ATARAXION - contact.

[hostage]

SCI » 008 » 024

_“ Hey, it's me. Wait for the thing. _”

Comments

[jurisimpudent]

If ever you think me out of control, or corrupt, or hear others complaining of me, take the power from me.

[hostage]

If that ever happens, you know, it won't be as easy as you make it sound. You better keep it together, 'cause I ain't as strong as you.

[jurisimpudent]

[He furrows his brow.]

Well...But you can take it away, can't you?

[hostage]

Yeah, if you don't kill me first.

[jurisimpudent]

[He pulls back at that, his face going a bit pale. Stupid, of course - wasn't he just talking about becoming corrupted by power? - but that statement - ]

I - wouldn't ever do that. Even...Not after everything you've done for me.

[hostage]

[Jesse directs a skeptical look to Edgeworth. It's not that he doubts the kid's sincerity. It's just that people want to kill him. Often. Maybe even with good reason.]

Okay.

[jurisimpudent]

[Which Edgeworth answers with a frown.]

Do you think I am lying? That I am hiding some malice?

[hostage]

You're the one who just asked me to stop you if you go psycho.

[jurisimpudent]

Against other people. Not against you.

[hostage]

Yeah. I mean, whatever. Sure. I'll take it away if you start... yeah.

[jurisimpudent]

[He nods and lets out a breath.]

You swear.

[hostage]

I swear.

[jurisimpudent]

Then I owe you a debt of gratitude many times over.

[hostage]

[He shrugs at that, because he's not so sure.]

[jurisimpudent]

[...Always too much to expect Jesse to react strongly.]

What may I do for you in return?

[hostage]

Just don't use it on me.

[jurisimpudent]

[He nods.]

I've already said I'd not hurt you.

[hostage]

I mean ever. Even if you think it's good for me.

[jurisimpudent]

[He furrows his brow. That simply strikes him as odd.]

What if you were, say, falling?

[hostage]

[Another shrug.]

Let me fall.

[jurisimpudent]

But - why?

[hostage]

I don't like it.

[jurisimpudent]

But...May I ask why not?

[hostage]

I just don't. I don't like being, like, held down. I don't know.

[jurisimpudent]

[A hesitation - and then he nods, accepting that. He does understand phobias.]

That means, though, that if you end up falling, I'll have to hurl myself bodily after you, of course.

[He's not altogether certain whether or not he's joking.]