#HES KEEPING APOLLO JUSTICE EMPLOYED

[janglyjusticeforall]

"edgeworth shouldnt have gotten 1st place" "edgeworth isnt even in the aj trilogy" who do u think pays rent for that office hm? u think phoenix had that damn whale paying retainer? u think that 16 year old girl was making rent between her algebra homework? be so fucking serious

[crackmadhi]

Songs on the way

Already Gone

Wednesday, 22 December 2027

Everything was a mess. It had been two days since Blackquill’s trial and the press was still buzzing around everywhere around the prosecution’s office. Edgeworth did his best to keep them away from the other staff, but it was a hopeless task. They tried to get a statement out of anybody involved in the case, and since they could not get hold on anybody on the defence side, nor the Blackquill siblings, they tried to get at least a statement from the prosecution.

Luckily enough I was not involved in this mess for once. It has been a horrible last year and I had taken some time off since … his trial and felt pretty okay with the press’ presence at the time. At least when I managed to get into my office.

And today they had apparently decided that they wanted to make it especially hard for us to get in, since it was almost impossible to get into the prosecutor’s car park and some of them actually had the nerve demanding me to get the chief prosecutor. I did not say a word, left them behind and went up into my office. There was a lot of paper work to do and probably a lot more to come.

“Prosecutor Gavin?”

I jumped in my chair but immediately composed myself as I realized that the chief stood in my door frame.

With a winning smile I answered: “Yes, sir? Is there something you want me to do?”

He eyed me up and huffed as he crossed his arms in front of his chest.

“I’d like to ask you to take a break. It is two PM and I am positive you haven’t eaten yet”, Edgeworth said disapprovingly.

I gaped at him and wanted to disagree. But before I could do so I stopped myself and nodded. His eyes were tired and the wrinkles on his forehead deeper than usual. The press must have been stressing him out and he probably had a hard time convincing the council to employ Blackquill again.

Really, I did not envy him for his position and I was grateful what he did for the office. He tried to bring the truth back into the legal system and I was happy to work for him. It only made sense to me to give in for once.

The man disappeared then, and I stood up and stretched a bit. I would go into the break room and get myself something out of the vending machine or something, I decided and took my phone and my purse with me. I was walking down the hall checking my social media as I got a call.

My heart fluttered in disbelieve and froze on the spot. It could not be…

Herr Forehead…

Why of all times would he choose to call me now?

For a second anxiety run through my veins and I thought about ignoring the call. But Herr Forehead would not call me if it was something insignificant. Even less during my worktime. This was something important and I pushed accept.

“Hello Herr Forehead! What can I do for you?”

For some seconds the line remained silent and I was afraid he had already hung up.

“Ehm – he coughed huskily – hi Prosecutor Gavin. I – um – Sorry to call you during work. I wanted to ask you for a favour.”

His hesitation threw me off. This was not something he did normally, and it made me nervous. Had something even worse happened? Dear god, what else had come for this poor guy?

“Please do. I’d love to help, if it lies in my possibilities.”

“Okay. It’s something personal, though.”

“… Ja? What would that be?”

I heard a long, exhausted sigh.

“Does your invitation for a drink still stand?”

…

“I could need someone to talk, Gavin. I can’t burden anyone in the agency and my best friend is dead now. I need to get some stuff out of the system even though I know it’s egoistical of me to ask you this.”

“I - I – It’s not egoistical, not after everything that happened to you in the past few days. But – why me? I – we – we haven’t talked in a long time and I cannot be as close to you as Frau Gramarye or Herr Wright are and –“

“No, maybe not. But I trust you more than them. And the Wright’s are still pretty shaken up because of the kidnapping thingy. It took her harder than she pretended at first. Also, there’s something I don’t want them to know but – well – I get when you’re too busy. It must be hell in the prosecutor’s office right now. I just wanted to ask –“

“I’ll be done at six. Where shall I pick you up?”

“Eh, I live near the agency, so you could pick me up there? Maybe not with your hog?”

I laughed lightly. “I sure can do that. I guess you would prefer it if we’d go to a place where we had some privacy, korrekt?”

“Yeah. That would be good.”

“Very well. Do you like Indian food? I know a very good place where we should not be bothered at all. Would that be alright?”

“Perfect. It sounds perfect, Gavin”, he said with a clearly relieved voice. I almost saw him running his hand down his face and giving me a grateful look.

“That pleases me to hear. Until later!”, I laugh and put my silly feelings aside.

Before I could hang up he suddenly said: “Thank you. You do not know what this means to me.”

The words died in my throat and Apollo hung up. I was sweating uncontrollably. This man was the death of me. Why on earth did I have to fall for him exactly?

I was on my way to the agency. A playlist was running through the speakers in my car, but I did not really listen. Music had failed to bring me joy. It did not work anymore. Not since the trial. Nothing really worked since it happened. Apparently, that was how it was for now.

Surprised I noticed the moon. The sun was still up but apparently our lovely guardian of the night had decided to come out early. I felt something soothing vibrating from it and always glanced back up to it.

A piano began to play. It sounded like raindrops.

Remember all the things we wanted Now all the memories they're haunted We were always meant to say goodbye Even with our face held high It never would have worked out right We were never meant for do or die

I didn't want us to burn out, I I didn't come here to hurt you, now I can't stop

I want you to know It doesn't matter Where we take this road But someone's gotta go And I want you to know You couldn't have loved me better But I want you to move on So I'm already gone

Looking at you makes it harder But I know that you'll find another Doesn't always make you want to cry It started with the perfect kiss then We could feel the poison set in Perfect couldn't keep this love alive

Know that I love you so I love you enough to let you go

… Already Gone, the cover by Sleeping At Last. I had heard it as a teen once or twice, but it had never quite touched me like this…

I was probably just overly emotional. Usually neither the moon nor a sad break up song cover would make me this sentimental. But usually I also did not have a “date” with Apollo Justice, so I kind of knew why I felt like this.

Finally, I saw the Agency and in front of it the lawyer in a red hoodie. I pulled over and he entered immediately. He said “hi” hastily and shot me a tired smile.

Quickly I returned the smile and drove off. I had turned down the music and now heard the man breathing regularly. He looked out the window and watched the other cars moving along. When we held at a flash light, he looked up to the sky. I glanced over to him and saw the moon’s light reflected in his grand brown eyes. The colour was dazzling.

I gulped and asked him how Frau Cykes was holding up. He answered me casually that she was doing pretty fine, as far as he knew. He had not seen her today and only shortly yesterday, since she was preoccupied with helping Herr Blackquill finding a new place to live.

We chattered a bit about the two and I told him I was quite curious how it would turn out to work with him. He laughed at it and said that it would be fine.

Before I could ask more I realized that we were almost there and drove into the parking lot of the restaurant. We got off the car and I walked him into the building. It was a pretty classy (but not to classy, I did not want Apollo to feel out of place) place with a lot of colourful décor and we got a table next to a window in the corner of the room. A perfect place to talk without anybody listening.

We sat down, and I ordered us something to drink. He also let me choose our meal as he told me he had no problem with spicy food and that he liked Indian cuisine quite a lot. Then the conversation died down. He stared out of the window watching how the night came over the city and the lights started to get turned on.

The waiter brought our drinks, we thanked them and then Apollo exhaled deeply. He searched for my gaze and cracked a forlorn smile. I mimicked his expression sadly and waited for him to speak. There was no need to rush and he should have all the time he needed.

“You know”, he began and looked outside the window, “sometimes I think I should already be used to this. It sounds stupid, you don’t need to tell me, but I honestly think from time to time that I should have seen this coming. I’ve had enough experiences with murder, accidents and that jazz to know what could happen. And still… This… this really hurt more than I thought it could. I didn’t think that this would be possible…”

I did no longer hear the people talking around us. I only saw Apollo and the pain in his face, the brows knitted together in helplessness and his teeth gritted together forming a aching grin.

“He must have been an extraordinary friend to you”, I said and leaned forward. I folded my hands on the table and looked at him focused.

He turned at me. Next to the pain now a glint of curiosity and surprise shone in his eyes. Still he put them aside and took his opportunity to tell me more.

“He was. He really was. I’ve known him since middle school. After his mom died he was sent to the same orphanage as I and we grew to an unstoppable team. I haven’t had such a friend in a long time and he’s always been there. No matter what. He’s always been there. When people told me, I couldn’t go to law school, he sat down with me and helped me learn, while I helped him train for the astronaut program. When the orphanage did no longer look out for us, we got active ourselves and got an apartment on our own. When I had my first trial, when I lost my job, when I was tired of all this shit, he’s always been there. … And now he’s gone. Just woosh. Gone. It’s so surreal. Just a week ago we had talked about how great it would be when he’d be on the moon and now… Now he’s buried in the ground. I know that it will just go on, that my life will continue… But without him… it feels so… pointless, I guess? Dunno. It just sucks, I guess.”

I remained quiet. Half of the things he just told me I had not known about him before. Nothing about him being an orphan, nothing of the bullies, even though I suspected that one, nothing of all of this.

I felt the urge in my guts to take him in my arms, to never let him go again and protect him from all harms. But just one look at those fiery brown eyes and I remembered what a force of nature just was sitting in front of me. This man was a fighter and he did not to be protected. He could do that himself perfectly well.

What he did need was an open ear that did not judge and support. And somehow, I realized that I could give him just that.

“I can’t begin to imagine your pain. Losing someone like that… No, there’s no justification, no real explanation for such a tragedy. You must feel so lost without him”, I said trying not to sound too pitying.

Again, he shoots me that look. Now his smile was faded, and his shoulders slumped.

“Yeah… I really don’t know what to do… But you see – he wouldn’t want that. He’d want me to move on, enjoy my life and all that shit. We always were charging towards the future, just our goals in mind. There never was any use in crying over the past. But now I want to hold on to these memories. I need to remember all these things, because there is no more Clay, who could remember them for me. If I forget, the only thing of him that still existed in this world, would be gone as well.”

He breaks off and takes a drink. This was truly the most clueless I had him ever seen. And it terrified me. Apollo Justice should never – never – look like this. This was something I could not bear to see any longer.

So, I raised my voice to speak: “There is no need to decide between these two options, my dearest Herr Forehead. You certainly should go on with your life and try to make the best out of it, but there is no need for you to let go of your friend. Just because he’s dead doesn’t mean he isn’t here anymore. As you said yourself, his memories live on in your head, and you can share these. Like that your friend can live on in our hearts and can guide and accompany you on your way. His spirit will be with you no matter what, even though it’s not much. But maybe it’s more than one would expect. And maybe that would be enough…”

The man mustered me puzzledly. Maybe my advice was no good? Maybe I had somehow offended him? I bit my lip in distress and leaned back in my chair trying to distance myself from Apollo.

Yet when I did that he suddenly started to grin quite entertained and shook his head at my gesture. Something about his demeanour had softened, I could not put my finger on it quite yet.

“That’s the advice I get from a rock star? I did not expect such wisdom from a man who’s writing mostly niche justice related love songs”, he throws at my face with a teasing grin.

“Hallo? My fans loved that stuff and there lies a lot of thoughts in my lyrics, ja? Do not belittle my sense of poetry. It’s responsible for half of my success!”

“And the other half is there because of your silly good looks? I don’t know Prosecutor Gavin, but maybe you haven’t quite understood why your audience loves you so much.”

Did he just flirt with me? Oh my god, did he? Was that flirting?

“Anyway, it’s a pretty good advice. Clay would have liked it… You two probably would have hit it off right away. He always was someone, who loved that positive thinking stuff and he actually liked rock music quite a bit.”

“Really? Then maybe we would have got along… It’s a pity we can’t find that out anymore…”

“… Yeah… In a way you reminded me of him when we started seeing each other more often on the crime scenes… In good way, I mean.”

“How so?”, I asked and took a sip of my drink.

“Well, uhm… the way you portray yourself, all this casualness and the whole good guy vibe you give off, he had something similar. Just goofier, which made him a lot more entertaining to watch. Sorry. But still it was different… Like – He did not try to shine. He wasn’t eager to impress or something. He had more of a happy-go-lucky nature, even though he could be very persistent when it came to his goals and passions. You on the other hand… It’s not like you try to impress, it’s more like you want the people to believe you’re very laid back and relaxed all the time. Which is a big fat lie by the way. You have like zero chill, don’t even try to deny it, I’ve seen how you get when things don’t work out the way you want them to. Not that you’re controlling or boring. You’re just way more perfectionistic than Clay was and plan a lot more than he did. What’s actually a good thing. At least I like that. But in the core, you seem to be a pretty excitable guy. All the energy you give into your music and especially in prosecuting is astounding. You’re absolutely into this stuff and I admire the enthusiasm. And that’s definitely something you two share. Enthusiasm. A damn load of it.”

I had no idea how to respond to that. When exactly did he have the chance to figure me out? Before I could think longer about it our food came, and we stopped talking for some time. Eventually we started to discuss our meals and I came to realize that Apollo was able to eat really hot dishes, which surprised me. And then and when he threw some comments about Clay’s favourite meals in. Every time he smiled a nostalgic smile and it killed me seeing him like this.

We ended eating rather quickly and after Apollo declared that he really wasn’t too hungry anymore, I asked for the bill and we went out.

Neither of us really wanted to go home and we decided to go for a walk in the park nearby. We passed by a small pond and Apollo stopped. He looked up to the moon, who still was standing high in the sky.

“Clay was a very special man. One you could trust.”

He turned towards me and looked right into my eyes. Even though he had to look up I felt like I was standing below him.

“That’s why several people trusted him with their deepest secrets. And now they died with him. Again, these people have to carry their secrets’ burden on their own… Once… a child, a boy to be precise, told him something… about his past.”

He paused. He looked down on his feet. A wave of heat, almost rage, but too frustrated radiated from him. Then he gazed up again. Calmly locking his eyes with the moon.

“The boy had been born in the States. But his parents went away, to a country far away in Asia. A country with high mountains and strange religious rituals. It was beautiful, but a coup had been planned and the queen was killed as someone set the palace on fire. In that fire the boy’s father gave his life. He had been there because he had befriended with the king. His son had been with him and the mother was lost in the chaos. The boy never knew what happened to her… The king took the little baby boy and fled because he had been accused to have set the fire and was now wanted dead. So, he ran away now, with his and the late queen’s son and the baby boy. He raised them together as brothers. They grew close in their little hut in the wilderness, far away from the city. They swore to look out for each other, whatever might come. Both wanted to help their father to clear his name and bring justice into the country. But one day their father decided that it was time for the boy to go back into the states. He was not safe in their country and had nothing to do with the revolution that was raging in their land. So, he sent a small maybe ten-year-old boy back into the States. He told him that he’d take him back, as soon as the situation had calmed down… But he never came. He never saw his brother again. He was left alone in a country he didn’t know but now was his home. Sure, at first some people, who had fled the country because they were wanted followers of the revolution, had taken him in, but after some time they had flee again and he was brought into an orphanage. … And there was where he and Clay ultimately landed. Where they became friends for life… …”

“…”

“…”

“I… Might I ask you something?”

I felt tears glistering in my eyes and my voice was breaking helplessly. I could not believe I really was crying, while Apollo was the one who was hurting so much. Who had gone through such misery. Not knowing his parents, being sent away by the one’s who had looked after him and lost every friend on that journey.

And I was the one who was crying now, while he looked at me in pity.

“Sure. Ask what you want.”

“Was the brother older or younger than – than the boy?”

Confusion showed in his eyes at first. Then realization hit him, and he turned to the side to hide the pained grimace forming on his face.

“He was a bit older than him. But he would still be a bit younger than you… His name is Nahyuta. He used to be very kind and patient. A bit of a know-it-all and really proud of his parents. Maybe a bit unsure of himself, although he was really smart and as well read as he could be. He was an awesome brother…”

We fell in silence. He did not look at me for some time and let me calm down.

“It’s fine. It’s a kinda sad story.”

I laughed bitterly.

“But it’s not mine. I’m not the one who should be shaken up by it. This is not about me and –“

“I’ve lived with this for my whole life. It’s shitty but it’s my reality. I can’t imagine having a different life even though all of this sucked. You on the other hand had a different life. You can compare it to a different reality that might have been better or worse. It’s fine, you’re shaken up by it.”

I nodded with my head hanging low and met his gaze. He looked relieved, as if a stone had fallen from his heart.

Apparently, I had actually managed to help him process a bit. At least I had been able to do so much.

“I’ve never asked – but… how are you doing regarding Kristoph? I mean, I had Clay to help me through it and in the end, he wasn’t that important to me. But he is your brother. He must have meant something to you. Probably still does. Are you okay with it?”, Apollo asked me sincerely with an emotional expression.

I felt my pulse speed up a bit, but somehow, I remained unusually calm. For once his name did not startle me so badly as it normally did.

“It’s -”, I began with a voice that did not sound like mine, “it’s alright. The punishment he was given, was accurate and I think he gets what he deserved. So, I can’t really say that I’m mad about it. Maybe sad and confused from time to time? I don’t know… It’s still hard to realize that he is actually a murderer, a sociopath even…”

“Hmm…”

He looked to the ground and moved some pebble around with his foot. It looked a bit like he was drawing something, and I watched it as if I was hypnotized. It had something calming to it.

“Sorry, that I didn’t try to help you… You really could have needed support right after everything.”

