AN: Song belongs to respected owner
Prosecutor's Office
September 7 9:00 a.m.
A different approach was in order to somehow phase pass Maggey's defenses. The woman, once more on the spot, held in the wooden mahogany seat winced at every stare that her spectators gave, especially her husband. Shadow of guilt lashed on her face as the glare of the awaited prosecutor poised before the witness. Her breathing was fast and unpaced, heavy, but short. Edgeworth gave it some thought that perhaps Maggey needed to be somehow pulled back.
"Maggey…" Edgeworth muttered loudly.
The detective's wife raised her head, somber occupying the vacant face. "Yes, Edgeworth...?"
"I trust you understand that I can no longer have you prolong your account with your kidnapper." Edgeworth spoke sternly. "You are our last solace, as of now, to gain any further leads."
"I'm sorry, sir. I can't." Maggey mumbled under her breath.
Edgeworth inhaled deeply. He honestly didn't want to resort in putting Maggey on the spot, but desperate times calls for desperate measures. The breath was finally released as his brows furrowed towards the detective standing by his wife's side in a grimace.
"Detective Gumshoe…I ask of you to leave this room." Edgeworth demanded.
"Sir! Why? I don't get it." Gumshoe broke perplexedly.
"I don't condone to this, but I must speak with Maggey privately." The prosecutor asserted strongly.
"Sir…You can't!" Gumshoe felt the intensity build, almost terrified of how the prosecutor would approach his wife in order for her to submit. The detective felt squeamish and didn't want Maggey out of his sight, not even for a second, after she had been taken away and potentially could have suffered a traumatic experience with the birdman.
"A prosecutor's eyes are for discerning the truth. And should they be interpreted to be cruel at times, then so be it." Edgeworth retorted, his right arm supporting the seriousness of his weight.
The detective was about to make a sad attempt to somehow persuade the already decisive prosecutor from pressuring his wife. "Sir-!"
"It's okay, Dick…" Maggey broke the tension barrier. Her voice low as snowfall. "I know Edgeworth won't hurt me. I would only be hurting you and myself if I don't say anything much longer."
The detective crawled over to his wife, one knee below, granting full access to her view. "Are you sure, Maggey?" Gumshoe asked weakly.
"Yes. You can go now." Maggey's breathing became calmer in pace before glancing at her husband one more moment.
"Okay. Careful Maggey."
"Don't worry about me." She gave him a faint and unsteady smile.
Gumshoe lifted himself to his feet, the giant size towering over Maggey before nodding to the prosecutor. "Don't be too hard on her, sir."
Edgeworth merely nodded back without a word as the detective's beige coat followed behind a closed door.
A awkward silence commenced afterwards, adding more to the void atmosphere. Edgeworth was about to begin before he was abruptly halted.
"Thank you, Edgeworth...As much as I hate it… I needed Dick to leave…"
Edgeworth was in minor shock, but his composure still sturdy. "Why is that, Mrs. Gumshoe?"
Maggey finally lifted her head, guilt stamped all across her face. "I did see that man… I did see whatever Ema was talking about…"
The prosecutor had a hard time coping with this weird anatomy of the man whom the girls claimed to have seen. 'There is no possible way such a thing could exist.'
He had no choice but to play along with this game in order for her to speak. "Begin your part in this, Mrs. Gumshoe."
"Okay! I am tired of hiding the truth from you… it's not right. I just worry how this will affect Dick." Maggey approached hesitantly. "Promise him you won't tell."
Edgeworth was confused. Gumshoe is involved in her very case for personal reasons, how can he not tell the detective? "I believe that your captor has already affected the detective enough as it may be. There is no point in hiding the truth anymore." Edgeworth pointed. "Gumshoe is directly connected to your case, Maggey. He must know."
"Then I won't say anything..." Maggey leaned backward against the mahogany seat. Her defenses were already coming to as she crossed her arms.
'This woman…' Edgeworth cupped his temples along with his forehead. The grey hair draped over his fingers. He heavily sighed before composing himself to the meager speaking woman before him. "What is it that you don't want to tell your husband, Mrs. Gumshoe?"
"Well…" Maggey shuffled in her seat. "Can you at least keep certain details away from him?"
Edgeworth did not like where this was going. He didn't like lying to the detective or hide him from certain details, but to press on any further, he would have to make an acception. The prosecutor resettled upon his grand chair before laying his arms onto his dark desk. "I will do what I can... Now, begin when did you first met this man."
"Okay…"
Local Store
September 5 9:30 a.m.
"Hey, Maggey! How is life treating you now?" The cashier exalted cheerfully as she scanned the items across the register.
