[SCENE] Maggey and Lang in: The First Dinner, or, Luckless Lady's Late Lunch
Maggey: *It's just about 5o'clock, and although the sun isn't ready to set just yet, the lights strung up around the promenade are already shining. Maggey sits at a table beside a fountain, sipping at an iced tea contentedly as she waits- dressed up in her casual bests.*
Lang: *it is no more than thirty seconds after the hour when Shi-Long Lang is on the scene, dressed as he always is: for business. The Pack seems to be sticking mostly to the background as he takes his seat across from Maggey* Afternoon, Ms. Byrde. Glad to see you could make it. *extends his hand*
Maggey: *Shakes his hand with an enthusiastic smile.* It's very nice to meet you, Mr. Lang! I hope you didn't have any trouble finding me?
Lang: None whatsoever. I never lose track once I know who I'm looking for. *sits back with a grin* Hungry? I hope you brought your appetite.
Maggey: *Straightens, clasping her hands together atop the table* Oh, yes sir! I made sure to eat as little as possible during lunch today, in fact!
Lang: *stares for a beat* ... All right then. *turns and looks over his shoulder* Bring it out, boys! *nearly a dozen members of the Pack swoop in, crowding the table while putting down two place settings and a very large number of dishes that are obscured by their bodies*
Lang: *when they move away the table is covered in food: the centerpiece seems to be strips of steak that smell very slightly of soy sauce, but there's also steamed fish, several different kinds of green vegetables, pork, duck, and in front of both eaters a large bowl of rice and chopsticks plus a fork*
Maggey: .... *Gapes openly at the spread, before aiming a very seriously worried look back to Lang.* I... I don't think I can possibly eat all of this... s-sir..!
Lang: You don't have to. Lang Zi says "Who eats more than they can, fills their belly with suffering." *reaches out for the greens and spoons some onto his rice* My men will take care of the leftovers.
Maggey: *Sits back, honestly relieved* Oh, that's a very good saying, sir. *She hesitates, looking from the chopsticks to the fork, before settling on the latter.* It all looks wonderful, sir, thank you!
Lang: *waves his hand, grinning* Please, just enjoy it. That is the best thanks you can give. Everyone talks better when they've had a bit to eat.
Maggey: *She nods, eyeing the spread once more before picking out some of the meat to put over her rice*
Maggey: This is still so generous, sir. Did you make it yourself?
Lang: I made the pork, but that's really about it. *takes a bite of his greens* Some of my men like cooking, and they liked the idea of these dinners if only because it lets them show off.
Maggey: ... Oh! *She glances around, pausing mid-bite* Please thank them as well for me afterward then, sir! *Takes her first bite, with a pleased hum*
Lang: *looks over his shoulder with a full mouth; when he sees one of his followers with enormous streams of proud tears pouring from beneath his glasses, Lang swallows his food and turns back with a sigh* I think they got the message.
Maggey: Mm? *Her eyebrows raise, not quite understanding, but she takes another happy bite regardless..!* If you don't mind me asking, sir, what made you take an interest in the courts here? I guess with your job it really isn't that strange at all, but..?
Lang: *spoons out some duck* I had a conversation with Mr. Edgeworth. He challenged certain assumptions I'd made about how the courts function, so I thought I should educate myself. Would you like some duck? *offers up a serving spoon full of the sliced meat*
Maggey: Oh..! I've never tried it before... *She admits, looking thoughtful* Please. *Extends her bowl with a nod* I'm nowhere near as knowledgeable as Mr. Edgeworth, of course, but I'll answer what I can for you, sir!
Lang: *spoons the duck into her bowl, setting the spoon back in place and returning to his rice* Lang Zi says, "Every pack has had its own hunts." You don't have to be as knowledgeable as Edgeworth, I just want to now what your experiences with the courts have been like.
Maggey: *Her smile wanes then, and she purses her lips, apparently choosing her words carefully before answering.* To be honest sir, both times have been... pretty awful. *She readies another bite, keeping it hovered above the bowl*
Maggey: The first time I ever went to trial, sir? Not a single attorney would take my case- except for Mr. Wright... A few of them actually laughed at me..!
Lang: *he has an idea of the answer to the question:* Now why would they do that?
