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April 23rd, 2026
Prosecutor Franziska von Karma’s Office
“Would you be ever so kind and fetch us some caffeine for the morning, Ms. Andrews?”
The words sounded as a body brushed by her from the side. Immediately picking her head up from her paperwork, timid browns locked with dark gray and Adrian swore she felt the goosebumps already. Swallowing hard, she quickly nodded, already pressing her hands down on her desk before sliding the chair backwards.
“Of course, Ms. von Karma. Do you have any preferences?”
It was their first time in this new shared space they had both agreed on. Ever since she was nearly prosecuted for murder, Franziska von Karma seemed to have quite the soft spot for the likes of the former victim, Adrian Andrews. Be it their dependent natures that they never dared speak of aloud, but Franziska seemed to do everything she could the minute that trial was over for the likes of the blonde now scurrying to the small kitchenette within Franziska’s office.
March 23rd, 2026
District Courthouse
“Despite being relieved of your charges on murder, the court finds Adrian Andrews guilty of Obstruction of Justice. Tampering with the corpse of Juan Corrida lands you a good 20 years in federal prison Ms. Andrews–”
Before she could even feel the desire to vomit, Adrian clasped her hand against her mouth, her body jumping at the loud crack of a whip in the courtroom of all places.
“OBJECTION!”
Nearly snapping her neck at the voice that echoed throughout the courtroom, Adrian watched as a hand smacked down against the podium, a voice as smooth as velvet sounding out.
“A foolish fool who deems foolish punishments is a fool unto themselves. The Prosecution proposes that Adrian Andrews’ sentence be levied and she be placed on bail and forced to carry out community service for her heinous act.”
Blinking at the proposal as he placed his gavel upon the stand, the Bearded Gentleman himself rubs at his cheek. The imprint of where Franziska had whipped him could already be seen upon his bald head, a welt already forming..
“Wh-.. Well. I suppose sticking a knife in a dead person and trying to frame someone else for murder isn’t TOO bad of an offense…” Contemplating the choice, it appears to escape his mind in two seconds as he slaps his gavel back down. “Very well. Adrian Andrews’ bail shall be put at $23,000 and she shall be forced to provide the public with 15 months of community service.”
It all happened too fast. Far too fast for Adrian to keep up with as the room around her seemed to spin. Gripping the podium ahead of her, she placed her elbows down on the stand, looking up at the judge as he tilted his head at her.
“Do these terms work?”
Glancing between both Phoenix Wright and Franziska von Karma, the judge raises a brow before Maya pipes up.
“Not to interrupt or anything, but Ms. Andrews looks like she’s about to collap– Oh. And there she goes.”
It was in the blink of an eye that the poor woman seemed to crumple upon the stand. All she could remember was gray eyes that looked so scared as the corners of her vision started darkening.. Maybe she had been imagining things though..
March 23rd, 2026
District Courthouse Prosecutor’s Lobby
Grumbling under her breath as she stirred awake, Adrian rolled onto her side, wondering why the hell her bed seemed so small all of a sudden. Her pillow was warm, her face nuzzling forward against the cushion that had somehow found itself pressed up against the wall. It smelt faintly of bergamot and iris, something cool and powdery beneath the sharper bite of… Is that white pepper..? Letting her eyes slightly open as she gazed ahead at what she assumed to be her black bedsheets, she breathed in deeply, severely confused at the scents presented to her. Sandalwood.. But the softest trace of vanilla? Not like that overly tactless vanilla either, almost like it doesn’t want to be smelt.. Expensive, but almost impossible to place.. W-Wait a minute, this doesn’t smell like home!
Startled by the realization, Adrian quickly scrambled up, almost falling off the bench as a hiss sounded and a strong arm reached out to steady the both of them from making fools out of themselves. Almost scowling as brown eyes met gray, the likes of prosecutor Franziska von Karma looked upon the timid Adrian, her brow raised in question as she looked between the two of them and readjusted her arm which was still in a sling from her parting gift from Shelly de Killer..
“You know, normal people awake without the extra dramatics..”
Still clearly a bit miffed from her own personal pain she experienced from Andrews leaping up like a buffoon, Franziska couldn’t help the soft chuckle that tumbled between her lips.
“Though I suppose you are far from ‘normal people’, isn’t that correct, Adrian Andrews?”
Fully sat up and completely off of Franziska, Adrian looked at the imprint of the woman ahead of her. Rubbing the sleep and shock from her eyes, she felt the way her heart quickened by the second. Furrowing her brows as she looked around for her glasses, she stopped as she watched Franziska move a hand to her chest.
