[Edward frowns a little, looking almost... confused, at the encouragement. Like he's never heard it directed at him before.
(He hasn't, really. Never genuinely.)
And he starts opening his mouth to reply, but the guards are here and the last thing he wants is for them to think he's talking to them. So he's just... quiet, as he stands up and lets them escort him back to his cell.]
[the next day, Edward's taken to court as usual. The judge, climbing up onto their stand, looks rather tired. Usually by the time Edward gets there, Oswald is already there, preparing.
This morning, however...he's absent.
Edward's new lawyer is there, fiddling nervously with her watch. She looks like she very much doesn't want to be there; like Edward could turn around and bite her at any moment. Fortunately, the trial's about to start, so maybe she won't have to suffer so long, but....no Oswald. The prosecutor's hearing table remains suspiciously empty. The judge frowns, glancing at their watch.]
"Does anyone know where Mr. Cobblepot is?"
[there's a low murmur that goes through the courtroom but...no. No one has seen hide nor hair of Prosecutor Cobblepot. The Judge's frown deepens as the minutes tick by--and then, just as the time ticks over, the doors burst open, and in strides---
[This whole time, during the wait, Edward has just been silently staring ahead. It doesn't feel like it'd be any use to do something else. His lawyer's skittishness doesn't bother him much. It's whatever.
"Mr. Meroni...I'm sorry to hear that. Is Mr. Cobblepot alright?"
[Meroni shrugs, setting his briefcase on the table]
"I'm afraid I don't know, your honor. They tried callin' 'im....apparently he just didn't pick up." [he smiles a little, but it's smarmy at best] "Kids, y'know? All inflated ego, no sense of responsibility."
"...I see. Well. I hope he's alright...Have you been briefed on the trial, Mr. Meroni?"
"I've been followin' it along. It's caught people's eye in the office, considerin' how many defense attorney's this guy's gone through." [Meroni throws that smile briefly at Edward, smirking] "So yes, your honor, I know enough to do my job and do it well. So whenever you're ready."
[As Maroni smirks Edward's way, Edward just looks him in the eye. Not blinking. He's nothing if not very good at quiet, unnerving stares.
While he's not expecting a lot from this man - Oswald's description was incredibly accurate, truly - that doesn't really matter much. Not considering who he's going up against. Honestly, he doesn't even have to look his lawyer's way to know that. He can just about feel her nervous glances over him. This is bad for him.
[Meroni looks pleased at this, pulling out a piece of paper from his briefcase.]
"Much obliged, your honor."[he starts to move around the desk, lazily strutting, like he knows exactly how this is going to go--] "Now, for my opening statement, I'd like t'address--"
[it's certainly a loud enough shout--as the doors burst open for the second time that day, though this time with far more impact as Oswald comes stumbling in. He looks, well...he looks a mess. Really, rather out of sorts. His suit is smudged with dirt, his hair is out of place, there's a scrape on his cheek and his limp is definitely more pronounced as he drags it behind him]
Don't you even think about it, Meroni!
[it's snarled as he drags himself up to the gate, leaning on it heavily once he gets there.]
Apologies, your honor! For some reason, the breaks in my car didn't work this morning, and that unfortunately sent my car into a ravine with me in it! [he smiles, but it's all teeth, biting and vicious] So! Again, apologies for being late, but I had the ambulance drop me off here. I'd hate to miss a court date! [he whips his head over, eyes narrowing at Meroni]
You can leave now, Sal~ [it might be the most mocking that anyone's ever said a name] We won't be needing your services.
[Edward's not expecting anything whatsoever. This is what he expected. For Oswald to be gone, sooner or later, running off like everyone else.
For this case to go exactly like he said it would, at the start.
And he's... fine with that. It's a quiet sort of bitter acceptance he has about everything in his life, by now. It isn't great. But there's no use hoping for the impossible.
...And then, that shout. The doors bursting open.
Edward blinks, as he hears Oswald enter, hears him explaining why he's later. And slowly, carefully, he turns to look. He looks... like an absolute mess, right now. He looks like he probably should've stayed in that ambulance.
He looks... somehow brilliant.
Edward's staring, a little, blinking a few more times. Next to him, his lawyer is muttering nervously, going through her notes, shuffling around papers. But right now, Edward really just sees Oswald.
[Meroni scowls deeply, turning a bulldog-ish snarl on Oswald]
"You can't seem t'solve this case, Cobblepot--why don't you let the adults handle this one, huh?"
