maskormenace | [video]

[video]

[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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Bull. Shit.]

Uh-huh. Then I guess you won't mind if I ask around your office for more details, since just up and leaving without an idea how long you'll be gone or any way to get in touch with you is just totally routine for a business trip and not anything to worry about at all.

[A horrified pause.]

You have no right to ask at my office.

[Gotcha.]

But it's just a business trip, right? It's not like there's any personal reasons you've got for going that'd be invasive and rude of me to go digging into.

[A shrug.]

Besides, they'd need my experiences with Lunatic for their investigation, right? It could come up in conversation while I'm there.

There has been no call for your testimony.

They wanna protect those spies, right? I'm one of the only people who knows what he's capable of, and what fighting him's like.

That...I -

[He closes his eyes.]

No. You're correct.

So what happened? What's got you wanting to skip town so bad?

...It's...I merely...think this would be best.

Trying to quietly disappear and hope people forget about you isn't "best" for anyone.

That's - not what I'm hoping.

Then what are you hoping? What the hell do you think you're gonna accomplish by running off and ditching everything you care about and not giving anyone any idea where you're going or when you're gonna be back or even how to stay in touch and check in on you?

I don't -

[He clenches his jaw.]

Look. I'm telling you this in confidence. But I do not want to give anyone any such idea. I need people to stay away from me. I am a danger.

[And an eyebrow goes up.]

A danger.

[Yeah, you're gonna have to explain that one.]

That's right.

[Not that easy.]

You planning on coughing up some details any time soon or am I gonna have to break out the b-word again?

[y'know, that word you like hearing so much u_u]

The...what word?

Oh, y'know, the one about bulls and what comes outta their behinds.

[because yeah, being a smartass is going to get you what you want to know, Kotetsu...]

...Swear away. I don't particularly care.

[...it's really weird how Edgeworth not getting worked up about something he usually gets worked up about actually makes Kotetsu feel more concerned for him. Especially when he's the one generally saying the man needs to loosen up. A sigh.]

If I'm gonna be keeping your secret on this, I think I've got some right to know what secret I'm actually keeping.

...It would be easier for you if you knew less.

It'd be easier for me if you didn't know I was Wild Tiger, too.

Sir, if I tell you, it could create legal complications for you.

[There's such a frown at that 'sir'.]

I'll deal with 'em if they come up.

You don't even know what they are.

Like you said before, "I don't particularly care."

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