“… It’s alright. You didn’t know me and there were other people that needed your attention more than I did, Herr Forehead.”

“Maybe… Still, that doesn’t mean you didn’t need any help.”

“True.”

“Know what? Let’s make a deal! From now on, we’ll do this more often and just have a good talk. Both of us could need this kind of outlet, don’t we?”

I hesitated.

“You’re not wrong there… I – Yeah, we might as well try it, right?”

“Right! So, it’s a deal?”

“Yeah, it’s a deal.”

“Cool. You should probably call me Apollo then, even when your nick names for me are quite charming.”

I laughed and lightly hit him on his upper arm.

“As you wish, Apollo. I’m Klavier then for you.”

“Nice… I’ve always wanted a friend who was called after an instrument”, he joked and hit me back.

We did not speak for some minutes after that. We just stood there in the moon’s blue light in front of this tranquil little pond. The reflection of the night’s guardian wavered in the water and I imagined to have seen a smile in its mirage.

Link There are three more chapters

[inbarfink]

What I believe is a Full List of Conflict of Interst in Ace Attorney:

* Multiple cases in which the Defense are good personal friends of their defendants (The First Turnabout, Turnabout Goodbyes, Reunion and Turnabout, Bridge to the Turnabout [Well, the last fourth of it], the First Case of Apollo Justice [Co-Counsler], Turnabout Countdown, Turnabout Academy, The Cosmic Turnabout, The Rite of Turnabout) 

* Multiple cases in which the Defense had close ties to the victim (Turnabout Sisters [Mentor], The Cosmic Turnabout [Childhood Friend]) 

* Multiple cases in which the Defense was a key witness in the case (Turnabout Sisters, Reunion and Turnabout, Bridge to the Turnabout, the First Case of Apollo Justice [Co-Counsler], Turnabout Serenade, Turnabout Countdown, The Magical Turnabout, The Rite of Turnabout) 

* Multiple cases in which the Prosecution is allowed to prosecute in spite of being offically accused of the murder by the Defense (Turnabout Goodbyes, Bridge to the Turnabout, Turnabout Revolution) 

* Multiple cases of the Judge being friends with one of the witnesses (Rise from the Ashes, The Foreign Turnabout, The Rite of Turnabout) 

* Multiple cases for the Prosecution having a public personal vendetta against the Defense (Franziska, Godot, Gaspen Payne) 

* Multiple cases of the Prosecution getting to keep their position even after it's been established the case is deeply related to a previous case of which they have deep emotional involvement with (Rise from the Ashes, Turnabout Succession, Turnabout for Tomorrow) 

* The Prosecutor is the Defendant's adoptive parent and mentor (Turnabout Goodbyes)

* The defendant is the Prosecutor's superior (Yeah, Lana Skye was the Chief Prosecutor so that'll be true of every Prosecutor in Los Ang-Tokyo, but I feel like you can just... outsource the prosecution to someone from another Prosecutor's Office in real life?). In addition, the Defendant was witnessed stabbing the victim in the trunk of the prosecutor's car with a knife owned by the prosecutor. (Rise from the Ashes)

* The Witness has being involved in a previous case of the Defense, in which the Defense had accused her of murder, and was previously invastigated for poisoning the Defense's coworker (Turnabout Memories)

* A Grand Larceny case in which the victim is not only a close friend of the Defense, but is part of their Co-Counsel (The Stolen Turnabout)

* The prosecution has a personal vendetta agains the defendant (the First Case of Apollo Justice)

* The Defendant offically accuses the Defense's co-counsel, mentor and employer of the crime (the First Case of Apollo Justice)

* The case took place in a rock concert hosted by the Prosecutor, with the defendant being one of the performers working with him, one of the key witnesses is one of the Prosecutor's closest personal friends (Turnabout Succession)

* The case testing the new experimental Jury System has the Defense employed by the same man who campagined for the system, and the case is proved to have a close ties to a previous case in which he was involved to a very personal level. (Turnabout Succession)

* The Jury includes a witness and a close friend of the Defendant from a previous case of the Defense (She’s also their mom but I’m not counting it for the sole reason that it’s not something anyone could’ve known at the time) (Turnabout Succession)

* The defendant is accused is physically attacking the Defense's friend and coworker (Turnabout Countdown)

* The Defense and Prosecution have been good friends for 10 years at this point, and point that very publically during the trial (Turnabout for Tomorrow)

* The defendant is an employee of the Defense (Turnabout for Tomorrow)

* The other Prosecutor working on the case is a key witness to the crime, has also been previously implicated for the crime and was on Death Row for the crime (Turnabout for Tomorrow)

* The defendant is either the daughter of the Defense’s employer, or officaly his employer herself (The Magical Turnabout)

* Two defense attorneys of the same firm represent opposing parties in a civil trial (Turnabout Revolution)

* the Prosecution and the Defense are both the sons of the defendant, the other Prosecutor is both his sister-in-law and the wife of one victim and the sister of another (Turnabout Revolution)

* Multiple Cases of the Prosecutor in charge of the investigation [and implicitly the trial] and\or his loved ones being a key witnesses to the crime (Basically every single case of the Investigation games)

* Multiple Cases of the Prosecutor in charge of the investigation [and implicitly the trial] and\or his loved ones being a previous suspect in the investigation (Turnabout Visitor, Turnabout Airlines, Turnabout Ablaze, The Forgotten Turnabout)

* Multiple Cases of the Prosecutor in charge of the investigation [and implicitly the trial] and\or his loved ones being victims of crimes being charged against the defendant (The Kidnapped Turnabout, The Forgotten Turnabout)

* That one time the Defense was also part of the investigation team leading to the Defendant's arrest and also the prosecutor's dad is a close personal friend of the defedant and also the Judge is a close personal friend of the Prosecutor and defendant and working under the prosecutor's dad while on the PIC

[btgalaxy]

Estrella - BTS fantasy!au

➳ pairing: jin x reader, jimin x reader

➳ genre: fantasy!au, fluff, angst, slight smut

➳ word count: 3.5k

previous / next / masterlist

Chapter 2

           Back in the Great Hall of the palace, the Queen awaits, adorned in a new gown than the one you witnessed less than an hour ago. She believes a new occasion, time, event, anything is reason enough to change her attire. She wouldn’t dare be witnessed in the same garb by someone more than twice, other than her family, of course, and she wouldn’t dare keep a dress without significant importance; she couldn’t risk her reputation like that.

“Come along, Y/N. You’ve no time to be tardy,” she quips, as you hold the silky cream front of your dress in your hands, raising it slightly to allow your feet to move quicker.

The Queen snaps her fingers hastily to Nova as she examines you, stood humbly with a group of servers, “Nova fix this.” She gesticulates towards your now slightly dull looking make-up, with a few strands of hair loose from your pin up.

“Have you forgotten all those lessons on etiquette?” Your mother sighs, brushing away the dust accumulated on your gown from Apollo’s talons. No, no you haven’t. So many gruelling hours spent tied to a chair and being analysed on everything from your focal point to the direction your feet face underneath the table. The Queen accepts nothing less than perfection, and unfortunately for her you weren’t even close. It’s a surprise after so many years under agonising scrutiny you’re still sane, and still manage to befoul the ‘proper way’ of acting.

“Sorry, mother,” you mumble, closing your eyes for Nova as she pats on some more powder in a rapid manner. She’s far less gentle than this morning, each pat blowing excess pulvilio into the locks of your hair, now pinned back again, and you feel a tad guilty she’s having to rush to restore what should’ve been maintained perfectly. Sometimes you wish you could be that beautiful, mannerly princess your mother so earnestly desires, such so you can often hear her praying some nights that you’d simply digest her instruction and, even if only in the company of the public, you’d adopt a far more fitting demeanour for someone of your status. But unfortunately, you aren’t what she wants you to be, nor will you ever become that.

Nova steps back, scanning you with those observant eyes she’s mastered over her many years working at the palace. She bows her head to the Queen, “Your Majesty.”

“Thank you, Nova. Return to the servant reception,” your mother dismisses, admiring for herself Nova’s swift handiwork.

As Nova retreats to her place, she sends you a fleeting glance of worry, of motherly care that you receive solely from her. If this were her choice, she wouldn’t have you marrying a man you’ve never met before. She’d allow you to be with Jimin, to spend your days with someone you love by your own accord and certainly not under your mother’s influence. She’d want to you to be happy, and to live a life that you are in control of. Maybe in another lifetime.

Your father’s favourite Commanding General catches your eye as he passes Nova scurrying away, headily approaching you and your parents with the medals littered across his chest rattling with every stride. He’s not as intimidating as you’d expect from a typical army-man. He’s got kind eyes and a gentle touch, which is perhaps why your father likes him. The King has never been particularly rough nor intimidating, instead he seeks power and respect in tolerance and benignity, although it’s too often undermined by the harsher ideals of your mother to discipline and rule the Kingdom.

“Your Majesty, is all ready?” General Dumont inquires, hands clasped respectfully behind his back as he speaks with the King, politely bowing his head.

He smiles back, satisfied, “I believe so General. Open the gates.”

The King and Queen stand dutifully next to one another at the centre of the room, you just to their left and slightly in front. Your mother has her hand placed delicately on your father’s forearm, symbolising their unity and showcasing a durable front; a highly thought out stance from the monarchy’s many advisors. Your father’s most treasured senator choreographed this subtle tableau; thus it’s employed frequently. To you, however, it symbolises nothing but the lies and the control.

You swallow back the fear as the huge, iron gates click ominously, then slowly begin to push forwards, out onto the front patio wreathing the façade of the palace. You suck in your lower lip between your teeth as the doors open wider, revealing a lone man stood patiently on the other side.

You’re aware of his handsomeness even at this distance, enough so you momentarily glance away, feeling intimidated by such a presence, but as you turn back to look at him, you are helpless to admiring his features. The gentle declivity of his jaw delving into a sloped chin, and the way his rotund lips protrude slightly below the curved tip of his nose. His hair has been immaculately tailored by what you expect to be a whole corps of stylists to sweep across his forehead and drape over to swipe parts of his eyelashes, accentuating the flickering hazel eyes beneath. All accompanied by a pristine suit clinging to the width of his shoulders and diving downwards to the leather belt harbouring a blade that reaches the middle of his thigh. You swallow again.

The man steps forward as the gates open fully, finally revealing his advisors and guards and arrays of other workers, dutifully employed to care for their prince. He has an irrefutable confidence emanated from even the way he walks; chin up, chest forward, a hand placed carefully on the scabbard attached to his belt. He defines everything a prince should do, and everything your mother yearns for. No wonder she’s been so keen to marry you off like this.

He nears you with an indecipherable smile lingering on his lips, poking at his cheeks to form plush roses beneath his eyes, “Your Majesty.” He bows low to the King, with deep reverence implied.

He turns to face your mother, “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you,”

He takes one of her frail hands in his, bringing it cautiously up to his lips, “You’re a masterpiece; Lyra is lucky to be ruled by such a beauty.” He presses a chaste kiss to the knuckles, before releasing her hand as she blushes, turning to face you, stood as a somewhat blank onlooker.

“Your Highness,” he greets, reaching to take your hand with even greater delicacy than your mother. As his skin grazes yours, you feel the reality wash through you and you’re hastily awoken from your trance and brought to see the verity of the man in front of you, your future husband.

You bow your head slightly as he softly puckers his lips to the back of your hand, “It’s an honour.” You smile respectfully, embracing his handsomeness with open arms. At least he doesn’t resemble one of those fat nobles that drink execrable amounts of port at charity events you host at the palace. And at least he’s not old; your cousin Delia recently married a man just over a whole twenty five years older than her- you couldn’t even imagine the discomfort and mortification that would bring about for someone only just turned twenty years of age.

“Prince Seokjin of Orion. Next in line to the Orion throne, ruler of East Estrella, King Titan the First,” General Dumont introduces the prince with profound admiration riddled in his tone, thundering across the room so everyone is to know of prince Jin’s unparalleled power. You nearly want to hurl at the thought.

“Prince Seokjin,” your mother begins, “I-“

“Please, call me Jin,” he swiftly interrupts, beaming at her with a dashing smile only a prince could muster up, and she’s abashedly blushing instantaneously.

“Oh, yes, of course, Jin,” she stammers over her words, and you can tell she already loathes the idea. She thrives off of the titles and the status, and such colloquialisms are beneath her. Unless instructed so by a debonair prince. “It’s a delight to meet you face to face- I’ve only heard of such charm from fellow nobles, and they didn’t do you justice. You’re incredibly handsome, the perfect candidate for our beautiful daughter.”

“Beautiful indeed,” he responds, looking you over with glazed eyes, and you feel yourself inadvertently retreat slightly.

She reaches over and places a hand on the back of your bare shoulder blade, slightly pinching the skin to prompt you forwards again to ‘properly’ greet the guest, “I too have heard much about you.”

He perks up as you speak, tilting his head slightly, “All good things, I presume?”

You wish. “You’ve a bachelor reputation.”

“Y/N,” your mother hisses from beside you, your father’s eyes bulging in shock.

“It’s alright, Your Highness,” Jin soothes, holding a comforting hand out to her, “I am well aware some people may assume such things of me; as a young prince with many followers I was bound to collide with a bit of hearsay and certain speculations, but I can assure you none of it is true. I’ve been waiting for my fiancée to come of age, to finally unite our nations under a pure matrimony.”

You submit to the aching need to clench your fists to quell the comments biting at your tongue. Pure. Pure matrimony. If it were pure, it wouldn’t be inked in the writing of potent philosophers in ancient books that the Five Kingdoms of Estrella were to stay rigidly separate, never to indulge one man the power of two Kingdoms to thus oust rulers of the rest. It’s not what Andromeda intended, and you’re unyielding to those that believe they are above her pre-eminent instruction.

“Such a gentleman,” your mother sighs in contentment at his patently calculated response, “I’m anticipating getting to know you better, and welcoming you into the family.”

Jin smacks together his plump lips before returning her smile, “I feel the same way.”

They disgust you. Why isn’t your father saying anything? At least he must see past this abysmal pretence that imbecile prince is adopting? One glance over at him and you can tell he’s mesmerised by Jin’s charm, flooding out of him in waves. You must admit, he is convincing, but you’re convinced his appearance and articulation is a guise steered by the division of advisors that accompany him wherever he may go. You’re certain of it.

Your mother quickly reignites some polite small talk, “Would you care for a tour of the grounds? We’ve the most splendid lake at the end of the gardens- my husband and I cherish a beautiful garden.”

You could almost scoff at her incredulousness. You’re near positive she’s never stepped foot in those gardens; claims she’s a dire sufferer of hay fever, but you know better. She just hates the mud, the dirt, the wildlife, the scorching sun to tarnish her porcelain skin. It’s baffling that she’d even consider giving Jin a tour of her least favourite area of the palace grounds and-

“Y/N offered to escort you. She loves the outdoors, and she said she’d love to share that with you,” your mother divulges, interrupting your stream of thought and making your stomach flip, eyes widening in refusal to yield to her scheming.

“She did?” Jin glances at you, eyes glistening with amusement at your poorly hidden panic, “I kindly accept such an offer. I’d be foolish not to.”  

“I actually don’t feel particularly well,” you cut in, adamant you won’t indulge your mother’s fantasies, “Perhaps General Dumont would care to take the prince-“

“Y/N, don’t go back on your words now.” The words you never said, “You wanted to show him where you grew up.”

All eyes are trained on you as you run your tongue over your dry lips, chapped after your laboured breathing of dread to the thought of having to be alone with Jin already. You can’t even imagine what you’ll be like on your wedding night. You exhale slowly, deliberately, fluttering your eyes shut with a mumbled agreement.

Outside is still warm from the dawn, and the sun sits wantonly behind a thick layer of trees as you stroll outside, your dress trailing behind you and Jin’s eyes focused solely on the back of your head. You swear you can feel his piercing gaze like a knife. Although, you’d rather this than have him beside you, brushing his hand over yours till his fingers begin to interlock with your own. That would be far too satisfactory for your mother, and you aren’t going to subvert your own independence by doing so.

He follows you all the way down to the lake, where you’re somewhat fretful he’ll see Apollo- she is a highly desirable creature, one you’re sure Jin would love to claim as a gift for Orion-, but thankfully she stays tucked away in her house in the treetops. You pass her burrow swiftly, only glancing up to see a fleeting blaze of crimson wings before snapping your gaze back down to the rippling blue water of the lake, maintaining your composure as you approach the glistening bay.

“You have a beautiful home, Y/N,” Jin remarks from behind you, eyes glazing over the landscape. You hum in response, not yet ready to give him the gratification of a spoken word answer. The two of you continue at the same pace, yourself a few feet ahead of him.

“I know you didn’t offer to give me a tour, but I, personally, am glad the Queen impelled you to,” he remarks from behind you, “I think it’s important for us to spend some time together alone before we wed.”

Why do those words sound even more sickening coming from his mouth? It’s silent for a few more moments.

“I brought you a present from Orion. A Rose Quartz necklace. Handcrafted by our castle’s lapidary,” he boasts, “You know we’ve the most skilled craftsmen in Estrella. They’re remarkable.”

You can see the reflection of the morning sun lighting up the lake, illuminating the heat wave across the surface to blur where the water meets the sky, but you’re distracted by the sound of Jin’s laugh from behind you. When you turn to glance at him, his eyebrows are raised, looking quite amused with you.

