Which Claimer? Dis Claimer
Did you know that my lawyer, Mr Case, likes to play tennis? I told him I don't understand the scoring system, and he said, "Tennis scores are like studying law. No one fully understands it but they will enforce it regardless."

Episode 2
— Samurai Man, Samurai Fan —
Trial, Part Two

"Do you like her?"

"Aura, what—"

"It's a simple question, Simon. Just answer it."

"She's… lovely," he replied after a moment.

"I'll take that as a yes," said Aura. "If you like her, then date her. Stop overthinking it and stop being so stubborn. Learn to loosen up, you stupid idiot."

"Thank you for your kind words, Aura. I shall cherish them. I'm here, so I'll be going now."

"Whatever. Enjoy your date, nerd. I wanna hear everything when you get back."

Aura set her phone down and resumed her work on Clonco, fiddling with the wires shelled by his head. People were so tiring. She had always preferred robots; programmable, predictable, never whining about mundane things. Only a select few people did Aura actually enjoy the company of—her dorky younger brother of course, Solomon Starbuck on occasion, Director Cosmos (though only because she found his braggart nature comical), and… Metis. But Aura was known for coming across as harsh and uncaring, so rarely did anyone desire to spend time with her.

So imagine her surprise when someone actually sought her out for a conversation.

"Hello, Ms Blackquill."

Aura spun around to see Clay Terran standing at the door to her research lab. What was he doing here? This wasn't his territory. Astronauts never ventured up to the fourth floor to visit the scientists and robots they surely took for granted.

"Yes?" Aura replied somewhat coldly, viewing him as an intruder. She had just socialized with Simon and was in no mood to do it again so soon.

"Can I talk to you about something?" Clay asked nervously.

Aura stared at him. He was being polite, so a rude response wasn't warranted. She would at least hear him out. "What is it?"

Clay sat down beside her at her desk, Clonco acting as a barrier between them. The robot was currently deactivated, and Aura continued to tinker with him. She didn't want to give her full attention to Clay lest he take that as an invitation to overstay his welcome.

"I don't know how to say this without sounding like a preteen," Clay started. "I'm having… girl troubles."

Aura raised her head. Of all the things he could've wanted, this didn't make her list. She assumed it would be work-related. "And you think I can help you with that?"

"Maybe? I know we don't talk much, but you seem really tough. I think some no-nonsense is what I need."

There was an undeniable excitement welling within Aura's core. An open invitation to be frank and possibly even brutal with someone? How could she refuse? Clay had joined the space center a few years ago, and Aura could count on one hand the number of times she'd interacted with him. Still, she was quite perceptive, and those interactions told her that Clay clearly thought himself a hotshot. That cocky smile he tended to wear, so much like Director Cosmos—Aura hated it. She loved knocking people like that down a peg. And though she couldn't speak her mind freely to her boss, Clay was a different story.

Aura briefly paused her work on Clonco. "Someone's caught your eye, huh? So how'd you screw it up?" she asked tauntingly.

Clay sighed, his eyes lowering to the floor. "I sorta hit on her friend first. But then I was told she wasn't available, so I… went for her instead. Now she wants nothing to do with me."

Aura's tone became critical. "Well yeah, you treated her like a consolation prize. Are you really surprised by that?"

"A little, honestly," said Clay. "She and I still hung out that night and I thought she was having a good time. I thought she would at least want to talk to me again."

"Never assume a woman's heart, Clay," said Aura. "Take it from me, we don't appreciate coming in second place. You should've gone for her first."

Clay sighed again, pulling tightly at his hair, his agitation clear as day. "Too late for that, sadly. I want to show her that I appreciate her, but I can't do that if she won't see or speak to me. How do I change her mind?"

"You don't," said Aura curtly, Clay stumbling in his seat at her brevity. "It's not like a trial where you present evidence to sway the judge. You hurt her feelings and that's that. If she doesn't want to see you, then there's nothing you can do about it."

Clay's agitation rose, his arms becoming unnecessarily animated. "Come on, don't you think that's ridiculous, though? What about second chances? It's not like I did something horrible."

Aura's focus returned to Clonco, her tools springing back to life in her hands. This conversation was already wearing her down. "You don't get to decide what's horrible for her."

