inseine | Ryslig IC Inbox

The original wasn't that big, but I wouldn't rule out anythin'. Who knows what else the bugs got their hands on? That goes for the poachers, too, now that they got all those parts. Anyway, ya know how guys in hard hats like to jaw -- there's a couple of construction sites around, so they might see something even if we come up empty on the rest.

[ They could find some good spots to post a sniper, while they were at it. Eyyyy. ]

Let's do it. They got a vested interest in stopping these clowns, no point turnin' away good help.

[Javert is still looking at the map while he gingerly masticates another bite of his sandwich. It'd be super nice if he could enjoy it without the prospect of a garlic bomb hanging over his head.]

I would not mind plying a few chatterboxes about their favored projects.

[Did you know that Javert recently discovered that he has special vampiric influence over certain weak-willed humans? The bug party helped him figure that out, as well as a chat with Cuthbert. Maybe a few strongly-worded questions and some intense stares will work in his favor. He breaks his reverie, glancing back up to Majima.]

By day I shall keep a watch on the network for any whispers of another machine. The fewer there are, the better. I am not fool enough to think the lot of us will leave our grievances at the door and band together on a singular effort, but I want a pulse on who else is doing it.

Edited 2019-12-31 04:15 (UTC)

Great. Then I'll focus on digging up any info I can on the area, and get a couple balls rolling on sourcing some parts. We can always reach out to the labs, too, if Tim needs any help.

[ You know... debugging the machine? DOHOHOHOHO ]

I don't want what happened last time to happen again, to put it fuckin' mildly. By the way, how're ya coming along in your vampire deal? Learn how to turn into a bat yet?

What I want is their leader and his generals in chains. Off the streets, out of society. If they are murdering humans for the sake of their false skins, I want it exposed and blasted into the ears of the local police with neatly gift-wrapped evidence so that I may drag their vicious selves to the lock-up myself.

[Javert's tone becomes chillier and chillier, his eyes narrowing to some unknown point to the left of Majima's shoulder. There is the hint of a far worse fate for the poacher leaders, if the vampire were inclined to give in completely to his darker urges. He seems to catch himself at the end, and fixes his pupils back on his acquaintance.]

The quicker we do it, the better. To keep the peace, as much as it can be kept in Ryslig.

[Javert chews his food slowly, settling back in his booth-seat.]

Going batty is an old hat. I can do it. Among other discoveries.

[ Majima was party to Javert's change in tone by virtue of like... sitting here, at this table, sure. But if he was bothered by it, or the implied threat, he was a good hand at not letting it show. In reality, maybe he just didn't have a lot of room to talk here, considering the acts of violence sat on his own plate.

There might have also been the small matter of him sharing a lot of past tables with a lot of angry dudes, but look. For now, probably the best policy was to file a little mental note that yeah, probably it was a good idea that Javert was getting people to chaperone him because no, it didn't look like he had the vampire thing on lock yet. ]

Yeah? What about charmin' the pants off people? Figuratively, I mean.

It sure as fuck would come in handy if we can make some of these guys talk.

Edited 2020-01-01 00:51 (UTC)

[Javert's lip curves into a perfect crescent.

Rather than answer Majima directly, he flags down the waitress.]

Ah! There you are, mademoiselle. [He raps a mesmerizing beat on the tabletop with his claws. It is no trouble to get her to look him in the eye when there are still remnants of blood smears rimming them.

The eye contact is her undoing.

That's when a change overcomes her. She relaxes, loosened and dreamy, her body swaying gently forward to expose the bare flesh of her plunging neckline to a completely unfazed and bored-looking Javert. He rolls his wrist in Majima's direction and issues his command.]

Monsieur Goro here is feeling chilled in this wretched weather. Be a good lass and warm him.

[The waitress plops heavily down in the booth beside Majima and drunkenly drapes herself across him in a warm embrace.]

No, don't do that, c'mon --

[ Great, thanks. The last thing Majima needed or wanted, a woman drunk on psychic vampire juice pressing her boobs into his fur, fuck's sake Javert. He did his best to square her off with one arm and peel her fingers from his shoulders. ]

What the hell're you doing?!

[ He demanded of the vampire, trying to keep his voice quiet at the same time. He was also trying not to hook his claws on her clothes, R.I.P. ]

I asked ya if you could get answers from one of those murdering fucks, not get some poor gal to flash the restaurant!

[Javert allows the charade to keep up juuuuust long enough to hammer the point home.]

All right, mademoiselle, that is enough. I shall have another of these. [She blinks, uncharacteristically doe-eyed, and pushes off Majima back to her feet. She looks downright lost until she sees Javert snapping his fingers for her attention. He raises his mostly-empty Old Fashioned glass and gives it a little shake, rattling the ice inside.]

Top off Monsieur's drink while you are at it. Go on!

[She wanders away, her gait sharpening and becoming more sure of herself the further away she walks.

Javert languidly looks back to Majima.]

A demonstration is more telling than words, hideous as it is. [He cocks his head.] Don't raise your hackles for this. I will tip the girl generously for the intrusion.

