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

[bewrightback]

He was here, but he's not anymore. [A pause.] He's also an important person from Athena's past. So I'm not surprised she had a picture on hand.

[shroudedinsecrecy]

[...]

[. . .]

[An important person...]

[...]

[Phoenix would actually be able to see the moment a little light in her head turned on. Eyes widening, her lips parted as a near-inaudible 'oh' of realization escaped her.]

Then he's--!

[She'd mentioned someone. Before. Someone she...cared about very much.]

[bewrightback]

[His eyes widen in bewilderment. He has no idea what she could have heard about him before, or maybe they somehow met years ago back home?? Phoenix just stares as he awaits the elaboration.]

He's...?

[shroudedinsecrecy]

[...she had cut herself off, but not soon enough; only after the fact--combined with the look on Phoenix' face--did Iris realize...this was...probably not something she should speculate on. Not without talking more to Athena about it.]

[After all, she wasn't a gossip.]

Ah, we...had a conversation a little while back about...people that we liked.

She never mentioned his name, but...I suppose, if she cared enough about Mr. Blackquill to keep his picture with her, then he must have been that person for her.

[There. She maintained her promise of being honest, while also not betraying anything Athena hadn't already hinted at on her own, publicly.]

[bewrightback]

[Phoenix just gives a simple nod at that.]

Oh yeah, they dated when he was here. [He strokes at his chin.] You're right on the money there, Iris.

[shroudedinsecrecy]

[!!!]

[Athena...hadn't actually mentioned the dating part. Not in any way Iris could recall. Although...now she felt a little better, knowing Phoenix knew about Athena's feelings as well.]

...poor Athena.

[Because she knew what happened to people who were no longer "here"]

To care for someone like that and then...lose them all over again.

[bewrightback]

[Phoenix gives a sad nod.]

Yeah... I know, it hasn't been easy on Athena. [I can't imagine... and don't know what it's like.] That's why I'm glad she's found someone else, as odd as he may be.

But at least Athena will get to see him again back home, whenever all of this mess is over. They won't be apart forever.

[shroudedinsecrecy]

I don't think he's so odd.

[Because of course she knew who he was. Even if she won't mention him by name because timelines yay. She'd not only seen them together, but heard both sides of their story. To a degree. Seen how happy being with one another made them feel.]

[Which is...or could be...a potential complication in the future, if Athena's previous precious person were to ever return. So complicated that...Iris was going to focus more on the here and now. And Phoenix' comment about Merlin being odd.]

In fact, I think he's very sweet.

[bewrightback]

Y-you think so, huh? [A nervous laugh.] Well, I'll know for sure when I meet him.

[shroudedinsecrecy]

[The thought brought a momentary smile to her face--before she considered something.]

Oh! I should...probably let you get back to your evening, then, Feenie.

[Given how abruptly she had sprung her presence and questions on him. And also the fact that they were still standing in his apartment door.]

I won't take up any more of your time.

[bewrightback]

There's not that much to this evening, to be honest. And... And you can take up as much of my time as you like.

[Thinking about what ge just told her, about how Blackquill ended up leaving... It makes him want to treasure each moment with Iris all the more.

So, he delicately holds onto each of her hands and leans forward to softly kiss her cheek. Phoenix then leans back with his face burning.]

...Because I love every last minute.

[shroudedinsecrecy]

[She saw what he was doing the moment he took her hands, and her eyes reflexively closed until the gentle touch of his lips brushed against her cheek. Her lips parted, a soft sigh escaping her. For once, his face was redder than hers when she eventually opened her eyes again and looked up at him.]

Then...would you like to, perhaps, go for a walk?

[bewrightback]

[Phoenix responds with a soft and simple nod, keeping one hand held onto hers.]

...Yes. I'd love to.

[shroudedinsecrecy]

[She took a step back, keeping their grip loose, in case he needed to part for a moment. To...get something or change or whatever before they officially headed off.]

[Of course, if he needed only to close the door behind him, then that would work as well.]

[bewrightback]

[He thinks he'll be fine as it is. So he only closes the door behind him, gives her hand a gentle squeeze and gazes lovingly into her eyes, before he turns to set off for such a pleasant walk.]