[[Scene: Apollo, Edgeworth]]
Justice: (( You... aren't a jerk like I was led to believe before! :Da ))
Edgeworth: ((:||||||||))'>Teacher: *with a rattle and a chug, an old yellow school bus comes to a stop in front of the district courthouse. It's early Monday morning, meaning that well over half of the students that shuffle off the bus are still somewhat asleep. Most of the others are restless and fidgety as they trudge up the courthouse steps to meet their teacher*
Teacher: Now class, I expect you to be on your best behavior today. Remember to watch your volume inside the courthouse, as real trials are really going on at this very moment. Take proper notes; you'll have an assignment on what you learned due next Monday. *several kids in the crowd groan*
Apollo: *stares, wide eyed and totally awake as his class is directed forward-- and truth be told, he's not paying much attention to his teacher's instructions, absorbed as he is in his surroundings.* Oh whoa... *he's mumbling, in contrast to the rest of the class*
Teacher: *opening up one of the giant wooden doors and urging the class inside, she guides them down an impressive row of portraits featuring old, bald, bearded judges* Walk briskly this way, please--and remember, stick together! *commences what promises to be an arduous lecture chock full of dates and names as she directs them towards the information office...which is in the exact opposite direction of the far more interesting hallways going further into the building*
Apollo: *it's... not exactly that he purposely ditches the rest of the class, so much as he already knows pretty much everything the teacher has to offer to lecture about and it'd be totally more beneficial to him to do some real research. On his own.* ........
Apollo: *nonchalantly slips down a separate hallway, hands stuffed into his pockets to keep from fidgeting*
Hallway: *there is a clatter of footsteps further down the hall, and then one or two voices, followed by the opening and shutting of a door--after that, there's nothing but a rather imposing silence about the area, the touring class' chatter dying away*
Apollo: Uh... *suddenly, and totally alone he loses a bit of his confidence in his plans of independent research. He grimaces, contemplating turning around even as his feet carry him down the hall, curiosity clearly getting the better of him*
Edgeworth: *unfortunately, the speedy advancement is interrupted at the next corner when an almost as briskly walking figure comes into collision with the schoolboy--there's a grunt and the unfortunate sound of a sheath of immaculate notes spilling onto the floor and scattering everywhere*
Edgeworth: *and then, towering over Apollo is a rather imposing, displeased looking prosecutor*
Apollo: *Splutters, his face going beet red in a matter of seconds.*
Apollo: U-Urk, uh, sorry- I wasn't looking-- *stoops down to hastily gather up the papers, but stills, and begins to simply staaaare at the man looming over him*
Edgeworth: *crosses his arms, tapping a finger impatiently against himself* .....Did you have some reason for running full speed down the hallway just now? *warily* Don't tell me you're dodging a bailiff.
Apollo: *makes a face* What? No- and I wasn't running- *flustered, he frowns and straightens back up with a sloppy armful of papers*
Apollo: I'm here... *it's painfully obvious he's choosing his words carefully* for a research paper.
Edgeworth: *jabs a none too polite finger at the boy* Then perhaps you should write your papers, and take more care not to dishevel mine.
Edgeworth: *bends down to retrieve what seems to be the first few pages of the great many still on the floor. When he stands back up, he studies the student in front of him, seeming a little distracted by Apollo's rather... particular hair* Hnn. You must be from that group touring the courthouse today, correct? That grade school group.
Apollo: Wha... HOLD IT.
Apollo: *He objects a tiiiiny bit louder than he had meant to- and the sound of it resonates in the otherwise silent hall*
Apollo: ... U-Uh... *chagrined,* It's a high school. Actually.
Edgeworth: *winces at the noise-he's surprised enough by the unexpected volume that he nearly drops the remaining papers he'd been retrieving from the floor*
Edgeworth: ...I see. And you've become separated from your class? *shakes his head* Here, I'll see to it that you're taken to them. *looks over his shoulder, as if expecting an individual to be there. When there isn't, he glances back to the boy* ...I'll direct you back to your class, then. *glares pointedly at the sheets in Apollo's hands*
Apollo: *If he notices, he doesn't make any move to pass the papers back* W-Well...
