[SCENE] Edgeworth and Lana in "The Next Afternoon"
Lana: *It's early evening again--the next day. Lana sits on her couch in the living room, feet drawn up beside her, with a book in her hands. She isn't really reading it; by her glancing off and by her lack of turning the pages, it seems she's doing some quiet thinking more than anything else. On the small table beside her, there's a simple vase with flowers that she'd brought home from work, and a roundish metal object, equally decorative. In the kitchen, a kettle of water is brewing on the stove*
Edgeworth: *there's a rumbling sound that approaches the front door and then silences, followed by the sound of a car door opening and closing. Moments later, the doorbell rings*
Lana: *sets down her book and walks over to the front entrance, glancing through the small window on the door before opening it up. At about at this time, the kettle starts whistling. She smiles softly at Edgeworth--it's slightly strained--and steps aside to let him in* I'm sorry if I caused you to rush from work.
Edgeworth: *returns her smile. His is stiff rather than strained* Not at all. *lifts his head towards the kitchen* Is that tea I hear?
Lana: It is, or will be in just a moment. *shuts the door, heading over to the kitchen to tend to the kettle* I have Earl Grey, jasmine and rooibos--do you have a preference right now?
Edgeworth: *follows her, hanging back in the doorway* Hm. Rooibos sounds good at the moment.
Lana: *pours the aforementioned loose tea into a teapot, followed by the water. She sets the lid on the pot to let the leaves steep, turning back over to the doorway to speak* I... received your flowers, this morning. It was very thoughtful of you.
Edgeworth: *a more natural smile, though his eyes still look slightly pained* I thought it best to let you know I was thinking of you.
Lana: *falls quiet as she glances down, watching the steam rise from the still-hot kettle* *finally* I knew you were. Thank you.
Edgeworth: *he gives a sigh and walks up a bit, putting his hand on her shoulder* ...Are you... all right?
Lana: *tenses slightly at his touch before she falls back at ease. It seems to be somewhat of an automatic reaction; she doesn't tug away from him afterwards* I'm fine. Last night was just a very trying evening, that's all.
Edgeworth: *steps back, drawing his hand away. He crosses his arms and leans against the counter, looking at her intently* And today?
Lana: And today...? *glances steadily up at him, her eyes apologetic* Today, I had to take a lot of time to think.
Edgeworth: ... *a short silence. He glances at the teapot* Let's take tea before we start discussing that.
Lana: *nods, taking two teacups from the cabinet and pouring a small amount of tea into one to check. The color looks about right and so she pours both to the brim, offering one to Edgeworth*
Edgeworth: *takes it with a nod towards the dining room, and turns to walk that way* You, er... Did you take today off work?
Lana: *follows him, with her own cup in her hands* Hmm? Oh, no, I didn't. I just finished what needed to be done and called it an early day. I suppose it's a good sign, when they can run things without me for a whole afternoon.
Edgeworth: That is a good sign. *takes a seat at the table and puts his cup in front of him, leaning back in the chair with some semblance of ease though it doesn't reflect in his face* It must be nice to have subordinates you can put your faith into. Although I suppose since I've been promoted I can call the rest of the prosecutors my subordinates...
Lana: Yes, you can. And I do hope you can place your trust in at least half of them... *seems unable to carry the small talk very far; she takes a seat across from him. Unlike him, her stance is plainly rigid*
Edgeworth: More or less. *takes a sip of his tea, staring at her gravely* So. What did you come up with?
Lana: *glances down at her cup, finally raising it to her mouth for a lengthy sip. She avoids Edgeworth's eyes* I had trouble telling Jake to leave last night. I realized clearly then that I... haven't properly moved on. I was still affected by him, too easily.
Edgeworth: *sighs* I see. *taps his fingers on the cup* I wouldn't have expected you to move on completely, you realize. I would have been surprised if having him appear in your home without warning had not affected you this way.
Lana: *nods* That's a part of me I'll have to take more time to move on from. It's over and I don't mean it to be anything but over, and yet I need to let that set in. *glances up at him, surveying his features*
Edgeworth: *there's a bit of a struggle present, the wrinkle between his brows showing itself for a split-second. He takes another drink of tea* More time... Yes, it would have been nice to have had that.
Lana: *her hands tighten around the sides of her cup* I'm sorry.
Edgeworth: *a deep sigh - a weary one* Don't apologize. There's nothing to be sorry for. There was no real alternative. After all, you've spent the last eight-odd years of your life trying to be more true to yourself, have you not? *he turns his face to her and gives her a brittle smile, but it fades and he looks down to the deep red surface of the tea. He blinks slowly as he gathers his thoughts*
Edgeworth: *looks back up at her, steadfast* If we had gone ahead with him having returned, it would hardly have been just to either of us. You loved him when he left- *he stops himself audibly, tapping his hands on the tabletop as he thinks for a few beats* - and as is said, "Love is not love which alters when it alteration finds." *looks pained, though it's not clear whether he's wincing at his own audacity at quoting the Bard in such a situation or something else entirely*
Edgeworth: *takes a sip, closes his eyes, and gives a more easy half-smile, though there's a hint of bitterness there* It will be a dreadful shame to lose such a lovely dance partner, though.
