March 24
Tenby Rose Diner
"Thank you coming on such short notice.. I.. I just don't know how to explain it." Crystal told the detective. She had calmed a bit from the whole experience, though the shock of discovering Felicity's corpse still resonated with her. Franziska, Adam, and she were not allowed to leave the crime scene. Crystal and Adam were witnesses and Franziska, well...
"No problem pal! We detectives have to be ready at any hour! I... Just can't believe they arrested Ms. von Karma." Detective Gumshoe had been assigned to this case, and Crystal was over chatting with him.
"Apparently she was the one who turned the lights back on" the detective continued, "and not to mention her prints were found on the murder weapon."
"Her prints huh? Wow... That's rough. I don't believe she did it though, honestly. I know I probably shouldn't be talking about the case yet but I... Really do believe in her innocence."
"Well the only way to know for sure is prove it in court tomorrow."
"Tomorrow?!"
"Yeah pal, the trial's set for tomorrow evening. You'll probably be called as a witness so be prepared. Anyway, it's nice chatting with you, but I have some investigating to do!"
"Alright. Good luck!" Crystal said, she then took a seat at one of the counter-stools and sighed. She just couldn't believe it, Felicity was dead! It had all happened so suddenly she didn't think it could be real, but it was. Sure, the two weren't real close friends but Crystal would miss her. And above all else, Crystal was going to have to testify to court-which terrified her. She had only ever been in court once before and the one time she testified was… well, traumatic. Now she was going to have to bring herself to do it again.
Against her better judgment, she turned to glance one more time at the victim's body. Felicity had been stabbed in the chest, two knives were protruding her wound. Why anyone in their right mind stab her twice, and in the same spot too? Crystal pondered then again, when is a killer ever really in their right mind?
Not being able to bear the sight much longer she turned back around. Poor Felicity, cut down her prime of youth. Just an hour or so again she had been her usual bubbly self, teasing Crystal over her taste in music. Never again would she speak, move, or even breathe. No matter how hard she tried, Crystal couldn't push these thoughts from her head.
That is, until she heard an all-too-familiar voice say
"Fraülein Crystal... Is that you?"
"Klavier!" She spun around, "W-what are you doing here?!" She said, her tone voice a bit more excited, but sadness still shown through.
"I'm the prosecutor for this case so naturally I need to investigate ja? It's a shame what happened to your friend."
"Well we weren't exactly friends, but, yeah things aren't going to be the same without her. I... I guess I'm a witness then huh.."
"You could say that. It's my understanding the power was out when it happened, right?"
"Ja, I mean- yes." Crystal blushed, "I guess, I've been hanging around you too much.. But yeah, I couldn't see a thing."
"Then what did you hear Fraülein?"
"I was at the counter the whole time. This might sound silly but I really didn't want to move only to bump into something. I remember hearing some sort of struggle, and a woman screaming. It was silent after that until the back-up generator came on."
"Ah. And that scream came from the victim correct?"
"I... I think so." Crystal added, "The only other women in there were myself and Ms. von Karma. And I know for fact it wasn't me."
She paused for a second before shyly venturing further, "Klavier... You, don't think I did it do you?"
"Nein, of course not Crystal! If anyone here is innocent it's you. Plus, there's no evidence that makes you even the slight bit guilty."
"Thanks and I know but..." She looked away, "The defense is going to try to prove me guilty. I just know it. T-They're going to slander me, twist the evidence and my words against me. I... I just want to know that you'll look out for me in court, you know... Protect me."
"Of course, it's my job to try to prove Ms. Von Karma's guilt, not yours, so worry not Fraülien. And you needn't be afraid to testify, it's not all that bad really."
"I know I just... Don't want to talk about it. Testifying and I don't really mix. So can I uh, investigate with you?" Crystal allowed a small smile to cross her face now. It got bigger once Prosecutor Gavin agreed and the two went to work. The lateness of the hour didn't seem to bother them at all.
