Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

"Ugh..." Apollo groaned as he stood in the accused lobby with Mr. Wright, Mr. Edgeworth and Athena. How did he get in this mess again? He could barely even remember the details of the case since so many thoughts about the recent events that had just occurred were flooding his mind instead. Apollo was panicking, who wouldn't in his place? The situation was dire since all the evidence pointed to Dhurke being the one who murdered Inga Karkhuul Khura'in and the cherry on top was the fact that if he and Mr. Wright failed to prove Dhurke Sahdmadhi innocent they would also receive the same punishment as him, the death penalty. Apollo shuddered from just even thinking about it.

"Come on, Apollo! You seriously can't be thinking about backing out now are you?" Athena chimed as she frowned when she sensed a hint of discord in Apollo's heart.

"W-What...? No! O-Of course not! I'd never back out of this case!" Apollo stated almost immediately and shaking his head furiously after Athena's accusation, her eyebrow raised at him suspiciously. "It's just that...well, you know how bad the case is looking. Of course I believe in Dhurke, it's just that the stress is just really getting to me, Dhurke was covered in blood and holding the murder weapon and there's also the DC act to be thinking about..." He explained while nervously scratching the back of his head and looking at the floor.

"Apollo! Your name is Apollo Justice and you're fine!!" Athena yelled into his face, making him lose his balance and tumbled back with a yelp onto the floor with a loud thud, making Athena fail to stifle a laugh.

"W-W...What was that for!?" Apollo sputtered out while a sudden high pitched ringing entered his ears mixed with the orange haired girl's giggles.

"Come on, get up and do it with me! I don't wanna look stupid by myself." She said with a hold out to him and an encouraging smile . Apollo took her hand and got back up on his feet. He winced as he tried to massage the back of his head to soothe the pain but that didn't do anything, so he sighed and nodded in defeat. What else could he do? Besides, it never hurts to try. He closed his eyes took a deep breath in that lasted for a few seconds before calling out in unison with Athena:

"We're Apollo Justice and Athena Cykes and we're fine!!!!" Making Miles and Phoenix whip their heads round to see the commotion and earning a shut up from the bailiff, making the pair both laugh their heads off. Admist the boisterous cackles and giggles, Apollo realised he actually did felt a bit more hopeful than he was earlier. Maybe he can actually do this.

"Thanks Athena, I needed that. I feel all pumped up now! I'm gonna prove Dhurke innocent, just you wait and see! Just wait until they all see!" Apollo announced as he wiped away his tears of laughter, putting his hands on his hips and smiling like an idiot. He finally found the confidence he needed to assure not only Dhurke, but also himself.

"That's the spirit! Unfortunately from boss' orders, I can't be up at the bench with you, but know that I'll be in the gallery cheering on for you! Now go kick butt!" Athena replied with an even bigger grin while lightly nudging his shoulder.

During Athena's motivational chat with Apollo, Miles was still worried about Phoenix and Apollo and tried to consult Phoenix into him to accept his help since there was no chance he could convince him to back down from this trial. Their lives were on the line and he couldn't risk anything. Not again.

"Phoenix, are you positive you don't need any help? I can check the autopsy report for mistakes, I can get Ema to give me more details about the-" Miles listed off before a hand was held up to his face to cut him off.

"Miles! I'll be alright, I promise. I believe in Apollo, he may not look it, but he's a fully fledged lawyer. I believe he can prove Dhurke innocent. No matter what. Besides, I can't leave this world yet, who's gonna take care of Charley?"

Phoenix retorted and putting on that goofy smile he made when he was about to present evidence that would shatter his opponent's whole argument, making Miles let out a slight chuckle. His eyes wandered to meet his, those pale blue eyes showing no sign of giving up his argument. He knew Phoenix was serious about this.

"I know, I know. I'm not saying he's incapable of being the lead for the defence, it's just that...I don't want to lose you. Not again. You know how you're always close to losing your life and yet somehow you're clinging on by a hair. But what if this time...you're not so lucky?" He replied, the last statement being more quieter than the rest and averting his gaze from the spikey haired man and looking at the floor instead, scrunching the ends of his burgundy blazer.

Phoenix felt a pang of guilt, he's been in more situations than he can count on his fingers of where his life has been in danger somehow. Making the people that were dear to him worry about him, and even themselves doing risky things. He felt a little selfish, but this time he had to do this. As Apollo's boss, he had to help him and his client no matter the circumstances. For Dhurke's sake. For Apollo's sake.

