A/N: Another chapter! This one's shorter, as it's between cases right now.
ONWARD!
…
Chapter 13: Solace
May
I studied my ancient laptop, my fingers tapping away at the keyboard as I tried to find something. Anything.
Shadi Smith.
Shadi Enigmar.
Zak Gramarye.
Thalassa Gramarye.
Kristoph Gavin.
I tried to search each of these names, but was coming up with about as much success as before. Both Shadi Smith and Enigmar hardly came up with anything, except one or two small articles detailing their court cases. Zak Gramarye only bought up articles about Troupe Gramarye, as well as Thalassa Gramarye.
Kristoph Gavin… bought up articles about his various victories in court, and a smattering about his downfall a month ago, but nothing… nothing tying him to Zak, or Shadi. I slammed my fist down on my desk, before groaning, dropping my forehead onto my keyboard.
"Polly…?" Trucy asked softly. I looked up.
"Ever hear of knocking?" I snapped, looked up with a frown. She sighed softly, looking down, and I suddenly felt really bad. "I… sorry, Squirt," I said. She shook her head, turning to leave. I considered letting her go, but everything inside of me resisted that.
"Trucy… wait," I said.
"You seemed like you wanted to be alone, Apollo. I'm sorry for bothering you," she said, before going to close the door. I quickly stood and drew her into the room, closing my laptop as I did so. She looked up at me in surprise.
"I'm sorry I snapped at you, Trucy," I said sincerely. "I just… have a lot on my mind."
"I know," she said, hugging me. "You have since that case last month. Polly…" She looked up at me, and I could tell she wasn't upset anymore from the nickname. "What… what is it about that case that has you so… I dunno, spooked?" she asked. I hesitated for a moment. With how much Trucy still loved Zak, Dad and I decided it would be better if she didn't know the real identity of Shadi Smith.
Which means she didn't know how connected that case was to the one seven years ago.
"It's… Mr. Gavin. I just can't figure out why he killed Smith and tried to frame Dad. After all, they were supposed to be friends, right?" I said. Trucy looked at me, but I knew wasn't lying. I was just… withholding the truth…
She looked down with a sigh. "I think Daddy is upset too," she said. "Though… I think it's more because of how… withdrawn you've become, Polly," she said. I jolted slightly.
"W-withdrawn?" I asked. Trucy nodded.
"Yeah. You… stay in your room a lot. Ever since the trial." She looked down, her shoulders slumped. I thought back over the past month. Have I…?
"Even Clay has said so," Dad said, suddenly appearing in my doorway. I jumped slightly at that, and he smiled weakly at me. "I invited Maya and Pearl to dinner tonight," he said. "I hope you two don't mind."
"Will we be eating Eldoon Noodles?" Trucy asked brightly.
"Yep. And hamburgers," Dad added.
There's a winning combination.
"Then I don't mind!" Trucy said brightly.
"Apollo?" Dad asked. I smiled slightly.
"Of course I don't mind," I said. He nodded.
"Good. Mind going to Eldoon's, Kiddo?" he said, and I gave pent to a sigh.
"Of course not. Five servings?" I asked.
"Apollo… it's Maya."
"Right. Seven it is then."
"Good. Maya has a stomach just for ramen! And another for burgers," Trucy said brightly.
Huh?
"Hey, Daddy. Speaking of Maya, is she going to be our new Mommy?" Trucy asked as I picked my wallet up from my nightstand.
"Trucy!" I gasped, dropping my wallet again. Dad just laughed at that, patting Trucy's shoulder and walking out.
…
"I'm back!" I called as I stepped into the apartment. The smell of hamburgers filled the apartment, as did the excitable voice of one Ms. Maya Fey.
"Hi, Apollo!" Sixteen year old Pearls said brightly, darting over to take half of the food from me. I chuckled.
"Thanks," I said with a small smile.
"How are you?" she asked, sounding almost tentative.
"I'm good, Pearls," I said with a small smile. She smiled back. "You?"
"I'm good. Training hard," she replied. I nodded.
"Sounds good," I said, putting the stuff food on the table which was already full of bags from the local burger joint. I was suddenly enveloped in a hug.
"Apollo!" Maya squealed from where she had me in a death grip.
"Good… to see… you too…" I gasped. She suddenly let me go, and I gasped for air.
"Come sit, Apollo. We saved you some burgers," Dad said. I smiled weakly at him, plopping down in my chair and looking over at Trucy and Pearls.
