[Perhaps it says something about their relationship that Edgeworth's call is answered today. Somewhere between all their debates about justice and outings with Koromaru and sometimes, briefly, checking in on each other, that strange acquaintance between an adult and a child had become friendship, and there was an understanding there, too.
Still, Ken was keeping to himself and sitting silently in his room today. He hasn't called anybody, he hasn't texted anybody, he's hardly left the room to eat. He almost had the phone off, too, but he didn't dare do that because he didn't want to worry people today and tomorrow of all days. He's staring at the ceiling, playing with the Evoker in his hands, when the phone rings. And it takes a few moments of staring at the caller ID before he rolls over, reaches for the phone on his desk, and picks it up.]
[He had wanted to distract himself with sending pictures of Koromaru to his friends, but the misfiring all day has made that too risky, too. If it ended up sending to him by accident, it'll just be awkward for the both of them.]
I discovered some older shows in the Cosmic Task Force series, as well as others like it. There's one in particular that I think you might enjoy - Cosmic Task Force: Omega Squad. Have you heard of it?
[He seems to be reacting positively to this, so he'll just keep to this topic for now]
[And he'll let Ken go so he can get everything ready for him. While there was no change in tone, he's glad Ken agreed. If he's well enough to pay him a visit, then there's (hopefully) nothing to worry about.]
[Ken's not entirely enthusiastic about it still much less than he would usually be, but when he arrives at Edgeworth's place at the end of the promised half hour he's there with a polite smile, dressed properly looking perfectly put together. It would be easy to fool anybody if it weren't for their conversation before this.]
[He'll never say it, but Koromaru's backpack is completely, undeniably, a hundred percent endearing. If asked, Edgeworth would call it practical. He might call it clever. He could even go so far as to call it charming, if pressed. But he'll never admit how cute it is.
Not that he's thinking about that at the moment. Right now, his priority is Ken.]
Hmn?
[He sits down, and begins to set up the TV]
I thought you were planning on just staying in today.
[Keep trying, Edgeworth. Ken still remembers what you had to say to wake him up from that weird dream and you called Koromaru cute. But he won't call him out on it. Koromaru knows that he is cute, too. Besides, Ken is distracted by other topics.]
I was. Because I'm not feeling up to being social the way I usually am...
[He raises a hand to rub at the back of his neck. A nervous habit.]
[Edgeworth grows quiet for a moment before he nods.]
I do
[He speaks softly, uncertain about how much to elaborate. Ken certainly doesn't need to hear his problems. He turns his head back towards the television set, but the look on his eyes is distant, like he's barely paying any attention to the screen]
It takes hard work to deal with people sometimes, even people you might ordinarily like. So, sometimes it's easier to spend time with yourself and your thoughts. There are times when this can be useful. The solitude and the silence allows you to think in peace, and you can seek solutions to your problems without the distractions of the outside world. But other times...
[He picks up the remote and presses a few buttons, and waits for the start menu to appear]
Other times, your thoughts are the worst company you can ask for, and they do nothing but weigh you down. In situations like that, it's best to seek out a distraction. I'm not sure which scenario fits you, Ken, but either way...
[Ah, and there it is. Clips of action scenes show up on the television set, while uptempo battle music begins to play]
I'm glad that you and Koromaru were able to come by today.
[The music is seemingly out of place next to their much more somber conversation.]
Ah.
[Or maybe, it's perfect, because Ken is momentarily, but immediately, attracted to the melody, his eyes lifting to the television screen and watching the colorful scenes. He'd always loved hero shows. Before his mother died, and even after she did. He wasn't able to trust adults ever since that policeman laughed at him, but heroes never would do that, right? Even if he knew they were fictional, he couldn't help but be drawn to them. They were his ideal.
He watches it in silence, and when it seems like he'll never answer Edgeworth, he drops his gaze with a sad, wistful smile.]
In May, I almost got crushed by those thoughts and tried to run away from them. From everything. My teammates found me and took me home.
It's not that I was going to run away this time. There's something I have to do tomorrow. Someone I have to talk to. I'm nervous about it.
Just what on earth happened to Ken Amada? Edgeworth of all people knows that he's not too young to see the darkness in the world, especially not with what he knows of Ken's past. While Ken smiles, Edgeworth furrows his brow and considers his next course of action. Should he ask about May? Or should he ask about tomorrow?]
It's very brave of you not to run away, then. But what do you need to discuss, exactly?
[Simple enough, almost trivial when worded that way, but Ken's smile lingers. He thought for a long time that Shinjiro Aragaki hated him. It wasn't just his own life that was ruined that night; whatever life or future Shinjiro had envisioned for himself up until that moment was shattered by the accident -- the accident, not the murder -- and he had been lost since, too. And he'd passed away before getting a chance to pick the pieces back up. Ken was the one that was still alive, and he knew that despite their efforts to communicate more, that fear still lived in both of them. Unless it was put into words, they'll continue to hurt themselves and each other.
He takes a deep breath. Lets it out.]
I want them to be the first person to hear these words, so I can't tell you. But it's very important to us.
[Now that wasn't what he expected. Edgeworth raises his brow, not bothering to hide his surprise, and wonders about the story behind this. Is he talking about a friend? Somebody he had a fight with? Or does the bad blood run deeper than that? Ken may be young, but he's no stranger to darkness, and he can't help but wonder how serious this situation is. Then again... he's young. At his age, the most mild of problems can feel like a complete disaster. He shouldn't jump to conclusions just yet.]
