[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

[mmiab]

Mm.

Not a valid concern amongst the lot, I'll wager. Not that there's any need for them to be concerned in the first place, of course. You're just going away on business. What's there to worry about?

[glassinine]

Yes. Precisely so.

[mmiab]

And yet, here they all are.

[glassinine]

I regret that my message was so ill-worded as to cause mass misinterpretation.

[mmiab]

Oh, no, I don't think it was poorly worded at all. Says what it needs to, doesn't it? "I'm going now, I don't know when I'm coming back, please don't talk to me." The only misinterpretation happened when absolutely everybody decided to do the precise opposite of requested. But that wasn't any wording error on your part.

So the question remains. Why did they all flock? If there's nothing to worry about? Strange, isn't it.

[glassinine]

...You shall have to ask them.

[mmiab]

[ goodness, you're stubborn. ]

I'm not sure I will, actually.

[glassinine]

Then the matter will have to be dropped.

[mmiab]

What are you running from?

[glassinine]

I'm going on a business trip.

[mmiab]

So you've repeated anywhere in the realm of 50 times in the past not very long at all. Repetition, unfortunately, is not synonymous with fact.

[glassinine]

Are you trying to accomplish something, sir?

[mmiab]

Yes, as a matter of fact. I'm trying to ascertain exactly what it is that's so pressing that you, a prosecutor and presumably therefore a stickler for detail and sniffing out dishonesty-- and I've spoken with you enough to know you're incredibly precise, put plenty of weight in respectability, in the regard of others --attempt to carry along a lie that's weak enough to have been seen through by the entire communicator-possessing population.

Clearly it's something big enough to override any embarrassment at your transparency, or shame at your continued deceit. Meaning it's big. Meaning you're running. Meaning I want to know why.

[ not because he has any right, not because it's any of his business, but because he is compelled. because this is not just one man's issue but the issue of all those who flock to him in concern and because the Doctor cannot help but but be pulled in, magnetised, to that sort of distress. ]

[glassinine]

[He's quiet a moment, thinking about that. But his answer is as standoffish as any of the others.]

Even if I were, what right would you have to the information?

[mmiab]

None. But there's chance I have the authority to help.

[ authority a word half-chosen and half slipped in. but that's what it is, at its root, isn't it? his inclination to aid? his universal, trans-universal experience in providing assistance where its needed. it's an authority. ]

[glassinine]

[But Edgeworth - he doesn't even hesitate before replying. It's just:]

You don't.

[mmiab]

[ it's an opening. ]

And you're certain of that how?

[glassinine]

[Screw it.]

Because this is a private matter.

[mmiab]

[ there. he's in. but it's personal now and forced retreat often inspires increased fortification down the line.

steady now, Doctor. careful. ]

I understand that. It isn't mine. But it's not just yours, either, is it?

[glassinine]

...No. It is not.

[mmiab]

And you're shutting them out.

[glassinine]

[Oh. Edgeworth thought...he was referring to the victims. He meant the people protesting.]

I...Everyone else is just - That will be fine. That all is inconsequential. It will pass.

[mmiab]

Inconsequential.

[ at any other time, he might sound angry at that. instead, he's pensive. the response sounds akin to a backpedal, as if he's startled him somehow, and the Doctor stores it away, levels it up against the other things he knows. lets it go, for the moment, because it's indicative of something else too, and that something is infinitely more important than protesting the importance of those who care.

in fact, perhaps their importance is forefront in both their minds.

his thoughts drift out, barely policed, overly familiar in ways he's no grounds to be - stream-of-consciousness, just like he'd reprimanded him for that first conversation, but the stream is entirely different from that babbling nonsense he'd spewed the first time. ]

This is bigger than you. It's bigger than your pride and it's bigger than your career. It's bigger than everything you've made of yourself. You're trampling all over everything you are and you're not backing down and that's huge, for you, that's huge Miles— so what is it?

[glassinine]

[He presses his hands against his eyes. His voice is muffled slightly by his hands.]

I don't know what you're talking about.

[mmiab]

You know exactly, don't waste words.

[ and— abruptly, he softens. entirely. because he doesn't want to push him to a breaking point, that isn't why he's here. ]

... If you tell me, I will help you.

[ conviction. there's no if, but or maybe in his tone. he will help.

the sacrifice being made here is huge - misguided or not he can't ascertain yet, not without knowing what he's making the sacrifice for, what it is that's driving him to do it. but the more he thinks on it, the more little peeks of motivation he's given, the more he comes to understand that this has less to do with running away and more to do with... what he doesn't know. but this isn't a man who abandons everything he places value in for a coward's fear. this isn't that. so it bears saying: ]

This is brave, but it's dangerous. I can tell you that because I've done it before. Isolation isn't a cure.