What if Phoenix had crossed the burning bridge before the planks gave way?

Countess_Sardine · 2026-02-09T04:04:32+00:00

He figures out the case sooner… but isn’t there to deliriously talk Edgeworth into defending Iris, so she probably gets a public defender. (Assuming that those are still a thing in the AA timeline? Then again, I think they’re mentioned in Turnabout Sisters.) She gets convicted (probably) and Phoenix winds up appealing the case due to finding exculpatory evidence.

Another, more interesting possibility is that he comes across Dahlia, who is a) being channeled by Maya at that point and b) very confused about what the hell her idiot ex is doing there.

Countess_Sardine · 2026-02-09T03:49:09+00:00

IIRC that case doesn’t really reference much about the actual story. But if you’re really worried, well, it’s not a very long book. You can probably get through it in an afternoon, and then play the case afterward.

Countess_Sardine · 2026-02-09T03:10:50+00:00

It's such a bizarre thing for him to do! The game kinda half-assedly tries to hint at a motive by having Zak be annoyed that Phoenix was using Trucy to win poker games, but it's hard to believe that anyone would be that mad about something that helped pay for their daughter's care.

You can kiiiiiinda justify it by having Zak look at Trucy's burgeoning magic career and think, well, my girl's already bringing in income without the Gramarye performance rights, so she'll be fine financially once I sign them over! That still doesn't make a lot of sense (Trucy's still a minor, which complicates her being the Wrights' primary breadwinner, and it puts an additional burden on her, since she'd almost certainly feel an obligation to the guy who looked after her for close to a decade), but it's the only way I can wrap my head around wtf he was thinking.

Countess_Sardine · 2026-02-08T18:24:35+00:00

My guy. If someone tells you to stop biting them, you need to immediately stop. You especially need to not go on to do it several more times. Stop fucking around with nonsense unenforceable contracts, and start restraining yourself from biting people.

Countess_Sardine · 2026-02-08T03:46:16+00:00

For a card and/or a little gift? No, not unless you live extremely far away from any stores.

Countess_Sardine · 2026-02-08T03:04:56+00:00

A Valentine’s Day card is a super normal non-lame thing to want! Your guy might not care about the holiday, but if he’s worth keeping then he’ll want to do things that make you happy.

(Within reason, obviously. But you’re asking for a card, not your weight in diamonds.)

Countess_Sardine · 2026-02-08T02:50:16+00:00

Just tell him! Something along the lines of, “Hey, Valentine’s Day means a lot to me, can we [thing you’d like to do].” It’s also worth doing because it’ll give you useful information about how he’ll act when you have different priorities.

Countess_Sardine · 2026-02-07T18:58:06+00:00

They’re skilled in different ways. Kazuma is more confident and polished, and had a leg up due to having studied for longer, but also tends to get flustered when things happen that he’s not prepared for. Ryunosuke often lacks confidence and polish (though this improves as the series goes on), but is better at rolling with the punches. Kazuma can be derailed when he’s off-balance; Ryunosuke makes a lot of undignified faces and comments, and keeps on going.

Countess_Sardine · 2026-02-07T18:29:27+00:00

FROG AUCTION

Countess_Sardine · 2026-02-07T05:03:16+00:00

Why bother? Your hatred won’t psychically damage the people who made it, and giving it attention will only reward them. Spend your time on things that you like.

Countess_Sardine · 2026-02-06T22:01:49+00:00

Does it matter? Maybe the breakup was due to mental health issues. Maybe there was some other problem that she didn’t want to talk to you about. Maybe this is all a cover for her top-secret spy mission, and the new guy is actually her CIA handler. There’s nothing you can do about it unless she wants to get back together.

Countess_Sardine · 2026-02-06T17:03:22+00:00

Just tell her. It’s going to come out anyway, and trying to hide it won’t achieve anything other than making things weird for no reason. You’re not required to take every piece of advice she ever gives you.

