Location: ?

Date: September 7 Time: 7:30 a.m.


"What?"

The view of the ceiling was uncanny. Apollo arose entirely flabbergasted. This wasn't his home. Not even close. It was fancy and had a style of finesse. Almost, too familiar. The attorney peered over the blanket that covered him. He shuffled out of them, hesitantly.

'Where the heck am I?'

Apollo contained himself, strategizing on how he came to be where he was now. Everything was different. The room, the scenery, the bed, his clothes?

The attorney embarrassedly and frantically patted all over himself, realizing his regular suit was replaced by a robe. 'Oh God… Don't tell me…'

Apollo released himself quickly, realizing he was only in his undergarments and a tank top. He investigated his body, terrified that he may be missing pieces or organs!

'Wait… then I'd be dead…'

Apollo tightened the strap around his waist after examining that everything should be in the right place. He paced himself slowly around the room, searching for a sort of defense, a weapon, in case if he were kidnapped, he would at least make a sad attempt of defending himself towards his captors and have Mr. Wright and Athena get a better shot of finding out who murdered him after making a mark or two.

However, to his luck, there was none. The window by the side showed a cityscape. The attorney darted around, searching for any familiar landmarks. To his surprise, he immediately knew where he was. The grand entrance, the finesse style. He was at Gatewater. A sigh of relief escaped him as he walked backwards on to the suite bed, realizing he wasn't taken out of the country to be sold into the black market.

Apollo sucked a nervous breath and swallowed before reminiscing about last night. He had that horrible ungodly fever. The thought made him cringe nervously. It was vague and blurry, but he did remember leaving his apartment.

'I guess someone found me… but who?'

His clothes, phone and shoes were missing. There was no way he was going to call for help and there was an even greater danger of finding out who took him to Gatewater. He froze. The sound of a door shutting and a few mumbled words exchanged. He quickly knelt down, opposite side to the door before everything went quiet again. He can only make out the words spoke as "thank you."

It took all his courage to crawl towards the door and peer underneath the frame. He saw no one. 'Maybe I can make a break for it!'

The idea was also shaken by the fact that he would be running like a maniac out of a hotel with just a robe. Part of him wanted to know, who took him and why. Another didn't care, yearning to escape the hospitable prison. Apollo inhaled deeply, shut his eyes and bolted out the door.

The travel down the suite was interrupted by him bumping headstrong onto something. He fell backwards, holding onto his head that was now occupied by two fallen horns and pain. He groaned. "aaaaahhhhh…"

"Awake, are we?" A voice spoke highly.

"Huh?!" Apollo shuffled through his pain and thoughts before glancing upward. A woman with a raised brow along with folded clothing stared at him, partly startled.

"Careful now. All we need is for you to collapse again…And uhm… fix yourself." The woman held the recently washed and folded clothing in one hand as she pointed with her other.

Apollo glanced down, realizing his opened robes were exposing part of his undergarments. With a blush, he covered himself quickly before standing on his two feet. He shook lightly before staring back at the woman. 'Wait…'

"I know you! You were my boss's last client!" Apollo yelled out as he pointed outwardly. The attorney's index finger pressed against his forehead in ponderance. "Ms. Fate!"

"Yes...and you're Apollo." She smiled as she handed him the folded clothing. "These are yours."

"I...uhh… thanks?" Apollo stumbled before grabbing onto the drapery.

"No need." She waved her hands.

Apollo was entirely confused, he looked at his clothing, neatly folded, freshly washed and his shoes were even polished. Hell, even his phone looked vibrant. 'Wow… they look almost new.'

"Breakfast will be here shortly… I hope you plan on staying a little longer." The woman gestured her hands forward as she spoke.

"Uhh… yeah sure… wait… how did I get here? What happened?!" Apollo gripped his clothing tightly before arching forward.

The woman tilted her head to the side, almost giving him a confused look before turning around and walking towards the dining room. "I'll explain during breakfast…" She peered over her shoulders. "That's if you wish to stay…"

As much as he hated to admit it, Apollo's curiosity was something that got the better of him numerous times, yet he was terrified. Curiosity normally killed the cat, but satisfaction brought it back. And he was willing to come back. "O-Okay."

"Good!" She clapped excitedly. "I'll be waiting."

She disappeared behind a frame. Apollo bobbed his head continuously at his clothes and back at the entrance she disappeared from. Everything was happening so quickly, but with no answers. He shrugged before walking into the room and shut the door. The clothes fell with a flop, gushing minor air from the impact. The attorney untucked everything from its folded confines. If there was a clothes tag on it, he wouldn't be surprised. Apollo quickly dressed himself and headed back out the door.

