[ it's surreal to just be talking this out. he'd really rather not, actually. but edgeworth's insistence is enough to keep him talking, and he's starting to sound more tired than anything else. ]
I killed Ray to protect Nora. [ a pause, slightly less confident: ] But I was going to kill him before it came to that.
[ this shouldn't really be an issue anymore, because it's not like the cure stuck. but it's still something he hates, and the answer sounds a bit forced. ]
No. It didn't. It cured me, but it didn't... trickle down.
[ which sounds stupid, and he's judging himself slightly for describing it that way, even if it's accurate. ]
[ and it's worse this time. he leaves that part out, because that's more he'd have to explain. witches and purebreds, and he already feels insane enough with what he's confessed so far. ]
It's not our business to police individuals afflicted with werewolfism; we hold faith that you'll manage your condition unless it's demonstrated otherwise.
[ he should probably find that more endearing. he doesn't, not after everything else. he sounds tired, and he sounds bitter, and for some reason the sudden concern just raises his hackles. ]
Why do you care? I'm not a decent person. [ there's an edge there, echoing the language edgeworth had used over the network. ] I'm surprised you're even still here.
[There's a pause, and then, still not looking at Josh - an unhappy little shrug. Quietly, hoping that Josh is denser than he gives him credit for and won't read the full truth into this comment, Edgeworth mumbles in reply:]
I'm not exactly a decent person either.
[And then he shifts his gaze again - floor to wall.]
[ except edgeworth has been all black and white at this point; decent means something specific, and the absence of it is violence and guilt. it doesn't go unnoticed, but josh doesn't push it. not now, anyway. ]
Relevant. Because of your work with Security?
[ which is more familiar, more sensible coming from edgeworth. but josh takes some pity a second later, treats the previous answer like it wasn't a load of shit; his response is a lie, but he's not about to tell a member of security that he doesn't have control. ]
[It's at once a relief and a misery compounded that Josh either didn't get the implication or chose to overlook it. A relief because the blood on his hands - because even Josh wouldn't be able to accept his crime...Misery, though, because he feels strangely, inexplicably horrible knowing Josh's secrets but holding onto his own.
Stupid. It's not like every criminal gets to know what he's done. Why should Josh?]
Okay.
[He shoves his hands miserably in his pockets. Quietly:]
I - do not assess you to be a threat to others on-board.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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An alternative aside from watching someone die.
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[ it's surreal to just be talking this out. he'd really rather not, actually. but edgeworth's insistence is enough to keep him talking, and he's starting to sound more tired than anything else. ]
I killed Ray to protect Nora. [ a pause, slightly less confident: ] But I was going to kill him before it came to that.
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[ it's quick, but it's not purely defensive. he means it. ]
To break the curse. I thought it would cure her.
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Would it have?
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No. It didn't. It cured me, but it didn't... trickle down.
[ which sounds stupid, and he's judging himself slightly for describing it that way, even if it's accurate. ]
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Then you are no longer an individual with werewolfism?
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I wasn't. For almost two years.
[ he could leave it there, let edgeworth get the hint, but he's been doing enough of that. ]
I got... scratched, again. By a different wolf.
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[That could sound like a judgmental question, or an accusatory one. But he asks it quietly, without any intonation.]
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[ that coldness is back, but it's not directed at edgeworth. ]
He's dead.
[ not by josh's hands, but not for lack of trying, so it's semantics at this point. ]
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[Edgeworth looks off to the side; his mouth is grim. He assumes from that that Josh was in fact responsible.]
But you are not cured once more.
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[ and it's worse this time. he leaves that part out, because that's more he'd have to explain. witches and purebreds, and he already feels insane enough with what he's confessed so far. ]
I have it taken care of.
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[He's back to staring at the floor now.]
It's not our business to police individuals afflicted with werewolfism; we hold faith that you'll manage your condition unless it's demonstrated otherwise.
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[ it's half critical, half curious. the rest of this has felt like an interrogation, even if edgeworth hasn't meant it to. ]
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Because I...want to know how - you're doing. I guess.
sorry edgeworth
Why do you care? I'm not a decent person. [ there's an edge there, echoing the language edgeworth had used over the network. ] I'm surprised you're even still here.
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I'm not exactly a decent person either.
[And then he shifts his gaze again - floor to wall.]
The information is...relevant to me. That's why.
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Relevant. Because of your work with Security?
[ which is more familiar, more sensible coming from edgeworth. but josh takes some pity a second later, treats the previous answer like it wasn't a load of shit; his response is a lie, but he's not about to tell a member of security that he doesn't have control. ]
I'm fine.
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Stupid. It's not like every criminal gets to know what he's done. Why should Josh?]
Okay.
[He shoves his hands miserably in his pockets. Quietly:]
I - do not assess you to be a threat to others on-board.
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[ it's dry, and it's mildly offended, but there's some humor in it. ]
Was there anything else?
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[ a pause, tired and unsure. ]
I should get some rest before my shift.
[ it's a less hostile attempt to kick him out this time, and that's intentional; it's taking effort to show some sympathy. ]
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[And he still doesn't look at Josh as he slumps his way to the door and out.]