Ace Attorney voicetest/call me out post

[ephemerous]

YOU KNOW THE DEALIO leave a character name in the subject to call them out, and a thread starter/prompt/ideas. I'm a little rusty on Justine, who will need some canon review, and the SoJ characters need some voicetesting, but otherwise I'm good with anything!

Comments

[unyieldingdragon]

[The promise of a nice meal with his family unfortunately never comes to pass. The trial led to his innocence on both accounts of murder, but he wouldn't be there to see that victory.

He had already returned to the Twilight Realm before the verdict arrived in order to protect his wife. Since that time, he hasn't been channeled again, and so his last memories was escaping the courtroom and leaving Amara. When he does find himself being channeled once more, it's no surprise he arrives a little disoriented. It was just like that time in the tomb, only he wasn't covered in blood and standing over a dead man. He was standing in a new room that was neither the tomb or the courtroom. Checking his surroundings, he vaguely recalls this particular room could be found somewhere on the royal grounds. This was a room meant for spirit channeling.

Examining himself, he sees the channeler has been courteous to dress him appropriately once more. He is now left to wonder why he has been called, how long since his last channeling, and the current state of the trial. In a mirror's reflection, he sees he is not alone in this room. He turns around to properly face his guest with a look of uncertainty.]

Nahyuta...? [Having no idea what has happened, he isn't sure what to make of his son's presence here. The only thing he's certain of, is that his son knows his father is no longer of this world now.]

[ephemerous]

[It had been Amara's idea, to give her children a chance to speak with their father before allowing him to return to the Twilight Realm. The thought had not crossed Nahyuta's mind -- if anything, it only filled him with misgivings. He had worked tirelessly to shoulder both his mother's former duties as regent, and his father's legacy in the revolution, in bringing justice back to the courts. And yet, perhaps Amara had noticed how he was still plagued with guilt by all he had done, that there were still things he never had the chance to say or do.

So she gently advised him to put aside his anxieties, and persuaded him into the channelling. He agreed, if in large part because he would never dream of refusing his mother's kindness. As the channelling begins, he's seated on a cushion on the floor, eyes closed in silence so as not to break Amara's concentration. It's only when he hears movement -- and that distinctive voice -- that his eyes open. He takes a breath to steady himself, taking in the sight of his father before his eyes once again.]

...Yes, Father. It was Mother who called you back here.

[He'll give Dhurke a moment for the implications of that to sink in. They have much to discuss, but it would be best to take one thing at a time.]

[unyieldingdragon]

[There was silence between them as Dhurke processed the information that had been presented to him. He could feel that there was no sense of urgency in this meeting. Nahyuta himself was giving off an aura that was different from their previous meeting in the interrogation room. He even addressed him as father in a sincere way. For Nahyuta to be here and not in the courtroom, the trial must have already ended. For Amara to able to channel him once more that meant....no, he's getting ahead of himself. He should hear it from Nahyuta.

After just idly standing there, he'll see a cushion had also been prepared for him at his feet. So he seats himself, facing Nahyuta with a solemn expression.]

Looks like my big secret came out, during the trial I'm assuming.

[ephemerous]

Y-yes... That is correct. It was Apollo who discovered the truth, armed with the evidence you left behind, and his own determination.

[Nahyuta pauses for a moment. The grief is still too raw. Even if things ended on an ultimately positive note for all involved, that didn't change the gaping sense of loss left behind, now staring him right in the face. But he knows he needs to soldier on through his explanation--]

Queen Ga'ran was found guilty of both crimes. All of Khura'in knows of your innocence now, Father.

[unyieldingdragon]

[So Apollo worked it out as he had predicted. He closes his eye for a moment, feeling a sense of guilt and regret. He could only imagine the grief and despair they both went through when they learned the truth. He wishes this isn't how it has to be, leaving his kids like this after he was barely in their lives.

But there is no more time to change that, he's run out of chances. So he does what he always did, put on a smile and take on things as they come. The news of Ga'ran's being declared guilty is indeed something to celebrate about afterall.]

That's wonderful news! See I told you Apollo would be able to prove my innocence and bring that witch down. [Saying that eventhough he knows he was worrying.] More importantly, that means everyone is ok now, right...? [His sons, his wife...his daughter. Their entire situation must have turned for the better after that trial, right?]

[ephemerous]

Yes, everyone is fine. [He won't mention Amara being shot -- she's recovering, after all, and it would serve no purpose besides causing undue worry.] Once Ga'ran was deposed, I persuaded Apollo to remain in Khura'in. We have reopened your old office together, and we will give all we have to repair our broken legal system.

Rayfa has ascended to the throne, and will receive tutelage from Mother until she comes of age. Until then, I will reign as regent. Our family is back together again, except for...

[Nahyuta's hands ball into fists and he sighs. Except for Dhurke, of course, who gave everything he had -- including his life -- to take that tyrant down and bring them back together.]

...I must apologise... for losing my way, and succumbing to Ga'ran.

[No doubt Dhurke has questions about that, too; he'll brace himself to offer an explanation.]

[unyieldingdragon]

[He began to relax his posture once he learns that his family is safe. He closes his eyes for a moment as he smiles, relieved by the news. It was like a great weight had lifted from him, that everything he had worked towards finally came to fruition and he had not died in vain. He never admitted this to anyone, but as the years continued to pass, the more he began to doubt what he was doing. He still only managed to hold on, just barely for the sake of his family, and for those he had rallied to his cause. He could not bring himself to fail them.]

I'm glad to hear that you're all safe. [One thing he didn't actually expect that surprised him.] And Apollo...he's really working at my old office? [It had been just a dream of his, for Apollo to take up his office after him. Never thought he'd actually do it though. Really after everything he's done, or lack there of with his sons...he really didn't expect them to do anything for him.

With all of the joyous news, Nahyuta's sudden apology left him confused, until he remembers their last conversation.]

I never believed you ever truly fell under that witches spell. I saw that you still held onto what I've taught you, the dragon was just buried somewhere beneath that putrid form Ga'ran had forced onto you. [Ha, see what he did there?] ...So you must have had a good reason to resign yourself. To protect her.

[ephemerous]

He is. [A small smile passes across Nahyuta's face then. He'd missed Apollo all those years, and after he'd been sent away to the States and Nahyuta had committed to the revolution, he expected that for Apollo's own safety, they would never meet again. Nahyuta's honestly as surprised as Dhurke that he was willing to stay.] It was a personal request, with Khura'in being so short on attorneys. And though it was a difficult decision for him, he decided to remain. There is no one I would trust more to have at my side in this.

[Nahyuta pauses, then, looking down at his hands, and the tattoo etched into his palm.] ... I believe you and Apollo knew me better than I myself was willing to. Had I not cooperated, she would have undoubtedly killed Her Benevolence, and caused more suffering for Mother than she has already been forced to endure...

[And no matter how much he cares for his father, even for Apollo, to put his mother and sister in danger was unthinkable. Dhurke and Apollo, on the other hand, were there by choice, no matter Nahyuta's attempts to persuade Apollo to stay away.]

I... thought I had killed the dragon inside me out of necessity. Once again, I have you and Apollo to thank for aiding me in realising the truth, Father.