You frown, tilting your head ever so slightly,”What?”

“You’re ignoring me,” he accuses, smirking.

“I am not ignoring you,” you object- you were, ignoring him, but it’s not right that he should voice that-, “I simply felt the view was far-”

“No, you felt as though you didn’t want to talk to me. Because you’re ignoring me.”

You sigh, exasperated, “Well, can you blame me?”

You let out another long breath, feet speeding up to take you closer towards the lake. You believe perhaps it may bring you a little consolation among such turbulent times. Who knew marriage could incite such anger in you.

Jin paces behind you, “I know you aren’t in full agreement with this engagement.”

“Full agreement?!” You snap back round, stopping him in his tracks, your anger suddenly bursting out of you in waves, “I don’t understand how you could possibly even consider something as preposterous as this marriage. A political marriage. Haven’t you ever thought you should marry for love?”

“Y/N, commoners marry for love. Royals marry for political alliances,” he responds, calmly. He sounds like your mother. God, could you really marry someone as brainwashed as he? Spoken like a true royal.

“Have you no heart?” You spit, angrily.

His expression darkens, “Your Highness, we are to be wed, but I will not tolerate disrespect. The least you can do is conserve propriety-”

“There’s nothing proper about a blasphemous marriage.”

“Blasphemous?” He laughs, shocked, “What the Devil do you mean blasphemous?”

Your nostrils flare at his blatant ignorance, “I mean the history of Estrella. The goddess Andromeda? Are you not familiar with the works of our greatest historians? Sir Reihmeir Hellford-”

“A drunkard.”

You grit your teeth, “Searlus Narsk the Third-”

“Schizophrenic.”

“Han Xin of the Boussis-”

“A pathological liar.”

“How would you know that?”

“I studied the Boussis Dynasty extensively. He was renowned for his attention-seeking deception. He also loved a fairytale.”

Fairytale. You hate that word. You feel so connected to Andromeda’s story; how could anyone demean it in such a way? You spin on your heel and march towards the lake once again, the fury bubbling inside of you.

“You won’t jump in, will you?” Jin remarks, jokingly. You’re fairly tempted though.

You think of Jimin as you reach the edge of the water. He must be inside preparing lunch, unaware of the torture you’re enduring in the company of this man. It’s nearly intolerable. What must he be thinking of this situation? If it weren’t for the even the smallest possibility of seeing Jimin’s face again you may actually be inclined to jump. But you wouldn’t do that to him.

Jin is suddenly in front of you, reaching out to touch the flesh of your wrist, but you fling your arm back before he is able to feel you.

“I do not wish to be touched,” you instruct, lips pursed and eyes looking down at the floor. You can see the reflection of your face in his polished black shoes, far too close for comfort.

“Y/N, I do not comply with folklore. And neither should you. The Great War was a terrible tragedy, but I cannot believe that it was induced by anything other than human greed and mortality. I’m sorry you’re unhappy to be marrying me, but nothing can, or will, change that. I’m trying to make the best of a situation out of our hands, so let us continue in silence,” he offers his suit clad arm to you, “Your Highness?”

You’re apprehensive. You glance at his tan face fleetingly, then at his offered arm. You suppose you’d rather hold his arm and walk silently than have to continue arguing with him.

After a soundless wander around the expanse of the lake and through the flowerbeds, you find yourself back indoors and faced with a sudden flurry of excitement.

“Y/N, Prince Seokjin,” the Queen calls, beaming like a sun with a smile spread from ear to ear, “We’ve the most wonderful news.” She gestures to your father who follows closely behind, dismissing the group of servers gathered around him.

Your father grins as he approaches, “I’ve just informed the nobles. We are to celebrate the arrival of your engagement with a party-”

“A ball!” The Queen interrupts, specifically addressing Jin, “Of course to introduce my handsome new son-in-law to Lyra’s aristocracy. Only the most valuable Lords and Ladies will be in attendance. Nothing less for my most treasured family.” She places a hand on the side of Jin’s face, appreciating his features with a gratuitous look.

“A party would be wonderful,” Jin smiles politely in response, slowly manoeuvring his hand to sit on your lower back and looking at you, “I’d love to boast my beautiful betrothed.”

“You two will be the most beautiful couple in Estrella. You’ll draw the envy of all the other kingdoms,” your mother praises, enviously admiring you both.

You shuffle Jin’s hand off of your back, gently lowering your head, “If you don’t mind, mother, the events of the day have left me quite run down. I’ll retire to my room, please.”

The Queen immediately grimaces, “Y/N, it’s your first dinner with Prince Seokjin; do not dishonour your-”

“Your Majesty,” Seokjin interrupts, “Our first meeting has left me too feeling a little weathered, perhaps from the ride over. I’m we sure we would both agree a long night’s sleep would do everyone a great satisfaction. May we resume tomorrow morning?” You look at him curiously.

“Uh- yes, yes of course,” your mother stammers, uncharacteristically, “I apologise I did not-”

“No need for apologies, Your Majesty. I’ll escort Y/N to her room,” he smiles softly, putting his hand back again on your waist and slowly guiding you away, leaving both your parents to busy themselves again with the party planners.

You don’t speak a word to him as you walk up to your quarters together. He silently nods you goodbye when you reach the heavy oak door, and you slip into the room with soundless haste.

Your back hits the wood of the door and you slip down to the floor, lulling your head between your knees as you begin to sob.

previous / next / masterlist

[wardencommanderrodimiss]

Chapter Ten: the breather episode we all needed before it’s time for some Fae AU Original Plot(TM)

[Beginning] [Chapter Masterlist]

“Why didn’t you tell me beforehand?”

Phoenix does not look up from his phone, laboriously tapping out a text message key by key. He still uses a flip phone, one that looks older than Trucy. Apollo didn’t realize anyone under the age of 70 who wasn’t a drug dealer still used a flip phone. “It wasn’t necessary for you to know.”

“Bullshit it wasn’t,” Apollo says.

Phoenix raises one eyebrow. He is still focused on his phone. “It really wasn’t. You were able to put everything together without me telling you, weren’t you?”

Apollo doesn’t know whether it might be better to throw something or to punch him to bring his attention to this conversation that they are having in this here and now. “And it would’ve taken you two seconds to throw that part in – ‘hey, besides the curse on Vera, he’s also totally not human.’ What did you think, that him being one of the Fair Folk would be a step too far?” He remembers every time that Kristoph rolled his eyes at euphemisms for the fae. It makes more and less sense now. “That oh, the curses I’m not scared of, but no, that’s what’s gonna—”

“Maybe you’ve got bad experience with the fae – that magic is one thing, and fae magic is another.” Phoenix isn’t bothering to look at him and that’s pissing Apollo off more than anything else about this, not what he’s saying now, not what he didn’t say before, but the damned dismissiveness of it –

Apollo hooks his foot around the leg of the piano bench and drags it out. He thinks he’s going to be here a while. “And why the hell would that be my past experience?”

“I don’t know,” Phoenix replies. “I don’t know your whole life story.” Finally, he lifts his head, his black eyes studying Apollo’s face, and he leans back into the couch.

“Maybe it’s been a while since you wore this badge” – Apollo prods himself in the chest, next to his badge, hard enough that it hurts – “but it means something to me! It means I’m going to make my defense and find the truth no matter who I’m up against! Why can’t you just trust me to do my goddamned job? You’ve only trusted me with care of your daughter!”

Apollo hadn’t realized how much was pent-up, boiling between his ribs, until he started yelling.

“On your last point, lack of courage doesn’t denote lack of morality. And Trucy’s far from helpless – she’s got her own tricks, and she knows I have deals with friends in high places, if she’s really in a pinch.”

“You’d tell your own daughter to make a deal with the fae just because you can’t be bothered to supervise her?”

It isn’t that Apollo minds having Trucy as investigative partner, co-counsel, and something like an annoying little sister, all in one. He definitely would rather have not spent all night at a Gavinners concert, but that ship sailed long ago. Knowing about the Jurist System has at least given him an answer as to where the hell Phoenix has been while Trucy is running about investigating concert-murders and noodle stands, but it doesn’t cleanse him of that anger, anger on Trucy’s behalf, anger he doesn’t fully understand.

Phoenix’s face darkens. “I didn’t work out deals in advance for Trucy to have to pay the price.” He sits forward, elbows on his knees. “At any rate, that’s not what you’re here to talk about, is it?” His deceptively light tone belies the glower etched into his features. “This is not about me doubting your ability as a lawyer, Apollo.”

Apollo sits down heavily, feeling the thud of the hard wood bench jar through his entire body. “Just me as a person, then?”

Phoenix doesn’t sit back again, but he looks away, his stony expression twisting into something painful. He touches his neck, and Apollo thinks about how the first step to indicting Kristoph was to tear apart Olga Orly’s story by her habit of rubbing her neck. It seems to be the only tic that Phoenix has, that when he talks about curses, his hand goes to his neck, where through a magatama Apollo once saw black marks. “I made an assessment of you based on what I would have been capable of at your age,” he says.

“Which was – what, ‘magic okay, fae bad’?”

“Pretty much. I would have frozen from the start, had I known.”

That’s a sentence more than Apollo expected – that’s an admission he never could have imagined, not so much one of weakness – because Phoenix’s very name is synonymous with so many weaknesses and flaws – but of personal history. As far as Apollo knows, Phoenix might as well have coalesced in this office at age twenty-four and gone from there. “What happened to you?” Apollo asks, knowing he’s pushing it but unable to not.

“I was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Little more than that.”

There. That’s the man Apollo knows, again. He hasn’t yet released his neck, but he is looking at Apollo again. “And I didn’t need you to be extra suspicious of Klavier, as you undoubtedly would have been if you had been told that his brother was of the fae. I needed you to be a little suspicious of him, to a point, but not to that point.”

“I’ve been suspicious about what he is since I met him,” Apollo says. “This is just more of the same. Doesn’t make me more suspicious, or less.”

He thinks of how Klavier practically begged him to leave employ of Wright’s office, how he had cold iron, heavily enchanted, on hand, to spare. Phoenix called him paranoid when they talked about the ring – Apollo wasn’t sure it was without just cause then, and now he’s even less sure. Precaution, protection –

-- Afraid of his own brother?

Something, if not Apollo’s suspicions, looks clearer now.

Phoenix raises an eyebrow. Apollo stops spinning the ring around his finger. “At any rate,” Phoenix says, with a lofty, half-dismissive tone, and this part of the conversation is over, anything about Phoenix, his choices of what to hold back and the magic that ensnares him, about the Gavins, about anything that Apollo, actually, really wants to know. He might as well just walk out now. There’s not going to be anything good in this. “Be proud of yourself, Apollo. No one else could’ve done what you did today.”

“That’s kinda hard to believe when you could’ve just plucked up any of the other junior associates working for Mr Gavin and put them through the same,” Apollo says. He rests his elbow on the cover over the piano keys and wonders if the instrument has ever been played.

“No, I couldn’t have.”

Apollo waits for him to elaborate. Apollo doesn’t know why he waits. Phoenix never elaborates. He gives up the truth only when it’s pried from him. “Why not?” Apollo prompts.

“It was always going to be you. No one else has quite the eye for the truth that you do.”

Something about that feels significant, like the words are three layers deep and the real meaning at the bottom, but nothing lights up red and Apollo has no hints for dissecting verbal tics. “Why can’t you just tell me things instead of insinuating everything?”

Apollo thinks he’s said this before. He’s definitely thought it.

“My mentor never in her life or after gave me a straight answer when a vague one was possible, and it helped me learn how to think and figure things out. Seems to be working quite well for you, too.”

Apollo knows nothing about Phoenix’s mentor beyond that she was one of the fae, and that simple fact seems to jive with this apparent teaching method that Phoenix prescribes to. Or maybe he’s just a douchebag, but Apollo doesn’t say that, because Phoenix might think that a slight against his mentor, and Apollo knows not to slander the dead, fae especially.  

(Even living as fugitives in a ramshackle mountain shack, Dhurke taught him how to be polite.)

“If you want to take the day off tomorrow, I’m not planning to be in, and I won’t ask,” Phoenix adds, with a grin that isn’t as cold or sharp as most of his. “You’ve certainly earned it.”

And since Trucy has already gone home, Apollo has no reason to stick around at the office tonight; and even without Phoenix’s permission, he’d been considering it. He considers it even after he gets home before Clay does and crossing the salty threshold beneath an iron horseshoe doesn’t stop the laughter reverberating through his skull. Alone, it’s all he hears.

-

He expects to be awakened by a phone call from Trucy, demanding to know why he isn’t at the office and then arguing with her about what exactly her school schedule is anyway. He’s right that it’s a phone call, at 9:32 am – jarring him out of nightmares about red eyes and being late to work, and then he thinks he is late to work before he remembers that he turned his alarm off for the day on purpose with permission, and then he thinks he should answer the phone and the unknown number hailing him.

“Hello?” he asks, rolling over onto his stomach and trying not to let his voice get muffled into the pillow. “Apollo Justice speaking.”

There is silence on the other end of the line. Apollo waits for the beep of the call going dead, but then he hears a small voice. “Um? Mr Justice? It’s… it’s Vera Misham.”

“Vera!” Apollo pushes himself upright, pressing his phone to his face with a force that hurts. “How are you doing? Are—” He swallows his questions, tries to soften his voice, remembering how she flinched away from his loud outbursts when they met in person.

“They told me what you did,” she says, voice little more than a whisper. “That you… you won the case. Thank you.” Her voice cracks.

“Of course! It’s — I’m just doing my job!” He’s managed to keep his voice down, a little, and holds the phone a little away from his mouth. “I’m just glad we could help you, and that you’re okay!”

She goes quiet again and Apollo has to check to see that the call is still going. “Um,” she says. “Do you… have a number for — T-Trucy? I thought she might want to know, um, but…”

Calling Apollo has probably used half of her energy for talking to people. “I can call her for you, if you want?”

“Y-yeah.” Even as soft as her voice is, her relief is clear to hear. “If you could…”

“Of course!” The call will probably interrupt her in the middle of school, and Apollo doesn’t like to be encouraging her to interrupt her education more than she herself does -- but Vera is alive, against curses and poison, and they won, and that feels like something that deserves celebrating. “She might want to come visit,” he adds, because that seems like something Trucy, unerringly friendly Trucy who doesn’t know his home address because she has made clear she will turn up on the doorstep on Saturdays, will want to do. “Are you okay with that?”

More silence. Then, tiny, like the chirp of a mouse, “Y-yeah. If, um, if she wants to… knowing what I am.”

The doctors must have told her, or she overheard. “That’s not a problem for us, Vera,” he says, sure that whatever words he’s picked as reassurance will sound clumsy, but knowing he has to. “It’s nothing you should worry about.”

Then he calls Trucy, who picks up on the fifth ring and screams in his ear and tells him to meet her at the hospital as soon as possible, as he anticipated, so once she’s done yelling at him, he rolls out of bed and into some non-work clothes.

She is sitting on a bench out in front when he arrives, scolding him that she has been waiting for nearly twenty minutes, a timeline that doesn’t make much sense because he called half an hour ago and he gets the sense that Mr Wright is the kind of person who has never in his life taken a taxi when a bike or feet can get him anywhere for free and Trucy has adhered to that. Maybe she can teleport -- maybe Valant’s trick was no more than sleight-of-hand, but Apollo would believe Trucy has more real magic than she’s ever let on. They go in together, get directions and tramp down the sterile cold halls to find their client.

Maybe because of seeing Kristoph yesterday, his shifting faces and broken glamours, but Apollo is surprised to see that Vera looks like -- like Vera, wan and sicklier but otherwise the same person from the detention center. Visibly human, all the way. Her room is bare and empty but for a stack of DVD cases on the bedside table and a sketchbook in her lap, but she visibly brightens to look up and see Apollo and Trucy. “I didn’t think you’d come,” she says, blinking her big dark eyes furiously. “I…”

“Of course we did!” Trucy exclaims, plopping herself without hesitation on the foot of the bed.

“Of course we did,” Apollo repeats, feeling something burning behind his eyes. “Vera, I’m so glad -- that you -- I--”

“Hey, Apollo! Don’t start crying!” Trucy swats at him and misses, but there are tears spilling from her eyes too now. It makes for a silly picture in Apollo’s mind, him and Trucy blubbering and Vera there in the bed the only one composed, but when he looks at her again she is crying silently too.

“Thank you,” she says, scrubbing at her eyes. “Thank you, Apollo.”

“No, I -- I’m sorry!” There is so much that Kristoph said that is eating at him, and his laugh, but he wasn’t lying -- he couldn’t lie -- when he said that it was Apollo’s fault that she ingested the poison. “If I hadn’t -- scared you, and pressed you like that, then you wouldn’t have bitten your nails, and…”

And the curse would have stayed dormant, waiting? And then what?

Vera shakes her head. “No. You helped me, and I.... I…” She picks up her sketchbook and simply hugs it to her chest, like a shield, something to combat the vulnerability of this conversation, something to put between her and the two of them. “I didn’t think you’d come,” she whispers, her voice breaking on the first word and growing hoarser. “To visit me. To… to have anything to do with me.”

