Ha ha. Well, I'm surprised. I guess I'll have to admit…I always discount my own work. You see, whatever I write…is never really enough for me. Oh, Finalage, you could have done that, Good Lord man, this piece is such dull drabble, Finalage, you idiot, it's "from" not "form"!

I'm not perfect, I accept that. I just like beating at my work to make it better, just maybe I'm a bit harsh.

I ramble. I do not own anything from the multiple titles under Ace Attorney, nor do I claim any rights.

+~-VA -~+

Chapter Two: Forgiveness Already Given

(Given)

(What, you thought I was going to abbreviate THAT? Sorry, I'm not that type.)

+~-PADR-~+

May 18th, 2027 – 11:39 AM, Wright Anything Agency

A frantic pounding on the door made Phoenix's eyes shoot open. Truth be told, someone banging on his door wasn't an odd occurrence. The landlord used to do that before he managed to get his gig at the Borsht Bowl, and before then…clients would bang when frantic. Getting up from where he found himself, on the couch, he beat a quick path to the door and opened it halfway to look out. It was…hot head. What was he doing here at this time? Wait…what time was "this time" anyway…?

After opening the door fully, Phoenix took a glance at the clock to see it was almost noon, and that he was the first one up. Man, that ship and talk must have worn Apollo and Trucy out. Speaking of Apollo…where- Oh right, Phoenix had lent him his bed for the night…no wonder his back was in knots.

Getting old; man, that's the first sign…or was it memory loss? Well, apparently, he had both, so it didn't matter. While he looked at the clock, hot-head decided it would be wise to ask him about his dress. I mean, he was wearing white pajamas decorated with stars and wands on the shirt and…bunnies with more stars and doves on the pants. Not only that, but he had flipping bunny slippers. Was this man gay?

The comment earned him a glare that made him take a step back and cringe into submissiveness. No idiot, it was a present from his daughter, and happened to be the only clean pair of sleeping clothes he had right now. Besides…this was his home, he could wear whatever he wanted, so long as the other housemates didn't mind. Yeah, it seemed to hot head that this guy loved his daughter a lot. Where was the girl anyway?

His thought seemed to be answered by fate when a yawn made them both turn and see Trucy enter the room. She didn't seem to notice the two of them, her eyes were still bleary and she shuffled zombie like to the fridge. The state of her hair told Phoenix one thing, and before his guest could comment, Phoenix gave a curt shout.

"Hey! Your teeth come first."

That thing was that she hadn't seen a mirror yet. The girl didn't even jump at his shout, just simply turned around and shuffled back to go down the hall for the bathroom, on auto pilot. Hot head looked at the older man with a questionable face, and he just had to ask.

"Umm...that's your-"

"Yes, that's my daughter."

"…You're older than I thought you were."

"I get that a lot. You're probably wrong though. Trucy's adopted."

"…Ohh."

Hot head continued to stare, and Phoenix sighed, indicating the sofa he had just vacated.

"Sit, and please, tell your name for Pete's sake, I keep referring to you in my head as something else. Tea or Coffee and Bread or Crackers, choose two will you? I'd make lunch, but that would take time…oh, hey Apollo…oh please…not you too…HEY! You're a bit too old for me to have to tell you about cleaning your mouth before drinking milk Apollo! …Don't look at me with a clueless face; did you bring a toothbrush with you over here? Forget it, just go in the linen closet, there's a multipack on the shelf."

When Apollo too, disappeared beyond the hallway, the hothead decided to cock his thumb in his direction and open his mouth, but Phoenix stopped him.

"Name please….and no, that's not my son; he works for me as an apprentice. He was an orphan until he realized that he's related to my daughter, so he's hanging around here until he can figure out what to do with himself; I'm pretty sure his apartment misses him, so don't think him a bum. Oh…and close that door while you're there?"

The older man turned around and went into the open kitchen, searching the cupboards for some bread, and finding coffee, so he went searching for coffee and found crackers…well, he was hoping fate would work in reverse and give him bread, but no go…should have searched for tea. The other man simply walked to the door and closed it, surprised it was still open in the first place.

"Hestia. Hestia Hoshed…don't ask, my name's a mess…but that guy…isn't he that rookie ace attorney everyone's been talking about recently?"

Not bothering to turn around as he searched for a knife in hopes of finding butter, Phoenix spoke over his shoulder to Hestia, glad to have a name to place to his face besides "hot-head". Finding the butter proved to be an easy task as he spoke.

"Ahh, yes. Apollo's good, and some people say I'm the reason. Me, I just knew he had a gift, one I don't have, and opened his eyes to it. His techniques are different than mine because of that. Yours will probably be too, if you go through with becoming an attorney. I am assuming that's why you're here, right? For that study offer?"

