Pretty Little Poison
Disclaimer: I do not own, nor am I affiliated with Ace Attorney or Capcom. This story is just for fun.
Rated M for: Lemon, strong language, very dark/potentially triggering themes [specifically violence/murder] and minor character death.
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Ema's throat was scratchy and dry and she immediately needed water. Oh, delicious water. This ordeal was so confusing, though she did not ask questions right away. Lana had watched her in amazement and with hints of grief in her face. "Sis… I was so scared for you."
Her mind was so foggy. Did she dare ask any questions in such a state? She looked at the bulky jug of ice water in her hands between greedy sips. Her stomach still turned, which brought back her last memory of throwing up in her bathroom before … "My date." Her voice was hoarse. "Klavier. Where's Klavier?"
What little joy Lana had in her features disappeared in that moment. "I need you to focus on getting better. You are in the hospital."
"I need to let him know I can't make it."
"He knows."
"… Is he angry?"
Ema watched Lana fight back emotion; the longer that she did not receive answers, the more afraid she had become. Many questions and theories invaded her thoughts when she observed all of the monitors and machines that surrounded her bed. Ema had just fainted, hadn't she? One of her essential vitamins must have dropped. Was all of this necessary? She flexed her fingers and tightened the back of her hand where her IV was placed.
"Mr. Gavin saved your life, sis," Lana finally told her.
"He… he what?" Looking to her sister's emotional state, her chin quivered.
"He found you in your bathroom and rushed you to the hospital. He never left your side once, and he is the reason I am sitting with you today… He truly cares about you."
Ema slowly processed her sister's words. In awe, she looked to the ceiling and imagined this. Her heart, overflowing with delight and admiration, fluttered in her chest as her sparkling smile widened; He truly loved her. Yes. And she loved him, too. There was not a single doubt in her mind. Her happiness was Lana's happiness, though the elder sister could not bring herself to admit the entire truth.
Lana squeezed her arm to get her attention and Ema had looked at her, only to watch her point forward. Her fellow detective, Lorna Adkins, was standing at the foot of her bed with a notepad and pen in her frail hands. "Ema… Is this a good time?"
"Lorna," Ema attempted to resist the grogginess. "Of course. How are you?"
Lorna smiled in appreciation and sat beside her. "I'm okay, but I'm more concerned about you. Are you all right?"
"I… think so," Ema shifted her body to face her better. "It's good to see you."
"You too, but really, I am here to ask you some questions."
Ema turned to Lana, who suddenly appeared nervous. Almost afraid. "All right."
"I need you to tell me what your relationship is with Klavier Gavin." Lorna's pleasant smile suddenly hardened, though Ema did not notice, as she blushed just at the mention of his name.
"He's... the love of my life," she finally said.
"Have you been made aware of the events that led you to the hospital?"
Lana squeezed her eyes shut, grimacing. This was not good, yet there was nothing she could do.
"I just fainted, right?" She observed her older sister's reaction in utter confusion.
Sighing, Lorna looked to her notes in the notepad. "Ema… you were poisoned. The perfume you were wearing on Friday night contained a lethal amount of Bhykanol Futathine, a much stronger form of Atroquinine. And I'm sorry that I had to be the one to tell you this," Lorna momentarily gazed at Lana. "Klavier is standing accused on the charge of attempted murder. I need you to tell me how this fragrance came into your possession."
Ema slowly took in Lorna's information. Klavier stood accused of attempted murder? Her hands slowly started to shake. "He… No… He wouldn't..." She shook her head. "He would never… Klavier wouldn't..." Tears burned in her tired eyes.
"Ema, listen," Lorna grabbed her arm. "In order to help Prosecutor Gavin, I need your full cooperation. Please tell me how you obtained the perfume."
Monday, April 8th - 2:37 p.m.
Detention Center – Visitor's Room
Wiping a tear from his eye, Klavier sat on the cold, metal chair, waiting for his visitor. He was in disbelief that he resorted to contacting him, of all people, yet the lawyer seemed forgiving and promised him that he would hear his case. Scrambling to maintain his calm exterior, he resisted the urge to claw at his hair or to explode in anger. Klavier knew that he was innocent; he wondered how Kristoph felt as a convict. Did he possess the same intense anxiety, knowing his life was over?
Kristoph… he had not heard from him in months. His brother was still sore over his comment that the law no longer needed him and Klavier was relieved that his words tortured him. He, too, was all that Klavier had, as far as family was concerned, as his scenario was strikingly similar to his beautiful treasure. The lack of knowledge regarding her condition ripped through him, seared and branded into his mind, luring him, tempting him to lose his sanity.
Saturday was the first time, and the only time, that his eyes lied upon the poisonous perfume; he had saved her life, not made an attempt to end it. How did law enforcement not understand this? All that he told was nothing short of the truth, and he prayed that the truth would, indeed, set him free.
He looked to see his lawyer, who appeared to be at a loss for words, taking a seat in front of him. "Herr Wright," he greeted as coolly as he could muster.
"Are you aware that there are dozens of angry fans protesting for your release outside of the detention center?" He blinked, placing his suitcase beside him onto the floor. "It was hell trying to get into the jail."
Had it not been for the smile he forced, he would have burst into tears. "That is very flattering." His chest rumbled, threatening to release cries for his beloved. "Can you tell me about Ema? If she is all right?"
"Well… um..." Phoenix rubbed the back of his head. "I do not know much, but she is awake."
Klavier's eyes lit with joy; this smile he did not force. This was the first time that he experienced true relief since the incident. "Oh, Fraulein," he bit his fist. "Oh, praise God."
"Listen, we can talk about her later. We need to discuss why you are here and why you are accused of attempted murder."
Klavier nodded. "Ema and I were to go on a date Friday night. A magical evening where she would never leave my arms," he mused. "I had advised I would be picking her up at six thirty. When she did not answer the door, I allowed myself into her home and found her unconscious on the floor."
"What did you do then?" Phoenix began to take notes.
"I contemplated calling for an ambulance, but I assumed that she would receive medical care quicker if I took her to the hospital myself."
"I was advised that Ema was poisoned as a result of the perfume she was wearing… did you take any part of this at all?"
"Ich liebe Ema," Klavier began to shake. "Never would I hurt her. I gifted her no such thing. Everything I have given her was placed in her office!"
"Gifts?"
Klavier sighed. "Before the department's masquerade party, I ordered for flowers to be sent to her desk each week. At the end of the third week, I had included a ticket for the event, a mask, and jewelry." When Phoenix's eyebrows lowered, listening to him intently, he continued. "I knew that her views on me were not positive. I wanted to change her mind, ja?"
"And everything you told me thus far is the truth."
"I swear it on my life."
Phoenix had studied his new client. His behavior seemed to share no similarity to his brother. Klavier had seemed on edge. Nervous, while Kristoph had maintained a cool composure until the very end. "I believe you." When Phoenix spoke these words, Klavier's gaze fixed onto him. "With what has been presented to me so far, I feel that we may have a case. I will defend you, Mr. Gavin."