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fic: Flights Out
Khura'in flights
(Anonymous)
2017-05-21 03:50 am (UTC)(link)
Partially based on this art
Travelling Economy sucks, especially if you're trying to sleep. In long flights like to and fro Khura'in, it's pretty much murder on your neck. Sure enough, when sleepiness finally overrides Ema's need for comfortable neck position, Nahyuta notices her head is quite prone to eventually landing on his shoulder. The drooling is optional, but consider it a bonus.
http://pw-kink-meme.dreamwidth.org/5253.html?thread=14848901#cmt14848901
Title: Flights Out
Series: Ace Attorney
Character/pairing: Nahyuta/Ema
Rating: PG-13
Word count: 6,532
Summary: Ema impetuously goes on an overseas flight with a prosecutor she just met. Turbulence, long flights, loading woes and falling asleep are just the start.
Author's note: Kink meme prompt. Bahlgilpo'kon: Another special hell.
I did this kink meme fill a while ago but never deanoned it.
First case with the new prosecutor and she'd already made the kind of misstep which got her assigned tons of paperwork, and might get her salary slashed if she was lucky. She didn't even want to think about what would happen if she wasn't so lucky.
But she had some kind of schadenfreude to know she'd been completely right. Trucy had been framed. The culprit had an seemingly iron-clad alibi, but Apollo had broken through by sheer determination. And bluffing. There was plenty of that.
Ema took a deep breath at his door, and finally knocked. The door had no plaque, no discerning features. All the surfaces were wiped clean. Even the prayer book had been packed away.
"The paperwork is done, Prosecutor Sahdmadhi," she said.
All ninety hours worth. Her wrists ached, and the weight had been staggering, like lifting a tome. She'd completely depleted her stash of Snackoos, and had to redo one part when she'd spilled coffee all over it. Ema had gotten awful creative with swear words when all her work was wrecked, that was for sure.
He looked up. Ema couldn't read him past his serene expression. He didn't seem enraged, even after what had happened, but she could never tell what he was thinking.
She couldn't exactly say she was sorry for trying to torpedo his case. But she couldn't say she was particularly glad to see him go, either. Sure, their first case had gone really rough. Yet, something about him was intriguing, like a puzzle waiting to be pieced together.
She wanted to know more.
They'd had such a connection, and cracking open that cold case had been spectacular--right up until the point where Trucy got brought to trial. But now she wondered if he'd even ever want to work with her again after this. He'd seemed entirely gentle to her and the other detectives and labbies. But when he came into the courtroom, he became sharp-tongued and dogmatic, like a transformation had occurred. She was still trying to fit the parts of him together. Outside of the courtroom, and away from Apollo, he was back to the gentle smiles and demeanor.
She hadn't forgotten how he'd completely grown cold and withdrawn the minute she mentioned his name. Even through the trial he had veered between the gentle monk who always had a compliment for her, and always wanted to hear more about science, to the sharp-tongued prosecutor she'd seen in court.
"Thank you for your impeccable work," he said.
She'd never had a Prosecutor be so kind towards her. Even Chief Prosecutor Edgeworth, as much as she admired him, could lecture her quite a bit on how messy her desk got.
Ema twisted her hair about her finger. "Just doing my job. It's fun, really. Well, not the paperwork. But I love the forensics."
God, what a brilliant way to start a conversation. Ema stopped herself before she started babbling about haploids and diploids, and the science of knife wound patterns.
Two fully packed suitcases were left in the corner. He'd never even unpacked anything to fill his desk. He must've already checked out of his hotel. When the news said a new prosecutor was coming, she'd assume he'd be around for more than one case.
"--you're leaving already?" Ema said.
He inclined his head. "My presence was requested elsewhere."
"So soon? I mean, you just got there. I'm sure there's lots more forensics things you'd love to see, really--" Ema stopped before she embarrassed herself. "I just--didn't expect it to only be one case," she said finally.
Well, technically two with the cold case they'd worked on together.
"When I am called, this servant of the Holy Mother obeys," Prosecutor Sahdmadhi said.
What a non-answer. Wasn't he investigating some kind of insurgents? Maybe that was why. He opened a folder, and began to organize the finished papers. The sound of the stapler cut through the looming silence.
"So--you're going back to--"
"Khura'in," he said. He closed the folder.
"Oh, right. Um, are you coming back, or are you returning for good?"
He stared down at it for a moment. His jaw set. Finally, he looked up. His green eyed gaze was intense, and almost made her blush for reasons Ema didn't even want to acknowledge.
"Would you like to accompany me on the next case? You can see the latest techniques in international forensic science."
"Really?"
"Yes. Khura'in has unique means of trying and investigating cases."
"So, it's really advanced?" Ema said.
"You could say that," he said.
There was no tension in his shoulders. Nothing but serenity showed as he nodded. Apparently, he didn't hold grudges. Which was good, because she wasn't about to apologize for what she'd done. Her hunch had been completely correct, though Apollo had a hell of a time proving it.
"I'm not sure I'd have enough to cover the plane ticket. Last minute overseas ones are really expensive. Plus I'd have to put in paperwork for a leave of absence, and that could take months...."
"That will not be a problem. I already asked Chief Prosecutor Edgeworth's permission. Besides, the doctrines of the Holy Mother mandate that all workers are taken care of."
"All expenses covered? Really? And new forensics?"
He nodded again.
She'd rarely heard of a prosecutor taking a labbie along with them. Detectives occasionally, as Detective Gumshoe was known to travel along with Chief Prosecutor Edgeworth, but not a labbie.
"Well, in that case, count me in," Ema said.
*
Ema had packed in a Snackoo and caffeine filled haze. Prosecutor Sahdmadhi hadn't even raised an eyebrow at her three suitcases and carry on with another bag of her supplies (because Ema did not trust her science supplies to just anyone, where they would be tossed around the hold.) Even though the airline charged a fine for every extra suitcase.
By now, Ema was used to the fun boarding points, where she had to explain no, I'm not a serial killer, I just fight crime. Er, solve it.
She recognized the grimace when the blue-clad security guard scanned her bags full of fingerprint dust, luminol, and occasionally crime scene files, if she had to bring more work with her. If they checked her tablet, they'd find a search history full of things about stab wounds, blood spatter patterns, and poisoning.
"I'll need to check this," the guard said.
Ema let out a sigh. Here it went again. "Look, I'm a forensics investigator. I need this with me when I solve cases."
"We'll just need to check this, ma'am. It's procedure."
Ema grimaced. She was way too young for ma'am, even if she was only a few years short of thirty.
"Is there a problem?" Prosecutor Sahdmadhi said.
The guard turned, and was visibly surprised by him. Ema had started to notice that wherever he went, Prosecutor Sahdmadhi left an impression.
"The contents of her bags--"
"She is with me."
Prosecutor Sahdmadhi handed over some complicated form from his things.
The worker burst into a big smile. "Oh, prosecutors? Why didn't you say so! Go on ahead. Solve a big crime for me."
"I was trying to say so," Ema said under her breath. Prosecutor Sahdmadhi just smiled. The guard seemed more than a little dazzled just from a glance.
"Apologies, I thought I had given you one, but I must've forgotten in the rush to set my things in order."
"Better late than never," Ema said.
She'd never gotten out of airport security without at least thirty minutes of explaining that no, this was not materials for a bomb, or some kind of Breaking Bad sequel involving labbies. She seriously had to get one of those permission slips, or whatever he had, for the trip back.
He brought out their tickets and they settled down, side by side while they waited for the flight out. Ema almost couldn't believe she was here. As inconspicuously as she could, she pinched her leg. She didn't wake up. She glanced over at her partner in crime, her prosecutor. He was caught up in a book about the history of western law. She didn't bother him, even if she probably could've added a thing or two.
Over the loud speakers, a voice echoed through.
Boarding for flight 706...
He closed his book, and put it in his immaculate white bags.
"That's us," Ema said.
He nodded. "So it is."
Ema dragged her shoe across the floor. "So, you're probably really used to flights, with all of them you've been on. I studied in Germany before I moved back. I always get a little restless waiting for flights, though. And a little nervous in boarding. But once we're in the air, I'm fine. It's just the waiting."
