Ace Attorney: Mask of Deceit

Chapter 43: Turnabout Regrets - Investigation 2 ~ Part 1

September 6 11:10am

Detention Center ~ Cotoli Morix's POV

"Cotoli!" Chrysalis exclaimed as she ran out of the detention center. We embraced in a long hug, me gently stroking her hair. We pulled away after a few minutes, at which Chrysalis glanced around. "Where's James?" she asked.

"He said he wanted to investigate on his own for a while." I replied. "I can't be the only one who's noticed how off he's been acting recently..."

"No, I noticed too..." Our conversation was interrupted when Chrysalis looked past me and let out a gasp. "Oh! Sora!"

Sora was fast approaching us, Ghastly calmly following behind her. Sora scooped our youngest sister into a large hug, a few choking noises escaping Chrysalis. "Oops. Sorry." Sora smiled apologetically.

"It's okay." Chrysalis returned the smile. "But what are you two doing here?"

"Sora wanted to see her 'baby'." Ghastly rolled his eyes. "How a sixteen year old counts as a baby is something I'll never know."

The four of us made our way into the visitor's room and requested to see Nevada. We only had to wait a few seconds before she dramatically crashed into the room. "Oh. It's you guys." she sighed. "What do you want?"

"Why did you confess in court today?" I asked sternly. "Now you're the defendant and it's going to be more difficult to prove you innocent."

Nevada shrugged. "Since when did you care about what I did and didn't do, anyway? Who do you think you are, my dad?"

"I am actually-" Ghastly pointed out. Nevada sighed and rolled her eyes before turning away from us. She was muttering something under her breath.

"What was that?" I asked.

"I said that you should just leave this alone!" Nevada yelled, whirling around and slamming the glass with her fist. Chrysalis jumped and gripped my arm. The enraged girl behind the glass sighed and turned away from us again. "Sorry. Didn't mean to scare you."

"Just answer me something." I said. "Did you suspend the assault victim? It's pretty obvious you did it, after all."

Nevada hesitated, her red eye darting away from us and suddenly finding the floor to be the most interesting thing to exist. Sora, with a mischievous grin, leant towards the glass and looked at Nevada with pouty eyes. "Pleaaaaaaaase tell us, Nevada! I'll give you an extra long hug when you get out if you do~"

Nevada let out a small gasp and looked up at Sora. A small frown formed on her face. "... Do I get a kiss, too?"

"Yep!" Sora agreed.

"Done." Nevada smiled hopefully. "Okay, so... yeah. I did that. I also cleaned away the bloody message Templeton left behind to frame Starry."

"Why?" Chrysalis asked. "Why did you do all that? I was certain you hated me..."

Nevada paused, looking away. "Look, I..." She paused again. "I don't hate you guys, alright? I just... prefer to keep other people away. People... just get hurt around me, y'know? I'm well aware that I'm a menace and a danger to society and all that... So that's why I like to keep people away from me sometimes..."

"Don't say that!" Sora exclaimed. "Who cares what other people say?! You're still my little baby, whoever and whatever you are!"

"B-Baby...?" Nevada repeated, her eyes twitching.

"Oh no Sora look what you did now she hates us-" Ghastly started to freak out slightly; but his fears were unfounded. Nevada pulled up her scarf to cover the bottom half of her face, which had reddened madly. "Th-Thanks, I guess..." she muttered from behind the fabric. "I-In any case, you guys should go and investigate. I'm pretty sure you don't want me breaking out of prison..."

"Even if you did, Ghastly would just help you out of it." Sora shrugged. "Right, Ghastly?"

"Huh? Oh, um, yeah. I would." Ghastly agreed with a small smile. His hair was slightly dishevelled, which led me to believe he had been dozing off to sleep before Sora woke him up. Nevada rose from her seat and gave us a small salute before leaving the room. "Well, off we go!" Chrysalis yelled, taking my wrist and dragging me out of the detention center.

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September 6 11:25am

Detention Center - Holding Cell 2 ~ Nevada Wood's POV

I was curled up in the corner of my cell, holding my knees closer to my chest. I couldn't believe what I had just seen and heard. It was so alien, so new to me that I had the hardest time taking it all in.

They... cared.

They cared about me.

Me, a serial killer who's done nothing but murder and destroy... is loved by these people.

To tell the truth, I'd cared about them all along. The Forge murder, QS-5... all of my rudeness towards them during those times was just an act so they wouldn't know that I cared. I especially had my eye on 'Sora Lin' and 'Ghastly Bespoke'. I believe those are their names. I was already bubbling with excitement at the former's promise of a hug and a kiss (WHICH SHE HAD BETTER STICK TO, BY THE WAY, OR I WILL NOT BE HAPPY).

I could feel tears welling up in my right eye. I looked around to make sure nobody was looking before letting them fall freely down my cheek. A choked sob escaped my lips as I tried to laugh. I couldn't help it; I was just so happy. They'd finally noticed me! Sure, I had to get myself arrested for a bunch of crimes I didn't do, but I'd say that it was well worth it. The lawyer and his little sister are even helping me out tomorrow, so bonus!

I'd have to spend the rest of my day thinking about what I could call my new parents. Mother and Father was too formal, Mom and Dad is what all kids do... I could spend all day doing this! But the problem is: would they let me? Hmm... I ask them when I next see them.

I used my scarf to clean away my tears before bringing out my four beloved companions, what other people would call 'pet hamsters'. I, however, refer to them as the Four Dark Devas of Destruction: Sem-V, Gun-D, Mal-B and Alon-Z!

"Did you hear all that, guys?" I whispered to them as I held them in my palms. "We have... a family now."

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Yes Nevada is a precious cinnamon puppy baby roll that no evil shall touch

If evil touches then there will be killing and murder and death

AceAttorneyFan over and out!