I do, which is why I also know that you know that I know I can't answer both honestly and the way that you want me to. I think you may be starting me off with a disadvantage, Ed.
[ He didn't respond beyond a bit of a hum, already repeating Ed's words in his mind and attempting to recall each detail. Ed didn't give unimportant details, which was his first clue. There were likely people among the riddle that deserved help less than their surface situation implied. The doctor is the first one to raise red flags for Oswald, his own distaste for them aside. ]
The doctor's intentions are obviously fabricated. He's hiding his motive behind a profession that people are meant to trust. I very much doubt he carries his "supplies" for no reason. He's going to have to die, unfortunately. It really is a shame there isn't a trunk to put him in.
One of his own tools would do the job nicely, I imagine. It's not as though I've got an abundance of creative options in this scenario. Where to do it is an issue, I suppose... in front of a screaming child and a woman in labor is hardly ideal. [ A sigh. ] Putting them in the car while I dispose of him is the best I could do, though I don't particularly trust the child... [ He trailed off, clearly still thinking. He eventually spoke up again with a question, though. ] Could you be more specific about the child's age? Very young is up to interpretation. [ Really, he wanted to ask about the whole scenario involving the fourth person who was obviously meant to represent Ed himself, but he wasn't going to do that yet. He still wanted to ask about the child either way. ]
Eight? Hmmm... [ That's old enough to be a good tool of manipulation but still young enough that most people wouldn't dare to imagine the child would do anything but tell the truth in this situation. ] What if I were to search the child for weapons? I want to be sure there's nothing up his sleeve. Call it paranoia if you want. I'm also wondering if the doctor had anything of use on his person.
In this case, yes. I don't do things without a reason. I'd remove it from his possession, obviously. I can't assume that he's here of his own will even if some kind of ambush seems unlikely...
[ There was silence for a minute or so. The doctor didn't have anything useful, unfortunately. Whoever was left behind may end up in a dangerous situation. This part wasn't as easy as dealing with the doctor. Oswald liked to think that maybe he had learned something about being sacrificial on occasion, but he didn't know if he could trust himself to be that way if the situation were actually real. But if Ed was the friend, that meant he could assist the woman far more than Oswald himself could. Someone had to account for the boy, dangerous or not.
But the scenario with the "friend" really did bother him. ]
This friend of mine, what caused the distance between us? [ Maybe that was too on the nose. He quickly added more to his question: ] What I mean by that is, can we work together? Do we still have enough trust between us?
[ That minute of silence is filled with Ed humming something after half of it. Is that the Jeopardy theme? Yes, yes it is. ]
Sure, you do. They're still your friend, even if there may have been terrible actions taken out on them for no rational reason outside of selfishness and your own hubris. [ :) ]
[ Before Ed was even finished answering him, Oswald felt like he'd had the air knocked out of him. Panic set in within a matter of milliseconds. Did Ed know something? He wasn't ready for this. Surely his paranoia had sent him into an overreaction. Ed couldn't know. Unless...? No. He would have told him if he'd done that. Wouldn't he? Wouldn't he? ]
I-I see. [ He barely managed to choke the words out. The unevenness in his tone was undeniable. He cleared his throat, trying to buy himself a few more precious seconds to compose himself. It wasn't working. ] I have one final question, if I may. [ That was a lie. Now he had to try to calm himself down and think of something relevant to ask. ]
[ Oh god. Oh god. Oh god. He really did know everything, didn't he? Of course he wouldn't just say so outright. He had to make a game of it. Play mind tricks. Of course he did. Suddenly everything gave him a sensation of deju vu and he could feel the dread in the pit of his stomach. This was the fear he had been trying to keep at bay and now it was undeniable. But Oswald knew had to keep playing the game. He had to finish what they'd started. He tried to sound braver than he felt, but if anything it may have just sounded pathetic. ]
What happens when my answer doesn't suit you? Then what? We just keep playing games? Or does it end there and you never tell me what you're really up to?
Doesn't suit me? You mean... if you answer wrong? Are you going to? The game is over if you win. [ A slight hum again. ] You know what I'm up to, don't you? It's not hard to figure out. You know me better than I do, after all.
Obviously it's over if I win, Ed. I wasn't asking what happens when I win, for god's sake! [ Everything was putting him on edge. He hated every second of this. How quickly an interesting conversation can turn to one you sincerely do not want to have is astonishing. It was hard to tell what might be a dig and what might not be at this point, so Oswald opted not to comment and inhaled sharply before giving the only answer he could think of. ]
I would ask you in good faith to take the woman to the hospital in my stead. You're far better suited to do such a thing than me. I'll stay with the child and attempt to help him though I am severely suspicious and expect things may become unpleasant. [ There was a second or two of silence, his tone shifting slightly. ] I wouldn't put you in danger or expect you to come back for me. Now that you know the truth, I can't ask you to care about someone that wronged you far too many times. Please just tell me I'm wrong and how much you hate me so we can be done with this, Ed.
There's no need to yell. [ It's said with the slightest tone of mock surprise, followed by yet another pause while he waits for the actual answer.
