IC MAILBOX | holly heights

[prosecutory]

[Date: ????? Time: ?????
1438, Holly Heights
spouse | son | child
current regain inventory: prosecutor's badge, Pess the dog, King of Prosecutors trophy, framed lucky trial jacket]

Good day. This is Miles Edgeworth; I cannot take your call at the moment but please leave your message and I will respond as soon as possible. Thank you.

Comments

[prosecutory]

[Edgeworth nods, then puts down the book he had been inspecting, back to where it had been.]

You're certainly...thorough. [There is a note of approval and a touch of admiration in his voice. Some people, when confronted with a new world, would probably content themselves with the basics. Quistis was going the extra mile.

When she enters the kitchen, Edgeworth follows a few steps behind, then stops shy of the kitchen, watching her.] Earl Grey is fine, and thank you. [He quickly shifts his attention to the other books before gravitating toward the table, in a surprisingly good mood.]

[nagyka]

I throw myself into things I'm passionate about, I find. Though disliking something -- a task or similar -- is no excuse to be lazy. In my opinion, at least. Of course, I enjoy my work and hobbies, so I think it's easier to feel that way. [ She clearly is someone who likes to learn, if not be knowledgeable and aware. ]

Alright, I'll start on that, then. [ Instead of putting it in separate cups, she fills a larger tea infuser with leaves and then inside of the pot, leaving the top half-on so it remains hot. She turns toward him, her back to the counter. She offers him a nervous smile while brushing some hair out of her eyes. It only takes a moment to push those butterflies down and grab two small plates of sweets and place them on the table. Before she really realizes it, she finds herself crossing the distance and in his personal space, looking up at him with that same smile. ] I really am pleased that you decided to meet with me today. [ She pauses. ] You're missing something, though.

[prosecutory]

I agree. There are aspects of my job I find tedious at times, but I cannot gloss over them.

[Edgeworth peers at the titles of the books stacked on the table, but finds his gaze instantly drawn to Quistis' back. A warm sensation bubbles inside of him, the hot syrup poured into him by her touch being heated further, drawing ever closer to boiling point. He finds himself thinking of their conversations, especially the time when he was a little boy and she thought he was cute -

Edgeworth hurriedly stuffs that thought away even though Quistis would have no way of knowing what he was thinking about. Before he can notice the sweets being placed on the table, she is suddenly in her personal space, smiling at him...and the syrup in his being begins forming little butterflies flitting around in his gut the way his heart was fluttering around his ribcage earlier...]

Ah -

[He finds himself smiling back a little, his cheeks feeling as if they had been blasted by twin flame throwers. Soon his entire face was on fire. His hand moves up, ever so slightly, as if wanting to hold hers, but he stuffs that same hand into his pocket.]

It's no trouble at all. [Edgeworth's voice is smooth and sincere. The part of him still capable of complete logical thought immediately thinks of his cravat, the cravat he somehow could no longer put on himself.] And...er, y-yes, I'm afraid there is...

[He had spent a few days without it. There was no use constantly whining and obsessing over that predicament now, especially since several people had already seen him without a cravat. In a moment of self-consciousness, he wonders what Quistis would think about that.]

[nagyka]

No, of course not. I've heard you've quite a reputation and that makes sense. Someone so thorough in your line of work is admirable -- so many would rather simply make their money and wash their hands of it.

[ She finds herself worried about what he thinks of her house, what he thinks of how her kitchen is arranged and if the color scheme suits him. More importantly, she put her hair up a little differently and changed the color of lipstick to something just a little more intense (still muted, never too bright). She keeps herself busy, feeling the need to have her hands doing something. It was so much easier when feelings were confirmed, wasn't it? Like this, she didn't know if she could let any of that out. ]

You're wearing a bow tie. [ She confirms, curious over the reasoning behind it. Could it have been those strange boxes the Landlord had been giving others? Or, was it him trying something new on? She reaches over to straighten the bow tie, fingers slipping from the middle to edges before giving it a little tug on each end. It had already been straight, but she wanted some sort of connection. With the way her hand is held, her wrist gently presses against his chest. Quistis allows her touch to linger and meets his eyes. ] It looks rather charming on you, Mister Edgeworth.

[ And as much as she likes this closeness (almost cloying, really), her manners win over. ] Would... you perhaps like to take a seat? [ She should probably remove her hands while she's at it. ]

[prosecutory]

Why, thank you.

[It is a heartfelt thank you. He meant every word of it. Coming from Quistis, it was like a high compliment. And the way he said it was gentle, as if he did not want to scare or offend or anger her in any way. Edgeworth finds himself noticing the way she did her hair, the tone of her lips, two of the things he usually glossed over when speaking to women. While he put a premium on presentability and neatness, he never went into great detail.

Before Edgeworth could say something completely idiotic and impulsive like, "Y-Yes, I am wearing a bow tie" or something along those lines, Quistis is now straightening it.]