"Yeah…"

Phoenix put a plate of crackers on the table with butter and coffee next to it. He bid Hestia to stand up so he could look at him better. He was…clunky. He was almost like Gumshoe, but smaller and with wider arms. His eyes were small and fox like, a washed out green-gray that was covered on one side by blonde hair. Hestia reminded him of Engarde with that hair style…that innocent look hiding manipulative fire. Not a good image.

Grabbing a pack of cards, Phoenix bade Hestia over. One way to know for real then. He rolled up his pajama sleeves and fixed the boy with a gleam. Confused, Hestia simply looked at the cards…

"Consider this your entrance exam into my personal institute. You don't have to win to pass, but how you play tells me a lot about who you are. Let's see-"

A knock on the door interrupted him, and he looked at it strangely.

"Who forgot to tell me there would be a party here? I'm not dressed for the occasion…heck, I don't even know what the occasion is."

He hadn't sat down yet, so he simply walked to the door and threw it open, coming face to face with Klavier Gavin. Phoenix just stopped. His brain registered the person in front of him but he simply did not move. Gavin too, didn't seem his usual self…or maybe it was the surprise from the other's attire. Still, even though one wore his usual clothes and was well groomed, while Phoenix's hair was a mess, the position of power lay with the darker haired man. Phoenix managed a smile.

"… …Hello Prosecutor Gavin. Would you like to come in? I haven't made any lunch yet, but there is coffee…"

"Ahh. No, no, nien…Herr Wright…you…aren't wearing a badge."

Blinking, Phoenix managed a nod after a quick second or two. For some reason, Gavin seemed to get disheartened at this nod, but Phoenix managed a shrug. He didn't really get Gavin's disappointment, but he had an idea, and he went with his hunch.

"Of course not Klavier, I wouldn't wear it when I sleep after all…were you…actually concerned for me getting it back or not? …You really are different from the others...are you at least going to come in?"

Klavier seemed to smile a little vacantly before stepping in, but the older man knew better, he was hesitant, and had a good poker face for it. Klavier joined Hestia on the couch, making the other move over a bit; the couch wasn't all that big. It was a far cry from the rock star's own home, but he made no comment. Regardless of his statement that he didn't want any, he accepted a cup of coffee a minute or two later from Phoenix's hands.

"You know as well as I do that you were simply doing what had to have been done that day, Klavier."

Glancing up from the coffee, Klavier was a bit surprised to see Phoenix having taken a seat opposite him, cup in hand. His face was rigid here. He knew why the prosecutor had come, and he was telling him that an apology wasn't necessary, and would be unwelcome to boot. Kristoph was his own person, and he should have the guts to apologize for himself.

(Not that he ever would, but hey, it wasn't his little brother's job to go running around saying sorry.)

"Klavier…would you like to come to a barbeque? I'm thinking of hosting one in the park next week."

May 18th, 2027 – 11:36 PM, Wright Anything Agency

?: Hello…Is this The Wright & Co…Law Offices…?

?: …Formerly. May I ask who is calling?

?: …Can you please tell me the new number for…Phoenix Wright?

?: This is still his residence. Listen, who is this?

?: …May I speak with him?

?: He's in the shower! Who is this?.!

?: Who…are you?

?: …Apollo... and I've been trying to ask you that for-

?: You're a defense attorney…no, I need more…than you can offer. Tell him…when he comes out…that Viola requires his…"unique touch".

Apollo: Unique Touch?.! What the hell? Who are you?.!

?: …Remember to tell him that fire is very…beautiful.

Apollo: Wait! You didn't even give me a return number!

?: Hee hee…He'll know it…or life will be very unpleasant.

Apollo heard the line go dead just as a hand came down on his shoulder, making him yelp fit to wake up something dead and spin, the receiver coming down to conk someone in the head. That someone was Phoenix, Trucy at his side. He grabbed the phone before it could bean him and gave Apollo a leveling look.

"I'm in the shower huh? Who was that anyway? Must have been some really creepy prankster to make you jumpy like that."

Apollo regained his composure quickly, trying not to catch his half sibling's eyes, which were laughing softly behind a masked expression. He cleared his throat and told his mentor that the call was nothing, but Phoenix insisted, looking in the fridge for something.

"…She said to tell you Viola had called, and that fire was a beautiful thing…Uhh, are you okay Mr. Wright?"

