A watchful presence [Gav/Open]

[ÉMILE JAVERT]

Javert had settled himself to watching the square from a shadowy doorway. His reasons were varied, and most he kept to himself. Today was one of the days the upper class were chosing to give alms to the poor for starters, which always caused pickpockets to go wild. Then there was the general rumour of the area nearby becoming a nest of whores and of vipers, such could not be seen by the upper class. So he stood. His dark skin still gained him many looks, it wasn't something normally seen. Indeed if it hadn't have been for his eagle eyes, his keen visual memory and his attention to detail he may never have escaped the low life his colour should have granted him. His chocolate brown eyes were focused and cold, seeming almost predatory.

He was keeping a constant watch, his sharp gaze shifting over the moving crowd, like a hawk searching for its prey.. Then it was there, a slight movement, a slight scuffle in the crowd. He spotted it and was moving already to apprehend the person, whoever or whatever it was. His eyes were scanning for any signs of an attempted escape as the crowd parted through him. He heard the shout of 'Its Javert!' and was almost knocked over by the rush to get out of his way. He wasn't surprised as he found no one where the scuffle had been. It just raised his blood, made him long to capture the person who'd caused such an affront more.

Instead he settled to trying to find out details. Not that he had much hope - if it was a pickpocket they'd be too crafty to be caught. Silently he stalked back through the crowd, finding a different shadow to stand in. He tried to ignore as it started to rain. The crowd thinned slightly now, but still he stood. Only once he was certain there would be no further action here did he make to move on. His stride was measured, and he tipped his top hat respectfully to the various gentry who were present in respect. His truncheon was tucked under his arm, and there was a certain order even to how he moved.

His eyes even as he moved on were still scanning the square intently. He was also listening, making notes on everything he heard. Anything could be a clue on his own personal goal.

[gavroche]

"Hurry up, come on, follow me!" Gavroche weaved his way through the large crowd like the pro that he was, a couple of lost looking whiners even younger than him in toe. Couldn't stay still too long if you wanted anything good. Couldn't stay alone or you'd get blamed on the first thing gone nicked. These one's were on their parents orders; 'people will be more sympathetic if you're on your own', 'Gavroche, you'll watch them, won't you'- he was much nicer than he got credit for.

Gavroche personally saw himself above the charity of the day -a bunch of stuffed coats trying to keep up an image, laughable and laugh he would- but that didn't mean he didn't think there'd be something worth seeing. The streets were flooded with the most wealthy and the dirtiest crooks- and he was only playing his part to ease the balance. If nothing, he knew he'd find at least one of his siblings here on Thenardier's orders, faking like the kids who he'd just let off. Maybe he'd even find the man himself.. stealing from the thieves- risky business, but it was so fun to make them mad he'd do it every time.

Now, though, he had other intentions. It hadn't been hard to slip his hand into the man's pocket. The waistcoat was too big- he never even noticed. Along the side of the street Gavroche discarded what he didn't need... papers, an old, almost indistinguishable photo. He'd only gotten a few francs out of it (nothing they had on them they weren't planing on giving away)- but added to the rest of his gatherings tucked safely away, he was eating tonight, better than he had for a while. Someone else hadn't been as talented lucky as him.. And the man who'd caught him swung a punch.

Yes, that's right, the rich man hit first. Gavroche would tell it a million times later when everyone asked. The fight (which he'd hoped up on a box to better see) was broken up very quickly by a shout of 'It's Javert!' and the corner of his lip quirked up even as he ran from the scene into an alleyway, small space between to building someone bigger wouldn't think to run though. Of all the patrons in law enforcement, Javert was Gavroche's personal favorite to cause trouble for. He'd had plans for the inspector- that was for sure.

By the time he'd deemed it clear to come out the rain had started up. The crowd began to disperse.. not that that wasn't expected. The rich didn't like to get their clothes wet. The poor couldn't risk getting sick. Gavroche wasn't too bothered by it all. He'd been out in worse. But even without the bother, the rain still seeped through his thin clothes within minutes and sent shivered up and down his body. He hurried in the direction opposite of where the fight had been, sure he knew exactly where he'd find the man he was looking for.

He laughed as the familiar figure came into view, slinking around in the shadows. Not on his way out yet- which Gavroche would give him some credit for. "Well lookie 'ere, if it isn't the dear Inspect'a!" He beamed with false cheer, before lowering his voice to a mocking whisper. "Are we hiding from someone? I hate to break it to you, but you don't 'ave a very good spot. They can see ya from all the way out there. And that's in bad weather."

[ÉMILE JAVERT]

Javert glanced over at the brat, a vein in his forehead ticking already. He had to remind himself he couldn't arrest a brat who he'd seen do no wrong, yet. "Have you not got somewhere better to be?" he asked, telling himself that he would not get riled up by this street brat. "Somewhere drier maybe," he added on. His brown eyes were fixed on Gavroche, though he was rather quick to check his pockets. He was trying to do so without letting the brat know he was doing that.

