[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

[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.

[glassinine]

I'm an atheist.

[highhealplz]

[ now it's his turn for a startled pause. ]

Well, I wasn't going to try converting you, if that's what you're worried about.

[glassinine]

I'm telling you that anything I might be going through is not something you can assist with.

[highhealplz]

What does atheism have to do with that?

[glassinine]

...Were you not going to offer some sort of religious guidance?

[highhealplz]

What, just because I'm a high priest? Now who's assuming, huh?

[glassinine]

I don't think that assumption was an unreasonable one.

[highhealplz]

I think the Allfather has enough disciples for the time being. I was actually going to suggest use of my abilities, but it really depends on just what the issue here is.

[glassinine]

[His reaction to abilities is immediate and very negative.]

No.