Phoenix had shot up quickly at the mention of fire, banging his head on the top of his fridge and making it rattle, ketchup bottles and assorted seasoning clattering to the floor from the impact. A lettuce head fell on his feet before rolling in some spilled mustard and mayonnaise, but he ignored it…his eyes had a glimmer of fear in them, but his face was inscrutable as ever. Trucy looked fearful though, she zeroed in on her father's eyes. Times like these annoyed Apollo. He was older damnit. Why did her powers of perception have to be so much more unconscious and perfect than his? She didn't even wear a bracelet…

"Daddy…?"

"Viola. Or, as I first met her, Violetta….Violetta Cadaverini. The current head honcho of Tender Lender and proprietor to the Los Angeles version of the Mafia. I had kinda hoped I would never have to set eyes on her again after that time four years ago…damn…damn! I don't want to have to defend someone whose most likely guilty…and be expected to win the case…the last time that happened…someone almost died. Damnit! Not after just getting back my license too! …Please tell me she left a number…please."

Apollo shook his head, and Phoenix's face fell. There went his last hope of this being a joke. If they had left a number, all he had to do was call Tender Lender and make sure the line still worked. If they didn't leave one…he would have to call Tender Lender, knowing that they would be expecting him on the other end, legit, real…deadly. Phoenix removed his beanie.

He removed the lovable blue beanie. This was serious. He placed it on the counter as one of his hands preceded to wring his hair. He was thinking. He seemed to scrutinize every piece of furniture, as if imagining it burning in front of him…if only Apollo knew how close his guess was to the truth. He seemed especially careful with the way he looked at Trucy.

Maya was his best friend, confidant, partner and the sister of his mentor, she was an annoyance and his "joined-at-the-hip" piece, but that was then. This was his daughter. Even if she wasn't flesh and blood, she was as close as he had ever gotten, and he loved her dearly, very.

He grabbed the receiver from Apollo, looking at it as if it would turn into a snake before dropping it and snapping his cell phone up from its charging station. If he called, he'd possibly lose his job, credentials…again, this time for good. If he didn't though…his house, daughter, even Apollo and himself…

It hardly rang.

"Hello, welcome to Tender Lender, how may we serve you needs? A loan of over three thousand must be taken out in person however. If you like, I can tell you our hours…but you don't need those, don't you, Mr. Wright?"

She knew. She always knew. It was simply the type of person she was. Swallowing once, he plunged ahead into the fray, knowing full well the consequences they could hold.

"No, I don't need your hours. I'd never borrow even a cent from your establishment, Viola. You called me."

"…Ahh, you wound me... are you sure you wouldn't like to stop by for some tea? I can make you my special blend, Mr. Wright…"

"You called Viola…please."

He heard a sigh on the other end, and the sickly sweet, polite tone was dropped for a more business oriented one. Another sigh was issued before the voice on the line continued.

"My grandfather has passed away, Phoenix Wright. He has passed by the fun end of a barrel to the gun. I do not need to tell you more, do I?"

"You…killed…him…you…?"

He could almost hear the smile on the other end. Or so he thought. The voice still had yet to regain its sweet tone.

"Oh, Mr. Wright, no. Please, the police are the ones who believe that. Yet you of all people should know how much my grandfather…doted me. He was my sole family…for what reason did I have, to kill him? Control of the family would have been easy through him, easier than keeping it still myself. He was a buffer for all unpleasant dealings."

So…brutally honest. Running the family would be easier through a figurehead they knew and trusted, and her grandfather would do anything for her. So then, why kill him? That was what she was saying…in her own way…

"…Mr. Wright? You must…believe me…my grandfather…"

Wait…what was that now…? Was her tone cracking? Was she…vulnerable? It was a ploy on his emotions…it had to be…but then he couldn't help but feel broken at the mewl that was coming from the other end of the line.

"Please…Mr. Wright, please. You are the only one who can look straight ahead without judgment. You're…hee…no. I can't…stop…that tic. You're the only hope I have, Mr. Wright."

"Where are you?"

"The…Detention Center."

"Visiting Hours are closed."

"I've…requested clearance."

May 19th, 2027 – 1:25 AM, Detention Center Block A; Conference Room 114

It was dark. The lights were barely on, and the darkness from outside seeped through the improved windows of the facility, letting the white painted walls nearly glow in the resulting dimness. Off to the side, a guard stood, sleeping on his feet as the camera winked away, the only relevant witness to this private meeting between attorney and prospective client.

Trucy stifled a huge yawn, opting to keep her mouth shut and put on some glassy eyes as a place holder. Her father had thrown on a dark colored navy suit he had recently bought, finding that his old one was a bit too fitting for his current tastes. His dressed shirt was unbuttoned at the top, leaving room for his necklace and magatama to show, and he had foregone a tie as a result. He was tireless, staring down the woman on the other end of the glass with such an intense glare, Trucy was sure she'd catch on fire…as soon as the fiberglass between them melted. He was shooting off questions in a rapid, curt spit fire. She was answering as best she could…

"First off, why threaten me if you really are innocent?"

