12 -action/dictated-

[takethat]

[For once, Phoenix is cleaning his room.

Yes, he could probably ask the ghosts to do it, but really, he's stubborn and hardheaded when it comes to doing things for himself around the castle. So, he's all decked out in rubber gloves and a mask, and he's busy throwing out the who-knows-how-old beer cans and dirty napkins and other messy odds and ends that he's accumulated since... probably November. With his door propped open by his desk chair, he's depositing the trash in the hall, from where he intends to collect it and dump it elsewhere when he's finished.

His desk has become the safe haven for the few items he wants to be doubly sure not to throw away, and Sunflower--his recently-aquired Eevee--is gently batting around the tiny hourglass he tucked away behind his lamp.

Of course, in the process of doing so, she knocks open his journal. Innocently?

The distant sounds of Billy Joel's "Piano Man" playing over some abandoned headphones at their highest volume might be picked up by more discerning ears before Phoenix's voice comes over the journals.]

--don't know how I managed to get all this garbage in here, really, Sunflower. It's not like I'm a messy person.

[He hauls another trash bag out into the hallway and deposits it there before heading back in to rifle through his desk drawers.]

Oh, hey, Sunflower. Here's that crystal thing I bought for you back in your world... everybody I asked about it said it would make you evolve, or something, but I guess it's a dud, huh?

[She yips in response.]

Dat's okay! Because you're the cutest widdle Eevee there ever was--yes you are!--so it doesn't even matter!

[And he goes on ridiculously baby-talking Sunflower for a few more minutes before returning to his cleaning.]

Comments

[cantacquityou]

[Insert an audible clearing of the throat here]

[takethat]

[At least he doesn't recognize that throat clearing.]

Yeah, yeah, somebody else heard me...?

[cantacquityou]

I am recording this. I thought you'd like to know.

[takethat]

....

Why am I not surprised...

[cantacquityou]

Now, why don't you repeat the last part about the, 'widdle Eevee-weevee," but this time, with a bit more gusto.

[takethat]

What, you're not proud of me for treating Sunflower like a spoiled pet?

[cantacquityou]

Oh, no. I see nothing wrong with it. In fact, I found it uncharacteristically adorable.

[takethat]

[Ahshdjfkzksjxd cue the sound of some random knickknack being dropped on the desk.]

Adorable?!?

[That's... not... better...]

S-so you're going to blackmail me with something you find adorable??

[cantacquityou]

[This is Edgeworth trying to suppress a very amused chuckle.]



...'Blackmail' you? Why on Earth would I do that?

[takethat]

I have no idea--you're the one recording this!

[cantacquityou]

'Blackmail' isn't the only intention I could have for it.

[takethat]

What else are you doing with it??

[THE THINGS that have run through his mind...]

[cantacquityou]

Oh, I don't know... Take a wild guess.

[takethat]

I'm afraid to...

[cantacquityou]

I can't even imagine why.

[takethat]

...I bet you're not even really recording it and you're just messing with me!

[Nervous... laugh...]

[cantacquityou]

...You know me well.

[takethat]

What, I was right?

[The relief in his voice is astounding! And probably not unlike how he would sound after any given moment in court against Edgeworth, too.]

[cantacquityou]

...but apparently not well enough.

[takethat]

Now you're definitely messing with me.

[cantacquityou]

At least you've figured out that much.

[takethat]

[Sunflower barks a belated greeting, having taken a little while to remember where she's heard this voice before.]

At least Sunflower seems glad to hear that tone of yours...

[cantacquityou]

Hello, little one.

[takethat]

[She gives the paper a lick--have some Eevee saliva over there.]

She doesn't seem too bugged that her water stone isn't doing anything.

[cantacquityou]

[He chuckles]

...That was unexpected. In any case, when did you obtain a water stone?