004. [Voice; English]

[fingersnapping]

Now that the supplies in this wretched place seem to be being replenished again on a regular basis, the next area of concern should be what one is meant to do for entertainment. After all, I cannot go about my usual business in this world, and I am unaccustomed to having unlimited amounts of leisure time.

Comments

(voice; german)

[vonkarmic]

(For her first time talking to him after their conversation, Franziska's voice is admirably collected, though you could certainly detect a certain tension in it, if you knew her well enough.)

The library seems to be an adequate source of entertainment; though I'll admit I've hardly had the chance to explore it thoroughly, there seem to be a great deal of novels there, if not much else.

(voice; german)

[fingersnapping]

[If he paid any attention to her suggestion, he makes no sign of it. Even so, his response is several minutes delayed.]

Couldn't walk away entirely, Franziska?

[...]

For now, that I suppose that is for the best. I have something to ask of you.

(voice; german)

[vonkarmic]

You were the one who said he no longer had anything to say to me, not the reverse, though apparently that statement is just as untrue as it would be, had I been the one to say it.

(...)

What is it?

(voice; german)

[fingersnapping]

[And this time, the response comes crisply without any hesitation at all.]

Your whip.

(voice; german)

[vonkarmic]

(Franziska is taken aback by his curt reply; she has the sinking feeling that she knows what he's insinuating - she's known what her whip represents, after all, from the very moment she received it - but wants to hear him say it.)

What about it?

(voice; german)

[fingersnapping]

I want you to return it to me.

[He pauses for a moment, wondering just how far he should push.]

You are no longer worthy of what it represents.

(1/2) (voice; german)

[vonkarmic]

(Way to twist the knife, Manfred; almost all of the conversations she's had with him in Discedo have been her worst nightmares come to life.)

(2/2) (voice; german)

[vonkarmic]

(Whatever her inner reaction, though, her verbal response is only slightly delayed, and her voice is confident.)

On what grounds?

(voice; german)

[fingersnapping]

It would do you well, Franziska, not to be deliberately evasive. You know very well what I am referring to, but if you simply must be reminded...

...you have walked away from me, my teachings, and the name Von Karma.

(voice; german)

[vonkarmic]

(...)

I have done no such thing.

(voice; german)

[fingersnapping]

There is no need to lie.

...You will soon learn it is impossible to change the past.

(voice; german)

[vonkarmic]

I am not lying; if you're referring to our discussion in the library, I will iterate that it was you who stated that there was nothing further to be discussed, not me. It hardly seems fair to ascribe an array of meanings and insinuations to a decision which I did not make completely of my own volition.

(...)

You may not be able to change the past, but it is certainly possible to learn from and utilize it to your advantage.

(voice; german)

[fingersnapping]

You chose to accuse me of murder of entirely your own 'volition', unless, of course, you are still too frightened to speak of who is threatening you? If you tell me, I will ensure that they are dealt with, as it is clear you are unable to take care of matters yourself.

This is why I believe it is no longer necessary for you to hold onto that whip. It serves no use in a place such as this as it is, and I do not believe you can find a proper alternative usage for it.

...For a child I raised to believe in justice, your actions are nothing if not unjustified.

70% locked (voice; german)

[vonkarmic]

I was referring to end of our conversation, which you forced upon me, and I did not accuse you of my own volition, actually; you raised the subject and forced me to relay the details of that event - as if you were not already aware of them - and I ... would you have preferred for me to lie to you? I merely informed you of the events that occurred between the times from which we were taken, nothing more. There was no conjecture present - only facts - nor were there any value judgments.

(...)

As for the matter of my whip - it represents my duties and obligations as a prosecutor. Though the laws of this world are less developed than those of our own, they still exist, and are based on a system of justice much like our own.

Despite the fact that I am not technically employed as such here ... I am still a prosecutor, and as such, will always have use for it.

70% locked (voice; german)

[fingersnapping]

As much as tenacity is an admirable trait, there will come times when you have to restrain yourself, Franziska. Unless you can manage that, you will never understand the virtues of complete control.

You would turn your back on my teachings and yet still call yourself a prosecutor? What shall you do now...follow in Miles Edgeworth's footsteps? If so, you have no need for the whip. There is a reason why you are the one bequeathed with the whip, but apparently, you are unable to properly appreciate it.

(1/2) 70% locked (voice; german)

[vonkarmic]

Restraint? Under different circumstances, I might believe anyone who would call such obvious surrender 'restraint' a fool, though perhaps it is futile for me to pursue this avenue any further, as you seem thoroughly determined to deny the truth of it.

(...)

No, I shall not follow in his footsteps - not his, nor anyone else's. What I do now shall not be for anyone's benefit but my own and the system under which I operate. As long as I consider myself worthy of my whip, then I shall keep it.