You mean Thalassa. [Apollo shoots Phoenix an inscrutable look as he shuts the door behind him. Considering how the attorney usually wears his heart on his sleeve, the closed-off expression on his face is probably warning enough for Phoenix.
He takes a seat on the couch, leaning forward as he studies his mentor. The intense focus, the way Apollo's hand touches the gold bracelet--it all must look familiar to anyone who's seen Apollo grilling the witnesses in court. And now that sharpness is directed at Phoenix.]
[Now Apollo has his attention. He turns to face the younger attorney with a thoughtful frown.
I should have expected this. It looks like it did not go so well for him.
But Phoenix faces him with a calm expression as he stands up. He can tell that Apollo is trying to perceive him. But even without that, Phoenix does not want to lie any more to him. It's time to be truthful.]
I found out when I spoke with Zak Gramayre - Shadi Enigmar - shortly before he was killed.
[Because he can't say in words that the MASON System is one of the most confusing plot devices of all time.]
[So not that long ago... as turbulent as Apollo's feelings are at the moment, he knows he can't really blame Phoenix for this one. There are plenty of things that he's side-eyed his mentor for in the time they've known each other, but this isn't one of them. After all, most of Apollo's unease stems from something that happened a long time before this.
At least Phoenix isn't trying to break the tension with an off-colored joke, like he's done before. That's something. Apollo's shoulders slump as he realizes Phoenix is actually taking this seriously.]
I don't know how to feel about this. [It's a hard thing to admit to someone he's only known for a little while. Even if Apollo's begun to see past the "who even cares" act Phoenix was using for the last seven years, and maybe even begun to trust him because of it, he's not really in the habit of spilling information about his childhood.
Apollo presses a finger between his brows, as he usually does when he's thinking deeply.] I grew up an orphan. Suddenly I have a mom again? That's not--that's not the way it works. Maybe for Trucy it's fine, but-- [His eyes widen, noticing his slip, and he immediately clams up.]
[No, no jokes this time. This is the kind of tension that not even Phoenix would invite jokes to. Whatever Apollo is feeling is strong and he needs to work it out; Phoenix knows that much.
For Trucy's sake, he's tried be as neutral as he could be about Thalassa's actions, without passing judgement. But he definitely cannot deny Apollo's right to be this upset.
He sits himself on the couch nearby and steeples his fingers.]
Let's just calm down for a moment. I can understand how this can inspire a lot of mixed emotions. But... it's the truth, Apollo. This is the truth of your family - of Trucy and your family.
I know it's the truth, Mr. Wright. [Whatever's happened before this, Apollo knows that he and Lamiroir--no, it's Thalassa, isn't it?--wouldn't lie about something this big. He sighs and lets his face drop into his hands.]
It's the other part that bothers me. Why is she telling us this? What does she want from me?
I can't really speak for her, Apollo. [That's why I left this in her hands.]
But I don't think that she really "wants" anything from you. [He strokes at his chin thoughtfully.] No, I feel that all she really wants is for you and Trucy to know the truth. Everyone deserves to know the truth about their lives... even if it isn't always pretty.
[He offers Apollo a weak smile.]
And now that truth is in your hands. You can decide what to do with it from here.
[He's silent. The truth? The only truth that he knows right now is that...he has no idea what he's supposed to do with this. Part of him wonders if he'd subconsciously recognized her at the concert, feeling drawn to her and her music. Either way, he's not going to make a decision just yet.]
Trucy seemed happy. [He offers that instead, looking away.] Can you...keep this from her? I don't want her to know I'm upset about this.
[Losing Zak recently must have hit her hard (though he was missing for a good chunk of her life), and having her mom back would cheer her up. I don't want to ruin this for her.]
I imagine that she must be. [It's a very different situation for her. Thalassa was there for Trucy until she lost her memory, after all. In the end, it really did end up being like a disappearing trick.
Phoenix definitely does not want Trucy to be burdened so soon after something so joyous. He does know it can't last forever, though, given how perceptive Trucy can be.]
Don't worry. I won't say anything to your sister about this, Apollo.
My sister. [Finally, a smile appears, banishing some of the darkness in his eyes.] Wow...yeah, I guess she is.
[Apollo's quiet again, but this time it's more of a thoughtful silence than a weighed down one. Whatever his feelings on Thalassa are, it's obvious the thought of having Trucy as a sister doesn't really bother him.]
It's crazy. I went over twenty years of living on my own, and then I run into my sister and my...my mom without even knowing it.
[The movement catches Apollo's attention, and he knows what's inside that locket. Of course, he thinks. Mr. Wright never meant to take Trucy in as his daughter, but look where they are now.