"Oh, I honestly can't say it is entirely good, nor can I say it's entirely bad either." Maggey brushed her elbow.
"Aw. Why? What happened Maggey?" The cashier stopped scanning for a brief moment, as her uniform crinkled against bosom.
"Well, ever since the murder incident at the prosecutor's office, I was fired… again… and then I had been shuffling in and out of jobs ever since. No one wants to keep me hired for too long…" Maggey stifled melancholy. "My employers think I'm more of a liability."
"Well screw them, Maggey!" The cashier continued scanning from the angered glares of customers behind her friend. "You don't need them. They need you more."
"I don't think anyone wants a risk on their team…" The Goddess of Misfortune broke softly. "Maybe I'm not meant to be happy."
The cashier looked at her angrily, "Maggey! As long as you keep thinking that way, then you always will be unhappy."
'It's cuz it's true…'
"And how is the Gumshoe?" The cashier started placing groceries into the plastic bags.
"Oh, Dick? He's been great and helping me out!" Maggey had some color return to her face.
"That's good. Your total is 34.95, Maggey." The cashier finished bagging customer's groceries into the bag before handling her customer.
"Okay… Lemme just…" Maggey rummaged through her pocket. The movements became more frantic and responsive. 'No! NO!'
Her pocket was about as empty as her hope. Her head knelt down, defeated. 'How could I forget something as simple as that?!'
"Uhh… I guess I'm going to have to leave the stuff here…" Maggey sighed.
"Thank you, have a great day!" The cashier fiddled with the money in her hands before returning the change.
Maggey felt a shuffle in her pocket. The woman peered up to see a dark trench coat along with a top hat slowly walking past her.
"Maggey! Get your stuff! I got customers!" The cashier waved her hand to the Unlucky girl.
"But I didn't pay for the stuff." Maggey arched forward.
"Yeah you did!" The register woman winked and pointed her thumb towards the dark coat man.
The jaw of the unlucky tainted Maggey dropped as she saw the kindness walk away in a strut out the grocery store. She grabbed the handle of the baggage and ran out the door. Her head darted left and right, trying to find the man responsible for paying her items. There! She finally caught a glimpse of the coat. Her feet kicked the ground, running to the man.
"Sir! Wait!" Maggey yelled.
The dark silhouette came to a stop. Attentively, the figure stood, awaiting for the steps behind him to come to a halt.
"You paid for my stuff, sir. Why?" Maggey quickly brought the words outward, trying to bring her breath steadily.
"..." The dark figure remained silent as his turned towards the woman. She could only see the lower half of his face as his hat covered his eyes. A very thin notable scar traced down his lower lip until it tucked under his chin behind his faintly scruffy jaw to which she avoided direct contact with for respect. "I could tell by the way you were acting that you lacked or possibly forgotten your cash. I couldn't help but overhear your predicaments, Ms…?"
"Maggey. Maggey Byrde."
"Byrde…" The birdman took intrigue by the woman before him. "You seemed troubled and I couldn't help myself, but help you."
"You're so kind... I don't think you should have bought this for me. I mean! I do appreciate it, but I could've simply went home and came back." Maggey fiddled with the plastic on the bag.
The birdman tilted his head, further gazing at Maggey. Her tiny frame compared to his and her soft complexion. "By my moral code, I cannot let a woman such as yourself be further beaten by the circumstances or herself."
"You know, sir...There should be more people like you." Maggey smiled fulfillingly. "The world would be a better place."
The birdman twisted his head to the side. He hummed, "Hmm… I don't know about that…"
"I don't think you should be humble about it either, sir." Maggey approached the man closer as she dug into her pocket. "And I know you put the change in my pocket…" She dug deeper, trying to clamp all of the change in one hand. "Here…" She raised her hand, filled with the goods. "Take this back…HHHHH…!"
The birdman was completely occupying her personal space, as a fanged grin gleamed back at her. "You're too kind, Ms. Byrde."
She was swallowed completely under the dark coat as he grabbed her underneath and ran to a hidden vehicle. The movements, so swift, Maggey couldn't scream as he held her, strapped completely in dark tendrils against him. The car started, screeching as it sped down the street. She gave one last tug to finally attempt on seeing his face hidden under the dark hat, but was pushed back against his chest.
Maggey arose from her fear stricken slumber, completely woman panickedly turned left and right, remembering that she was taken by that 'kind stranger.'
'I'm so stupid! I knew it was too good to be true.'
She crawled out the soft mattress before accidentally knocking off a pile. It was her clothing. Maggey shook her head, dumbfounded to be caught in a black dress. It had neat creases and fold that complemented her legs finely in texture. The door from the dim room opened, allowing light to simmer in.
