ACE ATTORNEY AU

[enigmaster]

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[enigmaster]

Um. [The question he really... didn't want to deal with right now.] I just... ran into some trouble.

[agoodname]

[Oswald laughs, once, at that, but it's strained] Yes, I did surmise that, at least. [his voice is still wobbly, but he's trying] I am a lawyer, you know.

[enigmaster]

Oh, well, of course. Silly me... [He's... going for light. Misses the mark. He suppresses a wince at his own dumb comment.] I, um... I was just... I was trying to retrieve something that was stolen. And the people that had it weren't very happy with me.

[agoodname]

And you couldn't...you didn't ask for help? Or wait until later? Was the ghost very insistent for some reason?

[enigmaster]

...Actually, she, um... she didn't really want me to go... [....Yyyyeaaaaah.]

[agoodname]

[.....what. And Oswald's expression morphs into a frown] ...I don't understand. If it was dangerous and even the ghost didn't want you to go...why did you?

[enigmaster]

I... [He's not... hesitating, so much, as genuinely kind of at a loss for what to say.] I don't know, I thought... It was there and everything, so... I just went. [...Edward doesn't sound particularly sure of himself, though.]

[agoodname]

You just...went. [he can't help but repeat it because it just...it doesn't make any sense. Why would he do that? Just walk into danger like that, knowing exactly how bad it could possibly (and would possibly) be? He can't understand or logic it or follow the behavioral pattern that it might just be freaking him out a bit. He swallows, hard] ...I see.

[enigmaster]

[Edward doesn't have anything else to say about it. What can he say, really? He doesn't know why he went in there. There wasn't a reason, it just... happened.] ...I'm sorry for worrying you.

[agoodname]

[he doesn't respond for a long moment. He just....holds him. And tries not to panic.] I...I don't know...[Oswald trails off after a moment] ...I don't know what to do. That doesn't make sense because you knew better. [his stomach is tying itself into knots, and his arms tighten around Edward a bit] How can I--what can I do? What if it'd been an even worse situation? [he's really trying not to freak out right now, and it's not really working] Will this happen again?

[enigmaster]

... [He's... quiet, at that. Oswald's... much more than just worried. And he doesn't know what to even do with that.] I... [...] No... No, it won't happen again.

[agoodname]

Can you promise me that? [.....] Because if you can't, then I--I need to know, Edward. I need to know so we can find a solution. So this doesn't happen.

[enigmaster]

[It's hardly the first time he's been in danger or gotten hurt on these. But it's the worst that Oswald knows of and it's the first time that anyone's cared about it. It's upsetting to him. ...Edward doesn't want to upset Oswald.] ...I can, um... I can... rethink going alone. That'd be fine then, right? Then it won't happen again.

[agoodname]

...okay. Okay, that would work. [he hopes. As long as Butch is along, it would keep Edward much safer, right? This won't happen again???]

[enigmaster]

Yeah. It... It shouldn't happen again anyway, I promise, but... this way you can be sure.

[agoodname]

....thank you. [quietly, and there's something strung very tight about him that relaxes marginally. It's small, but it's something.]

[enigmaster]

I'm really alright, Oswald... Just... a lapse in judgement. It won't happen again. [And Butch will be there. Just to be safe.]

[agoodname]

[That should be comforting. It is, a little. But a lapse in judgement is being unable to judge a situation properly. Edward judged this situation properly...he just chose a completely illogical path of action.] And you'll take Butch with you?

[enigmaster]

Yeah. I will.

[agoodname]

...okay.[it's not perfect...but it's a start. It's something, at least. ...which is about the time that Butch is going to uhhhhhh step back into the room] "Hey, uh...I got that first-aid kit." [And Oswald's turning his head to look at him then] Oh. Thank you. [and he's releasing Edward so he can take that from Butch as he comes over] "No problem."

[enigmaster]

[Edward blinks a bit and just... lets out a breath, as Oswald releases him. On the one hand, he kind of... wishes Oswald had never let go. On the other, the reason for it just makes him feel awful. On top of all the other ways he feels awful, so that's not fun. He's doing his best to act unaffected, but other than his general demeanor, the fact that he's a little pale and shaky is definitely giving him away. ...He's just. Quiet, for a bit.]

[agoodname]

[Oswald accepts the first-aid kit and sets it out, starting to retrieve wipes, bandages, etc--when Butch pipes up] "Hey, uh....I don't know how much my two cents is worth but, in my experience, people going into dangerous situations knowing exactly how dangerous they are do so either for reasons they're aware of, or unaware of. The people aware of those reasons are the thrill-seekers. And that doesn't really seem like you, Eddie. So it's gotta be somethin' else. What that somethin' is, you're gonna have to do some thinking about but...I'd start with look back on the past couple weeks. There's always some kinda reason somewhere." [Butch shrugs a bit] "Anyway I got another job I gotta get to but...let me know how you're doin', okay?"

[enigmaster]

[Edward... keeps his head angled firmly down and looks away a little. Nervously. These aren't things he wants to think about. So he's... quiet, for that. And it takes him a bit to respond at all, but. Well.] ...Sure. [Hey, there's... something.]

[agoodname]

"See ya later." [and Butch just...lifts a hand, before leaving. Oswald waits until he's gone, before starting to gently dab at that cut on Edward's face. There's a frown between his brows; he's thinking]

[enigmaster]

[Edward winces a little. Not that there's much to be done, here... the cut does have to be cleaned. ...It doesn't seem as if he's going to speak up again for now.]