[ACTION] OPEN MEETING FOR THE TOWER APARTMENTS

[rapturescreed]

Who: The head committee of the Newcomer Political Party, ALL NEWCOMERS, SERO and AGI representatives, and some NPC security guards.
When: April 12th. 4:00 pm.
Where: The Newcomer Community Center
Summary: An OPEN MEETING is being held to discuss problems with the Tower Apartments, and to get immediate feedback from the reps from AGI and SERO as to

Comments

[dancing_pierrot]

[It's with some trepidation that Franziska approaches Miles at the conclusion of the meeting; she almost wants to retreat now while she still has the opportunity to, but not only would that be breaking a promise, it feels weak. After all, she has to prove to him that she's making the right decision, that she can take care of herself -- at the same time, however, she hates that she feels so obligated. She still considers this conversation unnecessary, in a way.

She approaches him quietly; her whip is nowhere in sight and the forearm of her dominant hand is bandaged up - a reasonable excuse for anyone who doesn't know she can whip with both hands, but not one that will work on Miles Edgeworth. No, he won't be as easily fooled.]

Miles. You wanted to talk.

[mentis_reae]

That wasn't disappointment. It was...

[He frowns, not precisely certain how he can articulate this. How he has hopes and aspirations for her, yes, but that far more important than that is to see her happy. How she's lived her life under the weight of expectations placed by others and how he doesn't want to contribute to weighing her down.

He's not certain how he can articulate it. So, foolishly, hoping she'll not strike him or mock him, he does what he found transcendant of words from others: awkwardly, with his good arm only, he steps forward and wraps her in a gentle embrace.]

[dancing_pierrot]

[Franziska freezes and tenses the moment he touches her, but she stays in his hold for now, not immediately trying to free herself from it or indeed, move at all.]

What was it, then?

[mentis_reae]

[There's a pang of almost disappointment. A hug had, in the times leading up to this, solved nearly everything. Nara, Sam, even Re-l to an extent - he'd hugged them, and the emotional tension had been resolved. It's what had emboldened him to do this...But for all that she's tense, she's not offended. He hopes. So he steps back and looks at her.

All right; she truly doesn't look angry. He finds himself anxious but forces himself to move forward.]

You're a remarkable individual, Franziska. You're intelligent, determined, and brave. I asked you join the department here as a prosecutor because in this place, our battle against crime is difficult - but it becomes significantly less difficult with someone like you helping to fight it. It's the case back home, as well: you are very good at what you do, and you help.

But that doesn't make it an obligation.

God, I'm sorry for my terrible inconsistency of late.

[dancing_pierrot]

[She's strangely silent as he speaks, her gaze drifting from his face to a spot perhaps half a meter to the left of his head. Once upon a time, she would have mocked him for saying such words to her, perhaps have found herself unable to believe him; this time, everything is different. Of course he would speak the truth; why would any of those things he said be false? Once he's finished, she looks at him directly, trying to catch his eyes. With a deep breath to try and recapture her usual confidence, she speaks with a small smile on her face.]

I just - need to ensure that it's truly what I want to do. And how can I be so certain if I have never known anything else?

I'm only doing what's logical, really.

I STILL LOVE YOU

[mentis_reae]

[There's a long moment while he mulls that over - and then, finally, he nods.]

Then you have my blessing, such as it is, if you're willing to accept it.

[dancing_pierrot]

[I don't need it is what she's about to say, but it's just before she does so that she realizes she actually does.]

Thank you.

And just remember -- even though I'm not working as a prosecuting attorney now, if you need my assistance for anything, I will gladly provide it. Someone needs to look out for you, after all, and, well, it would be improper of me to leave my little brother in the lurch.

[mentis_reae]

[A short nod, and a grimace. He's not certain how to ask this gracefully, so instead he asks directly.]

Will you need financial support?

[dancing_pierrot]

[She bristles slightly at that, although she tries to keep her voice even.]

Do you honestly consider me incapable of handling my own finances? As things are, I don't intend on remaining unemployed forever.

[mentis_reae]

[He holds up a hand in an attempt to signal for peace.]

Many newcomers do need support. There's no shame in it.

[dancing_pierrot]

[Stubbornly, she persists:]

I'm not one of them.

[mentis_reae]

How much do you have saved?

[dancing_pierrot]

Enough for several's months food and rent at least.

[mentis_reae]

[He relents.]

All right.

What will you do in the meantime?

[dancing_pierrot]

[She scoffs a little at that question.]

Live. Learn. What else would I be doing with my time?

[mentis_reae]

Er - seeking employment, perhaps?