[Closed] The Merry Ace Attorney

[professorbestie]

Who: The Great Ace Attorney cast
Which: Closed log
Where: Mikotoba house
What: The Mikotobas invite Kazuma over for Christmas on the 25th, and all their friends from home on the 26th
Warnings: Nothing here but Christmas cheer!

[25th, closed to Kazuma]

[It's Christmas day in the Mikotoba household, and no such celebration would be complete without their adoptive family member. For that reason, presents have not yet been opened and instead lie ready in a corner of the living area, the wrapping paper almost beckoning the curious gaze. The decorations in the house are minimal in number, though Yujin did learn a thing or two from the most recent dreamscape about crafting a strong Christmas aesthetic with bare essentials. Food has already been prepared for the most part by Susato; roast duck and an apple spiced tea. It only requires those few easy finishing touches, but it's not dinner time yet!

At the moment, they're still waiting for Kazuma to arrive.]


[26th, Cast Party]

[For today, the Mikotobas made sure to invite everyone they know from home to spend Christmas at their home. They have to stick together! While those who hail from London may have their own traditions regarding Christmas, they'll just have to make do with what's been set up! Yujin dragged in a small tree, there's hot cocoa for everyone and dinner will be later. After that, perhaps some drinks of the alcoholic variety for the adults? (Which means everyone except Susato, sorry!) The choices are between apple cider or wine, because we all know Van Zieks has a problem.]

Comments

[discourtesies]

You may name your price.

[Really, van Zieks doesn't think Vigil would ask for anything unreasonable, and he does indeed want information. It's vital to his continued survival here, he's sure.]

I can, of course, provide you with my personal vintage. And though I imagine your training as a warder has remained with you, I can offer you some protection, should you find yourself interested in some dangerous endeavor.

[He's been practicing enough with this dreamotion business to be fairly confident he can tackle such a task, even if merely to allow for a retreat.]

If you have no interest in either, you are free to call upon me for some few favors in future.

[buriedvigil]

......

[He can imagine how some individuals would jump at the opportunity to ask a few favors from Lord van Zieks himself. While wine is always appealing, it's not something Vigil really has in the forefront of his mind. Getting protection from the prosecutor is appealing, but...

He really seems to think about this, before looking at the younger man, resolve clear in his posture.]

If my family should ever arrive here, I wish to request that you help keep them safe if I'm unable to for whatever reason. [Maybe if he's no longer here or... something just happens to him. He's not discounting it.]

[discourtesies]

[... an admirable request, to be sure. One van Zieks would have likely attended to without asking regardless, but he can keep that to himself.

He bows to mark his acceptance of the task.]

You have my word. [That said...] I am afraid I would only recognize your wife by sight, however.

[He might be giving Vigil the chance to gush about his kids, for more than practical reasons. The man seems like he would enjoy such things.]

[buriedvigil]

[It's nice to have that verbal confirmation, a promise from Lord van Zieks himself that his family will be safe. Just knowing that puts him at ease, a feeling of gratitude coming from the former guard despite this being a business agreement of sorts. He's... fine giving information out to someone like Barok, mostly believing the man to be honorable. Cold and somewhat intimidating, yes, but... he feels like he can trust him to do what's right.

It's less shady than pretending to be Inspector Gregson at any rate.

However, as Barok mentions his sons, Vigil brightens up just a bit further, a clear fondness visible in both his eyes and voice as he thinks about them. It's true that he's mostly mentioned Evie to others, but he loves his children just the same.]

Young, their hair is brown and curly like mine and Evie's... but their eyes are blue like their mother's. I believe they're going to turn out far more handsome than me. [He chuckles lightly.] My elder son is almost a teenager now, the younger just following behind a couple of years.

[discourtesies]

[Business or not, van Zieks intends to take it seriously, as most matters. Perhaps he may not go so far as to think of the pair of them as friends, but he nonetheless considers his promises all but sacred.

... but moving away from the more severe matters, it's almost strange to involve himself in a purely sentimental conversation, as this is sure to become. That said, he's not entirely sure how to proceed...

He takes a sip of his wine to allow himself a moment to think.]

... Have they any particular interests?

[buriedvigil]

[Simple conversations built off sentimentality... definitely a whole new beast here. Good luck Barok. At least he has his trademark glass of wine with him to perhaps ease any feelings of discomfort.]

Yes, they're both quite enamored with sports lately, as they just enjoy being outdoors a lot and running around out there. Otherwise, simple board games like checkers, but more complicated games such as chess hasn't been a favorite for them.

[It was called 'boring' a lot of times. Vigil understands a little, but he'd rather play that than participate in most sports.

Vigil watches as Barok takes a sip from his glass and then he can't help but ask--]

You ever think about having children, Lord van Zieks?