[And Oswald's mouth twists further into a scowl of rage as he pushes past the gate, hobbling over to get into Meroni's face. Well...as much as he can. He's a bit too short to do so, but that doesn't stop him from getting right into his space anyway. He's utterly dwarfed by Meroni's bulk, but apparently that's not enough to deter him]
This is my case! [half-screeched] How dare you--!
[the bang of the gavel cuts him off, however]
"That's enough!"
[Oswald's head swivels towards the judge, shoulders hiked up, ready to go on the defensive--]
"Mr. Cobblepot." [they narrow their eyes at him]"Are you well enough to be in court?"
[he swallows at that--before straightening away from Meroni, tugging on the ends of his vest and pushing his shoulders back]
I am, your honor.
[they nod, decisively] "Then it's settled. Mr. Meroni, thank you for your time and your willingness to come over and stand in. However, seeing as it is Mr. Cobblepot's case and he is here, he will be prosecuting today."
[Meroni looks, well...almost murderous. He glares down at Oswald, before sweeping up his briefcase and storming out of the court room. The doors slam shut heavily behind him. The judge blows out a breath as Oswald lowers himself carefully into his chair.]
"Right. We'll review the case so far, and then Mr. Cobblepot, I'll expect your opening statement."
Of course, your honor. [he nods, once, decisive.] I'm ready.
"Hm?" [he bends down, so he can glance at Edward's face] "What's wrong?"
[as the Judge starts going over what they know of the case already, Oswald glances over--and then does a double take when he sees Edward looking at him. And then just...smirks a bit, winking once, very quickly, before turning his attention back to his notes and getting those in order]
"....I understand, you know." [quietly.] "Maybe not completely but...I was invisible, until I met Gertrude. Only useful when my parents wanted a stand-in for a son that they could show off to their friends. Other than that, I was nothing." [he smiles, fondly]
"Gertrude was the first one that saw me. Not an heir, not a convenient son--me."[there's still something awed in his voice] "...there's nothing like it. When things change, like that, suddenly, and you get that thing that you never thought you'd ever have. Feels like the rug's gone straight out from under you."
[Edward doesn't... know what to say to that. Because that is kind of how it feels. Like a rug pulled out from under him.
It feels...
Kind of terrifying.
Maybe Oswald had had a bit of a point, before, when he pointed out that Edward doesn't like it when people go off script. All his life he's wanted someone to do exactly that, but now that it's happening, regardless of the reasons for it, he doesn't... know what to do.
Because if he lets himself feel this right now, really feel it, that would let in other feelings too. And he can't--
Not here. Not right now. Preferably not ever, but he especially can't have a goddamn breakdown in the middle of court.
Edward swallows, as if that can somehow force down every emotion inside him. He notices he's shaking, slightly, and tightly grips the sleeve of his other arm to anchor himself.
Calm.
He's good at calm. He can... just get back there. Force it, if he has to.]
"....we can talk later." [he straightens--looking over to where Oswald is, once again, stalling for time]
"Ah...I wonder...."
[and he moves, wandering over to the other side of the defense's table--and frowns deeply, reaching out to curl his hand around her coffee mug. Elijah's face twists into something like determination, and after a long moment....it moves. It slides half an inch to the right.
Which his lawyer notices--and promptly shrieks. Oswald jumps in reaction, as does the judge, who's head whips over there ]
"Mrs. Kringle--whatever is the matter?"
"I-it moved! On its own! I-I can't do this, I'm sorry, I just can't--" [and before anyone can say or do anything, she's scrambling out of there, away from Edward and the court, the doors falling shut behind her.
There's silence in the courtroom for a solid moment]
"Ah....I'm surprised that actually worked." [Elijah looks startled, if exhausted, and somehow more...translucent than a moment ago.
The Judge, on the other hand, just sighs.]
"...well. Now that you, once again, no longer have a lawyer, Mr. Nygma, I'm afraid we're going to have to suspend the trial for another day." [they wave a hand at Oswald] "Sit down, Mr. Cobblepot. And maybe go deal with the rest of the trouble with your car. Dismissed! "
[and they bang their gavel, before getting up to leave]
[Edward barely blinks at the shriek. He just calmly looks over, as his lawyer freaks out and... Ah. Ex-Lawyer, now. Well.
