IC Inbox [Cerealia]

[bewrightback]

"If you're looking for Phoenix Wright, you've called the Wright number! Leave a message after the beep, and I'll get back to you as soon as I can!"

Comments

[discard]

[Sorry, Phoenix.

Leon winces a little despite himself at the scream, even though that's naturally what would happen to most normal people when they end up catching a bloody mask.

And then he scowls.]

Shut up!

[Thanks, Leon.

But his gaze is drawn to that mask chilling on the ground despite himself as well.]

[bewrightback]

[It takes him a moment to regain his composure, as he looks up towards the grumpy mask washer.]

S-sorry! I just... I mean, how else would you react to that? [His eyebrows raise in disbelief.] And why is this mask covered in blood?

[Please tell me you're just an experimental artist, and you decided this mask would make a good canvas...]

[discard]

[Not quite, but it's a good guess.]

I do not know.

[He huffs faintly.]

It was like this this morning, and has only worsened since.

[bewrightback]

What... really? So - it was just a normal mask beforehand? And, there was nothing bloody going, or even some sort of freak kool aid/ketchup accident?

[discard]

Do you think I am an idiot? If it was normal blood, it would have washed off.

[He's not even dignifying the ketchup thing with an answer.]

There is something strange about it, clearly.

[bewrightback]

I- I know! I'm just trying to make sense of everything.

It's not as dramatic, but I have a mask too, and it... changed from when I first got it. Hang on, it should be right inside my-

[Phoenix had concealed it on the inside of his suit jacket. But as he reached down, he suddenly felt it on the outside of his jacket instead, dangling over his badge. It is this type of mask, and it looks like it started to frown. Phoenix's eyes widen in surprise.]

Huh...?

[discard]

[There's a long pause in which he stares at the mask quietly, frowning slightly.]

... It is different.

[He doesn't... like that either?? It seems very questionable.]

Then we are being sorted in some way, or marked.

[bewrightback]

[He frown as he thinks that over.]

Maybe... It would definitely be a weird way of sorting people. But weird does tend to be normal when it comes to CERES.

[Phoenix turns the mask over curiously in his hands, an eyebrow raising thoughtfully.]

So these masks... They reflect us in some way?

[discard]

[He...sure hopes not??? The fact that his is covered in blood is one thing, but the reason he responds immediately is--]

No, that cannot be right.

[--because Stahn's mask was also covered in bloody fingerprints.

And there's no way something like that could ever represent Stahn.]

It must be something else.

[bewrightback]

[That was a quick no...]

Um... You think so? [He taps at his chin uncertainly.] I'm just thinking. If these masks are being used to sort us in some way, shouldn't there be some significance to the differences between them?

[discard]

They could be arbitrary attachments.

[Not even...Leon believes that one...

But on the other hand, he has a major issue with thinking that a bloody mask could reflect Stahn in any way.

A Conundrum to be sure.]

[bewrightback]

Well... That does sound possible? CERES does seem to be really arbitrary, after all.

But how can we know for sure if we don't look more into this? If we investigate possible connections between the masks, maybe we can figure something out! [Unless... there's something he doesn't want me to know? About the blood on his mask...]

[discard]

[Phoenix isn't entirely wrong, at least, even though it's not his own issues he's worried about.]

... Investigate as you please. It has nothing to do with me, however, so don't expect my assistance in this.

[Of course it has something to do with you, Leon, you have a mask too.]

[bewrightback]

I see. [He frowns uncertainly. There's definitely something suspicious about this young man. He wonders if he should use his Magatama, or perhaps just leave him be for now and investigate on his own.]

That's unfortunate, but of course I will still investigate. And I will do everything that I can to find the truth behind these masks, even if it is not a pleasant one.

[discard]

[The psychelocks would be off the charts.

But for now, he just frowns in response, though it's less in irritation at Phoenix and more in what's really just...general irritation.]

"The truth". That is a noble sentiment.

[It doesn't sound like he really believes it, though.]

If dubiously altruistic.

[Leon, you're 16, chill out.]

[bewrightback]

[Phoenix pauses, but he maintains his cool.]

Yes. I'm well aware of how ugly the truth can turn out to be.

But should not mean that it should not be pursued, to the very end.

[He would be more thrown off by the combination of the boy's apparent age and his demeanor, except he's used to everyone acting unlike expectations for their age in some way.]

[discard]

[Phoenix, from the land of tiny prosecutors.]

That...may well be true.

[That's...fair. It's astoundingly fair, and it takes him off-guard a little.]

... But words like that mean nothing unless you also manage results.

[bewrightback]

Well... Yeah, that's right. Of course, there's nothing I can do about that right now. But I will be sure to keep you updated.

[discard]

...See to it that you do.

[A pause, and he looks distastefully at the blood mask, before finally:]

My name is Leon Magnus.

[bewrightback]

[His eyes linger with morbid curiosity on that bloody mask until his attention is diverted by Leon introducing himself.]

And I'm Phoenix Wright. [he presents his badge.] A defense attorney. It's... it's been a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Leon. [Well not exactly a pleasure, but he's trying to be polite.

Why does every Leon I meet have to be troublesome in some way?]

[discard]

[The fuck is a defense attorney...also what are manners, he sure doesn't know. He just huffs faintly at that.]

Hmph.

[Oh...awkward......]

Is there anything else you have to say?

[Leon, you're the one who started this whole mess by throwing masks around.]

[bewrightback]

Not exactly... [He frowns and shakes his head.]

Unless you have any other information to share, then... [A shrug.] We may be done here?

[discard]

... Then we are done here.

[Because Leon is a punk brat who fails at most social interaction. He turns on his heel to go, stalking off without any pause.

And his mask attaches itself to his hand despite his aggravated huff.

Bye, Phoenix!]

[bewrightback]

Um... Bye? [He awkwardly grabs his own mask and just... shuffles on off.]