Chapter Text
With a head still rolling from a turbulent landing, Simon Blackquill finally stepped off that godforsaken metal tube. For twenty entire hours, with Detective Skye on his right and Athena Cykes on his left, he sat . They used his body as a pillow numerous times, though he only managed to sleep a few hours out of the whole ordeal. Athena could sense his discomfort after she woke from her six hour snooze, and they watched a movie together on the in-seat screens by sharing headphones. It bored him, yet he did not mind being used as a pillow that time. The three trekked the endless hallway that led from plane to gate. What time was it? Was time still used?
“So glad you could make it!” Gavin called out to their group. Annoyingly, he never seemed to be jet lagged.
“Traitor,” Simon hissed.
“The offer for the upgraded seat wasn’t going to last forever, so I had to take it. I promised to visit, which I did, yet you were all dozing.”
Perhaps feeling the same sourness that Simon felt, Detective Skye shoved her carry-on bag into his arms while she went to hunt for a restroom. Athena trudged over to an empty gate to stretch and do lunges while they waited for Ema. The two followed her, mostly to get out of the way of tired looking travellers. They set their carry-ons down on the seats. Simon’s knees (and to be quite frank, his ass) ached at the thought of ever sitting again.
Athena gestured wildly to Klavier. She did high knees in place while she pointed out to the ancient Kingdom of Khura’in through the glass windows of the airport gate. “Where are we staying? Is that the palace up there? Which mountain did Mr. Wright pass out on?”
Gavin tapped the glass far off to her left. “Our Travel-Inn accommodations are off in the River District. Herr Edgeworth wanted us to stay across the street from Tehm’pul Temple, which is that building there, but I wouldn’t have it.” His ringed fingers searched on their poor excuse of a map before he gave up and added, “The palace is off on the other side of the temple, somewhere around this area. And I believe it was that mountain over there.”
Athena snapped a picture on her cell phone; she planned to print it out when they returned home to hang over Wright-dono’s desk.
“Will you also be serving as tour guide on this doomed expedition?” Simon asked. “Careful you’re not overwhelmed - our fearless leader expects detailed reports within a week of our return.”
“Let’s get out of here,” Detective Skye said as she rejoined them, blinking rapidly. “My eyes are about to fall out, and I need a shower.”
“I’d be happy to act as a tour guide if you insist on it. Apol - Herr Forehead - shows me all his favorite haunts each time I visit. And even someone like you could find the palace.”
Since their newly crowned tour guide happened to take the lead already, the three behind shared a conspiratorial look.
Ema snorted. “Right, because the Kingdom of Khura’in is the vacation destination nowadays.”
“Their tourism board would agree with me!” he replied and pointed over to glossy posters of the landscape, the city, and the culture that the kingdom could offer. Unfortunately, they were trapped in this airport until they could pass through customs and border patrol, find their bags, and seek out Justice-dono’s little horned head to welcome them.
The Kingdom of Khura’in’s international airport was ranked within the top twenty of global airports for ease of travel, friendliness, and style. The airport carpet was not as ugly as it could have been, especially when compared to the unfortunate styles stateside. Butterflies delicately shaped from metal hung and spun from the ceiling. Off in the distance, he heard a gurgling water feature; that may be the best and worst thing to hear while in an airport. It all made up a somewhat pleasant experience for travellers who hadn't seen the outside world for potentially days. The Sad Monk himself might have implemented such pleasantness, after enduring hundreds of cross-country flights, through his developing relationship. With the office. The Prosecutor's Office.
Simon closed his eyes as they stood in line, allowed Athena to drag him along, accepted his passport back after getting a very rough stamp from the border control guard, then realized he was still in the airport.
"Hey, you feeling okay?"
He forced himself to look at Athena and offer the most reassuring smile he was capable of at the moment. That was all the answer she was to receive.
Until she continued with, "Hungry? Tired? Need to pee?"
"I cannot fathom any of that at this moment. What time is it?"
"Somehow it's 1:30AM? Once we get to our fancy digs, you can sleep all you want."
"Scientifically speaking, it takes as many days to cure jet lag for as many hours difference."
"I will stay no more than these scheduled days."
"Nahyuta would drop kick you out of here if you threatened to stay any longer."
He doubted that, but they could believe what they wished. As punishment for First Class seating hubris, Klavier held up the group at border patrol. Apparently the answers to the burly guard’s probing questions were not entirely satisfactory. Athena and Ema stifled a laugh as he played the “I know your prince regent” card, though Simon’s laughter burst forth. What did he care?
They eventually let Gavin-dono pass. Next step on their whirlwind airport tour was baggage claim. Five people-movers zipped them down the hallway; it was quicker, but they made Simon somehow even dizzier. Athena prepared them all matching luggage tags, since she remembered hearing from Apollo once what a nightmare it was when the airline lost his luggage. The tags were bright yellow and glittered. They certainly stood out against the sea of duller, more beat up tags and bags, so finding their suitcases was the least painful process of this whole ordeal.
Most painful of all would be listening to Nahyuta Sahdmadhi all week, as he described the kingdom’s legal system that he and Justice-dono dismantled already, then built back up again. This system was to be fairer, though from how it was run in the past, Simon struggled to imagine how much more unfair it could get. At least he had a defense attorney present at his trials.
Now to find Justice. Against a crowd of exhausted looking family members and hired drivers waiting to pick up equally exhausted travellers, Apollo Justice stuck out like a red pepper. Simon's lip curled, knowing instantly where the comparison came from.
“There you are,” Ema said unceremoniously, dropping her bags back into Klavier’s arms and gripping Apollo Justice into a tight hug.
He squirmed. “You guys are easy to spot. Hey everyone, welcome.”
Athena was next to embrace him, holding him so tightly and babbling about how excited she was to see him. “I can’t believe I'm back! You should have invited me sooner.”
“I tried to! You always said you were busy working for the both of us with-” He stopped himself from saying the name.
“Yeah...busy at the agency, as usual.” She grinned, maybe thinking a dazzling smile would clear the clouds that had settled upon them. A darker storm brewed over by Gavin, who clearly did not like the waiting time in greeting Justice.
