A study on prosecutors --
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Achtung, baby! It's time to talk about Klavier Gavin.
So, I've all ready delved into Klavier a few times, but hopefully I can lay out all my cards efficiently right here. I think the way he's presented to us is really interesting because it is, initially, so hard to get a bead on this man. Is he just here to laugh at us? Is he really here for the truth and nothing more? What is up with him??
The answer is pretty simple: he's doing the best he can under the weight of everything that's been laid over him.
We're introduced to Klavier in a quick but really impactful manner; he looks almost exactly like Kristoph, our former boss whom we just put away for murder. He says his iconic, "I'm used to being stared at by the ladies, but this is the first time I've felt this way with a man" (unhinged of him, really) and then helps us onto the crime scene before disappearing without so much as an explanation. "Ask the wind; I'll be riding on it!" indeed, sir.
And here's where I admit something rather embarrassing; I totally glossed over this as a kid. It never occurred to me that this was such a wild thing to say to someone before dipping. Maybe I was as distracted as Apollo by the fact that this man looked too much like Kristoph? Maybe I was just immediately distracted by Ema and the crime scene? I can't remember! All I know is that this line being iconic is only something I figured out later because it never really registered to me.
But anyway, the impression we're left with is that he's definitely some flavour of involved. We just don't know how until the start of the trial.
Klavier starts the trial off with a bang. Music, showboating, this man's got it all! It almost seems like he's putting on a show rather than doing his actual job up until he calls his first witness. Apollo being fed up immediately with him is then replaced by the realisation that oh, he actually can do his job. And well, too. More questions about him surface; why hasn't he been in a trial for seven years? Why are his remarks towards us laced in such bitterness after that greeting we got from him? Why hasn't he even brought up his brother once??
It's intrigue which draws you in. It's intrigue and the desire to find out what the heck his deal is.
Perhaps it's because he gets to watch us and Apollo fumble our way through our first two objections that his tone shifts. Or maybe it's because Trucy decides to hold herself for ransom to buy some time; either way, Klavier starts to suddenly have way more fun in the second half of the day's trial. It's a shift in the atmosphere you can feel, even as we all devolve into absurdity.
(He also just lets Trucy get away with that. In a single move, in a single day, he proves himself so different than any other prosecutor we've ever faced before. We're still wary of him, prosecutors are meant to be our opposition, but he's handily disproved any of our initial misgivings about him. He's far more accommodating than he should rightly be. And yet that bitterness he held stays at the forefront of our minds; there's something not quite right here.)
Of course, as the investigation picks back up, we learn what it is we were missing this whole time: Klavier was the prosecutor what got Phoenix disbarred. The one who was working that case and proved Phoenix used forged evidence, even. It puts some of his actions into perspective. It certainly explains that bitterness, considering he still never even mentions his brother. But it places us into an even more confusing position. Are we supposed to like this guy? Is he pulling the wool over our eyes and playing a long con? What is it this guy wants??
Running into him again and him throwing yet another flirt our way doesn't help answer anything. He's far too willing to be nice to us when we're meant to be at odds. He's nice, even; not just civil, but nice.
The second trial day helps cement his character: what Klavier wants, first and foremost, is to uncover the truth.
(It makes sense, of course, once we learn the context. After that disaster of a first trial, in which he was too young and reckless and still didn't really win, of course the truth would become a priority for him. He couldn't get close to it the first time around. He's gotta make up for those past seven years of running.)
He pushes you towards this truth, even willing to lead you to it by the hand. It makes you wonder if you should be trusting him at all. He's the prosecutor, he's your opponent. You're meant to fight him, not work together so immediately. There has to be something more here; he's a prosecutor, he got Phoenix disbarred, his brother was a murderer.
But, no. Klavier proves himself an ally before the second case is even done.
Klavier proves himself terribly strange as he then provides us tickets to his concert and makes us pay for them.
Case 3 is usually where we get a deeper look into the prosecution's character and here is no exception. Klavier's general air of ease and showboating reveals itself to be a carefully constructed act, one not entirely false but one not entirely truthful, either. His meltdown at his concert going awry speaks of the perfectionism he's endured, of his own sense of pride. He's stressed out and his pretty little mask slips a bit, but it only helps you and Apollo rest easier because this man isn't as perfect as he tries to present himself as. It's the type of slip that makes you realise he's more human than rock star god or whatever.