"Don't tell me you'd come here for the charity, if you had it's just a bit too late wouldn't you agree?" he added on. Oh this one was infuriating, second on his list to Valjean. It was made only so much more of an irritance that he couldn't book him on a crime he'd yet to have proof he'd committed. The weather was still bad, and a chill wind had accompanied it. The crowd had near on gone by now, just a few stray beggars desperate for money. Quietly he reached to tug the collar of his jacket closer to his neck. "Do you have a reason for coming to speak with me? Has there been a crime you wish to report?" he was trying to stay formal. That way he may not find the urge to scruff him and drag him to the nearest police station too tempting. There was that promise there in his eyes. He was watching Gavroche just as he watched every suspicious person. Waiting for them to slip up and commit a crime he could actually do something about.

Oh but the comment about hiding had nettled him deep down. He was just trying to not let that show. He didn't hide. He had no reason to hide. His presence alone caused fear in the criminal underworld, those that it didn't soon learnt that it should. His fingers twitched slightly before he turned reaching in his pocket for coin that should be there. At finding it not present his gaze fixed on Gavroche once more, ignoring that it would have been nigh on impossible for him to have actually stolen it from him. He'd been careful to keep him in view at all times. This meant that he was now cold, wet, and lacking pennies for sustenance, and generally in a rather more irritable mood.

[gavroche]

Gavroche was of course expecting no less than the warm greeting he received from the inspector. (A warmer one would have been concerning!) He was used to being watched as Javert watched him and rather than shrinking under the scrutinizing gaze, he beamed and walked with his head held high- if only to make the man more uncomfortable as he followed him.

'Have you not got somewhere better to be?.. Somewhere dried maybe' Oh the dear Inspector was trying to get rid of him already! And they'd only just started talking. "Nope!" He shook his head, lessening his grin only slightly, as if to show seriousness. He did in fact have somewhere he could be where.. well, it wouldn't be dry, but it would be much better than this, but Javert didn't need to know that.

He asked what Gavroche was doing there and he couldn't help another cheeky come back. Pretending to take offence, he crossed his arms over it chest and declared "Some of us actually live here, you know." Javert may have been a long way from home, but these were his parts of town. If anything, he should have been asking Javert why he decided to 'grace them' with his presence.. Sure he'd done enough to put the inspector in his place (for now) he returned to his amusement. "But I came for the show!"

It was hard not to succumb to a fit of laughter at the clear rage Javert was biting back with every word he spoke (and didn't speak). Knowing that Javert had seen him do nothing, and couldn't accuse him of anything only made Gavroche want to prolong the conversation as long as possible. "Is something wrong, Inspector?" he asked with an innocent smile. "You look awful mad."

Him? Report a crime? Ha! They both knew that he'd never do anything of the sort.. It'd be over his dead body.. But he could play along. "There've been a bunch'a crimes, but I'm sure you know all about 'em. After all, you were watching." Nothing more enjoyable than reminding the inspector that he could do his job better than him. (And they both knew that too!) "So about that spot- like I was saying- how many 'ave you caught?"

[ÉMILE JAVERT]

Javert was currently entertaining himself with the visions of squashing Gavroche rather like a bug being squashed. Sadly for him they were only visions. Still he was trying his best to control his anger. The only things truly giving it away by now was the slight flare of his nostrils, the set of his jaw giving it an even stronger line than normal. Thankfully the ticking of the vein in his forehead was at least partially concealed by his hat. He took a deep breath in, which only caused his nostrils to flare more.

"Ah yes, of course I forgot some people live here," he stated his voice dangerously smooth. He hadn't had his coffee yet so he was prone to being irritable, exceptionally so. That coupled with a lack of leads for his personal case and that he had an impudent street rat dancing about in front of him would be more than enough to worsen his mood. Now he didn't even have the money for coffee. It was terrible. "As I'm sure you can see the.... show.... as you call it is over," he stated calmly, feeling rather proud of himself for at least keeping his voice calm.

Oh but the brats impudence was only adding fuel to the fire that was very rapidly brewing. He longed to find something to pin on Gavroche, though he had no idea if he'd be able to cope with him long enough to actually drag him down to the precinct. That is if he could even lay hands on him. "Well you see, I was planning on buying myself a nice cup of coffee to warm up, I guess that a small miracle you've never had, however I appear to have misplaced the coin I had to buy it with. I'm sure you know nothing about that either," he stated, his voice having gone from silky smooth to clipped, measured and precise. A clear sign of how irritated he was.

"Not all the time am I there solely to arrest. This time I was there just to check out a situation, see if the vipers nest was threatening to overflow. However the was likely numerous pickpockets operating successfully, and while I have no proof I shall include you in that number, and at least one brawl before rain dispersed the crowd," his voice was sounding more strained each time he spoke. "While I doubt you would ever come to the police with information do remember that our work is to make the streets safer," he added on. He personally longed to cuff Gavroche around the head and send him on his way in peace. Then he might be able to head back to his small apartment to get some more change.

[gavroche]

Javert had an image to keep up, rules to follow, standards of the upper class to meet. Gavroche had none of that. He could do whatever he wanted, whenever he wanted, and without anyone telling him otherwise (although, people like Javert would have a different opinion on that). It wasn't the coziest life out there- but it suited him fine. Someone like Javert... probably wouldn't last a month.