March 24th
Detention Center
Franziska couldn't believe it. First, that she had been arrested for murder and brought to this crumby place. Second, she already had a visitor. She had a hunch just who this visitor might be, and she was proven right.
"Miles Edgeworth," she always seemed to say his name with a hint of annoyance, "what are you doing here?"
"I heard you were arrested on the charge of murder and I want to help you."
"Awful blunt aren't we? That's very straight to the point. Alright, I accept your help. So when do you start defending me?"
"I can't defend you Franziska, I'm a prosecutor not an attorney." He explained, "Look, I was in your same position once but luckily Wright was able to get me out of it. So I'll do my best to help you but, I'm afraid you'll need an actual defense attorney."
Franziska gave small laugh and shrugged, "Defense attorney? I have no need for one of those. I'm a Von Karma-I'll just defend myself!"
"That's going to be quite difficult without a defense attorney badge and license."
"Fine then." She grumbled. "Who do you suggest?"
"I'll see who I can find, I was thinking of asking Wright about-"
"Wright?! No! I don't want him involved in this at all!" That was the last Franziska needed, that bumbling idiot to get involved.
Sure Wright usually wins his cases, but only through bluffs. (In fact, he had lost his badge just recently due to false evidence) A von Karma accepts perfection and nothing less, therefore she wanted only the best.
Of course, when Edgeworth brought up Wright, Franziska wished she could pull out her whip. Sadly upon her arrival here it had been confiscated. (Well that and the fact that a thick piece of glass separated her from him).
"Franziska, without a lawyer on your side it's only a matter of minutes before you're found guilty. I'll doing a little investigating myself and send someone over tomorrow morning. But you have to promise to trust my judgment."
"...no matter who it may be...?" She asked reluctantly.
"No matter who it may be. I want you to be cleared of these charges as much as you do. And besides in here, you don't have much a choice now do you?"
Franziska hesitated. If she was going to trust anyone, it was going to be Miles Edgeworth. The two had grown up together, he might just have been the one person who truly understood her. She sighed. There was truth to his words, a truth she would have to accept.
"Alright. I will trust your judgment. But don't fail me, you must find me a defense attorney who can achieve perfection."
"That's a pretty lofty goal, but I'll do what I can. Good night Franziska, you need to get some sleep you know, Tomorrow's trial is one you can't afford to lose."
She rolled her eyes as her fellow prosecutor turned to leave, "How can I be expected sleep in a place like this?"
March 24
The Tenby Rose Diner
The prosecution's investigation was just about wrapped up for the night. Crystal sat with Klavier at the diner counter while he reviewed the files on the crime scene and evidence. The two sat in silence until Crystal spoke up
"Hey um...Klavier, since I'm testifying in court tomorrow night... Can I ask you something?" Crystal prodded.
Klavier looked up from his files to look at her, giving her his full attention, "Sure, go for it."
"Well, I don't know if I should bring this up in court tomorrow but. Before the black-out, I thought I saw..." Here she stopped, clearly having second thoughts, "Oh forget it you'll probably think I'm nuts..."
"No I won't. And besides, if you saw something-it might be vital to the case." He offered her that sweet smile of his she began to love more and more, "so what is it?"
"Ok well, I thought I saw a 5th person. You know, someone other than Franziska, Felicity, Adam or myself. But it was only a fleeting glimpse, I figured I must've just been imagining it."
"Are you sure about it? Because if you really did see someone, we could possibly have a whole other suspect on our hands."
"I don't know 100% for sure. I probably shouldn't say much else. Witness shouldn't fraternize with the attorneys so much anyway I'm pretty sure giving away so much of my testimony is breaking some kind of law."
She went back to scribbling on the old receipt in front of her.
After a short pause, the young prosecutor spoke up "Perhaps what you saw then Fraülein was lady Rhiannon." Klavier added with a smirk, "taken away by the wind..."
