[Private RP] The Detective and the Schemer
[Who] L, Ienzo
[Where] Café by the trolley drop.
[When] Just after 5.
[What] A discussion of the festival, Saix, and perhaps some scheming is to be done...
[Notes] I doubt anything bad. Perhaps mild cursing, but altogether clean.
The detective had left a note for Light on the table before he went out, telling him to have whatever he wanted from the ( Read more... )
[Where] Café by the trolley drop.
[When] Just after 5.
[What] A discussion of the festival, Saix, and perhaps some scheming is to be done...
[Notes] I doubt anything bad. Perhaps mild cursing, but altogether clean.
The detective had left a note for Light on the table before he went out, telling him to have whatever he wanted from the ( Read more... )
A steaming cup and saucer of Earl Grey had just arrived in front of him, brewed strong and unsweetened but heavily milked to personal taste, as the seemingly sleepless detective shuffled in. Ienzo remembered him from their first introduction, a face that spoke bright inquisition with enough small eccentricities to catch his attention.
Ienzo perched primly on a stool by the window with tan trousers dangling, the young man seeming far too precocious in size and stature for his position as science liaison. "Hello." He tried polite pleasantries before launching into the necessaries of business small talk, blowing across his tea. "We're finally settling into a manageable pace, down at the labs. If anything, we've far too few hands and minds to produce efficient results, but I doubt they'd sustain the budget if our numbers were any greater."
With a waning smile, he gestured to the stool beside him at the long, curving window counter, otherwise unoccupied. "And of course, every department has their share of paperwork, I'd assume." The boy added efficaciously, with a careless shrug. "But in any case," he transitioned in a voice all too smooth, fine-tuned for politics these days. "I suppose you know full well by now, the rough basics of Saix's condition, his lunatic rampages?"
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Offices and secretaries were not his ideal cup of tea.
Sitting oddly, knees to his chest, he glanced up as a waiter came over, and he glanced at him stoically, eyes never blinking. "A cup of chai, please. And just bring the sugar cubes to the table." The man looked confused, but he didn't mind, looking back at Ienzo. He looked young, but was filled to the brim with a maturity and a natural flare for information like he himself was.
"I suppose that that is to be expected. One cannot truly expect scientists to flock together and work on this life. It is death, the Afterlife, as people say. Many believe that there is no point in trying." Placing his hands on his knees, he leaned a little, to better help his thinking. "Paperwork is pointless with the system I am working on. I do all of my work from home, with my laptop."
Pressing his thumb to his lips, he gazed at this boy with inquisitive eyes, mind working amazingly fast in his head. "Unfortunately, the basics are barely anything. All I heard was that the moon stimulates something in him, and he goes wild with power and an insatiable hunger for blood and pain." Saix, he presumed, would be the man constantly ordering more furniture in his apartment, the one who threw out splintered pieces of wood and cushions once a month.
"But you said you had something more to tell me of him. And...someone who is in charge of him?" As his tea arrived, he kept his gaze on the boy. "I assure you, Rufus will not hear anything of what is said here."
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"An enviable position." He mused with a wishful sigh and a yearning glance at his too-full briefcase. Ah, to work at home with just the network hookup, and spare the daily office dramas of seeing how many secretaries Xemnas could reject weekly, or how many time Rufus would spat with the man, or his father.
"You know, I've been trying to get them to operate paperless for months? But they're far too stuck in some of their old inefficiencies." Ienzo complained conversationally, staring at his reflection in the glass as he stirred his tea. "And you should have seen the mess of files when I started." he tsked softly in grave memory, a sound a fourteen year old boy ought not be allowed to do in complete seriousness. "A deplorable atrocity, I don't know how the city ran itself."
But he was distracting himself, and holding off launching fully into things until he could get a proper read on the detective, who just sat there watching intensely, without blinking. It ought to have felt unsettling, but there was a rare intelligence in those eyes, and intelligent people were the only ones Ienzo could really stomach to talk at easily, somewhat candidly.
Of course...once he got on a roll, launching into his explanations, it was rather difficult to get the schemer to a place of pausing, and soon he was unfolding the matter at length.
"...But yes. It's not, from what we've ever been able to gather, a true lycanthropy of any sort, just a lunar-sprung bloodrage. True Lunacy is well documented in too many psychiatric journals to name, of course, and- well, I suppose whoever his Other was, the instinct carried over." (Explaining 'others', he supposed, would be a trial inside itself, and he hoped L wouldn't ask for elaboration.) "...Saix is polite and controlled, most of the time, but he really, his behavior is just like that of a competitive pack animal."
His gaze slid down to the milky surface of his tea, and he took sip to mellow the bitterness from his next words before speaking. "He obeys Xemnas almost exclusively." The boy spoke quietly, shifting the cup in his hands. "...as they did before coming to this world. Time and habit have reinforced this loyalty."
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He would need to keep his eye on this one. Ienzo was bound for big things, for ill or not.
