ACE ATTORNEY AU

[enigmaster]

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[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?"

[enigmaster]

[He looks up, at that, mouth slightly open because, HOW IS HIS SINGING VOICE, WHAT...? He just... He nods, quietly. Okay. Sure. Alright...]

[agoodname]

[and then, she'll sing the first line at him. Her voice is low and melodic, a little raspy:]

"The fire has gone out, wet from snow above,--"

[and then looks at him expectantly]

[enigmaster]

[It... really feels like he's been put on the spot here. It's... hard. He feels so unsure of himself and that's vulnerability, even if just a little bit, and god he hates that. So he hesitates, a little, but... slowly, eventually, he'll... copy her. Softly, almost like he's a little scared to.]

[agoodname]

"But nothing will warm me more than my, my mother's love."

[enigmaster]

[He's still copying. And he just... glances her way, rather than Oswald's, because he's not sure how he feels about looking over. ...His voice isn't so bad, honestly. Quiet, yes, and it'd be better if he was less anxious about it, but you can't really blame him for that.]

[agoodname]

[and Gertrude just--smiles encouragingly, and gives him the next line]

"I light another candle, dry the tears from my face."

[enigmaster]

[He keeps going. Still uncertain, quiet. What's he even doing, honestly...]

[agoodname]

"Nothing can protect me more than--" [and then, suddenly, there's a loud snap--loud enough to startle Gertrude into stopping, and she glances over-- Oswald is just...staring at Edward. The pencil in his hand has snapped from the grip he has on it, trembling, and he's white as a sheet, his eyes wide and wet. He looks like Edward's just gone and slapped him--shocked, hurt, devastated.] ....how. [his voice is, at best, a rasp]

[enigmaster]

[Edward starts, looking over at Oswald now. Quiet. And as he takes in how Oswald looks - not great - he swallows nervously. Maybe this was a mistake.] I... um--

[agoodname]

How do you know that song?! [Oswald's face twists into a grimace--and he's shooting to his feet, aiming to grab Edward by the collar]

[enigmaster]

[He won't have any trouble doing that, because Edward freezes, staring at Oswald as it happens. Wide-eyed.] I-- I don't, really, I was just... She told me to--

[agoodname]

"Oswald! You release him right now, that is no way to treat this young man--!" [naturally, though, her words fall on deaf ears as Oswald leans in, teeth bared in a snarl] She who?

[enigmaster]

[Edward breathes in. Managing to calm himself down. Because it's... fine. This is fine. Why wouldn't this happen? It's not the first time someone's gotten aggressive with him. It's nothing he hasn't dealt with before. So he manages to get his face neutral again, even as Oswald leans in close.] Your mother. ...I forgot to ask her name. Kind of rude of me. [And almost calmly, he glances over at her.]

[agoodname]

[at that, she pauses, licking her lips, looking back and forth from Edward to Oswald and back again] "Gertrude. Gertrude Kapelput." [but Oswald's gone, somehow, paler--and has abruptly released Edward, jolting back like he suddenly can't stand to be near him, and his eyes are wet and wide and spilling over--and he's shaking pretty badly as he looks away, shoving his papers into his file, scooping it up] Why--you--[he shakes his head, breath hitching in his chest, expression still twisted into a grimace]

[enigmaster]

[Edward only blinks as Oswald lets him go. Adjusting his collar a little so it's right again. It's fine. Just a little scare. No real harm done. Nothing to get upset about.] ...Gertrude Kapelput. That's it. [He's quiet, as he just... watches Oswald.] ...I'm sorry.

[agoodname]

Shut up. [snarled] You--[his breath hitches dangerously]--fuck you.

[and with that he's turning and getting out of that room as fast as he possibly can.

Gertrude watches him go, brow creased into a deep frown, wringing her hands--before she turns her attention back to Edward]

"--I'm so sorry. I thought he would react better than that, for certain--"

[enigmaster]

No. That's fine. [Edward doesn't really look up again. He just smooths out his collar some more.] As far as reactions go, that wasn't so bad. [........the fact that that wasn't so bad is, of course, extremely worrying.]