[RL] It was only a matter of time

[samuraiprosecutor]

Who: Edgeworth, the Corinthian (II)
What: A celebration is interrupted by an old favorite virus.
Where: Edgeworth's apartment
When: Mid-evening
Warnings: None



Sieghard was waiting by the door long before the jangling of keys preceded their entrance into the apartment. Edgeworth greeted the dog with a few gentle pats, leading him out of the doorway to allow their guest room to enter.

"Can I get you anything?" he asked, for once mindful of his duties as host. "There should still be a few beers left from the last time you were here."

Sieghard moved on to the Corinthian, planting himself at the nightmare's side and sniffing curiously at his hand before greeting him with a lick.

Comments

[samuraiprosecutor]

Months ago, the Corinthian's automatic assumption that there would be a next time would have put Edgeworth on edge. Now, it only earned him an extremely satisfied smirk. "You think I haven't already done so?"

[darkmirror-vr2.livejournal.com]

Well, that didn't sound foreboding at all. But he returned the smirk, looking awful pleased with himself. "Start up the movie. Then you can decide if I really deserve that kind of punishment."

[samuraiprosecutor]

"Of course," he replied, the smirk remaining as he gave the Corinthian a mock bow. "A verdict can't possibly be reached without reviewing the evidence."

And he did as he was bid, starting the movie and adjusting the volume before setting the remote on the ottoman. He retrieved his drink then settled back against the plush couch cushions, slowly swirling his wine around the bowl of the glass.

[darkmirror-vr2.livejournal.com]

The Corinthian only scoffed quietly and shook his head, the amusement never leaving his face.

But his smirk did fall, just slightly, softening into the ghost of a genuine smile as he set the mostly empty beer aside and got comfortable himself. He really did wish they were able to do this more often....

[samuraiprosecutor]

For a while, they watched the movie in companionable silence. Early on, it began to look as though the Corinthian's judgment had served him well in this instance. Edgeworth was drawn in, impressed with the grittiness of the film's reality and the director's capability at building suspense. There was a touch of reluctance in his eyes when he eventually had to interrupt the experience.

"Do you need anything?" he asked, as he paused the film at a convenient spot then pushed himself up from the couch. Sigi shot off his feet and slid between the ottoman and the Corinthian's knees, stopping briefly to give the nightmare a friendly sniff.

[darkmirror-vr2.livejournal.com]

A small "Hm?" was the intelligent response, the Corinthian glancing up in confusion and maybe the barest hint of disappointment before he also sat up, took the opportunity to stretch for a moment.

"Ah, another beer, if there is any. Otherwise I'm good." And Sigi got a few absent scratches in return as the dog followed his owner, the nightmare watching after them both. "So what are your thoughts so far?"

[samuraiprosecutor]

Edgeworth glanced back at him from the liquor cabinet then went back to refilling his glass.

"So far I think the build-up of suspense is very competently handled and the writer may benefit from a psychiatric evaluation," he said, his smirk clear in his tone. "But I'm reserving judgment until we reach the end."

He brought his glass back over to the side table, pausing once again to ask, "You're sure you don't want anything to eat while I'm up?"

[darkmirror-vr2.livejournal.com]

"I don't know, that sounds like good news for me so far." He probably didn't mean to sound mildly triumphant. He also didn't seem too bothered to hide it.

After he finally finished off what was left of his original bottle he shrugged, distracted, replying without thinking. "And thanks, but I'm fairly sure you don't stock what I want."

[samuraiprosecutor]

"Which is?" His initial assumption was that his companion wanted some sort of deep fried, processed junk food, and the question was out before he even considered what the true answer might be.

[darkmirror-vr2.livejournal.com]

"You know, eye--"

And he caught himself right there, his mind catching up to the conversation and cutting it off as quickly as it could, though not before sitting up in a slight panic. Where the hell had that come from?

"....as I said, I don't need anything."

