TESTING VOICE

[dadicus]

[Gregory is a calm man, and an even-tempered man, which is something he's proud of. He doesn't get too flustered by small setbacks. It's something he's learned as a defense attorney: if you panic, then you'll get distracted, and if you're distracted you won't be your best in court. And a client isn't ever to receive less than your best

Comments

[unfrilled]

[Gregory isn't alone - and he's about to find out who else has been spirited to this place. A young boy, nine years old and still clutching a book he had been reading, gets back up onto his feet and sets his sights on a man not too far ahead.

He could recognize that man anywhere; they had only known each other for nine years.

So he walks as fast as he can, breaks into a little jog, and calls him.]

Father? Father!

[dadicus]

[Gregory turns, and a tension that had been coiling within him unwinds at once. He does not like the idea of his son being in this strange, potentially dangerous situation, but he liked the thought of Miles being alone even less. He covers the distance between them in but a few steps, and then in a rare show of unrestrained emotion drops to one knee and wraps his son into a hug.]

Miles - there you are -

[unfrilled]

[Not dropping his book, Miles opens his arms and wraps them around Gregory's neck to return the embrace. The boy had been right...and with his father around, there was nothing to fear. Even though finding each other was only half the battle, it was a very good half indeed, and together, he knew they would be okay.

Miles manages to keep his composure - which is so much easier around his father.]

I was at home, but somehow, I ended up here...

[dadicus]

[The same for Miles, then...The situation is strange indeed. Nevertheless, having his son with him gives him new focus and new purpose. He squeezes Miles tighter, then releases him.]

I was at work, too. But we've come to the same place; for that, we must be grateful.

[But he must ensure that Miles stays calm...]

Shall we investigate together?

[ergo_yourmom]

Yes?

[It's been over a decade since he last saw a picture of his father. On the rare days he tries to remember him, he doesn't recall an accurate picture so much as small details: the warmth of his voice, the roughness of his hands, the odd smile that was quiet but loving.

Still. Despite the years, despite the fuzzy recall, it takes Edgeworth only a moment to realize who this figure is.

Who this figure reminds him of, he corrects himself firmly, and hopes the man doesn't notice the way his face has paled.]

How-- ah-- how may I help you?

[dadicus]

[The young man face appears deeply distressed, and the hitch in his voice confirms that. Gregory takes a step back away from him in case it was the proximity that was unsettling the fellow, half-raises his hands to demonstrate the lack of threat, and then lowers his chin in a reassuring nod.]

Forgive me if you're in a hurry. I was wondering if you might be able to answer a few questions of mine.

[ergo_yourmom]

I-- yes. Certainly.

[He clears his throat and straightens up slightly, trying to compose himself. The voice is just the same as he remembers it-- and it's certainly not impossible; others have said their dead loved ones have come here, but still--]

May I ask your name?

[dadicus]

Forgive me. I should have introduced myself at once.

[The young man seems a bit less panicked, and so, hoping to reassure him, he nods and speaks as warmly as he can. He extends his hand for the other to shake.]

Gregory Edgeworth.

[useddropkick]

[This girl has been wandering this place - whatever this place may be - for quite a while. At the sound of someone's voice, she quickly whips around. Her green eyes widen, and she is frozen for just one moment, as if scrutinizing this man who had just called her attention, like a small animal figuring out if a newcomer was predator or prey, friend or foe.

Then she recalls one of the promises she made to her father...a man who was long gone, but the promises would still remain with her. Even if she had given the book to someone else...

Slowly, her mouth moves up into a little smile that reaches her eyes.]

Yes?

[dadicus]

[He frowns just a little bit at that little girl. For a moment, she'd looked altogether frightened, and even though her smile does look genuine, he can't banish the worry that perhaps something might be wrong. So he doesn't get too close to her; instead, he takes off his hat and bows slightly.]

Miss, my name is Gregory Edgeworth. I'm going to ask you a question that will sound a little strange, so you must promise not to laugh.

[useddropkick]

Oh...okay, Mr. Edgeworth. [She does her best to keep on smiling as she bows back, and nods.]

And I'm Kay. Kay Faraday.

[Now that they were properly introduced, they were no longer strangers. Right? Besides, it was only polite to give her name too after the nice mister did.]

[dadicus]

[He smiles at her. The smile is small, restrained, but quite genuine.]

It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Faraday.

[He can't shake the worry that there's something wrong for her, and resolves to stay with her until he can ascertain for certain that it was but nervousness around a stranger.]

Now, as you said - you won't laugh. First: Do you know what city this is?

[promisecutor]

Hmm? What is it?

[There is an affable look in his eyes, but right now his expression was largely questioning, about as clueless as Gregory was.]

[dadicus]

[Gregory nods his greeting to the other man.]

Good day. My name is Gregory Edgeworth; might I request a moment of your time?

[promisecutor]

Oh -

[And Byrne stops there. Gregory Edgeworth...that name was all too familiar to the prosecutor, only because of the DL-6 case. Byrne had been quite young then, but it was a very unforgettable case, even for those not with the legal profession. Gregory Edgeworth? Was this man pulling his leg? Byrne couldn't quite recall what the attorney looked like...

Maybe it was a coincidence. Maybe the deceased had a relative with the exact same name.

Byrne quickly continues, trying to cover up that pause.]

S-sure, no problem. And I'm Byrne Faraday, prosecutor.

[dadicus]

A fellow member of the legal profession.

[That boded well. Even a novice lawyer - he would not say "poor," for though there certainly were bad lawyers in the profession they were marked more by dishonesty than anything most of his colleagues scorned - would most likely have a mind organized enough to give him direct answers.]

I'm going to be asking you questions, Mr. Faraday. Forgive me if they sound a bit strange.

[troublesmells]

[This is Larry.

This is Larry perking up from where he was busy sketching out something, and then hurrying after the guy. No way. This couldn't be right. The man was supposed to be dead, and yet...and yet he had just walked past...

Luckily, Larry doesn't drop his sketchpad as he quickly sits up (overturning his chair as he did so) and bolts toward Gregory.]

H-hey, wait up! M-Mr. Edgeworth?!

[dadicus]

[This is a surprise. He certainly didn't expect to find someone calling his name in a completely unfamiliar city. He stops, of course, and turns, watching the young man galumphing towards him.]

Indeed; I'm Gregory Edgeworth. Have...we met?

[troublesmells]

[He arrives, breathing hard - almost dramatically. Larry wipes his brow with a swipe of the back of his free hand, and stares long and hard at this man. No doubt about it, this was his best friend's father...but what was he doing here?]

'Course we have! A-are...are you really...Mr. Gregory Edgeworth? The defense attorney and Edgey's dad and all that?

[Larry was struggling to keep his composure, clearly.]

[dadicus]

"Edgey"?

[Gregory frowns in confusion.]

I've...a son named Miles...He's quite a bit younger than you, however.