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[pawntakesking]

WELCOME TO YOUR PRIVATE CHANNEL, REGULUS BLACK. FOR SECURE COMMUNICATION, USE 079.07.1663.55 *** REGULUS BLACK has joined 079.07.1663.55 <ToujoursPur> This is the current address of Regulus Arcturus Black, formerly of London. <ToujoursPur> Please leave any messages here, and I will respond as soon as I can. Alternatively, ask at the Kit-TEA-Kat Café if you wish to see me in person. <ToujoursPur> Yours, R.A.B.

Comments

[inseine]

Coffee, [Javert answers curtly. He appears perpetually on his guard, stiff in his seat, his arms crossed over his chest. His crimson eyes sweep up and down Regulus invasively, and he concludes that matters have changed as much for the boy as they have for himself.

Changed. That hideous, ugly, foul word. His lips crimp.

Javert shifts his jaw gets down to business without waiting for Regulus to fetch the coffee, opting to skip the small talk and the greetings in favor for diving straight into his intent.]

Do you know why I called to meet with you?

[pawntakesking]

No.

[He has an idea or two, actually, but this feels like a situation where it's better to act as if he knows nothing than pretend he knows everything.]

[He turns his back on Javert to fetch the coffee, but looks back over his shoulder as he works. One of the cats, a small tabby, yowls and starts to wind itself around Javert's ankles, looking for attention.]

Beyond that we were discussing the state of the Fog's following, I suppose. You think She might want us to fall in line with what was done?

[His distaste for the idea is clear in his voice. So is the capital letter in "She".]

[inseine]

[Javert's nostrils flare, despite his lack of sigh or breath. He removes his hat and sets it on an empty seat beside him, indicating his intentions to stay for a time. Without taking his eyes off of Regulus, he bends down to give the yowling, mewling creature a perfunctory scratch on his little cheek.]

Madame would have us allow them their freedom to act, [he says with a derisive slant to his tone over the word 'freedom.' His eyes alight with a spark of flame and piss.] That does not preclude our freedom to disavow them. But I am not pledged to Her. I only recognize her evident authority over our kind.

[He straightens again and regards Regulus intently, as if he means to peer directly into the workings of his mind. He weights and measures his next question carefully, tongue running a lap across the front side of his fangs.]

You say you want our society in good working order. How would you impose it? On whose authority -- Madame's?

[pawntakesking]

[Regulus is quiet for a moment, save for the slight clatter of coffeepot and cups. He doesn't speak until he's returned to Javert's table, setting down a small tray in front of the vampire and taking a seat opposite him.]

Honestly? I don't know.

I've been thinking about what you said. You are right, of course - I don't think a structured system of law and order is an explicit part of Her plan. I don't believe She understands mortal affairs entirely, or is interested in the finer points of justice.

I also don't believe Her vision of a world safe and free for Her children is possible without structure and protection, though. Chaos and fear are of limited utility, and even if they could win this particular war, which I don't believe they can, they will do nothing to build a society past it.

[The cat rubs one more time up against Javert's ankle, before jumping into Regulus' lap and beginning to purr. Absent-mindedly, the shade scratches between its ears.]

On whose authority? That of the monsters of Bavan, I suppose.

Where I come from, law and order is decided by a panel called the Wizengamot. They set the boundaries, observe them, and - through the Aurors and other bodies - maintain it. I believe I made it clear some time ago that I'm... unsure how well that served the society. But something like it may be the only possibility for bringing safety and order to the peninsula.

[inseine]

[Javert plucks up the coffee, plain, black. He does not bother to dilute it with blood this time, drinking it as it is. He listens, nodding curtly now and then to acknowledge that he is absorbing every word of Regulus's monologue, forever taking notes even when his mind is in disarray. Once a spy, always a spy.]

That is not where I am headed with this. Monsters will not agree on a panel, [he murmurs, rapidly and roughly, the words blending from one to the next. A muscle in his jaw twitches, and he shifts gears to something else entirely, another startling change of subject that seems to fly in from the back-left.]

What do you know about the demon called AM?

