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[nyc-detective.livejournal.com]

WHO: Saitou Hajime and Elisa Maza
WHERE: The principle's office Elisa's office.
WHEN: ...Now? I think?
WARNINGS: Saitou will be emo, I think that's a pretty fair warning.
SUMMARY: Well golly gee gosh, a lot has happened these past few days, and Elisa plans on finding out exactly what went down.
FORMAT: Either/or

Elisa was sitting by her desk, trying to keep track of the sheer number of crimes and that had come flooding in. She was tired, far more stressed than she liked to be, and was very worried about her lieutenant. He was angry with her, she knew, but she'd just have to make sure her guilt was buried deep during this little interview.

Comments

[wolfofmibu]

Saitou really didn't want to walk in here today.

He also really didn't want to talk to her.

... But some things were out of his hands, out of his control (and his fists can't help clenching at that damned word, 'control.' He'd had so little of that for so long.

Though for now he pointedly walked past everyone else in the precinct without so much as a second glance. He didn't want their stares. He didn't want their sympathy. He just wanted all of this to go away.

Saitou warily opened the door to Maza's office, looking quite discontent. And probably would be for a while.

"A talk, then?"

[nyc-detective.livejournal.com]

His mood was entirely understandable, but Elisa hadn't been on the receiving end of his ire before. It didn't please her, but she was going to do her job the best way she saw fit. Part of that job included very unpleasant tasks, like talking to the hurting man before her. She looked up at him neutrally, noting his tenseness and looking for any other clues in his body language that would help her proceed.

"You knew that this had to happen," she replied casually. "Come on in."

I'm just. fjdksl guessing at her office layout xD; lemme know if I should change

[wolfofmibu]

Not surprisingly he grumbled a bit under his breath before hesitating just a second or so before closing the door behind him and sitting down in one of the chairs by her desk, crossing his arms immediately after. Also getting really tempted to light a cigarette to calm his nerves, but he doubted that would even help anything right now.

"So."

It's all good, I kind of guess at her office layout, too! XD

[nyc-detective.livejournal.com]

Good lord, if he was any more tense he'd snap in two like a string. And he very clearly didn't want to be here. Well, hopefully that'd make him cooperate and fill her in completely.

But even though she had a job to do, Elisa wasn't completely heartless. She gave him a slight smile. "I don't have any 'no smoking' signs in here; if you want a cigarette, go for it." After a slight pause, she spoke again. "You doing okay?"

XD; kay

[wolfofmibu]

... Well that he hadn't been expecting. Though if she wasn't going to complain adamantly or throw him a dirty look, he might as well.

He stayed silent for a few moments more until he'd lit a new cigarette, shoulders tensing just a little less at having his nicotine back. That really had been one of the more irritating things with Cavil - four days without a cigarette.

And for an addict like him, that had felt like decades, to say the least.


... He paused at her query as well, still wary. And definitely not letting her through that secure wall he had in place right now. Only Kiryu had been able to break through that one so far, and Melee was close to doing so herself sometimes.

"As well as one could be in this situation." ... Which in reality, wasn't very well at all.

[nyc-detective.livejournal.com]

She pushed over a coffee mug for him to use as a makeshift ashtray; the coffee had long since grown cold, and Elisa never really did care for the dregs. It was slightly gross, but it'd have to do. She didn't want ashes all over her desk. And after seeing how he had relaxed a fraction, Elisa knew she had made the right decision. But he was still cautious, and still didn't trust her.

"That bad, huh?" she teased weakly. She wasn't a stranger to being held captive by the bad guys; the Joker had her in his clutches at one point, too, and those nightmares never really would go away. Not to mention the numerous times back home when things seemed to be at their worst.

[wolfofmibu]

He merely glanced at the mug for about two seconds before looking back at her.

... And then reminded himself of what she had gone through as well. The Joker. Saitou frowned a bit at that, looking away a moment. That, in some ways, had probably been much worse.

"You could say that."

RANDOM TIDBIT: Remember that christmas gift meme ages ago? Yeah, that thing is totally on her desk.

