ACE ATTORNEY AU

[enigmaster]

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[enigmaster]

[And Edward blinks, at that wink, and quickly looks away. Like he's been caught doing something he shouldn't.] People don't... come back. That doesn't happen. [And yet...]

[agoodname]

[there's a pause, and Elijah blinks...before he smiles a little, slowly, kind and understanding]

"Well, Oswald was never really one to follow the norm, as it were."

[enigmaster]

I... [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.]

[agoodname]

"....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."

[enigmaster]

[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. He stays quiet.]

[agoodname]

"...it's alright to feel scared." [his voice is gentle, understanding]

"I sure did. I avoided the kitchen for a solid week because I was so scared."

[enigmaster]

[But it's not alright. 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.]

[agoodname]

"....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]

[enigmaster]

[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.]

[agoodname]

"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.]

[enigmaster]

[He looks away again, quickly, as Oswald notices him looking. Damn it. Well. At least he doesn't have time to dwell on that... right now.

He'll have plenty of time to dwell on it when he's back in his cell again.

....Great.]

[agoodname]

[yeah, he sure will. Because Oswald's not going to be able to visit until much later that night...but he still does. And once again, Edward is given the option of whether he wants to attend or not.]

[enigmaster]

[He does, of course. Right now, there's no way he could say no. Though he's a little... surprised it's happening at all. Honestly, shouldn't Oswald be... resting, or something? But he's quiet again, as he's led in. Quieter than he's ever been. Which is... saying something.]

[agoodname]

[Oswald looks...better. He's got a crutch instead of his cane leaning against the table, and he's idly flipping through the file he's brought with him. He glances up as Edward enters, blinking at how quiet he is.]

....good evening, Mr. Nygma.

[enigmaster]

[Edward doesn't... say anything, right away. He's still quiet. Glancing at the crutch and then just... taking in Oswald in general. He's not sure what to say.]

[agoodname]

[. . . . . . um]

....apologies for being late earlier today.

[enigmaster]

... [Apologies for-- Is he for real?] ...That's alright. [It's... softer. It doesn't have the defensive sharp edge that's usually on his voice, which stands out a lot now that it's not there.] I wasn't expecting you at all. So...

[agoodname]

[he just huffs at that, sitting back and folding his arms--though he does look a bit confused at the softer tone]

I told you--I don't drop cases.

[enigmaster]

You did. [...He's still not... sure. What he should be saying.] But people say a lot of things. And after our last conversation...

[agoodname]

[at the mention of that, Oswald goes a bit stiff, glancing away] ...yes, well. It was a bit shocking.

[enigmaster]

...I'm sure it was, yes.

[agoodname]

[he huffs out another sigh, then, rubbing a hand over his face] So. You see ghosts. Not just see them, but talk to them, apparently. Frequently.

[enigmaster]

[He blinks.] ...Um. Yes.

[agoodname]

[......] ...my mother included. [that, itself, is quiet--and Oswald his hiding his eyes behind his hand for a moment]

[enigmaster]

...Yes. That's right.