tushanshu | video; dated June 14th

[Javert is well groomed, neat, and absolutely professional today. His bangs are combed well over the Charter Mark on his forehead, a trait unbefitting of a man attempting to play Messenger for the authorities. He holds his chin high for the camera, his steely eyes ready to lance straight through the screen and into the viewer's bare conscience.

He speaks in swift, abrupt phrases, with just a hint of a French accent in his clipped vowels.]

Lately I got word of many confusing arrests among us. Trespassing cases among people who were unaware of city limits, unclear boundaries, all of that! Ah! That is inefficient. Foreigners cannot expect to follow local customs if we do not know them.

[Pause. Of course, this is leading up to something, yet it is clear that Javert makes a poor public figure, with the impression he is making. He taps his fingers and grimaces ever deeper as he quickens his speech.]

Of course there are a clear system of laws written for this society like any other. But do not bother to dig up a book vendor if you do not understand French, English, or the local language. Impossible task, translating into every possible tongue! We will not waste the time.

Rather you will find a full voice record of the Keeliai law code available for public use.

[VOICE FILE ATTACHED; split into several subheadings and articles, much like any civil or common law code one would find on the planet Earth.]

[Javert restlessly bends closer to the camera and draws his brows into an indifferent arch.]

I advise that you listen and understand what you are getting into when you cross government boundaries. [That means you, Iorveth, Enjolras, the Amis, and other criminal suspects. He smiles grimly, devoid of all humor.] Among other activities. What you do after that is your concern.

[He lowers his lids with a pinch in his jaw and reaches out to end the feed. He stops short to add as an afterthought--]

A word of thanks to Monsieur Logan for lending his voice.

[The screen goes black.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ That's--wow, that's actually kind of scary. Gavroche tries not to wince. He's faced Javert under other circumstances, why is this any different? ]

'Cause you're waitin' for someone to trip up.

[Javert is silent. He straightens, the space between his shoulders stiff and tense.]

Don't be stupid, [he says, sharp as an axe.] The only way I could make you trip up is if I recorded false laws. That is a proper double-cross. This? It is simply information.

[He bares his teeth in a frightening, humorless smile.]

Besides that, people have an ugly habit of tripping themselves up, [says Javert with a touch of irony. 'People' does not preclude himself, after all.] No need for me to give a push!

Why y'always like this, huh? All stone-faced an summat like that.

[Javert is taken aback for, at most, a split second. No one has ever bothered or dared to ask why he is as he is, though he has heard many fascinating conjectures behind drawn curtains, where his colleagues did not think he could hear them.]

Not always, [Javert admits coolly with a severe arch of his brow.] Simpler as it would be! And don't let's try to blow my temper to test it. I know it tempts you, but you will not succeed.

I ain't said 'are you always like this,' I said 'why,' Inspector.

[Javert snorts dubiously.

Isn't it obvious? He is stone-faced because he chooses to be irreproachable. That is his ideal. That is how a police officer should be. There is only one problem with that line of thought: he is not a police officer anymore. Not really.

He would never admit just how uncomfortable this conversation makes him.

With a roll of his eyes he reaches forward to the connection settings, and pauses. He murmurs quickly wryly,]

Remind me! Next we meet, I shall dress up in colors and start a thrilling chorus in the street.

[Click! And that would be the abrupt severance of their conversation.]

Edited 2013-07-06 03:17 (UTC)