Tears In The Teahouse

[truthsnomiracle]

Who: truthsnomiracle and YOU!
What: Edgeworth's first DL-6 day since being made to realize that dear old Dad lied.
When: December 28th, daylight hours
Where: A teahouse
Warnings: Discussion of a murder, betrayal, and major Ace Attorney spoilers.
Format: Your choice of prose or action.

Comments

[truthsnomiracle]

[...Well. Since he asked, and Edgeworth has seen the missteps Diarmuid can make if he doesn't explain it...]

T-today... i-is the anniversary of... m-my father's murder.

[croibhristeoir]

...

[In his lifetime, Diarmuid had been one who sincerely loved his father, and had done all he could to care for his children as that deity had done for the knight himself. So his response was quiet, spoken with the utmost sincerity.]

...I am so sorry, Edgeworth.

[truthsnomiracle]

Perhaps, were I not exposed to blatant reminders that the day is forthcoming for an entire month in advance, as well as to other, lesser corruptions of the season every year without fail, I could more easily steel myself and continue to look forward whenever this day passes.

[croibhristeoir]

I apologize. I thought--well, I at the very least realized it bothered you, but if I had known it was something of that magnitude...

[truthsnomiracle]

...I do not wish to be pitied, Diarmuid, particularly given that as of my first Dark Hour here, the last remaining questions about the case were finally answered. However, perhaps I should have been more forthcoming with you given the mistakes that occurred due to my recalcitrance.

[croibhristeoir]

It's not pity, Edgeworth. I can not truly comprehend the agonizing pain losing my own would have caused me. To withstand such a thing each and every day...no, that is not something that would draw pity. Such strength of will deserves respect.

1/2

[truthsnomiracle]

[Edgeworth starts at Diarmuid's tone, then settles into a glare despite himself.]

Strength of will? Were I truly so strong, I could endure mere holiday trappings each December! It makes no logical sense that I should be stirred so when not only is everything resolved, but until the day that my m-mentor was exp-posed as the t-true culprit, I... I...

2/2 Done!

[truthsnomiracle]

[Edgeworth grabs his own elbow in what seems to be a vain attempt to stave off quivering, and he turns his face away a half-second too late to hide the tears he's fighting back.]

[croibhristeoir]

...that must have been unbearably painful. No, I'm sure that it still is. I wish there was some way in which I could truly comprehend such a thing--all I can say for certain is that some pain simply never fades.

[truthsnomiracle]

[Edgeworth doesn't respond, instead quietly struggling to regather the emotions shaken loose and corral them again.]

[croibhristeoir]

[Diarmuid waited in patient silence, calmly taking off his glasses and slipping them into his coat pocket for whatever reason.]

[truthsnomiracle]

[Edgeworth gradually gets himself back under control, though not before a tear escapes each eye. By the time he speaks again, the prosecutor is looking at the table instead of at Diarmuid and has been taking deep breaths through his nose for several seconds.]

...Until the truth came to light, I had the same nightmare each night -- a corrupted version of an otherwise-inaccessible memory of the incident. Compared to that, this should by all rights be nothing.

[croibhristeoir]

...I'm sorry. I truly am.

[truthsnomiracle]

[Edgeworth finishes the rest of his cup of tea in hopes of forcing his throat to recover further, then ultimately stands.]

We should be going. We were to stop by your residence, were we not?

[His voice is still a bit grim and still a bit choked, but...]

[croibhristeoir]

Yes, of course.

[He stood as well, managing a small although awkward smile.]

[truthsnomiracle]

[Edgeworth starts walking towards the door -- he had paid for his tea as soon as each cup was finished after all -- then stops as an afterthought occurs:]

...You've forgiven for the errors born of your ignorance, of course.