Phoenix raised his arm and placed a slightly calloused hand on Miles' shoulder, making the usually unreadable man's breath hitch and a slight blush creep up on his face, but too light for Phoenix to notice.

"Don't say things like that. I know that Apollo will find the truth. Trust me. I'll come out unscathed, and if I don't, you can kill me yourself before the executioner can." Phoenix stated with a less eccentric smile and a more reassuring one. It made Miles' heart flutter.

"Unscathed? That would be a surprise considering you always slam the bench at least once. Should I recommended you some hand cream? I know a few good brands." Miles retorted, before he could get anymore flustered, making Phoenix chuckle as his hand slid off his shoulder and back to his side. A small smile crept onto Miles' face, although he missed the contact on his shoulder, he loved small moments like this with Phoenix and cherished them with all of his heart. He never wanted them to end, especially since he was entering a case with such risky consequences. He would never in a million years admit that thought out loud though. But he trusted Phoenix. He knew he could. Countless times he did, and not once has he ever betrayed his trust or disappointed him.

"All right, all right. I trust you, Phoenix. I know I can count on you." Miles sighed. He looked at the man before him once more, and an idea came to him. He decided to mess with the spikey brained idiot. He took a step closer towards Phoenix, making him raise a brow, and ran his fingers over the lawyer's pink tie before tightening it. His velvety fingertips brushing his shirt and also his clavicle underneath, making Phoenix gulp without realising.

"Good luck." Was all he added after his fingers slightly ran down Phoenix's chest before turning on his heels and disappearing out of the courtroom doors to whatever business he had to attend to, leaving Phoenix to blubber and process on what the heck just happened there.

Chapter Text

Rayfa took a deep breath in and let out a shaky exhale. The trial of her father's murder and her mo...Amara's assassination had already started behind the two court doors that stood in front of her, and for some reason she felt nervous. Nervous? No. She clenched her fists. She couldn't feel an emotion like that. Especially since she's the Royal Priestess of Khura'in, and Royal Priestess' never feel weak emotions like being 'nervous' or 'scared'. She'd always be confident, and always right. But that barbed head did somehow prove this wrong, then again, he's a foreign devil. And a lawyer. Pfft. Who's knows what poorly forged 'evidence' he's made to ridicule her? The audacity. But even making fun of him didn't calm her nerves down one bit. Her whole body was trembling, her vision was starting to get blurry and her head was pounding with all sorts of thoughts like:

'Are you sure you can handle this?'

'It's your fault he died.'

''You can't do it. You'll just mess up and disappoint mother like you always do.'

Countless voices screamed at her, Rayfa just wanted to give in as she already regretted her decision in coming to the courthouse. She could always just turn around and forget about this trial, but before she could turn her heel and breathe the fresh air of freedom outside, the bailiff called out a name which she could only half make out but she assumed anyways he called her. She felt sick to stomach. She wished she could find an excuse, any excuse, so she could leave. Then maybe she wouldn't need to do this. But she couldn't. She couldn't show any sign of being ungrateful, Khura'in is calling her name and her people need her to drive out these puny lawyers disgracing their country with their foreign ways. That was her duty, but that duty felt like a burden now. She couldn't even mourn properly because of this stupid duty. Gah, Rayfa, stop forgetting your role! This is was exactly why mother would never acknowledge her. She would just have to suck it up. Rayfa straightened her posture, took another deep breath and covered her miserable expression with one of confidence and strutted into the courtroom, her staff hammering onto the floor with each step she took to announce her presence.

As soon as she stepped into the courtroom, all heads whipped round to peer at her, the gallery whispering amongst themselves about how their Royal Priestess will put these lawyers in their place. Hah. Of course she would. She definitely would. She was lying. Rayfa's knees wobbled and she barely made it to the witness stand, her once confident expression had now already faded and replaced with one of misery yet again. The looks and whispers of encouragement turned into looks of disgust and harsh critisim. She couldn't tell if it was real or all in her head. She clutched her robe tightly for comfort, the one Nayna had given her. Ever since she disappeared, she made sure not to sully it, as if preserving the remnants of Nayna she could cling onto to the best of her abilities. She looked over to the prosecution bench where her mother and Nahyuta stood, except Rayfa's mother would be the one prosecuting this time. Why couldn't Nahyuta prosecute? Why did her mother have to be here and ruin everything? Why was everything so loud? What was she hearing? Was someone addressing her?