Another thought makes him freeze. His daughter.]
If Trucy's your daughter, and I'm her brother... what does that make you?
You're joking. [Apollo's voice goes flat with disbelief. Somehow, "Papa Wright" sounds even worse than "daddy" and there's also no way in hell that's happening.]
On second thought, why don't I just stick with "Mr. Wright" for now?
[Har har. He should've known better than to leave that opening for Phoenix to take.
Apollo catches Phoenix's gaze again, this time without wavering, the slightest smile pulling at his lips.]
Thanks. [He pauses.] Mr. Wright? I don't really know what it's like to have parents.
[His words are straightforward enough on the surface, but the underlying meaning--"I don't know what it's like to have a dad." It might be too soon to call Phoenix "dad" or any variation of that, but maybe some day.]
I know. [He smile grows warmer. He can't really imagine for himself what it's like, having come from a relatively ordinary family background. But he feels like he has a pretty good secondhand impression, with all the people he's met over the years from families that were splintered or non-existent in some shape or form. Including Apollo himself.
He claps a hand on the younger man's shoulder.]
And I know firsthand how great you've turned out despite that.
Apollo... You can figure out how much you want to learn about that for yourself. As for me? I don't see any reason to hold you to any obligations. I mean, it's a little late for me to actually raise you, you know?
[Unconsciously, Apollo straightens his back, actually wanting to deserve that praise. It's just another sign of how much things change in the blink of an eye. In his teens, he would have been thrilled just to be talking to Phoenix Wright, only to punch the man out of anger when they finally did meet. And now...well, annoying as Phoenix could be--tries to be?--no other man fought harder for justice and truth in the courts.
There's a wry twist to his smile this time.]
I don't know about that. Mr. Gavin [he still can't say the name without a grimace] was my boss first, but I learned a lot more working for you.
[Like how to not be cruel and manipulative, for starters.]
Well, you were the only one suited for the job. It was definitely a rough start, but you rose to it admirably. I... guess you just might be the closest thing I have to a successor, Apollo.
[He shakes his head, and his smile goes wry.]
Except for one thing, but maybe one day you actually will learn how to really throw a punch.
[Apollo actually flinches a little, a denial already at his lips. Then, he pauses, remembering the spiritually-powered magatama his boss holds. There's almost no point in trying to keep a secret when the office is full of lie-detecters.
He looks away, fiddling with his bracelet with a sigh.]
Not...a lot, but I know more than I would have liked.
[Apollo looks like he's about to pull a face at him.]
I've thrown a few punches before, but most of the stuff I know's just to help me get away if I'm caught in a bad place.
[Apollo shrugs, looking away. There's a reason he doesn't like talking about this.] The group home I grew up in wasn't bad, but we were right next to some of the rougher areas in the city. You pick up that kind of knowledge pretty quickly, learn not to stay out of the fights if you can.
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sup
He takes a seat on the couch, leaning forward as he studies his mentor. The intense focus, the way Apollo's hand touches the gold bracelet--it all must look familiar to anyone who's seen Apollo grilling the witnesses in court. And now that sharpness is directed at Phoenix.]
How long have you known?
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I should have expected this. It looks like it did not go so well for him.
But Phoenix faces him with a calm expression as he stands up. He can tell that Apollo is trying to perceive him. But even without that, Phoenix does not want to lie any more to him. It's time to be truthful.]
I found out when I spoke with Zak Gramayre - Shadi Enigmar - shortly before he was killed.
[Because he can't say in words that the MASON System is one of the most confusing plot devices of all time.]
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At least Phoenix isn't trying to break the tension with an off-colored joke, like he's done before. That's something. Apollo's shoulders slump as he realizes Phoenix is actually taking this seriously.]
I don't know how to feel about this. [It's a hard thing to admit to someone he's only known for a little while. Even if Apollo's begun to see past the "who even cares" act Phoenix was using for the last seven years, and maybe even begun to trust him because of it, he's not really in the habit of spilling information about his childhood.
Apollo presses a finger between his brows, as he usually does when he's thinking deeply.] I grew up an orphan. Suddenly I have a mom again? That's not--that's not the way it works. Maybe for Trucy it's fine, but-- [His eyes widen, noticing his slip, and he immediately clams up.]
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For Trucy's sake, he's tried be as neutral as he could be about Thalassa's actions, without passing judgement. But he definitely cannot deny Apollo's right to be this upset.
He sits himself on the couch nearby and steeples his fingers.]