He is also ridiculously loyal, a trait that gets tested continuously from here on out.
Of course he doesn't want to believe anyone in his band could have done the murder. But his refusal to acknowledge what Apollo witnessed from a dying man still stings. It's still baffling how he can argue with a straight face that Machi managed to perform this crime, although that's less an issue with him and more an issue in this case. His near belligerence in believing Apollo is understandable, as is Apollo's own eagerness to solve this case going wrong as he accidentally throws more suspicion onto his client. This time, it's not a hand to hold Klavier offers us, it's a curt smile and the incorrect truth.
When Daryan is implicated, we get to see even more of that mask slip.
Speaking with Klavier in his office is such an interesting scene. So many things are happening here, from seeing him actively annoyed at the agents at the other end of his call to this small show of trust of sharing details of this case. It struck me even then that he called himself a "scourge prosecutor"; why would he consider himself like that? All he's done so far is get a man disbarred for using forged evidence and help us towards the truth in the previous case. What sorts of regrets has he been ruminating on to call himself that? He's done nothing but work on his band over the past seven years. (He's done nothing but run these past seven years.)
I'm not entirely sure when I started actually liking Klavier. Even now, I'm not really sure I even do like him. What I can say, though, is this conversation with him in his office definitely made me sympathise with him and find him annoying in equal measures. He boasts a big game of wanting the ladies to notice him, of treating each of his guitars like they're his lovers, yet he calls himself a scourge and is running desperately away from something. There's something so deeply complicated in him that I can't help but offer him my understanding.
The second day of the trial, things go pretty wrong pretty quick. Klavier knows that we can't convict Daryan of this crime without some decisive piece of evidence. He only offers his hand to us at the last minute, wanting to believe in his friend until the bitter end. It's right here that you realise why it is he hasn't brought up his brother once so far; he can't face what it is his brother's done yet. There's some sort of proof missing that he needs before he can face this terrible truth.
Perhaps he was right to call himself a scourge. Somehow, it doesn't make you trust him any less.
But we need answers. And the final case is willing to give them.
It seems, at first, completely unrelated to the bigger picture. Of course it would. Phoenix has been a goddamn enigma this whole game. But as the trial goes on, you and Klavier both start to suspect that this is related to something big. That there's a darkness lurking beneath this case and its name isn't easy to speak. When Vera takes the stand and stares at Klavier like she's somehow haunted by a ghost of him, the pieces should click into place right there. They don't, because this game is great at leading you to isane conclusions that you brush off because no that's crazy they wouldn't do that, but they really should.
It's right here, though, in which Klavier really cracks and lays all that pent up bitterness upon you; this girl and her father were the ones who forged evidence for Phoenix Wright.
Smash cut to that fateful trial seven years ago.
Young Klavier is such an interesting snapshot. He's arrogant and full of drive, but woefully lacking in experience. His head's on the right track, you can see some of the foundations for the prosecutor you've gotten to know over the past few trials, but he's so much more reckless. He's charging ahead without putting much thought behind his actions and getting absolutely schooled by Phoenix. (Side note, **this** is my favourite Phoenix ever. He's so confident and sure of himself!! He's capable and doing well on his own!! He's the natural evolution to his seasoned attorney after the original trilogy. He's still a pretty goofy and prone to panicking, but god, I wish they'd taken cues from this version of him instead of his original trilogy self. This is the Phoenix I always knew he would grow into being and we'll never get him outside of this one case. An absolute travesty.)
Unfortunately, his absolute loyalty is still there. And we'll soon find out it's his ultimate downfall.
There's something so sinister about the way Klavier traps us in a corner. The way he forces our hand into presenting that diary page. And then he near preens as he goes on to prove that it's been forged. He's so damn proud of himself for being able to catch this, for having that tip off in his back off. There's a reason why I always write him as having gleefully ruined Phoenix; it really does come off that way.
We the players know it's a mistake. It's not right. And Klavier, though loathe to admit it, knows deep down that there was something off about it, too.
Finally, finally, he has to confront his brother. He has to put that loyalty on the line and break himself to pieces watching his brother abuse that connection they share.