"Is Lady Luckless scared?" The birdman teased through the white faced bird mask.
Maggey frantically ran away from her captor, desperate for an escape. With no solace, she finally turned to the dark figure still awaiting. "Why did you bring me here?! WHAT ARE YOU?!" Her screams bounced around the room.
"..." The birdman approached her. His break almost touching her chin, before actually cupping it in his white gloved hands. "I am cursed… diseased… Ms. Byrde..."
She looked at the black bolted eyes, petrified from his gaze, but tranced by his words. "What do you mean?"
"It was an accident...but I have to accept it one way or another...as for the reason why you are here… I will explain after proper introduction." The birdman ushered her to the door. "Be not afraid, Ms. Bryde…" He laughed against the mask. "I do not bite… much."
The gentleman gently gestured Maggey to leave the room as he bowed his head, the beak pointing towards the floor. Maggey still gripped the wall, terrified to even move. After a certain amount of time, her hand was gripped by the white glove, holding it delectably and rubbing circles softly against her finger with his thumb.
"Please, Ms. Bryde. I bid you follow." His voice contained inhibited emotion, but his argument couldn't hold water.
Maggey was gently tugged forward, his free hand grasping onto her side just above her hip, sending shivers through her body. The way how he held her and caressed her was tantalizing, but compassionate. He led her to a small table, lit lightly with tall white candles, elegant with vivacity.
He whispered in her ear, "I promise to let you go, if you are willing to stay for a meal."
The metal frame somehow let a draft of his cold breath through, tickling her, causing the hairs to stand frozen on her neck. "I beg you, Ms. Bryde."
Lady Luckless thought she was either suffering from Stockholm Syndrome or she was going insane, but she actually wanted to stay. The way how he held her and touched her gave her a mystical vibe. A sensation of endearment reverberated in his voice gave a connection to Maggey.
She sucked in a breath before being gently seated and tucked in by her captor.
"I have an etiquette of treating my company to supplements or entertainment. For today, I might treat you with both… you are special." He spoke calmly as he tucked himself inward on the seat. "For your visit, I prepared you a salad."
The toothsome greens in front of her, occupied the plate as they mingled with wondrous addings and intriguing fibrous smells. Her view went back to the birdman, who was leaning forward and gesturing towards her palate. "Don't worry, I only fastened it with appropriate edibles."
She nervously went for the fork beside her plate and picked a simple leaf from the ceramic. The salad was actually very delectable. Her pace was slow, still unnerved by her sudden situation, but she worried that not abiding to the man's orders may cost her. The black bolted eyes still gazed at her small stature.
Despite enjoying her captor's meal, the atmosphere was exquisite. The birdman raised himself forward, the dark dress shirt and white vest pressed against the table cloth, "Would you care for a dance, Ms. Bryde?"
The woman before him dropped her fork. Completely confused by his request. "W-What?"
"A dance." He gestured with his fingers. "I need practice and I lacked a dance partner… until now…"
He arose from his seat, walking diligently to the woman opposite of him. His gloved hand lengthened in front of her. "May I have you?"
Slowly, but involuntarily, her hand made it to his gloved palm, where his fingers cupped pleasantly onto hers. The chair pushed back as Maggey escaped her seating onto the man's presence. He held her, closely, gently, before walking backward. He led her to the middle of a what would seem as a living room.
"A proper ambience is in order." He brushed against a small speaker. The song started low before rising higher to a calm tune. It wasn't until a few moments later, Maggey realized it was that song called "Earned it" by the Weekend.
You make it look like it's magic
Cause I see nobody, nobody but you, you, you
I'm never confused
Hey, hey
The woman held in this man's grasp remained stunned and beguiled. Her captor was doing the exact opposite of what she would expect. She was imagining herself being chopped to pieces or horribly tortured to death. However, the bird stranger that held her onto him was treating her to a dance?
"I shall take the lead…" He whispered. "It will come naturally to you."
I'm so used to being used
So I love when you call unexpected
Cause I hate when the moment's expected
So I'ma care for you, you, you
I'ma care for you, you, you, you, yeah
Cause girl you're perfect
You're always worth it
And you deserve it
The way you work it
Cause girl you earned it
Girl you earned it
The bewildered Maggey allowed the man to move her. His whim brought her forward and around, slowly and intricately. His gloved hand held her back and hip. The dance had a rhythm in a mixture of free form, Waltz and salsa, but steady in pace. The movements were whimsical as she felt like a feather, carried precautiously by his pinion. "I fail to see why you see yourself lowly."