Maggey: *A faint trace of bitterness creeps into her tone* Even though everything they had against me was circumstantial... I... didn't exactly have anything to disprove it either, sir...
Lang: *nods understandingly, going over this in his head* So you were brought in on circumstantial evidence. For... murder, I'd guess?
Maggey: *Sets her utensil down, nodding* Yes, sir. They never established any sort of motive, either, sir. He was... my boyfriend. That was it.
Lang: *nods solemnly* Sounds like a pretty rough time. Who was the prosecutor on your case? Do you remember?
Maggey: *Makes a sour face, reaching for her drink.* Mmhmm. Mr. Payne. *Sips at her drink, fighting a scowl* I never did like Mr. Payne, sir, when I was on the force! He's kind of... *grimaces, unsure* Um... eugh.
Lang: Payne, huh? *takes a long sip of water* Never heard of him. *grabs a few strips of steak with his chopsticks, taking bites of rice and steak together* So did you have any rough times with the prosecutor's office after your trial?
Maggey: I... was fired immediately after the incident, sir. *She's silent for a beat or two, back to picking at her own food* So... I guess not exactly anymore? For the time being, that was.
Lang: *doesn't seem as moved as would be polite* Fair enough. Well, at least your run-ins with the the law were over.
Maggey: *Chews slowly, glancing pointedly away* Mm... A-Actually...
Lang: *taking another bite of duck and rice* Mm-hm?
Maggey: I... was accused of murder again, a year later. *rubs at her arm* And... um... Kind of a funny story now, but... *fidgets* Originally, I was pronounced guilty thanks to a... impostor of Mr. Wright... *She seems to shrink down into her chair as she speaks, blushing slightly*
Lang: *swallows his food, sets down his chopsticks, wipes his mouth with his napkin - then stares as intensely as is possible for him to do* You were found guilty of a crime you didn't commit because you were defended by an impostor when no one noticed?
Maggey: *Meets his stare, for just a second, before she darts her eyes away again* ... He... he was very convincing, sir....! It wasn't until later that... e-even the judge... realized... *She mumbles, trailing off as she keeps her gaze averted*
Lang: *sighs, going back to his food* Falsely accused of murder twice. Such injustice! *a few feet away, a couple of his followers repeat the sentiment*
Maggey: *For a moment, she's unsure if she even heard him correctly.* I-I guess because of my luck, I'm just that kind of easy target, sir. I think that time was really the worst... and I didn't even know the victim, sir.
Maggey: *Pauses, picking her fork back up* Having one of your closest friends testify against you isn't... something I ever, ever want to go through again.
Lang: *looks up, his eyes sharp again* One of your closest friends testified against you falsely?
Maggey: It was more like the evidence was all staged, s-sir. At the time, I was... really, very hurt though. *Takes a deep breath* But, Detective Gumshoe came through for me after all, in the end...!
Lang: Ah, the detective. ...And the evidence was staged. *runs his hand over his face, chuckling* Forgive me; sometimes I laugh because a story makes me uncomfortable.
Maggey: *It's clear on her face this time that she doesn't understand, and she nods a little uneasily* O-Oh... Yes, sir. It's... really not all unlike the first time- everything was just a set-up. Again.
Lang: Do you think the prosecutors and investigators are at fault?
Maggey: *Blinks, and again, she has to think for a moment before answering* At the time, sure I thought that! It's the most horrible feeling ever, to be all alone, and no one believing a word you say, sir!
Maggey: I understand now that it wasn't personal... I just wish they'd... *frowns* Look a little harder sometimes. Instead of just finding the first unlucky person around to stick it to.
Lang: *nods* Thank you, Ms Byrde, I will keep that in mind. We can talk about something else, if you like.
Maggey: *A bit of relief washes over her face, and sure enough, her appetite perks back up with it.* Thank you, sir. I would like that very much. *As she sits back up, she offers a small smile, even* This year sir, I'm really trying hard to get the best of my bad luck. Getting it together, that's what I've been saying..!
Lang: *doesn't look over his shoulder; he knows some of his men are demonstrating their understanding of her determination in some barely-appropriate way. Still, he grins* Your luck is something you have to master, huh?
