ghost_shield | RP POST: A Little Chat With an Old Friend -- Sorta [[Locked to Mia]]

A brief thought of the magnetic attraction of the place's cafe mochas pops into his mind. It's an amusing image, and his mouth quirks a bit. The spirit, for his part, is sulking at the table, having been shot down by the one guy actually paying him any attention.

The sheepish look gets stronger. "Aw, come on. Maybe it's just a world difference. You were damned powerful --" He cuts himself off, facepalming a bit. "Sorry, sorry. I didn't mean to... well anyway, I don't know. I'm just happy doing what I'm doing without getting TOO powerful." He shrugs.

A look of concern crosses his face. "Off-balance? Things haven't been out of place at your home, has it? Maybe I should take a look sometime, make sure everything's all right," he says.

Mia gives a idle glance to the spirit, before turning her attention back to Nick. Hopefully the poor ghost won't disturb them too much during this gathering.

"I don't think it's just the world difference. I've said this to you before, but I'm not as strong as I want to be. Sometimes, I envy my other self, because she does sound much more skilled." Mia sighs, before lowering her gaze to the table. "You don't have to apologize, Nick. I wouldn't worry about get too powerful, eventually you'll get used to it within time."

"Well, it's nothing spirit related, but it's really just me. Ever since that incident with White, I've felt like things are unstable and inconsistent. There's still a lot of things about that possession that bother me to this day."

He blushes. Oh hey, approval. Who doesn't like a bit of approval every once in a while. "Yeah, but you've got the whole, uh, lawyer thing going on. I'm sure you're saving a bunch of people that way, right? So I think you both are really talented," he says, though he's a little embarrassed to say so.

"You think so? Well, okay. I just want to help people, really. Both worlds." He grins, looking rather like a little kid who's just mentioned some sort of minor accomplishment and thinks the world of it.

Nick is definitely paying attention right now. "Wanna talk about it? I'll get you something if you want," he offers.

Approval is definitely a good thing, and the same goes for praise. Mia just laughs a little at Nick's blushing. "...I guess you're right there. But sometimes, it doesn't feel like I do enough to help. Or that I'm not strong enough to protect people."

She nods confidently to him. "I think so, yes. You work very hard and helping others, and it shows. In fact, I owe you my life. If it wasn't because of your knowledge and clever plan, White might have won."

"If you don't mind hearing my problems, then sure. And the offer is much appreciated, Nick." Her attention is given to him as well. "I don't think I ever say it enough, but...thank you Nick."

He shakes his head. "You don't have to be strong all the time, Mia. But you're strong for people when it counts -- in court. I don't think you should devalue that," he says.

He listens to her, and rubs the back of his neck. "You don't have to thank me. I was just doing what I had to do. Anyway, if I hadn't been such an idiot when I first got the magatama, you wouldn't have even been exposed to that in the first place." That, on his own end, is something he'll probably never feel like he can live down, but it can't be helped. "And yeah, I'm always available to lend an ear."

He gets up a bit to order the coffee -- remembering what HIS Mia liked best -- and brings them back to their table. He hopes this is one thing that carries over from dimension to dimension.

"I understand your opinion, Nick, however even though I'm strong in court, the Nexus is a completely different story." She sighs a little to herself. "I mean, I've been unable to do much in a lot of ordeals...like when the Edgeworth I know well got kidnapped. I guess it's just a self-imposed problem that I'll have to work on getting over."

Mia frowns a little at his words. "Nick, even if you was at fault for a portion of that incident, you still took responsibility for your actions. I don't blame you for what happened, it was White's fault more than me or you. Although, I still feel bad for treating everyone terribly in the Sanctuary."

She nods, before watching him stand up to go fetch coffee. When he comes back a few minutes later, Mia is slightly shocked by the coffee he brings her, once she takes a drink of it. It's the usual type she favors. "...Nick, how did you know what type of coffee I prefer?"

