[RL 53: And this just keeps getting better and better; Edgeworth, the Corinthian]

[samuraiprosecutor]

((OOC: Backdated again to Thursday, November 18th, to several hours after this rl.))



'Something fun' turned out to be several hours of bouncing from one show or movie to the next as each man kept trying to assert control over the TV. On the surface it was a familiar scenario, the kind of scene they'd enacted several times before. At times Edgeworth was almost able to forget the circumstances that had thrown them together, but always that threatening undercurrent reasserted itself, souring the air between them and reminding him of the risks they faced.

Eventually he gave up entirely on being able to enjoy himself. Allowing the Corinthian to watch what he would, Edgeworth began to occupy himself by frequently (and conspicuously) checking the time on the wall clock.

Comments

[darkmirror-vr2.livejournal.com]

Even the fighting had been relatively nice, and for a while it really did feel like any other time the nightmare has visited. When the man seemed to finally lose interest he continued to browse through the channels, hoping to find anything that would be even remotely interesting.

He didn't miss the almost anxious glances Edgeworth kept shooting the clock, though. "Expecting something?"

[samuraiprosecutor]

"They're expecting me down at the office," he answered, a tad sullenly. And it was the truth, if not the whole truth. With his propensity for arriving to work early, he was surprised no one had tried to get in touch with him yet.

[darkmirror-vr2.livejournal.com]

"If you just need to call them and let them know you'll be out for a couple days, then by all means," he said offhandedly, flipping to another channel. Sci-fi. Ugh. "Then you can relax a bit."

[samuraiprosecutor]

Edgeworth didn't reply immediately. Instead he crossed his arms defensively and gave the nightmare a searching look.

"And if I need to do more?" The wariness in his voice softened, and he shook his head. "I'm not the kind of man who can simply relax when there's work to be done, Corinthian. You know this."

[darkmirror-vr2.livejournal.com]

For half a second, the nightmare had been expecting to have another argument on his hands, and he was rather surprised when Edgeworth's earlier cold tone actually softened. Were they making progress?

Whatever it was, after a few thoughtful moments he seemed to relent. "....how much do you actually need to get done?"

[samuraiprosecutor]

Edgeworth did his best to keep the relief off his face, and for the most part he was successful. "The most crucial tasks will take an hour, at the very least."

[darkmirror-vr2.livejournal.com]

The Corinthian sighed, but nodded as he stood and motioned over toward the man's computer. "Fine. Just try and make it quick."

[samuraiprosecutor]

Edgeworth also stood, albeit more hesitantly. In light of how...difficult the nightmare had been that morning, he was still having trouble believing he'd acquiesce so easily, but he had no choice but to take this opportunity.

"I don't dawdle over my work," he said with just the right arch tone and a hint of indignation. He moved past the Corinthian on his way to the hall, but paused to cock an eyebrow at him. "I'm afraid there aren't many items of interest in the office. Unless the idea of studying Sigi's medals for an hour appeals to you, you may want to grab a book or something else with which to occupy yourself."

[darkmirror-vr2.livejournal.com]

"Couldn't I just sit and watch you work?" The question sounded almost innocent enough. The frown that came with it however....after how he had acted earlier, he wanted to be able to keep an eye on what Edgeworth was doing.

Then again, he knew the man was as big a workaholic as the nightmare had been.... "It's not like I have much else to do."

[samuraiprosecutor]

The frown was a worrying sign. Edgeworth struggled to keep his expression completely neutral. It was difficult to resist the urge to hurry in his efforts to reassure the nightmare that there wasn't any reason to doubt his motives, but he managed to keep his tone nonchalant.

"If you think my typing will be more interesting than the examples of fine literature offered by my bookcases..." He shrugged and continued on his way to the office, giving no visible hint of the thread of nervousness winding through him. Surely the Corinthian would grow bored eventually...but there were no guarantees on that front. "As you're not an avid reader, you're also welcome to use the laptop if you get bored. Any confidential files are already password protected."

[darkmirror-vr2.livejournal.com]

He snorted softly. "Unless any of that "fine literature" has a good amount of blood and death in it, I think watching paint dry would even be more interesting," he muttered, mostly to himself, though it was still perfectly audible. And just one cursory glance around the man's office as they entered showed him that he'd be finding very little of that on the shelves. Honestly, he really did need to expand Edgeworth's tastes a little one of these days....

"A laptop would be fine, though," he continued after a moment. "At least so I can see if Rose can take care of that damn cat while I'm here."

[samuraiprosecutor]

Again he managed to keep his relief off his face, this time covering it by rolling his eyes over the nightmare's questionable tastes. The laptop wasn't the ideal solution, of course--despite the protections in place, Edgeworth didn't relish the thought of giving anyone access to something as personal as his computer--but if it kept him distracted long enough for Edgeworth to make a post to the community it would be a worthwhile sacrifice.

Sigi hopped to his feet as they entered the room. Edgeworth was quick to call him over and reassure him with a few calm pats, but the wary looks the dog kept shooting at the Corinthian suggested he wasn't fooled. Edgeworth threw the nightmare a wary look of his own. "It's in the bedroom. If we go get it we can...move Sieghard there as well."

[darkmirror-vr2.livejournal.com]

For all of Edgeworth's attempts to keep his anxiety from showing the nightmare could still feel it all too well, though for the moment it wasn't hard for him to assume that it was only concern for the dog. He kept his distance while Edgeworth tried to calm the animal, however grudgingly, and nodded at the suggestion.

"Lead the way."

[samuraiprosecutor]

It wasn't difficult to move the Terv into the bedroom. Despite his obvious concern, he was still his master's loyal pet, and every command was his to obey. Aside from the whine he gave as the door closed behind them, the process of retrieving the laptop and locking the dog up went off without a hitch.

Once they were back in the office, Edgeworth set the laptop up on the small table between the two armchairs that provided the room's only other seating. He could only hope his own broad shoulders would help block most of the nightmare's view.

"Try not to stray too far into its depths," he said dryly, gesturing towards the laptop as he settled in the office chair.