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Post by Javert on Mar 25, 2009 1:22:48 GMT -5
Javert entered the prefecture, looking every bit as impeccable as he always did.
Today however this was more of an achievement then usual. The inspector had managed to go from Jason's place to his own, get into his present impeccable state and still reached the prefecture in record time. Not that the record time mattered, of course... what mattered was that Javert was very much on time.
Plus, the inspector was cheerful. You'd have to be a bit of a connoisseur to notice that, but that didn't make it any less true.
With great energy in his steps Javert made his way down the stairs. He couldn't help but hope to find Jason already behind his desk, perhaps they could do an early patrol together.
((For Jason and Javert's little pain in the rear Lambert))
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Post by Inspector Jason Cluont on Mar 25, 2009 1:28:53 GMT -5
Javert seemed to have forgotten what landed them in the same place the night before in the first place--Jason was in, having woken when Javert left, but he was only in to gather up some of his files to distribute among the other men.
He'd hired a stout cabman to bring him in after managing to dress himself and retrieve his old crutch from the rear of his wardrobe and was presently leaned over Lambert's empty desk, scribbling a note for the file he was leaving there when Javert came down.
The younger man straightened and nodded to him.
"Goodmorning, Javert."
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Post by Javert on Mar 25, 2009 7:28:51 GMT -5
The spring in Javert's step faltered when he saw the crutch. Oh... yes...
"Good morning, Cluont," he replied with a nod. Jason's last name was simply a reflex due to their current environment. At work there were the inspectors Javert and Cluont, no matter what they might say to or yell at each other outside office hours. It was a pattern that had been worn in through the years and even if he wanted to, Javert doubted he'd ever really get rid of the habit.
"Are you feeling any better today?"
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Post by Charles Lambert on Mar 25, 2009 9:16:00 GMT -5
((Ahh, shoot. I was going to have him here when they got in, but I forgot.))
Lambert was late.
It was a rare occurrence, and it had all been on account of the muffins. Well, the muffins, and the fact that he'd waited outside Javert's home, the paper sack clutched before him as the hands of his pocketwatch ticked on and Javert did not emerge. Lambert felt fidgety, but he knew that Javert wouldn't most from his post no matter what, so he stayed, until it became too late for Javert (or Lambert) to get to the prefecture on time.
It was then that the rain (the potential rain that had served so well to keep Javert at Cluont's last night) opened over his head, soaking both him and the muffins before Lambert could find shelter. Which meant that, finally giving up on his vigil, he had to dry himself off (he lived very close, it wasn't any trouble), discard the soggy baked goods, procure more, and show up apple-cheeked and stammering his apologies, the new paper sack damp where he held it but otherwise pristine.
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Post by Inspector Jason Cluont on Mar 25, 2009 11:10:42 GMT -5
Jason certainly didn't mind the formality of work and looked up when Lambert came in, scowling at him.
"You'd best keep better hours, boy. Look here now--I'm out a week, my brace is broken. I'm leaving you two files which should be easy enough for you to manage on your own."
He gave the young man a pointed look and then limped over to Javert with another file under his arm, depositing it on the man's desk and muttering at him, somewhat put out by Lambert's sudden arrival.
"I'm feeling just fine, thank you. Dinner at seven," he cleared his throat and made for the stairs.
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Post by Javert on Mar 25, 2009 11:22:38 GMT -5
Oh no... oh, sweet God in Heaven I don't believe in, no... not him!
When upon arrival there'd been a distinct lack of Lambert waiting for him at the door, Javert had actually had hope.
Hope that the boy wouldn't show... that perhaps the inspector's wish had been fulfilled and Lambert had been magically transported to the other side of the world. No such luck... someone, somewhere was mocking Javert!
And now... Jason was leaving. Actually leaving. Thereby leaving Javert alone with Lambert.
Obviously this was his punishment, he had caused Cluont pain yesterday and in spite of all the good that had come from it, Javert would have to pay the price.
And somehow the inspector couldn't repress the feeling that Jason's stern words and gaze -even if it rivalled Javert's own- would be enough to keep the boy at bay.
Grumbling something that could be mistaken for a greeting Javert sat down and aimed his entire attention at the file.
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Post by Charles Lambert on Mar 25, 2009 11:42:38 GMT -5
Lambert's emotions were a swirling mass of confusion.
On the one hand, Cluont intimidated him. Not in the same way that Javert did, with his very brilliance, but because he was... intimidating. The way he limped about, the stern look on his face (not nearly so noble as Javert's!), the way he ridiculed Javert both behind and in front of his back... Lambert did not like Cluont, but he was afraid of him, just the same.
On the other hand, he was leaving, and at that news Lambert's heart leapt into his throat and he instantly began to fantasize about running down criminals at Javert's side. He knew there was no love lost between the two men, and given the chance, why, Lambert would show everyone he was equal to the task!
