Text/Action // 04 I've Got the Remedy

[scientize]

[The following text has been sent out to absolutely everyone the morning of July twenty-fifth:]

ATTENTION RESIDENTS OF ALIUNDE.The city's medical staff will now be administering an antidote to the poison that has spread throughout the city. Please proceed calmly to the hospital if you have come into any contact with the frogs or someone who has

Comments

[chose_death]

[ACTION]

[It is a very subtle change in bearing that plagues Javert.

He stands alone on the main road to the hospital, back straight as a titanium rod and his hand grasping air at the small of his back. An irrepressible spasm contorts his lips into a twitching grimace, and he glances around with a manic, glazed stare steeped in suspicion like a lunatic on the run. In his huge fist he grips a small slip of paper, the following words scrawled across it in wide, looping, feminine script:]

Go to the hospital by 10:00am. Don't ask questions.

[It is 9:55am, and Javert squints to the top of the massive hospital building, frowning fiercely. His whole mien screams unconvinced, yet he is far too compelled to satisfy his burning curiosity despite the doubt that plagues him about this mysterious errand. He mutters to himself imperceptibly, mouth forming low curses and indistinguishable words to an invisible somebody that only he can see, hear, and feel.

To all those passing by, he looks like no more than a man attempting to figure out a particularly perplexing puzzle. But to one who is observant enough to examine Javert closely, they would catch a peek of a pulsing red welt at this throat, the edge of a broad white bandage sticking up over the edge of his collar, and the throes of a cold sweat pooling in the creases and wrinkles of his forehead.

Ah! Perhaps that is something to explain Javert's silence over the past several days.

He plunges the note back into his deep pocket and warily begins his approach up the walk, muttering to himself all the while.]

[nestingdevil]

[It's another business entirely that has Greed visiting the hospital; he's not here for the usual run-of-the-mill smiles and jeers. An entirely different matter has come up now, reared its ugly head after the turmoil of the last couple of days. A matter of personal achievement really and one that he's kept locked up for a while since his arrival. But now the gates have been opened and every dirty desire is twisting in the homunculus, pushing him towards a goal most have steered clear of.]

[He's here to talk shop with Doctor Hunter - to discuss in detail some matters that need to be explained. But what he catches is entirely different prize; the morning dawn sets on the familiar shadows of his would-be owner. And it is not obvious at first that something is plaguing him.]

[So, Greed has his jollies on - full frontal view of deadly jaws, the cant of his skull that screams confidence. He laughs from the streets, strolls up to meet the Chief head on.] Taking a morning stroll to see your wife? She's a little busy at the moment. Think you could leave her be for two seconds-

[But the words all but jam in the back of his throat. Greed's whole body seems to jerk still. Perplexed is the emotion on his face. And now he is the one wearing the look of someone trying to figure out a puzzle. But that look turns grim; no use hiding it. The jovial outlook turns once again on itself.]

[He's seen the sliver of a mark on Javert's neck.]

[The homunculus falls forward and he cannot help the snarl. It's a subconscious reaction and the dominoes are all falling into place. He's had enough.]

Oi, oi, oi. [Greed closes the gap and doesn't bother with Javert's own wants or needs. He's right up against him, fingers out - he's going for the bandage and the collar like it's a precious commodity.]

OOC | I hope you don't mind me hoping on this. Couldn't help myself.

[chose_death]

[Javert's eyes palpitate, pupils dilated like a junkie on speed, and recoils from Greed's sudden lurch toward him like a man fearing a burn from a hot poker.]

What are you doing? [he howls like a cornered beast. The words bleed together in a wolfish, ferocious, and violent snarl. His mouth twists in a hideous, wild grimace.] What the devil have you to know about that woman? Damn spook!

[Javert draws himself to his full height, beady eyes glowering suspiciously at Greed. There is something unfocused in his gaze; occasionally those gray irises dance and pulse, never settling on a particular feature on the shorter man's face.]

Don't. Touch me, [he emphasizes curtly.] That was our agreement, for you to continue as you are.

[nestingdevil]

[Greed halts completely - his whole body seems to go stark-stiff before he's retracting. He raises a thin brow to Javert's outburst and all the gears click. A certain moodiness seems to befall the homunculus then. It cuts deep at his face and his eyes settle with a glare behind his sunglasses.]

[He drops his hands and stands up straight. Marches around the Chief, ducking low enough to examine his palpitating eyes and the crazed pulse at his throat.] You too, huh. [It isn't a question that he poses, but a statement.]

Do as you will, but I'd suggest you get to your wife.

[chose_death]

Don't talk down to me, [Javert murmurs in a near-hiss. His lids narrow, and he turns to follow Greed's movements with a quivering, darting, misted stare. His jaw twitches violently--only once, like someone jabbed him with a taser.] Yes, she is my wife! I recall you were the one to hint at the matter. Hint, ha! Of all the wretched, indiscreet hints you wheel us up to the church like hogs to the butcher.

[He turns his collar up and plunges his massive square chin deeply in his cravat.]

Have you changed your mind about it? Now that there are no bouncing lads to grab at your knees? Nose out of my personal affairs. You are not invited.

[chose_death]

Don't talk down to me, [Javert murmurs in a near-hiss. His lids narrow, and he turns to follow Greed's movements with a quivering, darting, misted stare. His jaw twitches violently--only once, like someone jabbed him with a taser.] Yes, she is my wife! I recall you were the one to hint at the matter. Hint, ha! Of all the wretched, indiscreet hints you wheel us up to the church like hogs to the butcher.

