soul_campaign | o25 video | 4-14, early morning

[The video is focused not on the speaker, but on a set of figures: specifically a nearly complete set of the Chara Misfortune - Leaders of the Watch from the Hikan Cafe. Small, adorable figures modeled after the Leaders of the Watch during the days when it was more prominent.

The collection is complete, including Roy, and has a number of duplicates-- specifically a lot of Gai.]

Temeraire has left me with these figures of the Watch's leaders from a time not too long ago. A number of them are not with us anymore. As one formerly with this team, I must admit that I miss them sorely.

[He pauses, silent for a moment.]

There was a time that my life revolved around a poem that dealt with friends who were cut adrift by a war. Sometimes, I look back to it for guidance-- inspiration-- direction. Consider it a faith, perhaps. I still cling to those words more strongly than anything else. Especially in the times when those I have known and cared for have disappeared.

The war goes on, however.

[A fuzzy snout suddenly invades the video!]

Mei! Stop that!

[And then there's a bark, the snout turns away from the camera and a thud is heard offscreen. After a moment, a red-gloved hand reaches over to shut off the feed.]

[Private to Neji, Lee, and Obito]

[After Genesis has settled Mei, he makes a private feed to Neji, Lee, and Obito.]

Temeraire has told me to leave his extra figures of Gai with you three.

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[Genesis shakes his head.]

Not just when I was dying. I had lost two of my dearest friends, I had lost my parents, my hometown... everything that was dear to me... after years of rotting away, all I wanted was simply to die the way I believed still held honor: in battle.

...

[Edgeworth...really has nothing to say to that. He reaches down to stroke Mei's head while trying to figure out what else to say, but...]

Genesis...

I'm sorry. That must have been a lot for you to take in. My past isn't something good to talk about.

No; it's all right. [Edgeworth straightens up, brushing his trousers. He glances downward briefly before facing Genesis.] The past...is a strange thing. We tell ourselves it has happened and we cannot change it, yet it follows us no matter how we live our lives, sometimes making us stop and glance back.

[He finds himself thinking of his own past; it's not something good to talk about either, but it has happened, it has brought him to where he is now, and there's nothing he can really do.]

That is true. There is only so much looking towards the future you could do at a time.

But the past is what brings us to where we are. So to some extent, no matter how painful it was, we might as well be grateful to it.

[Genesis was right. No matter how Edgeworth held his head up high and marched forward, he would, at times, find himself glancing over his shoulder to what had been, and what could have been.]

I...yes. I agree.

[Besides, he had faced his past here in Death City - both sides of it. He may not be able to erase it, but at least he gained a sense of closure.]

A lawyer like you... I don't think you have dark, dirty secrets like I do. It makes me a little jealous.

[Edgeworth can't help but make a wry smile at that, in spite of himself suddenly thinking of his past...not just of his history following the DL-6 incidents, but the accused he may have led to their deaths during the days of the Demon Prosecutor.]

Hmph. No one is perfect. [Which is his evasive way of saying that no one is completely free of dark secrets, including himself.]

Do you have anything you want to share?

[The wry smile is gone as fast as it came. Edgeworth reaches up instinctively to grip his right arm, but when he realizes what he's doing, he brings his hand down.

He doesn't want to say anything, but...]

...I'm not as virtuous as I might seem.

[Genesis notices the motion to almost grip his arm, but he doesn't say anything about it. He does have the sense however that his partner does have something hidden away.]

Is it something you'd like to talk about?

[He opens his mouth as if to say it, but closes it, sighs, and turns away.]

No.

[~~If you're lucky and you get closer to Edgeworth, Genesis, not YET.~~]

That's alright.

[Genesis isn't quite ready to talk about his own crimes in detail either.]

[He only makes a small sound of agreement at that, having nothing more to say. Everyone had their secrets; at least Genesis understood that.

After which he walks away to make tea. Mei follows, so Genesis should have no more probs with her.]

o25 video | 4-14, early morning

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