[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]

So they say. That's not been proven yet.

[He says that quietly, unhappily. At the moment...It nearly does seem like a solution. But, God, with Wright here, and Trucy, and the others, he...couldn't. He couldn't do that to them. But he's just feeling more and more trapped, more and more frightened.]

[mmiab]

[ he lets it sit for a while. just a few drawn seconds to let that hang, process, sink in. contemplating the validity of suicide as a solution to the situation - and it's not a jest. there's no humour in the grim difficulty of the knots Edgeworth's tied himself into.

so, again, with feeling, after moments offered for the settling of thoughts: ] I can help you.

[glassinine]

[But still, no matter his desperation:]

No.

[mmiab]

[ a sigh, deep and resounding if held as best he can manage it under his breath. this shouldn't be so impossible. it shouldn't. ]

You're willing to consider dying, but not trying this?

[glassinine]

[And this is what it comes down to:]

I've already hurt enough people, sir. It stops here. I'm not hurting anyone else. Not even the willing.

[mmiab]

Don't mistake fear for righteousness. It won't fix anything.

[ he doesn't mean to be cruel. it's a plea more than anything, now, because he can understand why it is that Edgeworth is doing what he's doing. but it isn't good. not for anyone. and certainly not for him, the man himself, the man so full up with this that it will break him almost certainly, sometime sooner or later. if something isn't done. ]

However much it hurts now, that won't go away. Guilt doesn't go away. Fear doesn't, not unless you fight it. The people here need you. You need them. Let me help.

[glassinine]

[He doesn't look at him.]

I'm sorry. No.

[mmiab]

[ a suck of air in through grit teeth. he isn't going to win this, is he? he can't, the stubbornness, that impossible stubbornness he's so admired in those who possess it is set firmly against him now and there's no way, he knows that in the time he has there's no hope. not with the communicator as his only means of talking him, not when he can't offer any modicum of proof, of reassurance. ]

The second. The second you change your mind, even think about changing it, you contact me. Do you hear me? You contact me.

[glassinine]

[A surrender? Edgeworth doesn't find any satisfaction in the victory. The only thing keeping him going is sheer determination; when that's not needed anymore, when the fight is won, exhaustion claims him once again. He closes his eyes. His voice is tired.]

Understood.

[mmiab]

I'm not giving up on you. But if you need to go, if you need to get away, I can't stop you.

[ he knows that. he's no fool - and he's taking no pleasure in watching the beginnings of the decline. ]

I'll get there. Doesn't matter when, doesn't matter where. [ if you allow me, the second you allow me, I will prove to you there is hope. ]

[glassinine]

Duly noted.

[He says that quietly, sadly. Then he hangs up.]