ɐןןǝıuɐp ❧ [01] A Murderer Among Us

[unpained]

Who: Daniella, her victim, the witnesses, and police.
Where: A near empty street in Somni
Style: First
Status: Open to the Police. If anyone else wants to to join in, PM me first!
Warnings: Murder and Gore

Comments

WITNESSES- Naomi and Javert

[unpained]

[chose_death]

[Javert selects a quiet café with a pleasantly dim outdoor seating area for the site of his and his wife's sorely-needed date. The past several weeks have been bumpy for their relationship, to say the least, with a killer on the loose and one of his superiors almost entirely out of commission. The well-regarded and honorable Chief Inspector has been in great demand at the police department, and the number of hours he can spend each day with Naomi have dwindled down to less and less and less. The past few nights alone he and she have been too exhausted to say or do much beyond a small chat over his late meal and curling into bed.

To tell the truth, Javert has been so preoccupied that it has been difficult to even consider giving Naomi the attention she wants. He became dimly aware of her discontent during their run in at a local bar. His awareness only strengthened that day, when things were quiet enough at work to give him time to think over her behavior, her growing irritation, and their recent impediments to marital bliss

[scientize]

[To say that this simple little evening out together was sorely-needed for the pair was truly a bit of an understatement at this point. Though their feelings for each other hadn't altered in the last five months since their rushed marriage, it was obvious that neither Naomi or her husband had truly adjusted completely to the huge change. Not even two separate lifetimes together (one of which had spanned nearly twenty years) could have prepared them for this real life together

[chose_death]

I don't think so, [Javert waves off in earnest.] Barring some new crisis. And I do not accept any idiot questions by one of the green officers as a crisis.

[His own coffee is well past half-drained, and he had already requested to their server to leave a whole pot with them. After his long week, he will be needing the constant flow of caffeine. He chuckles low in his throat.]

In advance! Ah! I expected nothing in advance, silly woman. I gave you half of one day. But if it bothers you, then the end of this pot of coffee is your deadline. Or you risk becoming a victim to my... dull wants.

[He adds another spoonful of sugar to his mug, stirs it up and drinks.]

Now. Tell me how you have been keeping yourself.

[scientize]

[Hm. As considerate as it is for Javert to try so hard tonight on their first date out together in weeks, Naomi knows the man well enough to see that he really won't last for much longer without a few hours of sleep. What else can he possibly expect to hear from her when he has to chug down mug after mug of coffee just to keep his weary eyes open?]

There's nothing you don't know, [she replies casually with a small shrug. Which is a lie, but what she really means is that nothing has happened that she cares enough to reveal to him.] Work during the day like usual and then evenings to myself at home. I'm become well acquainted with dull in the last few weeks.

[The woman shifts in her seat as her gaze drifts off to their surroundings, legs crossing under the table.] Do you really think you can go for much longer without passing out tonight? [Naomi's eyes flick back to table, towards the dwindling liquid in the coffee pot.] I'd hate to have to drag you home.

[chose_death]

Wouldn't that be a sight? You, hauling this shameful sack on your back. Unless you spent your extra time on some dedicated exercise, I would crush you.

[Javert straightens in his seat. No matter how weary he gets, his posture always has an impeccable and disciplined air. Despite the casual conversation, there is a serious spark in his fixed gaze.]

I had some hours of rest last night, [he explains calmly and patiently.] I've went longer than this with nothing.

[A pause. He barks a laugh.]

Ah! Listen to me! [he murmurs acridly.] Why, all of these reassurances! [He shakes his head.] You won't need to leave me to awake in a pig's trough at morning. I am not about to faint.

[scientize]

Good. [And her expression lightens considerably at that. Naomi hadn't put too much faith in this date going into it, but perhaps it was wrong of her to not trust that Javert would make an effort for the woman he cared so deeply for. Though things have been relatively easy for them in this lifetime, she does recall a time when he had to actually work hard for her attention. Maybe he's realized just how much she means to him and just how little time left there is for them.

Surprisingly, her hand snakes across the table to rest on his. For a woman who so often makes physical contact with those she is close to, it's sadly been awhile since she's reached out to him. A small, smug smile smooths across her face at his reassurance.] I wouldn't stand a chance getting you home if that was the case.

[There's an unusual pause in her speech. Naomi is really doing her best to speak honestly but fairly with him. It isn't natural for her to just drop any resentment or negative feelings she holds, especially if they have been simmering under the

[chose_death]

[Javert polishes off the mug of coffee and refills it automatically. Two more spoonfuls of sugar and a dash of cinnamon go into the drink. He stirs, watching her with coy suspicion through the steam.]

