Case File 007; Text; backdated to 9/10

[takethestairs]

For those of you who don't know me, I'm Miles Edgeworth, and I had the misfortune of meeting with our "esteemed" Doctor Crane before he unleashed his research on the university. Seeing as he's still on the loose, here's what I've observed about some of his abilities. Unfortunately, my knowledge is limited, at best. If anyone can elaborate, it would be most appreciated.

1) He has a connection of some kind to crows, and in the past, has used them to spy on others and collect information. He may simply be able to communicate with them, though others have suggested shapeshifting as a possibility. From what I've observed, though, the former seems more likely.

2) He can affect people's emotions with a single touch. In my experience, he was able to instill an almost supernatural calm in me. I do not know if this is the extent of his control, or if he can influence other emotions, as well. It seems that skin to skin contact is required for this ability to take effect, but I still recommend caution, just in case I happen to be mistaken.

While I shared this information with RISE, I apologize for not sharing it with the general public earlier. I also apologize to everyone who was concerned about me and Kay Faraday. I should have announced my presence, and shared what I found out, much earlier.

Speaking of Ms Faraday, she and Franziska von Karma were sent back home earlier this month, for those who missed it. Her own murder of crows seem to be lingering around, though; if anyone is concerned about the differences between her birds and Crane's, please contact me privately.

[The message is a bit late for Kay and Franziska's friends; the would have noticed their absence by now. However, that last message isn't intended for friends, exactly]

Comments

text; private

[amadaman]

[Ken sends no interrogations, no comments, no condolences. Not over the network. Instead, he sends a picture of a certain fluffy someone, and just one simple question.]

Do you want some company?

[takethestairs]

[Oh, Ken, you know him so well.]

I'll be fine. However, there are some things I'd like to discuss with you. You can bring Koromaru, if you like.

[In other words, yes. Yes he does.]

[amadaman]

We can come around right now. We have time. Where are you?

[takethestairs]

I'm at my home in Heropa. However, I can meet you in Nonah if that would be more convenient.

[amadaman]

No, take it easy. We'll be there within the hour.

[takethestairs]

Very well. I'll see you two then, Ken.

[And he'll start straightening up the living room and getting the place ready for his guests. ...not that they require a lot, but age and species doesn't give Edgeworth an excuse to be a rude host]

[amadaman]

[Ken and Koromaru only briefly stop on the way to buy snacks. A small box of cookies, because he doesn't expect himself or Edgeworth to eat too many It's better than being empty handed. They'll arrive a little under an hour later, knocking on the front door politely.]

[takethestairs]

[Ah, and that must be Ken and Koromaru. Edgeworth walks up and opens the door, holding it wide open for them]

Good evening, Ken. Please, come in.

[On the table is a tea tray, with a teapot, two mugs, and a wide assortment of biscuits and cookies (none of them chocolate flavored, though). He didn't forget about Koromaru, though; there's a bowl of water on the floor, with a towel set underneath it, and there's a box of dog treats on one of the end tables.

...oh, and Edgeworth might look a tad bit different, Ken. He's dressed casually (for Edgeworth), and wears a plain pink buttonup and a pair of khaki slacks. Oh, and his hair is shaved nearly to the scalp. Weird.]

[amadaman]

[Of course Edgeworth will be ready for them. Ken's smile is just a little sheepish as he holds out the tin box of cookies, figuring if they don't eat it today, Edgeworth will have other guest sometime. He doesn't make a single comment about his head -- it could just be something he did recently, it could have worse implications -- as he thanks the man for letting them visit, being careful to make sure his shoes aren't dirty and taking them off if that is what Edgeworth would prefer.

Koromaru immediately greets Edgeworth by sitting at his feet, looking up at him with wide red eyes and tail swishing slowly behind him.]

[takethestairs]

Ah, thank you.

[Edgeworth takes the tin and sets them down next to the other treats, and-ah, he almost forgot about Koromaru. He gives the dog a small smile, and stoops down to scratch him behind the ears]

Please, have a seat.

[As for Edgeworth, his shoes are near the door, but he's not going to say anything Ken leaves them on or takes them off. The choice is yours, young peewee]

[amadaman]

[Shoes are honestly the first thing Ken checks for. He kicks them off at home and at his friends' house for the most part out of habit. Relieved to see that Edgeworth seems to take his off, too, he'll remove his own sneakers and place them neatly by the man's larger ones (he tries to ignore how small his are in comparison) before bowing his head and muttering a quiet "ojamashimasu". The habits he grew up with aren't impossible to ignore, but sometimes, he just feels so uncomfortable without doing these things; he's sure Edgeworth wouldn't mind.

He's polite even when he sits down. There's a second bow, a thank you, and he sits with his hands in his lap and his back straight, though none of it is a bother to him. This was almost his natural, most relaxed state, and it's Koromaru that's less reserved about circling the table and planting himself on the floor at Edgeworth's feet instead of the boy's.]

I'm sorry to hear about Miss Kay and Franziska. It must've been sudden.

[takethestairs]

[While Ken settles in, Edgeworth begins to pour tea. A mug for Ken, and a mug for him. The mention of Kay and Franziska makes him freeze, though, and he grips the handle of the teapot, before he clears his throat and sets it back down.]

