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[Edgeworth speaks quietly; there's a vaguely rehearsed quality to his voice.]

Good day, Mr. Shahrizai. This is Miles Edgeworth. When you've free time, I should like to speak with you on a few matters.

My thanks.

[There are no less than 32 shredded missives to this man in his waste basket.

The reply does not come quickly. It is the most polished of his courtly tone.]

I have few appointments in the early afternoons, messire Edgeworth. Though if another hour would suit you better I shall be happy to accommodate.

[A slight pause. He doesn't want to inconvenience Mavros, but his work - ]

That will work, so long as you are willing to wait until tomorrow; my duties last all afternoon, but tomorrow I've a day off. Will that be amenable?

Of course.

[It would likely be better, if Edgeworth has the day off. If he wishes to take what's due to him immediately then he can.]

Have you somewhere you wish to meet-? I assume we'll speak in person. If not I wish to impress that we do.

In person, yes.

[He glances down, a bit troubled by what he takes to be disapproval in Mavros' voice.]

There is a cafe, not far from the city center, which serves passable tea. Will that suffice?

Oh, I think so.

[~~Maybe they'll have coffee to-~~ Tea is fine.]

And the hour?

Two-thirty. I'll send you the address.

And I shall see you there.

[He arrives at 2:15, naturally, dressed in his best suit, nervous, tense. His face is pinched and unhappy; in spite of himself, in spite of the awareness that he was the one who had done wrong not once but twice there is a certain degree of...fear. He's afraid of what is to come, but he is also afraid - just a bit - of Mavros himself.

Tea soothes him, at least. He drains it quickly.]

[It is something almost like relief to finally be getting this over with and he wishes that he'd been less of a coward sooner. He is galled that Edgeworth contacted him first, clearly proving that he dallied far too long.

Some ten minutes after Edgeworth's arrival, Mavros enters the cafe. He skips over any beverage and shows himself to Edgeworth's table, back to his usual kept appearance but far more solemn than he's ever shown before.

Resolute.

He does, however, sketch over Edgeworth's demeanor.]

Messire Edgeworth.

[Edgeworth rises at once in greeting. He does not - he is pleased by this - flinch at the Messire, last heard issuing mockingly, scornfully; he does not flinch, either, to see him. The man looks solemn, serious, even grim, without the flashes of mad desperation he'd seen before. More like the Mavros of that first encounter than the Mavros of the second and third.

Good. Level heads laid down keener judgments.]

Mr. Shahrizai. Please have a seat. Might I purchase for you a beverage of some ilk?

You have my thanks, but I think I shall go without.

[Yes, this is far more on Edgeworth's natural plane than his own. No flirtations to distract or fluster the good- well, this lawyer. He'll be direct. He'll not fluff with pleasantries. This isn't the time...

Mavros sits, putting curled hand to cheek before straightening himself and halting Edgeworth before he can begin.]

My actions towards you and the intent behind them during our last two meetings were in gross violation of the highest precept that my people follow. Because of that I've agreed to meet with you to offer the atonement that you are due and in that Kushiel's justice which you have full right to administer as you see fit and to your satisfaction.

[Of all the things he'd expected -

Well. That wasn't it.

There's a moment when he just stares, flummoxed by Mavros and by that offer. He doesn't know what "Kushiel's justice" entails, but knowing the other things associated with Kushiel, it sounds like it would not be gentle...But what - Why?

He stares a moment, then shakes his head, the previous cool reserve lost - ]

I - a moment, sir. While I appreciate that your actions most likely violated your own moral code, ultimately you were blameless. It is I who - I was the one who committed a crime against you.

[Mavros twists a half-smile.]Blameless...

If only, messire. ['My sweet pet'

...it lingers.]

That of engaging me in the state I was left in due to my re-education?

And of taking too long to recognize it.

[Even as Mavros smiles that ironic little smile, Edgeworth's serious frown deepens.]

It was unconscionable. And yet, even so, I lingered over my evil acts - and even allowed them to repeat themselves.

I won't refute that.

[He wishes he had stopped to purchase a drink.]

However, the...second time. I think it would be safe to say neither of us were in our right minds. I should have refused you after - [He waves his hand. You know. That bite.]

[He closes his eyes a moment, shaking his head.]

No. I was the one who should have had self-control. I was the one who knew the state you were in. The fault was mine.

Forces out of your control pushed rather heavily on you. We may push blame back and forth across this table but that will not take away that I must follow what my law demands of me.

Surely you understand that?

[But he shakes his head - ]

And what is it your law demands of you?

That I make amends for the wrong of my actions. It's usually quite extreme in this situation. I don't think you're one to call for another's life-blood so that leaves you whatever pound of flesh to take as you wish. [The prim finish of his expression dulls in that moment.

His cousin had managed to control himself after going through the same situation and yet he was unable to completely.

So...] This is well deserved, messire. Trust me in that.

[And again, Edgeworth stares - then again, he shakes his head, his mouth a thin, firm line.]

I am not going to make you suffer, Shahrizai.

Yes, I understand it is unusual and nonsensical for you but I have to insist. Without I-...

There will be no absolution. [He cannot simply go to one of Kushiel's temples and have himself scourged to purge his sins.

He narrows his eyes.] I do not think you can honestly tell me some part of you did not feel violated by my transgressions.

[He says:]

I should say I have no right to.

[But he drops his eyes as he does; his face remains still stubborn, with lines about his mouth, but the lie is clear in his eyes. And, after a moment, he says:]

By the laws of my system, Shahrizai, you've the right to hand me over as a rapist.

Oh, but you don't want to. [Mavros snorts.]

For your trials and judges and juries of peers, yes? Then you'll be condemned and nothing comes from it.

It doesn't matter whether or not something would come of it.

[He looks up again.]

Do you deny that I've wronged you, Mr. Shahrizai? Yet you alone should pay penance for your crime?

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