Risenfromash: I am working on a very angst-ridden episode of Nature of Devotion, but it isn't done yet so you get this in the meantime, another silly chapter. But if you're in the mood for angst I posted another Miles and Franziska story recently, A Fantasy Realized. It is a one-shot and does not occur in the same universe as Nature of Devotion. It is not explicit but contains very mature themes so check it out if you're into that sort of thing. Have a great day and thanks for reading and/or reviewing.
"Fools doing nothing but foolish foolery in the most foolishly fool ways." Franziska was slashing her whip frenzily at the servants in the dining room. It had been quite a while since Miles had seen his sister in this great a temper-tantrum and he wondered what could have made her so upset. Generally she saved this kind of tizzy for while at work.
"Hello, Franziska. Is something wrong?" He asked as he entered the dining hall.
"No. Nothing."
"Obviously," he said with only the bemused expression gracing his face hinting at the sarcasm behind his remark.
Miles sat down for supper expecting his sister to join him at the table, but she stormed off in an apparent huff. "Enjoy your dinner, Miles Edgeworth. I've already eaten mine," and with a final flourish of her whip she made her exit.
Miles watched her as she left thinking that he would perhaps be sleeping alone that night.
"Weeeellll. What did you do, Miles Edgeworth?" Helga said shaking her head at him as she set his dinner on the table.
"In truth I've no idea. I've been gone all weekend so I can't imagine what I could have done to upset her."
"Well, you better figure it out, because the princess has been on a rampage."
Miles sighed and took his time eating his dinner figuring that it might give his love some time to cool down. Besides, he saw no reason to spoil his supper just because she was unwilling to communicate her concerns to him.
~xxxx~
After dinner Miles knocked on Franziska's door and she responded with a curt, "Enter." He leaned into the room with only his upper half, prepared to duck out if necessary.
"Darling?"
"What is it?" She sounded exasperated.
"Whatever do you mean? Do I need a particular reason to come see you? Is the simple fact that I love you no longer enough of a reason?"
Franziska narrowed her eyes as she seethed. "Don't you play innocent with me, Miles Edgeworth! You just vanish for the weekend on "special assignment" without so much as an explanation and then come back as though nothing has happened. How dare you!"
"I thought that calling you to say that I was going away on special assignment was enough of an explanation. I hardly consider it "vanishing" when accompanied by that kind of notification."
Franziska stamped her foot. "You only did that so I wouldn't worry that you had been kidnapped or something."
Miles nodded. "It is a courtesy that I appreciate, therefore, when necessary I reciprocate it."
"Miles Edgeworth, what are you playing at?"
"Franziska, you don't believe that I'm having some kind of affair or something do you? I was hoping you were no longer this insecure. What have I done to cause you to distrust me?"
Franziska found his logic distasteful.
"If you were on "special assignment" then why aren't you bragging about it? Why are you not rubbing my nose in the fact that you were chosen over me? Don't you dare claim you no longer enjoy lording it over me when you outdo me."
"Darling, having one special assignment from the Chief Prosecutor is hardly worthy of the claim of supremacy. We both know the man is an idiot and I only tolerate his stupid antics because he allows us to take our vacations at the same time without too much fuss or a lot of questions."
Franziska opened her mouth, but Miles continued before she could speak.
"If you ask me if I was with Kay or Prosecutor Landree or anything of that nature I will be forced to remind you that the entire world is not trying to get in my pants. That obsession is reserved for you alone."
Franziska flew at him her nostrils flaring with anger. "Fool, how dare you talk to me in that manner! As though I am some lovesick jealous little-"
Miles grabbed her wrists and raised his eyebrows, "Well, aren't you?" His touch and look was intentionally dripping with seduction and Franziska eyed flitted away as quickly as she could make them so as not to fall victim to his plot. She would not succumb to him. She was too strong or so she told herself.
"Miles Edgeworth, you unhand me and tell me exactly where you were this weekend and what exactly made you better qualified for the assignment than me."
Miles rolled his eyes. He should have known better than to attempt to conceal anything from her.
"Fine. I'll tell you." He plopped down in her overstuffed chair. "Franziska, the only reason I didn't tell you is…well, I'd rather not think of this weekend myself. You probably imagine that I was having fun without you on some kind of worthy investigation, something like you and Lang would participate in, when in actuality it was quite the opposite."
"What kind of investigation would one of our best prosecutors be sent out on that is not worthy of his time?"
"I was pursuing a teenager who commits petty crimes dressed as the Blue Badger."
Franziska's laugh was more of a cackle. "Fool! You expect me to believe that?"
Miles muttered a curse under his breath and crossed his arms in irritation.
"Wait, are you serious?" She asked incredulously.
Miles frowned and nodded. "It was most undignified."
"Hmph. Serves you right."
"Why does it serve me right? What have I done wrong?" Miles knew he was whining, but he didn't care. He had just endured a miserable few days and his sister was refusing to be sympathetic. He hated when she was like this. It was just like when they were kids. "Other than not being here at your beck and call I don't see what I have ever done to deserve the way I have spent the last forty-eight hours of my life."
"Neglecting me is enough of a reason for you to have earned a whipping."
Miles rolled his eyes. "No, I will argue this point. I have had my punishment already. I was torn away from what would have been a nice weekend at home with you to chase around a moronic youth in a costume, because our boss believes that since I've led investigations at Gatewater Land-"
"And been attacked by someone dressed as a badger-" Franziska supplied helpfully.
"That I am somehow the expert on the issues of encumbrance one encounters when dressed as one."
"So, let me get this straight you went around with a fool detective to investigate crime scenes this foolish young man had-"
"Graffittied," Franziska chortled at this. "Strong arm robbed, and shoplifted."
"?"
"As I said it was unbefitting one such as myself…and it got very humid inside the costume."
"Brother?"
"Yes, Franziska. We had to reenact several events."
"With you in the fool badger costume?"
"Yes."
"What kind of events?"
"Like stuffing mp3 players down the neck to show how he could have shoplifted whilst in the suit." Miles hung his head in shame. He had done many things in pursuit of the truth but actually dressing as that blasted mascot of the police force and that stupid band? This was the worst. This was the type of thing even Wright would have pawned off on a subordinate like Maya, Ema, or maybe even Larry if he was around.
"Little Brother?"
Miles sighed. Why did he put up with her? "Yes, darling?"
"Come here." Franziska had settled herself on the bed and had now opened her arms.
"Are you going to whip me, because I must admit, sister, I'm really not in the mood." He grumbled.
"Fool! Your testimony has proven that you have suffered enough indignities. I think perhaps you need your sister to make you feel better."
"Really? You're not mad?" He said getting up and walking across to join her on the bed.
"No, brother, you are right. I would not have enjoyed that assignment and I can only assume that you continue to tolerate that man for the benefit of our trysts so please let me make it up to you."
Miles lay down beside her on the bed and she leaned over to snuggle him, but she pulled away abruptly.
"Oh, brother! You smell! Go take a shower!"
"Hmph!" Said Miles as he stomped off to the shower muttering something about how a wriggling piece of plywood could become some damn cult sensation and why in this day and age they couldn't make costumes out of a more breathable fabric.