By this point in the morning Manfred was feeling exhausted. He had dumped hours of his precious time into this hospital only for them to steal enough of his blood to make him dizzy. Not only that but they had dumped a mountain of paperwork on him. Even after doing all that was asked of him they made him sit out in the waiting room and wait.
He had not been permitted to see her while she was in critical condition. His own kid, and he couldn’t see her. Why did he even have a child anyways? This was far too much stress for him. Franziska had never been one to give him any problems. He always had to watch out for Gregory’s boy. Franziska had already had the need for perfection ingrained into her, but that boy, feh. He wanted to be a defense attorney, and it had taken quite some time to squander that pathetic dream of his.
All of his attention was devoted to that boy, meanwhile Franziska did what she was told and kept to herself. It was all perfect until now. Manfred felt his trust had been betrayed. He was blindsided by all of this. She had cut her hands. She jammed a knife into her own wrist. She had the capability to murder inside of her, but she aimed it at herself. It was all so senseless. He just couldn’t understand what pushed her to do it. His daughter! What in this would could make her feel like that was necessary? He aimed to find out today. It would be the last thing he would do before he left this hospital.
Eventually, a nurse came out to the waiting room giving him good news. The operation had gone well and she was in stable condition. He was able to see her now. His relief at those words turned into even greater exhaustion. This situation was so far from perfect, and it was angering him. This child of his was in for it.
He followed the nurse down the hallway to the room. There was crying and distress all around him, it only added onto his own. People all around him were suffering. All of these imperfect fools, and his daughter was one of them. The disappointment was too much to bear. Now standing in front of the door, he took one moment to collect himself before entering.
There she was. Sleeping like a peacefully foolish fool. So blissfully unaware of all the upset she caused. He glared down at her hard as he approached her bedside. She wouldn’t even talk to him anymore. She had been avoiding him these days. He wasn’t sure why he bothered maintaining contact with the girl, maybe because he was concerned. He never thought this was going to come from it though. He had convinced himself that none of this was his fault. It couldn’t possibly be. If it had been he had done all he could to make it right. He gave all he had, including blood from his own veins to replenish the life he had already given this girl.
And for a moment a pang of guilt met his features. The only reason this girl was alive was because some foolish cop had managed to rescue her in time. The chance was one in a million, and she was very fortunate. He… really couldn’t take the credit at all. He had played his part, but it was definitely an effort that never would have come to be if not for that woman. Did he perhaps owe her some sort of thank you? No. That would be ridiculous. The only one that need be thanking her is this idiot child of his.
She looked so pale, so small, so helpless. This fearsome girl looking so fragile was not something he could bear to look at for long. He gently stroked her hair. Hating that machines were keeping his daughter alive. This was such a surreal, eyeopening experience. Was there anything he could have done to change this? He would wait for her to stir. He would wait as long as he needed to until he could talk to her like he needed to. With his legs feeling so weak, he pulled up a chair close to her bedside and sat there. He would maintain gently petting her hair. He had not had such a moment with his child since she was in diapers. It was an emotional… almost heartbreaking thought.
Anonymous said: [I... We... I understand, Sir. Believe me when I say keeping her alive is our top priority for all of our patients. Sir, we need your cooperation at this time. We need you to come in as soon as possible. You need to sign the release of her medical records. You may also... Mr. Von Karma she urgently needs a blood transfusion. This... was a suicide attempt. I feel she may need her father at this sensitive point in her life. It isn't my place, but please come in this evening.]
… What?!
Suicide? Franziska attempted to take her own life? The thought of it sounded so impossibly absurd. Not his child! She would never! Why? She had everything she could possibly want. Money, power, respect, her job. Essentially too much to lose. On one side, he hated quitters, and it wasn’t in his daughter to quit at anything, especially life. Why should he even show up at this hospital tonight? She didn’t want her life, so why should he care? He was so disappointed. So ashamed. So very angry. Such a failure should be punished by death.
