ADVOCATUS DIABOLI
Summary: A new case piques curiosity of Kai Hiwatari, a famous lawyer. He's going to defend Tala Ivanov, a rock star accused of murder. But two strong personalities may have problems working together… .
AN:It took me quite long to write this chapter. It's because I'm constantly busy, so please try to forgive me. To atone for this I'm posting also the 5th chapter. The title means "If the two are saying the same, it's not the same".
I also want to thank all those wonderful people who reviewed/alerted/added to favorites the story so far: Vulecrise, GabZ, SouthernDragon, Liz, ShadowBlade7330, Cloy I. Black, ShilvaA, kashiiruu-chan, Myriam06, Naenna, Silverywolf.
Have fun reading!
Disclaimer: I do not own Beyblade nor the characters.
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Chapter four: Si duo dicunt idem, non est idem
Kai sat comfortably on a brown, leather sofa. He had a good, but tiring day and now all he wanted was to relax. He filled his glass from a bottle standing on a table beside the sofa. Red, semi-sweet wine looked like blood.
He opened the thick book – Plato, where he had previously marked it. Actually, he never was much into Plato. This whole abstraction and transcendence, being unable to discover the true being, the essence, didn't appeal to him. The lawyer always preferred things that were here and now; it was reality what mattered. Plato's idealism for him was simply ridiculous. From the ancient philosophers he would rather choose Aristotle. But as an intellectual entertainment, Plato was a good lecture anyway.
The bluenette averted his gaze from the book to look at the Ivanov's files, laying next to him. Julia had told him that the musician had called. He wanted to 'continue their cooperation'. Kai bet that Ivanov didn't have the guts to inform him personally, that's why he did it via the lawyer's assistant.
He stretched his arms, content. Turns out he was right again. Rei would surely say it's unhealthy for him to additionally boost his already big ego like that. Kai made a mental note to gloat about that when they next meet.
Hiwatari-Ivanov: 1-0. It never crossed his mind that he and his client should actually be on the same side.
Tala looked at the staircase. He still had a long way to cover. Why didn't he simply choose the lift? Well, the lift was too fast for his liking. At least at this particular day. One step up, second step up. There was about hundred left. He sighed. It surely wasn't easy. Not simply going upstairs, but having to swallow his pide and admit his mistake. He did thought about it, and it was the bets possible solution in his situation.
Only fifty steps left. He tried to mentally prepare himself for what was awaiting him. Witty remarks dripping with sarcasm, irritating smirk of superiority and scrutinizing gaze of a pair of unique, scarlet eyes. The door were in front of him.
Knock, knock.
Kai lifted his head, annoyed. Who the hell was bothering him at such an hour? Shouldn't the girls selling cookies be in bed already? He stood up and headed to the door, not even bothering to put something on as he was only in his boxers. He opened the door and stood there, flabbergasted. Ivanov was the last person he expected to pay him an unexpected visit.
Tala gulped. "I'm sure your assistant has already told you that I wish to continue our cooperation." He practiced this sentence many times on the way here. The key is the first impression. He wasn't going to make a fool of himself. However, it really didn't help that the lawyer was almost naked. The redhead's concentration was slipping away as his eyes wandered up and down the bluenette's body.
"So?" With a raised eyebrow, Kai was back to his old self.
"Well, the day of the trial is coming soon. I thought maybe we could talk. I wouldn't bother you if it didn't concern me, but well, it does."
Sighing, Kai made a step backwards to let the redhead in.
"Come in." Before disappearing in his bedroom for a moment to find some clothes, he added: "I guess I should say make yourself at home, but don't take it too literally."
Tala looked around the living room. For such a grouchy person, the lawyer's apartment was surprisingly nice and neat, with a few sophisticated decorations that were giving it an individual touch.
Something brushed his leg. He looked down and saw a white cat. The animal was arching his back, wanting to be stroked. The cat murmured for a moment and then he left Tala, jumping on a table and accidentally pushing a CD, which fell on the floor. The redhead bent down and picked it up. One glance at the familiar cover and a huge grin appeared on his face. It was a new album of The Demolition Sounds. His band. Apparently the aloof bluenette actually did listened to his music.
Sometimes a tiny event may change our way of viewing things. This exactly happened to Tala. All his previous nervousness and anxiety vanished in a swift moment. When Kai entered the room, his left eye begun to twitch angrily. Tala was eating an enormous sandwich – which meant he must have raided the lawyer's fridge – and drinking his wine directly from the bottle.
"I told you not to take my words literally and of course you did otherwise."
"Don't make a fuss. I wouldn't like to add 'stingy' and 'inhospitable' to the long list of your negative features." Tala said, drinking up the rest of wine.
Kai took a few deep breaths in order not to kill his so-called guest. He turned around abruptly and marched to his mini-bar. He opened another bottle and took a few sips to calm himself down. Alcohol worked, he returned to the couch and started, collected as always:
"Ok, so you want to talk about the case. Then could you tell me what were you doing in Balcov's hotel room that night?" He waited for an answer, observing the redhead.
"I owed him money and wanted to give it back since our new album is selling well." Tala said calmly.
Kai was a bit taken aback by his words. It surprised him that the redhead didn't deny being there. Seems like the lawyer underestimated his client. Tala didn't avert his eyes, but that alone didn't indicated he wasn't lying. It actually didn't matter, thought Kai. It can be useful. Working with Ivanov may be easier than he expected.
"I assume when you left he was still alive?" It wasn't a question. Tala just glared at him. "So it must have been someone who came to Balcov after you." Kai continued. "At least we have a starting point." He stood up and went to bring another glass.
"Who is he?" Tala asked, motioning a photo standing on a shelf. It showed Kai, a bit younger than he was now, and a handsome, blond man. He was smiling, his arm was wrapped around the bluenette. The lawyer didn't have to look to know which photo he was referring to.
"No one. He was an acquaintance of mine." His tone warned the redhead not to ask more.
He approached Tala and handed him the glass.
"Just have a drink. And feel honored to witness my hospitability, since I didn't invited you here."
***
AN:Please review! And it's strange, Kai is drinking alcohol in two chapters in a row. I hope his not addicted… . My dear readers, characters are adult. I don't approve underage drinking! Well, one beer is ok… . All right, enough with this preaching. I hope you liked the chapter.
