shroudedinsecrecy | INBOX (IC)

[She didn't notice at first, because she hadn't been looking.]

[Iris was well aware that there were some who used the pool. More than once, she'd contemplated it herself. During a time in which there weren't so many around. So she could have privacy without embarrassment. Though she had yet to purchase a swimsuit, her eyes still drifted towards the area on her way to work every so often.]

[And on that particular day...]

[Iris?]

[Someone was calling her name. She turned to see who it was. And froze. Staring for several long seconds in a slight slack-jawed shock. Until she realized she was staring. And what she was staring at. And whom.]

I...Mr. Edgeworth...

[Her face turned about as red as his shorts, and she averted her eyes.]

F-forgive me. I...didn't know...you were...um...

[The worst part is that Edgeworth, at first, doesn't get why she's turning red and not looking at him. Then he glances down at himself...and recalls the time they were in that ViViD level with the skimpy swimsuits. Obviously shorts are an improvement over a speedo.

Or maybe this is just Iris' first time seeing him with only a pair of shorts. Should he just slip back into the water so she sees less of him? He's kind of not done yet with his morning laps.

SHOULD HE APOLOGIZE??]

No, no...i-it's all right. I'm usually here in the morning, unless I choose to go for a run instead.

[Definitely an improvement over a speedo, yes. And definitely the first time seeing any familiar (male) face in such a...state of (un)dress.]

[But the most embarrassing part of all? What she saw...was an unexpectedly...pleasing sight. No apologies necessary. ~~Except maybe to Phoenix~~]

I had no idea.

I'm usually here earlier in the morning as well, but I...I was running late this morning. To work, I mean. That's where I was going. To...work.

Ah, you mentioned that you work as a meditation instructor, is that correct?

[~~Phoenix's ego can handle this.~~

And no, he's not getting a towel. The view must be nice, Iris. Hue hue hue.]

[Quite nice, actu--I MEAN--]

T-that's correct. Yes.

I...was fortunate to be assigned something so f-familiar. [You know, unlike Mr. Edgeworth's bare chest.] There aren't many skills I'm good at, but I've been able to aid many in beginner level meditation techniques for a variety of reasons.

That's good to hear.

[No, really, it's nice to know she's doing well for herself lately. Some people - like Edgeworth - don't exactly get jobs that fit them to a T.]

Anyway, I don't recall if I mentioned this, but I'm here everyday. Even if I run instead of swim, I always return to the gym to work on my combat skills.

[When did he become combat ready?

...CRAU world happened.]

Combat...?

[It took her a moment to remember, but then a flash came to mind. Back during that strange event in which they were all...brainwashed or something. When she thought she was an isolated princess in a tower. When that sweet boy, Takeru, was meant to be an evil monarch keeping her trapped. And when Edgeworth...had a sword.]

You...I've seen you fighting before. Is that what you mean?

[He nods slowly, folding his arms across his chest. Well, now there's less of his shirtless bod to look at? But now she can look at his arms.

The revocation of Auste's RP license aside, there's a wistful, almost jaded look in his gray eyes.]

Yes. It's a very long story...how I came to know how to fight.

Is it a story you might...wish to tell?

[Because she would listen, if he so wanted. For as long as he wanted.]

If you have the time to spare. Didn't you say you were running late for work?

[There may be bits he hasn't told anyone, but most of the story is fair game to anyone who'd ask.]

I...did, yes.

But work isn't that far from here. [She was already at the gym] And it is...part of my job to help others should they stop in.

[Meaning visitors were always welcome. Even if they come bearing stories.]

[Well, maybe Iris had to prepare or some people were already waiting for her...

Edgeworth glances to his right, where the cat has decided to curl up while still watching him with luminous eyes.]

All right, then. I'll just finish this part of my routine. [He pauses, sighing.] I...suppose I'm obligated to tell my story, if only to set a few things straight.

[Edgeworth turns back toward the pool, stretches out his arms and dives back into the water. To his credit, he does try to dive smoothly and not splash Iris. And off he goes, swimming toward the opposite side at a moderate speed with a bit of grace. Like it's obvious he's been practicing a lot but not to compete. Just to stay in shape.]

[She averted her eyes all the while.]

[...most of the time.]

[Okay, so maybe she stole a peek. Once.]

[...or twice...]

[But definitely no more than ~~three~~ four times before he reached the other side.]

