Chapter Text
"...So, Taylor. Tell me about your siblings."
"Huh?"
Taylor stared incredulously at Albert. He had always asked them a myriad of strange questions over their therapy sessions, but this question was one Taylor didn't anticipate. They wondered why the doctor hadn't asked sooner, too.
"You don't remember? During our first session, you told me you had two siblings. I'd like to know more about them." Albert said with a calm smile.
Taylor shifted uncomfortably in their seat, crossing their arms and legs.
"Why are you suddenly interested in my family?" They asked, raising an eyebrow.
Albert laughed in response. "No need to be so tense, my child. I am merely curious since you never mention them at all in our sessions since then. Not even a passing comment...do you not have a good relationship with them?"
"What? No, that's not—" They sighed, relaxing their arms over the small coffee table. Taylor figured that if they didn't tell him now, he'll probably keep asking them about it. Whatever, it's not like this is the worst thing they've talked to Albert about.
"I get along fine with my siblings. There's just nothing interesting about them to talk about. My little brother, Dexter, he's just a menace at home. And my sister..."
Taylor paused, looking away from Albert for a moment. They were half expecting him to make some comment about their hesitance, but instead, he simply drank from his teacup in silent anticipation. Taylor took in a deep breath before continuing.
"My sister left G2 a few months after she turned 18. No explanation, no goodbye letter, not even an indication of which district she went to. It wasn't until I started snooping around her old stuff that I found out she left to work for this 'Myers Corporation' in G4. Never told my parents about it. None of us has even heard from her since then."
Hearing this, Albert's expression changed from one of sympathy to mild intrigue. "Did you say...Myers Corporation?"
"Yea. Why?"
Now it was Albert's turn to look away. "I...knew someone that left for Myers, too."
"Lemme guess. Your arch-enemy?"
"Precisely."
"Then that makes both of us. People who have lost someone important to that damn company." Taylor stated, picking up their caramel macchiato, a stark contrast from the doctor's chamomile tea.
Albert chuckled. "I also just so happen to know the CEO of that damn company."
Taylor nearly spurted out their drink in surprise.
"You WHAT!?"
He shrugged. "I'm not actually sure if he's the CEO, he just seemed to be the one in charge of everything so I assumed as such."
Taylor couldn't control their racing thoughts. If what Albert was saying was true, then all they needed to do was get him to call the guy, get their sister on the line, and they could finally talk to her again.
"Albert. Is it possible to get a hold of him?"
"On the phone, you mean?" Taylor nodded vigorously, and Albert began to contemplate this matter.
"...Unfortunately, I can't do that. We've only ever met in person when he visited Krueger Health Solutions, and he didn't give me a phone number to contact him with when he left. Not that I wanted to, anyway."
The doctor took another sip of his tea. "Besides, Myers Corporation went bankrupt nearly five years ago. I am not too sure of the exact details, but even if we could visit their headquarters, I doubt we'll find anybody there."
And just like that, Taylor's hopes were destroyed. Added to the fact that the company also went bankrupt, those hopes may as well have been crushed into oblivion. The only lead Taylor had in finding her...was now useless. Their sister was a ghost once more.
Albert reached a consoling hand out to Taylor's shoulder. "I am...truly sorry, Taylor. I'm sure wherever she is right now, your sister is living a good life."
"...Thanks."
The two sat in silence for a few moments, the doctor rubbing Taylor's shoulder to comfort them. It was during these moments that Albert gained an idea. A terrible one, for sure, but it was an idea nonetheless. One that could help Taylor...and himself.
"You know, Taylor." He said, looking at them with determination in his eyes. "We wouldn't know for sure if we don't check the place ourselves."
Taylor was confused yet again. "What do you mean?"
Albert's calm smile returned to his face once more. "What I mean is, we wouldn't know if anybody hadn't been to Myers in the last five years unless we pay a visit there ourselves."
Tyler's eyes widened. The implications of what Albert just said...
"Are you saying we should...go to G4? To that, that Myers Corporation?"
"Would you agree to the idea?" Albert tilted his head, his grin growing wider.
"I..."
Taylor gulped. The idea was tempting, but knowing Albert, he probably has his intentions of going to G4 under the guise of helping them find their sister.
"Tell me the real reason you want to go, Albert."
The doctor shook his head in defeat. "Clever, clever Taylor. I admit I want to visit that District to see my arch-enemy again, but that doesn't mean you have to look for her alone. After all, the bond between a patient and their therapist is special, and one that requires full trust and consideration. It would be a sin for me to not assist you in your search."
Taylor's expression was unmoved, but Albert's softened ever so slightly. "I mean that with all my heart."
Fuck it. Taylor thought. Why the hell not? If I don't find her, I'll at least know that I tried.
"Alrighty, then. When are we going?"
***
Albert hadn't been to G2 District's train station in years. And yet, it looked the same as ever, with its marble pillars and smooth textile floor.
Back then, he was leaving to pursue an education. Now, he was leaving to pursue a lost love a dear friend's relative.
A set of rapid footfalls and heavy breathing announced Taylor's presence to Albert. He turned to them, amusement in his eyes.
"I was beginning to wonder when you'd show up. What lie did you tell your parents to get here?'
Taylor could barely answer in between their heavy panting and wheezing. Their backpack was falling dangerously close to the floor as well, and Albert took it upon himself to hold it for them until they could catch their breath.
"I—I told them I had to go for a school trip—" A cough. "They didn't care, but my GOD Dexter was clingy. He kept on hanging onto my foot—I told you he was a menace—"
Albert chuckled. "That's enough, Taylor. Here." He removed Taylor's water bottle from their backpack and handed it to them. They snatched it out of his hand, chugging on the water as if it was some kind of life support.
"Thank you." They breathed out once the bottle was empty.
"Of course." Albert responded, handing the backpack back to Taylor.
A few minutes later, the train appeared before them. Taylor uttered an exasperated "Here goes nothing" as they prepared to board the train, but a hand stopped them. They looked back at him quizzically.
"Before we board, I'd like to know the name of your sister. And yes, in return I will tell you the name of my arch-enemy." Just like Taylor had caught on to Albert's mannerisms, he, too, had caught on to theirs.
"...I always called her Vanora." Taylor answered after a few seconds of silence.
Albert hummed in response. "Well, his name is Vincent. Vincent Edgeworth."
"That's awfully similar."
"Indeed it is, Taylor. Indeed it is."
With that, they boarded the train.