FIFTEEN: video

[puppydogeyes]

[It's rare that Tyke makes a post to the network not looking annoyed, but this time there's obviously some attempt to smooth it over, to keep her tone neutral.]

Manfred von Karma's death has been found to be self-inflicted. Miles Edgeworth has been released.

[It looks like that's going to be it, because she doesn't want to explain the outlying circumstances or invite questions on Edgeworth's innocence. But then all of the annoyance she's been keeping tamped down rises to the surface, irritation clear in her expression and her voice as she continues-]

You find a scene like that, you report it to SEC, and you don't fucking touch anything.

[That's it. She cuts the video before her temper can get any worse.]

Comments

[voice, encrypted 30%]

[jurisimpudent]

[That hits him like a slap. He's only been having people speak to him gently, quietly; having her suddenly snarling at him is both startling and -

Honestly...refreshing. A little bit. It makes things seem a bit less strange and disconnected. He still gapes a moment, but the little curl of emotion within him is less unpleasant than the constant unhappy thrum of defeat.]

It's - It's not about that. It's not about him.

[voice, encrypted 30%]

[puppydogeyes]

It's all about him. He did this. Start to finish.

[voice, encrypted 30%]

[jurisimpudent]

It's - It - It wasn't. I - started it by acting in so aggressive a fashion...His acts were a response to my own. My own, which were abominable. And it is in response to my own moral failings...I - I don't care about him any longer.

[voice, encrypted 30%]

[puppydogeyes]

Bullshit.

[voice, encrypted 30%]

[jurisimpudent]

[A hesitation - and then he actually sounds timid - ]

Which...part?

[voice, encrypted 30%]

[puppydogeyes]

All of it. You weren't the cause of his actions. Any of them. And you can't get over shit like this in a couple of days.

[voice, encrypted 30%]

[jurisimpudent]

[There's a pause, and then a swallow. And then he says:]

I...I have to. Just get over it. There's no utility in being upset. He's just another person I misjudged; that is all.

[voice, encrypted 30%]

[puppydogeyes]

People don't work like that, Edgeworth. You can't just shut it off because you don't think it's useful.

[voice, encrypted 30%]

[jurisimpudent]

[Another moment, and then - ]

Are you yourself not able to? You at least control it.

[voice, encrypted 30%]

[puppydogeyes]

I deal. Not gonna act like I'm an expert.

[Because she really isn't. She thinks he should really talk to Jenna, but just saying that right now feels too much like pawning him off.]

Trying to pretend something doesn't matter, or didn't happen-- you saw that mess I made, few months back.

[Mess is putting it gently.]

[voice, encrypted 30%]

[jurisimpudent]

[His voice is awkward; he is, now as ever, a very bad liar.]

Not any sort of mess. Just - a moment of indiscretion, easily undone.

[voice, encrypted 30%]

[puppydogeyes]

[She just sounds quietly bemused. Edgeworth what are you.]

No, it was a really fucked up mess.

[voice, encrypted 30%]

[jurisimpudent]

Just a few words you didn't want said. I myself have taken pains to forget what you told me.

[He sounds at least an echo himself now - still weaker and quieter than usual, but with just a hint of that officious stubbornness.]

[voice, encrypted 30%]

[puppydogeyes]

You don't have to do that.

[Though she can't actually remember exactly what she told him. It occurs to her she should probably watch the recording herself to check, but she had honestly been avoiding it since it had happened.]

[voice, encrypted 30%]

[jurisimpudent]

Information obtained under duress is not admissible information in a court of law; nor ought it be taken into consideration by me.

[voice, encrypted 30%]

[puppydogeyes]

I wasn't under duress. I was drunk.

[voice, encrypted 30%]

[jurisimpudent]

You'd suffered a series of emotional blows which had robbed you of your judgment. Such things happen, especially here.

[voice, encrypted 30%]

[puppydogeyes]

I took a series of stupid actions. Which had consequences.

[voice, encrypted 30%]

[jurisimpudent]

No you didn't.

[voice, encrypted 30%]

[puppydogeyes]

Yeah, I did. Because I didn't deal right, I just tried to ignore it and drown it out.

[Pulling the point back to where this tangent had actually started.]

[voice, encrypted 30%]

[jurisimpudent]

[But his heels are still dug in; he thinks he sounds resolute and fierce when he responds, rather than a bit dumb and rather sweet.]

I think you were fine, and are fine.

[voice, encrypted 30%]

[puppydogeyes]

I was drunk and angry and wearing my mask every minute I could. I was neglecting my duties. I'm only better now cause other people managed to pull me out of it. Because I had help.

[voice, encrypted 30%]

[jurisimpudent]

[He looks down, the wind going out of his sails.]

If you say as much.

[voice, encrypted 30%]

[puppydogeyes]

Only if you're listening.

[voice, encrypted 30%]

[jurisimpudent]

[That...Well, confuses him, frankly.]

I...beg your pardon? I didn't say that because I stopped listening to you. I was simply agreeing.