[ 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}
no subject
[ it's half critical, half curious. the rest of this has felt like an interrogation, even if edgeworth hasn't meant it to. ]
no subject
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.
no subject
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.
no subject
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.
no subject
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.
no subject
[ it's dry, and it's mildly offended, but there's some humor in it. ]
Was there anything else?
no subject
no subject
[ 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. ]
no subject
[And he still doesn't look at Josh as he slumps his way to the door and out.]