wunderkind | (no subject)

wunderkind

STUFF GOES IN HERE

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From:

doggedly

[That's the most effective thing Edgeworth has said yet, and something deep within Sirius twists--worse than a knife, like something alive twisting in his chest. His face might pale a little, and perhaps there's some hint of it in his eyes--but his mouth keeps to that firm hard line.]

You're bound to do something else entirely stupid, someday soon. You can get your death then and I'll stand by and everyone will get what they want.

From:

jurisimpudent

So why not start now?

[What's he pushing for? For Sirius to give up? Miles, in spite of everything, isn't actually suicidal. He's got grand plans and ambitions. He's driven by his need to be a hero, to stop all of it, but he doesn't actually want to die, and he doesn't...want to go there, to the party, not really. It's pride, perhaps, that keeps him protesting - and that stupid, pathetic need to hear something better than just...keeping you from your natural idiocy. Which is idiocy in its own right. It's - God, it's using his own life to some unconnected bystander into saying I care, and that's beyond pathetic, it's sick -

And it's that realization that makes him, finally, crumble. He stares down at his feet, disowns his previous challenge with a shake of his head.]

It's...Fine. I - I won't go.

From:

doggedly

[It should feel like a victory, for Sirius; it should feel like a defeat, in the name of his family and all that they stand for. It doesn't feel like anything. Sirius stares at Edgeworth and only feels a curious emptiness, one he can't put a name to.

He looks away, as if he's got to give Edgeworth some privacy. There's a muscle working in his jaw, he can feel it. He swallows, hard, and stares at some point off in the distance, a discoloured bit of stone on the castle wall.]

I'll go.

From:

jurisimpudent

[Edgeworth's gaze snaps up; he says, fiercely, immediately - ]

No.

[Which is a stupid answer. Because he's saying one of two things: either I've decided that following Voldemort is the best course of action, in which case the proper course of action is to not argue but rather to take out his wand again and curse Sirius and drag him before Dumbledore, or he's saying I'll spy for you in which case a celebration is in order, and a thank you, and a jolly good to hear let's get started. In neither case, a desperate and ferocious no, a no that brooks no argument.

He hunches his shoulders a moment afterwards, as if trying to negate that prior knee-jerk reaction.]

For what purpose would you go.

From:

doggedly

[He actually draws back a little at that no--not stung, exactly, but more surprised at the insistence of that no--and he's questioning, too (though he'd never admit it), the reason behind it, what Edgeworth could mean by barking it out like that at him.

Nothing sentimental. You're an idiot, he tells himself, and narrows his eyes at Edgeworth.]

Because I was invited. And if I don't go, they'll notice. Really, Edgeworth, use your head, for once.

From:

jurisimpudent

So they can recruit you.

[A few moments before, Edgeworth might have seemed weary, sorrowful - but there's fire in him now once more. His own fate - that's a topic that's difficult for him to grasp hold of, where it's impossible to articulate what it is that's better. But he knows what he wants for Sirius and knows what he doesn't want. And this - ]

Completely out of the question. Even if you're not going to help us, you're going to make some excuse. Say you've taken ill.

From:

doggedly

Oh, yeah, that's going to work.

[He sneers at him, folding his arms over his chest.]

You don't say you've taken ill to the chance at meeting the Dark Lord, you tit. Not in our circle. I'm going, all right, don't make a bloody thing of it.

From:

jurisimpudent

[He shakes his head in flat refusal.]

You're going, whereupon you'll either agree to serve Voldemort or be murdered. Absolutely not. No, I'm - I'll...

[He sets his jaw.]

I'm giving you a detention.

From:

doggedly

[He stares at Edgeworth a moment--and then he actually laughs, incredulous and tired and sceptical all at once.]

What.

From:

jurisimpudent

You've detention, Black. Starting at five o'clock on Friday evening and lasting until eleven o'clock. You'll be cleaning blackboards. Use of magic not permitted. Punishment for smoking on school grounds and attacking a prefect.

[His jaw is jutting out, and his brows form a stern line over his eyes. His manner brooks no argument.]

From:

doggedly

Oh, fuck you!

[He snorts, half in disbelief and half in outright dismissal.]

You can't be serious. I'm not serving your idiotic detention-- so, no, hang on, so what's your detention going to be, eh, for using magic outside of class--untested magic, a spell you wrote yourself--

From:

jurisimpudent

[Edgeworth, though, stands stalwart.]