He could run, at least.
As the other inspector left, Lambert sidled up to Javert's desk, muffins before him like a sacrifice, his face a confused picture of restrained eagerness and apology.
"I brought muffins," he said, his nerves causing the first syllable of the last word to pop out a little too loud. "Um. There's blueberry, and pumpkin, and I saved a chocolate chip one for you."
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Post by Javert on Mar 25, 2009 12:14:39 GMT -5
The universe hated Javert. It truly, truly did.
Why exactly was beyond the inspector, but it was clear as day anyway. He was a good cop, upheld The Law to the best of his ability... which, he would have to say, was pretty damn well. Yet, Javert was almost tempted to believe in a higher power. That power had it out for him.
Maybe going to church with Jason would redeem him in some small way?
"I'm quite alright, Lambert. I've had breakfast," he said without looking up from the file.
Why was it so tempting to bang his head against his desk? It wouldn't be the first time this idiot boy had made him do it... but it probably wasn't a good idea to do so with Lambert present. On the other hand, the muffins might cushion the blow and Javert could have somewhat less of a headache.
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Post by Charles Lambert on Mar 25, 2009 12:24:39 GMT -5
"Oh," Lambert said, the syllable containing his intense disappointment. But he brightened immediately. "Well, maybe you'll get hungry later, before lunch. I'll just leave it here."
With that he reached into the bag and drew out the aforementioned chocolate chip monstrosity, which he positioned carefully on the desk as if it were a bouquet of roses. He beamed at it as happily as if he'd made it himself, satisfied as to the effect.
"Well, I'll get to work now," he said. "You know, lots of paperwork." He knew Javert liked paperwork, so he did to, which was okay because he was actually pretty good at it. Clutching the rest of the muffins in their bag, he backed away (consequently into another desk, setting the inkwell rattling) and wondered what he'd do with all of them.
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Post by Javert on Mar 25, 2009 12:34:53 GMT -5
"Thank you, Lambert," Javert muttered, immediately realizing his mistake.
He'd thanked him! Curse his good manners! The idiot boy would no doubt take it as an encouragement... they would all drown in seas of muffins, Javert's desk looking like the throne of the pastry king!
And it would all have been Javert's fault. It would be because Javert hadn't managed to properly ignore Lambert. The prefecture would turn into a bakery and everyone would know who was to blame.
Damn Jason for leaving him alone like this!
Okay, Javert... you need a plan of action, you need to get away from Lambert. Think, this is what you're good at, you know how to make plans!
Lambert said he was going to do paperwork... that gave Javert an out! Of course, it was so obvious! All he had to do was go on patrol!
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Post by Charles Lambert on Mar 25, 2009 12:52:21 GMT -5
The smile that spread across Lambert's face at Javert's gratitude was either heartbreaking or terrifying, or possibly both, considering the perspective. He felt light as a feather as he floated back to his own desk, setting himself diligently to work with a song in his heart. Tomorrow... croissants? Danishes? Donuts?
As he worked, his ears were attuned to any change in Javert's position. What if the great man should need something? Lambert wanted to know. Also if he ate his muffin, Lambert wanted to see how he enjoyed it.
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Post by Javert on Mar 25, 2009 13:09:02 GMT -5
Happy with his plan, Javert shot a final longing glance at his paperwork before standing.
It was a shame the reports would have to wait, but at least he could 'trust' his colleagues to er... take care of the muffin situation. God knew what Lambert would do if he actually ate the damned thing.
Still, the inspector swiftly made his way over to get his coat and hat, the final things he needed before he'd be free.
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Post by Charles Lambert on Mar 25, 2009 13:27:01 GMT -5
Of course, Lambert could hear the claiming of Javert's coat and hat like a cat hears a tunafish lid two houses away. his head shot up, his pen dropped to the desk, and he was standing before it could make a blot on his paperwork--though naturally after his first instinctive motion he put it safely away.
He found his hat and coat, too, and stood patiently next to Javert.
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Post by Javert on Mar 25, 2009 13:44:32 GMT -5
Javert glanced over to the boy next to him.
The inspector was sure people three blocks away could actually hear his silent mantra.
'He's not a bad kid, don't kill him. He's not a bad kid, don't kill him. He's not a bad kid, don't kill him.'
Very slowly, his voice rather low and dangerous - even though he managed to force it away from homicidal - the older man spoke.
"Lambert... what, pray tell, do you think you're doing?"
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Post by Charles Lambert on Mar 25, 2009 13:49:02 GMT -5
Lambert, of course, had no ability to read minds at all. Or faces, for that matter. He smiled, both eager and shy, up at Javert.
"I'm going with you," he said happily. He wondered if he'd ever get his voice to do that thing that Javert's did. So... growly and majestic. "Inspector Cluont isn't here, and you know it's procedure to take a partner with you..." He went on for a bit about regulation, and beamed at the end.
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