On the other side, she is so young and brilliant. Her whole life was ahead of her. She has so much life to live, and so much to live for. He was nearing his seventies and was quite content with his life for the most part. What he wouldn’t give to have her youth, all of her abilities, her gift, a second chance. What could have happened to make her feel this way? He loved her very much. She was his daughter, a part of him. He hated these feelings. He hated wasting these feelings on her and her selfishness. She would throw everything he had given her away? She would dare try and upset him with her loss?
Not if he had anything to say about it.
I understand, and I am on my way. Do what you can before I arrive, I will not be more than fifteen minutes.
And with that he hung up the phone, and was out the door.
Anonymous said: [Mr. Von Karma please contact me at this number as soon as possible. There is a medical emergency involving your daughter, Franziska von Karma. She is in critical medical condition. I cannot stress enough how urgently you must contact us. It is a matter of life and death, Sir.]
Manfred von Karma knew how to be calm under pressure but even he was a bit shaken up by this voice message. Skimpy details left him wondering about the possibilities. Was she attacked? Who would dare assault his daughter? Had some fool a death wish? Whatever personal issues he had been having with Franziska was quickly brushed aside.
He returned the call immediately after collecting his thoughts. He needed to be firm with these people. He didn’t trust Franziska under the care of just any hospital, but if her condition was that bad these people would have to do. They would live to regret not restoring her back to her perfect form. He would make sure they understood the importance of the precious life they held in their hands. As soon as he heard a voice on the other end he went off on whoever was on the other end.
This is Manfred von Karma, you incompetent fools have my daughter in your care, so let me be very clear with you on what is going to happen. You are going to do everything in your power to keep that child alive. I want her restored to perfection. Fix her injuries. Erase any imperfections you can. She must be revitalize entirely… She… cannot be damaged, do you understand? Money is not an option.
… But let me be clear on the hell that will fall upon you if she does not pull through. Mark my words. You do not want me as an enemy.
(OOC; I’ll be here all weekend. I hope to catch up on our RP if you’re still interested. I feel really bad for he wait.)
//No problem! Waaaugh And I’m the one who isn’t going to be here much this weekend waaugh, this sucks. :c And of course I’m interested! Will we have that backdated or will Manfred suddenly have all the blood lust back DDD:
(OOC: Backdate definitely. I enjoyed the not so friendly banter. We will have plenty of time to do a more intense RP in the future when you’re up for it. I hope you’ve been well. Sorry about Smiles.)
You are pardoned, Mr. von Karma, and I take no offense in it.
[He quickly wanted to take back what he had just said once the prosecutor began mentioning something about crushing defense attorneys and how they were insignificant. He took in a deep breath to restrain his anger. This man’s arrogance was something he truly should learn to get accustomed to.
Gregory took note of the pause before Manfred answered his question. He would have to observe every tiny detail of this man if he was to find out anything through subtlety. Asking the prosecutor direct to the point questions might get him killed and he couldn’t risk that. Not while Miles was still in his school trip. Not ever.
Twenty-five years? That was impossible. This version of Manfred von Karma simply could not have been prosecuting for only twenty-five years. He was quite informed on how many years von Karma had gone undefeated in court and of course, Gregory’s had his suspicions on how this is even possible and had been studying a few of the man’s cases in his vacant time. And for this man to claim that he has only been prosecuting for twenty-five years? Well, that was quite contradictory with all the facts in his head.
The contradictions only seemed to pile up when Manfred made a mention of his daughter, Franziska. The last he had heard about her was that she was still an infant. And yet Manfred seemed to be taking pride in all his daughter’s achievements, which should be non-existent yet if what he had previously stated about the number of prosecuting years was true.
Well, this was quite the predicament he found himself in. The man’s age would tell him that this Manfred was from a time in the future. He seemed to be confident in himself when talking about his daughter. And the way he made no mention of Miles bothered him deeply, since he had been well informed that Manfred von Karma did teach his son everything about prosecuting (or everything he didn’t like about it anyway). Which point should he object to? Should he even object to anything? What if his objection sparked some sort of literally violent reaction?