It really is a break, too. Apollo's line of pulling the darkness from Klavier, of helping Klavier out of that pain, of then shouting for Klavier not to give in to his brother's manipulations, I really felt all of it. Klavier is struggling against his loyalty, against what he wants to believe and what he knows has to be the truth. He doesn't get to lead us to the truth this time, but he does get to throw in his own words and confront his brother on what happened.
(Another sticking point for me; why did Kristoph want to absolutely destroy Klavier in his first ever trial? Klavier says he became a prosecutor because it was supposed to be the both of them, finding the truth and working together. It was supposed to be the both of them being brothers, doing good. But to have that forgery, Kristoph had to have asked for it well in advance. Kristoph had to have planned to crush his brother well before he was suddenly fired and replaced by Phoenix. It's so telling that Klavier was willing to do anything, to believe his brother until the end, when Kristoph wanted to crush him from the start. At least, as far as my interpretation of what this could mean goes.)
His speech at the end, of how Kristoph made the law about himself and absolutely lost his way, is great. Good catharsis moment for him that goes unaddressed and unexplored forevermore. I feel it's also undercut a bit by Apollo not having anything to say, but it's still really good. It may have taken a while to fully unpack what the heck he's about, but I can confidently say that Klavier is one hell of a character. His complications, his contradictions, the faces he puts on for us and then takes off; all of it gives him a very special place in my heart. I may want to punt him into the moon sometimes, but I do really love just how fascinating of a write he is.
Now if only he would stop jerking me around and be a more courteous muse...
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GILBERT IS SO.
HE'S LITERALLY SUCH MANWIFE MATERIAL
MY LOVE FOR GILBERT IS SO UNENDING. HE'S THE SWEETEST BEING TO EVER EXIST. HE MADE ME 100000X MORE GAY THAN I EVER THOUGHT POSSIBLE.
You know what time it is :
hes so. he's. he's a little goofy but also so charming. He has a cane sword. He is a sentient meadow. He reads philosophy books. He lives in the attic with all the other gays in the village. If he didn't see The Corinthian I genuinely don't know if he would have figured out what the Deal (tm) was with the cereal convention. He wears a pince-nez. He would fight muggers in an alley for a complete stranger. he is the perfect man.
HE!! IS!! SO!! TALL! Kyo Ra is 5'6, Stephen Fry is 6'5!!
I,,, am 5'5. my brain has collapsed in on itself. Hello Mr. Gilbert you are so husband. What do I have to do to give you a kisskiss.
(also. this has nothing to do with nothing but they're so sweet. sometimes best friends are an orphaned Dream Vortex and a sentient Meadow. Friendship goals.)
if you don't think he's handsome. Idk get well soon I guess MSNDMSND
BUT AAA <3333 he's so enthusiastic about the smallest things. Look at him. Look at that smile!!! I love the constant twinkle in his eyes. There's so much delight packed inside this single man.
He gives the vibes of smb you'd meet randomly at the worst point of your life in a cafe or park, vent to, and receive the most philosophical, vague advice in return. It somehow solves all your problems, and you never see him again MNSDMSNDMN
Sadness
Regret
Misery
No other thoughts here this is just a very amusing screenshot.
HIS POSTURE!! HE LEANS A LITTLE!!!! I don't know why I find this so sweet but. like. He knows how tall he is and leans in a little so he doesn't look as tall. So he's more on other peoples level. Gilbert you are perfect.
Also, ring? ring? He's wearing a ring on his wedding finger? I know it's alluded to that the form he's taken is just a copy of smb else who existed at some point, so it could be from that.
BUT ALSO,, the prospect that Gilbert at one point married someone during his time on earth? Presumably smb who has died since there's no mention of it? idk fanfic writers go wild
(or,, that was just a Whoopsie from Stephen Fry forgetting to take his wedding band off before filming MSNDMSN which,, is the most likely. but shoosh let me dream.)
AND LOOK HOW PRETTY HE IS!!!! The way they adapted his transformation is so gorgeous. I've rewatched the gifs a billion times, and they still make me all soft and gooey inside.
I want to. have a nap here. just a nice little honk shoo honk shoo honk shoo in his embrace. A little stroll. Talk to him even tho he can't respond and ramble about the books I'm reading.
TLDR. Gilbert. A single hug from him would cure all my illnesses.
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