Not so subtly, Simon, Ema, and Athena watched their reunion. The hug was a little awkward, almost too platonic. The whole of the country - hell, the world - knew they became much closer friends after the tragic events that took place at Themis Legal Academy. Gossip magazines loved to share grainy photos of them out and about in the city, and though Athena probed incessantly, as well as paparazzi watching the two like Taka, they revealed nothing. Klavier had been the first to visit Justice after he moved to the Kingdom of Khura’in, and he had been the second and third, too.
Two were vacations, but one he claimed was in order to assist Justice with a particularly difficult case. When the boss himself pointed out that Klavier was a prosecutor , Gavin pointed right back at Simon. The discussion ended there. That damned rakugo case continued to haunt him.
When one would ask after Justice, Gavin always had the most details to provide out of anyone. They called and video-chatted often. In addition to having complicated relationships with siblings, they had a lot in common. Simon supposed that after a week or so of watching and noting down what legal measures Justice and His Opulence had put into place, he would see something worth gossiping about.
“You’re up very late,” Gavin said, once they were finally, finally, finally out of the airport.
“I said I’d come meet you here. Besides, I was finishing up some work with Datz at the office late, so I was already up.” He turned to look over his shoulder. “Hey, Blackquill. I hope you don’t want a hug.”
“I hope you don’t want to give me one.”
“I’ll take care of it, don’t worry!” Athena said, pulling him down roughly by the collar and wrapping an arm around his neck. He shook her off just in time for Justice to flag down a cab big enough to fit their clan. Detective Skye unfairly claimed the shotgun seat. The rest were left to figure out their bearings in the back.
Apollo asked where it was they were all staying, so Klavier leaned over him to show the address on his phone. Justice read back the address, directing the driver in Khura’inese. The old van lurched forward into traffic; ye gods was Simon tired of travelling. He struggled to recall the last time he travelled so extensively. For years, he traveled only the length of his ten by ten cell. The boss man sent a few of his pupils to a supremely boring conference earlier that year, which was a lengthy drive but at least not requiring air travel.
Yet here he was, having flown halfway across the world at the insistence of both his boss and his...coworker.
Physically shaking away the frustration would have helped, yet Gavin would berate him for jostling him. Simon instead turned to look out the window, yet it was too dark to enjoy any of the scenery for now. Everyone talked blissfully quietly, at least, for the duration of the ride.
Their driver pulled up to the street that their Travel-Inn was on and said some words in Khura’inese. As Justice explained a few moments later when they were all trudging up the muddy lane to the home, the road was too narrow for the car to get through, and they would have to walk the rest of the way.
Gavin input the code into the lock on the front door; it swung open to cozy grandeur. It was one of the larger homes located so close to the main thoroughfare of the city. Four bedrooms and two bathrooms, complete with a comfortable living room and kitchen attached. If he knew the culture well enough, Simon would be able to determine what the red symbols etched into the wallpaper were meant to represent - health and happiness? The floor was hard, clicking and cracking under the feet.
Comfortable, bright pillows were spread on seating and on the floor. Many were stacked by the low table that was just off to the right of the kitchen. Some wooden sliding doors led outside to a little garden with foreign foliage and an old wooden swinging bench. One bedroom was on the bottom floor; Detective Skye claimed that one weeks ago. They decided too that the ladies would share a bathroom, even though Simon and Athena shared one in their own home.
“You got a pretty good deal,” Justice said, entering last. “This is a fancy part of town you’re staying in.”
“If we were going to be here for work, I wanted to be comfortable.”
“At your expense, fop.”
“Anything for my friends!”
Ema beelined for her bedroom, calling out a goodnight as she slammed shut the door behind her. “Nice seeing you, Apollo!” she shouted through the wood.
Athena was crashing and fast, so Simon urged her upstairs to select whichever bedroom she wanted. Just ten minutes earlier she had been bothering him senseless. She said good night to her friends and headed up the creaking staircase. Simon could feel Gavin giving him a cold look, probably as a means to force him to leave the room. But he would be difficult and do no such thing.
Gavin asked quietly, “It’s late - wouldn’t you like to stay here tonight?”
Simon’s heart hurt at the kind rejection Justice dealt. “No, I have something I wanted to finish at the office anyway. It’s closer to your place than you’d think.”
“Are you absolutely sure?”
Apollo nodded graciously. “You need to sleep but not too much.”
“What is the recommended prescription?” Simon asked as he began hauling his bags up the stairs.
“A few hours? Get a normal amount of sleep?”
He scoffed quietly before saying goodnight. Simon was lucky to get two hours together at night, and he knew a foreign country and foreign bed would not help that in the slightest. He decided to at least try to sleep that night, leaving the two obvious fools downstairs alone.
During travel, the contents of his suitcase had shifted upside down, left to right, rotated, and tangled up within each other. Athena blessedly advised any liquids be bagged tightly by themselves, unless he wished every piece of clothing he owned to smell of his cleansing ginger shampoo.
It was such a mess, and the bed did look fairly inviting. He assumed he would live to the next morning to regret not unpacking but ultimately decided to fuck it. Simon stripped down to his underwear and collapsed into the bed.
When he awoke, he did regret it. His suitcase mocked him; his mouth felt stale; his hair was tangled; his feet were cold.
Simon absolutely did not care if anyone saw him in his underwear this morning - or maybe afternoon? Not wanting to bother wasting time sorting through the luggage, he dragged the whole duffel bag into the bathroom with him, which was thankfully unoccupied. Gavin had clearly used it earlier; he noted the expensive skin care products and cinnamon travel toothpaste on the vanity.
Altogether he might have spent an entire hour in the bathroom. Athena always teased him over how long he took in their shared bathroom back home, yet he always gestured to his hair. She usually rebutted by offering to cut it for him. The thought occurred to him occasionally, yet he had grown so used to the mass. It rather suited him. Klavier had made the cut a few months ago, and the shorter style did look excellent on the rock star. If he cut his hair off, Simon thought he would look like the twenty-one year old version of himself that was branded into files, archives, and his memory. Another look in the mirror to examine heavy eye bags, as well as the shock of white hair, reminded him that Simon was long gone. He dressed while avoiding the mirror.
To no one’s surprise, he was last awake. Everyone was set up comfortably downstairs.
Athena and Ema were huddled around the table on Ema’s laptop. It looked like they were going through the Fun Filled Itinerary they made up, all while bragging that they didn’t have to work on this trip.
