dawnward | NV; (formerly on LJ)

Fine. Merely...I did not wish to give the impression I was calling for the purpose of the list. I - wished to...rather, give thanks. That's all.

Oh. I appreciate the thanks, Edgeworth, really. [A pause.] But other than those who paid attention and know, I'd...like to keep this between us.

[His tone, now that they're moving to more concrete topics, is somewhat less tense. Somewhat.]

Why is that?

I'd prefer for people to think that it's an anonymous person, instead of attaching it to a name. Did you see all of those people helping because they didn't know who it was, because they just assumed it was someone helpful? I'd prefer for it to continue like that.

I...see. That is - noble.

It's safe.

[There's another pause.] Edgeworth, what's going on? You sound out of it.

[With a mixture of frustration and embarrassment:]

There's nothing. I do not mean to concern you. I'm just...not very good at this. [With a bit of self-deprecation:] You might have noticed.

Good at complimenting people, you mean? [There's a smile in his voice.] You're fine.

At talking to them. [Just the slightest hesitation.] In any case. Yes. It's a good notion. Better, even, than taking credit.

Thank you. It means a lot to me.

Quite. Well. Likewise, it...means quite a lot that those who have disappeared have not been forgotten.

[He smiles, even if Edgeworth can't see it.] I know that I'd have wanted someone to do that for me when Kairi left.

You believe that she "left," then? That she did not, rather, die?

I... [There's a prolonged pause.] I think I've forced myself to believe the worst, that she is dead, even if my heart thinks otherwise. Then I won't be surprised if I...if I never see her again.

Well. All evidence points to there being multiple "versions" of us, as substantiated by the fact that those at home do not realize we are gone. Most likely, even if she did perish here, there is some...facet of her still continuing on, which you will see once more.

A facet of her.

Or perhaps her indeed. I do not know.

I don't know either. I just hope for the best but expect the worst.

Quite. Well. In any case. Apologies for the disturbance.

Don't worry about it. You can call me any time.

I doubt there will be much of a need for that.

You never know. Maybe one day you'll let me buy you a drink or some dinner, get you out of the office.

Don't be absurd. My rate of remuneration is considerably higher than yours; to force you to so expend your limited resources would be foolish in the extreme.

Edgeworth, I work two jobs, one being at a place where they serve meals for five hundred dollars a plate. Do you really think I don't have enough?

I do not doubt that you make "enough" to purchase a meal for another. Nevertheless, from a purely utilitarian standpoint, it makes no sense for you to do so, as my base of resources is considerably stronger.

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