A.N: It's been so long since I wrote anything for this fandom, but there are times you get an idea and you just have to write it. I don't know how good this will be, I don't know how long this will be, and I don't know how frequently this will be updated. It's really a side project for me, so don't expect regular updates.
So, there was this line in Rise From The Ashes where Lana says that Mia was attracted to her when they were in law school together and Ema ruins the fun by saying that they were "intellectually attracted" and I'm here to change that! Of course, enormous spoilers for RTFA but also for the first game and maybe even for T&T and SoJ depending on how far into the timeline I go with this.
My writing for Ace Attorney might be a little rusty, so indulgence would be appreciated! Anyway, I do not own Ace Attorney or any of the characters mentioned in this story, but I do hope you like this story nonetheless!
Chapter One: A Student Unlike Others
"When this happens, you must not touch the body, lest you may alter the crime scene. This is an important thing for you to remember, or important evidence might be lost…"
Lana focused on the teacher's lecture, typing her notes on her laptop. The first of today's class was about how a detective should act in order to protect evidence at a crime scene, which prompted Lana to pay close attention. Every little detail could matter once she became a detective, so she made sure not to miss a word.
"Sorry, Miss, but is this seat taken?"
A feminine voice on her left forced Lana to look up from her notes to see another girl, a few years younger than she was, with really long brown hair and eyes, a beige scarf, a black skirt-suit, a white purse, and some kind of purple pendant around her neck.
"No, you can sit if you wish," she simply replied and went back to her computer screen right away. She barely caught sight of the nod she received from the unknown woman.
The rest of the lecture was pretty uneventful, and it gave Lana a chance to review her notes and make sure she had everything she needed. Whenever the test would be, she needed to make sure to get the best grade possible.
One thing did catch her attention, however. Looking on her left a few times, she was surprised to always see the girl beside her scribbling her notes at light's speed, not on a laptop, but on a notebook that had obviously seen better days. Lana liked to believe that she paid close attention to the lecturers, but this woman was so focused, she couldn't help but be surprised and somewhat admirative. Whoever this unknown person was, her work ethic was remarkable.
So when the old man lecturing the class exited the room, giving the students a break of a few minutes, she thought she would try to learn more to satisfy her curiosity.
"You seem determined not to miss a single detail; am I wrong?" Lana simply asked, seeing the other girl stretch her arms a bit and muffle a yawn with her hand.
"Ah, well…" the girl chuckled embarrassedly, giving Lana a small and friendly smile. "Every little detail can count, so I prefer to make sure I've got everything, haha." she caught a glance of Lana's digital notes. "And you don't seem to be lacking in the notes-taking department either, Miss!"
"I suppose you could say so, yes," Lana stated with a shrug. She managed a smile, still. "Preservation of the crime scene is essential for a detective, so I would rather not miss anything."
"Ah, so you're studying to become a detective, Miss? That's pretty cool."
Hm… "Does that mean you're not studying to become a detective yourself?" Lana deduced even if it was not a deduction that required much thinking on her part. "A prosecutor, then?"
"No, a defense attorney, actually," the other girl replied, her expression turning more neutral. "It's not really a dream or anything, but it's something I must do."
Lana simply nodded, unsure of what she meant but understanding that it was something important to her.
"Oh, but I haven't even introduced myself! Sorry about that! My name is Mia Fey, and I am a first-year student. Happy to meet you!"
Mia's smile returned as she extended a hand towards Lana, who was caught by surprise by such sudden enthusiasm.
"Likewise, Ms. Fey," Lana politely said, shaking her hand. "My name is Lana Skye, and this is my third year. I admit I didn't expect a first-year student to be attending this class."
Not that she cared, to the contrary. Lana respected hard work, and whoever this Ms. Fey was, she had presented clear evidence of being a hard worker.
"Well…" Mia fiddled with her scarf as she explained, "I just really want to make sure I can become a defense attorney, so it's important for me to be a couple of classes ahead, you see?"
"I understand. This can only be beneficial, I suppose." And quite impressive, too. She thought but did not voice it, though she was aware that her expression betrayed her respect. Upon seeing the next lecturer enter the room, Lana turned back to her laptop. "Well, I will let you refocus on your notes, Ms. Fey. Do not hesitate to ask if there is anything you didn't catch."
"Thank you, Ms. Skye; I appreciate it," Mia said with a grateful smile. "But please call me Mia. I feel uncomfortable being called Ms. Fey; it makes me feel old."
"Very well, Mia," she replied to make sure she had gotten the memo. "Then please call me Lana."
Mia nodded and returned to her notebook as class resumed.
"Alright, you are dismissed for today! Have a nice day, students. Tomorrow we'll be reviewing how to register evidence in preparation for a trial."
Lana saved her notes on her laptop before turning it off and putting it back within her purse. She noticed Mia taking her last notes on her notebook before closing it and getting up from her chair.
"Well, I'm not sure I understood it all, but at least I've got enough notes to review this properly later," Mia said, partly to herself and partly to Lana.
Lana smiled a bit as she also stood, and they headed for the exit of the amphitheater together, both with their bags on one shoulder, their respective long brown hair and scarf flowing around.
"Not every first-year student would be able to understand even a part of a third-year class, Mia," Lana told her. "The simple fact that you come and take notes is enough to prove your dedication. That is already pretty impressive."
"T-Thank you…" Mia muttered and hid her slight blush behind her hair. "I did not expect to meet an upperclassman so kind, I'll be honest," she smiled gratefully at Lana. "I'm glad I decided to go sit next to you, Lana."
"No need to thank me," Lana replied, waving her hand as to make her understand that it was no trouble. "I prefer to be frank with people and tell them the truth of what I think of them. If you had been a slacker, I probably would have told you, too. Training to be a detective would be futile if I didn't care for the truth in my everyday life, wouldn't you say?"
"I suppose that's right, yeah," the youngest of the two girls said in agreement. "Perhaps if I ever become a defense attorney, we'll cross paths?"
"I wouldn't mind that," answered Lana. They reached the front door and walked outside. "Well, I think this is where we part ways. I'm glad I could make your acquaintance, Mia," she said, giving a slight bow. "We'll perhaps cross paths again on campus."
"Who knows? Have a nice day, Lana!" Mia said as the two young women each headed off in a different direction. Mia waved at Lana in a friendly manner, who waved back more shyly.
The walk back to her apartment was quiet, and Lana didn't mind. She actually enjoyed silence very much as it put her in the best circumstances to rationally think when she was working. The only loud thing the young woman could support and actually liked hearing on a daily basis was her younger sister's passionate speeches about science.
That, she could listen to all day, without a doubt.
Thinking of Ema made Lana smile. I wonder what Ema will have to tell me about today… She thought, rolling her eyes. If she could be as hard-working as Mia is, I'm sure she would integrate forensics with ease… Well, meeting Mia was a good surprise. I wouldn't mind talking to her again. I'm sure she would have many things to tell me about the path of the defense attorney…
Satisfied with how her morning had gone, Lana entered her apartment building with a rare broad smile on her lips. Yeah, this had been a fine morning.
To be continued…
A.N: I hope you liked it! This will be slow burn, so don't expect sudden development from one chapter to another. Let's take things slow, shall we? Anyway, please leave a review, and I hope you have a good day, everyone :)