[SCENE] Ron and Edgeworth in "The Setup"
Miles: *It's another day like any other for Miles Edgeworth. His morning has been filled completely with investigation, and he's only just gotten back to his office. He opens the door and walks over to seat himself on the sofa, idly leaning his chin on the back of his hand and pulling out the latest version of the autopsy for perusal*
Ron: *three quick, crisp knocks on the door*
Miles: *glances up, then back down at his autopsy* Come in.
Ron: *opens the door and takes a couple of slow steps in, cocking his head and smiling at Edgeworth expectantly*
Miles: *having assumed it would be a detective with more evidence for him, he turns his head at the peripheral appearance of Ron's recognizable hair* Eh...? Oh, good afternoon DeLite. *mildly, with a glance in the general direction of his desk phone* I would have thought the secretary would have called me if I'd had an out of office visitor.
Ron: She wasn't at her desk -- so I snuck on through! *closes the door behind him*
Miles: *A brief sigh, he puts his autopsy aside and stands* Well, I'll have a talk with her about that. *scrutinizes Ron, his eye lingering on the badge at his lapel* To what do I owe this visit...? Not business, I assume.
Ron: *goes further into the office and stands properly a few feet away from Edgeworth* Have you heard? I got the job! *beams* I'm now a "co." you can stick onto the end of Grossberg Law Offices.
Miles: *despite himself, there is a warmth in his eyes, though his mouth is still set into the same distant line and it shows in no way in his voice. He crosses his arms* I see. I suppose he's needed a hand for quite some time... More than just a subordinate, but it's a start at least.
Miles: *with a half-smirk* And yet I take it you're not too busy if you're here at my office in the middle of the workday. Is he not the slavedriver he once was?
Ron: *a quizzical look* Er, well, that depends...did slaves have to assess the worth of luxuries and play trivia on the subject of art and culture history?
Miles: Hmmm. *chuckles* I guess I wouldn't know. Perhaps in Grossberg's day. *gestures to one of the wingback leather chairs in front of his desk and walks behind the desk* So Grossberg is interested in that particular skill of yours, eh? Does he have any idea how you came upon your knowledge?
Ron: No! ...Maybe. At least, if he does, he hasn't said anything about it though I would be surprised if he didn't at least recognize my name... *continues to stand there -- his attention is directed to the chair* *as though identifying in an antique roadshow* That is 1990's deep buttoned wing back leather chair with carved mahogany cabriole legs, in George III style.
Miles: ...I meant I'd like you to have a seat. *looks distantly concerned* Are you sure Grossberg's office is the right fit for you...?
Ron: Oh! *scurries over and sits down, some embarrassment in his features* Oh, yes! I definitely think so. The deep, rich earth tones that adorn his office go very well with my hair colour and skin tone.
Miles: *now his concern is more prominent* Do you do any legal work, or is your position merely... decorative?
Ron: *defensive* I-I've done lots of filing and paper work for Mr. Grossberg! But...no trials, yet. *fidgets with the hem of his vest* I kinda thought when you join a firm, you get started on trials right away...
Miles: *slides a few papers into a desk drawer* Oh, certainly not. Even here, we tend to have people on staff for months before we assign them cases. It seems to me as if it lasts longer for defense attorneys, since often people are unwilling to hire inexperienced attorneys. I'm sure you'll be able to observe as much as you'd like to...
Ron: MONTHS?!
Miles: *it's now that he gives Ron a look the younger man has never seen directed towards him. It's a stare that is simultaneously bemused and challenging - his frame seems to become larger, his eyes sharply focused on Ron's.* Are you that eager to enter the courtroom? Do you think you have the experience necessary to represent your clients at this time...?
Ron: *leans forwards in his seat, hands planted firm on his lap, his brows furrowed with determination. He opens his mouth -- then draws back, wilting into a slouch*
Ron: I...I guess I don't really have all that much experience...
Miles: *his glare turns aside and he looks to his teapot, lifting the top and filling it with hot water from the dispenser* Know your limitations. Education is no substitute for experience and observation. What kind of tea do you prefer?
Ron: *without jest* The kind lawyers drink, please.
Miles: ... *gives Ron a silent look, waiting for him to give a true answer. He realizes the younger man wasn't joking and gives a light sigh* I'll make Earl Grey. *he measures a few spoonfuls of loose tea into the basket in the teapot and closes it, seating himself again* How are things outside of work? How is Mrs. DeLite?
Ron: Dessie's doing great. She's really enjoying her new car. *all smiles* Did you see? She made an entry about it in her journal.
Miles: I skimmed it. She had some sort of accident during the snowstorm...?
Ron: I didn't know it when I bought it, but her old car didn't handle itself very well in the snow.
Miles: Hm. There's no need for it to be able to handle itself well in the snow, for the most part. It's only during freak snowstorms that there's an issue. *looks as though he's troubled by some distant memory, but shakes it off* It's good that she wasn't hurt.
Ron: *with overbearing fondness* Oh, definitely. It's GREAT having a loved one in your life...
Miles: *ignores this - he's well used to this kind of attitude from Ron and it has mostly passed into background noise for him* Good for you. I hope her new car doesn't have the same problems as the old.
Ron: No problems so far! *leaning in a bit* Just like how me and Dessie's marriage has NO problems even after six years.
