18 [action]

[needsteaplz]

[With the latest drama that happened between her and Miki, Saori hasn't been in the mood for the upcoming holiday. One thing people would notice though, she's spending less and less time at the hotel the past few days unless it was sleep, take care of Sirius or finishing up the chocolates she was going to give away.

Tonight, she can be found in the local bar, staring off into space while her beer is about to go flat. Do you approach her?]

Comments

[kindofademon]

You haven't been drinking much of that.

[Best bartender, right?]

[truthsnomiracle]

[It was rare for Edgeworth to drink. He was more prone to drowning his sorrows in a teahouse than in a bar, and more likely to spit out wine after savoring it than to swallow it. Typically, it would take some other stimulus to prompt him to head into someplace like this.

A stimulus such as spotting an acquaintance who had been conspicuously missing much of the time recently and clearly in low spirits when actually sighted, for example.

The prosecutor looked over the wine list briefly and ordered a small glass of one of the red ones -- etiquette, and all that -- before approaching Saori.]

This sort of indulgence is rarely the ideal approach to dealing with a problem.

[needsteaplz]

[Saori looked up to see who spoke to her and laughed sheepishly. She took a sip. Good, it didn't go to waste.]

"Oh, s-sorry. It's just that I have a lot of things on my mind."

[kindofademon]

"Want to talk at all? It helps, sometimes."

[needsteaplz]

[Saori recognized that voice from anywhere. She looked up at him and showed him her half empty glass. ]

"Trust me, if I wanted to be seriously drunk, I would've tried to sneak off with a bottle of the Baron's homemade stuff. I just...wanted to be away from the hotel without invading on anyone's privacy."

[needsteaplz]

Well...I had a big fight with Miki after she came back from the hospital. I found why she landed there to begin with and...I just lost it. I honestly hoped her time in jail would've set things straight.

[A hand slams down in the counter.]

And then she goes to making a crass joke to Vriska involving someone close to her and gets herself beaten within an inch of her life.

[kindofademon]

[A wince.]

That's rough. You want to make it better because she's close to you, but it's her own stupid fault...

[truthsnomiracle]

[Holding back the urge to shout "Objection!" here...]

That's entirely possible without exposing yourself to such a place as this.

It would be best if you had someone to dissuade the approach of any rabble. Might I sit down?

[needsteaplz]

I know. It just frustrates me that she doesn't get it. She needs to think before she acts and says things and how they affect people. She yelled me, saying she did nothing wrong and she doesn't need anyone to watch over her.

[Another sip after that ]

[needsteaplz]

I know but the cafe I go often isn't open this late and I'd rather not be too far from the hotel. That'd means less shadows to deal with en route.

Please, have a seat.

[She softly smiles and pulls out the neighboring bar stool for him.]

[truthsnomiracle]

[Edgeworth seats himself and places his wine glass on the bar.]

Would it not be more advisible to simply wait it out in the shelter of such a place as this?

[needsteaplz]

Well, its also because I know it would be the last anyone except Kaiji would try to find me. Not to mention it bars the minors from coming in. I don't want Miki to find me for a while yet.

[truthsnomiracle]

[That name causes Edgeworth's expression to harden.]

Did you and Miss Onimaru have a disagreement of some sort?

[needsteaplz]

[Saori made a noise and puts her head on the counter. Mostly because she doesn't want Edgeworth to see her tear up.]

Yes. I don't know if you saw it but a few days ago, Miki posted a video of herself in the hospital. When she came back, I had to press her for answers. Apparently she made a crass joke about Issei to Vriska and she didn't take it very well. I don't blame Vriska entirely, but she didn't have to take it that far.

Miki said she didn't need anyone to protect her and she was sick of everyone blaming her for things. It's like being in jail didn't teach anything.

And yes, I'm aware the opinion of the majority of us would say Miki deserved it. I'm just so burned out when it comes to dealing with her. First I get her arrested, I thought she was my daughter for that small time period, and now I had a meltdown with her.

Now I'm regretting that I ever helped her pay her fee.

[truthsnomiracle]

So this "Vriska" assaulted Miss Onimaru over an inappropriate comment? Do you have any leads concerning this incident?

More than merely learning nothing, she claims to have taken from her experience the idea that she's above the law simply because it happens to be helpless in the face of any crime involving the Dark Hour! [Edgeworth slams the counter, causing nearby drinks to shake.] I attempted to dissuade her from this wrongheaded path, but in my haste only caused her to turn against me.

[needsteaplz]

I don't have any direct leads from Miki but I suppose you might try contacting either Vriska or Issei. I'm sure he would've heard about this.

[She laughs bitterly and takes a small sip. Don't worry, one beer isn't going to make her tipsy.]

Sounds like Miki alright. It's slightly comforting to know I'm not the only one who's having a hard time getting through to her. She has her own warped sense of logic. You know, for the longest time she made up these wild assumptions about Kaiji and even suggested I poison the dinner I made him?

[truthsnomiracle]

Going to the suspect directly before speaking to others would be tantamount to going into a battle unarmed, so I'll speak with Issei first.

I would hardly consider it a comfort for someone already capable of such misguided actions as those she was arrested for to have adopted such a dangerous way of thinking. She's a threat to us all.

[genius_idiot]

[Kaiji's been looking all over for Saori. The bar was the last place he expected to find her. He slides onto the neighboring bar stool.]

Hey...

[needsteaplz]

[Saori turns around to see who joined her.]

Kaiji...Sorry if I made you worried.

[kindofademon]

I wish I knew how to help.

[He sounds honest.]

[needsteaplz]

Sounds like a good plan. Good luck with finding out what happened.

[She sighs.]

I know. We already have enough trouble with Shadows, these monthly events, and now that church. In-fighting is the last thing we ever need. I just don't know how to make her see that.

[truthsnomiracle]

Unfortunately, she seems to be the sort who sees only what she wishes to see. I have little idea of how to dissuade her, particularly given that due to a miscalculation on my part she now regards me as the worst sort of criminal.

[needsteaplz]

I can't even imagine what she must think of me now. She probably won't listen to me either. If there was only someone who could speak to her on her own level, we'd make progress.

[technologic]

[April tended to go to the bar a lot, but she did not expect to see Saori here. So, she'll just be taking a seat next to her.]

Saori?

[needsteaplz]

[Saori looked up and smiles softly.]

Oh, April. What's up?