[Edward finds a spot outside, just... a wall to lean against. That'll have to do for now. And he just focuses on his breathing. Slow breaths, in and out.
It's fine. He's fine. He's... fine.
He keeps his gaze fixed on the ground, right now. No one really pays him too much mind, at least. That's Gotham.]
[It'll be about eight minutes before Oswald shows up, this time laden with a couple of grocery bags. It took him a minute or two to find Edward, after quickly and impatiently going through check out, wondering how long he should wait to give Edward the time he needs or to step in or...???
Really there were a lot of variables. But he's here now, for better or for worse.]
Thank you. [he'll let Edward take one of them--it makes it easier for him to manage with his cane, anyway, so he'll relinquish one, but certainly not both before moving to flag down a taxi.
though he's...keeping an eye on Edward. that was rather strange]
[That's fine, that he isn't saying much. But Oswald can't really let go of that thing with the Halloween decorations. That was....rather peculiar. And it really seemed distressful.
He's debating whether to just come out and ask about it when they get home, or....if he should do more research.
It feels like an instinct to try for the latter, rather than the former. He is used to doing his own sort of investigating, after all. Though whether he'd find anything is really unlikely.]
[Well, once they're home, Edward is just going to focus on putting away the groceries. Still... not really talking. But this is helping get his mind off of things. Something to focus on. This way he doesn't have to think about...
[he is, in fact. Edward seems quieter most of the evening, so the next day at work he'll use his break time to do some research--going into the archives, looking into Edward's records and such. Places he's been before, homes he's had...just skimming for any kind of clue.]
[Well, there's... a lot there, honestly, so he'll have to try narrowing it down some. Edward's been to many homes before and, just like he said, never in one for very long. And his longest stay - seven months - also coincides with... a period with a lot of hospital visits.
No investigations into that. Either no one noticed or they just didn't care.
There are some incident reports in here, too. Both from his old foster homes and the various schools he went to.
The foster homes report... a lot of "troubling behavior". Talking to himself. Telling lies. Disappearing and showing up suddenly, late into the night. More than once, in more than one of the foster homes, Edward disappeared for days at a time before being brought back after being found by a police officer. The language tries to be vague about it, but it's obvious attempts at running away. Some reports of injuries, which are speculated to be from fights. And, of course, the many reports at the end of his stays detailing why it was considered best for Edward to leave.
They try to put it in nice terms, as if it truly was just out of concern for Edward. But you can only see the the words "we don't think Edward is a good fit here" before it starts sounding hollow. Barely even an attempt at an excuse.
The reports from his schools aren't any more positive. A lot of detentions. Most from falling asleep in class or cutting school. Refusing to engage in class. There are a few reports of suspicions of cheating, with punishments given, but no actual conclusive proof. And then the more troubling reports. Some incidents of violence, most of which seem to believe Edward was the instigator. Some... reports of Edward bringing dead animals into the school.
(There are some referrals to various therapists in there. Not surprising.)
Then... there is an incident which is only vaguely referred to, but seems to have earned him a suspension. And wouldn't you know it? That happened right around Halloween.
You wanna dig some more to see what you can find on that one, Oswald?]
[His jaw is clenched, hard, knuckles white on the mouse so much that it cracks ominously under his fingers--before he lets it go. And sucks in a breath, before trying ot see what more he can find on that Halloween incident]
[Even digging into it, the details are... vague. There's mention of a prank that very badly scared a student, though... that doesn't seem much like something Edward would do. It doesn't go into more, not in this report.
What is interesting is that, after his suspension, Edward did not return to that school. And afterwards, there are reports - from his foster homes during that period, from his new school, from a therapist that was brought in - of Edward... refusing to talk. At all.
It seems that for a significant period after that incident, he didn't say a word to anyone.]
[......after all that, Oswald sits back, and folds his arms across his chest. There's a part of him that wants to throw things--tear apart something, hurt these people that hurt Edward, make them pay--and to that end, he writes down those names, a short list, tucking it away for another time. Right now, he needs to focus on that Halloween incident. Whatever it is, it's was obviously pretty bad. And what with said holiday actually coming up, he'll need to be prepared, somehow, for whatever follows.
He erases his browser history, removes the cookies, any evidence he can...and then pushes to his feet, reaching for his cane. He needs to prepare a few things.]
There is a note, though, because he did learn from that one time. It's not a lot, just a simple back later, but. Well, at least a sign that Edward didn't get kidnapped by the mob or anything.]
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[Breathe, Edward, come on. Hold it together.]
I'll be better when I go outside for a bit. Don't worry about it.
[And, uh. Edward might... be hurrying outside, kind of. As much as he can without being too obvious about it. He just needs to not be here right now.]
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It's fine. He's fine. He's... fine.
He keeps his gaze fixed on the ground, right now. No one really pays him too much mind, at least. That's Gotham.]
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Really there were a lot of variables. But he's here now, for better or for worse.]
Edward?
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Ah... Sorry for just disappearing like that.
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[He reaches out for one of the grocery bags.]
Here, um... Let me...
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though he's...keeping an eye on Edward. that was rather strange]
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He isn't really going to say much on the way back, though.]
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He's debating whether to just come out and ask about it when they get home, or....if he should do more research.
It feels like an instinct to try for the latter, rather than the former. He is used to doing his own sort of investigating, after all. Though whether he'd find anything is really unlikely.]
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...This way he doesn't have to think for a bit.
So.
Are you going to do some research, Oswald?]
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No investigations into that. Either no one noticed or they just didn't care.
There are some incident reports in here, too. Both from his old foster homes and the various schools he went to.
The foster homes report... a lot of "troubling behavior". Talking to himself. Telling lies. Disappearing and showing up suddenly, late into the night. More than once, in more than one of the foster homes, Edward disappeared for days at a time before being brought back after being found by a police officer. The language tries to be vague about it, but it's obvious attempts at running away. Some reports of injuries, which are speculated to be from fights. And, of course, the many reports at the end of his stays detailing why it was considered best for Edward to leave.
They try to put it in nice terms, as if it truly was just out of concern for Edward. But you can only see the the words "we don't think Edward is a good fit here" before it starts sounding hollow. Barely even an attempt at an excuse.
The reports from his schools aren't any more positive. A lot of detentions. Most from falling asleep in class or cutting school. Refusing to engage in class. There are a few reports of suspicions of cheating, with punishments given, but no actual conclusive proof. And then the more troubling reports. Some incidents of violence, most of which seem to believe Edward was the instigator. Some... reports of Edward bringing dead animals into the school.
(There are some referrals to various therapists in there. Not surprising.)
Then... there is an incident which is only vaguely referred to, but seems to have earned him a suspension. And wouldn't you know it? That happened right around Halloween.
You wanna dig some more to see what you can find on that one, Oswald?]
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What is interesting is that, after his suspension, Edward did not return to that school. And afterwards, there are reports - from his foster homes during that period, from his new school, from a therapist that was brought in - of Edward... refusing to talk. At all.
It seems that for a significant period after that incident, he didn't say a word to anyone.]
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He erases his browser history, removes the cookies, any evidence he can...and then pushes to his feet, reaching for his cane. He needs to prepare a few things.]
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There is a note, though, because he did learn from that one time. It's not a lot, just a simple back later, but. Well, at least a sign that Edward didn't get kidnapped by the mob or anything.]
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Let me know when you're on your way home and I'll heat up some dinner.
[and he'll just start cooking. Because there's not much else to do for that but wait.]
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[That's the initial response he gets. There's some radio silence, after that, but... eventually,]
should be back in 15 mins
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Hey.
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--are you alright?
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[edward...]
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