[nyc-detective.livejournal.com]

She leaned back in her desk chair, ready to get to the matter at hand. He never really was one for small talk, which was part of the reason he was so fun to rile up. While admittedly not personally close with any of the other officers, Elisa liked to think that they were all friends on some level, and not just colleagues or acquaintances.

Strange, though, how he suddenly refused to meet her eyes. "So why don't you fill me in on what happened?"

FFFFFFFFFFF OH GOD also this is my last tag for tonight ^^; /slaps early morning classes

[wolfofmibu]

He might not look back at her for a little while, as now he had switched from looking away to looking down. And took another drag of his cigarette before steeling himself.

"... I'd assumed he was alone," he started quietly, with quite a bit of annoyance. "And he was, for a short while... Though Slade and a number of his creations came to his aid moments after my arrival."

WHATEVER, IT'S PRETTY.

[nyc-detective.livejournal.com]

His posture was practically screaming "don't talk to me", which naturally made her want to pry. It was, perhaps, a latent instinct in a cop. She understood his defensiveness, but as unpleasant as this was, they were both officers of the law, and knew the value of keeping good communication. At least, Elisa had assumed that to be the case.

She bit back her urge to interrupt with a sarcastic comment. It was often her first reaction, and usually tended to get people to reveal more than they intended, but in this case, Elisa knew it wouldn't work. Instead, she merely said, "That would explain why we couldn't find anything at the scene."

... okay wait no I have a tag in my head I must type it out before sleep (LAST EDIT I SWEAR orz)

[wolfofmibu]

Well at first it was mostly because he didn't want to look at her, true, but now it's more he was looking down in thought, recalling the incident. And idly tapped his cigarette on the edge of the mug Maza had offered before smirking a bit knowingly.

"I'm not surprised." Considering how meticulous Slade was about every little thing, the idea of him not leaving any traces seemed quite plausible indeed.

"Although he was my opponent for some time," and oh, how he had enjoyed that feeling, "a one 'Dr. Horrible' showed up with some sort of ray gun. I'm not positive of what its effects were, but, the next thing I knew... Cavil was standing over me. And I couldn't move." Elisa might note that the longer Saitou talked, the more furious he sounded. Also definitely dripping with murderous intent, as his fists clenched, teeth gritting, recalling that smug bastard's laugh. One way or another he would make him suffer.

I waited until the morning just in case you had another edit. :P

[nyc-detective.livejournal.com]

"Doctor Horrible?" Elisa asked, puzzled. From what she had seen of him on the comms, he had seemed too much of a... well, a pansy pose much of a threat. She was not pleased by this information. "So Horrible's got a freeze ray, and is in cahoots with Cavil and Slade. Wonder who else is..."

Elisa frowned more deeply, but her attention was quickly redirected to Saitou's manner. The Lieutenant was very clearly planning murder, and was likely absolutely livid that he had been caught off-guard. And she knew from her own experiences that sympathy was the last thing he wanted or needed. Besides, Elisa didn't have much use for people who wallowed.

"Saitou, calm down," she said, but not unkindly. "So, if Horrible hadn't shown up, you would have caught Cavil?"

orz ;; /fff nevermind I just. fail in general OTL

[wolfofmibu]

Saitou had been just as unfazed as her at the idea of Dr. Horrible actually being a threat, and by all things considered, firmly believed that that had been a lucky shot. And he would never let that happen again.

And although he would love to keep plotting in his head of all the things he would do to Cavil the second he showed his face, he did realize something.

Cavil had made him this way.

And Saitou losing his control to a blind rage was probably exactly what he would want, as it would tip the scale in Cavil's favor for getting out early, if not entirely.

Gradually, Saitou's manner returned to calm irritation once more, taking a drag of his cigarette again before continuing, albeit still quite displeased.

"What little Slade has given us with information, in person his combat skills are equal to mine." And he really wouldn't mind a rematch at all, considering he was still curious which of them would come out on top. "He's definitely been through as many battles as I have. I couldn't say which of us would have survived in the end."

Then he tilted his head in thought a bit, recalling the background noises he'd paid acute attention to, even with a bo staff in his face. "Cavil was still in the other room, and I could make out the sound of a gun being cocked. I'm sure he was waiting for an opportunity, but bullets I can dodge." He said this matter-of-factly more than anything, not really in a mood to show off at all right now. The thing he was still most curious about was how his fight with Slade would have ended, if not interrupted...