She was babbling, but she couldn't help herself. Something about his intense green-eyed gaze just made her spill it all. She let out a sigh. They were still such a new duo. She knew barely anything about him. But oh, she wanted to. She'd study him like finals and thenprobably fail that class and have to take it again.
He held out a bag to her. Hey,these were her snackoos. She looked up at him, a bit shyly, with an unsaid question on her lips.
"When you're stressed, you always eat these."
He had noticed, and prepared in advanced. "Oh--thanks--"
He turned, without another word, and started towards the door. Ema was still left stunned, dazed, and a little hungry, too.
"Come now, Detective Skye. If we wait too long, we risk missing our flight."
"A-ah, coming!" She rushed after him out the ramp, until they made it to the air strip. She could overthink about all that had just happened later.
*
Ema shifted and tried to get comfortable. In retrospect, she really should've padded her bottles better. She'd had less than three hours to pack, and had gone through her wardrobe frazzled and desperate. In the end, she'd made use of the underrated shoving method. As in, shove as many clothes inside and sort them out later. Maybe it'd mean she'd have a lime green bikini in a land-locked winter country, and all her shirts would be wrinkled but hey, at least she wouldn't have to purchase extra clothes that might not be her size.
Airplanes lulled Ema to sleep. She never caught the in-flight movies, because ten minutes from take off, she'd sleep until landing. Even on the economy flight, which could've probably doubled as a medieval torture device. A couple hours was bad enough, but over eight hours? It was like her body was trying to defend her. Like some extension of white blood cells, except with airplanes.
"Did you procure ear phones?" Prosecutor Sahdmadhi said.
"Nah, I've already seen it," Ema said.
He nodded, and put in his earphones. An airline attendant read off how to use the oxygen mask and the usual note about turning all devices off. Ema tuned out. Her phone was already in airplane mode, and she'd been on enough flights with studying in Germany to know it by heart already.
She shifted and tried to get comfortable. It wasn't like she'd expected first class, but she'd expected a headrest which fit someone under six feet. But the hum of the flight won over the discomfort. She shifted until she found a much more comfortable position. Her eyes fluttered shut.
Some time later, she was jarred awake by shaking.
"Crap, is the plane going down!"
"Mere turbulence," he said.
Even in the midst of a possibly very real storm, Prosecutor Sahdmadhi was calm as ever.
Through her waking grogginess, Ema realized she'd apparently found a way past her headrest problem.
There was a wet spot on prosecutor Sahdmadhi's shoulder. Had she fallen asleep on him? Considering the trajectory, and how she remembered waking, the evidence said yes. Her mind whirled around with possibilities. Should she apologize, or simply brush it off, like she hadn't known what happened? Which would be less awkward in the end?
He didn't look angry, but she never could read him.
In the end, she decided to just change the subject. "Er... Did you enjoy the movie?"
He closed the book he'd been reading. She caught a glimpse of the title. Modern Criminology: Peripheries In Justice.
His lips pursed. "It was most disturbing. His behavior seemed closer to stalking than 'romance.'"
"Yeah, I didn't enjoy it much either," she said.
Attention, passengers. We are experiencing some turbulence. Please keep seated. We will be arriving in Tokyo, Japan in fifteen minutes. Please keep your seat belts fastened and your devices turned off.
The plane shuddered again through the turbulence.
"If we actually make it there," Ema said tightly.
"Everything will be all right," he said. He held out his hand. For a moment, she stared down, weighing the options.
As the plane rocked, and her stomach churned, she held on to his hand tight. The warmth of his palm, his fingers entwined with hers kept the world steady.
She just hoped her palms didn't sweat.
"H-have you ever had a flight this bad?"
"There was a thunderstorm on my way to L.A. I thought it was an omen, at first," he said. Each time the plane shuddered, she was reminded again that she was in a bit of metal and engines, over the ocean no less.
You'll be fine, you'll be fine. Your story isn't going to end like this.
The plane finally stopped shuddering, but she didn't immediately let go. It was only when the flight attendant began to make an announcement that she slowly withdrew her hand.
If she'd had her way, she would've stayed like that, all the way until they landed and left the plane, or maybe longer.
*
The Airport was modern, sleek, and full of windows. Light poured from the ceiling, which was a glass work marvel.
An announcement she didn't understand went over the loudspeaker. He took one glance at the pamphlet near where they boarded, and moved with determination. There were several shops, some full of too-expensive purses, a bookstore, a coffee shop, and a noodle stand.
"How long do we have? I think I slept through that part of the announcement," Ema said.
"Two hours," Prosecutor Sahdmadhi said.
"Well, it could be worse. We have enough time to get food at least. I hear you're a big burger fan now," Ema said.
He inclined his head in a nod. "The Jalapeno Southwestern Burger you recommended was sublime. Truly, blessed by the Holy Mother. I found it as fulfilling a religious experience as long meditation."
She laughed. "But tastier, I bet? You should try the Mushroom Swiss," Ema said teasingly.
He crossed himself in some form of warding evil. "Such putridness, as if shades of Bahlgilpo'kon on earth."
"You haven't gotten to the really smelly cheeses yet, have you? You got the Roquefort, and Blue Cheese--"
Prosecutor scrunched his nose up. "To think, such hellish things exist on this earth..."
She couldn't help but laugh. "C'mon, you can't knock them until you try them."
"I refuse to put anything that has the aroma of the gates of the twilight realm in my mouth."
She squinted at the sign. She could still do passable German (she'd kept it up, just to mock Prosecutor Gavin) but she'd never gotten around to learning Japanese.
He slowly began to translate the options. Considering just how much he traveled, she shouldn't be this surprised he'd picked up that much language along the way.
"The Southwestern Jalapeno is out of stock," Prosecutor Sahdmadhi said. His mouth twisted in a grimace, like he'd sucked on a lemon. "However, they also have..."
Some cheeseburgers, some kind of specialty with wasabi on it, some kind of plum sauce, and then something called a Colossal Burger. It was so big, it could barely fit in the photo.
"Since they don't have the Southwestern, so I'm going to try for the Colossal Burger," she said.
"Four burgers in one? It looks large enough to feed a family," Prosecutor Sahdmadhi said incredulously.
"I need the protein for all the brain power I'm going to be using," Ema said.
He smiled. "Indeed."
He ordered with the best she could tell, flawless Japanese. The cashier looked more than a little enamored, and like she might just swoon in his arms.
Hopefully not until after her order came, Ema thought crossly.
He paid. The cashier had to take a moment to catch her breath, as he waited. From behind them, the guy doing the fries stared at Prosecutor Sahdmadhi in awe as well. Prosecutor Sahdmadhi took it all in stride.
"Oh, you didn't have to do that. I'll pay you back..." Ema reached into her bag. Her wallet was wedged between a bottle of fingerprints dust and a bottle of luminol. The security team sure had fun with her bags, that was for sure. If it wasn't for Prosecutor Sahdmadhi's intervention, she would've been there for ages.
He repeated something in Khura'inese, or she assumed it was Khura'inese, as it resembled the sutra she'd seen him recite in court before. She hadn't exactly gotten a chance to take a crash course in the language.
"You're either going to have to say that again or translate for me," Ema said. She turned on the translation app in her phone.
"I suppose it would translate to 'take care of your own.' The Holy Mother dictates that those in a higher station take care of who they hire. He took on a meditative pose as he recited, "Halve your earnings. A stipend of food, lodgings for those under you, and there will be no poverty among us."
"Uh--really?" Ema said, more than a little flabbergasted. Sure, he'd mentioned something like that in the office, but she hadn't realized how much it covered. The ticket was nice enough, but a fully paid ride was even better.
He smiled, full of light and brightness. "Think nothing of it."
She picked up a fry and held it out, like she was making an objection. "You should take a note and refuel for all that research," Ema said.
She pulled out her phone. "This moment has to be saved for posterity’s sake." She snapped a picture. It wasn't enough, though. She leaned in for the second one, and made a peace sign.
"A strange looking camera," he said.
"Technically it's for forensics. But, sometimes I gotta save evidence that my hair looked really good that day," Ema said.
Not that he'd know anything about bad hair. She had a sneaking suspicion that he woke up looking like that. Even the most humid days in L.A. hadn't made given him a single bad hair day.
