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Chief Prosecutor Miles Edgeworth didn’t get many visits. He had few friends who would even consider spending time with him for leisure, and all of them had enough sense to let him work in peace in his office.
Of course, that went for those who weren’t going through learning all their social skills still. That day, however, he found out there was someone who hadn’t understood that part of the social contract.
And just who might be this?, he thought. Sure, he wasn’t specifically overwhelmed with cases (the social, judicial and law enforcement improvements started a few years back were making sure crime went down a fair bit from before), but this was still his sacred temple of peace.
With a sigh, he let his newspaper down and went to open the door. There, he found a girl with blue cape and a magician’s hat over her short brown hair. She looked up at him with her ever present smile.
—Hello, Mr. Edgeworth! How you’ve been?
—Hello, Trucy! I’m fine, thanks for asking. It has been some time, if I’m not mistaken.
—Yeah, my Daddy says you are always too busy to visit. Can I enter?
—I don’t know. Can you?
—Well, of course! —She said, and with a hand gesture she appeared behind a very surprised Edgeworth —What do you think of my new trick?
—Trucy! Don’t ever do that to me again! Understood?
—Yes, Mr. Edgeworth —Suddenly, she seemed more down on her spirits than she should have been from that reproach, from what Miles remembered.
—By the way, how are you? —He asked as he poured her some tea with a piece of cake.
—I’m fine, Mr. Edgeworth. The shows have been going swimmingly as of late, and with Mommy and Daddy’s help my grades at school are recovering.
—I see. To be honest, I remember Wright as not being the brightest in school when we were kids, so I guess he must be making a serious effort there for you.
—Yes, Mr Edgeworth —She seemed to brighten up little at this reminder of how much her parents cared for her —. Mommy too helps me, although she seems to not know as much as Daddy at first. Sometimes it feels as if we were both learning at the same time.
—Well, I guess she never received much formal education, what with being left in a mountain temple so young.
—That’s what she told me. But she still makes an effort to help me, even though she has my little brother and her job to think about, too.
—Well, I guess your father helps her with the former. Last time I saw him he was with the boy still in his arms and seemed very happy while playing with him.
“But Trucy, something tells me you didn’t come here to speak about your family life, did you?”
At this comment, the young magician turned down her face, like she was embarrassed to speak more.
—My dad is right, you know? —She finally said —You are a very observant man.
—I am, yes. Now, if you would tell me what worries you, I might be able to help —While he didn’t usually show this side of himself, Edgeworth had a soft spot for his little “niece”.
—Well, you know how my parents are very in love with one another, right?
—I’m reminded of that every time I see either of them. To be honest, I would be very worried if it wasn’t the case.
—And you know the Gumshoes are also really in love, right?
—I’m seem to recall the Chief of Police always coming here with his dumb smile, yes. But what about it? Why are you so worried about that, all of a sudden?
—Well, you remember Pearls, right?
—You speak of Maya’s little cousin and your mom’s sister, if I’m not mistaken. I think I remember her, yes —Just where is this conversation heading, he thought.
—Well, we were talking the other day, and she told me of a boy she likes. And I was very happy for her, but then I asked how it was, and she seemed a little surprised.
—“How it was”? What is “it”, exactly?
—Well —She seemed to struggle to find the right words —, to feel that way about someone, I guess.
—“That way”? You mean, to “have a crush” on someone? —Edgeworth was dumbfounded. Was Trucy really there just to speak about love? How could he, of all people, tell her anything useful.
—Yes. You see, I’ve never had something like that —For some reason, she seemed embarrassed by it.
—You mean, you’ve never liked someone that way? But I thought you and Pearl loved to talk about pairing people together.
—Yes, of course! —She seemed to want to be really clear about this point —. When I see the happiness of Mommy and Daddy, it’s only natural that I want others to feel it too and think who their “special someone” might be. But the thing is, I’ve never felt what Pearls told me about, and whenever I ask how people feel, there is always something missing.
—How so?
—Well, the way they describe it sounds like a very special friend, but I just don’t understand what makes them decide that. And also, for some reason some boys and girls really want to find their special someone. When I asked my parents, they told me that not everyone was so eager for that. But when I told them what I thought, they didn’t seem to find the right words for it.
—And so, you came to me in search for guidance?
—Yes, sir! My dad told me you might have the insight into this to help me!
Me, insight on love? Just what was Wright thinking about? Those were the first thoughts that crossed his mind, and then a light-bulb turned on in his head. Could... could it be that she is…
—Trucy, if you don’t mind me asking, how old are you?
—I turned nineteen last month, sir. You were traveling that week, but sent me congrats through Daddy. I guess you remembered the date, but not my age.
—I was just checking to see if I misremembered. Now, tell me: You’ve never felt this thing that Pearl and your parents talk about, right?
—No, sir —Again she stared at her empty teacup —. Pearl was surprised too, and even though she wasn’t mean, she seemed really confused. I can’t fault her, since I didn’t even know there was something wrong with me.
—Trucy, there is nothing wrong with you. If you take anything from this conversation, let it be that. I’m sure your friend wouldn’t want you to take that mean intention out of her words.
—My parents told me that, too. But they also seemed a little unsure about what to say.