But he... frowns, a little, looking over at Elijah, by the mug. His doing, yes. Obviously. He's seen ghosts move things before, but they generally don't really bother.
And the trial suspended again. Good.]
...That was impressive.
[Another day bought... Edward... looks over at Oswald, again, staring a little. There's not much time for it, before he's escorted out, but. Still.]
"Thank you. I believe I'll...rest for a bit..." [and he fades out, just as Oswald collapses into his chair. He glances over at Edward again, blinking when he finds him staring--to which he raises an eyebrow just as Edward gets escorted out.]
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(He hasn't, really. Never genuinely.)
And he starts opening his mouth to reply, but the guards are here and the last thing he wants is for them to think he's talking to them. So he's just... quiet, as he stands up and lets them escort him back to his cell.]
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This morning, however...he's absent.
Edward's new lawyer is there, fiddling nervously with her watch. She looks like she very much doesn't want to be there; like Edward could turn around and bite her at any moment. Fortunately, the trial's about to start, so maybe she won't have to suffer so long, but....no Oswald. The prosecutor's hearing table remains suspiciously empty. The judge frowns, glancing at their watch.]
"Does anyone know where Mr. Cobblepot is?"
[there's a low murmur that goes through the courtroom but...no. No one has seen hide nor hair of Prosecutor Cobblepot. The Judge's frown deepens as the minutes tick by--and then, just as the time ticks over, the doors burst open, and in strides---
--not Oswald. Instead there's a different man that enters]
"Sorry for bein' late, your honor--Mr. Cobblepot didn't show up to work t'day, so I was sent over."
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And then... the prosecutor.
A different one.
He frowns, actually turning his head to look.
...This is probably not good.]
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[Meroni shrugs, setting his briefcase on the table]
"I'm afraid I don't know, your honor. They tried callin' 'im....apparently he just didn't pick up." [he smiles a little, but it's smarmy at best] "Kids, y'know? All inflated ego, no sense of responsibility."
"...I see. Well. I hope he's alright...Have you been briefed on the trial, Mr. Meroni?"
"I've been followin' it along. It's caught people's eye in the office, considerin' how many defense attorney's this guy's gone through." [Meroni throws that smile briefly at Edward, smirking] "So yes, your honor, I know enough to do my job and do it well. So whenever you're ready."
"In that case, I think we'll get started."
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While he's not expecting a lot from this man - Oswald's description was incredibly accurate, truly - that doesn't really matter much. Not considering who he's going up against. Honestly, he doesn't even have to look his lawyer's way to know that. He can just about feel her nervous glances over him. This is bad for him.
Oh, well.
Alright then.]
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"Much obliged, your honor."[he starts to move around the desk, lazily strutting, like he knows exactly how this is going to go--] "Now, for my opening statement, I'd like t'address--"
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Don't you even think about it, Meroni!
[it's snarled as he drags himself up to the gate, leaning on it heavily once he gets there.]
Apologies, your honor! For some reason, the breaks in my car didn't work this morning, and that unfortunately sent my car into a ravine with me in it! [he smiles, but it's all teeth, biting and vicious] So! Again, apologies for being late, but I had the ambulance drop me off here. I'd hate to miss a court date! [he whips his head over, eyes narrowing at Meroni]
You can leave now, Sal~ [it might be the most mocking that anyone's ever said a name] We won't be needing your services.
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For this case to go exactly like he said it would, at the start.
And he's... fine with that. It's a quiet sort of bitter acceptance he has about everything in his life, by now. It isn't great. But there's no use hoping for the impossible.
...And then, that shout. The doors bursting open.
Edward blinks, as he hears Oswald enter, hears him explaining why he's later. And slowly, carefully, he turns to look. He looks... like an absolute mess, right now. He looks like he probably should've stayed in that ambulance.
He looks... somehow brilliant.
Edward's staring, a little, blinking a few more times. Next to him, his lawyer is muttering nervously, going through her notes, shuffling around papers. But right now, Edward really just sees Oswald.
This is.
...New.]
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"You can't seem t'solve this case, Cobblepot--why don't you let the adults handle this one, huh?"
[And Oswald's mouth twists further into a scowl of rage as he pushes past the gate, hobbling over to get into Meroni's face. Well...as much as he can. He's a bit too short to do so, but that doesn't stop him from getting right into his space anyway. He's utterly dwarfed by Meroni's bulk, but apparently that's not enough to deter him]
This is my case! [half-screeched] How dare you--!