Apollo: *he's staring intently again, brows drawn in* Before that? I'm uh, sorry for dropping your papers, but maybe I could ask you some questions first?
Edgeworth: *raises an eyebrow-- but after a moment of consideration, he seems to relent* I'm needed in the courtroom in eight minutes; you have five, at most. *tap, tap, tap* And if you could place those sheets in a better state of order again as we talk, so much the better.
Apollo: Oh- yeah, sure-- *hurries to straighten out the papers as he speaks* I uh- I'm writing this essay on ethics and integrity behind the investigation process, and ah- *grapples with the papers while simultaneously stealing a glance at the prosecutor*
Apollo: H-Heh, I'm actually... using one of YOUR older cases as an example so... *suddenly trails off- maybe... just MAYBE drilling the man on this right in the courthouse is... not the brightest of ideas*
Edgeworth: *frowns* ..... Go on. Which case were you looking at?
Apollo: *doesn't exactly wilt under Edgeworth's frown, but he does grimace slightly*
Apollo: State vs Corbett. *pauses, frowning* March 2015? There wasn't anything really questionable in the proceedings but, after uh... *clears his throat* I guess the press was still pretty frenzied from the month before..?
Edgeworth: Corbett... *his brow furrows further as he glances to the side in thought* Ah, the double homicide. You're of course referring to the lack of a "smoking gun," as it were, in the proceedings? And the media's support for the former linebacker's innocence...
Edgeworth: *a small smile* ...as well as their usual dislike of my involvement in the proceedings.
Apollo: *nods* Yeah. Uh... well, pretty much all of that. I've read about the proceedings, and old papers up on the web, but... It seems a bit biased? *rubs the back of his neck, shifting his weight onto one foot*
Edgeworth: Certainly not an unusual occurrence. *levelly, gesturing to the papers Apollo is still holding to indicate he should sort faster* What is it you wish to hear about the situation? Do you believe I coerced Mr. Corbett's girlfriend into delivering false testimony? Or are you troubled by-how was it put-how I "fiendishly filmed fake camera feeds" of the murders?
Apollo: *shuffles the papers, speaking quickly* Where did accusations like that even spring from? Was there something that tipped the other side of the bench off into genuinely believing it was falsified, or...was it just a bunch of negative media attention? *lowers his brows*
Apollo: I just can't seem to get actual facts when I look. Just a bunch of opinions. Not even on the accused, but... uh, on you.
Edgeworth: *with a glare as intense as his words* What you're asking is if am I truly a "demon prosecutor" -and how I should have come to be known as one if the allegations are untrue.
Apollo: *blanches, and suddenly flushes a brilliant shade of red once more* ... W-Well... Yes.
Edgeworth: Hmph. *shakes his head* I know the path I've walked. The opinions of others, be they positive or negative, mean little to me. As a prosecutor, one will encounter derision from those who cannot or do not care to understand the situation. Such is the position of one who, in losing, may cause a murderer to go free-but in victory, often sends a man to his death.
Edgeworth: Opinions, gossip-they're irrelevant; the only thing important in the end is to follow the path of justice, to reveal the truth.
Apollo: ... *fixes the man with another wide-eyed stare, and it's after a few beats of silence that he seems to come to some sort of conclusion* Thanks, sir.
Apollo: *passes back the papers* I mean it. Sorry for holding you up, but thanks all the same.
Edgeworth: *takes the papers back under his arm* There's no need to apologise; you still have a minute or two left to spare. *straightens himself* ...And truth be told, I was not always as clear on this matter as I am now.
Apollo: ... You've really been keeping time? *shakes himself* Okay then, what else... Oh!
Apollo: *A grin suddenly springs onto the kid's face, and he subconsciously smoothes back his hair* You... what's it like to be in the courtroom against Phoenix Wright? *speaks in a rush* Was it intimidating? Or, wait, no, do you know what he's like outside of the courthouse?