“What?” Trucy looks -- and sounds -- indignant. “Why wouldn’t we? We were cheering for you to pull through! Apollo was fighting for you! For your future! Why would we -- we just--” She turns her narrowed eyes on Apollo, like he might have some insight. He shrugs and sinks down in the chair by the bed.

“Because of what I am,” Vera says, ducking her head down to her chest, her hair hanging past her eyes. “I, I’m, um…” She seems to be have trouble uttering the word, whatever one it is she is searching for -- changeling? Fae? “And I know people are… don’t like, are afraid...”

Trucy shakes her head. “We aren’t afraid! Especially not of you.”

“I don’t think you could be scary if you tried,” Apollo says, before immediately deciding he should shove his foot in his mouth, but Vera giggles and lifts her head. Trucy is beaming. They worked a laugh from her. What a long way this has come.

“I guess maybe -- maybe you’re both more used to magic than others,” she says. “It seems so strange, now, that I… that I didn’t know.”

Trucy tilts her head. Apollo doesn’t move, doesn’t want to break this spell that is Vera finally starting to speak, to open up. “Like I can see now. Or like, um, like I know what I’m seeing.”

“Daddy says it’s all a lot of colors,” Trucy adds helpfully. “Colors and glowing.”

Vera nods. “And I thought… I thought that everyone saw like that. Because I didn’t go out, or know anyone who’d say… it wasn’t.” Her eyes are still black when she looks back up. Apollo keeps expecting something different.

“Prosecutor Gavin did say that changelings often don’t know.” Trucy taps her chin thoughtfully. “Although you’re the only changeling I know, Vera, and that’s not a very big sample size.”

He had guessed that Vera might not know — but where did he get information to make that guess? (Maybe he was repeating something he’d heard, like Trucy is now — but Apollo thinks he could trust Prosecutor Gavin to be thorough, to not bring uncorroborated secondhand anecdotes into a trial.)

“I thought it was normal,” Vera says. “I thought so much was normal, and I didn’t look to see, and I…” Her head falls again. “The other lawyer. Do you know where he is?”

“The other--?” Does she mean Klavier?

“They said he came by earlier,” Vera says. “And brought all those--” She tilts her head at the DVDs.

“Oh, do you mean Daddy?” Trucy asks. Vera nods. “Though he’s -- not exactly a lawyer anymore.”

“That’s my fault,” Vera says. “Isn’t it?”

“It’s--” The look Trucy shoots Apollo is wild-eyed panic. “No, no, I didn’t mean--”

“It’s okay.” Vera’s hands curl a little tighter around the edges of her sketchbook. Apollo wonders if those are claws, like Kristoph’s. “I hope I can look him in the eye and apologize, someday. I’m sorry, and I… I’m not going to look away from the things I’ve done anymore. I’m going to know what I’m seeing.”

“Daddy’s had the Sight for ten years and he doesn’t always know what he’s looking at,” Trucy says.

She must know that Vera’s was a metaphor, but some of the tension slips from Vera’s shoulders at it, anyway.

-

They spent over two hours at the hospital, talking for a while about the Steel Samurai before Trucy tells Vera some things she knows about magic -- which Trucy claims is very little that she really knows, but to Apollo it seems more than anyone else. Vera never takes her eyes off of Trucy while she is chattering, not even to watch Mr Hat dance around the room -- Apollo can’t take his eyes off the wisp, even when he tries, and he finally has to tell Trucy to make it invisible because he thinks he’s losing his mind.

“That’s what a wisp is meant to do,” Trucy explains later, when they leave and begin a search for lunch at some place that is not Eldoon’s. “Distraction. Misdirection. Lead people astray because they just have to follow it.” She goes quiet and then points out a soba place that looks promising. “That’s how I helped Daddy escape the courthouse. My real daddy, I mean. My first daddy.”

“You -- you helped him escape?”

Apollo stops dead in the doorway and Trucy smacks him in the shoulder with his wallet to get him to move again. His wallet. This immediately following a conversation about misdirection, he’s not sure he can be mad. He should probably have seen it coming, at any rate. “Yep! He didn’t have magic anymore, so I had to help. So if you need to disappear, you know who to ask.”

She does not hand him back his wallet as she flounces inside.

“But I always knew he was alive, because of it,” Trucy adds, when they are seated and she has proclaimed her intent to sample the most expensive things on the menu. “And because he promised he’d come back.”

And he didn’t -- not to her. He went to Phoenix and he died, and that was the warning that Klavier gave Apollo, what seems like years ago -- death follows him like a plague. And that was true, and Zak’s promise wasn’t. “Trucy—”

“It’s okay,” she says, and that is a lie; her smile lights up red, as though her sad eyes didn’t betray her enough. “I have another daddy now, even if he’s really bad at playing piano.” Her voice drops when she says this, like she’s letting Apollo in on a secret he doesn’t already know. “And you, now, too! Even if you’re really loud sometimes.”

And even if she’s probably only saying that because the waiter remarked on how nice it was for Apollo to take his kid sister out for a treat. He didn’t know how to respond to that, so he didn’t, and Trucy grinned at him like the cat that has just devoured the proverbial canary. He’s not sure what she thinks she can leverage this new relationship to get and he’s not sure he wants to know beforehand.

(He could tell her he knows what it’s like to be left behind by a father, that they have this in common, that they have this that could bind them into a makeshift family if they wanted, but he hasn’t told anyone, not even Clay, about Dhurke, and even now that he could empathize, the words don’t come.)

“I’m so glad that’s my one defining characteristic,” Apollo says, and Trucy laughs.

-

After lunch they bike — or Apollo does, with Trucy stealing his seat and providing backseat backwards-facing driver tips, which only makes him more anxious that they’re going to tip into traffic and Apollo will be magicked away from having a peaceful afterlife by Wright who’s pissed about his daughter’s death and knows who to blame — back to the office. Apollo barely has time to think that he’s never actually been here while wearing jeans before Trucy drags him off again, insisting that it’s a nice day and they should spend it at the park. They skirt the area of the noodle-stand murder and head north, up past the Kitaki Bakery storefront, currently undergoing renovations, and Trucy insists on ducking in to say hi. There, they learn that the store is having extra space built on because it’s proved to be so popular, and are sent on their way with two complimentary muffins.

“It’s weird to think that our cases started just weird but mundane like that,” Apollo says, “and progressed to… this. I miss those days with absolutely no magic involved.”

“You sound old,” Trucy says through a mouthful of muffin. “Like ‘ooh, back in my day we had none of this fae stuff’ — and besides, you do know the Kitakis are a family of kitsunes, right?”

“What!”

“Mhm. I don’t know how much magic they are anymore, but they are.”

Do kitsunes have the same rules of hospitality and debts that the fae do? Apollo stares down at the half-eaten muffin in his hands and remembers when he wouldn’t let Klavier pay for a drink because he was too afraid of getting locked into a regrettable deal. Funny that he trusted the Kitakis more when all he knew was that they were gangsters.

“Speaking of magic,” Trucy adds, reaching into her purse and pulling out the envelope that Phoenix had given them a few mornings ago, what feels like another lifetime ago, “I took a look at this last night.” She unfolds a paper with a torn edge and big loopy sprawling script. Apollo’s breath catches in his throat. Is that the diary page? The real diary page? “My grandfather left it to my daddy, and he to me. He gave it to Daddy the -- the night he died.” Her face falls but she keeps going without giving Apollo time to say anything. “It says it leaves to the holder -- my daddy, now me -- the source of his magic.”

“Which is…?” Apollo prompts, when Trucy is not forthcoming, rather just continuing to frown at the page.

“I don’t know,” she says. “He wrote that there is a map on the back, but…”

She turns the paper over. The other side is blank.

“There’s a trick to it,” she says, “there’s got to be, but I don’t know it.”

“Invisible ink? A magatama? A missing second page?”

“Not the last, but maybe one of the others.”

They spend the rest of the afternoon researching invisible ink on the office’s sluggish and ancient computer, Trucy digging through the drawers of her father’s desk for the magatama and coming up empty. “He usually keeps it in here,” she says, pouting, while Apollo takes notes on some of the more complicated chemical compounds that can reveal invisible ink, wondering whether they will have to rope Ema into this and if they’re even on the right track, because why would Magnifi use anything but magic to hide the trail to his magic? “I don’t know why it wouldn’t be.”

“He doesn’t usually keep it with him?”

Trucy shakes her head. “He says he’s not usually worried about being glamoured.”

Implying that whatever he’s currently up to, he is.

She leans over Apollo’s shoulder to look at what he’s written. “I bet Ema would be a good person to ask.”

Score one for Apollo’s powers of predictions. “I’ll ask Daddy tonight for her contact info. I’m sure he has it. And maybe on Saturday if we haven’t solved it, we can get her over to help. I bet she likes puzzles.”

“If she hasn’t had enough of that in her day job as, y’know, a detective.”

“More heads are better for figuring out stuff like this,” Trucy says, casting a forlorn look at the diary page. “Hey, your friend -- your roommate -- you said he knows stuff about magic, right? You should get him for this too. It’ll be like a treasure hunt!”

“Most of what Clay knows about magic is how to avoid it, and no, I am not asking him if he wants to spend his weekend trying to get a blank piece of paper to give up its secrets.”

-

Apollo spends Friday alone at the office until early afternoon; Trucy whirls in like a tornado and grabs his arm and tells him that their treasure hunt will commence with Ema tomorrow and now they’re going to visit Vera. He manages a cursory protest -- “How am I going to get any clients if no one is at the office to meet with them!” -- but he’s not sure he wouldn’t still be jittery from that last trial if he went back into the courthouse today or next week, so he allows her to steer the direction of his day again.

Vera doesn’t look quite as pale, and she doesn’t notice them come in at all until Trucy chirps, “Hiya!” Then she jumps, scattering the colored pencils that were resting carefully ordered in her lap. Sitting on top of the stack of Steel Samurai DVDs is another sketchbook.

“That prosecutor came by to visit earlier,” she says. She taps the pencil against her lips, like she’s trying to replace her habit of chewing her nails with something else. “He was much nicer than he was in the courtroom.”

“That’s good,” Apollo says. She had seemed afraid of him, right before her collapse, and then that was the last thing on Apollo’s mind.

“He brought me a sketchbook and the pencils,” she says. “He said he’d understand if I didn’t trust a gift from him, but they don’t look like my nail polish or anything… I guessed that’s okay, then.”

“What did you talk about?” Apollo asks. He doesn’t want to turn this into a cross-examination but he’s also desperately curious as to whether Klavier let slip anything that Apollo can use to try and figure him out.

Vera shrugs. “About… about me, mostly. And, um, adjusting to knowing what… what I am. He was really nice about it. He didn’t sound like he was… afraid, or anything.” Her thumb comes to her lips and she chews exactly once on her nail before she pulls it away, frowning even more now. “He told me I should avoid eating salt as much as I can. That I’ll feel better that way.” She lowers her voice conspiratorially, and both Apollo and Trucy lean in to listen. “He brought his dog with him,” she whispers, “but she’s not, um, a real dog, so the nurses didn’t know she was here.”

“Yeah, I was pretty sure she’s magic,” Trucy says.

“Pretty sure?” Apollo repeats. “You fed her chocolate! You’d better have been totally sure!” Not to mention how she has only been visible to a handful of people. Apollo was certain she was magic from the beginning.

“Her name is Vongole,” Vera says. “She’s kind of scary.”

“Really?” Trucy asks. “She just looks like a big puppy.”

“Her teeth are…” Vera shudders. “They’re all red and… red and oozy.”

“I don’t remember that,” Trucy says. It hadn’t occurred to Apollo that she might look different with the Sight, when so few of them could see her to begin with.

“But she is very fluffy.”

“Ooh,” Trucy says, “I bet.”

“Did he say what she is?” Apollo asks. “Or how he got her?”

Trucy glowers at him. His cross-examination voice must have kicked in. Vera shakes her head. “No. But she’s very gold, like both of them are.”

“Both of -- you mean Prosecutor Gavin, and, er--” Had Vera ever heard Kristoph’s name? He hired her to forge him evidence -- he nearly killed her -- and she probably still can’t recognize him by name.

“The devil,” Vera says quietly. “Yes. They both…” She twists her hands together. “I don’t know how I thought they looked the same. They’re both the same…” She flutters her fingers in the air in a vague circle, miming an outline -- maybe she means something like an aura, the way some of the colors through the magatama weren’t marked on Phoenix but surrounded him. “Gold. They’re both golden. But under that they aren’t anything alike.”

-

When they leave Vera, the sky is growing dark. Trucy showed her the diary page, the blank back, and asked her if she could see anything; Vera stared at her in confusion and told her, no, the paper was empty. “We’re not quitting on this,” Trucy tells Apollo as they dip between the brightening streetlights. “It’s the last thing I have from my family! We’re going to uncover these secrets, no matter who we have to ask!”

Apollo isn’t sure he wants to know -- this is what Magnifi asked Valant and Zak to kill him over -- this is what Valant tried to frame Zak over, that Zak disappeared over, that Zak reappeared and died over -- and he isn’t sure if it’s better for some things like that to stay buried. But he’s curious -- probably too curious, they both probably are -- and he can sympathize. If Dhurke had left him with anything -- if the bracelet from his mother could have held any tangible clue --

“What are you doing this weekend?” Apollo asks, kicking off his shoes and scattering some salt with them.

“Star Trek and cooking shows, probably,” Clay says. He has one leg hooked over the back of the couch and an unopened pack of Swiss rolls lying next to his hand. “Why?”

“Trucy has roped me into trying to solve a magical mystery,” Apollo says, already feeling stupid before he’s asked the question, “and she thinks more heads are always better, that we can use as many perspectives as possible whether or not someone is actually--”

“Dude,” Clay says, “are you asking me to help you with whatever-the-fuck you and your almost-Fair-Folk-fuckup boss’ daughter -- I mean he’s the fuckup, not Trucy -- are up to?”

“I’m asking if you want to help,” Apollo says, rubbing his eyes. “Which I know you’re the one who advises against stuff like--”

“Fuck it.” Clay sits up. He looks like a shot of caffeine has just kicked in.

“What?”

“Someone’s gotta be the one who says if your ideas are bad, so fuck it, dude, I’m in.”

“And if you can’t stop us and we all die in a horrible magical incident before you even get the chance to go to space?”

“Then I’ll be pissed at you sure, but ride or die, y’know? And besides” -- he grins, wickedly, and Apollo regrets everything -- “I bet Trucy’s the person I’m waiting for who can properly use all this middle-school-stories ammunition I’ve got saved up about you.”

[bluboothalassophile]

The Historical AU: Jason is the wild son of Bruce Wayne, a member of Gotham’s elite and an American spy operating heavily in Europe watching the German’s movements. Rachel Roth is the maid that the family butler hired, and has come to be the family maid. Set in a world before World War One broke lose.

Treasure Hunter AU: Professor Rachel Roth strives to stay a step ahead of her father, the Nazis SS officer on the quest for the Gem of Scath. She’s employed the help of treasure hunter Jason Todd to find what she seeks and stay a step ahead of the Nazi party.

Game of Thrones AU: House Wayne is in a dangerous war with House El to retrieve their missing daughters. Raven has come to claim the Iron Throne and her birthright.

Constantine Dad AU: Constantine adopted a demon in the depths of hell and brought her home. Now he navigates raising the most powerful being on this plane of existence with the help of the Devil Himself, and Mazikeen. They also seek to keep her away from the Young Justice Team and the Justice League.

Calm in the Storm AU: An unlikely friendship formed between the Demon and the Broken Robin, and it has been a whirl wind in their lives as they find themselves in a serious relationship and slowly reconciling with the Bats. A series of out of chronological snippets of their relationship throughout the years.

Percy Jackson AU: The Bats were brothers; even if not in blood. Dick, son of Aphrodite, Jason, Son of Poseidon, Tim, Son of Athena, Duke, Son of Apollo, and Damian, Son of Ares, were all adopted by a dangerous human; Bruce Wayne. They spend their summers at Camp Half Blood, where Jason’s best friend resides, Raven, Daughter of Hades, and the satyr, Roy Harper. And oh the chaos that can find these demigods...

Explorer AU: aka ‘Pocahontas AU’, Jason has come west with the Union forces to lay claim to America’s new lands. Raven is the bastard daughter of a Navajo medicine woman and Apache warrior. Shunned by most she’s decided to track these strange men as they trek through the perilous lands of the South West.

Japanese AU: Jason is a ronin in a foriegn land called Nanashi, he was saved by a tengu named Rei.

Hopes for a Bastard Universe: I seriously recommend just going to read the series rather than I writing it out an attempt at the summary.

Okay, these are the most frequently used AUs I have outside of Hopes for a Bastard. So don’t be afraid to ask for them, it’s no trouble for me to write these. 

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A willingness of the heart to be open to welcoming the Spirit of truth

is a sacred baptism within.

Today’s reading of the Scriptures from the New Testament is the 19th chapter of the book of Acts that illuminates this as well as the fault of people who were involved in idolatrous practices:

While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul’s overland journey brought him back to Ephesus. He encountered a group of about a dozen disciples there.

Paul: Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?

John’s Disciples: We’ve never heard about the Holy Spirit.

Paul: Well then, what kind of ceremonial washing through baptism did you receive?

John’s Disciples: We received the ritual cleansing of baptism that John taught.

Paul: John taught the truth—that people should be baptized with renewed thinking and turn toward God. But he also taught that the people should believe in the One whose way he was preparing, that is, Jesus the Anointed.

