R.S.V.P
R e s p o n d e z s i ' l v o u s p l a i t

December 22, 8:35 A.M.

"…No, I would not."

"But you have to! Even Oldbag is coming!"
Phoenix had stood in the high prosecutor's office for the past ten minutes arguing fiercely with Edgeworth.

"I'm definitely not, then." He shuffled his case papers again. "You seem to believe that everyone, like you, has enough time to waste on trivial things like parties."

"But…"

"I'm busy that day. And I'm busy today. Get out of my office."

Phoenix opened his mouth to protest, but found himself pushed out of the door before it slammed in his face.
-

Maya looked increasingly bewildered as Phoenix explained the situation.

"It's not like its Christmas or anything." She stuck out her lower lip and curled her hands into fists. "What a jerk!"

Phoenix just shook his head, staring at the invitation again. There, printed on the inside of the card, was the date of the get-together.

December 28.

"Should we change it…?"

"No!" Maya crossed her arms. "We're busy those other days. Besides, we already called everyone and confirmed."

Phoenix let out an exasperated sigh and collapsed on the couch.
-

December 23, 4:18 P.M

“Hello? Adrian Andrews speaking.”

“Hi, Ms. Andrew. This is Phoenix. I heard Franziska was staying with you before she returns to Germany. Do you have any suggestions about what I should get her?”

“Gift certificates, leather polish, or classical music,” she replied without missing a beat.

“Thanks. She’s a hard one to buy for.”

The was a pause, then an urgent whisper.

“Help me, Mr. Wright! I’m afraid she’s gone mad! She hasn’t stopped putting up decorations since she  got here!”

A loud cracking noise sounded in the background.

“Adrian Andrews! Get over here! I need you to hold this ladder for me!”

Another crash, and the line went dead.

Phoenix stared at the receiver with mild interest before dialing another number.

“…Hello? Miles Edgeworth speaking.”

“Edgeworth, I…”

Click.

The dial tone hummed into Phoenix’s ear steadily.

-

December 24, 9:10 A.M

Laden with shopping bags, Phoenix found his way through the mall, occasionally
crashing into other shoppers. Whipping out his cell phone, he decided it was time to try again.

After ringing five times, the defense attorney jabbed the “Call End” button ferociously.

Oh well. It's not like this is the first time he hasn't picked up.

He crammed his cell phone into his pocket distractedly.

Maybe I should just invite him some other time…?

No, that'd be too awkward, he thought as he glanced off a mother with frizzy hair and a wild expression.   He continued his dazed walk towards the door, barely hearing her screech insults at him, and almost not noticing the maroon jacket bobbing through the crowd a ways ahead of him.

"Hey! Edgeworth!" The prosecutor turned, saw Phoenix, and froze. But the defense attorney plunged through the crowd, groping for Edgeworth's arm. He proceeded to half-lead, half-drag Edgeworth out of the crowd and into a nearby toy store, where he ducked behind a Christmas tree display.

The decorations cast a soft golden glow on the prosecutor’s angry visage. That contrast of the cheery lights and the face he was making was comical, but Phoenix decided it was probably a bad time to laugh.

"What are you doing?" Edgeworth hissed. Phoenix flinched, causing a shower of pine needles to rain down on the both of them.

"I-I thought we should talk in private."

"I have a cell phone for occasions such as that."

"Maybe I waned to speak with you in person.” That, and you won’t pick up.

Phoenix could have sworn he saw Edgeworth roll his eyes in the dim lighting.

"Talk away, then, because it seems I won't get away otherwise."

After fighting just to keep the prosecutor in the same room as him, he really hadn't gotten as far as actually holding his attention for more then ten seconds.

"Um…"

Edgeworth raised an eyebrow.

"Phoenix Wright at a loss for words? Now I know the world has gone mad."

That bit of sarcasm pushed him over the edge.

"Do you always refuse invitations, or am I just an exception?" The defense attorney spat.

Edgeworth stiffened.

