What Is Going On?
Phoenix's alarm clock chanted it's repetitive ring. Eight o'clock. This was an unusually late time for Phoenix to wake up, though it seemed explainable considering his diary lying on the floor, open on today's date. The lines showed no ink. Yep. An empty day. No appointments. No cases. No lunches. Nothing. Phoenix shifted dreamily out of sleep and sat up on his bed. He picked up his diary and smiled. To be fairly honest, Phoenix's busier life was tiring him. He was relieved to finally get a day to relax. He opened up his bedside drawer and placed the diary inside it. Before closing it, he noticed something, a photo. He pulled it out, and had sudden memories of a few years ago, when his status of being a defence attorney, compared to now, was quite amateurish. It was a group photo of everyone, him, Maya, Edgeworth, Pearls, Gumshoe ect. The times when events in the court were scary, he never knew where they would turn. It was thrilling nevertheless. Moreover, he remembered that the people in this photo he would see at least a few times a week, but now a half of them he had only seen once or less in the past few months. And he looked at Maya and Pearls, who without he would never be in the successful place he was in now.
*
Phoenix shiny, spiky hair reflected the sun's shine as he paced through the town centre, a box of chocolates in one hand, heading towards the drug store. Why? Chest pains. He pushed the door and the bell tinkled as he entered the orange scented air of the drug store. Inside, he noticed someone familiar.
"Edgeworth!"
Miles Edgeworth turned around to see Phoenix walking up to him. He was browsing the section with pain killers.
"Hello there Wright. Long time, no see. What brings you here?"
"Just came for something for heartburn I've been getting."
"Must be the overloaded schedule. Free time is needed to look out for your health Wright."
"Speak for yourself."
Phoenix pointed at the bottle of painkillers in his hand.
"So, what's with the painkillers?"
Edgeworth thought back to the night with Maya, recalling feelings of pain, confusion and awkwardness.
"Isn't it obvious Wright? I have fractured myself."
Phoenix scratched his head, chuckling.
"Oh, of course! So anyway, have you seen Maya around lately?"
Edgeworth was startled at this question. He started to get a little agitated.
"Why do you ask that?"
"Well, she came to this party that was held for me. I got to talk to her for a few seconds but after that she was gone, I was just wondering if-"
"I wouldn't know about that, sorry."
Phoenix nodded. Edgeworth chose to change the topic.
"So, how is your position going?"
"Oh it's great yeah, I've got this really interesting case in a few days, this man with kleptomania. I'm thinking of bringing Maya and Pearls to it too."
"Oh yes, but you do know kleptomania is just a poor excuse for being well, a vagrant?"
"Thanks for the encouragement, but the guy is pretty well off but kind of mentally unfortunate. I know Maya will love it though. I feel so bad, I've barely hung out with her for a while. But she's being so great, never complained about it."
Maya this, Maya that Edgeworth thought. And she was very upset you dozy fool. He began to get tired of Phoenix bringing her up.
"Ah, look at the time, I'm afraid I must take off for now Wright."
He handed the bottle of painkillers to the counter lady and purchased it. He nodded to Phoenix and somewhat anxiously walked out of the store. It was either because the injured part of himself was straining on him or something was on his mind. Phoenix stood there dumbfounded. What's wrong with him?
*
Phoenix stood in front of the blue door entering into Maya's apartment. He knocked three times and Maya answered. Ecstatic, she threw her arms around her.
"Nick! What a surprise! I'm so happy to see you!"
She let go of him and let him breathe. Phoenix took few puffs of breath. It was either the tight embrace or Maya's huge, sunny aura that could knock anyone back. She smiled gleaming, gazing hopefully at the box of chocolates Phoenix held in his hands.
"Oh these? I bought these for the road on the way back home."