I won't ask you anything else. But, whatever happened between the two of you, I hope that you're able to work through your problems.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
Voice;
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Still, Ken was keeping to himself and sitting silently in his room today. He hasn't called anybody, he hasn't texted anybody, he's hardly left the room to eat. He almost had the phone off, too, but he didn't dare do that because he didn't want to worry people today and tomorrow of all days. He's staring at the ceiling, playing with the Evoker in his hands, when the phone rings. And it takes a few moments of staring at the caller ID before he rolls over, reaches for the phone on his desk, and picks it up.]
Mr Edgeworth?
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[His voice is calm, but distant. It would do neither of them any good to let any sign of worry seep into his tone]
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I'm... okay, I guess. How are you?
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[Though it does explain a few things... not that Ken needs to know some of the conversations he's had today. MOVING ON]
And I'm doing well. I've heard of a few shows that you might be interested in, if you have the time.
[He doesn't expect Ken to be honest with him about his feelings. But this might help... and give him an excuse to check on him in person]
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[Ken's chest tightens. There's no need for video to show the hesitation that overcomes him, the way he stutters and sucks in his breath.]
... Today?
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Only if you have some free time today. But if you don't, it's no trouble. Did you have any plans?
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[He had wanted to distract himself with sending pictures of Koromaru to his friends, but the misfiring all day has made that too risky, too. If it ended up sending to him by accident, it'll just be awkward for the both of them.]
... What sorts of shows?
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[He seems to be reacting positively to this, so he'll just keep to this topic for now]
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You want to watch it?
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I'll come over. I'll be there in half an hour?
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[And he'll let Ken go so he can get everything ready for him. While there was no change in tone, he's glad Ken agreed. If he's well enough to pay him a visit, then there's (hopefully) nothing to worry about.]
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... Hi, Mr Edgeworth. How are you?
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I'm doing well. And you?
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If I said I was all right, you'd see right through it, right?
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[And that's all he says as he lets Ken inside. There are no treats for Koromaru this time, but there are snacks and tea, as usual.]
Please, take a seat.
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[There's no worry. Koromaru has his usual little dog backpack, and from it, Ken pulls out treats for the dog himself.]
You just had impeccable timing.
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Not that he's thinking about that at the moment. Right now, his priority is Ken.]
Hmn?
[He sits down, and begins to set up the TV]
I thought you were planning on just staying in today.
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I was. Because I'm not feeling up to being social the way I usually am...
[He raises a hand to rub at the back of his neck. A nervous habit.]
You have days like that too, don't you?
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I do
[He speaks softly, uncertain about how much to elaborate. Ken certainly doesn't need to hear his problems. He turns his head back towards the television set, but the look on his eyes is distant, like he's barely paying any attention to the screen]
It takes hard work to deal with people sometimes, even people you might ordinarily like. So, sometimes it's easier to spend time with yourself and your thoughts. There are times when this can be useful. The solitude and the silence allows you to think in peace, and you can seek solutions to your problems without the distractions of the outside world. But other times...
[He picks up the remote and presses a few buttons, and waits for the start menu to appear]
Other times, your thoughts are the worst company you can ask for, and they do nothing but weigh you down. In situations like that, it's best to seek out a distraction. I'm not sure which scenario fits you, Ken, but either way...
[Ah, and there it is. Clips of action scenes show up on the television set, while uptempo battle music begins to play]
I'm glad that you and Koromaru were able to come by today.
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Ah.
[Or maybe, it's perfect, because Ken is momentarily, but immediately, attracted to the melody, his eyes lifting to the television screen and watching the colorful scenes. He'd always loved hero shows. Before his mother died, and even after she did. He wasn't able to trust adults ever since that policeman laughed at him, but heroes never would do that, right? Even if he knew they were fictional, he couldn't help but be drawn to them. They were his ideal.
He watches it in silence, and when it seems like he'll never answer Edgeworth, he drops his gaze with a sad, wistful smile.]
In May, I almost got crushed by those thoughts and tried to run away from them. From everything. My teammates found me and took me home.
It's not that I was going to run away this time. There's something I have to do tomorrow. Someone I have to talk to. I'm nervous about it.
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Just what on earth happened to Ken Amada? Edgeworth of all people knows that he's not too young to see the darkness in the world, especially not with what he knows of Ken's past. While Ken smiles, Edgeworth furrows his brow and considers his next course of action. Should he ask about May? Or should he ask about tomorrow?]
It's very brave of you not to run away, then. But what do you need to discuss, exactly?
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[Simple enough, almost trivial when worded that way, but Ken's smile lingers. He thought for a long time that Shinjiro Aragaki hated him. It wasn't just his own life that was ruined that night; whatever life or future Shinjiro had envisioned for himself up until that moment was shattered by the accident -- the accident, not the murder -- and he had been lost since, too. And he'd passed away before getting a chance to pick the pieces back up. Ken was the one that was still alive, and he knew that despite their efforts to communicate more, that fear still lived in both of them. Unless it was put into words, they'll continue to hurt themselves and each other.
He takes a deep breath. Lets it out.]
I want them to be the first person to hear these words, so I can't tell you. But it's very important to us.
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I won't ask you anything else. But, whatever happened between the two of you, I hope that you're able to work through your problems.
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