Tifa & Yuffie II

[Yuffie Kisaragi]

Phoenix had said goodbye in reply just before Miles had hung up and then quickly called up Cearan, the boy had answered swiftly.
"did you get him?" he asked, sounding rather flustered. Phoenix noted the tone and had to fight to hide his concern from his voice.
"yeah, he said to tell you that'll he'll contact you as soon as he can wrap up the meeting...and something tells me he's planning something devious to get away, so that shouldn't be too long, I would think" he replied, well and truly worried about what could have gotten then usually fairly level-headed boy so anxious.

[Tifa Lockhart]

Miles sweet talked his way out of the rest of the meeting, spinning some story about an important case and some details that had just come up. The people in charge of the meeting had fallen for it hook line and sinker, excusing him with thanks for his attendance. His co-workers rolled their eyes slightly, more than aware of his abilities to coerce others into seeing his point of view before they even realised they were being manipulated.
He hurried straight down to the car park to get into his car, heading on his way straight to the park where he assumed the boy would be. Rather than pulling up at the curb and waiting for Cearan to come to him, he got out of the parked vehicle and took a walk, aiming to find him on foot.

He did find him quite easily, discovering the boy sitting alone and a particularly secluded bench. He cleared his throat softly as he came to sit beside him.
"What happened Cearan, you were doing so well?" he asked softly, placing a hand on the boy's shoulder and giving it a reassuring squeeze.

[Yuffie Kisaragi]

Cearan jumped slightly when Miles appeared, but settled as soon as he realised who it was. He seemed very shaken indeed, fidgeting and looking quite upset. "I...I got in a fight...with Mr and Mrs Ilders...I don't remember how it started...but it didn't end well..." he explained, after a short pause. "I don't like staying there, they don't understand...and they just don't know me, I can't help it if we just don't get along...we can never agree on anything..." he said, sounding rather worried, probably because he was wondering where he would go now, since he likely wouldn't be able to go home. "I-I'm not sure wh-what I should do, Mr Edgeworth..." he whimpered, toying anxiously with his sleeve. He seemed to be finding at least a little comfort in the prosecutor's presence, though he was still on the verge of hysterics...the poor boy was at the end of his rope for what to do, nothing he had tried had worked and he was running out of options, if not out of them completely.

[Tifa Lockhart]

Miles sat silently for a moment, thinking over all the options and swallowing his own nervous pride. He put an arm around Cearan's shoulder, not a full embrace, but a comforting proximity.
"Perhaps you should look at going back into the foster program... you might find a more suitable home the second time around?" he said the suggestion softly, hoping to soothe the boys jitters at least a little.

((I was thinking he could go back to the orphanage to wait for a new foster family, then get told there's someone coming in to see him, and then it's Edgeworth and Phoenix who show up?))

[Yuffie Kisaragi]

((ooh! I like that!! let's do that!!))

Cearan immediately leaned on Edgeworth's shoulder, obviously quite comfortable to have the man comfort him. "...maybe I should...I guess I can always keep trying...and the other kids there understand better, so I'll have friends at least..." he mused, seeming thoughtful for a while before he looked up at Edgeworth. "...I suppose I don't really have another option, anyway...thanks Mr Edgeworth" He'd grown rather close to Edgeworth and Phoenix, particularly Edgeworth. He considered them the closest thing to a real family that he had...they seemed to understand, though he wasn't sure how Phoenix understood, the man had never made any mention of going through something similar to him.

[Tifa Lockhart]

"As it is, you're not too far from maturity," Miles reasoned casually. "So even if you cant find a foster family you fit with, it wont be too long until you're able to simply move out and look after yourself."
The prosecutor offered Cearan one of his rare and very warm smiles. "Something will work out no matter what."

[Yuffie Kisaragi]

Cearan nodded slowly, not seeming entirely sure about the moving out idea...he didn't feel comfortable to be alone, not yet, he wanted to have someone to keep him company at least, even if they weren't the best company. "right..."

((uh...what now?))

