The Game [Open]

[crimson_venus]

Characters: Venus Elysia Carter, Miles Edgeworth & Ocelot Nicolai Shalashaka
Content: Two spies and one objective, let the best spy win this little game of cat and mouse...
Setting: The streets of Melior
Time: Early evening/sunset
Warnings: PG-13

Comments

[crimson_venus]

A pleasant smile that hid all of the gruesome and sinister thoughts appeared upon her lovely face as she hastily followed after Edgeworth. "Thank you so much, Mr. Edgeworth..." Elysia spoke trying to hide the slight laugh she almost choked out. She couldn't believe this was actually happening. To think that the object of all her dislike for this miserable country and it's stinky politics is right here in the flesh, made Venus take a moment to ponder her next move. Of course, she could easily kill him especially since he gave his back to her but something told her not to act too brash just yet.

So far, Edgeworth didn't seem as if he suspected her to be anything else besides a sweet little blond with amazing assets. She knew that General Wisemen would disapprove of her murdering the First Mate of the Victoria II. That would blow her cover and the last thing Venus needs is to be stuck behind bars in a federal penitentiary.

Or worst off, killed.

"Mr. Edgeworth?" For the sake of conversation, why not start with by speaking about the events that just happened a few days ago in Melior. "Where you here when the spiders attacked...?"

[but_inevitable]

It was fairly interesting, what one could find while on a casual walk. It was even more interesting what one could find when on a casual walk to the Victoria II to... observe it.

Of course, the fact that Ocelot was now tracking-Elysia, was it?-and the first mate of the Victoria II put a stop to any observing Ocelot might've done, but this... this was an opportunity.

At the moment, he was in a convenient alleyway adjusting the hood of a coat he'd procured for the occasion-after all, it wouldn't do to have someone on his ship seeing him doing something fairly shady and recognizing him. He kept an eye on Elysia and Edgeworth, planning to exit at the most opportune moment.

[edge_of_honor]

Unfortunately, Edgeworth was cursed with a one track mind. Ocelot's appearance escaped his notice, while he focused on the quickest, safe way to escort the lady through the city. He slowed enough to let Elysia catch up, and he walked with her by his side, oblivious to the other spy behind them.

"Unfortunately, yes." Edgeworth couldn't hide the irritation from his voice, and the muscles in his face tensed. "However, that mess is behind us now."

[crimson_venus]

"Oh?" Elysia watched Edgeworth's face for a moment noticing how quickly the other tensed up when she mentioned the spiders. She did her best to hide the smirk that wanted to form upon her lips, grinning mentally to herself as she thought of the many reasons why the First Mate is particularly sore about this current topic. Judging by the article written within 'The Melior Citizen', the Ivonian government wasn't very pleased in how the military responded during the invasion. Not to mention how quickly the press seem to pin blame on that rogue ship, the Silvana, for the debacle that took place.

"Must have been frightening, mister." She replied with a fake frown as she walked along with him almost thankful he slowed down a bit. Elysia wished she would have worn some more comfortable walking shoes if she knew she was going to be parading about through Melior tonight. She didn't mind some agony in the sake of fashion but this was getting ridiculous!

"I couldn't imagine what my uncle went through! The old man almost had a heart attack when the little critters came into town. I rushed all the over here as quickly as possible to see if he and auntie are okay." Yet another lie from her to help ease the conversation.

"Do you have any family in town, Mr. Edgeworth?"

[but_inevitable]

Ocelot waited for a moment to make his appearance seem a bit less suspicious-if they were farther away when he slipped out of the alleyway, it'd be easier to make it seem as though he was simply walking in the same direction as them.

Granted, he could probably make things work to his advantage even if they did notice him. After making sure they were a reasonable distance away (but still in earshot,) Ocelot turned out of the alleyway.

[edge_of_honor]

"None," he replied. While this wasn't exactly a lie, the truth was complicated. Any actual family Edgeworth had was buried twelve feet underground, and as for the von Karmas, he wasn't going to bring them up unless it was necessary. He supposed he could say that he was traveling with family (while Manfred had always been more of a teacher than a parent, Franziska was more or less the sister-he-never-wanted), but then she'd ask questions about them, and then she'd ask questions about the ship, and then she'd ask questions about the military and nepotism and isn't it a bit strange that you're serving with the both of them? It was a headache.

Well, this called for a bit of misdirection. As long as the focus was on her family, he would be alright. Edgeworth turned his head to look at her, but he froze as he caught a sign of movement out of the corner of his eye. It took him a second to realize just what he caught a glimpse of: another man, walking down the streets. That in itself was not unusual, but it was still best not to dawdle.

Now relaxed, Edgeworth cleared his throat, and continued to walk. "As for your family," he started, "they should be fine. If they were in any serious trouble, the government would have provided aid by now."

[crimson_venus]

Judging by the expression that flickered across Edgeworth's face, Elysia could tell that she touched a nerve during this topic of 'family'. The spy suspected that he wouldn't refer to Admiral von Karma and his prissy daughter as family but she was a little annoyed at how Edgeworth managed to shift the conversation back to her. If she weren't such a clever woman or this little lie here would have fallen apart by now. Luckily, for Elysia, she has a great memory and an even better imagination.

"Oh? I am glad..." Elysia replied with a soft sigh as if she was relieved to hear about the government helping the citizens in Melior.
"My uncle and his family are all that I left. My folks died while I was young, my father died in the military while mom..." She trailed off on purpose to give that added sense of heartache to this little sob story she is creating.

"Well, let's just say that my mom was never the same after that."

[but_inevitable]

Ocelot paused and turned to a storefront, to give the impression that he was shopping rather than stalking the duo- after what could be seen as a cursory examination of the wares in the window, he shook his head and continued, making sure he could listen in. After all, while the conversation probably wasn't important, he could keep it in mind in case anything Elysia said later contradicted it.

