ACE ATTORNEY AU

[enigmaster]

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[enigmaster]

I don't mind it, really.

[It is what it is.]

[agoodname]

[Oswald arches an eyebrow a bit] ....well, not as though they're worth your time anyway.

[enigmaster]

...I guess. [Yeah, let's just. Go with that.]

[agoodname]

Well--shall we have dinner? I'm famished. [and yep he's gonna move towards the kitchen. Though he's keeping that caseworker in the back of his head--he does NOT feel comfortable with this.]

[enigmaster]

Ah, well- [And Edward's going to follow to the kitchen. Time to get on that and... honestly, Edward's just going to forget about this for now. That's a tomorrow problem. Though it's tomorrow very quickly. It is a work day, though, so. Off to work, huh, Oswald?]

[agoodname]

[Yes. Off to work. He'll hover, though, by the door, a bit uncertainly]

...you'll call, though? If anything goes wrong, I mean. Or doesn't seem right.

[enigmaster]

[Oswald....] Yes. I'm sure it will be fine, though.

[agoodname]

...I hope it will, as well. [he fidgets with his cane] I apologize if I seem overbearing, it's only....[he sucks in a small breath]...your wellbeing is rather important to me.

[enigmaster]

...Oh. [Oh. That's... ...That's something he doesn't even know how to process, right now, but it makes him feel... very warm, inside.] ...It's alright, really. I mean, I don't think there's anything too bad it even could be. But, um... Thank you.

[agoodname]

I hope you're right. [he fidgets with his cane, still, uncertain] However...just call if you need help? For anything. Alright?

[enigmaster]

Alright... Either way, though, I'll see you later. Have a good day.

[agoodname]

...you, too. [he starts to go--but then pauses, a final time on the threshold] Don't forget--this is your home, too, so you're well within your rights to throw her out.

[enigmaster]

Ah... [His home, too, huh... He hadn't really... thought of it that way? All this time, he's mostly just thought of it as Oswald's. Sure, he thinks of it as home, but... Not quite so directly.] ...Alright. I'll keep that in mind.

[agoodname]

Good. [he manages a smile, then] Have a good day, Edward.

[enigmaster]

Mm... You too. [Off you go, Oswald?]

[agoodname]

[....yes. Off he goes. There's one more brief moment of hesitation--before yes, he's scooting himself out the door.]

[enigmaster]

[With that done, there's nothing left but to wait. Mostly, Edward just kind of wants to get this over with.

And finally, it's... about time. He gets up. He lets his caseworker in. She looks around a little, clearly confused about how Edward ended up in a place like this. And then... they take a seat at the table. Edward doesn't speak more than is absolutely required.]

"It's certainly been a while since I've last seen you. Honestly, Edward, it wouldn't hurt to send along an update once in a while."

...I thought that was supposed to stop when I turned eighteen. Isn't that the whole point of this arrangement?

"Oh, really, now..."

[She doesn't look too pleased about that comment, but, well. She seems used to it.]

[agoodname]

"...I don't like her already." [there is a...definite wary tone in Gertrude's voice as she flickers in, standing near the caseworker's chair, arms folded, eyeing her suspiciously.] "Something fishy about her. It's not good."

[enigmaster]

[Edward glances over Gertrude's way. And without even thinking about it,] I'm sure it's fine. "What?" [And Edward blinks. He'd... kind of answered without thinking. So used to just being able to do that here without worrying. Immediately, he fidgets in his seat a little, as he notices his caseworker looking at him with her eyebrow raised.] Oh, um... N-Nothing. [She frowns, though.] "...Alright..."

[agoodname]

"Ah, sorry, Edward. We'll stay quiet." [Elijah, now, as well, flickering into view next to his wife, who doesn't look quite so placated.]

"We will keep a close eye on her."

[enigmaster]

[Edward just... glances over at both of them, but doesn't reply. He'll just... focus on getting this conversation over with, then. The caseworker is, thankfully, already moving on.] "I would have just told you yesterday, but for something like this... Well. I thought it would be better to tell you in person." [She slides an envelope over to him and he opens it. And she tells him what this is really about. Apparently, one of Edward's old foster parents, a man he stayed with for... a decent amount of time, for him, has passed away. Heart trouble. There's a brief silence, as Edward reads over everything and his caseworker just watches. Then... he looks up.] I see. So you're here to deliver good news. [That's a little more... sarcastic, than he's been with her so far. She looks a little scandalized at the response.] "Edward, really..."

[agoodname]

[Well. On the bright side, Edward, ghost parents definitely think it's funny. Gertrude outright snickers, where Elijah hides his smile behind his hand]

[enigmaster]

Ah, sorry. Was I supposed to act upset? "You could be a little more respectful, you know." ...Mhm. [Edward pauses a moment.] Right. I'm supposed to act like this is a sad thing. Like I feel bad about it. Sorry, but I have some trouble faking it. We didn't really get along. [And the woman sighs, a little exasperated. But sort of as if she was expecting it. Like she's used to this. Not in a fond way.] "Well, now, Edward, to be fair... You didn't exactly make it easy for him." [At that... Edward tenses up. It's subtle, really. His guard was already up, so it's only noticeable if you really look. His expression is shifting in the same subtle way, as well. A little more withdrawn, right away. He's quiet for a beat longer than he has to be.] ...I guess.

[agoodname]

[ooooooh Gertrude doesn't like that. She folds her arms, mouth immediately twisting into a scowl]

"What, Edward? A good boy like him? She has too many screws loose!"

"Now, my dear, she can't help herself. I don't know that she has any brain cells left to think with, what with all the hair spray she's clearly using. All those fumes; you understand." [gently. If the words were anything but what they were, it would sound honestly placating.]

[enigmaster]

[The corner of his mouth almost quirks up at that. But... the caseworker continues, so he tries to keep it together.] "Well. Please do think about going to the funeral." ...I don't really-- "You don't have to go. I can't exactly force you. But it would be the polite thing to do. You did stay with him longer than anyone else." ...Not like I wanted to... [Another exasperated sigh from the woman.]