"But Ms Blackqu—"

"You asked for no-nonsense, and you're getting it. Deal with it." Aura glanced at her desk, to the framed picture of Metis that remained atop it after all these years. Her former colleague's distant stare still sent shivers through her like a winter chill. Even to this day, only Metis could make her body tingle so painfully, like a surge of electricity paralyzing her spine. A lump formed in Aura's throat. "You can't always get what you want, Clay, no matter how hard you try. It doesn't work that way."

Clay appeared genuinely upset right now. Gone was the hotshot Aura figured him for, replaced with a static, soulless shell. It was enough to recapture her attention from Clonco. Typical hotshot behavior was to treat others as targets, and when one doesn't work out, move on to the next. It sounded like that's what he did at first, going for Friend A and then immediately springing for Friend B. But for him to be so broken up about it—who was this siren of a woman? What song did she sing to hypnotize him so? She must not have been another mere target in his eyes.

Aura managed a lukewarm smile. "You're serious about this. She must be special. What's her name?"

"Athena."

Aura's hands turned lifeless, her tools slipping out and landing within the tangled wired mess that was Clonco's head. Her brain was in so much shock it was as if Metis had phased through the door right then, innocently greeting her as if she hadn't been dead for years.

"Are you okay, Ms Blackquill?" Clay asked, reaching for her.

Aura instinctively pulled away from him. "I-I'm fine. It's just… that's an unusual name, is all."

Clay smiled warmly. "Yeah, but… I like it."

There was no way he could be referring to anybody else, right? It was as common a name as Yuri. Aura's curiosity had lifted off, her investment in the conversation renewed. She rolled Clonco's lifeless body aside, giving Clay her full attention. "Tell me about her."

Clay blushed. "O-Oh, uh—she's really cool. Athletic, sassy, funny, very attractive. She can actually keep up with me. It's been a long time since I've met someone like that."

As was said before, Aura was infamous for her insensitivity, and normally she would've exploded into laughter at Clay's misery, but this time she was honestly trying to contain it. She couldn't believe what she was hearing—someone professing their love for the princess. Athena Cykes, tamer of hotshots, siren of the stars. Simon would have a field day with this news; he would cut down Clay where he stood if he ever hurt her. Director Cosmos might think that the greatest wonders awaiting mankind were up in space, but this discovery—this was truly out of this world.

Aura cast aside every presumption she had about Clay and all weariness she had for socializing. This was too good an opportunity to pass up. "So this isn't just some random girl you met, huh? You think she's the one?"

Clay scratched his head. "I wouldn't go that far. I've only seen her once. But I want to see her again. I just have a feeling about her, y'know? Is there really nothing I can do?"

"You've come to the wrong person for advice, I'm afraid. I've been single for a long time." She glanced back to Metis' photo. "Nothing I say would help you, anyway. Chasing a Cykes is more trouble than it's worth, trust me."

Clay quirked an eyebrow. "I never told you her last name, Ms Blackquill."

Aura froze on the spot. For the first time in years, she had been rendered speechless. She scrambled for Clonco, draggin him between them once again, resuming her work on his lifeless body.

"A-anyway, good chatting with you, but I need to get back to work, so if you don't mind…"

"O-oh, of course." Clay looked confused, but he nonetheless stood up and made his way for the door.

"Clay, before you go," Aura called after him, "do you understand why she's upset with you?"

"I do," said Clay.

"And are you sorry?" she asked.

"Yes. I know I messed up, and I just want to make it right with her."

Aura smiled. "That's a start, at least. You have a heart. That'll get you far."

Clay nodded. "Thank you for your time, Ms Blackquill."

She nodded in return. "Call me Aura. And… let me know if anything happens."

"Did you have fun with Maya last night?" asked Athena, a hint of mischief in her voice.

Within the shade of the tall tree, Simon skipped a stone into Gourd Lake. "I had a lovely time."

Athena shifted on the giant rock she sat upon. "A lovely time with a lovely young woman."

Simon's arm faltered just as he threw the next stone, making it plunge into the water like a meteor. "Aura made fun of me plenty last night. Let me have a moment's peace from the taunts."

"That's asking a bit much coming from you," said Athena. "I'm sure your defendants would've wanted the same courtesy."

Simon rolled his eyes. "Be honest with me, did you cancel so that Maya and I could be alone?"

"Bingo!" exclaimed Athena, seeing no reason to hide it. "You're welcome for that, by the way. I don't think I've ever seen you smile and laugh that much in a single night."