"Do they give those out at the L.A. Office? I haven't seen any but yours."
"Nah, I saved up and bought it on my own. I bought the extra luminol and shoe print molds on my own, too."
His brow furrowed. "They wouldn't even allow you this? Is the L.A. office suffering so much that they won't even properly take care of their detectives? Chief Prosecutor Edgeworth told me this 'dark age of the law' was causing havoc, but I had no idea it could be so dire."
"No, uh...I just really wanted it," Ema said. "You know. Treat yo self and all. I just needed some toys to--test on things that certainly weren't official cases." Maybe she should talk a little less about the illegal forensics things she'd gotten into back then, and then usually sent off to the defense, as a final fuck you to the acting prosecutor.
He smiled. "Erasmus said First, I buy books. Then if anything is left, I buy food and clothes. It seems you follow a similar mantra, but with your scientific devices."
"As if you have anything to say. I bet you have one biiiiig bookcase back home in Khura'in. Your entire house is probably bookcases. There's probably a secret bookcase behind your bookcase, like some gothic mansion."
"Gothic, like...the conquers? Or the teenagers who wear all black?"
"No, Gothic like the books. You know, lady in a long white dress running from ghosts or some such? Big spooky mansions?"
Come to think of it, Prosecutor Sahdmadhi could do the tragic gothic hero pretty well.
It felt kind of like a date. Like she was one step away from playing footsie under the table, going out to a movie, and then.....
Where had that thought come from? She'd only just met him--and he was her boss now. She tried to wipe it from her mind. The time change must be getting to her. She shoved a few more salty fries into her mouth to push down the weird sudden direction her thoughts were taking.
With an hour and a half to kill, Ema browsed the stores. Near the ramen stand was this place that seemed to specialize in cute and impracticable things. Phone charms, little erasers shaped like anthropomorphic milk and apples, and tiny pieces of paper. Maybe it was a souvenir store. Ema squinted at a price, and pulled up a conversion app. She scrunched up her nose when the price came up. Everything was way overpriced.
He lifted up a tiny cell phone charm of the Steel Samurai, before setting it down again. She didn't think Prosecutor Sahdmadhi was the type to secretly like cute things. Then again, maybe he was like Chief Prosecutor Edgeworth.
"Are you a fan?" Ema said.
He looked up, and she couldn't read his expression. Faint amusement, perhaps?
"I've only heard of the phenomenon. One day I will research it to better understand cases."
He lifted up another, a small eraser of a heroine she'd never seen before. The Plumed Punisher. He smiled to himself. "I see she's spread farther than expected."
To her surprise, he purchased the eraser and put it into his bags. She felt a little clench at her chest. Of course somebody like him wouldn't be single.
Oh, shut up already, she thought.
"Oh, you've got someone special at home?" Ema said.
He didn't look up from the stall. "No, I have no one," he said.
"Then, a sibling?" Ema said. She hadn't seen anything in the notes, but then his family history had been fairly sparse.
He remained quiet for a moment before responding. "Just a young one at the prosecutor's office in Khura'in. She's very precocious."
His phone rang, and he stepped away, and lapsed into Khura'inese. It must've been some official business, for his earlier calm was lost. His face turned stony.
Ema started to search through wikipedia articles on her phone. Anything to distract her from the fact that the overwhelming feeling she'd gotten when he said No, I have no one had been overwhelming relief.
*
"Wake up, Detective Skye," Prosecutor Sahdmadhi said. His voice was so soft. God, if she woke up like this every morning, maybe she wouldn't have to hit sleep fifty times and drink a gallon of coffee to drag herself out of bed. Bottle up his voice and turn it into an alarm clock. He could read off mantras, or the phone book. Anything to hear him a little more.
Crap, she'd fallen asleep on him again. This time she couldn't even play dumb and pretend she didn't know. And even worse, somewhere in her sleep, she hadn't just used him as a pillow, she'd fallen asleep in his lap.
Ema pulled away, and cleared her throat. "Um--we made it. And--look at those mountains, over there!"
Anything to hide from her flushed cheeks.
"Mount Poniponi. The sanctum resides there."
The guy was like a walking encyclopedia. Which was actually pretty sexy. And there it was again--that awkward accidental thought.
Prosecutor Sahdmadhi was about to list more, when a voice over came on the loud speaker. Please remain seated while your flight attendants begin the landing prayer.
Well, that's new, Ema thought.
*
She frowned as she tried to get her phone to sync. It kept spinning and spinning, but she couldn't access the international evidence database.
"The mountains interfere with the wireless frequency," Prosecutor Sahdmadhi said.
Aw, crap. Mountains. Yeah, she forgot. Khura'in was filled with them, from the Wikipedia article she'd glanced at while she waited out the rest of the layover, and tried to think of anything but what she'd accidentally thought of while eating with him.
Damn, she was thinking it again. The d word. Okay, the d word that ended with e and could be mistaken for a fruit in the right circumstances. (Hell, if the person was creative, it could involve both the fruit and the activity.)
Looks could be deceiving. Sure, it looked like she'd traveled in time, but maybe they had some great skill she couldn't even imagine.
"Guess it's time to check in," she said.
"Check in?" he smiled. But it wasn't just happiness, it was like he knew a joke she didn't.
"Yeah, to the hotel," she said.
"There is no need. Accommodations are already provided," he said.
"Well, that works," Ema said.
He led her past streets, and an imposing temple, to the massive stairs of a castle.
"You live in the royal castle? Seriously? You keeping something about your past? Like maybe you're a secret fairy tale prince?"
"Prosecutors do the work of the Queen," he said. His voice sounded oddly flat, for someone who got to sleep in a castle.
Ema craned her neck as she walked by. It didn't matter if she looked like she was one fanny pack away from being an extreme tourist. While he talked to a guard, Ema snuck in a few shots of all the grandeur.
"Should I unpack?"
"No. It will only be a few days. Enough for you to see what Khura'in is like."
"I thought we were going to work a case together?" Ema said.
"...Khura'in is a very different place. Cases will be over quickly," he said. Was it a trick of the light, or did his jaw tense up?
"Different forensics, huh?" Ema said.
"You could say that," he said.
"So this time, you'll be the one showing me interesting forensics," Ema said. She smiled, and pulled her pink glasses down.
"Our forensics will make you question everything you have ever known," he said.
Ema couldn't tell if he was joking. His face was completely blank. Was it the usual serenity, or the kind when he'd said "what's crackalackin' homie?"
Still, what a way to start out her new life as an official forensic investigator.
*
After Ema had gotten her bags laid out in her rooms, Prosecutor Sahdmadhi completely disappeared. Ema thought about going exploring, but any solo adventures were cut off by the realization that she didn't even know how to ask where the bathroom was in Khura'inese, let alone where the nearest burger place would be.
That was, if they even had burger joints here. The country was a lot more rustic than he'd made it out to be.
She tried his phone, but got no response. She managed to find a guard who spoke English, and get directions to his office. (That was, after she got directions to where the food was hall for the prosecution and staff was.) The massive courts weren't far off from the castle. Considering what Prosecutor Sahdmadhi had told her about the country and how the royalty was so connected to the prosecutor's office, it wasn't that surprising.
Though the massive carvings, the statutes of lions (or were they dogs? Lion dogs?) and fluttering incense burners with ribbons attached to them were a whole lot different. It made the L.A. Courts seem drab by comparison.
She pushed the heavy door open, only to find him pouring over some kind of papers. The office was spacious and lush with the scent of incense, and filled to the brim with bookcases and stacks of scrolls. High above the desk was a portrait of a crowned woman staring down. On her chest was a big spider emblem. The queen? Wikipedia had said something about the royalty being super important. But now the connection wasn't good enough for her to check again. He glanced up as she pushed the heavy wooden door back.
"Sheesh, you've been here for ages. Did you even take a lunch break? You can't think on an empty stomach."
"To preform the last rites, one must research every possibility," Prosecutor Sahdmadhi said.
"You haven't even taken on a case yet. Unless you took one without telling me," Ema said.
"I needed to review what cases had taken place, and complete some paperwork," he said.