—Unsure as they may be, they are your parents and they know there’s nothing wrong with you.
“Now, if I may inquire further: You said you wanted others to feel a happiness like that of your parents, right?”
—Why, yes, of course.
—But, you’ve never wanted it for yourself, did you now?
—Well, not really. Maybe if Mommy was with us when Daddy adopted me I would have for a time, but either way I’m not really interested in that.
—And it doesn’t occupy your mind like it seems to occupy your peers, I believe.
—That’s right! That was another thing I found weird. All the actors and actresses that people fawn over are pretty, don’t get me wrong, but they seem to take it to another level, Mr. Edgeworth.
—Yes, I believe I thought the same when I was a teenager. In that time I was dead set on becoming a prosecutor and didn’t have any other thought in mind, but even if I had had a normal childhood I think it would have been weird to me.
—So dad was right! You know something about this!
—I guess I do. One last question, Trucy: Do you see yourself in a situation like your parents’ someday? I mean, married and with a family and all “lovey dovey”, as kids today say.
—Well, having someone I could trust to help me in day to day life wouldn’t be half bad, and of course they would have to be a very good friend of mine if they’re going to live with me. But while I like seeing Daddy hug Mommy and them kissing, it is more because I like their happiness, and not because I want “that” kind of relationship.
Edgeworth sat there, thinking of this new information. It isn’t absolutely definitive, but then again, these kind of things never are. The hints are there though, and she does need an answer.
—Trucy —He said —, I think I have an idea of what is happening here.
—Really, Mr. Edgeworth? What is it?
—Well, the final answer can only come from you, naturally, but I can give you this answer to help calm your worries: As I said, there’s nothing wrong with you, Trucy. In fact, you seem to be like me in many respects.
—Like you, Mr. Edgeworth? How so?
—Well, as I said before, I never really “got” what other people had with romance. I knew it was a source of happiness to them, but I never really felt the need for it. And when your father saved me, and I grew as a person as a result, I still didn’t need it, and yet I felt more fulfilled than ever before. I see him as the opposite of me, actually: a romantic, both in love and in friendships, willing to become a lawyer just to see a friend again, or believe for years in the goodness of a girl who supposedly tried to poison him.
“I, meanwhile, am not like that. For sure, I’ve done things for my friends that I would’ve never done for other people, like when Wright asked me to defend your mother after I flew here overnight, or stalling a trial for Maya’s sake. But when it comes to love, I must say I’m not really interested. In fact, I try to avoid the topic whenever possible, and prefer my own company in the day to day routine.”
—But, Mommy said she came back with my father because of your help.
—Well, Iris is just being too kind there, as she tends to be. To be perfectly honest, I didn’t fully understand what was happening at the time. But even if I did, it still would have been because my best friend was hurting —She thought for a moment before adding —. Don’t you dare tell them I said that, okay?
—Roger that, sir!
—Good. I hope you understand now, Trucy. There is nothing wrong with you. In fact, those who may make you feel bad about how you feel or don’t feel are the ones in the wrong, and if I have a free moment that day, I could always have a talk with those people.
—Really, Mr. Edgeworth? That’s so cool! —She said with glowing eyes. Even when she was nearing her twenties, she still had some traits from the little teenager, and her “uncle” silently wished she never lost them —But, now that I think about it, I’m also not exactly like you, am I? After all, it’s not like I avoid the topic, what with me enjoying my talks about it with Pearl, and the thought of having a relationship with someone not really annoying me, although it would have to be very different from what Mommy and Daddy have right now. I don’t think I’d really like such arrangement.
—Well, Trucy, you especially should know that there are not two people in this world who are exactly the same in everything. Anyway, I don’t think you should worry about exact definitions and the like. Your answers will come by your own hand in due time. And, if anyone tries to pick a fight because of it, you know where I work.
—Thank you, Mr. Edgeworth! —She said while giving him a hug. This, at least, was something they both enjoyed.
When Trucy was going out, she seemed to remember something. —Oh, right! Mr. Edgeworth, do you know where I can get more information about this? There’s bound to be something out there, if other people are like us.
—I’m sorry, but I can’t help you there. Some years ago someone told me about that. Some acronym or abbreviation, I think. And since I didn’t really care, it went the same way as the solar system in Herlock Sholmes’ mind —Since she didn’t seem to understand, he explained himself —. I forgot about it, Trucy.
“But I think a man to whom I was talkig to some years ago told me something similar to this, and he wrote some words and letters in a piece of paper. Let me look for it —He started going through his papers and files, and finally got up from his desk after exclaiming “Eureka!” —. Kay seems to have placed it with the files of the year she worked with me. Well, here you go. The umbrella term is in here, from what little I remember. Surely there must be something in the internet. Maybe your parents could learn with you, like when they help you studying. I, for my part, couldn’t really care much apart from helping you.”
—Thanks! Well, I better get going. Goodbye, Mr. Edgeworth!
She was already out of sight before he could answer. He closed the door and entered. In the small table in the middle of the place, the newspaper was open on an announcement of a new “Steel Samurai” movie. After saving it for later, he went to his desk and started working, while thinking if his tea would be too cold at this point.