There's a robot on your lawn [OPEN]

[prosecutory]

Who: Miles Edgeworth, Integra Hellsing, and "Iris" | Miles Edgeworth, YOU, and maybe some robots if you wish.
When: All throughout the event; see prompts for dates. OOC: 04/20-04/30
Where: A small restaurant-slash café at the Shopping District, and later, every which where.
What: Catch-all for fun robot "killing" times and other things you want to do with Edgeworth that do not involve robots in any way. Edgeworth doesn't have a double, thank the cereal gods.
Rating/Warning: PG for potential violence?

---

[CLOSED] SWEET DREAMS (Integra and Irisbot); IC: 06/25

[Edgeworth has had no word regarding the robot doppelgangers beginning to take over the lives of their real counterparts so far. His day is normal, and he has yet to encounter any robots today. Right now he's sitting at an outdoor table at one of his favorite little restaurants, awaiting a nice cup of tea to round off his lunch. He's just there, occasionally peering into the window or at the door to see if the waiter is already bringing him his tea. Ah, there he is. The prosecutor sits a little straighter, eager to try their newest blend.

He doesn't suspect that a robot already has morbid designs for the rest of his day, although they'll turn out a lot less morbid.]

---

[OPEN] ENOUGH WITH THE ROBOTS ALREADY; IC: 06/26-06/30

[After the encounter with Iris' robot, Edgeworth is more vigilant now, and still mentally beating himself up over letting his guard down despite all his suspicions. But he isn't locking himself up in his apartment till this boils over. He goes about his usual business, only armed with not only his trusty saber but also a pistol.

Anyone (and/or their robot) will find him in the following places:
- The police station, no duh, that's where he works.
- The gym, in the mornings. Training.
- Possibly jogging in the streets in the early morning. Like, a little after dawn.
- Walking his dog in the gardens.
- Around the Shopping District, buying stuff and looking for his favorite cafés.

Select a location and give me all you've got, yo!]

Comments

6/29, gardens

[manolia]

[After all that mess, Chibi needs to think.]

[Well, first, he needs to think about something that isn't the half-robotic corpse he just had to bury - and by 'bury,' one could say 'throw into a dumpster.' Second, he needs to kill time after he's gotten his wrist properly splinted; they want him to come back in a few days to put it in a cast, but if he has his way, he'll find someone to fix it up before then. If he's going to be taking robots apart, he needs both hands at their best. (Ugh. The robots. He still sees his own face laid atop a metal-alloy body, twisted and wry.)]

[So what does one do when full of thoughts about synthetic things? One goes to be around natural things, or at least Chibi does - which is why he is in the gardens, a notebook balanced on his knee and a pen in his free hand, composing a poem about something or other and ah, look, what a cute dog coming by--]

[It's only when Pess' tail catches the edge of the notebook and knocks it off Chibi's knee that he looks up (ah, it is England's roommate). Instinctively, he reaches with his injured hand, then realizes it can't grab much and uses the other.] Ah, good afternoon, there.

[He'd say 'I'm the real one, not a robot,' but would it really mean anything if the robot would have said the same thing?]

sweet dreams are made of these...

[shroudedinsecrecy]

[A shadow soon fell upon his table. And when he followed up, looking upward, he would see...Iris.]

[At least, she certainly looked like Iris.]

[Perhaps a little...too like Iris. With a very familiar white sundress with distinct lace patterns. And matching parasol. With a bright smile, she tilted her head to one side just so and proceeded to act pleasantly surprised at the encounter.]

Hello, Mr. Edgeworth. What a lovely coincidence; I wasn't expecting to find you here.

[Her voice was like a freshly baked slice of angel food cake. Sweet, but not overly so, light, and heavenly in tone.]

[prosecutory]

[Pess sniffs the notebook before Chibi can pick it up, and then proceeds to sniff Chibi's uninjured hand instead.

Meanwhile, Edgeworth nods, scrutinizing Chibi from head to foot - noting that Chibi was reaching with one hand, only to switch to the other. The guy seems to act normal and innocuous enough, but the robot of Iris had been like that, too...so, the prosecutor is still on guard despite his dog being very okay with this.]

Good afternoon, Chibi. [OR ARE YOU WHO I THINK YOU ARE???] I apologize for Pess knocking your notebook over.

who are we to disagree...

[prosecutory]

[As the waiter places the cup of tea in front of Edgeworth, he looks up...surprised to see Iris not in her usual acolyte garb but in an unnervingly familiar outfit. Why? A chill races up his spine; this was way too familiar and not in a good way.

