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[Phoenix is a bit dressed down today, but he turns and spares her a smile when he hears the familiar voice. Getting to see Mia again does always make him feel glad, despite the circumstances.]
Mia! ...Yes, sure, of course I do.
Mia! ...Yes, sure, of course I do.
It really is good to see you, even if the circumstances are... whatever these circumstances are.
Thank you, Mia. [That gets a realer smile out of him.] Trust me, I fully return those sentiments. It is... nice to be able to work with you again.
[It's been so long since he talked to her, even in a spirit-channeled manner.]
[It's been so long since he talked to her, even in a spirit-channeled manner.]
Do I actually allow my employees to dress like that?
[He shuffles his feet in mild embarrassment.]
Um... N-no, you don't. This is more of a... personal fashion. I'm not exactly officially working right now, after all.
Um... N-no, you don't. This is more of a... personal fashion. I'm not exactly officially working right now, after all.
Great. [He scratches at his hair. Mia's presence brings out the normal Phoenix within his hoboness.]
Um... Is that all you had to say?
Um... Is that all you had to say?
Hardly.
No matter how you slice it, we're in a tough spot. I'd like to hear what you think of the setup?
No matter how you slice it, we're in a tough spot. I'd like to hear what you think of the setup?
To be honest, Mia, it feels a lot like a nightmare. I want to thing of something... some way to turn this all around... but for once, I can't think of anything useful.
[ sigh! ]
I just can't accept that there isn't a way out of this. There are too many innocent people in here to give up.
I just can't accept that there isn't a way out of this. There are too many innocent people in here to give up.
I don't want to accept that either, Mia. Believe me. [Even though she seems to be as lost as he is, he does feel kind of sad and lowly to face his young mentor with no plan up his sleeve.]
We already lost at least one innocent... [The metaphorical jury is still out on whatever the hell Simon Keyes's deal was.] I want to do everything in my power to make sure we don't lose anymore.
We already lost at least one innocent... [The metaphorical jury is still out on whatever the hell Simon Keyes's deal was.] I want to do everything in my power to make sure we don't lose anymore.
Well, we know someone here who isn't innocent.
Yeah... There's a few, actually. [Somehow, they dug up a whole bunch of them from my career specifically.]
Yeah... You're thinking of Dahlia, right? She's kind of not the only convicted killer we have around...
She's just the one I know best.
... There's something else I need to ask you, and I apologize for how unpleasant answering might be.
... There's something else I need to ask you, and I apologize for how unpleasant answering might be.
[He's bracing himself.]
Go ahead, Mia... Ask away.
Go ahead, Mia... Ask away.
I'd like to know the circumstances of my murder.
[His hobo cool is immediately broken. Now it's just like he's normal, sheepish Phoenix in weird clothes.]
Whaaaaaaat? How do you know... [Well, pretty much anyone here could have told her.] No, I mean why... Are you sure you'd want to know this?
Whaaaaaaat? How do you know... [Well, pretty much anyone here could have told her.] No, I mean why... Are you sure you'd want to know this?
So far, it has seemed like everyone here has been involved in at least one murder case. Our "host" seems fixated on it as well. The information may be relevant, and I'm sure you can understand why I won't be asking Maya.
[Mia... as dedicated as ever.
He nods, and he removes his hat as he starts to speak.]
...Alright, Mia. I'll tell you.
Do you already know who Redd White is?
He nods, and he removes his hat as he starts to speak.]
...Alright, Mia. I'll tell you.
Do you already know who Redd White is?
[ her mouth draws into a thin line, normally reserved for Hawthorne ]
I do.
I do.
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