(no subject)

[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 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.