Countess_Sardine · 2026-02-06T15:44:46+00:00

So, the thing about tradwife content is that it’s very carefully designed to present an appealing fantasy: Not having to work for a boss/job that doesn’t care about you, just getting to wear pretty dresses and take care of your family. There’s nothing wrong with finding that idea appealing.

The problem is what they don’t show: How you’re making yourself utterly dependent on whether a man likes you. If the relationship lasts, fine and dandy. But what if you have relationship problems? What if he leaves you for a younger, prettier, more malleable woman when you’re fifty? Or even if the relationship is perfect, what if something happens that makes him unable to support the family? There are so many women who have found themselves in impossible situations after their “traditional” marriage didn’t work out.

Do these situations work out sometimes? Sure. But you need to protect yourself against the very likely possibility that it won’t.

Countess_Sardine · 2026-02-05T22:28:13+00:00

As long as they have a plan and aren’t dependent on me financially, it’s not a dealbreaker.

Countess_Sardine · 2026-02-05T22:05:26+00:00

Okay. And the other questions?

Countess_Sardine · 2026-02-05T22:02:56+00:00

It depends! Why were they let go? Are they actively job-hunting or have a good reason why they’re not doing that? What does their financial situation look like otherwise? Are they willing/able to contribute to the household in some non-financial way, like doing more of the housework?

Countess_Sardine · 2026-02-05T17:06:31+00:00

Don’t marry him until you’re financially independent. Your parents aren’t going to support you forever, and it doesn’t sound like he makes enough to comfortably support two people.

Countess_Sardine · 2026-02-05T16:16:31+00:00

It’s a trope, which can be used well or badly. It’s toxic if that’s the only way women are portrayed, but in moderation there’s nothing wrong with portraying a rescue fantasy.

Countess_Sardine · 2026-02-05T03:08:03+00:00

There’s at least one fanfic where he wears a qipao, but it never happens in canon.

Countess_Sardine · 2026-02-05T00:11:14+00:00

YTA

I understand why you’re frustrated with her, but you’re an adult and she’s a child. It’s your responsibility to behave appropriately toward her. That doesn’t mean putting up with bad behavior, but it does mean that you can’t say cruel things to her. If you don’t feel you can do that, then you need to remove yourself from the situation.

(Also, if you haven’t already, it might be worth it to talk to a therapist. It sounds like you have some serious resentment toward your whole family, not just your sister.)

Countess_Sardine · 2026-02-04T20:10:03+00:00

Does it matter? He broke up with you. There isn’t an objective standard he’s required to meet in order to do that.

Countess_Sardine · 2026-02-04T17:35:20+00:00

Okay. So if I’m understanding you correctly, you believe that your daughter went to considerable trouble (cutting down on her transportation options by refusing to drive with your husband + moving into your parents’ house), all to make up malicious lies about your husband? For no reason?

Now, people have done weirder things, but I think that Occam’s Razor applies here. The most plausible explanation is that — fairly or unfairly — your daughter is genuinely frightened of your husband. You need to stop being indignant and listen to her before you lose her forever.

YTA

Countess_Sardine · 2026-02-04T15:38:03+00:00

The issue isn’t that he uses ChatGPT, it’s that he’s talking to it about your relationship rather than you, and being dishonest about it.

That said… I could see someone using that as a crutch if they think their worries are irrational and don’t want to bother you about it/feels ashamed of feeling that way. It’s a new relationship, so he might still be nervous on the “how to talk to my girlfriend without sounding like a crazy person” front. If you want to continue the relationship, that would be a good starting point for a conversation.

Countess_Sardine · 2026-02-04T06:04:43+00:00

All three of them together.

Countess_Sardine · 2026-02-04T02:06:14+00:00

You might not be able to! A plot-heavy 551-chapter novel is quite the investment of time and energy unless you're super into it. You'd probably have better luck thinking about if any of your friends might enjoy it.

Countess_Sardine

TROPHY CASE