Phoenix grinned cheekily while Maya gave him a jokingly stern look. She missed this. It felt exactly like three years ago. Another familiar voice crept up from behind, the voice of young Pearl, or Pearls. She spotted Phoenix and repeated the same action as Maya, the strange hairstyle of hers bobbing up and down as she hugged Phoenix, nearly crying.
"Mr. Nick! Oh how long it's been!"
"Look at you Pearls! You've grown."
"And so have you."
Maya had her mouth half full with chocolate, but smiled happily at this reunion. She offered Pearls a chocolate. Pearls backed away disgusted, as a mother would do to a muddy child.
"Eugh, revolting!"
Maya shrugged and took the chocolates back to herself. Phoenix took out a small teddy bear, dressed in pink clothing like the protégé spirit medium herself. She beamed with delight.
*
Phoenix, Maya and Pearls on the sofa in front of the television, watching old re runs of Steel Samurai. Phoenix watched with rekindled joy.
"I forgot how awesome this was."
Maya exhaled. You forget a lot of things Nick Maya thought but I'm so glad you're here.
"Speaking of forgetting, I nearly forgot to ask you. Where'd you go to the other day of the dinner party?"
Maya upbeat mood changed to silence. She recalled the night with Edgeworth, remembering feelings of sadness, comfort and embarrassment. Pearls began to explain.
"She went to see-"
Maya swiftly stopeed Pearl in her tracks.
"Uh, Pearl, what are you doing? I was um, wasn't feeling well Nick. I'm sorry, I should have told you first."
"Oh it's fine. I'm the one who should be sorry. You must have been bored there."
"It's okay Nick, I had a good time really."
Maya and Phoenix exchanged forgiving smiles while Pearls looked at Maya judgementally. Maya shook her head at her, signalling to not talk about the incident. Pearls sighed and went back to watching the television.
"Oh and another thing. Have you seen Edgeworth lately?"
Maya gulped. Pearls turned intently, waiting to see how Maya will worm her way out of this one.
"I- no. No, I haven't, why?"
"Nothing, it's just… I saw him at the drug store and he was acting pretty weird. Particularly when I started talking about- well I'm sure it's nothing but it was when I started talking about you."
Maya was surprised by this, and Pearls started to get a glint in her eye. Mystic Maya, why are you so desperate to hide this? Maya shook her head.
"I don't know why he would do that. I haven't talked to him in ages."
Pearls gaped. Yes you have.
"Hmm, it's probably not you then. Ah, not more childhood memory trauma I hope. I think Edgeworth needs some help. Hey, I know! We should all go see him!"
Maya hands started to shake. She couldn't help herself.
"Nick!"
This high pitched squeal reminded Phoenix of his alarm clock; loud and awakening.
"What Maya? What's wrong?"
"Yes Mystic Maya, what is it?"
Pearls contentedly awaited her response. Maya stuttered.
"Nick, I totally forgot. Burgers! I didn't get any! We can't have this get together without burgers. They were a vital part of us hanging out together. It's tradition! I'll go out and get some. Come on Pearl!"
Maya hoisted a flabbergasted Pearls up from her seat. Phoenix bore the same dumfounded-ness he had at the drug store.
"Maya, what on earth…"
Maya wagged her finger.
"Come on Nick. This is a special day for us. We need the burgers! We'll be right back, the store is just around the corner."
Maya waved goodbye and shuffled along out of the room with Pearls, out of the apartment. Phoenix sat back, stroked his chin and tried to calculate. It was certainly no murder case, but something had crept up that he need to press information out of. The problem was, from who? Then, an investigation instinct caught his mind. He jumped up and made his way to the kitchen, towards the refrigerator, and examined the section where frozen food was kept. There it was, the good old fashioned contradiction. He found a packet of burgers from the local store. But it was too late for "objection!". And it still didn't give much of a clue as to why Maya was acting so strangely, but her defensiveness started on the subject of what happened at the night of the dinner party. And Edgewort, there was something definitely up with him. Basically, just one question roamed in Phoenix's mind:
What is going on?