As soon as they heard this, they were baptized, this time in the name of our Lord Jesus. When Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them in the same way the original disciples experienced at Pentecost: they spoke in tongues and prophesied.

For three months, Paul continued his standard practice: he went week by week to the synagogue, speaking with great confidence, arguing with great persuasiveness, proclaiming the kingdom of God. Once again, some members of the synagogue refused to believe and insulted the Way publicly before the whole synagogue community. Paul withdrew and took those with him who had become disciples. For the next two years, he used the public lecture hall of Tyrannus, presenting the Word of the Lord every day, debating with all who would come. As a result, everyone in the region, whether Jews or Greeks, heard the message. Meanwhile, God did amazing miracles through Paul. People would take a handkerchief or article of clothing that had touched Paul’s skin and bring it to their sick friends or relatives, and the patients would be cured of their diseases or released from the evil spirits that oppressed them.

Some itinerant Jewish exorcists noticed Paul’s success in this regard, so they tried to use the name of Jesus, the King, in an exorcism they were performing.

Imagine this: There are seven of them, all sons of a Jewish chief priest named Sceva, gathered around a demonized man in a house.

One of the Jewish Exorcists: I command you to depart, by the Jesus proclaimed by Paul!

Evil Spirit: Jesus I know. Paul I know. But who are you?

Then the man leaps up, attacks them all, rips off their clothing, and beats them so badly that they run out of the house stark naked and covered in bruises.

Word of this strange event spread throughout Ephesus among both Jews and Greeks. Everyone was shocked and realized that the name of Jesus was indeed powerful and praiseworthy. As a result, a number of people involved in various occult practices came to faith. They confessed their secret practices and rituals. Some of them had considerable libraries about their magic arts; they piled up their books and burned them publicly. Someone estimated the value of the books to be 50,000 silver coins. Again, word spread, and the message of the Lord overcame resistance and spread powerfully.

Eventually Paul felt he should move on again. The Holy Spirit confirmed that he should first travel through Macedonia and Achaia and then return to Jerusalem.

Paul: I must eventually see Rome.

So he sent Timothy and Erastus, two of his helpers, ahead to Macedonia while he stayed a while longer in Asia. It was during this time that a major incident occurred involving the Way.

An idol maker named Demetrius had a profitable business, for himself and for others, making silver shrines for Artemis (also known as Diana by the Romans), one of the deities worshiped in Ephesus.

Picture this: Demetrius calls a meeting of all the artisans who are similarly employed in idol making. Everyone in the idol industry comes together.

Demetrius: Men, we are all colleagues in this fine line of work. We’re making a good living doing what we’re doing. But we’d better wake up, or we’re all going to go broke.

You’ve heard about this fellow Paul. Here in Ephesus, he’s already convinced a large number of people to give up using idols. He tells them that our products are worthless. He’s been doing this same kind of thing almost everywhere in Asia. It’s bad enough that he is slandering our fine and honorable profession, but do you see where this will lead? If his lies catch on, the temple of Artemis itself will be called a fraud. The great goddess of our region, the majestic deity who is revered here in Asia and around the world, will be disgraced.

The crowd goes wild with rage. They start chanting.

Crowd: Great is Artemis of the Ephesians! Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!

Soon the whole city is filled with confusion, and a mob forms. They find Paul’s Macedonian travel companions, Gaius and Aristarchus, and drag them to the theater. Paul wants to go confront the crowd and protect his friends, but the disciples hold him back. Even some provincial officials of Asia who are friendly to Paul send him an urgent message, warning him to stay away from the theater.

Enraged voices are shouting on top of each other, some saying one thing, some saying something else. The crowd is completely out of control. Most of the people don’t even know what caused the commotion in the first place. Some of the Jewish people push a man named Alexander to the front of the crowd, hoping he can calm the disturbance. He raises his hands to silence the crowd and gets a few sentences out; but then the crowd realizes he’s a Jew, and once again they start chanting.

Crowd: Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!

For two solid hours they keep the chant going.

Finally the town clerk manages to calm the crowd.

Town Clerk: My fellow citizens of Ephesus, everyone in the world knows that our great city is the caretaker of the temple of Artemis! Everyone knows that we are the home of the great statue that fell from heaven! Our status as the economic center of the idolmaking industry is not in danger, so please, calm down. Don’t do anything rash. The men whom you have seized aren’t temple robbers, nor have they blasphemed our great goddess. If Demetrius and the artisans who share his important trade have a legal complaint, don’t bring it here to the theater; take it to the courts—they’re open today. If you need to charge someone with a crime or launch an inquiry, take the matter to the regional judges. We need to do this according to regulations, or we’ll all be charged with rioting. This kind of behavior can’t be justified.

So he succeeds in dispersing the crowd.

The Book of Acts, Chapter 19 (The Voice)

Today’s paired chapter of the Testaments is the 10th chapter of the book (scroll) of Isaiah that points to God’s Justice:

How awful it will be for those who mandate wickedness

and legalize oppression, denying justice to the needy,

Taking away the rights of the poor among My people.

Such leaders intend to make helpless widows and orphans their prey.

How will you opportunists handle the day of reckoning?

What will you do when trouble comes from far away?

Will you run away from the disaster you caused?

Who will help you? Where will you leave all your wealth?

You, too, must cower among the captives

or fall among the dead.

Still, God’s anger smolders. His hand is raised; there’s more to come.

Hah! God has determined to let loose a punishing disaster like you’ve never seen.

Eternal One: How awful it will be for Assyria, the rod of My anger,

as they come crashing in on you; the club they bear is My fury.

I am sending Assyria against a nation that refuses to act rightly,

delegating it to humble a people who have frustrated

and infuriated Me by their blithe dismissal.

Assyria will snatch their wealth, seize their treasures,

and trample over them like mud in the streets.

But they will get cocky. Assyria has its own intentions for destruction,

to move against other people and other places to cut them down.

The victories make them think they’re invincible:

The king of Assyria says:

“Aren’t all of my princes destined to be kings?

Calno fell just like Carchemish.

I took Hamath as easily as Arpad. Samaria, too, fell like Damascus.

My powerful hand has reached out to subdue kingdom after kingdom

whose idols were more famous and respected than those in Jerusalem and Samaria.

Now I will move in and take over Jerusalem and her idols

as easily as I did in Samaria.”

God will punish Assyria and its king for their blasphemous rants and arrogant self-satisfaction once my Lord has finished using them to accomplish His purposes here on Zion and in Jerusalem.

Assyrian King: I am so smart, so strong, so knowledgeable.

I am clearly superior to everyone else,

Moving easily into other countries and using them to suit my needs,

taking their treasures at will and humbling their citizens.

I just reach out and take the land and the riches I want—

from all over the earth—as easily as one gathers eggs from a nest.

They don’t flap their wings;

they don’t make a sound, while they look on helplessly.

But wow, are they ever mistaken! Assyria seems to think it has used God.

Can an ax take credit instead of the one who swings it?

Is a saw better than the one who uses it?

Only if a club or rod can move on its own.

So the Lord, the Eternal, Commander of heavenly armies,

will afflict Assyria’s brawny soldiers with disease,

And they will waste away to nothing.

God will kindle a roaring fire beneath Assyria’s fleeting glory.

The light of God’s people will be like a fire that burns up

the thorns and briars in a single day.

The Holy One will become a flame and make an end of all of Assyria’s schemes.

God will consume the grandeur of his forest and fruitful fields;

He will consume both body and soul,

as when the sick grow weak and waste away.

So few trees will remain of his glorious forest

that a child could count them.

Then, the few that remain of Israel,

that handful of Jacob’s people who escape,

Will finally quit depending on the power of others

(others who abuse and take advantage of them)

And will instead lean on the Eternal One, the Holy One of Israel.

This remnant of Jacob’s people who endure and escape the great destruction

will come back to the Mighty One, to the embrace of God.

But don’t doubt—though the number of the people of Israel

are like the sand of the sea,

Only a remnant of them will be rescued and return to survive.

For destruction is sure—the matter settled—God is absolutely right to do so.

For the Lord, the Eternal, Commander of heavenly armies,

will carry out His destructive decree over the whole land.

But as for the Holy City, Zion, the Lord, the Eternal, Commander of heavenly armies, has this to say:

Eternal One: Listen, My people living in Zion. Don’t be afraid of Assyria even though that great and terrible nation batters and wounds you, presses its weight and might against you as Egypt once did. Don’t worry. It won’t be long until My anger against you will be over, and I’ll turn it instead in Assyria’s direction.

The Eternal, Commander of heavenly armies, will lash Assyria with His whip; and Assyria will feel the crushing power of God’s judgment just as the Midianites did at the rock of Oreb, just as the Egyptians did when Moses raised his staff and drowned Pharaoh’s army in the sea. When that time comes, all the weight of Assyria will be lifted off of your shoulders; its yoke will be removed from your neck, and the burden of their assault and demands will evaporate, and you’ll be free.

Oh, sure, first you’ll feel that terrible force coming on you from the north

through Aiath and then Migron; at Michmash, they store their gear;

They take the mountain pass, and camp at Geba for the night;

closer they come as Ramah trembles;

Saul’s town Gibeah flees before them.

Cry out, Gallim! Heed the warning, Laishah!

Poor Anathoth!

Madmenah is on the run.

So, too, are the citizens of Gebim.

But today, they will stop their march at Nob

and shake their fists at beautiful Mount Zion, the mountain of Jerusalem.

But wait, look! The Lord, the Eternal, Commander of heavenly armies, will protect you;

He will cut the arrogant and self-serving down to size.

With terrifying power He will prune Assyria’s branches,

hack down the high and mighty, and humble all those who think they’re so great.

He will wield the ax and cut down the brushy undergrowth of the forest;

even the cedars of Lebanon fall before the Mighty One’s blow.

The Book of Isaiah, Chapter 10 (The Voice)

A link to my personal reading of the Scriptures for friday, june 18 of 2021 with a paired chapter from each Testament of the Bible along with Today’s Proverbs and Psalms

A post by John Parsons about seeking and facing truth:

As followers of the God of Truth (אלוהי האמת), we are responsible to “do truth” (עשה את האמת) and to reject what is false (1 John 4:6). As Yeshua said, "For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world -- to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice" (John 18:37). This means that we have a moral and spiritual duty to think clearly and not to abuse our minds (Phil. 4:8; Rom. 12:2). The LORD will help us to do this, as Yeshua said: "I will ask the Father, and he will give you a Helper (παράκλητος, someone "called to one's side"), to be with you forever, even the Spirit of Truth (i.e., ruach ha’emet: רוח האמת), whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him" (John 14:16-17). The Spirit of Truth helps us "discern what is the will of God, what is good, acceptable, and perfect" (Rom. 12:2) and empowers us to take “every thought captive” to the reality of God’s Presence (2 Cor. 10:4-5). Truth is connected to memory - both in our personal histories as well as the history of God's redemptive actions performed on our behalf. Truth is described as “a-letheia” (ἀλήθεια), literally meaning “not forgetfulness...” Hence we are constantly commanded to remember what God has done for us and to "diligently repeat" (ושׁננתם לבניך) the truth to our children (Deut. 6:4-9). Similarly, the Spirit of Truth brings to remembrance the words of Yeshua to our hearts (John 14:26).

Followers of Yeshua are commanded to love the truth (אוהב את האמת) and to think clearly about their faith. The ministry of reconciliation (τὴν διακονίαν τῆς καταλλαγῆς) is defined as “the word of truth, by the power of God, through weapons of righteousness” (2 Cor. 5:18, 6:7). Indeed, the word of truth (τὸν λόγον τῆς ἀληθείας) is a synonym for the “gospel of salvation” itself (Eph. 1:13; Col. 1:5; James 1:18). We are saved by Yeshua, who is the “way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). God commands all people to believe this truth (Acts 17:30-31; 1 Tim. 2:4). People perish because “they refuse to love the truth and so be saved” (2 Thess. 2:10-12). Therefore we see that the issue of truth is central to salvation itself....

Genuine teshuvah (repentance) implies that we will change our thinking in order to be transformed by God's truth. The follower of Messiah “cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth” (2 Cor. 13:8). During this Season of Teshuvah (i.e., the "Three Weeks of Sorrow") may God help us all to think clearly and to turn our thoughts to Him. May He protect us from the vanity of a darkened mind and from all distractions that attempt to seduce us away from Him. May the LORD give us the purity of heart to know and do His will in the truth. Amen. [Hebrew for Christians]

6.17.21 • Facebook

and another about purity of heart:

Every one of us is a teacher of sorts, proclaiming through our personal choices what we believe to be true. False teachers are those whose choices “teach” that there is no God, no eternal life, no meaning to life, and ultimately, no real hope... It cannot be any other way, for we all teach by our choices; we communicate by our assumptions of what we regard is of “ultimate concern.” Postmodern philosophy never answered any of the haunting existential questions of life, such as: What is reality? Why is there something rather than nothing? What is the purpose of life? What happens when we die? Who am I? Do moral choices matter? and so on, but instead merely reinterpreted the hunger for meaning to be about power and control... Nonsense! People may evade the great questions of life by pretending they are unknowable, but Scripture attests that all people are created in God’s image and are intuitively aware of God’s reality and power: “For His invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made; so they are without excuse” (Rom. 1:20). We have a sacred duty to honor God’s truth and that implies we bear a sacred animosity toward lies and false teaching. “Do not be deceived: associating with false teaching corrupts good character” (1 Cor. 15:33). We hate sin because it wounds and kills the soul. Think straight; awaken to the holiness of life; turn away from vain thoughts and lies; embrace the truth of God's salvation.

Every day we make decisions regarding good and evil, and therefore every day we are deciding (i.e., proclaiming, teaching, and attesting) our faith to others. The issue is not whether we love or whether we hate, but what we love and what we hate....

Followers of Yeshua must love the truth and abhor the lie. Tolerating sin in a world ripe for judgment is a tacit form of "collaboration" with the enemy... Indeed, the only thing regarded as intolerable in the devil's world is the objection that people have a supposed "liberty" to sin. But the LORD is clear on this point: those who call evil good and good evil are doomed. Therefore we are enjoined: “O you who love the LORD, hate evil” (Psalm 97:10). Yes, hate what is evil and love what is good (Amos 5:15). The connection between loving God and hating evil is repeated in the New Testament: “Let your love be genuine (ἀνυπόκριτος, without a “mask” put on): abhor what is evil; cling to what is good (Rom. 12:9). If we truly love the LORD, let us walk in the awe of His great Name by hating what is evil. "God's firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: "The Lord knows those who are his," and, "Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity" (2 Tim. 2:19). [Hebrew for Christians]

6.18.21 • Facebook

Today’s message (Days of Praise) from the Institute for Creation Research

June 18, 2021

The Obedient Christ

“And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” (Philippians 2:8)

The only begotten Son of God substituted Himself for all humanity to save them from the righteous judgment of a thrice-holy Creator.

Jesus found Himself “in fashion as a man,” which therefore made it possible for Him to humble Himself and to become obedient to the death that had been ordained for Him prior to the very foundation of the world (1 Peter 1:20).

Perhaps it is too much to suggest that Jesus “woke up” when He “found” Himself in Mary’s womb, but it is certain that He “increased in wisdom” (Luke 2:52) as He grew in “stature.” Basically, because He “became” human, He experienced the normal increase in awareness and experience that all of us do.

The difference was, obviously, that He “humbled” Himself, even though He “was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15). Christ’s sinless behavior could have easily “exalted” Him as His wisdom and miracles became known throughout Israel. Indeed, many tried to make Him king.

Isaiah prophetically records the mindset of the Lord many years before He actually entered Jerusalem: “I set my face like a flint” (Isaiah 50:7). Later, Jesus told His disciples, “I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!” (Luke 12:50).

Finally, the obedience of our Lord Jesus, understood fully and deeply at Gethsemane, was fully accomplished, “even the death of the cross.” May our hearts never forget or tire of these great truths. HMM III

[n0verias]

This is for @nyappykid, I was your Ace Attorney Secret Santa! I hope you like it!

Title: Christmas in Khura’in Pairing: Klavier/Apollo Rating: T Warnings: Mentions of crimes/murders, mentions of death Additional Tags: Made-up Khura’inese words, Apollo is a lovestruck fool AO3 Link

December 22, 2028 Justice Law Office

“Horned Head! I command you to help me this instant!” Rayfa shouted as she attempted, with little success, to hold up a huge stream of prayer flags. Her small frame was barely visible with how much she was holding, and Apollo was actually quite impressed.

“I got it.” Apollo lessened the load for Rayfa by taking half the pile in his arms. “I honestly didn’t think Christmas was celebrated here.”

Rayfa let out a pronounced ‘hmph’. “Is that what you call it in America? Here, we call it Khu’khurist. It’s an ancient tradition brought upon by the Holy Mother herself as a means to celebrate all that we are thankful for. And while you selfish Americans demand gift offerings, we hold a giant festival for all to enjoy.”

“And on the day of the 25th, we conclude by lighting the candles of prayer around the giant hal’abad tree.”

Apollo and Rayfa turned to see Nahyuta entering the Justice Law Office with a box of decorations. “And while we generally don’t hand out gifts as Rayfa said, it is not uncommon for couples to exchange a small token of their love for each other.” Nahyuta chuckled as he set down the box. Apollo took a peek and saw that there were a bunch of unlit candles, as well as holly, a wreath, and…oh god, was that what Apollo thought it was?

