(no subject)

[take_that]

Over the past few months, visits from Edgeworth had become semi-regular. It was mostly to talk about finding the culprit behind Phoenix’s disbarment, but Phoenix suspected Edgeworth was keeping tabs on his mental health as well.

“I spoke with Kristoph Gavin last week.” Phoenix said. 

“Board Member Gavin?” Edgeworth set his teacup down. “You said he was the sole member that voted against your disbarment, correct?”

“Yeah.” Phoenix scowled. “He said he was sorry about what happened to me.”

“And you think he was lying?”

“I know he was.”

“Of course,” Edgeworth nodded. “The Psycho-Locks.”

Phoenix didn’t have it in him to correct Edgeworth’s pronunciation.

“What about you?” He asked, changing the subject. “How are you doing?” It was December now - the worst time of the year for Edgeworth.

Edgeworth shrugged, his mouth drawn in a thin line. “About as well as can be expected, I suppose.”

“You said your nightmares have stopped, right?”

“They’re not as frequent, no.” He glanced down at his cup. “But they do tend to crop up more around this time of year.”

Before Phoenix could reply, Edgeworth spoke again.

“What about you?” He asked, changing the subject. “How is Trucy doing?”

Phoenix shrugged. “She’s a little bit bummed about not celebrating Hanukah this year.”

Edgeworth glanced up. “Hannukah?”

“Yeah,” Phoenix nodded. “Apparently her dad and the rest of her troupe were Romani Jews, and they would always celebrate together. She’s been a champ about everything that’s happened, but…” He ran his fingers through his hair. “I guess this time of year brings up bad memories for everyone, huh?”

The two men were quiet for a moment. Then, Edgeworth spoke up - so softly that Phoenix nearly didn’t hear him.

“I’m Jewish.”

Phoenix turned to him. “Huh?”

“I’m Jewish,” Edgeworth repeated, a little louder. “I was raised in the faith until…until my father died.”

Of course von Karma would take that away from him, too, Phoenix thought angrily. Just another way he could hurt him.

Edgeworth continued. “It’s been a long time, but…I think I could still remember the prayers. She could celebrate with me…if she wanted to, that is.”

Phoenix was silent for a moment.

“Yeah,” he said, smiling. “She’d love that.”

 

A few days later, Trucy and Miles were in the Agency office, gathered around a small, store-bought menorah, lighting a candle and singing (while Trucy corrected Edgeworth’s Hebrew). 

Phoenix watched the two of them, from the doorway, and felt warmer than he had in a long time.