"Your Benevolence...Your Benevolence?" The judge called out, with a puzzled look on his face. Rayfa suddenly snapped out of her daydreaming and answered meekly.

"....Y-Yes, Your Magistry? What do you require?" Putting on a weak smile that wouldn't even fool her father. Her cheekbones hurt from all this smiling, but she had to smile for the people of Khura'in. Totally not to delude her into thinking she was fine, even though she wasn't.

"I understand it maybe be difficult for you, but...maybe we proceed with the Divination Séance?" The judge replied. She let out a quiet sigh, a few moments passing before responding.

"Yes, let us procced..." Not even bothering to smile anymore, getting lost in her pessimistic thoughts once again, and only replying with an 'Mhm..' when she heard her title admist all the talking.

Her assurance had now long worn off and there was no hopes of getting it back, especially since now her mother was at the Prosecution's bench. The pounding in her head had now came back, and she could barely concentrate on what her mother, Nahyuta and the Judge were conversing about.

But suddenly, her ears perked up when she heard the words, 'So I believed we could reach a swift verdict without devoting precious time to a séance.'

"Prosecutor Sahdmadhi, Your Magistry. Can this trial truly proceed without a Divination Séance?" On one hand, she felt relieved she'd be excused from having to experience the trauma of reliving her father's murder. But on the other hand, it felt like she's being discarded, and that pang of being useless, again, hit her like a bullet.

"Your Eminence? What are your feelings on the matter? Shall we have Her Benevolence return home for some much-needed rest?" The Judge suggested, Rayfa looking back to the Queen with a small glimmer of hope as she was deep in thought for a few moments before declaring.

"We shall not. You fools spoil her with your feckless words of compassion." Rayfa's heart dropped to her stomach and she felt the urge to cry, but she bit her inside of her cheek and looked up to hold back tears from spilling out of her eyes.

"Listen well, Rayfa. You have spoken time and time again about how grown up you are now."

"Y-Yes, but.." Rayfa looked back down and uttered only to be cut off.

"So, let us see if the Royal Priestess has truly come into her own. Are you prepared to fulfill your duty and perform the Divination Séance as you should?" There was that word again. Duty. It felt like she was bound to it by a silver chain and no matter how far she would run away it'd would always come back to haunt her. She stood there for a few moments, gripping her robe tightly until her knuckles turn white for assurance that was nowhere to be found, and finally replied.

"Yes."

"That's better. See. Problem solved." Ga'ran remarked with that wicked smile she wore on her face when on the prosecutor's bench.

The two lawyers opposite Ga'ran and Nahyuta suddenly started conversing about something, but she couldn't be bothered to decipher their whispering and continued.

"..Very well. Let us begin...the Divination Séance. Nayna, my robe..." Rayfa ordered, only to met with silence and no one coming to her aide. She scanned left and right with confusion, only to be left with the realisation. Oh. Right. Nayna had disappeared, and no one knew where she was, leaving Rayfa all by herself.

"Barbed head..." She uttered, not even bothering to look at him with the dejected expression on her face.

"Y-Yes?" Phoenix squeaked curiously almost immediately.

"You remove my robe."

"What?! Why me?" He whined as he slouched over and had that cornered expression on his face.

"...Don't keep Her Benevolence waiting now, Mr. Wright. Can't you see she's ready to begin?"

The Judge stated, making Phoenix groan.

"...Great. I've been reduced to 'Royal Robe Remover.'" He mumbled but eventually he stumbled out of the defence's bench and walked over to Rayfa. He gently removed the robe that clung to her shoulders and draped it over his forearm, took her staff and then proceeded back next to Apollo.

"Very well, Your Benevolence. Please start when you are ready." The Judge authorised. Rayfa was about to start, but for some reason she couldn't. Her limbs felt like lead and her thoughts were spiralling out of control. Could she really handle it? Her father's death? What if she couldn't? Or worse, what if she might not be able to see her father's death, and fail the whole séance altogether?

"..Come Rayfa. You know what must be done. There is no turning back now." Her mother stated, breaking the silence and Rayfa out of her thoughts.

"I know." She replied, the now down casted appearance of her face now feigning one of confidence again.

