Phoenix Wright Peeps Help Please! NOW EDITED!

[kingmobuk]

Does this (actual text under cut) sound like a reasonable and believable scenario to have happened just after PW:AA 1:3?

I'm trying to gauge how both VK and Miles might have felt after that. VK obviously knows he only has to string Miles along for a bit longer.

Miles I think is starting to have doubts but he's still under VK's influence a lot. It's important for me to have the reader feel that ultimately, he is completely reliant on VK for his opinions regardless of any small attempts at free will.

So it's a bit of a balancing act working out what they might say to one another.

I can't believe how long these scenes with the two of them take to play out. Fuck - I'm going to end up with the fic from hell.

Beware spoiler for 3:4

 

Von Karma had his back to the door. He was standing at the window, hands clasped neatly behind his back, silver hair tied back in a turquoise ribbon. He seemed almost ghostly in the reflected gleam from the fluorescent lights. Miles could not guess if Von Karma was looking at something, in the twilight, or if he just wanted to make him wait.

 

“Sit down, Miles.” Quietly.

 

“I need to get back to my office to finish up this paperwork …”

 

“Sit down, Miles.” Von Karma’s tone changed only slightly, and he didn’t look round.

 

Miles sat down, in one of the upholstered blue leather chairs that seemed far too large and far too ornate for a state prosecutor’s office. He gripped the files in his left hand tighter to his chest, placing his right on the lion’s head that capped the carved, wooden arm.

 

Von Karma turned, crossed his arms, and regarded Miles coolly. His face was completely impassive, unreadable.

 

“Explain to me what I just saw.”

 

Miles looked away, hand tightening on the chair arm; feeling the carved wooden teeth of the lion on his fingertips as they curled into its open mouth.

 

“Powers is innocent. The verdict is correct.”

 

Silence.  Out of the corner of his eye Miles could see Von Karma shift slightly, move towards his desk.

 

“Is that all?”

 

Miles said nothing.

 

“Could the defence have proved that point? Unassisted?”

 

…

 

“Well?” he moved again, deliberately standing in front of Miles, demanding his attention just by his presence. Miles looked back, but kept his eyes low.

 

“I … don’t know.”

 

“It is not your job to make the defence’s case for them, Miles. If they cannot prove their client is innocent then how can we be sure that there is no guilt in the matter?”

 

“The Vasquez woman confessed.”

 

“Ah yes. A mob whore already proved to have lied both under oath and to the police.” Von Karma’s tone was condescending - almost mocking, now. Miles felt his face flush, slightly.

 

“Is there something between you and this … Phoenix Wright?” The abrupt change of subject threw Miles off-balance and he looked up, surprised. Their eyes met.

 

 “When you started work here I warned you about your personal life and your … inclinations.”

 

“Personal life? I have no personal life, Manfred.” His voice was slightly bitter, and a smile twisted the corner of his mouth.  His fingers tensed painfully on the carved wooden chair and he could tell from the slight eye movement that Von Karma had noted the reaction, although his face remained a mask. “Wright is merely an attorney. We were friends as children, but he means nothing to me now.”

 

“Friends? Friends make you weak, Miles. Remember that. Fawles and White … well – what can one do if people insist on killing themselves or confessing impetuously on the stand. But this, today?  Would you have sacrificed your perfect record for anyone else?  If this Wright is a weakness for you, you must learn to overcome it. I will only allow one mistake.”

 

Before Miles could make a comment, Von Karma closed the gap between them, pale eyes suddenly intense. He rested his hand on Miles’ wrist, and Miles felt his muscles relax automatically under the touch. “I’m concerned about you, Miles. Dedication is a virtue, but not when it affects the quality of your work … or your judgement. Go home.”

 

“I have cases to deal with.”

 

“Have them sent over to me.”

 

“I …  will be fine. But … thank you.”

 

“It wasn’t a suggestion, Miles. Go home. Remember why you’re here. Remember who you are.”

 

Von Karma stepped away, moved towards his desk again as Miles rose from the chair.  He could feel the older man’s eyes on his back as he walked towards the door. Just as his hand closed on the doorknob that quiet voice broke the silence again.

 

“They all lie, Miles. You know that.”

 

He hesitated, but didn’t look back; then stepped out and closed the door behind him.