[Tifa Lockhart]

"Just explain to your current fosters that it's not working, then ring your social worker. They'll make sure everything's organised." He gave the boy a reassuring pat on the back. "I know it seems bleak now, but the road doesn't end here, trust me. There are much better things waiting for you down the road."

((Skip to him being in the orphanage if you want? Or have Phoenix come home from work to find Edgeworth drinking, then they can seriously discuss taking Cearan in?))

[Yuffie Kisaragi]

((well, Cearan never said what happened to Nick so he would wanna know what happened, so probably skip to him and Edgey talking ))

Cearan nodded and smiled weakly. "alright...I guess I'll see you later, then, Mr Edgeworth" he said, bidding Miles farewell as the man did the same, before he stood to leave, looking a lot better than before and heading off home to face the inevitable wrath of his foster parents to tell them he was sorry for getting in a fight and explain that he just couldn't get along with them so he was going to go back to the orphanage.
They had taken it surprisingly well, having realised earlier that perhaps their argument had been rather pointless. They had also apologised and told him that perhaps it was better he tried again since things weren't working out...at least they understood that much, though it was clear that there was still a bit of discomfort between Cearan and his foster parents, since the fight.

((have Edgeworth at home contemplating, mmk?))

[Tifa Lockhart]

Edgeworth had gone back to work for a little while, but his focus was all but ruined. So he brought his work home, and spent a tedious hour in his study trying to continue it. In the end he'd given up and retired in the lounge. He'd discovered an unopened bottle of Vodka in the cupboard, and had immediately cracked into it. So now he sat in the lounge, a quarter of a bottle gone, and a glass in his hand. There was a pensive expression on his face.

[Yuffie Kisaragi]

Phoenix arrived home not too long later, still completely clueless as to why Cearan had been so upset. He put his breifcase in its usual place by the door, hanging his jacket up before walking into the main room, surprised to find Miles at home, drinking on the couch.
"oh! you're home already..." he noted, folding his arms and tilting his head in a confused manner. "now it's not like you to just drink anything other than wine....I'll be willing to make a guess that something was really up, then...what happened?" he asked, his expression clearly worried as he moved to stand in front of the prosecutor.

[Tifa Lockhart]

"Cearan had a fight with his foster parents," Miles mumbled, not shifting his glance up from his glass. "Quite a bad one by the sounds of it... I advised him to go back to the orphanage and try another family..." he lifted his gaze now, meeting Phoenix's squarely.
"He's going to get passed from one family to the next Wright... you know he will."

[Yuffie Kisaragi]

Phoenix remained silent a moment, before he sighed slightly. "yes, I know...I've already said Miles: if you want to and he wants to, I don't have a problem with us taking him in, if you think he needs it...and yes, I knew you were going to ask again, I know how you think" he said, taking a seat beside Miles to talk to him properly. "I know that it's rare for anyone to understand the sort of thing he's been through...he probably would only get in another fight with the next family, anyway...it might be best that we took him in, if he wants to come with us..." it seemed he was quite aware of what Miles was subtly asking him, despite the fact the prosecutor hadn't actually said anything. "he's restless...I was too for the first few years after what happened...Grandma had a hard time with me for the first few years because I couldn't settle...I spent much of my time running around in the backstreets to avoid others, some nights I didn't even come home until midday the day after...he'll eventually settle, but until then he needs someone to talk to, so far he's always gone to you for help" he figured Miles would work out what he meant from there.

[Tifa Lockhart]

Miles looked rather insecure about the whole affair. Though he appreciated Phoenix's support in the matter he still wasn't quite so certain. Cearan and Phoenix had grown close, but he still wasn't sure how the boy would react when he learned that they were actually a lot more than just best friends.
"Perhaps... perhaps we can just go down to the orphanage and talk to him first... no definites... just run it by him."

[Yuffie Kisaragi]

Phoenix nodded. "of course, after all in the end it's his decision to make" he agreed, offering a soft smile. "don't worry, something tells me he'll react better than you expect him to" he said, leaning forward to rest his arms on his knees. "just have a little faith Miles, you'll see"