L stirred his cup, slowly bringing it to his lips as he gazed at the other. "Perhaps I can speak with Rufus once more about the matter. However, I think I am merely an exception to the rule of being able to work at home, where I do my best thinking. But if he sees that I can set up the networking system, with your help, almost all paper work can be eradicated."
Taking a sip of his tea, he glanced to the table for just a moment, before back to Ienzo. "Even those...who appear to be controlled and managed on the outside can harbor horrible secrets on the inside. Madness, a skewed sense of justice..."
Lying in his friend's, his enemy's, arms, and knowing once and for all that he was right, closing his eyes for the final time.
Taking another sip to quell that memory, he shrugged. "I have heard of these 'Others' over the Network, over passing files and information." And the detective abandoned that subject now, leaning forward just a little. "Saix acts like this often, it seems, but not often enough to warrant this as a full fledged and constant aggressive persona. And you don't wish for Xemnas to get in trouble, since he is this man's 'master'?" L questioned.
"If that is the case, then what do you think is the proper action to quell this man?"
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He breathed in a long draw of aromatic bergamont, listening to the detective, who he felt a strangely immediate kinship with...the sort of leveled understanding that came along with a note of wariness, that people of similar sharpness required a certain quickness of wits which was...a refreshing challenge, actually. That he knew something of the Nobodies was a thing to keep in mind. That he moved precisely to the point Ienzo had been hinting at, gradually leading to...
Well. L was the sort to boil down to the heart of the matter readily, wasn't he? Perhaps it was due to pressed time.
"Yes." He nodded, giving no further indication as to why he was so protective of Xemnas. Ienzo was, however, quick to point out the president's role in things, of the faintest whiff of blackmail he suspected Rufus held against Xemnas. A legitimate concern, of course, and thankfully L didn't seem as much in this man's pocket as a few of ShinRa's older employees.
"Mr. ShinRa wanted him for a Metropolis guardian, of course, after his first public display of physical prowess" The boy explained, not bothering to add that the display had involved his own throat, and a near-lethal encounter partially provoked by his own tongue.
Frowning, he peered over the rim of his teacup, murmuring darkly, "...despite my advice and better precautions, I might add. Since then there haven't been many disturbances; Saix has functioned primarily as Mr. Creperum's personal praetorian guard." The bitterness remained intact in his tone for only those last, lingering words.
"The problem being, under the moon's sway, Saix cannot be quelled, short of bolting him away in a thick-walled room, with enough tranquilizers or material to...sate his energies on, that he doesn't wind up seriously injuring himself." Ienzo stated dispassionately, slipping off his reading glasses and pinching at the bridge of his nose. "Without confinement, of course, the threat posed to others is obvious."
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He added two more lumps of sugar into his tea, stirred it, and took another sip. "I heard about the previous incident. It was a confusing matter, however...something about keys as well. I didn't understand that. But I did comprehend that Saix attacked you, and that he was made a Guard for his display of strength." Here, the detective frowned. Corruption all around, even in this world.
"Xemnas appears to be...pleased with him. I usually never see one without the other during meetings and public affairs." Leaning forward, he pressed a thumb to his lips, nail between teeth for a moment. "I was surprised to hear that he had not been with Saix at the time of the festival's incident." His eyes appeared to be searching Ienzo for something now, as though to reap some sort of secret from his eye, from his heart and soul.
And yet, the small smile that came to his lips suggested that the detective knew more than he let on. "But he cannot be confined, due to Mr. Creperum's apparent interest in his work and duty. Therefore, I would assume that Saix will continue with his lunar cycle, and we all must watch our necks." But he closed his eyes and sighed, reaching for his cup.
"...No. Something must be done about him."
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...Of course. As the head of the PPF, he would. The story would have come in bits from certain filtered channels, however, and the schemer was curious to know precisely how it had been relayed. "Personally, the only thing apparent from that incident is that it's me who requires guarding." He frowned, taking another small swallow of hot, milky tea and taking the time to enjoy breathing in it's aromatic flavors. "...And for that, I'm very grateful for Lexaeus." Ienzo murmured, closing his eyes and speaking reflectively, a tired tone. "And very grateful he was not asked to hold a formalized position on my behalf."
An indigo eye snapped up meaningfully immediately after that small, teasing glimpse into his character, launching into a very carefully worded analysis, leaning forward as if to confide quite seriously his truer suspicions. "...To which I can only conclude that in reality, it had less to do with Saix's efficiency in bodyguarding, more to do with who he would guard, who in turn would guard him...and who would be held up for accountability in the event of further trouble."
A small sigh, and he glanced back down into his teacup with a rueful twitch of the lips, turning away slightly as he muttered for sheer sake of clarification, "ShinRa means to hold Xemnas in check through his own associates, I believe."
