" /span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';""Erm, I'd want to consider it as progress, I mean, I got to talk to her, despite her having Schizoid, you know." He rested his head against his palm and sighed, "First time… First time to have a stable, proper relationship and… I-I know I have to be patient and understanding, but… you know, no one's perfect." He sighed again. "I wish I could be as patient as I should be. I think I'm… starting to become selfish again."/span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';" /span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';""You know, Larry, you have to think for yourself as well, so this is perfectly normal," Phoenix smiled at him, "If you don't, well, the situation might become more complicated." Larry nodded thoughtfully at the doctor's words. After a few more conversations and advices, they exchanged handshakes and farewells, smiling and hugging and exchanging gratitude./span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';" /span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';""See you next week, Nick." He smiled, "Thanks for your happiness hypnosis or whatever. I feel great already."/span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';" /span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';""Bye, Larry. Be careful on your way to wherever you're going."/span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';" /span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';" /span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';"Phoenix's day went by normally. Since Larry was the only regular he was expecting for the day, he didn't worry about the time. An individual came by about an hour after Larry's consultation to ask for help because she suspected that she was "a bit bipolar", and two sets of couples in the afternoon for similar but different reasons, both earning a deep sigh from Phoenix./span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';" /span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';"He sat at one of the couches in the receiving area, staring blankly at the shelves of books old and new, when his phone rang irritatingly loudly. Why does he always forget to put it on silent mode?/span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';" /span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';""Good afternoon, this is Phoenix Wright," he responded formally./span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';" /span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';""Gosh, Nick! You should really set a different ringtone for me!" the person from the other end laughed, "The way you formally greet people is disturbing for me, I mean, I'm not used to it!"/span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';" /span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';""Oh, Maya, hey." He said monotonously./span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';" /span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';""Don't 'hey' me! You even sound so bored!" Maya complained./span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';" /span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';""So, why are you calling?" Phoenix tapped his finger on the coffee table in front of him while he waited for a reply./span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';" /span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';""You forgot, didn't you?" she grimaced./span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';" /span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';""Forgot what?" Phoenix rummaged through his brain, looking for whatever he forgot. "Oh, right. Yeah, it's your birthday." He could feel the air of disappointment from the phone. He sighed, for the nth time today. "Sorry, Maya. I'm just… My head is full of problems, you know, both mine and not, so… you know, when a basin is full of water, the excess leaks."/span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';" /span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';""That's a weird way of putting it." He heard her sigh as well. "Can you come tonight? Mia's cooked some nice food here."/span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';" /span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';""I'll see. It's late now anyway, I think I'm just about to turn in for the day."/span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';" /span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';""Okay!" She replied cheerfully, "See you later!"/span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';" /span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';""See you. Happy birthday, Maya."/span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';" /span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';""Thanks." And with that, they ended their conversation. Phoenix stood up and looked around, taking a final glance before he left for the day. He started putting his things back to his bag and organized the papers on his desk. One by one, he started turning the lamps and lights off, when a knock, panic-y and alarming, thudded on his door./span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';" /span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';""Yes?" He almost shouted, frustrated that someone will come knocking on his door when he was just about to leave. The person knocking didn't answer. Instead, the knocking only became more intense. Phoenix, of course, hurried to open the door, like the worried psychiatrist he was, thinking that it might be one of his patients in need of immediate help. To his surprise, it wasn't. It was a man. Tall, fair, well-built, grey-haired. The man hurried inside Phoenix's clinic, over-aware of his surroundings like he was trained for it. Phoenix stood, completely frozen, while he examined the haggard man in front of him. Wait, haggard isn't the right word. It's like he was fleeing from something, or like he travelled the silk road on foot for days. He wasn't just haggard, no, he was-/span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';" /span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';""E-Excuse me," the man said, voice firm, "I understand that… you're a psychiatrist." He might've looked like a mess, but his demeanor was not, Phoenix thought./span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';" /span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';""Yes. Yes, I am." He saw that behind those disheveled grey locks was a handsome young man, probably around the same age as him. "But," the man jumped at the word, "I'm already heading home, supposedly. You can come back anytime tomorrow, as there are no regulars scheduled on Saturdays."/span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';" /span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';""I-I can't leave!" The other man started to panic./span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';" /span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';""Pardon?" Phoenix furrowed his eyebrows in confusion. "Why, exactly?"/span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';" /span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';""There's… I feel like I was being followed."/span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';" /span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';""On your way here?"