Blind Faith, Heartache, Mind Games, Mistakes [Closed, January 2]

[dead_black_eyes]

Who: Lazarus Lawliet and Cesar Sanchez-Ortiz
What: Not quite friendship, not quite animosity; everything depends on where it goes from here.
When: January 2, Friday
Where: Tea-riffic Coffee
Warnings: Nothing yet!



Most of the coffee shops in the area recognize Lazarus as the owner of the controversial Espresso Yourself; fortunately, the one Cesar suggested isn't one of the ones that have a particularly strong opinion of Numbered; he gets a few glances when he comes in despite a non-ostentatious manner of dressing and holding himself, but what's known isn't given voice, and he's able to take a seat in a back booth without incident or comment after ordering a traditional cappuccino. As he waits for Cesar to arrive, his fingertips play idly with the edges of an envelope while his iPhone sits nearby. The number tattooed on his palm is visible at moments, and though he looks better than he did, the shade of his skin and the deep circles under his eyes say that he's been ill recently.

Comments

[evowhisperer]

Cesar is better than L at timing, but this does not mean he's very good at all. It's a small blessing that he's noticed the shift in L's look. His own smile fades, replaced by something sober.

(The expression is more fitting for this anyway, isn't it?)

Do you still do work as a detective?

Alarms are blaring in his own mind, shouting the dangers of going anywhere near these treacherous waters. He ignores them: L is interested in the safety of the Numbered, if nothing else. Cesar is Numbered. He's not even enlisting his help for an investigation, is he? All's well.

[dead_black_eyes]

So, both.

L doesn't follow the instructions on his scorecard, but his eyes communicate the fact that this has caught him off-guard.

"Some," he answers carefully, after a moment. "More coordination and intelligence-gathering, these days... not as much field work. Why?"

[evowhisperer]

This could mean granting L access to his life again! Temporary access. Yes. And how much does L really need to have consequences? Cesar brings his coffee up, stalling. The coffee is cool enough for a proper drink.

He lowers the cup, hands once again free.

I wanted to know your opinion on something I noticed last week. I have a neighbor that I know is anti-Numbered, and I saw him making strange purchases.

[dead_black_eyes]

For someone who is using the exaggerated expressions and postures of Muppets to properly learn how to convey human emotion, the implications of Cesar's observations have certainly been written plainly enough across L's pale face. Nothing so cut-and-dried as "happy" or "sad", of course; apprehension and exhaustion play a reluctant duet. A peg slips, a string snaps, and he's rubbing at his temple. He's uncertain about just what it was he was trying to resist, but he can't do it.

It's nothing like a child upset over a chess board. We're the adults now, there are consequences to hatred, and it doesn't end when we turn off the movie.

"Then... you'd better tell me what you saw. My opinion is that it shouldn't be ignored, when so many people have already been hurt so deeply."

[evowhisperer]

I'm not asking you to take on a case or look into it further. I just want your advice.

Advice that L can't give unless Cesar goes ahead and explains to him the problem. He holds the tablet in its place for a few seconds longer anyway, trying to emphasize it. To reassure L? To reassure himself? He'd been so wrapped up in his own troubles that this possibility of how it might affect L hadn't occurred to him.

Large quantities of rat poison. More than an entire family could ever use, more than if the entire building was infested. Duct tape. Edged objects that I couldn't identify through the bags.

[dead_black_eyes]

L is good at his job; he never failed to find Moises, or in the months he was deceiving the Mafia through messages and phone calls and convincing them to let him close to Albero. He just didn't have the strength to fight jaguar-men and dog women and people with guns and fists much harder than his. But by taking on all that responsibility, he has to assume responsibility for failing on every level, just by failing on one. Fair or not, it had happened that way, and in the following months he'd turned his focus to more manageable aspects of his career that were more logically sound for someone of his constitution.

You were always meant to stay behind the scenes. Your Other probably was, too.

But during Cesar's absence, he's assumed more responsibility, and more people tie their livelihood to his works and projects. Those he employs, those who have come to rely on him. Saretha for his levelheadedness, Tony for his unique insight to the trauma that still affected him. He has visions of the young people who look to him for guidance writhing in agony as rat poison wastes them, bound in duct tape, and watching those edged objects coming closer to their faces... he had told Cesar once that the best way to torture someone who would die for a cause was to force them to feel helpless, hadn't he?

"You're asking me what I think you should do?" he inquires, no longer interested in his half-empty coffee cup. "Nothing that I couldn't do more effectively. You don't have to ask me to take this case; now that I'm aware of it, I have no choice but to act."

[evowhisperer]

A line appears between his eyebrows. What do you plan to do?

Mierda. This is no surprise, honestly, but it's both more and less than he'd hoped. It's for the better; the last time he'd ignored a sign, he'd wound up bound and sedated on a surgical table. The time before that--well, this is no time to dwell on his mistakes, is it?

