The ballroom was gradually becoming more empty as the time passed by. The music was still playing, but no one was on the dance floor. Some people were slumped over in a drunken state on the tables or on a chair. You would expect the etiquette of the supposable higher class to be more precise as they claimed.
Maya was digging into her third chocolate cake as the other attorneys lurched back on their chairs from the feast they just had. Apollo was fiddling with a toothpick in his mouth before throwing it on his empty plate and placing his hands behind his head. A familiar figure walked up to the group who were suffering the beginnings of the 'idous.'
"Was tonight's festivities enjoyable?" Regina's voice was hearty as she gazed on the occupants of the table.
"MMMHMMM!" Maya muffled with her mouth still full of cake.
Phoenix adjusted himself before admiring the beautifully dressed woman. Slightly puzzled how her presence has changed from frightening to endearing. Athena was thinking the same thing. 'I don't feel that void anymore.'
Phoenix shot out of his chair, the food in his stomach jiggled from the quick movements. He walked to the woman and stuck a hand out for a shake. Regina looked at his hand with confusion before placing his hand with his, slightly shaking it. "Listen, I heard what you did and… I have to say thank you… Truly, deeply… from the bottom of my heart. You allowed me to see Maya again and that is an act of true kindness that I haven't seen from anyone in a long time. Thank you. Is there anyway I can repay you?" Wright's voice was emotional, but still professional.
Regina closed her eyes and let go of Wright's hand, tucking it back under her other arm. She opened her eyes again, "Mr. Wright, you have already assisted me with legal troubles and that is enough repayment as it is. On my trip to Hazakura, I was delighted to meet the Master of the Kurain spirit channeling technique."
Her voice picked up with intrigue. "She explained to me about an 'ace' attorney who only lost one case officially in order to save her." She placed her hand over her chest. "I, for one, was most intrigued how such a person existed, a person who legitimately beat the lies out of suspecting witnesses!" She turned and walked forward, slowly pacing. Phoenix was lightly blushing now. "I thought to myself, 'I must meet this person, a person with raw talent, a person with these…" She licked her lips. "delectable traits and skills!'"
Phoenix was rubbing his head sheepishly, taking on the compliments full blast. He was ruffling his hair on the back of his head roughly. She paced back to Phoenix, her arms still folded, an inch away from contacting his chest. "And that would be you... Phoenix Wright."
Phoenix let out a low whimper from his gritted smile. "I'm not that special." He mumbled humbly. Regina smiled, admiring how he didn't boast about himself, at least not publicly. "You should give yourself credit," she announced. "And the… other attorneys of your office share similar vibrance such as yourself?"
Phoenix changed exchanged his focus on the two attorneys sitting on the table. "Y-yeah. Apollo and Athena are very talented!"
"Oh?" Regina gazed at the other two lawyers. They stood up and walked to the senior ace attorney. Apollo had his arms folded and Athena stood akimbo, side by side. The amazing trio. "Such a wondrous sight to see!" Regina exclaimed. "All proud and together!"
Apollo rubbed his two horns down as Athena rubbed her shoulder, both sheepish just like their boss.
"What are your talents? Besides revealing the truth?" Regina asked with great interest.
Apollo gripped his bracelet tenderly before speaking. "My bracelet allows me to tell if someone is lying by the way their behaviors change through testimonies or even in a regular conversation. Then I am able to see where that habit lies so I can get a lead on their lie from there."
Regina lightly arched backward, looking at Apollo's bracelet. "Such an amazing feat! The ability to perceive when someone is lying? Thus your eyes are the source of your power besides the bracelet."
"Yeah!" Apollo boasted proudly with a toothy grin tattooed on his face.
"And you, young lady? What is your ability?" Regina was now focused on Athena.
"I can hear people's hearts." She started slowly. "I know how they feel by the tone of their voice and the way they speak. And I have Widget!" Athena raised her gadget around her neck with her hand. "This little guy helps me see the emotions in someone's testimony."
Regina tilted back her head in astonishment. "You can hear the emotions in someone's heart?!"
"Yep!" Athena flashed a peace sign in front of the woman.
Regina's eyes widened. Her interest spread from the senior attorney to the two younger attorneys by his side. 'Interesting...'
"That power! It would appear that your strength comes from your acute hearing then? I have to say Ms. Athena, that is one ability others would be jealous for. However, such hearing probably comes with… side effects, does it not?"
Athena nodded. "Yeah, I can't be around too many people. The discord is overwhelming."
Regina gave a look of concern, "Is that so? I hope the party wasn't too much for you."
"Not at all! I'm getting used to it now!" Athena interjected pridefully.
The woman finally refocused on Phoenix and gave him a friendly pout. "Well, Mr. Wright. With talented young attorneys like these by your side, no wonder your reputation remains untouched by prosecutors."
"Y-Yeah! I am proud of them" Phoenix's face was beginning to hurt from smiling so much. He raised his shoulders over the two attorneys by his side.
"They both carry a sort of object with them that amplifies their… unique ability. Do you have one, Mr. Wright?" She asked gracefully.