Simon was about to flick the next stone, but he paused mid-swing. He narrowed his eyes at Athena. "Seen me? Were you at the restaurant?"

"Bingo bongo! I was spying on you." Athena snatched the stone from Simon and skipped it gracefully across the lake.

"So your claim to be with Wright-dono's daughter was a lie."

"No, Trucy was with me. We were gossiping the whole time about how cute you two looked."

Simon closed his eyes, appearing to mull something over in his mind. "You were the one who sent us that cake, weren't you?" he eventually asked.

"Bingo bongo bango!"

Simon groaned loudly, staring at the smooth lake with dead, empty eyes. Was he beginning to regret teaching Athena everything he knew about psychological manipulation?

"Did you kiss her after you left?" asked Athena.

Simon's pale face reddened. "No."

"Verdammt. Oh well, baby steps I guess. There's always next time. You do plan on seeing her again, right?"

"Yes, I would like to. She's… enjoyable to be around."

Athena swatted his arm. "D'aww, look at you! You only met her twenty-four hours ago and already you're in love!"

"Silence!" he roared, scaring the birds from the trees. He threw the rest of the stones into the lake all at once, scattering any nearby fish. Teasing Simon Blackquill was too much fun. "I do not—" he hesitated "—That is, let's not jump ahead. I did only meet her twenty-four hours ago. If I haven't scared her away already, then a bold declaration such as that will surely do it."

Athena patted his back reassuringly. "Don't worry about Maya. She's seen a lot of danger already. You're the tamest thing that's ever happened to her."

Simon sat down against the tree. "Hmph, the Twisted Samurai, tame? I'm beginning to fear for my reputation."

"Why, do you think it's unmanly that the big, bad Twisted Samurai caught feelings? There's nothing wrong with that, Simon. I think it actually makes you look better. If you can stay committed to a woman and treat her well, your reputation will only improve."

"I suppose you're right," said Simon.

Athena sat beside him. "It's obvious you like her, so just ask her out on a date and be done with it. Don't leave her hanging. Plus, as the master, she has her own house. A big house. Plenty of room to hang stuff up, and I bet it's filled with samurai nerdiness."

"Enough with your manipulations," Simon said with his trademark glare. "I have already made up my mind. The next time we see each other, I will try to make it a… date." He then reached into his pocket and pulled out his cell phone. He stared at it for a moment, then chuckled.

"Who is it?" Athena asked.

"It's Maya. She wants to see a movie with me tomorrow."

Athena beamed and hugged him. "There ya go! Hurry up and say yes!"

"Fine, fine." Simon tapped his screen a few times. "I can't believe this is happening. Sometimes I wonder what my life would be like had I never met you."

"I just introduced you to your future wife. It would be way less interesting, trust me."

"Quit squawking, Athena."

Tomorrow's workday could not have been slower. Simon's mind wouldn't stray from his upcoming night with Maya. He was to pick her up from the train station as soon as he was finished. He stared at his paperwork with laser-focused eyes, only reading every other word, his signatures fast and sloppy due to his impatience. Sometimes being a prosecutor was a chore.

Simon kept imagining how tonight would unfold. They were simply seeing a movie, nothing difficult; the first viewing of the Silver Samurai's latest outing for Maya, and the second for Simon. He hoped to catch subtle details that he missed the first time around.

And then… would he kiss her at some point? That was how people sealed the deal, wasn't it? But how would he go about it? Would he ask her for permission, or would he just go for it? Whenever a scene like that cropped up in his favorite series, Simon would usually find anything else of interest to hold his attention. He was never one for the sappy romance. But tonight he would have to embrace it if he wanted to get any further with Maya.

There was a sudden knocking at his office door. Simon was snapped from his thoughts, his hand having drifted and left a pen streak across the paper. Strange, he wasn't expecting any visitors. Chief Edgeworth was gone for the night, and no other prosecutor had business with him as far as he knew.

"Come in," he called out.

The door swung open, and standing there was the very person he desired to see.

"Maya? What are you doing here?"

She waved to him with her good arm, and then bumped her bandaged one as she crossed the threshold. She swore under her breath. Had Simon known her long enough to use the phrase "typical Maya"?

"I got bored waiting around, so I came here early," she said shyly. "I, um… I wanted to see you."

