[ Phoenix watches Edgeworth get up with a small frown, keeping an eye on his movements, to reassure himself that he's physically fine. though he already said he was, Phoenix's not willing to take that at face value, considering how much he'd stalled just giving up the information in the first place. ]
Where did it happen? You said he just showed up right?
[The ritual of making tea is always soothing; there's a familiarity to the movements that brings him a measure of calm. Calm which is, frankly, much needed. Because no matter his confident air, the carelessness with which he is endeavoring to speak of the incident, even the memory of it shakes him. He thought, in that moment, that he was going to die. All he wanted - all he could do was leave evidence of who killed him, and -
But he can't indulge that fear. He has to keep it together. He's not going to have Wright getting more upset. And so, with his voice perfectly controlled - nearly emotionless - ]
The site has, of course, been searched thoroughly; any physical evidence left behind was recovered. That was why I was allowed to return to work in here.
[ Edgeworth's attempts to sound controlled comes off as the wrong way to Phoenix, who doesn't look any more mollified by the fact that any evidence was recovered. because that wasn't even close to what he was concerned about. if that's the way he wants to play it though...
he waits for Edgeworth to sit back down, with the tea. ]
[ Phoenix's grip on his teacup tightens with every word. if it were anyone else, his expression would be composed but with present company, he doesn't feel the need to hide the displeasure on his face. ]
Nothing is unlimited. [ his voice is even but tight and fierce, and as always, Phoenix is the last to heed his own advice about staying out of the line of fire. ] We're going to catch him, I swear, he's not going to get away with this... with attacking you. He'll face justice for what he's done, sadism and malice and powers be damned.
[ with that said, Phoenix leans forward, eyes searching his friend's face. ] But right now, are you okay? And don't give me that stuff about what the doctor said, that's not what I mean.
[Quick and clipped. As though Edgeworth would give any other response.
But what Phoenix gets that no one else would is a moment of troubled silence, and then a quiet confession.]
He made it clear that he'll strike again. Elsewhere, where people cannot defend themselves. I tried to...taunt him into staying here, and he said he would if I could offer him something of value. But he was not satisfied with anything I offered.
[Another moment; he doesn't look up.]
If people die, I suppose their blood will be on my hands, won't it.
[ he's clearly not fine, and it's a good thing Phoenix has learned to take anything Edgeworth says about his own personal health at more than face value. ]
How important do you think yourself? [ it comes out a little rough, because there is no way in hell Phoenix is letting him think that every single person Lucifer killed was on his hands alone. he's got a ton of words for him, but before that: ]
[Edgeworth slowly looks up. Guilt and discomfort are heavy in his expression. But he waits for Phoenix's assessment: after all, this is why he brought it up, so his friend would absolve him of some of the guilt. Because that is, of course, what Phoenix will do; that is what he can always be counted on to do.]
[ That's an expression he doesn't like to see, especially on Edgeworth, and he will gladly do what he's always done. Convince him of the truth. ]
What makes you so sure you had anything that could've convinced him to stop? And even if he'd accepted whatever you offered, you can't seriously believe he would've kept up his end of the bargain. Maybe for a day, maybe for two, but forever?
[ Firmly: ] You're not responsible for him any more than I am, and to claim you are is pure ego. It's a disservice to yourself, and it's a disservice to his victims.
[Edgeworth of course, no matter his resolve, can't hold Phoenix's gaze for long. He's courageous in many ways, and stands up to any danger, but he's always fled from displays of emotion; it's a measure of how far he's come that he's not actually avoiding the topic, but being able to face it head-on is beyond him.]
Yes. Well. I suspect if I'd offered my life, that would have been sufficient. And while that would have been out of the question, one cannot help but feel...an irrational sort of - remorse, when one does not offer such a thing.
[Edgeworth doesn't look up, but he does offer a slight nod - a single, grim lowering of the head, an even slighter rise. And then, still not looking up, he offers a humorless little smile.]
I didn't offer my life to him. [A beat.] I wouldn't have. It is short-sighted and ill-advised to give into the wishes of criminals.
I simply...
[Feel guilty. He can't quite finish that statement - even now, he feels it's impossibly foolish and petty and stupid for him to complain about something as inconsequential as his feelings - but he's at least able to hint at it.]
[ And he does. Really. Edgeworth hit the nail on the head when he accused him of doing the same in his position, and while he refuses to admit it, he has a pretty good idea of how he's feeling.
Some of his anger deflates at that. ]
Guilt's a funny emotion, and it can play with your mind. Focus on what you can and should do, not what you didn't. Which you didn't do, for good reason.
[A nod. Edgeworth doesn't look up, even after all of that, even after those encouraging words - but he does manage to force out awkward, self-conscious gratitude.]
Right. I...Thank you, Wright. Rather what I needed to hear.
[ He should really look up, because the last of Phoenix's unhappiness with him fades (when has he ever been able to hold a grudge anyway) and now there's a small but encouraging smile on Phoenix's face. ]
If you forget, I'll be here to remind you. ...But try to remember.