"Uh-huh. Less talking, more eating. It's dinner time already. So what do you want? I don't think there's any burger places around here, so you'll have to show me the sights instead."
Prosecutor Sahdmadhi smiled softly. "You're giving me orders now?"
She put one hand on her hip. "If you're going to be forgetful, then someone has to knock some sense into you. Preferably with a hamburger."
"As I said before, you receive a stipend of three meals while in Khura'in," he said.
Ema puffed out her cheeks. "And apparently, so do you. Not that you show up for them. I ate earlier and figured we'd talk about cases, but you never showed up."
He set the papers aside, in the little metal grate marked archive to his right. "You're right. As the Holy Mother said: for a clear head, one must nourish the body. For a clear heart, one must nourish the soul."
"That's just common sense," Ema said.
"People were starving when these things were said. It was why so much of her message was one of sharing."
Ema was stunned to silence. Should she apologize? Sometimes her sharp tongue really got the better of her. Especially when she kept sassing her superiors.
As they walked down the street, people called out greetings to him. Thankfully, unlike when she'd been out working with Prosecutor Gavin, none of them begged for autographs. Ema didn't want to look like that kind of tourist, but the sights were so fascinating that she couldn't help it. She considered putting up her phone like a shield, so if anybody asked, she'd say she was working. Or texting, either or.
But the scents of the market caught her unaware. And that wasn't the only thing. A roar cut through the crowd. She let out a shriek, and gripped his arm and clutched tight to Prosecutor Sahdmadhi. "What the hell! Why are there lions in the marketplace?!"
"The Warbaa'd mimics a roar to drive away potential predators," Prosecutor Sahdmadhi said. He wasn't even flustered.
It was only then that she realized the closeness. A few merchants chuckled, as she glanced around. Probably at her outburst. Ema's cheeks burned bright red as she slowly let go of him. For not the first time, she wondered if she needed to apologize.
However, Prosecutor Sahdmdhi said nothing of the kind. Her sudden shriek hadn't even broken his composure.
"Sheesh, this guy has nerves of steel," Ema muttered to herself.
In the end, she decided to just move on and distract him from the moment.
"Uh, what are those?" Ema said quickly. "Yeah, those, over there?"
He slowly looked over the table of goods. It smelled almost like cinnamon, with a sweet undertone. She could barely even think of a description for the bright, yellow fruit. It was so new. Prosecutor Sahdmadhi handed over a few dahmas to the woman behind the stall.
"Go on," he said.
"Really? Thanks!" She'd never had a prosecutor so willing to spoil her. Compliments, paying her way, and now buying her food--it was almost like he was wooing her. And man, if she'd let any prosecutor woo her away from working with Chief Prosecutor Edgeworth, it'd be him.
There was that thought again. Always lurking at the back of her trying to focus. It was his fault for being so distracting.
The first bite was juicy, and almost had an aftertaste she couldn't place. Almost like..nutmeg? But that made no sense, it couldn't have been treated.
"I've never tasted something like this," Ema said.
"Is there finally a contender against your Snackoos?"
"Hardly. They got me through college. They're pretty good, though."
"If you want a truly unique experience of Khura'in culture, tonight is the only night when Gingihl is made," Prosecutor Sahdmadhi said.
"Real limited edition stuff, huh?" Ema said.
He went on, explaining about the rite and its significance. While the eating part sounded great, the nineteen hours of prayer wasn't something she could manage.
"Is there a catch? Can I have some without having to do the whole praying for hours stuff? I have to work, after all. Or at least, I will if anything comes up," Ema said. She left out the part that she was godless heathen; it was implied.
He smiled. "Of course. You'll find it quite...interesting."
"Last time you said I'd find something interesting, I ended up here," Ema said dryly.
"Indeed, where else would you find evidence like you do here?" Prosecutor Sahdmadhi said.
This place was like walking back in time. So little WiFi hot-spots, and her phone had no bars at all.
He lowered his head, with just a hint of a smile. That was the same look he had when he had told her all this crock about Khura'in being unique in forensics. Which, given the fact they didn't even had a burger joint around, was pretty unlikely.
"I'll try anything once if it involves food," Ema said.
Prosecutor Sahdmadhi bought two bowls from the woman at a stall, and guided her out to a campfire built out in the square. Several others were seated about other fires, with their own heaping bowls.
"Many cook within their homes. However, some do not have such a luxury."
"You mean you're skipping out on your family? Sure you aren't going to get an earful for missing dinner?" Ema said.
Prosecutor Sahdmadhi stared down at his bowl. "...They are not here with us."
"Oh. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be insensitive. Mine are gone, too. Back when I was a kid, so it was just me and Lana." Then Lana had to go to prison for what Gant had put them through, and it'd been just her and the occasional phone calls.
"I'm so used to everyone else having families... I get jealous sometimes. People who can just go see their mothers or fathers anytime they want. Then I couldn't even see my sis...she got caught up with this blackmailer who made a mess of the L.A. Court system. It's a long story, really."
His green eyes widened. "I am deeply sorry to hear of that. ...Did she escape?"
"Yeah, it's all good now. But it was really scary for a while there."
Ema cleared her throat. She hadn't meant to say all that. It just kind of spilled out. "Well, time to dig in."
Ema took a bite. It was wonderfully spicy and savory, with warm broth and extremely tasty noodles that must've been made from some kind of local thing she hadn't had before, as the texture and taste was unforgettable. It was tasty enough that she considered seconds. At least, until she pushed aside the bowl, and realized her mistake.
"Purification? More like putrefaction! My breath reeks. I'm going to have down mentos by the handful at this rate. It's really good, though."
Prosecutor Sahdmadhi just smiled.
God, he didn't even spill the dish down his front. Meanwhile, Ema found crumbs in her bra every day, and sometimes even whole Snackoos. (And then she ate them. Snackoos were never to be wasted, even if they had hung out in her cleavage for a couple hours.) And that was when she wasn't accidentally getting covered in blood--and other bodily fluids--while processing evidence.
"I can't believe I didn't see it earlier. You're such a Puck."
He looked taken aback. "A--puck?"
"Yeah, you know, A Midsummer's Night Dream? The trickster fairy. You've sure got some trickster imp side for a holy guy."
"I assumed it was a variation on the insults I've heard. It sounded very close to a particular vile one," Prosecutor Sahdmadhi said.
"I wouldn't call my boss that," Ema said. To his face, anyways.
He closed his eyes. "Did I lie? It was an interesting experience."
"And you say Swiss cheese is bad. This stuff is overpowering! What, does it 'scare away the demons' due to bad breath?"
"There is some 'science' to it, if you will. Garlic has startlingly strong anti-fungal, and anti-bacterial properties," Prosecutor Sahdmadhi said.
Ema pushed her bowl aside. "Well, if I eat anymore, the only person I'm going to be scaring away is you."
"I am well accustomed to the scent of Gingihl, having observed this ritual many times," he said.
"Yech. I can't imagine how anyone can focus with a stank like that," Ema said.
"The Khura'inese have trained their minds to keep focused, even through hunger, cold, sorrow, long hours of prayer--and yes, Gingihl."
"Well, you'll have to teach me that sometime," Ema said.
"It would be my pleasure," he said.
Ema stretched out. The low murmur of conversation of other Khura'inese, in a language she only somewhat knew didn't distract the very pressing thought that kept popping up in her mind.
This feels like a date.
She shook her head. Honestly, Ema, get your head back to business. You just met the guy. Just because you ran off with him to another country on a complete impulse and he's paying for everything, and he offered his hand for you to hold and gave you your favorite treats because he remembered and personally asked to work with you doesn't mean you're dating. Yet, anyways.
He stared into the fire, with a serene expression. His made her forget about things like boundaries, and the seed of a new dream of airports and a thousand solved cases--or redeemed souls who had finally been read their last rites, as he'd probably put it.
"I'm going back to shotgun some tic tacs before I kill someone with this death breath I've got going. Then I better head to bed. I wouldn't want to miss breakfast. I almost missed it this morning when I got lost looking for the showers," Ema said.
"Good night, Detective Skye," he said.
"Night, Prosecutor Sahdmadhi. See you tomorrow."
As she walked back to her quarters, An airplane sailed high above the mountains. Ema couldn't help but smile at the memories it brought.
