A few hours later found the unlikely pair at what could only be described as a small, dingy bar with poor lighting, few other occupants, unsatisfactory heating, and the cloying scent of cigarette smoke hanging in the air. Phoenix wasn't sure how that was possible, given that smoking inside was prohibited, but that didn't really matter; the distaste for the place was evident on Edgeworth's face, and he highly doubted that it was the smell of smoke alone that earned it the prosecutor's contempt.

"I know it doesn't look the nicest, but the people here are friendly and the bar's been around for a long time," he tried to explain, only he doubted this justification for his choice was going to ease Edgeworth's mind. His high hopes for the evening were already beginning to fail and he forced himself with only partial success to remain positive. At least the drive over had been surprisingly pleasant, as Edgeworth complimented him for actually arriving outside in a timely manner and they'd been able to make idle small talk about the court case from earlier that day. Neither of them mentioned the implications of the outing… or at least, what Phoenix was sure Edgeworth thought the implications were. Phoenix had to keep reminding himself that this wasn't actually a date and that Edgeworth wasn't truly affording him the opportunity to prove himself.

The prosecutor looked hardly reassured by his testimony to the bar's worth but said nothing. Phoenix realized that the other man was trying his hardest to not be offensive and felt grateful for the effort, even though he knew Edgeworth's real thoughts. This particular establishment wasn't actually his first choice so much as it was his only choice, as it was the only bar he knew with relatively cheap prices and a short drive. Hopefully the atmosphere wouldn't serve to be too distracting, and with the aid of alcohol, Edgeworth would forget his distaste for the environment. Phoenix realized he was pinning a lot of his hopes on them both getting drunk and could only pray that it didn't fail him.

His concerns aside, he allowed Edgeworth to lead them toward a small table near the back of the bar, presumably so that they'd have the privacy they wanted and eavesdroppers wouldn't be an issue. Given the empty state of the bar, this wasn't too much of a concern anyway, and no one so much as glanced toward them as they took a seat other than a gruff-looking server who immediately came over and asked what they wanted. Phoenix ordered a beer; Edgeworth, predictably, ordered wine. The first two types he requested weren't available and eventually he demanded whatever they had that was decent, the frustration and disapproval written plainly across his features. The man departed with a huff to get their drinks and Phoenix leaned over the table to watch Edgeworth, planting an elbow on the tabletop and cradling the side of his face in an upturned palm.

"Do you actually like wine?" he asked offhandedly, since nothing else immediately presented itself as a topic to discuss and he didn't intend to sit around in silence for half the meal like they had on their last outing.

"What sort of question is that? Why would I drink it if I didn't like it?"

Phoenix shrugged evenly.

"I don't know. Sometimes I think you do stuff just to act fancy. That wine you made us drink at the steak place was so… bitter." Edgeworth looked somewhat offended at these words, causing Phoenix to sit up and clarify. "I just meant, uh, you shouldn't force yourself to be fancy around me because you have some image to keep up…" This didn't help his case and Edgeworth's open glare was as intimidating as ever.

"Wright, do you honestly think that I'm 'forcing myself to be fancy' around you? And as for the wine, I suppose I was far too optimistic about your ability to discern and appreciate its subtle notes and flavors. In any case, yes, I do like wine and the fact that you suspect it's just some act I'm putting on is absurd."

Well, that was already one strike against him. Phoenix internally winced and shut his eyes, trying to find some way to salvage this conversation.

"Sorry… didn't mean to offend. I guess my palate really is that unrefined. Look, I don't want to fight. I was just trying to make conversation." Edgeworth's glare softened at least somewhat.

"If you didn't like the wine, you could have said something."

"H-Huh?"

"For someone accusing me of pretending to enjoy something I don't in reality, you're rather hypocritical. You never complained about the wine when we went out to dinner. You could've ordered something else, Wright."

"Well, I guess, but… that was probably expensive. It's a different situation. I didn't want to be rude…"

"I suppose. I wouldn't normally order for someone else, either… I wasn't quite myself that evening. Next time you should have the opportunity to pick a wine more to your tastes."

Edgeworth looked calm and unconcerned, but Phoenix's heart surged. Next time? Did that mean he was planning on doing this again some other time? And he said he wasn't himself that evening? There were so many questions that he needed the answers to but that he couldn't directly ask. Biting his tongue so that he didn't appear overexcited, he nodded in appreciation.

"Uh, thanks. Although if the wine is as good as you say it is, maybe I should try it again… you know, learn more about fine dining. I'm sure I embarrassed you."

"I was trying to emphasize that you shouldn't bother trying to change yourself, Wright. You don't have to like fine wine and any embarrassment that night stemmed from the scene we made, not from your culinary tastes."

"Yeah… sorry…"

Edgeworth sighed, sitting up stiffly in his seat and crossing his arms over his chest.

"Don't apologize. I'm sure that was more my fault than yours."