/span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';" /span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';""No… Not exactly, It-It was when I… wait, no, when I was along the…" the man trailed off, muttering words Phoenix didn't understand. "I-I don't… I don't know."/span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';" /span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';""Are you okay?" Phoenix saw the growing panic on the man's face, "What's your name?" He asked, concerned./span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';" /span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';""M-Miles Edgeworth." He mumbled./span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';" /span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';""Mr. Edgeworth, I really have to leave." Phoenix paused and saw hope escape the man. "But if it's okay for you, you could… stay here, maybe, if, in case, you somehow feel safer."br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" / !- [if !supportLineBreakNewLine]-br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" / !-[endif]-/span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';""Is that alright? Are you sure?"/span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';" /span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';""Uh, yeah," he sighed, wondering why he's letting someone stay in his office while he was gone for a night. "There are biscuits in that cabinet over there, and coffee in that one on top of it." He pointed to the far corner of the room, "There's a bathroom there as well, but it's not that wide. Drinking water is over there, and right next to it is an electric kettle." He scratched the back of his neck, rubbed his forehead and sighed for the nth time today, starting to feel the tiring day, "You could sleep on these couches, wherever you're comfortable."/span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';" /span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';"The man, Miles, he corrected himself, paused to stare at him in wonder for a while, making him a bit uncomfortable. "Thank you. I'll be sure not to touch anything else."/span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';" /span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';""You can read some of the books over there, if you want." Phoenix said as he pointed to the shelf beside his table. "Well, I'll see you tomorrow, Mr. Edgeworth."/span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';" /span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';""Do call me Miles instead, doctor." He smiled handsomely./span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';" /span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';""Oh, then by all means, call me Phoenix." He smiled. If he knew better, he would say he didn't, but he most definitely blushed at Miles' smile. "Good night, Miles. You can lock the door. I have a key." Miles nodded, then Phoenix exited the room, heading down to the pavement./span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';" /span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';"Phoenix was able to hail a cab ten minutes after, sighed, then entered the cab and told the man his destination. What's the deal with that man? He was fine to let someone stay in his office, no matter how weird it was for him, because it would be crazy if some thief suddenly became interested in all things psychology. Nothing was thief-worthy in there anyway. Maybe except the biscuits./span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';" /span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';""Miles Edgeworth, huh?" He mumbled to himself./span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';" /span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';" /span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';""You're late!" A girl in her teens shouted at him upon his arrival./span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';" /span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';""Good evening to you too, Maya." He greeted monotonously./span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';" /span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';""What's up with that?" She paused to look at him. "Gosh, Nick, you look like a mess."/span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';" /span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';""Maya, stop badgering Phoenix." Another voice from the kitchen said./span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';" /span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';""Oh, hey, Mia. Lovely evening."/span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';" /span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';""Likewise, Phoenix." Mia beckoned to the two of them, while she set the food and plates, to join her in the dining room. "Sit down, you two, and let's eat while the food's hot."/span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';" /span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';"When the three of them had settled and began eating, Maya spoke up, "So, why are you late?"/span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';" /span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';""I was going to leave early, you know, it's just… something happened and I had to tend to it immediately."/span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';" /span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';""What was it?" the sisters asked at the same time./span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';" /span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';"Sisters. "Uh, Mia, do you know anyone named Edgeworth? Miles Edgeworth?"/span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';" /span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';""Edgeworth, yeah. I haven't heard that name for a while." She nodded./span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';" /span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';""You know him?"/span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';" /span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';""Miles Edgeworth… that name's familiar." She furrowed her eyebrows and looked around, trying to think, "The Edgeworth I knew was Gregory Edgeworth, not Miles."/span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';" /span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';""Gregory Edgeworth?"/span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';" /span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';" /span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';"oOoOoOo/span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';" /span/p
p class="MsoPlainText"span style="font-family: 'Bookman Old Style',serif; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New';"A/N: So, Edgeworth has arrived. I know it's quite weird for the man to stutter and be so paranoid, since we know him as a stoic and quiet character that many have feared for he followed the steps of Manfred, but it will all be explained in the next chapter. And Phoenix sighing so frequently is just too fun! I hope this chapter is okay even if it may be a bit boring right now, but since Edgeworth is here, I hope to be able to make it a bit catchier, you know, like his life behind bars. Warning warning. Thanks for reading, folks! I would love to know what you think./span/p