ACE ATTORNEY AU

[enigmaster]

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Fox in the Hen House

[agoodname]

[two days and two more attempts at trial later, Oswald visits again. This time, he's trailed by the ghost of the woman from before--and she gives Edward a finger-wave as they come in, smiling at him.]

Good evening, Mr. Nygma. Thank you for agreeing to meet with me again. [he sets a file folder down on the desk, before moving to take a seat.]

[enigmaster]

[Edward nods a little, though... more so directed at the ghost. It's easy enough to see it as acknowledging Oswald's presence, though.] Yes, well. It was hard fitting this into my busy schedule of staring at the ceiling, but I managed.

[agoodname]

It is appreciated. [not a single hint of irony in there. Or much emotion at all.] I've crossed referenced the officer's names who would have anything to do with the victim or his family. [he pulls out a list of names, setting it down on the table and turning it so Edward can see.] Do any of these names look familiar to you? [the woman sits on the edge of the table, looking proud as she glances at Oswald, though a bit worried] "He was up all the last few nights working on that, this boy..." [she tsks a bit, shaking her head] "Always overworking himself." [there are some slightly dark smudges under Oswald's eyes, but they've been essentially covered up with some makeup and gratuitous application of eyeliner]

[enigmaster]

[Edward pulls the list close to look at it. He doesn't look up at the woman's words, though he does pause his reading after a second.] ...Late nights, huh?

[agoodname]

[Oswald, sorting through his file for another paper, pauses at that, looking over.] Pardon? "I tell him again and again--this job is not good for him, he needs his sleep. But he never listened." [she sighs, shaking her head]

[enigmaster]

You've been staying up late.

[He keeps looking through the list.]

I guess you're the overworking type.

[agoodname]

[and he stares at Edward for a long moment--his expression flickers for an instant into confusion--but then he shakes his head, and goes to looking back through his file] Simply doing my job. "Ah, liebchen...why could you not pick a different job?" [she sighs, reaching out again, hand hovering over his hair] "Such a smart boy; so many other things he could be. But he choose this." [she shakes her head] "He's like a dog with a bone. He can never let anything go." [she huffs] "I suppose he got that from me."

[enigmaster]

...I guess you must enjoy that sort of work. [And then Edward slides the list back.] I don't recognize anything.

[agoodname]

[...why is Edward trying to make small talk. What is happening.

Oswald reaches out to retrieve the list, letting out a frustrated sigh]

I see. Thank you for looking it over.

"...he did enjoy it." [she'll answer for him, turning an annoyed eye on her son, since he ignored that first bit] "When he was a defense lawyer." [she scowls, looking annoyed] "Now is all about accusations and finding people who are guilty and what have you. Nothing in it."

[and Oswald's pulling out another couple papers with some pictures on it]

What about any of these people. Do they look familiar to you?

[enigmaster]

...What? [Edward looks up fully, at that. But then Oswald is giving him more papers and he... hesitantly, he takes a look, but he keeps glancing up.]

[agoodname]

...I asked if any of these people looked familiar.

"Oh yes. Top of his class, he was. Very, very good." [she nods, proud] "But then, well--" [she waves a hand, sighing again] "Life is not always easy, you understand. Or kind."

[Oswald's eyes narrow slightly, when he notices that Edward keeps glancing up]

Would you prefer if I came back later?

[enigmaster]

[Edward frowns, looking down at the photos but not really seeing them. He's deep in thought. Enough so that, at first, he almost doesn't realize Oswald is talking to him. Nor does he pay the question any mind. He just looks up at Oswald.] ...You used to be a defense attorney?

[agoodname]

[that....is the opposite of what Oswald expected to come out of his mouth. And he just stares at him for a moment, mouth slightly open, clearly startled]

I...[he closes his mouth, swallows] Yes. I did.

"Not six months ago did he change, you know. I keep hoping he will change back...he was a defense attorney for such a short time. Only one case! But he was very good...he could still go back. He would be much happier."

[enigmaster]

But... not anymore. [Something happened, obviously. Something bad. It's not his place to ask, but. Well. Right now, he's listening to what he's being told regardless. So why not.]

[agoodname]

Obviously. [dry as a desert.] I hardly see how that pertains to this case. "Ach, Oswald, do not be rude!" [she huffs, glaring at her son] "Your father told me all about this silly little agreement you two have made--" [and at that point, she turns that glare on Edward as well--though there's little heat behind it. She's more...disappointed than angry. Frustrated, at worst.] "Absolutely ridiculous."

[enigmaster]

It doesn't, but-- [And then Gertrude... doesn't interrupt, exactly, obviously that can't be considering one party can't hear her. As she glares at him, he ducks his head a little. Feeling... very chastised. A little embarrassed, maybe? It's a new feeling and he's not sure why it seems to have such force behind it.] ...Well, it was kind of necessary... [HELP HIM.....]

[agoodname]

[...what is even going on here. Oswald frowns a bit, starting to open his mouth to ask...but then he snaps it shut, turning his attention back to his folder] ...let me know when you're finished. [whatever conversation Edward's having isn't with him again. So. Fine. He'll wait.] "Was it?" [her tone gentles, slightly] "I understand you have had hard life, child. I know. I also had hard life." [she moves to sit closer to him.] "It is hard to trust others when things have been nothing but painful, yes?"

[enigmaster]

[Edward glances away, at that, eyes narrowed. He's crossed his arms on the table, instinctively, like he's trying to shield himself. He doesn't answer her. He doesn't know what he'd even say. But that alone probably says plenty.]

[agoodname]

"Ah, you poor boy." [she reaches out a hand, hovering over his cheek but not touching] "I'm so sorry. It must not be easy, seeing the spirits as you do, in this time. Not many people believe in it any more, especially over here."

[enigmaster]

[There's no actual touch. She only comes close, couldn't touch, not really, even if she tried. But instinctively, Edward flinches away.] Well, why would they? [He's trying to keep his voice cold, harsh, empty. A defense mechanism.] It makes a lot more sense that I'm just trying to get attention.

[agoodname]

[her expression morphs into concern as he flinches away, and she withdraws her hand] "To foolish, closed minds, yes." [she huffs] "They are not worth your time, your pain, or your bitterness. If they have wronged you, they deserve your wrath, and barring that, nothing else." [her voice is hard] [Oswald, on the other hand, can't help but listen to this one-sided conversation. He's not sure where it's going or what's happening, and he's honestly trying to block it out but...how can he?]

[enigmaster]

Well. That's a nice thought and all. But that doesn't really help when literally no one thinks it's real.

[agoodname]

"What do they matter? You are better without them. One day, someone will believe you. Multiple someones, even. And then you will have those worth your while."

[she pauses, turning to glance at Oswald, who is looking through his file again, idly]

"He should believe you, my Oswald. I was always very insistent he learn the ways of our people; the tales of the golem, the respect for the dead, the ghost of Elijah the prophet." [she hums, thoughtfully]

"You simply need the right proof."

[enigmaster]

[Edward frowns, at that. Staring down at the table, because he's not sure what else to do with himself right now. It's a nice thought. He knows it's a nice thought because he used to have it all the time. There were a few times where he did think he found someone, even. Someone who understood or who believed. It never went anywhere good. That's how he learned how dangerous hope can be. What happened then hurt so much more because he'd dared to hope for something else. ...Still. If... If nothing else... Maybe he could--] ... Like what?

[agoodname]

[Gertrude just looks at Oswald for a moment.]

"...how is your singing voice?"

[before he can even answer, though, she's waving a hand] "No, it not matter, as long as you get the melody--here." [she shifts, sitting up a bit.] "You repeat after me, yes?"