"Come on, Pearls, pleeeeeeeeaaaaaaaase?" Trucy begged.
"I-I don't know, Trucy," the spirit-medium said, rubbing the back of her head.
"It's not like I'm asking you to put your neck on the line or anything. It's just a double date," Trucy said. My head snapped up from where I was unwrapping my burger.
"What?" Dad asked.
"A date?" I demanded.
"Aww! I think that's a great idea, Pearly!" Maya exclaimed.
"Y-you do!?" Pearls gasped.
"And he's totally crushing on you!" Trucy replied.
"But… what about you?" Pearls asked.
"Oh, don't worry. I'll be there too, with my own date."
"OBJECTION!" I yelled, only to look over at Dad, who was also standing, having shouted at the same time.
"Daddy? Polly?" Trucy asked, looking between in confusion. "What's wrong. It's just dinner." She put a finger to her chin. "And I was just going to show him my panties…"
"What!?" I gasped, lurching back.
"HOLD IT! Trucy! I thought you knew better then that!" Dad said. Loudly.
And I thought my Chords of Steel were powerful…
"What are you talking about, Daddy? I show off my magic panties on stage all the time!" she said, producing a pair of powder blue bloomers with pink hearts from who knows where. I let out a sigh, and Dad deflated, his arm dropping back to his side. Maya, who had watched the entire thing, burst out laughing.
"Oh my gosh, Nick! You should have seen your face!" she said between laughs. "And you, Apollo—" she cut off from laughing to hard, and I scowled at her. Dad shook his head, his cheeks still a little red.
"Leave it. Eat your hamburgers, Apollo," Dad said. I huffed, but sat, doing so. Trucy and Maya finally managed to talk Pearls into the double date. I was actually a little grateful for this. With Pearls there, nothing… too bad would happen. Pearls was too much of a goody-too-shoes for the kind of thoughts a teenage boy would have, meaning she'll stop anything as soon as it starts.
Maya looked ecstatic. Dad looked unhappy… and like he was plotting. I go the feeling he was going to ask one of his connections to look into the boys.
"So, Apollo!" Maya suddenly said. "I heard your first case was a suspenseful, exciting Turnabout, worthy of one of your father's old cases. What'd you think?" she asked. I sighed, my spikes drooping.
"I felt like I was drowning the whole time," I admitted, much to their amusement.
"Really, Polly? That's not what it looked like," Trucy said. "And I'm sure that's not what you're writing in your journal…" she added slyly. I gasped, heat flaring into my cheeks.
"Journal, what journal?" I demanded before realizing my voice was just a little too quick. Trucy started laughing, and even Pearls giggled a little.
"Look, Squirts! I'll get you back somehow!" I said, pointing at the girls, who laughed hard. I huffed, before darting around the table, grabbing them both in headlocks.
"H-hey, Apollo!"
"P-Polly!"
Both were laughing as they struggled to get free. A few minutes later, I somehow wound up on the ground, Trucy sitting on my back. Pearls sat to the side, giggling.
"Alright, kids, stop playing around and sit at the table," Dad said.
"But Daddy! He started it!" Trucy simpered.
"I don't care who started it, I'm ending it," Dad said with a mock stern tone in his voice. I couldn't help but laugh at it as we all got up and sat at the table again.
"So, Nick. Watch the latest episode of the Mercury Samurai?" Maya asked. Dad chuckled.
"I'm still working on the Silver Samurai, Maya. I've been kind of busy recently," he admitted, and I looked up, realizing this to be true. For the past few weeks, Dad has been out a lot, doing something 'important.' At times, I've entertained the idea of a secret girlfriend, but that was just so… unlike Dad.
The rest of dinner went much the same way. Maya and Dad bickered half the time, while me and the girls made faces at each other. It almost felt like how it was before the trial.
But, as I helped clear away hamburger wrappers and noodle containers, I started getting that feeling again. The kind where my chest tightens slightly, and all of the chatter starts to become to much for me. I threw out what was in my arms and went over, putting a hand on Dad's arm.
"Dad…"
"Yeah, Kiddo?"
"Mind if I… uh… go for a walk?" I asked. He studied me for a moment before sighing, ruffling my hair.
"Not at all, Apollo. Just don't stay out too late," he said. I chuckled, a small part of me appreciating that he still treated me like I was a kid, before heading out.
As soon as I was out in the warm, May air, the thoughts I held back began to crowd my brain again.