[Luckily for both of them, Edgeworth doesn't notice Iris peeking at him. Once his outstretched hand touches the edge, he straightens up with a gasp, shaking hair out of his eyes...in the most dignified way possible, if that's even possible.

He looks around to see if Iris is still anywhere close by...and makes eye contact with the cat staring straight at him from a fair distance. It hisses at him and for a brief moment, Edgeworth is tempted to try and splash it out of frustration because WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS CAT.]

[Oh, it was possible...]

[But then...at that distance, Iris only caught him staring at something in her vaguely general direction. She glanced around, seeing no one else, then turned back in time to catch the look of...she could only assume to be annoyance. Or frustration, perhaps.]

[Her cheeks reddened, assuming he had caught her staring and was put out by it. Her eyes lowered.]

S-sorry...

[That reminds him; he hadn't asked Iris about the animal situation. From the way she's reacting, it's obvious she can't see it.

The cat begins washing a paw.]

...You wouldn't happen to be followed by a ghostly animal only you can see, would you, Iris?

[Her brows rose, but not for the reason one might think.]

How did you...?

[She still gave no indication of seeing the cat he was referring to, but there was a certain furrow to her brow. An uncertainty in her gaze as she thought back to early that morning. A glimpse out of the corner of her eye. At the time she thought she'd been dreaming, or seen some trick of light, but now...]

There was...this morning, I thought I saw a creature back at my apartment.

Then, I could have sworn I saw that same creature twice on my way here. I thought...I thought, perhaps, I was just tired or something. But if you can see it too...

[...maybe it was real afterall.]

No, I can't see yours. But I see mine, which is a cat.

[Edgeworth points toward the direction of the cat, which looks up from where it's washing before returning to its business.

So yes, that was what he was staring at. Not you, Iris.]

I presume all of us have one such creature close by.

[Another time, and she might have been relieved by that little revelation.]

But...why?

And how is it possible for me to see such a creature when no one else can? I wasn't born with any spiritual powers.

The same way I can see mine, when you can't. You thought I was staring at you, but I was staring at the cat.

[Edgeworth doesn't have spiritual powers, either.

...the powers he has doesn't allow him to see spirits, at least.]

[Her face reddened.]

I didn't--!

[...except, okay, yeah, she did think he was staring at her. Oops.]

...a goat. [She finally managed, voice a little weaker than usual.] Mine...that's what I've been seeing. A little goat. One who looks so ill, I would have thought it really was a ghost.

[In fact, there it was again. Out of the corner of her eye. Bleating silently at the two of them, but closer to Edgeworth than her.]

[Edgeworth braces one elbow on the edge of the pool, watching the cat finally stand up to walk toward Iris - taking the long road, so to speak, so it wouldn't get too close to Edgeworth.]

My cat is missing patches of fur and looks gaunt. [He clambers out of the pool again, watching the cat and instinctively glancing around to see if he could find any signs of a goat. Of course, he would find none.]

Anyway, I'll just take a shower. Then I'll tell my story.

Alright.

[Her eyes still averted, more so when he mentioned taking a shower, she was too distracted by that glimpse of goat she was seeing once more to note the invisible cat Edgeworth's eyes followed. It stood just behind them both now, directly in the path of the showers.]

I'll...wait for you in the meditation room, then. Please feel free to enter when you are ready.

[With that, she too turned to leave.]

[Edgeworth turns to leave as well after retrieving a towel. He dries himself along the way...and just happens to cross the goat's path.

Oops. What memory will Iris' goat give him?]

[What memory, indeed?]

["Wait up, Feenie!"]

[A burst of soft giggles erupted into the air as the 19-year-old struggled to balance the lacey umbrella in one hand while following after the boy in question. At first, all she could see was the back of a bright pink sweater. And notably spiky hair. Then, he turned around, revealing the giant P inside a red heart splayed across his chest. And a bright, sheepish smile.]

["Oh, sorry Dollie! I did it again, didn't I?" He rubbed the back of his neck and waited for her to keep up. Not noticing the small twinge of pain across her face at the name. "Guess I'm just excited."]

["It's alright." Once the girl in question caught up, tucking some of her bright red hair behind one ear--feeling the difference in texture from the recently altered coloring--she lowered her gaze. If only to keep from blatently staring at the necklace around Phoenix's neck. Her entire reason for being here, and yet...this time, she was reluctant to bring up the question. Not because she was afraid that he would refuse (again); because she was afraid...he would finally agree, to make her happy.]

A++ quality

I am glad to be of (fan)service

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject