When you try your best and you don't succeed [CLOSED]

[prosecutory]

Who: The fancy schmancy roomies a.k.a. Miles Edgeworth and England
When: After Edgeworth pays Ruby and Yang a visit. (IC date: 06/13)
Where: Their apartment, and who knows where?
What: Edgeworth's attempt at cheering up (and daddying) goes south, so he returns home in a downcast mood. England's got his work cut out for him when the comforter needs to be comforted, sort of.
Rating/Warning: Mentions of RWBY vol. 3 spoilers, this log smells of tea, but otherwise, 's all good.

---

[That didn't go so well.

Edgeworth is still steeped in his self-inflicted guilt over not being able to cheer Yang up (and becoming emotional himself in the process - so much for being strong, ugh) when he plods back to his apartment with Pess in tow. Even having his dog with him isn't enough to lift his spirits. No matter how many times Pess nuzzles up against his shin. Caught up in a blur of his thoughts and feelings and musings, it's almost automatic how he unlocks the door and leads Pess inside.

He removes the dog's leash and turns the pooch loose, not that Pess ever wrecks anything. Edgeworth then moves to sit onto the couch, an elbow braced on his lap and his chin resting in his hand, replaying the events of today over and over, wishing he could turn it all back and correct his mistakes. He should have been stronger. He should have had control over himself. Instead, all his feelings came spilling out then.

The border collie trundles over to his owner, resting his furry head on the prosecutor's lap. Edgeworth absently scratches Pess behind the ears with his free hand, oblivious to everything else.

He sighs, placing that hand gently on Pess' head as he continues mulling over everything. Why was comforting people so hard sometimes?]

Comments

[unionjackoff]

[England is home today, and so he's been doing some tasks that needed to get done. cleaning, organizing his tea collection, errands, that sort of thing. so he is home to greet Edgeworth when he's returned.

when he hears the door, he gives his roommate a few minutes to get inside and get settled, only coming out of the kitchen after Edgeworth has seated. the air suddenly feels tense, and England can tell by his roommate's demeanor that something was not right. heck, even Pess looks depressed]

So, how did it go? [he knows the Edgeworth went to visit Yang. he knew Yang, a little. they had been partners during the CERES tower tour. his fairy floats along behind him, waving hello to Edgeworth and Pess]

[prosecutory]

[Edgeworth clutches his forehead in the hand that wasn't on Pess. He looks up at England, just nodding to the fairy. Pess yips at England's companion before approaching England himself, bracing front paws on the nation's leg.]

I was a fool, Arthur. [He groans.] I let my blasted mouth run in front of her. I didn't know what to say; I don't know what happened in their world, and I lost control over my emotions.

[He grits his teeth, but he's not about to break down in front of England. Edgeworth is just berating himself.

...not that THAT's an improvement.]

She lost an arm. [Which means that whatever it is, it's that bad.]

[unionjackoff]

[wait. what? England leans down to pet Pess, though he keeps his gaze on Edgeworth. that was... huh... he doesn't even know what to say to that]

She... lost her arm? [yeah, that's as good as he's got right now. give him a moment, he'll think of something else to say. he just... has to confirm, because that was so harsh]

[prosecutory]

[Edgeworth nods solemnly, and lets out a breath.]

That's right. Yang looked as if she had lost all hope.

[The mood had become a bit contagious.]

[unionjackoff]

[man, what a gloomy mood. and Edgeworth was really beating himself up over it. England crosses his arms, thinking]

It's a lot for her to adjust to. The only thing you can do right now is give her some space.

[prosecutory]

I suppose.

[Edgeworth keeps stroking his dog's fur.]

I said I would be back, but not for a while. [He sighs.] Perhaps she'd appreciate mere company over anything I say. [Naoki had said that Edgeworth could still be there for Yang despite not knowing what to say at a time like that.]

[unionjackoff]

[hey, now. Come on, Edgeworth. What is with that attitude? England doesn't know what to do with it. He's used to such a confident, kind of stuffy young man. And this... This is just like. Broken Edgeworth]

Right. Well, I don't know her as well as you, so I don't know what she would appreciate more. For now, I think I'm going to make you some tea. [England gets to his feet]

[prosecutory]

[Did he say tea?

And don't worry, Edgeworth isn't that broken and won't be like this for long. He stops petting Pess to look up at England, a teeny bit less sad.]

I...I would appreciate that. [He considers offering help, but...he's pretty sure England would turn it down.] Thank you, Arthur.

