032 [prose; private audio; action]

[cheapblusuits]

 [ooc; O-OKAY SO UM! A couple of things!

One, apologizes for the spam; the holidays just haaave to coincide with Phoenix and Edgeworth‘s DAY OF EMO, so…o-orz. I‘ll backtag as best I can!

Secondly, the beginning prose is a totally optional read! It‘s pretty much just Phoenix TL;DR emoting about stuff he is seriously overreacting to because he is a

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[Audio; locked]

[miniworth]

[He wasn't actually expecting the call. With his bandaged fingers (well, not that they hadn't always been bandaged for the past three weeks), he fumbles to pick up--]

O-ow my finger--

....Phoenix?

I'm... I'm going back to the hotel--

[Audio; locked]

[cheapblusuits]

[...well, that sounded a bit...worrying.]

Wh--is something wrong?

[Well, DUH. But he means...the 'ow.']

Er, so am I, actually -- um.

[There's a pause. What are you supposed to say someone who's just experienced the first anniversary of his father's death when, in your time, he's been dead for sixteen years?]

...do you want to get some hot chocolate?

[Because sweet, chocolately things are the answer to everything!]

[Audio; locked]

[miniworth]

No-- it's nothing. O-ow Pip don't move around so mu-- ow.

[There's a small pause, the quiet punctuated by Pip's soft whining before Miles speaks again.]

Um.... hot chocolate? [He's already had some with Ken earlier..]

I was actually thinking that I should go get Pip some dinner...

[Audio; locked]

[cheapblusuits]

I-it doesn't really sound like nothing. [Miles, don't make Phoenix worry when he's already depressfailing all over the places.

and DAMMIT KEN WHY U DO DIS. Oh, well, Phoenix will take what he can get.]

Oh, er...

...do you want me to come with you?

[Miles, this might just be the most awkward you'll ever see Phoenix act around you ever. Feel free to either be off-put or touched by this.]

[shellderkillder]

[Shelly, too, is taking a walk around Goldenrod, alone. He has no idea if Phoenix is near, nor is he too concerned with that; he only wants to clear his head.

As if Christmas wasn't enough - was he complaining about it? He wasn't even sure -, this situation with... Miles made him uneasy. He can't help but think that he's delved too deep into something that should be none of his business - no, something he should not even care about. He wanted a successor and Miles Edgeworth would obviously not be one. It should have ended there.

But it didn't, and now that little voice in the back of his head - "Do not get involved" - was even louder than it had been for the past months.]

[cheapblusuits]

[For his part, Phoenix isn't exactly noticing anyone unless they notice him. So, well, he might have just passed you by, Shelly -- but being too absorbed in his own thoughts, he doesn't notice who you are, or that he's even passed you in the first place.]

[shellderkillder]

[Shelly notices the spiky head passing by him before actually processing what this means - and when he does, he stops.

He should have walked away the moment that little girl told them everything. Combining amiableness with a façade is much easier than trying to conciliate who he IS with who he pretended to be-- who his group wished he could be-- who he let himself be.

He's going after Wright with all the innocent intent of an old man and all the silence and determination of an assassin.]

[cheapblusuits]

[And guess who's still totally unaware of your presense, Shelly?

Tag along after him enough and you'll see him stop by a bench and pull out his Pokégear, thumbing in Edgeworth's number and beginning their call. You might even catch a bit of their conversation.

Until, of course, he hangs up -- and, with a sigh and a shake of the shoulders, he sets off again; but this time, there's purpose in his steps. He's not just wandering around anymore.]

[action] Suddenly, part three of the trio.

[itsthebutz]

[Out of nowhere, a hand slaps Phoenix on the back. Not hard, more like a friendly greeting.]

... Hey Nick.

[The words are said gently, knowingly.