Let's just calm down for a moment. I can understand how this can inspire a lot of mixed emotions. But... it's the truth, Apollo. This is the truth of your family - of Trucy and your family.
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It's the other part that bothers me. Why is she telling us this? What does she want from me?
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But I don't think that she really "wants" anything from you. [He strokes at his chin thoughtfully.] No, I feel that all she really wants is for you and Trucy to know the truth. Everyone deserves to know the truth about their lives... even if it isn't always pretty.
[He offers Apollo a weak smile.]
And now that truth is in your hands. You can decide what to do with it from here.
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Trucy seemed happy. [He offers that instead, looking away.] Can you...keep this from her? I don't want her to know I'm upset about this.
[Losing Zak recently must have hit her hard (though he was missing for a good chunk of her life), and having her mom back would cheer her up. I don't want to ruin this for her.]
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I imagine that she must be. [It's a very different situation for her. Thalassa was there for Trucy until she lost her memory, after all. In the end, it really did end up being like a disappearing trick.
Phoenix definitely does not want Trucy to be burdened so soon after something so joyous. He does know it can't last forever, though, given how perceptive Trucy can be.]
Don't worry. I won't say anything to your sister about this, Apollo.
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[Apollo's quiet again, but this time it's more of a thoughtful silence than a weighed down one. Whatever his feelings on Thalassa are, it's obvious the thought of having Trucy as a sister doesn't really bother him.]
It's crazy. I went over twenty years of living on my own, and then I run into my sister and my...my mom without even knowing it.
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He gives a light, warm smirk.]
Life is full of those and unexpected turns, Apollo. There's always more people out there for you than you think. [He touches the locket on his suit.]
But don't sound too surprised. The two of you have been as tight as siblings practically as long as you've known each other.
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Another thought makes him freeze. His daughter.]
If Trucy's your daughter, and I'm her brother... what does that make you?
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I've given it a lot of thought... and I've come to a decision, Apollo. One that I hope that you'll respect.
[A beat.]
You can call me 'Papa Wright'.
[This is not a gagtag.]
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On second thought, why don't I just stick with "Mr. Wright" for now?
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He had silently agreed not to make off-color jokes when discussing Apollo's mother.
But when it came to himself? That's a whole different ball game.]
I will accept 'Mr. Wright', though. I'd welcome you to the family, Apollo, but I feel like I've done that a long time ago.
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Apollo catches Phoenix's gaze again, this time without wavering, the slightest smile pulling at his lips.]
Thanks. [He pauses.] Mr. Wright? I don't really know what it's like to have parents.
[His words are straightforward enough on the surface, but the underlying meaning--"I don't know what it's like to have a dad." It might be too soon to call Phoenix "dad" or any variation of that, but maybe some day.]
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He claps a hand on the younger man's shoulder.]
And I know firsthand how great you've turned out despite that.
Apollo... You can figure out how much you want to learn about that for yourself. As for me? I don't see any reason to hold you to any obligations. I mean, it's a little late for me to actually raise you, you know?
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There's a wry twist to his smile this time.]
I don't know about that. Mr. Gavin [he still can't say the name without a grimace] was my boss first, but I learned a lot more working for you.
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Well, you were the only one suited for the job. It was definitely a rough start, but you rose to it admirably. I... guess you just might be the closest thing I have to a successor, Apollo.
[He shakes his head, and his smile goes wry.]
Except for one thing, but maybe one day you actually will learn how to really throw a punch.
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Can you blame me for doing that? You were being a huge jerk. [Crossing his arms with a scowl.] And my punch was fine.
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Oh no, I don't blame you. Even I would have punched me in those circumstances.
But it did feel like an amateur punch. Like I told you back then, just saying 'Take that!' would have added a lot.
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[He's not thinking when he says it, but the one little phrase probably gives away more than he would've liked.]
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[Aren't they like courtroom fights just with actual hitting thrown in?
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He looks away, fiddling with his bracelet with a sigh.]
Not...a lot, but I know more than I would have liked.
[Finally, he answers truthfully.]
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Phoenix leans forward slightly, looking onwards curiously.]
It sounds like firsthand experience. Way to go, Apollo! You have some more experience than I give you credit for.
But is it experience in dishing out the punches, or receiving them?
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I've thrown a few punches before, but most of the stuff I know's just to help me get away if I'm caught in a bad place.
[Apollo shrugs, looking away. There's a reason he doesn't like talking about this.] The group home I grew up in wasn't bad, but we were right next to some of the rougher areas in the city. You pick up that kind of knowledge pretty quickly, learn not to stay out of the fights if you can.
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