"Well it would do you well to remember, Inspector." As usual he couldn't say the 'title' without adding his own sarcastic flair, still looking nothing but amused by the entire situation. "The show might be over, but the theater's still open." Around here, there was always something worth watching. In this case, it was the flaring nostrils of the Inspector and his short clipped tone. Gavroche had honestly been thinking of picking the good inspector's pockets before he left, but it seemed someone beat him to the chase.

"No coffee? How horrible!" he was as dramatic about it as possible; of course, it wasn't even possible for him to show the man sympathy. Gavroche hardly had sympathy for other people on the streets. Besides, he'd tried a coffee once, off of one of the revolutionary boys. Warm as it might have been the taste was horrid- he couldn't resist making a disgusted face at the mention. It made sense, of course, that Javert would find such a drink appealing.

'I'm sure you know nothing about that either.' "Of course not." he agreed, though with a certain glint in his eyes (well, he'd let the dear inspector believe whatever he'd like). He personally, didn't for a second believe that Javert had came to do anything other than arrest people. Gavroche knew the 'vipers nest' and he knew that there was nothing Javert could do about it. "And what would you 'ave done if it was?" he asked, a bit of a taunt in his voice. It amazed him that the man was still speaking to him.

His mirth disappeared for only a second, replaced with a particularly violent shiver. He pushed his sopping hat further in front of his face and laughed at Javert's remark. 'Our work is to make the streets safer.' "For who?" he asked, accusingly. Certainly not anyone who needed protection. Oh yes, there were people who deserved prison- killers and the like, but it wasn't like that was as common as the crimes Javert usually dealt with. Gavroche really believed, that if there was no law, everyone would just keep to their own and everything would work out fine. (They did anyway, when they were smart enough not to get caught.) And when he believed something- pity the person who tries to tell him otherwise.

[ÉMILE JAVERT]

Javert couldn't help his irritated huff. "I am not a show," he stated, still trying to keep the irritation out of his voice. He was more than aware that Gavroche would only needle at him more for showing it. "I am certain there are far more interesting things to see then me doing my job," he added on before he paused contemplatively. Slowly he checked an inside pocket on his coat finding the missing coin there.

"I don't suppose I could Pay you to leave me alone could I?" he asked, hating himself for being so.... desperate. He wanted peace, quiet, time alone with his thoughts. And that coffee. "Or buy you food if you'd prefer something other then coin," he was almost being sociable, having resigned himself to being pestered by the street rat whenever he was in this area.

He gritted his teeth, refusing to answer any more questions from Gavroche, trying to quicken his stride to put distance between them. His coat flared out as he walked, shoulders hunching against the cold wind. He paused long enough to properly button his coat trying to keep as much warmth as he could. He paused slightly hearing some of the whispers. Revolution. Not another one. He sighed making note of that glancing as if to see if Gavroche was still tailing him, unable to disguise a shiver at a particularly cold breeze.

The wind was making the rain particularly unpleasant he decided, longing to be able to return to his home. Despite his regalia he really wasn't paid that much. Not that he minded, he made enough to eat comfortably. A carriage raced past the wheels splattering mud up his trousers and onto his polished shoes. That would be another task when he got in then. Polish his shoes. He couldn't stand the idea of filthy clothing. Anyway, what was his order of duty for the day? He'd patrolled while the rich had been present to grant charity to the poor. What was next on his list? He was mentally going through this as he walked trying to ignore the cold and damp that was trying to make him even more miserable. It was as if the elements were conspiring with Gavroche to make this part of his day as miserable as possible.

[gavroche]

'"I am certain there are far more interesting things to see then me doing my job."' Well, Javert may have been certain, but Gavroche wasn't sure at all that the inspector knew just how amusing he could be. He was as much a show as the rest of them, but one that only came around every once in a blue moon, and was so very easy to rile up for an encore. The more he got angry, the harder it was for Gavroche to remain composed, and not simply collapse laughing at his grand accomplishment. How anyone could want a different life he had no idea!

Oh sure, the weather was horrid. But knowing that Javert had to put up with the cold and rain that didn't care if you were a law-keeper or a crook kept his spirits plenty high as he made casual conversation. For a moment it had seemed that his fun had run out, and Javert would no longer answer his questions (he had no good answers, probably- Gavroche wasn't surprised), but then things took a pleasant turn of events. A carriage drove past and splashed mud onto Javert's clothing (if any had gotten on Gavroche, you couldn't tell the difference), and just when he thought the good inspector might blow up.. literally..he was literally waiting for heads to fly.. he said something that Gavroche never thought he'd hear.

Now, now it couldn't have gotten better. To get paid for the Inspector to do the begging..to be on top of the food chain..rewarded and witnessing the man's desperation.. there probably wasn't a person on the streets of Paris who would turn down such an abstract opportunity- especially not one as clever as Gavroche was. He mulled over it for a moment, before nodding tersely as if he'd just signed on a business venture. "Make it warm and chocolate and you have yourself a deal." Smiling to himself he followed the inspector down the street to claim his prize.

ooc: i'm sorry this took so long and is and so short!