"If that's the only reason I'm crouching in a Christmas tree with a half-wit like you, then I'll take my leave here."

Brushing aside the branches, he stepped into the store and left the half-wit to crouch in the  Christmas tree, frustrated and alone.
-

December 25, 12:09 P.M.

"C'mon…" Phoenix sighed as the answering machine picked up for the fifth time that day.

"Hey there Edgeworth. Just calling to say merry Christmas…" again.

-

December 28, 6:00 P.M.
The day of the party

The guests filed in one by one, Franziska letting out a very audible scoff as she eyed the apartment’s decorations. Maya grinned at Phoenix from her perch on the couch.

“Feels like we’ve been planning this forever, huh, Nick?”

The defense attorney felt his insides twist as he gave a brief head count.

“Yeah. It does.”
-

“Shoe polish? You Americans are so strange.” Franziska shook her head, setting the wrapping paper at her feet and cradling the small bottle in her lap.

“You’re welcome.” He turned to give a haggard-looking Adrian the thumbs up signal.
The young prosecutor held out a gloved hand.

“I can take my little brother’s gift to him, if that is okay.”

“Do you know where he is?”

Franziska gave him a bewildered stare.

“You mean he didn’t tell you?” she said. Suddenly a light dawned in her eyes. “You mean… you didn’t figure it out?” she laughed, kicking the wrapping paper. “Oh, poor Miles Edgeworth. His best friend doesn’t remember…”

“Remember what?”

Franziska suddenly looked a lot less cheerful.

“You foolish fool! You’re hurting my brother with your stupidity!” she clonked him over the head with the bottle of leather polish.

“Ow! What did I do?”

“I’ll tell you where he is, Phoenix Wright! At his father’s grave! Because today is…”

He finished the sentence for her.

“The anniversary of the DL-6 incident…”

Oh my God.

Phoenix stood, knocking presents off the couch.

“Maya, you’re in charge. I have to go.” He half-sprinted towards the door.

“Wait, Nick!” A breathless Maya ran forward. “Here, you’ll need your coat…”

“Aren’t you going to ask where I’m going?”

She smiled, pulling the jacket around his shoulders.

“I trust you.”

Maya…

“…Thanks.”

-


The forlorn figure stood amidst the headstones, head down and shoulders slumped. Phoenix came to a halt beside him, gasping for breath. Edgeworth continued to stare at the headstone before him, avoiding his eyes. His voice was thoughtful as he broke the silence.

“I’ve never been to a Christmas party before, you know. If you don’t count VonKarma’s.”

The idea of VonKarma and Christmas parties took a moment for Phoenix to swallow.

“He had…?”

Edgeworth laughed somewhat mirthlessly.

“Only for his own benefit. To advance his social status, naturally. And I’m quite certain they weren’t as… casual as yours.”

“I’m so, so sorry.”

Edgeworth was silent.

He blames me. But he doesn’t want to say anything.

Neither do I, I guess.

So instead, Phoenix rested an arm on the prosecutor’s shoulders, and they observed the grave in silence.

“I’ll come. To the party.” Edgeworth blurted out. “I apologize for my behavior. I was being spiteful.” He stepped away from Phoenix, brushing off his sleeves self-consciously.

“I was a complete moron.” Phoenix grimaced, and his words . “I didn‘t think…” The words stuck in his throat.

“You didn’t,” came the wry response.

“Uh…” Phoenix winced.

The corners of Edgeworth’s lips twitched upwards.

“You forgot, I forgive.”

“That sounds good.” Phoenix returned the prosecutor’s small smile uncertainly. “Are you sure you’re okay?”  

Edgeworth‘s gaze flickered to the headstone for an instant, and onto the small bouquet of flowers lying at its base. “I’ll be fine. Come on, let‘s get going.”

The defense attorney raised an eyebrow.

“Does this mean you’re actually replying to my invitation?”

Edgeworth screwed up his face in mock concentration.

"Why yes, I do suppose so."

-




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