“Ah, and I did some research on American customs as well. Apparently, Americans hang some kind of plant called ‘mistletoe’ in a doorway, and whoever ends up under it has to kiss someone.” Nahyuta held up the mistletoe in his fingers and tried to find a perfect spot for it. “I thought it would make Apollo feel more at home.”

Apollo grimaced. So it WAS what he thought. “I don’t think something like that is necessary.” Besides, there is literally no one here who he would want to kiss, and he’ll be damned if he had to kiss someone like…Datz. He shuddered at the thought.

Rayfa crossed her arms. “How barbaric. So this is what America is like during the holidays?”

“NO.” Apollo shouted a lot louder than he intended. “Putting something like that up in the office is just asking for bad luck to happen!”

And as if things couldn’t get any worse, Datz Are’bal burst through the door and almost tripped over the rug. He managed to catch his balance as he skidded to a halt right in front of them. “Did you guys hear?! They managed to get some hot shot musician to sing at the festival!”

Nahyuta and Apollo stared at Datz as if he grew a second head. Rayfa in contrast smirked.

“Ah that’s right! I heard from Mother…I—I mean Queen Amara…” Rayfa blushed at her blunder. “That she sought to find a form of American entertainment, since this would be Horned Head’s first Khu’khurist with us.”

Why did Apollo feel so uneasy? “Dare I ask who this musician is?”

Rayfa pondered the thought. “Uh…I believe it was Klavier Gavin…?”

Apollo was stunned into silence. He hadn’t heard from or spoken to Klavier for more than a year…not since that incident at Themis Legal Academy. And if he were to be completely honest, he thought that Khura’in would be the LAST place he would ever run into the fop. Did this mean that Klavier was reviving his musical career? He recalled last time they spoke that Klavier was going to focus more on his prosecuting, especially after Daryan Crescend was convicted of murder and the Gavinners were disbanded. He recalled that to be a dark time for Klavier, and no matter how much the man showed off a smile, it was clear that underneath it was sorrow. Of course, a lot can change within the course of a year. He wondered how Klavier was doing…he didn’t even think that Klavier knew that he was in Khura’in.

“Earth to Apollo!”

Apollo was snapped out of his thoughts by Datz waving his hand ferociously in front of his face. Apollo slapped the hand away with mild annoyance. “Sorry…just that hearing the name Klavier Gavin brings back old memories.”

“Do you know him?” Nahyuta questioned, to which Apollo nodded.

“After a fashion. He’s actually a prosecutor who I fought against on many occasions.”

Rayfa tilted her head. “So he’s a friend? Maybe it’s a good thing he’ll be the one performing, then.”

Could Apollo consider Klavier a friend? Sure they were on good terms both outside the courtroom and inside, but it’s not like they ever took time out of their busy schedules to have a chat over coffee. Apollo sighed. “When’s he supposed to arrive?”

“Actually, he might already be here. His plane landed yesterday and should be staying at Tehm-pul Temple—” Before Rayfa could finish her sentence, Apollo dashed out of the office, leaving behind stunned and mildly amused expressions.

“Something tells me this will be an interesting Khu’khurist indeed.” Nahyuta chuckled.

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Apollo panted and wheezed as he stopped in front of the temple. He hadn’t run that fast in a while, it felt like; but his exhaustion soon wore off when he caught sight of the familiar silhouette of someone he hadn’t seen in a long while. The purple jacket, those rings…that platinum blond hair.”

“K-Klavier?!”

Said figure turned around, revealing crystal blue eyes peeking out from behind black shades. The look of shock on Klavier’s face was very apparent.

“H-Herr Forehead?” Klavier rushed to Apollo. “Mein gott, why are you here?”

Oh, that’s right. He…never told Klavier that his new residence was in Khura’in. “I’ve been living here for a few months now, actually.” Apollo explained awkwardly. “It’s a long story…”

“Oh? So you’re no longer employed under Herr Wright? What did you do that caused him to fire you?” Klavier chuckled.

If there’s one thing he didn’t miss, it was Klavier’s sharp tongue. “That’s not what happened! I told you it was a long story.”

Klavier grinned. “Well, we have plenty of time to catch up. Maybe over drinks?”

Apollo wanted to protest, but a part of him couldn’t bring himself to refuse. It was probably that smile. That annoying, pretty boy smile. He didn’t like talking about the events that transpired earlier in the year, but he supposed he owed Klavier an explanation for disappearing from the courtrooms in Los Angeles.

They managed to find a small café that sold different Khura’inese pastries and drinks, which they sat down and caught up. Klavier told him about how he visited Germany for a couple of weeks, and how his music was still very popular there much to his surprise. His prosecuting career is still as successful as ever, making sure that no one was falsely convicted and that only the true criminal was brought to justice. That was one thing he and Apollo had in common, and something that Apollo was grateful of. On a more somber note…Klavier also told him of Kristoph’s execution. Kristoph Gavin, Klavier’s brother and Apollo’s former boss, was finally executed via lethal injection about a month ago. Klavier was present, and while Kristoph had no last words, their eyes locked one last time before the deed was done.

And as if things couldn’t get more depressing, Apollo decided to tell Klavier about his adoptive father, Dhurke Sahdmadhi, and the events that sparked a revolution here in the Kingdom of Khura’in. Which, of course, included the details surrounding Dhurke’s death, as well as his biological father’s murder at the hands of the former Queen of Khura’in. It was still rather difficult to retell the events that haunted his memories, but he knew that he would have to get over it eventually.

“I’m really sorry to hear about Kristoph.” Apollo looked at Klavier with sympathy. “Regardless of what he’s done, I’m sure it must’ve been hard for you.”

Klavier sighed. “The past is past. I can’t waste time feeling sorry for myself.” He smiled sadly. “It’s strange, really…he had done some cruel things that ruined him, and I pitied him. But as his brother, I couldn’t help but feel sad. He wasn’t even a supportive brother to begin with.”

“That’s only human nature.” Apollo took a sip of his herbal tea. “To me, he was just my boss; but to you, he was family.”

Klavier chuckled. “How about we change the subject to something more…cheerful.” He rested his chin on his hands and smiled. “So am I to understand that you inherited your adopted father’s law office? You sure are making a name for yourself, Herr Forehead.”

Apollo laughed awkwardly and scratched his cheek a little. “Something like that. I wanted Dhurke’s dream to live on, so I made the tough decision to stay here…at least until the justice system in this country gets revived.”

Klavier hummed. “Do you still keep in contact with Fräulein Magician and Fräulein Cykes? And what happened to Fräulein Detective? I haven’t seen her in quite some time.”

“Ever the romantic, aren’t you.” Apollo rolled his eyes. Ema was probably over the moon over not having to work side-by-side with Klavier. “It’s pretty expensive to talk over the phone, but I send them letters whenever I’m able to. Trucy apparently promoted Athena to her magical assistant.” Apollo thanked the stars that he no longer had that position. “As for Ema…I think she’s here in Khura’in, actually.”

That earned him a raised eyebrow, so Apollo explained further. “The prosecutor in this country has taken a liking to her, so she’s here for as long as I have helping us with cases.”

“I’m amazed that someone could tolerate the detective for too long without stepping on her toes.” Klavier chuckled.

Apollo shot him a deadpanned expression. “I’m sure she was only like that because she had to deal with you on a daily basis.”

Klavier feigned hurt. “Way to strike me where it hurts, Herr Forehead.”

Of course, Apollo knew that the real reason behind Ema’s sour attitude back then was due to her having failed the forensics exam. Now that she was a certified forensic scientist, she was in much higher spirits.

They spent a few more minutes of small chatter before leaving the café. And who should they run into but Nahyuta and Rayfa carrying more supplies, no doubt in preparation for the festival.

“So you must be the musician that will be performing in a few days?” Nahyuta questioned, to which Klavier nodded. Nahyuta smiled. “A pleasure to make your acquaintance. Any friend of Apollo is a friend of mine.”

Apollo crossed his arms. “Klavier, this is Nahyuta Sahdmadhi. He’s the prosecutor for this country. And the girl next to him is Rayfa Padma Khura’in…crowned princess of Khura’in, as well as a holy priestess.”

Klavier whistled. “You sure have friends in high places, Herr Forehead.”

“Herr…Forehead…?” Nahyuta chuckled, and Rayfa smirked.

“I see that Horned Head has many titles.”

Klavier bowed to Rayfa, took her hand in his, and kissed it. “It’s an honor to meet the princess of this country.”

Rayfa’s face turned a dark shade of red and Apollo thought for a moment that she had short-circuited. And as expected, Rayfa hastily pulled her hand away and pouted. “You will cease this inappropriate behavior at once!” Her voice slightly cracked at the end, which didn’t help her case at all.

“I see you’re still an insufferable charmer.” Apollo rolled his eyes, to which Klavier chuckled.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” Klavier then took Apollo’s hand and did the same thing. “Unless it’s working, of course.”

Apollo stood there, frozen like a statue. “N-Now you’re just trying to be annoying.” However, the fact that he hesitated to pull his hand away caused Nahyuta to chuckle. Thankfully, Klavier didn’t notice as he stood up.

“Well, I think I will head back to my room. I think jet lag is finally catching up with me.” Klavier smiled. “Good to see you again, Herr Forehead. Maybe we’ll see each other tomorrow. My number is still the same.” And with a wink, Klavier walked back in the direction of Tehm’pul Temple without looking back.

After a few minutes of saying nothing, Nahyuta cleared his throat. “So…just a friend, you said?”

Apollo snapped out of his trance. “Uh…what?”

“You and Klavier Gavin seemed very close.”

Apollo was silent for a short moment, before looking to the side. “He and I have known each other for a while. And while I hate to admit it, he’s helped me out with my first few cases as an attorney.”

Nahyuta nodded in understanding. “So your relationship is strictly professional?”

“…What are you implying?”

“You reacted the same way that Rayfa did when Mr. Gavin kissed your hand.” Nahyuta smiled sweetly. “And unlike her, you’re not a small child vulnerable to precocious crushes.”

“Hey!” Rayfa pouted next to Nahyuta, but he ignored her.

“Hm…maybe that mistletoe will come in handy, after all.”

Apollo wasn’t impressed in the slightest. “You’re just imagining things, Nahyuta.” However, that did nothing to stop his heart from racing at an unnatural pace. He desperately wanted the subject to change. “So if you two are here, who’s watching the office?”

Rayfa crossed her arms. “Datz, of course.”

The color from Apollo’s face drained away and he rushed back in the direction of his office, all while grateful for that embarrassing conversation to end.

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“Whoa, you must be in deep trouble if you’re willing to pay for a long distance phone call, Polly!” Trucy’s voice chimed through Apollo’s cell phone. “You’re not in trouble with the law again, are you?”

Apollo frowned. “No, nothing like that…and what do you mean ‘again’?!” He huffed. “If you must know, Klavier is here in Khura’in. To perform for the Christmas festival.”

He could practically feel the amount of glee seeping through Trucy’s voice. “Oooooh, so that’s where he went! We’re actually babysitting his dog for him while he’s away. I wanted to tell you, but by the time the letter would reach you it’d probably be too late.”

Well, he appreciated the thought, he supposed. Though that still did nothing to calm his heart down. It felt like it was about to explode, and there was no way in hell he would ever admit to the reason for it. “I wonder how Ema would react to seeing him here. She’s been so busy with work that I doubt she even knows about the festival.”

Trucy giggled. “It’s just like you to change the subject like that, Polly.”

“I admit nothing.”

“Well, I’m sure Ema won’t be as grumpy as she used to be, now that she can legally take people’s fingerprints!” Trucy’s voice faltered all of a sudden, and soon after there was a loud crashing noise in the background.

“Are you alright, Trucy?!” Apollo began to worry.

Trucy’s voice sounded distant for a moment, before it came back to the phone. “Sorry about that, I’m practicing a new magic trick but Athena keeps messing up her part. She’s enthusiastic, but she doesn’t have the same charm that you did.”

“And I don’t miss those days for a moment.” Apollo deadpanned. “I hope Athena isn’t bleeding to death right now, otherwise Mr. Wright will not only have to find a new attorney, but also deal with Mr. Blackquill’s wrath on top of that.”

“No no she’s fine! For the most part…” Trucy’s voice trailed off. “Might have gotten a few paper cuts but nothing serious! Besides, Pearl is helping out too. She’s our resident first-aid kit for Athena.”

Apollo sighed. “Stop bringing other people into your convoluted magic tricks.”

“I can’t hear you, Polly!” Trucy sing-songed. “So back to your reason for calling. I think your situation desperately calls for some Christmas magic. Like a clear starry night…or mistletoe!”

“Enough with the mistletoe!” Apollo’s chords of steel made its appearance in the form of a grating shout. “It’s not like that.”

“Are you sure about tha—”

Apollo could hear a commotion on the other end, followed by some protests from Trucy. Seconds later, a new voice popped up.

“Okay listen up, Apollo, I was listening to the entire conversation!”

Apollo scowled. “Didn’t anyone ever tell you it’s impolite to eavesdrop, Athena?”

Athena scoffed. “Whatever, just listen. You can’t keep your feelings inside you for so long. I’m practically on the other side of the world and I can still feel your emotions loud and clear! And if you think I’m not willing to give you a therapy session over the phone, you’re sorely mistaken.”

“Alright, alright I get it. So what are your ears picking up, exactly? Because I have no idea.”

It sounded like Athena grabbed something from the other end. “Glad you asked! Now, as your resident therapist, I suggest you first admit your feelings for Klavier—”

“Wait wait what, WHAT?!” Apollo practically screamed.

“Oh please, Apollo, it was obvious to me since you made that huge tangent about those roses Klavier sent Trucy earlier in the year.” Athena’s voice was flat, and Apollo could just about picture her eyes rolling. “You don’t have to tell the man, but admitting to yourself that you have feelings for him will definitely ease the tight feeling in your chest.”

“………..Goodbye, Athena. Tell Trucy I said goodbye, and if she asks, you are the reason I’m cutting this conversation short.”

Before Athena could protest, Apollo hung up his phone and let out a loud, drawn out sigh. He lied back on his bed and stared up at the ceiling.

(Feelings for Klavier, huh…)

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December 22, 2028 Wright Anything Agency

“I can’t believe you, Athena!” Trucy huffed with her hands on her hips. “I didn’t even get a chance to say goodbye to him!”

Athena felt only slightly guilty. “It’s not MY fault he refuses to admit his feelings for Klavier!”

Trucy crossed her arms. “Polly’s a boy, Athena! They don’t admit things like that so easily, if at all!”

Athena frowned. “I would think he would have outgrown that behavior by now, he’s in his mid-twenties!”

“Umm…guys?”

Both Trucy and Athena looked in the direction of the voice to see Pearl standing there with an apologetic smile. “Sorry to interrupt, but I just got off the phone with Bonny. She was wondering if you wanted her to get Mr. Hat ready for tomorrow’s Christmas show…”

“Oh!” Trucy ran to grab her notes that were sitting on the coffee table. “Yeah, if she’s able to!”

Athena toyed with her earring. “…Didn’t Bonny mess up Mr. Hat’s positioning during that one case…?”

“Yeah, but I trust her! Besides, Betty is there too to supervise.” Trucy went back to practicing her magic trick, and Athena grimaced.

(Wasn’t Betty actively trying to sabotage you, too?!)

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December 25, 2028 Justice Law Office

It was finally time for the festival, and Apollo was absolutely floored by how beautiful the bazaar was. Candles illuminated every corner of each store; people selling small candies colored in silver and gold. Khura’in even had their own version of Santa Claus, although it was an overly long name that Apollo couldn’t even try to pronounce if he wanted to. Apparently this version of Santa Claus was a holy priest who dedicated his life to making children happy; he awarded those who practiced his religion with devout faith, and punished those by sending them to a dark abyss where they would face eternal suffering. A bit excessive, Apollo thought, but he can’t say he was surprised.

He hadn’t seen Klavier since the other day. He didn’t want to pull Klavier away from his rehearsals for later tonight. Klavier did however text him that he would be performing ‘The Guitar’s Serenade’ after the candles are lit on the hal’abad tree. It was customary for an hour sermon to be recited during the lighting, followed by up to three hours of prayer. Apollo was grateful that he wouldn’t have to participate in that; he wasn’t sure if his back can handle being in a hunched position like that for three whole hours.

He walked through the bazaar, admiring the lights and little trinkets hanging from the rafters with a carefree expression. It wasn’t often that he can enjoy something like this without thinking about a case in the back of his mind. Ever since the abolishment of the Defense Culpability Act, his office has heard no end to cases involving wrongful convictions; and while he was more than happy to right the wrongs done by a twisted government, it was nice to have some time to himself.

His eyes fell upon Nahyuta and Ema by a fruit stand. Ema had a very confused expression on her face while Nahyuta was holding up a bizarre-looking fruit with pink skin and purple splotches, all while making a gesture with his hand. Surely he was giving Ema some kind of lecture about the significance of that particular fruit, and Apollo couldn’t help but shake his head and chuckle at the scene. He walked a little further and noticed Datz selling some…were those lizards? Surely not the same lizards that he had hanging in the office at some point?! Apollo couldn’t walk fast enough when he saw that Datz noticed him and egged him to come over.

