VIDEO ✍ 004

[inseine]

[Inspector Javert is looking very different these days. He's dressed in a modest, somewhat battered trench coat and suit. A pair of sunglasses hangs from his breast pocket, and his hair has been cropped short. Gone is the nineteenth century fashion and tied-back mess of gypsy hair. His arms are folded loosely across his chest.

He still retains an exceedingly calm air of authority as he makes his public address.]

Visitors and seasonal tourists: unplug your eyes and ears and hear this before you clog the bulletin networks with your panic.

In lieu of the travel agencies, congratulations. You have entered Somarium, the merry city of dreams, of your own choice, whether you are aware of it or not. Unfortunately our exit mechanisms are currently [the corner of his mouth subtly twitches] out of service, and until our lab rats finish their tinkering you will remain in the city. You will be kept posted on any changes in status.

For now, find lodgings with a respectable hotel and remain patient. Should you have any concerns, direct your questions to Chief Inspector Javert or other members of the police.

Comments

[madcuriosity.livejournal.com]

Do forgive me Inspector, but calling the researchers rats seems terribly rude. They are doing their best to understand why the gate has stopped working I am sure.

[chose-death.livejournal.com]

[This is a girl Inspector Javert recognizes almost immediately: it is the youngest Valjean child. There is a light grimace at his lip.]

I didn't say otherwise. They are a hard-working bunch, for the most part.

[madcuriosity.livejournal.com]

Then why call them rats sir?

[chose-death.livejournal.com]

[Perhaps it was for no other reason than to get a reaction out of his wife, Alice. He arches a brow. He says indifferently,]

Slip of the tongue.

It is all in good humor.

[madcuriosity.livejournal.com]

Do they know that sir?

[chose-death.livejournal.com]

That would be the idea.

[snarkyscientist.livejournal.com]

[Victor glares angrily.]

As much as I hate those idiots clogging up our network, was the 'lab rats' remark necessary?

[chose-death.livejournal.com]

Good morning, Dr. Niguel.

[Javert smirks.]

You will have to trust that I meant it in the most tender-hearted way possible.

[snarkyscientist.livejournal.com]

Riiight.

And don't forget that every search warrant and investigation request you send us only slows down the repairs. Do you have any idea what a hassle it is to do a full personnel inspection?

[chose-death.livejournal.com]

Yet it must be done when there might be a thief in your ranks. Or do you want to wait until the next expensive restricted equipment walks away from the labs?

[snarkyscientist.livejournal.com]

Tch. How can you be so damn sure it was an inside job, anyway?

[chose-death.livejournal.com]

We can't.

Not until we investigate your personnel.

[snarkyscientist.livejournal.com]

Then make it quick unless you want the newcomers to start a riot.

[buymeacake.livejournal.com]

I don't get what the big deal is about this thing being broken! I mean, it was never around in the first place, so it's not like we lost anything. If we were able to leave from the start, somebody would have said so!

[chose-death.livejournal.com]

[There are so many things wrong with the above statement, Javert doesn't know where to begin. Of course the Dream Gate has been around for awhile. The break is only a recent development.]

--Pardon?

[buymeacake.livejournal.com]

[She brings the Dreamberry closer to her face and raises her voice - not quite to yelling, but the same volume as 'talking to a dumb tourist'.] Sir, are you hard of hearing?

[chose-death.livejournal.com]

Silly girl! Go back to the part about the Dream Gate.

Where did you get it in your head that we never had one?

[buymeacake.livejournal.com]

I'm not the oldest one here, but I'm not brand new, either. And 'not being able to go home' is a pretty big complaint!

But I guess this is just another part of the whole city going crazy, huh?

[chose-death.livejournal.com]

[Anemone is rewarded with a lengthy, intense stare from Javert.]

So you say. Then you should be aware that our scientists are working around the clock for a solution.

--But it has not been dysfunctional for so long.

[buymeacake.livejournal.com]

Alright, either I'm crazy, or you're crazy. It's got to be one or the other!

[scientize.livejournal.com]

Lab rats, dear?

[Though her slender eyebrow arches and there is a hint of a frown on her face when she first replies, the woman gets the feeling he's only said it to get a rise out of her. Naomi forces a grin.]

I did such a good job with your hair.

[chose-death.livejournal.com]

Yes. You may know a few.

[He gives a small frown and subconsciously runs his hand through his hair. There's certainly a lot less... Well... He snorts.]

It is lighter in the head. [Eyebrow] I would have preferred an actual barber.

[scientize.livejournal.com]

That's a funny thing to say considering how often your arrest rate depends on the information researchers can provide you with.

[She frowns with him. Considering how difficult it was to maneuver around him while he was drugged, she's rather proud of her work.] It's mostly even. What else do you want?

[chose-death.livejournal.com]

Yes, indeed, I did find it amusing.

[Slight smirk]

'Mostly even' is not entirely even. [eyeroll] It is a massacre. I will have to trim shorter.

[scientize.livejournal.com]

Stop exaggerating. You've never cared about your appearance before.

I did a fine job.

[chose-death.livejournal.com]

[At that, Javert stares intently at Naomi. Slowly, he draws his sunglasses out of his pocket and places them over his eyes.

That is what he really thinks about his appearance, Naomi. Anything that needs to be said is said with that one action.

Really.]

If my head were lopsided. [he says it lightly, dear. He's joking.] Then it would be commendably straight work.

[scientize.livejournal.com]

[At the small hint of humor, the woman's childish pout fades.]

Commendably. [She repeats, smiling. After finally taking action against the mess that was her husband's hair, she feels very satisfied.] What a compliment coming from you. Thank you.

[seiryuu-warrior.livejournal.com]

A warm welcome to them.

[chose-death.livejournal.com]

Maybe it will keep the network clearer. That would be enough.

[streetkingdom.livejournal.com]

Well you're all pleasant.

[That big smile he's wearing? It's because he knows he's bugging you and he's doing it on purpose.]

[chose-death.livejournal.com]

Good morning, boy. Not with your merry band today?