When everything settled down and it was fully silent, she raised her hands and put them together. Eyes closed in full concentration and bowing down slightly. Rayfa took a sharp breath in and exhaled out before calling out her usual chant:

"O Holy Mother! We hold this Divination Séance in your name!

Let the eyes of everyone here be clear, and our ears be unstopped!

O Dance of Devotion! Guide the victim's soul to me!

So that we may receive their final memories in the Pool of Souls!"

A soon as she finished, she stepped away from the witness stand and made her way to the front of the Pool of Souls. The Pool of which she's seen countless lives taken away, making her their only hope of telling the true story of their deaths.

Countless instruments strummed in the background, when they halted and the bell rang, she raised her arms up together which formed a U shape with the flowy silk attached to her sleeves. Moving her arms in countless gestures and twirling her feet before the music stopped and a second bell rang out. She moved her body in absolute precision, keeping in time with the music, like she's done numerous times before. The lady's singing in Khur'ainese suddenly becoming more faster as well as the music became intense, making Rayfa speed up her moments yet was still in sync. Each step she took was gentle as she danced and twirled in the air and never once did she step in the cracks of the Pools of Souls. When she had moved around to the final stone she was meant to be on, she twisted effortlessly a few times before the music halted, she clapped her hands over her head and then knelt down to touch the stone beneath her making the water in Pool of Souls ripple. The soft yet crumbly feeling of rock that brushed her fingertips slowly started to fade away as she was now being transported to the victim's final moments.

Nothing.

As soon as she was back to the real world, suddenly her hands flung to her chest as she and heaved in and out in a unusual manner, she couldn't breathe properly. She couldn't even get up as she sputtered and gasped for air, beads of sweat poured rapidly down her face and mixed with the tears that were now pouring down her face.

The gallery suddenly erupted into a series of whispers and everyone was suddenly confused upon what was happening to Rayfa. What the hell happened? Why didn't anything turn up in the Pool of Souls? Was this too much for her? It must of been, after all, the victim was her father. Poor child. Tears clouded her vision and everyone in front of her were just splotches of colour, staring at her. She couldn't make out what anyone was saying, and she felt goosebumps all over her body. She somehow hadn't passed out, but even so, she couldn't take it. There were too many senses overwhelming her all at once. And she had made embarrassed herself in front of the whole court. Her. The Royal Priestess. What's worse is that both her mother and the two foreign lawyers were there to witness it. She had to get out of here. They couldn't see her break down like this. With the remaining strength left in her, she fled the courtroom, covering her face with her hands as she sobbed and disappeared to who knows where.

"Rayfa!" Nahyuta called out. They spun round and was just about to bolt after the doors after her before Ga'ran stopped their path by putting her ridiculously massive fan in their face.

"Leave her, she's failed her duty. She doesn't need to be coddled for such a stupid mistake like this. We must continue the trial." She spat, making Nahyuta take a sharp intake of breath through gritted teeth and unwillingly turn back around while clenching their fists until their knuckles were whiter than paper, their solemn expression appeared once again but now with a pang of guilt.

"Hold it!" Someone called out, making everyone stop talking and snap their heads round to trace back the voice that had just spoken. Back to one Phoenix Wright. He scratched his head nervously and a singular drop of sweat poured down his face when everyone was suddenly so focused on him.

"...Yes, Mr. Wright?" The Judge replied with a hint of shock and confusion.

"...Your Magistry, how about I go find Rayfa? We have no idea where she's ran off to, and considering her condition, something might happen to her." He stated.

"Stupid lawyer, you'd go chase after a failure? What are you going to do when you find her? Comfort her with nothing but lies?" Ga'ran retorted, her lip curling upwards in disgust.

"I-I haven't exactly planned what I'll do when I find her actually..." Phoenix truthfully answered and scratching his head again nervously. But suddenly turning serious again.

"But I've got to find her. I can't leave her out there all by herself." He then turned to Apollo, who gave him an expression that screamed 'You're gonna leave me here all by myself?'

"Don't worry, continue the trial. Even if we don't have the Divination Séance, there's bound to be a contradiction somewhere. Trust me, and remember, the toughest times are when lawyers have to force their biggest smiles." Phoenix reassured, giving a smile of his own to Apollo. He then looked up to the Judge for approval.

