of dead ash and regrowth

[bluffing_ruffle]

-One pale hand brushes gently over a stemful of soft purple heather-flowers; he is careful not to bruise or break the plants as he touches them. Instead, their color slowly brightens from a faded, dull shade to something vibrant and fully alive--he smiles softly at the change, but when his fingertips leave them, they return to their normal state

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[feeniehearts]

[ The X on the door is hardly going to stop him when he knows that there is only one person in the dressing room that has put that symbol on any of the doors here. However, he does hesitate at the door, fidgeting slightly as he tests the door, hoping that it isn't locked. His shoulders relax when the door swings inward and he steps into what appears to be the remains of a massive series of hedges.

There is nothing about this room that he remembers so this obviously isn't the nightmare room and that at least makes him relax slightly, though his hand moves defensively to his chest. Closing the door behind him, he walks carefully in the room, not all certain he'll find who he's looking for. ]

[bluffing_ruffle]

-The trellis is not far from the entrance; he hears the door open and close and footsteps of a familiar sound crunching softly on the ground as they move down the path. Cursing quietly for not having locked the door after all (he knew someone would come in, knew it), he stands and walks round the corner in the direction of the approaching noises.-

(Apparently, I have underestimated the capability for idiocy of--)

--Phoenix?

-He stops cold, looking at his friend, not sure whether to listen to the part of him that says let him stay or the bit screaming out out throw him out.-

[feeniehearts]

[ The responding footsteps make it quite obvious that he's found Miles and he stops just as the other man rounds the corner, scratching at the back of his head at the expression on Miles' face. He wasn't going to let himself be kicked out, but Miles looked half ready to throw him out. Releasing a sigh, he takes a few steps closer to him, waiting for him to say something. ]

[bluffing_ruffle]

-In a way that is most unhelpful to ending the quiet between them, he remains waiting for Phoenix to say something, and fidgets uncomfortably. He's not had a visitor to the room since its first incarnation and he is unsure of whether or not it will react badly to the other man's presence--but then, it had seemed to behave well enough towards certain people at the time.-

-Edgeworth is still not entirely positive that he wants to risk it, but for now, he doesn't have a choice in the matter--Phoenix in any form is stubborn, and this one especially. If the man doesn't want to leave, he more than likely won't.-

-A vine trailed across the ground rustles slightly, and Edgeworth tries very carefully to keep his own thoughts in line lest the room really start reacting to them.-

Why are you here?

[feeniehearts]

[ The sound of the vines makes him jump and he takes a few steps away from the vines, looking at them worriedly. He's all too aware how some of these rooms can act and anything moving on its own is not to be trusted.

Shoving his hands into the pockets of his jeans, he fixes his footing and straightens, looking at Miles before shrugging. ]

You disappeared. I thought you'd left so I went to see if maybe I could find you. I was...there's no one else I want to talk to.

[bluffing_ruffle]

-He frowns as Phoenix moves away from the vine, but can't say that he blames the man (or would blame anyone, given the history here). It's quickly replaced by a more neutral expression as he straightens up and folds his arms over his chest.-

Sometimes the reason people 'disappear' is simply because they do not wish to be found.

-He's aware that, in a sense, this is a strange little repeat of the Note he intended to write in his own world, and that this Phoenix will probably have to deal with when returning to his. Perhaps it will serve as a lesson? In any case, it comforts him to now know that his friend might possibly go hunting after his Edgeworth should it happen.-

-There is nothing in his tone of voice to suggest that he is angry at having been discovered.-

[feeniehearts]

And sometimes people 'disappear' to see who cares enough to find them.

[ It's a bold statement and he's all too aware of it, snapping his mouth closed almost immediately after he says it, looking sheepish and apologetic, rubbing his arm and then the back of his neck. He hadn't really intended to start the conversation on the wrong foot and even if he did sort of think that was true, he didn't want to get into a fight about it. ]

[bluffing_ruffle]

-He's taken aback by the words, and steps backwards a pace before catching himself. He's forgotten how bold this particular Wright could be at times and--well, the man has a point, doesn't he?-

-Edgeworth considers reaching a hand out to make Phoenix stop fidgeting, but decides it's probably best he doesn't; reminds himself that even if Phoenix... 'cares' enough to go looking for him, it is to be as a friend, as was long decided. He must keep his hands to himself, lest something happen, and to make sure it stays that way he puts them into his trouser pockets. A bit impolite to talk with them there, perhaps, but safest all around.-

-With a wry smile, he asks:-

Did you have a plan beyond finding me, or had you not thought that far in advance yet?

