[ nick junior is usually burning hot to anyone who isn't maya, but not for mia. he chirps at her when she arrives, and maya looks up, her eyes widening. ]
Sis....
[ it's hard not to immediately burst into tears because she's been holding them back, but she manages to swallow back her feelings. ]
Are you okay? [ she was so caught up with mccree she hasn't checked in yet, and she's just now realizing that. ]
[Which is important and Maya needs to know, needs to know to keep herself safer, but she doesn't want Maya to feel sorry about it. Mia uses that hand on Maya's shoulder to pull her sister into a sort of hug where they can still sit as they are but perhaps support each other a little. It's a good thing Nick Junior won't burn Mia, or this might be slightly uncomfortable given Maya's height. For now, though, their little hug suits Mia just fine.]
I didn't realise you were getting into something so dangerous.
[And now here she is, too, with so little idea of how to help people. Well, to help Maya. Bodies aside, she still has a priority.]
[ this is already too much for nick junior, he's getting off and roosting in a tree nearby. the girls can hug it out, he's gonna chill. ]
... I know. Sorry. I didn't mean to worry you. [ mia doesn't want maya to apologize, but here she is doing it anyway. it's partially because she feels guilty for jumping off of maru, even if she may not have died. it was a stupid risk and she should have known better. for mia's sake. for her own, probably, too. ]
[ she's throwing herself into the hug and putting her arm around mia, too. ]
I'm not strong enough to do any of this stuff... I'm not any good at it, but I have to do it.
[ she's never admitted this to a single living soul and she's barely admitted it to herself but as always, she'll tell her sister. ]
[Mia is quiet while Maya speaks, just holding her in her arms and listening, petting Maya's hair. After a moment, she lets out a big sigh, followed by a short chuckle.]
And here I was thinking you'd turn out nothing like me.
[A half-lie. But look at her! Maya's having some of the same worries she's had-- but with everything that's gone on, Mia can't help but wonder if Maya's fears are even deeper than her own were. She'd spent so much time telling Phoenix he needed to believe in himself and in his client to succeed-- but had she done the same for Maya? Had she done enough for her, despite the fact she's still just a scared little girl quivering in her arms like when they were little?]
You're selling yourself short, you know. [She continues, passing her fingers though Maya's long hair to get out little tangles of the day.]
You've already taught me a few things, how can you be no good at it, huh?
[ it feels nice... honestly. it reminds her of simpler times, before all of this, before mia died. it really hits maya just how much she missed her older sister. ]
I'm not really like you. [ maya admits!!! ] You're so strong, and smart, and amazing... you always know what to do.
[ the lil sis hero worship is pretty strong. she hears what mia's saying, doesn't totally process it -- her eyes widen a little bit, though. ]
Taught you...? What are you talking about, sis?
[ how could maya possibly teach the most amazing person in the world anything? ]
[Mia has to chuckle (albeit with a tinge of exasperation) when she hears what Maya says. Her, knowing everything. Not even desth had shown her every answer, and yet she'd had to become as unflappable as possible to survive as a defense attorney. She didn't feel strong, smart, or amazing up against Edgeworth, or watching Terry bleed to death on the stand.
She didn't feel amazing or strong all helpless on Maru, watching everyone else act as though they knew just what they needed to do, knowing her sister is out of her reach. Knowing she'd be so little help even if she was close by.
She's been just as scared as Maya through everything she's done, with only one big reason to believe she could do anything.]
[ real heroes don't know they're heroes, okay! or at least that's what maya would say. for her part, she truly believes it. mia has always been amazing in her eyes, and nothing can ever change that. her big sister, who took care of her when mother left, who became a lawyer who saved people, who fought for truth and justice. who was the strongest person she's ever known -- both spiritually, and overall. ]
[ and this person is now saying that to her? ]
Me?
[ that can't be right. is there a mirror here, somewhere? ]
[Mia can't help but smile in a way that makes her eyes look almost misty, gone, remembering things in Maya's face that were once there but have now grown.]
When you were born, you were even the strongest cryer in the village.
[She teases, that smile spreading across her face. Every time she is faced with her sister, she is reminded how just weeks ago Maya was across a veil, impervious to her touch. Following Nick and hope and her own intuition with Mia only able to watch when she's able, and participate if called, in a body that usually kept her even further from her sister.]
You're the biggest reason I could become a lawyer. What would I ever have done without you?
[Without Maya, she'd probably still be in Kurain, bound to her fate-- or dead by other means. And who would want to live through Morgan alone?]
[ don't call her out like that, sis!!! in reality, yes, maya spent her younger years being a huge crybaby, but she was too young to remember most of that. and of course mia, as a peak big sister, has to go and hassle her about it. ]
Siiiiis! Come on! I was a baby!
[ her cheeks go red in the telltake signs of embarrassment, mission accomplished. ]
[ she's still red, but the puffed cheeks deflate. ]
You didn't need me to be a lawyer.... you did that all on your own.