You know our love would be tragic
So you don't pay it, don't pay it no mind
We live with no lies
Hey, hey
You're my favorite kind of night
So I love when you call unexpected
Cause I hate when the moment's expected
So I'ma care for you, you, you
I'ma care for you, you, you, you, yeah
Cause girl you're perfect
You're always worth it
And you deserve it
The way you work it
Cause girl you earned it
Girl you earned it
He gripped her against the waist, bringing her ear to his beating heart. He constantly basked her around his core, lunging her forward and backward as their arms aligned together. They were brought forward, gliding along her midriff as his fingers brushed against the four red feathers on her bosom. "You're worth holds no shackles."
On that lonely night
You said it wouldn't be love
But we felt the rush
It made us believe it there was only us
Convinced we were broken inside, inside
Maggey pursed her lips together, enjoying the music and words strewn through the air. The way he made her feel had her envelope in a warmth of comfort and enlightenment.
Cause girl you're perfect
When he arched forward, she began falling backward.
You're always worth it
She grasped his arm and shoulder in reflex, in fear of falling, as his fingers lightly held her tiny frame by her back.
And you deserve it
His other free hand brought her leg forth, unraveling the dress to expose her thigh, where he held it against his hip.
The way you work it
The beak tickled her bosom, causing her to squeeze her eyes tightly.
Cause girl you earned it
Her head and brown hair flinched backward, completely shattered by bliss.
Girl you earned it
His tendrils unraveled from under his shirt and out of his sleeves as they wrapped around her legs and her back. "You are a Goddess, Ms. Byrde… and I shall strip the Misfortune from your name."
"Did you enjoy our plight?" The birdman tipped with his glass forward.
"Mmmhmmm!" She sipped the bubbly drink in her hands.
Never had she felt so open and happy besides with Gumshoe. Maggey could feel how his hands still traveled along her as they danced. During those moments, she felt like the Goddess he described her as. In those moments, the world drowned into a void where all that mattered was the mere touch of warm darkness this man bestowed on her.
"Uh...sir?"
"Yes, Ms. Byrde?"
"When are you going to let me go?"
The birdman tipped his head to the side, almost confused by her question. "Soon… I know you have a family who are concerned for you. I cannot hurt a woman… unless they desire for me to."
Maggey was unsure whether to feel threatened or flattered. "What kind of… well… sickness do you have?" She winced as she gripped the glass handle.
The birdman played with the buttons on his white sleeve before clearing his throat. "For you, I would answer to… you remind me so much of her…" He stopped before facing Maggey, she could sense the sadness from him. "Recent events has caused this disease to bound me in the chains of life and death. I am burdened to carry a monster within me, removing part of my humanity… day by day… And to prove to you that such a wickedness exists…" The birdman removed the cap as well as two metal locks below his mask, dropping the metal plate lowly. "I shall demonstrate…"
The lower jaw she had seen earlier in the day, exposed his light skin, which slowly morphed and darkened. Elongated into horrifying shards. The jaw nearly almost at length with his beak. Maggey fell backward in mortification. The monster raised himself from the seat and kneeled towards the fallen woman.
"Forgive me…" The monster attempted to caress her, but she crawled away. The awe endowed woman now seethed with horror, fumbling backwards until she hit a wall. Her heart was ready to rupture as the teeth could cut just by peering at them. He grappled her by her arms and raised her to her feet. Maggey guarded herself from the half man before her.
"You should feel honored… no human has seen my entire feature. But for you, I am willing to make an exception…"
Maggey heard a shuffle and metallic ring before turning to the monster once more. There before her was a dragon headed beast, staring at her with dark inhuman eyes attached to a professional body. The breath sending chilly winds to her direction. The colors of her face died as she fell unconscious before him.
"He did nothing to you afterwards, Mrs. Gumshoe?" Edgeworth somehow maintained his composure, despite hearing the ridiculous story. A kidnapper who entertains their victims. The man is either sadistic or evilly beguiling. As well as inhuman? He didn't believe the last part. All he wanted was for Blackquill to talk about another yokai.
"No… He didn't." Her voice dangled.
"Why did you keep this away? He did not threaten you directly."
"…" Maggey had her head down, shameful. But what she was actually ashamed for, was not holding the truth the Edgeworth, but holding it from Gumshoe. She actually enjoyed how the man made her feel. The feelings he emitted were genuine and authentic. She yearned for more, even after seeing that monstrosity. Just keep the mask on.
In order to redirect the guilt, she admitted. "He wanted me to give you this…"
Maggey rummaged through her small pouch before removing a carefully wrapped and sealed handgun. Edgeworth flinched backward as he saw the weapon enhanced with a silencer.
"He said… figure it out yourself…"
