[RL: Sunday, Noon - Lunch [Freud!Virus] | Phoenix; Edgeworth]

[attorneyatlol]

Phoenix stared at the piece of paper in front of him. The prospect of eating raw fish didn't seem as appetizing as his lunch companion made it out to be, and the fact that he didn't recognize a single item on the list only served to make him more skeptical. Magura? Hamachi? Kani kama? Perhaps if there had been some kind of explanation, he may have been less inclined to set the paper aside in favor of the regular lunch menu, although that was a very large if.

As he scanned the selections, he sighed in relief. At least you couldn't go wrong with a teriyaki beef bowl, right?

Comments

[samuraiprosecutor]

Wright's sudden and deliberate move coincided perfectly with the completion of Edgeworth's drink; he caught the gesture just as he opened his eyes again, and when he set his drink down a bit too suddenly the ice tinkled sharply. "It seems that patience is a lesson you have yet to learn."

[attorneyatlol]

Phoenix's eyes hesitantly drifted back toward Edgeworth. "You're kidding."

[samuraiprosecutor]

A frown twitched at the corners of his lips, and he quirked an eyebrow questioningly. "You disagree?"

[attorneyatlol]

Phoenix quirked an eyebrow in response. “Well, I wouldn’t say I have the patience of a saint or anything, but I’d like to think I’m capable of waiting for answers.” He briefly glanced up, an amused smile playing at the edge of his lips when he met Edgeworth’s gaze again. “At least when it comes to lunch.”

[samuraiprosecutor]

Their eyes held for a few moments until Edgeworth's gaze dropped to the gentle smile on Wright's lips. The expression was one that had become damnably familiar to him, and his eyes lingered on it a few moments too long. "I'm finding that hard to believe. Patience notwithstanding, you're not a man who waits for answers, Wright."

[attorneyatlol]

Though his smile retained its amusement, it grew slightly sheepish when Phoenix chuckled. “I guess I do have a tendency to press, huh? Works well enough in court, anyway.” He took another sip of soda, gaze falling to the tabletop.

[samuraiprosecutor]

"That your methods do work is nothing short of miraculous." He paused and wrapped his hand around his glass, though he waited to drink again until after he finished saying (in a tone of complete professionalism), "Have you taken on any cases since the last one?"

[attorneyatlol]

Phoenix rolled his eyes again; Edgeworth certainly was a master of the backhanded compliment. He turned a curious eye at the question. “You mean since Maraich’s? No. Why?”

[samuraiprosecutor]

Edgeworth rolled his eyes, unconsciously mimicking his companion's response. "That would be the last trial we were both involved in. Though technically you could say it wasn't Maraich who was on trial."

He paused and gave Wright an appraising look. "You take on clients quite infrequently."

[attorneyatlol]

“Actually, a few people have come to me since the Engarde trial, but the plans have fallen through,” Phoenix replied. He leaned back slightly and folded his hands on the table, studying them as he drummed his fingers together. “I’ve been focusing on trying to get the office organized to handle a larger clientele, in the meantime. Mia left quite a legacy.” He smiled faintly. “The tradeoff being overflowing filing cabinets, of course.”

[samuraiprosecutor]

The rhythmic drumming drew Edgeworth's eye as well, and he watched Wright's hands until he dragged his gaze away, only to let it fall on his own hand spread comfortably on the table. Almost without thinking he compared the two (Wright's had large knuckles; his nails were cut close but clean. His own fingers were longer, thicker but with smaller knuckles, nails perfectly manicured.) until he realized he was taking just a bit too long to respond and a few moments of awkward silence had already passed.

"Mia Fey's legacy included an incompetent secretary? Overflowing filing cabinets shouldn't be your problem."

[attorneyatlol]

When moments passed without a response, Phoenix lifted his gaze to find Edgeworth’s eyes downcast, a look of contemplation on his face. He waited a moment longer, unsure if that signified the end of the conversation, and began mentally sifting through other possible topics of interest when Edgeworth finally spoke up.

Phoenix afforded him a curious look. “Mia did her own filing,” he explained. “Maya does most of mine, but she’s not always available, so…” With a shrug, he leaned forward to take a small sip of his soda, idly glancing in the direction of the kitchen.

[samuraiprosecutor]

Masking his embarassment Edgeworth met Wright's eyes, his gaze firm. "Ms. Fey did her own filing?" His tone was a confused mix of impressed and mildly contemptuous. "She handed down an interesting catch-22. Perhaps when you can handle a larger clientele you'll be able to afford a professional secretary, in addition to upgrading your suits, but getting to that point will be difficult without a full-time secretary."

[attorneyatlol]

A pointed glare was his response. Phoenix knew Edgeworth was right. He also knew he could make things infinitely easier on himself if he proactively sought clients instead of waiting for them and actually demanded payment instead of allowing himself to be brushed off, but he wasn't about to bring that up. "I'm sure we'll manage."