Edgeworth: ..............
Edgeworth: *tap, tap* Mr. Wright and I are acquainted, yes--but "intimidating" is hardly the word I'd use to describe him. The phrases "phenomenally lucky," "stubborn-headed and rash" or "good intentioned but absurdly naive" are, I find, more appropriate. ...An admirer, are you?
Apollo: *he's not put off in the slightest-and he even manages a small laugh before answering* Haha, yeah, you caught me. He's pretty much one of the major reasons why I got so into law study.
Edgeworth: *rescrutinizes Apollo for a moment--as if finally taking proper note of the boy's loud, rambunctious, overenthusiastic nature for the first time* ...I see. *begins to walk, gesturing for Apollo to follow him* Mr. Wright is indeed a formidable opponent in court, and an ally in the search for the truth-I can see why you would admire him for those qualities. *turns a corner and then another; the sounds of Apollo's class finally begin to grow apparent*
Edgeworth: However... he is also clumsy, often nonsensical, and completely graceless in the courtroom. *walks through one last entranceway, where they finally meet up with the rest of Apollo's classmates-they're trudging single file into the next room*
Apollo: *still not deterred, and wisely focusing on the words of praise for his idol, Apollo flashes him one last small smirk* Uh-huh, man, that's... pretty cool. Thank you again, Mr. Edgeworth, sir.
Edgeworth: ...There's no need for thanks. *watches Apollo head off, giving himself a moment before striding into the prosecutor's lobby right next door. From there, he enters the courtroom himself-and when he makes it to the prosecutor's bench, he allows himself a smirk as he addresses the class in the stands that is to watch the day's trial*
Edgeworth: If today is your first time in the courtrooms of the law, I hope it is a good experience. Allow me to show you how a attorney properly conducts himself in court. *bows-and, to the Judge* The prosecution is ready, Your Honor.
Apollo: *sits on the edge of his seat-if he'd been excited before, it was nothing compared to how he is now* I'm going to have to re-write EVERYthing now... *grins, earning a roll of the eyes from a classmate*
Edgeworth: ((:||||||||))'>Teacher: *with a rattle and a chug, an old yellow school bus comes to a stop in front of the district courthouse. It's early Monday morning, meaning that well over half of the students that shuffle off the bus are still somewhat asleep. Most of the others are restless and fidgety as they trudge up the courthouse steps to meet their teacher*
Teacher: Now class, I expect you to be on your best behavior today. Remember to watch your volume inside the courthouse, as real trials are really going on at this very moment. Take proper notes; you'll have an assignment on what you learned due next Monday. *several kids in the crowd groan*
Apollo: *stares, wide eyed and totally awake as his class is directed forward-- and truth be told, he's not paying much attention to his teacher's instructions, absorbed as he is in his surroundings.* Oh whoa... *he's mumbling, in contrast to the rest of the class*
Teacher: *opening up one of the giant wooden doors and urging the class inside, she guides them down an impressive row of portraits featuring old, bald, bearded judges* Walk briskly this way, please--and remember, stick together! *commences what promises to be an arduous lecture chock full of dates and names as she directs them towards the information office...which is in the exact opposite direction of the far more interesting hallways going further into the building*
Apollo: *it's... not exactly that he purposely ditches the rest of the class, so much as he already knows pretty much everything the teacher has to offer to lecture about and it'd be totally more beneficial to him to do some real research. On his own.* ........