[the bang of the gavel cuts him off, however]
"That's enough!"
[Oswald's head swivels towards the judge, shoulders hiked up, ready to go on the defensive--]
"Mr. Cobblepot." [they narrow their eyes at him]"Are you well enough to be in court?"
[he swallows at that--before straightening away from Meroni, tugging on the ends of his vest and pushing his shoulders back]
I am, your honor.
[they nod, decisively] "Then it's settled. Mr. Meroni, thank you for your time and your willingness to come over and stand in. However, seeing as it is Mr. Cobblepot's case and he is here, he will be prosecuting today."
[Meroni looks, well...almost murderous. He glares down at Oswald, before sweeping up his briefcase and storming out of the court room. The doors slam shut heavily behind him. The judge blows out a breath as Oswald lowers himself carefully into his chair.]
"Right. We'll review the case so far, and then Mr. Cobblepot, I'll expect your opening statement."
Of course, your honor. [he nods, once, decisive.] I'm ready.
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[Gertrude's husband, Oswald's father--he stands next to Edward now, between him and his son, a little back and off to the side]
"Good thing he directed the ambulance here. That was a close one all around."
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He doesn't know what he's feeling, right now. How he should be feeling. Nothing like this has ever...]
...I don't understand.
[He doesn't.
He really, really doesn't.]
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[as the Judge starts going over what they know of the case already, Oswald glances over--and then does a double take when he sees Edward looking at him. And then just...smirks a bit, winking once, very quickly, before turning his attention back to his notes and getting those in order]
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People don't... come back.
That doesn't happen.
[And yet...]
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"Well, Oswald was never really one to follow the norm, as it were."
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[But he doesn't really know what he wants to say. So he just... stares down. This is... something he needs to think about. To figure out.
The trial can just go on while he does that.]
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"Gertrude was the first one that saw me. Not an heir, not a convenient son--me."[there's still something awed in his voice] "...there's nothing like it. When things change, like that, suddenly, and you get that thing that you never thought you'd ever have. Feels like the rug's gone straight out from under you."
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It feels...
Kind of terrifying.
Maybe Oswald had had a bit of a point, before, when he pointed out that Edward doesn't like it when people go off script. All his life he's wanted someone to do exactly that, but now that it's happening, regardless of the reasons for it, he doesn't... know what to do.
He stays quiet.]
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"I sure did. I avoided the kitchen for a solid week because I was so scared."
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Because if he lets himself feel this right now, really feel it, that would let in other feelings too. And he can't--
Not here. Not right now. Preferably not ever, but he especially can't have a goddamn breakdown in the middle of court.
Edward swallows, as if that can somehow force down every emotion inside him. He notices he's shaking, slightly, and tightly grips the sleeve of his other arm to anchor himself.
Calm.
He's good at calm. He can... just get back there. Force it, if he has to.]
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"Ah...I wonder...."
[and he moves, wandering over to the other side of the defense's table--and frowns deeply, reaching out to curl his hand around her coffee mug. Elijah's face twists into something like determination, and after a long moment....it moves. It slides half an inch to the right.
Which his lawyer notices--and promptly shrieks. Oswald jumps in reaction, as does the judge, who's head whips over there ]
"Mrs. Kringle--whatever is the matter?"
"I-it moved! On its own! I-I can't do this, I'm sorry, I just can't--" [and before anyone can say or do anything, she's scrambling out of there, away from Edward and the court, the doors falling shut behind her.
There's silence in the courtroom for a solid moment]
"Ah....I'm surprised that actually worked." [Elijah looks startled, if exhausted, and somehow more...translucent than a moment ago.
The Judge, on the other hand, just sighs.]
"...well. Now that you, once again, no longer have a lawyer, Mr. Nygma, I'm afraid we're going to have to suspend the trial for another day." [they wave a hand at Oswald] "Sit down, Mr. Cobblepot. And maybe go deal with the rest of the trouble with your car. Dismissed! "
[and they bang their gavel, before getting up to leave]
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But he... frowns, a little, looking over at Elijah, by the mug. His doing, yes. Obviously. He's seen ghosts move things before, but they generally don't really bother.
And the trial suspended again. Good.]
...That was impressive.
[Another day bought... Edward... looks over at Oswald, again, staring a little. There's not much time for it, before he's escorted out, but. Still.]
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He'll have plenty of time to dwell on it when he's back in his cell again.
....Great.]
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