From behind that glass window, the woman seemed so small. Well, she never was large physically…t was her bite that caught people, not her presence. Still, she seemed more withdrawn than usual, that and she looked apologetic to boot.

"…I didn't know any other way to get your attention. I had to…make sure you would answer my call. The soft voice… is most often ignored."

This was a crime boss. He had to remember that…well, she was about to be one, but still. She was taught certain "methods" of communication. Folding his hands in front of him, he continued to stare right through her. She actually looked away.

"When did you find he was dead? How was he positioned? Why did you go there? I going to need a scene, so describe it too me. I know you don't speak much, but I need details to work with."

She still wasn't looking at him, but obliged him.

"I…I found him at around ten…this night. He had called me to him today when I was in Tender Lender, around eight thirty. He wanted to discuss some business. I was to meet him as soon as the convenience arose. I finished my work at Tender Lender and closed shop and drove to my grandfather's residence. I must have arrived after nine thirty. …I was held up by a member of the family in house for about fifteen minutes. I remember thinking there was a scuffle in the house, I thought it was between two hot headed muscles at the time. I believe the time was past nine fifty when I made my way to my grandfather's room. As he hardly leaves his bed now except for business…

"Upon arriving in the room, I remembered smelling something burning. …That and fresh green tea leaves... I came up to the bed and saw my grandfather, a bullet hole in his head, and a gun in between his legs, as if for support. I found that odd…

"I don't remember screaming, but members of the family on duty rushed in, so I must have made some sound. I remember one of them mentioning the police being right outside, which I found strange at the time…

"One of the members by the door came up to me and grabbed the gun from my grandfather's legs. At that time, it discharged by accident and knocked him back. Not even a few minutes later, a detective barged through the door, obviously drawn to the sound. At that time, I was apprehended and arrested. It was an easy arrest, which troubles me further…"

Phoenix nodded when she looked up, finished. He immediately attacked the important parts of her story, aiming first for the all important factor of time.

"Are you sure you arrived in that room around ten o clock? Not before…? Minutes matter; and your "testimony" has quite a lot of wiggle room there."

"I arrived in the room after ten. I remember seeing the clock say ten o clock, but I don't remember the exact minute it was... It was in the single digits however. …Of the other times, I cannot give you a clearer picture than I already have, I don't own a watch, and I do not normally look at my phone… unless I need to make a call."

"Duly noted. Okay, you said you found a number of things strange. What was your reasoning behind them? "

"…The gun, the smell…police…the sound. The gun was large, a fifty five caliber slug slinger rifle. It's not our standard issue… a gun like that is too big to work effectively under pressure. Also…the bullet hole. The gun was too close. In between his legs…but the hole was average sized. If that gun was used so close to my grandfather…"

"…It would have blown his head clean off, almost."

"…Yes. The sound too, bothered me, because, as the cause of death confirms, grandfather died while I was in the house…but nobody heard the gun go off…but at the same time…"

"This gun was loud enough to alert police stationed outside."

"…Why were they there? The police never interfere with the Cadaverini…they were not there when I arrived."

".Why would the police hang around a powerful gang establishment when they never dare go near there ordinarily…?"

"Yes. That was my thought."

"Incidentally, the bullet. Did they…?"

"It matches the gun found at the scene."

Phoenix gave no comment to that one. He needed to see the evidence to cross examine it with what she was telling him. If she was telling the truth…it would pan out directly, and he could take this case without any reservations…still…

"Trucy?"

She had almost fallen asleep, but she shook herself awake at the call of her name. The magician simply fixed Viola and her father with a bleary stare. She already knew what her father was planning on doing form his eyes…but the other one…she couldn't read her. That alone woke her up fully.

"I…don't know…Dad…dy. Do you trust her?"

"… …"

He took a while before clutching his Magatama and gold necklace in one clench.

"Yes."

+-~E~-+

Well, this wasn't made with my usual style. I have a bunch of empty voices in places sparsely explained, and that phone call was murder to write. I had to pull back and leave it in the air, floating, when I wanted to give detail. I was listening to Phoenix Wright- Allegro (Remix) the entire time I was typing Viola's story. Needless to say, it put me in a mood, especially since that's the music I'm so used to hearing during testimonies…though, I'm used to hearing it at such a faster pace…

I'm moving a lot slower than I thought I would be. I'm not sure if that's a good thing or a bad one.

Signed and penned. ~Finalage.