When he finally made it to Tehm’pul Temple, he stared in awe at the huge hal’abad tree with what looked like thousands of candles on each branch. This seemed like a fire hazard, but who was he to question a sacred Khura’inese holiday? As he walked closer, he noticed Rayfa standing in front of the tree looking at a piece of parchment. He wondered if Rayfa also had an important part in the ceremony; it made sense, her being the royal priestess and all.

A quick glance to his left, and his gaze landed on that of Klavier Gavin, clad in his normal wear and going over some of the vocals for his song. He even had a guitar in hand. Apollo couldn’t help but think about the conversation he had with Trucy a few days ago, and he immediately felt tense. Is this how witnesses felt whenever he perceived them? It was such an uneasy feeling, and it sent a chill down his spine.

Klavier must’ve noticed him staring, for he called him over with a smile and wave. Apollo feigned a scoff and walked over.

“I’m still surprised they decided to get a foreign performer for such an important day.” Apollo commented, to which Klavier chuckled.

“Believe me when I almost refused the offer…until the queen herself asked, and well, who can say no to royalty?”

Apollo shot him a small smile. “Understandable.” His gaze drifted towards the sky, where a bunch of stars danced in the night. “…You know, we’ve known each other for a while, and while I hate to admit it…” He sighed. “…You were part of the reason for me lasting this long as an attorney. Going against you has taught me many things, and…I guess I’m saying I’m thankful.”

Klavier had a dumbfounded expression on his face for a split second, but quickly recovered. “While I appreciate the sentiment, Herr Forehead, that was entirely your doing. I just pushed you in the right direction.” He smiled. “We were both aiming towards the same truth, were we not?” He looked up at the sky as well. “Ach, I do have to say that I miss our days in the courtroom. It’s just not the same without you on the other side.”

Apollo’s heart made an involuntary leap and for a second, he thought he would faint. “Uh…r-right. And here I thought you only saw me as a naïve greenhorn who needed to be spoon-fed evidence.”

The light laugh that escaped Klavier’s throat was intoxicating. “Of course I thought that at first, but that was before I got to know you. I always wondered what kind of attorney you were, after you bested my bro in court…and I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised.”

“…Of what?”

Klavier looked back at Apollo. “Everything, I guess. But most of all, that determination you had to find the truth, and undying faith towards your client. Despite being your boss, you turned out to be nothing like Kristoph.”

He hated to admit it, but he was starting to feeling butterflies in his stomach. He hated it when Athena was right, especially about something like this. “…Listen, Gav—uh, Klavier…”

Klavier raised an eyebrow, and it was then that Apollo realized that this was the first time he ever referred to Klavier by his first name. And upon realizing this, it became much more difficult to form the correct words—

“Hey, Horned Head. I’m unsure of where to put this, but Nahyuta handed it to me and now I’m stuck with it. What are the customs for this in America, again?”

Apollo turned his head up behind him and saw Rayfa standing there, a blunt expression on her face...holding a bundle of mistletoe in her fingers and dangling it above where he and Klavier were sitting. He was mortified. He dared to glance at Klavier, who was merely chuckling, his chin propped up by his hand and staring at him.

“The fräulein wants to know what people do under the mistletoe. Would you like to help me show her, Herr Forehead?” Klavier smiled, and Apollo couldn’t take it anymore. He grabbed hold of the front of Klavier’s shirt and pulled him in closer, giving him a forceful kiss that couldn’t have lasted more than a few seconds. When he pulled away, Apollo got up from his seat and stormed off, not even bothering to look back. Why did he do that?! He was such an idiot, and the worst part was he couldn’t tell which part he regretted more, the kiss or leaving right after. It wasn’t until he heard someone shouting his name that he came to a halt and turned around.

“You know it’s bad taste to leave without a word after kissing someone, ja?” Klavier panted a little. He must have ran after him shortly after what happened.

Honestly speaking, Apollo acted on impulse. It was a spur of the moment decision brought about by everyone taunting him; first Nahyuta, then Trucy and Athena…he let out a frustrated sigh as he turned his head to look back at Klavier, who was running his fingers through his hair.

“I…I just did what people normally do under mistletoe. It’s what everyone wanted of me, right?” Apollo bit out.

Klavier tilted his head with a mildly concerned expression. “I was just humoring the young fräulein—”

“What do you want from me, Gavin?” Apollo cut Klavier off.

Klavier took a step toward Apollo. “I should be the one asking you that.” Klavier reached out with the intent to rest his hand on Apollo’s shoulder, but stopped when he saw how the other man recoiled. “Is there something bothering you? Ach, did I do something to offend you in any way?” He grew more concerned by the minute. “Please talk to me.”

Apollo hesitated. His gaze darted back and forth between Klavier’s face and the hand that was ever so slightly reaching out to him. There is no turning back once he speaks the words he desperately wants to get out. But really, why would someone as famous as Klavier, the rock star prosecutor himself, even think about reciprocating his feelings? Sure he was making a name for himself in Khura’in, but back in the States he was just a defense attorney working under the legendary Phoenix Wright. Hell, Klavier witnessed Apollo’s very first cases as a defense attorney, and all the embarrassments that came with being a greenhorn.

He never could take rejection very well; his mind was already settling on the worst possible outcome before anything even happened.

“Apollo?”

Apollo was dragged out of his thoughts by Klavier’s voice, and when his eyes focused in front of him, he realized that Klavier’s face was much closer to his own than before. He could feel his own face getting hotter and hotter, despite his efforts to stop it.

“…What do you think of me, Gav…Klavier.” Apollo’s voice broke a little. “Please, I need to know.”

Klavier stared at Apollo for what felt like an eternity, before he finally answered. “Words cannot even begin to describe how I feel about you, Apollo.” His expression was somber as he glanced around at the lit candles illuminating the bazaar. “You remember when we first met?”

Apollo slowly nodded. “I could never forget that case…” Although he would be more than happy to forget about stolen panties. “Trucy noticed you standing in front of your motorcycle, waving to a bunch of your fans.” He let out a chuckle. “You were the one who made it possible for me to investigate the crime scene.”

Klavier smiled. “I probably didn’t look like it to you, but I was…suffering back then. Emotionally, and mentally.”

“…Was it because of Kristoph?” Apollo already knew the answer, but wanted confirmation.

Klavier nodded. “My bro was certainly one of a kind. But behind closed doors, he was just as manipulative and scheming as how he was in the courtroom. Every waking hour growing up with him felt like there was a noose around my neck, and he was the judge, jury, and executioner.” He let out a sigh. “And then…that case happened. Kristoph set me up to destroy Phoenix Wright’s career. I had my suspicions of course, but with all my heart I really wanted to believe that there was no way my own brother could do something that cruel. And then you came along and pulled the covers from my eyes. And thanks to you, I was finally able to confront Klavier on equal footing; I was no longer afraid of him.”

Apollo didn’t know what to say, but Klavier continued. “What I’m trying to say is that, in a way, you saved me back then. Without you there to accuse Kristoph and bring him into the courtroom once more, I don’t think I would have ever been able to face my demons.” Klavier looked at Apollo and smiled. “You mean a lot to me, Apollo…more than I’m sure you can even begin to imagine.”

A small breath escaped Apollo’s mouth as he was rendered speechless.

(C’mon, say something, damnit!)

“I would like to know what you think of me, too…if that’s alright.” Klavier asked thoughtfully. He just gave Apollo an opening, one that he decided to take.

Apollo let out a breath of air. “…If it weren’t for you, I don’t think I ever would have made it this far as an attorney.”

Klavier was about to say something, but Apollo held a hand up to stop him. “Before you tell me how that’s not true, just listen for a second. I was a novice, my former boss was sent to prison on murder charges…I had nowhere to go until the Wright Anything Agency phoned me. And the last thing I expected was to be immediately thrust into investigating a murder from stolen noodle carts and panties.”

Klavier chuckled, which Apollo responded with a chuckle of his own. “…Was it your intention to give me all those hints? When we were in court, it felt like you were guiding me along to finding the answer…I might have gotten a Not Guilty verdict, but at the time, it still didn’t feel like a victory to me.”

“I’m sure you’re already well-aware of this, Apollo, but the most important thing for me was to find the truth…it wasn’t about winning or losing, or a personal battle between attorney and prosecutor. And as a rookie defense attorney, I was positive that you probably wouldn’t have understood that.” Klavier explained, to which Apollo nodded.

“You were right, of course.” Apollo glanced away. “Back then, I didn’t know what it meant to find the truth. I didn’t know what it meant for an attorney to be working together with a prosecutor and share evidence. But you helped me see that the way I was brought up was wrong.” He hesitated to bring up the next thoughts on his mind, but it was now or never. He had to do it.

“…I-I know I always acted like you were the most annoying person on the planet, but I want you to know that I never thought of you in that way.”

(Breathe, Apollo. You can do this.)

When his eyes met Klavier’s, he saw the light shining from the candles reflect on Klavier’s pupils. It was beautiful.

“You mean a lot to me, more than you probably realize.”

Klavier smiled. “You repeated what I told you—”

“I’m not finished.” Apollo bit his lip, and stepped closer to Klavier until they were mere inches apart. Klavier’s eyes widened, but Apollo paid no mind as he stood on his toes and pressed his lips softly onto Klavier’s. It didn’t last long, but he just wanted to get the message across.

You…mean a lot to me. More than you probably realize.”

Klavier just stared at Apollo with his mouth slightly agape, before he finally snapped out of it.

“Apollo…how long?”

Apollo shook his head. “Honestly, I probably couldn’t tell you that. But if I had to guess, it probably started developing around the time you invited Trucy and I to your concert.”

“And you never told me?”

Apollo grew frustrated once more. “It’s not that easy, okay?! For someone like you who has people confessing their love to you on a daily basis, maybe. But for someone like me…”

Klavier watched quietly as Apollo tried to stop his body from shaking. When a few minutes had passed, Klavier took the opportunity to pull Apollo in closer. Apollo’s eyes widened.

“Those people who you say confess their love for me? They’re just fans. They probably say the same thing to their other favorite celebrities. Contrary to popular belief, I’ve never even had a girlfriend or boyfriend.” Klavier smiled as Apollo huffed.

“I don’t believe it. Not even when you were starting out as a rock star?”

Klavier shook his head. “Kind of hard to trust people, you know? Are they dating me because they love me, or are they dating me because I’m famous? Trust is one of the most important factors in a relationship…to me, anyway.”

Apollo looked down. “I see…”

He felt a slight pressure on the top of his head; it took him a moment to realize that Klavier had kissed his head very softly.

“I trust you, Apollo.”

“…What are you saying?” Apollo glanced back up at Klavier, who tilted his head and smiled.

“I’m saying that I feel the same way about you…if you’ll have me.”

Apollo didn’t hear anything else; didn’t see anything else. All of his focus was on Klavier. He wasted no time pulling the other man in and kissing him under the candlelight, just as the snow was beginning to fall once more.

.

.

.

“Happi’raki Khu’khurist!”

A chorus of shouts and cheers as the people of Khura’in witnessed the lighting of the hal’abad tree, welcoming Christmas with open arms and many prayers. The concert was a big hit, with many of the younger citizens practically begging Klavier to visit again, which he was more than happy to oblige…although it was probably mostly due to his new boyfriend being the revolutionary defense attorney in this country.

Rayfa was overseeing the festival of prayers, where everyone knelt down in prayer for hours on end until the candles on the hal’abad tree burn out. It was mildly amusing seeing how serious Rayfa was while looking over everyone, but every now and then she would glance at the children with their parents enjoying themselves and huff. Apollo decided maybe he’ll buy her a festive pastry later.

Nahyuta was helping Rayfa with her duties whenever possible, but for the most part he was done with the festivities and decided to go back to Justice Law Office to rest up. He wasn’t alone, however, as Ema, Ahlbi, and Datz were also enjoying themselves in the warmth of the office. Didn’t Khura’inists enjoy the cold? Or maybe they were just enjoying each other’s company, which Apollo thought was far more plausible.

All in all, the festival was a success. His first Christmas in Khura’in…Apollo now had more memories to share with Trucy and Athena, and everyone else back home in the States. And of course, more memories to come with Klavier.

“So just out of curiosity, Herr Forehead…what did you REALLY think of me when you first saw me up on stage…?”

“OBJECTION! No comment.”

[spannycattheogony]

A Reconstruction of The Orphic Rhapsodic Theogony

A Reconstruction of The Orphic Rhapsodic Theogony (c. Late 5th Century BC):

THE FIRST KING

What was at the very beginning cannot be explained or understood; it can only be spoken of indirectly because there is no way to comprehend something in which its points of differentiation have yet to be expressed. It is called the Beginning Which Cannot Be Spoken. It is not created; it did not come to be; it has always been. It is there before anything else; it is there at the beginning; it is now and will always be. Orpheus, the founder of Mysteries, tells us that within this undifferentiated mixture are Earth and Water and it is from the dance of these two that everything which is comes to be. For Ageless Time was moved by Necessity and gave birth to Aither and a limitless chasm which extended in every direction, and everything was in tumult. In the Aither, Time formed a silvery egg. And the egg began to move in an enormous and wondrous circle and from the egg Phanes emerged, and as he was born, the Aither and the Chasm were torn apart.

Behold the son of Aither! The First-Born (Protogonos)! The Shining One (Phaethon)! Who by his nature illumines everything and was the first to appear in the Aither! Witness his four eyes looking everywhere and marvel at his four horns! Behold his golden wings which flutter all about! He bellows like a massive bull and roars like a lion! He is Erikæpaios, both male and female, who harbors in his heart blind and swift Eros! He is Metis, the progenitor of the Gods, who call him the Revealer and First-born! He is the one with the mighty voice; he is all-seeing Zeus! He can be seen only by his daughter Nyx, but his effulgent light shining in the Aither draws wonder for those who behold it, illuminating the world with great brilliance.

Now Phanes caused many things to occur. He built an everlasting dwelling for the Immortal Gods. He brought forth the Moon, which Gods call Selene and mortals call Mene, with mountains, cities, and mansions. And for the ephemeral beings he made a world separate from the Immortals, with natural laws and a sun as their lord, neither too cold nor too hot, but appropriate for their needs. These things he, Erikæpaios the first king, made from his seat in the misty darkness of the Cave of his daughter Nyx. Oh glorious Phanes! You are the father of Justice, Prudence, and Truth, the three nights! And thus did he divide the world between Gods and mortals.

THE SECOND KING

Phanes then united with his daughter Nyx, the Mother of Dreams, and gave her the rulership. He placed in her hands his mighty staff, the scepter of Erikæpaios, and bestowed upon her the gift of prophecy.

THE THIRD KING

Nyx, the nurse of the Gods, made obvious those who were previously concealed: she gave birth to Gaia, whose name means “earth,” and to Ouranos, the limits of the mind, whose name means “sky,” and she gave the scepter of Phanes to Ouranos and thereby gave him the kingship. Ouranos and Gaia united and this is the first marriage.

Now the royal couple produced children. Gaia first gave birth to the Moirae: Klotho, Lachesis, and Atropos. Then Gaia gave birth to the three Cyclopes and the three giant Hundred-Handers, but these were an unruly bunch and Ouranos cast them into the bowels of the earth, for he had received an oracle that his own children would overthrow him.

But when Ouranos imprisoned her sons, Gaia was greatly distressed, so she then gave birth to six lovely daughters and six kingly sons, indeed, the great Titanes who are the powers of the natural world, they who drag or stretch.

The six Titanic daughters are law-giving Themis and gentle Tethys, Mnemosyne the mother of the fair-haired Mousai, and happy Theia the mother of light. And Gaia bore radiant Phoibi who held the seat at Delphí, and glorious Rheia the mother of the aigis-bearing Olympian king of all.

The seven Titanic sons are querying Koios the father of Leto and Astæria, Kreios the lord of the vast constellations, light-giving Hyperion the father of the Sun and the Moon, genial Iapetos the father of the race of men, Okæanos who encircles and envelops the earth with his many streams, and greatest of all, kingly Kronos, he who strikes (awakens) the mind, father of glorious children. Of all these mighty sons and daughters of Earth and Sky it was Kronos who Nyx cherished and cultivated.

Gaia pleaded with the Titanes to overthrow their father for having cast her progeny into Tartaros. All the siblings rallied to her supplication with the exception of Okæanos who brooded darkly in the halls of his palace trying to decide what to do. The plot angered the mighty God against his mother and even more so against his siblings, so he declined to join them.

Gaia gave Kronos an adamantine sickle and when Ouranos came to lie with her, Kronos cut off his genitals. The members of Ouranos flew through the air into the wine-dark sea and swirled about in the restless blue waters forming a wondrous foam out of which emerged beautiful Heavenly Aphrodite, the mother of Harmony, and as she was born, Zilos (Rivalry) and Apate (Deceit) took her into their care. Kypris, daughter of Tethys, or Thalassa.

THE FOURTH KING

These things having been accomplished, Kronos assumed the kingship; he deserved this by his very nature and for having borne the greatest weight of the deed done to his father. He married his sister Rheia, and the other siblings married one another, Tethys and Okæanos, Phoibi and Koios, Theia and Hyperion, Themis and Iapætos, and the others.