"You know that song?" Crystal asked, this time a little bit of joy returning to her voice.
"Ja, once in a million years a lady like her rises, isn't that right?"
"'Rhiannon you call but she's gone and your life knows no answer." Crystal sang in response, but of course she instantly regretted it, "oh gosh that sounded terrible didn't it!"
"Nah, you sounded ok to me. Wouldn't it have been nice to hear those lyrics on the officially released version?"
"Yeah! I'll say," Crystal replied her voice now more excited, sounding more alive, "I bookmarked a video of that live performance of it on my laptop so I could listen to it anytime. The demo version is good too and- hey! Why, are you laughing?"
"Because, it worked."
"What worked?"
"I got you to cheer up."
"Ah,... Yeah, I guess you did." Another smile from Crystal, "Thanks."
"Ja, you're very welcome. Say uh, has your headband always been missing a flower?"
"Huh?" Taken aback, Crystal removed her headband to examine it for herself, "yeah... Hey! One's of them's missing!"
"They were all there when I saw you earlier today." Klavier commented. Though their meeting at the courthouse and ice cream date now seemed like it was ages ago.
"Guess it must've fallen off somewhere." She shrugged, "And there's no telling where. Maybe later I'll visit the craft store and buy another… I made it myself you know!"
"Did you now? Well, it looks professional, you had me fooled."
"Thanks. It's cheaper to make things yourself and I love crafts. Anyway, I'd better head on home."
"Me too, Guess I'll see you court tomorrow then?"
"Yeah… I'll be there…" The smile drained from Crystal's face, right. I have to go to court again. I really shouldn't be so scared of the witness stand, but I can't help it.
March 25th
Detention Center
"Ms. Von Karma—A visitor to see you.'
"A visitor?" She asked. Last night she didn't much sleep but surprisingly she wasn't tired. (Or at least, she didn't show it.) She then remembered what she had talked about with Edgeworth yesterday, this must be the defense attorney he suggested for her.
"Very well." She said. Doubtless whoever it was, was going to be the best of the best. She would win this case in no time, all she had to do was allow him or her to defend her.
But when she was caught sight of this very same attorney, her confidence took a massive drop.
He was a young, inexperienced rookie. Franziska could tell by just looking at him.
At first, she simply glared at him. She couldn't believe Edgeworth would send over some novice like this kid! This must be some kind of joke.
After a while he broke the silence, "um… h-hi Ms. Von Karma..I'm Apollo Justice."
"I could care less what your name was." She said nonchalantly.
"Oh o-ok, well uh, Prosecutor Edgeworth specifically asked that I defend you so if you'd like I could um… defend you…?"
"No."
"Great! Ok then I'll… …er.. Did you say no?"
"That is correct. I won't have a rookie like you defending me. A von Karma never loses."
"Ok so maybe I'm a rookie but I'll try my hardest to get you a not guilty!"
"Try? You'd do more than just that I hope."
"S-sorry… But you need a lawyer Ms. Von Karma, otherwise you'll lose! Please let me help you."
The more Franziska looked at him, the more he reminded her of someone else—Wright. As much as she didn't want to admit it, she found it a bit comforting. Wright always seemed to beat her in court, so wouldn't be the case that Wright could win this case too? And currently, this kid was as close to having Wright defend her as she was going to get. Not to mention Edgeworth told her to trust his judgment, even if his judgment meant siding with this 'Apollo Justice'.
After a long sighed, she gave in, "Very well Rookie. You may defend me. But I expect no penalties or failures understood?"
"u-understood." She's not going to make this easy!
Author's Note: Thanks for reading so far, liking it? Coming up next: Apollo investigates the crime scene and discovers some vital clues, also we see a glimpse into why Crystal's afraid of testifying.
(Copyright for "Rhiannon" goes to Fleetwood Mac. the "live performance" referenced was from 1976 and is one of my favorites C: )