[Mia is pleased to have made her sister blush, but all the same she's quite genuine. She knows what she'd done-- what Maya had done, in letting her leave the village. Mia remembers that unwavering smile flashing up at her while Maya told her that of course she could take on her responsibilities, that what Mia was doing was important, that Mia should be able to go.
Where would she be without Maya?]
And-- and who would I call on my breaks? Who would I take down to my favorite burger joint down in the city?
[She asks, no longer really looking at her sister, though her grip on Maya's shoulders tightens. Almost 19 years of her life (or 17 of Maya's in this case) spent being seen by her sister as nothing but strong. But she can't continue to feel as strong as she did, not knowing where she left off Maya was in peril, or knowing that here when Maya's in even more danger, Mia's not one of the people that can do anything to help her.]
All those years ago, when mom left... All I had was you. And when you started to figure things out, every time I looked to you, you'd just.. smile at me, and I knew we were going to make it.
As long as you believed in me, as long as I could see you smiling or hear you on the other end of the line, I could keep going. For mom, and for you.
You could have. You didn't need my permission to do it.
[ of course, maya always appreciated that mia asked her instead of just leaving. she has extremely complicated and suffocating feelings about being the master, and always had -- but she would never trade mia's freedom to be free of it, no matter how much it scares her and no matter how unworthy she feels of it, she doesn't regret taking it on for mia's sake. to make her happy. it's the very least maya could have done. ]
And of course I'll always believe in you, because you're the best! You took care of me when we had no one else! [ except morgan. that's a hot button issue. ] You were always so strong! And you wanted to save people! You were always saving people! Even after you left... you were always looking out for me. And Nick! [ even after she died ]
What's not to believe in? Of course I'm going to smile and cheer you on! It's not that big of a deal....
[ and it's nothing special, in maya's eyes. but she finds it hard to believe that those tiny things could have inspired could have inspired mia so much. to maya, it's normal. ]
[Mia insists, brows knit in how serious she's become.]
And it was a big deal for Nick, you believing in him. Just like when we're in court, defending our clients, we have to believe in them, believe that they're innocent. But we also have to believe in ourselves, and the power we have to defend them.
You have the power to make people like me and Nick believe in ourselves. And here you have even more power than that. I've seen you do things I would never have even dreamed of. There is nothing I believe in more than I believe in you, and no mistake or setback or disappointment is going to change that. But you have to believe in yourself, too.
[ honestly, mia has probably been the only person to ever say things like this to her. and she's clearly bad at accepting these things, she shifts a little uncomfortable as mia's talking to her. it's hard for her to imagine that something that comes as naturally to her as believing in other people (especially extraordinary people, like mia and phoenix are) could really have a such a big impact, but..... if mia's saying it, it must be true. to some degree. mia's always right. ]
Well, I... I'm glad I could help, sis.
[ she means that, sincerely. for both her and phoenix.]
[ .... with any other person, she might try to brush it off -- to just smile and bluster that she already does believe in herself, but mia would see right through her. as always. ]
I'l try.... but I don't.... I mean, I don't think I've done anything that you couldn't do.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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Sis....
[ it's hard not to immediately burst into tears because she's been holding them back, but she manages to swallow back her feelings. ]
Are you okay? [ she was so caught up with mccree she hasn't checked in yet, and she's just now realizing that. ]
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No, not really.
[She admits, a tiny breath of honesty where usually things are hidden. But she looks at Maya with tired eyes, giving that shoulder a squeeze.]
But I don't think you are, either.
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I.... I'm sorry. I really messed up. I... should have been helping you.... the missions can be really rough and sometimes people die and...
[ she's close to tears again, so she sucks in a breath. ] I'm sorry, sis.
[ calm down colette brunel. ]
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[Which is important and Maya needs to know, needs to know to keep herself safer, but she doesn't want Maya to feel sorry about it. Mia uses that hand on Maya's shoulder to pull her sister into a sort of hug where they can still sit as they are but perhaps support each other a little. It's a good thing Nick Junior won't burn Mia, or this might be slightly uncomfortable given Maya's height. For now, though, their little hug suits Mia just fine.]
I didn't realise you were getting into something so dangerous.
[And now here she is, too, with so little idea of how to help people. Well, to help Maya. Bodies aside, she still has a priority.]
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... I know. Sorry. I didn't mean to worry you. [ mia doesn't want maya to apologize, but here she is doing it anyway. it's partially because she feels guilty for jumping off of maru, even if she may not have died. it was a stupid risk and she should have known better. for mia's sake. for her own, probably, too. ]
[ she's throwing herself into the hug and putting her arm around mia, too. ]
I'm not strong enough to do any of this stuff... I'm not any good at it, but I have to do it.
[ she's never admitted this to a single living soul and she's barely admitted it to herself but as always, she'll tell her sister. ]
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And here I was thinking you'd turn out nothing like me.