He knows this can't be Dahlia. It wasn't time yet for newcomers to arrive. And surely, if Dahlia was around, Iris would warn him. Or Phoenix.]

Hello...Iris. [He speaks slowly and carefully - and remembers that the CERES robots were morphing to look like their owners. This might be one of them.] How have you been? [Small talk, as he examines his visitor. After raising his cup to his lips, he blows gently on his tea.]

[manolia]

[Chibi lets Pess sniff his fingers for a moment - they smell a bit like antiseptic and a bit like black oil - then moves to scritch the dog behind the ears. What a well-behaved boy!]

No worries; it was a bit precarious there, in any case. [He'd hold it in place, usually, but, well.] I trust you have been well, with all of... This, with the robots and such?

6/29

[meowbel]

[Meanwhile, should Edgeworth look around, he might be able to find a familiar looking person. Or at least, she looked like a familiar person.

After spotting one of Mabel's good friends, Sophia Elizabeth simply walked up to him as he was walking his dog]

Hey, Miles! Long time no see! Nice weather we're having huh?

[...That is something Mabel would say right?]

[shroudedinsecrecy]

[He faltered. The name was spoken slowly. Like he was already suspicious.]

[Why were they always so suspicious? Her disguise should have been perfect! The hair, the clothes, the mannerisms...including, as most Fey women were known for, the ability to keep smiling through any and all of life's struggles. No matter how great or small.]

I've been well. The gym has been so quiet lately, aside from a few regulars. [She spoke the information without batting an eyelash. The "real" Iris had mentioned enough of her day for her to fudge her way through the details.] But it's a privilege to be able to help even the few who come to me looking for guidance.

[There. She sounded just like the original, down to that sugar-spun sentimental nature.]

...would you mind if I sat for a minute? Of course, if you're expecting company, I could always find another table....

[prosecutory]

[Edgeworth stops in his tracks, and when he does, so does Pess, The dog perks up, alert; he hasn't met Mabel yet, and it's always good to meet new people. Pess approaches "Mabel" without a shred of suspicion, sniffing her shoes.]

Hello, Mabel.

[He scrutinizes her from head to foot. The weather? Edgeworth is certain she wouldn't bring up something so mundane as the weather. If anything, she would've noticed that he had a dog, first and foremost. Maybe. But he decides to play along for now as he gathers information about "Mabel".]

Indeed, it's cloudy...with a chance of meeting robots on the streets.

[prosecutory]

[Pess gives a whine at the scent he picks up, but otherwise lets Chibi scratch him behind the ears, panting with satisfaction.]

As well as one can be, yes. I shouldn't be surprised that something like this happened.

[Edgeworth doesn't sit; he remains standing with his arms folded across his chest. His sword and his gun are still at his belt.]

[prosecutory]

[How much does she know about the real Iris? Now that Edgeworth thinks about it, this is the first time he ever saw Iris wear this dress and carry that parasol.

Edgeworth takes a sip of his tea, his eyes not leaving her. At least if she's at his table, he can keep an eye on any tricks she'll pull - not knowing that the trick had already been pulled behind the scenes.]

No, no, by all means. [He gestures to the empty chair in front of him.]

[meowbel]

[For a split second, Sophia Elizabeth was worried when Pess started sniffing her. Was he able to tell the difference? Of course, just before she was about to pet the dog, she suddenly froze in her tracks.

...Edgeworth didn't already know, did he? Was her cover so easily broken?]

Yeah, that's why you got to be really careful! You don't know when those scary robots going to be roaming the streets!

And all the more reason for me to rescue everyone right? [She just had to play it cool. There was no way he was able to find out about her! Just totally be normal and be 'Mabel'!]

[manolia]

[With a laugh, folding the notebook back and putting it on the bench:] I am surprised by nothing at this point... Arthur told me that you didn't activate yours, so I will assume you are the original.

[He doesn't say 'real one'; reality is not coherent enough here to be precise. Is not the robot, too, real in its own way? The thought sends a thought of its windpipe real artificial real cracking under his hand, and he does not dwell on it.]

[(And maybe the gun at Edgeworth's hip is freaking him out a little, but if he has to, he'll show that - unlike the robot - he can bleed red. Still, he'd prefer not to cut himself open to prove his identity...)]

Truthfully, I was expecting more information out of the damned things than I got... Not that I am finished dismantling them yet, but you know.

