[RL 49: Not suited to playing school counselor... ; Devit][Backdated]

[samuraiprosecutor]

((OOC: Taking place at the beginning of the Hogwarts virus, Sept. 10th comm time.))



[his footsteps echo down one of the many narrow, stone halls that are buried deep in Hogwarts, off the most commonly traveled paths. he’s reading as he walks, his free hand occasionally turning the page before burying itself in Sieghard’s shaggy fur once again.]

[Sigi suddenly interrupts their walk, stopping and looking down the hall, ears perking up. Edgeworth stops with him, and the dog breaks ranks and trots down the hall, disappearing into an alcove off the side.]

[Edgeworth cocks and eyebrow, closes his book, and follows, already preparing for the detention he’s probably going to have to give out.]

Comments

[halfthetrouble]

[Devit had planted himself in the alcove ten minutes prior; he knows class is currently in session, and he knows that if he’s caught, it’d likely mean detention, but he can’t show up to class as he is. his makeup is running, staining his cheeks black, as he sobs quietly into his robes]

[he remains this way for several minutes, ignorant of everything around him, until the unmistakable feeling of a wet nose pressed against his hair, sniffing, startles him]

What--! [he lifts his head with a gasp, choking on a sob, and comes face to face with a dog; it’s immediately recognizable as one of the professors’ familiars. which, of course, means Devit is in deep shit]

[he stares at the dog for a moment, wide-eyed, and his expression drops] …Damn it…

[samuraiprosecutor]

[as expected, the professor himself soon appears in the door to the dimly lit alcove. the figure seated against the wall confirms his suspicions that Sigi’s cornered a student, and Edgeworth stares coolly at the boy.] I trust you have an excellent reason for being out of class.

[then closer inspection reveals the state he’s in, and Edgeworth’s stony expression falters noticeably.]

[halfthetrouble]

[quickly wipes his face with his robes and staggers to his feet as soon as the professor appears; he doesn’t have an excuse ready, and he apparently can’t think of one, so he stutters out something unintelligible as he tries to steady his breathing]

[samuraiprosecutor]

[thinks he recognizes the boy now. Indeed, he’s difficult to forget, a brash, rude child who’d probably consider this detention to be no more of a deterrent than the last one (or two, or three…). Edgeworth frowns at the makeup still smeared across his cheeks, clears his throat.] Devit, correct? Whose class should you be in?

[halfthetrouble]

[drops his gaze to the ground, trying to hide his face in the process, and shrugs as if to seem nonchalant] Professor Excalibur's.

[his voice comes out nasally; if it wasn't already apparent that he'd been crying, it surely is now]

[samuraiprosecutor]

[it had been fairly apparent, but until that point Edgeworth was holding out a vain hope that he was misinterpreting the situation. He casts a desperate look at Sigi—he still has trouble dealing with children at the best of times, but crying children he has next to no experience with. the dog cocks his head, steps forward to nuzzle the boy’s hand.]

And Professor Excalibur has no idea you’re out here. [a statement, not a question. he sighs, looking around the hallway as if he’ll stumble on an answer for how to handle the situation.]

[halfthetrouble]

[his hand twitches at the feel of the dog's nose, but he makes no other move]

If you're gonna give me detention, just do it already.

[samuraiprosecutor]

[hesitates only a moment more before his face sets in its usual mask.] Very well.

[he turns sharply on his heel and heads back out into the hall. snaps over his shoulder:] Sieghard!

[the dog responds instantly, walking around Devit and leaning firmly against the back of his legs. at ¾’s of the boy’s total weight, it shouldn’t be difficult for the large dog to start herding the boy towards the door.]

[halfthetrouble]

[doesn't put up any resistance, following the professor into the hall as he gives his eyes one final swipe with his sleeve]

[samuraiprosecutor]

[Edgeworth hasn’t quite decided where this course is going to lead, though he knows his office is the final destination. he’s not about to just let the boy go, but it seems clear that serving the usual detention with Giriko isn’t going to solve any of Devit’s problems.]

[comes to a halt outside his office door and waves his hand before it in several intricate, elegant gestures. the door opens for them, revealing his office in all its (pink) glory. Edgeworth enters, sets his book down on his light wood desk, and gives the room a quick once-over, looking for some task he can give the boy.]

[halfthetrouble]

[when they enter the office, Devit finally lifts his head, finding himself in a very pink and very unfamiliar room]

[frowns] This isn't detention...

[samuraiprosecutor]

For our purposes, it’s going to be.

[moves around the desk and takes up his customary seat, while Sigi nudges Devit’s backside with his head, ushering him towards the small chair in front of the desk.]

What is your class schedule?

[halfthetrouble]

[glances over his shoulder at the dog before taking a seat, then proceeds to glance around the room.

it's really, really pink.]

Eh... The whole thing?

[samuraiprosecutor]

The whole thing, including breaks and pre- or post-class appointments.

[pulls a pad of paper close and plucks his quill pen from its case, dipping it in the ink well at his elbow.]

[halfthetrouble]

[his voice is still nasally, but having calmed down a bit, he falls into his usual role of juvenile delinquent fairly easily]

[or tries to, anyway; to anyone who knew him well, he might still seem a little off as he forces a shaky sigh and rattles off his class schedule]

[samuraiprosecutor]

[Edgeworth takes down the schedule as he gives it, then pauses once the boy's done, looking it over.]

[As Devit waits, Sigi stands beside his chair, his bright eyes fixed on him. Eventually, Edgeworth sets his pen down and looks up at him as well.] You're to meet me here for the next three days. You'll have a half hour after your last engagement to get here. If you're late or you...forget our appointments, Sieghard will come to collect you.

[halfthetrouble]

Wait, what? [glances at the dog, unsure, then turns back to the professor] Three days? What am I gonna do?