Apollo: *nonchalantly slips down a separate hallway, hands stuffed into his pockets to keep from fidgeting*
Hallway: *there is a clatter of footsteps further down the hall, and then one or two voices, followed by the opening and shutting of a door--after that, there's nothing but a rather imposing silence about the area, the touring class' chatter dying away*
Apollo: Uh... *suddenly, and totally alone he loses a bit of his confidence in his plans of independent research. He grimaces, contemplating turning around even as his feet carry him down the hall, curiosity clearly getting the better of him*
Edgeworth: *unfortunately, the speedy advancement is interrupted at the next corner when an almost as briskly walking figure comes into collision with the schoolboy--there's a grunt and the unfortunate sound of a sheath of immaculate notes spilling onto the floor and scattering everywhere*
Edgeworth: *and then, towering over Apollo is a rather imposing, displeased looking prosecutor*
Apollo: *Splutters, his face going beet red in a matter of seconds.*
Apollo: U-Urk, uh, sorry- I wasn't looking-- *stoops down to hastily gather up the papers, but stills, and begins to simply staaaare at the man looming over him*
Edgeworth: *crosses his arms, tapping a finger impatiently against himself* .....Did you have some reason for running full speed down the hallway just now? *warily* Don't tell me you're dodging a bailiff.
Apollo: *makes a face* What? No- and I wasn't running- *flustered, he frowns and straightens back up with a sloppy armful of papers*
Apollo: I'm here... *it's painfully obvious he's choosing his words carefully* for a research paper.
Edgeworth: *jabs a none too polite finger at the boy* Then perhaps you should write your papers, and take more care not to dishevel mine.
Edgeworth: *bends down to retrieve what seems to be the first few pages of the great many still on the floor. When he stands back up, he studies the student in front of him, seeming a little distracted by Apollo's rather... particular hair* Hnn. You must be from that group touring the courthouse today, correct? That grade school group.
Apollo: Wha... HOLD IT.
Apollo: *He objects a tiiiiny bit louder than he had meant to- and the sound of it resonates in the otherwise silent hall*
Apollo: ... U-Uh... *chagrined,* It's a high school. Actually.
Edgeworth: *winces at the noise-he's surprised enough by the unexpected volume that he nearly drops the remaining papers he'd been retrieving from the floor*
Edgeworth: ...I see. And you've become separated from your class? *shakes his head* Here, I'll see to it that you're taken to them. *looks over his shoulder, as if expecting an individual to be there. When there isn't, he glances back to the boy* ...I'll direct you back to your class, then. *glares pointedly at the sheets in Apollo's hands*
Apollo: *If he notices, he doesn't make any move to pass the papers back* W-Well...
Apollo: *he's staring intently again, brows drawn in* Before that? I'm uh, sorry for dropping your papers, but maybe I could ask you some questions first?
Edgeworth: *raises an eyebrow-- but after a moment of consideration, he seems to relent* I'm needed in the courtroom in eight minutes; you have five, at most. *tap, tap, tap* And if you could place those sheets in a better state of order again as we talk, so much the better.
Apollo: Oh- yeah, sure-- *hurries to straighten out the papers as he speaks* I uh- I'm writing this essay on ethics and integrity behind the investigation process, and ah- *grapples with the papers while simultaneously stealing a glance at the prosecutor*
Apollo: H-Heh, I'm actually... using one of YOUR older cases as an example so... *suddenly trails off- maybe... just MAYBE drilling the man on this right in the courthouse is... not the brightest of ideas*
Edgeworth: *frowns* ..... Go on. Which case were you looking at?
Apollo: *doesn't exactly wilt under Edgeworth's frown, but he does grimace slightly*
Apollo: State vs Corbett. *pauses, frowning* March 2015? There wasn't anything really questionable in the proceedings but, after uh... *clears his throat* I guess the press was still pretty frenzied from the month before..?
Edgeworth: Corbett... *his brow furrows further as he glances to the side in thought* Ah, the double homicide. You're of course referring to the lack of a "smoking gun," as it were, in the proceedings? And the media's support for the former linebacker's innocence...
Edgeworth: *a small smile* ...as well as their usual dislike of my involvement in the proceedings.
Apollo: *nods* Yeah. Uh... well, pretty much all of that. I've read about the proceedings, and old papers up on the web, but... It seems a bit biased? *rubs the back of his neck, shifting his weight onto one foot*
Edgeworth: Certainly not an unusual occurrence. *levelly, gesturing to the papers Apollo is still holding to indicate he should sort faster* What is it you wish to hear about the situation? Do you believe I coerced Mr. Corbett's girlfriend into delivering false testimony? Or are you troubled by-how was it put-how I "fiendishly filmed fake camera feeds" of the murders?