Maggey: Oh, yessir! It's been this way ever since I can remember! I guess if I wanted to be more specific, I could say that it really began when I was only six months old, and my mom thought it would be really cute to watch me try and take my first steps while playing with her high heels......
Lang: *it is no more than thirty seconds after the hour when Shi-Long Lang is on the scene, dressed as he always is: for business. The Pack seems to be sticking mostly to the background as he takes his seat across from Maggey* Afternoon, Ms. Byrde. Glad to see you could make it. *extends his hand*
Maggey: *Shakes his hand with an enthusiastic smile.* It's very nice to meet you, Mr. Lang! I hope you didn't have any trouble finding me?
Lang: None whatsoever. I never lose track once I know who I'm looking for. *sits back with a grin* Hungry? I hope you brought your appetite.
Maggey: *Straightens, clasping her hands together atop the table* Oh, yes sir! I made sure to eat as little as possible during lunch today, in fact!
Lang: *stares for a beat* ... All right then. *turns and looks over his shoulder* Bring it out, boys! *nearly a dozen members of the Pack swoop in, crowding the table while putting down two place settings and a very large number of dishes that are obscured by their bodies*
Lang: *when they move away the table is covered in food: the centerpiece seems to be strips of steak that smell very slightly of soy sauce, but there's also steamed fish, several different kinds of green vegetables, pork, duck, and in front of both eaters a large bowl of rice and chopsticks plus a fork*
Maggey: .... *Gapes openly at the spread, before aiming a very seriously worried look back to Lang.* I... I don't think I can possibly eat all of this... s-sir..!
Lang: You don't have to. Lang Zi says "Who eats more than they can, fills their belly with suffering." *reaches out for the greens and spoons some onto his rice* My men will take care of the leftovers.
Maggey: *Sits back, honestly relieved* Oh, that's a very good saying, sir. *She hesitates, looking from the chopsticks to the fork, before settling on the latter.* It all looks wonderful, sir, thank you!
Lang: *waves his hand, grinning* Please, just enjoy it. That is the best thanks you can give. Everyone talks better when they've had a bit to eat.
Maggey: *She nods, eyeing the spread once more before picking out some of the meat to put over her rice*
Maggey: This is still so generous, sir. Did you make it yourself?
Lang: I made the pork, but that's really about it. *takes a bite of his greens* Some of my men like cooking, and they liked the idea of these dinners if only because it lets them show off.
Maggey: ... Oh! *She glances around, pausing mid-bite* Please thank them as well for me afterward then, sir! *Takes her first bite, with a pleased hum*
Lang: *looks over his shoulder with a full mouth; when he sees one of his followers with enormous streams of proud tears pouring from beneath his glasses, Lang swallows his food and turns back with a sigh* I think they got the message.
Maggey: Mm? *Her eyebrows raise, not quite understanding, but she takes another happy bite regardless..!* If you don't mind me asking, sir, what made you take an interest in the courts here? I guess with your job it really isn't that strange at all, but..?
Lang: *spoons out some duck* I had a conversation with Mr. Edgeworth. He challenged certain assumptions I'd made about how the courts function, so I thought I should educate myself. Would you like some duck? *offers up a serving spoon full of the sliced meat*
Maggey: Oh..! I've never tried it before... *She admits, looking thoughtful* Please. *Extends her bowl with a nod* I'm nowhere near as knowledgeable as Mr. Edgeworth, of course, but I'll answer what I can for you, sir!
Lang: *spoons the duck into her bowl, setting the spoon back in place and returning to his rice* Lang Zi says, "Every pack has had its own hunts." You don't have to be as knowledgeable as Edgeworth, I just want to now what your experiences with the courts have been like.
Maggey: *Her smile wanes then, and she purses her lips, apparently choosing her words carefully before answering.* To be honest sir, both times have been... pretty awful. *She readies another bite, keeping it hovered above the bowl*
Maggey: The first time I ever went to trial, sir? Not a single attorney would take my case- except for Mr. Wright... A few of them actually laughed at me..!
Lang: *he has an idea of the answer to the question:* Now why would they do that?
Maggey: *A faint trace of bitterness creeps into her tone* Even though everything they had against me was circumstantial... I... didn't exactly have anything to disprove it either, sir...
