did you toast my friendcrush? and other stories from ash

[uraniumnumnum]

[ he's sure Barnham is beating himself up over these results. How unjust! How wrong! How absolutely boring - and predictable, frankly, seeing how the trial was going. As usual, Ash is unaffected. And he's halfway hoping that he's wrong, and that Barnham is happy inside for avoiding being found out.

Maybe. If he really was a culprit, they'd probably be happy he killed Nui. ]

We're going to talk.

[ he pulls Barnham aside not long after everyone's dissipated from the courtroom, golden eyes a bit fiery. ]

Comments

[uraniumnumnum]

Of course you don't.

[ he sounds smug about it... ]

I'm not talking to you now to ask for your help solving this little murder mystery. I'm telling you not to get in my way. Nui was an ally of mine, and I see myself being targeted next. Maybe by you.

[moraled]

[... Well.]

I have no intentions of doing anything of the sort, though I am aware my word means little to you.

[...]

My intentions shall simply have to be proven.

[You're not gonna die, Ash!!!]

[uraniumnumnum]

They sure will.

[ man he wishes he could just kill barnham here and not have to worry about it like he could back in the old days!! oh well. ]

One more thing. Does the word "bartender" mean anything to you?

[moraled]

[that'd be real rude, Ash.

He blinks at that, though, puzzled.]

Bar...tender? Such as a barkeep, or someone who handles the drinks at a bar?

[???]

[uraniumnumnum]

That's correct. Ring any bells, Barnham? I suggest you answer truthfully.

[ shockingly, he's not forthcoming with his reasoning. ]

[moraled]

[This is starting to get really aggravating, though the only sign of it is the way that he draws in a slow breath before he responds. He's....so sick of not knowing what's going on. He's an Inquisitor! He's captain of the knights! He's used to being in the loop.

and right now he feels like he knows jackshit.]

... I am afraid I still have no idea what you are talking about.

[Reluctant as he is to have to admit that to Ash of all people.]

[uraniumnumnum]

[ he stares at Barnham for a few seconds, searching his face for answers. Traces of a lie. It's not something he's good at, but he's distrustful by nature; he can't help but suspect him. ]

In that case, I suppose I have nothing more to say to you... Provided you're telling the truth. [ Ash crosses his arms, turning from the other man halfway. ] Find out more about the Sheriff or Nui, and maybe I'll tell you more.

[moraled]

[He frowns, meeting Ash's eyes as well as he puzzles that out.

.......]

I shall investigate further, then. I do not much appreciate being kept in the dark in a place such as this.

[But it's not like he'll expect ash of all people to tell him...back to the investigation phase of the aa game, apparently.]