“I’ve kept them safely here.” Giving them to Adrian, she froze as Franziska’s grip didn’t fully give way as she was sort of forced to make eye contact with the younger woman. “Have you lost your tongue in your sleep, Ms. Andrews?”
Realizing she was being coaxed into speaking so soon after her shockful awakening, Adrian shook her head as she tugged her glasses out of Franziska’s grip almost apologetically.
“No, no.. Just.. In a state of shock, I suppose?”
Bringing her lenses to her face, Adrian pressed them up with her middle finger, clearing her throat as she ran a hand through her hair.
Franziska couldn’t help but watch quietly. Not even a few seconds after waking up and the woman was already a trainwreck. She wondered childishly if the woman assumed the entire trial was just some bad dream and she was still trying to wake from it all. Even so, Franziska offered her best ‘soft smile’ as those brown eyes finally met her own behind those black-rims.
“Mh. It must be scary to still be put behind bars, no?”
It was a blunt question, but as Adrian started coming more and more into her own skin, she recalled everything. I’m on bail.. But there’s no way in hell anyone is going to get me out of this.. The thought alone already made tears want to press at the backs of her eyes, but she just took a deep breath and looked away from Franziska. Leaning back against the bench, she looked around at where they were.
The room was quiet, the door shut tight as the blinds seemed to be drawn. A few cups and folders were on the table ahead, but it didn’t appear as though it were truly in use at the moment. Furrowing her brows, she realized she needed to find her voice, but Adrian still had no clue as to what to say to that.. Just be truthful. It’s what’s expected of me, right..?
“I.. I’m terrified..”
Her voice came out in a quiet whisper, shaking as she refused to meet Franziska’s gaze once more.
“I’m not cut out for that place.. I.. I’m not a criminal–”
“You are.”
Quieting herself the minute Franziska butt in to correct her, those gray eyes met brown and Franziska seemed to keep her gaze. It’s so hard to look away from her.. She doesn’t seem scary.. She seems just as scared, yet somehow she hides it so well.. I wish I had such confidence..
“Your crime will always render you a ‘criminal’ in the eyes of the law, but depending on who you ask, the answer will always differ.”
Beginning to stand up from the bench, Franziska adjusted the green trench-coat around her shoulders. Almost shuddering from the breeze coming through the room, she clasped a single button in front of her, almost relieved as it took some of the weight off of her arm.
“As such;” Standing before Adrian, Franziska retrieved a small manilla folder from one of the inner jacket pockets. “I believe you deserve a third chance at life, Adrian Andrews. Your bail has been paid.”
“Wh-What?”
Feeling her heart leap into her throat, Adrian almost choked as her hand instinctively went to wrap around the area. A reminder of a past better left forgotten.. If Franziska noticed, she didn’t say anything. Her eyes seemed to flick from Adrian’s hand back to her eyes as she gestured with her free hand for the woman to stand up.
“Your bail has been paid.”
“I-I heard you, b-by wh–”
“Don’t ask such foolish questions, Ms. Andrews. They do not suit such a pretty face.”
Using the end of her whip to tap Adrian’s thigh, Adrian finally got the hint and began to get up from the bench.
“W-Why..?”
Franziska raised a brow at the question, groaning as Adrian gently bumped into her. The quiet array of apologies almost made Franziska roll her eyes at the older blonde as she ushered her towards the door.
“Less questions, Ms. Andrews.. My back is in poor condition from these hideous benches.. I mean, look at that.”
Whipping the bench after Adrian had stood up, the soft gasp she heard from beside her almost made Franziska’s cheeks burn as she quickly curled her whip back up and spoke at the bench to keep her mind occupied.
“What an ugly bench. It’s uncomfortable, it’s gaudy–”
“You sat there the entire time with me..?”
Hearing the question, Franziska turned her attention back to Adrian, still seeing the woman in quite the state of shock and disbelief.
“I could not just leave you, now could I? You would have been in the care of that Scruffy Detective. I detested the idea and sent him off to sort your paperwork whilst I waited for you to wake up. We’ve overstayed our visit, but I’m inviting you to my abode on behalf of your victory–”
“I’d hardly call this–”
“Silence.”
As Franziska had finally opened the door to the room, she turned on her heels to fully look at Adrian.
“You accept what you are given, understood?”
Looking into those gray eyes, Adrian swore she had just somehow made a deal with the devil as she nodded her head and followed after Ms. von Karma like a lost kitten.