"Very well, Mr. Wright. I give you permission to look for Her Benevolence. Make sure she comes back safely." The judge stated, and with that Phoenix then made his way out of the courtroom, earning a glare from Ga'ran that gave his chills down his spine. And thus began his search for the Royal Priestess.

Chapter Text

Phoenix burst out of the courtroom doors and immediately started searching all over for the missing Priestess. In different courtrooms, bathrooms (not going in the ladies one of course), the accused lobby and even talked to the bailiffs, but unfortunately they didn't give any useful information and he was now back at square one. That was until he spotted the doors that let outside, the one that he saw Miles exit from a few hours ago. Of course! Why didn't he think of that? Although it was no guarantee that Phoenix would find Rayfa outside, he might as well give it a shot. He wouldn't know what to do with himself if something horrible happened to her because he hadn't come rushing sooner.

As soon as he stepped out of the courthouse, the sun beamed through and bathed him in a kaleidoscope of yellows, pinks and oranges while the air was a soft, warm breeze that blew gently in his face. He stood there for a minute in awe, if he had been back at the courtroom he would of missed such a beautiful view like this. But he snapped out of it as soon as he remembered what his objective was. Phoenix wandered through the area surrounding the building and looked for any glimpse of Rayfa, but found nothing. The only place he hadn't searched would be behind the building, although he wasn't religious, he prayed to the Holy Mother above and hoped he would find her there. Carefully stepping on the grass and avoiding the blooming flowers, he made his way to the backside of the building and before he could take another step he heard a faint sound. Phoenix stopped in his tracks and instantly pressed his back against the wall behind him and waited patiently to see if he could hear the noise again.

He took a peek from the corner to see the Royal Priestess, that was good news, perched on top of a stone staircase in a garden sobbing her eyes out, not so good news. Rayfa's subtle face paint that was plastered on her to show her status had now been smudged and mixed with her tears all over face, and some of it staining on her hands as she wept into them. Phoenix pulled his head back and felt a wave of empathy. He knew how Trucy would get like this sometimes when the pressure from shows would get into her head, but here was an entirely different situation. Could he tackle this? While he was pondering, until something under his foot make a loud 'crack' sound. Shit. Rayfa immediately ceased her crying and arose from the staircase, looking around.

"W-Who's there? Who dares eavesdrop on the Royal Priestess? Show yourself! Or I'll order to get you executed at once!" She yelled out, but still hadn't found the mystery perpetrator she was looking for.

Yikes, more execution? He's heard that word enough already for one day. There's no point in hiding anything, it'd be better if he was called 'Barbed Head' than his actual head being against an executioner's bench.

"Relax, it's me." He said and slowly emerged from the corner of the building, holding his hands in the air while his face was plastered with a sheepish smile.

"Oh great. Barbed Head. Just perfect." Rayfa groaned as she plopped back onto the staircase, refusing to make eye contact with him as her face was a mess from all the bits of paint and her fringe clinging onto her tearstained face.

"Just get out of here. I've had enough with lawyers and séances and whatnot." She spouted as she buried her face in her arms.

"Sorry Rayfa, but I can't do that. I promised the His Magistry that I'd bring you back safely, and I can't leave you here by all yourself. You are the Royal Priestess, there's bound to be a few kidnappers lurking-" Fuck. Why did he say that. Now he had just reminded her of her father. He sucked the air through his gritted teeth and started saying.

"Rayfa, I didn't mean-"

"It's fine. I acknowledge it now. It's the truth after all, my father was a kidnapper. Or well...Inga was a kidnapper. Whatever, it doesn't matter, just go back to the courtroom. Where you're going to meet your execution soon..." She retorted quickly before he could finish, saying the last sentence more as a whisper to herself.

Inga? Why was she using his real name? He stood in silence for a few moments, before his feet started moving on their own and walked towards Rayfa, sitting next to her on the stone staircase, but far enough to give her some space.

"Barbed head, what are you doing? Get out of here! Don't you need to help the Horned Devil or something!?" She hissed as she scooted further away from him.

Admist her angry expression, he saw the state her face was in again. But this time in even more detail, her eyes were bloodshot and her lip was quivering frantically. Phoenix's heart ached. It was just like seeing Trucy in her room alone sometimes when he first adopted her, crying because she missed both her father and mother deeply. But he couldn't do anything cause he didn't know what it was like to be a father back then. But he knew he couldn't bare to see Trucy like that. He couldn't bare to see anyone like that.