Gavin was busy in the kitchen. He greeted him softly and pointed to some take out coffee and some incredible looking Khura’inese breakfast.
“One of Justice-dono’s recommendations?”
Klavier shrugged. “Maybe I found it all on my own this morning.”
“I remembered Apollo recommended this place a few weeks ago,” Ema said through a mouthful, “so I forced the early birds to go hunting for it this morning.”
He searched for a clock anywhere in the room. 12:24PM. Sounded about right. Simon warmed the coffee and breakfast and sat with the ladies at the table.
“Mr. Edgeworth doesn’t expect you to work the whole time,” Ema said when she noticed his scowl. “You guys can take some day trips with us - I’m sure Edgeworth can’t argue if it comes in the form of a royal decree.”
“What does he want you to do here again?”
Gavin stepped in with, “Study up on the kingdom’s emerging legal system. Edgeworth himself used to do this research, but he has his family and Chief Prosecutor responsibilities. So he sent his star prosecutors in his stead.”
They laughed at his embellishment. “So what,” Ema continued, “is Nahyuta expected to classroom-style teach you all that he’s doing here?”
“It will be a mix of observation and research,” Simon added. “Not all legalese works as well as it appears on the sacred texts. We will see if he practices what he preaches.”
“At 3PM today, remember?”
He had forgotten. “Of course I remember.”
“We thought,” Athena said, “we could all head out a little earlier and do some sightseeing? Klavier told us that Apollo will meet us at the palace gate about 2:30, so we could take the long way there.” She started talking about the various fountains they would see, and the statues, and the plaques, and even the reliquaries.
But if she wanted to see all of this and reach the palace in time, they would need to leave soon. The coffee and food tasted so delicious that he almost felt bad for having to choke it down so quickly. Everyone mobilized, per Athena’s wishes.
He and Klavier fought over dominance of the bathroom sink as they brushed their teeth.
Through a foamy, spicy mouth of toothpaste, Klavier asked unprompted, “Excited to see Nahyuta?”
Simon spat violently, hoping to get some on the other’s hand. “No, why would you think I would be?”
“You’re friends, ja? And if I remember Herr Monk’s words right, his brief suggestion that you join on our study abroad trip had you researching plane tickets that day.”
“Sad Monk says.”
“I thought it was Simon Says?”
“You may use that joke only twice more on this trip, Gavin-dono. Choose wisely.”
He gurgled some mouthwash with a smirk. He spat and flashed a grin in the mirror to confirm that yes, he was still beautiful. “But you’d say you’re friends?”
“What has you so concerned over the labeling of my relationship with His Royal Highness?” Gavin wouldn’t let him leave the bathroom until he answered, it seemed. “He no longer treats me as a sinful demon, and I no longer treat him as a blackguard.”
“You’ve both grown so much.” Simon shoved him out of the way. He never appreciated these probing questions from anyone about any relationships he had. What was it to outsiders to know the details of their companionship? Nahyuta had come back often to the Prosecutor’s Office within the last eighteen months to prosecute some interesting cases. He appeared whenever Justice did, who usually returned to continue to collect his belongings.
Simon prepared himself to antagonize the Sad Monk until he was blue in the face when he made his triumphant return stateside. But he was as calm, serene, and collected as usual, without the frustrating Holier Than Thou attitude. Simon did not know him near well enough for any type of psychological analysis, yet he guessed the lack of stress of being blackmailed by his own aunt would change a man.
He chose to drop some of the prejudices he had against him when even Athena jumped at the chance to join an outing with him, Apollo, and some of her other friends. Simon reminded her that Nahyuta did not treat her especially well during their one and only trial together; she reminded him that he did not behave much better towards her either. Could not especially argue with that.
Sad Monk still liked to refer to them as the ponytailed pair, and he often made a show of going out of his way to greet Athena. Maybe it was a way to make up for his abysmal words in the courtroom. Good, Athena could use more friends. Simon could take them or leave them.
Their group set out for the sights shortly thereafter. Athena mapped out a walking route on her phone that would guide them past part of the river their Travel-Inn was situated on. Once out of the River District, she led them to various grand fountains. They babbled noisily; it made Simon sleepier than he already was. But once you see one fountain, you’ve seen them all. It was all water spitting out of mouths and getting recycled day in and day out.
Some of the statues on their route were magnificent. The Kingdom stemmed from such a strong matriarchal society, so most statues immortalized important women through history. One showed one of the kingdom’s earliest doctors. Various past queens were carved of perfect stone and smiled kindly upon their subjects. Simon hoped beyond hope there would be a statue of Nahyuta that would make him laugh so hard he choked but no such luck as of yet.
Proving to be an excellent tour guide and navigator, Athena led them through the city and over to the grand entrance of the palace just a few minutes past 2:30 that afternoon. It seemed to be timed perfectly, for Justice was just coming up the other alleyway. He adjusted a heavy bag over his shoulder as he greeted everyone.
“Did you see the grand sights of Khura’in?” he asked. It was a little strange to be having this conversation in front of this huge, imposing red gate, especially with numerous guards pretending not to listen in.
“We started to! Saw all the nice fountains, some of the queen statues - which one was your favorite again?”
“Queen Chanda,” he sighed, almost dreamily. “There’s something really special about the way the artist carved her eyes. And the way her clothing flows like it’s actual cloth and not just some rocks.”
Klavier did sigh dreamily.
Simon said, “Oi, let’s move.”
“Do you know the password?” Ema asked, pointing at the tightly shut gate.
“Simon Says...Open Up.”
Klavier interjected quickly, “Why is it that you don’t have a limit on how often you may use that joke?”
“He knows it’s not funny! I remember being ten and not laughing.”
“I bet Nahyuta will laugh at it like he always does,” Apollo replied with an eyeroll.
" Silence! "
“Oh! Before I forget,” Justice said, then reached into his bag into a side pocket. He pulled out four magatamas and handed one to each of them. Where the hole of the symbol usually was, was instead a piercing jade eye. Simon recalled seeing the symbol hanging from trees and in shops they passed during their tour this morning. They looked like talismans of some sort.
“Hold on to these while you’re here,” was the only explanation Justice gave. Everyone pocketed theirs; Simon shoved his into Athena’s hands.
