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

[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?

Forgive me; I would sooner not go into the details. I simply need you to ensure he does not get near me. The likelihood that he will indeed come after me is comparatively small at the moment, given his current disposition towards me, but I need you to ensure that in the remote chance that he decides to come after me you will talk him out of it.

You'd be surprised. [The man still risked his life for him even after their explosive argument at the skating rink, after all.] Of course, I can't firmly comment on the likelihood without knowing the situation.

[Barnaby doesn't much like being asked (or told, rather) to discuss something he himself doesn't fully understand. He and Kotetsu already have enough misunderstandings between just the two of them.]

If he acts like he wants to follow you, I can remind him of his duties here, but that's about all I can promise. Vague platitudes meant to discourage further contact probably won't make much of an impression.

[A hesitation.]

Remind him of my deficient character, please.

[Okay, this conversation is starting to stink of martyrdom and self-flagellation.]

What do you mean by that, sir? Based on my observations, you've continuously acted with the community's best interests in mind.

[Sorry, Barnaby. That's exactly what it is.]

He will understand.

[Great, that's exactly where he wanted this to go.]

I'm not so certain he will. Besides, it isn't in my nature to relay information that's essentially hearsay.

[Honestly, any supposed deficiency in character can't be worse than some of the things Barnaby himself has said or done.]

It's not hearsay. It's just repeating what I said to you.

We can debate semantics, but my point still stands: I won't "remind" him of something that blatantly contradicts everything I've observed up until now.

Sir, I suspect there is much you have not observed if that is what you believe.

Honestly, you may be right. [He never said he has complete faith in you, Edgeworth, just that he's going by what he's seen so far.] Even so, I'm not one to merely take someone's word for it, particularly if there's no further explanation regarding why I should.

Fine. I have done him significant injury, and have the potential to do him more. For his safety, you will keep him away from me.

What do you mean by significant injury?

[A pause. He tries to figure out how to say this in the way that frames him in the worst possible light. Finally, he settles on:]

I caused him grave offense.

[His initial wording made it sound like he'd caused Kotetsu bodily harm. "Grave offense", at least, is a step down from that, and Barnaby loosens his grip on the device he's using.]

In other words, you two had a disagreement, and you said something that upset him.

[That is hardly a threat to anyone's safety. Don't scare him like that, Edgeworth.]

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