You think I'm afraid of getting detention? Go on; tell on me. The inquiries will follow as to why I used it. The result will be the same: you'll still not be able to go.

From:

doggedly

[He would go, and be glad of it, that's the sad disgusting part. Sirius scowls, shoving his hand over his face.]

I'm skipping it entirely, then. I'm not going to-- Merlin, I thought this was what you wanted!

From:

jurisimpudent

Not like - this!

[He grits his teeth. Here's the heart of it - ]

Not alone. Where you could be harmed.

[And he knows he's not to state that so baldly; he knows that he's not to be so open about his worry. But there's no way to circumlocute that truth.]

I...Let me go with you, and then - Just let me go with you. If you're going.

From:

doggedly

[He doesn't know what to make of that first bit--where you could be harmed; he doesn't want to think too hard on it. Not important, ignore it, don't make anything of it.

Instead, he focuses on the second bit; he barks a laugh.]

Right. Yeah. Best way to get into their good graces would be bringing them a mudblood to kill. Brilliant plan. You can't go and you know it.

From:

jurisimpudent

I'll transfigure myself into something unnoticeable. Or -

[And then he hesitates. Not because he's thinking, but because there's a clear answer; the issue is that it feels unhappily like an abuse of power. Taking advantage of his position. But there's no time for squeamishness; he swore to himself that he would be an Auror, that he would combat Dark magic where he found it, without hesitation or doubt; this is nothing compared to the other things he's willing to do.]

Potter, from my year, has an invisibility cloak which was confiscated by one of your prefects about a week back. It's being held for another week. I'll take it for use there.

From:

doggedly

[An invisibility cloak. Sirius' eyebrows shoot up. He's impressed despite himself--and he doesn't want there to be a solution, he doesn't want to drag Miles Edgeworth along with him--he still isn't certain that he's willing to go, that he's not been somehow--tricked, or coerced--]

Who took it?

[And then, with a little sneer:] Hang on, you'll take it? Breaking another rule?

From:

jurisimpudent

[Edgeworth lifts his head - tries to look defiant and nonchalant. He doesn't know why he makes that attempt, honestly; Sirius has been in his head and knows how he thinks. He knows perfectly well how Miles feels about rule-breaking - how every instance makes him feel wretched. Why even feign apathy?

But he feigns it.]

That's what I said, Black. Shall I teach you an ear-cleaning spell? It seems as though you need it. It's a good cloak, brand-new, I suspect; it will serve my purposes admirably well.

From:

doggedly

[He stares at Edgeworth a moment longer, and he's not even sure of what to do, to laugh at him or goad him or accept or what.

Eventually, he just waves his hand, somewhat dismissively.]

Fine. Whatever. Enjoy the thrill. Who confiscated it, tell me that.

From:

jurisimpudent

[Edgeworth frowns in confusion, but he does answer.]

Burke. Why does it matter?

From:

doggedly

Because I'll get him to get it.

[And he will, too; it will be easy. Burke, what a troll. He busies himself with getting another cigarette out of his pack. He's smoking them too quickly, but he needs something to steady himself.]

From:

jurisimpudent

[A small frown creases Edgeworth's brow. That might be a clean solution, honestly - if Burke retrieves it from the storage room, then Edgeworth's name won't be attached to it. It won't be traced back to him, and he'll avoid any reprimand for abusing his power. That's best; he wants to make Head Boy, to have a perfect clean record so they'll make him an Auror, but -

But it's not honest.

After a moment's agonized deliberation he shakes his head.]

No. I - have access to it myself. There's no reason to involve him.

From:

doggedly

[He snorts, loudly and dismissively.]

Please. Don't play the fucking martyr, Edgeworth, it doesn't suit you.

From:

jurisimpudent

[And that makes him choke out a single, short laugh of incredulousness, because - what else has he been doing? This whole time? Nothing save martyrdom, truly.

Still, that's not the point.]

It's not being a martyr. If I break the rules, I face consequences for that. I don't try to escape them. That's immoral.

From:

doggedly

Yeah. And God forbid we do anything immoral, 'cos the whole world might fucking end then.

[He pushes his fingers through his hair, with a sigh.]

Fine. Whatever. Get it for yourself, it doesn't actually matter. How d'you plan to get to London?