Apollo stepped up to a guard and shared some Khura’inese words with them. The group could be sure that everyone in the whole country knew who Apollo Justice was, as he made up a quarter of their defense attorneys, so they would be allowed in with no issue. He was also more or less the brother of their acting monarch.
The guard shouted a Khura’inese command. They waited in silence until the great gate groaned under its own weight. It opened slowly and only a fraction, so they all slipped in one by one. Simon set foot inside the palace walls, and he felt nerves rocket within him. Nerves over what? Couldn’t name it and didn’t want to, either.
Apollo identified all of the grand buildings for them as their group marched along the fine cobblestone walkway. To their left were the royal residences of both Princess Rayfa and His Elegance. Almost like he were looming over his children, Dhurke Sahdmadhi’s tomb stood where his wife’s once was. A new one had been built for him, and he was given a proper Khura’inese burial quietly, privately, with his family.
Apollo shared this tale bravely, for they knew he considered the man as much a father as Nahyuta did. From what few details he divulged, it was clear he was in attendance.
Then in front of them stood the main palace building. A low, intricately patterned wall separated it from the royal residences. This building was where many of the boring diplomatic meetings occurred; it also housed the Nahyuta Law Office, Justice jokingly called it. The royal family spent much of their time cooped up within these gilded walls, yet Simon couldn’t say he felt sorry for them. If his own prison were a fraction as opulent as this, he might have asked for a longer sentence.
Prison was too strong a word. They were all free to come and go as they pleased, even if very important duties kept them there most of the time.
“I hope we don’t run into Queen Amara or Princess Rayfa before we catch up with Yut - I mean, Nahyuta.”
“Who?” Simon questioned instantly.
“Yuty...you didn’t hear it from me.”
“I most certainly did and will ensure every creature I encounter knows of this nickname.”
“Why do you say that about his mother and sister?” Ema asked, steering the conversation back to something not about making fun of the Sad Monk.
“They’re both just...really intense. Nahyuta handles them best, and he says whatever he wants to them both. Rayfa finally stopped trying to hit him with her staff.”
“What time is it?” Athena asked. “We’re all meeting up at three, right?”
Apollo nodded and added that they already had permission to waltz straight into the main palace building. There was a cozy meeting room off to the right of the grand entrance almost immediately, so they avoided any throne room or princess nonsense for now.
But sadly, three in the afternoon came and went quickly. It was now half past the hour. Everyone seemed to be growing impatient waiting on the monk. They had all gotten quite comfortable in their little meeting room, yet Simon still had no desire to sit for very long. He paced the length of the room ten times over, purposefully kicking at Athena's outstretched legs each time he passed her. It also seemed everyone had paired off, leaving him the odd duck out. Ema and Klavier were arguing about how annoying he really was to work with as a prosecutor. His best friend stole Justice's attention barely a minute past three.
He looked at everyone sprawled out in their separate cushy chairs then reached for the doors.
“Where are you going?” Athena asked.
“I am bored, and I will not wait another minute for His Grace.”
“Want some company?” Ema asked. He shook his head, thanking her for the offer, then left quickly. No one wrenched the door back open, so it seemed Simon Blackquill was free to wander. A rare occurrence.
There would be no more waiting for Sahdmadhis on this trip; Simon would go and find the monk himself.
Justice had pointed out that the throne room was straight ahead through the entrance, so he continued to avoid that. Nahyuta would most likely be tucked away within the palace. Simon came upon some beautifully carved marble stairs leading up to another floor. Seemed promising.
On his journey, Simon passed by gorgeous paintings, crafted more from gold than from paint. They looked beyond ancient yet well preserved. He stopped to admire a few up close; he better understood why the past queens were still so revered by the kingdom. Even their paintings commanded grace, poise, and power. Yet in the distance, he heard footsteps clicking against the stone floors. Simon had yet to see another soul on his little adventure, and he would not get caught until he caught the monk.
He moved on.
Simon finally came to large double doors that opened out onto an even larger balcony. The open space was inviting, with plush green couches and overstuffed pillows galore spread out on soft blankets. Off by the railing, a table set up with a game totally foreign to him was begging to be finished. Simon took the risk of setting foot in this sacred space and moved around some of the pieces. Hopefully, it would cause Nahyuta to lose. This area certainly belonged to the royal family; he studied the sweet photograph of a very young Dhurke Sahdmadhi with then Queen Amara. Their hands clasped tightly together. Might be nice, someday.
It was a few minutes past four in the afternoon. If he didn’t find the Sad Monk soon, he would return back home until he would be ready to receive them.
Now centered in the balcony, Simon noticed that on the other side of the hallway inside were more double doors, also opened wide. That allowed a pleasant cross breeze to flow through into the room that Simon decided he belonged in now. He darted from the balcony, through the hallway, then through the open doors.
The walls were ornate, with accents of gold and red, stark against soft blue. There were more comfortable looking sofas situated tightly in a corner.
As he looked around, Simon thought it odd a large room such as this one would not be stuffed with royal ornaments and paintings and statues and heirlooms, like so many other rooms he peeked his head into earlier. He looked around for something, then made a noise of realization. It was on the ceiling.
A family tree. A family peach tree, to be exact. Simon nearly staggered backwards in order to take it all in. Presumably the Holy Mother, faceless yet known, was perched at the very top. Probably every royal family member, from their chest up, had been perfectly captured on this ceiling. Branches of her descendants, some Simon recognized from paintings and statues already found, were nestled among fruit and leaves. Each person immortalized had next to them a defining item - some had doves perched on fingers, while others were holding flowers.
Oddly enough, former Queen Ga’ran and her husband were depicted. On one wrist each, they wore the Cuffs of Justice. Their eyes were closed.
Directly next to them were Dhurke and Amara. A dragon snaked over Dhurke’s portrait, which was grinning widely; it was the only one to show such a smile. Amara was looking downwards to the next two branches.
Simon gasped again, spotting Nahyuta’s portrait finally. He was painted as looking towards Rayfa, with his tattooed palm facing outwards at the viewer. A butterfly rested on his fingers. He was perfectly captured, what with his watchful, piercing eyes glancing towards his sister and a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
Simon continued to study the portraits for so long that his neck almost cramped up.
