After all.

“I’m sorry, do we know each other?” Her eyes narrowed slightly, trying to piece her memory together.

Lana looked toward the unfamiliar person by the door. “…Good afternoon.” She said, her tone slightly cold yet not unwelcoming.

She stopped tidying up and stood upright, and approached Kristoph like she didn’t know him at all. It made sense, it’s been years since she saw him last

cont.

Clearly.

( Lana looked over at the prosecutor as they finally reached the base of the staircase and opened the door to the parking lot for him. )

You're a very talented young man. I've read about you, you know. It's impressive stuff.

What's your secret? ( She asked, a lighthearted tease. )

I can handle cleaning up...

( She grabbed some tissues, quietly using them to clean her face up. )

...How was work? You seemed to be rushing earlier.

She spent the next few minutes to wrap up, set items back in her bag and clean around the classroom.

No one /deserves/ total isolation.

She had just wrapped up another session with her class. Usually, she'd stay for another hour or two to accommodate anyone — but this time around, it appeared as if she'd tuckered them out on today's lesson.

Oh well.

cont.

And would help partnered organizations hold sports tournaments or partake in the fellowship, despite not being religious herself.

And other times... She'd volunteer just to speak with them. Loneliness, after all, does things to a person. Offender or not, Lana believed that

cont.

Not as a treat — perhaps it was yet another sort of self-fulfilling prophecy — a need to atone for the sins of her past.

Lana would take off to volunteer in the city's prison, her former home of two years. There, she would teach certain inmates how to read,

cont.

And perhaps a strewn sock or two were seen lying around. )

Agh, sh— I didn't buy groceries yet... Still, I should fix you a meal.

I highly doubt you eat any /real/ food these days without me.

( She said, like a hypocrite. As if she had any "real food" herself in her fridge. )

NO!—

( She stopped herself after realizing her sharp tone. )

—No. Please, come in.

( She widened the door for Ema. Taking a peek would've shown her what became of Lana since moving out.

It was organized, but items were out of its packaging, clean dishes were left on the rack,

cont.

Oh— I—

...Oh.

I wish I had brought my car with me, I would have driven us...-

( Nod, nod... She swiftly stepped outside to not burden the fellow attorney further. )

I understand.

( Lana followed Phoenix, expecting something like a car — only to be standing in front of a bicycle. Seeing Phoenix beginning to stuff the items on that tiny basket did she realize— )

(cont.)

I apologize for the mess... Again.

(She said hoarsely,) Feels like it became worse since I saw you last..-

It's a good experience.

( Luckily for Edgeworth, she didn't feel much of the awkwardness in that moment. )

It's very... How do you say, stimulating? ...To be getting hands-on experience like detective work.

To learn about the background before facing the courtroom was a good choice for me.

// gasps for air

IM STILL HERE GUYS I PROMISE

( Lana silently took the drink carrier off his hands… )

Now that I think about it, you’re such a nice boss.

( She couldn’t help but comment, )

I would have paid for everything out of pocket, but I still would have gotten someone else to do it.