(Anonymous)
2017-05-21 03:50 am (UTC)(link)
Partially based on this art
Travelling Economy sucks, especially if you're trying to sleep. In long flights like to and fro Khura'in, it's pretty much murder on your neck. Sure enough, when sleepiness finally overrides Ema's need for comfortable neck position, Nahyuta notices her head is quite prone to eventually landing on his shoulder. The drooling is optional, but consider it a bonus.
http://pw-kink-meme.dreamwidth.org/5253.html?thread=14848901#cmt14848901
Title: Flights Out
Series: Ace Attorney
Character/pairing: Nahyuta/Ema
Rating: PG-13
Word count: 6,532
Summary: Ema impetuously goes on an overseas flight with a prosecutor she just met. Turbulence, long flights, loading woes and falling asleep are just the start.
Author's note: Kink meme prompt. Bahlgilpo'kon: Another special hell.
I did this kink meme fill a while ago but never deanoned it.
First case with the new prosecutor and she'd already made the kind of misstep which got her assigned tons of paperwork, and might get her salary slashed if she was lucky. She didn't even want to think about what would happen if she wasn't so lucky.
But she had some kind of schadenfreude to know she'd been completely right. Trucy had been framed. The culprit had an seemingly iron-clad alibi, but Apollo had broken through by sheer determination. And bluffing. There was plenty of that.
Ema took a deep breath at his door, and finally knocked. The door had no plaque, no discerning features. All the surfaces were wiped clean. Even the prayer book had been packed away.
"The paperwork is done, Prosecutor Sahdmadhi," she said.
All ninety hours worth. Her wrists ached, and the weight had been staggering, like lifting a tome. She'd completely depleted her stash of Snackoos, and had to redo one part when she'd spilled coffee all over it. Ema had gotten awful creative with swear words when all her work was wrecked, that was for sure.
He looked up. Ema couldn't read him past his serene expression. He didn't seem enraged, even after what had happened, but she could never tell what he was thinking.
She couldn't exactly say she was sorry for trying to torpedo his case. But she couldn't say she was particularly glad to see him go, either. Sure, their first case had gone really rough. Yet, something about him was intriguing, like a puzzle waiting to be pieced together.
She wanted to know more.
They'd had such a connection, and cracking open that cold case had been spectacular--right up until the point where Trucy got brought to trial. But now she wondered if he'd even ever want to work with her again after this. He'd seemed entirely gentle to her and the other detectives and labbies. But when he came into the courtroom, he became sharp-tongued and dogmatic, like a transformation had occurred. She was still trying to fit the parts of him together. Outside of the courtroom, and away from Apollo, he was back to the gentle smiles and demeanor.
She hadn't forgotten how he'd completely grown cold and withdrawn the minute she mentioned his name. Even through the trial he had veered between the gentle monk who always had a compliment for her, and always wanted to hear more about science, to the sharp-tongued prosecutor she'd seen in court.
"Thank you for your impeccable work," he said.
She'd never had a Prosecutor be so kind towards her. Even Chief Prosecutor Edgeworth, as much as she admired him, could lecture her quite a bit on how messy her desk got.
Ema twisted her hair about her finger. "Just doing my job. It's fun, really. Well, not the paperwork. But I love the forensics."
God, what a brilliant way to start a conversation. Ema stopped herself before she started babbling about haploids and diploids, and the science of knife wound patterns.
Two fully packed suitcases were left in the corner. He'd never even unpacked anything to fill his desk. He must've already checked out of his hotel. When the news said a new prosecutor was coming, she'd assume he'd be around for more than one case.
"--you're leaving already?" Ema said.
He inclined his head. "My presence was requested elsewhere."
"So soon? I mean, you just got there. I'm sure there's lots more forensics things you'd love to see, really--" Ema stopped before she embarrassed herself. "I just--didn't expect it to only be one case," she said finally.
Well, technically two with the cold case they'd worked on together.
"When I am called, this servant of the Holy Mother obeys," Prosecutor Sahdmadhi said.
What a non-answer. Wasn't he investigating some kind of insurgents? Maybe that was why. He opened a folder, and began to organize the finished papers. The sound of the stapler cut through the looming silence.
"So--you're going back to--"
"Khura'in," he said. He closed the folder.
"Oh, right. Um, are you coming back, or are you returning for good?"
He stared down at it for a moment. His jaw set. Finally, he looked up. His green eyed gaze was intense, and almost made her blush for reasons Ema didn't even want to acknowledge.
"Would you like to accompany me on the next case? You can see the latest techniques in international forensic science."
"Really?"
"Yes. Khura'in has unique means of trying and investigating cases."
"So, it's really advanced?" Ema said.
"You could say that," he said.
There was no tension in his shoulders. Nothing but serenity showed as he nodded. Apparently, he didn't hold grudges. Which was good, because she wasn't about to apologize for what she'd done. Her hunch had been completely correct, though Apollo had a hell of a time proving it.
"I'm not sure I'd have enough to cover the plane ticket. Last minute overseas ones are really expensive. Plus I'd have to put in paperwork for a leave of absence, and that could take months...."
"That will not be a problem. I already asked Chief Prosecutor Edgeworth's permission. Besides, the doctrines of the Holy Mother mandate that all workers are taken care of."
"All expenses covered? Really? And new forensics?"
He nodded again.
She'd rarely heard of a prosecutor taking a labbie along with them. Detectives occasionally, as Detective Gumshoe was known to travel along with Chief Prosecutor Edgeworth, but not a labbie.
"Well, in that case, count me in," Ema said.
*
Ema had packed in a Snackoo and caffeine filled haze. Prosecutor Sahdmadhi hadn't even raised an eyebrow at her three suitcases and carry on with another bag of her supplies (because Ema did not trust her science supplies to just anyone, where they would be tossed around the hold.) Even though the airline charged a fine for every extra suitcase.
By now, Ema was used to the fun boarding points, where she had to explain no, I'm not a serial killer, I just fight crime. Er, solve it.
She recognized the grimace when the blue-clad security guard scanned her bags full of fingerprint dust, luminol, and occasionally crime scene files, if she had to bring more work with her. If they checked her tablet, they'd find a search history full of things about stab wounds, blood spatter patterns, and poisoning.
"I'll need to check this," the guard said.
Ema let out a sigh. Here it went again. "Look, I'm a forensics investigator. I need this with me when I solve cases."
"We'll just need to check this, ma'am. It's procedure."
Ema grimaced. She was way too young for ma'am, even if she was only a few years short of thirty.
"Is there a problem?" Prosecutor Sahdmadhi said.
The guard turned, and was visibly surprised by him. Ema had started to notice that wherever he went, Prosecutor Sahdmadhi left an impression.
"The contents of her bags--"
"She is with me."
Prosecutor Sahdmadhi handed over some complicated form from his things.
The worker burst into a big smile. "Oh, prosecutors? Why didn't you say so! Go on ahead. Solve a big crime for me."
"I was trying to say so," Ema said under her breath. Prosecutor Sahdmadhi just smiled. The guard seemed more than a little dazzled just from a glance.
"Apologies, I thought I had given you one, but I must've forgotten in the rush to set my things in order."
"Better late than never," Ema said.
She'd never gotten out of airport security without at least thirty minutes of explaining that no, this was not materials for a bomb, or some kind of Breaking Bad sequel involving labbies. She seriously had to get one of those permission slips, or whatever he had, for the trip back.
He brought out their tickets and they settled down, side by side while they waited for the flight out. Ema almost couldn't believe she was here. As inconspicuously as she could, she pinched her leg. She didn't wake up. She glanced over at her partner in crime, her prosecutor. He was caught up in a book about the history of western law. She didn't bother him, even if she probably could've added a thing or two.
Over the loud speakers, a voice echoed through.
Boarding for flight 706...
He closed his book, and put it in his immaculate white bags.
"That's us," Ema said.
He nodded. "So it is."
Ema dragged her shoe across the floor. "So, you're probably really used to flights, with all of them you've been on. I studied in Germany before I moved back. I always get a little restless waiting for flights, though. And a little nervous in boarding. But once we're in the air, I'm fine. It's just the waiting."