Simon struggled to not wilt before her like a dying flower. Genuine affection from someone he had just met was an unfamiliarity to him. His instinct was to snap at them so they'd keep their distance, but he couldn't do that with the woman he—

Hmmm.

"You knew where to find me?" Simon asked, trying to be cordial.

Maya approached his desk. "I know the building pretty well. I come here sometimes to talk to Edgeworth."

Ah, of course. Simon had forgotten that she had a personal relationship with his boss. Did she gab with him about the latest Samurai lore until his ears bled? He could only wonder if Chief Edgeworth let out his inner fanboy behind closed doors.

As much as Simon wanted to entertain Maya, though, his tedious work wouldn't finish itself, so he motioned for her to make herself comfortable. She paced around his office, observing his offerings of ancient samurai wisdom upon the walls. To his surprise, Maya kept awfully quiet, reining in her boisterous nature. Perhaps his decorations weren't to her liking, her love of the popular series not extending to its real-world counterpart. Not flashy enough, he imagined her saying.

"Wow, cool poster!" she eventually declared.

Maya was staring at his newest and most prized possession—The Silver Samurai: Legend of Neo-Yama Mountain – The Movie. It had been moved from its original spot behind the bookcase at the rear of his office, now proudly displayed on the front door.

"Look at the bottom-right corner," said Simon.

Maya's eyes glided to the spot, and her jaw dropped. "You got his autograph?!"

No longer able to focus on his professional duties, Simon stood up and walked over to her. "Indeed I did. I even met him."

"I'm so jealous! I wish I could've met John Marsh! Stupid Master responsibilities…" Maya's voice trailed off into grumbling, prompting a cackle from Simon. She stood in thought, her eyes darting between him and the poster. "How much do you want for it?"

His glare took center stage. "You think I would part with it for a trifling temporary gain? What kind of fan do you take me for?"

"Everyone has a price, Simon. I'll get this poster in my house some way or another." Maya slinked her good arm around his waist, stepping very close to him. "There's nothing you would want for it?"

Simon's signature snark fell to the wayside, an idiotic stuttering taking its place. His entire body lit up like a furnace, a flutter in his stomach and a strange… tingling sensation in his waist. What would people think of the mighty Twisted Samurai if they saw him right now? Were simple feminine charms all it took to unseat him? Did he need to close his curtains to shield from prying eyes?

Simon steadied himself, remembering the techniques he taught Athena. Five colors he could see—purple, black, white, pink, gold. Four sounds he could hear—the air conditioner running, the old clock ticking, his knuckles cracking, his own breathing. Three people he trusted—Aura, Athena, Taka. Two other emotions he felt—proud, confident. And finally, one deep breath.

Simon Blackquill, the fearsome Twisted Samurai of the courtroom, was back. It was time to regain dominance. If Maya was going to use her womanly wiles against him, then he would play ball. He wrapped his arms around her, pulled her closer, and said, "I suppose there is something you can offer that might sway me. Might."

Simon hoped to fluster Maya, but her confidence stood firm. "Okay, you're asking for it, mister." She grasped his cheek, stood on her toes and pecked him on the lips. "Will that do?"

Honestly, what else was Simon expecting to happen? Every romance scene he had ever witnessed began this way—the flirtatious teasing, the close proximity, the classic "What's in it for me?" exchange.

Simon would've been unsteadied yet again if not for his strong discipline. He kept her gaze, kept his grasp on her, and said, "Not enough. You'll have to do far more." And then he leaned in and kissed her, and in that moment they became the valiant samurai and the plucky princess they watched every week. But Simon and Maya weren't actors, weren't faking their chemistry, and thus their kiss was real and meaningful.

But Simon had little experience wielding a gentle touch, so it was only a matter of time before his fingers pressed too tightly into Maya's cheek.

"O-ow, Simon!" she exclaimed, pulling away from him.

"I'm sorry, Maya!" he said, alarmed.

She giggled. "It's fine. It's exactly what I expected from the Twisted Samurai."

"I will be gentler next time."

"Prove it."

They embraced each other again, and it was far better and longer. Who knows how much time had passed before they parted. All they saw and felt was each other. Simon cared not if someone was indeed peering through the curtains, for they would be catching a glimpse of a most epic unfolding.

When they parted, Maya immediately asked, "Simon, do you wanna go out with me? Like, on a date-date?"

"You have to ask? Was the answer not clear already?"

"I didn't wanna presume anything!"

