[April 14, 2019 : Kristoph Gavin and Shadi Enigmar]

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Title: Take It or Leave It
Characters Involved: Kristoph Gavin and Shadi Enigmar
Approximate Time of Day: 3:44 PM
Location: The Detention Center
Summary:(so far) Shadi is running out of time to pick his attorney, but his luck is about to change.
Completed?: [y/n]

Comments

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"Content? No. You misunderstand." Kristoph's smile was returned in kind, though the entirety of Shadi's facial features seemed to join in the amusement. "Is this the first impression you wish to be making, Mr. Gavin?"

Despite the sheer backhandedness of Shadi's comment, the magician's expression did not falter in the slightest - if anything, he almost seemed proud of himself. "You know what they say about assuming and those that make a habit of it, I'm sure. If not, I would be glad to tell you more - though I would rather not tie that hair of yours in a knot. The saying may seem a little racy to your type."

By now, the smile had long since crossed borders and was more easily defined as a smirk. Kristoph's eye contact was caught then, and Shadi held it easily; without a single trace of hesitance in the matter. The subpar lighting of the room caused a fair amount of reflection on Kristoph's glasses - to say nothing of the actual glass between them - and although this came as a slight annoyance to the magician, it did not deter him in the least.

[arraigns]

Kristoph managed to resist the urge to roll his eyes - it was becoming painfully clear why Enigmar had been difficult to handle, and he hadn't even seen the debacle with the handcuffs. He might not have been an expert when it came to sleight of hand, but between any dexterity Enigmar had garnered as a result of performing magic for years and his rather overbearing personality, Kristoph could just imagine what havoc this man had been able to wreak.

And this was merely judging off of his personality alone and saying nothing of the remarks themselves, though Kristoph wasn't about to rise to the bait dealing with his hair or his type - as far as he was concerned, the pink cape killed any right that Enigmar may have had to comment on such things.

"I'm quite aware of the saying, Mr. Enigmar." Although his expression remained cordial, his voice had slipped back into a less familiar tone; he remained professional, however, and determined to press the matter at least a bit further. "At the same time, I can't help but be curious as to why you currently have no legal representation, and while you may not be content with a state-appointed lawyer, you don't seem opposed to the situation. Is there a reason?"

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Ah, the slip from familiarity to serious business. Shadi had been anticipating that, but perhaps not so soon. While the professionalism of the situation remained - at least on Kristoph's end - the magician was well aware of how this conversation was going to end up - fruitless, should he not be swayed by something masterful.

"There are reasons for everything," Shadi replied, the smirk losing its cocky edge as he addressed the defense attorney rather than lunged at him with the metaphorical lance of mockery - or, rather, dulled the edge on said lance. "Do they not laugh at jokes where you are from?" For a moment, Shadi seemed to size Kristoph up. "...well, I would not be surprised if that were true."

Crossing his arms over his chest, Shadi shifted on his chair, the hinges squeaking loudly in protest as it compensated for the change in weight. "As you know, my time is short. Show me your wares, and I will see what can be done about escorting you out in a timely manner."

[arraigns]

Kristoph shook his head; the smile crossing his features bordered on sardonic, though that was far from being the only emotion making its presence known in Kristoph's thoughts - if nothing else, Shadi Enigmar certainly knew how to inspire incredulity.

"Oh, I could sit here for quite some time and discuss my qualifications with you, Mr. Enigmar, as well as make it plain that I can guarantee your verdict - but considering how you're already convinced that this is going to end in my dismissal, regardless of how many years I've spent as a member of the bar association and what legal committees I may or may not happen to be on...I don't see what wares you expect me to show you in order to turn this in my favor."

He paused briefly, considering his words before he continued. "That being the case, I'm going to ask that you lead the discussion, if you'd like; even if you are going to refuse my services, we have a while before the state-appointed attorney shows up. Considering that you've been here for a few hours and there are horror stories already, I wouldn't be surprised if you're bored out of your skull; if you're asking the questions, you won't have to sit through a monologue of things that don't matter, and I won't have to go on about things that no one cares about. And at the very least, I don't doubt you'll derive some sort of entertainment from it, considering that when it comes to mocking me, you seem to be having a grand time already."