[He turns his collar up and plunges his massive square chin deeply in his cravat.]

Have you changed your mind about it? Now that there are no bouncing lads to grab at your knees? Nose out of my personal affairs. You are not invited.

[nestingdevil]

[It's a tirade that comes out of Javert and Greed takes it like a champion. He squints his eyes shut, lets the old chief blow off his steam. Jeez, and here he is, offering his condolences! The homunculus recoils back with a splayed out toe.] So, it's going to be like that huh? No skin off my back. I was just watching after our business, after all. Can't have you croaking on me, right?

[But Greed really doesn't care what Javert does, in the end. They've made their deal and the homunculus isn't about to pull him out of the fire, especially not if he's all venom and no respect.] Wheel you up to the church? Do you remember who you're speaking to, old man? Nothing holy about this one, I can tell you that. [He spreads his fingers across his chest and dips mockingly.]

I don't change my mind - all in, remember? I don't count myself a liar either, like I've said. [He can't really help the grin that graces his lips, nor the judging look coming from his eyes. Humans - they were all foolish, ran on pure emotion. And with a little bit of poison laced into the mix? They were time-bombs just waiting to go off. Right now, Javert's not exception. Despite his clipped tone, he's all fire and hot.]

[And Greed knows when to pull out.] Not uninvited? I'm hurt, really. But have it your way!

[trickster_mk2]

[Gabriel's not about to go and get himself injected with anything, not yet anyway. As far as he can tell, all the negative effects of the bite he suffered are long past, and he doesn't need to be queue-jumping when there are others that need the antidote more. He is, however, trying to help out as best he can. He's dressed as a doctor- it was fun last time he'd done it so why not again?- and waiting at the doors, directing the walking wounded that had already been gathering.

He's snapped up a candy bar now though, because really, he's not exactly needed at the moment- people seem to know where they're going, and there's no one crazy about that seems distracted by faces from home or by unquenchable rage. That's really why he's there, after all, to stop anyone doing any damage to themselves or others before they can get their dosage from the good doctor.

The angel is munching away quite happily, at least for the few moments before he looks up again, at the tall man edging closer. Javert normally looks stiff, stiff as a board, but stiff as a corpse is probably a better simile right now. He doesn't exactly look his usual colour. And that's concerning. He takes a half-step forward, then pauses, candy forgotten and already snapped away, recalling his conversation with Naomi in regards to the rather dour Inspector.

The hesitation is barely a heart-beat though, and Gabriel is stuffing his hands into the pockets of the long white coat as he meets Javert on the hospital path. Careful with his words, careful with his words...]

Morning, Inspector.

[And there, bandages. Gabriel can be observant when he wants] Here to see the good doctor?

[chose_death]

[Javert whips around and bestows a severe, skeptical stare upon Gabriel, the likes of which the archangel probably had yet to witness from the ex-Inspector. It is a disconcerting, shockingly unsteady stare, the whites of his eyes shining and rimmed with red, deep bags sagging beneath his lower lids. Until now, Javert had regarded Gabriel with nothing but the utmost respect peppered with a touch of uncertainty--even fear. Now, the begrudging respect remains, but the fear is completely dissolved, replaced instead by a confounded and pervasive irritation.

His brow contracts with a wryly amused and repulsed curl of his lip.]

This is a hospital. A good doctor is more precise and appropriate.

[Javert tucks his hands beneath his crossed arms, thick fingers rolling tightly into fists. He makes as if to brush past Gabriel with a far-too-deliberate brand of indifference. He mutters through clenched teeth as he passes,]

You realize you have a remarkable talent for observing the obvious. [And without glancing back to Gabe, continuing onward with a call,] No need to nanny me to-day! Go about your business!

[trickster_mk2]

Are you willing to bet that, here? [There’s Naomi. And Doctor Magnus, but those are the only who physicians here he’d trust. Everyone else might easily just be another one of the other doctor’s little henchmen, and Gabriel long ago decided he wasn’t about to trust anyone he didn’t know personally.

Not that it matters, because Gabriel was referring to only one doctor, and he is in no doubt that Javert knows this. The Inspector, despite looking like one of the walking dead, is just as good at being pedantic as the arch-angel himself.]

You’d be surprised how often you humans need the obvious pointing out. And I don’t care what you say, Javert, if you fall down and break your pretty gypsy nose and I don’t at least try to stop it, your wife will have my insides for hosiery. So, let’s play nice, shall we?

[And with that said the angel is coming along to, not intruding in Javert’s personal space, but keeping pace at least, just behind the man striding forward, straight-as-a-rod even in the face of whatever effects he’s suffering. That pig-headedness is something to be admired.]

[chose_death]

So you dredge that out of the river muck! [Javert exclaims through clenched teeth. He halts mid-step and abruptly pivots on his booted heels. He thrusts an aghast and scandalized grimace at Gabriel, hard and sharp as a bullet wound.]

Is there something about the color of my skin that implies I have trouble keeping my balance? I am exceptionally able of keeping myself upright, you understand. I don't want you for my crutch! [He raises a large, meaty first, a single finger arcing forward in a sharp poke. He just misses jabbing Gabriel in the lapel, instead hanging back just far enough. It is like an invisible curtain consciously repels him from molesting his person with violence or aggravation, no matter how small.] Is there not some penny-counting vagrant you can smother with your kindness? Take your good Samaritanism elsewhere! You've out-spent your privileges to lurk around me! I have had enough!