Footsteps echoed behind him. Foreign words rapidly spoken accompanied them; though he could not understand the words, he recognized the voice. How dramatic should he be for this?
The footsteps stopped abruptly and so did the speech.
“Who let you in here?” Nahyuta Sahdmadhi asked.
“Hmm? Oh,” Simon loudly said, “I did not hear you come in, Sad Monk.”
There was some type of palace servant next to Nahyuta, so he handed off some papers to them and strode forward. “I never heard you either, Panda. You rarely hold your tongue. What could possibly keep you quiet in here for so long?”
He simply pointed a finger upwards.
“Ah, what do you think of it?”
Simon made a show of looking back and forth between the painting and the man. “They tried too hard - you look like an anime character.” A little lie like that couldn’t hurt. Simon could almost see him physically keeping back the laughter; there was someone else in the room, after all.
“Something this grand and ridiculous was not my idea, but I like it all the same.” He stared up at the portraits, too. Simon traced his glance to find him staring up at his father. Now that he could look at the actual person, he tore his eyes away from the image and studied Nahyuta. He looked away quickly when their eyes met again. Green on gray had often felt too intense, during their last few meetings.
“I fear I will be charged with treason if I do not greet you properly.” He angled to face him fully and bowed his head, murmuring a hello.
Nahyuta’s tattooed palm held level at his chest as he greeted back in his native tongue. They held each other’s gaze; Simon, again , reminded himself there was someone else present. Nahyuta, too, realized this when he said something in Khura’inese to the scared looking person. They nodded after Nahyuta was done speaking and zipped right out of the room, leaving a lot of space between the two of them and themself.
“I take it you somehow broke free from your watchers. How did you manage that?”
“It was a very cunning plan - one that I spent hours formulating.” Nahyuta gestured for them to follow behind the frightened messenger. Simon fell into step beside him as he continued, “I opened the door...and vanished through it.”
“What a devilish plan. I believe that it would take all of your brainpower to think of that.”
He scoffed. “When you never showed, I had other things to consider.”
“Such as getting completely lost in the royal palace?”
“I am not lost, Sad Monk. I could not be lost when I found precisely what I was looking for.”
“Which was?”
“You.”
Nahyuta’s only response was to offer apologies for his lateness. Meetings and responsibilities not scheduled to bother him for the day had cropped up unexpectedly.
“Has all of this gold poisoned your brain? I care not for excuses, in particular weak ones. You do recall Gavin and I have responsibilities while here, yes? For the few measly days you opened your borders for us?”
Nahyuta ignored his questions as he descended the steps Simon had accidentally stumbled upon earlier. He reached the bottom, then replied, “I could just as easily close them, you foul demon.”
“I should like to see you try and force me out, monk.”
“You’re getting soft - there is no insult to calling me a monk.”
“And there is none in calling me a demon.”
There was little malice to Simon’s words, and he knew now when Nahyuta’s tone was truly angry. Perhaps these conversations were why the rest of their friends thought their relationship strange. He could also see Nahyuta fighting a grin again. He enjoyed seeing the plastered perfect expression on his face break.
They went back the way Simon had come. Cheers and greetings resounded from the group when Nahyuta opened the doors.
“You shouldn’t have let this ferocious panda out of your sight,” he chided them all.
“He just got up and left! Even I can’t force him to come back if he does that.” Simon jostled Athena’s chair as he settled back down next to her. “But hi anyway! Do I need to curtsey or anything?”
“I would really prefer you did not.”
“Hey,” Ema grunted unceremoniously.
“I’m beyond glad that you’re all visiting our humble home.” Everyone who was not Nahyuta peered around at the ancient bejeweled decorations in the room. “And that the Holy Mother guided your safe travels.”
“Herr Samurai and I are always at yours and Edgeworth’s beck and call.”
“I doubt that.” His fingers and hands formed a prayerful pose. “However, we will save those conversations for later. Now is no time for work.” He beckoned for everyone to follow him back the way that the two had just come. Simon eventually worked out they were returning to that pleasant balcony across from Nahyuta’s various rooms.
Everyone settled down in the spot they found most comfortable. Simon set himself down onto one of the blankets and supported his back with many pillows, as well as a chair to support those. Gavin settled into that chair yet was careful not to jostle him.
And everyone just...talked. Softly and kindly the adopted brothers caught everyone up on the goings on of the kingdom not related to law. Rayfa’s training was progressing well enough; Nahyuta was no help when it came to legitimate spirit channeling, but they often spent time meditating together. Apollo, having lived here for over a year at this point, adjusted well to this life. He had a few other friends around town, one being someone who sounded utterly ridiculous named Datz.
Through all the conversation, another voice broke through, speaking softly in Khura’inese. Everyone was now face to face with former Queen Amara Sigatar Khura’in and future Queen Rayfa Padma Khura’in.
“Should I curtsey now?” Athena whispered loudly to Ema.
Amara’s palms pressed together, fingers pointing in opposite directions. She looked regal, yet Simon could not help but glance over at the photo of her and Dhurke. Rayfa, next to her, looked impatient.
“We have been searching for you, Braid - Yut - Nahyuta.” A family that loved nicknames together, stayed together.
“His friends are visiting,” Amara murmured. “You remembered this.”
“I should like to visit them, too!” Her staff jingled with the force of her declaration.
Nahyuta sighed as he stood from his cross-legged position on a sofa. “I hoped to avoid this meeting all week, yet may I introduce my mother, Her Mercifulness Queen Amara and my sister, Her Benevolence, Princess Rayfa.”
Rayfa beamed. One by one, Nahyuta pointed to each to introduce them. Simon was glad that they both greeted Athena kindly enough. He knew he was perhaps too scary looking to warrant much niceties. Gavin went over the top and stood, bowed, then thanked them profusely to allow their trespassing into such a private space.
Rayfa was clearly taken with him already. “It is not so private! We told Yuty to bring his friends here whenever he wished to.” Her expression hardened. “Who disturbed our game!” She pointed at the pieces that Simon rearranged much to his amusement. “Nahyuta, are you cheating?”
“Do not accuse me of such mean tricks!” He sent a dirty look towards Simon; he was too smart, sometimes. He and Rayfa marched over to the table to argue in Khura’inese over where their pieces were originally before a demon had disrupted them. Simon felt Amara watching him, yet she said nothing as she took the seat that Klavier occupied previously.