[ And Phoenix will finally pick up his tea and take a sip. ]
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zvi
no subject
Date: 2014-03-24 03:23 am (UTC)[ Phoenix watches Edgeworth get up with a small frown, keeping an eye on his movements, to reassure himself that he's physically fine. though he already said he was, Phoenix's not willing to take that at face value, considering how much he'd stalled just giving up the information in the first place. ]
Where did it happen? You said he just showed up right?
no subject
Date: 2014-03-24 01:07 pm (UTC)[The ritual of making tea is always soothing; there's a familiarity to the movements that brings him a measure of calm. Calm which is, frankly, much needed. Because no matter his confident air, the carelessness with which he is endeavoring to speak of the incident, even the memory of it shakes him. He thought, in that moment, that he was going to die. All he wanted - all he could do was leave evidence of who killed him, and -
But he can't indulge that fear. He has to keep it together. He's not going to have Wright getting more upset. And so, with his voice perfectly controlled - nearly emotionless - ]
The site has, of course, been searched thoroughly; any physical evidence left behind was recovered. That was why I was allowed to return to work in here.
no subject
Date: 2014-03-25 10:30 pm (UTC)he waits for Edgeworth to sit back down, with the tea. ]
Were there any leads on his identity?
no subject
Date: 2014-03-25 11:12 pm (UTC)[He hands Phoenix a cup of tea and sits down with his own. Then he hesitates a moment, because of the absurdity of this, but...]
The...prints I got from him matched those of the President. This was, of course, a function of his ability to alter the space around him.
no subject
Date: 2014-03-27 02:43 am (UTC)... The President.
[ he repeats it, just to make sure he heard correctly. ]
So far, he can teleport, somehow know where a person is, and now alter his fingerprints too? What does that even mean, alter the space around him?
no subject
Date: 2014-03-27 07:16 pm (UTC)[Edgeworth speaks staring down into his tea. His face is controlled, his voice quiet.]
All I know is that his ability to manipulate what's around him physically seems to be nearly...unlimited. So, too, does his sadism and his malice.
no subject
Date: 2014-03-28 11:31 pm (UTC)Nothing is unlimited. [ his voice is even but tight and fierce, and as always, Phoenix is the last to heed his own advice about staying out of the line of fire. ] We're going to catch him, I swear, he's not going to get away with this... with attacking you. He'll face justice for what he's done, sadism and malice and powers be damned.
[ with that said, Phoenix leans forward, eyes searching his friend's face. ] But right now, are you okay? And don't give me that stuff about what the doctor said, that's not what I mean.
no subject
Date: 2014-03-29 12:34 am (UTC)[Quick and clipped. As though Edgeworth would give any other response.
But what Phoenix gets that no one else would is a moment of troubled silence, and then a quiet confession.]
He made it clear that he'll strike again. Elsewhere, where people cannot defend themselves. I tried to...taunt him into staying here, and he said he would if I could offer him something of value. But he was not satisfied with anything I offered.
[Another moment; he doesn't look up.]
If people die, I suppose their blood will be on my hands, won't it.
no subject
Date: 2014-03-29 01:12 am (UTC)How important do you think yourself? [ it comes out a little rough, because there is no way in hell Phoenix is letting him think that every single person Lucifer killed was on his hands alone. he's got a ton of words for him, but before that: ]
Miles. Look at me.
no subject
Date: 2014-03-29 01:38 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2014-03-29 09:37 pm (UTC)What makes you so sure you had anything that could've convinced him to stop? And even if he'd accepted whatever you offered, you can't seriously believe he would've kept up his end of the bargain. Maybe for a day, maybe for two, but forever?
[ Firmly: ] You're not responsible for him any more than I am, and to claim you are is pure ego. It's a disservice to yourself, and it's a disservice to his victims.
no subject
Date: 2014-03-30 12:30 pm (UTC)Yes. Well. I suspect if I'd offered my life, that would have been sufficient. And while that would have been out of the question, one cannot help but feel...an irrational sort of - remorse, when one does not offer such a thing.
no subject
Date: 2014-03-30 11:49 pm (UTC)How is offering to sacrifice yourself ever an option? Irrational is right.
[ Phoenix frowns. ]
Don't let him get in your head. All of this, that's what he wants.
no subject
Date: 2014-03-31 12:31 am (UTC)You're furious with me.
no subject
Date: 2014-03-31 01:08 am (UTC)He is upset, though he manages to sound miraculously mild. ]
Did you expect me to say "you're right, you should have tried to give yourself up in an act of martyrdom"?
no subject
Date: 2014-03-31 01:15 am (UTC)[He shakes his head very slightly.]
I know you'd never say something like that. Never mind that you'd be thinking it if it were you in the same situation.
no subject
Date: 2014-03-31 06:41 am (UTC)Regardless, it's not, so I'm not.
If I ever get the idea in my head to do something like that, you can quote my words back at me, but until then, I'm allowed to be angry.
no subject
Date: 2014-03-31 12:59 pm (UTC)I simply...
[Feel guilty. He can't quite finish that statement - even now, he feels it's impossibly foolish and petty and stupid for him to complain about something as inconsequential as his feelings - but he's at least able to hint at it.]
Well.
no subject
Date: 2014-03-31 09:18 pm (UTC)[ And he does. Really. Edgeworth hit the nail on the head when he accused him of doing the same in his position, and while he refuses to admit it, he has a pretty good idea of how he's feeling.
Some of his anger deflates at that. ]
Guilt's a funny emotion, and it can play with your mind. Focus on what you can and should do, not what you didn't. Which you didn't do, for good reason.
no subject
Date: 2014-03-31 09:35 pm (UTC)Right. I...Thank you, Wright. Rather what I needed to hear.
no subject
Date: 2014-04-01 12:32 am (UTC)If you forget, I'll be here to remind you. ...But try to remember.
[ And Phoenix will finally pick up his tea and take a sip. ]