Aw, that's okay! I usually just wing it and notice atrocious typos after it's too late to fix them!

[nyc-detective.livejournal.com]

She had to commend Saitou for his incredible emotional control, if nothing else. It was the mark of a truly good officer. Blind rage and the desire for revenge lead to sloppy work and amateurish mistakes, and those were the kinds of mistakes their meager force simply could not have.

"Well, tell you what, you have first dibs on Slade when we put him away for this," she grinned. "And you'll survive that particular fight because I said so." Tapping a pen on the desk briskly, Elisa processed the next bit of information.

"Was Slade deliberately fighting you as a distraction, or did Cavil merely sense his opportunity and take it?" she asked. "And was this when Horrible hit you with his freeze ray thing?"

[wolfofmibu]

That grin was returned, if only for a second. He probably wouldn't be in a generally 'good' mood again for quite some time. He had enjoyed that. "All right."

However her next inquiry took some time to answer, as Saitou had thought on why as well.

"Slade's creations showed up before he actually showed his face. So I believe for the most part Cavil must have sent out some kind of distress signal or contacted the two individuals personally." Although it really hadn't taken Saitou much time to find Cavil, so he doubted he had had enough time for two conversations. And his expression turned sour again at the mention of that bumbling idiot. "Aa."

[nyc-detective.livejournal.com]

Oh, hey, a brief smile! That was progress, and Elisa counted it as a victory.
"I'd be more willing to bet on some sort of covert distress signal than Cavil taking the time to be chatty on his cell phone while you were breaking down his door. It doesn't fit his personality. He's far too shrewd." She leaned back and considered the facts, and the man in front of her. God, what a nightmare this was. It was fortunate that the laws of the City were kind of in shambles, otherwise Saitou's actions would have hung them out to dry. Not that she blamed her lieutenant. She often wanted to go after the bastards that stained the City streets.

"What then?"

[wolfofmibu]

Saitou definitely agreed on the 'shrewd' part. And how much he loved his own voice, as well...

His expression just worsened at being prodded to continue. He would rather like to just dig in his heels now and be silent, but he knew that would be near impossible right now. She'd just fuss at him some more.

"... As I said, I have no memory of whatever happened after Horrible's freeze ray went off, until the effects wore off. And I was stuck in a room. With Cavil." That anger seeped out more with his words, but more biting than anything. "When I didn't answer his questions regarding how I found him, he started forcing memories to come to the surface. ...Then he started taking some away." His face became more blank than anything, mentioning that. Coldly inexpressive, almost. "When I didn't answer him then, he started forcing seizures on me. And they grew worse over time."

[nyc-detective.livejournal.com]

"Oh, Hajime," Elisa said softly, deliberately using his first name to temporarily drop the formality between them. She knew he didn't want pity, but god damn that had to be rough. "I can see why you want to break the bastard's face. Damn, if I could, I'd hold back his arms so you could have an easier time beating the crap out of him." She sighed and didn't press him for any further details. If he wanted to tell her, he would.

"How long were you tortured?" she asked quietly.

[wolfofmibu]

Saitou immediately stiffened when she called him that, expression guarded and definitely more defensive than before. He didn't want sympathy. He had had worse. His brows furrowed and already he was seeing where she was going with this. "Don't," he warned, narrowing on a cold tone almost. Although when she shared his sentiment of wanting to break Cavil, that coldness did subside back down. But if she tried that informality again he was out the door.

"Until around noon Monday. Then Stark showed up."

[nyc-detective.livejournal.com]

"All right," she said, resuming her "boss" posture. It might have been a bit of a judgment lapse, but Elisa didn't regret it. Still, he didn't want sympathy and he didn't want her to be his counselor or best buddy.

"How did Stark know where to find you?"

[wolfofmibu]

He immediately resumed his previously indifferent behavior the moment she changed her tone. Maybe in a few days he'd appreciate it a bit more, but right now the only thing he really felt was anger.