His first steps were quick, but they died in pace, practically approaching the archway of where Ms. Fate had disappeared to. The suite had a fresh smell of breakfast and cleanliness with a crisp tinge of coffee. His head poked outwards as his hands held his weight against the frame. His hospitable host was sitting in the dining room table, writing. The woman transfixed and wrote in pure focus in her notes as a cup of coffee left silhouettes of evaporation aside her. The ivory cloth on the table contrasted her dark suit from the rest of the room. Apollo bobbed his head around, trying to get a view of the scribbles she inscribed on the white paper. He didn't realize he was a good yard away from his terrible curiosity.

The woman turned her head, in a comfortable pace before beaming him a welcoming smile. "Hello there, Apollo. Come! Come! Sit!" She gestured eloquently towards the chair ahead of her.

"Uhhh… Okay…" Apollo hesitated, as his travels made him grab the handle of the fancy chair. The cushion rested his posterior as he tucked himself neatly against the table, gaining better leverage of the table. The woman finally broke her glance from the notebook, reaching her hand towards the silver platter covering what surprise underneath.

"I wasn't exactly sure what to get you…" She lifted the lid, promptly. "I hope you like a T-bone. It's my life partner's specialty."

The lid unveiled a juicy, savory, well-seasoned 5-star perfectly charred steak accompanied with poached eggs and a side of well dressed greens. Apollo's jaw dropped. Not even during special occasions he would see something that oozed scrumptiously and define class. The smell left rapture upon his nose and the greatest tingle in his throat. There was a shiver that passed down his back, causing his breathing to quicken. The attorney's mouth watered as that hunk of meat stared at him, dared him to eat it. The vest against him expanded from the rise and fall of his chest, quickening as the protein and umami delight resonated heat.

Regina stared at the attorney, intrigued, but anxious. She settled the lid down, watching the way how his instinct caused the color to drown from his face and be replaced by desire. "Go ahead. Dig in!"

He wasted no time. 'You don't have to tell me twice, lady.'

The attorney made a quick thank you to the woman before delving himself onto the savory meat. The flavor delectable. The texture amazing. The smell exquisite. The juiciness… outstanding! Chewing almost became an option as the hunger that once hindered the attorney was now becoming more and more satiated. The tingling ceased, a sigh of relief and satisfaction left his lips as one last swallow allowed him once more access to the flavor.

She giggled softly, "Well… someone was hungry."

The full Apollo tinged soundly on his seat. "I guess I was, huh?"

A minor silence resonated. Apollo finally dashed out of his sated mood before breaking his own tension. "How did I get here?"

A small laughed erupted in her throat as she released the pen from her hands. "I found you."

Apollo had his hands firmly on the table. "I know that, but… where? Why did you bring me here?"

The woman leaned back against her chair with her arms folded. "What would you do if you found someone faceplant on the ground?"

Apollo winced, "I'd call the ambulance. Or some sort of help."

"Oh really?" The woman raised a brow as she released her arms. "I wouldn't call for a doctor for someone to help if I had one myself."

Apollo's eyes grew wide. "You had a doctor? At that moment?"

She nodded. "Well… Not at that moment, but I brought you to him."

"Who? Why were you out late that night?" He abruptly asked, slightly wincing acknowledging his changed attire may have had him exposed, even if it was by a professional.

"My life partner." Regina smiled grandly.

"Life partner?" His finger pressed against his forehead.

"Yes. He's working as we speak." She straightened herself. "He is a very busy man."

"Am I going to get a bill in the mail?" Apollo asked nervously as he slouched forward.

She laughed, again, soft and pleasant like his boss. "No. No." She waved her hands. "No need. We aren't lucrative to people in need. It's a moral code."

Apollo couldn't help, but feel this strange comfort from this woman. Her body language gave off a warmth that he can almost sense.

"To answer the second part of your question, on why I was out late at night… if you stayed at home, capable of relaxing on your own time, would you have a fixed sleeping schedule?" Her voice toyed with him.

"I guess not. It's like high school summer." He suggested.

"Exactly!" She snapped her fingers. The way she questioned him back was making him feel like he was asking obvious questions.

"What do you do for a living?" Apollo asked.

"Oh… I just stay home… and wait for him to come by… I don't do much…" She spoke teasingly.

Apollo shook. His bracelet tightened. 'She's lying.'

"What's the matter, Apollo? Never heard of a stay at home woman?" She teased him again.

The attorney felt the bracelet relieved slightly, but still grappled him. His other hand gripped below his wrist. 'She's hiding something.'

"That's not it… I just don't believe you…" He sternly asserted.

Her head basked to the side with a playfully surprised look. "Why… Mr. Justice! I'm almost offended."

'You're giving me no choice, lady…'

"What did you say you worked as again?" His stare was now focused intently on her.

Before she took a breath, he perceived her movements.

'I just stay at home…'

The words stretched and echoed as he viewed her behavior. It was difficult at first. She was stiff.
He had an idea to view how he mouth moved, similarly how he saw her at the courthouse, but still nothing.

'...And wait for him to come by…'

Nothing suspicious or inconspicuous noted by. Her sentence finally reached her last fragment.