"Listen, Rayfa. I know it's hard. Losing someone close to you. Constant stress and having to be the best. I know what it's like." Phoenix said, staring up at the sky again. This time the sky had some clouds scattered above, all in different and unique shapes. He liked trying to guess what each one looked like with Trucy, naming the most absurd things and it all ending in a fit of laughter.

"Get to the point." Rayfa spat as she looked up into the sky with him, trying to figure out what he was so entranced at, but ended up being captured by the same beauty of the clouds admist the sunset.

"What I'm saying is, you're not alone. You don't have to act like the best, you know? You're not a spitting image of your mother, you are your own person. We all have feelings, you don't have to be afraid to tell me or anyone else what they are."

He replied, looking back at her with a genuine smile, earning a look of embarrassment as she tried to cover up her face again but this time with her robe, which she couldn't find. Rayfa panicked until Phoenix held out a hand with her robe in it. She stared at it for a few seconds before she mumbled something incoherent while snatching it from his hands, which he liked to think she said 'Thank You.' Rayfa wrapped the cosy robe around her figure, which still had a faint scent of Nayna on it.

"So...are you ready to talk now? Take your time and go at your own pace, I'll be over here listening." Phoenix suddenly blurted out, breaking the silence.

"Y-Yea...I guess..." Rayfa muttered softly, she had seemed to have calmed down now. She went back to admire the beautiful sunset that painted the sky. This one is particular felt different than the rest, the purples, pinks, oranges and yellows felt more vibrant than other nights and instead of just glancing at it while she was exiting the courtroom, or talking to her mother or father, or taking care of her duties, here she could look at it for hours. Days even. The atmosphere just felt so quiet and there was nothing to disturb her, nothing like she's experienced with anyone or even by herself. She was now in a cross legged position, twiddling her thumbs in her lap as she took a deep breath in and exhaled out.

"Well...after the Justice Minister's death, everything has just been going wrong. For a start, the séance failed and not only did I fail to see the victim's last moments, I looked like an idiot in front of everybody. Nayna's disappeared and no one knows where she's went and this means I have nobody around to support me or guide me but most of all I'm...worried about her. About where she is; If she's okay or not. Queen Ga'ran has been pressuring me even more since Inga's died about my stupid duty and I just can't take it anymore. I didn't ask to be a Royal Priestess. But since I can barely even do a role like that and always manage to mess it up somehow, will I even a become a good Queen one day? And to top it all of, I'm not even her daughter! I'm Dhurke's and Amara's daughter! She just drops that information on me out of her nowhere and just expects me to be like 'Oh, okay. Cool.' Like hello? My true father's a criminal and the person who I thought was my father was killed by him! I don't even get to meet my real parents cause one's dead and one's going to be dead. But Ga'ran just expects me to 'naturally be able to handle any news' because that's what Royal Priestess' do. They can do their duties no matter what. But how am I supposed to do anything when everything's just gone so, so horribly wrong!"

Rayfa vented, yelling the last few sentences in anguish, and before she knew it, tears were falling down her face yet again. She clenched her fist bundled the robe around her even tighter as she cried yet again.

Phoenix noticed this and decided for the sake of it, he scooted a little closer to Rayfa and whispered in an assuring tone.

"Hey, hey...it's okay. Let it all out." Before he knew it, Rayfa was sitting next to him and sobbing into his chest. Phoenix tried to pat her back in comfort but could barely move his arms as she was squeezing him like she was trying to kill him, but he still smiled as she let out all her tears on him. After a few minutes, she had now wiped her tears away, again, and settled down.

"Thanks...Oh, you got a little..." Rayfa pointed to his tie, which was drenched in tears and a few smudges of red face paint. She held up the robe she was wearing and tried to dab away some water, which actually did work a little.

"Oh no don't worry it's fine, I can wash that later. But now back to the situation at hand. Do you feel any better now?" He asked with a raised eyebrow, in which Rayfa looked away and scratched the back of her neck, the same way Phoenix does in court. He had to hold back from grinning.

"Yeah, I do. Better than usual actually. Sorry, this just feels a little weird. I've never been comforted when crying before, unless I was a baby, let alone was I ever seen crying. How...How do you do it? I mean, you haven't even said much, yet somehow it feels like you've done so much."