She was babbling, but she couldn't help herself. Something about his intense green-eyed gaze just made her spill it all. She let out a sigh. They were still such a new duo. She knew barely anything about him. But oh, she wanted to. She'd study him like finals and thenprobably fail that class and have to take it again.
He held out a bag to her. Hey,these were her snackoos. She looked up at him, a bit shyly, with an unsaid question on her lips.
"When you're stressed, you always eat these."
He had noticed, and prepared in advanced. "Oh--thanks--"
He turned, without another word, and started towards the door. Ema was still left stunned, dazed, and a little hungry, too.
"Come now, Detective Skye. If we wait too long, we risk missing our flight."
"A-ah, coming!" She rushed after him out the ramp, until they made it to the air strip. She could overthink about all that had just happened later.
*
Ema shifted and tried to get comfortable. In retrospect, she really should've padded her bottles better. She'd had less than three hours to pack, and had gone through her wardrobe frazzled and desperate. In the end, she'd made use of the underrated shoving method. As in, shove as many clothes inside and sort them out later. Maybe it'd mean she'd have a lime green bikini in a land-locked winter country, and all her shirts would be wrinkled but hey, at least she wouldn't have to purchase extra clothes that might not be her size.
Airplanes lulled Ema to sleep. She never caught the in-flight movies, because ten minutes from take off, she'd sleep until landing. Even on the economy flight, which could've probably doubled as a medieval torture device. A couple hours was bad enough, but over eight hours? It was like her body was trying to defend her. Like some extension of white blood cells, except with airplanes.
"Did you procure ear phones?" Prosecutor Sahdmadhi said.
"Nah, I've already seen it," Ema said.
He nodded, and put in his earphones. An airline attendant read off how to use the oxygen mask and the usual note about turning all devices off. Ema tuned out. Her phone was already in airplane mode, and she'd been on enough flights with studying in Germany to know it by heart already.
She shifted and tried to get comfortable. It wasn't like she'd expected first class, but she'd expected a headrest which fit someone under six feet. But the hum of the flight won over the discomfort. She shifted until she found a much more comfortable position. Her eyes fluttered shut.
Some time later, she was jarred awake by shaking.
"Crap, is the plane going down!"
"Mere turbulence," he said.
Even in the midst of a possibly very real storm, Prosecutor Sahdmadhi was calm as ever.
Through her waking grogginess, Ema realized she'd apparently found a way past her headrest problem.
There was a wet spot on prosecutor Sahdmadhi's shoulder. Had she fallen asleep on him? Considering the trajectory, and how she remembered waking, the evidence said yes. Her mind whirled around with possibilities. Should she apologize, or simply brush it off, like she hadn't known what happened? Which would be less awkward in the end?
He didn't look angry, but she never could read him.
In the end, she decided to just change the subject. "Er... Did you enjoy the movie?"
He closed the book he'd been reading. She caught a glimpse of the title. Modern Criminology: Peripheries In Justice.
His lips pursed. "It was most disturbing. His behavior seemed closer to stalking than 'romance.'"
"Yeah, I didn't enjoy it much either," she said.
Attention, passengers. We are experiencing some turbulence. Please keep seated. We will be arriving in Tokyo, Japan in fifteen minutes. Please keep your seat belts fastened and your devices turned off.
The plane shuddered again through the turbulence.
"If we actually make it there," Ema said tightly.
"Everything will be all right," he said. He held out his hand. For a moment, she stared down, weighing the options.
As the plane rocked, and her stomach churned, she held on to his hand tight. The warmth of his palm, his fingers entwined with hers kept the world steady.
She just hoped her palms didn't sweat.
"H-have you ever had a flight this bad?"
"There was a thunderstorm on my way to L.A. I thought it was an omen, at first," he said. Each time the plane shuddered, she was reminded again that she was in a bit of metal and engines, over the ocean no less.
You'll be fine, you'll be fine. Your story isn't going to end like this.
The plane finally stopped shuddering, but she didn't immediately let go. It was only when the flight attendant began to make an announcement that she slowly withdrew her hand.
If she'd had her way, she would've stayed like that, all the way until they landed and left the plane, or maybe longer.
*
The Airport was modern, sleek, and full of windows. Light poured from the ceiling, which was a glass work marvel.
An announcement she didn't understand went over the loudspeaker. He took one glance at the pamphlet near where they boarded, and moved with determination. There were several shops, some full of too-expensive purses, a bookstore, a coffee shop, and a noodle stand.
"How long do we have? I think I slept through that part of the announcement," Ema said.
"Two hours," Prosecutor Sahdmadhi said.
"Well, it could be worse. We have enough time to get food at least. I hear you're a big burger fan now," Ema said.
He inclined his head in a nod. "The Jalapeno Southwestern Burger you recommended was sublime. Truly, blessed by the Holy Mother. I found it as fulfilling a religious experience as long meditation."
She laughed. "But tastier, I bet? You should try the Mushroom Swiss," Ema said teasingly.
He crossed himself in some form of warding evil. "Such putridness, as if shades of Bahlgilpo'kon on earth."
"You haven't gotten to the really smelly cheeses yet, have you? You got the Roquefort, and Blue Cheese--"
Prosecutor scrunched his nose up. "To think, such hellish things exist on this earth..."
She couldn't help but laugh. "C'mon, you can't knock them until you try them."
"I refuse to put anything that has the aroma of the gates of the twilight realm in my mouth."
She squinted at the sign. She could still do passable German (she'd kept it up, just to mock Prosecutor Gavin) but she'd never gotten around to learning Japanese.
He slowly began to translate the options. Considering just how much he traveled, she shouldn't be this surprised he'd picked up that much language along the way.
"The Southwestern Jalapeno is out of stock," Prosecutor Sahdmadhi said. His mouth twisted in a grimace, like he'd sucked on a lemon. "However, they also have..."
Some cheeseburgers, some kind of specialty with wasabi on it, some kind of plum sauce, and then something called a Colossal Burger. It was so big, it could barely fit in the photo.
"Since they don't have the Southwestern, so I'm going to try for the Colossal Burger," she said.
"Four burgers in one? It looks large enough to feed a family," Prosecutor Sahdmadhi said incredulously.
"I need the protein for all the brain power I'm going to be using," Ema said.
He smiled. "Indeed."
He ordered with the best she could tell, flawless Japanese. The cashier looked more than a little enamored, and like she might just swoon in his arms.
Hopefully not until after her order came, Ema thought crossly.
He paid. The cashier had to take a moment to catch her breath, as he waited. From behind them, the guy doing the fries stared at Prosecutor Sahdmadhi in awe as well. Prosecutor Sahdmadhi took it all in stride.
"Oh, you didn't have to do that. I'll pay you back..." Ema reached into her bag. Her wallet was wedged between a bottle of fingerprints dust and a bottle of luminol. The security team sure had fun with her bags, that was for sure. If it wasn't for Prosecutor Sahdmadhi's intervention, she would've been there for ages.
He repeated something in Khura'inese, or she assumed it was Khura'inese, as it resembled the sutra she'd seen him recite in court before. She hadn't exactly gotten a chance to take a crash course in the language.
"You're either going to have to say that again or translate for me," Ema said. She turned on the translation app in her phone.
"I suppose it would translate to 'take care of your own.' The Holy Mother dictates that those in a higher station take care of who they hire. He took on a meditative pose as he recited, "Halve your earnings. A stipend of food, lodgings for those under you, and there will be no poverty among us."
"Uh--really?" Ema said, more than a little flabbergasted. Sure, he'd mentioned something like that in the office, but she hadn't realized how much it covered. The ticket was nice enough, but a fully paid ride was even better.
He smiled, full of light and brightness. "Think nothing of it."
She picked up a fry and held it out, like she was making an objection. "You should take a note and refuel for all that research," Ema said.
She pulled out her phone. "This moment has to be saved for posterity’s sake." She snapped a picture. It wasn't enough, though. She leaned in for the second one, and made a peace sign.
"A strange looking camera," he said.
"Technically it's for forensics. But, sometimes I gotta save evidence that my hair looked really good that day," Ema said.
Not that he'd know anything about bad hair. She had a sneaking suspicion that he woke up looking like that. Even the most humid days in L.A. hadn't made given him a single bad hair day.