It did take Larry a while to realize what happened on this day, because he was always horrible with dates, but even he couldn't completely forget this day. He hadn't forgotten the caring Gregory Edgeworth, and all the times he had hung out at Miles's house with Phoenix. He could never forget when Miles suddenly disappeared from their lives and did not show up again for years. But for the Miles here, things were different.

He would be just as down as his friends but...someone had to stay in high spirits for them. Hell, Larry was probably not someone Phoenix or Miles wanted around right now given his nature, but he was going to talk to them anyway. Phoenix was the one he happened to run into first.]

[action] THE THREE MUSKATEERS UNITE. ♥

[cheapblusuits]

[He turns around at both the pat on his shoulder and the voice, which he instantly recognizes as his ol' buddy Larry's.

His eyes widen with shock, though -- he had no idea Larry was even in the city yet.]

Wh--Larry?

[...and, well. In all honesty? He doesn't mind seeing you at all.

In fact, he's rather pleased. After all, Larry knew Gregory Edgeworth, too. So, Larry, here, have a sad -- but sincere -- smile.] Uh...h-hey.

[action] Awww yeah.

[itsthebutz]

[Larry's just a ninja like that.

He grins, jokingly adding,] In the flesh! Didn't think you could keep me away forever, didja?

[But he quickly sobers up after that, because today was supposed to be serious. He fixes his gaze toward the sky.]

Surprised Edgey's not around. Guess he had his own things to think about, huh? [He goes silent for a brief few seconds.] Been a long eighteen years... [Then he goes silent again. Man, had it really been eighteen years? He should be twenty-six by now.]

[action] TRIO ICONS. ♥

[cheapblusuits]

[And, here, a bit of a grin.] If I can't get away from you in twenty-five years...how was Azalea?

[Don't worry, he's joking. Mostly. And getting him to joke when he's in this mood is pretty remarkable, Larry! Nicely done.

He returns to his earlier solemn attitude rather quickly, though.] Yeah, he...he wasn't around when I woke up this morning. I guess he's just gone off by himself. I'll give him a call later.

Eighte-- [And he's about to correct Larry when...owait, timelines.] That's right, huh...it's only been sixteen for me. And just last year...

[Which is why he's reacting so heavily now.]

action; because I cannot resist this ever

[trollsikebukuro]

[Guess who's spying on all that emo, Phoenix? That's right... Izaya will be popping out of some alley in 3... 2... 1...]

What a sour expression for such a pleasant time of year.

action; you are a horrible person and you should feel bad 8(

[cheapblusuits]

[...well, great.

He recognizes that voice.

And, well, this might actually be the most squicked out expression Phoenix will ever make at anyone ever.

His inner Nice Guy makes him glance away quickly, though, and cough to cover up his momentarily sour expression.]

Uh...it's Mr. Orihara, right?

[Not going to touch your question with a ten-foot pole, if he can help it.]

action; I DO. I also feel bad for my awful lateness 8(

[trollsikebukuro]

[Well, Izaya did catch it, but he won't comment. Not yet, at least. He smiles instead, tilting his head to the side slightly and acting as nonchalant about the situation as he's capable. Which isn't too shabby.]

Right, right! [He claps his hands together.] Such a good memory you've got.

|K|I|R|B|Y|: My Deus ex Machina

[usedrage]

[Well too bad because there is a friggin' growlithe puppy coming to annoy you because she smells Miles on you]

...FFFFFF. Oh u. Oh Kirby.

[cheapblusuits]

[Asdglh SUDDENLY, A GROWLITHE -- Phoenix almost trips because of the dog suddenly at his feet, and he whirls around a couple of times in the snow, trying to get a good look at it.]

...hello there.

[usedrage]

[And she barks once at you, playfully. And then she nudges your hand. Stupid Dog tends to be a good cure for sadness, yeah?]

[cheapblusuits]

[Cute things in general can do that, indeed! And given Phoenix's like for dogs, Kirby does seem to be doing the trick -- Phoenix smiles, rubbing her behind the ears.]

What are you doing out here all alone, girl?