[dead_black_eyes]

L's hand cradles his cheek as he rests his bony elbow on the surface of the table.

"Nothing so daring or dramatic as past cases. My Other would probably not waste his time on something so mundane. I have to break into his car, obviously. Maybe his house as well. Wire taps, cameras, and a lot of camping out near his property. Typical private eye stuff, and if substantial proof comes up, it goes to the police, and they handle it from there."

[evowhisperer]

Wow...

Is that what you do in all your cases? He holds the tablet in two hands, and L has a new expression to associate with meanings behind meanings: are you sure this isn't excessive for what this is? Wide eyes. Close eyebrows. Skepticism that's torn between trust and doubt.

[dead_black_eyes]

"Not what you were expecting?" he asks, biting his lip after glancing at a tablet that Cesar holds, for lack of a better word, pointedly. "As I mentioned... I don't do as much field work anymore, but this type of case lends itself decently to my abilities. I'm patient, I blend in well wearing dark clothes, and I can deal with most security systems remotely. It's an approach that works well for the bulk of any detective's cases, which... unfortunately, will be infidelity related. I have a lot of small cameras and microphones on hand at all times. It's local, so... this is really a very discreet way to deal with it, and very low-risk. Obviously... as much as I trust your word, you need proof before you can make a serious accusation."

[evowhisperer]

Cesar frees his right hand, traces a spiral with two fingers, and touches the back of the other hand.

{Of course.}

It makes sense. Why place yourself at risk when you can arrange for technology to passively collect information for you? It's not ethical, but ethics isn't the greatest concern here. Safety is.

Cesar puts the tablet down, adding, {Do you need help?}

[dead_black_eyes]

[He nods in response to the sign; if he was just teaching American Sign Language, he'd commend Cesar on the way he's so organically integrating the signs into normal conversation, keeping the flow of it natural and even. But then there's another question that catches him entirely off-guard; just as he's planning to collect the necessary basic information and start another case, he's inferring that Cesar... just maybe, Cesar wants to be involved.]

I have the equipment I need, but I... suppose just having one more person along wouldn't really increase the chances of being caught by more than 3 or 4%, at most. I already know you're qui-- no offense meant!

[He sincerely didn't mean to do that and he looks mildly horrified at his lack of tact. Which he usually doesn't notice, but this one's so blatant that it jumps out at even him.]

[evowhisperer]

Be involved? One of the most harrowing things from the last case was not knowing what was going on. He never knew for sure how much anyone had discovered, he never found out what the sources were--it had simply all come from a magic box, which had exploded with that same spontaneous unpredictability.

Does Cesar want to be involved? A better question is can he stand to not be?

Tension sweeps across his face, but all he does is wave an impatient hand at L's shock. Signs--no, he doesn't know 'forget'.

Don't worry. I don't cause unnecessary non-voice noise, either, so the statement stands. What do I need to do?

[dead_black_eyes]

[L is glad that the embarrassing slip-up isn't becoming a thing. He tends to be uncertain about how many or what type of faux pas might put his fragile relationship with Cesar Sanchez-Ortiz on the rocks, and it's a relief that this isn't the one to do it. Maybe it's so tame and expected, by L's standards, that it's really not that big a deal.

He gives the question some thought.]

I don't know. I've never had an assistant before.

[Never required one, he doesn't say. He doesn't want Cesar to retract his offer, or feel like it isn't needed or appreciated. If nothing else, these stakeouts can get lonely, even for solitary creatures like him.]

You'll need dark clothes and bus fare... even if you have a car and are willing to drive, it's unwise to. It seems like a good idea to have a getaway vehicle at first, but that's not true; people notice parked cars and you're more likely to get caught. It's a good idea to have a cover, too; the equipment is small enough that it won't slow us down or make us look immediately bulky and it won't be discovered unless we're searched, but a reason to be out is usually important. Think of it as a different kind of getaway car. I like to bring religious material with me, pretend to be going door-to-door or leaving them in windshield wipers; that way, it's an excuse to be on someone's property but people are usually too annoyed or skittish about getting dragged into a long religious conversation to want to keep you around long enough to poke holes in the story. But with two of us... hm. I guess I could use some help coming up with a reason for two young men to be out together, especially at night, when I'll likely put the GPS under his car. I'll need some lookout for that.

[evowhisperer]

Cesar turns the tablet around from the start, looking ready to type--but pausing, listening. He punches in something every now and then, but ultimately lets him talk.

His final product comes out looking a little like a list:
-Dark clothes: check.
-Transportation: check.
-Cover story:

L, this is my neighbor. Maybe we can use that?