Simon snickered. "Do you take me for some casanova who tosses women aside after just two kisses? Rest assured it'll take far more than that to get rid of me."

"I don't wanna get rid of you, silly. You're mine, now." Maya gave him an awkward one-armed hug. "Was that enough for you to give me the poster?"

Simon burst out laughing. "Still on that, are you? You're off your rocker if you think I'm that easily swayed. Now then, are you ready for our second date?"

"Second?"

"You cannot tell me our time at the restaurant didn't qualify as the first. We fed each other cake, embarrassing as that was."

Maya kissed his cheek. "You're right, second date it is."

The two departed Simon's office, off to a night of great fun and endless discussions. Simon hadn't actually finished his workload, but it was nothing that couldn't wait until tomorrow. Tonight he had plans with a lovely young woman, and that was more important than anything else.

Simon Blackquill and Maya Fey would go down as the most eccentric couple Athena helped to form, their ridiculous shenanigans and endless snark driving everybody up a wall. The best part of their relationship was how they each filled a gap that the other was missing—Maya's goofiness taught him to loosen up, and Simon's devotion to work taught her to take her duties as Master more seriously. Together they would pass into legend, yielding wild and fantastic stories for generations to come.

On their way out of the Prosecutor's Office, Simon cursed inwardly. He owed Athena a thank you, didn't he? Perhaps he would treat her to the full tab next time.

"To Maya and Simon!"

Five glasses raised and clinked together. The beverages flowed through the straws and into awaiting mouths, a delectable blend of citrus and yogurt pleasing their taste buds. Junie always made the best smoothies.

Tonight was the perfect night for a slumber party. It had been several days since the brand new couple formed, and that was cause for celebration. It was also supposed to commemorate Maya's cast finally coming off, but she had knocked her arm so many times like a klutz that the doctor made her keep it on for longer. Needless to say Maya was very annoyed.

Athena, Junie, Trucy, Pearl, and Maya were relaxing in the master bedroom at Fey Manor. Gossip, pizza, popcorn, and smoothies were abound. They would wake up several times during the night to relieve themselves, and massive stomach aches awaited them in the morning, but none of them cared—this was warranted. Athena yearned for these simple times, reminiscent of when she was an innocent child and far away from the exhausting responsibilities of adulthood. Of course, slumber parties were well-known for delving into deep, personal conversations, so the melodrama was never far off. Athena would be grilled relentlessly about recent events, and her long-buried emotional trauma would finally emerge from its slumber.

"You're on a roll with this matchmaker thing, Athena," Trucy began. "Two couples in two weeks. Are you on a mission or something?"

Athena sat back against the bed's headboard, cracking her knuckles. "I'm just doing what I can to make my friends happy. Junie needed the nudge, and Maya and Simon just sorta happened. Maybe I should do this as a side business. Wouldn't that be funny?"

"I'm really glad you did this for us, Thena. Apollo is incredible." Junie's expression turned to concern. "But… what about yourself? I know you're feeling lonely. You haven't dated in a few years. Don't you think it's time you got back out there?"

Athena's eyes fell to the mattress, and she pulled her knees against her chest. "I don't know if I'm ready for that yet…"

"Why not?" asked Maya. "You're a catch. Anyone would love to have you. There's gotta be someone you're interested in."

"I know someone who likes her," said Trucy with a smirk, and the other three ladies climbed onto the bed towards her, their expressions eager. "Apollo's best friend, Clay."

A brief moment of silence passed before Pearl asked, "Is he cute?"

Athena blushed.

"That's a yes! Spill it, girl!" exclaimed Maya.

"Th-there's nothing to spill," Athena defended, though everyone knew she was absolutely awful at telling lies.

"Yeah right, you're not fooling us," said Maya. "You're wearing the same look I had when I thought of Simon. Tell us about this guy."

Athena groaned. "I just said there's nothing to tell. Nothing happened between us."

"I'm sorry to corner you like this, Thena," Junie spoke, "but I wouldn't call what you and Clay were doing 'nothing'. You kept whispering to each other at dinner, and then you were embracing when Apollo and I found you later. It looked very intimate."

"Is that so? Someone's been caught lying on the witness stand," teased Trucy. "Sooooooo… did you kiss him?"

Athena's eyes widened, her face flushing furiously. She grabbed one of the pillows and buried herself into it. "N-no I didn't! What's wrong with you?!" came her muffled voice.

