Because they want attention, yes. Because they want people to like them, even for just a little bit.
I, however, don't enjoy being someone's fun game, where I'm just supposed to be grateful they've decided to spare me any of their attention at all, because clearly I must want it so badly.
[he waves a hand at that] Believe me, I'm under no disillusion that you want my attention, or are grateful for it. [he props his cheek on his hand] If I have an interest, it's for my benefit and mine alone.
Fine. [and now he does roll his eyes] I'll stop showing any and all interest in you whatsoever. Strictly business from here on out.
Now can we figure out how to stall so you can get a better lawyer and I can gather more evidence to figure out who framed you so you don't walk off to your death and my reputation isn't ruined for a while?
If it's time you need, that should be simple enough. If my lawyer doesn't appear in court, that should be enough to call for the trial to be postponed, yes?
Excellent. In that case, I'll put my focus into reviewing the evidence and researching connections to the victim.
Do you have any further questions for me, Mr. Nygma?
"Oh dear..." [having been silent while watching the proceedings, the man now looks worried, glancing back and forth between the two of them.] "Really, now..."
[the man glances then at Edward--and fidgets a bit rubbing his hands awkwardly]
"This is...well, it's worrisome. That's all. This sort of agreement. I...I suppose it's not surprising necessarily, but, well...as a parent, I can't help but worry..."
[he glances at Oswald, that frown creasing his brow. Oswald, for his part, isn't looking at the man, rather at Edward, brow furrowed--before he seems to catch on that Edward's not talking to him and just leans back with a small huff, folding his arms over his chest, glancing over at the wall to wait until Edward's done having whatever conversation he's having]
"Oh, well...not that I mean to criticize, of course, and i-it's hardly a reflection on you, you understand--" [he's fumbling a bit--and if it weren't for the resemblance in features, it'd be hard to see how he and Oswald are related.]
"--ah. That is...how can you work together if you don't trust each other? It is a rather perilous situation, as it were..."
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I, however, don't enjoy being someone's fun game, where I'm just supposed to be grateful they've decided to spare me any of their attention at all, because clearly I must want it so badly.
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That is incredibly specific.
[he waves a hand at that] Believe me, I'm under no disillusion that you want my attention, or are grateful for it. [he props his cheek on his hand] If I have an interest, it's for my benefit and mine alone.
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I'd rather people just skip straight to the part where they can't stand being around me.
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Now can we figure out how to stall so you can get a better lawyer and I can gather more evidence to figure out who framed you so you don't walk off to your death and my reputation isn't ruined for a while?
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If it's time you need, that should be simple enough. If my lawyer doesn't appear in court, that should be enough to call for the trial to be postponed, yes?
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Do you have any further questions for me, Mr. Nygma?
"Oh dear..." [having been silent while watching the proceedings, the man now looks worried, glancing back and forth between the two of them.] "Really, now..."
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[But he stops. Glancing over at the ghost of the man.]
...What?
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"This is...well, it's worrisome. That's all. This sort of agreement. I...I suppose it's not surprising necessarily, but, well...as a parent, I can't help but worry..."
[he glances at Oswald, that frown creasing his brow. Oswald, for his part, isn't looking at the man, rather at Edward, brow furrowed--before he seems to catch on that Edward's not talking to him and just leans back with a small huff, folding his arms over his chest, glancing over at the wall to wait until Edward's done having whatever conversation he's having]
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"--ah. That is...how can you work together if you don't trust each other? It is a rather perilous situation, as it were..."
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[He's fine with admitting that outright. It's hardly a secret.]
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[he sighs a little bit, glancing at Oswald] "I suppose you're well matched, then. I apologize. I shouldn't have spoken up like that."
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"It's a difficult life, when you have no one to trust."
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["Managing". Sure, Edward.
He looks back at Oswald, now.]
...Sorry for the interruption.
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Oswald looks back over, before he waves a hand at that, expression neutral]
It's no trouble. As I was saying--do you have any further questions?
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[and he's pushing to his feet, moving to leave. The man reaches out for him, briefly--]
"Oswald--" [but Oswald, who obviously doesn't see him, keeps going. The man sighs.]
"...well. Until next time." [that smile is still sad, before he turns to follow his son out]
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