'I don't do much…'

There it was! It actually wasn't on her. Her habit was on the pen. As she spoke, she scribbled vertically on her paper.

'GOTCHA!'

"So you really don't do much at home?" Apollo crossed his arms with a smug grin.

Her smile wasn't as confident as his, but hers had much more vibrance. "Not at all."

'Yep, she's a terrible liar…'

"How come everytime you said you didn't do much… you scribbled on your notebook… as if you do actually have homework?" Apollo smirked.

Regina stood silent. Her eyes were wide, but not from being caught, but with overbearing interest. She actually wanted him to catch on. A chuckle escaped her lips, "I guess that perception thing actually does work, hmmm?"

'What?! She actually did it on purpose?!' The attorney flinched back as his upper lip hung over.

"And to answer your previous question. I am actually an investor. My occupation requires lots of time and study into others."

"A stay at home investor?" Apollo fussed.

"I am allowed to stay home, but there is no fun in that at all! We can hear the opinion of others and advice given; however, certain news can contain bias. I like to see things for myself. How do you think I know all those people from the party? I practically deal with half of them, investing their wealth and my own into little sections throughout the world."

'The party?' Apollo thought. 'I don't remember that night too much.'

"Now, back to the subject." Her elbows rested forward onto the fabric. "I wanted to see it first hand… I love it. Such talent!"

The attorney rested easy, but still defensive. "Uhh… You really think it's cool?" He blushed, scrubbing the two horns downward.

"Of course! It's such a marvelous feature! And I have also noticed your little habit as well." Her grin made him uncomfortable, but allured.

'This woman is something else…She's reading me like a book, too… Now I see how it feels to be flipped.'

"You grapple that bracelet and I saw it clench onto your skin… Does it hurt?" Concern on her tone.

"No. It doesn't hurt. It just tightens when someone is lying." He breathed.

"Where did you get it?" Her demeanor innocent with listening intention.

"When I was young, I had this bracelet. I still don't know much about it, but I've always worn it. I only know that it came from one of my parents." Apollo gripped his bracelet with sophistication.

"Is that so?" She leaned backward. "It must've been easy to tell who was friend or foe…"

His eyes shot wide. "Actually. I didn't know what it was exactly until I met my boss, Mr. Wright."

"Phoenix Wright taught you an ability you didn't even know you had?" Her expression perplexed.

"Yeah.." He exhaled.

"And you never questioned it?"

"No. I didn't. Kinda. Briefly. I didn't really ask, I was just so excited to know I had such an ability. And to have my middle school idol to tell me so, It's kinda embarrassing." He rubbed his head again.

Her head shook. "You're a mess, Apollo Justice. But, in a way, it's a good thing you didn't ask."

"You believe so?" Apollo stared blankly.

"Certain things should remain a mystery, it ruins the value when it is discovered and then brushed off later as a casual. But, I can tell it serves you well. To find…" She chuckled softly. "Justice…"

'Is she for real? She's about as corny as Mr. Wright…'

"I must Apollo-gize, Mr. Justice." She slightly snickered at his unamused stare. "You've probably heard that joke overused and tediously passed onto you numerous times."

"And here comes numerous times plus one." Apollo remarked cunningly.

She caught her breath. "Ahhh… let me enlighten you, Mr. Justice. By how your name is perceived…" She paused. "I am so sorry… that wasn't intentional…"

Apollo would begin sweating, but her presence somehow stopped it. "Your name doesn't mean to be sorry, but to actually set up a speech in defense. And your last name… Justice? It's almost as destiny placed you to be a lawyer."

Apollo had his mind mildly blown when she pointed it out. It did scrub his mind, but to be fully aware is mind boggling.

"Events in life happen for a reason, perhaps a purpose in life? But I must agree that nothing is mere coincidence. Embrace it, enjoy it. It's what makes you unique."

The attorney didn't know how to respond. Her words silenced him. Made him think. "You think so?"

"I know so, Apollo…" Her demeanor changed.

The thought about asking her from two night ago passed into his thoughts. The question was ready to escape his lips until his phone rang. He answered. "Hello, Justice."

"Apollo?" Wright answered.

"Hello, Mr. Wright. Good morning!"

"Good morning to you, too. You sound better. I just wanted to know if you're coming in for work today?"

Apollo glanced back at the woman, her nod ushered it was okay for him to leave.

"I feel much better, Mr. Wright. You have no idea. I'll be at work soon."

"Okay. Athena and I will be waiting." The phone call ended.

"Duty calls?" Regina assessed.

"Yes. Ms. Fate?" Apollo asked kindly.

"Hmm?" She hummed.

"Thank you. For taking me in. It was really nice of you. I do have more questions to ask you though."

"Well... when you are done with work. I may help you to some answers. Unless it is that, what is the meaning of life stuff, then no!" She laughed, again, soft and cunning.

A stranger with this much kindness was foreign, but Apollo couldn't help laugh as he waltzed out the door.