Miles: *raises an eyebrow, looking sidelong at the other man suspiciously* That's nice to hear. *turns to the teapot and lifts two cups with it* I suppose now that you've passed the bar the two of you will start thinking about a family.
Ron: *out of nowhere* When was the last time you went on a date, Edgeworth?
Miles: *twitches* I knew it. Some weeks ago. Why?
Ron: *taking on a serious tone* Edgeworth... You know I don't like to see you sad and alone, yes?
Miles: *groans, rubbing his temples* I believe that's something I've heard from you before.
Ron: I...I want to set you up on a blind date! *confident* I know just the right person for you.
Miles: *glances up briefly as he pours the tea* I am not overly fond of blind dates, there's too much potential for things to go terribly wrong. Do you not recall Armando's experiences?
Ron: I know you wouldn't want to go on a blind date. Don't you see? That's exactly why you should go on this one!
Miles: *thinks* I don't see. Not at all.
Ron: O-oh, well um... *trying his best to convince Edgeworth* I wouldn't have approached you about this if I wasn't so sure the date will be successful. See?
Miles: *offers a cup of tea* Sugar or milk?
Ron: *frowns* Edgewoooorth! You aren't listening!
Miles: I'm listening, I assure you. *glares* Would you like sugar or milk in your tea, DeLite?
Ron: M-milk, please...
Miles: *sets the teacup down and pours a shot of milk in, setting a lemon on the saucer and placing it in front of Ron. Without looking up from his own tea as he adds milk and lemon* You're assuming an awful lot if you think that I have all that much faith in your judgment.
Ron: *raising his voice again* Hey! What's wrong with my judgment?
Miles: You are one of a great number of people who seem to get the wrong idea about me fairly frequently. *sips his tea casually* For one recent example, you seemed to imply just now that you think I'm "sad and alone" didn't you?
Ron: *cocks his head* W-well...that was just how I envisioned you being eventually... but no, please listen! I have a wonderful marriage, my dream job, and I was never caught during my year of crime. Wouldn't you say, then, that my judgment is pretty good?
Miles: *harshly, but not without amusement* Good judgment precludes having a year of crime at all, DeLite.
Ron: *smiling* But it worked out well for me, didn't it?
Miles: Somehow, it did. That's more a testament to your uncanny luck than anything.
Ron: Maybe if you think of it as doing a favour for me! *holds out a finger* Just this once...and you'll never hear from me about a blind date again.
Miles: A favour... *sips at his tea, thinking* I don't quite remember the balance of the ledger between us, DeLite, but I do believe we're even at the moment. That would mean that you would owe me for doing this for you, understand?
Ron: *chipper* Yes! Sure! I don't mind. But, you know, you might thank me for this. Your last date went well, after all.
Miles: It went well because it was someone I'd already known - a bit of a prank from Wright. There was no real romance involved, just two people catching up with one another.
Ron: *grins* But you had fun...!
Miles: This is true... *sighs* Fine, I'll go. I promise nothing.
Ron: You will? That's great! *takes his tea, and sips it with satisfaction* I feel good about this. Really, I do.
Miles: Yes, I see that. I hope it doesn't disappoint you too much when it eventually comes to nothing.
Ron: *a small laugh* Oh, Edgeworth...you're soooo negative. You won't get anywhere with that attitude. *pause* Er, well, I suppose you are arguably more successful than me....
Miles: It's less negativity and more reality. *turns to the side, towards the shelves of books on his wall* Truth be told, I'm married to this job. Anyone I'm with has to understand that, first and foremost. And though I've been with those who seemed as if they understood perfectly, in the end it didn't pan out. *there's no sense of regret in his voice, just a passive observation* Perhaps that's how it's meant to be.
Ron: *listening intently, understanding* I see...
Ron: ...But it's much nicer being married to a person. *sips*
Miles: *despite himself, he gives an amused half-chortle* I suppose from your vantage point that's true. Yet... Isn't it more fair to let someone find a person to whom they can be devoted and vice-versa, as you are with your wife?
Ron: Of course, but if life was fair, then there would be Dessies for everyone!
Miles: Hm. *sips his tea and decides not to comment any further* You certainly have your own way of looking at things, DeLite.
Ron: That's why you need someone like me around!
Miles: Hmph. *though he scoffs, his expression doesn't seem to change* Is there anything in particular I ought to expect for this blind date...? Something that whoever it is would appreciate?
Ron: That would be telling~ *grins* Be yourself, and the two of you should hit it off right away. I'm sure of it. In fact, I'm prepared to do anything you ask me to do if you don't enjoy yourself! Um, except things that would cause me physical harm... *stern* And you can't have Dessie!
Miles: *there's a thready groan that echoes through his teacup* My loss, I suppose. I would ask that you leave me alone when it comes to these kinds of things, if I believed you capable of holding yourself back. I do not.
Ron: *thinks*
Ron: ...But I'm still your friend, and that's saying something. *drinks from his cup*
Miles: *raises an eyebrow* And what's that supposed to mean?
Ron: *just drinks*
Miles: *looks as though he's about to say something, but seems to think better of it and just scoffs, setting his teacup down and muttering with affected pique* Yes, well, the same goes for you as well.