[unionjackoff]

Too ominous, if you ask me. [England crosses his arms as they walk, a deep scowl playing across his features] I don't know what I approve of more, in Cerealia. Silence, or action.

[prosecutory]

It would depend on the type of action that needs to be taken.

[He frowns as well, thinking.]

But even so, we shouldn't take these quiet moments for granted. [Edgeworth's mind wanders back to Yang, but only to be thankful that she and Ruby returned during a silent time in Cerealia. They would have time to recover, even a bit.]

[unionjackoff]

I suppose that is what I was thinking. [a light shrug, and England's eyes drift up to look at the sky. he wonders how his own world is fairing right now, if it was really destroyed, or not] I'm not... [a brief pause] It's difficult for me to take time out to enjoy things like this. I focus a lot of my energy on being negative. Cynical, if you will. It's probably my greatest fault.

[prosecutory]

[Edgeworth, hands behind his back and more relaxed than when he entered the apartment, looks at him.

He finds himself smiling, a little.]

I'm thankful that you took this time out to find tea for me, in any case. [Instead of just finding an alternative that wouldn't take him out of the apartment.]

[unionjackoff]

[they'd saved his life? wow. England looks impressed, eyes widening just a hair. he'd briefly seen Yang in battle at least]

I see. Then I owe them my thanks, as well.

[and here they are! England heads over to the wall of tea] Why don't you pick out something?

[prosecutory]

[Wait. Edgeworth stares up at the wall of tea in awe at all the choices and blends.]

But I...thought you already had a certain type in mind...

[Or did he?]

[unionjackoff]

Ah, I'm afraid that was a small fib. I wanted to get you out of the house. [England rests his hands on his hips, looking smug] Today, you're my guest, so feel free to get anything you like, my treat.

[there are a few open tables in the back, with food menus, and aside from the teas on the wall, they are advertising three spring specials: Rose Medley, Peach Brulee, and Russian Caravan]

[prosecutory]

[England is such a sneak. Edgeworth gawks at him in disbelief before smiling warmly, and shaking his head with a short chuckle. His roommate really had him there.]

I cannot thank you enough, Arthur. You have truly outdone yourself.

[He scans the teas with a little more spring in his step, and he notices the spring specials. Interesting.]

...Rose Medley, if you please.

[unionjackoff]

[a war... England's only heard it mentioned a couple times, but he has no idea what it was about. he takes a very small sip from his steaming cup and glances up again]

What was the war over?

[prosecutory]

[He sips his tea and places his cup back onto his saucer, lacing his fingers together. Maybe he should've warned England that his story will be a long one.]

That world was ruled by a death god. When he was thought to have been killed, some witches - yes, they were called witches - began to wreak havoc with their magic. They experimented on people, and flouted the laws. [The beginnings of a scowl are apparent on his face, as he stares into his tea.] We also had to deal with... [How does he even say this?] Monsters born from consuming souls.

[unionjackoff]

[a war... against witches and monsters. England kind of likes the sound of that world. at least it sounds better than a world full of technology]

Did you use magic? [he leans forward in his seat a little, interested]

[prosecutory]

We were given powers, so we could fight. [That's a yes. Although Edgeworth wouldn't call it magic outright.]

...I retained mine when I came here, although I don't use them often.

[unionjackoff]

Fascinating. [and he means it. England wonders what kind of powers he might get if he visited a world like that. why couldn't Cerealia give out free powers?]

So you fought witches and monsters. [hmmm] What else did you do?

[prosecutory]

[Edgeworth lowers his cup after sipping some more.]

Well, I did practice my profession. I was allowed to prosecute in the city's courts, and helped investigate any strange happenings, whether they were crimes or possibly witches' activities.

[He can't help but glance around for any sign of their orders.]

[unionjackoff]

[their food should come soon! They haven't been here for very long]

I can't help but think that would be exciting, battling witches, everyone using magic powers. [then again, there are times England finds war enjoyable... Ah, he probably shouldn't say that out loud, even if most nations do] Well, at least it sounds like you were there for a noble cause. I don't think I can say the same About being here.

[unionjackoff]

[he's right, the dangers of CERES aren't in their world, only here. and they are pretty big dangers. ghosts, gods, alter sacrifices... England's smile fades in consideration. ah, that's no good, he's trying to cheer Edgeworth up!]

We'll just have to continue looking out for each other while we're here.

[prosecutory]

[Edgeworth is properly cheered up now even if their topic of conversation has shifted to grim territory.

...even if it doesn't show right now and his expression is more resolute.]

Right. Who knows what else we encounter while we're here?