“You are one of the visiting prosecutors?” she asked Simon.
“Yes.”
“It is customary to address me with ‘Your Mercifulness.’”
“Good to know.”
Ema looked worried at his boldness; Simon was not looking at Amara, so perhaps she wore a dark look upon her delicate features. When Rayfa seemed satisfied that their game returned to its previous state, and they both turned back to face their group, they appeared alarmed as well.
Nahyuta might have offered a little prayer before he said, “If I may suggest our groups separate? Some of us have to work this week.” He eyed Ema and Athena, who high fived. “If Prosecutors Gavin and Blackquill would follow me we can discuss what Edgeworth hopes to learn from this.”
“But we thought we could all meet back up for dinner later?” Apollo added. “Our treat. We know the best take out places around here.”
Everyone agreed on that. Rayfa had a complaining tone as she said something in Khura’inese, but both mother and brother silenced her. Simon hoisted himself up and followed Klavier and Nahyuta across the hall to that same grand room. He eyed the portrait of Nahyuta again. It seemed that Gavin did not notice it yet.
Apollo led the troupe down the hall the way they came, probably off to have fun and not about to get a lesson on legal systems from Nahyuta.
He gestured behind a pair of doors that Simon had no opportunity to trespass in earlier. It was his office, plainly furnished and decorated. No gilded swords or jewels needed in order to prosecute.
An absolutely massive desk sat squarely in the middle of the room, but it was neatly organized. Someone with that much on their plate would have to be. Nahyuta gestured for them to sit in the fine seats opposite the desk.
They all sat and stared at each other.
“To be honest, I can offer you very few trials to sit in on this week. Most of the cases at court are civil in nature, and Apollo and I delegate those to the less experienced. The stakes aren’t as high.”
“You no longer execute those you perceive as guilty, yes?”
Gavin elbowed him. “A charge of murder is very serious.”
Simon shrugged.
Nahyuta carried on smoothly, “Did your Chief Prosecutor hope to learn anything specific about our customs? You’re welcome to all of my textbooks, the royal library, and the...non-royal library in the city.”
“For the lowly commoners?” Simon asked.
Nahyuta scowled. “Klavier, you may have free reign to study as you like. This panda who follows you around must resort to watching civil trial after trial.”
“My mind would rot.”
“Speaking to you rots mine!” With rosary in hand, he slammed his fist against the desk.
Klavier laughed uneasily. “So Edgeworth! He wants an idea of what you used to start over and what laws you kept.”
“Well...we decided to keep No Murdering People.”
Simon threw his head back and laughed, slapping at his thigh. When he silenced himself, he looked back to Klavier, who held his head in his hands.
“This week is going to be very long,” he murmured.
“It will,” Nahyuta sighed, looking directly at Simon as he spoke. Simon sent him a side eye and a smile. “We keep the crime rate low, even if punishment for being found guilty of any crime is no longer so drastic for all parties. Should something with more substance come up, you will hear about it.”
“Maybe call us in as observers when something does come up, instead of hoping for it, ja?”
“I hope for no substantial cases. Apollo and I are...tired.” He pushed away the strands of hair that were too short to make it into his braid. “But we are glad that you are all here. I like the majority of you, as does Apollo. You’ll provide us a good break.”
“Glad to be of service,” Simon said.
Nahyuta stood and directed them to some of the textbooks and tomes lining fine wood shelves. There they would find some of the source material for what much of the legal system was based on. Simon ran his finger down the spine of a particularly beat up purple book. He recognized instantly the branding of the Defiant Dragons on the front then quietly put it back. Antagonizing Nahyuta was fun but not about his dearly departed father.
They stayed another hour before Queen Amara appeared in the doorway, requesting Nahyuta’s presence for something probably very stuffy and royal. His Regalness was kind enough to walk them out all the way to the guarded red gate, yet he did not set foot outside the palace walls. Nahyuta promised again that he and Apollo would return later that night to their Travel-Inn, with plenty of food, as well as alcohol.
The walk back from the palace would not take very long, though Gavin managed to fill nearly every moment with conversation. Simon did appreciate and usually enjoyed his company; he was one of the few prosecutors he tolerated well from the office. They bonded over siblings in prison, who felt at times they did nothing wrong. Klavier was also one of the few prosecutors Simon met and worked with before his little prison detour. When he was cleared of his crimes and allowed to actually return to work, Klavier welcomed him back with arms far too open for Simon’s comfort.
So he closed them a little, if only to lull him into a false sense of security yet a true sense of friendship.
They arrived back at their accommodations after the walk. Ema and Athena were quietly resting on the soft pillows and couches in the main room. The jet lag had yet to wear off for any of them. He quietly stepped over to Athena and made himself comfortable, sprawled out on pillows on the floor. Gavin went upstairs. Prosecution work could wait for a nap.
Simon managed to snooze eventually, yet he was rudely awakened by Athena stepping on him as she stood from the couch. She yelled her apologies then crawled down onto the floor with him to try and force him back asleep; embarrassingly, he often used her as a pillow back home.
But there was a rapping at the front door, meaning His Holiness and Justice had arrived. He barely managed to drag himself from the floor by the time Ema opened the door for them. Athena reached out to take some of the plastic bags from their hands.
“How much food did you get!”
“You’ll want leftovers,” Apollo answered. “Trust us, some of this is just as good leftover as it is fresh. And there are six of us.”
“I don’t remember what or when I ate today,” Nahyuta added. The bags in his hands clinked noisily when they were set down onto the table. Gavin came hopping down the steps and narrowly missed slamming into Nahyuta, who went to get glasses and plates from the kitchen.
Klavier was all over Justice in an instant, trying to help sort out the food by group and spice level and greasiness. Ema joined Nahyuta in the kitchen area to bring over glasses. She gestured for some help with the silverware.
“Athena,” she called, “are you drinking?” She looked back to Nahyuta and asked, “Should I have covered your holy ears, O Regent?”
Athena responded that she wanted at least a little bit.
“I would like to just be Nahyuta tonight,” he answered softly. Simon watched thinly disguised sorrow pass over his features.
“You promised to take me to your favorite cafe the next time I was here,” Ema said when settled down at her spot around the table. “So get out your calendar and pick a time.”