"Well, you are right. All I did was listen. But that's still does a lot, for a lot of people. Sometimes having someone who listens to your problems and understands you is enough support. Like, for instance, whenever my daughter get's really anxious for a big show, sometimes she gets a panic attack. I don't immediately tell her to stop crying or calm down, I just let her do her thing and she tells me what's wrong. After letting out her feelings and a few deep breaths, she's back to her normal cheerful self. I know sometimes it's a parent's first priority to get a child to stop crying, but to me personally that's wrong. I listen to their problems, and after finally letting it all out, they feel like a weight has been lifted off their shoulders. Of course, I do give them words of comfort, but like I said, just listening to someone and reassuring them is enough. And just personally, I don't really talk that much if I do say so myself. Oh, looks like I've been rambling."

He responded, chuckling softly as Rayfa smiled at him.

"Liar. You always have something to say in the court room with that big mouth of yours." She playfully retorted, nudging him lightly on the shoulder, making him dramatically fall over the stairs and land on the soft grass. Rayfa bursted out laughing as he groaned and got back up again and plucked out grass from his hair.

"So, you have a daughter? You've never mentioned her before." She uttered as Phoenix finally got all the bits of grass off him.

"I haven't? Well, that's because she's the Greatest Magician ever, you'd have to be living under a rock not to know her!" Phoenix retorted with a proud smirk which earned him a weird look.

"Joking, her name is Trucy. She's my adopted daughter and she's a great magician. She even hosts her own shows, and sorta runs my office, so technically she's the boss." He spoke, he pulled a wallet out of his back pocket and opened it to show Rayfa a picture of her. Trucy was smiling and next to her was a strange wooden man with the same exact magician's clothes as her and he was clutching a hat over his head. He also smiled, or well, had a smile drawn on him.

"That's Mr. Hat next to her. He's one of her assistants, but in reality he's one of her magic tricks. Make sure you don't tell him I said that though." Phoenix remarked, whispering the last sentence to Rayfa and gave a wink to Rayfa.

"Pfft, he's probably already figured out you talk about him behind his back. How very rude of you Barbed Head, I'm disappointed. I thought you were better than that." Rayfa responded.

"Ah, guilty as charged, Your Benevolence." Phoenix chimed, making them both laugh.

They both looked up at the sky again, the colours and clouds in the sky still looking the exact same as it was before, like time was frozen.

"I remember when Trucy was younger...we played a game where we guessed what clouds looked like. We still play sometimes, but more so when she was younger and wasn't as busy practising shows and tricks."

"Why don't we play now? It's only been 40 minutes since you've left."

"40 minutes? It feels like it's been ages."

"Yeah, you're right. But your game sounds intriguing, perhaps only a few guesses wouldn't hurt. Besides, I highly doubt Horned Head hasn't thought of a new way of turning the case around right now. You and him have something in common doing that."

"Is that a compliment?" Phoenix asked, grinning like an idiot.

"Shut up, Barbed Head. Or I won't play this game."

"You're the one who suggested-"

"Whatever! I'll go first. The one on the left, it looks like a bunny."

"Hm, I was thinking cat, but now the more I look at it, I think you're correct."

"Hmph. Of course I am."

"The one on the right, it looks like a star."

"It has 6 sides."

"Stars can have 6 sides. They don't have to have 5 sides, in some-"

"The one in the middle looks like a pizza slice."

"Really? It looks like a fish to me." Silence.

"On The Holy Mother's name are you serious right n-."

After a few giggles, arguments and agreements later, they felt they had been out long enough and decided it was time to go back to the court room.

Rayfa skipped happily beside Phoenix, as they chatted about who knows what.

"I've never seen Her Benevolence skip before, will this be happening often now?" Phoenix supposed as Rayfa scoffed and rolled her eyes at him, but a small smile on her lips.

"Oh please, with that attitude, I'd like to see if you skip better than me." She rejoindered playfully. Phoenix scoffs.

"Are you challenging me?" Before Rayfa could reply, Phoenix had suddenly started skipping joyfully in huge strides down the courtroom corridors, earning looks of judgement and awe from the bailiffs. Until something clicked and he started staggering barely on his feet while being hunched over.

"Ow, ow...my back...I should of remembered about my back..." Rayfa could barely stifle a laugh as she caught up to him and made sure he was okay. He put a thumb ups while he was clearly trying to hide the fact his back was killing him.

"You're so stupid, Barbed Head."