It was, but it's better off this way. It's been dangerous here, lately, and besides, they both have their own lives to return to.

[He doesn't want to linger too long on this topic, though. Edgeworth glances away, and remembering Koromaru, he pets his head]

Speaking of dangerous... What about you and your housemates?

[He looks back at Ken now, raising an eyebrow]

None of you were at De Chima, were you?

[amadaman]

[The grip on the handle is telling enough, and Ken quietly drops the subject, thanking him for the tea instead and waiting a few moments as Koromaru leans his head into Edgeworth's hand and thumps his tail against the floor. The man may have said he wanted to discuss something, but Ken's priority is to provide any comfort the dog might be able to bring his friend.

He doesn't react, not too visibly, when Edgeworth asks his own question. There's a pause in his movements, then he brings the mug up to blow off the steam.]

We were there. Charlie and Mr Bull got away fine, but the rest of us... [Kaneda recovered quickly, but that didn't change the fact that he was injured, and Tetsuo had been injured, too, and now he was missing.]

Well, we survived.

[takethestairs]

[Edgeworth stiffens and purses his lips together. This shouldn't have happened, not to anyone, and certainly not to-

He takes a sip of tea, and gives Koromaru another pat on the head. He needs to keep his own composure. Anger and distress... showing those emotions will do Ken no good]

And was anyone injured?

[He tries to keep his voice calm and neutral, but his tone is a little too strained, and his moments are a little too stiff, to pull it off completely]

[amadaman]

[Ken closes his eyes briefly. His expression doesn't betray any emotion either, but with how honest the boy usually is, maybe that act says more than any actual expression he could've let himself show.]

The hospitals are understaffed and can't keep up with the number of people who need help. ImPorts, natives... he released the gas at a university, so there were a lot of people.

I'm fine. I got healed, but not everyone had that.

[takethestairs]

[Edgeworth watches Ken, narrowing his gaze as he observes him. He could give him comfort or kind words, but he doubts Ken would accept him; besides, he had never been good at that sort of thing, anyway. What he can give him, however, is something more practical]

It may be a little late for this, but there are imPorts here who are capable of healing others. If you're not already familiar with them, I might be able to introduce you to one of them. In case-

[In case anything like this happens again]

-in case you or your friends are ever in need of... assistance in the future.

[amadaman]

Ah, actually, [he starts, looking up from his thoughtfulness and setting the mug down. As he does, he moves one hand to his side to push back the jacket he was wearing, and the Evoker glints in the light of the room. It's something he's shown Edgeworth before when explaining the situation of his world.]

I'm one of them. One of my Persona abilities is to heal physical wounds. Two of my teammates and one of my roommates , as well as a friend, have healing, too. I think I would be the one introducing them to you, if anything.

[takethestairs]

[Edeworth stiffens when he sees the evoker, and he reminds himself that this is no ordinary firearm. This thought gives him little peace of mind, however; while it banishe his fear, that instinctive loathing he felt at the sight of the device, it does not erase the dangers that Ken faces. He tears his eyes away from it, and forces himself to look back at the boy.]

I suppose my advice is rather pointless, then. [He breathes out, and shakes his head] Your friends must be fortunate, to know someone with your... talents.

[In a perfect world, though, he wouldn't have to use them]

[amadaman]

[His movements are unhurried, but Ken pulls the jacket back in place to conceal the weapon again. He's used to people expressing discomfort at the weapon in their face, but Edgeworth's reactions have always been a little different. Making sure it's completely out of sight, he drops his hands to his sides, fingers drumming against the cushion.]

I suppose so. It's useful if there's no other option, but I try to avoid summoning my Persona around people as much as I can. It can scare them.

[takethestairs]

That's probably for the best. But does it cause any trouble for you? Your persona, I mean.

[amadaman]

No, not for me. I have a stable relationship with my Persona, and she's directly tied to my mental state. If I don't reject her, she won't reject me, and she reflects my desires.

[A Persona is like a mirror. Who was it who said that?]

She's me. Does that... make sense?

[takethestairs]

...it makes sense, yes. I admit, I don't understand it completely, but...

[He shrugs]

I understand enough, for now. But, you didn't come here to lecture me on your world. [He still has questions, but he'll wait] What have you been up to, since you were-

[Gassed? He clears his throat]

-healed?

[amadaman]

Recovering. Physical injuries are nothing new for me, but the gas is taking time to wear off.

But... after the swear-in, one of my roommates took in a dog. He's still a puppy, and he was left in a box. He needs to be nurtured back to being fully healthy still, so we've been spending time taking care of him.

[takethestairs]

[He nods, and his posture grows less stiff, if only slightly. This is good. This is a project. Something to take their minds off of what happened while still remaining productive]

It takes time to become fully healthy, I'm afraid. [Wait, is he talking about the dog, or is he talking about the people involved] And Koromaru doesn't mind the company?

[amadaman]

[At that, Ken smiles a little.]

Koromaru adores him. He's an old dog, and living at the shrine then at the dorms, he didn't get a lot of chances to play with other dogs. He's made friends since he came here, but now he gets to live with a smaller dog that follows him around. He's so happy about it. Don't you boy?

[bark!]