A quiet night! Next you will demand flower petals scattered on the furniture. And dim candles. And the warm, rose-scented bathwater.

[He rolls his eyes in mock horror.]

Or -- Good lord! You'll put me to reading one of those trash novels of yours. The ones with the shiny-haired buffoons flouncing to battle without clothes or armor on the covers. For advice, you'll tell me. Cruel woman!

[scientize]

[Naomi grins warmly in reply, expression certainly looking more lively than it had earlier when he'd arrived at her laboratory. Her confidence in him must already be growing steadily for the moment.] You make it sound like it's a punishment to treat me well, dear. Any other man would happily jump in to take your place if that's how you feel.

...Besides [and here is the mystery, Javert], maybe that's exactly what I want. A little extra romance.

[She really can't deny inwardly how amusing it would be to see him try to be what most people viewed as romantic.]

[chose_death]

I warned you that I didn't have much in the way of gallantry.

[If it were not for the intense expression in his eye, that tight grin and the way he bends a cheek and jaw to his palm would be almost coquettish. In a rather disturbing way to most.]

You cannot fashion a fairy-tale prince out of the dungeons. Then all you have on your hands is a rather elaborate delusion.

--But.

[He drinks and imperceptibly bends closer to Naomi. He murmurs,]

Challenge foolishly accepted. [His lids lower to his coffee, which he absently sloshes with a tea-spoon.] We shall see what I can manage. [And implicitly, his own ideas and terms, of course.]

[scientize]

[It may not be exactly what she wants from the man, but this should be an interesting and very different start to things. Naomi's tiny hand stays with his, her coy smile and amused gaze trained on Javert's unattractive face.]

Oh, you must really care if you're willing to go that far. [And while it should be obvious as a joke, there is more than just a hint of truth to the statement. Under his gaze here on their little date, Naomi feels very cared for. It's been far too long since she's held his full attention like this.]

[chose_death]

Just don't let's push it too far. I have my limits.

[And suddenly, the grin on Javert's face falters to a thin, flat line, with the coffee mug hovering at a tilt near his lips. His eyes narrow, and he rises partially from his chair, staring off into a space just beside Naomi's left shoulder.

But just as suddenly as the change swept over him, it is gone, replaced by a calm curiosity. His broad nostrils flare.]

No shirtless escapades in the streets, for instance, [Javert resumes in his same conversational tone, as if nothing has seized him. He drinks and sets the mug down.] That would be indecent. Will you move to the right a little?

[The question comes so suddenly and smoothly that it is enough to throw even the most prepared individual back on his toes. Just what is going on?]

[scientize]

[To say that such a calm but nevertheless unexpected request would take Naomi by surprise was an understatement. The woman stares strangely at her husband for a few long moments, the sweet smile slipping geacelessly from her lovely expression to only be replaced by a look of absolute confusion. Those delicate eyebrows of hers fly up before turning to glance suspiciously over her shoulder.

She sees nothing out of the ordinary. There's a few cafe patrons sitting behind them, lingering over conversation together, but the street seems empty otherwise. Just what was going on here?

Turning back to face her husband, Naomi doesn't move as he's so oddly requested of her. If there is nothing there why should she? Instead, he receives the full force of her questioning stare.] What is it?

[chose_death]

I see something... [Javert mutters through barely-moving teeth and lips. His eyes glaze over for a moment, unfocused, thinking, his stare hovering around that certain spot on the street ahead.

He sets his napkin on the table beside him and returns to himself, looking again to Naomi.]

Do you smell that? The tinny flavor. Not your fork or spoon.

[scientize]

[Something? How vague, dear.

After a moment or two of contemplation, her dark-haired head shakes.] No, not at all.

[The hand resting on top of his moves to gently touch his face.] But it doesn't matter. Forget it. We were trying to have a conversation together.

[chose_death]

It is a good evening. [Javert admits slowly and carefully. His hand automatically moves up to grasp hers. He searches her eyes in silence, the lines between his brows deepening swiftly. He gives the hand an affectionate squeeze and places it gingerly atop the table. He clasps it.] It is rare that you will have me admit that I am glad for the time.

[Still, he rises to his feet.]

Excuse me, I am going to check something, [he murmurs.] I must, if it is what I think it is. I won't be long. Wait here a minute.

[He gives her hand another light squeeze and steps carefully past her. On the ground ahead, he stops in front of what looks to be merely a puddle on the ground. He crouches down to take a closer look at it, head bending low, and lightly touches the surface. He looks to the right around the next corner, his eyes tracing something along the ground, gets up and disappears behind side of the building.]