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

Actually, I have a passport. And with all due respect, local police departments seem under-equipped to deal with some of the threats we've experienced these past few months.

Please don't misunderstand me. It is not my intention to pry into your personal affairs, nor do I expect you to justify your abrupt departure, as uncharacteristic as it may be. That said, given the current political climate, your hand in apprehending one of the agents, and some of the unfinished business you're leaving behind, it seems irresponsible to travel abroad without informing at least one imPort of your whereabouts.

Sir, I appreciate your concern. But I assure you, I am more than capable of taking care of any issues that might arise.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the fact you are deliberately concealing your destination while refusing to give an estimated date of return suggests the exact opposite, as it gives the impression that you do not expect to come back.

[A moment.]

Of course I intend to come back.

That may be your intention, but do you truly expect to return?

Why wouldn't I?

If, for example, you're unsuccessful in whatever it is you're aiming to do.

My business, you mean.

For the purpose of this exchange, I believe we can safely assume "business" is synonymous with "whatever it is you're aiming to do" while abroad, yes.

If business is unsuccessful, one does not fail to return to one's place of work in response.

Wouldn't that depend on the business at hand?

[Ugh.]

Stop playing coy.

I'm simply pointing out the problems, as I see them, behind such a generalization, sir. Am I to understand that, regardless of the outcome of this business you have abroad, we can expect to see you again?

[He grits his teeth.]

I'm not a fortune-teller, Brooks.

[Barnaby is cynical enough to take that as a "no".]

That's why it seems odd to me, Mr. Edgeworth, that you're so certain no one needs to concern themselves with where you're going.

Of course, as I said before, I've no interest in prying for details you do not wish to share. Personally, though, I think it's only a matter of time before someone goes looking for you anyway.

[He clenches his jaw.]

No one has any right to look for me. I have a right to my private life.

That may be so, but people who consider themselves your friends and family may see themselves as the exception.

Those who trust you even a little will want to know why you're hiding something from them.

Others may come digging, either to satisfy their own curiosity, or because they do not feel right with themselves unless they're trying to fix whatever is wrong.

On top of that, we happen to live in a community brimming with people who will drop whatever they're doing at the first sign of trouble. Good luck keeping them out. [Especially after broadcasting such a conspicuous and cryptic video, good lord.]

[There's a moment's pause. Then:]

I need you to keep your partner away from me.

That's sometimes easier said than done. Why do you need to keep him away?

Because he seems the sort to come after me. And I do not wish to deal with the loss of privacy.

He is actually capable of respecting a person's privacy, believe it or not. If he suspects you may be in trouble, however, it's very difficult to deter him from getting involved.

Are you capable of deterring him?

[They're partners, but Kotetsu is still a grown man who makes his own choices. So far Edgeworth hasn't outright denied anything is wrong, either, which won't give Barnaby much of a leg to stand on if he actually speaks to him about this.]

That may depend on if he's already made up his mind. Have you talked to him about this yourself?

Edited 2014-07-14 15:18 (UTC)

Yes.

May I ask what you told him?

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