ACE ATTORNEY AU

[enigmaster]

Comments

[enigmaster]

No, I'm... I know I'm bad at it, I don't need-- It's fine. That I am. That's just how it is, you know.

[agoodname]

"I'm hardly sugarcoating, Edward." [gently, again] "You sound very certain of that, however."

[enigmaster]

Because I am? I don't get people and I'm not good at dealing with them, that's just... a fact.

[agoodname]

"I think you've been doing fine. But people aren't always exactly patient."

[enigmaster]

[Edward scoffs a little.] Expecting people to be patient with me is kind of asking a lot. [Not worth the effort.] I don't expect anyone to do that.

[agoodname]

"....I can understand that." [quietly]

"But...I don't think Oswald would be angry with you for being a little wrongfooted now and then."

[enigmaster]

Well, that's nice of him. Not that it really matters. This is only for the rest of the week and then... that'll be that. [He'll get a place. And then he won't get to see Oswald anymore.]

[agoodname]

[Elijah presses his lips together a bit uncertainly]

"You...don't want to see him after this week?"

[enigmaster]

Whether I do or not doesn't especially matter.

[agoodname]

"Whyever not?"

[enigmaster]

Because it's better for everyone if I just go away. [He says it like a simple statement of fact. Like it should be obvious.] Better than sitting around and waiting to see how this gets ruined. No, thanks...

[agoodname]

[and Elijah just...frowns a little at that]

"...is it? Better for everyone?" [he rubs his thumb over his own knuckles] "I think Oswald would miss you dearly."

[enigmaster]

[Edward scoffs at that. The thought of someone missing him is just... too ridiculous.]

[agoodname]

"Ah....did I say something wrong?"

[enigmaster]

Mhm. People don't miss me.

[agoodname]

"You said they don't come back, either." [gently]

[enigmaster]

Not usually, no... Sometimes things go a little differently. ...In my experience, that's a red flag.

[agoodname]

[he frowns a bit] "...how so?"

[enigmaster]

If something seems too good to be true, it always is. That's all. The last time I thought things were going okay, I... [He trails off. Gripping his sleeve again. He kind of doesn't want to think about that too much.]

[agoodname]

[WELP OKAY THATS A CONCERN]

"...I'm assuming it ended poorly."

[enigmaster]

...Yeah. [Very poorly, judging from the bitter and hollow tone in his voice.]

[agoodname]

"...I can't tell you for certain that things will be different, because I don't know what your past experience was, but...I do know my son." [he threads his fingers together in his lap] "And I know that, despite how he first came off...he doesn't want to hurt you."

[enigmaster]

[He kind of has to take that on faith, which is. A lot. And anyway, then that just means that Edward's going to be the one fucking things up, which is no better.] ...He'll get tired of me eventually, though.

[agoodname]

"I...don't believe that is the case, either." [Elijah's lips press together, and he looks down at his hands]

"Oswald...never had many friends. He was always the odd one out, even as a child. Even now he has...well. He has co-workers. Colleagues. He's always been alone, save for us and now...he is completely alone, in a lot of ways." [he pauses, glancing over at Edward] "I believe you, as well, are familiar with that. As am I. And when you're offered something different than that; the chance to not be alone any longer, it's...well. It can be rather terrifying, can't it?"

[enigmaster]

[Edward's eyes are fixed on the floor. He doesn't look over at Elijah at all. He... doesn't think he can, right now, honestly. Because, yeah. It is terrifying. He's got that completely right. And a part of Edward just wants to fight this whole thing, whatever it is. Just run away now, before it can get ruined. At least then it can be a nice memory.] ...Shouldn't he find someone better to be around than me? [Because it isn't right, that Oswald should be all alone, but. But he's not the answer to that. He shouldn't be.] I'll screw this up. Sooner or later. I know I will.