The server returned after a rather lengthy wait and practically tossed their respective beverages at them; Phoenix could only assume that this had something to do with the fact that service in a cheap bar wasn't as top-notch as an extravagant restaurant's. He realized his earlier claim that the people here were friendly was also proving to be inaccurate. Wrapping his fingers around the icy mug containing his foaming beer, he studied Edgeworth intensely as the other man surveyed the rather dainty glass of dark burgundy wine placed before him. Again, he could tell from Edgeworth's suspiciously intense gaze, semi-creased brow, and tight lips that he was trying his absolute hardest to not scowl in disapproval. Oh well… really, the prosecutor should've known better than to expect decent wine at a dive bar. Phoenix took a long and uncouth swig of his own drink, inhaling the pleasantly earthy scent of hops and shivering as he swallowed the frothy, cold mixture. He didn't drink often, but beer was something within the range of beverages he was capable of appreciating.

"Ahhh, this is good. You should try yours… maybe it'll be better than you expect."

Edgeworth obliged and he was quick to note the way the prosecutor's face very nearly grimaced. Their situations really had reversed from the last time they'd gone out.

"It's, uh… not what I expected, but I suppose if it's the best they have to offer I'll survive."

"That's the spirit. Not dry enough?" he asked, smirking somewhat and trying to be amusing.

"Truthfully, yes. It's far too sweet; it tastes more like grape juice than wine."

Phoenix perked up, taking another long sip of his own beer before responding. "Sounds perfect. Now that's the kind of wine I like."

"Unsurprising." Edgeworth tried the wine again and the defense attorney couldn't tell if he was being critical or not. Oh well; he resolved not to overthink things tonight if he could help it. If Edgeworth wanted to be mean, then he could be as mean as he wanted, just as long as he didn't plan on making them leave abruptly.

"So anyway, when's the last time you actually did something like this? Like, go out to a bar and just relax."

"I believe we discussed this last time. I'm not the sort who visits bars. I'm too busy and they don't appeal to me anyway."

"But… ever?"

"Ever. Tonight is a very rare exception."

"I guess that shouldn't surprise me, since you're so… important and everything, but I mean, don't you ever get sick of being such a superstar prosecutor and want to take a break?"

"That's what I'm doing right now."

"No, I mean other than that. Don't you get sick of working all the time?"

"I don't work all the time, Wright… but I do work a lot because it's rewarding, not because I have some image to uphold as you seem to have assumed."

"What? No, I know that."

"I see."

Edgeworth was being weirdly defensive, as if he felt like he was being judged solely on appearances. Phoenix regretted his earlier comment; he knew Edgeworth better than most and knew how dedicated he was to his job and values. If Edgeworth really didn't get that, then… he was really misrepresenting himself as his supposed friend. Phoenix didn't want to give the impression that he thought of their relationship as something shallow. Making quick work of what remained of his drink he considered a new approach.

"Of course your work is really important. I don't mean you should neglect your responsibilities or anything like that, just that it'd be nice if you did stuff like this more often… just hanging out with friends." Phoenix knew that his knowledge of Edgeworth's personal life was limited and he didn't want to make too many assumptions, but he was certain that the other man wasn't associating with other friends in his spare time. Apparently Edgeworth wasn't even going to fight him over this one; the other man shut his eyes as if tired and took another slow sip of his wine.

"I'll… consider it."

Phoenix was sure that this was another attempt at being congenial and that nothing would change, but he hoped he was at least getting through to the prosecutor slightly.

"Good! If you work yourself too hard you're going to get burnt out and then you won't be able to help anyone." He flagged down the waiter after several seconds of waving his hand exaggeratedly in the air and the large man nodded once after he noticed. Another drink was on the way soon, which was good, because Phoenix wanted to get drunk and get drunk fast.

"So uh, anyway, what's new with you, relatively speaking?" This was a weird question to ask since he never knew anything about what Edgeworth was doing anyway, and as such what was new didn't really apply. He just wanted to learn something and to get Edgeworth talking.

"Nothing worth mentioning."

Edgeworth really did know how to crush his hopes.

"Nothing at all? I mean, everything's fair game… any particularly intense trials? Uh… talk to… anyone?" Okay, maybe this approach wasn't working since he couldn't even think of questions to ask.

"Let's not discuss work, and yes, I've talked to people. Mostly Gumshoe, if that gives you any indication of the sort of conversation I'm used to."

"Aha, aw… Gumshoe's a good guy, but I can see how he'd get annoying. Speaking of annoying, have you talked to Larry at all lately?"

Edgeworth smirked and shook his head. "That's another subject we should avoid. I've had the good luck to avoid running into him." The server finally got around to bringing over their drinks; Edgeworth seemed somewhat unsettled, as his first glass of wine was still half full.

Phoenix laughed, grabbing this latest mug and taking a long drink before answering. Edgeworth too turned his attention to his glass, putting aside his distaste and quickly downing what remained from the first round.

"Yeah, I haven't seen him lately either. I'm pretty sure he's still trying to be an artist."

"Ah." There was a pause before Edgeworth genuinely laughed. "Yes… I do recall Franziska calling me in outrage when he found her number and continued to insist she model for him. I don't know what she expected me to do; I assume being unable to whip him from Germany caused her considerable frustration."

Phoenix grinned and found his involuntarily tensed body relaxing as both the alcohol and conversation lightened the mood. Perhaps the night could be saved yet.