eatsfish | ☂

[ Oswald might have been underplaying exactly how concerned he was, and the way this conversation was going made him feel even more justified in worrying. He was silent for a moment or two, trying rather fruitlessly to figure out why Ed felt the need to act out so much more than he had before. Was it because nothing was challenging him? He thought he had something to prove? Or...? He sighed. ] You're not content, are you?

Partially. Certain aspects? Great. More than. Excellent. Others? I may have complaints.

[ Partially is better than not at all, but that still didn't make it a satisfying answer. Only halfway wasn't good enough for Ed. He deserved more. ] Is it safe to guess this is more than just your coworkers causing a problem?

In order to solve the puzzle, I would need cooperation. But the majority here are imbeciles.

I'm sorry, I'm clearly missing something. What puzzle are you referring to?

Genessia.

Oh. [ Back to this again. Or maybe he'd never stopped thinking about it? Oswald sounded like he didn't quite know what to do. ] I see how that's a problem.

[ He never stops thinking about it. There's a pause. A breath. Is rubbing his eyes audible? ] It's fine. I'll just- focus on something else. No crossbow puzzle. Sorry to bother you.

Ed -- [ Okay, that came out too fast. He exhaled. ] Wait. Please just wait. The very last thing you are to me is a bother. If you want to figure out Genessia then that's what we're going to do. Together.

You don't have to do that, Oswald.

But I will. Anything means anything, remember?

You know I wouldn't forget.

I do know. [ It was nice to know that fact was always a constant between them. ] Well then, it's decided. You, my dear Ed, are going to be the man to unravel Genessia's secrets.

Good. [ And that bomb got diffused.
There's still going to be a death with a crossbow though. But now it's just for funsies. ]

How is your day going?

Good. [ Ed didn't always make it easy to diffuse said bombs, but Oswald had yet to find a time where a bit of praise didn't improve things. He also knew what it was to be overlooked and underestimated, after all. ] Fairly well for a change. I think the assistants around here are finally learning that I actually will remove a finger from the next person I catch leaving my office door open.

Did they finally learn privacy? I'm proud of them.

It took the better part of a year. It's too late for me to be proud.

I almost feel bad for your assistant. A look of disappointment from you is traumatic.

Don't be ridiculous. If I actually wanted to traumatize them I would.

☂

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