[A half-lie. But look at her! Maya's having some of the same worries she's had-- but with everything that's gone on, Mia can't help but wonder if Maya's fears are even deeper than her own were. She'd spent so much time telling Phoenix he needed to believe in himself and in his client to succeed-- but had she done the same for Maya? Had she done enough for her, despite the fact she's still just a scared little girl quivering in her arms like when they were little?]
You're selling yourself short, you know. [She continues, passing her fingers though Maya's long hair to get out little tangles of the day.]
You've already taught me a few things, how can you be no good at it, huh?
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I'm not really like you. [ maya admits!!! ] You're so strong, and smart, and amazing... you always know what to do.
[ the lil sis hero worship is pretty strong. she hears what mia's saying, doesn't totally process it -- her eyes widen a little bit, though. ]
Taught you...? What are you talking about, sis?
[ how could maya possibly teach the most amazing person in the world anything? ]
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She didn't feel amazing or strong all helpless on Maru, watching everyone else act as though they knew just what they needed to do, knowing her sister is out of her reach. Knowing she'd be so little help even if she was close by.
She's been just as scared as Maya through everything she's done, with only one big reason to believe she could do anything.]
Maya. [Lovingly, but almost scoldingly.]
You're the strongest person I've ever known.
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[ and this person is now saying that to her? ]
Me?
[ that can't be right. is there a mirror here, somewhere? ]
But that's not...... that can't be right.
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[Mia can't help but smile in a way that makes her eyes look almost misty, gone, remembering things in Maya's face that were once there but have now grown.]
When you were born, you were even the strongest cryer in the village.
[She teases, that smile spreading across her face. Every time she is faced with her sister, she is reminded how just weeks ago Maya was across a veil, impervious to her touch. Following Nick and hope and her own intuition with Mia only able to watch when she's able, and participate if called, in a body that usually kept her even further from her sister.]
You're the biggest reason I could become a lawyer. What would I ever have done without you?
[Without Maya, she'd probably still be in Kurain, bound to her fate-- or dead by other means. And who would want to live through Morgan alone?]
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Siiiiis! Come on! I was a baby!
[ her cheeks go red in the telltake signs of embarrassment, mission accomplished. ]
[ she's still red, but the puffed cheeks deflate. ]
You didn't need me to be a lawyer.... you did that all on your own.
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[Mia is pleased to have made her sister blush, but all the same she's quite genuine. She knows what she'd done-- what Maya had done, in letting her leave the village. Mia remembers that unwavering smile flashing up at her while Maya told her that of course she could take on her responsibilities, that what Mia was doing was important, that Mia should be able to go.
Where would she be without Maya?]
And-- and who would I call on my breaks? Who would I take down to my favorite burger joint down in the city?
[She asks, no longer really looking at her sister, though her grip on Maya's shoulders tightens. Almost 19 years of her life (or 17 of Maya's in this case) spent being seen by her sister as nothing but strong. But she can't continue to feel as strong as she did, not knowing where she left off Maya was in peril, or knowing that here when Maya's in even more danger, Mia's not one of the people that can do anything to help her.]
All those years ago, when mom left... All I had was you. And when you started to figure things out, every time I looked to you, you'd just.. smile at me, and I knew we were going to make it.
As long as you believed in me, as long as I could see you smiling or hear you on the other end of the line, I could keep going. For mom, and for you.
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[ of course, maya always appreciated that mia asked her instead of just leaving. she has extremely complicated and suffocating feelings about being the master, and always had -- but she would never trade mia's freedom to be free of it, no matter how much it scares her and no matter how unworthy she feels of it, she doesn't regret taking it on for mia's sake. to make her happy. it's the very least maya could have done. ]
And of course I'll always believe in you, because you're the best! You took care of me when we had no one else! [ except morgan. that's a hot button issue. ] You were always so strong! And you wanted to save people! You were always saving people! Even after you left... you were always looking out for me. And Nick! [ even after she died ]
What's not to believe in? Of course I'm going to smile and cheer you on! It's not that big of a deal....
[ and it's nothing special, in maya's eyes. but she finds it hard to believe that those tiny things could have inspired could have inspired mia so much. to maya, it's normal. ]
[ (she's an idiot) ]
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[Mia insists, brows knit in how serious she's become.]
And it was a big deal for Nick, you believing in him. Just like when we're in court, defending our clients, we have to believe in them, believe that they're innocent. But we also have to believe in ourselves, and the power we have to defend them.
You have the power to make people like me and Nick believe in ourselves. And here you have even more power than that. I've seen you do things I would never have even dreamed of. There is nothing I believe in more than I believe in you, and no mistake or setback or disappointment is going to change that. But you have to believe in yourself, too.
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Well, I... I'm glad I could help, sis.
[ she means that, sincerely. for both her and phoenix.]
[ .... with any other person, she might try to brush it off -- to just smile and bluster that she already does believe in herself, but mia would see right through her. as always. ]
I'l try.... but I don't.... I mean, I don't think I've done anything that you couldn't do.