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It was clear by the time Kristoph had begun speaking about state-appointed attorneys and skulls that Shadi wasn't exactly paying attention. My, this man was verbose, wasn't he? By the time Kristoph had finished what Shadi considered to be the recitation of a short novel, the magician waved his hand dismissively.

"So, you came to entertain the criminals of the Detention Center with your sunny demeanor and offhanded mentions of your own greatness then?" The question was clearly rhetorical, but Shadi let it hang in the air anyway to allow the pleasant build-up of awkwardness. Once the level of said awkwardness had reached its appropriate thickness, Shadi let out a loud, vaguely rehearsed sounding laugh - the poor acoustics of the room letting the sound die out in an almost stunted manner. "Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha! I cannot say I dislike your style, Gavin!"

Amusement touched on the magician's features, but this time with a dramatically less focused edge. "Defense by day, unintentional entertainment by afternoon, and scaling down the pedestal you place yourself on by night. You must be a delight at parties."

[arraigns]

Kristoph was mildly disconcerted by the sudden laugh, but when it came to the overall discussion he couldn't say that he had expected Enigmar to fully go along with him - if for no better reason than that would be too easy.

There was also the question of whether or not Enigmar had even heard anything he'd said, but he had the feeling that in the long run, that would be irrelevant.

"I would say that it's a style you're accustomed to, though when it comes to pedestals...well, you've been arrested and you don't appear to have come down from yours." Though his tone had slipped back into something easier and less businesslike, the comment was still more pointed than one Kristoph would normally offer potential clients; however, Enigmar didn't seem to respond at all to professionalism.

"Not that I blame you, of course," Kristoph continued, "as I'm certain you're far more popular at parties than I would ever be - my 'type' fares about as well as you would imagine." The smile sidled closer to a smirk as he spoke, though the comment was plainly self-deprecating; he wasn't entirely sure where this was going, but at that point there wasn't much else to be done.

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Shadi mirrored Kristoph's smirk in short order, though it had a significantly sharper tinge to it - bordering nearly on sardonic. "That may tell you something about this case then, would it not?"

The statement was ambiguous at best - not to mention the most the magician was willing to offer on the matter. Naturally, he had to keep the audience coming back for more.

"Though I will admit that this is an interesting way to speak with your prospective client. You would not be here still if you were unable to profit in some way, yes? I very much doubt you have the time to do this sort of bantering as a hobby."

[arraigns]

Though Kristoph's tone stopped just short of dismissive, he was clearly unfazed by the comments; the smirk remained, though it didn't run half as mocking as that of the man across the room. "Ah, but you've already implied that you don't consider yourself to be a prospective client of mine - and unless you're changing your mind, that renders my motives in staying a bit of a moot point either way, don't you think?"

He reached up, toying with his glasses for a brief moment before laying his hand back in his lap as he continued. "As it is, perhaps this whole thing tells me enough about the case to keep me here. Consider your audience intrigued."

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"Nothing is moot, Gavin, this I can assure you." Shadi's arms dropped to his sides, his hands resting on either side of his hips. "I can tell that you are a man that does not do moot things." The magician's glance briefly flicked to the man's hands, despite the fact they were more or less obscured from view from their place in the defense attorney's lap. The manicure had not gone unnoticed.

"You said you can guarantee a verdict, did you not? You assume me to be innocent. Do you have some reason for this, or is this just a foolish bargaining chip?" While the traces of amusement remained, Shadi's tone had taken on a significantly darker tone - something resembling seriousness, yet still falling short.

[arraigns]

Kristoph moved back in the chair, leaning against the wood and folding his arms across his chest; despite the shift, he maintained eye contact. "You say you can tell so much about me, yet you believe me the sort to bluff like that? I assure you, I don't defend the guilty; if I didn't think you were innocent, I wouldn't still be here."

He smiled. "I have no doubt that you're hiding something, Mr. Enigmar, but I have every reason to believe that whatever it is, it isn't guilt when it comes to the murder charge."

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For a second time, Kristoph drew a laugh from the magician, but it was significantly more subdued than the first had been - a chuckle, really.