"Oh! Yes I do!" Phoenix released his employees and dug into his pocket. He took out the jade jewel that looked like the number nine. "This!" He pointed with pride. "This is a Magatama. Given to me by Maya." He winked to Maya, who was now almost done with her plate sized cake. "It helps me uncover the truth. If someone is hiding a lie in their hearts, I am able to see it in the form of Psyche Locks."
"Psyche Locks?" Regina raised a brow. "Are talking about the red chained locks that hold the Hazakura temple doors?"
"Yeah, they're similar except only I could see them when the Magatama reacts." Phoenix held the glossy comma in his hand with pride.
Regina let out a small breath of astonishment. "I almost feel like my privacy is violated!" She joked.
"Hehe…" Apollo let out a shallow laugh.
"No wonder why you three stand undefeated. I for one, am entirely impressed! I know where to head to now if I were get into trouble again!"
"Gracias, ma'am!" Athena guffawed.
Regina turned her head towards the blue dressed magician. "Who are you, young lady?"
"My name is Trucy!" The magician ran to the purple dressed woman, jumping up and down. "Thank you so much for bringing Maya to my Daddy!"
"Daddy?" Regina stared at Phoenix with a smug grin. "Mr. Wright? You have a daughter?"
Phoenix smiled at the jumping magician before returning to the woman. "Yeah, she belonged to a client of mine, but things became complicated… so I took her under my wing."
She gave an admiring look to Wright. "You adopted? Not only talented but with a giant heart! You cease to amaze me, Mr. Wright."
Phoenix looked down with a stupid smile, his shoulders were tensed as he placed the Magatama back in his pocket. "Thanks…"
"Yeah! Yeah! Thank you, Ms. Regina." Pearl was found next to the blue magician holding hands with her.
"You're welcome, Pearl. I was happy to see you along with Maya at Hazakura." She patted Pearl's head before returning her look at the whole squad. A large smile formed on her face. She lightly nodded her head with the greatest discovery of her travels. 'I found it!'
"Thank you so much for inviting us again, Regina." Phoenix stuck his hand out to shake.
"You're welcome. It was an honor to meet you all." She shook his hand once more before waving her free hand, beholding the whole Agency in front of her. "But I must announce the winner for tonight's dance."
Maya shot off her chair and ran to Phoenix, lightly bumping into Apollo. Athena grabbed Apollo's arm tightly, his face once again tinged with heat. Regina held her gloved finger high, pointing to the ceiling. Maya was jumping, rocking Phoenix back and forth. He tried to keep his balance. Athena was tightening her grip on Apollo's arm that it started to feel numb. "Ow!"
Her finger was coming down slowly, tantalizing the two couples. It was heading to Phoenix and Maya. Maya had a wide smile on her face, expecting to be tonight's winner. Regina smirked deviously and switched her direction to Apollo and Athena. "You two."
Athena yelped as she jumped on top of Apollo that they fell to the ground, Apollo receiving all the blunt force of the floor and his cohort. Maya puffed her cheeks angrily and smacked Nick's arm. "Gah! What I do?"
Maya shot him an angry look. "Yeah, exactly! What did you do? I did the whole job!"
Phoenix sighed as the other two attorneys got back on their feet. "Whoopee! We won Apollo!"
Apollo was wiping down his fancy outfit before answering her shyly, "I guess we did, huh?"
She pointed to the direction near the DJ table. Two large boxes, one wide another narrow, occupied the table. The attorneys ran to the boxes before them. Athena lifted the top off the wide one and she grabbed her face in shock. It was an elegant custom made glass peacock that had colored feathers that flexed with refinement. Apollo opened his to show two katana swords crossed together. The metal shined brightly in its genuine japanese steel. He flinched at first, reminding him of Prosecutor Blackquill, but he lifted one in his hands and admired the handle with a golden trim and dragon flashing its teeth on the ends.
"These are so cool!"
Regina laughed. "I knew you'd like them. Treasure them as they are authentic, both pieces."
Apollo wanted to handle the sword, but he was afraid he might cut something he might need. He placed them back in the box and Athena placed the lid back on hers.
"Thank you so much!"
Raising her hand to halt them, "No need. It is a thank you for your welcome."
Maya was revelling in jealousy of the attorneys' gifts, she kept punching Phoenix in the back. "Ow, Maya! Stop!"
"It has been a wonderful night. I have to tend to the drunken party guest and get them home safely…" Her smile was devious, but not too revealing.
"Thank you again, Regina, for everything!" Phoenix stated. She nodded in approval. Phoenix was holding his girlfriend in his hands before walking out the double frame door, with the Agency clan behind him.
When the coast was clear, she snapped her fingers. The chauffeur and masquerade man approached behind her. She crossed her arms. "I want them!"
"All of them, Madam?" The masked man asked.
"No. I want the attorneys! They would be the greatest assets to my research!"
The masked man chuckled in his hands. "I suppose I will go after the girl…"
'Yes," Regina reassured before turning her head to the chauffeur. "I will need the other woman, while I go after the boy, personally…" Her toothy grin plastered on her face.
The two men bowed before darting towards the few remaining unconscious guests and dragged their bodies to the backroom.
"The night is still young."