“Your community service will be spent under me. You are to assist me at the Prosecutor’s Office. Chances are I will have you filing paperwork, evidence, tending to any needs I have…”
On and on she went. The more she talked, the more Adrian lost herself in the young prosecutor’s voice as she led them through the courthouse and out the side entrance to the parking lot. Every time their eyes had met.. Adrian swore she could see the faintest of blushes sifting along the bridge of Franziska’s nose..
April 23rd, 2026
Prosecutor Franziska von Karma’s Office
“Did you forget how to use the kettle?”
Hearing the voice from behind, Adrian blinked as she realized she was just sort of staring at the kettle. Having been lost in her head, she slightly jumped as she turned to see Franziska not even looking at her. Her nose was buried in paperwork, a fountain pen scribbling on fine paper.
“N-No.. I-I’ll get on it right away!”
How familiar..
Adrian couldn’t really recall the last time she had done such a mundane task.. When she was managing the likes of Engarde, things like this didn’t fall to her. Once upon a time she had been an intern and such tasks were granted to her, but after working her way up for years into a position she saw befitting of her.. There was almost a humility to such things as she reached for two mugs and swore she smelt the scent of lavender on the wind. Stopping dead in her tracks, she didn’t even realize the way her eyes had begun to water..
“Tasks like these are worth something too, Adrian.”
Hearing the velvety tone behind her as she had been in front of that all too familiar kitchenette, Adrian eyed the water heater as she turned to the voice.
Brown eyes met darker brown, a bright smile on the woman’s face as she chuckled and walked forward, brushing against Adrian.
“Making you and I coffee is somehow going to land me a good job in the future?”
Almost scoffing at the concept, Adrian grumbled as her lip turned out in a pout. Beside her, Celeste Inpax gently nudged her with her shoulder, leaning against the younger woman as she watched the water heat up.
“Hmm, think of it like this. If you can memorize my coffee order, you can memorize a basic catalogue of needs, right? Memorizing things like that will be important when you take on an actual client. Your memory always needs to be sharp!”
A laugh left Adrian then, she didn’t even mean for it to as she blatantly found herself laughing in her mentor’s face.
“Right, right, because memorizing your coffee order is such a huge step in my training.”
Snickering at the words aloud, Celeste couldn’t help but follow in Adrian’s laughter as she gently poked the younger woman in the side, watching the way she jumped and immediately whined whilst looking up at her.
“Every small task is training for something, Andrews~ You’d do best to remember that :P”
“Adrian!”
Blinking from her trance, the loud whistle of the kettle sounded throughout her head. Piercing her ears, Adrian couldn’t stop the whine that left her as another body whisked past her, cutting the heat to the kettle. Teary eyed and clearly dazed, Adrian just sort of stared at the kettle as Franziska placed it aside and just looked at her for a moment.
The woman was clearly in a state of distress.. Franziska almost felt like a foolish fool for not having noticed earlier. Seeing that her hand was still out and trembling, Franziska was quiet as she showed Adrian her free hand before reaching for the shaking one. As she took Adrian’s hand in her own, Franziska could practically feel the shudder that went down Adrian’s spine as her other hand went over her mouth to quiet sobs. Frowning at the sight, Franziska remained as she was, trying to see what the other woman desired at that moment in time.
She’s still unstable.. I didn’t expect this to change by simply taking one of her many problems away.. But she looks so far away..
Staring at the floor as she felt tears begin to slip down her cheeks, Franziska slowly moved in.
“You are here with me, Adrian. Keep that in mind, ja?”
Her fingers were gentle as they slipped beneath the older woman’s chin, forcing her to keep her eyes on her. When they locked gazes, she watched how Adrian slowly attempted to nod but barely made the full action.
“Do you need any–”
“A hug.”
The response was so quick that Franziska almost smiled as she opened her arm free of a sling as she sighed quietly the minute Adrian’s body connected with her own.
Whatever was plaguing her in that moment, Franziska wouldn’t ask. While she desired for it to be of her concern, these were things that would come with time. Adrian Andrews seemed to be quite the tortured soul, but if there was anyone who knew of such turmoil, Franziska von Karma liked to believe she could crack the cold exterior she had seen from the blonde. In her own mind, she liked to believe that they could find a way to help one another, even if they both didn’t care to admit that this is what they truly needed or desired.
Letting her head rest atop of Adrian’s as she practically shrouded the older woman the best she could, Franziska hummed quietly to each whine she heard, a soft reminder to the woman that she was there with her.
Words unspoken, but actions seemed to speak louder for them anyways..