Once it comes, there's a few seconds of absolute silence followed by the sound of Ed drawing out a long somewhat disappointed sigh. ]
That's incorrect, Oswald. She's already giving birth. What you're supposed to do is lend an extra hand to help with a swift, probably messy, delivery. Then, you drive her and the infant to the hospital in a less stressful situation. Far safer during the pouring rain, as she'll now be tired and not screaming. I deal with the child, as they clearly hadn't tried to do anything in that entire time and don't consider me a threat. Then you come back and I get to go home. Honestly...
[ How obviously correct that was now that he was being told really didn't serve to help his mood. Ed wouldn't have to listen too closely to hear something hitting the floor and presumably breaking. Oswald pinched the bridge of his nose, the rate of his breathing a bit faster. ]
Okay, Ed. You're right, I'm wrong. I get it. Now what? What are you trying to say?
What? [ To say this conversation was giving him whiplash was an enormous understatement. How could he be acting so domestic just like that? He had to be faking. If Oswald was behind, there was no chance Ed wouldn't use that to his advantage. He was probably scrambling his brain on purpose. ] Ed. [ He sounded a strange mix of frustrated and defeated. ] I killed Isabelle and I tried to kill you. We both know that you despise me so stop playing around.
Yes, I'm aware you did that. Thank you for that reminder. You also froze me and damaged my brain, you loathsome piteously foolish menace.
[ But then Ed is performing a balancing act between sounding somewhat amused he has an upper hand and tired...just tired. ] But then I suppose I shot you at some point. Justifiably. I'm still not entirely clear on your river survival techniques.... And blah blah blah, hate hate hate... [ Cheerfully: ] Hating you is stupid. I moved on to something better.
[ He involuntarily flinched at the insult. It was well deserved, but it stung all the same. Genessia had been the last place where they had a chance of being happy together, after all. Now not even that was left. His mind reached for something to say but he came up short. Everything coming out of Ed's mouth was starting to sound like a blur, but that last bit did manage to somehow break through. He hated how even in the middle of things like this Ed could say things that made him hopeful despite knowing there was nothing to be hopeful about. ] What's that supposed to mean? [ It came out more of a whisper than anything. He was tired too. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
voice;
... is there a particular reason you're asking me this personally?
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The doctor's intentions are obviously fabricated. He's hiding his motive behind a profession that people are meant to trust. I very much doubt he carries his "supplies" for no reason. He's going to have to die, unfortunately. It really is a shame there isn't a trunk to put him in.
[ He paused momentarily. ]
Is asking for additional information allowed?
voice;
[ Cheerfully: ] Of course you can ask questions.
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Eight.
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The doctor would have his tools, of course. His wallet.
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[ There was silence for a minute or so. The doctor didn't have anything useful, unfortunately. Whoever was left behind may end up in a dangerous situation. This part wasn't as easy as dealing with the doctor. Oswald liked to think that maybe he had learned something about being sacrificial on occasion, but he didn't know if he could trust himself to be that way if the situation were actually real. But if Ed was the friend, that meant he could assist the woman far more than Oswald himself could. Someone had to account for the boy, dangerous or not.
But the scenario with the "friend" really did bother him. ]
This friend of mine, what caused the distance between us? [ Maybe that was too on the nose. He quickly added more to his question: ] What I mean by that is, can we work together? Do we still have enough trust between us?
voice;
[ That minute of silence is filled with Ed humming something after half of it. Is that the Jeopardy theme? Yes, yes it is. ]
Sure, you do. They're still your friend, even if there may have been terrible actions taken out on them for no rational reason outside of selfishness and your own hubris. [ :) ]
voice;
I-I see. [ He barely managed to choke the words out. The unevenness in his tone was undeniable. He cleared his throat, trying to buy himself a few more precious seconds to compose himself. It wasn't working. ] I have one final question, if I may. [ That was a lie. Now he had to try to calm himself down and think of something relevant to ask. ]
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Ask away.
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What happens when my answer doesn't suit you? Then what? We just keep playing games? Or does it end there and you never tell me what you're really up to?
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I would ask you in good faith to take the woman to the hospital in my stead. You're far better suited to do such a thing than me. I'll stay with the child and attempt to help him though I am severely suspicious and expect things may become unpleasant. [ There was a second or two of silence, his tone shifting slightly. ] I wouldn't put you in danger or expect you to come back for me. Now that you know the truth, I can't ask you to care about someone that wronged you far too many times. Please just tell me I'm wrong and how much you hate me so we can be done with this, Ed.
voice;
Once it comes, there's a few seconds of absolute silence followed by the sound of Ed drawing out a long somewhat disappointed sigh. ]
That's incorrect, Oswald. She's already giving birth. What you're supposed to do is lend an extra hand to help with a swift, probably messy, delivery. Then, you drive her and the infant to the hospital in a less stressful situation. Far safer during the pouring rain, as she'll now be tired and not screaming. I deal with the child, as they clearly hadn't tried to do anything in that entire time and don't consider me a threat. Then you come back and I get to go home. Honestly...
voice;
Okay, Ed. You're right, I'm wrong. I get it. Now what? What are you trying to say?
voice;
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[ But then Ed is performing a balancing act between sounding somewhat amused he has an upper hand and
tired...just tired. ] But then I suppose I shot you at some point. Justifiably. I'm still not entirely clear on your river survival techniques.... And blah blah blah, hate hate hate... [ Cheerfully: ] Hating you is stupid. I moved on to something better.
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