[voice]

[mentis_reae]

I...

[The voice is unsteady and uncertain and hesitant.]

I've examined the transmissions on the network, and it seems that I was - declared deceased. [A pause.] It is as a matter of course my duty to assure you that I am not.

Quite.

Comments

video forever!

[alapimp]

You've been lying, Edgeworth.

[ Oho, he's not pleased, nor is he going to wait for Miles to adjust to - well, living. ]

Were you anyone else, I would presume the evolution of the powers you've developed here were being kept a secret out of selfish pride, but it seems you're still learning how to wield such authority. Was killing my Espada a sufficient training exercise or should I send my other Sexta your way? Perhaps someone of higher rank.

Voice forever.

[mentis_reae]

Ah -

[He's genuinely shaken; his voice lacks the usual dry bite.]

Mr. Aizen, you seem to be confused.

[alapimp]

I am not. You will kindly take this as a request to cease taunting my Espada.

[mentis_reae]

[His voice gets shorter and harsher.]

Your Espada attacked and attempted to kill me. Are you indeed taking responsibility for him?

[alapimp]

Your continued provocations led to your demise. Grimmjow is not in the habit of pursuing those who respond with a general sense of decorum. He is not the monster here - indeed, thanks to you, he's not present at all, a man is dead because you couldn't exhibit the smallest courtesy toward him.

The responsibility lies on your shoulders, but I doubt you'll bother to admit to it.

[mentis_reae]

My continued provocations? What I did was I assisted in his arrest - his arrest for engaging in a coordinated attack carried out by a number of your servants. When, apparently, yet another of your servants broke him out of prison, he took the opportunity to attack me. He ambushed me shortly before sirens some nights ago and evidently left me for dead.

Are you claiming that a vigilante took his life in response to the attack?

[alapimp]

You've conditioned a hunter to follow you. Must I go into simpler terms?

I am the law where my Espada are concerned, they are dealt with accordingly. They do not recognise the rules of this city and it is by my grace that they have refrained from any major battles while here.

What occurred at the Core was nothing. If you could understand that, you wouldn't term it an 'attack'.

[mentis_reae]

Mr. Aizen. So you acknowledge that these people fall under your authority?

[alapimp]

Aa, that's so.

[mentis_reae]

Let it be recorded, then, and well observed, and held for the police. You are now legally culpable for all their actions, and I will see that the police visit you to question you.

Did you order your pet to attack me?

[alapimp]

Miles Edgeworth.

You're speaking as though I answer to the laws of this pocket dimension.

[mentis_reae]

Did you order your pet to attack me.

[alapimp]

No, I did not. You instigated his wrath all by yourself.

[mentis_reae]

[The sound of grinding teeth.]

I shall be very much glad when you see the inside of a prison cell. You and your people will not be allowed to do this city harm for much longer.

[alapimp]

What of the slaughter you laid down on the city three nights ago? Do you suppose me so inept at keeping tabs on my Espada that I didn't notice when Grimmjow sought you out, or the disasters your deceased soul laid down on your friends afterward?

Shall we start with Shikamaru? I wonder if his hands are quite healed. Or Riku - did you slice his side open enough to cause any long-term injury, or was it a flesh wound?

You have no right to enforce the law, criminal. A hollow in every sense of the word.

[mentis_reae]

[He narrows his eyes.]

I do not know what you're nattering on about, but you just confessed to having been aware when a man who answers to your orders attempted to murder a public servant and confessed likewise to doing nothing to stop him.