It was high time to take a risk. He didn’t become a defense attorney to back down at risks, though he knew this one had the highest stakes, his safety and most probably his life even. He sincerely hoped that the prosecutor was really clueless about his crime. He decided to address to the matter of his son first.]
My son is only nine years old, Mr. von Karma. He’s told me that he’s aspiring to be a defense attorney as well. And this brings up, a contradiction in what you have just mentioned to me, and I feel that it is my obligation to object. What I am aware of is the fact that your daughter Franziska should be around seven years younger than my son, Miles. I am well aware of the different paradoxes present in this world we are currently at, and it is not impossible that you are an older version of the Mr. von Karma that I know… There’s still one more thing (among plenty of other things, really) that bothers me.
You mentioned that you have only been prosecuting for twenty-five years. That is quite contradictory to what you have mentioned about your daughter. At the time that you have been prosecuting for the amount of years that you have mentioned, your daughter Franziska should only be two years old.
So, tell me Mr. von Karma, which one was the lie? The number of years you’ve been prosecuting or all of what you have just said about your daughter?
Is that so? Aspiring to be a defense attorney? Feh! If your son wants a real and respectable career you can send him my way. I’ll turn him into a fine prosecutor, Mr. Edgeworth. I believe parents should want more for their children, and strive to better them in all ways. Wanting your son to be a bug like you seems senseless. Even my daughter can surpass myself if she applies herself, and I have no shame in admitting that. It will simply make me the perfect father among all other things I am perfectly perfect at.
Pardon me? A contradiction? I do not recall stepping into a courtroom at any point today. … An obligation, you say? Fascinating. Considering we are dealing with information regarding myself, I am only too intrigued to hear how you will tell me I am wrong.
It was at this point Manfred would shut his mouth and listen carefully to everything Gregory had to say. He was trying to make a fool out of him, he had to be. What point could he possibly make? Even if what this man said was entirely correct, which it couldn’t be anyways, Manfred would make sure he found a way for the man to be wrong. Manfred was superior, and how dare this blasted insect object at him anyways? The scoundrel. It was insolence, plain and simple.
Alright, Franziska should be seven years younger than Miles. That seemed like it could be correct. To be honest he couldn’t remember when some random man he had only encountered on a few occasions had a child, but Franziska’s birth had made some headlines, so it was perfectly reasonable for Edgeworth to have this information.
Fair enough. Your point?
Paradoxes? That’s right. That would be a key point to remember in all of this. With such a trump card like alternate universes, and different variations of varying people there would be plenty of ways to shut this fool up without a scratch to his pride. He fixed a glare on Gregory when age came into play. He had hoped for his sake that he wasn’t implying anything by that. Even if he was significantly older than this man, he was still sharp as a tack, and highly intelligent. Age had never been a problem in the courtroom. He crushed defense attorneys young and old daily, and never once had an issue.
Go on…
Yes, that number. He had only blurted it out because it felt correct, but at the same time it did not. Twenty-five. That seemed right. But of course, simply thinking about it as Gregory was, left him feeling confused himself. How could that be possible? Franziska was nineteen as he recalled. But physically that was impossible. And if he had only been prosecuting for twenty-five years he would be a mere fifty years old, but he certainly didn’t feel fifty.
Brief flashes of his life played in choppy chunks. Entire areas would be swallowed in illegible blackness, while other parts seemed fine. He remembered things about Franziska the most, probably because she was his daughter, and had become very important to him when she was born. She was not two, that much was clear. He recalled her taking the bar exam, riding horses, fighting with… hm. Fighting with… someone. Some boy. He couldn’t place the name or face, but he recalled with clarity them fighting a lot about something foolish. Who was that boy? And why were so many memories of his life shrouded in an almost sinister darkness, as if hiding something immensely dark and terrible? Had he always been like this? No. Never. This foreboding darkness was maddening.
Alright. That is enough of that. Before I respond I’d like to ask you a question of my own. For what reason would I, the esteemed Manfred von Karma, need to lie to a mere defense attorney such as yourself? Are you mad, Gregory Edgeworth? I hardly know you. How does lying about such petty things come to benefit myself? My daughters age has no pending on matters between ourselves. And the amount of years I’ve been crushing defense attorneys does not change the fact that I shall always best you, Mr. Edgeworth. Whether is has been one year or one hundred years, I am in a league far beyond yourself. You would be wise to recognize that truth now instead of disillusioning yourself when it comes time for us to face one another in the courtroom.
