[video]

[glassinine]

[The thing about employing text is that when you start using it when all your broadcasts are in video, people tend to question why you've suddenly switched. So he makes the decision to instead compose himself as best as he can and use video instead.

Unfortunately, he always sort of overestimates his ability to compose himself. He certainly doesn't seem distraught, or panicked, or anything of the sort, but he's definitely shaky. This is definitely a far cry from his normal, slow, quiet, lengthy broadcasts.]

I'm leaving on a business trip abroad for...some length of time. I'm - not certain how long. Please don't try to contact me; I'll be far too busy to answer any messages.

Good day.

Comments

[highhealplz]

[ ok this guy's acting a little weird, but. he can roll with that! ]

Oh, yeah? That's the country right above us, right? Where in Canada?

[glassinine]

Ah -

[God, he doesn't...]

I...suppose...Quebec.

[highhealplz]

That sounds nice. [ he has no idea if Quebec is nice or not, he's just trying to help this poor, socially awkward thing through a simple conversation. poor guy. ] Is that far north enough for there to be snow? Hard to imagine considering the season, but maybe...!

[glassinine]

Ah...

[He clears his throat.]

No. It's - merely temperate there at the moment. Snow would not be expected until October at the earliest.

[highhealplz]

Well, I hope your business trip doesn't last that long! That'd be a while to go without seeing any of your friends here.

[glassinine]

I -

[Any of your friends. This conversation is a torment.]

It's a...It's important business. It will take as long as it needs to.

[highhealplz]

What is it? I mean, you don't have to give me all the details, or anything, but what's the field?

[glassinine]

...Law.

[highhealplz]

So... a trial?

[glassinine]

Ah...No. Not...a trial.

[highhealplz]

Then...?

[glassinine]

...Research.

[highhealplz]

[ a pause, slightly awkward ]

Are you... alright?

[glassinine]

[He immediately looks away.]

That's a strange thing to ask.

[highhealplz]

[ uhhhh ]

Well. Granted I don't know you very well, so I could be wrong, but you seem a little nervous. Is everything okay?

[glassinine]

[Well. That prevaricating and politeness, at least, shows Edgeworth how to deal with this man.]

Are you accusing me of lying?

[highhealplz]

[ with an apologetic little smile: ] Not yet.

[glassinine]

[That gets him a look of startled confusion. He was supposed to have...wilted.]

...I said that I'm fine. Many times.

[highhealplz]

Not to me, you haven't. Actually, you haven't answered the question at all yet.

[glassinine]

[He tries again:]

Do I know you, sir?

[highhealplz]

My name's Ashraf Salib, high priest of the Prontera Church of Odin in Rune-Midgard, and a recent arrival. [ a beat, and a smile. ] Now would you answer, if I asked again?

[glassinine]

[THIS GUY]

I'm under no obligation to do so.

[highhealplz]

Well, see, now you don't even need to.

[glassinine]

Don't assume.

[highhealplz]

I'm not assuming, I'm deducing. Er, wait... inducing? I can't keep those straight.

Anyway... if you don't want to talk to me about it, that's fine. But I might be able to help with whatever it is.