He held his chin in one hand, though, at the question. "... I'm not sure. I assume since the hacker boy was with him that he was giving Stark directions."

[nyc-detective.livejournal.com]

Temporary crisis averted, good. But as she listened to his explanation, she frowned heavily.

"Why the hell didn't he come to us with that information?" This was the part of the job that Elisa, time and again, was frustrated with. The police force here was considered in many respects a complete joke. They were seen as incompetent and powerless, even though Elisa knew that they were simply up against insurmountable odds. But stuff like this? This was just a slap in the face.

wasn't sure if you meant Alastair or Stark by that so ><; lemme know if I should change orz

[wolfofmibu]

Saitou wasn't perceptive for nothing. He could tell just by her silence after asking that she was taking it a bit personally. Though, considering Saitou lived with a few people who actually despised the police, he had learned to take it in stride. The Shinsengumi had often been dumbed down as 'murderers,' after all, instead of the sole protectors of Kyoto.

"... He probably meant nothing by it," came his quiet response. He didn't need the Mind's Eye right now to observe how frustrated she was. "He's not exactly the trusting sort, and being as the boy's employed by Stark, I can see his reasoning."

It could have worked either way so no worries

[nyc-detective.livejournal.com]

"I'm sure," she replied, trying to fight off her moodiness by running an hand through her hair. "I mean, hey, Stark's so trustworthy."

But that was a problem she'd have to work on later. Elisa knew that in order to get anything truly done around here she'd have to work on the PR the police had with the rest of the City. "At any rate, is there anything else you think I need to know on this?"

kk ^^;

[wolfofmibu]

Saitou seemed to be getting more lucid the more Maza became frustrated. Maybe because that's what he was used to, instead of the other way around. Maybe because he still didn't like that she had worried; he wasn't sure.

He said nothing for a few moments, considering her question, before slowly shaking his head. "I think that's everything. The only thing that needs to be looked into further is the idea of a distress signal Cavil may have set up. Who knows who else..."

<3 BTW I have something I need to scan and show you.

[nyc-detective.livejournal.com]

She sighed heavily, calming back down. "I completely agree. Ten to one he's got more people on his little distress list. We'll see what we can dig up, there has to be some clue. And even if he doesn't talk, well, we'll just threaten to let you loose in his jail cell."

Elisa wanted to ask him about the memory he may have lost due to this strange City's resurrection process, but she knew it wasn't the time nor the place. "Thank you," she said instead, "for telling me. You want a few days leave to get back on your feet, you got it."

OBJLKSOHMYG ODDOYOUREALLY

[wolfofmibu]

He was silent for most of that, still inexpressive as ever, just listening to her voice. As much as a few days rest would be nice, Saitou knew he'd waste them mulling over this week's events. And possibly act without thinking once more. He couldn't have that happen again.

And so he just shook his head simply at that offer. "Work will take my mind off it."

YEAH but I have to clean it up in photoshop a bit first cuz uh notebookpaper*cough*

[nyc-detective.livejournal.com]

At that, she smiled again. "I figured. Well, you want desk work or to be walking the beat? I can schedule you with either."

/fidgets in seat forever

[wolfofmibu]

He gave a bit of an indifferent shrug at that, far less angry than he had upon entering her office, but... that didn't mean he wanted to leave any less.

"I have no preference."

Get on aim and I'll give you a preview (with notebook lines orz)

[nyc-detective.livejournal.com]

"Well then, since I'm deciding shortly to get some moving and shaking going around here, I'd prefer it if you stayed in house and did some clean-up with the paperwork," she said amicably. "Have a good time."

She waited until he was at the door before speaking again. "Oh, and Saitou? I'm glad you're back. Don't do it again; you had me worried."

[wolfofmibu]

He'd only nodded at that, silent again, though that last part made him pause with his hand on the door handle. That guilt was starting to seep back in at her words, and knowing she had worried... that it was his fault she had worried... And Melee as well. And Kiryu. And this whole damn mess that was still too fresh in his mind and he needed to get the hell out of here--

"... I won't." The door opened a second later, Saitou stepping out.

Though oddly enough, he felt a weight off his shoulders.

... He'd have to evaluate that later, making a mental note to do so. Troublesome woman.