[pawntakesking]

[Again, Regulus pauses to consider the question. This time, there's no work to cover his thought - he just sits very still for a moment, frowning slightly, before finally answering.]

He has control of the prison, I believe, since Liewen left. A nasty piece of work, in my estimation. Sadistic and fundamentally selfish.

I assume it's the prison part that interests you?

[inseine]

[Javert smiles coldly, his head dipping in a shallow bow. The smile flees as quickly as it flicks onto his face. He wraps both of his icy hands around his cup.]

You believe he has control. That ought to tell you what I think of that. There he is, sitting plump and pretty atop a valuable piece of property, doing nothing of use with what he has. You want an orderly society! Monster society needs bounds, yes. Well, it is threat of punishment that maintains the boundaries and weeds out the chaos from the soil.

[His eyes smolder. A single claw drums a series of musical clinks on his cup.]

What shall we do with that?

[pawntakesking]

[No long hesitation this time. Regulus just nods.]

Do you have a plan to take it from him?

[inseine]

I can be a reasonable negotiator. Or less reasonable, if the creature is choosy with his terms.

[A beat. Clink. Clink. Clink.]

Shall I call upon you when the time comes to speak on it?

[pawntakesking]

I think that decision is yours. But I certainly wouldn't object.

[He thinks for a moment, before deciding to trust the vampire, at least a little.]

I do have an item that might be used in extremis. If he really refuses to cooperate. I can attest from experience that it is... persuasive.

[inseine]

[Javert delves deep into Regulus's eyes and, with a few seconds of scrutiny, seems to divine the implication like he scooped it out with a single hooked claw. A muscle at the corner of his mouth twitches.]

Only if it should come to that, [he says sharply.] In the meanwhile, this is what you will do to contribute. Find a list of lawyers and former magistrates with expertise in the criminal code. It does not matter if they are fond of making deals with devils or not, I require only a list and their qualifications for now.

[pawntakesking]

Of course. Consider me at your disposal.

I'll try to have something with you in a week or so.

[inseine]

I am not in a hurry. Take care you are thorough, and you will hear from me again when my part is sorted, [Javert murmurs meaningfully. At last he brings the cup to his lips and accepts a long, slow sip. It has been awhile since he has taken his coffee without blood, a bitter reminder of life before monstrosity.

Speaking of his role in this ghostly plan, of which he has revealed little in full...]

Have you dealt with the being called Mana before?

[pawntakesking]

Where do you suppose I got the item I mentioned?

Yes. Only on that one occasion, but yes.

[inseine]

[Javert glance sharpens at that, and he sips again.]

And you are pleased with what you received? The one time I dealt with her, she took... [Javert grimaces] liberties with my bargain.

[Now that he has a fresh idea in mind for what to purchase, he wants to get this one correct. His contingency plans depend on it.]

[pawntakesking]

Yes. She has a tendency to be somewhat... unpredictable.

You have to be very specific. Very detailed. It's rather like asking a child for something. She will give you what you want, but she also often... misunderstands. Or misses the obvious. Ensure what you ask for is entirely described and impossible to misinterpret, and you should be fine.

[He says this as if he's actually confident about his own purchase. Which he isn't. He's never used it. For all he knows, it's just a stick.]

[inseine]

[Javert makes a vague gesture with a clawed hand.]

Thank you. I shall write up a contract. Whatever must be done to prevent unwanted surprises.

[He muses over another sip of coffee, and bends back to appraise the stars.]

It shall be a few more weeks' time before we are ready. Take care until then, and speak not a breath of this to anyone else.

[pawntakesking]

Of course. You can rely on that.

[He nods, and falls silent, watching the vampire thoughtfully.]

If there's anything else I can do...

[inseine]

You'll be called upon, [Javert finishes decisively. He will... but the Inspector is not quite ready to make that request of him just yet. And he adds curtly, not quite out of courtesy,] How much do I owe you for the drink?

and end?

[pawntakesking]

[Regulus considers, then nods towards the sign on the door.]

We're closed. It hardly seems proper.

If you insist, you can leave something in the tip jar. [This feels like an end to the conversation. He gets to his feet, giving a small, shallow bow.] Feel free to stay as long as you like. Bonsoir.