It's fine... [His words hang in the air. He doesn't pull her hands away from him. Her touch makes the nerves in his chest buzz. And he wants to take those hands into his but he manages to control himself; he did not want to look inappropriate or send the wrong messages. Actually, he also wanted to do something about his face, which, he was certain, was probably very pink. Edgeworth considers tossing out another thank you for Quistis appreciating his bow tie and asking no more further questions, but before he can do so (or say anything equally foolish, or act like an utterly lovesick fool - which, unfortunately, he was), she invites him to take a seat.

Edgeworth gives her a small smile of affirmation tempered with amusement. Right. They were supposed to have tea. His manners also take over and he positions himself behind Quistis' chair. If she seats herself, he will pull the chair out for her like a true gentleman. That gave him something logical and not at all cheesy to do. Another point for logic; his mind wins again.]

[nagyka]

You're welcome.

[ The way he responds makes her heart go aflutter. It's like her words mean something to him. She was used to being shrugged off (except by Malik, Malik who she had... pined over? Somehow that memory seems far-off, those feelings impossible...). His response leaves little to be desired from him, even makes her feel comfortable in his presence. Would it be so far-off to think that he might feel the same as she did? ]

You're... right, it is. [ Her eyes dart from his neck to mouth to eyes, lingering on his lips for a moment. ] I suppose I was looking for a reason to touch you. [ She confesses with her own embarrassment finally making itself known, cheeks becoming rosy -- all the way down to her neck. She's flushed to an extent that it might be a little clear that this sort of behavior from her is uncommon, that he alone is special.

She retracts herself reluctantly to fumble with the teapot and bring it to the table, placing it in the middle between the tea cups that she'd placed there before he'd come in.

If anyone could sit down nervously, Quistis somehow managed it. Her head ducks more out of demureness than thanks. Now, what to talk about...? ]

[prosecutory]

I...ah, I...see...

[He becomes redder if that is possible, running a hand consciously through his hair. While he had nothing against her continuing to straighten his bow tie for no good reason other than to be close to him, he...decides to let her go. They had tea ready, and he did not want to end up doing or saying anything foolish or ungentlemanly with Quistis in his personal space.

But now he regrets not taking her hand when the opportunity presented itself, not taking her hand and reassuring her that she was doing nothing wrong. He glances away for a moment as if searching for something else to focus on, but finds himself constantly drawn back to Quistis.

He patiently waits for her to bring the teapot, only pulling her chair out for her when she decides to sit, paying no heed to her nervousness (he probably didn't notice anyway and was probably more concerned with how he carried himself right now; hopefully not with the air of a lovesick teenager).

Edgeworth, on the other hand, seats himself rather abruptly, too eager to begin tea, which should present less opportunities for him to mess things up.]

Did you make these yourself? [He gestures to the lemon sablés and macarons curiously.]

[nagyka]

[ She quickly decides that conversation was somehow infinitely easier in text. Although she wonders if she'd been this red (she knew she was; it was the sort of flush that made you feel warm and uncomfortable from the inside out) when it came to texting? Likely not as much, at least not to the extent it made her flustered.

Quistis just needed to pull herself together. Blushing school girl had never been like her, but the teasing hadn't quite been her, either. It was just foreign to like someone and have them maybe possibly like her in return -- at least anyone she genuinely felt something for, anyway. (Except for Malik. Whatever happened to him? She felt so at ease with him... they must have broken up, right? Somehow it seems to slip her mind where and when that happened. Then that thought slips her mind, like it was never there. Strange.)

She finds herself pouring the tea now, allowing the warmth of the pot to soothe her nerves. ]

Hm? Oh, no. [ A beat. ] Not that I cannot, just that I don't often find the time with two full-time jobs. If I had known I'd have company, I likely would have tried. It's not too difficult, just time consuming. [ Mostly in the clean-up and preparation, not so much actually the putting together and baking. ] I'm not much of a homemaker. I'm not very... maternal or affectionate or any of those sorts of things. Being analytical and logical earns me labels like "Ice Queen" -- though I'm not really that cold. I don't think, anyway.

[ She gently pushes the teacup and saucer toward him, in addition to a small plate with which he may dish out any snacks for himself. There three containers in the middle of the table: a plain white container of cream, one of sugar cubes, and another of honey. She assumes he'll also help himself to those, if he so chooses. ]

[prosecutory]

Thank you.

[Edgeworth accepts the cup gratefully, with a short nod and a smile, and proceeds to add a lump of sugar into his cup, and a touch of honey. Sitting at the table, with her face at eye level, did not help his situation at all. He could see her flush but thought nothing of it and found it...er, well, endearing was one way to put it. Heck, it didn't detract from her beauty at all. Sometimes he blinks, or focuses on sipping his tea, just to make sure he didn't end up spending the majority of his time here staring at her intently.]

Hmm, yes, that is understandable. But labels should mean nothing as long as you believe in what you are doing.