Lana: ... *extends her hand across the table, palm up, smiling slightly* If you ever feel comfortable--and when I do--I hope...
Edgeworth: *takes it and holds it, nodding. There's no real conviction in his features, though* When and if it is proper, I'd love to continue spending time with you.
Lana: *gives his hand a squeeze--there's conviction there in that motion, but she withdraws her hand after doing so* I mean it. We've known each other for too long to let this go to waste.
Edgeworth: I understand. Yes, you're right. *takes his hand back, resting it on the still gently-steaming cup of tea. He's silent for a moment, taking the prop of the cup up to his lips to give his hands something to do* If you need counsel, I'll make myself available in any capacity I can. As long as you understand that on certain matters I will be rather biased. *a slightly bitter chuckle*
Lana: Thank you. No, I-- *a slightly embarrassed look as she takes a sip of her own cup again* I wouldn't burden you with that.
Edgeworth: As you wish. *taps his fingers on the tabletop contemplatively, and then lifts his head* May I ask one favor of you?
Lana: Yes?
Edgeworth: *his eyes are locked with hers, and for once in the entire time he's been there, he's showing her an intensity of emotion that it seems he can't hold back. His voice still sounds much the same, though there's a tenor of sincerity and intensity in it that belie the vague disinterest his tone has shown so far* Just promise me one thing. You won't let him back in as easily as you ushered me out. *with a sardonic smile* I don't think my pride could take it.
Lana: *her mouth presses into a tight line* I'm not taking him back. It's too much; we've hurt each other too much for our former relationship to actually stand a chance at recovery. Or rather, for me to have any rational desire to recover it, despite what lingering feelings I might still have.
Edgeworth: It's precisely because you've- *cuts himself off and sighs, looking off to the side* ...I'll take that as a promise, at least. I apologize if I can't quite believe you.
Lana: I understand. Actions speak louder than words. *runs her fingers against the sides of her cup; she doesn't seem inclined to drink from it anymore*
Edgeworth: *looks around the sparse and tastefully decorated dining room, and finally his eyes settle on her. He gives a swallow and clears his throat, casting about for something to say. For once in a very long time, since long before they started spending large amounts of time with one another, he's showing discomfort in her presence* Yes. Yes, that's true. *takes a long drink of his tea, emptying the cup* I shouldn't linger. When the dance is over you're to bow and move along, as the two of us have learned.
Lana: *seems to notice his discomfort with some acceptance; she nods, stands, and moves to the side of the table to take his cup*
Edgeworth: *pushes back the chair and lifts his cup with him, meeting her halfway and handing it to her*
Lana: *glances up at him, smiling slightly as she accepts it* Thank you. *takes it and her own, heading over to the kitchen*
Edgeworth: *goes to the closet, eyes downcast, and retrieves his jacket. He lays it over his arm and steps up to watch her in the kitchen, waiting for her to finish with the dishes*
Lana: *pours out the remaining tea she has left in her cup, and rinses both of them out. She keeps her attention focused on her task--when finished, she looks over and goes to him* ...I'll walk you to the door.
Edgeworth: *he nods, but doesn't move from his spot in the doorway. Instead of letting her pass, he lingers, arm on the doorframe, his eyes drinking her in as if it's the last chance he'll ever get to see her. His fingers clutch air and he lets his jacket fall as he moves closer, putting his hand gently and smoothly on her shoulder, his other brushing her hair back*
Lana: *stops when he touches her. She speaks softly, closing her eyes* Miles...
Edgeworth: *strokes the side of her head and leans in* My apologies... I never was taught the proper way to say goodbye. *presses his lips briefly to her forehead*
Lana: *takes his upper arm, stroking it gently for a moment--but the hold is both to console and to ensure he keeps his distance. Then, she moves off towards the door again*
Edgeworth: *if her withdrawal has sparked any emotion in him, he doesn't show it. Instead, he gazes over her head as she walks off, then leans down and retrieves his jacket, shrugging it on. He follows her to the door, face expressionless and distant*
Lana: *opens up the door when she reaches it--it's the second time she's repeated this action in less than 24 hours; she does it just as calmly, though like before she looks rather drained from the whole experience*
Edgeworth: *in point of fact, so does he. Weary, almost. He resettles the lapels of his overcoat and turns his hundred-mile gaze back to focus on her face, with effort* Good evening, Lana.
Lana: *makes an effort to smile, though some other strong emotions are finally seeping through her features as well* Goodnight, Miles.
Edgeworth: *he reaches for her--perhaps to comfort her, perhaps because it's customary for him to offer a hand to her upon leaving. He stops himself this time, turns away, and walks through the door without another word*
Lana: *watches him leave, shutting the door and doing so from the window after he enters the car. After he's gone, she walks back to the living room, past the table with the flowers and the saddle horn cap, and sits down on the sofa to try and get some reading done, though she knows she will not*
Edgeworth: *in the driveway, Miles sits in the car for a few silent moments before he starts it. He gives a sigh, closes his eyes, and leans his head back, muttering through gritted teeth* ...I need a drink. *he jerks the car into gear and backs out of her driveway, setting off into the sunset for parts unknown*