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.
Tuesday, April 9th – 7:12 a.m.
Los Angeles Prison, Solitary Cell 13
"She survived?"
Yes, sir. Rumor is that she is being discharged from the hospital today.
Kristoph's lips curled back into a snarl. "Keep a close eye on her, and await my next instruction."
I'm sorry, Mr. Gavin.
"Pardon me?"
The call was silenced. Kristoph had stared at the cheap cellular phone in his hand for a long while. It was time.
Tuesday, April 9th – 11:07 a.m.
Ema Skye's Residence
She wished that she could bring Lana home with her; unfortunately, they were forced to part ways upon her discharge from the hospital.
Ema hailed a taxi and returned home with an empty void growing larger and larger in her chest, threatening to consume her. Her belongings had been ransacked and tore apart. The dishes were messily stacked in her sink. The trash can was in the middle of her kitchen floor and had been sorted through. Sighing in disgust, she retired to her bedroom; she would clean later.
When she entered the bedroom and noticed the gifts from her dresser gone without a trace, tears filled her eyes. It was as if Klavier had never existed and all of the joy and happiness she experienced from the past few weeks were simply an illusion. Was his purpose, entering her life, really his intent to harm her? It did not seem possible. He had done too much for her. Oh, how she longed to speak with him. To feel his embrace and the brush of those velvet lips just one more time.
In frustration, she shoved all of her belongings on the bed onto her floor and climbed under her covers. The possibility hurt. The possibility hurt way too much. She was such a fool for getting involved with that glimmerous fop. Had she followed her logic and rejected him from the beginning, she would not have been poisoned and he would not be in jail. He would be a free man and do whatever he wished. Another woman would be in her place, witnessing the beauty of the rolling hills and the meadow at sunset, sharing her first kiss with him. And maybe… she would have given herself to him, too.
Yet, she loved that glimmerous fop with everything in her. The thought of another in his arms crushed her, with her body encased in a coffin of pain and misery, leaving her unable to breathe. With these intense feelings of love came great despair, and she refused to let herself be put in this position again.
The ring of her phone on the nightstand had alerted her and she rolled over in a moan. Ugh! She was not in the mood for this. She reached over and picked up the receiver. "Yeah?"
Hello, Ema.
She sat up in an instant, smiling from ear to ear. "Klavier?" The man's voice was identical. Uncanny!
The laugh on the receiving end warmed her heart. No, my apologies. My name is Kristoph Gavin. I am unsure if he has mentioned me, but I am Klavier's older brother.
"K-Kristoph…? I've heard of you. What do you want?" How did he find her phone number?
I desire nothing, except to wish you a well recovery and to offer condolences for my brother's actions.
"W-wh… Wait. How did you-"
A segment was aired on the news a few nights ago. The word travels fast when the accused possesses a social status, such as my brother's.
"I… see. Thank you, Mr. Gavin."
Have you obtained the advice of legal counsel?
"I…" She blushed. Such a thought had never occurred to her. This conversation was uncomfortable, yet she never wanted him to stop talking; his voice was so soothing. "No. I was just discharged from the hospital this morning."
The trial begins soon. If you choose, I would be more than happy to offer my services by representing you in court.
"I… I don't know."
No pressure, Miss Skye. If you decide, feel free to visit me. Do not feel intimidated, but I am located at the prison. I will alert the security officials of your possible arrival.
"T-Thank you, Mr. Gavin."
The conversation was over and she ached with the emptiness. What a stupid situation she had gotten herself into. She simply could not wait until this hell was over and she could return to normal.
Accepting Kristoph's offer would mean the ultimate betrayal; It sounded as though he was convinced of Klavier's guilt. This had worried her, but it was clear that he would know him better than anyone else. Perhaps it was worth the visit and she could learn more about the battle ahead in the courtroom.
She fell back onto her bed and released a loud sigh.
Tuesday, April 9th – 3:42 p.m.
Los Angeles Prison, Solitary Cell 13
Ema stood outside of the beautifully decorated cell, joining her palms together tightly at her stomach. God, why did she come here again? Her judgment was undeniably flawed, though she knew she did not have the ability to think straight. Her thoughts could not stray from Klavier for long, yet she would do whatever it took in an attempt to help him, even if it meant a deal with his devil for a brother.
"Inmate," the security guard alerted Kristoph, who was reading a book. "Your client is here."
"Thank you," he turned, closing his literature.
The guard opened the cell's door and allowed her in. The moment that Ema's eyes met with Kristoph's, she froze. The elder brother, well dressed to fit a perfect image, was a near-exact likeness to Klavier. The only differences, she had noticed, was that his hair was a lighter shade of platinum and he was taller. His gaze, too, was fixed on her, in a way that she deduced only a Gavin could look at a woman; his eyes, sparkling behind his glasses, taking in each part of her face, with his head tilted slightly in wonder and awe. Watching him brush a strand of platinum hair out of his eyes and push his glasses to the bridge of his nose, all breath had left her body. "I..."
"Miss Skye," he smiled warmly. "It's good to meet you, at last. Have a seat."
She could not take her eyes off of him. So many memories had flooded her at that moment, paralyzing her mind and her reasoning; Klavier's visits to her office, their dance at the masquerade, the first time they had made love… The strong ache returned with a vengeance and throbbed in her entire body. Her lips tingled with the thought of Klavier's last kiss. These reminders left her chest aching in loss.
"Is something wrong, Miss Skye?" The way he had tilted his head, watching her, shattered her heart. Klavier would look at her in this manner often. He walked to her and circled his forearm around her waist to usher her to her seat. "Come."
"I'm sorry, I was just ..." she began.
"It's all right. Shocked by our resemblance? I know," he chuckled. "I was the brain between the two of us. While I was always occupied with a good book, my dear brother would play with his guitar and chase women." When he saw the visible hurt in her features, he added, "My apologies for my bluntness, Miss Skye. I cannot fathom how hard this must be for you."
"It's unbearable..." she murmured as she sat in the seat across from him, separated by a small, wooden table. "Almost like death… only much worse."
"I will do what I can to secure justice for you," he placed a hand on hers. "All I need is your permission to represent you." She watched his hand for a moment, in surprise that he did not pull away. His touch was so smooth and soft, with perfectly manicured nails stroking against her knuckles. Kristoph was a true perfectionist, much more than his brother. Ema did not feel that such a possibility existed. "I already submitted a request for all evidence available and I received these files just before you arrived." He held up a plain, yellow folder. "It appears that my brother is almost too much like me."
Ema blushed. "What do you mean?"
"Miss Skye." Kristoph paused. "The odds are in the prosecution's favor; It's likely he will be convicted."