Apollo: *shuffles the papers, speaking quickly* Where did accusations like that even spring from? Was there something that tipped the other side of the bench off into genuinely believing it was falsified, or...was it just a bunch of negative media attention? *lowers his brows*
Apollo: I just can't seem to get actual facts when I look. Just a bunch of opinions. Not even on the accused, but... uh, on you.
Edgeworth: *with a glare as intense as his words* What you're asking is if am I truly a "demon prosecutor" -and how I should have come to be known as one if the allegations are untrue.
Apollo: *blanches, and suddenly flushes a brilliant shade of red once more* ... W-Well... Yes.
Edgeworth: Hmph. *shakes his head* I know the path I've walked. The opinions of others, be they positive or negative, mean little to me. As a prosecutor, one will encounter derision from those who cannot or do not care to understand the situation. Such is the position of one who, in losing, may cause a murderer to go free-but in victory, often sends a man to his death.
Edgeworth: Opinions, gossip-they're irrelevant; the only thing important in the end is to follow the path of justice, to reveal the truth.
Apollo: ... *fixes the man with another wide-eyed stare, and it's after a few beats of silence that he seems to come to some sort of conclusion* Thanks, sir.
Apollo: *passes back the papers* I mean it. Sorry for holding you up, but thanks all the same.
Edgeworth: *takes the papers back under his arm* There's no need to apologise; you still have a minute or two left to spare. *straightens himself* ...And truth be told, I was not always as clear on this matter as I am now.
Apollo: ... You've really been keeping time? *shakes himself* Okay then, what else... Oh!
Apollo: *A grin suddenly springs onto the kid's face, and he subconsciously smoothes back his hair* You... what's it like to be in the courtroom against Phoenix Wright? *speaks in a rush* Was it intimidating? Or, wait, no, do you know what he's like outside of the courthouse?
Edgeworth: ..............
Edgeworth: *tap, tap* Mr. Wright and I are acquainted, yes--but "intimidating" is hardly the word I'd use to describe him. The phrases "phenomenally lucky," "stubborn-headed and rash" or "good intentioned but absurdly naive" are, I find, more appropriate. ...An admirer, are you?
Apollo: *he's not put off in the slightest-and he even manages a small laugh before answering* Haha, yeah, you caught me. He's pretty much one of the major reasons why I got so into law study.
Edgeworth: *rescrutinizes Apollo for a moment--as if finally taking proper note of the boy's loud, rambunctious, overenthusiastic nature for the first time* ...I see. *begins to walk, gesturing for Apollo to follow him* Mr. Wright is indeed a formidable opponent in court, and an ally in the search for the truth-I can see why you would admire him for those qualities. *turns a corner and then another; the sounds of Apollo's class finally begin to grow apparent*
Edgeworth: However... he is also clumsy, often nonsensical, and completely graceless in the courtroom. *walks through one last entranceway, where they finally meet up with the rest of Apollo's classmates-they're trudging single file into the next room*
Apollo: *still not deterred, and wisely focusing on the words of praise for his idol, Apollo flashes him one last small smirk* Uh-huh, man, that's... pretty cool. Thank you again, Mr. Edgeworth, sir.
Edgeworth: ...There's no need for thanks. *watches Apollo head off, giving himself a moment before striding into the prosecutor's lobby right next door. From there, he enters the courtroom himself-and when he makes it to the prosecutor's bench, he allows himself a smirk as he addresses the class in the stands that is to watch the day's trial*
Edgeworth: If today is your first time in the courtrooms of the law, I hope it is a good experience. Allow me to show you how a attorney properly conducts himself in court. *bows-and, to the Judge* The prosecution is ready, Your Honor.
Apollo: *sits on the edge of his seat-if he'd been excited before, it was nothing compared to how he is now* I'm going to have to re-write EVERYthing now... *grins, earning a roll of the eyes from a classmate*