#i.e. he hasn't yet learned the hard lessons 8'D such as “careful who you choose to put your belief in” OOPS

[tenacquity]

Truthfully, there are about a million things Ryunosuke’s attempting to puzzle out right now. Whether or not he believes the young man is at the farthest end of this dark tunnel he feels he’s stumbling through blind, and additionally… Well, he’s not quite sure he likes the look in the stranger’s eyes.

“Stranger” is a bit of an odd term after all he’s told me. Are we acquaintances now?

In several instances, he’s almost raised his hand in a silent plea to interject. If even nothing more than to beg the man to slow down so he has a better chance of grasping the details. Sure, Ryunosuke knows personally how panicked one feels to be in a position like this, but the way Goffard rambles on, he can’t help but wonder if he simply enjoys the sound of his own voice. Maybe it’s both. Though the typical panic is somewhat different here…

He seems more agitated by the accusations than truly fearful of the consequences. (Can money buy everything including dumb bravery?)

Ryunosuke attempts to catch up by the time there’s an eventual spot of silence, but all too impatiently has his potential client made a show of leaving before he’s gotten a word in edgewise. Impulsively, the (admittedly inexperienced) lawyer gets to his feet, digs up enough of a voice to squeak, “Hold on just a moment!” Someone smarter might have just let this go, surely? Found their work elsewhere, but despite all the troubling feelings, Ryunosuke also just so happened to notice—

He must be used to this. Goffard, that is. He must be used to people not believing him. That defensiveness without Ryunosuke having to even breathe a syllable…

So, what if he offered him even a chance?

“I— Sorry. I suppose I’m still trying to wrap my head around a few details.” And wipe clean the details I wish I could forget. “But my answer isn’t ‘no.’ I’d just rather not commit to a ‘yes’ until I’m confident I’m the right lawyer for you.” He bites his tongue before letting slip the sentiment, —or anyone, for that matter. 

And then, under the hope that the man won’t yet step out the door, Ryunosuke sinks back into his seat, lips pursed in thought. The Chief Justice had been particularly adamant that he take this case… though even now, he’s entirely unsure why. Because Goffard’s a foreigner like him? His hands shuffle through a messy stack of papers on his desk (What even are these?), and he peers up at the man again.

“I want to be fair and straightforward with you, Mr. Goffard: I’m still familiarizing myself with the laws here, and I’ve no doubt you could find someone far more experienced,” he admits after a steadying breath. “But you’ve shown your willingness to trust me, nevertheless. And I might like to return the favor.”

@tenacquity.'s not in it for the money.

"What's the problem? Don't you believe me...?"

That look on his face seriously pisses him off.

Derek's said so before, and he'll say it again: he's innocent.

So maybe he got a bit carried away a few nights prior... Enjoyed himself a little too much, and now, he's somehow gotten roped into another lawsuit involving property damage, among other things. That doesn't mean he actually did anything wrong! ... Not this time. Even if he IS guilty; well, he's got the funds to shut just about anyone up.

Nothing to lose sleep over.

All the boring, legal matters nonetheless have to be taken care of, which is why he's seeking this man's help in the first place. He should consider himself lucky that a Goffard's chosen him; clearly well - off, ready to flash his cash and wipe his hands clean of the mess he's created. And yet, he has the audacity to stare back with the stupidest look on his face after he's gone through all the trouble of explaining his case.

— In full detail, no less.

Always one to act defensively, he doesn't bother to take into consideration that maybe the poor guy's lost for words. Instead, he rolls his eyes, a click of his tongue following.

"Fine, whatever. I'll find someone else to take my case... You lawyers are a dime a dozen anyways." Though his lips are firmly pressed in a pout, arms folded against his chest, his overall body language akin to that of a stubborn child who thinks acting insufferably uncooperative will get him exactly what he wants (and it usually does!) — the prolonged sideways glance he first spares Ryunosuke before turning towards the door suggests he's not at all opposed to still giving him a chance. And since Derek's such a nice guy, he even lingers there a few moments longer than need be... quietly waiting to see what it is the little lawyer decides to say.

The ball's in his court now.