There was certainly something bothering him. Elysia did seem like a normal reporter, but really, appearances meant nothing. The way she'd been looking at the Victoria II didn't really help her case, either...

[edge_of_honor]

Edgeworth didn't bother to look back at the stranger behind him, and would have forgotten all about the man if not for the hairs on the back of his neck. Perhaps he was merely being foolish, but he still felt on edge. Then again, he thought to himself, when wasn't he?

He tried to shove these thoughts aside, and focused on Elysia's story. Unlike other men, he wasn't overcome by some trite sense of sympathy; she wasn't the only orphan with a sad story, and Edgeworth had enough respect not to pity her. However, he still felt a sense of understanding. If her uncle and aunt were the only ones she had left ...well, he could relate to her concern.

"I'm sorry to hear that," he said, while his subconscious urged him to walk faster. "What time did they expect you at the store? I'd hate for you to arrive late."

[crimson_venus]

"I'm already late..." Elysia replied with a deep sigh as she tried her best to keep up with Edgeworth now, nearly prancing in those high-heel shoes. Considering that she recognized the face of the individual tailing them, a foul scowl did appear on her face for just a second before she replaced it with one of mock fear.

If Nicolai thinks he is going to ruin this chance of a lifetime meeting for her, then he certainly has another thing coming. The mock-reporter wasn’t about to have this whole event come crashing down because of this curious jungle rat that followed her out here in the streets. Therefore, in a effect to ditch the pest, Elysia decided perhaps now would be the best time to try and lose this idiot before he gets any closer to them.

“Um…” The blond began to act upon cue as she glanced over her shoulder for a second to pin a glare on Shalashaska. “I think that’s the guy who followed me around earlier…” Elysia whispered shakily to Edgeworth.

“I-I don’t know him but he was wandering around the docks earlier…”

[but_inevitable]

Son of a bitch. He must've hit a bad patch of light or something, but Elysia had recognized him.

This was so goddamned annoying. He turned to another storefront, carefully watching the two of them out of the corner of his eye to see what they'd do next.

[edge_of_honor]

Man? What man? The first mate furrowed his brow, until it hit him - it must have been the stranger he saw a moment ago. Edgeworth nearly snarled in rage (towards the stranger and himself), and he clenched his hands into fists. He did not look back, nor did he quicken his pace again. Instead, he merely walked along as he did earlier. Fingernails dug into the skin of his palm, and he turned to look at Elysia to ask for an explanation...only to realize that he was practically glaring at her now. Edgeworth blinked, and relaxed his hands as he softened the look on his face.

"You don't worry about him now," he said quietly. "But if you don't mind telling me ... when did he start following you?" Edgeworth doubted that this man would be foolish enough to make a move if they stayed out in the open. However, he still felt grateful for the taser in his coat pocket. It was quite possibly the most practical Lunasa present he had ever received.

[crimson_venus]

Noticing the glare, Elysia did lurch away from Edgeworth at first but once his face softened a bit this mild-mannered reporter calmed down. Despite the worried and confused look upon her face now, the heartless assassin was laughing in pure glee now. This was too much, too humorous! Who would have guessed that her plan to ditch that brat would get such concern from that frigid commander? If everything goes as she plans, Venus plans on buying herself a drink once she reaches the ship again. Although, she figured that later on she would have to deal with that Nicolai fellow and demand a reason as to 'why' he was tailing her.

Something about that young explorer did not sit well with Venus…

“I-I ran into him in town by accident…” The worried blond began, glancing over her shoulders a few times as she inched closer to Edgeworth. “I asked him for directions but he was more interested in my…well…” She subconscious clutched the front of her blouse with her hands while a little blush crept upon her cheeks. “Today was a very bad day but it went from bad to just worse once I got here but…I should have been more careful.” A deep sigh escaped her frowning lips.

[but_inevitable]

...what.

What.

Of all the possible stories she could have come up with... it was almost enough to put Ocelot off of continuing his pursuit. But... an ocelot never lets its prey escape.

He sidestepped into the nearest alleyway, hoping he could double around to where they'd... approximately be next.

[edge_of_honor]

Despite his usual requirements for personal space, Edgeworth allowed her to move closer as he listened to her story. By the time she was finished, the frown reappeared on his face, and he continued to glower as he spared a glance behind them. The cad was gone for now, but he could hardly allow her to wander off by herself after that incident. Who knew what could happen if he reappeared while she was alone? No, that simply would not do.

"It's too late now," he said quietly, "but do you know anybody on the ship you came in on? If you do any more traveling, it might be prudent to take an acquaintance with you...at least, until this pest is driven off for good."

[crimson_venus]

"Y-yes, I know of a few friends here and there..." Elysia replied as she glanced over her shoulder to check if that fop was following her. Luckily for her, the little rat managed to sneak off somewhere else but she had a funny feeling that he wasn't going to be gone for long. The reporter definitely plans on speaking to Nicolai about this when she returns to the ship. She barely knew the young man and he was already getting on her 'bad' side.

'If he keeps interfering, I am going to snap his neck...' Venus thought quietly to herself as she gazed up at Edgeworth. "Oh!" She glanced away from him once she notified a familiar landmark nearby, the grand sparkling fountain that sits right in the center of the shopping district. She knew the Lucario's bookstore wasn't too far away, probably just down one more avenue before they reach it. Elysia must find a way to ensnare Edgeworth before the two of them make it to the shop...

"Its not too far away, I think!" She cheered happily while seeming so grateful for the young gentleman who guided her from the docks. "I remember this fountain being here, I think my Uncle's bookstore us just up ahead." Elysia's smile grew just a little.

"God knows what could have happened...ah, but we are close by."