"Awww, why not?" asked Pearl.

"Because I don't like him! You should've seen him. He started hitting on Junie the moment he saw her. Who does he think he is?"

"That may be true, but he stopped when you told him to," said Junie.

"Sure, but then he started hitting on me! He barely noticed I existed before that, then when he couldn't have Junie, suddenly I was his favorite. Why would I go for someone like that?"

"Okay, but you still think he's cute, right?" said Trucy. Athena put her face back into the pillow. "That's a yes. I don't blame you. Clay's kinda yum."

The heat wouldn't stop. Athena's body was an active volcano, and she didn't know how much more prodding she could take before she exploded. She wanted to scream so badly.

"Okay, fine! I admit it! He's cute and charming and funny! I had fun with him that night! Are you happy?" She breathed a deep sigh. "But… I don't know, I just don't. Something about him… I just wish he wasn't… if he was only more, y'know… errrrrr—"

Her face went back into the pillow, and then she finally screamed. But she didn't explode. In fact, she felt herself oddly cooling down.

Maya smiled. "You know what I think? I think you like him." Athena opened her mouth to protest, but Maya silenced her. "Hold on, Athena, let me finish. You like him, but he did something you didn't appreciate and now you don't know how to feel about him. That's okay."

Athena sipped her smoothie while she thought, her temperature steadying even more. "That doesn't matter. I can't be with him. I just can't."

Puzzled glances were exchanged between the other four ladies. Maya eventually said, "Why not? You're single, he's single, you like him, he likes you. What's the problem?"

"I think I know what this is about," chimed Junie, and all eyes turned to her. "It's not about Clay at all. Thena, you're still hung up about your ex, aren't you?" Athena sighed, a clear confirmation. "I know it didn't end well, but you can't keep letting it hold you back."

"Was your breakup really that bad?" asked Pearl delicately. "I still haven't heard about it. Do you mind sharing?"

Junie caressed Athena's leg. "You should tell them. We're all here for you."

"Yeah, who was this guy that captured the heart of our spunky little devil?" asked Maya.

Athena looked at her four friends in turn, their soft and caring expressions telling her that she was in a safe space. She placed the pillow she was clutching aside, lowered her legs into a sitting position, and took a deep breath.

"Okay, I'll tell you. I met him a few years ago back in Europe. We were both at a trivia night, and we came alone and needed partners, so that's how it started. He was my age and really smart. I mean really smart. He knew almost every answer before I could even guess. We got to talking and found out we had a lot in common, and… he called me pretty. God, I was such a wreck after that. I could barely look him in the eyes.

"We hung out a few times before we started dating. He was a perfect gentleman, and I mean perfect. He led me by the arm, opened doors, pulled out my chair, stepped over puddles, you name it. It was like he was from the fifties.

"He knew the area well and took me to many different places. Every date was like a postcard. We would spend hours talking to each other without getting bored. He even helped me with my lawyer studies. We were together for almost two years, and… I loved him. And I know he loved me.

"But as great as it was, we lacked… physical intimacy. It never went beyond kissing. Maybe he thought it was ungentlemanly to look at me that way or something. We never even lived together. When I was ready to leave Europe, I asked him to come with me, but he didn't. His whole life was there, and mine was here, so… we broke up."

Athena began to tremble, and that familiar pressure encircling her heart returned. She felt her eyes watering. "But it wasn't a simple break up. Before it happened, he said… he said he had already moved on to someone else."

Trucy covered her mouth. "Oh no. Was he cheating on you?"

"He said he wasn't, and I want to believe him. He was always honest with me. He knew four months in advance that I was leaving, and I guess he spent that time getting used to me not being around."

"I'm so sorry to hear that, Athena," said Maya softly. "Have you spoken to him since?"

Athena shook her head. "I've thought about it, but I can't bring myself to do it. I still have his number, but I blocked it. I've wanted to delete it so many times, but I just can't do it. If it was a normal break up, I'd probably be fine right now, but he replaced me. He didn't wait for me to leave before moving on."

Athena hiccupped, and as Maya had requested, she spilled. Down her cheeks and into her lap and onto the sheets. For a while her sobbing was the only sound echoing across the large bedroom, her entire being becoming frigid and stiff. She felt so small and helpless, the lost little lamb she used to be.