((Har, sorry about that annoymous post. Forgot to log in while at work.))

Nick nods. "We're only human, you know. If we do all that we can, even if it's not quite enough, we should take pride in that, you know? I'm sure Edgeworth wouldn't hold anything against you. Hell, if he's like the Edgeworth I know, he's probably holding it more against HIMSELF -- in which case the best thing you can do is smack some sense into him." He grins.

"Don't feel bad. Possessions are a bitch. It may have been your body, but it was his actions, and you don't have to take responsibility for any of them," he says. "But... thank you. I feel a little better, knowing you don't hate me for doing that. If nothing else, it's taught me to be a little wiser about my abilities," he adds, chuckling a little self-consciously.

He blinks. "Well, I used to have to get coffee sometimes when the Mia I know was still training me. Eventually, you start memorizing what peoples' preferences are." He snorts. "Always told me to ignore Maya's orders when she was hanging out with us, though; said the last thing she needed was to be more hyper. Anyway, I figured you two would share the same tastes."

"...That is true, but sometimes it's very discouraging, especially in the Nexus. It's hard taking pride is something, when you know you could've done better. As for Edgeworth..." She laughs a little to herself. "You're right. I can always slap some sense into him if he starts blaming himself."

She sighs. "Yeah, I know that unwilling possesions are terrible, especially by spirits who want you dead. White, he..." Mia has to think about her words carefully. "He was going to try to kill myself, Edgeworth, and Phoenix. I even found proof of it...But regardless, I will never hate you for it. In fact, you saved me instead of hurting me."

"...Wow, that's rather interesting to hear. I guess some things don't change from world to world. Even the way Maya acts to how I treated you and her." Mia sighs, taking a moment to stare deeply into her coffee. "Nick...what was she like? My alternate?"

Nick thinks a bit. "I think I know what you mean. I've always felt a bit weak because I couldn't do the sort of exorcisms my Mia could. Always felt like I could do better. But... well, I suppose if there's one thing you learn while dealing with the supernatural, it's that there's always something out there tougher than you. That's why it pays to play smart." He taps his forehead.

He chuckles. "Man, Edgeworths have the biggest martyr complexes, I swear. Of course, I'm one to talk..." He looks sheepish. "I dunno, I guess we all get a little self-destructive when we want to help people we care about, huh?"

There's a bit of a distant look on his face. "White... in our time, he was a man who sold his soul to a demon in exchange for power and wealth. He grew paranoid, though, and would often discredit people who worked with the paranormal to prevent people from seeing his secret. It's what he did to my Mia's mother, and she wouldn't stand for it..." He pauses, sighing. "Sorry, I shouldn't be dumping this on you."

"The Mia I know?" He thinks. "She was... assertive. Strong. Stronger than most people I've met. She almost had an instinctive feel for which spirits she could negotiate with and which needed exorcising. I helped with the investigating, and learned her techniques, though we both knew I could never use abilities quite like hers, lacking the bloodline..." He sighs. "She saved my life, too. And even as a spirit, she's as strong-willed as ever. I owe her a lot."

Mia nods. "You make a good point there, Nick. There's always going to be something tougher out there to deal with. But one day, I want to be able to protect the people I care about, instead of standing around and doing nothing. I've let so many die or get hurt, and that's why I feel weak."

She can't help but laugh at his comment. "It's one of those things that doesn't change from world to world, I guess. Just like some of your traits and my own. That's a common reaction, I suppose, for a person to sacrifice themselves for everyone else."

Her eyes drift down to the table while he speaks, occasionally taking a few sips of coffee. After a good minute of silence, she finally musters up a response. "...White, he seems to be evil no matter what time or place he exists in. My mother, god she's gone through even more difficult times than me...I wonder if she's still alive." She shakes her head lightly. "No, don't apologize. I kinda figured things didn't go well."