However, now Manfred still had to come up with an explanation for such a contradiction, and he himself had no idea how to explain himself. Clearly there was something wrong with his head. He had forgotten a significant portion of his life. Perhaps he had been prosecuting far longer than mentioned earlier. If Franziska was nineteen, and he knew she was. That meant he had been prosecuting for over forty years. That was a monumental gap in time, and too big of a number to cover up with something as simple as a slip up. So instead of being upfront with this information he would maintain his lie for the sake of being right, and not letting this damn, blasted, annoying defense attorney be correct. His unscathed pride was far more important than any truth.
Both facts are undeniably the truth, Mr. Edgeworth. Perhaps, I am a different version of the Manfred von Karma you know. I’ve been prosecuting for twenty-five years. These facts I mentioned about my daughter are the truth, there is no denying it. While my Franziska is merely two years old, she does in fact grow up to do these incredible things I’ve mentioned. I did not realize I was barred from sharing such information with yourself. You only asked if I’m mentoring anyone, which I am. Stating the things she will accomplish was merely bragging on my part, is that a crime? I’m just overwhelmingly proud of my child. As a fellow father even you should understand that much.
[Gregory clenched his fists tightly in his pockets. Splendid. Quite splendid, this situation he found himself in was. In all of the theories that he had been able to produce in his head, he knew one thing was for sure. And that this man before him, Manfred von Karma, the perfect prosecutor, was involved in his impending demise. How perfect would it be for him to be in front of this truly very cunning and deceptive man, unarmed and unprepared even?
The very least he could do was to not show any sign of apprehension and anxiety. Never let the opponent perceive that you have weaknesses. His jaw clenched and he quickly tipped his hat downward so that the other man would not see how he was glaring daggers at him. This was the man who would take away everything he ever had. A great amount of hatred and rage bubbled up at the surface of his emotions and it took an equal amount of willpower to shove them down and not to act rashly. This encounter could very well cost him his life. It was in his best interests to be careful.
It seemed like an eternity of waiting before the prosecutor began to speak and this threw Gregory off guard. If this man had killed him or at least orchestrated the whole thing, then this response was more than confusing. It wasn’t the arrogance that threw him off but it was the lack of aggression, the lack of hatred or any form of interest. Was it all an act to make him lower his guard? Or was this particular Manfred von Karma not yet guilty of his crime? He frowned slightly, that was contradictory with what he was seeing. This Manfred von Karma, judging by his physical appearance, was much older than he remembered; back when he was in his own reality.
What was all this? Was it all a ruse? Either way, he decided to play his cards carefully. He’d have to observe this man’s every action and pay attention to every sentence to know just what exactly his deal was. If this man was feigning ignorance regarding his crime or if he was truly ignorant, he would find out soon enough.]
Yes, I am Gregory Edgeworth. We have faced each other in court a few times, Mister von Karma. Though I suppose I cannot blame you if you do not remember, seeing as how you’ve been against countless others like me.
And no. There is nothing I am in need of at the moment. I apologize for having to trouble you with my presence, Mister von Karma. But I suppose if you could humor me a question or two, then I will be most grateful.
How many years have you been prosecuting? And since you are a very well respected man in your field, have you ever mentored anyone? Please forgive me for the seemingly irrelevant questions.
Have we? Ah. You’ll have to pardon me, Mr. Edgeworth. I rarely remember defense attorneys. You types were made to be crushed, not acknowledged as significant beings. And as you’ve so cleverly stated, countless. Countless defense attorneys have been fortunate enough to face me, and all have failed. After a while you all become one great blur. Just muffled cries, and pathetic pleas.