[shroudedinsecrecy]

[She slid in without a second thought, maintaining her proper posture as she crossed her ankles in a very lady-like fashion. Her only pause was so that she could close the parasol and place it beside her chair.]

Thank you so much. I do appreciate it.

I've done so much walking today. You'd think I was still running errands for Sister Bikini.

[prosecutory]

[Lucky for Mabel, the dog can't tell the difference by this point. She's convincingly human for his senses and now he'll just lick her hand and sit in front of her, expecting her to pet him.

As for Edgeworth? He's also playing it cool, his tone calm.]

If you can distinguish "everyone" from their robot counterparts.

[prosecutory]

Oh? [He sips his tea again, watching her over his cup for anything suspicious.] What brings you here, apart from the silence at the gym?

[prosecutory]

You assume correctly.

[He nods. At least his hands aren't on his weapons - not that he would be totally defenseless without them.

Meanwhile, Pess raises his head onto the bench and starts sniffing at the notebook.]

What did you find out so far?

[Hmm, perhaps this IS the real Chibi...]

[manolia]

Frustration - that is what I found. [He sighs and presses the fingers of his left hand, poking out of the splint as they are, to his forehead for a moment. How to put this...]

I wanted to find out how their learning algorithm was structured, but it seems it is written in not one, but two languages I do not understand. That is fine, I suppose, it is not as though I expected much, but... It seems their mechanical internals are just as impossible.

[shroudedinsecrecy]

[She glanced at the teacup for only a moment. Though that could have easily been attributed to either an admiration of the simple, yet delicate design of the cup itself, or else compilation over indulging in the drink for herself.]

If you mean here and now...then Fate, I suppose. If you wanted to look at it that way.

[And she ended her sentence with a small giggle, as if it were meant to be a light joke.]

I was on my way over to one of the shrines, actually. It's so peaceful over there. Not so many as you might think are willing to visit.

[meowbel]

[Sophia Elizabeth was getting worried. Luckily the dog wasn't able to tell the difference but just how in the world could Edgeworth just tell?

Just stay calm, she can handle this!]

Then how do you know? You have some weird psychic abilities do you? That's just amazing if you do!

6/30

[nostatus]

[ Shinpachi might not have a robot following him around - he was way too paranoid to ever activate his own - but that doesn't mean he trusts this whoel situation even one bit from what he's seen. So honestly.. he isn't that surprised when he spots Edgeworth talking about with the saber even while doing something as simple and mundane as walking his dog. (Or, well, simple and mundane by modern times, but Shinpachi is slowly but surely getting a little more used to those after all this time.) ]

Prepared, huh? [ It's how he greets the other.. his lack of surprise can probably be explained by the fact he looks just as prepared, his usual set of swords hanging in their sheaths by his side. ]

[prosecutory]

[Pess stops when his owner stops, alert and panting as he looks up at this new arrival. The dog is very interested in meeting Shinpachi and doesn't react strangely.

But Edgeworth has noticed that Pess gradually lost the ability to tell robots apart from their real counterparts too, so he doesn't let his guard down just yet.]

Hmph. Always. [He eyes the swords.] One can say the same for you.

[prosecutory]

Perhaps because they're a reminder of strange things that have happened in the past.

[Edgeworth puts his cup down, suddenly feeling...weaker? That's odd, this tea was supposed to be relaxing but not THAT relaxing. His shoulders slump a little, but he promptly sits up straighter.]

[prosecutory]

[A grin begins to spread across his face until it becomes...well, a smirk. He taps his temple with a finger.]

Of course not. But I do have a way of knowing.

[Logic, of course. Edgeworth knew the real Mabel well enough since he had first met her during her first stay. But at the same time, these robots were insanely good at mimicking their counterparts.

Or maybe he should just play his trump card - a small shock of Soul Menace. If this was the real Mabel, it will hurt a little, but the robot should hardly feel anything, if at all.]

[prosecutory]

Two languages native to this world, perhaps?

[Edgeworth strokes his chin in thought.]

You might want to hold on to the robot you dismantled. We may find out information relevant to it in the future.

[meowbel]

[Somehow, she didn't like that smirk. If it were possible, she was feeling sweat running down her entire body but she had to keep going.]

Knowing? Well, what do you mean by that oh Mr. Psychic Man?

[Should he listen carefully, there was a hint of worry in her voice. Although, she wasn't sure if he would pick up it. Instead, she just continued to play with the dog and hoped nothing would happen.

And yet, little did she know, Miles had already found out. She didn't feel a thing and just looked up at him with a smile]