[catch all for phoenix]

[survivaltricks]

Comments

[survivaltricks]

[does he have questions?? maybe!!! . . . but first things are first]

[. . .]

I'm sorry for your loss.

[because he probably did feel those feelings of grief Phoenix had over Mia]

[slobjection]

Thanks.

[ yeah and they were pretty rough, buddy. the overwhelming grief and feeling of being lost.. it definitely permeated through the memory. ]

[ it was a long time ago, though. and it's not like he hasn't had opportunities to see mia.... though he wouldn't want her to see what he's doing now. ]

[survivaltricks]

[there's another pause where Akira continues to study Phoenix carefully, as though he's trying to think of what to say next. and in the end?]

I had heard someone say you were an ex-attorney.

What made you quit? You were really good at what you did.

[slobjection]

Some others might disagree with you on that.

[ that he was very good. he laughs! ]

But I was stripped of my badge. So, in a sense.... I got fired.

[survivaltricks]

How could they, after a performance like that one?

["performance." but no, Akira believes Phoenix was a good lawyer, he saw it first hand in that memory!!]

[at that answer. . . he frowns, brows furrowed]

Why did they take your badge from you?

[slobjection]

[ honestly it's kind of cute that he believes in him based on that one time he got arrested by redd white... ]

I was caught with forged evidence.

[ what does akira have to say about that? ]

[survivaltricks]

[shhh look good lawyers fight for what they believe in against corrupt people like redd white!!]

. . . why did you have forged evidence?

[slobjection]

[ . . . ]

What do you think?

[survivaltricks]

[blinks a few times at the question, frowning deeply]

You don't seem like the type to forge evidence. That's what I think.

[slobjection]

Appearances can be deceiving, you know.

[ hon hon are you sure you can trust him! ]

[survivaltricks]

I know.

[HON HON CAN HE]

And in my experience, adults have done nothing for me except try to push me down and kick me when I'm already suffering.

[. . .]

[but. . . Phoenix is different. isn't he?]

But you're not like that. You never have been.

[slobjection]

....

[ why did he become a lawyer in the first place? someone had to help the people who had no one on their side. ]

[ but he's not that man anymore. you lost the right to be. ]

[ and suddenly, akira gets another memory: ]

[ you're a lawyer, trying to defend your client, a world-class magician... but something goes wrong. you're careless. you present a piece of evidence you got from somewhere.. that turns out to be forged. ]

[ the prosecution calls a special witness, to prove you're "guilty". you're disbarred. ]

[ despite the fact that you've just lost everything, the first thing you do is worry for your client. he has a young daughter. but then... something strange happens. he disappears. ]

[ ... like magic. but then, his daughter is left behind. you search for relatives for her to stay with.... but nothing. ]

[ then you offer to let her stay with you. ]

[survivaltricks]

[oh]

[mild surprise crosses Akira's features when that memory flashes in his vision, but it's replaced by understanding pretty quickly. if Phoenix was trying to get Akira to not trust him, then. . . well]

[he huffs a little, lifting a hand to tug at his bangs, smile working its way onto his features]

Yeah.

. . . I think I'm right about you.

[slobjection]

[ wow, memories coming and cramping phoenix's style......... ]

[ illegal. ]

Very few people believed in my innocence, you know.

[ he is kind of surprised akira would just immediately trust ]

[survivaltricks]

[IT'S TOO LATE YOU CAN'T TAKE IT BACK]

Very few people believed in mine.

[ah. . . ah???]

[slobjection]

[ .... ]

Were you falsely accused of something, Akira?

[ phoenix doesn't sound surprised, woof. ]

[survivaltricks]

[ha. of course he doesn't. Akira's smile grows wry as he tilts his head]

Yeah. I was.

I was arrested and convicted for assault after I tried to prevent a high-ranking politician from harassing a woman on the street.

[slobjection]

[ that sounds about fucking right. ]

Didn't have a good defense attorney?

[survivaltricks]

I didn't have a defense attorney at all.

[because TRUMPED UP CHARGES and a SHAM TRIAL]

[slobjection]

[ the justice system is so fucked up even there, good to know!! ]

Maybe I can help. When we're out of here.