#forensiclove

▁ ▂ ▃ █ ░░░

“The science chick that works under Gavin, right?”

“The lab-coat seems pretty counterproductive, but I guess I do like rebellious type.”

      “Ema Skye? I haven’t seen you since you left Europe!” It could be proclaimed a friendship out of convenience, a fellow American across seas, another worker in the line of justice, but Athena never thought of it as simply that. Though there was a small age difference, Athena viewed their friendship as genuine and regarded Ema well. They had been poor at keeping contact, however, as Athena had little time for anything other than working towards her badge, being able to save Simon from his death sentence.

Send me a common misconception about my character and I’ll tell you my thoughts on it

Of course it’s bs. In fact, it’s just the opposite for Athena.

Athena’s strengths are qualities that are stereotypically seen as weak and/or feminine - compassion, empathy, and emotionalism. Athena makes those work as her strengths, and not in a crappy feel good way, but a way that lets her solve testimonies the way Phoenix and Apollo can’t.

By crappy feel good way I mean like “Yeah, but you’re really nice, and it’s the thought that counts.” No. Athena shows us the power of emotions, empathy, and sensitivity. 

Actually, Athena is a bit like Maya, now that I think of it. Both of them act cheerfully, but that’s partly because they don’t want to show people how their problems affect them. Both of them save their maturity for when it really matters. For example, Maya being strong for Pearl at the end of Bridge to the Turnabout, and Athena facing the discord in Simon’s heart in Turnabout for Tomorrow.

“It’s pretty shameful for a grown wolf having to be fed, Sis. Think you can drop the snacks in an elsewhere that isn’t in my direction?”

     "Ema? Ema!" She has not seen her since leaving Europe, hardly had time or reason, but she was a dear friend in that time and to say Athena missed her might have been an understatement. She could use all the friends she could get but Ema was special and no one could replace her.

     Dear Mom,

     I suppose it is odd to write to you now, it would make more sense to ask Pearl to channel you, it just seems inappropriate right now. I spent a long time thinking you didn’t care about me, that if you were still out there like you were, you’d have let me know somehow. I guess that in that way, I am very much still a child, too young to comprehend how the world works. It took me a long time to see just how much you really loved Mia and me.

     That you had to die is still devastating, but you did it to protect me, because you knew of the plan being made on my life, and in that way, it warms my heart to know just how much you loved me. I won’t say it doesn’t hurt, however. I miss you  a lot, I wish I had the chance to actually know you. I wish I got to meet you without any pretenses.

     I’m working really hard, for you and for Mia, and for little Pearly. I hope I do you proud. After all, you were a great woman.

Dear Phoenix Wright of 2020--

       I am writing to you from the year 2027, seven years in the future. By now you already have made the wrong choice of presenting a certain piece of evidence. I wish I could have advised you against it, but no. Trucy--the girl you recently adopted from Gramarye--has to be adopted by you. You're the better father than Zak, though you're going to tell yourself you're not capable. You're the one meant for her, the one that won't disappear.

        I am tired, though I am not sad. It has been a long seven years, but there is good news in store. (Knowing myself, heh, I'd be super pumped. Well, you should be at least.) Trucy will grow beautiful, tall, and wise--along with a lawyer you'll add to your "talent agency."

Phoenix lets out a sigh, one that was tired and confused. What was he supposed to write to himself in 2020? When he was 27, he felt broken and beyond repair.

Would he throw away this letter, thinking it was a joke?

Phoenix closed his eyes for a moment, deep in thought.

He knew what to continue with.

        I think the only piece of advice I have for you is do not make those stupid mistakes you made, those dark nights...where you feel damned for life--where you sit in the dark and stare at Trucy, telling yourself "I messed up, I made the wrong choices,"--don't make those choices. Don't leave her side while she sleeps to do those things. You'll regret it, because happier things come in the future. You will feel obligated to tell him, but then again, you don't want to tell him. So don't do it, or you'll feel guilty to him and a bad father to Trucy. I know I do.

Sincerely,

         Phoenix from 2027.

P.S. Give Apollo a few bucks every now and then, looking back on it--I feel like making him pay for Eldoon's often was kind of rude, because I was the one who offered to get noodles. It's your job, Phoenix, to support the office you have and will make.

He doesn't reread the letter, instead, he puts it into the little capsule one of the wizards gave him. He doesn't give it a second thought.