(Of course, if Rufus was a little sharper that Ienzo might credit him for, there was a dual motive in that arrangement. To hold certain other colleagues, who might be indisposed repeating a hostile encounter, at a distance from Mr. Creperum in the office. Ienzo preferred to pretend that one might not in fact exist, because he didn't want to resent his boss too terribly.)
However, to return to the fall festival...Ienzo noticed the scrutinizing look the inspector gave him, mentioning where Xemnas hadn't been, with perhaps an silent emphasis, in those eyes and that smile, on knowing where the man had been instead. With an indifferent shrug, Ienzo choice to neatly avoid that slight pause, watching with a quiet satisfaction that someone else agreed this was not the ideal arrangement.
"Xemnas usually sees to certain provisions for Saix's keeping during...those difficult periods." He intoned dryly, rubbing at his eyes. "I'm afraid I cannot speak for the details of what all that entails, I don't know." Saix was one of those potential conversations with the Superior best left unapproachable. "However, as it would seem, they were inadequate for the occasion in question. This harvest moon was the largest we've seen it in the sky, so naturally, the festival was a poor night for Saix to be roaming the streets."
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Taking another sip, he barely glanced over at Ienzo this time as he spoke. "I know of Lexaeus too, and how he kept you safe, and still does." He fixed his stare on the boy for a moment. "I think it is very wise to keep him away from the Board and away from those who would use him for their own gain." And perhaps the detective wasn't just talking about Lexaeus, but also to the boy in general. "There are some people in this world who will take advantage of anyone; I'm certain you know this. And, naturally, there are those who are best kept close, for your own personal sake."
He smiled, looking apologetic. "I didn't mean to make that sound like you were using your friend...I just meant that perhaps it is better that you keep your advantages and your friends close."
And your enemies even closer, the detective thought, mind drifting to Light. Not an enemy any longer, but friends instead...and still, he couldn't help but feel worried whenever the other man said something off, something strange.
Taking another sip of his tea, he nodded thoughtfully, then set the cup down. "Rufus, as much as he hates to admit it, is not running this world as cleanly as one may think. He keeps most of the corruption out of the picture...but some of his own filth leaks into the open, and he needs someone to blame it on or find a way to cover it up, no matter what. However..." Here, he leaned forward. "Xemnas is also not exempt from this. His manner suggest he is cruel, and does not even care for this system, especially under Rufus. Anyone can see that about him. But with Xemnas, there is an air of authority and ruthlessness that is not useful for a Vice President, or a President, to have in any sort of situation."
Shrugging, as though he was merely thinking out loud, he sat back a little, still on his feet on the chair. "Saix protects Xemnas, who in turn keeps Saix under control and also takes the fall when something goes wrong. However, that does not excuse that fact that Xemnas wasn't guarding him when he should have."
A small smile reached his lips. "I'm not going to pass judgment on him. He won't be punished. But...a fair warning. Should Saix be caught in the streets, attacking or killing again...I cannot guarantee his safety or his life even. And if Xemnas cares for the man at all, then he will keep him under lock and key when these incidents occur."
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He volunteered a little more of his own speculations afterward. "...But the President must have known this, something of Mr. Creperum's character, upon their first meeting. From what I understand, Xemnas quite was forthright with him. I don't really know what game Rufus is playing at." He muttered, curling a hand against his chin
Ienzo found it a little amusing that he spoke of corruption among his superiors so openly, and the candid opinion was refreshing at that, but it made the boy wonder precisely what personal impression the quirky investigator had taken from his own audience. As he listened to L go on about Rufus' filth, Xemnas' cruelty, he wondered if anyone would ever expect such things about his own demeanor.
Other than being known as the youngest on the board, a terribly efficient worker when it came to organizing and re-arranging things, and an aloof person until he opened his mouth and spoke in silvered-tongue, Ienzo wasn't the type to leave a lasting impression on anyone at the office, not when there were so many other things to pay attention to. Like the older powerplayers, squabbling for the upper hand.
No...the schemer much preferred an underhanded way about things.
An indigo eye slid carefully to L. "You keep a fair sense of office dynamic, for one working mostly at home." He observed, wondering how much of the network nonsense he paid attention to...it was the only way one could really know of the frictions, outside of that one opportunity to sit in on a meeting. He was curious now, as to precisely what this sweet-craving man paid mind to.
"As...I presume you know," Ienzo finally ventured, after a long pause, "Xemnas was in my company on the night of the festival. I did think it...strange, that he hadn't an elsewhere to be. But he did not mention number se- Saix," he corrected himself smoothly, "...and I thought it a bit impetuous of me to ask, and so I didn't. Assumed he'd taken care of it, as always."
Honestly, the boy didn't care much what happened to the beserker, for his actions. If they did put him under lock and key...all the better, really.
"As for Saix, Whether or not he'd been restrained properly beforehand, or if those restraints were forced apart or...in any way tampered with by a third party, I dare not venture an assumption." Of course, there was the vague undertone of suggestion even in bothering to mention such a thing.
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