07: [Action]

[truthsnomiracle]

March 26, 5:59 PM
Bay View Hotel
Room 212
NNNGGGHHHOOOOOOOH!

[That was probably audible throughout half the hotel.]


March 27, ??:03 ?M
Outside Bay View Hotel
[Anyone on their way in or out from fighting will probably find a prosecutor in a new-looking, stiff burgundy trenchcoat with a glaive across his back... hugging a black and white, collie-like dog while sobbing pitifully.]

[OOC: Please specify your prompt!]

Comments

27th

[croibhristeoir]

...

[Fighting took his mind off things. And for a short time blessedly free of self-hatred and misery, Diarmuid was himself again. But when he entered the hotel in full armor and carrying his treasured crimson lance...that momentary calm moment screeched to a halt.]

[This was not like Edgeworth, not in the slightest. And as time passed, more and more it seemed like the entire city was falling apart. After a second's hesitation, he stepped forward and rested a light hand on the prosecutor's shoulder.]

[truthsnomiracle]

[Edgeworth is so out of it, so overwhelmed by his misery, that his usual aversion to physical contact barely kicks in at all -- a token twitch that could just as easily be surprise, nothing more.

The dog, on the other hand, looks up from lapping up Edgeworth's tears long enough to smile at this newcomer.]

[croibhristeoir]

...come on.

[Edgeworth offered to listen to Diarmuid when he needed it--the least he could do was offer the same courtesy.]

I was just returning to my room--if you'd like, we can talk in private there.

[truthsnomiracle]

[Speaking seems to register more effectively, as the the prosecutor sounds like he's at least trying to respond. The key word here is "trying" -- it sounds more like an attempt to construct a new language out of sobs, chokes, and whimpers than anything. He hugs the dog he's clinging to harder, and she whimpers in sympathy.]

[croibhristeoir]

...please? [A faint, sympathetic smile--strained but heartfelt.] Bring your companion as well, if you like.

[truthsnomiracle]

[Realizing that he's in no shape to speak, Edgeworth just nods numbly, then forces himself to slowly release the dog. She seems confused at first, until the slowly rising prosecutor pats his thigh while beginning to turn. He doesn't seem able to properly lift his head, though, and is obviously struggling with the whole "upright" thing.]

[croibhristeoir]

[This must have been something cataclysmic, Diarmuid thought as he led the way back upstairs. In silence he tapped his fingers thoughtfully against the crimson lance...what could have happened? How many more people could possibly have been killed? Diarmuid hadn't dared check the news reports after he'd been told about Grainne.]

[One thing at a time. Eventually they reached the sixth floor, Diarmuid unlocking the door and stepping back for Edgeworth and his canine friend to walk in first.]

[truthsnomiracle]

[The dog seems torn between curiosity about her surroundings and concern for Edgeworth as they go up the stairs and into Lancer's room, but does keep pace with the men. As for Edgeworth himself, he at least finds the presence of mind to stagger his way to the couch and cradle his head in his hands. The dog leans against his legs.]

[croibhristeoir]

...what's happened?

[Lancer sank into a chair nearby, lance resting against his shoulder. It was as if he didn't want to let it go for fear it might vanish completely.]

26th

[want_a_vacation]

*It was audible enough. A few minutes after the scream, Allen will come knocking sharply on the door.*

Mr. Edgeworth?

1/2

[truthsnomiracle]

[Allen may faintly hear pounding on a table and a rather upset Edgeworth as he approaches said door.]

Damn this bloody island and the criminal who taunts us here! Why him?! Why now when he's needed most?!

2/2

[truthsnomiracle]

[...But the knock does get his attention. Say hello to an Edgeworth trying very badly to hide the fact that the dam's finally burst, Allen.]

...Mr. Ridgeley.

[want_a_vacation]

*He could be hiding it fairly well and Allen might still notice. It's like a neon sign here, and it's worrying.*

Are you...going to be okay?

[truthsnomiracle]

Am I going to be okay?! If things continue as they are, no one on the entire island will be "okay"!

[...Oh boy.]

[want_a_vacation]

Calm down, we'll find out who's behind the murders and stop them.

*He reaches to put a hand on Edgeworth's arm but pauses halfway. If this was one of his friends from work, he wouldn't have hesitated. But he doesn't really know this man that well yet, and he has noticed that he tends to be uncomfortable with expressions of familiarity.*

But it sounds like that's not the only thing bothering you. What happened?

[truthsnomiracle]

[Edgeworth manages not to snap again, though he's still clearly seething and his response is clipped.]

The evidence is in your contact list.

[want_a_vacation]

*Uh-oh...he gets out his phone, starts scrolling through the numbers...and his face falls when he gets to where Phoenix's listing should be.*

He's-ngh. Him too? I...I'm sorry. I don't know what kind of relationship you two had, but I could tell you at least respected him. I...we'll find something. Some way to get to the bottom of what's going on here and stop it. I know we will...we have to.

[truthsnomiracle]

Without him here, I fear that justice can't be done.

[He's shaking...]

[want_a_vacation]

So you're just going to give up? There's a way, I know there is. But if we think we're doomed to lose, we already have.

26

[pardonmylanguage]

[Gratuity got jolted out of a nap by that scream, which is right next door to her. She charges out the door instantly, only pausing to grab a can of mace, to bang on the door next to her.]

Are you okay?

[truthsnomiracle]

It isn't your business! ...Miss.

[He didn't even answer the door, just shouted in response to the unfamiliar voice -- though the afterthought was slightly less loud.]

[pardonmylanguage]

[Why is everyone calling her Miss? It makes her feel old.]

It is my business when we're right next door to each other! I thought you were getting murdered!

[truthsnomiracle]

...Ah.

[Edgeworth walks over to the door, but doesn't open it.]

I've been subjected to nothing physical, I assure you.

ignore icon, there's none appropriate for this

[pardonmylanguage]

[A pause. Should she ask more? It seems invasive, but she's already standing outside his door and her mun thinks it would be silly to end things here.]

Was it the news? [Said in a very quiet voice, while already backing away in case of angry door-opening.]

[truthsnomiracle]

No, nor am I in the mood for a game of Twenty Questions in the least!