"Do they give those out at the L.A. Office? I haven't seen any but yours."
"Nah, I saved up and bought it on my own. I bought the extra luminol and shoe print molds on my own, too."
His brow furrowed. "They wouldn't even allow you this? Is the L.A. office suffering so much that they won't even properly take care of their detectives? Chief Prosecutor Edgeworth told me this 'dark age of the law' was causing havoc, but I had no idea it could be so dire."
"No, uh...I just really wanted it," Ema said. "You know. Treat yo self and all. I just needed some toys to--test on things that certainly weren't official cases." Maybe she should talk a little less about the illegal forensics things she'd gotten into back then, and then usually sent off to the defense, as a final fuck you to the acting prosecutor.
He smiled. "Erasmus said First, I buy books. Then if anything is left, I buy food and clothes. It seems you follow a similar mantra, but with your scientific devices."
"As if you have anything to say. I bet you have one biiiiig bookcase back home in Khura'in. Your entire house is probably bookcases. There's probably a secret bookcase behind your bookcase, like some gothic mansion."
"Gothic, like...the conquers? Or the teenagers who wear all black?"
"No, Gothic like the books. You know, lady in a long white dress running from ghosts or some such? Big spooky mansions?"
Come to think of it, Prosecutor Sahdmadhi could do the tragic gothic hero pretty well.
It felt kind of like a date. Like she was one step away from playing footsie under the table, going out to a movie, and then.....
Where had that thought come from? She'd only just met him--and he was her boss now. She tried to wipe it from her mind. The time change must be getting to her. She shoved a few more salty fries into her mouth to push down the weird sudden direction her thoughts were taking.
With an hour and a half to kill, Ema browsed the stores. Near the ramen stand was this place that seemed to specialize in cute and impracticable things. Phone charms, little erasers shaped like anthropomorphic milk and apples, and tiny pieces of paper. Maybe it was a souvenir store. Ema squinted at a price, and pulled up a conversion app. She scrunched up her nose when the price came up. Everything was way overpriced.
He lifted up a tiny cell phone charm of the Steel Samurai, before setting it down again. She didn't think Prosecutor Sahdmadhi was the type to secretly like cute things. Then again, maybe he was like Chief Prosecutor Edgeworth.
"Are you a fan?" Ema said.
He looked up, and she couldn't read his expression. Faint amusement, perhaps?
"I've only heard of the phenomenon. One day I will research it to better understand cases."
He lifted up another, a small eraser of a heroine she'd never seen before. The Plumed Punisher. He smiled to himself. "I see she's spread farther than expected."
To her surprise, he purchased the eraser and put it into his bags. She felt a little clench at her chest. Of course somebody like him wouldn't be single.
Oh, shut up already, she thought.
"Oh, you've got someone special at home?" Ema said.
He didn't look up from the stall. "No, I have no one," he said.
"Then, a sibling?" Ema said. She hadn't seen anything in the notes, but then his family history had been fairly sparse.
He remained quiet for a moment before responding. "Just a young one at the prosecutor's office in Khura'in. She's very precocious."
His phone rang, and he stepped away, and lapsed into Khura'inese. It must've been some official business, for his earlier calm was lost. His face turned stony.
Ema started to search through wikipedia articles on her phone. Anything to distract her from the fact that the overwhelming feeling she'd gotten when he said No, I have no one had been overwhelming relief.
*
"Wake up, Detective Skye," Prosecutor Sahdmadhi said. His voice was so soft. God, if she woke up like this every morning, maybe she wouldn't have to hit sleep fifty times and drink a gallon of coffee to drag herself out of bed. Bottle up his voice and turn it into an alarm clock. He could read off mantras, or the phone book. Anything to hear him a little more.
Crap, she'd fallen asleep on him again. This time she couldn't even play dumb and pretend she didn't know. And even worse, somewhere in her sleep, she hadn't just used him as a pillow, she'd fallen asleep in his lap.
Ema pulled away, and cleared her throat. "Um--we made it. And--look at those mountains, over there!"
Anything to hide from her flushed cheeks.
"Mount Poniponi. The sanctum resides there."
The guy was like a walking encyclopedia. Which was actually pretty sexy. And there it was again--that awkward accidental thought.
Prosecutor Sahdmadhi was about to list more, when a voice over came on the loud speaker. Please remain seated while your flight attendants begin the landing prayer.
Well, that's new, Ema thought.
*
She frowned as she tried to get her phone to sync. It kept spinning and spinning, but she couldn't access the international evidence database.
"The mountains interfere with the wireless frequency," Prosecutor Sahdmadhi said.
Aw, crap. Mountains. Yeah, she forgot. Khura'in was filled with them, from the Wikipedia article she'd glanced at while she waited out the rest of the layover, and tried to think of anything but what she'd accidentally thought of while eating with him.
Damn, she was thinking it again. The d word. Okay, the d word that ended with e and could be mistaken for a fruit in the right circumstances. (Hell, if the person was creative, it could involve both the fruit and the activity.)
Looks could be deceiving. Sure, it looked like she'd traveled in time, but maybe they had some great skill she couldn't even imagine.
"Guess it's time to check in," she said.
"Check in?" he smiled. But it wasn't just happiness, it was like he knew a joke she didn't.
"Yeah, to the hotel," she said.
"There is no need. Accommodations are already provided," he said.
"Well, that works," Ema said.
He led her past streets, and an imposing temple, to the massive stairs of a castle.
"You live in the royal castle? Seriously? You keeping something about your past? Like maybe you're a secret fairy tale prince?"
"Prosecutors do the work of the Queen," he said. His voice sounded oddly flat, for someone who got to sleep in a castle.
Ema craned her neck as she walked by. It didn't matter if she looked like she was one fanny pack away from being an extreme tourist. While he talked to a guard, Ema snuck in a few shots of all the grandeur.
"Should I unpack?"
"No. It will only be a few days. Enough for you to see what Khura'in is like."
"I thought we were going to work a case together?" Ema said.
"...Khura'in is a very different place. Cases will be over quickly," he said. Was it a trick of the light, or did his jaw tense up?
"Different forensics, huh?" Ema said.
"You could say that," he said.
"So this time, you'll be the one showing me interesting forensics," Ema said. She smiled, and pulled her pink glasses down.
"Our forensics will make you question everything you have ever known," he said.
Ema couldn't tell if he was joking. His face was completely blank. Was it the usual serenity, or the kind when he'd said "what's crackalackin' homie?"
Still, what a way to start out her new life as an official forensic investigator.
*
After Ema had gotten her bags laid out in her rooms, Prosecutor Sahdmadhi completely disappeared. Ema thought about going exploring, but any solo adventures were cut off by the realization that she didn't even know how to ask where the bathroom was in Khura'inese, let alone where the nearest burger place would be.
That was, if they even had burger joints here. The country was a lot more rustic than he'd made it out to be.
She tried his phone, but got no response. She managed to find a guard who spoke English, and get directions to his office. (That was, after she got directions to where the food was hall for the prosecution and staff was.) The massive courts weren't far off from the castle. Considering what Prosecutor Sahdmadhi had told her about the country and how the royalty was so connected to the prosecutor's office, it wasn't that surprising.
Though the massive carvings, the statutes of lions (or were they dogs? Lion dogs?) and fluttering incense burners with ribbons attached to them were a whole lot different. It made the L.A. Courts seem drab by comparison.
She pushed the heavy door open, only to find him pouring over some kind of papers. The office was spacious and lush with the scent of incense, and filled to the brim with bookcases and stacks of scrolls. High above the desk was a portrait of a crowned woman staring down. On her chest was a big spider emblem. The queen? Wikipedia had said something about the royalty being super important. But now the connection wasn't good enough for her to check again. He glanced up as she pushed the heavy wooden door back.
"Sheesh, you've been here for ages. Did you even take a lunch break? You can't think on an empty stomach."
"To preform the last rites, one must research every possibility," Prosecutor Sahdmadhi said.
"You haven't even taken on a case yet. Unless you took one without telling me," Ema said.
"I needed to review what cases had taken place, and complete some paperwork," he said.
"Uh-huh. Less talking, more eating. It's dinner time already. So what do you want? I don't think there's any burger places around here, so you'll have to show me the sights instead."