[discourtesies]

[While Barok is in the midst of trying to come up with a response (chess is great though...), Vigil turns the conversation back on him. He shakes his head, the answer coming without any apparent consideration.]

No.

[He's not fully pushing the subject away, though; the tone of his voice doesn't speak to any distaste, really. Just a simple truth.]

Relationships of that sort have never been a priority for me, for a number of reasons.

[buriedvigil]

[He's not entirely surprised to hear that, although Vigil is quite sure that there are some ladies out there that would love to try their hand to be close to the prosecutor. However, he doesn't voice such thoughts. While he's here for all the gossip regarding people's relationships, he doesn't intend to dig too deeply right now, not wanting to cause offense to another.]

Dedicated to your work? [His voice comes out understanding, he knows the feeling despite quitting his job at Barclay. ...Although, now he's jobless, but he still gets it.]

...And being called 'Reaper of the Bailey' for so long, I imagine.

[discourtesies]

Indeed.

[As Vigil says, he's particularly dedicated to his work, and he can't see himself letting his attention turn from that when the work is going to be harder than ever. It's far too important.]

As you're aware, my position frequently exposes me and those around me to the violent elements of London... and that is unlikely to change. [Criminals hated him even before his Reaper title spread, after all. At first it was due to his family's work, then it was the mantle of the scapegoat placed on his shoulders... now it will simply be on his own merits. That's something, probably.] Even had I the interest in pursuing such things, I could not in good conscience condemn another to that danger.

[tfw no gf]

[buriedvigil]

[He can see that, how his job and title would put not only his life in danger, but those close to him. Willingly choosing a life of solitude because he cares about the safety of his partner... it's quite commendable, if lonely. He's not sure, in fact, he's rather sure that he wouldn't be able to commit to something like that, not being able to imagine a life without Evie.]

I understand. I'd never quite forgive myself if Evie was hurt because of me.

[Hearing this at least makes Vigil feel a bit more confident about getting information for van Zieks. He's... truly a good man, decent at least, and he doesn't think he'd use any information improperly. The former warder lets out a slow breath, raising one hand to his chest.]

...I owe you an apology, Lord van Zieks.

[discourtesies]

[Van Zieks simply lets out a brief hum to acknowledge the response. It's only to be expected Vigil would feel that way, after he spent so long lying to try to keep his family from suffering the shame of the truth. Not that he endorses such behavior, but he understands it.

... he doesn't understand where this next part is coming from, though. His eyes go to Vigil, curiosity barely detectable in his expression.]

Of what sort?

[buriedvigil]

[There's probably a lot to explain, especially since that apology probably came so suddenly for Barok, but he can't help think about his conversation with Miss Mikotoba and he doesn't want to leave this unaddressed. Vigil keeps his hand to his chest as he slowly sighs, mostly trying to gather his thoughts about what he wants to say to the prosecutor.]

I've recently learned that you dislike the title of 'Reaper'-- Reaper of the Bailey.

[Thinking upon it now, he's not sure anyone would actually enjoy such a name, but Lord van Zieks always appeared so imposing, it was difficult to consider otherwise at the time.]

And I've been addressing you as such for the past couple of months. [...] At the very least, only seeing you as that.

[discourtesies]

[Who told him that, Barok has to wonder. He certainly doesn't enjoy it, especially now that he has the truth of the matter in hand, but for how long it's been he mostly feels numb to hear the word. He wouldn't think to object to it, even if it managed to get past all that and sting again. For a few moments, he remains silent, his furrowed brow thoughtful as he considers his response.]

You could not have been expected to know. Rather than reject the title, I embraced it for its usefulness: to intimidate those who would commit crimes in our city.

[And indeed, he made it part of his identity. That's... going to take a while to unpack, huh.]

I endeavored to embody the spirit of that Reaper in the public eye. ... You owe me no apology for believing the performance.

[buriedvigil]

[While it's definitely true that he couldn't have possibly known such a thing, it still doesn't entirely set right with him. Offering an apology is the least he can do, even if Lord van Zieks wields no ill will towards him for that.]

Criminal activity has certainly lowered since you've taken the mantle of Reaper, but... such a thing shouldn't be forced upon you. It was nearly the only topic of discussion made when your name was mentioned.

[Although, thinking about some things, he wonders if Lord Stronghart is also responsible in some way. Miss Mikotoba has shown nothing but contempt for that man, which still stands sharply in his mind.]

...Of course, we all take sometimes difficult tasks for queen and country. [Being the former chief warder, he doesn't quite count that to be a pleasant job, even though it paid well.]

[discourtesies]

As you say.

[Though for Stronghart it was never so difficult, he imagines, however much work he may have put in. That man's ambition was the fuel for so much tragedy... how many had to suffer to suit his plans, van Zieks wonders.

He shakes his head.]

Though I appreciate your concern, Mr. Vigil, it is not needed. This is the path I have chosen, and I am aware of the consequences.