"Strong, assertive, and intelligent with the paranormal, now I wish I had some of her qualities. I've always secretly wondered what my alternates are like, even though I probably shouldn't ask such questions." She seems a little sad after hearing all of this information. "...I feel terrible for you now."

He tilts his head a bit. "Did you really sit around and do nothing? I can't imagine that. I bet you were doing everything within your power to help out, right? I mean, that's what my Mia would've done." He sips at his coffee a bit.

"Well, not everybody, I suspect. There's bound to be a few self-centered assholes. But, you know, love involves sacrifice, right?" He doesn't seem self-conscious at all as he states this.

He nods a bit. "It's weird, really. It's like the same story, but with massive tweaks here and there. It's almost enough to make you believe in fate, if I were really inclined to believe in that sort of thing," he comments.

A small, sad smile. "No, don't be. Like I said, I still see her from time to time, whenever she drops by to visit. The only thing that makes me sad is knowing she can't interact with this world anymore without a summoner." He shakes his head. "But... you seem pretty strong and assertive yourself, even if you don't seem to think so. I think you need to really like yourself if you really want to protect others."

Mia sighs, shaking her head no. "Well, not really...Phoenix did all the work, while I sat around and fed him information and answered questions. But, I still felt weak just waiting on the side, while he did all the work."

"...You're right. Love does involve sacrifice, even if it hard to deal with. And it is strange at how things in our worlds have only been altered certain ways, but stay almost perfectly identical." She takes a drink of coffee at this time as well.

Mia can only return his sad smile with one of her own. "She'll always be with you though, even if she can't come back to this world very often. As for myself..." She pauses for a moment. "I was confident in myself, at least until I came to the Nexus. Then I realized that I was just another average human with no powers. Oh god...now I sound like Wright, and I know how he feels."

A chuckle. "Oh, is THAT all?" He leans towards her a bit. "Lemme tell you something, Mia: NEVER underestimate the value of information. Speaking as someone who's based his entire career on pursuing information, I can tell you right now: someone who can help speed up the process is far more invaluable than someone who just charges blindly into things without knowing the consequences." He pauses. "And getting information? Is a LOT of work sometimes."

"I find it kinda fascinating, actually, to see how things could've gone had we gone in different directions. Makes me wonder what sort of person Mr. Godot is over there; he's been the only one I haven't really heard anything about alternate-wise," he says. "Mind, he's a bit of a jerk."

He looks out the window for a bit, mulling what she's said. "The Nexus, I suspect, has a way of finding the weaknesses and limitations of pretty much anybody. But that's really where you find your strengths, I think."

"It wasn't gathering information per say, but rather, I had to help give answers and locations in a demented riddle game." She sighs, before placing her near empty coffee back down on the table. "I understand the significance of not rushing into things, but it did feel like time was running out...and I was just wasting it by sitting there."

Mia nods in agreement, before getting a curious look on her face. "Who's Godot? I've never heard of him from my world, unfortunately. It's curious to think about how things could've been the same or different."

Her eyes turn to look out the window for a moment, before glancing over at Nick. "...Yes, I think you've got it there. Maybe one day, I'll figure out my strength, just like you have."

"I suppose I can't really do much about that feeling, though I can tell you that if I were in the same situation I would've appreciated all the help I could get. ESPECIALLY if you're dealing with a Gant of any form." A bit of a dark expression rolls across his face at that, but he shakes it off. "But, well, maybe you can find ways to better yourself, if you really feel like you didn't do enough." A pause. "Not... that I'm sure what that IS, mind."

He scrunches his face. "He's a demon hunter that Maya and Pearl like to follow around every so often. Pretty successful, but I don't know much about him aside from that funky headpiece he wears. He doesn't like me at all for some reason," he explains. "I feel like he's holding something against me, but he doesn't say what that IS."

There's a soft smile. "Heh. You make it sound like I've got it all together. Believe me, I'm not as collected as you think. I just... well, sometimes parapsychology isn't much of a step away from regular psychology, you know?" he says. "Though it took me a while before I was really willing to trust anybody who wasn't dead."