Prosecutor Sahdmadhi smiled softly. "You're giving me orders now?"
She put one hand on her hip. "If you're going to be forgetful, then someone has to knock some sense into you. Preferably with a hamburger."
"As I said before, you receive a stipend of three meals while in Khura'in," he said.
Ema puffed out her cheeks. "And apparently, so do you. Not that you show up for them. I ate earlier and figured we'd talk about cases, but you never showed up."
He set the papers aside, in the little metal grate marked archive to his right. "You're right. As the Holy Mother said: for a clear head, one must nourish the body. For a clear heart, one must nourish the soul."
"That's just common sense," Ema said.
"People were starving when these things were said. It was why so much of her message was one of sharing."
Ema was stunned to silence. Should she apologize? Sometimes her sharp tongue really got the better of her. Especially when she kept sassing her superiors.
As they walked down the street, people called out greetings to him. Thankfully, unlike when she'd been out working with Prosecutor Gavin, none of them begged for autographs. Ema didn't want to look like that kind of tourist, but the sights were so fascinating that she couldn't help it. She considered putting up her phone like a shield, so if anybody asked, she'd say she was working. Or texting, either or.
But the scents of the market caught her unaware. And that wasn't the only thing. A roar cut through the crowd. She let out a shriek, and gripped his arm and clutched tight to Prosecutor Sahdmadhi. "What the hell! Why are there lions in the marketplace?!"
"The Warbaa'd mimics a roar to drive away potential predators," Prosecutor Sahdmadhi said. He wasn't even flustered.
It was only then that she realized the closeness. A few merchants chuckled, as she glanced around. Probably at her outburst. Ema's cheeks burned bright red as she slowly let go of him. For not the first time, she wondered if she needed to apologize.
However, Prosecutor Sahdmdhi said nothing of the kind. Her sudden shriek hadn't even broken his composure.
"Sheesh, this guy has nerves of steel," Ema muttered to herself.
In the end, she decided to just move on and distract him from the moment.
"Uh, what are those?" Ema said quickly. "Yeah, those, over there?"
He slowly looked over the table of goods. It smelled almost like cinnamon, with a sweet undertone. She could barely even think of a description for the bright, yellow fruit. It was so new. Prosecutor Sahdmadhi handed over a few dahmas to the woman behind the stall.
"Go on," he said.
"Really? Thanks!" She'd never had a prosecutor so willing to spoil her. Compliments, paying her way, and now buying her food--it was almost like he was wooing her. And man, if she'd let any prosecutor woo her away from working with Chief Prosecutor Edgeworth, it'd be him.
There was that thought again. Always lurking at the back of her trying to focus. It was his fault for being so distracting.
The first bite was juicy, and almost had an aftertaste she couldn't place. Almost like..nutmeg? But that made no sense, it couldn't have been treated.
"I've never tasted something like this," Ema said.
"Is there finally a contender against your Snackoos?"
"Hardly. They got me through college. They're pretty good, though."
"If you want a truly unique experience of Khura'in culture, tonight is the only night when Gingihl is made," Prosecutor Sahdmadhi said.
"Real limited edition stuff, huh?" Ema said.
He went on, explaining about the rite and its significance. While the eating part sounded great, the nineteen hours of prayer wasn't something she could manage.
"Is there a catch? Can I have some without having to do the whole praying for hours stuff? I have to work, after all. Or at least, I will if anything comes up," Ema said. She left out the part that she was godless heathen; it was implied.
He smiled. "Of course. You'll find it quite...interesting."
"Last time you said I'd find something interesting, I ended up here," Ema said dryly.
"Indeed, where else would you find evidence like you do here?" Prosecutor Sahdmadhi said.
This place was like walking back in time. So little WiFi hot-spots, and her phone had no bars at all.
He lowered his head, with just a hint of a smile. That was the same look he had when he had told her all this crock about Khura'in being unique in forensics. Which, given the fact they didn't even had a burger joint around, was pretty unlikely.
"I'll try anything once if it involves food," Ema said.
Prosecutor Sahdmadhi bought two bowls from the woman at a stall, and guided her out to a campfire built out in the square. Several others were seated about other fires, with their own heaping bowls.
"Many cook within their homes. However, some do not have such a luxury."
"You mean you're skipping out on your family? Sure you aren't going to get an earful for missing dinner?" Ema said.
Prosecutor Sahdmadhi stared down at his bowl. "...They are not here with us."
"Oh. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be insensitive. Mine are gone, too. Back when I was a kid, so it was just me and Lana." Then Lana had to go to prison for what Gant had put them through, and it'd been just her and the occasional phone calls.
"I'm so used to everyone else having families... I get jealous sometimes. People who can just go see their mothers or fathers anytime they want. Then I couldn't even see my sis...she got caught up with this blackmailer who made a mess of the L.A. Court system. It's a long story, really."
His green eyes widened. "I am deeply sorry to hear of that. ...Did she escape?"
"Yeah, it's all good now. But it was really scary for a while there."
Ema cleared her throat. She hadn't meant to say all that. It just kind of spilled out. "Well, time to dig in."
Ema took a bite. It was wonderfully spicy and savory, with warm broth and extremely tasty noodles that must've been made from some kind of local thing she hadn't had before, as the texture and taste was unforgettable. It was tasty enough that she considered seconds. At least, until she pushed aside the bowl, and realized her mistake.
"Purification? More like putrefaction! My breath reeks. I'm going to have down mentos by the handful at this rate. It's really good, though."
Prosecutor Sahdmadhi just smiled.
God, he didn't even spill the dish down his front. Meanwhile, Ema found crumbs in her bra every day, and sometimes even whole Snackoos. (And then she ate them. Snackoos were never to be wasted, even if they had hung out in her cleavage for a couple hours.) And that was when she wasn't accidentally getting covered in blood--and other bodily fluids--while processing evidence.
"I can't believe I didn't see it earlier. You're such a Puck."
He looked taken aback. "A--puck?"
"Yeah, you know, A Midsummer's Night Dream? The trickster fairy. You've sure got some trickster imp side for a holy guy."
"I assumed it was a variation on the insults I've heard. It sounded very close to a particular vile one," Prosecutor Sahdmadhi said.
"I wouldn't call my boss that," Ema said. To his face, anyways.
He closed his eyes. "Did I lie? It was an interesting experience."
"And you say Swiss cheese is bad. This stuff is overpowering! What, does it 'scare away the demons' due to bad breath?"
"There is some 'science' to it, if you will. Garlic has startlingly strong anti-fungal, and anti-bacterial properties," Prosecutor Sahdmadhi said.
Ema pushed her bowl aside. "Well, if I eat anymore, the only person I'm going to be scaring away is you."
"I am well accustomed to the scent of Gingihl, having observed this ritual many times," he said.
"Yech. I can't imagine how anyone can focus with a stank like that," Ema said.
"The Khura'inese have trained their minds to keep focused, even through hunger, cold, sorrow, long hours of prayer--and yes, Gingihl."
"Well, you'll have to teach me that sometime," Ema said.
"It would be my pleasure," he said.
Ema stretched out. The low murmur of conversation of other Khura'inese, in a language she only somewhat knew didn't distract the very pressing thought that kept popping up in her mind.
This feels like a date.
She shook her head. Honestly, Ema, get your head back to business. You just met the guy. Just because you ran off with him to another country on a complete impulse and he's paying for everything, and he offered his hand for you to hold and gave you your favorite treats because he remembered and personally asked to work with you doesn't mean you're dating. Yet, anyways.
He stared into the fire, with a serene expression. His made her forget about things like boundaries, and the seed of a new dream of airports and a thousand solved cases--or redeemed souls who had finally been read their last rites, as he'd probably put it.
"I'm going back to shotgun some tic tacs before I kill someone with this death breath I've got going. Then I better head to bed. I wouldn't want to miss breakfast. I almost missed it this morning when I got lost looking for the showers," Ema said.
"Good night, Detective Skye," he said.
"Night, Prosecutor Sahdmadhi. See you tomorrow."
As she walked back to her quarters, An airplane sailed high above the mountains. Ema couldn't help but smile at the memories it brought.