002. [Action] - Backdated to slightly after Kissing Phoenix.

[makethemguilty]

What is the meaning of this?!…What the hell is wrong with this place? What are they putting in the air?!

[That…Phoenix had gotten a taste of the von Karmic perfection—quite literally—was like him drinking from the ambrosia of the gods, it was…forbidden! How could this be?! Why? What madness had overcome the both of them. He's evidently not pleased with the results, because he's currently isolated himself to a corner of the library.

The fact alone that he had kissed a defense attorney was a kind of relation that transgressed legal, moral, and professional norms…"Fraternization with the enemy", in effect.]

I will not allow this ridiculousness to continue!

[Of course after that entire mess he went to stalk the length of the castle corridors furthest from Wright as possible, vowing to never again seek out his company.

Little was he aware that nutcrackers abounded in this part of the library where he'd chosen to go, and that he'd done nothing to prevent encounters from happening with the other residents. It doesn't occur to him in fact, because he's having a rare moment in which his composure has slipped.


Manfred von Karma's s situational awareness was indeed lowered slightly, and despite the decorations of lights, tinsel, and other appropriate holiday fare, he stands right in the vicinity of the library where the nutcrackers happened to loom like little terrible dolls of ruination.

And with that, the dictation ends, for he's currently busy trying to recover his dignity.]


[ooc: Open to all for Kissmas things here, planned and unplanned!]

Comments

[makethemguilty]

[It is a heavy burden to bear, knowing the hour of one's death. But to a man like himself, it only furthered what he was about to say. The charade...had ended. What was left but to move on? The possibility, however small, did exist.]

I have paid my dues, Miles.

[cantacquityou]

[He gripped his arm, facing away with his characteristic sign of discomfort.]

...and dues amass interest. What makes you so certain that you have paid in full?

[makethemguilty]

[What gall was this! What nerve! That Edgeworth should demand "interest"?!

Manfred regarded him with a smoldering gaze, no less indignant at this…childish behavior than if the other had struck him upon the face.

Did he think him so foolish he'd allow him to take advantage of the situation?

Did I not sustain you, Edgeworth? Did I not school you, give you every means to succeed, and take you under my wing? Did you not go without want?

For fifteen years…

I gave you everything. What more could I possibly give...more so than my life?

[cantacquityou]

[It is by this that Edgeworth convinces himself that Manfred has an ulterior motive of sorts... After all, the last exchange between them involved Manfred threatening to bury him by his own hand. However, it could have easily been a flawed supposition, as nothing concerning Manfred could have been so obviously transparent. Come to think of it, what of Manfred's loss? It was quite likely that like himself, Manfred may have been robbed of crucial memories, thus influencing his current behavior.

With so many holes, compounded with those of his own loss, Edgeworth found it difficult to respond as he would have preferred. Perhaps a mild appeasement would prolong the search for truth.]





...You did.

[makethemguilty]

Answer me, Edgeworth!

[He let his cane resound against the floor, striking it with force. His voice boomed, the tone in which he raised given only to command his protégé's attention.]

[cantacquityou]

...Have I not? What more of a response could you have possibly expected?

[makethemguilty]

...

I asked you: What more…could you possibly require? What do you want that I have not given? Well? What is it?

You're trying my patience, Edgeworth.

[cantacquityou]

...As of now, I require nothing. What has been done cannot be undone, and were I to put into mere words what I would have preferred, they would serve to only mitigate the truest extent of my wishes.

I could say that I want answers, but long since the day your execution date was set, I came to accept that I forfeit any chance for closure.

[makethemguilty]

['What has been done cannot be undone'. And yet, the chance to start over was indeed present, should the circumstances presently allow it. The civility he was attempting to keep between them was starting to wear thin, if but for the influences of this place.

Miles would have to be patient too, if for only a while longer. Answers were…not to be given just yet. It was far too soon, for that.

He lessened the severity in his tone, hushing his voice only to keep it more meaningful, and yet...hesitating to reveal more than was absolutely necessary. ]

Do you not understand? Is this not a place where many have sought to begin anew?

Why, do you suppose, the reason might be, for me to bring you here, if not to extend an olive branch? Should you accept my proposal, then we may discuss the past...and put it behind us.