Day 43: Sun Room, 4th Shift
The late-afternoon sun filled the large, open Sun Room. It was almost enough to make you sleepy, Euphemia thought, as she walked in, brushing a little glitter off her shirt. She didn't particularly feel like she was up to much - the worrying about everyone had drained her, as much as she'd tried not to think too much about it
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That time to think in private had also done Miles a world of good. It was something that came in short supply here, considering all of the tasks he generally had on his plate at any given time. The organizational time alone was enough to make him feel as if the time hadn't been a waste, but that combined with time to simply think with no interruptions was even better.
He stepped out of the Music Room, scanning for familiar faces, and his eyes landed on one in particular - one he wanted to speak to without her father's influence. It seemed that now was as good a time as any to do so, and he strolled over and took the seat opposite Franziska. "You'll want titanium dioxide to go with that starch powder, if you're using that recipe," he said, nodding once. "Chalk might be easier to find."
Edgeworth settled back, scanning his own notes for a moment. "I had a rather interesting conversation this morning that might be relevant to your interests," he said, after a moment. "The conversation was with one of the gentlemen on the list I gave you."
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Starch powder and-- titanium dioxide. Not just anyone would dare to slip into the seat opposite of her without asking, and fewer would know what she had meant simply by the mention of starch powder. And there was only one person who had that voice. Franziska straightened and raised her eyes from the pages of her notebook only briefly to acknowledge his presence before glancing back down to silently note that chalk from the Arts and Crafts room was a viable substitute. "Easier to find, but I wish to avoid issues with the surface I am hoping to print."
With that, she snapped her journal closed and regarded the man across from her cooly. It was strange to see him in the light like this. The grey uniform didn't suit him, even if it did somewhat match his hair. And the disconnect between the outfit she saw now and the suit she'd seen her first night here only served to remind her of how trapped she was - how trapped they all were. "Is that so? I also had an interesting conversation with a man on the list you provided." One that at first seemed to have no value to the case at all, and then ended up giving the most important testimony so far. Perhaps that was what Miles had wanted and he had known what would come out of Inspector Javert's mouth. Franziska wouldn't put it past him, even if she begrudgingly owed him for it. "And? Who was it and what might this person have said that could interest me?"
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He couldn't help chuckling just a bit at that question. "Your father's former roommate, and a trusted colleague of mine here - M. Javert. I must admit, I was a bit surprised when I spoke to him this morning. Very few people would be so candid as to admit what happened. I appreciate that frankness. Indeed, it's a quality more people could stand to exhibit."
Edgeworth paused for just a moment, closing his notebook and folding his left arm across his chest. "The question, really, is why your father would choose to use a false name, rather than his real one, even going so far as to conceal his identity from his own roommate. That surprises me far more than his efforts to collect information about me, and about the 'sleep study' that I underwent. I would think it a blow to his pride to use an alias."
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Which she could. ...somehow.
And if not, the chalk would have to do. She would never in a million years tell him that she used his suggestion, though. Never.
But thoughts on fingerprint powder ground to a halt when Miles had to bring him up. A trusted colleague? And yes, her father's former roommate. It had been odd to her as well that Manfred von Karma would have used an alias with him, but she was certain he had his reasons. A good one, too. Franziska folded her arms and hummed in disapproval, taking in this new information about her father's activities. Why investigate Miles Edgeworth? "I am certain he had a reason. He would not abandon the von Karma name, unlike some people." Low blow, yes, but Franziska would always be a bit sore about that and-- Wait. Sleep study? She opened her eyes and looked at Miles a little closer. He didn't seem to be changed in any way, but the mere fact that her father was digging for information on it meant that this 'study' was important. And what information? She hadn't heard about this. "What happened to you and what was he looking for?"
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The shift in topic wasn't unexpected, but regardless, the voice echoed faintly, and he tensed just a bit before beginning to speak. "You won't find many here who are willing to speak about the 'sleep studies'. The events are usually highly traumatic for the ones that undergo them. It's that trauma that causes people to remain silent, rather than speak of them. As such, those of us that are willing to speak tend to eventually meet. In fact, a few of us are investigating the methods used in the studies, for two reasons: to eventually reverse the effects, if possible, and to collect evidence against those responsible. It was in that spirit that I shared the information with M. Javert."
A moment's pause, and if there was any trepidation, Edgeworth pushed it back down a moment later. "I can only guess that the reason your father asked about it was to find out about any weaknesses that I might have. It was in good faith that the information was shared." Another moment's pause, then; he looked out for any nurses and then lowered his voice accordingly.
"I've been calling them 'sleep studies', but their true name is CM-US Experimental Trials," he continued. "In my particular case, the 'experiment' was an effort to replicate the ability that runs through the Fey family. It was...unsuccessful, but it left me with a permanent reminder. It's this reminder that was the weakness that left me unable to do anything during the attack. It manifests itself in a number of ways, but the most jarring is the pain it causes, particularly when in a dangerous situation."
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Besides, the more important conversation was at hand. Whoever harmed her brother? Would pay. She would make sure of it, if it meant tracking the person down herself and giving them a taste of von Karma justice until they were begging for the electric chair. She liked to pretend it was because she wanted her victory over him to be the only mark of shame he possessed, but she knew it was more because, well, he was her brother. And she was rather short on family she actually liked enough to continue relations with (her sister was exempt - they rarely met anyway).
The CM-US Experimental Trials. Franziska noted this name in her mind, but kept it from her notebook. The way Miles was lowering his voice, it was evident that this information was both secret and volatile. But more importantly, why replicate the Fey ability? And in a male? Since it was unsuccessful, it was possible they'd try taking a woman next to perform the same experiment on her. But why? Was it related to the 'federal sponsorship' this place was under? Or even to Martin Landel's absence? "It seems to be quite the weakness indeed," she said, her grip tightening a little on her pen as she recalled Phoenix Wright's testimony. He was on the ground - it must have been from the pain of the attack coupled with the pain of the consequences of the failed experiment. Just what has happened to you since you left my sight, Miles? "And? How far are you to uncovering a way to reverse it?" Franziska paused for a moment and then added, a little quieter than before, "And who else is investigating this? I want in."
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He pushed any nostalgia to the back of his mind once he heard the quieter, but no less forceful questions. He had expected them to be a bit louder, and that in and of itself was a relief. "One might call it a fatal weakness," he said, a hint of dry sarcasm in the statement. "I suspect that your father's interest in it only grew once he found that the experiment also..."
Miles swallowed against the sudden dry feeling in his throat, but didn't show any other outward discomfort. "As I've said before, it was an attempt to replicate the Fey ability. It turned rather more personal once I realized that the effort to replicate it involved my father. It reacts most strongly to your father."
Enough of the talk about what the experiment had entailed. This next part of the conversation was the hardest part. He attempted to remain composed, but a flicker of something unsure flashed in his eyes for a brief moment before he was able to speak again. "Due to the lack of suitable laboratory equipment and lack of physical evidence the experiment doctors leave behind, it's still in the earliest stages. Our biggest breakthrough so far was three nights ago. One of the experimenters left physical evidence in the form of needles used in one of the experiments. They're being analyzed as best as we can under the circumstances. As for the experimental team, while others are involved, M. Javert, Phoenix Wright, and I are all on the case."
Miles sat back in his seat for a moment, thinking. Yes, on the one hand, they could use another set of talented brains on the investigation squad. On the other...
"I'll agree on one condition. Any information you uncover in the process cannot, in any way, be shared with your father."
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