[Then he takes a couple of the macarons and two lemon sablés, and places them on his plate. He starts on the sablés first, taking a bite out of one delicately.]

[nagyka]

You are very much welcome, Mister Edgeworth.

[ She uses the tea as an excuse to busy herself and calm her nerves further. The more time she spent with him, the easier it was to simply be near him. He, himself, was soothing in some ways. His demeanor was comforting and familiar, lacking in the same demands that others silently made either for discussion or entertainment. Quistis thinks she could probably enjoy comfortable silence with him, though their friendship (and whatever else may come along side it) was rather new. She would like to learn more about him, if she can.

Quistis takes two cookies, the first which she breaks in half and chews on carefully, not even making a crumb fall to the plate. Her mouth is empty when she takes a sip of tea (honey, no sugar, a drizzle of cream). ]

I don't disagree in the slightest, I just find it can be... hard to form connections with people when they have some preconceived notion about you. I could argue that people like that aren't worth knowing, but when it all comes down to it... we only have one chance at a first impression. [ She takes another sip of tea as she mulls it over, peering over at him. Briefly, she considers straightening out that perfectly straight bow tie of his again. Thankfully, she tosses that notion aside. ] Sometimes you have to care even when you don't.

[prosecutory]

[He just patiently listens to Quistis while eating, daintily wiping his mouth as well and not allowing a single crumb to remain on his face. She certainly has some points, but Edgeworth has made many bad first impressions in the past that he can't correct. His past still follows him around...in more ways than one in Holly Heights, for sure. At least so far some first impressions had been left behind and he had gained people he could call "friends".

A nervous thought crosses his mind; what if Quistis found out about his Demon Prosecutor past? What if she knew what he was like before? Would she still hold him in this regard, or...no, no, it did not help to dwell on that.]

I was never one to care. Instead, I continued to walk my path and to present evidence to debunk everyone's notions about me. [That's one way of putting it.]

[nagyka]

[ Perhaps she could understand better than most. She believes in forgiveness and in change and in bettering one's self. She believes in the ability each person has to evolve into something greater. ]

I understand that, but in some situations you are not afforded that chance, either. [ But she laughs a little, covering her mouth with a hand. ] Your phrasing...

[prosecutory]

[Uh-oh. Edgeworth blinks a few times, a macaroon stopping halfway to his mouth. He was about to put it down and get a napkin when Quistis mentioned his phrasing. So wait, it wasn't something on his face, or worse - in his teeth?]

My...phrasing?

[nagyka]

[ She waves her hand dismissively, head still slightly ducked as she forces her smile (and laughter) down. ]

Oh, no! It's... it's not a bad thing. It's very charming I very much like how passionate you are about your work. [ It was so cute that he used that sort of phrasing about something so... unrelated to his occupation. ]

[prosecutory]

[He still looks at her as if he had done something utterly humiliating and she had noticed and laughed. Like the chicken dance.]

I...I see...t-thank you...

[Was that...supposed to be a complement? It probably was. Excuse him while he reaches for his teacup instead before starting on the macaroon.]

[nagyka]

[ She really did think it was cute. Quistis frowns and scoots her chair a little closer and unlike herself, she leans slightly over the table toward him. ]

I am sorry. I did not mean to put you on the spot like that. I have an unfortunate habit of teasing the people I like. [ Because she doesn't know how to talk like a normal person, whoops? ]

[prosecutory]

[He watches her lean toward him, thinking she had something important to say or confide to him. And Edgeworth...he never saw Quistis as the teasing type. There were one or two things she had thrown at him but...they sailed over his head.]

You...do? Why?

[He's not horrified or offended, just...surprised.]

[nagyka]

Coping mechanism? I don't know. It is... I suppose how I relate. Admittedly, I have an odd sense of humor. [ Which the teasing appears to factor into, not really intentionally. It just happens. ]

[prosecutory]

I-I've met people with much odder senses of humor, to be sure.

[He honestly can't see her with an odd sense of humor. Even in his lovesick state.]

[nagyka]

That sounds incredibly unfortunate.

[ She knows she's something of a pain as it is, so anyone worse than her? That must be painful. ]

[prosecutory]

It is. Some of them even have a chronic inability to restrain themselves from laughing.

[He sounds so very serious when he says it before continuing to eat. And yes, he eats like a very refined gentleman.]

[nagyka]

I know a few of those, as well.

[ She has to wonder, though... He looks awfully cute when he grumps. She keeps that to herself, of course. ]

[prosecutory]

[How dare those people not take Miss Trepe seriously!!! His eyes narrow for a split second before he continues to grump.]

And I'm sure you know how infuriating they can be. You certainly deserve better company.

[nagyka]

[ She thinks he's reminiscing. Understandable, though. People can be... well. There's nothing quite like them. ]

And you, as well. I suppose we can settle for one another, for now?

[prosecutory]

Indeed we can.

[He nods, calming down and smiling again.]