[samuraiprosecutor]

'Managing' was hardly reassuring; it brought to mind an image of the Wright & Co. Law Offices, every available surface hidden by folders and stacks of paper. It was difficult to imagine either Wright or his young 'assistant' as being particularly well-versed in the running of an office. A slight frown furrowed Edgeworth's brow. "I'm sure."

[attorneyatlol]

With nothing further to add, Phoenix sighed and let his gaze wander to the kitchen again.

[samuraiprosecutor]

When Wright turned away Edgeworth found himself focusing on his companion's profile, his attention drifting from the man's jawline to the boredom lurking in his eye. He followed Wright's gaze, irritation growing as a waiter slipped out of the kitchen to carry someone's meal to their table. Service at this restaurant was usually faster; it seemed as if they'd been waiting an inordinately long time. Frown deepening, Edgeworth raised his glass for another long drink.

[attorneyatlol]

Phoenix shifted in his seat and kept his eyes on the kitchen. When he was sure the other man was looking away, he cleared his throat and allowed his gaze to fall on the cloth in front of him. The lotus that decorated each table sat awkwardly between him and his companion, and Phoenix reached up to play with its petals, avoiding Edgeworth's gaze completely.

[samuraiprosecutor]

Their waiter finally appeared just as Edgeworth was setting down his glass. "My apologies for the wait, gentlemen." Expertly he began moving plates from the tray carried in his left hand onto the table. In less than a minute the table was spread with a myriad of brightly colored sushi (some rolls and some traditional nigiri-zushi), the teriyaki beef bowl, and bowls of miso soup and rice. Two long, rectangular plates, two small dishes, and a bottle of soy sauce followed the food; the last things to be placed on the table were a tall flask and two small handle-less cups.

The waiter surveyed the table briefly. "If you'd like to end your meal with anything from the dessert menu it will be complimentary. Again, I apologize for the wait. Is there anything else I can get you?" On the last he included both Edgeworth and Wright in the question with a look in each man's direction. Tip already adjusted in his mind, Edgeworth nodded at the offer.

"This should be sufficient." Almost as an afterthought Edgeworth glanced across the table. "Wright?"

[attorneyatlol]

Phoenix, already eagerly poking at the beef with his chopsticks, looked up at the sound of his name, somewhat surprised. “Hm?” He paused, food halfway to his mouth, and offered Kim a sheepish grin. “Oh, no, I’m fine. Thanks.”

Kim smiled. “Then enjoy your meal. Let me know if you need anything.”

“Oh, wait!” Phoenix finished off the last of his soda in a few, hasty sips and held the glass up. “Another Coke, please?”

“Of course.” Kim took the glass obligingly and nodded in Edgeworth’s direction. “I’ll be sure to bring some more water.”

Phoenix watched his retreating form before turning back to his meal, clearly impressed. “He’s good.”

[samuraiprosecutor]

"He's satisfactory." With their prior silence broken Edgeworth settled temporarily into the routine of preparing his food: pouring soy sauce on his rice and into one of the small bowls, bypassing the lump of wasabi to select his first pieces of sushi, and carefully placing them on one of the rectangular plates.

Preparations complete, Edgeworth finally reached for the flask sitting between them. Expertly he filled both of the small cups, and set the flask aside before picking up a cup and staring expectantly at Wright.

[attorneyatlol]

Allowing time to chew and swallow, Phoenix simply nodded at the cup. “Is that the kanzake?”

[samuraiprosecutor]

Edgeworth resisted the urge to roll his eyes, and instead raised an eyebrow at Wright. "It is. Though if it's allowed to cool much longer it won't be."

[attorneyatlol]

“Perish the thought.” Setting his chopsticks aside, Phoenix retrieved the small cup and held it gingerly in his hands, allowing the warmth to penetrate his clammy skin. Carefully, he blew away the thin layer of steam rising from the surface of the drink and took a slow, experimental sip.

“Whoa.” He quickly withdrew the cup and examined it with a slight chuckle. “That packs a punch.”

[samuraiprosecutor]

Edgeworth watched the display with amusement, and responded to Wright's reaction with a smug smirk. "Does it?" A hint of challenge in his eye, he raised his own cup to his lips and, with a quick tip of his head, he threw back the warm sake. Small as the cup was, his companion was right about the drink's potency; as he set the cup back on the table his head swam pleasantly for a few moments. He wasn't accustomed to indulging so early in the day, but this was a rather...special occasion.

He refilled his cup and left it on the table. Picking up the chopsticks, he began to transfer several of the more colorful (and odd) pieces of sushi to the other rectangular plate, which he calmly slid across the table.

The glint in his eyes spoke volumes.