And then her body felt warm. Four pairs of arms encircled her, squeezing her tightly, and four heads came to rest upon her head and shoulders. Not a word was spoken, and soon the room became completely silent, the sobbing having ceased. The tears dried up, and the breathing evened out, and she embraced them back with every ounce of strength she could conjure.

These were Athena's trusted friends, and she would never trade them for anything in the world.

When they pulled apart, Trucy said, "So it's hard for you to trust Clay because of this? He moved from Juniper to you so quickly, you think he'll move away from you just as fast?"

Athena nodded. "I can't date him. It'll hurt too much if that comes true."

"Um, Thena—" came Junie's quiet voice. "There's actually something you should know about Clay."

Athena shook her head. "I don't wanna talk about him anymore. I said no and I mean it. You're not gonna change my mind—"

"Athena, please listen to me. You need to hear this," said Junie forcefully, causing everyone to gasp. Only Athena had ever heard her speak in such a tone, her "judge persona" as it were, and it meant she had something important to say. Athena would grant her best friend the courtesy of her ear. "Clay apologized to me."

Athena forced herself upright, as if a cold drop of water trickled down her spine. "H-he did what?"

"Apologized, Athena," Junie restated. "He said he was sorry for treating us that way. He understands how he made you feel and he wanted you to know that."

Not a single coherent response formed on Athena's tongue. It was like when the prosecution brought up a new piece of evidence she had failed to notice or consider.

"Are you being for real?" Athena eventually asked.

"I would never lie to you about this. He was upset for hurting you and I believed him. Apollo trusts him and I will, too."

"Wow, that's incredible," said Maya, grabbing a fistful of popcorn from a nearby bowl. "How does it feel to hear that, Athena?"

"I… I don't know."

Junie sipped her smoothie and smiled. "Look, I'm not saying you have to give him a chance now. I won't pressure you. But I wanted you to know what he did for us."

Athena cradled herself once again, her mind now wandering. Ever since the night they met, she kept thinking of Clay as some inhuman womanizer incapable of showing genuine respect. But Apollo called her out on barely knowing him, and she was now willing to admit that he was right. Was it really fair to Clay to displace so much baggage from her ex onto him? She definitely wouldn't want anyone making such cruel assumptions about her from only one meeting.

Perhaps now was the time to turn her thinking around. "Thank you for telling me that, Junie."

"You're welcome. I love you and I always will."

Athena flashed a smile—an actual smile without a mask. She stayed up partying with her most beloved friends, until all her energy was spent and she drifted off to sleep. The only things weighing her down now were the bathroom trips during the night and the stomach ache she awoke to.

The sudden ringing of his phone startled Apollo. He had been spacing out in his room and the high volume jolted him up. He grabbed the device and was shocked at the name he saw.

"Athena? Hey," he spoke unsurely.

"Hi, Apollo. Um, I wanted to apologize for our fight." Her voice sounded fragile.

A proper response eluded him. It had been a week since that incident and they had yet to rekindle their friendship. They still worked together at the agency, but their interactions featured no eye contact and were always awkward and brief and exclusively about business.

"Junie told me what Clay did for her," Athena continued. "You were right, I shouldn't have judged him so harshly after just meeting him. I'm sorry for what I said about him."

Apollo almost couldn't believe what he was hearing. "O-oh, um, thanks. I'm sorry for yelling at you. You caught me off guard with how you really felt about him."

"Yeah…"

"Look, I swear that Clay's a good guy. He knows how to make up for his mistakes. I don't have evidence of that per se, but—"

"It's okay, Apollo. I trust your word on him. Tell him that I appreciate what he did, and… he can have my number."

And from that point on, things only got better for Athena.

Episode 2: Samurai Man, Samurai Fan
— The End —

Pinkie's Thoughts
I can't take the credit for coming up with FeyQuill, everypony. The pairing was inspired by a story called "A Match Made in Neo-Olde Tokyo" by Feriku. It's extremely adorable and put FeyQuill on the map for me. If you enjoyed my interpretation, go give it a read (you can find it in my favorites).

Athena's ex does have an identity, but I have no plans to reveal it because it isn't important. What matters is how he made her feel. I welcome you to guess who it is, but do not post it in a review. Please PM me instead, and I'll give a vague response that neither confirms nor denies it.

Also, the five colors that Simon lists are all worn by Maya, to show that she is all he sees. Cute, right? I'll put my shipping trophy on a shelf.