infomodder | IC contact [Mask or Menace]

[This would be so much easier if he'd seen one of Lunatic's charred corpses, he's tempted to say. As far as he knows, no one from Baltimore has dropped that as being bullshit, but. This conversation is going fine, unlike the one with Clark. No need to upset it.]

Testing us—to see who is willing to step in? [Why would anyone do that, that literally sounds like fiery, miserable suicide. Nobody go being a hero now.] I...don't think so. I don't think this is some test. He's simply doing what he does, and those among the population who haven't committed unforgivable sins are...par for the course.

[The four course meal.

No please Mister Lunatic don't throw a BBQ.]

That's not quite what I meant. I'm not talking about his murders - I mean his behavior during his crime spree. The way he acts, the way he taunts us. I doubt that it's mere gloating, and I don't think he's just seeing who steps in. It's like...

[Pauses, pursing his lips together]

It's almost as if he's testing our character.

[Uhm. Uhm uhm uhm. Miles that is all very specific. Almost like...]

Have you run across him during his crime spree? [Well, that sounds almost blurted out. Pardon him, he'll blurt out more to cover it.] Or are you talking about Giorno? I've...only ever seen what he displays on the Network, that's what I have to work with.

[Well.]

And what Freddie's told me. Those are the experiences I can draw from.

[The implication there being that if he has more experiences relayed to him, he can draw from those as well, and with as much ease. Unfortunately. FBI bloodhound don't quit.]

[Hesitates. He could deny the meeting. He could pretend that this is all mere conjecture on his end. However...

However, as much as it stings his pride, he knows the importance of information in an investigation. And Graham is a profiler - in order to do his job properly, he needs all the information he can get. So he takes a deep breath and steels himself.]

No, I wasn't talking about Giorno. I was...

[His voice lowers, muttering into the phone, sounding more embarrassed than truly pained]

I was talking about myself.

[Riddled with empathy, it's not difficult to pick up those quiet words and what's being injected into them. Will's not usually on the front line when it comes to interviewing survivors, their families, those who are related to suspects. He's not the best with that, not the one the FBI turns to, certainly not by himself. He doesn't say anything immediately, fully aware of the lack of leash on him in this situation, no one to tug back or take over in case he screws it up. No handlers to step in should it go badly, just Will Graham. Though at this stage, for people who have had run-ins with serial killers that left them embarrassed, perhaps he doesn't need handlers. That one he knows from his own experience.

But first thing's first:]

Are you all right? Unharmed? Any injuries have been seen to by now?

[Miles being first, that is.]

[The silence twists Edgeworth's stomach into knots, and a childish part of him expects it to end with a reprimand, a scolding, an insult, the same words he used against himself after his act of complete idiocy. But instead, he gets concern. He blinks, quiet for a moment, until he remembers that these are standard questions when someone's been assaulted]

No, I'm- [clears his throat] I'm fine. There was a minor injury, but my, ah, talents took care of it.

Edited 2015-01-26 00:06 (UTC)

[Take the boy out of law enforcement, see if that ruins his memory of procedure. No, no scolding, not from Will Graham. He has no legs to stand on with that.]

That's good to hear. [The polite thing to say, certainly, but there's an edge to it that is, yes, concern. Not just going through an etiquette book and pulling out what responses suit the best.] I can't. Speak to him testing the character of every non-sinner he comes across. It could be argued he attempted to test mine when we spoke... [Will doesn't seem to care that he was provoked by a serial killer, he's just using an example. There is absolutely no personal feelings on what Lunatic said seeping into his tone.] ...it's difficult to say. He [could have found you of interest] could have just...wanted to gloat and taunt, and you were there.

[After seeing Abigail Hobbs plagued by the idea that she had made her father do what he'd done, her repeated talks of attracting serial killers, Will's own issues with the matter, he finds it important to note that no matter what was said, no matter what happened—it's not on Edgeworth. It's not on anyone, what a serial killer might do, even if that doesn't result in death. No one deserves that guilt, and people are so inclined to take it on themselves. He had surprised Hannibal when he refused to be angry at himself over a certain Ripper murder.

Will is not going to feed into that line of thinking if he can help it, not with friend or foe.]

It's possible, but-

[He makes a frustrated noise, trying to find the right words, but not quite being able to]

...when we spoke, he dared me. He dared me to - [Kill him] - take care of him myself. But when I refused, he said it was... good. That it meant that I didn't belong to Thanatos.

[Where is he going with this? Edgeworth runs his free hand through his hair. He doesn't know himself anymore.]

[It's all good, Edgeworth. Will's used to conversations that go 4,500 places other than where they might have originally meant to go. That's like his bread and butter.

Same as having to deal with serial killers saying shit that bugs him long after, so.]

And now you can't stop thinking about what he said more than anything he physically did to you. [Projects Will's own experience and issues all over the place, no big deal. Where's Peter, he misses Peter. He could do that 24/7 with Peter. He needs Peter.] That about right?

[Tenses a bit, not expecting Graham to see through him so quickly. Then again, he is a profiler...]

That's- [Shifts uncomfortably, leaning against the counter] - that's correct.

[Another deep breath]

That's not the only thing he said, though.

[Yes, assume it's the profiler thing instead of Will having similar issues, good. Something something design goes here. The quiet design few see coming.]

