Chapter Text
Franziska had known going on a walk up a mountain that had not been regularly traversed in years was a remarkably foolish idea. Going on such an excursion with Maya Fey, of all people, was even more foolish. The woman was an accident waiting to happen, stumbling over robes as she ran excitedly from place to place.
But Interpol needed information on the legitimacy of spirit mediums— they were once again considering using spirit testimony in particularly complex investigations— and it was not as if Franziska could just waltz into Fey Manor and demand a detailed report on every spirit channelling that had ever been done and witnesses to corroborate their validity. A younger Franziska probably would have tried, but she now knew that these things required caution, and detail, and building a rapport with her unwitting informant.
So she found herself boarding a bus at the crack of dawn with Kurain’s young Master-in-training. Maya had spoken over breakfast (remarkably heavy food for such an early meal, but Maya Fey’s eating habits seemed unable to be swayed even by lack of sleep) of checking on caves formerly used by spirit mediums for training, but Franziska was still unsure exactly what this trip entailed. Would there be emergency construction required? Taking inventory, perhaps, of which caves had become dilapidated from disuse?
When she voiced these concerns to Maya as they stepped off of the bus, standing at the base of Mount Mitama, Maya simply laughed, the clear sound cutting through the still-rising morning mist.
“We’re going on a hike, Franziska!” Maya looked over at her, a wide smile plastered across her round face. “Yeah, we can check on the caves, and like, it’s something we should do, but they’re probably fine! Dusty, maybe, but it’s stone and water. What could really have gone wrong?” As Franziska’s sleep-addled mind attempted to process these words, and then tried to find a reason for why she was needed to assist Maya if they were not going to do any real work, Maya placed a hand on her shoulder.
Even through the fabric of Franziska’s sleeves, she could feel that Maya’s hand was cool. Somehow, she was also convinced that it would have been soft, too, had she been able to really feel Maya’s skin. Franziska’s hands were calloused, always warm on the handle of her whip, and for a second she wondered if she would be able to reach out, examine the contrast between their palms.
Franziska was the most awake she had felt all morning, feeling Maya’s hand rest on her arm. If Maya moved just an inch or so downwards she would have met still-rough scar tissue, but she did not, keeping her fingers lightly above the old wound.
Then Maya brushed her hand away, and the moment passed as soon as it arrived. The sensation lingered on Franziska’s shoulder as Maya continued.
“Look, maybe I overplayed the business aspect a little, but that’s because you’re always so into professionalism!” Maya pouted playfully. “We’ve never actually, you know, spent time together? We’ve sort of— occupied the same space, because of Nick and Mr. Edgeworth, but we were always separated. And now you’re here, on your super-secret Interpol business, and, well, I thought it was a good opportunity?”
Franziska considered this. Overall, the statement of a sentimental fool, with little basis in reality: Maya had no reason to want to spend time with Franziska, or even have a positive opinion of her, given their past. But something about Maya was so genuine, so open— the way she clearly laid out her true motives with little questioning, the way she smiled at their lush surroundings, the way she had insisted she and Franziska sit next to each other on the otherwise empty bus— made Franziska consider that perhaps Maya’s suggestion did have merit. They were constantly meeting each other, while not interacting. It was logical, really, even if this specific outing made very little sense.
Franziska straightened her posture.
“You are correct, Miss Maya Fey. I admit I had not considered this previously.” She turned her head to hold Maya’s gaze firmly. “However, my being ‘into professionalism’ may be explained by the fact that I am here on a business trip. Casual outings were not in my itinerary.”
Maya’s face fell for a second, but it wasn’t long before a new smile, considerably smaller than the first, displayed across her face.
“Yeah, um, I’m sorry. About that. If you had something planned, I think the bus is still here, you could maybe ride it to the ocean and then stay on it while it circles back to the village… ?” Maya glanced over at the bus, still standing in wait for any stray hikers coming down. This was more out of routine than anything else, as the mountain was certainly not a popular climbing spot, not to mention the fact that this was the earliest bus to leave Kurain that day.
Franziska von Karma was nothing if not intense. She knew this, having cultivated this air of intensity since early childhood. Speaking curtly, never shying away from speaking her mind, refusing to put her whip down even in a courtroom— all were calculated to elicit a certain response. Franziska had realized at a very young age that she would never be awarded respect if she allowed her edges to soften one bit.
But outside of her interactions with certain… irritating men, Franziska rarely intended to be abrasive. She was intense, but not cruel, only stating facts instead of spouting insults. Unfortunately, this was something few people picked up on. A foolish hope, really, to think that Maya would be able to look deeper. Franziska had been nothing but a wildfire, destructive and thrashing, around Maya.
Normally Franziska would take this misunderstanding as a cue to fill the role Maya had cast her as. But this was Maya, happy, smiling Maya, who had seen something in Franziska that Franziska herself could not comprehend, and brought her on a hike simply to talk. This was Franziska’s fault, for never being able to get her tone just right, and being around Maya spurred a desire to amend the miscommunication.
Seventeen-year-old Franziska would have weeped to look at her. Her father would have been horrendously ashamed.
But the current Franziska let herself smile at Maya, trying her best to keep the expression soft and not smug.
“No, I- I…” Her voice was failing her again, as it always did when she needed to dig out of a hole she had pushed herself into. “I did not mean to imply disinterest. It is, as you stated, a good opportunity, considering our history.”
Maya rolled her eyes then, mouthing “considering our history?” back at Franziska. But her smile was growing now, becoming more and more like the one she wore on the bus to Mt. Mitama.
And Franziska felt her own smile widen. She still struggled to allow herself an unguarded smile, but Maya’s energy was inescapable. The woman was freedom itself, and everything about her was infectious.
“I will come on this hike with you, Maya Fey. I do believe the conversation and air will do us both good. Provided that—” she lifted a finger— “we examine these acolyte caves thoroughly. Hopefully, this may allow you to train without the dangers you experienced at Hazakura.”
Maya looked at Franziska quizzically, topknot bobbing as she tilted her head.
“You- remembered that? I didn’t think…” Another misunderstanding. Franziska was opening her mouth to respond when Maya cut her off by grasping Franziska’s forearm enthusiastically.
This meant she touched exposed skin, and, oh, Maya’s hands were soft. Maya’s hands were softer than any that had grazed Franziska’s skin in a long time, delivering what was perhaps the gentlest touch Franziska had ever felt. And Franziska could feel their texture now, creases and small ridges against her arm, and when she caught Maya’s gaze all possible words died in her mouth.
“Oh, this is exactly what I was hoping for! I was right! This means you were thinking about me, even a little bit, and that means I wasn’t totally overstepping by inviting you here, and now I know for sure that we can be friends!”
Her smile was toothy, and Franziska noticed there was a tiny gap between her front teeth, and god. Franziska was really, truly staring at Maya Fey now, and her foolish, sentimental mind had robbed her of the ability to force herself to look away.
Maya laughed again, clear, mirthful, excited . To spend time with Franziska von Karma.
Franziska looked at Maya’s hand on her arm, and allowed herself to be pulled along onto the start of the hiking trail.
She heard the rumble of tires moving away, stranding them with an entire mountain ahead, and she did not look back.