"The coffee's cold. Did I forget to drink it yet...?"

[ergomaniac]

Who: Miles Edgeworth and Shikamaru Nara
When: April 5, because I am A MONSTER, THE WORST
Where: In un petit cafe!
Summary: Edgeworth got his memory wiped. A while back. I AM THE HUMAN STAAAAIN.
Warnings: Nothin'! Aside from DANGER DANGER HIGH VOLTAGE WHEN WE KISS WHEN WE TOUCH



[It's rather worrisome; there's no question of that. And deep down, those worries do catch at him, but only in a strange remove...He isn't worried so much as he's worried that he isn't worried, maybe, but even that is remote.

There's a lot that he does know. He knows Latin and German as well as English, and he knows the definitions of the terms jurisprudence and adjudication, and he knows too that he's in Canada and that the weather is decent for this time of year. He knows that he's to tuck in his scarf and pull snug his gloves and turn up his collar against the wind. He knows lines -

The apparition of these faces in the crowd;
Petals on a wet, black bough -

And those words ring around him as he sits in that cafe and drinks tea that tastes worryingly familiar and watches people go by. He sips, and his throat is flooded with the heavy scent of jasmine, and he feels in that moment on the edge of some great revelation...But it slips away as the flavor fades.

Another cup of tea, and he casts his eyes about and catches sight of a face. Again, he feels as though he stands on some precipice – but he studies the young man for a long time, and it's as though he'd taken a step and expected a tumble but his foot found solid ground. It's jarring and unpleasant but ultimately harmless.]

Comments

[underachiever]

[He glances over at Edgeworth now.]

Call me "Moron" for all I care. I'm trying to figure out what's wrong with you.

[ergomaniac]

[There's no question that that spark of Edgeworth's personality remains: he scowls at that.]

I am not going to call you that.

[underachiever]

Whatever.

[He almost smiles, but not quite. At least Edgeworth's still under there somewhere.

But the cause of this could be anything. A head injury, or the Core, or someone's power, or a drug of some kind. Edgeworth has hundreds of enemies who could be responsible. And Shikamaru's in no state to help him solve the mystery.]

How long have you been here?

[ergomaniac]

I should say...forty minutes.

[What if they are enemies? That prior conversation...It hadn't exactly sounded like a positive conversation. But Edgeworth had heard a note in that voice that sounded like his own...He'd sounded sad. Wistful.]

Before this, I was walking along the street. And prior to that, I remember nothing.

[underachiever]

You talk to anyone else?

[ergomaniac]

I did order tea.

[underachiever]

Before that.

[ergomaniac]

[He shakes his head.]

Not beyond apologizing when I bumped into someone in the street.

I was a lawyer, you said?

[underachiever]

You are a lawyer.

[ergomaniac]

[He opens his mouth, then closes it again, and then says uneasily:]

Right.

[But he doesn't remember anything about the law. Nothing at all.]

But you are no longer an assistant.

[underachiever]

Right.

[But he's clearly agitated about Edgeworth focusing on him. He takes another drink.]

[ergomaniac]

Why not?

[underachiever]

[Shikamaru glances up at Edgeworth again. He doesn't answer, but he lets out a quiet, humorless laugh. Is it not obvious from looking at him?]

[ergomaniac]

[But Edgeworth frowns.]

Did I say something funny?

[underachiever]

You were probably sorry you hired someone like me in the first place.

[ergomaniac]

Why? Did you steal?

[underachiever]

Do I look like a thief?

[ergomaniac]

No. Did you betray clients?

[underachiever]

That's an interesting guess, too.

[ergomaniac]

I'm only listing what would be...unforgivable.

[Unforgivable to him specifically, though? Who is he to decide? He's not altogether certain what forms the criteria here.]

[underachiever]

Aren't you going to ask if I'm a murderer?

[ergomaniac]

If you were a murderer, you'd not be walking free.

[underachiever]

[That's cute, Edgeworth. But back to the important part...]

Are you in pain at all? Do you feel like you might've hit your head?

[ergomaniac]

...No.

[Though his face is troubled.]

[underachiever]

[The answer he expected, really. Edgeworth doesn't look like he's been in a fight. Shikamaru rests his chin on his palm, considering the next step. He doesn't trust hospitals here, even the neutral ones, and he prefers to avoid them if the situation isn't life-threatening. Same goes for the police. Even if he calls Re-l, will she be able to do anything? Maybe a telepath could diagnose him, but Nill doesn't have enough control for that. Who else does he know? Who else can he trust with Edgeworth's mind?]

I'll... help you get home. When you're ready to go.