I'm listening, if you want to go on.

[But you don't have to. He doesn't, not at all. Still, if Edgeworth needs to unburden, talk to someone who's never hidden that they've dealt with the deranged and murderous, here he is! This isn't that bad, even without his handlers around in case he screws it up. He's...not screwing it up, so far. Or so it feels like he's doing okay. Score one Graham.]

He said-

["You could be... just like me"]

-my name. [Spoken quickly, as if running from Lunatic's accusation] He acted like... he knew me. And I have no idea if he actually does, or if he simply wanted to rattle me.

[Speaking naturally, now, if a bit tense. The familiarity bothered him as well, though not as much as everything else he said]

Edited 2015-01-26 02:08 (UTC)

[Oh boy. That's always fun.]

Well. [That uncomfortable shifting is audible, on Will's end. The stool taking his weight makes that hissing noise, how dare someone sit on it so quickly and without warning.] Communicators show our names, unless they're...fixed to show something else. [He could be like me and read conversations whether or not they involve anyone he knows. Nope. No, not going down that road.] He could use whatever he'd gleaned to sound like he knew you. That's not. Unfeasible, really.

[Because Will's done it himself but shhhhh.]

...and even though I haven't been particularly chatty lately, he could have recognized me from Herr Doppelganger's escapades. [Muttering bitterly] It wouldn't be the first time my reputation's preceded me.

[Not directed towards Will, specifically, just towards... everything]

[He can't hold it back, doesn't think it needs to be held back, lets out a laugh. It's more like a cross between a huff and a spit, but Will Graham and laughter aren't finely tuned with each other—that sound is good enough, gets across amusement. And not at Edgeworth's expense, one of those pffts because Will?

Yeah, he relates to that one, and it has nothing to do with ~empathy~ kicking in and going into overdrive.]

You're not the only one who'd have that particular issue. [Here, back home, both.] Listen, I— [Am a sad, troubled, unfortunate soul.] —dealt with people similar to Lunatic all the time back where I'm from, and...sometimes, the way they talk, it's. Like they do know you, even if they can't, or can't know much. They're good at picking up on the little things, the things that could be used to wound, what's not physical. They're observant. They can get in your head, and that's damage, too. But you have to consider the source. The one who's saying that to you? Has their own damage. I've always tried to keep that in mind.

[Says the guy who's chock full of his own damage + the damage of a bunch of those sources that could be chalked up to "well, they're crazy, don't know what they're talking about like they think they do, also they're a jerk, better drink and move right along" but no one needs to know that.]

[He flinches at the laugh, but relaxes once Will elaborates, and he figures out that it wasn't at his expense. So he listens to Will's explanation, and when he's done:]

Cold reading.

[The words are spoken suddenly, coldly, without preamble. He studied that tactic when he was young, during his research on psychics, spiritualists, and other con artists. While Will's description isn't an exact fit, it's close enough to serve as a reminder.

After a moment, though, Edgeworth realizes that mind reading wasn't included in Will's list of abilities]

...it's like cold reading. They spit something vague at you, just to get a reaction. [Another frustrated sigh] And they act like they know you, when in reality, they're simply following your lead.

[Edgeworth can't see the half-assed shrug on Will's end, which he realizes after he does it. It's not a bad comparison at all, thinks the guy who so frequently mangles metaphors to the point they don't make much, if any, sense. Not everyone knows that, though, better to keep it under wraps.]

And the more lead [DOGS] you give them to work with, the more they're gonna be able to sound like they really know you. Or some aspect of you. [That sure is a grumble. That sure does sound like someone who's got issues with observant serial killer douchenozzles. Grump grump grump, they're the worst.] One of those cycles. If you can't nip it in the bud, being aware of it might be the next best thing.

[Actually, the best thing would probably be "know who you are and stick with who you are regardless what anyone says" but haha as if that is gonna come out of Will Graham's mouth, especially right now

hahahahhahahahahah

no]

[It sounds like Will knows what he's talking about on more than just an intellectual level. Edgeworth doesn't think too deeply on it, though. Will said himself that he's dealt with this kind of killer on a regular basis. Of course he'd be intimate with this kind of scenario]

It makes sense... tactics like this depend on ignorance, after all. And if you're aware of what they're doing, well, they'll have to find a new trick.

[Breathes out, finally beginning to relax. He's gotten what he's asked for. Time to wrap things up]

But I think that's all for now. I don't want to take any more of your time, Graham.

[There are some projection issues going on, yes. But as long as they aren't as stupidly obvious as they had been with Peter, Will figures it's not so bad.

And neither is this young ascot-clad Miles Edgeworth.

Haha.

Ha...oh, how life changes.]

All right. [He is not going to discourage ending a discussion about serial killers, like, why would he do that, God yes, let it be over.] Feel free to call me if you need anything else.

[Whenever. He means whenever. He just doesn't say the word itself, relies on tone instead.]

I will. And-

[Hesitates, his voice taking a slightly stiffer tone]

...thank you, Graham.

[For the information, for the perspective, and for keeping his head on straight]

[Ew. Thank yous. Polite stuff where there is no need for it. A valiant effort towards courtesy, though, that's not something to dismiss.

But one of them has to hang up, so.]

No problem. I'll talk to you later.

[Click. Time to break out the cheap beer.]

IC contact [Mask or Menace]

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