Although, yes. He was actually fully and greatly aware of Edgeworth’s prowess in the courtroom. He was a man of much skill, although it would be a cold day in Hell when Manfred von Karma would admit to such a thing. One thing the prosecutor had taken notice of was that where most attorneys flopped about, and failed again and again, never to climb to greater heights, Gregory Edgeworth soared above his coworkers. Always getting better, always getting smarter, his fight always getting stronger. It had almost become fun to face the man. Most trials Manfred could time. Three minutes, and the pounding of the gavel would ring out to announce his victory. Done. Not with Gregory. Never with Gregory.
Questions? Manfred thought for a moment. What could this man possibly need to know from him? He seemed informed enough, knowledgeable, or at the very least capable of obtaining whatever information he needed. The prosecutor took it as a humbling sign, and thus felt himself in a position of superiority. Not that he didn’t normally feel that way simply for being a prosecutor, having a flawless win record, and all in all being a perfect example of a human being. But being in a position of filling someone’s inquiries, to inform someone, to seemingly educate them, he quite enjoyed that. It really is no trouble, Mr. Edgeworth. I’m actually not busy at the moment. Have at it.
That was strange. Information like that should be easy enough to figure out on one’s own. It was simply a matter of mathematics. But Manfred wasn’t stupid. Both men knew that. So there must have been a different reason for asking something like that. For whatever reason he felt like he was being grilled. He wasn’t sure if he should be insulted, intrigued, or both.
Mm. Yes, I would agree that those are completely irrelevant inquiries. I’ve been prosecuting for… for… Manfred’s eyes widened in surprise when he suddenly realized he couldn’t recall such information off hand. It was baffling to him. He was drawing blanks when he never had before. His perfect head. His perfect memory. There couldn’t actually be a flaw? Not with him. No. He is Manfred von Karma. Such a thing is impossible. He just had to think. It genuinely felt like a rather large portion of his life had suddenly vanished, but such a thing was utter poppycock. After taking too long to think, he simply blurted out a passable number, unable to accept being unable to answer a simple question about himself.
Twenty-five years, of course. Twenty-five years of flawless perfection, and many more years to come. And you don’t mean to say you haven’t heard of my daughter? She’s nearly as famous as I am. The young prodigy, Franziska von Karma. She started her career at thirteen, and has been making quite a name for herself in Germany and courtrooms worldwide. I mentored her from birth, perfection is in her blood. Heh.
Don’t you have a son of your own? How is his career, Mr. Edgeworth? I certainly haven’t heard of him.
Manfred eyed the man before him briefly before closing his eyes, and folding his arms brazenly across his chest. It was just that damn defense attorney. Something Edgeworth. The elder prosecutor never made any attempts to remember a defense attorney by name. They were all so pointless. Useless bugs for him to squish when the time came.
This insect in particular had made quite a name for himself however. But even then he really wasn’t worth mentioning, or even acknowledging. At least not to the famed, Manfred von Karma who was such a big shot, most men in the field of law could only pray to compare.
That was exactly how Manfred saw it, and many did agree. To Manfred specifically all defense attorneys were the same, no one more memorable than the next, and there certainly weren’t any he would deem a worthy adversary. They were an unskilled, bluffing, and most definitely useless breed. Annoyances that stood in between himself and yet another victory.
Manfred had never been bested, and never would be. He was the image of perfection. Thus he payed this man no heed. In fact, his sudden presence was more of an annoyance to the hard working man that rarely had a day off. To whom did he owe this misfortune? He certainly wasn’t going to even acknowledge him with formalities.
I take it by that flimsy little badge you’re flaunting about that you’re supposed to be a defense attorney of some kind? In that case, you must already know who I am. Is there anything in particular I can help you with? I don’t take too kindly to your kind, so if you can make your presence sparse, I’d appreciate it.
Anonymous said: [I... We... I understand, Sir. Believe me when I say keeping her alive is our top priority for all of our patients. Sir, we need your cooperation at this time. We need you to come in as soon as possible. You need to sign the release of her medical records. You may also... Mr. Von Karma she urgently needs a blood transfusion. This... was a suicide attempt. I feel she may need her father at this sensitive point in her life. It isn't my place, but please come in this evening.]
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