prosecutory | IC INBOX

[Wait a minute.]

Maya is here. She hasn't tried to channel anyone, as far as I know, but I do know people with powers retain them when they're brought here.

Good day, Miss Cykes. [He bows right back. And yeah, he figured she'd be in costume.] It smells wonderful.

Yes, they can. And they have different abilities in their Weapon forms.

[Let's save the body count discussion for another day.]

[Edgeworth is forced on the defensive - blocking, parrying, dodging, sidestepping. He's sweating, he has to sometimes make awkward strikes to keep Cao Pi's blades at bay, and whoa man does he really have to think. The gambit is working well, but Edgeworth isn't about to go down just yet. He may not have the same experience but he knows what it's like to fight for his life.]

[that kind of determination impresses Cao Pi, but he's not about to let up and go easy just to let Edgeworth have a moment to strike back. At one point when their swords cross and hold, he smirks over the blades]

You are a fine opponent. I have not enjoyed a fight quite so much in a long time.

[ woah?!?! she laughs at that, covering her mouth so she won't look so boisterous. ]

You didn't have to do that. But have a seat.

And I hope you won't throw tomatoes at me if I lose. [ yeah... ]

[Edgeworth seats himself primly, blinking at that last remark.]

Why on earth would I do that?

[He's panting, and shakes his head in that brief moment.]

T-There are better opponents.

W- Well! [ she tenses up as she starts to talk, serving a cup of tea to edgeworth. ] When Merlin and I played, and I lost, I had to stay still so he could throw tomatoes at me as punishment.

Yet I am not looking for better. I am content with 'fine.'

[he throws off the other sword and spins to bring his second blade around to try to take advantage of it, cutting in low.]

[Chibi knows he should have expected this from the start. People come and go so quickly here; even England's immortality couldn't have saved him from that. That doesn't stop the pit sinking into his stomach when he gets the notification, nor does it stop the empty feeling that forms upon his palms, as though his lover has left an indelible physical mark and then disappeared into thin air.]

[and the thought of him strung in the nexus code, lifeless, like the bodies they walked along that day, arm in arm as they faded into the atmosphere-- to think of that feels like his heart is carved out.]

[It takes a few ViViD trips, polygonal monsters falling to his fists and if he imagines they are CERES, is there fault in that, and coming home to a worried AI before Chibi thinks to talk to someone. He's used to handling his burdens alone; it's easier when you have an entire race's secrets to bear.]

[But he thinks of England's roommate, and he picks up the CEREvice without thinking about it. Maybe he needs to talk, too? And even if he doesn't...]

Are you doing alright? [Chibi sure as hell isn't, but that speaks for itself.]

[Edgeworth takes his tea and stares up at Athena with a touch of disbelief. Only a touch because...it's Merlin. Figures.]

I'm not Merlin. Neither do I share his sense of humor.

[WHAT SENSE OF HUMOR, EDGEWORTH?]

[Edgeworth, too, had been through this countless times, even back in Death City during his first unintentional world-hopping stint (minus the Nexus Code, of course). But he had always placed it only in the back of his head.

When he found out that England was gone, Edgeworth felt his heart slowly sink. He had been quite fond of his roommate, shared a love of tea and several stories and even a couple of memories through dreams...and suddenly, the apartment seemed so empty with only one mortal man and his dog left in it.

He's downcast, but certainly he knows England's lover must feel much worse. Edgeworth would offer Chibi company in his apartment but perhaps the sight of England's previous abode wasn't what Chibi needed right now.]

I will be, in time.

[Yeah, Edgeworth isn't doing so hot either, no lie.]

[ now, athena isn't maya, but she can be just as tactless. ]

Do you ever find anything funny?

Excellent. Losing powers would be an inconvenience.

You're more familiar with Maya Fey than I am. Would you care to mention this to her? The spiritual realm is her forte. [ Even Franziska knows how much attention and care the Fey's put into learning channeling techniques. It came up a few times in their former cases. Edgeworth's probably more comfortable speaking with Maya which is why she's asking this him to do it in her stead. ]

[All these girls should just start a club or something. Edgeworth was supposed to take a sip but that question gives him pause.]

What...is that supposed to mean?

[That maneuver seals Cao Pi's win. Edgeworth tries to slide away from it, but finally trips over his own feet and falls to the side, where he's now staring up at the blade that nearly had him. He drops his saber to the floor with a clang.]

I will. [Maya only disappeared, according to Athena; she didn't die. Surely she'll return from where she was whisked away to.] As soon as she returns, since she was also abducted.

You're just so serious!

[ she'd try to mimic how stern he always looks but it's pretty difficult to do, man. ]

[he knows the gesture of surrender and doesn't even do anything super-smug like jab that sword toward Edgeworth's chin in threat. Cao Pi simply lowers it and straightens up from his attack stance]

Had enough, I take it.

All things in time.

[Even in time, it is hard to imagine this hole stitched closed. Acquaintances, friends, they are one thing; family and lovers are different.]

[Just as he will always love Mina, though she is gone, lost to the crushing hand of the end of the world - he, too, may always love England, his soul still hanging somewhere from that altar, in a state of there and yet not. In time, he knows he might love again, even if it takes him until the next life he lives though the thought of moving on isn't even one in his mind, how could it be, but a part of his heart still rests with each.]

[But was it not those two who drew him from his shell, taught him to seek solace in others when it is needed?]

Perhaps we ought to get tea, or something of the sort.

I would appreciate that. Do you have a place in mind?

[England's old tea shop? Well, it was Chibi's call. Admittedly a cup of tea with someone would really make him feel better right now.

He's not sure how else he can help Chibi apart from keeping him company and commiserating with him though. Edgeworth still remembers Ruby telling him that he's not very good with comforting words.]

[youtried.jpg]

Objection! Just because I'm often serious doesn't mean I don't have a sense of humor!

[Edgeworth's lips slowly curl into a smirk as he gets up and retrieves his saber, holding it at his side. That was...well, fun is one way of putting it. But more importantly, he learned quite a bit.]

For now. I concede this match.

What do you find funny, then?

[ let's see if he does have a sense of humour. ]

IC INBOX | cerealia

no subject

action.

no subject

[action]

[action]

action.

action.

[action]

action.

[action]

no subject

action.

no subject

action.

no subject

action.

[action]

no subject

action.

[action]

no subject

no subject

action.

[action]

action.