[RL 8: Zero-Sum - Quatre, Edgeworth][Futuredated]

[samuraiprosecutor]

((OOC: Starting this early. Futuredating to 12-20-07. Event planned in this entry.))

He set the silver-grey teapot on the stove, turned the fire up, and went back into the living room. It was spotless, as usual; he'd had the maid service over just that morning...one of several preparations he'd made in anticipation of the visit.

He'd planned what he wanted to ask, though he knew the subjects would most likely lead to others and was ready for a difficult interrogation. The morning had been spent on the mental exercises he practiced before every trial, honing his thoughts. He and Sigi had returned from a walk not long ago, so there shouldn't be any interruptions of that nature.

The pot now whistling on the stove had been the final preparation; he realized he must have been standing in the doorway and staring at the living room for several minutes, and chastised himself for the lapse. This battle was going to be difficult enough, he couldn't afford such a distracted state of mind. He returned to the kitchen to finish the tea, listening carefully for a knocking at the door.

Comments

[samuraiprosecutor]

The question was rewarded with a glare. Things had turned back too quickly for Edgeworth's tastes. "My father was a gentle man, firm in his principles and reserved in nothing." Even those words stung, and he decided that was enough of an answer for both halves of the boy's question.

[ttly-an-arab.livejournal.com]

Even faced with Edgeworth's glare, Quatre smiled, albeit sadly. "I envy you then."

[samuraiprosecutor]

"You shouldn't," he replied, too quickly, too sharp. It gave too much away, and he hurried to turn the attention back again.

"Your father...The war was a source of contention between you." It was a guess, based mostly on instinct and the snippets of information he'd already gleaned, but he stated it as if it were a fact.

[ttly-an-arab.livejournal.com]

Another brief pause, more out of wonder than hesitation. He knew very well Edgeworth was still thinking in terms of opponents and tactics, but he wondered why he himself was slowly thinking less in such terms. Was it because he had become willing to let go of everything, despite the difficulty? Or because he couldn't carry on emotionally detached like the older man? Or both?

"For the most part," Quatre replied. "He was a total pacifist and believed violence only begets more violence...that diplomacy can always work."

But it doesn't, he thought bitterly. If it did, his father would still be with him; he wouldn't have run, wouldn't have sacrificed himself, wouldn't have been murdered by the people he was trying to protect.

[samuraiprosecutor]

Guessing right was only a minor victory, a single step. The real question hadn't been fully answered yet, but now that the way had been laid out for him Edgeworth knew the truth wasn't far ahead. "A difficult belief to hold on to. Or at least, to practice. Wouldn't you agree?"

[ttly-an-arab.livejournal.com]

Quatre met Edgeworth's gaze, preparing for what he was setting himself up for. "If diplomacy has failed, yes," he replied. "That's why total pacifism is not a wise political philosophy. There are times you must fight."

[samuraiprosecutor]

A smirk played over Edgeworth's lips, humorless. "And he disagreed."

[ttly-an-arab.livejournal.com]

Another twitch of the corner of his mouth. "He wouldn't have disowned me if he didn't."

[samuraiprosecutor]

That caused Edgeworth to pause, studying the boy's face intently. He had known early on that discussion of Quatre's father would be sensitive, but such a revelation was unexpected.

Still, being disowned was not the only truth Quatre hid. Edgeworth didn't need his years of experience in interrogation to sense that. And uncovering the truth was what they were there to do. Weighing his words carefully, he finally replied, "And you never reconciled."