Day 52: Lunch

[purpletaint]

[from here]It was a race. A fight against patience and a Song's call. Still, the sedation's dredges churned through him. Two close at hand had a potent effect--much like the night that they were left in that town, and the morning after. Rubedo had came then. Came for them like something out of place, and wasn't that so ironic afterwards--when

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[iwhipthefool]

Augh, look at this plebeian fare. Mexican food was not high on Franziska's list of things she preferred to eat. She preferred much more refined foods, something from her native country or the neighboring France. Still, this was all she was being offered so she took the horchata, a single burrito, and a salad and headed off to the tables.

There wasn't much space to be honest since she was a bit late to the cafeteria. She could see others she recognized sitting about, but had no inclination to sit with them. At least she could see that Scruffy was still around and gathering small children like usual. He and Phoenix Wright both had that peculiar skill, or perhaps it was something Scruffy had picked up from Wright. Unfortunate.

Moving through the cafeteria, Franziska still couldn't find a seat. After a few moments, she paused by a table and stood with one hand on her hip, the other balancing her tray on its palm. She scanned the cafeteria, but just couldn't find anywhere open with anyone she knew well enough to sit beside.

[Mind calling her over? I'm not sure if she'd know Gant at first glance.]

[gargantuanlaugh]

Gant had finished up a taco and started in on the second when a familiar presence made him look up. He didn't recognize many of the faces around him, and the ones he did were occupied with their own food and conversation. However, there was one patient that stood out, a young woman a table or so down the way. Maybe it was her posture that threw him, or something in her face... Either way, she piqued his interest.

After wiping his hands on a napkin (had to look presentable for the young lady, after all) Gant raised one of his large hands and waved it to get her attention. Grinning broadly, he boomed, "Yoohoo! Young miss! Would you mind sparing a minute for this old man?"

He was just trying to be open and friendly, and all he wanted was to ask her some questions. If he didn't relieve whatever it was that bugged him about her he'd be thinking on it all night!

[iwhipthefool]

Why did the people here enjoy stuffing their faces so much? It seemed they all packed into this room the minute the announcements were made. Not that they really had a choice since the nurses liked to herd them around like cat--

...

No. That was a completely illogical train of thought. Martin Landel couldn't possibly be fattening them up to feed to his monstrous pets at night. That would just be stupid. Despite her conviction, Franziska found her appetite waning ever so slightly.

Lost in such thoughts, she almost missed it when someone suddenly called out across the tables. Surely, she thought, that loud voice wasn't talking to her. No one in their right mind would call to a von Karma in such a manner. Least of all the von Karma heir.

But when Franziska inclined her head in the direction of the voice, she saw someone's gaze right on her, one large hand raised and waving to guide her over. An older gentleman, someone she had the vaguest of vague recollections of - like someone met in a dream, or when very young and too foolish to take down names, occupations and personal records of every person met.

Turning on her heel, Franziska raised an eyebrow. The seat near him was the only one open nearby and she got the feeling he'd be like Scruffy and follow her if she didn't sit. What a bother. With an internal sigh, Franziska moved over and set her tray down, eying the man cautiously. "You have a minute. Anymore and I shall move on."

[gargantuanlaugh]

Something in the back of Gant's mind continued to nag at him, telling him he was wasting his time, that she'd never come over, but he was persistent. He kept on waving, kept on smiling, and... yes! Yes, she was coming his way. Good, very good!

But of course his good luck wouldn't last forever. She had come, albeit grudgingly and now she had given him a time limit. One minute. Precisely. And for some reason, that made Gant want to poke some fun and maybe make her smile, though it wasn't likely going to happen. Her temperament, it was so familiar. So familiar!

"Just a minute isn't much, but I'll take it!" He answered at last, still grinning like a fool. Clasping his hands behind him, he turned his gaze to her and began to stare. His intimidation hadn't worked on Xemmers earlier in the day, but maybe with this girl... Oh, maybe it was unfair to turn in onto someone so young and with probably a very tender heart, but Gant wasn't a merciful man in the least. Would do her some good, feeling a little fear.

... Why was it he wanted to intimidate her, again? Hmm, she still reminded him of someone. Perhaps her reaction would tell him who.

[iwhipthefool]

What a ridiculous smile. Why had she come over here again? Today just seemed like the day she was subjecting herself to fool after fool and on a voluntary basis. Perhaps she really had gone mad after all. That was the only thing she could think of that would explain why she was standing here, waiting for some lunatic old man to confess as to why he seemed so familiar.

And suddenly the fool smile was gone and replaced with an intense, almost piercing gaze. Was he--? Was he trying to intimidate her? Her. Franziska von Karma. The terror of the prosecutor's office and every defense lawyer's (every sane defense lawyer, at least) worst nightmare? Well-- it was working a little. There was something in his eyes that almost overlapped with her father's, and at first, she was taken aback.

But then her logical mind kicked in. There was no way this man would resemble her father. Sure, he had that same coldness in his eyes now, but earlier? He'd been a crazy old fool. And now he was a crazy old fool who was wasting her time. Regaining control over herself and the situation, Franziska thrust a finger forward at the man and turned up the ice in her own glare. "I do not take kindly to those who waste my time, old man. Hurry up and speak your piece or I'll whip it out of you."

[gargantuanlaugh]

It looked like he had almost made her falter. There was a definite pause before she regained her grip, at least. But Gant felt satisfied enough. It... actually wasn't surprising she had escaped from his gaze. Something inside told him the girl would have disappointed him had she fallen to his tactic so easily. Hmmmm.