"Yeah, I can't do too much about it either, except worry. Gant got away after the whole situation resolved, so there's a chance he'll come back. And that's what I'm mostly worried about." She nods, before trying to get a more positive look on her face. "Well, maybe it'll just come to me when I least expect it."

Mia's interest is this Godot character perks up with each word Nick speaks. However, she still doesn't know who the guy is, even after the explanations and details. "Huh...Well, maybe he sees you as a rival of sorts? I don't know. If I knew the guy myself, I might be able to give you better advice, Nick."

She smiles back at him, while resting one hand under her chin. "Well, you do have most of your act together. You still have things to learn, but that's part of life. So then, you really didn't have a good way of dealing with people, I'm guessing?"

Nick winces. "He's a slippery son of a bitch when he wants to be, I guess. All versions. I wish I could help, but I don't really know what I'd do short of trying to find him, and in the Nexus? He could be anywhere," he says, sighing. He grins at her comment, though. "Oh, don't doubt that for a second. Hidden gifts can pop up at any time."

A disgruntled look, and he sips his coffee with one hand while resting his head on the other. "Maybe, but he's still an asshole. Sorry, I can't really tell you much about him other than that. He's apparently been a sort of mystery figure in the scene for eons. Not even Maya seems to be able to tell me much."

"Not really. I was already talking to spirits by the time I got to school, but I didn't see anything wrong with it. All the kids thought I was nuts, so they used to pick on me all the time. Since I couldn't find any live people who were nice to me, I just figured none of them were worth it and didn't bother making friends with anybody who wasn't already dead. It wasn't until Edgeworth stood up for me that one day in fourth grade, and later when Larry decided to play bodyguard for me, that I realized that living folks really weren't that bad. I mean, spirits were people too once, and the spirits, I've learned, can be assholes too." He shrugs. "It certainly taught me how to play my hand closer, though. Didn't help much with the overemotional thing; I had to train myself on that one." A grin. "Man, I was a dork back in the old days."

Mia just shakes her head a little. "Don't worry about it, Nick. One day, I'll find a way to hopefully stop Gant from causing more chaos and trouble. Maybe I should inquire about him in the Nexus sometime though." That grin of his causes her to smile. "I can believe it. I just hope it doesn't come in the form of something crazy, like an LOL."

"It's alright. It's just...the name and person caught my interest, that's all. But that is strange that you hardly know anything about him, and even Maya stays quiet. Hopefully this Godot isn't secretly your enemy or someone dangerous."

Mia listens to his story, feeling a little sorry for Nick and the childhood he had to go through. Talking to spirits was perfectly approved of while she was growing up, unlike Nick's torment from others. "No, I don't think you were a dork, maybe a little naive, but we all start that way. In the end, you've learned a lot from the past, and that's what built your current personality."

"Oof. Good way to bring the roof down on his head. Not that I'm necessarily objecting." He rubs the back of his neck. "Just from what I've seen, a few friends can be a damn powerful thing in the Nexus."

There's a bit of a snicker. "Oh man. I wouldn't trust ANY power I got through a LOL as being authentic. I got swapped for a negative palette by a LOL once; I should show you the photo of that. It was pretty hilarious," he says. Nick's sense of humor about the Nexus, apparently, is broader than Phoenix's.

A curious look. "Really? Well, maybe we'll run into him on accident or something. The one thing I can say about him? He's a ridiculous coffee addict," he says. "Seriously. I don't think I've ever seen him without a cup in hand."

And now he's just embarrassed. "I suppose so. I've been through a lot just in the relatively little time I've been on Earth. That builds a hell of a lot of character whether you want it to or not."

He sips his coffee, and looks over. "Hoboy, that guy's starting to get antsy on me..."

RP POST: A Little Chat With an Old Friend -- Sorta [[Locked to Mia]]

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