[And obviously hers matter more. But he would be right in thinking his witnesses aren't all that meets the eye.]
But I think you know the reason I killed those four. Didn't you hear about how he summoned a witch...? He wanted them gone, he needed someone to do it.
[This is getting into territory he isn't comfortable with, and whether or not Rafael believes in witches, or did before this evening, he's still perfectly well aware that she's dangerous in a way as of yet impossible to explain. So he doesn't tell her to her face that witches don't exist. He doesn't deny what's right in front of him.
So he turns the conversation back to what is familiar and safe instead.]
Okay, setting all of that aside, I still don't understand why you're involving me. I've already told you, I can't drop the case. If I let it go, the feds will pick it up. It's not my call. So what do you want from me?
I want your help. I need for you not to drop the case, but to release him. No, it doesn't even need to be a release, just away from all those prying eyes with guns.
Or maybe you could just give me a name of a crooked cop who will cooperate. Someone a little trigger-happy?
[Okay she didn't really think that would work but, you know, gotta check anyway.]
I see, I see. Do you think you can prosecute that man properly, without your witnesses? It's going to become an awfully circumstantial case. And yet, there's no doubt he's committed audacious, disturbing crimes.
[He doesn't trust her face, or her heart either. You know what he does trust? HIS PHONE. It doesn't matter if she grabs his hand before he touches it if he uses the voice command feature. Lucky for him he's such a fast and concise speaker.]
Okay, Google. Text Liv. Put remaining witnesses under 24-7 surveillance.
W-well. I am still perfectly capable of having you killed. Will you be mocking me then? You forget we're perfectly alone here.
[Ugh this is awful. But she still needs to be the tough, cool witch. Yeah... Ugh but she just can't help herself, she gets so riled up, all she wants is to have a downright tantrum over things not going her way.]
[What did she set all this creepy stuff up for if he's just going to be a total jerk like this, huh?! Humans are so annoying, so annoying. Unable to deal with her annoyance, she stands and turns her back to him, pacing the room with her heels clicking on the floor. Of course, that also isn't an easy thing to do in a ballgown in an apartment. So her dress catches on a chair and starts dragging it with her, which frustrates her all the more until all she can do is stamp her foot and push it over.
Your human world, American law. This man needs to be brought to justice in the world of witches too. "What is truth", do you blindly believe only in your own justice system? Isn't that awfully pedantic?
No, I don't. In fact I'm arrogant enough to say I'm more aware than most that the legal system is flawed. But disregarding the legal system entirely won't make it less flawed, it will only weaken it even more. Furthermore, you're asking me, someone who's purpose is to enact the law, to break it myself. To do something I find not only legally, but ethically repugnant. And I'm not willing to do that. If you want to bring him to justice in the world of witches, you are more than welcome to bring him to the world of witches and put him on trial according to witch law, but I caught him first and you can wait your turn.
[Some of the words coming out of his mouth sound ridiculous to his own ears, but really, Rafael is a very reasonable man. He sees no issue with a man being brought to justice for crimes committed in two different places.]
[She gives a great huff, but really, she can't exactly argue with that. It's pretty fair if she's being entirely honest. Which she doesn't plan to be.]
Alright. Fine.
Then I won't leave until your turn is done. I hope you don't mind sleeping on the couch for a while.
[Rafael opens his mouth to protest, realizes there's really no way to keep a witch out of his house, realizes how ridiculous that thought is, and accepts defeat. Of a sort, anyway.]
No. There's absolutely nothing wrong with the guest room, you are not sleeping in my bed.
[This, apparently, is where Rafael Barba draws the line.]
It's the same exact model of mattress. The only difference is that I've been sleeping on mine. Because it's mine. And I am not sharing it and I am not having an argument about sharing it at 1 AM with somebody's kidney on my table. Guest. Room.
[This is the end of this discussion because he's walking away like an adult. An adult who gets the last word.]
[He's far too exhausted in every possible way to keep arguing like children. So, after giving her a supremely dirty look, Rafael ignores her to go about his nightly business before crawling into bed. If he wakes up in the morning and she turns out to not be a figment of his imagination he hopes the alarm clock annoys her and ruins her sleep.]
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[He sounds nonplussed. Almost bored.]
And in any case, if that's all you want I don't understand why you haven't just murdered him instead of four innocent people.
[Obviously she has the means. It makes Rafael wonder how innocent his lost witnesses truly were.]
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[And obviously hers matter more. But he would be right in thinking his witnesses aren't all that meets the eye.]
But I think you know the reason I killed those four. Didn't you hear about how he summoned a witch...? He wanted them gone, he needed someone to do it.
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So he turns the conversation back to what is familiar and safe instead.]
Okay, setting all of that aside, I still don't understand why you're involving me. I've already told you, I can't drop the case. If I let it go, the feds will pick it up. It's not my call. So what do you want from me?
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Or maybe you could just give me a name of a crooked cop who will cooperate. Someone a little trigger-happy?
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[He's almost stunned she has the audacity to ask.]
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I see, I see. Do you think you can prosecute that man properly, without your witnesses? It's going to become an awfully circumstantial case. And yet, there's no doubt he's committed audacious, disturbing crimes.
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Except that you've shown your hand and now I know what to do to keep you from killing them. Thank you.
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ahaha.wav, her heart says]
Whaaa-at? That isn't fair! That was off the record!
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Okay, Google. Text Liv. Put remaining witnesses under 24-7 surveillance.
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Wh-- no, you're not allowed to do that!! I-if you do, I'll just kill you too! And the guards, and this Liv!
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And if it were all that simple you'd have killed the one man you claim you want to and have been done with it. Are we done?
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W-well. I am still perfectly capable of having you killed. Will you be mocking me then? You forget we're perfectly alone here.
[Ugh this is awful. But she still needs to be the tough, cool witch. Yeah... Ugh but she just can't help herself, she gets so riled up, all she wants is to have a downright tantrum over things not going her way.]
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[If he's murdered right after sending a text like that? The man she's after won't even be able to take a piss with some privacy.]
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[What did she set all this creepy stuff up for if he's just going to be a total jerk like this, huh?! Humans are so annoying, so annoying. Unable to deal with her annoyance, she stands and turns her back to him, pacing the room with her heels clicking on the floor. Of course, that also isn't an easy thing to do in a ballgown in an apartment. So her dress catches on a chair and starts dragging it with her, which frustrates her all the more until all she can do is stamp her foot and push it over.
Elegant, scary witch, big titty baby, whatever]
But you recognise that I am not of this world!
[That counts for something...!!]
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So? I don't care what world you're from, I'm not helping you break the law.
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[Some of the words coming out of his mouth sound ridiculous to his own ears, but really, Rafael is a very reasonable man. He sees no issue with a man being brought to justice for crimes committed in two different places.]
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Alright. Fine.
Then I won't leave until your turn is done. I hope you don't mind sleeping on the couch for a while.
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No. There's absolutely nothing wrong with the guest room, you are not sleeping in my bed.
[This, apparently, is where Rafael Barba draws the line.]
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But you're welcome to share it with me.
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[This is the end of this discussion because he's walking away like an adult. An adult who gets the last word.]
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This room suits my tastes so much better, you see.
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