[samuraiprosecutor]

Edgeworth didn't need the sentence to be finished, especially with that reaction. He froze, his hand outstretched for the empty bottle and his eyes locked on his companion.

"All right..." he said, once he'd recovered his voice. With one last, questioning look, he turned and disappeared into the kitchen again, and Sigi loped along at his heels.

[darkmirror-vr2.livejournal.com]

The Corinthian only nodded absently, either not noticing or actively avoiding the other man's stare, and once he had left he allowed himself to take his shades off, rub his face. He was comfortable around Edgeworth, yes, but things were far from that comfortable. Maybe he was still tired from the trip. A simple slip up.

Whatever it was, the hope for the rest of the evening to remain relaxed was out the window.

[samuraiprosecutor]

Still, Edgeworth made a valiant effort to make sure that wasn't the case. By the time he returned, bottle in hand, he seemed to have composed himself. He handed the beer over without a trace of hesitation, and sat back down with his usual easy grace.

And if his back was a little more stiff than before and his tone a little less casual, at least his genial, "Cheers," was genuine.

[darkmirror-vr2.livejournal.com]

The glasses were quickly replaced by the time he returned, but the initial guilty look gave way to surprise as he took the beer. He seemed to consider it for a moment before he smiled, raised it up. "Cheers."

[samuraiprosecutor]

Edgeworth drank deeply, trying to focus on the wine and the film and most importantly, the company. He'd accepted his friend's...unusual nature long ago. The slip up may have been unexpected, but it was hardly a shock or anything the Corinthian should feel ashamed over.

After one more sip, he set his glass down and retrieved the remote again. Before hitting play, he gave his companion one last, searching look. "Are you..."

'...all right?'

"...ready?"

[darkmirror-vr2.livejournal.com]

The nightmare nodded in response again, and though he avoided Edgeworth's eyes he did relax somewhat as he took his own drink.

"Ready," he agreed, setting the bottle down and glancing only briefly at the other man with the barest hint of a smirk. "The next one isn't as cruel as Sloth's victim was, but it's a bit bloody."

[samuraiprosecutor]

The smirk was reassuring, and Edgeworth gave his companion one in return.

"Do you have any favorite films that don't involve death or dismemberment?"

[darkmirror-vr2.livejournal.com]

"I have plenty of favorite films that have nothing to do with dismemberment," he reassured lightly, the smirk finally coming back full force. "It does get a little old after a while, you know."

[samuraiprosecutor]

"I know only too well. Hence why I feel the need to break up your offerings with the occasional boring drama or independent gem." He emphasized it by pointing at the nightmare, teasing smirk still in place.

[darkmirror-vr2.livejournal.com]

He snorted. "I still say you could find slightly more exciting dramas if you looked a little harder."

[samuraiprosecutor]

"I can and I have, actually. It's just that excitement isn't always what I'm looking for in a film." He shook his head. "Besides, you seem to get more than your share of excitement in your daily life. A few hours of boredom could be good for you."

[darkmirror-vr2.livejournal.com]

"A few hours of boredom only makes me want to create my own excitement," he pointed out idly, a mock sigh escaping him. "And for some obscure reason, everyone's decided they'd rather avoid that these days."

[samuraiprosecutor]

"Don't take it personally, Corinthian," he said, with a graceful shrug. "We simply get too much excitement from unwelcome sources. It makes it difficult to appreciate excitement when it comes from anywhere else."

[darkmirror-vr2.livejournal.com]

He tried hard to look at least a little offended. He did. But somehow that chuckle ended up leaking out anyway. "That sounds like all the more reason to not put me through some of those flicks you come up, aside from them being a cruel and unusual punishment."

[samuraiprosecutor]

That chuckle was extremely gratifying, and Edgeworth's smirk softened in return. With a glint of mischief in his eyes, he said, "Ah, but the benefits far outweigh the negatives. Every man could use a bit more culture in his life, not to mention a few hours of peace now and then."