Lang: *nods understandingly, going over this in his head* So you were brought in on circumstantial evidence. For... murder, I'd guess?
Maggey: *Sets her utensil down, nodding* Yes, sir. They never established any sort of motive, either, sir. He was... my boyfriend. That was it.
Lang: *nods solemnly* Sounds like a pretty rough time. Who was the prosecutor on your case? Do you remember?
Maggey: *Makes a sour face, reaching for her drink.* Mmhmm. Mr. Payne. *Sips at her drink, fighting a scowl* I never did like Mr. Payne, sir, when I was on the force! He's kind of... *grimaces, unsure* Um... eugh.
Lang: Payne, huh? *takes a long sip of water* Never heard of him. *grabs a few strips of steak with his chopsticks, taking bites of rice and steak together* So did you have any rough times with the prosecutor's office after your trial?
Maggey: I... was fired immediately after the incident, sir. *She's silent for a beat or two, back to picking at her own food* So... I guess not exactly anymore? For the time being, that was.
Lang: *doesn't seem as moved as would be polite* Fair enough. Well, at least your run-ins with the the law were over.
Maggey: *Chews slowly, glancing pointedly away* Mm... A-Actually...
Lang: *taking another bite of duck and rice* Mm-hm?
Maggey: I... was accused of murder again, a year later. *rubs at her arm* And... um... Kind of a funny story now, but... *fidgets* Originally, I was pronounced guilty thanks to a... impostor of Mr. Wright... *She seems to shrink down into her chair as she speaks, blushing slightly*
Lang: *swallows his food, sets down his chopsticks, wipes his mouth with his napkin - then stares as intensely as is possible for him to do* You were found guilty of a crime you didn't commit because you were defended by an impostor when no one noticed?
Maggey: *Meets his stare, for just a second, before she darts her eyes away again* ... He... he was very convincing, sir....! It wasn't until later that... e-even the judge... realized... *She mumbles, trailing off as she keeps her gaze averted*
Lang: *sighs, going back to his food* Falsely accused of murder twice. Such injustice! *a few feet away, a couple of his followers repeat the sentiment*
Maggey: *For a moment, she's unsure if she even heard him correctly.* I-I guess because of my luck, I'm just that kind of easy target, sir. I think that time was really the worst... and I didn't even know the victim, sir.
Maggey: *Pauses, picking her fork back up* Having one of your closest friends testify against you isn't... something I ever, ever want to go through again.
Lang: *looks up, his eyes sharp again* One of your closest friends testified against you falsely?
Maggey: It was more like the evidence was all staged, s-sir. At the time, I was... really, very hurt though. *Takes a deep breath* But, Detective Gumshoe came through for me after all, in the end...!
Lang: Ah, the detective. ...And the evidence was staged. *runs his hand over his face, chuckling* Forgive me; sometimes I laugh because a story makes me uncomfortable.
Maggey: *It's clear on her face this time that she doesn't understand, and she nods a little uneasily* O-Oh... Yes, sir. It's... really not all unlike the first time- everything was just a set-up. Again.
Lang: Do you think the prosecutors and investigators are at fault?
Maggey: *Blinks, and again, she has to think for a moment before answering* At the time, sure I thought that! It's the most horrible feeling ever, to be all alone, and no one believing a word you say, sir!
Maggey: I understand now that it wasn't personal... I just wish they'd... *frowns* Look a little harder sometimes. Instead of just finding the first unlucky person around to stick it to.
Lang: *nods* Thank you, Ms Byrde, I will keep that in mind. We can talk about something else, if you like.
Maggey: *A bit of relief washes over her face, and sure enough, her appetite perks back up with it.* Thank you, sir. I would like that very much. *As she sits back up, she offers a small smile, even* This year sir, I'm really trying hard to get the best of my bad luck. Getting it together, that's what I've been saying..!
Lang: *doesn't look over his shoulder; he knows some of his men are demonstrating their understanding of her determination in some barely-appropriate way. Still, he grins* Your luck is something you have to master, huh?
Maggey: Oh, yessir! It's been this way ever since I can remember! I guess if I wanted to be more specific, I could say that it really began when I was only six months old, and my mom thought it would be really cute to watch me try and take my first steps while playing with her high heels......