[feeniehearts]

[ Dropping his hand back to his side, Phoenix's eyes narrow at the jibe, but he's used to this sort of behavior. The tension seems less oppressive between them and he takes a breath, looking embarrassed. The smile he offers in return is sheepish. ]

Ah...I hadn't planned that far.

[bluffing_ruffle]

[Edgeworth shakes his head in exasperation, but he doesn't seem truly irritated at the admission. If anything, he's... mildly amused.]

Of course.

[He inclines his head to the side for a second and then begins to walk, as a signal for Phoenix to follow along with him, intending to show his friend one of the things he'd worked on during his hideaway time.]

Come.

[feeniehearts]

[ Phoenix catches the amusement just before Miles moves to walk away. Tucking his hands into his pockets, he follows after him quickly, keeping far enough away from him to avoid grabbing his arm for attention, but staying close enough to be visible out of the corner of Miles' eye. ]

What is this place, Miles?

[bluffing_ruffle]

-Edgeworth glances at Phoenix from the side, almost content to see the other walking along with him, and rolls some words around in his head before giving them actual life. When he does, they're slow and a little halting, as though it wasn't easy to say what he's trying to.-

During the earlier part of my stay here I... created a room.

-His shoulders tense visibly; he stops looking at Phoenix, instead staring at the path they're walking on.-

Not purposely. A simple accident; that's all it was.

-Edgeworth listens to the ground crunching lightly beneath his shoes as he talks and frowns.-

I am sure you know of this place's tendency to react to your inner thoughts. Mine were... unpleasant, to put it mildly. More than a few people were hurt here.

-He stops, turning away from his friend and staring at a bush that had started to wilt; a touch and a thought are all that's required to bring it back to life. He almost smiles.-

-Almost.-

I have been attempting to make up for my sins, as it were.

[feeniehearts]

[ The idea of Miles being the one behind a room that would hurt anyone isn't surprising, but he can't help but want to deny it. He bite his tongue to keep from saying anything like that, knowing well enough that it isn't what Miles would want to hear. Nor is it the truth. His right hand comes up to his chest, over the invisible scar just above his heart.

Looking out over the intricate designs of the plants growing in the room, he finally realizes what it is. A maze. He nods minutely in understanding, reaching out to touch him arm, hand stopping just short of Miles' sleeve as he catches himself.

Dropping his hand awkwardly to his side, he covers his fumble with a few hurried words. ]

It looks nice.

[bluffing_ruffle]

-Miles continues to walk, but movement snares his attention; he looks back too late to notice Phoenix touching his own chest in that way the other man did whenever something was bothering or hurting him, but does catch a glimpse of the hand reaching out for his as he's turning away again.-

-For one single, fleeting moment, he finds himself hoping the hand will grab his; that for just a little while he'll have the company of something besides a ficus. But it doesn't, and the foliage around him fades ever so slightly as his mood drops.-

-He frowns and concentrates instead on the compliment he is paid, and the color returns to the little knee-high hedges.-

Thank you.

-He does not, however, notice the thinly-leafed vine that is tentatively stretching upwards from the ground; it snakes around Phoenix's hand and up his wrist, stopping at the elbow before breaking away from the main hedge and clinging gently to the man's arm.-

[feeniehearts]

[ He smiles faintly at the gratitude, watching the color return to the plants closest to them, thankful for that at least, and realizing that the place is reacting to everything that Miles does, including his mood

[bluffing_ruffle]

-Edgeworth has no idea what has happened; having come to his favorite tree stump (if you can call it that--if you'd asked, he'd tell you that it is simply less uncomfortable than the other ones), he'd sat down, and completely missed Phoenix's reaction.-

-When he turns back to acknowledge the comment, he notices that Phoenix's sleeves are unrolled, and frowns ever so lightly--perhaps it was too cold in here? He was a bit of a polar bear when it came to temperature, after all--but the gratitude paid him erases the expression and replaces it with a faint smile.-

...You're welcome.