[dead_black_eyes]

[A slight crease appears in L's smooth brow. He cocks his head to the side, considering the viability of the proposed cover story.]

It might work. You're aware he's anti-Numbered, but is he aware that you are? And even if he's not... do you know this neighbor well enough to introduce him to your...

[He raises and lowers his hand vaguely, as if measuring an uncertain quantity.]

...whatever you want to say I am?

[evowhisperer]

Lines are appearing on his face again, and he spends a brief, fleeting moment picturing what sort of sight the two of them standing together might make. Ych. This is the first time Cesar's been able to get this far in a conversation with the smaller man without storming off or slipping away as fast as possible. He's not sure he could stomach pretending to be long-time friends. (He knows he couldn't handle pretending anything more, making the very idea laughable.)

Cesar shakes his head.

'I haven't told anyone what I am, but I'm concerned that people may have been told by a third party. This man could be associated with more than we realize. I would not like him to connect me with the Numbered in his mind, especially if it's something I can still stop.'

'For the record, I don't know him well. We've seen each other in passing, but nothing more frequent.'

[dead_black_eyes]

There's a reason that L kind of... assumed that wouldn't be a plausible act. It's a lot to ask of either of them to put on a friendly face for the sake of convincing others, or, even more, to demonstrate some sort of bond or affection. It's bizarre and bewildering to even picture it... though L would be a liar if he claimed for one second that he didn't wish for a friendship like that in his life, very frequently.

"I remember, and it's wise of you to keep it that way," he says. "Can I ask you how you know about his anti-Numbered sentiments? It does not seem like something that would come up 'in passing,' even if he feels very strongly about the matter."

[evowhisperer]

'He has a carrying voice.' Cesar shrugs a little, even though he hasn't turned the tablet around.

'I've passed him on my way to and from work, and sometimes he'll have friends carry him home from drinking. Twice he's been in the middle of an diatribe about how the Numbered should all be exported, so that 'horned mutant devil freaks' don't take jobs away from 'america's real people'.

[dead_black_eyes]

Fortunately, L can read upside-down without a problem.

"Oh...kay. No further questions on that," he comments, cringing very slightly. He knows that there are a lot of very bigoted attitudes in the city about the Numbered, but he's insulated enough in his day to day life, working for and with his community, that he sometimes needs reminders that it really is that bad, that casually.

"If you know when he drinks, that could be an ideal time to plant the GPS and take video and photographs," he says thoughtfully. "With no cover story needed... if he feels that much vitriol toward us, it's probably better if he doesn't meet me."

This was, after all, the guy who tattooed his own Numbers on his hand as a show of solidarity with his more "horned mutant devil freak" acquaintances.

[evowhisperer]

Cesar nods slowly, eyes sliding to an upper corner in the room. When would Cesar come home, to be getting there at the same time as him? He keys in an approximate end time, and then a ballpark start time. Then he puts an arrow between the two.

He types below those. 'Agreed. I'd rather avoid him, given the option.'

Pause. 'This is for non-work-day nights, by the way. Fridays and Saturdays.'

[dead_black_eyes]

"I would hope it's for non-work-day nights," L comments with a light snort. "Otherwise we'd be dealing with an unpredictable alcoholic."

He seems to find that hilarious, and even laughs at it. Appropriateness of subject matter. Yep.

"If he's consistently getting sloshed to the point of tipping over and slurring about those Numbered, let's plan for Friday night. We'll frame it so that we have at least an hour before his projected return, get the GPS in there, plant some mics and cameras, and break in to see if his plans for those suspicious items are readily apparent. Meet me here a half-hour before, and we'll travel there together via bus."

[evowhisperer]

L's laughing gets a disapproving frown. Is this what he meant in his earlier survey? ... Probably.

At least they have a plan. Cesar nods, pointing down at the table, and then signs, {Friday.} There's still plenty of coffee left in his cup, so he takes a large swallow, and the conversation is near its end.

{Should I bring anything?}

[dead_black_eyes]

The laughter fades quickly at Cesar's unimpressed grimace. It's exactly what he meant, but being groomed for chess tournaments meant that while some things didn't come naturally to L, or presented incorrectly, he was very good at swiftly correcting behavior that was deemed poor.

He follows Cesar's example; he's been drinking his coffee somewhat more liberally, and only the dregs remain floating at the bottom of his cup.

"Bus fare. Dark clothes. Phone on silent... common sense things," he says. "I'll take care of the important equipment, so... we should really be all set."

[evowhisperer]

Cesar nods, brows still together. It's starting to become more real as they talk about it, and he's starting to second guess what he's just volunteered for. Are they really going to do this? ... Should he call the whole thing off, and tell L that it was really all just his imagination?

L wouldn't believe him. If Cesar backs out now, L will just do this alone, and Cesar's not sure he could let him.

{I'll be ready.}