“I did promise that, and so we shall go.” He sat next to her. Athena patted the cushion next to her for Simon. Oh, how convenient that Klavier and Apollo could sit next to each other.
While waiting for everyone to get settled, Nahyuta commented on their Travel-Inn. “Apollo informed me how large it was, but I was not expecting this.”
“The office would have paid for accommodations,” Gavin replied, “but I wouldn’t have enjoyed them. I can’t fathom sharing a bed with someone like Simon Blackquill.”
Nahyuta laughed loudly. Justice sent him a confused look, so he quieted down.
In the silence, they all stared at each other around the table. Nahyuta’s hands formed their prayerful pose, as he asked, “Does anyone mind?”
No one was going to say that they did, anyway. He prayed quietly, in his native language, then broke the pose and opened his eyes. He stared directly at Simon. Now that the whirlwind of setting up this feast had passed, he noticed how much more relaxed the monk appeared. He was no longer gilded and zipped up tightly with itchy looking collars or royal fashions. Nahyuta only looked comfortable, in light, tight jeans and a black sweater.
Then began an organized frenzy of passing around the dishes so that everyone could have their fill. Athena kept stealing containers right out of his hands as soon as Apollo passed them along. He paid back the favor by wrenching a huge bottle of alcohol from her hands after she barely poured any in her glass. Apollo and Nahyuta advised on the best mixers for the types of alcohol they supplied.
Athena broke the silence as they ate by bringing up perhaps the touchiest subject of all time. “Trucy was telling me she can’t find a better assistant than you, Polly. No one else falls for all her jokes like you always did.”
He slurped some noodles. “I’m sure there are way better assistants out there - ones who don’t flinch when the doves go flying out of her hat.”
“She’s got a new trick with mirrors,” Ema added. “Scientifically speaking, I can’t figure out how she manages to do any of it. Simon even fell for it.”
Gavin laughed loudly at the memory. “The Fraeulein reached her hand through an ordinary mirror and flicked him on the forehead.”
“Obviously, it is not an ordinary mirror if she puts her hand through it, Gavin-dono.”
He shrugged. “We all took a look at it, remember?”
“A magician never reveals her secrets anyway,” Athena said. “I offered to be her assistant a few times, but Mr. Wri - uh, we had some cases come up so I couldn’t help out much.”
Apollo looked uncomfortable as he pushed some food around on the plate. “Look...you don’t need to tiptoe around me or anything. I’m not as mad at him as I was when he first told us.”
“Even Trucy was very upset,” Gavin reassured him.
“I know. I just thought...I should move here to be with family,” he said, pausing to look at Nahyuta, “because I thought there wasn’t anyone else back home, with Clay gone too...And then six months into it, Mr. Wright surprises us like that? And about our mom…”
“It wasn’t fair of him,” Athena said. “I still don’t understand why he kept the secret from you both for so long.”
“Yeah…” He looked around at everyone. “Sorry.”
Ema knocked back the rest of her drink already. “You can just consider us family,” she stated. “We’ll always be your friends, so we’ll be there for you.”
“Wow.” Justice blinked. “Thanks, Ema.”
“What - I can’t be nice and supportive?” Ema helped herself to more food. “I mean it, Apollo.”
Athena, perhaps sensing too many out of control emotions from their table, steered the conversation to excitedly talk about this year’s school festival at Themis Legal Academy. Everyone was assuming no similar tragedies like last time would take place, which was quite the assumption. Gavin had been invited back again, a tragedy in itself, since he was a hit last time.
“You should consider a world tour,” Simon joked, “since your performance for some school children was a success.”
“I am considering it. But I would need something new to perform for my fans, so it will have to wait. The kick off would be in Khura’in, of course.”
“Oh, of course ,” Ema mocked. She rolled her eyes as Klavier did not grace her with a response and only grinned wide at Justice beside him. Ema whispered something in Nahyuta’s ear, and they laughed together.
They talked more about less heavy subjects. Mostly everyone had finished round one of food and drink. Simon continued to nurse his very large, strong drink when everyone passed around the plates and bottles again.
He felt his phone buzz, so he pulled it out to read the notification.
“Who could be texting you?” Athena asked. “I’m right here.”
He shoved her, which got some of the sauce she had been pouring on her food onto her jeans. “An email from the boss,” he said, looking to Klavier. “Already asking for updates. What does he think we’re doing here?”
“Hm, not working?” Gavin answered.
“He knows us too well. How shall I respond? ‘This country is boring now that there’s no revolution. Prosecutor Sahdmadhi punishes no one and has no idea of what he is doing.’”
“I could punish you for speaking so sharply, you witless beast.”
“Forgive me - have I tarnished your perfect, holy name?”
“I was just going to say I was glad you weren’t at each other’s throats anymore,” Athena sighed.
Apollo added, “Yeah, I was really hoping we wouldn’t have to listen to this the whole trip.”
“At each other’s throats?” Nahyuta questioned. “You think we would like to strangle one another?”
“Little bit!”
“I wasn’t aware we hated each other that much,” Simon replied. “Were you, Sad Monk?”
“No, nor was I, yet I would appreciate it if you could keep me updated on these developments, Panda.”
“Everyone at the office was expecting an uber violent reunion when Herr Monk returned to prosecute. Neither of these two delivered, sadly.”
“As I prayed to the Holy Mother for strength during the recess of that trial, it became clear that my feelings of hatred towards the reverse panda were clouding my judgement and focus. I chose to let them go and move on.” His hands folded in a prayer, and his eyes closed. “It was also kind of that panda to bring me a manju bun.”
Simon choked a little on his drink. “Yes...Taka must have accidentally picked up an extra serving.”
Nahyuta’s eyes opened, once again, to stare directly at Simon.
He heard a ringing in his ears.
“Are you worried about your precious bird?” Ema asked. “Leaving her all alone back home?”
“She is not alone. She is housed at Kurukuru Tei with Jugemu and Uendo.”
“Jugemu?” Nahyuta said. “The...dog of Geiru Toneido?”
Athena rocketed upwards and flung herself by the monk’s side, while pulling out her phone. “Simon basically adopted him after Geiru went to jail. I have these great pictures of him trying to train him but failing miserably.” She gave the phone to Nahyuta to swipe through the unflattering photos.