Edited 2020-01-01 04:49 (UTC)

[ Javert wasn't getting it, and the way he treated the waitress afterwards made things worse. Had he always been like this? True, Majima had never seen the man interact with women before, but -- ]

Ya think that smooths it over? Makes it all like it never happened?

[ Thanks, he hated it. Majima's ears pulled back as he spoke, grimacing with his teeth as he used to back in Japan. ]

She's a person, not a demonstration. And what ya just did was wrong.

[ Not to mention completely unnecessary. Majima had no reason to doubt Javert's word; a simple 'yes' would have sufficed.

The woman started to wobble her way back, but the werewolf shook his head and stood. ]

[Javert is silent and still. If he is surprised by the backlash, he betrays none of it in his stony expression. He does not move when Majima rises, clearly intending to go.]

...No. It changes nothing.

[He made a misstep. That stung, to wrong another; stung worse, since he recognizes it is true. When had he started slipping into this mindset, where people could double as tools? Perhaps it was always there, if he thought ill enough of them. How the once-irreproachable Javert had fallen!]

I am willing to confess to the Mademoiselle. [The corner of his mouth sinks into a lopsided frown. Would that help matters? His gaze wanders down to his claws.]

I am relieved it is you and your Tim with the machine-building knowledge. It is for the best I do not possess such a thing.

Edited 2020-01-01 18:40 (UTC)

[ Majima looked at Javert for a moment, wordlessly -- as if by doing so he could gain insight into what the vampire was thinking. Or maybe it was his own thoughts he was marinating in, because hell if he didn't have plenty of those to contend with. ]

I'm glad.

[ Because whatever the hell Javert had going on, at least he seemed to understand. But if that was true -- ]

Listen, I ain't a vampire, so I don't know exactly what you're goin' through. But even if we're monsters, we've still got a choice. And as long as ya still care about that choice, I'm willing to be there to pull ya back.

[ In his expression, there was only a slight softening about the eyes. A contrast to the release in tension in the rest of Majima's frame. ]

Just don't give up on yourself. All I ask.

[Dare Javert admit he already offered himself up for damnation? That could not be giving up on himself, could it? That was an act of resignation, of keeping to his principles. The principles Majima claims he still has.

He does not say anything about it. He looks up at Majima again, and where the werewolf's eyes softened, his have developed a glassy sheen.]

You say I have a choice. Well, this is mine: If you catch me faltering and not returning to myself, I want to be stopped. By any means necessary. Only right.

[He calmly clasps his hands.]

I don't know the limits of what can be done, and I have not tried to find them. But I will work captives for information when it is needed.

[ No need to hesitate here, no excessive tenderheartedness to get in the way. Majima nodded. ]

I'll take care of it.

[ It was a reasonable request, after all, to be put down before he hurt anyone else. The kind of insurance policy everyone should want. And if anyone would be well-suited to stop a monster about to take a step too far, surely it was one who had spent years contemplating the same?

Majima set some bills on the table. ]

Only one little problem, though -- I was never a cop. So my rules and your rules, they're different. If ya want me to keep ya from crossing a line, you're gonna have to tell me where yours are.

You have sound judgment. [Especially compared to himself. That much is clear.] I have no tolerance for abuses of power, whether it is myself or someone else doing it.

[Javert glances to the bills and frowns. He attempts to push back a sizable portion of it to Majima, slapping down more than his share of coin in its place, including the promised tip for the girl. He owes at least that much.]

Should I start abusing my abilities for no one's benefit but my own--That is when I am lost. Lock me away in solitary if you must.

[ Majima was not going to take back his money. The waitress could just Have Extra, it was fine, and in any case, he had more pressing things now than worry about who was paying. Instead, he seemed to mentally file this aside.

More reason to keep an eye on Javert, look after the man... vampire. Even if he claimed to have left those principles of his behind, he was still trying to hold on to something. ]

All right. I'm about ready to get back to work, but don't think twice to call if ya need it.

[Javert bows his head in a nod. As Majima turns his back to go, he draws out a notebook and one of these newfangled ball-point pens from one of his deep coat pockets, opens it up, and begins to write. He soberly calls out to Majima before he disappears out the door entirely.]

Thank you, and good night.

[It seems he owes Majima an awful lot. Javert will have to track his debt, and the best way he knows how to repay such a beast is to keep to his promises and grant him just favors.

Javert will stay at the pub long enough to engage the waitress in a distressing private conversation, along with the super-generous tip. This may or may not result in him getting kicked out of the pub indefinitely, depending on how pliant and generous the waitress in question felt. Ah, well, Café Guro from here on out, it is.]

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CW: References to Suicide

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wanna wrap this one?

Finite!

WELCOME TO YOUR PRIVATE CHANNEL, PasUnPolicier. FOR SECURE COMMUNICATION, USE 246.01.094.30 * PasUnPolicier has joined 246.01.094.30 <PasUnPolicier> This mail centre belongs to Javert. <PasUnPolicier> Be accurate and brief. <PasUnPolicier> I suggest you not test my patience with practical jokes and clowning around. <PasUnPolicier>** I will return your notice shortly.