THE FIFTH KING

And then Zeus went to the Sacred Cave and asked, “Mother, supreme of all the Gods, immortal Nyx, how am I to proceed? How can I inaugurate my rule with the immortal Gods? How can I keep all things as one, yet separate?” And blessed Nyx, gleaming with the blue of dawn, answered him saying, “Surround everything in the Aither …the heavens, the earth, the sea, and the stars… and bind them all with a golden aitherial chain.”

Thus mighty Zeus engulfed and swallowed Erikæpaios, employing all of his power, and drew everything that existed into the hollow of his belly. And now all things in Zeus were created anew: the sky, the sea, the earth, and all the blessed and immortal Gods and Goddesses, all that was then, and all that will be, all mingled in the belly of Zeus.

Mighty cloud-gathering Zeus, with deep fore-knowledge, understood that he must marry his mother Demeter, she who designed the works of the droning bees, but Demeter resisted his advances and transformed herself into a serpent. Zeus responded by becoming a serpent himself and the two intertwined in a Knot of Heracles producing the Daughter Persephone.

When adequate time had passed and life-giving Persephone was at the bloom of her youth, Zeus again became a serpent, united with her, and produced the child Zagreos (Dionysos), the sweet child of his father. Meanwhile, Demeter gives the throne to Persephone to rule in Dionysos’ place until he comes of age. She tells her daughter to go into the bed of Apollo and that they will produce the Eumenides.

Under Phanes there had been a Golden Age of men. And under Kronos there was a Silver Age where men had very long lives. But there would now be a new age, the Titanic Age, with humans and sundry kinds of animals, some who fly, some walking, and others swimming, all of whom have souls from the soot, but in due time their bodies grow old and fade away or are destroyed by disease or violence. {Reconstruction from https://www.hellenicgods.org/orphic-rhapsodies------24 and other selected Orphic fragments}.

[reaganwarren]

A/N: Custody Battle AU. Nayuta now testifies about their time with Troupe Gramarye. 

“Father left us in the care of Thalassa Gramarye when he left to go back to Khura’in to deal with an emergency. Because of that, we stayed with Troupe Gramarye, with whom Ms. Gramarye lived. A month later, the accident that robbed her of her life occurred, and we spent the rest of the time with Magnifi, Zak, and Valant Gramarye.... We stayed in Japanifornia only for that first month. There was a funeral, then the troupe traveled all over the world, performing. During the first month with the troupe in Japanifornia, Apollo and I helped the troupe as stage hands, but after Thalassa’s death, Magnifi encouraged Apollo to follow in her footsteps and become a magician, leaving me to do all the stage hand work with whoever happened to be employed at the sites we had our shows at.

“Thalassa Gramarye was a lovely woman.... I cannot say the same of her husband. Valant Gramarye always treated us with kindness, and I am eternally grateful for his company, but Zak Gramarye is rude, uncouth, and has demonstrated a dangerous temper on at least one occasion.... Often, I was spared his wrath, but I happened to be a witness to one incident while we were performing in the Mediterranean. I do not know what they had been arguing about. But I had heard raised voices when passing the hotel room we were sharing with Zak and his daughter, Trucy, at the time and recognized one of them to be Apollo. I opened the door and entered the room, only to witness Zak punching a hole in the hotel room wall. Apollo was cowering on . . .” 

Nayuta cleared his throat, then looked over at Apollo. Both Maya and Phoenix turned their heads to look at Apollo. Apollo had his shoulders hunched and arms crossed, but otherwise just looked like he was concentrating on Nayuta’s testimony. 

“Please continue with your testimony, Nayuta. You may omit details you don’t feel are important to the case, but if it is important, please include them, even if it’s difficult,” Justine Courtney said. 

Nayuta closed his eyes. 

“As you wish, Your Honor. Keep in mind that the hotel room was rather small. Two beds and a bedside table to share between them, a television, and a bathroom, for four people. If we were not using the backstage areas or the green rooms in those backstage areas for our daily living, we were using the hotel rooms or train cars or airplane seats or rental cars. So much of the home-schooling sessions we received while part of Troupe Gramarye occurred in these hotel rooms, and it wasn’t strange that Zak and Apollo were alone in the room. The only time that occurred was during Apollo’s math tutoring. Otherwise, Apollo and I only saw Zak when we were interacting as a group. While I was certainly worried for Apollo’s safety when I saw him cowering on that hotel bed, I was interpreting it as . . . I wasn’t thinking that there was a danger of . . . .” 

Nayuta cleared his throat again, trying to find the words. His eyes were still closed, but his facial expression showed that he was getting increasingly uncomfortable. 

“If I may interpret,” Edgeworth said, “you are saying that while you assert that Apollo Justice is not safe with Troupe Gramarye specifically because of Zak Gramarye, you are saying that the danger he poses is not one of a sexual nature. In other words, you are not claiming him to be a sexual predator.” 

“Yes, that’s what I’m trying to say. It was clear Apollo was being threatened and was scared, but the environment was circumstantial, not indicative of the type of crime that was taking place,” Nayuta said, opening his eyes once more. “I see no benefit in getting the facts mixed up. I just wanted the court to understand that distinction.” 

“The court hears your words and appreciates the forethought,” Judge Courtney said, smiling pleasantly at Nayuta. 

Dhurke’s hands were tightening into fists, and Edgeworth could almost feel the air vibrations from his body shaking. But Dhurke kept himself in one place, face set and unchanging. 

“At what time during your stay with Troupe Gramarye did this happen?” Judge Courtney asked. 

“. . . I believe we had been with them for a little more than half a year. We did so much traveling around that time that I can’t quite remember if it was when we were in Turkey or Greece.... I’m inclined to say it was Turkey, because our time in Greece feels like it had been more pleasant.” 

“Was the determination of the pleasantness the behavior of the troupe members?” Edgeworth asked. 

“Yes, it was,” Nayuta said. “The country itself was fascinating to explore and learn from.” 

“Do you have proof other than your word that this incident occurred?” Phoenix asked. “Like a bill from the hotel for damages?” 

“. . . I do not have any bill from the hotel. That would have been given straight to Magnifi Gramarye. After I happened upon the scene, Zak moved towards me, and I ran to get Mr. Valant. I also kept a record of the incident in my private journal. Both Mr. Valant and my journal can back up my claim. The journal entry was written without the influence of my father or Mr. Edgeworth the day of the incident.” 

“And where is this journal?” Phoenix asked. 

“. . . It went missing the day my father picked me up from the Sunshine Colesium when he returned from Khura’in. It hasn’t been located yet.” 

“Mmhm. I see. So I take it you’re expecting Mr. Valant to provide key testimony to support this young man’s claim, right, Mr. Edgeworth?” Phoenix said. 

Edgeworth didn’t say anything. 

“Adding Valant’s testimony would be vital to the case. Though I believe Apollo’s testimony would be the most important in this case. The incident did happen to him after all.” 

“Mr. Justice, are you willing to testify about the incident?” Phoenix asked. 

Apollo turned his head away from Nayuta (and happened to also be away from Phoenix) when he answered. 

“I can’t testify to something that didn’t happen, Mr. Wright,” Apollo said. 

Phoenix stared at Apollo for a long moment, then looked back at Nayuta on the stand. 

Nayuta looked like Apollo had flung some sort of insult at him. 

“A-Apollo!” 

Apollo wouldn’t turn his head back to look at him. 

“And what about you, Mr. Valant? Are you willing to testify as to whether or not the incident Nayuta is talking about actually occurred?” Phoenix asked. 

“I’d be willing to testify,” Valant said. 

Nayuta looked over to Edgeworth and Dhurke, expression torn between the hurt that Apollo would even attempt to paint him as a liar and the confident relief that a “see? I told you so” gave a person. 

“Then if Your Honor will allow it, I’d like to produce Mr. Valant’s testimony as a rebuttal to Nayuta’s testimony,” Phoenix said. 

“The court will allow it,” Judge Courtney said. 

Nayuta went back to the plaintiff bench, and Valant took his place at the witness stand. 

“So I am to testify as to the incident in which Nayuta grabbed me and brought me to the scene in the other hotel room?” Valant said, twirling his staff with a flick of his wrist and catching it in his palm once more. 

“Yes, that’s exactly right,” Judge Courtney said. 

“Let’s see, there weren’t many instances where I was suddenly grabbed from my room to mediate a situation, so it must have been . . . yes, indeed! It indeed did happen in our small but beautiful room at that Turkish hostel! There indeed had been damage that occurred to that wall, and it had indeed been Zak who had caused the damage, but there was no fight when I arrived. Nayuta has been such a great help to the troupe when he had stayed with us, but occasionally there would be instances where he and the rest of us would have misunderstandings. The incident in question was simply another misunderstanding. Zak’s dealings with Apollo indeed mostly stayed in the realm of math tutoring, but occasionally there was a new trick or two to be taught! Apollo and Trucy are expected to grow up and take their places as proud members of the troupe, after all! Even if the young man is wanting to grow up to be the troupe lawyer. With Apollo being Zak’s step-son, it’s only natural to want to impart some magic know-how! When I arrived on the scene, I simply discovered that the trick had gone a bit wrong, and it had startled Apollo. But no one was hurt, and we paid the hostel the money needed to repair the damage. But I suppose I can see how it could have been misconstrued! I have no doubt that Nayuta truly would not intentionally lie about such a thing. We simply must not have cleared the matter up after the truth was discovered. While his knowledge of our language is great for his age, it still isn’t his first language, and between me, Zak, and Magnifi, we do have some varying degrees of heaviness to our accents. I’m truly sorry we ever allowed a situation happen where Nayuta felt he or dear Apollo were ever in any danger. It was certainly not our intention.” 

Edgeworth’s eyebrows furrowed heavily throughout Valant’s testimony. He knew it. He knew they couldn’t rely on him. 

Dhurke’s body was no longer shaking, but his glare was intense. On Dhurke’s other side stood Nayuta, wide-eyed and mouth falling open at the blatant betrayal of a man he had trusted. He held his rosary tightly in his now-trembling hands. 

“Mr. Valant,” Phoenix said, “do accidents happen a lot with the troupe’s magic tricks?” 

“There is always some level of rick associated with performing magic. The more impressive the trick, the higher the risk. But with dear Apollo and little Trucy at the ages they are, we’d never teach them tricks that were overly dangerous. Those tricks are for us old folk, ha ha ha ha!” 

“And the troupe has dialed back from using particularly dangerous tricks ever since the tragic accident that took Thalassa Gramarye’s life?” Phoenix asked.

“Exactly right,” Valant said. “The Zak & Valant Quick Draw Gun Show has been retired indefinitely, and we’ve increased our safety precautions. Nayuta can even testify about all the things he helped us with to keep everything safe from backstage, if you’d like.” 

“Does Troupe Gramarye have proof of payment for the damages to the hotel room?” Edgeworth asked. “Any picture evidence to guarantee that the hostel didn’t attempt to make you pay for damages that were not directly caused by your group?” 

“That would be a question for Magnifi,” Valant said. “I am not aware of any pictures or receipts, but we left Turkey the next day. With all the packing and traveling, it’s entirely possible any receipts got lost in the wind.” 

“I have all the receipts, but there are no photographs. You cannot prove the damages were caused by any body part,” Magnifi said. 

“And you cannot prove they were not,” Edgeworth said firmly. 

“Do you really think I’d allow such a brute to marry my daughter and be near my grandchildren?” Magnifi asked. 

There ended up being no room for a rebuttal. 

Suddenly, the doors to the courtroom burst open. The stench of a landfill filled the air, causing pretty much everyone to either cover their nose and mouth or pinch their nostrils closed. 

“Oh my god!” 

“What is that - !?” 

“I found it!” Kay Faraday shouted, holding a dirty, stained book over her head. 

It had the symbol of the Defiant Dragons on the cover. 

“I found Nayuta’s journal!” 

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Thebes and King Oedipus sends Creon | Do My Homework

Question 1

There is a terrible curse that has characterized Thebes and King Oedipus sends Creon, his brother in law to seek Apollo’s advice. However, the terrible cause can only be lifted if the murder of the former King who was Laius is convicted and handed over the sentence.  The former king met his death at crossroads several years back. As a result of Creon message, the King embarks on a mission to find the killer of the former king. His intention to find the murder prompts him in subjecting citizens who are unwilling to questioning which also involved a blind prophet (Homer). The shocking news is the revelation that the murderer of the former king is king Oedipus himself.

This was according to the report of the blind prophet. As always, the kings wife objects to this message and prevails upon the king not to accept the blind prophet verdict. She terms the prophet as being wrong. The wife thinks that by reminding the King of a story will solve his worry. This leads to several assumptions as to why the curse is in the city. The King hence remembers that he had killed a man at eth crossroads and who might have been the former king, Laius.

Question 2

A Belgian legislature called for the entire fellow female citizen in Belgium to stage a sex strike. This was because she was fed up with the unending bickering of male peers to form a coalition government. The sex strike was to last until the male counterpart, who dominate the legislature, come up with an amicable solution to the stalemate (Crumley). The challenge posed by the female legislature was not to effectively resolve the impasse, but to generate a new birth to the hung parliament.

The proposal was brought up by Marleen Temmerman after bitterly fought general elections. In an aim to follow the footsteps of women in Kenya who decided to go on a sex strike to prompt their male counterpart reach an amicable solution. This is the trend that the Belgian women employed. The same can be compared with Lysistrata who planed a meeting between all the women of Greece. The aim of the meeting was to evaluate on the initiatives in ending the Peloponnesian War.

The two incidents of sex strike were characterized with the aim of resolving the deadlock in political climate. It took several months after the disputed elections in Belgium to solve the stampede, a characteristic that was being shred by Greece (Aristophanes). In both cases, the politicians failed to agree in forming a coalition government to prevent further chaos. In reaction to this, Lysistrata asked women to refuse sex with their husbands until such time that a treaty was formed for peace. The two countries had women being called in to assist in bringing the unstable situation to calm. The inspiration on both occasions was inspired by Ms. Temmerman and Lysistrata who were both women. The concept of strike involved in the two campaigns was refusal of sex with their male counterpart. I think the two sex strike went along way in resolving the disputed environment as a result of election. This means that the women had their way.

Question 3

I agree with Socrates fatal decision to stay. Socrates was sentenced to death in Athens and his friend, Crito, visited him in prison to prevail upon him to escape rather than face death. Socrates allows his friend Crito to justify as to why he wants him to escape and failing to do so, he decides to stay and face death. Crito articulates of having arranged for the escape and they do not want to be the laughing stock as having failed Socrates (Baines). Crito and his contemporaries see a failure to rescue Socrates will condemn them to shame as having failed in their friendship.

Socrates on eth other hand rejects the basis on account that what mattered the most was integrity on issues and not what people were going to say. The arguments of Socrates are well documented, depicting him as a man of values and principles. He tells his friend Crito not to be overwhelmed by others reaction but to look unto the call of justice. Crito is advised to care about a knowledgeable opinion and be a person oriented in justice and understands injustice.

Socrates has accepted to pay the price of disobedience to the government of Athens. It is therefore absurd for him to continue breaking the same laws that he broke in trying to escape. The city of Athens is seen to have betrayed the trust of Socrates and Crito is in no need to understand. Socrates decides to honor the judgment and refuses to betray the city in turn (Baines). He therefore preserves the dignity of eth city of Athens by deciding to observe the laws that have subjected him to death. He asserts that an escape will be a form of revenge for the wrong done to him.

Question 4

“But you, Achilles,

There’s not a man in the world more blest than you-

There never has been, never will be one.

Time was, when you were alive, we Argives

Honored you as a god, and now down here, I see,

You lord it over the dead in all your power.

Sp grieve no more at dying, great Achilles.”

I reassured the ghost, but he broke out, protesting,

“No winning words about death to me, shining Odysseus!

By god, I’d rather slave on earth for another man-

Some dirt-poor tenant farmer who scrapes to keep alive-

Than rule down here over all the breathless dead”

The above statement is realized when Achilles was having a conversation with Odysseus. This was when Odysseus took the long journey to the underworld. This journey is noted as a flashback. The two environments bring about a subject of amusement for the heroes. The new found settlement proves to be rich in vegetation. The strength possessed by Achilles is the major contributor to Odysseus success.

On the other hand, Achilles reckons the significance of Odyssey prowess in being alive. There is celebration of the glory won which is a result of conquering the winning battles, in the first epic (Lesser). The focal point of this success revolves around Achilles. The first perception in the other land cannot be compared with the success in the current one. Furthermore, Achilles is now dead due to his struggle to win great glory. Achilles thinks that Odysseus is not sincere and is employing double standard in talking to him. Having conquered, Odysseus is warned not to lose sight of the power he has for it might cost him the same way it did Achilles.

Work Cited

Aristophanes. Lysistrata. 1996. Nick Hern Books. London.

Baines, L. How to Get a Life, Volume 2. 2004. Humanics Publishing Group. Florida, FL.

Crumley, B. The solution to Belgium’s Government Crisis: Stop Having Sex. Time

NewsFeed. 2011. 24th April 2011.

<http://newsfeed.time.com/2011/02/09/the-solution-to-belgiums-government-crisis-stop-having-sex/>

Homer. The Odyssey. 2007. Wilder Publications. Washington.

Lesser, O.S. The whispered meanings: selected essays of Simon O. Lesser. 1977. Univ of Massachusetts Press, MA.

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