“I did not adopt him,” Simon defended. “However, who was to buy his food or care for him, for surely Uendo could not take on all those responsibilities. Jugemu would be crated off to a shelter, what with his owner charged with murder.”
The ringing got louder. Simon picked up his drink to finish it.
“Simon made me come with him that day so we could take all these pictures and show to Geiru, when he went to visit her. Look how well trained and behaved her boy was being.”
Simon felt desperate to get off this conversation topic, especially when Ema leaned over Nahyuta to admire the awful pictures, too.
But Nahyuta had stopped looking at the phone. He was looking at Simon.
The ringing spiked in volume, making him flinch harshly. A shocking jolt skipped his heart, and it rattled his mind. Simon felt something unknowingly forbidden settle deep in his chest, but he could not focus on it for more than a fleeting moment, for the drinking glass in his hand shattered.
Everyone at the table recoiled from the sudden explosion. Athena and Klavier materialized on either side of him, both pulling at his palm that was cut from glass.
“I’ll clean up!” Ema announced frantically. “I’ll have to throw out your food, Simon, scientifically speaking; we can’t have you eating glass, too.”
“Fine, fine,” he sighed, as the aftershock of...whatever that just was washed over him.
“Let’s go upstairs and clean this up,” Gavin advised and pulled him up by his good hand. He held onto him so gently. “This doesn’t look deep, just long. Come on.”
He tried to insist he was fine and needed no nursing as Gavin carefully washed the cut in the sink. His friend had been so careful as to roll up his shirt sleeves to avoid them getting wet. He let the water warm to flow over his palm until the bleeding stopped. There were plenty of spare towels in the bathroom, so Simon was instructed to carefully pat dry while Klavier went hunting for bandages.
“I’m sure you’ve had worse,” Klavier said when he returned. Simon chose to stop arguing and held his injured hand out for him.
“My prison attackers would claim as much.”
“That was very odd. Were you holding the glass too tightly?”
“What sort of question is that? ...Did you hear a ringing in your ears just before?”
“Nein. You did?”
He nodded. “I felt sick.”
“Hmm, you worry me sometimes, Herr Samurai.” Liberally, he applied a healing ointment to the cut with clean hands, then patted down a large bandage across Simon's palm.
"Thank you."
He smiled. "I can't have you making any hospital trips while here!"
They returned downstairs. Ema and Apollo were picking over Simon’s place at the table, still searching for any remaining glass shards. Athena scrambled over to him to inquire after the patient, but he showed her Dr. Gavin’s excellent bandaging as proof he was on the mend.
Ema had pulled out her magnifying glass. Simon had no desire to deal with that commotion as Klavier and Athena joined on their hunt, arguing with them over if they had found a particularly large grain of salt or more glass. One was missing from their party…
Simon turned to find Nahyuta hiding in the kitchen. He practically chugged his drink the second he was found. Mid-sip, he pointed to a freshly made drink on the counter.
“For you,” he said simply. “Shall I fetch you a straw? Since you seem incapable of drinking like a normal creature. I found no sipping cups.”
Simon clinked his glass to his. “Thanks.” He drank deeply. Somehow, Nahyuta had made it stronger. “And they are called ‘sippy-cups.’”
“I know this - I wanted to hear you say it.” He grinned like a bastard. “Your group knows how to make an evening interesting.”
They heard Athena suggest someone eat the glass or salt grain. Simon urged everyone to return to their food, to forget this literal mess. They were corralled eventually, and everyone settled back into comfort after a few more minutes.
Nahyuta and Apollo stayed for hours more. He was glad they did, for they could keep catching up on each others’ lives. No watchful mothers or bratty sisters would be around. Sometimes, Nahyuta would look at him, and his heart would stutter.
When the brothers left, they agreed that before sentencing Klavier and Simon to hard legal labor the next day, there was a particular art museum their group should visit. Newly installed exhibits showed posters, signs, and art from the revolution. Nahyuta seemed especially proud of this exhibit, noting how important it was that this dark history was never erased or twisted.
It was late in the night when the friends half-assed a clean up from dinner and separated for bed. Athena asked for approximately the ninetieth time if his hand hurt; he wanted to rip off the bandage and show her just how insignificant it was, but he answered her kindly.
It took ages for him to fall asleep, which was not unusual. It was impossible for him to stay asleep, which was also not unusual. What was unusual about his sleep was the soft voice calling him to wake.
Someone in his presence in a vulnerable, sleepy state activated a frustratingly difficult to shake response within him. His sharp intake of breath that was tinged with panic brought him to life and facing Athena.
“Sorry, it’s just me, it’s just me…” She was sitting on the edge of the bed. “I know you don’t like being woken up like that, I’m sorry.”
That was too much for so early in the morning. “What is it?” Simon curled around the pillow.
“Did your alarm not go off?”
“If you are acting as one, then I suppose not. What time is it?”
“It’s after ten.”
He groaned. “You couldn’t have woken me sooner!”
“Sorry! I had to psych myself up to do this!”
Simon flung himself from bed. They agreed to meet the brothers at this revolutionary art museum at eleven, so he needed to hurry.
Yet very nearly everything kept going wrong for him that morning. The coffee burnt his tongue, as well as splashed onto his shirt. His palm started bleeding again. The shower water was freezing. His cell phone seemed to have vanished from reality. And even after all of that, Simon was loath to admit that he single handedly led their group astray, missing the art museum by about five city blocks.
No one was very pleased with him by the time they ascended the museum steps.
“Did you guys get lost?” Justice asked. The brothers were clearly waiting.
“Yes!” Ema yelled, pointing an accusing finger at Simon. “He got us lost.”
“Ye gods, fetch the tar and feathers for my punishment, then!”
“He’s just having a bit of bad luck this morning!” Athena defended, like the lawyer she was. “Now come on - I want to see some giant statues.”
She bolted off through the front doors. He already felt exhausted from the compounding bad luck from this morning, so Simon hung at the back of the group. Nahyuta and Apollo were behind him, hissing at each other in Khura’inese. Without warning, His Elegance pushed ahead of him to walk with Ema. Justice then appeared next to Simon.
“Do you have that magatama with the eye I gave you yesterday?” he asked without preamble.
“No. What of it?”
The resulting sigh sounded the most tired he ever heard Justice. “Great, just checking.”