How was Gavin and Zak connected? Was Gavin connected to Grandfather? Or Valant? I know Zak fired him as his attorney over a stupid card game, but I doubt that'd be enough to warrant killing the man. So… why? What was the motive? And now, with Zak and Grandfather gone, Gavin, who apparently was connected, arrested, and Uncle Valant missing… who can I ask about Mom?
"A-Apollo?" a panting voice suddenly filtered into my consciousness. I looked up, and was surprised to find myself face to face with Clay.
His face was drenched in sweat, as was his blue muscle shirt. A pair of headphones were draped around his neck, and he was holding a bottle of water.
"Hey, Clay. Working out?" I asked, sliding aside on the bench I was sitting on (when did that happen?).
"Yep: Endurance Training. I'm in the middle of my Exams, after all," he said, flopping down. I noticed him casting a weary glance at me from the corner of his eye, and sighed, remembering what Dad had said earlier.
"I'm sorry that I've been a bit… withdrawn this past month," I said, looking down and leaning forward, elbows on knees.
"Nah, it's alright." Clay wrapped an arm around me. "That trial was pretty messed up."
"More then you know."
"Hm?"
"Clay… Shadi Smith's real name… was Shadi Enigmar," I said. Clay frowned, putting a hand to his chin in thought.
"Enigmar… Enigmar… where have I heard that name before?" he muttered.
"It was mine and Trucy's before we were adopted by Phoenix Wright," I said.
"Wait—what!?" Clay gasped, dropping his hands. I nodded.
"Yeah."
"So… Shadi Enigmar… Zak Gramarye… is dead."
"And not just missing anymore."
"Does Trucy know?" Clay asked, his arm tightening around me. I shook my head.
"No. Dad and I… thought it was for the best," I said. Clay nodded.
"Makes sense. Aw, man, Apollo, I'm sorry. It's no wonder your emotions were running so high in court that day," he said.
"You weren't there… were you?" I asked, looking up.
"No. Classes, remember? But since the case was solved, they released the recording of it online," he said. I nodded.
"Right." I leaned against him.
"Zak's death is really bothering you, huh?" Clay asked.
"Yes," I admitted, closing my eyes. Before I realized it, I was telling him everything. All of my investigating, all of my suspicions, about Mom, my anger, my doubt… and the thoughts that plagued me everyday since the trial.
Clay stayed silent, listening to me, until I buried my face in his shoulder, falling quiet and trembling from way too much emotion. He rubbed my back, and the silence stretched on for a bit longer, until finally, my shaking subsided.
"How do you feel?" Clay asked.
"Horrible," I muttered against his shoulder, and he chuckled.
"I know what'll make you feel better," he said, pulling back. I sat up straight and watched as he stood.
"I'M CLAY TERRAN, AND I'M FINE!" he yelled, before looking at me expectantly. I chuckled weakly and stood.
"I'M APOLLO WRIGHT, AND I'M FINE!"
"I'M CLAY TERRAN, AND I'M FINE!"
"I'M APOLLO WRIGHT, AND I'M FINE!"
We took turns until I was laughing too hard to continue. Clay grinned, wrapping an arm around me.
"Better?"
"Better."
"Good. I'll always be here for you, 'kay Apollo? Don't ever hesitate to come talk to me," he said.
"Not always," I said, softly.
"Huh?"
"When you go up into space, block head!" I explained, and he laughed.
"We'll figure something out," he said, giving my shoulder a light punch. "Tell you want. Once this week is up, and exams are over, you and me will have a sci-fi binge," he said. I grinned.
"Sounds good, Clay. Go get 'em," I said. He grinned, putting his headphones back on, and sprinted off. I smiled after him, flopping back onto the bench for a few minutes before heading home, part of me wishing I had spoken to Clay sooner.
He was just the pick-me-upper I needed.
…
A/N: Okay, lets see here…
Apollo's okay, no worries!
Maya's multiple stomachs theory just had to make an appearance. I couldn't help myself!
Trucy's a MayaxPhoenix shipper. Blame Pearl.
The whole part about Trucy and Pearl dating was added when I was almost done. I thought of it today while I was doing other things, hehe.
"Eat your hamburgers, Apollo" was done on purpose (the semi-famous meme from Awkward Zombie's Culture Schlock comic).
You all probably hate me for that tiny piece of foreshadowing to DD, but… it just presented itself perfectly. I couldn't help it.
Next chapter is Turnabout Corner!