"Ha ha ha, I was under the impression that any defense attorney who knew his stuff did not make his living off of assumptions. What makes you think that I am the innocent party here?" A true spark of curiosity had risen within Shadi, but he did little to show it in favor of remaining aloof - in other words, his poker face was marred only by a slightly mocking, currently ever-present smile.

[arraigns]

"Any defense attorney who 'knows his stuff' also knows that guilt is cooperative, Mr. Enigmar." The smile still hadn't left Kristoph's features, though his expression had shifted slightly just the same - the look was sharply edged, sardonic. "Right now you're the only suspect in this case, and not only have you not confessed, but you have given no information whatsoever on this case - which makes sense on its own, as you might not want to implicate yourself. But if you were that concerned with implicating yourself, I don't see why you wouldn't have an attorney already, as refusing legal counsel implies guilt.

"Bluntly put, your actions make no sense; if you were truly guilty of murder, you would be cooperating somehow - either though a confession or accepting a defense offer already. You act like you're hiding something, certainly, but murder? Doubtful."

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Shadi spent a length amount of time studying Kristoph's features as he spoke - the sudden sharpened edge to his features were damning in some form, but the magician couldn't put his finger on why. Whoever Kristoph Gavin was, he was a supremely difficult man to read - a man very capable of surprising those who underestimated him - but there was no doubt that he was intelligent. There would be no real manner in which he could define Kristoph with any certainty, and that made his choice a risky one - certainly, the defense attorney was confident, but what other surprises was he capable of?

Whatever it was, Shadi had no chance of discovering the truth behind the defense attorney before him by bantering behind a glass wall.

"...let me ask you this then. One final thing before I make my decision." For the first time, the smile left Shadi's expression completely. "As you have said, I am the only suspect. If it was not I who killed my mentor...then who? "

[arraigns]

As little as he cared for being scrutinized so intently, Kristoph hadn't flinched away from the eye contact; his own gaze became no less intense, despite a brief pause between the question and his answer.

"While I would like to tell you that I have a solid answer to that, I'm not going to be reckless in leveling an accusation that severe. As I've said, you appear to be innocent, and I believe a case can be made...but I can't say anything regarding another's guilt without reviewing the case in closer detail. However, the evidence speaks when the dead can't, and no matter how well put-together a crime is, remnants of the truth always remain. It's just a matter of being willing to seek them out."

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...ah, how generic. That tells me nothing. And yet...

The clock was winding down, and the time remaining for Shadi to make his decision was practically nonexistent. Best to go with malleability, should something better come along...this is not for my sake. If she is to have any chance of retaining what is hers....

Flexibility would be key to ensuring his own verdict, whatever the courts may decide. The defense attorney before him was, without a doubt, not precisely what he'd been looking for - but, at the same time, the qualities he possessed proved...pliant, in their own way, and if he were to choose an attorney not appointed by the state...well, a last minute change in one's repertoire could never really hurt if one remained prepared for all contingencies.

"...I believe our time has come to a close, Kristoph Gavin. If you would like, you can go address the state-appointed attorney yourself."

A pregnant pause broke between the two in what Shadi considered a verbal sleight of hand. "...tell him his services will not be required at this time, but I am still available for autographs. If you are so secure in your verdict, then I wish to see proof of this. Go on, show what your type is capable of."

[arraigns]

Despite his surprise at Enigmar's words, Kristoph didn't hesitate in his response; he stood up, and the smile he offered in parting was clearly pleased. "Thank you, Mr. Enigmar. I appreciate the opportunity; I can assure you that you'll have your proof soon enough."

It was only after Kristoph had left the visitation room that he allowed the shock to overtake him; the feeling was cold and sharp, breaking like steep waves and flooding his thoughts. His nerves were suddenly incredibly awake and almost too stimulated; though he allowed himself to indulge in the mental rush for a brief while, leaning against the wall in the outside corridor with his arms folded across his chest, his fingers curling around the fabric of his sleeves, his breathing eventually slowed as he made a concerted effort to calm himself down.

After all, there was research to be done, and an attorney chosen by the state to disappoint.