But then she said said something that just tickled him, and he threw his head back and laughed. "Ho ho ho!" He just couldn't help himself. "You've got a lot of guts little miss!" Not many people had the audacity to treat him in such a manner, even here! Well, it might have been more refreshing had he more people to test his stare on. Still, he'd take her challenge.

"I just can't help but think you remind me of someone," he continued on, grinning broadly, and then it struck him. Of course! "Actually, that's just it. You do remind me of someone, an old friend! He doesn't tolerate nonsense in the least bit. But I would think even he would have respect when talking to his elders. Good thing for him he's at an age where he's the elder." A little jab there, but if she was anything like Manny she's find some way to deflect it right back. Such a resemblance.

[iwhipthefool]

Ugh, he was still referring to her as 'little miss.' She was neither 'little' nor a 'miss' and she especially hated being called both at once. This old man with his raucous laughter and irritating habits was getting on her nerves. If he didn't shape up soon, she felt like she was going to slap him and walk off. No, she knew he was going to slap him. Hopefully she'd hit him hard enough to wipe that mocking grin right off his face.

"If an elder was worth of my respect, he would get it," she snapped back. "So far the only person who speaks any sense around here is this 'friend' of yours."

And it sounded like if he was the sort of person to be intolerant to this crazy man's ranting then perhaps she would like him, too. Unless he decided to compare her to someone, too. Franziska hated being intimidated and made fun of, but she hated being compared to anyone even more. She didn't even like being compared to her father. She would always fall short in that department and she certainly didn't need that reminder. "And for your information, von Karmas do not take well to degrading pet names. You will address me by Franziska or Prosecutor and nothing else."

[gargantuanlaugh]

Well, now that was uncalled for! But then again, she didn't know who she was dealing with, apparently.... And apparently, neither did he! von Karma, eh? Well, now that certainly explained everything. He had thought the resemblance in their attitude had been a little too uncanny.

"von Karma, you say! Well, what a coincidence!" Gant was still grinning, completely unafraid of this young girl. Like his old friend, he expected her bark to be worse than her bite. "My old friend is also called von Karma! Manfred von Karma! You wouldn't happen to know of him, by any chance?"

If anything, she was likely to be a niece or daughter. Kind of young for a daughter, in Gant's opinion, but what did he know? He'd never had any kids himself. It really did tickle him, though. She acted just like Manny, even down to her dislike of nicknames! Well, like with Manfred, that wasn't going to stop him from calling her Fran.

"But where are my manners? I'm Chief of Police, Damon Gant! Lovely to meet you, Little Fran." Now, what kind of reaction would that garner him, he wondered.

[iwhipthefool]

What a coincidence? Was this old man both ridiculous and crazy? There was no reason for there to be a coincidence unless-

Unless.

"My old friend is also called von Karma! Manfred von Karma!"

Franziska felt her heart stop and her blood run cold. Her mind, however, sped up ten times its usual speed as she ran over the list of her father's known acquaintances. She had little to go on other than the man's demeanor and his concession that he was an old friend. Before the Institute then. His appearance indicated he had to be the same age as her father which narrowed the list down, but not much. There weren't many who would be so bold as to call her father a 'friend,' however. Not many at all who would dare try and even fewer who would bother to say that to her of all people. It wasn't long until she had her answer.

"I'm Chief of Police, Damon Gant!"

The nickname escaped her as the full weight of her actions suddenly crashed down around her like a house of bricks. Chief of Police Damon Gant. No, former Chief of Police. His scandal combined with that of Former Chief Prosecutor Lana Skye had rocked the world of the law just prior to Franziska's appearance. It was after that case that her brother disappeared on her and that she had decided to chase after him and crush Phoenix Wright. There was no way she wouldn't know Damon Gant.

Now she just had to figure out what to say to him now that she knew who he was.

"...The honor is mine, Chief Damon Gant." Dammit. She was still angry at him, but he was in a higher position than her and not of the sort like the Judge who she could push around. "But I told you before, you call me Franziska or Prosecutor. I do not stand by nicknames."

[gargantuanlaugh]

He caught the initial hesitancy, as well as the underlying irritation. He had really thrown her for a loop, hadn't he? Of course, knowing he had thrown her made him smile all the more. Almost made him laugh. Almost. But he felt maybe that might be pushing it, laughing again. He knew he had to stop every now and then to let Manny have a time to breath. His daughter, he assumed, would have about the same temperament.

"You know, your father said the exact same thing when I first started calling him 'Manny,' but now he takes it in stride." More of Less. "What's wrong with being called Fran? I suppose I could call you Franziska... but then you should call me Uncle Gant!" He was joking of course. Sort of.

[iwhipthefool]

"My father and I are nothing alike," she snapped, an instinctual reaction that she almost wished she'd learned to bite back. But she hated it. She hated that this was yet another person who would constantly hold her to her father's standards, to his shadow. Even after he had...left the Prosecutor's Office and the world of law, she still had his legacy hanging over her. And here was one of his associates. One that had worked intimately with him for many, many years.

Wonderful.

Just. Wonderful.

"It is less likely that he takes it in stride and more than he knows you're going to be insufferable about it," she added, pushing her lunch away. She'd lost her appetite and the way the conversation was going, it didn't seem like it was going to be coming back anytime soon. "Fran is not my name. I will not abide by being called something so foolish."

Nor would she call him 'Uncle Gant.' He was no more her Uncle than she was the Queen of France. The look she gave him at his request said as much and she sat back in her chair, trying to regain her footing. She crossed her arms, expression frigid, as she decided to start her own questions. "How long have you been here?"